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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.
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What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Thai prosecutors threatened over online gambling scandal probe
Two leading prosecutors have allegedly been threatened by police officers implicated in a major online gambling scandal in Thailand, prompting the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to seek their protection. The Royal Thai Police, however, have yet to offer a response to the OAG’s plea. The OAG has specifically requested the national police chief, Police General Torsak Sukvimol, to…
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Rare oarfish carcasses found in Thailand to be exhibited post study
Two oarfish carcasses recently discovered in Thailand are currently under examination by the National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation. Once the investigation is finished, the remains will be showcased at an exhibition. Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said yesterday that the first oarfish carcass was discovered near Patong Beach, Phuket on February 15. Local fishermen located…
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Disciplinary action looming for ex-Kaeng Krachan park chief over misconduct
The former head of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, is facing potential disciplinary action following a misconduct investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The organisation has requested that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment consider the action against Chaiwat due to his involvement in a construction project within the park. The NACC’s inquiry identified Chaiwat…
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Thailand investigates extending alcohol sales hours for tourism
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew announced the formation of a panel by the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee to investigate the proposed extension of alcohol sales hours in Thailand. This decision necessitates a comprehensive review of the existing laws and regulations surrounding the sale of alcoholic beverages. The panel’s objective is to study the potential repercussions of extended drinking hours…
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NESDC adjusts Thailand’s GDP growth projections
An adjustment to the anticipated GDP growth for 2023 and 2024 has been made by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), dropping to 1.9% and 2.7% respectively. The secretary-general of NESDC, Danucha Pichayanan, has called upon the Bank of Thailand to utilise financial measures to support the economy. The NESDC unveiled the figures for the economic growth in…
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TBA urges integration of informal economy for digital growth
The Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) has advocated for integrating the informal economy into the national economic framework to enhance transparency and bolster the country’s digital economy. The recovery index of Thailand’s GDP post-pandemic in 2023 was marked at 110, underperforming the worldwide average of 80, according to the TBA. A higher score on this index indicates a lengthier recovery period.…
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RTN officer critically injured in Chon Buri road accident
A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer was severely injured after his pickup truck crashed into a utility pole and flipped onto its roof on a road in Chon Buri province, trapping him inside the vehicle. The incident occurred at around 9.20pm yesterday on Highway 3126 in the Sattahip district, near the RTN’s fuel depot. Emergency services had to use hydraulic…
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Bangkok Produce leads campaign on crop burning to fight PM2.5 dust
Taking the lead in the fight against the PM2.5 dust challenge, Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of the leading agri-food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), has joined forces with government authorities, business partners, and farmers. They are spearheading a holistic campaign designed to curtail crop burning in the lead-up to the imminent planting…
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Customer pressured into 5-star review to unlock warranty
A recent outcry has emerged on social media after a customer was pressured to leave a five-star review for a product to receive a warranty, sparking a heated debate about consumer rights and business ethics. The incident was brought to light when a customer shared their frustration in a Facebook group dedicated to consumer affairs, provoking a flood of responses…
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Thai police chief ordered to protect prosecutors in online gambling case
The national chief of police has been instructed by the attorney-general to prevent eight implicated officers in an online gambling case from intimidating two senior prosecutors, disclosed Prayut Phetcharakhun, spokesperson of the Office of the Attorney-General. In the previous week, Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak penned a letter to police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol, requesting him to halt threats from the…
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Love triangle turmoil: Thai woman attempts suicide over romantic attention from 2 men
A Thai woman tried to commit suicide by running into a crowded road in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok because she could not choose between two men who fell in love with her. The three eventually agreed to be in a relationship together. Officers at Rattahathibet Police Station were alerted to a car accident on the Rattanathibet Road at 11.30pm on February…
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GSB asses terms for informal debtors in Thailand’s debt relief bid
Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana announced that the Finance Ministry has tasked the Government Savings Bank (GSB) with reassessing conditions for informal debtors. This move is part of the government’s steadfast resolution to address economic issues, especially those concerning formal and informal debt. The responsibility of registering informal debtors and facilitating negotiations with informal lenders has been given to the…
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Miss Universe president denies fraud, vows legal action in Thailand
Shockwaves reverberated through the beauty pageant world as Paula Shugart, the long-standing President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), announced her departure from the role she held for over 23 years. This surprising turn of events unfolded during the Miss Universe 2023 pageant held in El Salvador. Following her resignation, Shugart took to her personal Instagram account to state Thai,…
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Phuket passenger van drivers’ brawl sparks public outrage
A violent altercation between two passenger van drivers erupted at the Ratsada Pier exit in Phuket. The incident, which was captured on video, circulated rapidly on social media yesterday, February 18, sparking widespread outrage. The video footage revealed a heated exchange between the drivers that eventually escalated into a physical brawl. One driver was seen being kicked while he lay…
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Homeless veteran found dead under Bangkok expressway
A homeless veteran was found dead under the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi, with a fractured skull, sparking a police investigation to capture the assailant. In a sombre discovery beneath the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi province, authorities found the lifeless body of a homeless veteran with severe injuries to his head. The incident, which occurred under the shadow of…
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Thailand aims for top ASEAN agricultural exporter with new FTAs
A Government of Thailand spokesperson revealed plans to enhance economic cooperation and attract foreign trade and investment, which could propel the Thai nation to the top of the agricultural export rankings in ASEAN through the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTA). The spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong, disclosed Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin’s determination…
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Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern
Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development…
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Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault
A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a male tattoo artist in Chon Buri province, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a tattoo session. The girl reported the sexual assault to Saensuk Police Station in Chon Buri province and also urged the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share the story with the public. The…
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Late onset of Thai summer predicted with extreme heat
The onset of summer in Thailand is set to be late this month, as projected by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). The upcoming months of March and April are forecasted to experience extreme heat, with temperatures potentially soaring as high as 43-45°C in certain provinces. According to the department, the latter part of the week will witness a surge…
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Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand
A recent tragedy gripped the local community of Satuek following a fatal traffic incident involving two 12 year old students, needlessly killed by a drunk driver. The accident occurred at 3pm yesterday, when a 67 year old man, identified only by his first name, Banchong, struck the children with his black Mitsubishi pickup truck, leading to their immediate death at…
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Chinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses
The Immigration Bureau of Thailand arrested a Chinese man for running an illegal gambling website that caused more than 2.5 billion baht in losses to people in China. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand requested cooperation from the Immigration Bureau to apprehend a 32 year old Chinese suspect named Huang who escaped an…
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Thailand battles rising PM2.5 levels, Bangkok breathes easier
Northeastern Thailand is currently grappling with hazardous levels of PM2.5, surpassing the standard values and affecting public health, while Bangkok enjoys relatively clear skies. Northeastern Thailand is currently enveloped in a haze of fine particulate matter, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the safety standards in 40 provinces. This has placed the health of millions at risk, particularly affecting the respiratory system.…
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Phuket boat operators nabbed for unlicensed fishing
At the heart of Phuket’s pristine waters, two boat operators found themselves ensnared by the law on a fateful day earlier this week. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Marine Police, in a display of concerted action, apprehended the duo for carrying out commercial fishing activities in a restricted zone and for steering an unlicensed fishing vessel. The incident…
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Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan
A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…
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Six zodiac signs set for financial uplift according to astrological predictions
Astrological forecasts often bring a glimmer of hope to those facing challenges, and the latest predictions are no exception. For six zodiac signs, the stars are aligning to offer a reprieve from recent hardships, particularly in the financial arena. For those who have faced a relentless stream of obstacles, the promise of a turnaround is more than welcome. The past…
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Phuket hookah bar raided in ongoing clampdown on illicit tobacco trade
In the bustling city of Phuket, a hookah bar in Cherng Talay was stormed by a team of ten officials from the Thalang District. Following the crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, authorities have apprehended and charged the venue operator involved in the illegal activity. The operation was initiated late into the night at 11.09pm on Friday, February 16. This…
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Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit
Police arrested a Thai man for fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. Another suspect is still at large. Officers at U Thong Police Station in the U Thong district of Suphan Buri received a report of the stabbing on the evening of Saturday, February 17. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered…
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Thailand’s GDP sees modest growth amid calls for interest rate cut
Thailand’s economic growth in 2023, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), registered a 1.9% increase, according to the National Social and Economic Development Council (NESDC). This growth, however, was tempered by a decline in manufacturing and public spending, despite an upswing in private consumption and visitor numbers. This growth bolsters the argument for an interest rate slash during…
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Mysterious burned human skeletons found in Isaan landfill
A Thai man discovered a burned human skeleton in a landfill in the Waeng Noi district of the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The identity of the deceased and the cause of death are currently under investigation. The man, a water delivery driver, stopped at the landfill yesterday, February 18, to urinate and came across the skeletons. He then reported…
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Singapore aims to use sustainable aviation fuel in all flights by 2026
Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed a green initiative to transition all outgoing flights to utilise sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2026. This announcement came during the Changi Aviation Summit, a precursor to the Singapore Airshow. The city-state is committing to a 1% SAF usage target by 2026, with ambitions to elevate this figure to between 3% and 5%…
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