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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Weixin Pay rolls out red carpet for tourists in Thailand with new payment perks
Tencent’s Weixin Pay, commonly known as WeChat Pay, a Chinese payment service provider, has introduced innovative features aimed at simplifying payments for foreign tourists in China and cross-border transactions in Thailand. These features allow visitors to conveniently make payments by scanning QR codes, streamlining the payment process. Starting in July, Tencent has been collaborating closely with major global credit card…
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Lottery luck runs out for bag-grabbing Thai employee
A private Thai company employee was arrested by Nakhon Sawan police for theft after CCTV footage showed him picking up an unattended bag left at a hospital. The bag, belonging to a local cattle trader contained 105,000 baht and 20 government lottery tickets. Instead of returning the bag, he used the money for personal indulgences, including buying drugs, a motorbike,…
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Thailand biz shields up: Low cyberattacks, high cybersecurity worries in ASEAN
In the past year, Thai corporations experienced the lowest number of disruptive cyberattacks among ASEAN nations, with only 22% reporting an increase in incidents by 50% or more, according to a recent survey by global cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks. However, cybersecurity remains a significant concern for Thai businesses as they grapple with increasingly complex threats. The survey, which examined…
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Phuket’s tourism boom: Visa-free policy sparks influx of Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on the cusp of a significant increase in Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors, thanks to a new visa-free policy set to take effect next week. The policy, unveiled in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, grants 30-day visa-free stays for nationals from both countries, starting from Monday and extending until February 29. The Tourism Authority…
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Thai economy to be driven by private consumption, tourism in 2023
Stimulating private consumption is a reasonable strategy for the government to maintain economic growth amidst global uncertainties, according to Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank Thailand. The first half of 2023 saw a 7% year-on-year increase in the country’s private consumption. Expectations are high for private consumption and tourism to be the main drivers of economic growth in…
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Thai woman issues warning after naked woman breaks into her house in Krabi to watch TV (video)
A Thai woman issued a warning to residents of Ao Luek district in the southern province of Krabi after a naked woman broke into her house to watch television. The homeowner, a 47 year old woman named Romla Saiwaree, shared a video of the naked woman with Channel 7 yesterday. In the video, Romla and another man are seen entering…
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Thai Smile Bus electrifies its fleet with a shocking 1,083 EVs
Thai Smile Bus, a leading public transportation company utilising clean energy, plans to introduce an additional 1,083 electric buses (EV) to its fleet by next year, according to the company’s CEO, Kulapatsorn Wongmajarabhin. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment over the past two years to develop environmentally friendly public transportation and reduce PM2.5 dust pollution in urban…
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Thailand’s Student Loan Fund expands reach to address ageing society needs
The Student Loan Fund (SLF) in Thailand, managed by Chainarong Katchapanan, announced plans to extend its loan services to all working-age adults, aged between 18 and 65. The move, aimed at upskilling and reskilling, is in response to Thailand’s shift towards an ageing society. This initiative will be implemented by the end of this year, marking the first time since…
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Foreign income tax proposal raises eyebrows among retail investors
A call has been issued to the government to reconsider the proposed foreign income tax, which could significantly impact retail investors with overseas investments, according to Jitta Wealth Asset Management. Trawut Luangsomboon, Jitta’s chief executive, voiced his concerns about the Revenue Department’s plan to include assessed income from abroad in the personal income tax calculations. He pointed out that the…
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BlackRock eyes Thai clean energy and sustainability bonds for investment
Global asset management giant, BlackRock Inc, with a staggering total of US$9.43 trillion worth of assets under its belt, has set its sights on expanding its business horizons in Thailand. The company is particularly interested in investing in the Thai government’s Sustainability Linked Bonds and the country’s clean energy sector, according to a statement by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. The…
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Thai influencer Bew detained in South Korea sparking immigration scrutiny debate
Popular influencer and Bondi Jelly CEO, Waraphon Piyathansomsin, known as Bew, has been detained overnight in South Korea’s immigration detention centre, drawing extensive online attention. Bew, who has over 700,000 followers, was travelling to South Korea for vacation and wedding dress fitting with her fiancé, who was allowed to pass through immigration. However, Bew was held back, leading to an…
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Motorcycle taxi driver collided with pickup truck door in Bang Phli
A brutal collision ensued as a motorcycle crashed into an opened door of a pickup truck, injuring the rider severely. The incident occurred yesterday when local police from Bang Phli station in Samut Prakan were alerted about a motorbike colliding with a pickup truck door, resulting in injuries. The accident took place inside Soi Bang Pla 45, Bang Pla, Bang…
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Fatal slip at Indian restaurant prompts safety warning after 18 year old worker’s death
A tragic accident unfolded at a restaurant in Madhya Pradesh, India where an 18 year old employee tragically lost his life when he slipped and suffered a fatal head injury while rearranging tables after the restaurant had closed. This shocking incident occurred on September 9. The heartbreaking incident unfolded in the presence of the chef and several other staff members…
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Government Savings Bank unveils 100,000 baht loan scheme for struggling self-employed workers in Thailand
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is launching a loan scheme targeting small-scale self-employed individuals, such as taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, riders, and online sellers. The bank is offering loans of up to 100,000 baht, repayable over eight years, to support these workers who have been adversely affected by the rising cost of living, resulting in reduced income and financial…
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Sadistic Thai father confesses to killing five children in chilling case
Police officers further questioned the sadistic Thai father who brutally murdered his two year old daughter and confessed to the abuse and killing of four more of his five children from another marriage. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station disclosed disturbing details surrounding the tragic demise of two year old Natekwansuda “Model” Songsaeng to the media. The police confirmed that…
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Carport construction dispute leads to deadly shooting in Samut Prakan
A long-standing dispute over a carport construction project led to a fatal shooting in Samut Prakan Province. The incident occurred at 10.30am today. One man was killed and another injured in a snooker hall on Thepharak Road, Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan Province. The deceased was identified as 54 year old Sompron, a construction worker, who was found with…
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Four Thailand hotels make a ‘suite’ entrance in world’s 50 best awards
Four celebrated Thai hotels proved life is “suite” at the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels grand awards ceremony held at London’s Guildhall. The prestigious event, held yesterday, September 19, marked the first-ever global gathering of the hotel industry, celebrating the crème de la crème of hospitality experiences worldwide. Drawing from a diverse array of hotels spanning 35 destinations across six…
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Taking flight: AOT’s 70-billion baht plan for new airport in Phang Nga takes off
Airports of Thailand (AoT) is progressing with a 70 billion baht plan to construct an airport in Phang Nga, located north of Phuket, to cater to the growing tourist influx to the Andaman region. This information was shared by AoT President Keerati Kitmanawat, as he responded to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisiin’s recent visit to Chiang Mai to deliberate on the…
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Viral TikTok video: Thai woman’s online date ends in surprising twist in South Thailand (video)
A TikTok user @rof..2541 posted a video about an online date that instantly went viral, featuring a young woman from Hat Yai in South Thailand. The video recounts her experience of meeting a man she chatted with online, which ended in an unexpected twist. In the video, Som holds up a picture she had previously sent to the man, who…
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Home is where the heartache is: Thai boyfriend seeks advice on unemployed girlfriend’s extended stay
A young man turned to social media for advice after his unemployed girlfriend moved into his family home, sparking a heated debate among netizens. Taking to a popular Thai web forum, Pantip, the man shared his predicament: His girlfriend had lost her job and moved into his parents’ home, initially for a month while she looked for work. However, more…
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Caught on camera: Thieving duo swoops on 20,000 baht windfall
A CCTV camera caught two Thai men stealing 20,000 baht that the victim accidentally dropped on the road in the Nong Ree district of Chon Buri province. A 75 year old man, Auad Sanitjairak, sought help from netizens after two men stole his cash at about 8am on September 15. Auad explained that he wanted to buy a car from…
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Bride-to-be’s dowry dispute fuels social media advice forum
A hot topic doing the rounds on social media recently highlighted the dilemma of a young woman seeking advice regarding her upcoming marriage due to a dispute concerning the dowry. The woman, who initiated the discussion, explained that a recent meeting between her and her partner’s families to discuss the marriage and dowry did not go as expected. Previously, both…
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Price plunge plan: Thai Commerce Minister sets sights on grocery relief
Expectations rise as the Thai Commerce Minister initiates an internal trade department survey with the goal of lowering prices on 20 consumer goods, including staples like rice, eggs, chicken, and pork. This effort aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens and reflects the principle of supporting the less fortunate. Phumtham Wetchayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, this…
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Online DJ Chamrat Jiamram strikes a chord with Khmer dialect
Social media platforms are continually providing new avenues for people to augment their income. One such individual is 32 years old Chamrat Jiamram, an administrative officer turned online DJ who found success by marrying his love for music with his regional Khmer dialect. His content has struck a chord with thousands of followers both in Thailand and Cambodia, generating a…
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Pattaya gold shop robbery suspect finally caught in South Korea
The suspect involved in the high-profile gold shop robbery in Pattaya has been apprehended, according to an announcement by the Region 2 Police. The accused had been on the run since the incident took place on November 9 last year, at the Aurora Gold Shop’s Pattaya South branch. The audacious robbery, which saw two trays of gold valued at over…
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Monk’s resurrection: Revered Luang Pu Khek’s remains restored after fiery ordeal, followers seek lottery blessings
The skeletal remains of revered monk Luang Pu Khek, an esteemed figure in the city of Phitsanulok, have been fully restored and returned to their original state after a devastating fire destroyed his glass coffin. This follows a call to his devotees, and those who hold faith in him, to participate in a procession and try their luck at guessing…
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Phuket makes waves: Forum tackles island’s watery woes
Thailand’s popular island destination of Phuket held a forum to discuss the region’s persistent water issues, led by Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (OWNR), Dr Surasee Kittimonthon. The forum, which took place yesterday, was attended by over 300 individuals, including Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khuphongsakorn. Dr Surasee later joined another…
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Pop goes the chaos: Opening day at POP MART’s Thai flagship store at CentralWorld turns topsy-turvy
Leading art toy company POP MART introduced its inaugural flagship store in Thailand at the popular Bangkok shopping mall, CentralWorld. Regrettably, the opening day took an unexpected turn, resulting in chaos and posing a threat to the safety of customers waiting in the queue. The first-ever POP MART flagship store, spanning an area of 169 square metres, was officially unveiled…
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Typhoon tempest sets 71 crocs on the loose, but Guangdong roundup reels ’em in
An extensive operation in Guangdong province successfully recaptured 71 escaped crocodiles, according to Chinese state media. A flood resulting from a typhoon in the city of Maoming, earlier this month, led to the reptiles escaping from a commercial farm. The group of escapees consisted of 69 fully-grown crocodiles and two juveniles. Footage released by Beijing News depicted several crocodiles in…
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Visa-free Chinese tourism raises concerns over illegal Thailand tour operations
The recent decision to exempt Chinese visitors from visa requirements sparked concerns within the Tourism Department about potential loopholes for illegal zero-dollar tours and unlicensed tour guides. The worry stems from the inability to verify the legitimacy of tour companies during the visa-free period. The department’s director-general, Jaturon Phakdeewanit, revealed that this issue was flagged to Tourism and Sports Minister…
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