News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Bangkok police seize 190,000 meth pills, 1.3 million baht
Bangkok police have successfully dismantled a major drug operation following the arrest of two individuals caught with an extensive haul of methamphetamine pills and a considerable sum of cash. The operation, which took place late at night in the capital, led to the seizure of 190,000 methamphetamine pills, approximately 400 grams of ketamine, and over 1.3 million baht (US$ 36,000)…
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Two navy conscripts die in early morning Chachoengsao road crash
A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two people early this morning when a van carrying navy conscripts collided with an 18-wheeler in Chachoengsao province. The van, which was hired by navy personnel returning to their homes for the Songkran holiday break, veered off course when the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The incident occurred at 4.30am,…
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Thailand explores extending emergency coverage to foreign tourists
The possibility of extending the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme to safeguard foreign tourists is being explored by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. This move comes in the wake of a rising number of injuries among tourists, primarily due to road and water accidents. The proposal to include foreign tourists under…
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DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) dismissed allegations that it plans to transfer macaques from Lop Buri to Khao Yai National Park. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the Director-General of DNP, clarified this during a media briefing yesterday, April 3. The director general discussed an action plan intended to manage the monkeys causing disturbances to Lop Buri residents and…
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Woman climbs signal pole in desperation over money woes
Tension gripped Bo Win Subdistrict, East Pattaya on Monday when a distressed woman scaled a telephone signal pole in a bid for attention. The woman’s 56 year old husband Prasit (last name withheld) identified her as 58 year old Piew. He disclosed that the incident unfolded after he returned from work in the evening when a dispute arose over financial…
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MFP vows bold defence against dissolution threat
Move Forward Party (MFP) chief Chaithawat Tulathon declared the party’s unwavering resolve to counter the looming spectre of dissolution, revealing plans to submit a comprehensive rebuttal to the Constitutional Court following the upcoming Songkran festivities. The 45 year old Chaithawat affirmed that the MFP would not simply lodge its defence with the court but would also make it accessible to…
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Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht
A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume. The discovery has sparked excitement among residents, and experts are being called upon to confirm the authenticity of the find. The…
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Thai economy forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3%
The Thai economy, driven primarily by exports, forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3% for this year, as reported by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). The committee, representing diverse sectors, has retained its initial forecast, projecting a 2.0% to 3.0% increase in exports. Following a 1.9% expansion in the previous year, Thailand’s economic growth is projected…
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NBTC excludes World Cup from ‘must have’ broadcast rule
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board yesterday unanimously decided to exclude the World Cup football tournament from its “must have” rule, effective immediately. This rule has been in place since 2012, obliging companies that own the broadcast rights to seven major sporting events to allow free TV channels to air the content. The seven events include the FIFA World…
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Local beauty queen stuns at Chaiyaphum military draft
The annual military draft in Chaiyaphum province witnessed an extraordinary event yesterday as a local beauty queen, known as Gantong, reported for service, stunning the crowd with her striking appearance. Gantong, who has a history of pageantry success, including recent titles such as Miss Teen GOSOCIAL Queen Thailand 2021 and the Nong Khai’s Daughter of the Mekong River 2022, took…
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Bangkok man arrested for flaunting gun while intoxicated
Bangkok police arrested a 60 year old man following reports of him brandishing a firearm while intoxicated at a rental room. The arrest was a coordinated effort by senior law enforcement officers, including Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, the Metropolitan Police Chief, and his deputies, along with investigative officers from the fourth subdivision. The man, Prasobchok, also known as Chok…
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Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand
In a significant public announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul voiced his stance on the ongoing cannabis debate in Thailand, declaring he supports regulated use. This followed an interview with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on France 24, in which the leader suggested the reclassification of marijuana as an illicit substance due to its deemed harmful effects on Thai society.…
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Dive tour boat Sea World 1 catches fire in Phuket
A fire broke out yesterday on a well-known dive tour boat, Sea World 1, at Thap Lamu in Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga, north of Phuket, causing substantial damage. The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (3AC) was alerted to the blaze at 6.30pm yesterday. Despite the main headquarters of the 3AC being located in Cape Panwa, Phuket, they operate…
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Ratchaburi highway police arrest wanted criminals
Highway police officers made a significant arrest yesterday after pulling over a vehicle with an expired registration plate. During a routine check near kilometre marker 83 to 84 on Rama 2 Road in Wang Manao, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, the officers uncovered connections to a high-profile criminal case. The vehicle, driven by 49 year old Samart (surname withheld) and…
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Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket
A video of a foreign man attacking a Thai taxi driver on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket this morning went viral on Thai social media. The physical assault was reportedly sparked after the driver asked the foreigner to stop smoking in the cab. The Facebook page, Newshawk Phuket, shared a video of the incident at about 9.40am…
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Fatal Bangkok motorcycle collision leaves unknown foreigner dead
A fatal collision in Bangkok on Monday resulted in the death of an unknown foreigner and the severe injury of a Thai man. The incident took place on Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong San, Bangkok at 2.50pm on April 1, and involved a large motorcycle colliding with a smaller one. Officers from Samre Police Station and emergency services were alerted to the…
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Big Joke denies money laundering charges
Deputy National Police Chief Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn made a high-profile visit to the Taopoon Police Station yesterday afternoon, where he officially acknowledged the money laundering charges levied against him. After enduring four hours of intense questioning, he was eventually granted bail. Speaking to reporters as he exited the police station at around 8pm, Big Joke vehemently denied…
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Thailand tourism revolution: Five key strategies
In a monumental event dubbed Ignite Tourism Thailand, the government revealed a groundbreaking roadmap aimed at catapulting Thailand to the zenith of global tourism. With Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin and Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol at the helm, the unveiling at Government House marked a pivotal moment in Thailand’s ambition to become a multifaceted tourism hub…
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Bangkok man arrested for filming under women’s skirts
Bangkok police officers recently apprehended a 50 year old suspect for his involvement in a string of perverse incidents, where he covertly filmed under women’s skirts. The arrest in the Lam Hin area followed a detailed investigation sparked by numerous reports of such violations. The suspect, known for his disturbing behaviour, was detained at his residence yesterday, April 2, after…
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Surge in smog levels exceeds safe limits in northern Thailand
A surge in smog levels was experienced this morning, with PM2.5 dust readings surpassing 200 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in three northern provinces, including Chiang Mai. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) disclosed at 9am that 20 provinces registered red (significantly harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and below in diameter (PM2.5). The readings fluctuated…
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British man dies after bathroom fall at Chon Buri residence
A British businessman met a fatal end today at 7.10am after slipping and falling onto a glass sliding door in the bathroom at his Chon Buri residence, resulting in glass impaling his chest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Surasingh Sukmak, the deputy investigator, was notified of the incident which involved 54 year old British national, Gareth John Wilson. The accident took place…
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Russian arrested in Phuket for illegally working as tour guide
Phuket Tourist Police recently apprehended a 42 year old Russian national for unlawfully working as a tour guide at Pak Phra Beach, located adjacent to the Chong Pak Phra Channel, the body of water separating Phuket from mainland Thailand. This arrest is part of the ongoing police crackdown on foreigners operating illegally within the country. The officers arrived at the…
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Ex-husband in Rayong lures and kills former wife
A tragic tale of domestic violence turned fatal has emerged from Rayong province, where a 31 year old man killed his 37 year old ex-wife following a deceptive request to meet one last time. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the local community, occurred in the late hours of April 1. Thanet lured Thipakorn to a commercial building on the outskirts of…
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Thailand gold prices hit record, surpass 40,000 baht
Gold prices in Thailand soared to a new high today, breaking the 40,000 baht barrier, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The market opened with a significant increase from the previous day’s closing rates, with gold ornaments now priced at 40,100 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement). Gold experienced a sharp climb of 350 baht…
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Thais receive emergency contacts after earthquake rocks Taiwan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan today, prompting the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue emergency contact numbers for Thai nationals in the region. The quake, which occurred at 7.58am local time, was centred near the city of Hualien, approximately 100 miles from Taipei, and had a depth of 20 kilometres. The…
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Filipina rescued after robbery and attempted rape in Chon Buri
A Thai man successfully saved a Filipina woman after theft and attempted rape near Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province. The 37 year old Thai man, Uthit, rescued a 37 year old Filipina woman on an isolated road near the Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in Chon Buri yesterday, April 2, at around 8.30am.…
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Highway horror: Young man dies in motorcycle plunge from Thai overpass
A tragic motorcycle accident occurred early this morning, resulting in the death of a 21 year old man after his motorcycle careened off a five-story high overpass. The incident took place at the Thanya-Saraburi overpass, crossing Phaholyothin Road, in front of the Spell Town shopping complex in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. Lieutenant Colonel Kriangkrai Saenyod, the investigative inspector from…
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Airlines urge Thailand to take flight with airport upgrades
Several international airlines have urged Thailand to enhance its key airport facilities and improve transport links between airports and cities, to meet its ambition of becoming a regional aviation hub. The Thai government has laid out a goal of handling 150 million passengers annually by 2030. Egaluk Ngiwprom, Southeast Asia marketing manager of Spring Airlines, believes this is a challenging…
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Man falls to death from Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain station
A tragic incident occurred yesterday at the Bang Kapi station of Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain, where an unidentified man fell to his death. Witnesses described the heart-wrenching scene as the man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, climbed over the station’s second-floor barrier before plummeting to the footpath below. Emergency services, including forensic doctors from the Police…
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Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May
The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Currently, goods sold for less than 1,500 baht (US$40) per parcel and imported into Thailand are exempt from VAT. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced these plans after…
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