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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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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The 21st century’s longest lunar eclipse next week
The moon is going to disappear for six hours next week in a mega lunar eclipse – the longest for the entire 21st century. In fact it will be this century’s longest lunar eclipse and will be able to be seen across Thailand on July 27-28 between 00.14-6.10 am. Thai PBS reports that the total phase of the eclipse –…
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Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep housing protests ramping up for August
The protests against the construction of the Thai judge’s residences on the slopes of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai has gone quiet over the past month. That’s all about to change. Activists from leading non-governmental organisations from eight northern provinces will next month join a massive protest against the special housing for judges on Doi Suthep. The Nation reports that…
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Flooding ‘critical’ in Sangkhla Buri – Kanchanabui province
The flooding situation is now considered critical in the Sangkhla Buri district in Kanchanaburi province, situated on the Myanmar border, as Highway 323 is still about 1.2 metres under water, making it impassable to small vehicles. Thai PBS reports that the heavily-flooded Highway 323 has also made it difficult to deliver patients from Thong Pha Phum Hospital to Phahon Pholphayuhasena…
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Phuket crocodile discovered on Kata Noi Beach
The crocodile was last seen resting on the shoreline of Kata Noi Beach early this morning (July 21). Swimmers have been banned from going into the water while the capture operation continues. Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos reported yesterday afternoon that the crocodile was heading to Kata Beach after spending two days taunting officials and professional crocodile hunters in the sea…
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Pattaya netizens blast marine safety photo-opportunity as PR stunt
Pattaya officials have conducted urgent marine safety checks following the Phuket boat tragedy where two boats sank and 47 Chinese tourists drowned on July 6. In yet another knee-jerk reaction to an incident, the Marine Department and municipal police checked licenses, boat seaworthiness and life-jacket use at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The checks follow the sinking of the tour boats…
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Data of 1.5 million patients stolen, including the Singapore PM
PHOTO: Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong The personal data of 1.5 million patients, including the Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and a few ministers, has been stolen. Some 160,000 people also had their outpatient prescriptions stolen. In Singapore’s worst cyber attack, hackers have stolen the personal particulars of 1.5 million patients. Of these, 160,000 people, including PM Lee Hsien…
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Foreign media slammed for intruding on the Mu Pa 13
The Mu Pa 13 spoke to the Thai and world media on Wednesday night in a one-time-only media conference. Authorities said that it was now time to leave the team alone and let them re-unite with their families and friends, and get back to their studies and football. The media have mostly respected the wishes and left the team alone…
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Water Park Wars – Phuket wettest battlefield
by Xinyi Liang-Pholsena of ttgasia.com ttgasia.com is reporting that the water park battle in Phuket is getting very intense as new players enter the marketplace. Among them Blue Tree Phuket, poised to open its doors early 2019 as an upscale family entertainment and lifestyle complex. The sprawling 22.5ha development, located around Cherngtalay, is the result of a joint venture comprising…
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Love Rawai FB page captures the actual crocodile, on video
https://www.facebook.com/loverawaicom/videos/2116049662007848/ Like and follow the Love Rawai Facebook page HERE. Rawai is the southern end of Phuket. Crocodiles are EXTREMELY rare (no swimmers have ever been attacked in Phuket), usually long sunny days with great beaches.
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Channel dredged between Nai Harn beach and lake to help with croc catching
A channel has been dredged to connect Nai Harn beach with Nai Harn Lake to allow the crocodile to move in, making it easier to catch (The Thaiger suspects the crocodile might be on to the officials’ Cunning Plan). More than 50 officials and a specialist crocodile catcher team from Surat Thani have been planning to catch the crocodile while…
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Man douses young Thai woman in petrol, sets her alight and is given bail
Thai Rath has reported on the case of a Bangkok man who doused a 22 year old Thai woman from Ubon Ratchathani in petrol while she was eating with friends at a somtam stall. Thai Rath notes that the 23 year old Thai man, who committed the crime, was given bail by the court in Bangkok and is currently free. He has…
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Thai PE teacher allegedly continued to rape students over three years
Sanook is reporting that a Thai PE teacher was effectively allowed to continue raping students after an initial complaint. A student complained three years ago that she was forced to the floor by the teacher who, the student claims, then tried to rape her. But the claims of the girl were not properly investigated or acted upon at the time. The teacher…
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Crocodile catchers waiting for conditions to moderate at Nai Harn beach
A specialist crocodile searching team from Surat Thani today (July 20) has joined the crocodile search operation along the shores of Nai Harn and nearby beaches, while battling with strong winds and waves. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong paid a visit to the crocodile search operation centre at Nai Harn Beach this morning. The crocodile search team from Surat Thani is…
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Man arrested with 19,800 methamphetamine pills at checkpoint
Tha Chatchai Police have been conducting a crackdown on drugs at the Phuket Checkpoint and scored a major haul, arresting a man with 19,800 methamphetamine pills. The police arrested 37 year old Peerawat ‘Joke’ Bualoy from Pattalung. Police seized 10 packages of methamphetamine pills, a total of 19,800 pills at the Phuket Checkpoint while he coming through the road entry…
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Nai Harn crocodile playing hard to get
Phuket’s latest, and as yet unnamed crocodile, is doing a good job of evading officials, fishermen and capture, so far. Officers from the Phuket Fisheries Officers and lifeguards at Yanui and Nai Harn Beaches are patrolling and warning beachgoers about the recent sightings of a crocodile in the rough seas off the beaches. Red flags and signs have been put…
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Nong Khai woman hit by lightning – “Buddha amulet saved my life”
A woman in Nong Khai, right on the Laos border near Vientiane, claims the special power of her Buddha amulet helped her survive a lightning strike. The same lightning strike killed a worker. 50 year old Pornnipha Ratyothee says that she suffered a ‘mild burn’ on her neck when she was hit by lightning on July 12 and had to…
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More wind and rain predicted for the North and South
The Thai Meteorological Department is warning we still have some rain ahead, in the northern and southern ends of the country. They report that the active low-pressure system from tropical depression Son-tinh is still leading to torrential rain for the North and the North-east of Thailand. “People should beware of severe weather conditions and stay tuned for the weather forecast.…
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Cambodian couple demand Thai police probe
A Cambodian couple, engaged in a legal battle with relatives, yesterday filed a complaint against two Thai police officers in Bangkok. Baby-clothing exporter 43 year old Sing Thea and his wife Chean Kallyan say their previous accusation – that their relatives had embezzled 18 million baht – had been handled by the Thai officers in question. This had resulted in…
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“Myanmar must be held accountable” – Fortify Rights Report
The Fortify Rights report is out. It names names and specifies responsibilities for the ongoing persecution of Myanmar’s Rohingya. The Nation’s Wasamon Audjarint and Sandy Leegumjorn compile this report about the document and its implications for Myanmar’s military. The international community must hold Myanmar accountable for the military-planned genocide of the Rohingya minority, a report unveiled yesterday said, describing the killings…
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Foreign tourism eclipses 20 million for first 6 months of 2018
Revenue from tourism up 15%. Tourist numbers up 12%, year-on-year. Could Thailand exceed 40 million tourists for 2018? Thai Visa reports the the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand reached 20 million in the first half of 2018. This represents an increase on the same period last year of 12%, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Tourism revenue…
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Blessing ceremony dedicated to Saman Kunan. 11 Mu Pa team members poised to enter monkhood.
PHOTO: AP/Sakchai Lalit Thai PBS is reporting that members of the Mu Pa soccer team, along with their coach, attended a traditional blessing ceremony at a local temple in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai this morning. Nine soldiers entered the monkhood as a dedication to former SEAL member Saman Gunan who died while taking part in the massive rescue operation…
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Stray dog adoptions on the rise
Phuket is seeing a positive trend in the number of adoptions from locals and Thai citizens over the years; encouraging as Thai people used to be only interested in pure breeds, sometimes even choosing dogs that are not comfortable in the climate of Thailand (like Huskies). Meet Kittipong Tongwon, nicknamed K. Aof, who recently adopted an 8 week old puppy…
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French woman saved from jumping off Phetchaburi guest house roof
PHOTOS: Manager Online Manager Online is reporting that police in Phetchaburi managed to get a 61 year old French woman to safety after she went to the top floor of a guest house and threatened to jump. Rescuers managed to get to her, grab her and then assist the woman down the stairs to a waiting ambulance. The woman was…
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Swedish tourist dies in Pattaya motorcycle crash
PHOTO: Facebook A Swedish tourist was fatally injured when his motorcycle collided with another motorbike on a Pattaya road early yesterday (Wednesday), according to Pattaya police. The Pattaya police station was alerted of the accident on Jomtien 2 road in Tambon Nong Plue in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district at 12.30am. The tourist, 38 year old Tommi Nilson, died on his…
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The one hour expedition that lasted three weeks
The 12 Mu Pa teenage footballers and their coach planned visit the Tham Luang caves on June 23. They arrived around 4pm and ventured inside with a plan to spend about an hour exploring. They were meant to be out by 5 pm. 18 days later the last of them emerged after a ‘miraculous’ (their words) rescue involving hundreds of…
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Rawai Mayor confirms 3 metre crocodile off Nai Harn beach
Red flags have been put up on Nai Harn and Yanui Beaches to warn tourists of a crocodile in the water. Locals and Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos have been patrolling the southern beaches trying to locate the crocodile that was first reported yesterday morning by a local fisherman. Watch the video HERE. Mayor Aroon says, “I can confirm that there…
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30 tourists stuck at Koh Racha Yai call for help to get back to Phuket
The Phuket Marine Police were called today (July 19) to fetch about 30 tourists back to Chalong Pier from Koh Rach Yai, following another day of strong winds and high seas. At 6am today the Phuket Marine Police were notified that there were 6 Thais, 15 Chinese, 2 Russians and 7 New Zealanders that were stuck at Koh Racha Yai…
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Hua Hin: Five of ten investigated hotels found to be ‘illegal’
PHOTO: Mapio.net Five Hua Hin hotels, under the spotlight in an investigation into the town’s illegal hotels, are now set to be served closure notices. Manager Online is reporting that Somporn Patchimpetch, the head of the investigating committee, says that loopholes in the law had meant that the ten dodgy hotels had continued to operate for the last few months.…
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National: War on plastic bags – Thai environment minister
If you go to any Thai market or even stop off at a street store selling a refreshing Thai iced-coffee, you will know that you end up with plastic bags, plastic containers and plastic carry-bags for everything. Thai Rath is reporting that the Thai environment minister, General Surasak Kanjanarat, is declaring war on plastic bags in the Kingdom. The Thai…
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Five jailed up to 19 years for forcing Moroccan women into prostitution
PHOTOS: The Nation “Pearl was accused of being the gang leader as he owns the Dream Disco Pub on the fourth floor of the Zenith Hotel where the four victims were forced into prostitution from October 2016 to March 2017.” A 46 year old Australian has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment by the Criminal Court, and a Syrian, two…
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