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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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    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...

  • Rain check: Southern Thailand braced for monsoon-soaked splash

    Rain check: Southern Thailand braced for monsoon-soaked splash

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for 10 provinces in southern Thailand, alerting residents of potentially heavy to very heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure system and monsoon conditions affecting the region today and tomorrow. Sukanyanee Yawincharn, TMD Director General, released the sixth announcement concerning the heavy rainfall expected in southern Thailand. The warning, which is effective from…

  • Kalasin warns of rising ‘farmer’s fever’ cases with 120 infections

    Kalasin warns of rising ‘farmer’s fever’ cases with 120 infections

    Kalasin’s public health sector is on high alert as they warn residents about the rising tide of melioidosis cases, with 120 reported infections and three fatalities. Known locally as “soil fever,” this bacterial infection poses a significant risk to farmers, and currently, no vaccine exists for prevention. Melioidosis, often referred to as “farmer’s fever,” is emerging as a serious public…

  • Bangkok’s 2024 Baturu Cultural Festival: what you need to know

    Bangkok’s 2024 Baturu Cultural Festival: what you need to know

    The 2024 Baturu Cultural Festival started this weekend in Bangkok — but what is it? This one-of-a-kind festival is more than just an event; it’s a movement that uses art as a tool for tackling big issues like gender inequality, mental health, and social justice. Whether you’re here to catch a heart-stirring film, join a fascinating panel discussion, or just…

  • Rainmaking flights reduce air pollution in Bangkok

    Rainmaking flights reduce air pollution in Bangkok

    The air quality index (AQI) in Bangkok, neighbouring provinces, and certain northern regions has shown improvement following the initial efforts of rainmaking flights conducted by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA). The initiative aimed to address the high levels of PM2.5 fine particulate matter affecting the region. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Itthi Sirilathayakorn, announced that…

  • Illegal Myanmar migrants caught in Thailand with 2,750 bullets

    Illegal Myanmar migrants caught in Thailand with 2,750 bullets

    Nine illegal migrants from Myanmar were apprehended in Kanchanaburi, leading to a significant find of nearly 3,000 bullets in a residence where the group had taken shelter. Law enforcement disclosed this information yesterday, December 3, as they detailed the sequence of events. Police officers on routine patrol noticed a group of men, suspected of being illegal migrants, attempting to conceal…

  • UNESCO honours Thailand’s Tom Yum Kung as intangible cultural heritage

    UNESCO honours Thailand’s Tom Yum Kung as intangible cultural heritage

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) today, December 4, approved the renowned Thai dish Tom Yum Kung (hot and sour shrimp soup) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Thailand proposed the country’s iconic dish, Tom Yum Kung, for UNESCO’s consideration, and the proposal was officially approved today. The announcement was made during the 19th Session of…

  • Severe floods persist in Narathiwat after Kolok River overflows

    Severe floods persist in Narathiwat after Kolok River overflows

    Floods in Narathiwat remain severe, with the districts of Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok in critical condition as the Kolok River overflows. Long-distance water pumps have been requested from Prachinburi’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation due to concerns about further rainfall. The recent weather in Narathiwat has shown signs of improvement with sunshine covering all 13 districts, and rainfall…

  • UNESCO experts to assess Ayutthaya rail project impact

    UNESCO experts to assess Ayutthaya rail project impact

    UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee will send experts to review the high-speed rail track construction project in Ayutthaya next month. The visit aims to discuss the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and provide technical recommendations for preserving the integrity of the world heritage site. These experts, while offering guidance, do not have the power to…

  • Thailand video news | Thai PM expects fishermen’s return from Myanmar, South Korea declares and reverses martial law in an hour

    Thailand video news | Thai PM expects fishermen’s return from Myanmar, South Korea declares and reverses martial law in an hour

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from Thailand and Asia. Highlights include a fire engulfing Koh Chang’s ship hotel, Thailand legalising same-sex marriage, and a Phuket woman exposing an underwear thief. Other stories touch on cannabis extortion allegations, detained Thai fishermen in Myanmar, and a monk’s clever welfare payment fix. Regional updates feature Indonesia’s $1…

  • Cobra causes hiss-teria at Kata Beach in Phuket (video)

    Cobra causes hiss-teria at Kata Beach in Phuket (video)

    Tourists at Kata Beach in Phuket were startled when a cobra was spotted swimming near the shore, leading to a chaotic yet successful capture. The incident, which occurred yesterday, December 3, was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, causing quite a stir. The video shows tourists at Kata Beach, located on the western side of Phuket Island,…

  • Family seeks justice after woman’s suicide linked to girlfriend’s fraud

    Family seeks justice after woman’s suicide linked to girlfriend’s fraud

    A Thai woman tragically committed suicide in her car in Chon Buri province after losing over 3 million baht to her unfaithful girlfriend. The victim’s family attempted to pursue legal action against the girlfriend but were unable to gather sufficient evidence. The death of the 33 year old woman, identified as Suthathip, was reported to Panthong Police Station on November…

  • PM: Ex-minister’s parole release unrelated to Yingluck’s return

    PM: Ex-minister’s parole release unrelated to Yingluck’s return

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly dismissed any links between the parole release of former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and the speculated return of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. Addressing the media yesterday, PM Paetongtarn clarified that Boonsong’s release was strictly in accordance with the Department of Corrections (DoC) regulations and had no connection to her aunt, Yingluck. “It is about the DoC’s…

  • Phuket cabaret boosts economy with 200 million baht annually

    Phuket cabaret boosts economy with 200 million baht annually

    Phuket’s vibrant cabaret scene is being hailed as a significant contributor to the province’s economy, with the potential to generate over 200 million baht annually. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanrat highlighted the substantial impact of the Simon Cabaret Phuket Show during its reopening in the Kathu district yesterday. This year has marked a resurgence for tourism in Phuket, and the numbers…

  • Thai boy with special needs falls to his death from Ayutthaya mall

    Thai boy with special needs falls to his death from Ayutthaya mall

    A 12 year old Thai boy fell to his death from the rooftop of a five-storey shopping mall in the central province of Ayutthaya on Monday. Police are investigating whether the incident was an accident or a suicide. The tragic event occurred at around 6.30pm, December 2, at a well-known shopping mall on Rojjana Road in the Uthai district of…

  • Thailand faces worsening air quality crisis, health warnings issued

    Thailand faces worsening air quality crisis, health warnings issued

    Thailand’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 20 provinces reporting pollution levels exceeding health standards. The most severe pollution is found in Pak Kret, with Bangkok also experiencing widespread poor air quality. The air quality is expected to worsen between tomorrow and December 7, prompting health advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks. The Air Pollution Solution…

  • Female high school student physically assaulted in Sisaket (video)

    Female high school student physically assaulted in Sisaket (video)

    A video has surfaced on social media showing a disturbing incident involving a female student at a secondary school in Sisaket province. The footage captures the student being violently assaulted by her classmates in a classroom, with the aggressors recording the event and appearing to enjoy the act. The assault took place just six days after the victim began attending…

  • Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)

    Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)

    In the latest wild escapade from the sun-soaked shores of Thailand, two young female tourists were given a ride of shame as local police were forced to wheel them back to their hotel on a shop trolley. In a scene right out of a holiday nightmare, 19 year old Australian Tahli Benson and 23 year old German Sina Baumann found…

  • Songkhla flood relief scare debunked amid robbery claims

    Songkhla flood relief scare debunked amid robbery claims

    The chief of Songkhla’s Thepha district has swiftly denied shocking allegations that villagers from the Tha Muang district robbed a team of volunteers delivering flood relief on Sunday, December 1. The accusations, made in a now-deleted social media post, caused widespread panic but officials insisted it was a misunderstanding. Traisulee Taisaranakul, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, revealed today that…

  • Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals in Chiang Rai

    Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals in Chiang Rai

    A historic moment unfolded in Chiang Rai as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thai citizenship cards to 72 individuals from ethnic minority groups, marking a monumental step towards addressing statelessness in the country. The ceremony, held at the GMS International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 1, highlighted Thailand’s commitment to inclusivity and human rights, with key officials and…

  • Phuket rolls out electric buses in bold push for greener island

    Phuket rolls out electric buses in bold push for greener island

    Phuket has just taken a major leap towards modernising its public transport with the launch of electric buses, marking the beginning of a cleaner, more sustainable future for the island. The historic moment occurred yesterday, December 2 at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), where a ceremony was held to unveil the first trial buses. Governor Sophon Suwannarat and PPAO…

  • Paetongtarn faces backlash over flood crisis management failures

    Paetongtarn faces backlash over flood crisis management failures

    The recent devastating floods in southern Thailand have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government, pushing the leader into the eye of a storm of criticism. With severe flooding wreaking havoc in the south, many are questioning her ability to manage a national crisis effectively. The prime minister, who initially struggled to establish her footing in the north, eventually…

  • Thailand’s PM champions disability rights on International Day

    Thailand’s PM champions disability rights on International Day

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a heartfelt message on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming her government’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. Celebrated annually on December 3, the day marks a significant call to action for societies to dismantle barriers and ensure the dignity and rights of individuals with disabilities are respected. Equal opportunities was…

  • Nonthaburi shop owners seek driver after 50,000 baht accident

    Nonthaburi shop owners seek driver after 50,000 baht accident

    Two shop owners are seeking the whereabouts of a driver who caused extensive damage to their businesses in a late-night car crash, promising to compensate before becoming unreachable after one day of contact. The incident occurred at approximately 3.40am on December 1, when a Toyota Wish sedan, driven by a 38 year old man identified as Charnwut (surname withheld), lost…

  • House dissolution: Phumtham shoots down charter row rumours

    House dissolution: Phumtham shoots down charter row rumours

    A fiery political debate over Thailand’s charter referendum sparked speculation about a potential House dissolution but Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai isn’t buying it. Brushing off claims from Pheu Thai list-MP Cherdchai Tantisirin, Phumtham insisted that tensions between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party wouldn’t boil over. “Dr Cherdchai is entitled to his opinion.” Phumtham stressed that…

  • 7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand

    7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand

    In a groundbreaking move to tackle tourist road accidents in Thailand, 7-Eleven is stepping up its game. Yesterday, December 2, CP All CEO Yuthasak Poomsurakul announced a partnership between 7-Eleven, the Tourist Police Bureau, and the British Embassy to launch a road safety campaign aimed at international visitors. Tourists, often unaware of Thailand’s traffic laws and risky road conditions, face…

  • Rail-y slow progress: U-Tapao shifts gears on airport expansion

    Rail-y slow progress: U-Tapao shifts gears on airport expansion

    The delayed construction of the high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports has prompted U-Tapao International Aviation Company (UTA) to seek adjustments in the requirements for expanding U-Tapao Airport. The absence of a mass transit link could impact passenger numbers and airport revenue, according to UTA President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth. UTA is drafting a revised proposal to present to…

  • Royal spectacle: Thai king’s first trooping the colour parade

    Royal spectacle: Thai king’s first trooping the colour parade

    In a dazzling display of tradition and grandeur, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua will oversee his first Trooping the Colour parade this afternoon, December 3, joined by Her Majesty the Queen consort Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. This historic event marks a pivotal moment in royal ceremonial history, with the announcement made official…

  • Fire engulfs iconic, haunted boat hotel on Koh Chang (video)

    Fire engulfs iconic, haunted boat hotel on Koh Chang (video)

    A fire broke out today at the iconic, and reportedly haunted boat hotel, Koh Chang Grand Laguna, located on an island in the southeastern province of Trat. Firefighters are still struggling to control the blaze. The official Facebook page of Fire & Rescue Thailand reported that the fire began on the second floor of the landmark of Koh Chang at…

  • Chalong cops collar suspect in oil tanker heist

    Chalong cops collar suspect in oil tanker heist

    A high-stakes manhunt came to a dramatic end in Chalong as officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a 48 year old man wanted for a string of audacious crimes, including a daring nighttime raid on an oil tanker and evidence tampering. Identified only as Nirut, the suspect was apprehended at Chalong Police Station following an intense investigation into…

  • Thai trade rises 6.18% to 1.51 trillion baht in 10 months

    Thai trade rises 6.18% to 1.51 trillion baht in 10 months

    Thailand’s border and cross-border trade surged by 6.18% in the first 10 months of 2024, reaching a total value of 1.51 trillion baht (US$43.43 billion), according to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan. The government has set an ambitious goal of expanding this trade to 2 trillion baht (US$58 billion) annually by 2027. The export value during the period rose by 5.64%…