News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018
It is that time of the year where we make resolutions; promises about the year to come and how we will approach it. Rather than ploughing through a northern hemisphere winter to get to the gym or sourcing for fresh fruits during a juice cleanse, why not enjoy the best of the southern tropical lifestyle and head to the Thailand…
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Phuket Governor announces first casualty for new year period
At Provincial Hall this morning (December 30), Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong, chaired a meeting to follow up on the accidents for the first 2 days of the 7 days of danger over the New Year season. There were 10 accidents in total, with 9 injuries and 1 casualty in the past two 2 days (December 28 – 29). The ‘7…
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Prawit’s watches. They are from a ‘third party’.
Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan has submitted a letter explaining his possession of luxurious watches and a diamond ring, which he failed to include in his assets declaration, to the anti-graft agency. The letter named a third party who would be called upon to testify in the case, according to the anti-graft agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday. A meeting…
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SATURDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
A weekend, a new year’s weekend and a long weekend with Monday and Tuesday public holidays this year. Welcome to your Saturday. The threat of rain is still there but enjoy the sunny bits in between. Here’s the main news stories circulating today… Extra public holiday on Tuesday This year the Thai Government has declared one extra day – next…
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Woman attempts to smuggle in over a kilo of cocaine at Phuket Airport
A woman from Ivory Coast, flying in from Doha, was arrested at Phuket International Airport after an airport X-ray found more than one kilogram of cocaine that she’d swallowed, wrapped in small plastic packets. The 27 year old was stopped by officials at the Phuket international airport after landing on a flight from Doha. She was escorted to a room…
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Soi Dog to open one Saturday per month
Soi Dog will now open its door one Saturday per month, welcoming dog and cat lovers for an amazing experience around the shelter. Cannot join the fun weekdays from 8am to 5pm? You now also have a chance to visit the foundation one Saturday per month from 9.30am to Midday with a tour that starts at 10am. Not only will…
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Phuket’s Governor follows up on stray dog shelter renovations
Phuket’s Governor hosted a meeting with the Phuket Dog Shelter Management Committee today (December 29) at Provincial Hall in Phuket Town to follow up on the progress of its renovation, together with the Chief of Phuket Provincial Livestock Office and a representative of Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation. “There are 460 dogs in the shelter by now and the shelter opens…
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Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.
The figures for foreign tourists arrivals in the Kingdom during 2017 are going to reach 35 million visitors, according to statistics from the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). There are a few surprises in the top ten list, including Laotian visitors at #4. China is still the number one source of foreign tourists with 9.92 million visits over the past…
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Krabi Airport installs EDS weapon detectors
Krabi International Airport has just fitted new Explosive Detection Systems weapon detectors at each checkpoint scanner to improve security measure over the New Year period. The security measure by Department of Airports follows the safety 7-7-7 measure of the Ministry of Transport which targets 7 days before New Year (December 21 – 27), 7 days during the New Year (December…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, December 29
Another roadside bomb in Narathiwat | Smart Visa arrives mid January | Top overseas tourist arrivals for 2017 | Krabi Airport install new explosives detectors | Super Moon next Tuesday | Toon heading back to BKK, in a passenger van.
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The new Smart Visa and digital nomads
PHOTO: neverendingvoyage.com The new Smart Visa might be a visa solution for some, but not all, of the ‘digital nomads’ that have been become ubiquitous in Thailand, from all over the world. Whereas the young professionals might have taken off around the world on a break between their schooling and the start of their professional careers, now they’re taking their…
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FRIDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
A super Full Moon, a new year, but a few more days to go first. A bit cloudy today as the remnants of tropical storm Tembin make their way across the island over the next few ays. The weather forecast predicts some rain over the weekend – we’ll keep you informed and up to date. Here’s today’s main news stories……
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Yala men arrested with drugs and materials for bombs
Talad Yai police from Phang Nga have arrested two men from Yala province (in the deep south on the Malaysian border). 25 year old Muhammad Hayeehayoh and 22 year old Muhamamsolin Jehlong were arrested. They tested positive for drugs before police extended the investigation to their house and found a number of potential bombs. At midnight (December 28), at Sam…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, December 28
New short cut from Kathu to Saphan Hin | Two arrested over suspicion of bomb preparation | Provincial Hall launches road & marine safety campaign | Krabi residents calling for action over pam oil plant waste water | Lowest death toll in 13 years – southern insurgency | Driver almost squashed by unsecured container.
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16 year old Thai taking aim at an F1 career
Story from PaulPoole.co.th A young man from Pattaya is on track to becoming Thailand’s first Formula One driver. Born and raised in Pattaya, Kane Shepherd started racing at the age of 10, competing in various Thai championships and winning national titles every year. He won his first Asian championship in 2014 and again in 2015. His obvious talent qualified him…
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Smart Visa available from mid-January
PHOTO: world nomads.com Are you smart? Earning a high-salary? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, you might be eligible for the new four year professional visa, known as the ‘smart visa’ from the middle of January, 2018. According to Lt. Col. Thanarak Boonyaratkarin of the Immigration Bureau, the new Smart Visa will provide more benefits and privileges than any other visa. He says, “you’ll…
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THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Today is the start of the Seven Days of Danger, one of two periods during the year when Thais, expats and tourists die in preventable road crashes. In large numbers. It’s also the day when we’re told we’ll start to feel the effects of the weakening tropical depression Tembin which started off as a typhoon, killing 200 in The Philippines,…
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Krabi locals complain about waste water from palm oil factory
Plaipraya District locals from Krabi called for help today (December 27) after the water in their local canal has become increasingly filthy and black because of the wastewater from a palm oil factory in the area. Apart from the smell and colour of the canal, a number of fishes have also died in waterways a few kilometres around. The local…
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Tropical storm ‘Tembin’ weakens but rain still forecast for the weekend
Storm Tembin has been weakened by cold wind, but is still causing heavy rain along the east coast of the southern region and rough sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand, while cool weather and light rain covered the rest of the country. The Meteorological Department issued a weather update today stating that Tembin had degraded into a low-pressure area…
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Paramilitary soldier dies following yesterday’s Narathiwat attacks
One of two paramilitary soldiers wounded during series of attacks in Narathiwat’s Sisakhon district yesterday (Tuesday) has succumbed to his injuries at Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital. The deceased, 35 year old Kamjorn Tanma, a native of Chiang Mai province, was scheduled to wed his girlfriend tomorrow. A bathing ceremony for Kamjorn was held at Bangnara Temple in Narathiwat’s Muang district, presided…
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Safety checks at Rassada Pier
The Deputy Director General of the Marine Department, Somchai Sukkamanatkajornkul, visited Phuket’s Rassada Pier, east of Phuket Town, to ensure the safety and security measures during this tourist high season and festive season. The team from the Marine Department together with Phuket’s Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyasat and Marine Police, visited the pier yesterday (December 26) as the pier is…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, December 27
‘Silly Season’ starts tomorrow | Government has new year ‘gifts’ | German detained over Krabi vandalism | Four hour waits for visa-on-arrival at BKK airport | Seven Dangerous Days ‘rules’ | Militants attack twice in Narathiwat.
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The ‘silly season’ is upon us
New year’s celebrations will soon begin with millions of people hitting the road and revellers gathering at festive venues. But before the celebrations begin, authorities came forward yesterday to advise the public about permitted and prohibited activities. “We will be lenient with the ban on passengers in pickup beds but drivers must be very careful, especially when applying the brakes,”…
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WEDNESDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
There are two seven-days-of-danger on Thailand’s roads, as designated by the police – one starting tomorrow and the other during Songkran. They are the two worst periods for road deaths, by far. We don’t want you to be one of the statistics this year so we urge you to prepare ahead of any road trips to ensure that you are…
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How was the tsunami reported on the island 13 years ago?
Imagine sitting in a news office on the morning of December 26, 2004. You’re working as a journalist in Phuket. It was that morning that an earthquake struck an area about 500 kilometres south west of Phuket. Two hours later the shock waves reached the island in the form of a tidal surge. This was the first report from the…
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Tsunami memorial ceremony in Phang Nga
Baan Namkem villagers from Phang Nga, plus relatives of the the 2004 tsunami victims, gathered this morning at the Tsunami Memorial Park for the 13th anniversary of Phuket’s biggest disaster. The crowd brought flowers to mourn the victims and their loved ones. There was also religious ceremony from the 3 main religions – Buddhism, Islam and Christianity – to bless the…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, December 26
Toon crosses the finish line | Overpass links the two Central Festival buildings | 60 year old British man drowns at Similans | Free helmets being handed out to kids in Phuket Town | Tropical depression heading our way for the weekend.
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Phuket tourism centres launched
Phuket Governor, Norapat Plodthong, together with the Director General of Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Jatuporn Burutpat, hosted the opening of the Phuket Tourist Centres yesterday (December 25) in Patong. Phuket’s Governor says that Phuket is a tourism destination welcoming more than 15 million tourists a year, domestic and international, and there are a lot of tourists heading…
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Toon crosses the finish line, exceeding the fund-raising targets and becoming a national hero
Thailand’s national hero Artiwara Kongmalai, better known as Toon Bodyslam, has completed his epic mission to raise funds for state hospitals via a run from the country’s southernmost corner to its northernmost tip. It is a job well done, exceeding targets in many aspects. Artiwara’s charity run has managed to attract more than 1.1 billion baht in donations, far above…
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British tourist drowns off Similan islands
60 year old Dennis Michael from Britain was pulled out of the seas off the Similan islands on Sunday. The incident happened off the beach in front of Koh Si. Royal Thai Navy Area 3 officers from the Similan marine security unit tried CPR but were unable to revive him. He was rushed to shore by the national park’s speedboat. An…
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