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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Fatal ride: Garbage truck tragedy as sanitation workers hit a dead-end on tunnel rooftop
Two sanitation workers tragically lost their lives when they were seated on the roof of a garbage truck while it passed through a tunnel in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The workers sustained fatal head injuries as the vehicle entered the tunnel, colliding with its ridge. Officers from the Tha Rua Police Station received a report of the accident at…
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Former MFP opposition leader Pita’s fate hangs on Constitutional Court verdict
All eyes will be fixed on today’s Constitutional Court ruling, a potential game-changer in the media shareholding scandal involving Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). The court’s decision could determine his political destiny, with the looming threat of losing his MP status. Legal expert Komsan Phokong weighed in on the pivotal case, hinting at…
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Thailand braces for cold snap and gusty winds today
A sudden drop in temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius and strong winds have been forecasted across multiple regions in Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing a 4 degree Celsius decrease. The harsh weather conditions are set to impact the country today, following an announcement by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The northeastern part of Thailand is bracing for cold to…
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Local fishermen hooked over Vietnam warplane wreckage found in Mekong
Thai and Lao men discovered the wreckage of a Vietnam warplane while fishing in the Mekong River within the Isaan province of Nong Khai. In light of safety concerns, locals have been banned from accessing the site, given the potential presence of explosives within the wreckage. A 40 year old Thai man, Chonnathep Suriwong, shared his account of finding the…
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Thailand’s media spending to see 4% growth driven by online and TV
Anticipating a 4% growth in media spending this year, mirroring the trend from 2023, the market is set to be driven by online, TV, and out-of-home media. This predicted growth is attributed to political stability and economic stimulus initiatives introduced by the government. The burgeoning e-commerce platform landscape has catapulted affiliate marketing into a key media tool for brands. This…
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Thai government ends after-school caretaking duties for teachers
The Thai government has approved the termination of after-school caretaking duties for teachers, following a recent assault on a primary school teacher in Chiang Rai by a 38 year old man during her shift. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday, January 24, at the mobile Cabinet meeting held at the Ranong Civic Centre. The caretaking duties, which were imposed on…
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JN.1 Omicron sub-variant linked to surge in Thai hospitalisations
The JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron Covid-19 variant has been implicated in a recent rise in hospitalisations and over 10 fatalities last week. The majority of those hospitalised were elder individuals who had not received a vaccine or booster shots. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported 718 fresh Covid cases last week, yielding a daily average of 102 new…
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Leatherback sea turtle death sparks concern among Thai wildlife officials
The untimely demise of a leatherback sea turtle on a beach in Phang Nga this week triggered a wave of concern among wildlife officials and conservationists. The cause of death was an unfortunate entanglement in a fishing net, which was discovered when the turtle’s carcass washed ashore. Athapol Charoenshunsa, stationed at the helm of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife…
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Thai military and police ramp up counter-drone tech training
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) and Royal Thai Police (RTP) are set to enhance their focus on counter-drone technology training as part of their yearly exercises and drills. This decision was made public at a joint meeting of military and police commanders, steered by Chief of Defence Forces, General Songwit Noonpackdee. The session was an avenue for discussing plans…
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German president’s state visit to Thailand after 22 years sparks hope
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarked on a state visit to Thailand today, following an invitation extended by Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand. This marks the first visit by a German president to Thailand in 22 years, as stated by Chai Watcharonke, the Thai Government Spokesperson. The three-day visit has its highlight set for tomorrow, where a discussion on trade,…
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Thailand unearths Asia’s oldest dinosaur footprints dating back 225 million years
Thailand has made a colossal leap in palaeontology with the discovery of the oldest dinosaur footprints ever found in the country, and possibly in Asia. The significant find dates back over 225 million years, situating it in the late Triassic period. This monumental discovery occurred at the border between Phetchabun and Khon Kaen provinces, stirring excitement among scientists and dinosaur…
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Infant with critical heart defect rushed to Bangkok for life-saving surgery
A seven-month-old baby with a critical heart condition was successfully transferred to Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok for emergency life-saving surgery after showing signs of severe distress and requiring a ventilator. The infant’s journey from the Nong Khai border region included bypassing the city of Udon Thani via Mittraphap Road and onward through Khon Kaen to the capital. Today, at 1.20pm, the…
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Probe into e-cigarette sales by officer’s wife sparks police ethics inquiry
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police are investigating allegations that a police officer provided his wife with confiscated e-cigarettes to sell online for profit. This inquiry was initiated after a Facebook page disclosed information regarding the alleged incident. The Deputy Chief of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, Athasit Sudsanguan, revealed that the National Police Chief, Torsak Sukwimon, was aware of…
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State agencies and Mirror Foundation tackle surge in mentally unstable homeless
Four state agencies and a private foundation forged an alliance to confront the escalating crisis of mentally unstable homeless individuals. The groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), inked yesterday, January 22, binds the Social Development and Welfare Department, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Mental Health Department, the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, and the privately operated Mirror Foundation.…
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Loan shark takedown: Cyber cops sink teeth into predatory lending racket with jaw-dropping rates
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police successfully dismantled a predatory lending scheme run by an unscrupulous loan shark who charged exorbitant interest rates of 50% and coerced borrowers into extreme measures to repay their debts. The operation, which took place today, was led by the head of the CCIB, along with his team, who executed a search warrant in Trang…
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Phuket eyes 50 million baht funding for critical environmental projects
A sense of optimism is in the air as Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat expressed confidence that the province would secure funding for two critical environmental projects. These projects are part of the emergency budget deliberations at the mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong. The governor elucidated that each province has an allocation of 50 million baht under consideration. The funds are intended…
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Miss Grand Trang 2024 turns live sales into charity for Thai school
Narisa Yeesun, known as Miss Grand Trang 2024, recently took to livestreaming to sell goods online, with a heartfelt mission to support underprivileged children. Today, she successfully turned her online sales into a charitable event by purchasing educational supplies and snacks for the students at the Municipal School of Trangkhapoom Putthawas in Kantang district, Trang province. The initiative was warmly…
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West Thailand: Police uncover 6 million baht crystal meth bust in Sam Roi Yot
Police netted a colossal 150-kilogramme crystal meth haul in a major drug seizure operation in Sam Roi Yot, Prachuap Kiri Khan province. The discovery was made during a routine traffic check that led to the arrest of two individuals. Deputy Governor Kittipong Sukphakulkul, representing the Governor, and District Chief Montchai Noonoi, spilled the beans in a press conference held yesterday, January…
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Website blocked by Thai Criminal Court to prevent information leak of up to 55 million individuals
The Criminal Court in Thailand pulled the plug on the notorious website 9near.org, preventing a potentially massive data breach that could have compromised the personal information of a staggering 55 million Thai citizens. The crackdown began when the website 9Near – Hacktivist claimed to be armed with sensitive details including full names, birthdates, ID card numbers, and phone numbers, all…
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Beats behind bars: Belgian shooting suspect caught spinning tunes in Phuket nightclub
A fugitive wanted for a shooting in Belgium ten years ago has been apprehended in Phuket, where he was spinning tracks as a DJ in a Patong nightspot. Phuket immigration police, led by Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, swooped in on 36 year old Achmal (surname undisclosed) at an apartment on Patong beach. The wanted man, holding both Belgian and…
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Barbaric Thailand monk under fire for beating man in a bid to expel evil spirits (video)
A video of a barbaric Thai monk beating the crap out of a Thai man and trampling on him to expel evil spirits went viral on social media and sparked concerns among netizens about the inappropriate behaviour of Thailand’s monks. The video showed a group of monks, and other men, holding a man in a white shirt while one monastic…
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Bangkok Design Week promotion under fire for using AI-generated artwork
AriAround’s promotional image for the upcoming 2024 Bangkok Design Week ignited a fierce debate among netizens for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated art. The controversial image left many questioning the event’s commitment to showcasing the authentic creativity of local artists. The Facebook post, shared on Saturday, January 20, triggered a barrage of comments expressing outrage at the alleged use of…
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Franklin Templeton eyeing expansion into Thailand’s offshore market
Franklin Templeton, an American multinational holding company with a portfolio worth US$1.5 trillion, is contemplating an expansion into Thailand to tap into the local market for offshore products. The Asia-Pacific head, Tariq Ahmad, revealed this in an interview in Hong Kong, however, he did not specify a timeline for the expansion. The firm is also planning to bolster its alternative…
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School bus crash in Mae Sot leaves teen critically injured
A horrifying car crash that saw a school bus plough into an electricity pole and a roadside stall in Mae Sot, Tak province, left a 14 year old boy critically injured. The 57 year old driver, Aminullah, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel after consuming heart medication and cold medicine. The incident occurred on the main road passing through…
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Thailand’s hot springs used as tourism strategy
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports unleashed a grand plan to catapult the nation’s hot springs into the global spotlight. Thai hot springs are set to rival European spa towns and Japanese Onsen havens, creating a hotbed for international travellers and an advantage for local economies. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol revealed the ambitious scheme, aiming to transform Thailand’s hot…
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Lion spotted in Bentley in Pattaya sparks concern and criticism
The popular tourist destination of Pattaya was abuzz with surprised and concerned chatter when an unusual sight was spotted. An exotic pet, a full-grown lion, was seen enjoying the breeze in an open-top Bentley sports car. The sight of the lion, far from its usual habitat, in a bustling city, sparked a wave of incredulity, concern, and criticism, as it…
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16 year old motorcycle rider attacked by 2 teenage attackers in Chiang Mai
A 16 year old boy filed a complaint against two teenage attackers who last week assaulted him and tried to steal his motorcycle on a road in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The mother of the victim took to social media after the two attackers remained at large even though the physical assault took place almost a week ago,…
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Bangkok bracing for temperature drop and dust pollution fluctuations
The capital city of Thailand, Bangkok, is set to experience a slight drop in temperatures tomorrow, January 24, amid ongoing concerns over high levels of dust pollution. As forecasted by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD), temperatures are predicted to decrease by 1-3°C for a single day. Meanwhile, other regions of the country, barring the south, will see a temperature…
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Update: British man who contracted leukaemia whilst on vacation in Thailand loses battle
The British man from Southend who fought a battle against leukaemia, contracted whilst on holiday in Thailand, in late November last year, has passed away at Southend Hospital. Dean Penson’s fateful journey began when he fell critically ill during a holiday in Thailand, prompting a 10-day hospital stay where doctors initially feared the worst – leukaemia. A desperate fundraising effort…
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Temple tails: Abbot’s plea as abandoned pets become a ‘paw-sible’ problem
A recent plea from Phra Maha Charan Siridhammo, the abbot of Wat Phra That Khao Noi, situated in the southern district of Mueang, Nan province, spotlighted a concerning issue. He has urged people to stop the improper action of abandoning their dogs and cats at temples when they find them difficult to care for. Such actions, he explained, are akin…
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