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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Bangkok bust: CIB officers nab 18,000 imported sex toys, couple faces sticky situation
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) embarked on a rather titillating mission at a luxury house in Bangkok‘s Lat Krabang district yesterday where they seized 18,000 sex toys imported from China. A Chinese man and his Thai wife were arrested for illegally importing and selling sex toys. Patthawit Wongpinit, director of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), told Channel…
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TikTok user spends 13 hours locked in bathroom (video)
A TikTok user, known as tncybss, was trapped in a bathroom for a staggering 13 hours, from 4pm until 11am the following day. Despite attempts to follow YouTube tutorials to free herself by removing the doorknob, she was unable to unlock the door and eventually had to resort to breaking through it. The incident started at 4pm when the user…
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JSCCIB for water: Thai committee floats idea to dip into digital wallet funds for H2O solutions
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed that the Thai government allocate a portion of its 560 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget towards supporting water management plans. The committee argues that Thailand needs immediate and long-term solutions to deal with flooding and drought, which is forecasted to affect the agricultural sector due to El Niño-induced…
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Royal revelation: Johor Crown Prince shares harrowing encounter at Siam Paragon shooting
Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor, a state in southern Malaysia revealed the shooting at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok was “the worst experience I have ever gone through.” Tunku Ismail, speaking from a hotel near the crime scene shooting in the Thai capital, was with his family to watch a football match between his team,…
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Thai baht hits new low against US dollar amid gold price drop
The 2023 financial year has seen the Thai baht rank as one of the region’s poorest performing currencies, depreciating to a low of 37.14 to the US dollar on Tuesday – a level not seen since November of the previous year. The recent plummet in gold prices, with a decline of around 5% or US$7.45 (274.65 baht) per ounce, has…
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Thai teacher accused of assaulting student, mother demands justice in Thailand
A shocking incident unfolded in the district of Phran Kratai, Kamphaeng Phet, as a secondary school teacher was accused of physically assaulting a 13 year old student. The incident, captured in a 20-second video clip, was brought to the attention of the media by the 44 year old victim’s mother, Sathip. The video reveals the teacher, identified only by his…
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Thailand’s tourism ministry to compensate shooting victims amid regulatory gap
The aftermath of the recent Siam Paragon shooting has unveiled an apparent regulatory gap in Thailand’s support mechanism for distressed tourists. A previous government disbanded the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund – a safety net providing financial aid for tourists in times of adversity, and a replacement source of funding had not been set in place. The Tourism and Sports Ministry,…
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Siam Paragon shooting prompts new mental health unit
A new mental health consultation unit, established to assist individuals emotionally distressed by the recent fatal shooting in Siam Paragon, started operations yesterday. The tragic incident, involving a teenage boy who killed two women, left many feeling traumatised and in need of psychological support. Amporn Benjaponpitak, the leading authority of the Department of Mental Health, revealed that she, along with…
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Ayutthaya builds dykes to protect homes amid rising Chao Phraya River levels
The fast-rising waters of the Chao Phraya River have led to the construction of dykes along its banks in the province of Ayutthaya. There is a growing concern that the swelling river may overflow, potentially flooding homes and historical landmarks. The Chao Phraya River’s rising levels are attributed to an increased water volume from upstream provinces. However, on Wednesday, it…
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Thai defence minister proposes public distribution of military-owned land
Sutin Klungsang, the Defence Minister, put forth a proposition to distribute some military-owned land to the local populace, as part of the governmental strategy to modernise the armed forces. This was revealed by the Defence Ministry’s spokesperson, Thanitpong Sirisawetsak, post a Defence Council meeting. The 62 year old Sutin presented policies to the ministry’s department heads and the leaders of…
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Thai man murders wife’s ex-husband after seeing them have sex in Chiang Mai
An outraged Thai man allegedly murdered his wife’s ex-husband after he caught her having sex with him last night in the northern province of Chaing Mai. The killer’s 16 year old son reportedly took part in the gruesome murder. Jom Thong Police Station officers and the Intanon Rescue Team rushed to the rented room in the Jom Thong district of…
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Thai woman found dead in Pattaya condominium, suicide suspected
A tragic incident occurred last night in the Naklua sub-district of Pattaya, where a Thai woman lost her life in what is suspected to be a case of suicide at a 32-story condominium complex. The Pattaya Police Station’s Deputy Investigator, Chanan Kaserabua, received a direct notification regarding an individual who had fallen from a building situated on Naklua Road in…
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Monkey business cleaned up: Tourists cheer innovative solution at Samila Beach, Songkhla
Tourists visiting Samila Beach in Songkhla are delighted by an innovative solution to the issue of macaque monkeys scavenging through rubbish bins, causing odour and litter. Complaints had been previously made about the monkeys rummaging through the bins, spilling litter and creating a foul smell, disturbing the natural environment of the beach and causing fear among the visitors. The Songkhla…
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Thailand’s firearm frenzy: Tops ASEAN in guns, 13th in global tragedy
Thailand has the most firearms in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and lies 13th in the world for the most firearm deaths according to Switzerland’s Small Arms Survey (SAS). Following yesterday’s shooting at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, questions have been raised about the ease with which Thais can access and own guns. Locals say that Thai…
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Fish store shocker: Customer buys out entire stock, sets them free in Singapore river
A customer left a fish store employee astounded after spending more than 400 Singapore dollars to buy all the fish in the store, only to release them all into a river. The unusual event was reported by local media, following the account of the fish store’s worker. The male customer walked into the store and stated his intention to purchase…
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Critical look at emergency alert systems: Thai agencies lag behind global counterparts
The Cell Broadcast or the modern Emergency Alert System has become a crucial tool for many countries around the world in times of crises that affect public safety. This mobile phone-based warning system, compatible with 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G, is used by various governments globally to issue wide-ranging emergency alerts or disaster situations. Cell Broadcast is a method of sending…
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Malaysian woman dies after refusing to remove charm needles found throughout her body
A shocking medical case in Malaysia recently came to light, involving a severely ill 60 year old woman who was found to have charm needles embedded all over her body, including her eyes, face, neck and chest. The woman, despite medical advice to remove the needles, refused, leading to her unfortunate death. The unusual case was shared by a doctor…
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Late-night hair washing a headache in more ways than one for Hanoi banker
A concerned 40 year old bank employee in Hanoi recently sought medical attention due to blurred vision and headaches. The woman, who often returned home late from work, had a late-night hair washing habit, sometimes as late as 11pm. Late-night hair washing, coupled with her work stress, led to sudden migraines, according to a local health department head. The patient noted…
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Siam Paragon Mall shooting survivor recounts chilling encounter
Survivors of the tragic Siam Paragon Mall shooting incident where two women were killed and five others were injured shared their harrowing experiences. One survivor, Natthaphat (surname withheld), recounted the terrifying moments she witnessed people dying in front of her, including being unable to assist a Chinese woman. She confessed to having a sleepless night following the traumatic events of…
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Viral video in Vietnam: Father’s tearful farewell to daughter at wedding tugs at heartstrings
A heartrending video has gone viral in Vietnam’s online world, showing a father crying in the corner after giving his daughter away at her wedding. The video was shared on the docnhanh website, bringing tears to the eyes of many viewers. The video depicts a crowded wedding ceremony. The father of the bride is seen sitting quietly in a corner,…
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Siam Paragon shooting sparks Thai probe: Teenage boy’s deadly spree stirs security measures
Following the fatal shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall yesterday, Thai authorities stepped up their investigation and security measures. The event saw a 14 year old boy open fire, causing the death of a tourist and injuring others. The shopping centre resumed normal operations today, despite the previous day’s tragedy. However, some stores, particularly leading clothes brands, that suffered…
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Venice tourist bus tragedy: 21 lives lost in devastating crash (video)
A devastating bus crash near the tourist city of Venice, Italy, claimed at least 21 lives and left 18 injured. The bus believed to be hired for transporting tourists, collided with a bridge railing before plunging onto a railway track below, in the Mestre district yesterday. The deceased in the bus crash included the Italian driver, five Ukrainians, and one…
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Thai Cabinet approves panel to draft charter amendment referendum
The Thai Cabinet greenlighted the formation of a 35-member panel yesterday, tasked with drafting a prospective charter amendment referendum, as disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Serving as the chair of the committee, Phumtham revealed that the panel will comprise representatives from both the government and opposition parties, as well as legal experts, scholars, social activists,…
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Video game violence: Bangkok teen’s mall shooting sparks #Don’tBlameTheGame trend
A trending hashtag, #Don’tBlameTheGame, emerged online following a violent incident involving a 14 year old boy in a Bangkok shopping mall. The teenage killer, who allegedly had a history of playing the Battle Royale-style game, sparked a debate about the link between video games and violence. However, many online users assert that blaming video games is not the solution and…
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Thailand tourism threatened, Bangkok mall shooting deters Chinese tourists
The tragic shooting at Siam Paragon in the heart of Bangkok yesterday has potentially hampered Thailand tourism. Thousands of Chinese netizens criticised the incident on Weibo, some even stating they would never visit Thailand again. Several casualties, including Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese nationals, resulted from the incident. As soon as the unfortunate event occurred, the hashtag #Paragon started trending on Twitter. The…
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Whooping cough warning: Pertussis cases surge, one fatality in southern Thailand
The Disease Control Department (DCD) in Songkhla province reported an alarming increase in the number of cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, particularly among children. The department confirmed the diagnosis of two patients in the region, with one fatality in Pattani province. The disease, caused by the bacteria B. pertussis, is highly contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing,…
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National Police Commander mourns loss of mother while on duty at Siam Paragon
National Police Commander Torsak Sukwimon mourned the loss of his 104 year old mother, who passed away while being cared for at the Police Hospital. Torsak, who was informed of his mother’s declining health by a doctor, rushed to her side, whispering in her ear that he had become the National Police Commander. He had to leave shortly after due to…
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Thai motorcycle production makers ready to ‘gear’ up as sales pick up speed
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) anticipates a surge in Thai motorcycle manufacturing during this year’s final quarter, following a period of slow sales. This optimistic forecast was made earlier this year by the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club (AIC), based on an uptick in tourism and the easing of the semiconductor shortage. July saw a 12.7% year-on-year increase in local…
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Fire breaks out at prison in Bangkok, inmates and officials unharmed
A fire broke out at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district at 10.40pm last night. Fortunately, no inmates or officials were injured in the incident. The fire was reported to Pracha Chuen Police Station, which later worked with Lat Yao Fire Station to bring the blaze under control. The fire originated in a single-story structure within the prison…
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Thai monk’s ‘soul-soothing’ fire dance ignites interest in ancient healing
A 71 year old monk from Wat Pa Theppitaks Daennabun, located in Nong Mod Daeng, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, uses the ancient method of fire stepping to treat various ailments and cleanse karma. This method was practised today, when a social media user posted a video showing the monk stepping on a heated iron plate or tractor blade, then…
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