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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Revised police hair length rules in Thailand: Insights from the chief
The National Police Office recently abolished its regulation, which required male officers to have a short haircut with a maximum length of 3 centimetres on top. The new regulation allows officers to have hair up to 5 centimetres on top and 1 centimetre on the sides and back. National Police Chief, Torsak Sukvimol, explained that the change in hairstyle policy…
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Survivor of Israel terror attack returns to Thailand, plans to rest and recover from trauma
Kittiphong Chaiko, a Thai worker from Nong Bua Lamphu who survived a terrorist attack by the political extremist group Hamas in Israel, returned to his home in Thailand, emotionally distressed and shocked by the loss of his colleagues. He arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.20pm today, with no plans to return to Israel. Upon arrival, Kittiphong respectfully greeted his father,…
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Domestic violence shock: Thai celebrity’s assault on girlfriend
A brutal domestic violence incident involving a minor celebrity and his girlfriend has become the talk of the town in Thailand. The couple’s dispute, revealed in CCTV footage, was ignited when the 43 year old woman discovered that her 38 year old boyfriend, a supporting actor in various TV shows, had been unfaithful to her with five other women. The…
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Tragic death of Thai police recruit prompts investigation into training methods
A tragic incident occurred during a police training exercise, leading to the death of a 26 year old recruit. The incident took place at Than Muk Camp in Sadao district, Songkhla province. After the recruit, Pakorn, also known as Byte, collapsed during a 10-kilometre run on Monday, October 9 his instructor ordered him to complete the run, leading to his…
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Bank of Thailand maintains 4.4% GDP growth forecast amid stimulus measures
A 4.4% GDP growth forecast for the coming year has been maintained by the Bank of Thailand, factoring in the government’s proposed economic stimulus measures. Assistant Governor Piti Disyatat confirmed this projection following the Monetary Policy Committee’s vote on September 27 to hike the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, making it a decade-high 2.5%. The committee, however, reduced its…
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Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle
Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain. The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of…
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75 year old Thai woman loses over 18 million baht to romance scam
A 75 year old Thai woman lost over 18 million baht to a romance scam within just a few months of making contact with the scammer. The scammer tricked her into investing in a deceitful company called Gold Future. The victim’s son told Channel 7 that his mother invited him to invest in the Gold Future business in early July.…
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Thai worker death toll in Israel hits 21, PM Srettha exploring evacuation
The death toll of Thai workers in Israel has risen to 21 following another reported death, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The news came out early on this morning, October 12, detailing the ongoing violence since Hamas initiated an offensive over the weekend. Sharing this development at 9.10am Malaysian time, PM Sretta did not elaborate on the factors leading to…
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One-legged Thai dine-and-dasher ‘hops’ it, leaves 5,700 baht bill in central Thailand
A one-legged Thai man hopped out of a restaurant and a petrol station in the central province of Ayutthaya in a daring dine-and-dash manoeuvre, resulting in a 5,700 baht loss. A female staff member who accompanied the legless man was also abandoned in the midst of it all. The restaurant’s manager, speaking to Channel 3, revealed that the 60 year…
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Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand
A 19 year old man was apprehended for smuggling 13 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck that he claimed to have borrowed from his father under the pretence of visiting his girlfriend. Phinwit Udomphon, an officer from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police, stated that efforts to curb the smuggling of illegal workers into Bangkok and its surrounding provinces continue unabated.…
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Thailand boosts tourism with free SIM cards and digital privileges for visitors
The Welcome Back to Thailand campaign, a collaborative endeavour by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Advanced Info Service (AIS), is ready to roll out. The initiative is designed to attract international tourists by offering them Amazing Thailand SIM cards, bundled with an array of digital privileges and services. As part of the campaign strategy, TAT plans to distribute…
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Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
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Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured
The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…
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World Bank identifies growth potential in Thailand’s secondary cities
The World Bank has highlighted the potential for growth in Thailand’s secondary cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Rayong in a recent study. The report, Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment, suggests that these cities could boost Thailand’s economy if they invest in urban infrastructure improvements, such as mass transit systems and renewable energy sources. However, the study points…
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Follicle flare-up: Thai breakdancer seeks hair transplant amid balding battle
A follically challenged Thai breakdancer has a hair-raising dilemma and only a hair transplant will resolve it after the sport’s rigorous demands made him go bald. Thai breakdancer Kantapon Rodsaart is looking for someone to sponsor a hair transplant after revealing the competition at the recent Asian Games made him lose his hair. Breakdancing made its debut at the Asian…
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Thai labourer’s death in Israel sparks fears, call for government aid
The Thai labourer tragically killed in Israel during a mortar attack on Tuesday sparked pleas from his family for government aid in repatriating his remains back to his native Si Sa Ket province in Thailand. Phongphat Suchat and another Thai worker lost their lives when a mortar round detonated close to their location, according to the 29 year old’s brother,…
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Middle East tensions cause gold rush, prices poised to strike US$1,875
The escalating conflict in the Middle East could drive global gold prices to US$1,875 (67,950 baht) per ounce, as predicted by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The association’s president, Jitti Tangsithpakdi, pointed out that prices have risen by US$20-30 per ounce since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants. Gold prices reached a one-week high of US$1,860 yesterday…
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Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
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Tragic farewell: Depression claims life of MP’s wife in central Thailand
The wife of Chart Thai Pattana Party MP Supachok Srisukajorn reportedly committed suicide at her home in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. It is believed the 28 year old pharmacist had a prolonged battle with depression. A housemaid discovered the body of the MP’s wife, Yadapa Tansudcharoenying, in her bedroom at the home in Nakhon Pathom’s Phra Patone sub-district yesterday,…
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Heart-wrenching wedding shock: Guest sees ex-husband marrying best friend
A heart-wrenching wedding shock unfolded at a wedding in Hubei, China, when a guest recognised her former husband on the stage next to the bride, her best friend. The woman, who had severed all contact with her ex-spouse post-divorce, was unable to contain her emotions and broke down in tears. The woman shared her distressing story while attending her best…
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Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
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Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape
A Thai woman reached out to a social media influencer to seek help after her police officer husband physically assaulted her and lured her into a gang rape scene. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the victim, 30 year old A, to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to start legal processes against the woman’s husband. The woman…
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11 Thais in Israel miss first evacuation flight, death toll rises to 20
The Prime Minister of Thailand reported yesterday that the death toll of Thais in Israel had climbed to 20. In addition to this distressing news, 11 Thai citizens who were expected to return to Thailand today, October 12, had not yet reached the designated meeting point. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 Thai nationals…
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Phuket’s vegetarian festival to boost Thai economy with 9 billion baht (video)
Anticipations are high as the annual 10-day vegetarian festival in Phuket is set to yield more than 9 billion baht in revenue, as estimated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office reports a drop in vegetable prices compared to the corresponding period last year. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, who presides over the Phuket Tourist Association, noted…
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El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption. Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought. He voiced…
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Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism
Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…
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Storm warnings issued for 35 Thai provinces with Bangkok facing major impact
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued storm warnings for 35 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expecting to bear the brunt with 80% of the area predicted to be hit hard. The public is urged to remain vigilant as the heavy rains may cause sudden flash floods. The 24-hour weather forecast starting today, October 12, indicates a high-pressure system or cool…
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Two more Thai labourers die in Israel-Palestine conflict, death toll rises to 20
The ongoing conflict in Israel has claimed the lives of two more Thai labourers, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, bringing the total Thai death toll to 20. The Thai labourers lost their lives amid Hamas rocket attacks and aerial bombardments near the Gaza Strip. Kanchana Patarachoke, the ministry’s spokesperson and director-general of the Department of Information, shared this distressing…
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Chon Buri man arrested after threatening and sexually assaulting minor leading to pregnancy
A 49 year old man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl, resulting in her pregnancy. The suspect was apprehended at a friend’s house in the Phanat Nikhom District of Chon Buri Province after he had been in hiding since the incident occurred. Boonlue is believed to have committed the assault twice at the girl’s home…
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Indonesian woman marries brother-in-law, causes social media storm
The viral saga of a 24 year old woman from Depok, West Java, Indonesia, has taken the social media world by storm. Surprisingly, she revealed that she married her former brother-in-law. Rafida Sonia had garnered viral attention since 2022 when she posted a heartfelt wedding video. The video featured her sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was the same brother-in-law…
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