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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Economic waters rise: Thai business sector flooded with challenges
The business sector is facing a stormy crisis this monsoon season as severe flooding batters key economic regions across Thailand. Provinces like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have been hit hard, with water levels reaching devastating heights—marking the first time in decades that such catastrophic flooding has occurred. Officials are closely monitoring the Chao Phraya River, issuing early warnings in…
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Heavy rain expected in 32 provinces with 70% of Bangkok affected
Today’s weather forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicts heavy rain across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience downpours over 70% of its area. Citizens are advised to stay alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff. The TMD issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in central, eastern, and…
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Phew! Thai party faces petition peril over Thaksin ties
A dramatic political twist erupted as a petition emerged demanding the dissolution of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, with claims of undue influence from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The party itself has made the explosive allegations. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed it is merging four petitions against Pheu Thai, alleging that the party is under Thaksin’s sway, despite him not…
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Norwegian tragedy: Expat’s final Fjorday in Pattaya ends in horror
A Norwegian expatriate was discovered dead in harrowing circumstances in the early hours of yesterday morning in his Pattaya hotel room after allegedly inflicting horrific injuries upon himself. Shortly after 4am, yesterday, October 20, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received a frantic alert about a foreigner’s disturbing behaviour and self-harm in a second-floor room on Soi 14. Upon arrival, local…
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Woman attacks debtor at funeral in Songkhla, victim critical
A woman attacked a debtor at a funeral with a knife, seriously injuring her, then fled the scene. The incident occurred yesterday at Wat Ja Ting Phra, Sathing Phra district, Songkhla province. The victim, 36 year old Wilaiwan, remains in critical condition at Songkhla Hospital. The assailant, 58 year old Sawai, later surrendered to the local police. Witnesses reported that…
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Flash flood hits Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, stranding tourists and campers
A night of heavy rain led to a flash flood that caught tourists and campers off guard in Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani, yesterday, October 19. The central plain province was one of five affected by the flooding yesterday. The flash flood struck the mountainous region of Ban Rai around 8pm, just hours after the downpour began. The water levels…
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Monk kills village headman in Khon Kaen temple dispute
A monk’s anger over being warned about drinking alcohol led to a fatal incident at a temple in Khon Kaen. The tragic event unfolded when a village headman was attacked with an axe, resulting in his death. Police in Khon Kaen, led by Theerathat Phongsuwan and Surachet Matnok, detained 66 year old Phra Ken following the incident. The attack occurred…
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Thai man arrested for blackmailing boy with nude photos
Thai police arrested a man accused of coercing a 12 year old boy into sending nude photos and subsequently blackmailing him for money. The boy’s father reported the incident after noticing his son’s distress. Yesterday, October 19, police officials in Chiang Mai apprehended 32 year old Pitsanu Jongjitklang, on charges of extortion and fraudulent use of a computer system to…
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Pattaya police detain foreign beggars to restore public peace
Pattaya police have detained a group of foreign beggars, aiming to bring back peace and security to the area. Early today, Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensan, Senior Inspector of Tourist Police Division 4, Sub-Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 1, along with their team, conducted a coordinated operation. This action…
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Woman dies after fall from Pattaya hotel window
Pattaya police responded to a tragic incident involving a fatal fall at a hotel in the Nong Prue area at 7am yesterday, October 19. Rescue teams found an unidentified woman, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, who had fallen from the fourth floor of the eight-story building. The window on the fourth floor was open, and the…
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Teen severely injured in Pattaya hit-and-run, family seeks justice
A tragic hit-and-run incident left a 16 year old boy, Ittichat, severely injured in Pattaya. This incident took place when a black sedan abruptly cut in front of his motorcycle at a U-turn opposite Soi Banglamung 29, causing a collision. The driver then sped away, leaving Ittichat injured on the road. Witnesses sprang into action, with one good Samaritan calling…
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Chemical leak forces evacuation after Prachin Buri factory explosion
A factory explosion in Prachin Buri‘s Sri Maha Pho district led to a significant chemical leak, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The incident occurred at the HSMT New Material Technology (Thailand) Co factory yesterday, releasing a large amount of chemical fumes and prompting nearly 200 locals to leave their homes. Elderly residents were among those relocated to a…
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State banks to register 10,000-baht handout for non-smartphone users in November
The government will soon allow individuals without smartphones to register for the 10,000-baht handout scheme at state banks, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced. Julapun noted yesterday, October 19, that the initial phase of the cash handout scheme, targeting 14.5 million vulnerable people, has effectively boosted economic activity and money circulation nationwide. For those in vulnerable groups lacking smartphones, registration…
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Nearly 20% of Thai teens at risk of self-harm, warns DMH
Almost 20% of Thai teenagers face the risk of self-harm, according to the Department of Mental Health (DMH). This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to prioritise mental health issues among the youth, experts suggest. DMH director Kittisak Aksornwong revealed on October 18 that 503,884 teenagers aged 18 and under have registered on the Department’s Mental Health Check-in application from…
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Bangkok proposes congestion fee to fund flat 20-baht train fare
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed support for the Transport Ministry’s proposal to introduce a congestion fee for vehicles entering the central parts of Bangkok. The revenue generated from this fee would be used to subsidise a flat 20-baht fare across all electric train lines in the city. Congestion charges are not a novel idea, having been successfully implemented in cities…
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National parks revenue soars 50%, reaching 2.2 billion baht
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) reported a significant increase in income, reaching 2.2 billion baht in the fiscal year 2024, marking a nearly 50% rise. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi in Krabi emerged as the top revenue generator, contributing 629 million baht (US$19 million). Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima was noted as the most…
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State workers lose 18 million baht in iCon Group scam
Two state enterprise employees have come forward as victims of The iCon Group scam, having lost a total of 18 million baht. The state workers, along with 102 others, have filed complaints with the police. The workers, 49 year old Pitipat and 32 year old Piromna presented evidence of money transfers and related documents to the investigators. Their ordeal began…
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Two students injured in Samut Songkhram ice truck wheel accident
Two female students were injured when the rear wheel of a 10-wheel ice truck detached and collided with their motorcycle, causing them to fall and sustain bruises. CCTV footage captured the incident, which occurred yesterday, October 18, on Ekachai Road in front of Samut Songkhram Technical College. The accident was reported to the police by Niphat Kosakul, Deputy Inspector of…
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Drowsy driver crashes into motorcycle in Chachoengsao
A driver, drowsy and caught off guard by a sudden call from his girlfriend, caused a severe accident in Chachoengsao province when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a motorcycle, leaving two young women critically injured. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, October 18, when police officer Theerawat Pornprasit of the Chachoengsao City Police Station received a…
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Double tax deductions to boost northern Thailand tourism
The Ministry of Finance is planning to introduce measures under the Thai Travel Continues campaign to boost tourism in flood-affected areas in northern Thailand. The initiative will offer double tax deductions for two groups: individuals and companies holding seminars in the disaster-stricken regions. Finance Deputy Minister Julapun Amornwiwat announced that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of…
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Thailand’s Koh Chang is world’s second-best tropical destination
Thailand celebrates as Koh Chang is named second-best tropical holiday destination in the world by Travel + Leisure. The announcement was made by Neramit Songsang, head of the Mu Ko Chang National Park in Trat province. Koh Chang, often referred to as the Gem of the Gulf of Thailand, achieved this prestigious ranking alongside other notable destinations in Southeast Asia,…
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GHB to launch loan app offering 8,000 to 1 million baht loans
The Government Housing Bank (GHB) is set to launch an application-based loan service aimed at small businesses, offering loans ranging from 8,000 to 1 million baht, with interest rates as determined by the Bank of Thailand (BoT). The Director of GHB, Withai Rattanakorn, announced that by next year, the bank targets to accelerate plans to enhance social support and long-term…
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Human trafficking in Chumphon leads to three Burmese deaths
Police in Lang Suan district, Chumphon province, responded to a distress call from monks at Wat Sek Tharam at 11.30am on October 17, leading them to a tragic scene involving Burmese migrants. Found in a forest approximately 2 kilometres from Phetkasem Road, 12 Burmese migrants were discovered in dire conditions, covered in dirt and visibly weakened. Two men, aged between…
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Public CNG bus safety inspections launched by DLT
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has initiated a comprehensive vehicle safety inspection for all public buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The inspections aim to bolster safety measures and boost passenger confidence. This mandatory inspection campaign will run until November 30. The DLT reported that 1,331 out of the total 13,426 CNG-powered buses nationwide have been inspected. Findings…
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Australian driver crashes into Nong Prue drugstore after drinking
An Australian man driving a pickup truck crashed into a drugstore at 4.30am this morning in Nong Prue, near Pattaya, resulting in significant damage. Police Lieutenant Apinan Srithongrungthip, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of the Bang Lamung Police Station, reported that the incident took place in front of the Sukun Piem drugstore on Soi Khao Talo. Officers arrived at the scene to…
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EC investigates Pheu Thai Party, dissolution probable
The Election Commission (EC) has commenced an investigation into the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which could potentially lead to its dissolution, as reported by multiple local media outlets yesterday, October 18. The EC has formed a committee to examine complaints alleging that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been exerting influence or directing party activities. This information was shared by…
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Phuket beach scare: Grenade-like object turns out to be lighter
Tension gripped a Phuket beach when locals reported spotting a grenade-like object in the backseat of a taxi, only to discover it was a lighter resembling an explosive device. Patong Police Station received a call at 1.30pm yesterday, October 18, from a concerned citizen about a suspicious object inside a taxi near Kalim Beach on Phra Barami Road, Patong subdistrict,…
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Chiang Rai flood recovery 96% complete, set to finish by Monday
Post-flood recovery efforts in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district are nearing completion, according to the government’s operation centre for flood, storm, and landslide victims. Officials stated yesterday, October 18, that all affected communities should see the recovery work finalised by Monday as scheduled. Jirayu Huangsab, a spokesperson for the centre, provided an update from the forward command in Chiang Rai,…
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Knife-wielding man shot during Kathu standoff
A violent confrontation in Kathu escalated dramatically last night, October 17, when police were forced to shoot a 28 year old Thai man after a taser failed to stop his knife-wielding rampage. Naruphan Sosaphan, reportedly in a delirious state, charged at officers with a blade after they responded to calls about his erratic behaviour. The chaotic scene unfolded around 10pm…
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Thailand’s drought and pests slash coconut yields, prices soar
The Agriculture Ministry revealed that the country’s mature coconut yield is expected to plummet to just 0.86 million tonnes this year, a sharp drop from last year’s 0.94 million tonnes. Blame it on a double whammy of prolonged drought and pesky infestations ravaging the country’s coconut trees. The knock-on effect is already being felt in the markets. Commerce Minister Pichai…
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