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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Tropical storm Sonca to bring heavy rain to northeast Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning about Tropical Storm Sonca, expected to hit the northeastern regions of the country today, bringing heavy rainfall due to its slow-moving nature. Deputy Director-General Thanasit Iam-ananchai of the TMD provided an update on the storm’s progress, which was located in Khammouane Province, Laos, approximately 130 kilometres from Nakhon Phanom Province at 10pm…
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Malaysia and Cambodia launch cross-border QR payment system
Malaysia and Cambodia have collaboratively launched a cross-border quick response (QR) payment linkage, enabling consumers and merchants to conduct instant retail payments via mobile applications. This initiative, announced by Bank Negara Malaysia and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), aims to enhance the payment experience and expand market reach for over 5 million merchants in both countries, primarily small businesses.…
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Virtual bank brawl: Thailand’s money movers make their pitch
Competition for virtual bank licences in Thailand is reaching fever pitch, with five heavyweight business groups stepping forward just before the application deadline. The Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance are set to issue an undisclosed number of licences, with the winners announced in the first half of next year. Successful applicants will have a year to kick-start…
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Doctors on a mission: Time for a prescription for change
A group of furious doctors launched a passionate petition to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, demanding urgent action to tackle the dire state of Thailand’s public health system. Spearheaded by Clinical Professor Emeritus Dr Amnaj Kussalanan, a former president of the Medical Council of Thailand, the petition was formally handed over at the Ministry of Public Health, where Dr Watchai Charoonwattana,…
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Governor’s plan to transform Bangkok’s crumbling footpaths
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has taken matters into his own hands, rolling up his sleeves to personally inspect the chaotic renovation of Lat Phrao Road’s battered footpaths. The governor visited the busy Lat Phrao intersection on Tuesday, September 17, where a 20-kilometre overhaul is underway, aimed at bringing the pavements up to scratch. Years of neglect, due to the Yellow…
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Thai AirAsia offers free flights to Paralympic medalists
Thai AirAsia announced free flights for Thai Paralympic athletes who won medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games. Medalists will receive free flights for up to 10 years, both domestically and internationally. Thai AirAsia is offering free flights to all Thai athletes who secure medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games, similar to the benefits previously provided to Thai Olympic athletes. Gold…
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China: Japanese boy fatally stabbed near school
In a shocking incident that has left communities reeling, a 10 year old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed near his school in southern China, dying just a day later. The boy, a student at the prestigious Shenzhen Japanese School, succumbed to his injuries today, September 19, according to Japanese officials. The boy’s attacker, a 44 year old man identified as…
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All that glitters: Thai gold prices steady, not budging an ounce
Gold prices in Thailand are holding their ground today, with rates remaining flat compared to yesterday’s close. Jewellery gold is trading at 41,050 baht per baht-weight, according to an early morning update from the Gold Traders Association (GTA) at 9.04am. The price of gold bars stands firm at 40,450 baht for buying and 40,550 baht for selling, mirroring yesterday’s figures.…
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High stakes: British soccer star’s £600k cannabis own goal
Professional footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in a sensational attempt to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport. The 33 year old striker, currently playing for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, was nabbed by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at dawn yesterday, September 18, in Gourock, Inverclyde. The ex-Livingston, Aberdeen, and Arsenal academy star, who resides on Cardwell…
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AirAsia’s new campaign: Are you always on time? (video)
AirAsia is taking punctuality to new heights with its latest Thai campaign, “Thank You for Being on Time.” In a bold move, the airline is not just focusing on its timeliness but celebrating passengers who make punctuality a lifestyle. The campaign, created by the creative agency Chujai, features two heartwarming video spots directed by Thanachai Srivichai. The 15 and 48…
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Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic
Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…
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Terrifying blaze levels home in Sattahip, no injuries
Chaos erupted in Ban Tao Than, Sattahip in the early hours of yesterday as a raging fire engulfed a two-storey wooden house, sending residents fleeing for their lives. The inferno broke out at 4.30am, yesterday, September 18, consuming the home in a matter of minutes and triggering a swift response from emergency services. Firefighters from the Sattahip Municipal Office and…
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UK signs pivotal trade and investment deal with Thailand
The United Kingdom government has finalised a significant trade and investment agreement with Thailand, marking the first such deal since the Labour government assumed office in July. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander signed the enhanced trade partnership agreement in Bangkok yesterday, September 18. The deal seeks to eliminate specific trade barriers, focusing on sectors such as…
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Thailand’s consumer cashflow set to rise above 2019 levels
Thailand’s consumer spending is set to smash past 2019 levels for the first time, fuelled by expected interest rate cuts from the Bank of Thailand and a booming tourism sector, leading analysts reveal. In spite of sky-high household debt, consumer confidence is riding high thanks to a surge in foreign tourist arrivals—a key lifeline for Thailand’s economy, according to BMI,…
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Sea surge devastates Trang village, leaving residents homeless
A powerful sea surge devastated the coastal village of Ban Mot Tanoi in Ko Libong, Kantang district, Trang province, rendering residents homeless and their properties in ruins. Waves reaching heights of 3 to 4 metres, combined with strong winds, caused extensive damage to 15 homes, with eight destroyed and seven partially damaged. Residents are now left to pick up the…
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Thailand’s golden rice grain faces storm from strong baht and India
Thailand’s rice exports are teetering on the edge of crisis with looming threats from a strong baht and potential policy changes in India. The Thai Rice Exporters Association has cast a shadow over next year’s outlook, predicting exports might flop below the eight million tonnes mark. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the association’s honorary president, revealed the unsettling news despite unabated flooding wreaking…
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Bangkok Bank gives a healthy boost to Siriraj with 70 million baht
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (PCL) made a healthy contribution of more than 70 million baht to Siriraj Hospital through its Bangkok Bank-Siriraj Card Project, reinforcing the bank’s dedication to social responsibility and community support. On Mahidol Day, Pochanee Kongkalai, Executive Vice President and Assistant VP of Customer Banking, proudly presented the cheque for 70,315,053.39 baht to Professor Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…
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Pathum Thani to host food festival to boost tourism
Pathum Thani will host the Amazing Pathum Thani Food Festival, highlighting the region’s culinary creativity to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy. The event will take place from September 25 to 29, featuring unique food and cultural activities. The press conference for the festival was held yesterday, September 18, at Tinidee Hotel Bangkok Golf Club in Pathum Thani. Pathum…
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Thailand to borrow 2.59 trillion baht for 2025 budget
The Government of Thailand announced a borrowing plan of 2.59 trillion baht for the 2025 fiscal year, assuring that this will not hinder the private sector’s fundraising efforts, a Ministry of Finance official stated yesterday. Jindarat Viriyataveekul, public debt adviser at the ministry, said the debt plan, which begins on October 1, should not cause concern in the markets. She…
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Sukhothai launches durian festival with Monthong at just 1 baht
Sukhothai has kicked off an exciting durian festival, offering special promotions with 200 queues per day for the coveted Monthong durian at just 1 baht per fruit. Customers are flocking to take advantage of the deals and carry home the prized fruit. Today, September 19, in front of the Big C department store in Ban Kluai, Mueang district, Sukhothai province,…
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Thai court confiscates 5.1m baht from official over unusual wealth
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3 ordered the confiscation of assets worth 5.1 million baht from a Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) official due to allegations of unusual wealth, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced yesterday. The court’s ruling, which was handed down on March 28, directed the confiscation of funds in two accounts held by Sarot…
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Thai Paralympic table tennis team hailed after 9-medal haul in Paris
Thailand’s national Paralympic table tennis team met with the Chair of the Police Commission after securing four gold and five bronze medals. Yesterday, September 18, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Naradet Thiprak, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 1 and Chair of the Police Table Tennis Committee, alongside Suriya Puangsombat, Deputy Superintendent of the Immigration Division 1, led the…
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Hit-and-run: Pattaya traffic cop left with no compensation
A Pattaya traffic cop is desperately calling out for justice after a hit-and-run driver left him with a broken foot—and a pile of unpaid medical bills. Special Affairs Traffic Officer Anirut Buachum was directing traffic near the Soi Chaiyapornvithi intersection in North Pattaya on August 5 when disaster struck. A white Chevrolet sedan, speeding and failing to signal, suddenly turned…
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Passenger dies as grab car crashes into oil tanker in Rayong
A tragic accident involving a popular app-based car occurred when it crashed into the back of an oil tanker truck, resulting in the death of one passenger and serious injury to another. The driver miraculously escaped unharmed, attributing his survival to a protective amulet. At 6.30am today, September 19, Anupong Puangpee, a duty officer at Klaeng Police Station in Rayong,…
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Granny finds teenage grandson dead at home in tragic discovery
A grandmother found her 19 year old grandson, a technical college student, dead in their home after he had been missing from school for five days. She had raised him since he was a child and was heartbroken by his passing. At 3.30am today, September 19, Sompong Waree, the headman of Village 4 in Ban Long Takhian Tia, Khao Kwang…
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Cannabis chaos: Thailand’s weed rules you can’t afford to break
Thailand’s cannabis scene is about to get a whole lot more official but there are big consequences for those who don’t play by the rules. From January 1, 2025, consumers will still have access to the country’s wide variety of dry flowers but breaking key regulations could land you in hot water. The rules are simple: no smoking in public,…
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Transgender monk’s meth meltdown and fall from grace in Pattaya
A monk in Pattaya, who identified as a transgender woman, experienced a drug-induced episode, leading to his removal from the monkhood after testing positive for methamphetamine. Police in Pattaya received a report of a monk behaving erratically within the grounds of Boonyakanjanaram Temple in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Responding to the call, Police Lieutenant Pansan Klongsit and…
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Phuket: Lifeguards rush to save turtle washed ashore in Thalang
Lifeguards at Bang Tao Beach in Thalang district, Phuket, faced an unexpected rescue mission this morning when a 30-kilogramme sea turtle, too weak to swim, was found washed ashore. The beach patrol team, led by Wirun Chuea-saman, head of the Surin-Bang Tao Beach lifeguards, quickly sprang into action. “We spotted the turtle during our routine patrol. It wasn’t injured but…
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Cyber police arrest influencer for selling explicit videos online
Cyber police raided an apartment in the Pinklao area, arresting a well-known transgender woman with over 600,000 followers for filming explicit videos with men and selling them on social media, earning 200,000 baht per month. The operation took place yesterday following an order from Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbancha, head of the Cybercrime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Police Major General Nipon…
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Thai soldier arrested for vending machine thefts in Lopburi
A soldier from a military unit in Lopburi has been apprehended for breaking into vending machines at laundrettes to steal money, claiming he needed funds to buy milk for his pregnant wife and to purchase methamphetamine (meth). Police Colonel Anusorn Wannapin, Superintendent of Sai Mun Police Station in Yasothon, along with Police Captain Suphee Siladha, and a team of investigators,…
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