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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Thai government launches aggressive campaign against illegal lending
The Thai government has prioritised an aggressive campaign against illegal lending and loan sharks, in an attempt to curb what Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin refers to as modern-day slavery. The move emphasises the urgency to dismantle such activities to restore social stability and security. The 61 year old Thai PM stated the issue of illegal loans has escalated to a…
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Health department halts bottled water factory production in Roi Et (video)
The Department of Health has ordered an immediate halt to production at a bottled water factory in Roi Et province. The decision was made following the release of a shocking video showing water being manually filled into bottles. The factory, which is a licensed water production facility, was inspected and found to be non-compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.…
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Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang park kicks off nesting season with 118 turtle eggs
The latest nesting season in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Thai Mueang district, kicked off with the discovery of 118 leatherback turtle eggs. The eggs were spotted yesterday, December 8, by park officials during their patrol on the beach for signs of a leatherback turtle, locally known as Tao Mafueng, breeding site. Prarop Plaengngan, the park’s chief, recounted the…
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Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains
Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…
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Thailand’s 2 billion baht electricity subsidy for 17.7 million households
The Thai Cabinet has allocated 2 billion baht to subsidise electricity costs for 17.7 million vulnerable households. The scheme, set to be a new year’s gift, will apply to those using no more than 300 units of electricity per month, maintaining a cost of 3.99 baht per unit. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, stated today, December 8,…
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Neigh-saying no more: Horse racing chief urges PM to reopen track after four-year hiatus
Sunthorn Paengpairi, head of the Horse Racing Association in Nakhon Ratchasima, appealed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to reopen a local horse racing track which has been closed for four years. This long-term closure has significantly impacted the livelihood of around 400,000 individuals involved in the industry, leaving them in severe hardship and without means to support their families. On…
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Counterfeit gold ornaments worth 3 million baht found on Chaeng Watthana Road
Expressway Traffic Police officers yesterday reported a large black bag found on the outbound lane of Chaeng Watthana Road to Pak Kret Police Station, Nonthaburi. The bag, discovered on the expressway, contained a camouflaged backpack filled with various types of ornamental gold, weighing no less than 100 baht. Officers could not immediately identify whether the jewellery was real or fake.…
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Thai mechanic found dead in sewer highlights lethal risks of heavy drinking
Tragedy struck when a 44 year old mechanic, known for his drinking habits, was found dead in a sewer in front of Wat Khae School, located in Pak Klong Bang Pla Kod, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province. The incident was reported today, December 8, at around 7.30am by residents and the local authorities. The tragic discovery was made…
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Party on: Health Ministry debunks new year cancellation over XBC Covid variant scare as fake news
The Ministry of Public Health dismissed the cancellation of new year celebrations in Thailand due to the purported spread of a new Covid-19 variant, XBC, as fake news. No unusual outbreaks or dangerous variants have been reported. A Thai Facebook user recently reported that the government was planning to cancel all new year holiday events due to the spread of…
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Loan sharks circle in: 65 year old business owner seeks refuge in Chon Buri
A 65 year old business owner in Chon Buri approached the Saaih Mai Tong Rod coordination centre at 10.40am today, seeking assistance after being ruthlessly pursued by loan sharks. The business owner, Chai, borrowed just 30,000 baht but has ended up paying over 3 million baht in interest. His lenders, a total of 29, have forced him to become a…
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Thai national thought held hostage in Gaza found safe in Israel
A Thai national believed to be among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has been found safe in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reveals this miraculous twist as talks for the release of remaining Thai hostages continue. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that a missing Thai national, initially feared to be among the hostages, recently…
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Thai health official’s family embroiled in 50 million baht corruption case
Public Health Minister Chalnan Srikaew today revealed a corruption case involving a senior official from the Department of Medical Science, her daughter, and her son-in-law. The trio was involved in fraudulent activities, falsifying documents, and misappropriation of funds causing over 50 million baht in damages. Chalnan yesterday received a report from Yongyos Thamwutti, the acting director of the Department of…
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Five children left with 40 baht daily rescued from shopping centre life
Five children found living in a shopping centre, left by their parents with only 40 baht per day, have been rescued by Kan Jom Puan, also known as Kanthasat Pongphaiboonvech, along with officers from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Bang Khen Police Station. The children aged between one and 12 years old were discovered living in…
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Dangerous honeycomb wax sweets trend sweeps social media in Thailand
Social media is on fire with the sale of a potentially dangerous dessert, known as honeycomb wax sweets or simply, wax sweets. These cute, colourful treats conceal a hidden risk. A consumer posted on Facebook today, December 8, about a certain type of sweet that resembles a candle wax stick but contains a sweet filling. The shell, which is made of…
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Vietnam attracts soaring Chinese investment as US trade dwindles
With a surge in Chinese investment, Vietnam has become a hotspot for economic activity this year, as figures indicate a decline in US trade and spending. Vietnam’s strategic location along the South China Sea makes it a vital link in global supply chains, particularly for Chinese components and American consumers. September saw United States President Joe Biden elevate diplomatic relations…
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Mackerel ice cream becomes star attraction at Maeklong Festival
The Maeklong Mackerel Festival in Samut Songkhram province has taken a delightful turn with a unique signature item – Mackerel Ice Cream. The frozen dessert, designed to resemble the iconic fish, comes in four delicious flavours: Thai tea, chocolate, strawberry, and milk. The news broke out on the festival’s Facebook page, leading to a rapid viral spread. The post received…
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World’s largest private jet, the Flying Palace, drops price to 16 million baht
The world’s largest and most luxurious private jet, the Boeing 747-8, often dubbed the Flying Palace, announced a significant price drop to fly in the globe’s most expensive aeroplane. The gigantic aircraft, unmatched in its size in the private jet sector, is outfitted with all the necessities one could need when travelling at an altitude of 40,000 feet. The Flying…
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KFC invests 500 million baht for digital transition in Thailand
KFC, overseen by Central Restaurants Group (CRG), unveiled plans to invest 500 million baht in the transition to digital stores in the coming year. Piyapong Chitchumnong, who oversees quick-service restaurants & Western cuisine, as well as the KFC brand, revealed that the budget is allocated for the inauguration of 15-20 new KFC digital outlets, and the transformation of a similar…
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Bangkok’s retail revolution: Emsphere unveils glamorous shopping oasis worth 20 billion baht
Bangkok‘s shopping arena just hit the jackpot with the grand opening of Emsphere, the glittering jewel in the Em District crown. Packed with star-studded events and jaw-dropping features, this 20 billion baht retail haven is set to catapult Bangkok into the global retail spotlight. Emsphere, the latest addition to the Em District in Phrom Phong, Sukhumvit Road, opened its doors…
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TikTok turmoil: Chinese influencer in hot water after Soi Nana video, fined for illegal work
The Immigration Bureau police conducted an investigation into a Chinese TikToker who gained viral attention for her video shot in Soi Nana. Subsequently, she was fined for working in Thailand without the required permit. Thai netizens urged the police and relevant authorities to take action after the Chinese woman, later identified as Wang Zi Yu, made a video that could…
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Pattaya’s infamous 4 Step Tomboy nightclub takes a stumble in narcotics raid
Officials yesterday cracked down on Pattaya‘s infamous 4 Step Tomboy nightclub. Allegations of illegal activities prompted a raid that exposed the possession of narcotics at the nightclub. Bang Lamung District Office and Pattaya Police Station officials, spearheaded by district chief Phisit Sawatdinukul and district chief secretary Kamolchanok Konsombat, launched a decisive raid on the notorious 4 Step Tomboy nightclub at 3.30am,…
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Loan dispute escalates into violent altercation in central Thailand
A debtor, who had previously complained to the Crime Suppression Division about being attacked with a knife and having his teeth knocked out, has been informed that his case is not progressing. The police superintendent of Bang Bua Thong Police Station clarified that the incident was not related to illegal lending but was a case of assault stemming from a…
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Mekong momentum: Nakhon Phanom’s new bike lane sets sail for tourism boost
In Nakhon Phanom, a new initiative has been launched to boost tourism along the scenic Mekong River. The local municipality has collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to introduce a Bike Lane Tunnel, an innovative attraction that’s set to captivate tourists throughout December. This project was announced to the public yesterday, December 7. The Bike Lane Tunnel, a…
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Cold spell from China brings cooler temperatures to Thailand
A cold spell from China is bringing cooler temperatures to Thailand, with a decrease of 1-3 degrees Celsius forecasted across the country. The 24-hour weather forecast indicates that this high-pressure system or cold mass of air is spreading over northern Thailand and the South China Sea, resulting in colder temperatures and strong winds, particularly in the north and northeast of…
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Cable cash approved: Thai Cabinet greenlights 28 million baht for sky-high project in Phu Kradueng
The Thai Cabinet recently approved a 28 million baht budget to design a contentious cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, according to Lertsak Watthanachaikul, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Loei. This was further confirmed by PM’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad, a former Loei MP, who stated the design fund was presented to the cabinet at…
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Tripartite committee set to discuss new daily minimum wage rates
The tripartite committee, which consists of representatives from the ministry, employers, and employees, is set to deliberate on the new daily minimum wage rates across various provinces. The meeting, confirmed by Pairoj Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary for labour, is scheduled for today, December 8. According to the data finalized by a sub-committee under the main wage committee on November 27,…
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Surge in Covid-19 cases prompts advice for public to wear masks
A respiratory expert issues a warning as Covid-19 cases soar, surpassing even the flu. Renowned respiratory specialist, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, dropped a bombshell on social media, sounding the alarm on the escalating Covid crisis. Hailing from Vichaiyut Hospital in Bangkok, he disclosed a staggering 545 cases in November alone, divulging the unsettling statistics in a Facebook post yesterday, December 7.…
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Legendary journalist John McBeth passes away, leaving a legacy of his 62-year career
New Zealand journalist John McBeth‘s passing in Jakarta at 79 on December 6 has left a void, but his legacy echoes through decades of groundbreaking journalism. McBeth, an unapologetic old school reporter, carved his niche in Asia, scorning those fleeting colleagues. Embracing his role as an Asian lifer, he stood as a stalwart amidst transitory pens. His extensive career meandered through…
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British literary legend passes away at 65: The legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah (video)
British poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah passed away yesterday, December 7, at the age of 65. The nation mourns the loss of a titan whose journey from a dyslexic school dropout to a prolific writer and actor has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Born and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham, Zephaniah faced the challenge of dyslexia, compelling him to…
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Tomorrowland plans a decade-long dance in Thailand, says PM Srettha
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, this week had dinner with the organisers of the world-renowned Tomorrowland music festival and told Thai EDM music fans to look forward to plans for the festival coming to Thailand over the next ten years. PM Srettha shared a picture and some words with the Tomorrowland organising team on his Twitter account on…
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