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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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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Staggering investment of 150 billion baht in AOT airports
In a move set to revolutionise Thailand‘s air travel scene, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled ambitious plans for the construction of two new airports and a staggering investment of 150 billion baht. Speaking exclusively at the Section II: Next Step seminar on December 20, AOT’s dynamic CEO, Kirati Kitmanawat revealed plans for the Lanna and Andaman airports. These megastructures,…
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Chinese man allegedly leaves pregnant Thai woman over son preference
A Thai woman is seeking justice after her Chinese man left her and fled the country after discovering she was pregnant with their daughter, not a son. The 36 year old Thai woman named Noey asked the non-profit organisation, Saimai Survive, to help her seek justice. She told the organisation that the Chinese man lured her into marrying him but…
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Listening devices found at MCOT headquarters
Authorities unearthed concealed listening devices strategically placed within the conference rooms of Thailand‘s Mass Communication Organisation (MCOT) yesterday, December 21. The discovery took place during a thorough sweep of the MCOT headquarters. The eavesdropping devices, cunningly planted in the rooms designated for MCOT board meetings, sent shockwaves through the media landscape. The police, accompanied by forensic experts, meticulously combed through…
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Thailand surges towards marriage equality for same-sex couples
In a landmark moment for equality, Thailand‘s lawmakers have taken a giant leap towards embracing same-sex unions, passing not one but four groundbreaking bills on marriage equality in their initial reading. With an overwhelming 360 to 10 majority and one abstention, the House of Representatives paved the way for Thailand to potentially become the first ASEAN nation to legally recognise…
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Vietnamese man arrested for illegally operating beauty clinic in Bangkok condo
Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) arrested a Vietnamese man for turning a condominium in Bangkok into a beauty clinic and illegally providing beauty services without a permit. CPPD officers received a report that a Facebook user of a Vietnamese man advertised a beauty clinic in Bangkok. The complainant was unsure whether the beauty clinic was legal or…
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Drunk British suspect refuses arrest and tries to injure Thai police
Police released a video of a drunk British man refusing to be arrested and attempting to assault Thai police after he crashed his pickup into another vehicle in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province. The Englishman, identified as Martin, reportedly crashed his white Nissan pickup into a white Toyota Fortuner of a 43 year old Thai woman whose identity was not…
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Bangkok BTS accepts WeChat Pay
In a move set to revolutionise the travel experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok, the city’s iconic BTS Skytrain has opened its gates to the Chinese WeChat Pay. Tourists will be able to enjoy a seamless journey across the vibrant city as this alternative payment option takes centre stage at every ticket vending machine across all 68 stations on the…
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Thai traditional dress set to be listed on UNESCO
The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to propose the inclusion of Thai traditional dress in UNESCO‘s prestigious intangible cultural heritage listings. The visionary behind this move is none other than Kowit Pakamart, the director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion. To pave the way for this historic proposal, the department recently orchestrated a vibrant brainstorming session at the Thailand…
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Thai man arrested for defrauding victims of over 4.5 million baht
A fraudulent individual, claiming to be a high-ranking police officer and a judge’s aide, was apprehended by Thai law enforcement agencies for conning victims out of more than 4.5 million baht. The 35 year old man allegedly exploited his contrived connections to facilitate court proceedings and expedite electronic monitoring bracelet removals. Phromphron was seized near the public service station of…
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Thai man arrested after failing to call on his invisible powers before robbery
Police arrested a Thai man for repeated thefts in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat after he failed to invoke invisible powers before the robbery, and his theft showed on the CCTV footage. Several victims filed theft complaints with the Tham Phannara and Phra Saeng Police Stations in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers checked security cameras at each scene until…
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Pattaya: Traffic chaos at Bali Hai Pier
The picturesque road from Walking Street to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya has transformed into a bustling bazaar, causing mayhem for both locals and tourists alike. The 1.5-kilometre stretch, once a serene link between nightlife and island getaways, is now a traffic-ridden nightmare. The situation has escalated to the point where motorcycles are haphazardly strewn across the road, leaving no…
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Resort creates stunning Christmas tree from recycled plastic
OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort has not only decked the halls but has also adorned its lobby with an extraordinary Christmas tree that’s more than just glitter and baubles. Step into a world where environmental responsibility meets festive flair, as this luxury resort in the heart of paradise unveils a sustainable masterpiece that’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Embracing the…
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From winter solstice festivals to Thai celebrations: Unveiling the history of Christmas
Folks all around the globe immerse themselves in Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations and festivities during the winter month of December each year with no exception. The atmosphere filled with lively celebrations, joyful reunions, and new beginnings serves as a remedy for the exhaustion accumulated throughout the year. Get ready for the festive season by going back in time to…
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National Police Chief vows to crush criminals behind university violence
National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol has pledged to eradicate a criminal organisation accused of orchestrating violence and hatred among rival students at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. At a riveting press conference today, December 21, Pol. Gen. Torsak declared war on the shadowy group, linking them to the fatal shooting of Thanasorn Hongsawat in the Khlong…
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Social media meltdown: X and X Pro crash
All around the globe, social media behemoths X and X Pro plunged into darkness, leaving millions in the dark. The cyber realm descended into chaos early today, December 21, as Downdetector.com sounded the alarm, uncovering a vast outage on the platforms that left users stranded and bewildered. Formerly the avatars of tweets and trends, X (formerly Twitter) and X Pro…
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Unexpected algae bloom hits Patong beach due to premature seaweed growth
Yesterday, employees from the Public Health and Environment Division of Patong Municipality were hard at work on Patong Beach, clearing off algae that washed ashore. This unexpected event came as a result of an algae bloom and has yet to be formally addressed by Patong Municipality. The purpose of this timely response was primarily to retain the aesthetic appeal of Patong…
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China powers up Thailand’s South with groundbreaking transmission line
China‘s transmission line project in Thailand has sparked a new era in the southern province of Phatthalung. A groundbreaking event unfolded on December 19 as the Thung Song-Songkhla 500kV Transmission Line Project, also known as the Thung Song Project, lit up the skies over Thailand’s southern Phatthalung province. The culmination of two years of relentless construction, this power transmission marvel…
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Rice prices surge to 15-year high amid demand and El Niño concerns
Rice prices have surged to a 15-year high amid growing concerns about the impact of increased demand and the effects of El Niño on supplies. The grain, a dietary staple for billions of people in Asia and Africa, saw its cost rise 2.5% last week, reaching US$650 a tonne, the highest point since October 2008. This information, provided by the…
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Thai PM and Interior Minister slam brakes on gun licences until December 2024
In a bid to quell the rising tide of shooting tragedies, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have issued a joint directive, temporarily halting the issuance of gun licences until December 19, 2024. The move, effective yesterday, December 20, was officially announced by Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, who revealed that the directive had been published in…
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Nonthaburi police nab Indian man for illegal money lending and visa overstay
Nonthaburi Immigration Police apprehended an Indian man yesterday, accused of illegal money lending and found to have overstayed his visa by more than six years. The 39 year old man was apprehended outside a rented accommodation in Moo 3 village, located in Tambon Bang Rak Noi of Mueang district. The detention was a result of an investigation into foreign nationals…
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Young man tragically crushed under reversing tractor in Thai village
A tragic accident took place at 9amt today in the village of Kok Pheg, Buri Ram, where a 22 year old man was run over by a reversing tractor. The deceased was preparing the vehicle to plough a sugarcane field when the incident occurred. The young man’s 13 year old brother, who was assisting him, witnessed the horrifying event. At…
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Chilling chase forces Thai man to leap into canal, still missing
A 25 year old man faced a chilling ordeal as he was chased by a man masquerading as a police officer, causing him to jump into the Mamuang Song Ton Canal in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The chase left him terrified, and he has been missing since the incident. The pursuer, who disappeared without offering any assistance, left only…
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Thai man arrested for smuggling 15 Bangladeshi nationals
The Songkhla Provincial Immigration Police arrested a Thai man for smuggling 15 Bangladeshi people into the country in exchange for a transport fee of 2,000 baht each. Immigration police received a tip-off that a Thai driver was using the Asian Highway in the Rattanaphum district in the southern province of Songkhla to transport Bangladeshi workers to a construction site in…
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Battle of the butter cookies: Arsenal vs Imperial – the red tin rivalry
It’s a cookie clash between two heavyweights, Arsenal and Imperial, with packaging so alike that many mistake them for siblings in the snack world. But surprise, surprise – they’re the brainchildren of different culinary maestros. Crafted by KCG Group, Imperial cookies boast Tong Theeranusornkij as their creator since 1985. Meanwhile, Arsenal cookies emerge from the ovens of the Siam Ruammit…
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Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims. The grim situation has seen total payouts skyrocket to almost 60 billion baht, leaving non-life insurance companies in shambles and prompting the closure of those unable to meet the financial demands. Julapun disclosed…
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Thai man kills girlfriend in jealousy and refusal to convert to Islam
A Thai man killed his girlfriend in a luxury condominium in the Jana district in the southern province of Songkhla before taking his own life. The motives for the murder were reportedly jealousy and the woman’s refusal to convert to Islam. Officers from Hat Yai Police Station were called to the murder-suicide in room number 13 on the 25th floor…
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Endangered leatherback turtle nest discovered on Phuket beach
Phuket woke up to a delightful surprise on December 18 when a nest of a leatherback turtle was discovered at Tha Sai Beach in the Na Toei area of Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga, situated north of Phuket. The find, reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), marks another significant milestone in the conservation efforts for this…
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Foreigners defrauded by Thai woman with their passports leads to arrest
More than 30 foreigners turned the tables on a 33 year old woman, dragging her to the Pattaya City Police Station with a trove of 40 passports. The former language school teacher, Supawadee Thongnoi, stands accused of a cunning visa renewal scam that left expats high and dry in Thailand. Previously, victims had lodged complaints at the Pattaya City Police…
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Distinctive underwear leads to arrest of tobacconist robber a year later
A trio of armed robbers stormed a tobacconist on 109th Ave, USA, on September 14 last year before escaping, only to be caught a year later due to the distinctive underwear one of the culprits wore during the crime. The criminals, all wearing masks, arrived in a Mazda car. Two of them pointed guns at staff and customers while the…
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Will the 2024 fiscal year save the Thai economy?
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that Thailand‘s eagerly awaited 3.48 trillion baht budget for the 2024 fiscal year won’t see the light until early May. Originally set to kick off on October 1, the budget got tangled in the web of politics, with May’s election and the lengthy government formation process pushing the official start to September 5. According…
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