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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Police officer in drunk driving crash escapes legal action
A troubling police corruption case has emerged involving an officer allegedly driving while drunk, resulting in a collision with a parked car, yet faced no legal repercussions. The incident, which took place four months ago, raised concerns over potential bias and inadequate investigation. The incident occurred previously on June 20, when a red Mazda parked on the roadside within the…
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Pattaya restaurant turns into a shootout: Chaos as tempers flare
A gun-toting Thai man caused alarm at a bustling Moo Krata restaurant in Pattaya after firing a shot during a heated dispute. The incident took place outside the Moo Krata Baek Kap Din Sam restaurant on Petchtrakul Road at approximately 4.06am on October 30. Witnesses reported that the man aimed his weapon at a group of men before making a…
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Cyber cops caught in 300 million baht web of greed
Nine Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers and three additional suspects allegedly attempted to extort 300 million baht from a Vanuatu-Chinese couple. Ten suspects were arrested while two others remain at large. The Vanuatu man named Sai and his Chinese wife reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station that a group of men claiming to be police officers swindled…
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Pattaya police detain 11 homeless individuals causing disturbances
Eleven homeless people were taken into custody by Pattaya police after causing disturbances to both residents and tourists. The operation, which took place on October 30 at 10am, was spearheaded by Wichak Phetnooch, Senior Community Development Officer. A team of 50, comprising officers from Pattaya Police Station, social development officials, police volunteers, and special operations officers, conducted a thorough search…
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Karon police ‘taxi’ the bull by the horns: No more illegal rides
Karon police have hit back at online accusations claiming they’ve been lax in tackling illegal taxi operations. In a bold announcement, they revealed that a whopping 208 illegal taxis have been stopped and seized since the start of July. In a statement released earlier yesterday, October 31, Karon Police reassured the public that their officers have been conducting checkpoints at…
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Russian man faces Phuket charges for mafia-like intimidation
A Russian man, accused by his compatriots of acting with mafia-like intimidation, faces charges in Phuket after allegedly threatening several individuals, including former employees. Allegations against him include cutting the brake line of a motorcycle, an act that has led to charges of attempted murder, among others. Cherng Talay Police Chief Weeraphong Rakkhito confirmed that the investigation had concluded and…
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Thailand’s BRICS dreams: Up in the air but not grounded yet
Thailand’s bid for membership in the influential BRICS international organisation remains up in the air, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The Government of Thailand is currently weighing the economic implications of joining this powerful bloc, with a decision pending in the House. BRICS, which boasts heavyweights like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt,…
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Thailand’s cultural treasures shine bright: No.8 in global rankings
Thailand has secured a top spot in cultural heritage, ranking eighth out of 89 countries, according to a recent US News & World report. This prestigious ranking catapults Thailand into the elite league of culturally rich nations, celebrated for its vibrant traditions and historical significance. The American media powerhouse determined the rankings based on five crucial attributes: cultural accessibility, rich…
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Thai schoolboy stabs classmate over school bus seat dispute
A Thai schoolboy from a school in the northern province of Sukhothai today stabbed his classmate on a school bus, reportedly following an argument over seats. Officers from Sri Satchanalai Police Station were called to investigate the stabbing on a school bus parked along a road in the Sri Satchanalai district of Sukhothai at around 7.30am, today, October 31. The…
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Reservoir of worry: Nakhon Ratchasima braces for 2025 dry spell
Nakhon Ratchasima is currently facing a severe water crisis, with alarmingly low water levels in its reservoirs. Concerns are growing about potential water shortages for consumption and use in the dry season of 2025. The provincial governor urged residents to conserve water and may consider halting off-season rice farming. A meeting was held yesterday, October 30, at the new building…
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Knicker-fetish thief targets black and pink panties in Pathum Thani
Police officers are on the hunt for a man with a ladies’ knicker fetish, specifically targeting black and pink ones. The kinky suspect, who has been travelling by pickup truck, has been stealing underwear from residents in the central province of Pathum Thani. One of the victims, 35 year old Sukanda Kaewkanya, filed a complaint at Sam Khok Police Station…
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‘Fries’ for change: Waste Not, Want Not turns grease into green efforts
Surat Thani Municipality launched a notable initiative titled Waste Not, Want Not, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling used cooking oil. The project, in collaboration with the New Biodiesel Company, encourages residents to exchange used cooking oil for fresh Rin Tip brand oil. The agreement was signed yesterday, October 30, at Surat Thani Municipality’s conference room by Prachert…
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Teenagers’ trouble brews: Duo ‘crashes’ party, sparks punch-up
Two teenagers forcibly entered a home where four men were drinking and instigated a confrontation, resulting in a physical altercation. The incident, which took place yesterday, October 30, at 10.30pm, led to the police from Non Sung Police Station in Udon Thani being summoned to a village in the Non Sung sub-district. Upon arrival, the police found the two teenagers,…
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Gogolook ‘whoscalls’ the shots: Thai HQ set to scamper into anti-scam market
In a move set to shake up Southeast Asia, Gogolook, the brains behind the Whoscall app, unveiled a brand-new headquarters in Thailand. This bold step is part of the tech giant’s grand plan to dominate the burgeoning global anti-scam arena, expected to skyrocket to a whopping US$129 billion by 2029. Jeff Kuo, Gogolook’s co-founder and CEO, spilt the beans on…
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Thailand’s digital ad spend to surpass 30 billion baht in 2024
Digital ad spending in Thailand is set to exceed 30 billion baht (US$890 million) this year, reflecting the country’s growing embrace of digital platforms. According to the Thailand Digital Ad Spending Report for mid-year 2024, jointly released by the Digital Advertising Association of Thailand and Kantar Insights Thailand, digital advertising expenditure is projected to reach 33.8 billion baht (US$1 billion),…
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School scandal: Education official in hot water for midday snooze
The Office of the Basic Education Commission is investigating an educational official in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan who was allegedly sleeping at work and finishing her duties early after lunch. The Facebook pages ปฏิบัติการหมาเฝ้าบ้าน (Watchdog Anti-corruption Organisation of Thailand) and ร้ายกาจ (Wicked!) shared pictures and videos of the official, identified only as “Aunty Fon,” sleeping on duty…
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Thailand opens new border crossing with Cambodia to boost trade
The Thai government announced the opening of a new permanent border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia, alongside extending the operating hours of an existing checkpoint. These measures aim to bolster trade and tourism relations between the two nations. The Royal Gazette published two announcements from the Ministry of Interior, which were signed by Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, and Anutin Charnvirakul,…
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Man dies in tragic cassava farm accident in Nakhon Ratchasima
A tragic incident unfolded at a cassava farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a 68 year old man, identified as Roem, lost his life after being caught in a fertiliser-spreading machine. The accident occurred yesterday, October 30, when Roem attempted to manually dislodge chicken manure from the machine without turning it off, resulting in his tragic demise. The report of this…
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Good Samaritans stop Pattaya transwoman stealing from German
Two Thai Good Samaritans helped a German man catch a transwoman who attempted to steal the foreigner‘s wallet near Soi 10 in Pattaya this morning. A 33 year old motorcycle taxi rider, Prathin, today, October 31, called officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station to arrest the transgender suspect, 38 year old Thawatchai, along Pattaya Sai Song Road near Soi Pattaya 10.…
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Thai Oil Plc demands resolution of unpaid wages at Chon Buri project
Thai Oil Plc (TOP) is urging the resolution of unpaid wage issues that have led to protests at its Clean Fuel Project (CFP) in Chon Buri, Thailand. The country’s largest oil refinery by capacity has called upon the parent companies of the construction firms involved to address the payment delays affecting workers on site. TOP engaged the Unincorporated Joint Venture…
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Thailand’s MPI drops 3.5% amid auto, construction slowdown
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) experienced a decline of 3.5% year-on-year, reaching 92.4 points in September. The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) attributes this drop primarily to a slowdown in both the automotive and construction sectors. As the final quarter of the year approaches, the uncertainty surrounding the US presidential election might add further challenges. The third quarter saw the…
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BoT inflates hopes: Targets snug 1-3% to turbo-charge economy
In a bold move to turbo-charge Thailand’s economic engine, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) pegged its hopes on keeping inflation between a snug 1% and 3%. The aim is to shift the economy into top gear, with deputy governor Piti Disyatat revealing at the Monetary Policy Forum that they’re targeting headline inflation of 1.2% by 2025. That’s a noticeable bump…
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Chiang Mai film director gets knickers in twist over water crisis
A Chiang Mai film director donned red women’s underwear to protest a persistent water supply issue in his village, capturing social media’s attention. This unusual demonstration highlights a decade-long problem affecting residents’ daily lives. Nitchapoom Chaianan, a 39 year old movie director at Wayufilm, took an unconventional approach to draw attention to the ongoing water crisis. In a bold move,…
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Thai mother pimped out autistic daughter to dealer for drugs
Police arrested a Thai mother at her home in the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok on Tuesday, after she pimped out her 16 year old autistic daughter to a dealer to obtain free drugs. A Thai grandmother filed a complaint with Nimitmai Police Station, yesterday, October 30 that her autistic granddaughter went missing from their home in the Khlong Sam…
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HSBC Thailand is the big cheese, claims No.1 bank title again
HSBC Thailand once again has proven itself the big cheese of banking, clinching the Best International Bank in Thailand award for the fourth year running from both Euromoney and FinanceAsia. This coveted accolade reflects the bank’s top-notch financial prowess and its solid standing in the Thai market. The accolades don’t stop at Thailand’s borders! HSBC’s domination extends throughout the ASEAN…
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Former Thai police officer-turned-imam killed in Yala shooting
Police recovered over 50 spent bullet casings from the scene of a fatal shooting involving a 54 year old former police officer and current imam, suggesting insurgent groups are behind this attack in Yala province. Phuad Raseming, known as the imam of the Muhayirin Mosque in Ban Nam Yen, was ambushed and killed by three assailants wielding military-grade firearms and…
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Bangkok hospital manager criticised following pharmacist’s suicide
Opinions among Thai netizens are divided after viewing a conversation between a manager at Rama 9 Hospital in Bangkok and a pharmacist who recently committed suicide, leaving a note claiming that pressure from his manager led to his tragic decision. Esor News yesterday, October 30, shared screenshots of the conversation between the hospital manager named Aof and the pharmacist named…
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Cha-Am police investigate delivery rider’s mysterious pond death
Police in Cha-Am, Phetchaburi province, are investigating the mysterious death of a young delivery rider whose body was discovered in a pond, leading his family to suspect robbery and murder. The discovery was made yesterday, October 30, prompting an urgent police response. Police were alerted at 3.15pm to the presence of a man’s body floating in a pond within the…
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Trang Airport terminal’s delay spikes airfares, tourism at risk
Rath Pooklang, head of the Trang People’s Voice Network, met with Deputy Minister of Transport, Manop Charoensri, urging immediate action on the stalled construction of the new passenger terminal at Trang International Airport, alongside addressing exorbitant airfares affecting tourism. Rath and his civic team travelled to Bangkok to present a letter to the deputy minister, highlighting the need for an…
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Phimai residents flock to lucky turtle for lottery numbers
Residents of Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima are abuzz with excitement as they continue to seek good fortune from a local turtle named Chao Chao Kuay. This turtle has reportedly brought luck for three consecutive lottery draws, prompting locals to offer flowers, incense, and candles in gratitude. Chao Chao Kuay resides at house number 127, Moo 1, in the Nai…
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