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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FBS celebrates 16 years with an adventurous Birthday Quest
Leading global broker FBS is marking its 16th anniversary with a special campaign — FBS Birthday Quest. Over the past 16 years, FBS has been on an incredible journey alongside its clients. Now, as a way to give back, the...
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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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Hotel bookings skyrocket as visitors flock in
Hotel giant Minor International Plc witnessed an astonishing 20 to 30% spike in bookings for the first two months of 2024 compared to last year. Minor International Plc, dominating the hospitality scene as the nation’s largest hotel operator, is on the brink of a prosperous year. Chairman Bill Heinecke unveils the exciting news, projecting a tourism spending spree in Thailand…
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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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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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Thai influencer condemned for risky action of filming herself on road (video)
Thai netizens condemned a female social media influencer for her risky action after she filmed herself daringly walking in the middle of the road as several speeding vehicles passed by. Renowned Twitter account Red Skull shared a video of the female influencer, Nutsima “Bell” Sirisoonthorn, filming herself on the road while motor vehicles passed by her on January 21. The…
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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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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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Shell shocker: Tragedy strikes leatherback turtle on Phang Nga beach, but record-breaking nest brings hope
A leatherback turtle met its demise on a Phang Nga beach, ensnared in a trap. However, amidst the sorrow, a record-breaking moment unfolded as another of these incredible creatures left a legacy with an astounding 92-egg nest. Attapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, unveiled the discovery of a deceased leatherback turtle. This female giant,…
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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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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 economic growth falls short of projections amid potential crisis
The pace of Thailand’s economic recovery slackened last year, falling short of the official predictions, as disclosed by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. This could increase the likelihood of the central bank considering an early easing strategy. Chai revealed today, January 23, that the Thai economy only expanded by 1.8% last year, a drop from the 2.6% growth experienced in 2022.…
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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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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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NASA closely monitors 2300 asteroids posing potential threat to Earth
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is keeping its eye on 2,300 potentially dangerous asteroids. These celestial bodies pose a risk of colliding with Earth as they orbit the Sun. The exact times and dates of these potential impacts have been disclosed, and astronomers have shared how to mitigate the dangers posed by these fast-moving space objects. A small…
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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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Magnitude 7.0 earthquake tremors hits China and three other nations
A powerful land earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck China today, causing tremors felt across four countries, followed by 17 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 4.1 to 5.8. The incident took place today early this morning as reported by the Disaster Management Centre of the Department of Mineral Resources at 1.09am local Thai time. The earthquake’s epicentre was located at a depth…
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Bitcoin plunges 20% following launch of US Bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin, the world’s leading digital currency, has seen a sharp decline of nearly 20% since January 11. This follows the launch of the inaugural Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that invest directly in Bitcoin. The downturn has been attributed to increased caution among investors regarding the potential effects of these new financial products. On the day of the ETFs’ launch, Bitcoin soared…
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Thai deputy PM calls for abolition of controversial teacher-guardian system
In a significant administrative shift, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is advocating for the cancellation of the teacher-guardian system, asserting that it is the responsibility of security agencies, not teachers. He emphasises that the simplest and most immediate solution is to return teachers to the classroom. This development emerged following an incident where a teacher was physically assaulted while guarding…
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Thai woman found dead alongside sister’s husband and daughters
A Thai woman was found dead alongside her sister’s husband and their two young daughters in their Costessey family home near Norwich, in the United Kingdom. The woman, 36 year old Kanticha Noon arrived in the UK on December 27 last year for a family visit, staying at the residence with her sister Nanthaka’s family. The gruesome discovery of their…
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Thailand braces for temperature drop and thunderstorms across 19 provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts a fresh bout of cold wind resulting in a sharp 5 degrees Celsius drop in temperature. Accompanied by thunderstorms in 19 provinces, the TMD also warns of a storm wreaking havoc in the southern region. In the next 24 hours, a relatively strong high-pressure system will gradually cover the northeast region and is…
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Tragic road accident in Trat claims life, leaves one injured
A tragic road accident in Trat province led to the death of one man and left a woman injured. The incident occurred when a pickup truck lost control and collided with an electricity pole, causing it to fall and overturn the vehicle. The 49 year old driver, Somai Saengphloi, was killed, and his 22 year old passenger, Sirikan Junmareong, was…
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Thai police officer allegedly faked marriage certificate and swindles money from woman
An angry Thai woman accused a police officer in the northern province of Lamphun of forging a fake marriage certificate and defrauding more than 300,000 baht from her and her mother. The 39 year old woman named Aut urged Thai news agencies to help her seek justice after she and her mother lost more than 300,000 baht to a police sub-lieutenant…
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Surge in Covid-19 infections and rising death toll in Thailand
According to the latest report from the Department of Disease Control (DDC), a staggering 718 patients were admitted to hospitals between January 14 and 20 in a skyrocketing surge in Covid-19 infections. The grim statistics reveal a grim reality, with the death toll soaring to 11, a stark contrast to the four reported just a week earlier. The average daily…
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Thai economy experts predict 3% growth despite digital wallet scheme delay
Leading economist Somchai Phakapaswiwat foresees a 3% economic growth despite the government’s 500-billion baht handout scheme‘s potential delay. Renowned economist Somchai Phakapaswiwat set tongues wagging yesterday, January 22, when he confidently declared that Thailand’s economic trajectory remains unscathed, poised for an impressive 3% growth, despite uncertainties surrounding the government’s 500-billion baht handout scheme. According to Somchai, the delay in the…
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Rayong: Residents draw the line against U-Tapao Airport noise nightmare
Nearly 500 households in Ban Chang district, Rayong, united against the U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport expansion. The bone-rattling aircraft noise has reached a fever pitch, and tensions are soaring as authorities remain deaf to their pleas. The community, armed with determination, has drawn the line with an imminent demonstration at U-Tapao Airport. Chawalit Romruen, the headman of the Samnakthon sub-district, alongside Prasert…
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