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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Chon Buri: Peacock on residential rooftop captured by rescue teams in Nong Prue
A peacock was spotted yesterday perching on a residential rooftop at Eakmongkol Village 3, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The Nong Prue rescue teams, upon receiving the unusual report at 5.40pm, promptly arrived on the scene to manage the situation. The peacock, typically an inhabitant of the wilderness, had somehow made its way to the urban locality and decided to make…
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Thai man arrested over death of Thai woman with tattoos in Chon Buri
Police arrested a Thai man over the death of a Thai woman with tattoos who was found buried in Chon Buri province. Officers insisted her case was unrelated to the body of a Thai man found near the scene. Locals in the Huay Yai district of Chon Buri discovered the lifeless body of the unidentified Thai woman buried in a…
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Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands
In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural…
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Lampang high-speed chase ends with seizure of 1.3 million amphetamine pills
Amidst the serene landscapes of Lampang, the tranquillity was shattered on December 6, as a high-speed chase ended in the capture of two alleged drug smugglers with amphetamine pills. The suspects, identified only as 43 year old Worapot and Chainarong, were found in possession of an astonishing 1.3 million amphetamine pills. The apprehension of such a significant drug haul was…
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Thai man dies on police station waiting room sofa in Bangkok
A Thai man tragically died on a Bang Khen Police Station sofa in Bangkok yesterday, December 7, while waiting to report a physical assault by his employer’s son. Police officer Somporn Sata approached the 45 year old victim, a Thai man named Tui, to inform him that it was his turn to file a complaint. However, upon reaching Tui, Somporn…
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Thai Health Minister delivers bundle of joy and initiative: Give Birth, Great World
Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Thai Minister of Public Health and associated agencies, this week launched an initiative called Give Birth, Great World at a press conference in Ayutthaya. The primary concern addressed at the launch meeting was Thailand’s alarming demographic trends, which, according to reports, is causing the nation to be among 23 others worldwide with a higher death rate…
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Democrat party power struggle emerges ahead of leadership election
A power struggle has emerged within the Democrat Party as a group of Members of Parliament (MPs), headed by Dech-it Khaothong, the Democrat MP for Songkhla, made moves to oppose the leadership bid of acting Deputy Leader Narapat Kaewthong. This event, which unfolded on Wednesday, saw a significant number of MPs express their reluctance to endorse Kaewthong. The faction is…
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Knife-wielding man invades Pattananikom School causing panic, quick thinking saves day
A knife-wielding man stormed into Pattana Nikom School in the Pattana Nikom district, Satun province, causing panic among teachers and students. The knife-wielding man, later identified as 31 year old Narong (surname withheld), also brandished a slingshot, causing alarm as teachers and students were participating in a school clean-up. The quick thinking of school staff secured the premises, allowing everyone to…
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Bankrupt millionaire seeks opportunities and jobs after life as thief
A victim urged the Thai police to arrest a former millionaire in Chon Buri who, facing bankruptcy, resorted to becoming a thief. The man evaded several arrests by claiming he was mentally ill, evoking sympathy from some, who wished he could rebuild his life. One Facebook user, Aroon Kab, shared security camera footage of a man stealing three aluminium step…
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Ex-protest leader Chinnawat gets suspended sentence for royal defamation
Chinnawat Chankrachang, better known as Bright, a former co-leader of pro-democracy demonstrations who later supported the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) linked with ex-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been given a suspended sentence for royal defamation. This conviction is related to a rally held in February 2002. The details were revealed on Chinnawat’s Facebook page, where he shared that the…
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German backpacker speaks out about rape ordeal on Koh Chang
In a horrifying revelation, a young German backpacker shared her traumatic experience of a sexual assault in Koh Chang, Trat province. As her attacker faces justice, the survivor broke her silence, urging caution to lone female travellers. Florentina Retka, a 24 year old cruise ship worker, embarked on a solo adventure to Southeast Asia, seeking the sun-kissed shores of Thailand’s Koh…
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Bangkok’s Pink Line monorail to open on December 18: Free rides until January 2
Passengers can now embark on a thrilling ride through Bangkok‘s Pink Line monorail, soaring 34.5 kilometres from northwest to northeast. Offering an early holiday treat, the city is generously providing free rides until January 2, creating a buzz of excitement among locals and tourists alike. Mark your calendars for the grand opening on Monday, December 18. The Pink Line, an…
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Chiang Mai teacher dismissed over student lunch programme mismanagement
Chaiyot Suktor, a senior professional level teacher (K3) at Yangpao School in Omkoi, Chiang Mai, has been dismissed from the civil service following allegations of corruption by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Chaiyot, identified as the fourth accused, is allegedly guilty of criminal misconduct as an official, accused of performing or neglecting duties without authority. The case centres around Chaiyot,…
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Thai King and Queen gear up for 35th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
The Thai King and Queen participated in today’s international sailing competition training in Phuket, joining the THA72 team in the IRC Zero category. The event took place today, December 7, at 7.42am at Kata Beach. His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and his wife Queen Suthida were preparing for the 35th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, a prestigious international…
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Pattaya punch-up: Ex-US soldier seeks answers as Thai man delivers unexpected blow
A former US soldier sought help from locals in Pattaya after a Thai man punched him in the face. The victim was unaware of the motive for the attack. Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers and rescue team rushed to the Pattaya Sai Song Road near Soi Pattaya 13 after a Thai woman, 44 year old Nattanan, notified them about the…
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Infant boy found abandoned in community rubbish bin in Nakhon Ratchasima
An infant boy was discovered abandoned in a community rubbish bin, rescued by locals who heard his cries. Previously, a deceased infant was found discarded in the same area. Today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Saichon Sawangpop, Deputy Chief of Crime Prevention at the Mueang District Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima, received a report from a good Samaritan about the abandoned infant…
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Thai rice absence from World’s Best Rice 2023 comp sparks debate
The online community is embroiled in a heated debate following the omission of Thai rice from the top three spots in the World’s Best Rice 2023 competition. This has sparked questions about the quality of Thai rice, a key export and a source of national pride. However, it has been revealed that Thailand did not participate in this year’s competition…
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Thai officials nabbed for 8 million baht procurement scam
Thai anti-corruption forces today led by Police Major General Prasong Chalermphan along with other officials, raided and arrested a mother and her daughter, both officials of the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, for allegedly forging procurement documents resulting in losses exceeding 8 million baht. The main target was a building within the Department of Medical Sciences in…
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Heartless teenage thief leaves double amputee legless in Phatthalung
In Phatthalung province, a 63 year old double amputee who is a resident of the village of Talenoi in Khuan Khanun district had her money stolen, which was meant for her prosthetic legs appointment on December 26. Nuuray, known as Aunt Pong, underwent double leg amputation due to diabetes, first in 2021 and then in 2023. When her wounds healed,…
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Frozen seafood smokescreen exposed: Shocking meat swap scandal unveiled in cargo containers
In a startling revelation at Thailand‘s Laem Chabang deep-sea port, two unremarkable cargo containers have remained unclaimed since 2021. Contrary to their declared contents of frozen seafood, an intricate inspection unveiled a deceptive hoard of frozen pork and beef. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, leading a special unit on the hunt for illegal pork imports, cracked open the lid on one…
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Perverted abbot accused of sexually assaulting novices and teenage boys in Chiang Mai
Mae Wang Police Station officers forced a perverted Thai abbot to leave his monkhood as they cranked up an investigation after novices and teenage boys accused him of sexually assaulting them. The alleged sexual assaults took place at a well-known temple, which was not named in the report, in the northern province of Chiang Mai. In the past, the 41 year…
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Thai farmer turns backyard into mussel farm, earning 400 baht daily
A farmer in Nakhon Ratchasima has turned a hollow behind his house into a lucrative freshwater mussel farm. The mussels, which are large, fresh, and clean, have found a ready market, with customers even purchasing directly from the mussel farm. With an average daily income of 400 baht, the farmer is gearing up to expand his mussel farming operations. A…
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Shark tale: Thai PM warns loan sharks not to test government waters as they target debt-relief participant
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, warned loan sharks not to challenge government power after two loan sharks threatened a debtor who participated in a government debt relief programme. A Thai woman named Som sought protection from the police and the government after the loan sharks came to her restaurant in the Sankaburi district in the central province of…
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Thailand’s tourism tango: TAT’s mixed bag predicts foreign tourist influx but warns of a 400 billion baht revenue remix
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released a mixed bag of updates, hinting at a potential foreign tourist surge but cautioning about a colossal revenue shortfall of 400 billion baht. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed that Thailand hosted 25.8 million foreign tourists from January to November this year, inching close to the 27 million target. However, with the high season…
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Spanish woman swallows toothbrush in dramatic choking incident
A 21 year old Spanish woman from Galdakao in the Basque region, narrowly averted a choking to death. It occurred while consuming a chicken wing at home, resulting in a piece of meat lodged in her throat. She was at home with her wheelchair-bound father, who was incapacitated due to an old injury, leaving her to fend for herself during…
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Country singer Bew Kalayanee’s brother found dead in Tapee River
The lifeless body of Chitkorn Jiamsakul, a 45 year old car driver and elder brother to the renowned country singer Kalayanee Jiamsakul, known as Bew Kalayanee, was found near a dock. The discovery took place about 2 kilometres from the initial incident site where Chitkorn was last observed jumping from Sri Surat Bridge and vanishing into the Tapee River on…
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Pattaya police under fire for letting foreign sex offenders flee Thailand
Three police officers are now in hot water for their alleged involvement in the escape of two foreign suspects accused of engaging in illicit activities with underage girls in Pattaya. The escapade involves a German and an American who, after arrests, managed to slip away under questionable circumstances. The controversy traces back to a case in September last year when a…
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Rising waves and heavy rain batter Thailand’s south east coast
Torrential rains have battered the southern eastern coast of Thailand, particularly in the Pattani Narathiwat region. The inclement weather has resulted in high waves in the Gulf of Thailand, rising to 3 metres. Fishermen have been warned to exercise extreme caution. Reporters from Songkhla province noted that the sky has been heavily overcast with sporadic thunderstorms. Heavy rain persisted throughout…
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Slovenian national found dead in Pattaya condo, suspected suicide
The lifeless body of a 47 year old man from Slovenia was discovered in a Pattaya condominium yesterday. The preliminary investigations suggest that the cause of death was likely suicide. The scene was inspected by a team led by Pattaya police chief investigator, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thananon Athipansee, alongside medics from Bang Lamung Hospital and rescue workers. The team was…
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Chai Nat: Thai police chief orders arrest of loan shark at somtum restaurant
The National Police Chief ordered the arrest of two people linked to a debt collection gang, who vandalised a somtum restaurant in Chai Nat province. The owner of the establishment had registered to resolve her informal debts, leading to repercussions from the loan sharks. This event has led to wider investigations targeting loan sharks and other offenders involved in informal…
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