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.
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Thaksin not seeking special prison transfer, says lawyer
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not currently seeking detention outside prison, according to his lawyer, who said any such request would only be made in line with Department of Corrections criteria. Winyat Chartmontree, the former premier’s legal counsel, gave the update after visiting Thaksin at Klong Prem Central Prison on Ngamwongwan Road today, September 15. It was the first…
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Thailand raises compensation for flight delays and cancellations
Passengers flying in Thailand will soon receive higher flight compensation for long delays and cancellations, under new regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Committee. Regulation No. 101, which outlines measures to protect passenger rights on both domestic and international scheduled flights, will take effect on November 20, 2025. For domestic flights, passengers affected by delays of more than five hours…
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Uncertainty over new alcohol act leaves Thai operators in limbo
Uncertainty looms over how Thailand’s revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act will be enforced, as businesses await further details on new advertising restrictions set to take effect later this year. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) of 2025 is scheduled for enactment on November 8, according to the Department of Disease Control under the Public Health Ministry. However, operators in…
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Buri Ram police seize nearly 100 modified motorcycles from convoy
Nearly 100 modified motorcycles were seized by police in Buri Ram province on Sunday, September 14, as part of a crackdown on illegal street convoys and unregistered vehicles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The group, known as the Phor Piang motorcycle group (roughly translating to sufficient), was intercepted while travelling through…
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IKEA Thailand cuts prices, targets hotels and SMEs
IKEA Thailand, part of the Swedish home furnishing company, is addressing economic difficulties by reducing prices and launching the IKEA for Business programme. This initiative targets growing demand from hotels, offices, property developers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Leonie Hoskin, retail manager for IKEA Thailand and Vietnam, noted that fiscal 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025) was challenging due…
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Phatthalung work camp attacked in midnight shooting
A construction camp in Phatthalung province was attacked earlier today, with gunmen opening fire using what appeared to be military-grade weapons. The incident occurred at around 1am on September 15, leaving workers shaken but unharmed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Police Colonel Suphat Khunnui from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station arrived at…
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Pheu Thai faces election setback after Shinawatra controversies
Pheu Thai list-MP and spokesperson, Danuporn Punnakanta, acknowledged yesterday, September 14, the criticism suggesting the party might secure fewer than 100 seats in the upcoming general election. This follows significant developments involving former prime ministers Thaksin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Danuporn stated that the party would refrain from responding to criticism regarding its waning popularity, which has led to predictions from…
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Heavy rains forecast in Bangkok and 41 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast warning for today, September 15, where heavy rains are expected in 41 provinces, including Bangkok and its metropolitan areas, with a 70% chance of downpours. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The eastern, central, northeastern, and southern regions of Thailand are likely…
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American injured in Pattaya motorcycle accident
Earlier yesterday morning, September 13, at 3.36am, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit in Pattaya was alerted to a motorcycle accident on Thappraya Road. A collision between a motorcycle and a streetlight pole had resulted in injuries, prompting the swift dispatch of rescue volunteers to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered a red and black Yamaha MT15 motorcycle, registered in…
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Cambodian drones spotted near Thailand border, signals disrupted
Yesterday, 13 September, the Second Army Region summarised the daily situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border. They noted 12 Cambodian drones flying near the border area. Additionally, signals were successfully disrupted for six of these drones. The summary, released by their operations centre, provides an update as of 2pm. The overall situation revealed movements from the Cambodian side in certain areas.…
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Vendor expelled for selling pork as beef in Ayutthaya market
A vendor in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was found to be selling pork and labelling it as beef by applying cow blood to the meat. The market owner discovered the mislabeling during an inspection, and after confirming the deception, the vendor was removed from the market. Chatchai Kittichai, also known as “Chatchai Talad Thai,” who runs a market business, shared…
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TikTok star’s pet lion raises safety concerns in Chiang Mai
Concerns have arisen among residents regarding the safety of a pet lion, “Sorapong,” owned by a popular TikTok creator. This has led authorities from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to inspect the premises, following an incident involving seven lions at Safari World, who fatally attacked a zookeeper. After the safari incident, the Wildlife Conservation Office mandated…
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High-profile Thai figure under investigation for donation scandal
A prominent news presenter has posted a teaser on Facebook that hints at a developing story involving a famous individual with followers across Thailand. This person is reportedly under investigation for connections to women and a vast amount of donation money, making previous scandals seem minor in comparison. The news that once dominated headlines yesterday, on September 13, involved Sika…
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Factory worker drowns in Bangkok pond after swim challenge
A 27 year old factory worker drowned after challenging friends to swim across a pond, ignoring their pleas to stop. This drowning incident occurred near a restaurant in Lat Krabang, Bangkok. Rescue officials were notified to search for the body, which was later sent for an autopsy. Police Lieutenant Pichaya Chujit, a deputy inspector at Chalong Krung Police Station, responded…
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Manhunt underway after fatal stabbing in Lop Buri
A man, frustrated in his search for his wife, whom he suspected others were concealing, attacked and fatally stabbed his wife’s friend. The incident took place at 8.30pm yesterday, on September 13, in Lop Buri province. Following the attack, the suspect fled into the nearby forest, prompting a police manhunt. The assault occurred at a rented room in Mueang district,…
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Bank of Thailand tackles mule account freeze impact
The Bank of Thailand has acknowledged that the suspension of mule accounts could impact a significant number of people. Discussions with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) and commercial banks are underway to devise a way to unlock legitimate accounts not linked to mule activities. Yesterday, on September 13, Daranee Saeju, assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand, responsible for…
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Bangkok teen fighting for life after violent gang shootout
A teenage boy was critically injured in Bangkok after being shot during a street chase involving armed youths, prompting a police investigation. A violent gang chase in Bangkok early today, September 13, ended in tragedy when a 15 year old boy was shot and left severely injured. The incident, which took place near Indy Market, Dao Khanong, was captured on…
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SCB cuts branches and staff as AI reshapes Thai banking
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is restructuring its retail operations in response to rising household debt and the growing dominance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector. Since May, SCB has reorganised its retail segment into a new consumer banking division, covering branches, retail services, and employees. Chief Executive Kris Chantanotoke said the shift reflects customer preferences and the steady…
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Thai Airways axes first class in bold premium revamp
Thai Airways has confirmed that it will retire its first class cabins, a product once hailed as the pinnacle of luxury but now confined to just three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The decision closes a chapter in the airline’s history, with first class having once graced its flagship Airbus A380s, Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s. These exclusive cabins, occasionally used for…
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Pattaya officials warn after elephant seen strolling outside mall
An elephant was spotted outside a Pattaya shopping mall with its mahout, drawing crowds and prompting city officials to step in over safety concerns. Shoppers at Terminal 21 Pattaya witnessed a highly unusual scene this week when an elephant, guided by its mahout, was seen wandering near the mall selling sugarcane to tourists. The sight drew crowds of curious onlookers…
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Phuket officials clash over Bang Tao building permit dispute
A legal battle has erupted in Phuket as two local administrations clash over who holds the authority to issue building permits in the Bang Tao area. A jurisdictional dispute between two local administrations in Phuket has reached the Administrative Court, as Cherng Talay Municipality and Cherng Talay Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) battle over authority in Bang Tao. The legal case,…
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Housing row settled after Nong Prue home cleared as legal
Officials in Nong Prue inspected a housing project after residents complained a property may have breached building laws, confirming it complied with regulations. At around 2pm yesterday, September 12, deputy mayor Wanchai Saenngam led a team of municipal engineering officers to inspect a property in the Rattanakorn 15 project following anonymous reports that a house was being built taller than…
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Decomposed body of elderly woman found in Chiang Mai river
Locals in Chiang Mai discovered the body of an elderly woman floating in the Ping River, prompting police to launch an investigation into her death. Police in Chiang Mai’s Doi Tao district are investigating the discovery of a decomposed body, believed to be that of an elderly woman, found floating in the Ping River. The grim discovery was made yesterday,…
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Quake jolts Sumatra as tremors reach into northern Thailand
Thailand’s Earthquake Observation Division reported a 3.6-magnitude earthquake in northern Sumatra this morning, with light tremors also detected in parts of northern Thailand. Fortunately, no damage or injuries have been reported. The quake struck at 4.27am local time today, September 13, centred in Indonesia’s northern Sumatra region at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located about 367 kilometres…
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Bangkok bomb scare defused after vest turns out to be weights
A man wearing a suspicious vest sparked a bomb scare in a Bangkok district, prompting a police response before it was revealed to be workout gear. The incident unfolded yesterday morning, September 12, after a concerned citizen reported a man wearing a tactical-looking vest filled with items that resembled explosives. The tip-off prompted a swift response from the Bang Bon…
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Thai Democrat Party leader quits over health and party loyalty row
Democrat Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on has stepped down from his position, citing health concerns that he says have affected his ability to lead effectively. In an official letter submitted to the Election Commission (EC)’s political party registrar yesterday, September 12, the 60 year old politician stated that he could no longer carry out his duties at full capacity and feared…
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Indian tourists flee after Pattaya crash leaves 2 women hurt
Two Thai women were left injured in Pattaya after a late-night crash involving a motorcycle and a pair of careless tourists who allegedly fled the scene. A late-night motorcycle collision in Pattaya has left two Thai women hospitalised, after what witnesses claim was a reckless encounter with two foreign tourists. The incident occurred around 3am yesterday, September 12, in front…
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Phuket’s long-awaited boat taxi project finally sets sail
Phuket is moving ahead with plans for a boat taxi service along its west coast, as key officials signed an agreement to improve coastal transport options. Phuket is one step closer to launching its long-discussed boat taxi service along the island’s popular west coast, as key officials gathered to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, September 12. Atthaphon Charoenchansa,…
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Esports vs traditional sports – what links them and some key differences
Over the past decade, eSports has shifted from niche corners of the internet to the main stage of global entertainment. Many traditional sports continue to hold massive audiences alongside the new era of esports. Put them side by side – the similarities can be surprising, even if the playing fields are very different. There is even the crossover of esports…
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Thai pilots take flight over foreign hires on local routes
Thailand’s Administrative Court is reviewing a legal bid by a pilots’ group to block a government move allowing foreign pilots on domestic flight routes. The Thai Administrative Court is reviewing a request from the Thai Pilots Association to block the Ministry of Labour from allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic flights, according to the Bangkok Post. The petition seeks a…
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