News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Phuket tourism operators push for international convention centre
In a bid to elevate Phuket’s status as an exhibition hub, local tourism operators are urging for the rapid implementation of a long-stalled project for an international convention centre and a freeport city initiative. The urgency has arisen due to the impending enforcement of new environmental laws which may necessitate a redesign of the project. The Health Ministry recently abandoned…
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Sweet setback: Thailand’s sugar exports face sticky situation with government controls
Thailand’s sugar exports, which sit second globally behind Brazil, are threatened with potential delays in the coming year. This comes after the Thai government implemented new controls to guard the domestic supply and curb smuggling. The newly instated regulations require official approval for the export of any quantity exceeding one tonne, a move that some traders have voiced concerns could…
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Cupid’s Arrow: Factory worker’s romantic gesture misses target, woman rejects overtures, sparks viral sympathy
A viral story from China has caught the attention of netizens after Cupid’s Arrow apparently missed its target. A factory worker’s bold declaration of love to a female colleague, complete with a bouquet, was met with rejection and disdain. The woman’s reason for the dismissal was simple – they didn’t know each other well enough for such a declaration of…
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Chilled vibes: Beat smelly fridge odours with toilet paper
A new social media trend is sweeping social media, with many people placing toilet paper in their refrigerators. This strange behaviour has puzzled many, leading to questions about the potential benefits of such an act. The answer, surprisingly, lies in combating unpleasant odours and excess moisture. Excessive moisture in a fridge often results in the growth of mould and undesirable…
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Pattaya Jazz Festival hits the right notes: Kenny G takes the stage to blow minds tomorrow
The eagerly anticipated Pattaya Jazz Festival 2023 blows its trumpet tomorrow, featuring the world-class talents of renowned jazz musician Kenny G. Set against the bustling backdrop of Pattaya Beach, the event is conveniently situated in proximity to the Central Klang intersection, neighbouring Central Mall. The festival promises an array of captivating performances from world-class artists, all offered without charge, making…
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Phuket’s fungicide frenzy: Patong crackdown on magic mushrooms keeps the tourist hub trippin’ free
The bustling tourist hub of Patong, Phuket, is witnessing a relentless crackdown by local law enforcement against the illicit trade of hallucinogenic fungi, commonly known as magic mushrooms. This campaign was further intensified with the recent apprehension of two individuals on the vibrant Bangla Road. The duo was detained in the wee hours of November 8 at the popular “Puff…
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South Korean factory worker fatally injured by robot misidentification
Tragedy struck in South Korea as a robot misidentified a factory worker for a box of vegetables, causing fatal injuries. The incident, which took place on November 7, involved a 40 year old man who was inspecting the sensors of a machine at an agricultural distribution centre in South Korea’s Gyeongsang Province. The robot seemingly confused the man for a…
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Bloody confrontation on dusty road: Fatal stabbing rocks peaceful village in Nakhon Phanom
A tragic incident unfolded in the village of Phathai, Tha Uthen, Nakhon Phanom, where a 48 year old local man was fatally stabbed multiple times by a 56 year old man from Loei province. The killing took place on a dusty road near the perpetrator’s residence at around 5.30pm yesterday. Police Lieutenant Colonel Saewang Khonklong, station chief of Tha Uthen…
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Phuket’s new high-flier: Sattha thongkham lands as vice governor, family in tow
Sattha Thongkham, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived in Phuket yesterday, ready to assume his new role as the Vice Governor of Phuket. The family made their debut in the city by paying tribute to the statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) at the historic former Phuket Provincial Hall, situated on Narisorn Road in Phuket town. The venerable structure…
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Heatwave history: European scientists declare 2023 hottest year in 125,000 years
European scientists confirmed that this year is the hottest in 125,000 years. This follows data released last month indicating that global temperatures have reached record-breaking highs. The European Union’s climate change watchdog, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), revealed that the temperature in October surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. The weather anomalies observed in October…
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Manhole lorry accident: BMA orders review of 371 construction sites
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered a review of 371 construction sites after a lorry incident revealed overloading up to 61 tonnes. The BMA is considering the use of a Bridge Weight Motion system to measure vehicle weight, with results expected within two months. Yesterday at the Bangkok City Hall, the Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, and Deputy Governor…
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Whale of a time: Holidaymakers treated to rare sea spectacle near Phuket
Holidaymakers on a leisurely boat tour around the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, yesterday were privy to a thrilling spectacle: the rare sight of a whale in its natural habitat, a relatively unusual occurrence in these parts. The Star Sailing Club’s head, Ilya Saldaev, captured and shared footage of the majestic creature breaking the water’s surface on social media.…
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Malaysian bride’s feast fiasco: Uninvited ‘wedding crashers’ sneak in for a bite-sized sequel
A Malaysian bride was left angered by uninvited guests who snuck into her wedding reception for a free meal in what sounds like a sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster the Wedding Crashers. Despite careful planning for each table, the couple received complaints from guests that there were no seats available. Upon investigation, they discovered that unfamiliar faces had infiltrated the…
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Ukrainian cosplayer Karina’s husband Johnny drowns in Bali
A tragic incident occurred in Bali, Indonesia when the husband of a well-known cosplayer lost his life to a rogue wave. The couple were on a trip to celebrate the husband’s birthday when tragedy struck, causing a stir on China‘s social media platform Weibo. Karina, a famous cosplayer, and her 34 year old husband Johnny had travelled to Bali to…
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Brazilian national’s reckless car chase in Patong leads to multiple collisions
A reckless high-speed car chase on the streets of Patong resulted in the capture of a Brazilian national. The man’s careless actions not only caused multiple collisions but also sent a van carrying foreign tourists careering off the road. Early this morning, a report came into the local police station about a hit-and-run incident near the Government Savings Bank Intersection…
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Pattaya police pacify possessed man with exorcism in unexpected late-night disturbance
A most unusual scenario unfolded on Thappraya Road in Pattaya, in the early hours of today. Pattaya police found themselves playing the role of exorcists when they were called in to placate a local man, aged between 40 to 45 years old, who was causing a late-night disturbance. The man, who was said to be possessed, had been wreaking havoc…
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Phuket transport twist: Anytime car caught in green-plate pickle, faces regulatory roadblock
Bright and early yesterday morning, representatives from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) descended upon Patong. Their mission? To probe into an Anytime car-sharing vehicle found parked in a spot earmarked for green-plate taxis and tourist rental vehicles. This inspection was initially reported by the Phuket Info Center. It was noted that the PLTO, in conjunction with police and other…
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Frantic rescue operation as Bangkok police officer’s car plunges into Chao Phraya River
A police officer’s vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into the Chao Phraya River near Bangkok, resulting in a frantic rescue operation. The driver of the vehicle, a Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police officer, was found in a state of distress, pleading for help for his wife, presumed to be trapped inside the submerged vehicle. The mysterious plot…
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Pattaya night takes a dark turn: Russian tourist mugged in brutal phone snatch attack
A distressing event unfolded in the early hours of today in Pattaya as a 23 year old Russian tourist, reported being mugged and assaulted by two Thai men. The victim, Aleksandra Rychkova, was making her way back to her condominium after a late-night visit to a convenience store when she was brutally attacked, with her phone stolen in the process.…
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Florida woman survives nine-foot alligator attack thanks to snorkelling mask
A woman from Florida had a lucky escape while snorkelling when a nine-foot alligator attacked and clamped onto her forehead. She was spared from serious injuries due to her full-face snorkelling mask. The incident took place last weekend when the woman and a friend were snorkelling at the Alexander Springs recreational area. An initially harmless snorkelling trip turned into a…
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Bang Pla officials arrested in 2.3 million baht corruption scandal
A corruption scandal has surfaced in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, where the 61 year old chairman of Bang Pla Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), and his 44 year old secretary, were apprehended today. The duo was accused of demanding a 2.3 million-baht bribe from a local business. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a business firm…
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Helmetless motorcycle rides in Thailand puts lives at risk (video)
Accidents involving motorcycle rides, especially those involving head injuries, are a common cause of work for neurosurgeons. This unfortunate reality is being addressed by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) which invited neurosurgeon, Pracha Panyaprakitti, to share his experiences and encourage preventative measures. One case involved a Chiang Mai resident who took a routine motorcycle ride to the market without…
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Phuket Airport’s rain-check: Dampening floors lead to a slip-up
Phuket International Airport, managed by Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket), recently experienced a minor slip-up. A leaky roof in the arrivals hall of the domestic terminal led to some disruption, leading the airport to extend a public apology and caution to those visiting the terminal about the possibility of a dampening experience on the floor. The apology from AoT Phuket…
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Bangkok’s bumpy ride: Lorry takes an unexpected plunge, open manhole chaos ensues
An investigation team has been assembled to probe into an incident that occurred yesterday where a lorry registered under the number 43-3281 Nonthaburi plunged into an open manhole in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. The incident led to substantial traffic congestion and vehicle damage. The police chief, Thiti Saengsawang, delegated the investigation task to a committee led by Witthawat Chinkham, the…
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Government sets up command centre for visa-free Indian and Taiwanese tourists
A command centre has been established by the government in preparation for the influx of tourists from India and Taiwan. The visa-free entry policy, starting tomorrow, is expected to draw a significant number of visitors. The high season is around the corner, and to avoid overcrowding at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, several agencies have been asked to contribute to…
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Influencer arrested for sexual assault in Bangkok
A well-known influencer was arrested by police for sexually assaulting an 18 year old man after establishing a close relationship through a game. The accused admitted to the crime when arrested at his condominium in the Narathiwat-Chong Nonsi area today. The case began when Rattanamongkol Lerttavivit, a former candidate for the Din Daeng constituency from the Thai Create Thai Party,…
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Bangkok nightlife braces for extended hours with heightened safety protocols
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is implementing stricter safety protocols for nightlife establishments in preparation for the government’s proposed extension of their operating hours until 4am. The BMA’s Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, under the leadership of Director Teerayut Poomipak, is set to respond to potential issues that may arise from the extended operating hours. Collaborating with the Public Works…
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Internet idol’s follower fiasco: Baifern busted for 10 million-baht scam at Thai mall
Police officers today arrested 31 year old Internet idol with over 100,000 followers, in a famous Thai mall. The Internet idol Baifern, real name Monthira, was accused of defrauding more than 40 investors of over 10 million baht in a hair and nail salon business. Police Colonel Thiti Saengsawang ordered officials, together with the PCT5 police and investigators from the…
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Carabao-Red Sun hops into the ring to challenge Thai beer titans
The beer market in Thailand has been invigorated by the introduction of a new player, Carabao-Red Sun, which aims to challenge renowned beer brands, Singha and Chang. The new entrant comes from the Carabao Group, led by Sathien Setthasit, and has already been launched across Thailand via Modern Trade stores. This new contender to the 2.6 hundred billion baht beer…
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Motorcyclist tragically killed on Sukhumvit Road after hitting a dog
A tragic incident occurred on Sukhumvit Road, Chon Buri city, when a motorcyclist hit a dog, fell, and was successively run over by multiple vehicles. The unidentified male motorcyclist, around 30 years old, succumbed to his injuries, while one other individual was injured. The accident, which happened around 5.30am today, resulted in one fatality and one injury. The motorcycle involved,…
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