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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Nakhon Ratchasima faces water shortage as rainy season begins
Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe water shortage crisis just as the skies open for Thailand’s rainy season, with water reserves for the province’s water supply at a critical 34%. Lam Chae Dam, one of the key reservoirs, currently reports no new water inflows. Farmers in the area downstream of Lam Chae Dam, one of the four main dams in Nakhon…
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Thai Airways teams up with Amadeus for a major tech overhaul
Thai Airways (THAI) renewed and expanded its distribution agreement with tech giant Amadeus. This strategic partnership aims to deliver a seamless and personalised travel experience, both online and on mobile platforms. THAI will enhance its website and mobile booking channels, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive journey for passengers. Nuthaphol Amawatana, THAI’s head of pricing and revenue management stated that…
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Gamble gone wrong: Pattaya rescue foils truck-held hostage drama
A Chinese national was rescued by Pattaya police and immigration officers today after allegedly being abducted and held captive in a pickup truck by a fellow Chinese gambler over a football betting debt. This incident unfolded at 3am, today, June 28, in front of a Chinese restaurant on Pattaya Second Road. According to Fu, the Chinese national, the ordeal began…
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PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s jail time drastically reduced
The Appeals Court upheld the convictions of key People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, but significantly reduced their prison sentences. Suthep Thaugsuban and Thavorn Senniam, initially handed hefty sentences by the Criminal Court, saw their prison terms cut to just one year each. Sawat Charoenphol, Suthep’s lawyer, stated that the Appeals Court made this decision without providing…
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Fire sparks chaos: Lithium battery turns van to ashes in Chon Buri
A fire broke out from a lithium battery, causing a van in Chon Buri to burn to cinders. The driver, noticing a burning smell, quickly pulled over and escaped. Police are set to investigate the cause. A dramatic incident unfolded last night, June 27, when a white Toyota Commuter van caught fire on Suk Prayoon Road in Nong Tamlueng, Phan…
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Weight watching: Minister targets overloaded lorries and bribery
Thailand’s transport ministry pledged stricter enforcement against overloaded lorries and aims to eliminate highway-related bribery in a move to enhance road safety. The minister directed the Department of Highways (DoH) and the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) to utilise new technologies to enhance the detection of overloaded vehicles and to take serious legal action against violators. Overloaded lorries contribute significantly…
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Python surprise: Slippery situation at Phang Nga Police Station
A large python was found in the engine compartment of a confiscated pickup truck at the Thap Put Police Station in Phang Nga, causing quite a commotion. Police officers managed to safely extract the snake after a resident discovered it and reported the incident. The discovery of a sizable python in a confiscated Isuzu pickup truck disrupted the routine training…
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Calls to include lese majeste offences in new amnesty bill
Two political organisations urged the special House committee to include violations of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, in the new amnesty bill proposals. They urged that parties are opposed to the coup orchestrators, rather than the monarchy itself. The Peace and Harmony Organisation and June 24 Democracy groups jointly submitted their petition to…
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EGCO boosts investment to expand power capacity by 1,000MW
Electricity Generating Plc (EGCO), part of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) plans to boost its investment budget this year to acquire more assets, aiming to add 1,000 megawatts (MW) of new power generation capacity each year. The company has already added 370MW from operational power plants, leaving an additional 630MW needed to hit its target. As of yesterday,…
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Credit crunch: Phuket bank manager’s pickup truck mishap
A bank credit manager crashed his pickup truck into the back of a parked trailer in Phuket, causing significant damage. Police promptly investigated the scene. The trailer driver reported hearing a loud noise around 5.40am today, June 28. Police Captain Aphairat In-iad from the Phuket City Police Station received the accident report. The crash happened in front of a petrol…
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Thailand tourism spending to miss 1.2tn baht target, rising costs
Thailand’s domestic tourism spending is projected to fall short of the government’s ambitious target of 1.2 trillion baht amid economic concerns and rising travel costs, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicates. TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Somradee Chitchong, expressed confidence that domestic trips would reach 210 million this year, surpassing the initial target of 200 million. Despite…
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Senate election fraud claims spark call for investigation
Election manipulation allegations have surfaced in the recent Senate race, with claims that some candidates were favoured through collusion. Senator-elect Nanthana Nanthawarophas, representing a media professional group, stated that over 100 losing candidates intend to file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), urging an investigation into suspected vote rigging. Nanthana highlighted that the top seven candidates with the highest…
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Thaksin sues Warong for 100 million baht over bribery defamation
Thaksin Shinawatra initiated a lawsuit against Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, demanding 100 million baht for alleged defamation related to a 2-billion-baht bribe accusation. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, filed the suit yesterday, June 27, following Warong’s comments on social media and during a rally near Government House. Warong’s remarks, though not directly naming Thaksin, strongly implied his involvement in…
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Stormy skies ahead: Thailand’s TMD issues heavy rain alert
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for 36 provinces, forecasting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall with Bangkok experiencing the heaviest rainfall, affecting 60% of the area. The TMD predicts weather conditions for the next 24 hours, highlighting the impact of the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure…
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SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) firmly denied any involvement in irregular transactions with Myanmar, challenging claims made in a recent United Nations report concerning the bank’s alleged role in financing military procurement. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, released a report this week detailing how Myanmar’s military regime continues to acquire weapons used against civilians. The…
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Baht to hit 37.25 per US dollar amid global currency slump
The Thai baht is expected to plummet to 37.25 against the US dollar in the near future, as Asian currencies have weakened to their lowest levels since 2022. This decline is driven by ongoing global volatility and outflows from Thai stock and bond markets amid uncertainty surrounding US interest rate cuts, according to economists. The Thai currency yesterday dropped to…
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Border bust: Thai police collar 25 illegal immigrants
Kanchanaburi police arrested 25 illegal immigrants attempting to cross the Thai border in Sangkhlaburi. The interception occurred at 2am today, June 28, as immigration officers and related agencies conducted a coordinated operation. Police in Kanchanaburi were alerted to the presence of numerous foreign immigrants hiding in a forested area of Sangkhlaburi. Responding swiftly, officers positioned at Prang Plo Intersection, along…
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Kratom caper: Thai cops shrimp on illegal juice joint
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped on an abandoned shrimp warehouse in Samut Sakhon following reports of a man distributing all-you-can-drink kratom juice to immigrant workers. Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station officers, alongside relevant agencies, responded to complaints from residents about a group of Burmese workers frequently gathering at the warehouse for kratom juice. Signs advertising a drink buffet were…
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Thai teen caring for his grandmother receives public support
Generous individuals rallied to support a devoted Thai teen who put his education on hold to care for his ailing grandmother. The 15 year old Ae’s daily struggle involves walking barefoot for over 14 kilometres to collect and sell recyclable materials to support his grandmother and younger siblings. The family lives in a modest house in a rural area, lacking…
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Parents warned after child rescued from locked car in Chon Buri
A two year old child was left locked inside a car after her parents stopped at a petrol station. Rescuers took more than 20 minutes to unlock the car, prompting warnings against leaving children alone in vehicles. Emergency responders from Thammarat Maneerat Foundation in Chon Buri were alerted to a child trapped inside a car at 2.10pm today, June 27,…
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Korat village under water: Residents left high and dry without aid
Flooding has plagued a village in Korat for over five days, leaving residents without assistance. Some have been forced to rent temporary accommodation due to the severe conditions. A local, Teerapat Nuwongsri, shared photos of villagers wading through water and homes submerged in water. His post highlighted the ongoing struggle, noting that while his house remains submerged, other areas had…
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Over 46,000 meth pills seized in Khon Kaen drug crackdown
Police in Khon Kaen seized over 46,000 methamphetamine pills and assets worth more than 20 million baht in a month-long crackdown. Efforts to treat drug users revealed the youngest addict was only 12 years old, prompting an urgent call to address the root causes. Khon Kaen Provincial Governor Kraisorn Kongchalad, Anuwat Suwannaphum, Provincial Police Chief, representatives from the Office of…
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Former deputy commerce minister faces death sentence for murder
The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for Banyin Tangpakorn, found guilty of murdering construction tycoon Chuwong Saetang. The ruling was read yesterday, June 26, at the Phra Khanong Criminal Court, confirming the previous judgments from lower courts. Chuwong’s widow, Sirirat Saetang, alongside prosecutors, initially filed the case against Banyin, a former Deputy Commerce Minister and ex-MP for Nakhon…
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Football heroes: Kent veterans lead England to World Cup glory
In a sensational victory, a group of seasoned footballers from Kent in southeast England showed Gareth Southgate’s 2024 squad how to do it as England Veterans secured the Seniors World Cup in Bangkok. With a dramatic 1-0 win against New Zealand in the final, the over-40s squad celebrated their triumph earlier this month. New Whitstable manager 41 year old Jamie…
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Thai feature film ‘How To Make Millions’ sweeps box offices
When Thai filmmaker Pat Boonnitipat embarked on his debut feature film, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, his primary goal was simple: to complete it in time for his grandmother to watch. Initially, the film was also meant to support his family’s mirror and glass-making business. However, the movie’s sweeping regional success has catapulted Pat into the spotlight, leaving…
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Men over 50 urged to be probed for prostate cancer
Health experts urge men over 50 to take precautions against prostate cancer, emphasising that untreated conditions can be fatal. The Thailand Healthcare 2024 event, held in Samyan Mitrtown Hall, highlighted free health screenings and expert talks on prostate health. The annual fair, celebrating its 16th year, kicked off yesterday, featuring free health check-ups from 30 leading hospitals through tomorrow. The…
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50 illegal Cambodian and Burmese immigrants arrested after brawl
Police raided a condominium in Samut Prakan, uncovering a violent feud between Cambodian and Burmese immigrants. The raid, led by Police Major General Wichit Boonchinwutikul, Chief of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, saw over 50 officers descend on the Bang Pu area, resulting in the arrest of 50 illegal migrant workers. The crackdown was triggered by a brutal altercation on Monday…
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Foul smell led to discovery of decomposing body northern Thailand
Students in Nakhon Ratchasima, drawn by a foul smell that made them suspect a dead animal, discovered a decomposing body in a house. It was later identified as a man who had been dead for over five days. Nakhon Ratchasima police responded to reports of a deceased man found in a house in the Mueang district. The discovery was made…
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Busted feathers: Cops pause drug arrest to feed chickens, budgies
Phetchaburi police took an unusual approach with a drug possession arrest, pausing to help the suspect feed his chickens and budgerigars before proceeding with legal action. The suspect expressed gratitude and promised to abandon drug-related activities. Officers from Thayang Police Station yesterday apprehended 46 year old Songsak at a small hut in Thayang district, Phetchaburi province. He was found in…
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Thai blaze: Narcotics go up in smoke on international anti-drug day
To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Thailand incinerated over 20 tonnes of confiscated narcotics valued at a staggering 6.45 billion baht yesterday, June 26. The vast quantity of drugs, primarily methamphetamine, was seized from 41,800 cases, underscoring the country’s relentless war on drugs. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin stated that this destruction is part of…
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