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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Former politician caught with meth in underwear in South Thailand
A former local politician was arrested at a checkpoint after attempting to hide methamphetamine (meth) in his underwear. A subsequent search of his home revealed a firearm. Local police set up the checkpoint to maintain order. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sawat Niyomdecha of Koh Thuat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, in coordination with local administrative officials, established the checkpoint in…
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Samut Prakan factory worker injured in knife fight after drinks
A factory worker and his friends engaged in a drinking session that turned violent, resulting in one man severely injured. The altercation escalated from a verbal spat to a knife fight yesterday evening, October 11, in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. Police responded to a reported altercation around 9pm. The incident occurred within Soi Ruamjai on Theparak Road, kilometre 19, in…
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Disabled Thai woman scammed by iCon Group scheme
Thai social activist Gun Jompalang, has pledged to assist a disabled woman who was deceived into borrowing over 300,000 baht to join a membership scheme, with the promise of helping her family. This scheme, however, left her with no sales and substantial debt. A complaint was filed against The iCon Group by victims who lost hundreds of thousands to millions…
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Road rage: Electric car and box truck crash in Thailand goes viral (video)
A road rage incident involving an Ora Goodcat electric vehicle and a box truck on a Thai road has grabbed significant attention online. TikTok user @first_thepeak shared a dramatic clip of the encounter, showing the box truck attempting to block and force the electric car off the road. The situation escalated until the truck spun out of control and came…
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Warning issued for central provinces flooding risk from tomorrow
Local officials have issued a warning about potential flooding in central provinces, starting tomorrow, October 13 and lasting until October 24. Jirayu Huangsub, advisor to the prime minister, highlighted the risk for regions including Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, and Samut Prakan, particularly in areas outside flood barriers. Efforts to mitigate flooding have seen the Thai Royal Irrigation…
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Pattaya police boost patrols ahead of Police Day celebration
Pattaya’s police force is ramping up security measures in the lead-up to the city’s Police Day celebration. The city’s police chief has directed officers to bolster patrols and target crimes to enhance safety and security. Police Colonel Navin Teerawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, presided over a monthly meeting to issue new directives and review the performance of each department.…
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Thai woman arrested on Pattaya Walking Street with loaded gun
A Thai woman was apprehended on Pattaya Walking Street for carrying a loaded firearm, claiming it was intended for self-defence against harassment. Pattaya police received a report early yesterday, October 11, at 5.06am regarding a woman with a firearm in the bustling area of South Pattaya. Upon arrival, officers discovered 39 year old Isaree who was visibly intoxicated. A thorough…
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Pheu Thai dismisses petition alleging monarchy undermining
The Pheu Thai Party dismissed the recent petition against it which accused the party of undermining Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Pheu Thai asserted that it can address all raised concerns and emphasising that some claims lack merit. Chousak Sirinil, the party’s legal adviser, said yesterday, October 11, that the six accusations against Pheu Thai do not have sufficient grounds to be…
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Thailand boosts economy with overseas workers
Thailand has seen a significant boost in its economy, with over 55,000 workers sent abroad during the 2024 fiscal year, resulting in more than 270 billion baht added to their families’ incomes. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn visited 364 Thai workers yesterday, October 11, who were undergoing pre-departure training before heading to Taiwan, Israel, and Japan. Among these workers, 321 are…
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Phuket to hold ceremonies for mudslide victims next week
Phuket will collaborate with local agencies to host ritual ceremonies next week, aiming to build morale and honour those who perished in the recent mudslide tragedy. Sophon Thongsai, director of the Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that the event is set to commemorate the victims of the catastrophic mudslide that struck on August 23 at 5am in…
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RTAF pledges no protection for officers involved in bribery scandal
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has declared it will not shield any logistics officers implicated in bribery tied to the procurement of asphalt concrete pavers during 2019 to 2020. RTAF spokesperson Prapas Sornchaidee announced that a probe into the procurements commenced following an order by RTAF chief Panpakdee Pattanakul. This statement follows the release of a document by the…
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Missing Sri Racha cat gets helping paw from trapped ceiling drama
In a dramatic rescue that will leave pet owners double-checking their ceilings, a cat missing for eight days was finally saved after being discovered trapped in an eyewear shop’s ceiling in Si Racha, Chon Buri. The unfortunate feline, Swat, had been unknowingly stuck inside the building undergoing renovations, while its owner, Suwate Hachai, had been frantically searching elsewhere. The Si…
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Ko Samui sails into bronze in the most beautiful beach awards
Ko Samui had to settle for third behind Vietnam’s Phu Quoc and Bali in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards’ Most Beautiful Island in Asia. In a survey by Condé Nast Traveller, Phu Quoc trailed behind Bali, Indonesia’s tropical paradise, with Thailand’s Koh Samui claiming third place. Phuket, famous for its white-sand beaches, took sixth. Malaysia’s Penang, known as the Pearl of…
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Phuket marine police seize illegal jet skis, arrest two operators
Marine Police in Phuket seized four illegal jet skis and apprehended two operators who were preparing to offer services to tourists without the necessary licences. The arrests were made yesterday, October 10, during routine patrols at a pier in Koh Kaew, as part of an ongoing initiative to clamp down on unlawful activities in the area. The operation was spearheaded by…
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Pattaya woman in coma after brutal assault by boyfriend
A Thai woman remains in a coma in a hospital in Pattaya with a collapsed lung after her boyfriend brutally assaulted her after she failed to clean their condominium to his high standards. The victim’s friend, Thanankornkan “Pim” Boonlaeb, took to social media to expose the shocking behaviour of the brutal thug and urged netizens to help them seek justice. Pim…
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Veggie tales: Phuket festival wraps up with street processions
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is winding down, with the Lor Rong Shrine, also known as Sui Boon Tong Shrine, staging its street procession through Phuket Town today. This event, known as Iu Keng, showcased numerous spirit mediums and attracted large crowds of locals as well as Thai and foreign tourists. Locals along the procession route set up altars and…
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Thai TV host pulled from shows amid iCon Group scandal
Popular television host Kan Kantathavorn has been suspended from all Workpoint Entertainment programmes as the investigation into his alleged involvement with the controversial The iCon Group heats up. The company swiftly announced yesterday, October 10, that Kan would be removed from hosting duties with immediate effect until his ties with the scandal-plagued business are cleared up. Kan, in a bid…
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Young Bangkok scammer busted for dialing into pension scam
Police arrested a 20 year old woman at a dormitory in Bangkok for her involvement in a call centre scam that defrauded a retired teacher of millions in pension money. Police detained her after she returned to Thailand, revealing the circumstances that led to her capture. Today, October 11, police officers led by Police Major General Montree Teskan and Police…
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Trudeau applauds Thailand’s marraige equality law
In a high-stakes diplomatic encounter at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shook hands over a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ rights. Meeting yesterday, October 10 at the National Convention Centre, Trudeau didn’t hold back in praising Thailand’s trailblazing move on marriage equality, noting it as a “first” for ASEAN.…
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Suranaree students swindled by scam, dialing up 3 million baht loss
Suranaree University of Technology, located in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, reported that more than 200 students fell victim to a call centre scam gang, with an estimated loss of about 3 million baht. Following reports about fake kidnappings for ransom, operated by the call centre scam gang, Pho Klang Police Station and Suranaree University of Technology organised a…
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Overdrawn: Bungling burglar caught cracking into bank in Phuket
Police yesterday apprehended a man after he attempted to break into a bank branch and managed to forcibly open a passbook updating machine in Baan Lipon, Srisoonthorn, Phuket. An automatic security alarm alerted the police to the break-in at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Baan Lipon, Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, at 11pm. Thalang police responded promptly, arriving to…
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Thailand’s workplaces in crisis: Mental health support falls short
Thailand’s workplaces are failing to provide vital psychological help for employees grappling with stress, depression, and other mental health issues, campaigners warn. As the world marked Mental Health Day 2024 yesterday, October 10, Thai advocates are raising alarms over the country’s mental health crisis in offices, where employees struggle with burnout, fear, and stigma. The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s theme,…
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South Korean TikToker alleges sexual harassment by Phuket man
A South Korean TikToker is seeking justice, claiming that a Thai man sexually harassed her while she and her friend were working in Phuket. The Phuket Times shared the story of the South Korean TikToker, known as DD, today, October 11. The page stated in the caption… “Another scandal! Foreign TikToker sexually harassed in Phuket.” In the comment section, the…
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Bets on: Royal nod to 23 gambles, from bull races to mahjong chases
The Royal Gazette has published a ministerial regulation allowing 23 types of gambling activities within specific time frames, such as human-bull racing, boxing, wrestling, ring tossing, and mahjong. The report from today, October 11, details that the Royal Gazette has released Ministerial Regulation No. 46, permitting the following gambling activities within designated hours: human-bull racing from 7am to 7pm, boxing…
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Five-car crash on Nonthaburi bridge leaves three injured
Five vehicles collided on a bridge in Nonthaburi, resulting in three injuries. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, October 11, on Rama 4 Bridge, Chaiyaphruek Road, inbound to Bang Tanai subdistrict, Pak Kret district. Local police officers were alerted to the multi-vehicle crash and promptly arrived at the scene to investigate. Upon arrival, police discovered 22 year…
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Bangkok buses introduce new safety measures for NGV fleet
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced a new safety initiative for all its buses, particularly those running on natural gas (NGV). The directive, emphasised by Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, aims to elevate safety standards across the board. BMTA Director Kittikarn Jomduang Jaruwanpolkul revealed that the organisation operates a fleet of 809 NGV buses. This includes 486 blue air-conditioned low-floor…
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Indonesian woman’s first date sparks debate over splitting the bill
A young Indonesian woman’s first date experience sparked a heated debate online about who should pay on a first date. The story revolves around Sisil, a 25 year old woman, who shared her unexpected encounter with her date’s approach to splitting costs. In July, Sisil met a man for their first date at a restaurant in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Anticipation…
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Shell-shocked: Woman’s turtle rescue paves way for good luck
A woman recently rescued a large turtle found in the middle of the road in Phetchabun, believing it could bring her good luck. The turtle’s shell featured patterns resembling ancient coins and a sage’s head, leading to speculation about its auspicious nature. A TikTok user posted a video showing her helping the sizable turtle that was slowly crossing the street,…
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Visa-free travel: Indonesia opens doors to 13 countries
Indonesia is rolling out the red carpet for citizens of 13 countries, with its latest visa-free travel policy set to shake up tourism and economic development. Announced in Presidential Regulation No. 95 of 2024, which was formally ratified on August 29, this groundbreaking move targets 11 of Indonesia’s Asian neighbours, alongside Colombia and Suriname. The lucky 13 nations—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,…
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Policewoman refuses to return Thai man’s cash after bank mishap
A Thai man reached out to a news agency after he mistakenly transferred money to the bank account of a policewoman in the Isaan province of Surin. The officer in question refused to return it despite a three-year attempt to retrieve it. The 30 year old victim, Warut, appeared on a news programme on Channel 7 to seek justice. Warut…
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