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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Smooth travel to Belgium and the Netherlands: Visa tips & tricks!
Make Belgium and the Netherlands your next destination with the right visa in hand. Explore the iconic tulip fields, cruise through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, or stroll through the historic streets of Bruges. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic Belgian chocolate...
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Kitrat Phanphet named Thailand’s new national police chief
Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet has been appointed Thailand’s 15th national police chief following a unanimous vote by the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Kitrat secured eight votes in his favour, emerging as the top candidate among three contenders. He is set to serve until his retirement at the age of 60 in 2026. The other…
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Fishing for solutions: Thailand turns invasive tilapia into tasty sauce
Thailand’s Department of Fisheries has unveiled an innovative approach to combat the invasive blackchin tilapia by converting them into fermented fish sauce. To tackle the spread of this species, which endangers commercially valuable fish stocks in nine provinces, the department will collaborate with local communities to process the blackchin tilapia into the popular condiment, according to department chief Bancha Sukkaew.…
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500 victims accuse social media influencer of 85 million baht gold scam
Over 500 victims filed a complaint against a social media influencer for operating a gold scam that caused losses exceeding 85 million baht. Representatives of the victims, yesterday, October 7, visited the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, to seek justice after social media influencer Promtada “Mae Bainard” Nakcharoen, the company director of Tada Gold store,…
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Making waves: Boxwall Flood Barrier leaves sandbags high and dry
Say farewell to drudgery with sandbags, there’s a new player in town, and it’s making quite the splash. The innovative Boxwall Flood Barrier is swiftly outshining traditional sandbags as the ultimate flood defence, particularly highlighted during the recent northern deluge. In a shining example of preparedness, the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai flaunted its forward-thinking approach by lining up these…
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Investigation launched into police supercar escort on M6 motorway
The head of the Central Investigation Bureau called for an inquiry into motorway police impeding regular traffic to expedite the journey of a billion-baht convoy of luxury vehicles and supercars along an inter-city motorway. Today, October 7, Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej announced that he had instructed Motorway Police to look into grievances from motorists. These complaints alleged that police…
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Crypto mania: Bitcoin set to skyrocket as interest rates plummet
Merkle Capital is forecasting a surge in Bitcoin prices and a flurry of cryptocurrency investments this month, thanks to the global trend of dropping interest rates. Investment wizard Woramet Chansen from Merkle Capital spilled the beans, noting that Bitcoin’s price rocketed over 25% in September. This came hot on the heels of the US Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in…
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Middle East tensions may impact OFFO’s debt repayment strategy
Rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran are anticipated to push global crude oil prices higher, potentially impacting the Oil Fuel Fund Office’s (OFFO) debt repayment strategy, according to a spokesperson from the Energy Ministry. Uncertainty surrounds whether the United States will back potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, raising concerns about oil price volatility,…
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Thai abbot removed amid allegations of rape, sexual assault
An acting abbot and future district chief monk from a temple in the Isaan province of Roi Et has been accused of sexually assaulting attractive monks and young novices. Facebook news page Khun Tao Si Suwan Phirom Phakdee shared pictures of the acting abbot along with the sexual misconduct allegations on October 6. The page stated in its caption: “Where…
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Paw-some event: Bangkok set to unleash Pet Fair South East Asia
Hold onto your leashes! Pet Fair South East Asia is set to fetch a new standard in the pet industry, poised to become the tail-wagging talk of the town from October 30 to November 1, in bustling Bangkok. This year’s extravaganza promises to be the ultimate gathering for industry bigwigs and moggies from Asia, Europe, the US, and the Middle…
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Vietnam records highest GDP growth in two years despite typhoon
Vietnam achieved its highest economic growth in two years during the quarter ending in September, driven by robust exports, industrial production, and an increase in foreign investment. This positive development comes despite the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s strongest typhoon this year. The General Statistics Office reported a 7.4% year-on-year growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for the third…
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Face off: Chinese fraudster has surgery to evade law in Thailand
A Chinese woman fled fraud charges in China, where she caused a loss of 8 million baht, and escaped to Thailand, undergoing cosmetic surgery to hide her identity. A local Thai became suspicious of a foreign woman living in a luxury condominium in the Rama IV neighbourhood of Bangkok and reported her concerns to the Immigration Bureau. The woman reportedly…
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Phuket cries out for fireboats as cruise ship inferno threat looms
A former top naval commander sounded the alarm over the desperate need for fireboats in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, as the spectre of cruise ship fires haunts these popular holiday hotspots. Rear Admiral Amornchote Sujirat has drawn attention to the glaring absence of firefighting vessels in these bustling maritime provinces, which welcome hordes of marine traffic each year. Fires…
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Thailand gets into gear as US-China tensions boost its economy
As the United States and China continue their economic tug-of-war, Thailand has ultimately emerged as an unexpected beneficiary on the global stage. The Southeast Asian nation is poised to become a formidable player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, a development that could reshape the automotive landscape in the region and beyond. This revelation came to light during the 4th…
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Jet-ski joyrider in deep water after Patong Beach hit-and-run injures Israeli
Police are in hot pursuit of a reckless jet-ski rider responsible for a shocking hit-and-run incident at Patong Beach that left an Israeli tourist battered and bruised. The drama unfolded around 6.21pm yesterday, October 6, when the unidentified foreigner, piloting a white-and-blue jet-ski, smashed into swimmer Nimrod Filip Solomon before vanishing into the sunset. Reports say the jet-ski collided with…
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Flood rescue attempt claims elderly woman’s life in Chiang Mai
A rescue operation in Chiang Mai’s Nong Phueng sub-district ended in tragedy when a 71 year old woman, identified only as Nupin lost her life after a rescue boat capsized. The incident occurred as rescue teams attempted to evacuate three residents from a flooded house. During the evacuation, the rescue boat overturned in deep, turbulent waters, plunging all three passengers…
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Surin man arrested for wife’s fatal assault, not his first rodeo
A shocking incident unfolded in Surin where a man assaulted his wife to the point that she lost consciousness, and ultimately died. Police swiftly apprehended the suspect, a 26 year old man known as King after he attempted to flee. The gruesome event took place at a motorcycle repair shop in the Kabchoeng district. Police received a report from locals about…
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Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza
The Sriaoun family gathered in their local church in Kut Yang, Udon Thani yesterday, October 6, their voices filled with emotion as they prayed for the safe return of their oldest son, 32 year old Watchara, believed to still be held captive by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Watchara Sriaoun is among six Thais believed to be held in Gaza…
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Finance Ministry to open new welfare card registrations in March
The Ministry of Finance plans to open new registrations for the State Welfare Card early next year, around March. This follows the last registration period from September 5 to October 31 back in 2022, aiming to review the eligibility of participants every two years. Currently, the number of registered users has decreased from the previous 14.9 million to approximately 13.5…
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Thai man distributes explicit videos of ex-girlfriend after contracting STD
Police arrested a Thai man in the Suan Luang district of Bangkok for distributing explicit videos of his ex-girlfriend in revenge for contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Officers from Prasat Police Station in the Isaan province of Surin received a complaint from the victim in May 2022, stating that her ex-boyfriend released nude videos of her online. The suspect,…
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Thailand cash handout to boost Q4 GDP growth despite challenges
The Thai government’s initial cash handout is anticipated to boost the national economy in the upcoming months, according to industrial leaders and brokerages. They recommend that the second phase of the handout target individuals with higher purchasing power to prolong economic stimulation. In the first phase, the government distributed 10,000 baht in cash to each of the 14.5 million welfare…
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Finance ministry urges higher inflation target for policy rate flexibility
The Finance Ministry suggested adjusting the inflation target for next year to a range of 1.5 to 3.5%, up from the current 1 to 3%, to grant the Bank of Thailand (BoT) more flexibility in lowering the policy rate. A ministry source, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that this change would enable the central bank to reduce the policy…
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Thai woman nabbed for ‘official’ antics and fraud-fooling spree
The Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (CIB) arrested a Thai woman in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok for impersonating a government official and committing 14 counts of fraud. The arrest of the suspect, 47 year old Suwadee, followed a senator’s mention of her during a parliamentary meeting on August 20. Suwadee frequently dressed in all-white attire, resembling…
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Revved up: Phuket police crackdown on illegal street racing
Phuket City police swooped on illegal street racers in the early hours of this morning, targeting the notorious Saphan Hin area and seizing five motorcycles in a swift crackdown. The high-octane drama unfolded at 12.45am, today, October 7, after eagle-eyed officers spotted online chatter about the underground racing scene on local social media channels. Their prompt action led to the…
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Thailand’s renewable energy plan boosts battery storage systems
Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely known for their battery power but batteries are also crucial for buildings, factories, and power plants using renewable energy. They provide lighting, support daily operations, and serve as backup electricity sources. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for buildings and renewable power generation facilities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Renewable sources like solar and…
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Thailand stands firm: Government won’t walk down protest alley
The Thai government dismissed threats of street protests against its policies, asserting it will not yield to pressure from any faction. Somkid Chueakong, the PM’s Deputy Secretary-General for political affairs, stated there is no need to prepare for any anti-government demonstrations. Instead, he urged critics to submit petitions outlining their demands. “This government understands people’s needs. We won’t restrict people’s…
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Thai visa shake-up: Southeast Asia consulates switch to e-visa only
Getting a Thai visa in Southeast Asia is about to become a high-tech affair. Starting next week, several Thai consulates across the region will be switching entirely to online e-visa applications, leaving traditional walk-ins a thing of the past. In a surprise move, consulates in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu), and Cambodia…
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Thai police officer pockets 30,000 baht from a mediation case
Police General Kittirat Panpetch, acting commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered an investigation into a precinct officer accused of embezzling funds from a mediation case. A 34 year old woman reported to the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page that the officer from Samrong Tai Police Station pocketed 30,000 baht. The funds were part of a debt settlement where…
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Danish man stabs himself with medical knife in Bangkok hospital
A Danish man today wreaked havoc in a central Bangkok hospital, leaving police scrambling to contain the chaos. The bizarre incident unfolded at 4.45am, today, October 7, at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Pathumwan, Bangkok, when a 40 year old foreigner erupted into a frenzy in the emergency room. The man, clearly agitated, seized a medical knife and dashed towards Gate A2,…
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Large sinkhole forces closure of Bangkok bridge road
A large sinkhole has appeared at the Kesakamol Bridge in Bangkok, measuring 10 metres wide, 5 metres long, and 3 metres deep, prompting an urgent closure of the road. Yesterday, October 6 at around 9.30pm, the road at the Kesakamol Bridge intersection on Nakhon Chaisi Road in Dusit district, Bangkok, collapsed. The incident forced officials to immediately close the area…
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Charred body found in Krabi palm plantation after gunshots heard
Krabi is reeling from a chilling discovery after a man’s charred body was found in a burnt-out vehicle amid an abandoned palm plantation. This grisly find came hot on the heels of locals in the area reporting gunshots echoing through the night in the Ao Luek district. Early yesterday, October 6, police were called to the Southern Seaboard Road, where…
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