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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Bangkok to speed up removal of illegal canal structures
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) pledged to accelerate the removal of illegal structures built over the city’s extensive network of canals. Bangkok hosts over 1,980 canals and other waterways, with 233 under the Department of Drainage’s jurisdiction, while local district offices under the BMA manage the remainder. A 2021 survey by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage identified approximately 11,035 illegal…
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Escort scam: Thai man assaulted & robbed in Chiang Mai hotel trap
A Thai man filed a complaint against a male escort and his four friends after they lured him to a hotel in the northern province of Chiang Mai before physically assaulting and robbing him. The victim, 31 year old Korn, told officers at Doi Saket Police Station that he lost cash, a mobile phone valued at about 20,000 baht, and…
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Thai AirAsia seeks govt aid amid demand slump and tax cuts
Thai AirAsia, experiencing a downturn in demand during the second and third quarters of 2023, now seeks government intervention to boost the stagnant local purchasing power. Chief Executive Santisuk Klongchaiya noted that the seasonal nature of tourism has resumed, with the average load factor for the domestic market in the second quarter decreasing to 90% from 94% year-on-year. Despite the…
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Mobile SIM card dispute leads to fatal shooting in Uthai Thani
A heated argument over a mobile phone SIM card ended tragically when a man shot his uncle dead at the front door of their home. The gunman, a former village assistant headman, had resigned after testing positive for drugs. Wasawat Siphipob, an investigator at Sawang Arom Police Station in Uthai Thani province, received a report yesterday, July 15, at around…
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US offers lower interest rates on F-16s jets to sway Thailand
The United States proposed lowering the interest rates for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to purchase F-16 fighter jets in a bid to persuade the Thai government to choose American-made aircraft over Sweden’s Gripen jets. According to a Defence Ministry source, this offer follows the RTAF’s recent announcement that it is considering the Gripen jets, following a procurement committee…
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Nakhon Ratchasima man orders toolset, gets water bottles instead
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima was left disheartened after spending 499 baht on what he believed to be a set of tools but instead received three bottles of water. Nirat Sukboon, a 46 year old resident of Nai Mueang subdistrict, Phimai district, took his complaint to the Phimai Police Station, presenting the evidence of the water bottles. Nirat shared that…
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Court confiscates vehicles after reckless driving caught on camera
Ratchaburi court ordered the confiscation of two vehicles, captured on a dash cam footage, driving recklessly, as both drivers were dangerously cutting each other off in a heated road rage exchange. The drivers have been fined, narrowly escaping prison times. The incident occurred yesterday, July 15, on Phetkasem Road, heading towards Bangkok. A dashboard camera from a trailing vehicle captured…
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State officials implicated in bid-rigging scheme for rubber latex firms
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) uncovered the involvement of state officials in bid-rigging for rubber latex companies in 10 provinces, leading to significant financial losses for the country. The investigation has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action. Last year, a group of rubber latex traders submitted a letter to the prime minister, requesting an…
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Man arrested for stealing embassy car mirrors in Bangkok
Thung Maha Mek Police Station officers in Bangkok arrested a man for breaking into a car care shop and stealing side mirrors from several vehicles belonging to an embassy. The theft was captured on CCTV, and the suspect confessed to selling the stolen items for money. The Superintendent of Thung Maha Mek Police Station, Panom Chueathong, yesterday, July 15, reported…
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Thai couple arrested for illegal wildlife trade in Surin province
Police arrested a Thai couple involved in the illegal wildlife trade, confiscating two tiger cubs, two pairs of Thai elephant tusks, and 26 pieces of African elephant tusks worth millions of baht. Efforts are underway to rescue an additional four tiger cubs. The operation, led by Director of the National Parks Office Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn and officers from Dom Police Station…
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Monk kills mentally ill homeless man with hammer over laptop theft
A monk in Nong Khai killed a mentally ill homeless man with a hammer, suspecting him of attempting to steal his laptop. The incident occurred at Wat Phothisomphon Temple, leaving locals and officials in shock. Officers from Nong Khai City Police Station yesterday, July 15, received a report of a fatal assault at Phothisomphon Temple. Arriving at the scene, they…
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Udon Thani hotel calls for delay in electricity rate hike
A prominent hotel in Udon Thani urged the government to delay the planned electricity rate hike, citing concerns about the current purchasing power of consumers. They argue that customers are only spending on necessities, and an increase in electricity costs could further impact the number of patrons using their services. Apicha Veerachatiyanukul, the managing director of Udon Plaza Co., Ltd.,…
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Students report being misled into bizarre camp in Thailand
Several students from a renowned university in northeastern Thailand have reported being misled by senior students into attending a peculiar camp that deviated from Buddhist teachings. The camp involved strange rituals, including chanting hundreds of times and creating heavenly passports. Students from a well-known university in northeastern Thailand raised concerns about a camp they were taken to by senior students,…
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Bangkok SWAT team captures notorious gunman hiding in ceiling
A raid by the SWAT team from Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Division 3 led to the capture of a notorious gunman, who attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling. The incident took place yesterday, July 15, during a targeted operation aimed at cracking down on firearm and drug-related offences. The raid was part of the Save Khu Khwa campaign,…
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DNA results expected in missing Chinese TikTok star case
DNA test results on human remains believed to belong to a missing Chinese TikTok star are anticipated tomorrow, according to the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) at Police General Hospital. Identification of the body has been challenging due to significant decomposition and difficulties in obtaining DNA samples, noted IFM commander Supichai Limsiwawong. Chinese national 38 year old Yan Ruimin was…
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Thai PM announces 10,000 baht digital wallet registration date
Registration for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout starts on August 1, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This initiative aims to stimulate the economy through significant government spending. The Bangkok-born PM shared the date on X (Twitter) yesterday, July 15, coinciding with the Digital Wallet Policy Committee’s meeting to finalise preparations for registering eligible recipients and vendors. He emphasised…
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Thailand govt debunks reports of deserted tourist spots
Reports of tourist spots Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market being deserted have been debunked by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Contrary to a viral video showing a quiet Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi on a Sunday and social media claims about a lack of visitors at Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram, tourists continue to frequent both destinations. A video depicting an…
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TikTok trend: ‘Jackpot’ with dead jackfruit trees worth millions
A TikTok user shared a video revealing the surprising value of dead jackfruit trees, also known as jackfruit standing dead. The clip quickly gained attention when she mentioned that such trees could sell for millions of baht. The woman, under the account, kate_tell_story, explained that she had come across content on TikTok suggesting that dead jackfruit trees could fetch prices…
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The three tours recommended by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the nation’s leader in tourism operations, recommends three tours for travelers who want to truly experience Thailand’s beauty. Aiming to drive Thailand towards sustainable experience-based tourism activities, TAT promotes the tourism industry through marketing, communications and service provision. TAT hopes to grow Thailand’s tourism ecosystem by providing trustworthy resources, information and data for prospective…
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Thai teacher allegedly forces student to take faeces home
A Thai mother took to social media to complain about a kindergarten teacher in the Isaan province of Phichit who allegedly forced her daughter to take her faeces home from school. She also accused the teacher of beating the girl as a punishment. The mother, Rungnapa, shared her daughter’s story in a Facebook group of locals in the Bang Phai…
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Govenor enforces stricter tourism rules after indecency incident
Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Phongchai announced immediate measures to regulate tourism activities following an incident involving a foreign tourist couple engaging in indecent behaviour after tubing and consuming alcohol at a resort in Pai District, northern Thailand. Concerned about the potential negative impact on Pai’s tourism image, the governor emphasised the need for stringent guidelines and enhanced tourism management.…
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Man kills wife in drunken rage after finding out she hadn’t bathed
A man in a drunken rage killed his wife with a wooden stick in Roi Et, after becoming angry that she hadn’t taken a bath. He then moved her body to a chair, claiming he didn’t realise she was dead. Police have detained him. Police Lieutenant Phayung Kulkhamsaeng, an investigator from Mueang Roi Et Police Station, yesterday, July 14, reported…
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Thai-German man jailed 25 years for abusing daughter, sharing child porn
The Criminal Court of Thailand sentenced a half-Thai half-German man to 51 years in prison for sexually abusing his daughter and distributing child porn on a dark website based in Germany. His confession led to the sentence being reduced from 51 years to 25 years and six months. Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office sought help from Thai authorities to arrest…
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Thailand excludes groups from digital wallet project
The Government of Thailand decided to exclude two specific groups from participating in the 10,000-baht digital wallet project. This announcement comes as they prepare to release the registration timeline for the project tomorrow. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Chulaphan Amornvivat, disclosed the decision following a meeting at the Government House. The meeting also addressed the sources of funding for the…
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Energy Absolute’s chairman steps up as CEO amid allegations
Energy Absolute’s board promoted chairman Somchainuk Engtrakul to the roles of director and acting chief executive following allegations of fraud against the former CEO by the stock exchange regulator. The decision by the EA board took effect immediately on Sunday. This move came after former CEO Somphote Ahunai and his deputy Amorn Sapthaweekul resigned on Friday. The resignations followed accusations…
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Cooler catastrophe: Roi Et fridge explosion leaves 4 houses chilling in ruins
A refrigerator explosion in Roi Et left four houses significantly damaged, with a family narrowly escaping harm. The incident occurred early this morning, July 15, prompting police and rescue teams to investigate the cause. Police in Roi Et received a report of a refrigerator explosion at a home in Dong Lan subdistrict, Mueang district. Upon arrival, they found a single-storey…
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Pattaya police urged to take action on Kuwaiti street racers (video)
Residents in Soi Yen Sabai, Pattaya, urged police officers to take action against Kuwaiti motorcycle racers following a noise pollution disturbance and a recent physical altercation on Saturday, July 13. A video of the altercation between two groups of Kuwaiti nationals was shared on Thai social media yesterday, July 14, but the incident reportedly took place on Soi Yen Sabai…
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Thai border patrol seizes illegal online gambling equipment
The Thai police intercepted a significant haul of computer equipment allegedly intended for an online gambling operation, marking a crucial step in curbing illegal activities along the Thai border. Border patrol soldiers and police seized the equipment near the Myanmar border in Tak province. The cargo was reportedly en route to Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, a known hub for…
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Thai mum’s advice on handling bullying praised by parents online
A three year old girl returned from school in tears, asking her mother if she could fight back when being hit. Her mother’s response was praised online and encouraged her to seek help from teachers instead of retaliation. The story, shared by the girl’s family, detailed an incident involving Li (a pseudonym) and her daughter, who recently started kindergarten. One…
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Mooo-ving violation: RTA stops cattle smugglers’ herd scheme
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) intercepted five individuals attempting to smuggle 20 cattle into the country. The suspects, all Myanmar nationals, were caught receiving 250 baht per cow for their efforts from an unnamed middleman. The 35th Ranger Forces Regiment, today, July 15, conducted a patrol in Ban Mae Salid Luang, Mae Song subdistrict, Tha Song Yang district, Tak province.…
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