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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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  • Sri Panwa resort face punishment for illegally acquired land

    Sri Panwa resort face punishment for illegally acquired land

    Just as the National Anti-Corruption Commission probed Trisara resort, the luxury resort Sri Panwa in Southeast Phuket is facing legal action for land the Department of Special Investigation says was acquired illegally.  The resort is accused of acquiring one plot over 3 rai in area with a Nor Sor 3 Gor land document – papers with ownership privileged just short…

  • NACC: Trisara resort faces illegal land ownership charges

    NACC: Trisara resort faces illegal land ownership charges

    Following on from last week’s disclosure of a probe into the upscale Sri Panwa property in Phuket, another luxury property, Trisara resort, faces a similar investigation into illegal land ownership by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The probe by the NACC into Trisara resort named 29 officials involved in the illegal document issuing, with ex-Phuket Vice Governor Weeraway Janpen being singled…

  • Army to cut spending on foreign weapons, buy domestic instead

    Army to cut spending on foreign weapons, buy domestic instead

    The army is recognising that, with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, they shouldn’t be spending massive money to obtain weapons from abroad. Instead, they will look for domestic sourcing for the weapons they purchase and spend on maintaining what they have already. The chief of staff for the army acknowledged that the Thai military is reconsidering its spending since much…

  • Floods bring higher prices on vegetables to Vegetarian Festival

    Floods bring higher prices on vegetables to Vegetarian Festival

    The world-famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to begin on Wednesday, but aside from Covid-19, the flooding in Thailand has also proved to be damaging the upcoming festivities by driving up the cost and scarcity of vegetables. The heavy rains from tropical storm Dianmu have damaged many crops including vegetables in the central, north, and northeastern regions. Plus floods have…

  • South Korea looks to Germany for reunification pointers

    South Korea looks to Germany for reunification pointers

    With just seven months left before he steps down as president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in and his government remain committed to their long-held dream of reuniting the two halves of the Korean Peninsula into a single nation. And, with Germany as one of the very few countries with recent experience of a similar amalgamation of two states, Unification Minister…

  • PM Prayut eyes 1 million “high-quality tourists” in his Phuket transformation

    PM Prayut eyes 1 million “high-quality tourists” in his Phuket transformation

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced intentions to attract 1 million foreign travellers and 60 billion baht in revenue over the next 6 months by promoting Phuket as a world-class destination (again). The Thai prime minister took to Facebook to introduce his “Phuket Transformation” plan to attract what Thailand views as high-quality foreigners on a “workation” – the most recent buzzword…

  • Taxi hailing apps legalised, fares from 40 baht, 10,000 in Bangkok

    Taxi hailing apps legalised, fares from 40 baht, 10,000 in Bangkok

    Taxi hailing apps, with fares starting at 40 baht, have now been officially approved for use in Thailand, having received the sign off by Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob. The new ruling allows companies to apply for permissions to operate using mobile apps, subject to a 30-day trial period. The Minister expects 10,000 taxis of up to 7 passenger capacity…

  • Police say American man confesses to rape and assaults, blames drug use

    Police say American man confesses to rape and assaults, blames drug use

    The 37 year old American man now identified by police as Robert Andrew Gordon has allegedly confessed to police to committing rape and sexual assault. Police say Gordon told officers that his use of the illegal drug speed was the cause of his behaviour.  According to the Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, the man said he took the…

  • Students sleep in parks to protest rising rents in Turkey

    Students sleep in parks to protest rising rents in Turkey

    For 18 months, in-person classes were suspended in Turkey because of the pandemic. When universities opened their doors again, many students were in for a nasty surprise: Rents have become almost unaffordable. This is partly because of inflation and the corresponding price fluctuations, which have also affected the housing market. On top of this, Turkey’s government has not ensured that…

  • Mario Kleff sets a new standard for construction sites in Pattaya

    Mario Kleff sets a new standard for construction sites in Pattaya

    Majestic Residence on Phra Tamnak Hill in Pattaya hit the headlines over the summer of 2021 when architect Mario Kleff demolished two villas and started building a new one, utilising the finest in German engineering. The construction company Wandeegroup Asia, under the direction of CEO Mario Kleff, began work in June of this year. The Substructure work, consisting of 100+…

  • 3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    Pfizer vaccines are ready to be administered beginning Monday to young people at schools and universities with 3.68 million students registered so far. The Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education are working together the vaccinate 70% of high school and vocational school students by the end of October ahead of classroom learning recommencing in November. The ministries are…

  • American man arrested over alleged rape of massuese, attack of young girl

    American man arrested over alleged rape of massuese, attack of young girl

    A 37 year old man was taken into custody, accused of brutally beating and raping a masseuse as well as assaulting and attempting to rape a 12 year old girl in an attack shortly after. The man, who was originally suspected to be Australian, has now been identified only as an American named ‘Robert’. He was arrested today on Soi…

  • Saturday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial Totals

    Saturday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial Totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,375 new Covid-19 infections across Thailand. Coronavirus-related deaths fell below 100 for the first time in months with 87 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,597,3741 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 13,127…

  • UPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: Thai media reports that police have arrested a 37 year old American man who allegedly raped a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen. Police arrested the man at a Bangkok condominium off Sukhumvit Road in the Nana area. In earlier reports in Thai media, police initially thought the suspect was from Australia.  Original story… Police in the Isaan province Khon…

  • Thai baht to continue dropping against the USD

    Thai baht to continue dropping against the USD

    The Thai baht is forecast to droop to a 4-year low over the next trading week, and its largest monthly currency drop for over 20 years. The Baht’s challenges shadow US dollar gains over concerns about the US Fed’s (US Federal Reserve) ‘tapering’ plans as it reins in enthusiastic stimulus of the US economy. Thailand’s baht has been the region’s…

  • Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival kicks off this week

    Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival kicks off this week

    Get out your protective eye-wear and ear muffs. It’s THAT time of the year on Thailand’s southern island. Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival kicks off next week, but under the remaining Covid restrictions that limit the size of crowds, etc, etc on the island. The Vegetarian Festival, aka. Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is an annual commemoration inviting ancient Chinese spirits to come…

  • Saturday Covid-19 Update: New infections, deaths

    Saturday Covid-19 Update: New infections, deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,375 new Covid-19 infections. Coronavirus-related deaths fell below 100 for the first time in months with 87 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,597,3741 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 13,127 recoveries, 654…

  • Crackdown on illegal firearms nets 300 guns, 51 arrests

    Crackdown on illegal firearms nets 300 guns, 51 arrests

    In a countrywide push to get illegal firearms off the streets of Thailand, police have announced that they made 51 arrests and seized over 300 guns. The campaign to crackdown on illegal guns was initiated in response to the recent surge in crimes across Thailand that have been committed using firearms. Police reported that, along with the 300 guns they…

  • Koh Samui Plus simplified: 7 days on Samui, Phangan or Tao

    Koh Samui Plus simplified: 7 days on Samui, Phangan or Tao

    As part of the widely expanded Sandbox programmes launched or revised yesterday, the Samui Plus Sandbox has simplified and diversified its rules as well. While previously the entry to Koh Samui and the nearby islands was a 14-day programme with the first few days in full quarantine and the first week staying only on Koh Samui, the new rules allow…

  • Sandbox travellers can new enter via Krabi and Phang Nga

    Sandbox travellers can new enter via Krabi and Phang Nga

    Krabi and Phang Nga provinces have launched their reopening programmes on October 1, welcoming international travellers into Thailand, and joining the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programmes. In a series of press releases yesterday evening, the Tourism Authority of Thailand outlined revisions to entry options into Thailand and explained the rules of the new Sandboxes launched yesterday. KRABI In the…

  • The Gambia: The story of a Jammeh-era survivor

    The Gambia: The story of a Jammeh-era survivor

    When Awa Njie married her late husband, Don Faal, in February 1994, she could hardly imagine the cruel fate that would befall her young family at the hands of her country’s regime. The couple met in her hometown of Farafefeeni, about 120 kilometers (70 miles) north of the Gambia’s capital, Banjul. At the time, Faal was stationed at an army…

  • EU to launch ALMA work placement scheme for jobless youth

    EU to launch ALMA work placement scheme for jobless youth

    Carmen Quintana Gomez follows the same routine each day: wake up, breakfast, job search. “Everybody knows that they’re not going to have a job,” she said. “That’s how people think here.” For months now, the 25-year-old graduate from Spain’s capital, Madrid, has been out of formal education, training or employment — like around a quarter of Spaniards her age. She…

  • Thai woman rescued from near-drowning on Pattaya Beach

    Thai woman rescued from near-drowning on Pattaya Beach

    A 22-year old Thai woman was rescued by lifeguards yesterday early evening after nearly drowning in the waters of Pattaya Beach. The incident took place just before 5 pm yesterday with emergency responders receiving word of the near-drowning at 5 pm. The young woman said that she had been travelling alone and had gone to the beach. She waded into…

  • Police search for foreigner for rape of Khon Kaen masseuse

    Police search for foreigner for rape of Khon Kaen masseuse

    A manhunt is on for a foreigner accused of the assault and rape of a masseuse in a massage parlour in the Muang District of Khon Kaen. The man was described as wearing trousers and a pink T-shirt and driving a red motocross bike without license plates. He is suspected to be the same person who was aggressive and profane…

  • Drought devastates northern Kenya | Thaiger

    Drought devastates northern Kenya

    Kenya’s arid northern counties of Garissa and Wajir face severe drought, with nomadic pastoralists already losing many domestic stock. Climate change and poor rainfall has been blamed. SOURCE: DW News

  • South Korea looks to Germany for reunification pointers

    South Korea looks to Germany for pointers on overcoming reunification hurdles 

    With just seven months left before he steps down as president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in and his government remain committed to their long-held dream of the two halves of the Korean Peninsula being reunited into a single nation. And with Germany one of the very few countries with experience in recent history of a similar amalgamation of two states,…

  • Burkinabe chef overcomes disability | Thaiger

    Burkinabe chef overcomes disability

    Edith broke her arm after a fall, aged 7. Doctors chose to amputate her arm to avoid infection. Now she runs her own restaurant in a bustling subrub of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. SOURCE: DW News

  • Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    123 new Covid-related deaths were reported today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,850 with 16,756 of the fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 12,473 recoveries. There are now 115,233 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19.…

  • From peaceful protests to war: The evolution of Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict

    From peaceful protests to war: The evolution of Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict

    Over the past five years, the English-speaking regions of Cameroon have rapidly morphed into a war zone. Lives have been lost, properties have been destroyed, and the humanitarian crisis continues to intensify. In its latest report, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the impact on education: “Since the beginning of the crisis in 2016,…

  • AirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia announced in a press release today that they will resume many domestic flight routes including from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok around the country and a Phuket to Chiang Mai direct flight. The flights from Don Mueang will resume on October 15, while the Phuket — Chiang Mai route will recommence the next day. Last month AirAsia reinstated 11…