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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Sponsored A healthy tomorrow starts today: Celebrate the great American Smokeout day
The Great American Smokeout, held this year on November 17, is a nationwide event that encourages smokers to take their first steps towards a smoke-free life. If you’re an expat in Thailand, this day could be a timely reminder to...
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Finance minister prioritises funding access over rate cuts
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira affirmed the significance of access to funding sources over lowering interest rates. Following discussions with Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Pichai underscored that interest rate policy remains under the purview of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which is set to convene on October 16. Describing the talks as comprehensive, Pichai highlighted various factors…
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Thailand races to attract 10 million more tourists before year-end
Thailand is pulling out all the stops to reclaim its crown as a world-class tourism destination. In a high-profile meeting yesterday, October 3, at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, the Tourism and Sports Ministry, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), unveiled their ambitious plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles. With representatives from TAT’s 74 domestic…
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Fake Thai monk’s gamble goes bust in Bangkok mall
Police arrested a fake Thai monk at a bank within a shopping mall in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok yesterday, October 3, for scamming money from Buddhists to clear his gambling debts. Ironically named “Duangdee,” which translates to “good fortune” in Thai, this bogus monk’s luck ran out as he was apprehended outside Krungthai Bank in Central Lat Phrao shopping…
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Paetongtarn’s diplomatic debut: Thailand’s PM faces global stage
Thailand’s youngest prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, kicked off her international leadership journey with a high-stakes appearance at the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Leaders’ Summit in Doha, Qatar. This trip, running between October 2 to 4, marks her first official overseas engagement since taking office just a month ago. The ACD holds special significance for PM Paetongtarn, as it was…
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WHO gives green light to first mpox test
In a crucial move to fight the growing mpox crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved Abbott Laboratories’ mpox diagnostic test for emergency use. This marks the first approval of its kind as the global health body ramps up efforts to tackle outbreaks across affected regions. The real-time PCR test, known as the Alinity m MPXV assay, can detect…
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Corruption scandal hits the brakes: Thailand’s bus industry whistleblows dirty dealings
A shocking revelation has swept through the coach bus industry of Thailand as several anonymous companies have blown the whistle on rampant corruption within the Land Transport Department‘s vehicle inspection process. A sneaky bribe of 3,000 to 4,000 baht is all it takes to fast-track an inspection, making life suspiciously easy for some. This disgraceful practice was put under the…
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Phang Nga governor pushes for Phuket rail link
Plans for a game-changing rail link to Phuket are gathering steam—but officials are staying tight-lipped. Phang Nga Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai has just held a high-level meeting to review the ambitious project connecting Tha Noon in Takua Thung district to Phuket International Airport. The proposed 18-kilometre railway, expected to feature four stations—Khok Kloi, Tha Noon, Mai Khao, and Phuket…
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Insurance firms to compensate school bus blaze victims
Insurance companies, in collaboration with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC), are set to provide compensation to the families of the deceased and injured following the school bus blaze tragedy. Each person affected is entitled to an initial compensation of 660,000 baht (US$19,940). The devastating incident, which occurred on October 1, claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers…
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Purr-fect rescue: Team revives cat that took an electrifying tumble
A rescue team in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok performed CPR on a stray cat whose heart stopped beating after it fell from an electricity pole when a transformer exploded. A member of the Samut Prakan Rescue Foundation, Nattapong, revealed to Channel 3 that he and his team were called to save the cat, which was stuck at the top…
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Two mechanics fatally electrocuted at Suphan Buri repair shop
Tragedy struck a repair shop in Dan Chang district, Suphan Buri yesterday when two mechanics were fatally electrocuted due to a faulty battery charging cabinet. The incident took place yesterday, October 3, at a car repair shop located in Village 21, Nong Makha Mong subdistrict. Upon receiving the report, Nirun Thongpan, Deputy Police Inspector of Dan Chang Police Station, coordinated…
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Thailand unveils 145 billion baht cash handout to boost economy
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul unveiled a whopping 145 billion baht ((US$4.4 billion) cash handout scheme that promises to rev up the economy before the year’s end. This mega injection is set to turbocharge the nation’s GDP by a tidy 0.3 percentage points. And it’s not just a flash in the pan, the economic boost is expected to keep rolling…
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Bangkok races ahead: Minister shifts gears for F1 street spectacle
Bangkok might soon be revving its engines as Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, vows to secure a Formula 1 (F1) street race in the capital. Sorawong is working hard to finalise the deal by the end of this year, after holding talks with Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is…
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Thailand flights face delays amid severe monsoon weather
Thailand is currently grappling with severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which is affecting aviation visibility and causing flooding in many areas. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reported that Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) is prepared to handle these challenges by implementing measures to ensure flight safety and efficiency. The Deputy Minister of…
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Firecracker folly: Phuket driver’s explosive secret sparks car blaze
A Thai driver yesterday admitted to storing an assortment of firecrackers in his car, which led to a blaze that engulfed his vehicle and another nearby in Phuket. A witness lodged a complaint with Mueang Phuket Police Station around 8.30pm, Yesterday, October 3, reporting the fire that erupted on two vehicles in Soi Shopping, right in the heart of Phuket…
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Gold prices in Thailand going for baht-er as market shines bright
Thailand’s gold market is set to sparkle as prices climb to a dazzling 44,000 baht per baht weight, a leap from the previous 41,350 baht. The surge is driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, a dipping baht, and the US Federal Reserve’s impending interest rate cuts, says the Gold Traders Association (GTA). On October 2, the gold bar…
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Thailand video news | Bus company under fire for concealing illegal gas cylinders after deadly accident, Singaporean ex-minister sentenced for corruption and abuse of power
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover a range of stories from Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Headlines include a bus company under scrutiny for concealing illegal gas modifications following a deadly fire in Pathum Thani, and an investigation into a Phuket tour boat blaze that injured its captain. Other key stories feature a dramatic sword and…
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Transport minister probes bribery involving Deere, ministry depts
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit initiated a committee to probe bribery allegations involving two ministry departments in Thailand and the local unit of multinational construction firm Deere, following a case highlighted in the United States. Three weeks after Deere reached a US$10-million settlement with US officials, Suriya announced the formation of the panel to scrutinise the bribes outlined in the US…
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Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust
Police in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district arrested a Thai man along with his trusty red tricycle cart. The suspect had been masquerading as a salt seller while secretly breaking into unattended homes in the area to steal valuables. Police officials received a report today, October 4, from the local community that homes were being robbed during the day when residents…
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Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge
A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…
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Thailand welfare card benefits updated for October
Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department has updated the welfare card benefits for October. Eligible individuals will receive various allowances and benefits starting this month, including purchasing allowances, transport subsidies, and additional disability payments. The welfare card benefits for October began on Tuesday, October 1. Teeraporn Phasuk, Deputy Director-General of the Comptroller General’s Department and spokesperson for the department, stated that those…
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Pattaya thief begs for mercy after stealing to aid sick grandmother
A shop owner in Pattaya set a trap to catch a persistent thief who had been stealing from his stall, only to face a tearful plea for forgiveness as the suspect claimed he was stealing to feed his sick grandmother. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station responded to a call about a detained thief at the Khao Talo Market in…
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Rolling the dice: Pattaya homes raided in Chinese gambling bust
Police raided three luxury houses in Pattaya and arrested 20 Chinese nationals for operating a gambling website and illegal loan service. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station discovered a group of Chinese nationals running illegal businesses based in Thailand. They were found to be offering loans illegally to clients in China. The gang rented three luxury houses to carry out…
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Chon Buri man arrested for threatening mother, assaulting family
A man in Chon Buri was arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill his mother, assault his son, and attempted to rape his daughter. Officials found methamphetamine in his possession. Police and administrative officers arrested 46 year old Sornchai (surname withheld) at his home in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The arrest followed a plea for help from a 64…
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American woman makes long journey to Thailand to see Moo Deng (video)
An American woman travelled by air for nearly 21 hours to see Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippopotamus who has become a global Internet sensation at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. The US national, Molly, shared details of her journey on TikTok, noting that she flew for 18.5 hours and faced disbelief from immigration officials about her unique…
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Pattaya car chase over Thai woman sparks gunfire
A dramatic car chase involving gunfire unfolded in Pattaya yesterday after a heated confrontation between two Thai men over a woman. Pattaya police responded to a report of the incident on Soi Khao Talo 5/1 at 11am, yesterday, October 3. Police officers apprehended 34 year old Thosawat at the scene, who is suspected of firing shots. A .32 calibre revolver…
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Thai woman held for impersonating diplomat in 6 million baht scam
Thai police apprehended a young woman impersonating a Thai diplomat in Canada, accused of scamming a student out of 6 million baht using fake passport allegations. Following directives from Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Police Lieutenant General Thatchai Pitaneelabut, who are focused on eradicating criminal organisations causing public distress, the online patrol unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau unearthed a…
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Pattaya pool party busted: Cops dive into illegal ops crackdown
Pattaya police raided three pool villas where a Chinese gang was operating illegal money lending and online gambling activities, seizing 13 computers and over 100 mobile phones. Chatchai Surachetphong, Deputy Regional Police Chief of Region 2, along with Navin Theerawit, Pattaya City Police Chief, and Thananon Athiphansri, Deputy Chief of Pattaya City Police, led a raid to investigate a pool…
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Cabbie chaos: Thai app rider punches cop in Bangkok (video)
A Thai app-based taxi rider physically assaulted a police officer and damaged his car, claiming the cop was responsible for an earlier road accident in Bangkok. The footage of the physical assault on 30 year old Police Corporal Wirodom Najaiboon, from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, went viral on Thai social media and was shared by many news outlets.…
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Ping River on the rise: Chiang Mai braces for watery wake-up call
Chiang Mai braces for more flooding today as the Ping River is set to reach 4.95 metres, starting in the morning. Heavy rainfall in upstream areas has caused a rapid rise in the Ping River, according to Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn. He urged residents along the river to relocate their vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and clinics in low-lying…
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Bets off: Jilted Thai man gambles on lawsuit after wedding deception
A Thai man is taking legal action against his ex-girlfriend, who tricked him into transferring 500,000 baht to fund her gambling, claiming the money was for their dream wedding. The victim, 38 year old Jaruwat, filed a complaint against his ex-girlfriend at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)‘s complaint centre today, October 3. Jaruwat said he was the victim of a…
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