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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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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Thailand’s marine experts discover Omura’s whales off Phuket coast
A team of marine experts from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) embarked on a mission off the coast of Phuket in search of the elusive Omura’s whale. Despite their extensive efforts, the team’s quest to locate the rare albino Omura’s whale was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, their expedition was far from fruitless, as they discovered several rare marine creatures…
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Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
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Prison warden commits suicide at Nakhon Si Thammarat
A warden at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison was found dead by senior officials. Police Colonel Sanpong Chansing, superintendent of Phra Phrom Police Station, Nakhon Si Thammarat province received a report from senior officials at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison that a correctional officer committed suicide inside a room on the fourth floor of the building on the side wing of…
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Thai woman escapes burning car after dog-related collision
A woman escaped unscathed after her car was engulfed in flames following a dog unexpectedly crossing her path while she was driving home. The incident, which took place today in Buriram, saw the woman manage to flee her burning vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, which was completely damaged. Aphinya Phantaprateeb, a detective from Mueang Buriram Police Station in Buriram province, last…
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Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
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Gold price takes a dip in Thailand, down 50 baht from previous close
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today revealed a further drop in today’s gold price when compared to the final price of yesterday. Today, a baht of gold ornament is selling for 34,150 baht, a 50 baht reduction from the closing price of yesterday. As per the GTA website, gold bars can be sold for 33,650 baht per baht and purchased…
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Investment scam: Thai man claiming to be marijuana consultant arrested in Bang Kaeo
A 52 year old Thai man was arrested for falsely claiming to be a marijuana investment consultant in Bang Kaeo Subdistrict, Bang Kaeo District, Samut Prakan province on January 9. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsaeng, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Commander of the Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthee, Pol. Col. Atchawasit…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
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Pattaya City courts elderly Chinese tourists with square dance champions
Pattaya City officials extended a warm welcome to the Chinese square dance champions on Tuesday, January 9, marking a strategic move to boost tourism and instil assurance for elderly Chinese tourists. It was Siwat Boongerd, Pattaya’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, who greeted the Chinese victors of the square dance contest during a ceremony at Pattaya Beach. This welcoming event was not…
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Fuel tanker overturns in Surin causing potential explosion risk
A tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned on Route 24 from Chokchai-Det Udom in Surin province. The incident took place yesterday around 10.50am and left the 36 year old driver, Tiwa, injured with back pain and vomiting. The accident was reported by Thanakorn Chaiharn, an investigation officer from Prasat Police Station. The truck, carrying 24,000 litres of diesel…
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Mother suspected after 3 year old boy falls from apartment and dies
A 3 year old boy died yesterday after falling from the fourth floor balcony of a apartment in Soi Rama II 50 in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. Police suspect the mother was involved in the tragic death due to some suspicious evidence. The Ruam Katanyu Rescue Team and Tha Kham Police Station were alerted to the fall…
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Electrical leakage sparks safety concerns at Phan Thong district footbridge
A footbridge in Phan Thong district of Chon Buri is sparking concerns among residents due to a potentially dangerous electrical leakage. The bridge is situated near Phan Thong Tonson School, a busy passageway for many young students. The issue appears to be originating from a cluster of wires entwined around an iron rail of the bridge, causing electricity to leak.…
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From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
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TMD warns of impending cold front in northern Thailand
A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. The temperature will drop by 3 degrees Celsius starting today. The high-pressure system, or cold air mass, is currently covering the northeastern region and the South China Sea. The department advises residents in…
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Thailand’s government initiates inclusivity in education to curb student dropouts
Thailand’s government is planning on launching an inclusivity in education initiative. The aim is to provide equitable access to quality education and decrease student dropouts. This announcement aligns with Children’s Day, celebrated this coming Saturday, January 13. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his advocacy for children’s rights to education in a recent social media post. His dedication to promoting educational…
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Midnight blaze turns golf course into ‘tee-rific’ inferno
A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Deputy Inspector Pak Jambairat of San Pudas Police Station, upon receiving the fire report, immediately rushed to the scene with the Chachoengsao fire-fighting unit and the San Pudas municipal fire…
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Innobic divests Alvogen Malta shares, refocuses on Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical market
In a strategic move to refocus its pharmaceutical sector, Innobic (Asia) Co, the life sciences division of the PTT Plc national oil and gas conglomerate, has entirely divested its shares in Alvogen Malta (Out-licensing) Holding (AMOLH). The shares were acquired by Floki Holding Société à Responsibilité Limitée, a healthcare and pharmaceutical firm based in Luxembourg. The transaction is expected to…
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Thai PM and central bank clash over interest rates amid low inflation
The clash between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the Finance Minister portfolio, and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) intensified. The prime minister has been vocal about his belief that the central bank should lower its interest rates as inflation rates have decreased. On a social media platform, PM Srettha blamed the BoT for causing harm to the economy…
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EGCO finalises Compass Portfolio acquisition, boosting US power capacity
Electricity Generating (EGCO), the power generation subsidiary of Thailand’s Electricity Generating Authority, has finalised the purchase of the Compass Portfolio in the US, a move that boosts the company’s overseas earnings from the energy sector. The acquisition bolsters EGCO’s total power generation capacity to 652 megawatts, a figure determined by its stake in the Compass Portfolio. Thepparat Theppitak, EGCO President,…
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Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension
A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…
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Caution advised over interest rate cuts by Bank of Thailand
Pundits cautioned against hasty moves to cut interest rates and have emphasised the importance of an independent Bank of Thailand as it determines its policy interest rates. They warned that inconsistent fiscal and monetary policies could harm more than they help. Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) executive vice president, insisted that decisions regarding interest rates should be the sole…
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Human rights committee investigates Pattani activists’ dress code penalty
The Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) Region 4’s decision to penalise activists for wearing Malay traditional dress at an event in Pattani in 2022 came under scrutiny yesterday as the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights vowed to investigate a complaint lodged against this action. Kamolsak Leewamoh, the committee chairman, affirmed that a thorough questioning session involving all…
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Thai man sets fire to wife’s house and orchestrates rape of mother-in-law
A Thai man is evading arrest after setting fire to his wife’s house and tricking his mother-in-law into meeting his friend, who raped her. Firefighters rushed to control the fire at a house in the Kaeng Krachan district in the southern province of Phetchaburi yesterday, January 9, and brought the blaze under control. Only the bathroom and cattle shed were…
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Online bought solar cell causes devastating fire in Thai family home
A tragic incident occurred when a solar cell-induced short circuit resulted in a catastrophic fire that razed an entire house in Pathumthani Province’s Bang Khu Wat district. The unfortunate event happened on January 3, at house number 40, Moo 9, Bang Khu Wat, Mueang Pathumthani District, leaving the house and all its contents destroyed. The single-storey house, elevated and roofed…
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Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his government’s determined mission to tackle Thailand’s education inequality crisis. The premier revealed his commitment to eradicating the denial of educational opportunities for Thai children entirely. PM Srettha disclosed that one of his first actions upon assuming office last year was to direct key government agencies, including the Fund for Education Equality, the Ministry of Digital…
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Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January…
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Chiang Rai accident victims struggle with costs as drunk driver offers minimal compensation
A tragic accident involving a drunk driver in an Isuzu D-Max, who collided with a motorbike, has resulted in serious injuries and financial hardship for the victims. The incident occurred in Chiang Rai on July 30, around 10pm, when Jidapa, a local shopkeeper, and her sister-in-law were returning home. The collision caused both women to be thrown in different directions,…
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Pattaya: Women queue up for breast cancer screening in Nong Prue
Scores of female residents in Nong Prue, Pattaya, descended upon the Municipal Dome for a mobile breast cancer screening. A state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, strategically designed to zero in on women in high-risk and underserved communities was unveiled in the district. Kitti Boonratananet, the Public Health Officer of Banglamung District, hailed the inaugural screening day as a triumph, drawing in…
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Charged down: Electric rates spark joy with 50-satang drop to 4.18 baht per unit
Electricity rates for January through April 2024 have been adjusted to 4.18 baht per unit, a decrease of 50 satangs per unit from the previous rate of 4.68 baht per unit. However, this is an increase of 19 satangs per unit from the September to December 2023 rate of 3.99 baht per unit. These changes were announced today by Khomkrit…
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