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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Thailand energy plan: ‘Current’ contracts for a brighter future
The Government of Thailand is poised to approve a plan involving the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to manage energy conservation projects in state agencies under long-term contracts. This initiative aims to accelerate energy-saving efforts within the state sector, according to the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. The impending approval will bolster campaigns across…
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Viral image of naked Thai conscripts in rain sparks investigation
The Minister of Defence ordered an investigation into the punishment of conscripts at a Royal Thai Army (RTA) base in the northern province of Chiang Mai, following a viral image on Thai social media showing ten naked conscripts standing in the rain. A Thai woman sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her older brother and other conscripts…
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Thai publishing ‘chapter’ of decline amid spending woes
The Thai publishing market faces a predicted decline this year due to economic challenges affecting consumer spending, according to the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT). However, booksellers remain optimistic, identifying potential growth in niche markets. Nattakorn Vuttichaipornkul, Vice-President of Internal Affairs at PUBAT, reported a modest decrease in book sales during the first half of the year. “The…
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Chon Buri launches Nong Phlap festival to boost cultural tourism
Chon Buri province has launched the Scent of the Earth, Local Way of Nong Phlap festival to boost cultural tourism. The festival kicked off today at Wat Velluwanaram in Nong Phlap Village, Takian Tia sub-district, Banglamung district, with the Deputy Governor of Chon Buri, Prachaya Unpechwarakorn, presiding over the opening ceremony. The Chon Buri Provincial Cultural Office is behind this…
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Thailand’s labour woes: A ‘lawsuit’ of unexpected disputes
Labour disputes in Thailand have surged, contrary to the country’s generally non-litigious reputation. According to the Thai Office of the Judiciary’s Annual Statistical Report, more than 10,000 labour dispute cases have been recorded annually over the past five years. Employers in Thailand frequently face claims of unfair termination, a significant source of financial and operational issues for both local and…
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Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk
Excitement filled the air at Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya City today as villagers and amulet enthusiasts gathered to secure amulets from Luang Pu Buaket Pathumsiro, a revered monk from the eastern region. The Barami Pathumsiro model, believed to bestow blessings, attracted significant interest. This initiative aims to raise funds for Bang Lamung Hospital. Since early morning, parents, siblings, and…
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12 year old girl seeks justice after gang rape by 13 men in Thailand
A 12 year old Thai girl fled the southern province of Narathiwat for help in the central province of Nonthaburi after a gang rape by 13 men, including her older brother’s friends and relatives. The 12 year old victim was accompanied by her 20 year old sister to seek help from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after the young…
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Temu enters Thai market, intensifies e-commerce competition
Temu, China’s e-commerce giant, recently entered the Thai market, stirring up competition across both online and offline sectors in Thailand. The move, according to industry experts, is set to intensify cross-border competition, challenging existing players and local businesses alike. Thailand’s e-marketplace has long been dominated by foreign giants like Lazada (owned by Alibaba), Shopee (under Singapore’s SEA), and China’s TikTok…
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Thai transwoman arrested for blackmailing teen to produce porn
Police swooped to arrest a Thai transwoman at her home in Bangkok for blackmailing a 17 year old boy into producing porn. A Thai mother sought help from Thailand’s Internet Crimes Against Children on July 30 after her teenage son became depressed and unable to go to school after being allegedly blackmailed by a ladyboy, later identified as 24 year…
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Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism
Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that…
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Rayong residents call for construction permit verification
Residents of Ban Khai district in Rayong are urging government officials to verify whether the owner of a local construction project possesses the necessary permits. Concerns were sparked after a Chinese language poster was seen at a construction site for a factory within their community. Adul Akkaraphetpaisarn, an assistant village head, expressed that the village had not been informed of…
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Thai transwoman nabbed in 26 million baht scam targeting Japanese nationals
Metropolitan Police Bureau officers arrested a Thai transwoman yesterday after she scammed 73 Japanese nationals over a ten-year period. The total losses amounted to nearly 26 million baht. The 49 year old Thai transwoman, Uthai “Amy” Nantakhan, was arrested yesterday, August 4, at her condominium in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok. Her arrest followed a report from the latest Japanese…
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Ministry serves up a vote: Help ‘dish’ out Thailand’s best local eats
The Ministry of Culture has called upon the public to vote for Thailand’s best local food in a new initiative aimed at preserving and promoting indigenous cuisine while boosting its economic value. Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced yesterday, August 4, that the nation’s culinary heritage is a significant cultural asset that embodies Thai identity. The ministry launched the Thailand Best…
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PPRP’s internal clash: Coalition ‘parties’ divided
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) faces an internal conflict, highlighting clear divisions within the government coalition partner, according to a political analyst. Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, a political science lecturer at the National Institute of Development Administration, identified two factions within the PPRP: one led by party leader Prawit Wongsuwan and another by party secretary-general Thamanat Prompow. Prawit, who has…
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10,000-baht scheme will go ahead: PM’s future ‘baht’ a problem
The Government of Thailand confirmed that the implementation of the 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme will proceed regardless of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s political future. This assurance comes amid concerns over the Thai premier’s potential dismissal due to a legal challenge. The 62 year old Thai PM’s position is under scrutiny due to a motion submitted by 40 senators. They…
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Pilot trainer dies in plane crash, family mourns loss
A grieving mother received the body of her son, a pilot trainer who tragically died in a small plane crash. Although devastated, she expressed immense pride in her son, who passed away doing what he loved. Phudit Supawatnakul, a 33 year old flight instructor, perished when his small aircraft crashed into a house within a golf course in Samut Sakhon.…
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PM Srettha orders Temu to comply with Thai tax laws
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to ensure the new Chinese online retailer Temu adheres to Thai regulations and meets tax obligations. The directive aims to address concerns from local industries about the potential influx of inexpensive Chinese products affecting Thai manufacturers. The introduction of Temu, a Chinese e-commerce…
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Unlicensed beauty doctor arrested in Bangkok hotel raid
Police arrested a woman posing as a beauty doctor at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area. She was caught administering fillers and Botox, making up to 40,000 baht per month by arranging appointments through Facebook. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, acting on orders from Police Colonel Weerapong Klaiyong, led the arrest of 39 year old Jetiya, seizing five items, including…
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Motorcyclist dies as tree branch falls on him in Nakhon Nayok
A young man tragically lost his life when a large branch from a peacock flower tree fell on him while he was riding his motorcycle. The incident occurred yesterday, August 3, on Khlong 15 Road in Nakhon Nayok province. The tragic accident was reported to the Ruamkatanyu Foundation’s Ongkharak unit. Rescue teams rushed to the scene on Highway 3005 in…
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Tourist injured in Chumphon resort balcony collapse
A man sustained serious injuries after the balcony he was on collapsed at a resort in Chumphon, leading to concerns about unlicensed accommodation and unresponsive local police. Only the local tourist police offered effective help. On July 27, Yanisa, a 46 year old woman from Phetchaburi, and her husband, 44 year old Piyapol, along with friends, were staying at a…
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Heavy rain warning for 55 Thai provinces including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for severe rainfall across 55 provinces, particularly affecting the eastern, northern, and northeastern regions, as well as Bangkok. The public has been advised to stay vigilant for potential flash floods and landslides. The TMD forecasts heavy rain due to a moderate southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the upper…
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Multi-vehicle crash in Chiang Rai after truck runs red light
A sand-laden trailer ran a red light, causing a devastating collision involving five vehicles at an intersection. The driver alleged he saw a yellow light and attempted to brake but couldn’t stop in time. At 4pm today, police officers from the Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai, along with rescue teams, responded to a multi-vehicle accident at a red-light…
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Suspect in Songkhla evades police checkpoint and fires at officers
A suspect in Songkhla escaped a police checkpoint, fired at pursuing officers, and left a message through a local leader vowing not to surrender. The incident occurred on August 1 at 3.50am, when police released CCTV footage showing the chase at a checkpoint in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Police from the Hat Yai station were conducting a temporary checkpoint at the…
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Police seize 45,000 bottles in counterfeit cough syrup raid
Police raided a major counterfeit cough syrup factory, seizing over 45,000 bottles valued at more than 50 million baht (US$ 1.4 million). The factory, producing up to 20,000 bottles daily, distributed the fake medication popular among youths seeking intoxication. Police Major General Wittaya Sriprasertphap, along with Deputy Commander Anuwat Raksacharoen and Colonel Weerapong Klaitong from the Consumer Protection Police Division…
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Gas shop operator killed in Sattahip road accident
A tragic accident on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip, Chon Buri, resulted in the death of a local gas shop operator on August 2. At 5.50am, Sattahip police officers received a report of a collision between a sedan and a motorcycle with a sidecar. Upon arrival, rescue teams found the body of 58 year old Samniang lying in the middle of…
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Bangkok seizes 1,878 items from Chinese supermarkets
Police in Bangkok seized 1,878 food items from 12 Chinese supermarkets due to non-compliance with Thai language labelling regulations. The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) led the inspections following numerous public complaints. The inspection, which took place yesterday, revealed that 73 categories of food items lacked the mandatory Thai language labels, raising public…
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Ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport injures two foreign children
A ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport‘s security checkpoint injured two foreign children yesterday at 7.55am. Medical staff at the airport quickly administered first aid to the injured children. The first child, from the Netherlands, sustained minor injuries to the back of his hand, while the second, from China, suffered a head injury. The Dutch child and his family decided…
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Prachin Buri: Three injured in car crash due to broken streetlights
A serious car crash involving a mother and her two daughters occurred on a darkened road in Prachin Buri due to broken streetlights that had been unrepaired for months. The collision with a military vehicle left all three severely injured. Emergency responders from the Sajjaputtadham Foundation were alerted to the accident at 8.30pm yesterday, August 2, and quickly arrived at the…
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Police seize six million crystal meth pills in Pathum Thani bust
Police apprehended a significant drug haul of six million methamphetamine (meth) pills and 365 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) in Pathum Thani after the traffickers stopped for a meal. The operation was led by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Samran Nuanma, Assistant Commissioner-General. Following a tip-off, police tracked a drug smuggling gang transporting a large…
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Former Thai singer urges peaceful talks amidst fraud claims
Thai singer-turned-businessman Aerk Lederer has responded to accusations from model Lily Nguyen and other fraud victims, urging them to stop making threats and to communicate peacefully. Lederer insists he has never tried to escape and blames the lack of a resolution on their inability to agree. During a recent episode of the popular talk show Noon Krasae, hosted by renowned…
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