Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Weather for January 29
Bangkok A mix of clouds and sun. High 33C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 31C. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 km/h. Chance of rain 80%. Chiang Mai Sunny to partly cloudy. High 32C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Sunny. High 32C. Winds WNW at 10…
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Thai PM enacts his Article 44 powers to suspend cannabis patents
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has stepped in amid growing controversy over patents for medical marijuana. Critics of the process complain that the high number of patent applications from abroad shows that foreign pharmaceutical corporations were already trying to monopolise Thailand’s fledgling medical-marijuana business. The NCPO leader has used his Article 44 powers to authorise suspension of the current patent applications…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 28
Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number…
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Weather for January 28
Bangkok Abundant sunshine. High 32C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. High 31C. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 km/h. Chance of rain 60%. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High 31C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Sunny. High 31C. Winds N at 15 to 25 km/h.…
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17 year old UK teenager dies in motorbike accident during holiday in Thailand
A 17 year old teenager from the UK has died after being involved in a motorbike accident while holidaying in Thailand. The article in The Telegraph and Argus, a Yorkshire daily in the UK, doesn’t mention where the young man died. 17 year old Anthony Ryan was visiting Thailand on his first trip abroad and was killed in the accident…
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NCPO restrict social media and advertising in election campaign
“Following the confirmation that Thailand’s much-postponed election would finally be held on 24 March – the first election since the military seized power in a bloodless coup in 2014 – the election commission released strict guidelines on political campaigning.” The world’s media is starting to report on the shackles put on political parties campaigning for the Thai general election, scheduled…
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New e-Visa for Chinese tourists starts rolling out on February 15
The Department of Consular Affairs is to officially launch the first phase of the new Thai e-Visa in Beijing on February 15. China will be the first country in the world to have the service, which will be extended to other Chinese cities in early March. Chatri Archjananun, director general of the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said…
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Premchai case to be handed down on March 19
The verdict in the “black leopard” poaching case against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta and three associates is set to be handed down on March 19. Final arguments were heard today in the court in Kanchanaburi province, north-west of Bangkok. Premchai, the president of listed construction giant Italian-Thai Development, was arrested and charged with poaching in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in…
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Palang Pracharat to nominate Prayut as candidate for PM after election
The pro-junta leaning Palang Pracharat Party is poised to name Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as its candidate for PM if it can win a majority at the March 24 general election. This revelation from a Palang Pracharat party source as reported by The Nation. The current junta government’s Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana and Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak are also likely to…
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Weather for January 25
Bangkok A mix of clouds and sun. High 33C. Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 32C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chiang Mai Mainly sunny. High 33C. Winds N at 10 to 15 km/h. Pattaya Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 32C. Winds SW at 10 to 15 km/h. Hua Hin Mainly…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 25
Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Southern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
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March 24 election campaign starts with a whimper – Thai election 2019
If you were expecting Wednesday’s announcement of the forthcoming election to spark an outbreak of election posters, billboards and a stream of online campaigning, you’ll be disappointed. Stringent rules governing campaigning for the March 24 general election appear to be restricting freedom of expression as well as voters’ rights to information, according to academics on the matter. Wednesday’s Royal Decree…
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Six Thai weightlifters test positive for doping
PHOTO: International Weightlifting Federation, Chinese Olympic Association Six Thai weightlifters have tested positive for doping following additional tests being carried out by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on “target athletes” last November at the World Championship in Turkmenistan. Regulations state that any nation with three or more positive results in a calendar year can face a ban of up to…
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Weather for January 24
Bangkok Abundant sunshine. High 33C. Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket A mix of clouds and sun. High 31C. Winds E at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Abundant sunshine. High 32C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Sunny. High 32C. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 km/h. Hua Hin Plenty of sunshine. High near 30C. Winds ENE at…
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Money can’t buy happiness in Bangkok – new study
by Chularat Saengpassa Findings, from the “Integrative Thai Family Study Based on Family Life Cycle”, have been released and underline the importance of a work-life balance for Thais. Families living in Bangkok are the least happy despite having the highest average income compared to people living in other parts of the country, a recent study found. Long, exhausting commuting hours,…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 24
Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…
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Election date announced as Sunday, March 24
Thais get their opportunity to express their democratic vote and will go to the polls on Sunday, March 24. The Election Commission (EC) has announced the date after chairing an urgent meeting of EC members this afternoon. The royal decree was signed by HM The King and co-signed by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning. The decree orders a general…
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Here we go – Royal decree issued for Thai general election
The final hurdle to holding an election this year was cleared this morning by royal decree that sets in motion the countdown to the long-awaited poll. The royal decree, ordering a general election of members of Parliament was issued this morning. The constitutional process calls for the Election Commission to announce a date for the long-awaited election within five days…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 23
Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Central Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number…
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Weather for January 23
Bangkok Abundant sunshine. High 33C. Winds NE at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 30C. Winds E at 15 to 25 km/h. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High 31C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Sunshine and a few clouds. High 32C. ENE winds shifting to WNW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Sunny. High…
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Weather for January 22
Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 33C. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 31C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High near 30C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya A good deal of sunshine. High 32C. Winds N at 15 to 25 km/h.…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 22
Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…
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Incentive travel the fastest growing segment in Asia Pacific events business
PHOTOS: ttrweekly.com Responding to a study that says incentive travel is the fastest growing segment in Asia-Pacific’s events business, the Thailand Conventions & Exhibitions Bureau is adapting its game plan to tap into this lucrative market. Last week, TCEB hosted the premier event, SITE’s 2019 Global Conference in Bangkok, a worldwide association dedicated exclusively to growing incentive travel. SITE’s most…
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Why Thailand’s election will be a win for the military – International coverage
“When Thailand officials hinted that scheduled elections to end military rule would be postponed for the fifth time in almost as many years, anger and frustration rippled through the country.” The story of Thailand’s election stumbles and rumbles is making headlines around the world, especially since the February 24 election date, mooted as THE date for most of 2018, has…
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Thai Airways charges British passenger 80,000 baht for extra luggage
PHOTO: Thai Airways A British expat has been charged a whopping 79,825.13 baht by Thai Airways for extra luggage on a flight to London from Bangkok. The report was posted by Thai Visa. The incident occurred when the man in question (who is not named) was on the Thai Airways website purchasing 20kg extra luggage each way, and was quoted…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 21
Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants…
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Weather for January 21
Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 33C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to cloudy skies and rain during the afternoon. High 32C. Winds N at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 70%. Chiang Mai Sunny. High 32C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Sun and clouds mixed. High 32C. Winds NNW…
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Marine endangered species injured or killed from sea garbage every 68 hours
PHOTO: Thai Whales Over the past year, 129 marine endangered species in Thailand have been injured or killed from sea garbage, which means every 68 hours one of them has been tortured or died from ingesting our rubbish. Marine specialist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat says that, based on data from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources over the past year,…
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New 500 baht fine for drunk cycling
Up to now drink-driving cyclists have not been included in the laws governing drunk drivers of other vehicles in Thailand. But with the rising popularity of cycling as a fitness trend, that’s about to change with a new 500 baht fine if bought drunk in control of a bike. Drunk bicyclists who are currently immune to litigation because there is…
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Thailand’s War Elephants aiming for an upset over China – Asian Cup
PHOTO: Chanathip Songkrasin (First from the left) getting ready for tonight’s game with his fellow teammates Make sure dinner is wrapped up and the kids are in bed by 9pm because it’s Asian Cup round-of-sixteen time with China lining up against Thailand. J-League star Chanathip Songkrasin says he’s determined to spearhead Thailand to an upset over the powerful China team…
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