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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 pawnshops cut interest rates by 20% for new year
Bangkok pawnshops have announced a special initiative to reduce interest rates by 20% for all loans, offering this as a new year gift to alleviate financial burdens for residents. The programme aims to spread happiness and ease expenses for citizens during the festive season. Chanathip L. Virapark, Director of the Pawnshops Office, revealed the initiative following a policy set by…
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Thailand to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers
Drunk drivers in Thailand will soon face stricter penalties, as announced by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The government plans to collaborate with the Interior Ministry to enforce tougher laws aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Suriya highlighted the growing concern over traffic accidents, especially those caused by drunk driving, smartphone distractions, drowsiness, speeding, and other traffic violations. According to the Don’t…
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Thai actor DJ Man freed after acquittal in Forex-3D fraud case
Thai actor Pattanapol Mintakhin aka DJ Man was released from prison after being acquitted in the Forex-3D fraud case. The court’s decision brought relief to his family, who were eagerly waiting outside the Bangkok Remand Prison. DJ Man, who had been in custody, was greeted by his parents and ex-wife, Baitoey, upon his release. Emerging from the prison at 7.55pm…
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Bangkok to Loei bus crash in Chum Phae leaves one dead
A Bangkok to Loei bus tragically veered off the road in Chum Phae, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Rescue teams promptly responded to the scene to offer assistance and transport the injured to hospital facilities. The accident occurred at 6.50am today, December 27, when the bus lost control near the Don Lan Forest Park junction on Maliwan Road…
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Man suffers electric shock during power line theft near police station
A daring incident unfolded today as a man attempted to cut high-voltage power lines just 200 metres from a police station in Samut Prakan, resulting in a severe electric shock and a precarious rescue operation. The man, approximately 30 years old, was found hanging from the power lines after suffering a shock, prompting an urgent response from emergency services. The…
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Elephant rampage devastates village in Chanthaburi province
A group of wild elephants recently stormed a village in Khlong Daeng, Chanthaburi province, causing significant damage to a house and rubber plantation. This incident followed merely two days after a young male elephant was shot and killed in the area. Residents alerted local police after several elephants invaded the village, wreaking havoc by destroying a house and toppling numerous…
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Indian customs seize haul of weed smuggled from Bangkok
Five travellers arriving from Bangkok were busted in a brazen smuggling attempt at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Christmas Day. Indian customs officials seized a staggering 26 kilogrammes of hydroponic marijuana—worth 26 Indian crores (approximately 104 million baht)—ingeniously concealed in everyday household items. Acting on a tip-off, the Indian Customs Department intercepted the suspects shortly after they…
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Top official inspects Phuket’s safety amid landslide scandal
A high-profile visit to Phuket has reignited scrutiny over the island’s safety protocols and infrastructure as former Vice Governor and now Inspector-General of the Ministry of Interior, Supoj Rodruang Na Nongkhai, returned on Christmas Day. Supoj, whose career has soared since leaving Phuket in 2020, arrived to review critical policies including tsunami preparedness, illegal hotels, and landslide prevention. Accompanied by…
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Police vehicle attacked in Yala, one officer killed
An armoured police vehicle was severely damaged in an ambush involving a bomb and gunfire in Yala, Thailand, resulting in the death of one officer. In the evening yesterday, December 26, a violent incident occurred in Thanto, a district in Yala province. An explosive device was detonated by unidentified assailants targeting border patrol police officers, followed by gunfire. The officers…
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Young man dies in big bike and pickup collision near sugarcane field
A tragic accident occurred when a young man tragically lost his life in a collision between a big bike and a pickup truck near a sugarcane field. The incident prompted police to initiate an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. At 7.30pm yesterday, December 26, Noppol Han Khunthod, an investigator from Khao Din Police Station in Photharam district,…
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Holiday mayhem: Govt unveils free tolls plan for New Year’s Eve
The Thai government has announced measures to ease the expected holiday travel chaos. With a staggering 34 million trips anticipated, the Ministry of Transport has unveiled a chaotic cocktail of free tolls, trial road openings, and even free camping spots in a desperate bid to keep the nation moving. Happiness Festival Everywhere in Thailand is the rather optimistic slogan for…
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Bangkok and northeast Thailand to see rain and cooler temperatures
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted rainfall for Bangkok and northeastern Thailand with cooler morning temperatures tomorrow. Additionally, two other regions will experience similar weather patterns, with temperatures expected to drop between December 28 and December 30 due to strong winds and heavy rain in the south. Tomorrow’s weather forecast indicates that a moderate high-pressure system is covering the…
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Winning numbers: Villagers seek lottery luck from Phayao anthill
Villagers in Phayao province have flocked to a revered anthill believed to bring good fortune, hoping for a lucky start to the new year. The anthill, located in Mae Ka subdistrict, Mueang district, has previously provided accurate three-digit numbers to those seeking fortune. The villagers gathered with offerings of flowers, incense, garlands, and colourful cloths, along with talcum powder, to…
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Christmas horror: Dutchman hits his head in Pattaya pool
An 85 year old Dutchman’s Christmas turned into a near-tragedy when he was rushed to hospital after a harrowing poolside incident at a Pattaya condominium. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received an urgent report yesterday at 2pm about a foreign man who had nearly drowned at a condo on Soi Yen Sabai. Rescuers raced to the scene to find the…
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Maharaj Hospital seeks blood donations for new year prep
Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima is gearing up for the new year celebrations by preparing medical personnel, ambulances, and emergency vehicles for the critical Seven Dangerous Days. However, the hospital is facing a shortage of 400 units of blood and is urgently seeking donations. The deputy director of Maharaj Hospital, Jedsada Bun-Ya-Wong-Viroj, has disclosed plans to ensure readiness during this…
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Surat Thani resident uncovers 14k meth pills in fertilizer sack
A resident found a mysterious sack placed in front of their home in Surat Thani province, which, upon inspection, revealed 14,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills. The incident prompted immediate action by local police to trace the origins of the drugs. At the office of the Narcotics Control Centre within Phunphin district, Surat Thani province, officials gathered to address a significant drug-related…
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SIM scandal shocker: Telecom giant hits back at call centre gangs
Thai telecom heavyweight True Corporation has firmly denied allegations of supplying SIM cards in bulk to call centre gangs, following a dramatic police raid in Bangkok. The raid, carried out on December 20, targeted a condo on Rama IX Road in Huay Kwang, uncovering a staggering cache of criminal tech: 286 SIM boxes, over 300,000 SIM cards, 636 smartphones, and 100…
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Bitch leaves behind puppies after fatal shooting in Songkhla
A bitch, believed to have been shot, struggled to return to her puppies to nurse them before succumbing to her injuries while they were still feeding. This tragic incident took place yesterday, December 25, in Songkhla province, adding a sad note to Christmas and prompting immediate action from local officials and animal welfare organisations. A video circulated online showed a…
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Phetchabun family’s loss turns into gift of life for four
A significant act of compassion unfolded at Phetchabun Hospital, where a family decided to donate the organs of a 42 year old programmer who was declared brain dead. This generous donation is set to benefit four individuals in need. Chawalit Iamsaad, who hailed from Bueng Sam Phan district in Phetchabun, was employed as a programmer for PTT, working remotely from…
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20th anniversary: Phuket looks back on Boxing Day tsunami
Two decades after the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami, communities along Thailand’s Andaman coast, including Phuket, gathered today, Boxing Day, to honour the lives lost and reflect on the lessons learned from that fateful day in 2004. The disaster claimed an estimated 230,000 to 280,000 lives across multiple countries, with Thailand designating December 26 as National Disaster Prevention Day in its…
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Phayao: Teen loses his life as motorbike slams into power pole
A tragic accident marked the beginning of the Seven Dangerous Days in the northern province of Phayao, as a 19 year old lost his life after crashing his motorcycle into a roadside power pole. The accident occurred yesterday, December 25 on the first day of the safety campaign, aimed at reducing road accidents during the new year period. Police were…
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Pattaya mobilises over 400 officers to ensure festive safety
A substantial force of over 420 officers and volunteers took to the streets of Pattaya on Christmas Eve, ensuring the safety and security of tourists during the festive period. The initiative, which took place at precisely 6.36pm on December 24, was spearheaded by Yingyot Thepchamnong, Commander of Police Region 2, who orchestrated a comprehensive safety operation for the Christmas and…
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South Korean gambling suspect arrested in Pattaya luxury condo
A South Korean national, sought for his alleged involvement in a significant illegal gambling operation, was apprehended in a luxurious condominium in Pattaya. Thai immigration officials executed the arrest yesterday, December 25, identifying the suspect as 33 year old Jung. The arrest occurred at a high-end condo in Pattaya, where he was found with passports from South Korea and Vanuatu.…
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Aussie father fights to survive and heal after losing son to tsunami
Boxing Day 2004 started as a serene tropical morning for an Australian father, his wife, and their 16 year old son in a beachfront hotel in Phuket. But in moments, tranquillity gave way to catastrophe. “We were admiring the view, and all of a sudden, the water disappeared.” What seemed like an intriguing phenomenon – fish floundering on the exposed…
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Rescue mission underway for lost students in Kanchanaburi forest
Rescue teams are working to assist a group of Mahidol University students and lecturers who became lost in the forest in Kanchanaburi during a geology field operation. While initial reports mentioned injuries among the group, all members are now confirmed to be safe. The incident came to light after a Facebook user, Persia Jongtawon, posted an urgent message accompanied by…
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Thai Parliament to debate amendment bills on 2017 constitution
The Thai Parliament is gearing up to examine a series of charter amendment bills aimed at revising the 2017 constitution, with discussions set to take place in mid-January. Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha confirmed this development, highlighting a total of 17 proposals for section-by-section amendments. Additionally, there is a significant bill sponsored by the opposition People’s Party (PP), aiming…
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Flood mitigation: 95 billion baht plan proposed for Bangkok
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has proposed a budget of 95 billion baht to the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC) to address flooding in Bangkok by improving the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River. The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Narumon Pinyosinwat, explained that the initiative aims to tackle drought and flooding issues as part of a larger government…
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Krabi ferry operators found drug positive suspended
Police in Krabi conducted a random drug test on ferry operators and crew members at Koh Lanta, resulting in several individuals testing positive for drugs. The operators, found with purple urine, have been suspended and will undergo rehabilitation. The joint operation involved local administrative officers from Koh Lanta district and regional marine department officials. They carried out these surprise urine…
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Thailand video news | Belgian man attacked by teens in Pattaya, British tourist dies after taking magic mushrooms in Thailand
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest stories from Thailand and across Asia. From a Belgian man attacked by teens in Pattaya and a tragic tourist death linked to magic mushrooms in Chiang Mai, to Thailand’s heightened border precautions amid a cholera outbreak in Myanmar, the updates highlight safety concerns and proactive measures in the…
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Australian survivor retells harrowing 2004 tsunami ordeal
The morning of December 26, 2004 began like any other for tourists and locals across the Indian Ocean. But by evening, the world had witnessed one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Sumatra unleashed a tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives, including 26 Australians. For central Victorian Melinda Kennedy, a last-minute decision to board a ferry…
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