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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  • Phi Phi islands: Tourist boat sinking prompts safety concerns

    Phi Phi islands: Tourist boat sinking prompts safety concerns

    A startling incident unfolded on the serene waters surrounding Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands when a longtail boat, tasked with ferrying six tourists to Bamboo Island, sank. The boat sinking mishap has triggered an urgent call from the chief of the Phi Phi Islands National Park, Yutthaphong Damsrisuk, for all boat operators to step up their safety measures. The alarm bells…

  • Hooked: Fishing accident leaves 14 year old boy with fishing dart in his head

    Hooked: Fishing accident leaves 14 year old boy with fishing dart in his head

    Doctors at Manarat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima performed surgery to remove a fishing dart pierced in the head of a 14 year old Thai boy. Locals in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Chakkarat district called a rescue team after discovering a 14 year old boy, Chayathorn, with a serious head injury. A fishing dart, measuring about 30…

  • Mountain mayhem: Chaowalit manhunt disrupts peace, prompting authorities to rethink tactics

    Mountain mayhem: Chaowalit manhunt disrupts peace, prompting authorities to rethink tactics

    The continued manhunt of the fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang on the Banthat Mountain Range in the provinces of Phatthalung, Trang, and Satun is affecting residents and wildlife, with authorities considering a change in strategy. The hunt for Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, began on October 22 following his escape from hospital custody in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The search operations, involving…

  • Thai-MECC rescues Phang Nga student from perilous waters

    Thai-MECC rescues Phang Nga student from perilous waters

    A dramatic rescue operation unfolded yesterday in the swift waters between Phuket and mainland Thailand. A student from Phang Nga, who was seen jumping off the Sarasin Bridge, was rescued by a local fishing boat and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (THAI-MECC). The THAI-MECC, stationed at the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command in Cape Panwa, received word of…

  • Phuket rally takes a stand against violence, abuse, and human trafficking

    Phuket rally takes a stand against violence, abuse, and human trafficking

    Phuket was buzzing with a flurry of activity last night as over 250 people gathered for a rally, breathing life into the campaign against violence directed towards women and children and human trafficking. The campaign, bearing the theme Stop Violence with Love, took place in Queen Sirikit Park, under the watchful eye of Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuran. The Phuket…

  • Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery

    Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…

  • Turkish man loses nearly 100,000 baht to Thai woman he met on dating app

    Turkish man loses nearly 100,000 baht to Thai woman he met on dating app

    A Turkish man sought assistance from Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers after losing nearly 100,000 baht to a Thai woman he met on a dating app. The 50 year old victim, Ruhan Topal, told officers the theft occurred at a hotel in Pattaya last night, November 19. He spoke to a Thai woman who claimed to be from Phuket province…

  • DeeMoney partners with SCB to facilitate secure cross-border money transfers, expanding access to the Myanmar market

    DeeMoney partners with SCB to facilitate secure cross-border money transfers, expanding access to the Myanmar market

    Sawasdee Shop Co., Ltd., operating as a fintech company, introduced the DeeMoney platform, a robust Thai cross-border transaction system supporting over 26 currencies across 50 countries globally. This company has solidified a business partnership with Siam Commercial Bank, announcing their collaboration to enhance the money transfer service from Thailand to Myanmar. The focus lies in developing cross-border money transfer services…

  • Thailand PM temps European tourists with longer visa incentive

    Thailand PM temps European tourists with longer visa incentive

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is making bold moves to boost the nation’s economy by unveiling plans to waive visa requirements for European tourists. Thailand also plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles by lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events, to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. The Bangkok-born Thailand PM sees tourism…

  • Khlong Toei shooting claims lives of student and teacher

    Khlong Toei shooting claims lives of student and teacher

    A tragic event unfolded in the Khlong Toei district as two unidentified assailants opened fire on the roadside, ultimately leading to the death of a 19 year old student from Uthen Thawai Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology, known as Nong Yod. After an eight-day fight for life following the fatal Khlong Toei shooting, his mother confirmed his passing today. The…

  • 266 Thais rescued from Myanmar conflict zone, most charged for call centre scam

    266 Thais rescued from Myanmar conflict zone, most charged for call centre scam

    The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry rescued 266 Thai nationals trapped in the Myanmar conflict zone. Most of them will be charged with running a call centre scam upon their arrival in Thailand. Thai PBS reported that the Chinese authorities announced an operation to get rid of illegal businesses run by Chinese nationals in Laukkaing District, Shan State, Myanmar. To avoid the…

  • Tragic accident in Samut Prakan claims life of delivery driver

    Tragic accident in Samut Prakan claims life of delivery driver

    A devastating accident occurred in Samut Prakan, where a 27 year old delivery driver tragically lost his life after colliding with a shrine. The incident took place within a large roundabout near the shrine yesterday, around 10pm. The police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, leaving no stone unturned. The delivery driver, Chokchai, a resident of Klong Lan, Kamphaeng…

  • Thailand weather update: Slight temperature increase in upper regions, heavy rainfall threatens south

    Thailand weather update: Slight temperature increase in upper regions, heavy rainfall threatens south

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced today that temperatures in the upper part of Thailand will slightly increase, with morning fog expected. Meanwhile, the Thailand weather forecast predicts that southern regions face heavy rainfall, leading to high sea waves. The public is warned of potential flash floods and forest runoffs, particularly today. The prevailing high-pressure system or cold mass that…

  • Chinese beggar nabbed in Bangkok, human trafficking suspected

    Chinese beggar nabbed in Bangkok, human trafficking suspected

    Police arrested a Chinese beggar outside the Major Cineplex Pinklao in Bangkok yesterday. Suspicions of human trafficking were raised as there was more than one Chinese beggar and each earned more than 10,000 baht a day. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday reported a suspicious beggar to the Bang Phlat Police Station. Gun explained that he had been contacted…

  • Debate over Thai government’s digital wallet handout impact on public debt

    Debate over Thai government’s digital wallet handout impact on public debt

    The Thai government’s proposed 10,000-baht digital wallet handout has sparked debate, with concerns regarding its potential impact on public debt. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that this economic stimulus is necessary as economic growth has averaged only 2% annually over the past decade, insufficient to support the country’s ageing population in the future. With low GDP growth, the government’s…

  • Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized

    Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized

    Two men were apprehended by Thai customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday for alleged wildlife smuggling, according to Phanthong Loykulnanta, the spokesperson for the Customs Department. Over 124 wild, unregistered animals were seized in the operation. A 24 year old man from Korea was one of those detained. Airport officers found 44 wild animals, including tarantulas and iguanas, concealed…

  • Call centre scam alert: Thai DES ministry urges probe after Myanmar repatriation

    Call centre scam alert: Thai DES ministry urges probe after Myanmar repatriation

    The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) in Thailand has urged the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to probe a call centre scam following the repatriation of victims from Myanmar, a country currently in the throes of conflict. DES Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong, disclosed that 41 Thai citizens were repatriated from the embattled town of Laukkaing in the Shan State over…

  • Kazakhstan courts ASEAN investors to become Central Asia’s investment hub

    Kazakhstan courts ASEAN investors to become Central Asia’s investment hub

    Kazakhstan is reaching out to foreign investors, particularly from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a bid to establish itself as a central investment hub in the Central Asia Region. The Kazakh government has expressed interest in mutual economic development with the Southeast Asian region, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko. He made these remarks…

  • Peruvian culture delights: Thailand’s Peru Embassy promotes food and coffee

    Peruvian culture delights: Thailand’s Peru Embassy promotes food and coffee

    In a recent series of events designed to strengthen bilateral ties between Peru and Thailand, the Embassy of Peru in Thailand organised three cultural programs centred around Peruvian food and coffee. The events showcased the richness of Peruvian culture and gastronomy, aiming to introduce the Thai public to the unique flavours and traditions of Peru. The series kicked off with…

  • Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally

    Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally

    Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…

  • Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)

    Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)

    The world indeed goes round in unexpected ways, as discovered by a TikTok user @kanokyai2022 who chanced upon an old friend in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, after a separation of 22 years. Following this unexpected reunion, the friend promptly returned a long-overdue loan of 10,000 dollars, which converted to almost 500,000 baht yesterday. Once upon a time, the two were friends…

  • Economic ties in focus: Thai PM extends invitation to Biden

    Economic ties in focus: Thai PM extends invitation to Biden

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently extended an invitation for an official visit to US President, Joe Biden. This invitation was extended during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that took place in San Francisco. The Thai PM used this platform to assure President Biden of Thailand’s readiness to serve as a base for major American companies’ production, boosting their…

  • Bangkok gold heist: 23 necklaces stolen in daring store robbery

    Bangkok gold heist: 23 necklaces stolen in daring store robbery

    A daring heist took place at a renowned gold store inside a Lotus’s mall branch in Nong Chok, Bangkok, where a lone masked robber wielding a gun swept away 23 gold necklaces. The aftermath saw the thief escaping in a parked orange taxi. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, and the police were promptly informed. As the officers from the…

  • Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket

    Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket

    A shocking escape unfolded as a customer testing a lighter ignited a fire at a shop at the mouth of Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Soi 22. The entire store was engulfed in flames. Authorities were alerted to the fire at a supermarket today at 9am, Thai time. Assistant Inspector Chatri Khaosaat, Deputy Detective (Investigator) of Chok Chai Police Station, along with…

  • Long-hunted Thai vegetable vendor arrested for child molestation

    Long-hunted Thai vegetable vendor arrested for child molestation

    A 63 year old vegetable vendor was arrested today in the bustling market of Rayong, after evading justice for six years. The man was apprehended by a police team led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phadet Ngam Lamom and Police Lieutenant Colonel Burin Kapitta. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by the Loei Provincial Court in 2017, on charges…

  • Cyber police nab call centre gang for 1.5 million baht scam

    Cyber police nab call centre gang for 1.5 million baht scam

    The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led an operation to apprehend a call centre gang, that swindled a doctor’s wife out of 1.5 million baht through account manipulation. The behaviour of the gang was exposed, and a key arrest warrant was issued today. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbuncha, Chief of the Special Operations Division, directed Police Lieutenant Colonel Satra Sukhanusas,…

  • 2 foreigners arrested for murder of Taiwanese man, 1 foreigner still at large

    2 foreigners arrested for murder of Taiwanese man, 1 foreigner still at large

    Thai police arrested two foreigners, a Burmese and a Cameronian, in connection with the murder of a Taiwanese man. Another foreigner, reportedly a European man, remains at large. A Thai woman was accused of planning the entire murder. Officers from Bangna Police Station gave an update to the media this afternoon on the investigation into the death of 47 year old…

  • Struggling family with ill father seeks roadside aid in Sattahip

    Struggling family with ill father seeks roadside aid in Sattahip

    A three month old baby girl from Nakhon Phanom was taken by her mother to seek help for her husband suffering from a facial tumour, which caused blindness in his right eye. The family, living by the roadside, found themselves in dire straits with the father’s pain intensifying, prompting an emergency call to rescue services around 12.30am today. Sa-wang Rojanathammasathan…

  • Jatuporn criticises government’s proposed digital wallet scheme

    Jatuporn criticises government’s proposed digital wallet scheme

    The digital wallet initiative proposed by the government has come under fire from Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader and co-leader of the Melting Pot Group. In a livestream on Facebook, Jatuporn voiced his concerns about the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s repeated withdrawal from pledges, including their initial vow not to form a government with ex-coalition parties from the previous…

  • South Korea’s advanced tech industries endorsed by international alliances

    South Korea’s advanced tech industries endorsed by international alliances

    South Korea, poised to become the world’s epicentre for advanced technology industries, received a vigorous endorsement from international alliances eager to accelerate its economic growth and competitiveness. The nation also committed to bolstering cooperation with its ASEAN partners to promote trade and investment. Specifically, South Korea showcased interest in the automobile sector within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Rayong…