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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Alcohol consumption bans at retirement parties win praise
Two key Thai ministries, the Interior and Education, have gained recognition for their commitment to stamping out alcohol consumption during retirement parties for their staff ending their service after this month. Introduced seven years ago, this policy was brought into effect following requests made by the StopDrink Network Office, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Thai Health Promotion…
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Protein foam to boost elderly nutrition unveiled by researchers
A research group at Mahidol University has unveiled a novel plant-based protein supplement aimed at bolstering the protein consumption of the elderly. The supplement, a foam protein derived from Thailand’s acclaimed Hom Mali rice, is designed for effortless consumption. Warangkana Srichamnong, assistant director of the Institute of Nutrition and spearhead of the foam protein project, explained the simplicity of its…
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Four arrested in Thailand for child sex trafficking operation
Four individuals implicated in child sex trafficking have been apprehended in Bangkok and Samut Prakan, according to a police announcement today. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) of the police force detained the two suspects. Criminal Court arrest warrants had been issued for the pair on September 6. The suspects, 40 year old Noppadol Chanthong and 51 year old Khachaporn…
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Thailand urges US to restore GSP to give trade protection
Thailand is accelerating discussions with the United States, aiming to reinstate the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and eliminate its place on the intellectual property assets watch list. The kingdom is urging the US to expedite the restoration of the GSP programme, which concluded in 2020, to safeguard the benefits of Thai exporters and US importers and give protection to…
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20 year old arrested in Phuket drug raid amid ongoing suppression campaign
A drug raid executed in the Rawai Sea gypsy village in Phuket led to the arrest of a 20 year old local man. He was apprehended on charges of possessing 20 methamphetamine pills, colloquially known as Yaba. The arrest was part of a three-month campaign to crack down on drug dealing, use, and possession in Phuket. The operation was executed…
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Fiscal budget deficits risks Thai economy, chief economist warns
Kiatnakin Phatra Securities’ chief economist issued a stark warning over the government’s increasing reliance on fiscal budget deficits, cautioning that such an approach could harm the economy over an extended period. Pipat Luengnaruemitchai openly criticised the government’s latest populist strategies, including a digital money initiative and reduced oil costs, stating that these measures could erode fiscal discipline. He further warned…
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BMA fast-track road returns to ease city’s traffic congestion
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued a call to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) for the swift restoration of roads surrounding various MRTA construction sites. This move is aimed at mitigating the escalating traffic congestion in the city. The deputy Bangkok governor, during a recent BMA meeting, revealed that the MRTA has assured the BMA of the planned…
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US auto industry strike continues, workers demand 40% wage increase
Remaining defiant in their stand for better pay, employees from the United States’ renowned Big Three auto manufacturers – General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (the parent company of Dodge and Chrysler in the US) – continued to strike for a second day. The lack of agreement between the United Automobile Workers (UAW) and the companies could potentially destabilise the economy…
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Thailand’s airlines resist price war despite rising operational costs
Despite escalating operational costs, Thailand’s airlines are unlikely to trigger a new price war, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) intends to retain the existing ceiling for ticket prices. This information was shared by Suttipong Kongpool, the CAAT director, during a seminar co-hosted by the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) and CAAT this week. Suttipong indicated that with…
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New Parliament building nears completion, Constitution Day unveil
The near completion of Sappaya-Sapasathan, Thailand’s new Parliament building, is set to be celebrated by House members and staff on Constitution Day, December 10, as stated by Deputy House Speaker, Padipat Santiphada. He disclosed that the structure is virtually finished, with a final audit committee meeting planned for Monday to examine the project’s status. Padipat indicated that if the Parliament…
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Economic data in China sees Asian stocks surge, Thai shares dip
Asian stocks experienced a significant surge yesterday, a continuation of the global equity rally, following encouraging Chinese economic data that sparked optimism about the imminent culmination of major central banks’ tightening initiatives. Despite the overall momentum, Thai stocks saw a slight dip of 0.3% from the prior week, closing at 1,542.03 on Friday, with an average daily turnover of 46.97…
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Thai education minister’s appointment in question over Red Bull heir scandal
The recent appointment of Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, has been challenged by the Move Forward Party (MFP), following allegations of his involvement in aiding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the heir to the Red Bull fortune, to evade prosecution. MFP MP Teerajchai Phunthumas voiced these concerns during a press briefing yesterday, September 15. He drew attention to the National Anti-Corruption…
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Thai Education Minister plants ‘sufficiency seeds’ in teacher finance debate
Education Minister Pheeraphon Nitikorn sparked controversy by suggesting teachers and educational staff adopt a sufficiency economy philosophy to reduce their debt and financial planning burdens. This proposal was made during the presentation of educational policies and guidelines for the Good Study, Happy Policy. Another issue related to reducing the burden of teachers and educational staff is addressing their debt problems.…
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Phuket’s forest-working group takes root: Mapping a path for protected land issues
Phuket’s inaugural meeting of a newly established working group, tasked with resolving issues concerning residents residing in or near the Bang Khanun Protected National Forest, resolved to develop a database to record all land parcels owned or occupied within the forest area. The decision also included creating a map of the occupied areas within the forest. The resolution was made…
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Critical condition: Thai activist’s battle against stomach tumour prompts urgent hospital transfer
Thai political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan remains in a critical condition due to a stomach tumour, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers requested the Department of Corrections to urgently transfer Ekachai to Thammasat University Hospital for treatment. The tumour, as revealed by tests, measures 11 centimetres in length and 8cm in width. The 48 year old Thai activist was…
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Rice prices boil over, stirring inflation concerns for Asian central banks
Central banks across Asia are bracing themselves for the challenge of curbing inflation amid soaring food prices, particularly rice, a dietary staple in the region. The cost of rice surged to its highest since 2008, sparking concern among economists at HSBC Holdings Plc. Frederic Neumann, leading a team of economists at HSBC, referred to the significant impact of the 2008…
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Shocking TikTok video reveals tapeworms in wild bear: Wildlife photographer’s startling discovery
A viral video, viewed over 24 million times, features documentary wildlife photographer Mark Bouldoukian, known as @markian.b on TikTok, having a startling encounter with a brown bear with what appeared to be long white ropes attached to its rear but in reality, these were not ropes but rather tapeworms. The video’s creator indicated that tapeworms residing inside bears can grow…
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EconThai urges government: Debt-lift measures needed for all, not just farmers
EconThai, the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, called on the government to hasten steps to alleviate the heavy domestic debt burden, aiming to aid not only farmers but also middle-income earners who are bearing substantial financial loads. EconThai Vice-Chairman, Tanit Sorat, highlighted the necessity for debt suspension measures to be inclusive, covering a wide range of individuals in…
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Thai consumer confidence surges as new government takes charge, but high living costs cast a shadow
Last month saw a rise in consumer confidence following the swift establishment of a new government, although concerns about the high cost of living and the sluggish global economy remain. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed that the consumer confidence index rose to 56.9 from 55.6 in July. This uplift was attributed to the easing of…
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Police launches special probe into suspect ‘Nok’s’ bidding capers amidst murder inquiry
A special investigative team has been established by the Royal Thai Police to delve into the alleged bidding price manipulation by two businesses owned by Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok. Nok is an alleged suspect in the recent murder of a highway police officer. The investigative team is composed of officials from various departments including the Revenue Department, State…
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Thai PM’s digital wallet pick: Pao Tang app unlocks blockchain integration
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that the government has chosen the Pao Tang app, operated by Krungthai Bank, for its digital wallet initiative. The integration of the app with blockchain technology was confirmed by Srettha during a policy meeting with executives from the Finance Ministry. The government is prepared with a sufficient budget to roll out a 10,000 baht…
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ASEAN air force leaders’ meet in Myanmar with Thai Air Force on board
A meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) air force leaders, chaired by Myanmar, is currently underway with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in attendance. The conference in Nay Pyi Taw sees the participation of ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, the RTAF commander, alongside air force leaders from Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei, according to a report by activist…
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Shocking video on TikTok: Thai sex worker takes moral stand over misbehaving monk soliciting her services
Thai social media was left astounded as they watched a Thai sex worker display a stronger sense of morality than a sinful monk when she declined to offer her services to him. This revelation came to light through a widely circulated video on the TikTok app, exposing the shameful monk’s unbecoming conduct. The monk, insistent on receiving the service, argued…
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Chinese embassy applauds visa-free ‘tour-de-force’ to revive Thai tourism
The Chinese embassy expressed gratitude towards the Thai government’s visa-free policy, anticipating it would encourage an influx of tourists from China and rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry. The embassy, in a Facebook post, conveyed the Chinese government’s support for the initiative but simultaneously emphasised the necessity for the Thai government to safeguard Chinese tourists during their stay. The visa-free scheme, unveiled…
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Bangkok Special Prison seeks ‘checkup’ on ex-PM Thaksin at police hospital
Bangkok Special Prison is set to send an inquiry to the medical team at the Police Hospital about the condition of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been receiving treatment there. Thaksin has been in the hospital for almost a month, and the prison officials, led by Nasathi Thongplod, insist on following doctors’ orders above all else. Even…
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Myanmar’s surprise cash checks: Dollars and insurance needed for entry
According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar has announced that it will randomly inspect foreign tourists on arrival. US dollars in cash and medical insurance are required for entry. The embassy yesterday, September 14, reported that the Burmese authorities urged foreigners entering the country for less than 14 days to prepare for a random inspection upon arrival. According…
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Fatal folly: Rubbernecking motorcyclist’s abrupt stop leads to tragic crash in northern Thailand
A tragic fatality occurred as a result of an unforeseen incident when a motorist abruptly braked to observe an accident scene in Lamphun, northern Thailand. The incident transpired around 7.20pm yesterday when a motorcyclist lost his life due to a six-wheeled lorry failing to come to a halt in time, colliding with the back of the motorcycle. The initial accident…
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Scandal unearthed: Thai minister’s wife faces corruption charges over 20 million baht construction project
Rodjana Kantinan, the spouse of Kriang Kantinan, Deputy Interior Minister and a member of the Pheu Thai Party, is currently under investigation for allegations of malfeasance surrounding a construction project. The project in question unfolded in 2012 during Rodjana’s tenure as the Mayor of Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani Municipality, situated within the Ubon Ratchathani province. Isranews Agency reported on Monday that…
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Phuket’s ‘Brother Helps Younger Brother’ initiative: Keeping lives afloat with recycled life jackets
In a bid to buoy up water safety standards in Phuket, the Phuket Regional Harbour Office has launched a heartwarming initiative with recycled life jackets aptly named Brother Helps Younger Brother. This campaign is steering towards recycling and repurposing marine equipment, particularly life jackets, to extend their serviceable life and save lives in potential accidents. The campaign takes a two-pronged…
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Ex-Thai Senator among five charged in Saraburi minor sexual exploitation scandal
A scandal erupted in Saraburi as a former senator and four other individuals faced charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The ex-senator, 57 year old Boonsong Kerdlam, along with the former director of the Saraburi branch of the National Office of Buddhism, and three other men were issued arrest warrants. A prominent politician from a major coalition…
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