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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Factory worker killed in Chon Buri shooting, suspect at large
A factory supervisor shot and killed a co-worker outside their workplace, firing eight shots from a 9mm gun. The incident occurred around 6pm yesterday, October 3. Police and rescue workers were called to the scene in Don Hua Lo, Chon Buri province. Police officers, led by Kitthivet Ngasuwan, arrived to find 38 year old Natthawut lying in a pool of blood.…
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Transport minister probes bribery involving Deere, ministry depts
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit initiated a committee to probe bribery allegations involving two ministry departments in Thailand and the local unit of multinational construction firm Deere, following a case highlighted in the United States. Three weeks after Deere reached a US$10-million settlement with US officials, Suriya announced the formation of the panel to scrutinise the bribes outlined in the US…
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Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust
Police in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district arrested a Thai man along with his trusty red tricycle cart. The suspect had been masquerading as a salt seller while secretly breaking into unattended homes in the area to steal valuables. Police officials received a report today, October 4, from the local community that homes were being robbed during the day when residents…
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Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge
A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…
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Charging ahead: BYD owners left powerless by marketing spin
In a surprising twist, BYD car owners stormed into the government offices yesterday, filing an official complaint against the Chinese auto giant. They claim the company’s aggressive marketing tactics amount to nothing less than unfair selling practices, leaving them out in the cold, literally. Led by officials from consumer protection, the disgruntled owners told tales of woe regarding access to…
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Pattaya thief begs for mercy after stealing to aid sick grandmother
A shop owner in Pattaya set a trap to catch a persistent thief who had been stealing from his stall, only to face a tearful plea for forgiveness as the suspect claimed he was stealing to feed his sick grandmother. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station responded to a call about a detained thief at the Khao Talo Market in…
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Rolling the dice: Pattaya homes raided in Chinese gambling bust
Police raided three luxury houses in Pattaya and arrested 20 Chinese nationals for operating a gambling website and illegal loan service. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station discovered a group of Chinese nationals running illegal businesses based in Thailand. They were found to be offering loans illegally to clients in China. The gang rented three luxury houses to carry out…
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Chon Buri man arrested for threatening mother, assaulting family
A man in Chon Buri was arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill his mother, assault his son, and attempted to rape his daughter. Officials found methamphetamine in his possession. Police and administrative officers arrested 46 year old Sornchai (surname withheld) at his home in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The arrest followed a plea for help from a 64…
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Bangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages
A former Thai boxer remains at large after evading arrest for theft. The fugitive then went on a rampage in Bangkok’s Phrayathai district, taking two innocent people hostage in the process. The 39 year old theft suspect, Santi Jehali, began his disturbing behaviour after officers from Tao Poon Police Station raided his home to arrest him yesterday, October 3, at around…
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Pattaya car chase over Thai woman sparks gunfire
A dramatic car chase involving gunfire unfolded in Pattaya yesterday after a heated confrontation between two Thai men over a woman. Pattaya police responded to a report of the incident on Soi Khao Talo 5/1 at 11am, yesterday, October 3. Police officers apprehended 34 year old Thosawat at the scene, who is suspected of firing shots. A .32 calibre revolver…
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Thai woman held for impersonating diplomat in 6 million baht scam
Thai police apprehended a young woman impersonating a Thai diplomat in Canada, accused of scamming a student out of 6 million baht using fake passport allegations. Following directives from Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Police Lieutenant General Thatchai Pitaneelabut, who are focused on eradicating criminal organisations causing public distress, the online patrol unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau unearthed a…
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Pattaya pool party busted: Cops dive into illegal ops crackdown
Pattaya police raided three pool villas where a Chinese gang was operating illegal money lending and online gambling activities, seizing 13 computers and over 100 mobile phones. Chatchai Surachetphong, Deputy Regional Police Chief of Region 2, along with Navin Theerawit, Pattaya City Police Chief, and Thananon Athiphansri, Deputy Chief of Pattaya City Police, led a raid to investigate a pool…
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Thai-ing up the rain: Bangkok braces for a downpour of showers
Thailand faces widespread rainfall today, with heavy showers expected in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. This weather pattern affects 38 provinces, excluding the northeastern region, which experiences cooler morning temperatures. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts for the next 24 hours show significant rainfall in the western parts of the northern and central regions, the east, and the south. Cooler…
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Ping River on the rise: Chiang Mai braces for watery wake-up call
Chiang Mai braces for more flooding today as the Ping River is set to reach 4.95 metres, starting in the morning. Heavy rainfall in upstream areas has caused a rapid rise in the Ping River, according to Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn. He urged residents along the river to relocate their vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and clinics in low-lying…
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Bets off: Jilted Thai man gambles on lawsuit after wedding deception
A Thai man is taking legal action against his ex-girlfriend, who tricked him into transferring 500,000 baht to fund her gambling, claiming the money was for their dream wedding. The victim, 38 year old Jaruwat, filed a complaint against his ex-girlfriend at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)‘s complaint centre today, October 3. Jaruwat said he was the victim of a…
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Winter story: Thai cool season arrives fashionably late with icy twist
Brace yourselves, Thailand’s winter this year will arrive a little late but pack an extra punch of chill. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced that the cool season will kick off in the third week of October, with temperatures set to dip lower than last year. Although winter will extend until late February, the TMD is predicting cooler-than-usual temperatures. The…
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Chiang Rai slammed by new flooding amid fresh warnings
Chiang Rai just can’t catch a break! After being battered by devastating floods last month, Ko Sai and Mai Loong Khun communities have been hit by another round of intense flooding. Heavy rainfall overnight caused the Sai River to burst through a sandbag floodwall, swamping the area and leaving residents in disarray. Thankfully, swift action by troops ensured locals were…
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Pheu Thai hits the brakes on Amnesty push
The Pheu Thai Party has put the brakes on its push for an Amnesty Bill, aware that it could spark a political storm and risk the stability of its already fragile coalition government. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is walking a tightrope, as opposition from the Senate looms large. Despite holding a slim majority in Parliament,…
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Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that Bangkok will remain safe from flooding, noting that the current rainfall levels are significantly lower than those experienced during the devastating floods of 2011. The Thai premier reviewed the water situation yesterday, October 2, at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She highlighted that while Thailand was…
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Thailand’s new PM makes TIME100 Next list
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made waves by being included in the prestigious TIME100 Next list of leaders for 2024, as announced by Time magazine. This remarkable recognition marks a significant milestone for the 38 year old politician, who has emerged as a trailblazer in Thai politics. Elected as Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister following the dismissal of property tycoon Srettha…
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Thai business group demand rate cut to keep exports afloat
Thailand’s leading business group called for an urgent reduction in interest rates, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of a rapidly appreciated baht on exports. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) chairman, Sanan Angubolkul, highlighted the urgency for the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to adjust rates, aligning with the government’s repeated calls for monetary easing. Markets…
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Rice Department fraudsters cook up fake seed sales online
The Rice Department’s Facebook page highlighted an increase in online scams. Fraudsters are using fake pages to impersonate legitimate businesses, luring victims to purchase rice seeds and disappearing after receiving payments. The Rice Department’s Facebook page revealed that scammers have created a fake page named Phantawee Mall Corporation, falsely using images and names of Rice Department officials to build trust.…
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Penny-wise, pound foolish: Thailand’s budget delay leaves fiscal year in arrears
The Government of Thailand’s delayed budget approval led to significant underinvestment in the previous fiscal year, according to the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD). The state budget for the fiscal year is divided into a fixed fund and an investment fund. For fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, the fixed fund amounted to 2.8 trillion baht (US$84 billion), covering expenses…
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Blazing drama: Phuket boat blaze leaves captain burnt out
A fire erupted aboard a Phuket tourist boat leaving the captain nursing injuries and igniting a full-blown investigation. The Phuket Marine Office got the alarming call at 10.35am today, October 3, about the Flamingo Lady 2 tour catamaran going up in flames, sending shockwaves and panic rippling down the Andaman coast. The vessel, which had just dropped off 22 tourists…
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Smile: Pure Heart Foundation donates wheelchairs in Ayutthaya
The Pure Heart Foundation, in collaboration with Thai Smile Bus, has provided wheelchairs to disadvantaged disabled individuals in Thailand to enhance their mobility and improve their quality of life. Thirarat Nawamawat, President of the Pure Heart Foundation, shared yesterday that they were contacted by Rungruthip Janthong, Ayutthaya’s provincial labour officer, and Supinya Kaenchai, Ayutthaya’s employment officer. They reported numerous disabled…
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Shocking turn: Lightning bolt transforms military unit into hot spot
Lightning struck a transformer, causing an explosion and subsequent fire at a military unit building in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The old wooden structure sustained damage but fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported. The incident occurred at the Explosives Factory Division, Ordnance Industry Centre, Ordnance Department of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), located in Ban Ko subdistrict, Mueang…
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Village headman in Udon Thani kills son in self-defence
A tragic event unfolded when the village headman of Nong Wua So district in Udon Thani province, found himself in a life-and-death situation with his youngest son who was under the influence of methamphetamine (meth). The confrontation ended with the village chief fatally shooting his son in self-defence after the latter fired at him. The incident occurred yesterday, October 2.…
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Residents make offerings after winning lottery in Ratchaburi
Residents are celebrating substantial lottery wins by making offerings at Phupahung Wongwanaram Monastery in Ratchaburi, bringing chicken eggs, flower garlands, and fireworks to express their gratitude. The temple’s abbot received donations, with some winners attributing their luck to the Naga Loop charm. At Phupahung Wongwanaram Monastery in Ban Huay Sala, Yang Hak subdistrict, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, people from…
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Men with swords and bats storm Udon Thani children’s centre
Two men wielding swords and baseball bats stormed a children’s development centre in Udon Thani, causing panic among teachers and children. CCTV footage captured the incident, which took place at 12.40pm yesterday, October 2, showing the men attacking each other. Police Lieutenant Precha Kangkhonnok of the Na Kha Police Station received a call from 59 year old Praipai Sintipla, the…
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Indian ice cream vendor killed by train after ignoring railway barrier
A tragic incident occurred when an ice cream vendor riding a motorcycle was struck and killed by a train. The accident, which took place yesterday, October 2, involved a foreign national who ignored an automatic railway barrier. Police Lieutenant Thanayot Theerinimman from Prachantakham Police Station received a report from the Sawangbamphen Thammasathan Foundation about a fatal collision between a train…
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