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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  • Thailand’s SET considers extending trading hours to boost volume

    Thailand’s SET considers extending trading hours to boost volume

    The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is mulling over an extension of trading hours hoping to rekindle its diminished trading volume and value this year. Despite six years of study, no decision had been previously made on the matter. However, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently directed SET to thoroughly analyse the pros and cons of such a move. A preliminary…

  • Python takes a ride in parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing local stir

    Python takes a ride in parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing local stir

    In an unusual incident, a large python was discovered nestled within a parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing a stir among locals. The snake had taken up residence in the vehicle while its owner took a brief pause for a roadside toilet break. The snake was eventually captured and released back into the wild by the rescue unit of…

  • Four die in Surat Thani as pickup truck crashes into ditch during heavy rainfall

    Four die in Surat Thani as pickup truck crashes into ditch during heavy rainfall

    A pickup truck crashed into a roadside ditch in Surat Thani province during a heavy downpour, resulting in four fatalities. The accident occurred on Route 401 linking Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The investigation was led by Thawatchai Jaihao, the head of the local police force, and Jatupol Duangchuay, also an officer. The officers were alerted to the crash…

  • Bangkok police and FDA seize codeine-laced syrup worth 1 million baht

    Bangkok police and FDA seize codeine-laced syrup worth 1 million baht

    Police Major General Anan Nanasombat, who heads the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), and a team from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sparked a meticulous search operation at six designated locations on Tuesday, October 17. The focus of this operation was to locate and seize syrup laced with Codeine and other drugs that had not been officially registered…

  • Narcotics suspect drowns in canal escape bid during Pathum Thani police raid

    Narcotics suspect drowns in canal escape bid during Pathum Thani police raid

    A narcotics suspect in Pathum Thani drowned after attempting to escape law enforcement by jumping into a canal. The police had been extending the results of their drug sting operation when the individual reacted by discarding his drugs and attempting to flee by jumping into the water. The incident took place in the Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal, in front of the Siwalee…

  • Pattaya elephant Nam Chok retires to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand sanctuary

    Pattaya elephant Nam Chok retires to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand sanctuary

    In a momentous event, Nam Chok, an elderly elephant who has given rides to tourists in Pattaya for decades, has been granted retirement. In her sixties, she was released by her owner into the care of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), a sanctuary that offers a refuge for elephants. Nam Chok, who is partially sighted, is suspected to have…

  • Taylor Swift’s bodyguard forgoes 18 million baht salary to fight for Israel against Hamas

    Taylor Swift’s bodyguard forgoes 18 million baht salary to fight for Israel against Hamas

    A well-known bodyguard of global music sensation Taylor Swift reportedly abandoned his US$500,000 annual salary, equivalent to approximately 18 million baht, to return to his native Israel. He volunteered to fight against the Hamas group, stating that he could not stand idle while his homeland was being destroyed by Hamas forces. According to local media reports, the security officer gained…

  • Raving undercover: Pattaya police raid nightlife gem in early morning swoop

    Raving undercover: Pattaya police raid nightlife gem in early morning swoop

    The early hours of this morning were punctuated by a Pattaya police raid on an active nightlife spot known as Rave. Nestled in the heart of South Pattaya, this popular venue in the Banglamung district found itself under scrutiny following a tip-off from vigilant locals. The time of the Pattaya police raid, which took place at 2am today, October 18, found…

  • Investigation underway as Russian man falls to death from Phuket condo

    Investigation underway as Russian man falls to death from Phuket condo

    The death of a 25 year old Russian man who plummeted from an eight-story condo building in Phuket, near Prince of Songkla University, is currently being investigated by local authorities. The unfortunate event transpired in the early hours of today. Local enforcement was alerted at around 5.10am and promptly arrived at the scene, led by the Deputy Inspector of Kathu…

  • Thieving specter or cunning crook? Lopburi thefts stir mythical creature suspicions

    Thieving specter or cunning crook? Lopburi thefts stir mythical creature suspicions

    A recent spate of thefts in the Lopburi province ignited fear amongst residents, who are attributing the incidents to the mythical creature Phi Kra Sue. However, local authorities have pacified public concerns, stating the culprit is merely a masked thief and not a supernatural mythical creature. The situation came to light when Yotsawin Bamrungwet, Lopburi’s provincial governor, and the province’s…

  • Fruitful feast: Six friends juice things up with 111-bottle drinking marathon

    Fruitful feast: Six friends juice things up with 111-bottle drinking marathon

    Six friends in China’s Sichuan province shocked a popular buffet restaurant by consuming a staggering 111 bottles of fruit juice. The young men, known for their love of value-for-money meals, decided to forgo the typical meat dishes commonly associated with buffet dining, instead, they opted to maximise their investment by ordering mass amounts of sour plum juice. The incident took…

  • Fraudulent gambling site operator arrested in Nonthaburi, victims lose 500,000 baht

    Fraudulent gambling site operator arrested in Nonthaburi, victims lose 500,000 baht

    A gambling site administrator was arrested yesterday after he deceived people into playing and then prevented them from withdrawing their winnings. He was in charge of managing the fraudulent website, posting enticing advertisements, and finding mule accounts to receive fraudulent transfers from the victims. His arrest, which took place in his residence in Nonthaburi province, was the result of a complaint…

  • Bid-rigging network raided by DSI in connection with highway construction project

    Bid-rigging network raided by DSI in connection with highway construction project

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) launched a raid on a network suspected of bid-rigging, connected to a company named Khamnun Nok. The action follows a tip-off about the residence of a woman known as “Ai Nong.” The raid took place today, in relation to highway construction project number 375 in Don Tum and Lam Luk Ka. The DSI is…

  • Starry night showtime: Catch the Orionids meteor shower this weekend

    Starry night showtime: Catch the Orionids meteor shower this weekend

    The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) invited the public to witness the Orionids meteor shower, a spectacle of dust from Halley’s Comet, from Saturday night, October 21, to early Sunday morning, October 22. The meteor shower, expected to reach its peak at around 10.30pm, is likely to display about 20 meteors per hour and can be observed across…

  • Swift police action follows tragic suicide of student scammed by iPhone fraud gang in southern Thailand

    Swift police action follows tragic suicide of student scammed by iPhone fraud gang in southern Thailand

    The tragic suicide of a female grade 12 student from a school in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province has prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies. The student chose to end her life in her bedroom on Sunday night, October 15. Police guess that she was under extreme stress after falling prey to a fraud gang that enticed her to…

  • Sky-high surprise: 73 year old aerial snapshot of Bang Khen field sparks social media frenzy

    Sky-high surprise: 73 year old aerial snapshot of Bang Khen field sparks social media frenzy

    An aerial photograph of Bang Khen field, taken 73 years ago, has caused a stir after it was shared on social media. The image, taken in 1950, depicts a wide-open landscape, dominated by the towering spire of Wat Phra Si Maha That Woramahawihan in Bangkok. Tiny buildings can be identified as the former district office of Bang Khen, established in…

  • Phuket’s tuk tuk turmoil: Driver busted with ‘Yaba’ stash and axe arsenal

    Phuket’s tuk tuk turmoil: Driver busted with ‘Yaba’ stash and axe arsenal

    A tuk tuk driver from Patong was apprehended by police and charged with possession of 43 methamphetamine pills, known locally as Yaba, and several weapons, including an axe. The 30 year old driver, was arrested on Monday night, October 16, at a checkpoint in front of Patong Hospital. The incident was reported by the Patong Police late the following day.…

  • Phantom frenzy: Lopburi locals hunt for notorious ghost causing sleepless nights (video)

    Phantom frenzy: Lopburi locals hunt for notorious ghost causing sleepless nights (video)

    Residents of Lopburi are on a hunt for a notorious ghost, causing sleepless nights due to its eerie presence in central Thailand. A 70 year old pig farmer, Wichien, today revealed he encountered this ghost twice. The hunt has sparked excitement and fear among residents who have taken to TikTok to document their thrilling ghost hunts. Wichien’s first encounter with…

  • PM Srettha urges swift evacuation decision as death toll of Thai workers in Israel hits 30

    PM Srettha urges swift evacuation decision as death toll of Thai workers in Israel hits 30

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urgently called upon Thai citizens residing in Israel to make a swift decision regarding their evacuation amidst escalating global concerns. The Thai death toll in Israel has distressingly reached 30. Addressing the public from Beijing on Wednesday, the prime minister expressed his concern. “For those who are still undecided, it’s crucial to decide promptly as…

  • Chiang Mai property stirs online debate, selling dream or reality for 80,000 baht?

    Chiang Mai property stirs online debate, selling dream or reality for 80,000 baht?

    A plot of land, measuring just one square wah (equivalent to 4 square metres) and priced at 80,000 baht, has caused a stir on social media. The land, located in a village in Chiang Mai, comes complete with a groundwater system, a water tank, and a steel cage. The online Chiang Mai property post advertising the sale also included a…

  • PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok

    PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok

    Bangkok is currently grappling with the return of PM2.5 dust particles, predominantly due to the transition from the rainy season to the colder months. Rising atmospheric pressure and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of these particles. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported today, that the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding…

  • Elderly man accused of child sex abuse commits suicide in northern Thailand

    Elderly man accused of child sex abuse commits suicide in northern Thailand

    A 72 year old man accused of child sex abuse committed suicide, escaping the legal consequences of his actions. The mother of the 11 year old girl victim revealed that she too had been molested by the same man when she was a child. The child sex abuse incident came to light when an 11 year old girl sent a…

  • Stringing along trouble: Cambodian guitarist strikes wrong chord in Bangkok church heists

    Stringing along trouble: Cambodian guitarist strikes wrong chord in Bangkok church heists

    A Cambodian guitarist was arrested today after being accused of stealing musical instruments from Christian churches across Bangkok. The church theft arrest took place at an unnamed rental room in Suk Sawat Road, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan. The suspect, Hek Sophol, was sought after an arrest warrant was issued by the Criminal Court of Southern Bangkok on October…

  • Phuket Vegetarian Festival thrives with cultural rituals and street processions

    Phuket Vegetarian Festival thrives with cultural rituals and street processions

    The streets of Phuket town were buzzing with spiritual energy earlier today as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival entered its fourth day and the third day of street processions. Devotees and Mah song spirit mediums from the Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine in Samkong led the procession, showcasing a blend of Chinese culture and local traditions. The Samkong Shrine, one of…

  • Gulf Energy eyes 50% revenue surge with power plant operations boost

    Gulf Energy eyes 50% revenue surge with power plant operations boost

    Gulf Energy Development, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed firm, is looking forward to a 50% revenue surge, breaking past the 100 billion baht (US$3.03 billion) mark this year. This significant increase is due to the addition of electricity generation capacity and the full operation of its power plants. In the previous year, the company’s earnings stood at 95 billion…

  • Thai worker survives shooting in Israel, returns home thanks to fellow expat

    Thai worker survives shooting in Israel, returns home thanks to fellow expat

    A Thai worker who survived a shooting incident in Israel has returned home to Khon Kaen province thanks to the heroic efforts of a Thai woman from Nong Bua Lamphu. The Thai worker’s mother, Boonhom Butmo, expressed her deepest gratitude to 40 year old Jam for ensuring the safe return of her son, Ono. When reporters visited Ono’s parents at…

  • Thai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments

    Thai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments

    Two sub-panels have been established by the government committee studying the proposed constitutional amendments in Thailand. Their mandate is to measure public sentiment on the proposed changes and devise a blueprint for a potential referendum. Phumtham Wechayachai, chair of the committee, has stated that while there is no set deadline for these sub-panels, it is anticipated that their tasks will…

  • Thai PM dismisses rumours of expensive Super App for digital currency scheme

    Thai PM dismisses rumours of expensive Super App for digital currency scheme

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin quashed rumours yesterday regarding the development of a new application for the country’s forthcoming 10,000-baht digital currency handout scheme. Speculation had been rife that an affiliate of property behemoth Sansiri Plc was to develop the new digital wallet application, named Super App, at a whopping cost of 12 billion baht. However, the 61 year old…

  • Thai stock exchange rises 1.5% but investors remain cautious

    Thai stock exchange rises 1.5% but investors remain cautious

    The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) experienced a 1.5% rise on October 11, attracting foreign investors who bought almost 3 billion baht (US$82,648,050) in stocks. Despite this, seasoned investor 50 year old Watchara Kaewsawang, exhibited caution about re-entering the market, citing the recent increase as a short-lived technical rebound following a series of downturns. Watchara acknowledged that his trading activity…

  • National police chief probes Thaksin’s hospital treatment amid special privilege claims

    National police chief probes Thaksin’s hospital treatment amid special privilege claims

    National Police Chief General Torsak Sukvimol requested a report from the Police General Hospital (PGH) regarding the medical treatment provided to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is currently incarcerated. This request was prompted by a photograph circulating on social media that depicted Thaksin, donned in a patient’s gown and mask, presumably heading for CT and MRI scans. The image, which…