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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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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71 year old groom’s lavish wedding to 32 year old bride stirs debate
An unconventional wedding between a 71 year old groom and his 32 year old bride recently sparked a stir on Chinese social media. The groom’s generosity during the wedding a dowry worth almost 600,000 baht – and the striking age gap of nearly 40 years between the couple has triggered widespread speculation about their motivations for marriage. The ceremony took…
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Gunfire incident shocks Maya Bay as national park officials dispute turns violent
A shocking incident took place among national park officials in the tranquil, serene region of Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island, leading to a heated dispute and subsequent gunfire. The injured individuals have been transported to the hospital, and no fatalities have been reported from this event, which occurred today, January 2. The dispute started during a meal at the…
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Tragic discovery of mother and daughter’s death in East Thailand, 100,000 baht found
A shocking incident occurred in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, where a 41 year old veterinarian and her 12 year old daughter were discovered dead in their home. Authorities from Ban Chang Police Station and local medical personnel were alerted to the situation at 10am today and were soon on their way to the residence. The house, a private,…
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Man swallows beer bottle cap during New Year’s Day celebration in Thailand
A man almost died when he inadvertently swallowed a beer bottle cap during the New Year’s Day celebrations, causing it to lodge in his oesophagus. He was promptly taken to Nakornping Hospital where doctors safely removed the cap. This incident occurred yesterday according to a post on the hospital’s Facebook page. On New Year’s Day, the unnamed 40 year old…
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Heartbreak heist: Burmese man loses phones and cash to Thai love scam
A Burmese man fell victim to a Thai woman in a romance scam, losing two phones and 20,000 baht in cash. He found himself waiting at a railway station in the southern province of Yala for three days, hoping for the woman’s return. The 32 year old victim, identified only as Gar, on December 31 asked Krong Pinang Police Station…
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Thai government delays decision on electricity price reduction
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed that the Cabinet has not yet agreed to reduce electricity charges. Pointing out that Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga is not ready to present the numbers to reduce electricity charges by no more than 4.20 baht (US$0.12). He requested more time at 10.10am today, at the Government House. Before the Cabinet meeting,…
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Thailand’s new year road toll: 190 deaths and 1,574 injuries
Thailand witnessed 1,570 traffic mishaps from December 29 till yesterday, January 1, claiming 190 lives and injuring 1,574 individuals. Kanchanaburi province recorded the highest number of accidents and casualties during this period. The Department of Medical Services’ director-general, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, revealed the unsettling new year road toll figures. He stated that Kanchanaburi had 57 traffic accidents, resulting in 56 injuries.…
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Thai EV drivers demand more charging stations for smoother travel
Electric vehicle (EV) owners are voicing concerns over a lack of charging stations, as they scramble to charge their vehicles before embarking on the Korat-Bang Pa-in Motorway. The public is calling on the government to seriously support the increasing use of EVs. As people steadily return to Bangkok and central and eastern provinces, those driving EVs must plan their journeys…
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Thai thief flees after stealing 14 iPhones from mall near Bangkok
The owner of a mobile phone shop in the Central Westville shopping mall in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok issued a warning on social media after a thief stole 14 iPhones. The suspect is still at large. The shop owner shared CCTV footage of the theft with the public and revealed that the heist occurred at his shop in Central Westville…
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Thai govt confirms no Thais affected by recent Japanese earthquake
In light of the recent earthquake in Japan, Panpry Phahitthanukul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that there are no reports of Thai people injured or killed. Panpry expressed concern and support for the Japanese government and its people through a message on X (formerly Twitter) today. There is, however, a stern warning for Thai people in…
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Bangchak to balance expansion and emission reduction
Bangchak Corporation Plc, the energy giant, has pledged to harmonise its business expansion with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the next seven years. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the CEO, emphasised the need to merge profitability with active initiatives to shrink the global warming-causing gases. The company and its subsidiaries are due to receive an allocation of 150 billion baht for…
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Air Force guard gets 15-day jail for violent incident
A 15-day jail sentence has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a military guard, following a violent incident for consuming alcohol on government premises. Air Marshal Boonlert Andara, a spokesperson for the RTAF, revealed details of the case involving four soldiers from Squadron One of the Yothin Air Command who were excessively punished, contrary to the…
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Phuket boat crew tested for drugs after tragic speedboat accident
The tranquil morning at Chalong Pier in Phuket was disrupted yesterday as a swarm of officials descended on the scene. Their mission is to conduct drug tests on a group of 23 boat operators and crew members. This action was triggered by a tragic speedboat accident that occurred at Koh Maithon the previous day, resulting in the death of a…
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Uncontrolled firework display endangers tourists at Phu Thap Boek
A distressing incident unfolded at Phu Thap Boek, a popular tourist attraction in Thailand, where tourists were endangered by stray fireworks. As the countdown to the new year progressed, a lack of control over the fireworks displays resulted in a chaotic spectacle, putting visitors’ safety at risk. A social media post from an affected tourist shed light on the alarming…
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House committee to inspect Land Bridge project impact on local
An investigative committee from the House is set to make a field visit to Chumphon and Ranong, the designated development areas for the much-anticipated Land Bridge megaproject. The committee’s objective is to garner insights into the project’s potential repercussions on local communities, according to an anonymous source. Presided over by Pheu Thai MP for Phayao, Wisut Chainaroon, the committee has…
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Octogenarian love heist: 81 year old demands justice as 83 year old hubby swipes for secret sweetheart
An 81 year old Thai woman demanded legal action against her 83 year old husband who stole from her and local vendors so he could support his lover. Mueang Sing Buri Police Station officers, in the central province of Sing Buri, received a theft report from a 50 year old grocery store owner named Noppakhun Mathap on December 31. The…
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Thai government cuts local alcohol tax to zero to boost tourism and economy
The Thai government has announced a tax reduction on local alcohol as part of a wider review of laws hindering domestic tourism and economic growth. Revealed on January 2 at the Government House, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin stated that the restructuring of excise and various national taxes, including reducing domestic alcohol tax to 0%, formed part of their strategy to…
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Phuket welcomes 2024 with soaring tourist numbers and an 8 billion baht boost
Thailand’s famed island paradise of Phuket has just witnessed an impressive upswing in tourist numbers over the new year break. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office has confirmed that the island has welcomed a remarkable 265,000 visitors, contributing more than 8 billion baht to the local economy. The head of the TAT Phuket office, Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, provided these…
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Chiang Mai confrontation leads to seizure of 200,000 meth pills
A confrontation between soldiers and smugglers occurred in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai in the early hours of today. The incident led to a seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills that were abandoned during the conflict. The Pha Muang task force, while on patrol, encountered armed individuals near the natural border crossing from Myanmar in the Kaeng Tum village…
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Thai minister pitches pension perk: Varawut’s push for a raise in elderly stipend draws attention
Varawut Silpa-Archa, the Minister for Social Development and Human Security, voiced his backing for an increment in the monthly elderly stipend to 3,000 or 5,000 baht during a briefing yesterday, January 1 but stressed the hike’s financial feasibility for the country. The minister’s comments were a direct response to a legislative proposal, submitted by several civic organisations on December 21,…
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Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Thailand’s economy braces for slow growth
Thailand’s economy is set to experience slow growth in the coming years, with GDP forecasts for this year ranging between 3-3.4%. Several factors, including sluggish growth in exports, subdued Chinese demand for consumption and tourism, geopolitical risks, and a shortage of skilled workers, are expected to influence this. Despite these challenges, industry executives are optimistic and are devising strategies to…
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South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung survives stabbing attack in Busan
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed while making a public announcement in Busan. Following the incident, authorities immediately apprehended the attacker. Lee, who lost the presidential election in 2022, was transported to the hospital approximately 20 minutes post-assault and is currently conscious. Lee Jae-myung, who suffered a defeat in the 2022 presidential polls, was stabbed on the left…
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Unexpected meeting between Thai actress Khunying Ton and PM Srettha
Social media users have been sharing photographs of a chance seaside encounter between Thai actress Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, popularly known as Khunying Ton, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Hua Hin. The images were posted by Khunying Ton on her personal Instagram account on December 31. Khunying Ton captioned her post, stating that PM Srettha has been her friend since kindergarten.…
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Thailand’s energy minister initiates major revamp of energy pricing structure
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, pledged to initiate a significant revamp of Thailand’s energy pricing structure, beginning with the removal of refined oil import restrictions. His commitment to this overhaul aims to alleviate the current strain of escalating energy costs on the populace. “I will overhaul the entire system to help ease the current burden of…
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Nostradamus predicts catastrophic tsunami and royal shake-up in 2024
Renowned French seer Nostradamus predicted a catastrophic tsunami in 2024, a prophecy that has sparked widespread online discussion following the recent tsunami in Japan yesterday. Nostradamus, who lived five centuries ago, penned his predictions in a book of 942 poems, foreseeing major global events with uncanny accuracy, including World War II, the 9/11 attacks, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Famous news…
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Thai Smile takes its final flight: Farewell fiesta signals merger with Thai Airways
Thai Smile Airways threw a farewell party with passengers on the airline’s last flight before saying goodbye on December 31 and merging with Thai Airways (THAI). THAI embarked on a business rehabilitation plan in October of 2021, granting the airline a five-year timeline to enhance its operations. The company underwent significant changes, including restructuring its business, downsizing its workforce, implementing…
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Thai hospitality groups eye global expansion amid tourism recovery
The global tourism recovery has spurred Thai hospitality groups to broaden their horizons beyond domestic borders, tapping into the robust demand in numerous destinations. In the previous year, many hotel management companies reported substantial profits, with some even witnessing their average daily room rates surpass 2019 levels, particularly in prime locations. Minor International (MINT), the largest hotel chain in Thailand,…
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Gold prices predicted to hit record highs by 2024, says MTS Gold
MTS Gold, a local trader, predicted that gold prices are likely to skyrocket to new record levels of over 79,005 baht (US$2,300) per ounce and beyond 40,000 baht (US$1,164) per baht weight by this year. This forecast comes amidst anticipated adverse global economic situations. Kritcharat Hiranyasiri, the President of MTS Gold, explained that the anticipated decline in interest rates and…
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Thai authorities craft national oil proposal to boost sustainable aviation fuel
In a bid to bolster the aviation industry’s effort to curtail carbon dioxide emissions, Thai energy authorities are in the process of crafting a novel national oil proposal. The blueprint will cater to the evolution of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a biofuel variant for aircraft. The appeal of SAF lies in its strong resemblance to jet fuel in terms of…
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