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 Smooth travel to Belgium and the Netherlands: Visa tips & tricks!
Make Belgium and the Netherlands your next destination with the right visa in hand. Explore the iconic tulip fields, cruise through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, or stroll through the historic streets of Bruges. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic Belgian chocolate...
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Anticipated US interest rate cut to boost gold prices in May
Gold prices in the domestic market, which had earlier witnessed a surge to 34,550 baht (US$956) per baht-weight during the Lunar New Year, are anticipated to rise again in May. This forecast comes as traders expect the Federal Reserve to begin a cut in US interest rates, thereby potentially driving global prices to US$2,100 per ounce. Gold Traders Association (GTA)…
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Over 1,000 digital platform operators register with Thailand’s ETDA
Digital platform service (DPS) operators in Thailand are flocking to register with the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) system, with over 1,000 already signed up. This comes in response to the DPS law implemented on August 21 last year, aimed at creating transparency and enhancing consumer protection in the digital space. The ETDA is set to issue its ETDA DPS…
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Activist Tantawan arrested for challenging royal motorcades
A 22 year old activist attracted attention when she found herself in the news for honking her car horn at a royal motorcade on February 4. Following this incident, Tantawan Tuatulanon conducted an opinion poll on February 10, questioning if royal motorcades were a cause of traffic issues. This action led to charges being filed against her for causing a…
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Thunderstorm alert for Thai provinces with rising temps
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for thunderstorms across ten provinces, signalling a rise in temperatures for the upper parts of the country. Despite the warmer climate, mornings will continue to be shrouded in fog, retaining the chill, particularly in the northeastern regions. This forecast, released at 5am today, February 14, also highlights an ongoing concern…
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Thai Cannabis decriminalisation paused for further dialogue
The push for cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand faced a hiccup as the Ministry of Public Health yesterday announced a pause in proceedings. The deferral was called for a dialogue with the public, and pro-cannabis interest groups, and to gather more views on the matter. The initial intention behind cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand was always medical, not recreational use. However, the…
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Most Thais plan online Valentine’s Day shopping, reveals Visa survey
Almost four out of five people in Thailand are planning to buy Valentine’s Day gifts online, a recent survey by YouGov for payments company Visa reveals. The study aimed to assess Thai consumers’ spending habits during the romantic holiday, along with the factors influencing their decisions, and the most effective ways to win their partners’ hearts. The survey presented an…
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Thai police boost security for Valentine’s Day to protect minors
Valentine’s Day in Thailand will see heightened security measures at motels and nightlife venues, as announced by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). This action comes as a bid to protect minors from potential risks. RTP Deputy Spokesperson Police Colonel Chanchai Rattanapanich revealed on Tuesday that national police chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol prioritised the safety of the youth on Valentine’s…
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Chon Buri’s Wonnapha Beach makeover sparks online debate
The renovation of Wonnapha Beach in Chon Buri province sparked significant debate among the online community. The popular tourist destination, situated in the town of Saensuk, has undergone a facelift that has seen parts of its sandy stretch replaced with precast concrete slabs, resembling large tiles. This development has left little of the original beach visible, leading to a divided…
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Valentine trend: Banknote bouquets outsell roses in Trang
Valentine’s Day in Trang witnessed an innovative gifting trend that has captured the hearts of many: beautifully crafted bouquets made not only with traditional roses but also with chocolate and banknotes. At Ari Flower Shop on Jermpanya Road, in the Thap Thiang district of Trang, the owner and her team are busy preparing these unique bouquets for the season of…
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Flight disrupted by vibrating luggage reveals sex toy (video)
An embarrassing incident took place on a flight when a model faced the awkward, embarrassing situation of being asked to disembark due to her continuously vibrating luggage which turned out to come from a sex toy. The incident, which has since become a viral sensation with over 12 million views, was documented in a video posted by the model, Amanda…
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Customers dine and dash, leaving Chon Buri restaurateur in a stew (video)
A restaurant owner in Chon Buri province is seeking justice after 20 customers refused to pay a 15,000 baht bill for food and drink. The customers claimed the cuisine was poor despite enjoying the abode’s ambience for over four hours. The restaurant owner, Ancharika, filed a complaint at Bang Lamung Police Station yesterday, February 12. She accused a go-go bar…
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Licence to vanish: British fraudster swaps UK for Thailand, leaves cops scratching heads
A British fraudster swapped one resort town in England for another in Thailand to escape being charged with issuing fake driving licences in the UK, leaving the authorities puzzled about his whereabouts for over three years. Leon Childs, from Southend, found himself embroiled in a web of deceit when Paul Ridden, a 70 year old, allegedly confessed to peddling counterfeit…
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German tourist’s night out in Pattaya turns into nightmare
In the dim-lit streets of Soi Buakhao, Pattaya, chaos erupted as a German national found himself entangled in a brutal altercation with Go-Go bar thugs in the early hours of yesterday, leaving him nursing injuries to his left ear. The 46 year old German tourist, Mike Groebiinghoff, accompanied by his Thai girlfriend, innocently sought a parking spot in front of…
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Former PM Thaksin granted parole, walks free this weekend
It has been confirmed that Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, will walk free from prison this weekend. A source from Government House made the following announcement. “Convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released on parole this weekend, following confirmation from Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong on Tuesday (February 13).” Tawee disclosed that Thaksin was among…
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Beware, Valentine’s Day romance scams on the rise
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a warning to the public, particularly women, urging caution against falling victim to cyber criminals preying on the lovestruck. In the age of digital love, the romance scam has become a sinister ploy, requiring minimal effort from fraudsters. All it takes is a fake social media profile, some attractive…
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The White Lotus season 3 to welcome Blackpink’s Lisa
Blackpink’s Lisa is poised to make waves in the world of Hollywood as she gears up for her acting debut in the acclaimed American series, The White Lotus. The K-pop sensation will follow in the footsteps of her bandmate Jennie Ruby Jane, stepping onto the HBO stage and igniting excitement amongst fans worldwide. According to Variety’s latest report, Lisa will…
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Phuket café’s lion cub sparks police and wildlife officers manhunt
A lion cub, used as a tourist attraction at a café in Phuket, set off a manhunt by Thai police and wildlife officers. The cub was made available to the public for photographs at The Glass House Café and Space, located north of Phuket Town. This unusual situation ignited a wave of online controversy, primarily from individuals deeply concerned about…
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Sunken secrets unveiled: Thai-US Navy joint mission to salvage Sukhothai corvette
In a bid to lay to rest the haunting echoes of the past, Admiral Adung Phan-iam, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), declared today the impending joint operation with the US Navy to probe the depths where the Sukhothai corvette now rests. Sinking beneath the waves on that fateful December 19 night in 2022, the Sukhothai corvette became a…
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Phuket governor calls for probe into Freedom Beach vendors
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently instructed the local branch of the Royal Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive report to detail why vendors have been permitted to ply their trade at Freedom Beach, and also to account for any revenues collected from these vendors. This directive emerged from a meeting convened at the Phuket Provincial Hall, after an inspection of…
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Thai stepfather denies abusing 4 year old boy despite visible injuries (video)
A Thai social media influencer solicited help from the police to rescue a four year old boy from his abusive stepfather, who denied allegations of abuse despite visible bite marks, bruises, and burns on the child’s body. A community leader in the Khlong Samwa district of Bangkok reported the child abuse to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and social media influencer…
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Lightning strikes three farmers in eastern Thailand
Three farmers were struck by lightning while toiling on a farm in Huay Yai Phrom Community in Sri Racha district last Friday, February 9. According to the Sri Racha Police Station, the calamity unfolded around 5pm as an unexpected thunderstorm engulfed the area. The victims, identified as 45 year old Somchai, 40 year old Nongnuch and 18 year old Nattapong…
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CRC projects 9-11% revenue growth driven by tourism boost
Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is expecting revenue growth of 9-11% in 2024, with the primary drivers being a resurgence in tourism and increased consumption. However, concerns have been raised about a potential influx of inexpensive imported goods. Yol Phokasub, CRC’s chief executive, articulated that despite the sluggish economic growth, the overall spending confidence in Thailand remains above average for the…
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Leading the way to the next era with ‘CRC OMNI-Intelligence’
Yol Phokasub, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited or CRC, said “Central Retail continues to have strong growth amid various disruptions from technology disruption and the change in consumer behaviour to the arrival of generative AI and climate change. This is a result of Central Retail’s resilient ecosystem, which allows us to be able to adapt…
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Pickup truck collides with golf cart at luxury Jomtien hotel
A collision at the entrance road of a lavish beach resort in Jomtien between a pickup truck and a golf cart left several injured, with some impaled by metal objects. Preliminary investigations reveal that Htet Naing Lin, a 20 year old Myanmar national, was delivering goods to the hotel when he encountered the golf cart emerging from a side street.…
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Burmese woman stabs employer to steal cash and gold necklace
Police arrested a Burmese woman who stabbed her Thai employer to steal 30,000 baht in cash and a gold necklace in a house in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Chang Puak Police Station were alerted to the attack and theft in the middle of the night on February 10. They rushed to the incident scene at…
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Ready for takeoff: Suvarnabhumi Airport set to soar with new runway
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit announced a surge in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operational prowess with the imminent completion of its third runway in July. Suriya forecasts a soaring increase, propelling the airport’s flight handling capability from 67 flights per hour to a whopping 94, a pivotal move in fortifying Thailand’s position as a pivotal aviation nucleus in the region. The forthcoming third…
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Thailand’s Q1 2024 government revenue exceeds target by 0.3%
The Fiscal Policy Office announced that government revenue collection for the initial quarter of fiscal 2024 surpassed its target by 0.3%, equating to 1.62 billion baht (US$45 million), according to the director-general, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, disclosed that the government’s net revenue collection for the initial three-month period of fiscal 2024,…
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Secret cockfighting ring busted in Pattaya
Bang Lamung police led a crackdown on an illicit cockfighting gambling den nestled in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, resulting in the arrest of 45 individuals. Responding promptly to public grievances, Bang Lamung District Chief Veekit Manarotkit swiftly orchestrated a law enforcement sweep on Sunday, February 11, targeting the covert den ensconced within Soi Baan Kreak, Nong Pla Lai. Covert operatives…
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Pervert arrested in Bangkok after 2 decades of underwear theft
Police arrested a perverted Thai man at an apartment in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok yesterday after two decades of women’s underwear theft. Police seized nearly 600 items as evidence. A Thai woman filed a theft report at Bang Yi Khan Police Station officers at night on Sunday, February 11. The woman said she lived on the first floor…
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Miracle at sea: Rare albino whale resurfaces near Phang Nga
A rare albino Omura whale, previously sighted off the shores of Phuket, has once again graced the Andaman seas near Phang Nga province, stunning onlookers and marine experts alike. Banchar Sae-jo, manager of the New Tapana tourist boat, caused a stir online when he shared a mesmerising video clip of the ivory Omura whale on his Facebook page last Saturday,…
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