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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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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Thai schoolboy breaks knee after impaling it on Udon Thani school fence
A fifth-grade boy experienced a severe injury following an attempt to climb a school fence where misfortune paid a visit as he impaled his knee on the sharp metal, resulting in a broken bone. The incident occurred around 4.20pm yesterday at Ban Mak Khaeng School in the Udon Thani province. The rescue team from Udon Sawang Methadhammasathan Foundation for Rescue promptly…
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Shell-shocked in Samut Prakan: Thai woman’s seafood purchase unveils hidden pearl of delight
A Thai woman was surprised to find a pearl inside a shellfish she bought from Khlong Suan Market, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan. The 53 year old woman, Wassana Phonmai, of 137/2, Village No. 4, Pak Phanang Subdistrict, West Side, Pak Phanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province reported the lucky find today, January 12. Wassana brought the discovery, along with shell…
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Promising Iranian Muay Thai fighter dies in Phuket motorcycle accident
In a tragic turn of events, celebrated Iranian Muay Thai fighter Fariyar Aminipour yesterday met his untimely demise in a motorcycle mishap in Phuket. Aged just 23, the promising athlete’s life was cut short on the west side of Chaofa Road in Rawai near the tunnel exit. The incident happened around 8am, with Lieutenant Colonel Wiriyaphong Srinuanpan from Chalong Police…
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Thai national arrested for Pattaya street gold robbery
Pattaya police last night apprehended a 19 year old Thai national, Wutthikrai Poonsang, following a robbery incident that occurred on Pattaya Walking Street on January 10. Wutthikrai is accused of snatching a gold necklace from a Thai woman named Amarin Kokaew. On the previous day, Wutthikrai allegedly stole a 1 baht weight gold necklace, valued at 32,000 baht, from Amarin.…
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2 former ministers accused of demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland
Former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin is seeking justice after accusing the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of damaging his reputation by calling out two former labour ministers for demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland. ThaiRath reported that Thailand considers workers to be victims of human trafficking if employers detain, abuse or illegally exploit them. However, the law in Finland…
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Man dies in tragic accident while digging for gold in kitchen
A tragic event unfolded in Brazil when a man lost his life after falling into a deep hole he had dug in his kitchen. The 71 year old, João Pimenta da Silva, believed that there was gold buried beneath his home. This belief was prompted by a dream and the Brazilian man enlisted the assistance of a neighbour to help…
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South Thailand: Woman arrested for loan scam in Chumphon province
A woman from Chumphon province, southern Thailand, was arrested for a loan scam yesterday. The scam victim borrowed money from a personal Facebook account for 6,000 baht on November 4, 2022. It was determined that the loan scam victim must pay a floating interest of 600 baht per day before 4pm each day for a total of 10 days. Late…
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Grab rider performs CPR on unconscious foreign tourist in traffic mishap
In an act of heroism, an anonymous Grab rider emerged as an unexpected saviour, administering crucial CPR to an unconscious foreigner entangled in a traffic catastrophe in Hua Hin. The Sawang Hua Hin Dhammasthan Rescue Unit swiftly responded to the distress call, revealing that a foreign male on a motorcycle had collided with a pickup truck, leaving him unconscious with…
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Severe weather alert issued for 32 provinces in Thailand: Thunderstorms and temperature drop forecasted
A severe weather alert has been issued for 32 provinces in Thailand’s north, northeast, and central regions. From tomorrow, January 13 to January 16 these areas are on high alert for thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, with temperatures expected to drop by 1-3 degrees Celsius. This forecast is due to a western airflow from the Union of Myanmar that will…
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Rare black leopard stuns tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park
Tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park were left in awe as they stumbled upon a majestic black leopard. The sleek creature made a surprise appearance near the Ban Trang campsite on Wednesday, January 10, turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary wildlife spectacle. Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Mongkol Thai Phakdi confirmed the astounding sighting. The magical moment was expertly…
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Thai man having secret affair abuses pregnant wife and kidnaps daughter
A pregnant woman in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima filed a complaint against her husband for physically abusing her and kidnapping their four year old daughter after she discovered his secret affair. The 24 year old pregnant woman named Jah sought help from the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Social Development and Human Security, and authorities accompanied her to the Huay…
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US bitcoin ETFs make splash in debut, marking crypto milestone
The long-awaited launch of the first United States exchange-traded funds (ETFs) investing directly in Bitcoin has finally taken place. This event has been marked as a significant milestone in the digital-asset industries over a decade-long campaign for recognition and mainstream acceptance. The nearly a dozen ETFs come from investment heavyweights like BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments. On the first day…
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Thai-llywood lights, camera, baht! 2023 sees record of 6.6 billion baht roll in from film shoots in Thailand
A record-breaking 6.6 billion baht was generated by over 466 film shoots in Thailand in 2023, marking an impressive 40% increase in revenue from the previous year. This remarkable upturn was largely credited to the production of high-budget films, including a blockbuster with a budget of 3 billion baht. Jaturon Phakdeewanit, the head of the Tourism Department, noted the significant…
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Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday penned his approval of the Clean Air bill. The signing ceremony took place at 9.30am on January 11 in Chiang Mai during the PM’s scheduled visit to review the city’s public transportation systems and ongoing air pollution issues. This move was a significant stride towards addressing Thailand’s air pollution predicament, a subject that has…
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GenAI set to go mainstream in 2024 amidst privacy concerns
As the year 2024 unfolds, the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology into businesses is becoming increasingly important. With the rise of Generative AI (GenAI) and data protection, businesses, regulators, and individuals must adapt to the evolving landscape. This is particularly poignant in the ASEAN region, where privacy regulations, such as those in Thailand and Indonesia, are still relatively new.…
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SET foresees market recovery with return of foreign investment
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) anticipates a recovery in return on investment this year, mirroring trends in regional markets due to an influx of foreign capital since 2023’s final quarter. Last year, foreign investors sold off Thai stocks amounting to US$5.51 billion, contrasting with 2022’s net purchase of US$5.96 billion. Nevertheless, foreign long-term investors held steady, owning around 30%…
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Finance Ministry proposes joint venture asset management companies to aid debtors
The Finance Ministry is advocating for collaborative investments between Specialised Financial Institutions (SFIs) and Asset Management Companies (AMCs), proposing the formation of joint venture asset management companies (JV-AMCs). This initiative aims to aid debtors who collectively hold three million accounts amounting to a total value of 230 billion baht, stated Paopoom Rojanasakul, the secretary to the finance minister. Rojanasakul explained…
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Shanghai’s Juneyao Air to operate flights to Chiang Mai
Juneyao Air is set to reignite the battle for the Shanghai-Chiang Mai route, challenging fierce rivals China Eastern Airlines and Spring Airlines. Juneyao’s A320neo will operate daily flights from Shanghai to the northern Thai capital, starting from January 20. The airline’s flight schedule is as follows: HO1325 PVG 1835 – CNX 2235 32N Daily HO1326 CNX 2335 – PVG 0425+1…
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2C2P expands merchant partnerships under Alibaba’s Ant Group to boost SMEs
Aiming to enable offline small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accept e-wallet payments from Chinese visitors, 2C2P (Thailand) has been expanding its merchant partnerships under Alibaba’s Ant Group. The global payment platform predicts a substantial rise in revenue, from 3.2 billion baht last year to a projected 3.7-3.9 billion by 2024, representing a growth of 30% over 2022. Piyachart Ratanaprasartporn,…
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Thai man kills cheating girlfriend’s father and commits suicide in jail
A Thai man killed his girlfriend’s father after discovering she had a husband and two children. The killer later committed suicide while in custody at Khok Pho Police Station in the southern province of Pattani. Khok Pho Police Station officers rushed to a house in the Khok Pho district of Pattani at 9.50pm on Wednesday, January 10 after receiving a…
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Motorcycle stunt goes awry at Chiang Mai fair, stuntman hospitalised
An unfortunate accident occurred yesterday during a daring motorcycle stunt at the winter fair and the Chiang Mai Good OTOP fair. The stuntman, known only as Tae, was injured when his motorcycle lost control during a barrel-climbing show and fell, hitting the floor hard. This incident happened behind the provincial government centre, where the event was taking place. Emergency services…
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Thai Automotive Institute boosts EV industry with new test track
The Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI) is set to boost Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, constructing a test track to provide manufacturers with a range of testing services, subsequently becoming a new revenue stream for the country. This track, under construction in Chachoengsao, is designed to facilitate a broad spectrum of tests including braking and parking brake performance, speed, distance and…
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PM Srettha visits Chiang Mai street food market in soft power move
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set the stage for Thailand’s unique foray into soft power, blending strategic attractions such as pigeon racing and Muay Thai. PM Srettha, on a visit to Chiang Mai, didn’t just stick to the official script but delved into progressive discussions that could reshape the nation’s global influence. Taking a casual stroll through Chiang Mai’s famed street…
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Bangkok governor defends city’s fourth plan revision amid public criticism
Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, stood firm in defence of the city’s fourth plan revision amid public censure for its perceived favouritism towards developers. The 57 year old city chief yesterday, January 11, responded to the criticism by affirming City Hall’s receptiveness to constructive feedback while cautioning against potentially divisive comments. Chadchart explained via a Facebook post that the…
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How to travel and work in Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful Southeast Asian country renowned for its ancient ruins, ornate temples, and gorgeous tropical beaches. It’s also an affordable country to live and travel in, making it a desirable location for travellers. Given these factors, it’s only natural to consider long-term travel in Thailand. If you’re wondering how you can travel and work in Thailand to make…
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Double-down drama: DOPA crackdown sees 200 gamblers dealt a losing hand in southern Thailand
Officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) yesterday swooped on a gambling den in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested 200 gamblers. Residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat submitted a complaint about the gambling house to the Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. They reported that the gambling den was open 24 hours a day. More than 200…
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Thai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Thaophiphob Limchitrakorn proposed a revision of a stringent Alcohol Control bill concerning alcohol product advertising during a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 10. Three versions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act were under scrutiny, including two public sector drafts and Thaophiphob’s draft. The first draft, supported by numerous anti-alcohol groups and labelled as Article 32…
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Phuket: Motorcycle taxi rider fatally stabbed during brawl, another injured
Two motorcycle taxi riders got embroiled in a brawl in Patong, Phuket, yesterday, leading to one fatality at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries. The deceased taxi rider, 61 year old Samanmart Ueanoth, was found with three stab wounds to his chest and was transported to the local hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries and lost his…
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2 Indian men arrested near Bangkok for offering high-interest loans
Immigration Bureau (IB) officers announced a successful operation to arrest two Indian men illegally offering high-interest loans to Thai people in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The IB launched the operation to crack down on foreigners running illegal businesses or posing as powerful and influential people in the communities. The operation led officers to a 39 year old Indian man, identified…
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Hot food trends: Healthy eating on a budget
In a world plagued by inflation, skyrocketing living costs, and the constant struggle to stay healthy, renowned nutrition expert Associate Professor Chalat Santivarangkna from Mahidol University reveals what our plates will look like in the coming year. This year is set to be the year of plant-powered living, with Professor Chalat predicting a surge in plant-based diets. He attributes this…
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