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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Commerce Ministry promotes Thai SELECT restaurants
The Commerce Ministry launched prototype Thai SELECT restaurants to boost Thailand’s soft power on a global scale. Celebrating its 104th anniversary, the ministry hosted the Driving the Thai Economy with Soft Power exhibition, led by caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, on the forecourt of its building. Phumtham emphasised the ministry’s dedication to enacting policies aimed at accelerating economic recovery. These…
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Thai airlines gear up for massive fleet expansions
Thailand’s airlines are preparing for a massive fleet expansion as the global aviation industry rebounds at full throttle after the Covid-19 pandemic. With air travel poised to double by 2043, as predicted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Thai carriers are seizing the opportunity to dominate the skies. Thai Airways International (THAI), the country’s national airline, is leading the…
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Thailand opens first semiconductor R&D centre
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has inaugurated Thailand’s first comprehensive semiconductor technology research and development centre, setting the stage for the nation’s enhanced role in the global supply chain. The KMITL Academy of Innovative Semiconductor Manufacturing (KAISEM) will function as a central laboratory, uniting experts from diverse fields to collaborate on semiconductor research, innovation, and electronic manufacturing processes.…
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Thai teacher suspected of creating explicit images of schoolgirls
Thai schoolgirls in the southern province of Pattalung suspected their male teacher of creating explicit images of them and sharing them on the Instagram application. A schoolgirl and her parents filed a complaint at Khok Cha-ngai Police Station today, August 23, after she came across nude images of herself on Instagram. She brought the matter to teachers but the school…
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Thailand on track to invest 77 billion baht in new light rail systems
Plans are underway for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to introduce a light rail system in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok, with an overall budget of 77 billion baht. MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol revealed that the estimated costs of the projects are 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7…
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Plane to see: Suspicions surround Chachoengsao plane crash
Details surrounding the small plane crash in Chachoengsao have begun to emerge, revealing several suspicious factors. It was reported that the weather was fair on the day of the incident, with no rain clouds and the captain was very experienced. It took some 11 hours for rescue teams to search for the bodies of all those onboard a small plane…
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Thai man accuses cop of assault after he honked truck horn (video)
A Thai man accused a police officer in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, of physically assaulting him, even though he did not violate any laws and only honked his truck horn to greet a passing friend. The Thai truck driver shared a video on Facebook, where he and his girlfriend were seen arguing with a traffic police officer from the…
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Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
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Pattaya’s boat show bonanza: Mayor inspects preparations
Pattaya is gearing up for a nautical spectacle that promises to put it on the world map as a leading maritime destination. The Pattaya Water Sports Club unveiled the ambitious plans for the Pattaya Boat Show 2025 to Mayor Poramet Ngampichet at City Hall on August 20, setting the stage for a truly world-class event. Scheduled to take place at…
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Mysterious shadow resembling face haunts Thai plane crash site
Rescue workers experienced a chilling moment when a mysterious shadow resembling a face appeared while they were digging for human remains from an aeroplane crash that claimed nine lives. This incident, shared widely on social media, has captivated netizens and sparked numerous reactions. A rescue worker from Bang Pakong named Jairak Pitakchip, yesterday, August 22, shared a photograph on social…
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Massive oil slick threatens Sattahip’s pristine shores
A massive oil slick has been discovered just 4 nautical miles from Bang Saray Beach, sending shockwaves through the local community and environmental groups. The slick, stretching over 2 kilometres, was first reported in the afternoon, igniting fears of its devastating impact on marine life and the booming tourism industry. Bang Saray Community Enterprise for Tourism and Sports chairperson Udom…
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Efforts underway to prevent oil spill from reaching Chon Buri beach
Local officials in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province are battling to prevent an oil spill in Bang Saray Bay from reaching the coast. The source of the oil remains undisclosed. Locals and tourists spotted lines of oil, approximately 3-to-4 kilometres offshore in Bang Saray Bay in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, yesterday, August 22. The spill was…
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Tomiko Itoka is the ‘top banana’ at 116 years old
The title of the world’s oldest person has now peeled away to Japanese grandmother Tomiko Itoka, who, at 116, has taken over from Maria Branyas, who passed away at 117 on August 20. Tomiko was notified of her new status on August 21 and responded with a warm “thank you,” proving she’s as sweet as her secret to longevity. So,…
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Bangkok restaurant owner accused of trying to slap foreign tourists
A Thai tour guide accused the owner of a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in Bangkok of attempting to slap foreign tourists after a reservation dispute. The Facebook user, Burapa Seiko, shared the story on the Facebook page, พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (meaning “we are consumers”), yesterday, August 22. He introduced himself as a tour guide who provides services to foreigners travelling in Thailand. Burapa…
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Thailand’s Nam Wa bananas go ‘bananas’ as prices soar
The price of Nam Wa bananas, also known as sugar bananas, has surged to a staggering 60 baht per bunch. Once a staple in Thai households, this beloved fruit is inching closer to becoming a luxury item, with experts predicting a further rise to 80 baht per bunch. For nearly a month, vendors and consumers alike have been grappling with…
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Thailand Department of Rice aids northern farmers after floods
Thailand’s Department of Rice, in collaboration with three rice associations, has donated survival bags and over 50 tonnes of rice to assist northern farmers affected by recent floods. Recent floods have ravaged the northern provinces of Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, leading to extensive damage to homes and farmlands. This disaster has severely impacted the agricultural sector in these…
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Southern Thailand call centre scam gang jailed for 20 years
A notorious call centre scam operation has been dismantled by Thai police, leading to severe prison sentences for those involved. The criminal court handed a 20-year prison sentence to 14 members of the gang for deceiving a former doctor in Chumphon province, causing financial losses of 101 million baht. Additionally, those who provided mule accounts to the gang received nine-year…
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People’s Party faces probe over executive appointments
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the People’s Party (PP), the successor of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), for allegedly failing to comply with party regulations. If violations are confirmed, the party’s August 9 resolution to appoint new executives could be deemed invalid, according to Ruangkrai, who noted that he has already submitted a…
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Baby elephant cries as mother swept away in Thai floods (video)
A baby elephant’s fearful calls echoed as its mother was swept away by powerful floodwaters in northern Thailand. Torrential rains overnight led to severe flooding in several northern provinces, including Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, causing widespread damage to homes and agricultural lands. The dramatic incident unfolded when a large mother elephant was caught in the fierce currents, struggling…
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Parcel delivery dispute turns heated at Buriram temple
A notable incident occurred at a well-known temple in Buriram Province, where an enraged parcel delivery employee confronted the abbot over a change dispute, leading to a heated altercation. The abbot, in a video shared by a local headman, can be seen standing his ground. The altercation was captured on video by the headman of Village No. 2 in the…
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Indian man attacked by fellow countrymen in Pattaya (video)
An Indian man lost consciousness on a footpath along Pattaya Tai Road after being attacked by a gang of fellow countrymen in the early hours of yesterday. A video of the physical assault went viral on Thai social media yesterday, August 22. The footage showed the Indian victim running away from a group of fellow countrymen along Pattaya Tai Road…
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Egg-spect another price hike as duck eggs ‘crack’ up to 5.10 baht
The Egg Duck Association announced a price increase for farm-fresh duck eggs by 10 satang, raising the price to 5.10 baht per egg, effective from yesterday. This marks the fifth price hike this year. The Egg Duck Association yesterday, August 22, informed its members about the new farm gate prices for duck eggs. The price per egg has been increased…
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Pattaya fruit vendor pleads for police help after repeated thefts
A fruit vendor in Pattaya seeks urgent police intervention after experiencing two thefts at her shop. Somporn Phetnak, a 39 year old fruit vendor operating in Naklua Soi 16, shared CCTV footage on Wednesday with local news outlets. The footage captures the moment a thief stole money from her shop. Somporn explained that she has been selling fruit in Naklua…
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Woman in Bangkok dies after argument during TikTok livestream
A tragic incident unfolded early today when a woman fell to her death from the fourth floor of a residential building in Bangkok after a heated argument with her husband. The argument began when the husband attempted livestreaming a nude video on TikTok. At around 3.30am, today, August 23, police were alerted to the incident in a community in Bang…
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3 Chinese men arrested in online gambling and call centre scam
Immigration Bureau officers arrested three Chinese men in Chon Buri for operating a multinational online gambling and call centre scam with over 5.5 billion baht in circulation. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China requested cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to arrest the Chinese suspect, 47 year old Su, for fraud and operating a casino.…
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Asia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand
Thailand confirmed its first case of a potentially deadlier strain of mpox, marking Asia’s first encounter with the virus variant known as Clade 1b. This alarming development follows hot on the heels of the first reported case outside Africa, in Sweden, just a week ago. The infected individual, a 66 year old European man, arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed…
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Thailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill
The Counter Terrorist Operations Centre under the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters is wrapping up a five-day anti-terrorism drill today in Chiang Rai. The Crisis Management Exercise 2024 (C-MEX24) at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University saw participation from over 500 individuals representing 60 agencies. This comprehensive exercise included officers from the army, navy, air force, and police, aiming to assess their…
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1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
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Thai cops ‘bud’ out Taiwanese cannabis smugglers in Bangkok bust
Immigration officials in Thailand, in collaboration with other agencies, snagged two Taiwanese nationals in a high-stakes cannabis smuggling operation. The suspects were arrested in Bangkok’s Bang Rak and Din Daeng districts and now face serious charges for planning to export a controlled drug without permission and overstaying their visas. The bust came after a tip-off from a vigilant citizen who…
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No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand
The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…
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