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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Thaksin suggests reacquisition of private transit projects for 20 baht
The Transport Ministry is considering establishing an infrastructure fund aimed at repurchasing mass rapid transit projects from private entities, following a proposal by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Public ownership of these services could potentially allow for a standard fare of 20 baht per ride. Caretaker Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday, August 24, that the ministry intends to explore the…
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Fake alcohol in Bangkok causes widespread methanol poisoning
A cluster of severe methanol poisoning cases has emerged in Bangkok after 21 individuals fell ill after consuming counterfeit alcoholic beverages, leading to one death and several others in critical condition. The incident began when patients started showing symptoms of severe acidosis from drinking fake alcohol containing methanol. The products were traced to two shops located in Soi Hathairat and…
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Thai police raid reveals underage exploitation at a semi-pub
A recent raid by the Thai police at a semi-pub restaurant in Chaiyaphum province uncovered illegal activities involving underage girls. The operation led to the arrest of the owner and three girls under 20 years old, who were found offering illicit services. The raid took place yesterday, August 24, when the Chaiyaphum Provincial Police, led by Police Major General Suchart…
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Tunnel collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima leaves three missing
A tunnel collapse at the Khlong Khanan Chit high-speed rail station in Nakhon Ratchasima left three people missing. The Nakhon Ratchasima governor ordered immediate rescue efforts. The incident occurred approximately 3 to 4 kilometres from the tunnel entrance. Today, August 25, Chaiwat Chuenkosum, the Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, instructed Kanachanon Srijaroen, the District Chief of Pak Chong, to inspect the…
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Former official arrested for negligent road work, 38 warrants
Police apprehended a former provincial administrative organisation president in Bangkok, who is accused of negligent road work in Chaiyaphum, leading to multiple injuries among locals. The individual, identified as 54 year old Yothin was also found to have 38 outstanding arrest warrants related to cheque violations. The operation was directed by Police Major General Montree Teskan, commander of the Crime…
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Intoxicated municipal inspector injures four in Pattaya crash
A municipal inspector, identified as Wuttikorn, was involved in a car accident in Pattaya while driving under the influence, resulting in injuries to four individuals, including a two year old child. Yesterday, August 24, at 8pm, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya, Chon Buri, received a report of a car colliding with a motorcycle, causing multiple injuries.…
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Thai man turns himself in after woman found dead in Khon Kaen
A man connected to the last moments of a woman found dead by a pond has come forward to the police, shedding light on the incident. The 51 year old woman, referred to as Somchok, was discovered dead near a pond in Khuean Ubolratana, Ubolratana, Khon Kaen. Medical professionals attributed her death to pre-existing health conditions. The last person reportedly…
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Police arrest contract killer after 33 year manhunt in Lopburi
Police in Lopburi province yesterday apprehended a contract killer who escaped a 33 year prison sentence after a failed assassination attempt at a hotel. Chief of Police Supakorn Chantabut, along with Deputy Chief Siwawong Damrongsatchasi, alongside other officers successfully arrested the 56 year old contract killer, Paisan, yesterday, August 24. The arrest took place in Chaibadan district, Lopburi province. The…
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Illegal Bitcoin mine in Ratchaburi causing power shortages raided
Police raided a hidden Bitcoin mining operation in Ratchaburi, uncovering over 900 mining rigs and revealing illegal electricity use that caused power shortages in the community. The raid was led by Deputy Superintendent Chumphon Sukphakdi of Ratchaburi City Police Station, along with Jumnong Chanwong, Chief District Officer for Security, Yotsaphon Chaibulwat, District Officer, and officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority…
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Ekkamai taxi driver demands 400 baht for 10-minute ride
A heated encounter unfolded in the Ekkamai area of Bangkok when a taxi driver charged a passenger an exorbitant fare of 400 baht for a 10-minute ride without using the meter. The incident, captured on TikTok sparked a public outcry. The passenger, who had been enjoying a rare trip to Ekkamai, was shocked to discover that the driver demanded a…
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Tourist Police crack down on illegal tour operators in Pattaya
The Tourist Police Bureau’s Investigation Division arrested several individuals operating illegal tour businesses in a decisive move to safeguard Thailand’s tourism industry. This operation, under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, alongside his Deputy Commanders in Cheif Police Majaor General Phongsayam Mee-khanthong and Police Majar General Kritsana Warit, underscores the government’s commitment…
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Oil stains littered across Jomtien Beach prompts cleanup efforts
Tourists at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya were met with an unfortunate sight as oil stains marred the sandy shores, clinging to their bodies and clothes. Numerous complaints from tourists regarding stubborn oil stains that couldn’t be washed off at Yinyom Beach prompted a cleanup effort by officials. The investigation revealed oil stains scattered across the beach and floating in the…
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Bangkok airports high-speed rail project hits the brakes
The high-speed rail project set to connect Bangkok’s three major airports has been thrown into limbo, as contract amendments grind to a halt. The delay is blamed on the lack of a new chairman for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, a role that must be filled by the incoming Cabinet—still nowhere in sight. The ambitious 276.5-billion-baht project promises…
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Teen killed in Lopburi over jealousy-fueled shooting
A 16 year old boy was shot and killed by a 14 year old in Lopburi after the younger boy became jealous over romantic attention towards his girlfriend. The incident occurred yesterday evening. Police received a report at 7.05pm about a shooting at a three-way junction in Ban Nong Krathum, Maha Phot subdistrict, Sa Bot district, Lopburi province. Upon arrival, authorities…
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Bangkok restaurant owner found dead in car after marital woes
A restaurant owner was found dead inside her car in a secluded alley in Bangkok. Police revealed she had been stressed and upset about her husband’s infidelity. Friends were unable to contact her throughout the day. Police discovered the body of a 21 year old woman, identified as the owner of a restaurant in the Phutthamonthon Sai 5 area, in…
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Chiang Mai temple halts 19-metre statue plan after public outcry
Wat Phra That Doi Kham in Chiang Mai has decided to halt its plan to build the world’s tallest Taowesuwan statue, standing at 19 metres, after facing significant opposition from locals and social media users. The revered temple, located in Mae Hia, Mueang district, had initiated a ceremony to install the giant statue’s feet, intending to provide devotees with a…
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Bangkok: Thai man arrested for exploiting schoolgirl via dating app
Police apprehended a man exploiting a 16 year old schoolgirl through a dating app, producing and distributing explicit videos for profit, earning up to 30,000 baht monthly. Bangkok police, led by Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopa, arrested 25 year old Naphadol, also known as Ohmmy Aklok, under charges of human trafficking and the production or distribution of child pornography. The arrest…
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Thai mascot Butterbear mocked with overpriced satirical product
A recent online controversy erupted after a Facebook page mocked the beloved mascot Butterbear by selling a satirical product. The item, made from shredded pork floss, was labeled in a disrespectful manner and priced exorbitantly at several hundred baht. Butterbear, a mascot from the Butterbear shop, has become a national favourite, akin to a celebrity. The mascot has appeared on…
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Thai king’s son reveals lung infection in candid hospital post
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, son of the King of Thailand, shared an update about his health while lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen tube. He revealed that he has a lung infection caused by a virus. Vacharaesorn posted a story on his Facebook account yesterday, showing himself in a hospital bed with an oxygen tube in his nose. “Still here,…
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Flood aid dispute in Nan province over meal box distribution
Drama unfolded over the distribution of donated meal boxes to flood victims in Nan province yesterday. A heated debate arose after a member of the Facebook group, Original Nan Community Market posted about their frustrating experience trying to obtain food aid. “I braved the floodwaters to request two meal boxes from the Suan Tan Temple foundation. The response I got…
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Intoxicated Thai man berates MRT rescue team after escalator fall
A Thai man, reportedly intoxicated, fell down the escalator at Phahon Yothin MRT station, only to berate rescue personnel who came to his aid, claiming to be a high-profile journalist. The incident was reported by a Facebook page, where MRT Phahon Yothin station staff detailed the events. According to the post, the incident occurred around 2pm yesterday when the intoxicated…
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Truck overturns in Chon Buri, injures four due to brake failure
A six-wheel truck overturned on the road leading down Pratumnak Hill in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province on Thursday, August 22, causing moderate injuries to four individuals. The driver attributed the accident to brake failure. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received the report of the overturned truck at 3.46pm. The incident took place near the Bali Hai Pier intersection…
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Chon Buri police arrest 100 migrant workers in construction site raid
Chon Buri Immigration Police conducted a significant raid on a construction site yesterday, leading to the arrest of over 100 migrant workers who now face possible deportation. This operation was spearheaded by Police Colonel Napaspong Khositasuriyamanee, Chief of Chon Buri Immigration, and took place in Soi Takhian Tia 20, Takhian Tia subdistrict, Bang Lamung district. During the inspection, the site…
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Frenchman robbed by transgender individual on Pattaya songthaew
A Frenchman in Pattaya reported being robbed by a transgender individual who slashed his bag and stole his mobile phone before fleeing. Pascat Gaston Pair Francais, a 71 year old French national, filed a complaint with Pattaya police yesterday at 2am. He recounted that while riding a songthaew from Soi Buakhao to Soi 6, someone had secretly slashed his bag…
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Thailand drafts new law to restructure oil prices
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced the completion of a draft law aimed at restructuring oil prices. This law is currently under review by a team of legal and energy experts before being presented to the Cabinet and later to the House of Representatives for consideration. Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga emphasised his commitment to ongoing projects despite the…
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Thaksin-era furniture returns as Paetongtarn takes office
The iconic furniture from Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration has been reinstated in the Prime Minister’s office, just in time for his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to take the reins as Thailand’s youngest premier. The sofa set and wooden desk, once the centrepieces of the PM’s office during Thaksin’s tenure (2001-2006), were returned today to their original spots in the Thai Khu Fah…
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Pattaya to co-host Chon Buri music festival this September
Pattaya City is preparing to co-host the Chon Buri International Music Festival in the Rain this September at Pattaya Beach. Yesterday, August 22, a meeting took place at Pattaya City Hall, with Mayor Poramase Ngampiches leading the discussions about the festival’s organisation. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched a project aimed at boosting tourism in five of Thailand’s most…
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Thai police seize crystal meth stash hidden in cement ware
Thai police scored a major win against international drug traffickers after uncovering a massive stash of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) hidden in decorative cement items at Bangkok Port. The drug bust was carried out by the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF) on Wednesday, August 21. During a routine inspection at the Khlong Toei district, officers stumbled upon two suspicious boxes in…
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Fare play: Pattaya teens make amends after ride mix-up
A group of teenagers in Pattaya apologised and compensated a ride-hailing driver after a misunderstanding led to an unpaid fare. The incident came to light when a 25 year old driver for a popular ride-hailing app, Sirawat shared his experience on social media. Sirawat claimed that five teenagers in Pattaya failed to pay him a 70-baht fare. The event occurred…
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Thai SMEs eye US e-commerce payday after major Amazon deal
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to cash in on the lucrative US e-commerce market following a groundbreaking deal inked between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Amazon Global Selling (AGS). The partnership, formalised during the TOPTHAI Cross-Border e-Commerce Day 2024, aims to turbocharge the e-commerce export capabilities of Thai businesses, opening doors to the US$1.1…
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