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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Thai tattoo artist allegedly rapes client, leading to attempted suicide
A Thai mother is seeking justice for her 20 year old daughter, who attempted suicide after being raped by a tattoo artist in Bangkok. The victim is in a critical condition and the alleged rapist has not yet been apprehended. The victim’s mother told Channel 7 that her daughter sent a message saying, “Mother, I love you” on July 12,…
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Siblings face prison time for extortion, coercion of former monk
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court today sentenced a woman and her brother for their involvement in extortion, and coercion of a well-known monk, squeezing over 300,000 baht out of him. The siblings expressed remorse but still faced a prison sentence. The legal proceedings stemmed from incidents occurring between April 5 and April 21 last year. During this period, Weerinchita allegedly…
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Thailand to boost exports with soft power in China and Hong Kong
In a move to boost exports, Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is targeting China and Hong Kong markets with a potent mix of soft power. From tantalising Thai food to fashion and films, the DITP is pulling out all the stops. DITP Director-General Phusit Ratanakul Seriroengrit announced Monday that eight offices in China and Hong Kong are spearheading…
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Drug trafficking in 25 Thai provinces to be eradicated in 3 months
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) declared its commitment to achieving Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s ambitious goal of eradicating drug trafficking in 25 of Thailand’s most affected provinces within three months. The Bangkok-born PM announced his national priority to eliminate illegal drugs during a Cabinet meeting yesterday, July 16, setting a strict three-month deadline for state agencies to address the issue.…
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School van driver found brutally murdered in Pathum Thani
The grisly murder of a school van driver took place yesterday, with the victim nearly decapitated and several of his fingers severed. Police are currently pursuing the suspect, who was last heard calling out a name. Police Lieutenant Thanasorn Chaemchoi of Lam Luk Ka Police Station at 8am yesterday, July 16, received a report of a murder at a house…
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Malaria still a threat to Thailand as 8,999 cases reported so far in 2024
The malaria situation in Thailand remains a significant public health concern, with 8,999 cases reported from January 1 to June 9, 2024. The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, highlighted the ongoing threat malaria poses, affecting both local Thai residents and foreign populations. This is critical as Thailand continues its efforts to eradicate the disease. The current rainy…
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Chinese influencer murder suspect arrested in Macau
A suspect linked to the alleged murder of Chinese influencer Yan Ruimin has been arrested in Macau, ensnared by a pawnshop scam. Macau police announced the capture of the 34 year old suspect on Monday, July 15, identified only by his surname Ma, who had allegedly tried to defraud a pawnshop with a counterfeit luxury watch. During his detention, local…
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Pervert surrenders after clip of him masturbating at uni goes viral
A man voluntarily surrendered to the police after a video of him exposing himself and masturbating near a prominent university went viral on social media yesterday, July 16, causing alarm among female students. The public masturbation was reported by Anan Worrasart, a senior police officer at Bang Khen Police Station. Last night, Anan, along with his colleagues accepted the surrender…
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Phuket cleanup in full swing after storm wreaks havoc
Teams of workers are diligently clearing debris across Phuket after a severe storm struck the island overnight. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the storm brought intense rain and winds reaching up to 68 kilometres per hour, causing significant disruption. The municipalities of Wichit and Thepkrasattri confirmed that several trees were uprooted, minor flooding occurred, and there was damage…
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Thai AirAsia flights between Bangkok & Lampang take off in October
Thai AirAsia announced a new route connecting Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Lampang, marking the airline’s 25th domestic destination in Thailand. Starting October 1, travellers can look forward to daily flights on this new route, operated by the airline’s trusty Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight FD3923 will leave Bangkok (DMK) at 11.10am, touching down at Lampang Airport (LPT) by…
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Thailand’s industrial sentiment hits two-year low amid political strife
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index experienced a decline for the third consecutive month in June, reaching its lowest point in two years, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The drop is attributed to a sluggish economy, weak demand, and increasing bad debt problems. The FTI reported that the industrial sentiment index fell to 87.2 in June, down from 88.5…
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Thailand to explore small nuclear reactors for clean energy boost
Energy Ministry officials are set to assess the feasibility of developing small nuclear power plants as part of the updated power development plan (PDP). This initiative aims to increase the use of clean energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The technology under consideration is the small modular reactor (SMR), which can generate up to 300 megawatts per unit (MW), roughly…
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Thailand undecided between Swedish Gripen and US F-16 jets
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the government remains undecided on whether to select the Swedish-made Gripen or the US-made F-16 for the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) new fighter jet procurement project. Details of the required offset policy from Saab AB and Lockheed Martin, manufacturers of the Gripen E/F and the F-16 Block 70/72 respectively, are still pending, according to…
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13 year old novice rescued after repeated rapes by temple abbot
A 13 year old Thai novice sought help from his family after being repeatedly raped by a pedophile abbot from a temple in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom. The victim reportedly kept the rape and sexual assaults secret because he wanted to continue his studies at the temple. The novice’s mother, 40 year old Lawan, filed a complaint against…
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Fishy business: Thailand declares war on invasive blackchin tilapia
Efforts to eradicate the invasive blackchin tilapia fish have been declared a national priority by Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry. Measures to prevent the species from breeding are currently under investigation. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow announced that the ministry is actively working to eliminate the blackchin tilapia, a species native to West Africa, due to its predatory nature and significant threat to…
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Similan Islands national park’s plea for hermit crab homes
Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province is sounding the alarm and calling on the public to donate shells to provide new homes for hermit crabs. This urgent campaign aims to boost the crab population and enhance marine biodiversity. Hermit crabs are vital beach cleaners, eliminating bacteria and disease to maintain the park’s ecosystem. Due to their soft…
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Myanmar civil war boosts maritime trade at Thailand’s Ranong Port
Myanmar’s shift to maritime transport for exports due to its civil war is increasing activity at Ranong Port in Thailand, potentially boosting the government’s Land Bridge project. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri indicated that the civil war in Myanmar has disrupted cross-border trade with Thailand, prompting entrepreneurs to use Ranong Port instead of land routes through Tak’s Mae Sot district.…
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Thai Finance Ministry pledges market confidence amid scandal
Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit expressed optimism that actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the…
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Motorcyclist killed in collision with wild elephant in Chachoengsao
A tragic incident occurred when a couple on a motorcycle collided with a wild elephant late at night, resulting in the husband’s death and the wife’s injury. The woman, still in shock, reported having no memory of the event. Phanom Rescue Radio Centre received a distress call yesterday at 11pm about a fatal elephant attack in Ang Rue Nai Forest,…
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Burmese man wanted for murder of Iranian-Thai couple in Pattaya
Police in Pattaya are searching for a Burmese man suspected of murdering his employees, an Iranian man and his Thai wife. Their bodies were discovered in a bedroom above their Iranian restaurant on July 16. The victims, 63 year old Mojtaba Ghanbariazad and his wife Thanaporn Poonprakone, were found by a relative who had a dream about Thanaporn and was…
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Heavy rain breach reservoir and bridge in northeast Thailand
Heavy rain wreaked havoc in Maha Sarakham, causing the Huai Chiang Kham Reservoir to develop a significant leak, resulting in a flood that has submerged thousands of rai of paddy fields. The deluge has also led to the collapse of the Huai Chiang Kham Bridge, situated between Ban Kam Pi and Ban Lao Yaw. Continuous downpours in the Non-Rasi subdistrict, Borabue…
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Thai tourism must shift to supply-driven strategy for 2025, says TAT
The Thai tourism industry must adopt a supply-driven strategy to enhance its competitiveness, according to the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT outlined its marketing direction for 2025, aiming to increase revenue by 7.5% from 2024, targeting 39 million foreign arrivals and 205 million domestic trips. This figure is a revision from the 220 million…
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Thai village health volunteer wins 6 million baht in lottery
A village health volunteer from Yasothon has struck it rich by winning the first prize in the lottery, netting a total of 6 million baht. The lucky numbers were chosen from a ticket she had reserved but not yet paid for. Rungaradee Sriwisat, a 53 year old resident of Ban Hua Kham, Moo 4, Samran subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon district, revealed…
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Naked truth: Victims pursue legal action against ‘cancer-curing’ hermit
More victims have stepped forward to pursue legal action against a hermit and his wife in the southern province of Surat Thani, who allegedly claim they can cure cancer through naked massages. A Thai man claimed that his wife died in May as a result of the hermit’s treatment. The first victim to seek assistance from the Ministry of Social…
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Jealous Chanthaburi man surrenders after shooting ex-girlfriend
A Chanthaburi man turned himself in to the police after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend in a jealous rage, leaving her critically injured. He now faces charges of attempted murder but denies all accusations, opting to fight the case in court. The tragic event unfolded yesterday, July 16, in Chanthaburi, where a 40 year old fruit farmer, Supachip Suksakon allegedly shot…
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Cyanide poisoning suspected in deaths of 6 Vietnamese nationals
A Thai academic suspects that cyanide poisoning may have been used in the deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok. The deaths of the six Vietnamese visitors came to light at approximately 7.30pm, yesterday, July 16. They were found lifeless in the same room on the fifth floor of a luxury hotel, reported to be the Grand…
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Thai lottery vendor wins 24 million baht after funeral ticket sale
A lottery vendor in Nong Bua Lamphu has struck it rich, winning 24 million baht from four lottery tickets. The tickets, which included the number 36 matching the age of a deceased individual at a funeral she attended, were initially unsold and kept by the vendor herself. Chantip Anusi, who has been selling lottery tickets for decades, revealed that she…
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Thailand launches retirement lottery to boost savings for low-income earners
The Cabinet has introduced a new savings initiative for low-income individuals titled the retirement lottery, which offers enticing prizes to encourage saving. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced the Cabinet’s approval of this measure, aimed at bolstering savings under the National Savings Fund (NSF) through the Retirement Savings Lottery project. The NSF will amend relevant sections of its Act to…
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Transformer explosion traps tourist in Pattaya condo elevator
An electrical transformer explosion late last night at 11.30pm caused significant disruption at a luxury condominium in Pattaya. The incident, yesterday, July 16, left a young female foreign tourist trapped inside an elevator for over 20 minutes. The condominium, situated in Soi 16, Na Kluea, Banglamung District, Chon Buri Province, stands eight floors tall. Residents and condo officials quickly mobilised…
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Thailand braces for severe weather with heavy rain and floods
Thailand braces for severe weather as The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warns of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods across various regions. Citizens are advised to stay alert for sudden flooding and landslides, particularly in hilly and low-lying areas. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast predicts intense monsoon activity affecting the northern regions and moving towards an area of low pressure…
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