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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Townhouse collapse in central Thailand raises safety concerns
A devastating incident occurred as a two-storey townhouse collapsed, causing damage to multiple properties in central Thailand. The calamity took place within the Teacher’s Village in Ban Khlong Suan, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan last night. The authorities were alerted and emergency response teams were dispatched to assess the situation and provide assistance. The area, roughly 5 kilometres from…
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Foreign woman slips and collapses on breakwater wall at Pranburi Beach
The non-profit organisation Beach for Life Thailand called for enhanced safety measures following an incident in which a foreign woman slipped and fell on a breakwater wall at Pranburi Beach in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. This infamous location has previously caused harm, resulting in a disability for a Thai man. The foreign woman reportedly lost consciousness after…
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Scheduled power cut in Layan Soi 1, Phuket for essential maintenance work
An announced power cut is set to disrupt numerous residences, condominiums, and villa estates along Layan Soi 1, Moo 6, Cherng Talay, Phuket. The Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) has planned this interruption for tomorrow, The blackout, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is required to facilitate maintenance work on the high-voltage electrical system in the said area. The…
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Japan Airlines cancel 130 flights amid Haneda Airport runway repair
Approximately 130 flights were cancelled today by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) as the fallout from Tuesday’s accident at Haneda Airport continues to impact operations. The cancellation was necessitated after a collision between a JAL passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard plane at the airport. Reports indicate that one of Haneda Airport’s four runways remains…
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Major international drug ring busted in Thailand: Over 15 million meth pills and 105 million baht assets seized
A significant international drug ring has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of the operation’s leader and the seizure of over 15 million methamphetamine pills, and more than one tonne each of heroin, ketamine, and ice. The operation also netted assets worth approximately 105 million baht. The announcement came today from the Anti-Narcotics Police Headquarters, spearheaded by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy…
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Gold price dips to 33,900 baht per baht, says GTA
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) decreased the gold price consecutively today compared to the closing price yesterday. The bullion price shifted to 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht today. Reporters stated that the GTA announced a 100 baht (US$2.89) decrease in today’s gold price compared to yesterday’s closing price, with the bullion price now standing at 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht,…
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Wat Phra Dhammakaya denies association with Yore sect amid misleading media reports
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, a revered Thai temple, has officially announced its lack of association with the Yore sect, in response to misleading information presented by certain online media outlets today. The temple emphasised its position as a devout Buddhist institution under the Thai Sangha, adhering to the principles of Dhamma and Vinaya discipline. The temple’s clarification came after a news…
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100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector
In an exclusive interview, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) President, shared her optimism about Thailand‘s tourism prospects, predicting a remarkable comeback from the pandemic’s impact by the latter half of 2024. “2023 saw Thai hotels at a 60% occupancy rate, down from the pre-Covid glory of 75% in 2019. However, with more flights to Thailand and a…
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Twins born in different years mark unique start to 2024 at New Jersey hospital
The birth of twin boys in the United States at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in New Jersey marked an extraordinary start to 2024. Despite being born only 40 minutes apart, their birth years differ by one. The first sibling, Ezra, arrived on December 31 last year at 11.48pm, weighing 2.72 kilogrammes, while the second, Ezekiel, was born in the early moments of…
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Zombie deer disease alert in Yellowstone sparks potential pandemic fears
The outbreak of the so-called Zombie Deer Disease has been reported in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, according to The Guardian website. This affliction, found in deer species, alarmed researchers and scientists due to its significant environmental impact and potential to infect humans. Prions, abnormal and infectious agents, cause Zombie Deer Disease. These prions induce changes in the brain and…
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Vietnamese mother expertly bathes newborn with her feet: Inspiring millions
A video of Phan Tường Vy, a young mother from Dalat, Vietnam, bathing her one month old baby with her feet has gone viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Born in 1995, she shared the video on YouTube, where it initially received nearly 250,000 views and has since climbed to over 750,000 views. In the video, Vy revealed that…
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Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test
As Zika fears grip Hua Hin, the quaint Thai resort town finds itself battling a sudden surge in cases. The Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is sounding the alarm, urging expectant mothers to take immediate action. In response to an alarming spike in Zika virus cases, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan has issued a stark…
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Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama
A teenager yesterday was hospitalised after a tumultuous shootout on a street near Saphan Hin, Phuket. A passerby suffered a shoulder wound whilst the teen had a head injury. Phuket Police received a report of a shootout near the Phuket Marine police chief’s residence on Phuket Road yesterday, January 3, at 3.10am. Police found a damaged glass louvre in one of…
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School bus collision in Pathum Thani leaves 25 injured
A shocking bus collision occurred in Pathum Thani while students were headed for a field trip. The accident was triggered by a pickup truck swerving in front of the bus, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. The aftermath left 25 individuals, including students and teachers, injured. The bus driver was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by emergency…
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Tee-time terror: Golf day takes a swing with surprise appearance of giant king cobra
In the Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri, a typical day of golfing transformed into a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary when an enormous king cobra raised its scary head. The beastly serpent, sprawled across the green, caused a stir among golfers, who promptly vacated the area in all directions. Upon receiving the distress signal, volunteer rescuers from…
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Thai graduates form largest group of unemployed, says NSO
Concerning statistics were unveiled by Thailand’s National Statistical Office (NSO) yesterday, revealing that newly minted graduates now comprise the largest segment of the country’s unemployed. Results from October’s employment survey disclosed that around 150,000 recent graduates were jobless, a worrying trend that Suwannee Wangkarn, NSO’s Deputy Director, labelled alarming. Every month, the NSO conducts an employment survey among Thai citizens.…
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City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…
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Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill
In a fiery critique that rocked the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirikanya Tansakun aimed at the government‘s 3.48-trillion-baht budget for 2024, labelling it a masterpiece of unprofessional blunders. On the opening day of the budget bill’s inaugural reading, Sirikanya, the deputy leader of MFP, unleashed scathing criticism, claiming that the government had failed to craft a…
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
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Thai e-commerce faces shake-up due to new revenue department mandate
Thailand’s e-commerce industry is set for a shake-up following a recent decision by the Revenue Department to mandate digital platforms to report income earned from their online sellers. Analysts predict that this may result in a 10% reduction in the number of online shops on platforms, as some merchants may resist revealing their true earnings. The move is aimed at…
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Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment
Students and activists from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are set to storm Government House next Friday, January 12, demanding answers over the controversial treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, has spent nearly five months receiving special privileges outside the confines of incarceration, sparking suspicions of preferential treatment.…
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Knife-wielding woman causes panic at Tokyo train station
A shocking incident transpired yesterday in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, where a woman wielding a knife at a train station led to four people being injured. The event took place around 11pm local time at the JR Akihabara station, as reported by NHK. The woman’s erratic behaviour with the knife caused panic and led to four individuals sustaining injuries.…
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Common cold, uncommon cost: Rhinovirus spread poses testing troubles
The spread of the rhinovirus, which presents a challenge in its diagnosis due to the high cost of testing, is currently ongoing. Dr Manun Lichaweangwong, head of the respiratory disease unit and ICU at Vichaiyut Hospital, voiced his concerns regarding this today, January 4, via his Facebook page. He explained that the virus, which is prevalent among both children and…
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Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza
Police arrested two Thai women, who worked at a pawnshop in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, for stealing gold accessories pawned by customers and hocked them again for more than 170 million baht. A representative of the Easy Money pawnshop in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, filed a complaint at Pak Kret Police Station in October…
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Prachin Buri school reports parent for alleged 12,500 baht fee fraud
A prestigious private school in Prachin Buri reported a case of school fee payment fraud to the police. A parent allegedly used a counterfeit bank transfer slip to feign a payment of 12,500 baht for school fees, when only 1 baht was transferred. Despite not settling the outstanding payment, the parent continues to send her child to school. The parent…
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Heartless thief in Pattaya targets disabled woman’s lifeline: Stolen electric handcycle sparks outrage
A heartless thief left a disabled woman in Pattaya stranded after callously swiping her electric handcycle, her lifeline to mobility, on December 31 last year. The 20 year old victim, Alisa Umsin, now faces an uphill battle without her essential aid. The Thai woman with impairment to both her legs was left devastated when her electric handcycle, a vital hybrid…
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Mystery unfolds as Thai man’s cremation halted over false identity
A confusing situation arose at Wat Sai Noi in Nonthaburi when the police ordered a halt to cremation after discovering that the deceased was using someone else’s identification (ID) card. The deceased had been working under a false identity for several years, leaving his employer in the dark about his real identity. Yesterday, news emerged that a body was found…
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Motorcycle accident near Khuan Pao plantation ends in fatality
A motorcycle accident occurred, resulting in a fatal collision with a pickup truck near the entrance to the Khuang Pao plantation. This event took place in Pong Saen Thong, Mueang district, Lampang yesterday. January 3. Natthanant Kitpatamanont, the Deputy Investigation Officer of Khelang Nakhon Police Station in Lampang, was notified of the accident. At the scene of the accident, a…
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Democrat Jurin calls government budget plan ‘lame duck’
Jurin Laksanawisit, a Democrat party-list MP, slammed the Thai government, branding its budget a “lame duck catastrophe.” Unleashing a fiery critique, Jurin accused the ruling Pheu Thai Party of political trickery, leaving the nation teetering on an economic tightrope. Jurin took centre stage, launching an attack against the government’s budget yesterday, January 3. Describing it as a lame duck, he…
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