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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Election commission provides Braille campaign guide for visually impaired voters
The Election Commission of Thailand has recently launched a Braille guidebook to assist visually impaired citizens in voting for the upcoming general election. This initiative, carried out by the Office of the Promotion of Citizenship, is designed to ensure that visually impaired individuals are well-informed about the election process and can exercise their democratic rights on Sunday, May 14. The…
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Englishman fights for his life after motorbike crash in Phuket, Thailand
A young Englishman is fighting for his life in the hospital after losing a significant amount of blood in a horror motorbike crash in Phuket, southern Thailand, on Monday, May 1. The tourist, 25 year old Liam Kilby from Liverpool, was on holiday in Phuket with friends when he crashed into a shopfront. After suffering blood loss and falling into…
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Fire at electrical appliance store in Korat causes 50 million baht in damage
A fire broke out at a large electrical appliance store in downtown Korat City, situated in Nakhon Ratchasima, causing an estimated US$1.5 million worth of damage. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The incident occurred today at the Tai Fa Universe store on Chom Surangyat Road in Mueng district. The fire was reported to have started around 7:30am. Local residents claim…
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Departure Tax: Thailand considers charging 1000 baht to leave country
Thailand‘s Revenue Department proposed that a 1000 baht “departure tax” be charged upon Thai citizens and foreign permanent residents in a bid to prevent excessive overseas spending. The idea has been met with resistance from tourism officials. Airline passengers would be charged 1000 baht to leave the country and those exiting via land and sea would be charged 500 baht…
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Ancient dinosaur footprints discovered in Phetchabun’s Nam Nao district
In Phetchabun’s Nam Nao district, a set of ancient dinosaur footprints believed to be about 225 million years old have been uncovered, according to the Department of Mineral Resources. The ancient footprints were discovered in a dried-up creek at the Huai Hin Lat rock formation, sparking interest among experts. Upon the discovery, staff from the Mineral Resources Office Region 1…
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Former monk denies embezzling 180 million baht from Nakhon Ratchasima temple
A former monk and two other individuals have been arrested on suspicion of embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima. The accused ex-monk, Khom Khongkeaw, previously known as Phra Ajarn Khom Abhivaro, denies the allegations. During police questioning, Khom and his sister claimed that the money was used for “other purposes,” and that they had no…
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Electoral fraud: Man alleges he was tricked into filming controversial video
A man accused of manipulating electoral registration in a controversial video on the “Chuwit” Facebook page has filed a police report, alleging he was deceived into participating and was paid only 1,000 baht despite the agreed sum of 5,000 baht. He also revealed that someone wrote a script for him to recite in the footage. Recently, the video of a…
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Heartwarming video of Thai father selling gold necklace for child’s milk goes viral
A viral video on social media has captured the hearts of netizens as it shows a Thai father attempting to sell a gold necklace to buy milk for his child. The video was shared on a popular Facebook page, which revealed the CCTV footage of the incident occurring at a gold shop. In the video, the customer is seen bringing…
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Today’s summer storm forecast, Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail
Today, Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecasted a 24-hour weather outlook, with the northern region experiencing summer storms characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail. Some areas may also experience lightning. Residents in these regions are advised to exercise caution during summer storms, avoiding open spaces, large trees, weak structures, and billboards. It is also recommended to avoid wearing metallic items…
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Perverted Japanese man breaks into woman’s home over 150 times in 18 months, sniffs her knickers
A shocking case took place in Osaka District Court in Japan, where a 30 year old Japanese man was accused of breaking into a young woman’s home over 150 times in just 18 months. The man confessed to his criminal actions and bizarre perverted sexual behaviour, ultimately receiving a jail sentence of 18 months. According to reports, the Japanese man…
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Police bust romance scammer turned car thief, uncover trafficking gang
A police investigation into a romance scammer who stole cars from women has led to the arrest of a vehicle trafficking gang. Two women and one Thai man who trafficked stolen cars were arrested Friday. Police officers arrested a romance scammer after eight victims filed a complaint that the man stole their cars. The conman, 26 year old Pheeraphat, created…
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Huge turnout for advance voting as election nears
Yesterday, advance voting saw a large turnout across the nation, with citizens keen to exercise their democratic rights following a four-year wait. The Election Commission (EC) reported that 2,235,830 individuals registered for early voting yesterday, ahead of the May 14 election. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the process went smoothly, with only a few minor issues emerging at polling…
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Over 800,000 registered for early voting in Bangkok
Over 800,000 individuals have registered for early voting in Bangkok, and authorities are taking security seriously. Nearly 3,000 security officers deployed to maintain order, Bangkok Post reported. A deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), Pol. Maj. Gen. Jirasant Kaewsaeng-ek, stated yesterday that security measures are in place for today’s voting. A total of 1,421 polling stations have been…
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Today’s weather forecast for Thailand: Hot temperatures and health precautions
The Thai Meteorological Department forecasted that temperatures in Thailand will generally be hot today (Sunday), accompanied by partly cloudy skies during the day. Certain areas in the northern part of the country are expected to experience scorching heat. Citizens were requested to take care of their health and watch for heatstroke caused by the intense weather conditions. This situation has…
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Chiang Mai cafe encounters issue with production team of drama series
A well-known Chiang Mai café refused a request for a popular drama series production team to film on their premises, urging respect for businesses that have high costs and investments. A social media user claimed that a renowned Chiang Mai café was approached by a drama series production team seeking permission to film at their establishment with 9 to 10 crew…
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Thai company expects more cement consumption due to tourism
SCG Cement-Building Materials, a subsidiary of Thailand’s Siam Cement Group, anticipates cement consumption to grow by 1-2% year-on-year, exceeding 30 million tonnes in the current year. This growth is primarily due to the recovery of the tourism sector. Having developed a “hybrid structural cement” that reduces carbon dioxide emissions during production, the company demonstrates its commitment to battling climate change.…
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Two storms to hit Thailand affecting Election Day, warns disaster centre
Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Centre expects two storms are set to hit Thailand next week, with potential impacts on General Election Day, May 14. The centre’s director, Seri Suparatit, revealed in a Facebook post yesterday that two storms – one originating in the Indian Ocean and the other in the South China Sea – are moving towards Thailand.…
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Pattaya mayor defends delayed drainage pipe project
After facing complaints from some residents, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet defended the delayed drainage pipe project under the railway parallel road. However, the mayor delivered disappointing news regarding its completion at a public forum held on May 3 in the Chumsai Community. The forum provided residents with the opportunity to voice their concerns and complaints about the city’s infrastructure and…
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Prominent Pattaya hotelier urges next Thai government to extend tourism-subsidy scheme
A prominent Pattaya hotelier has urged the next Thai government to extend its tourism-subsidy scheme to promote domestic travel. Yuwathida Jeerapat, managing director for J Pattaya Hotel Group, expressed confidence that the “We Travel Together” programme, launched in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, has positively impacted domestic tourism. The latest round of funding, referred to as “We Travel Together’s fifth…
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Massage parlour in northern Thailand raided for underage sex trafficking
Police swooped on a massage parlour in the northern province of Tak after a tip-off on underage sex trafficking. The owner of the parlour was arrested and two teenage Burmese girls were rescued. The Anti Trafficking In Persons Division Police (ATPD) received a tip-off that a Thai woman, 40 year old Suphaporn Makaew, was operating an underage sex trafficking racket…
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Honest Thai couple hand over bag with lost 100,000 baht to police in Ratchaburi
An honest Thai couple discovered a bag with 100,000 baht inside in front of a shopping mall in the central province of Ratchaburi and notified the police so they can search for its owner. Eighteen year old Kittisak “Zen” Thaweechokhirun, and his 18 year old girlfriend, Potchathawat “Mali” Sabumuang, last night reported the cash-filled bag they found at a shopping mall…
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Prachuap Khiri Khan braces for rainy season to start in mid-May
Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province is bracing for the rainy season to start in mid-May. The Thai Meteorological Department predicts that the rainy season in Thailand will start around the third week of May 2023, with one to two tropical storms possibly passing through the northeastern and northern regions in August and September. Thailand’s rainy season typically occurs from May to…
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Thailand welcomes 8.5 million foreign tourists so far this year
Thailand welcomed over 8.5 million foreign tourists in the first four months of 2023, generating revenue of 353 billion baht, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Government spokesperson Anucha Buraphachaisri revealed today that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was delighted to hear about the strong recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector from January to April. In total, 8,596,452…
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Cannabis crooks caught on camera: Foreigners caught stealing from Phuket pharmacy
CCTV footage captured two foreigners stealing cannabis from a pharmacy in Phuket. Fortunately, a member of staff caught them red-handed on the job. The Facebook page, Phuket Info Center, posted two videos of the incident yesterday, May 4, with a caption that said… “Warning! Foreigners stole cannabis from a shop on Rat U Thit 200 Years Road in the Patong…
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Thailand’s pollution control department to lower safe PM2.5 levels following WHO guidelines
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) yesterday announced plans to align with the World Health Organisation guidelines and reclassify the safe level for ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) to 37.5 µg/m3 in an effort to address dust pollution concerns. Jatuporn Burutphat, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, expressed the ministry’s…
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Thailand to close several popular islands for environmental restoration
Four islands in Trang province, southern Thailand, will close for four months to give nature a chance to restore itself after a hectic tourist season, namely Koh Muk, Koh Kradan, Koh Chuek, and Koh Waen. Thailand’s Similan Islands will also close for the monsoon season. Yesterday, the Chief of Hat Chao Mai National Park Prit Narasaritkul announced the temporary cease of…
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Thai robbers nabbed for stealing from Chinese renters in Pattaya
Officers from Chon Buri Provincial Police arrested two Thai men for robbing a rental house occupied by three Chinese nationals in Pattaya on Wednesday while the other three suspects are still at large. A Thai female party entertainer was accused of supporting the gang. The Mueang Pattaya Police Station received a notification about the theft at a beachfront rental house…
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Rare strong winds topple tree at Doi Suthep temple, causing panic among visitors
A rare windstorm, known locally as “Lom Luang“, surprised tourists and monks when it struck Doi Suthep Temple in Chiang Mai, resulting in a large tree collapsing across the Naga staircase. The incident occurred at 4pm today, when the forceful winds swept through the summit, causing a large red tree, big enough for three people to hug, to fall, blocking…
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Twist in Thai cyanide serial killer case: Actress and nurses investigated for buying same poison as killer
There has been another twist in the Thai cyanide serial killer case. Not only has the serial killer’s husband been charged with aiding and abetting her crimes and released on bail but the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is investigating the purchase of some cyanide by a famous Thai actress and 10 nurses, who reportedly bought the poison from the same…
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Body found floating near Koh Samui, Thailand
A dead body was found floating in the sea between Koh Samui on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, yesterday. The deceased appears to be a foreign woman, reports MGR Online. Yesterday, the Facebook page “Chalerm Yord Phongsri” posted photos of a swollen body floating face down in the sea, wearing only underwear/swimwear, with the caption… “I…
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