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.
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Sponsored See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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Central Group grabs Ploenchit Road for record-breaking 16 million baht per square metre
The land price per square wah in the heart of Bangkok is set to smash records, with Central Group snatching up a plot on Ploenchit Road from the Sukosol family at 4 million baht per square wa (16 million baht per square metre). This coveted three-rai plot, formerly the Morakot parking lot nestled between Central Chidlom and Soi Somkid, has…
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Cultural crown: Nakhon Pathom’s signature Khao Moo Daeng dish hailed as heritage hero
The Cultural Promotion Department bestowed the coveted title of cultural wisdom heritage upon Nakhon Pathom’s signature dish, Khao Moo Daeng, or red pork rice. A sumptuous symphony of pork, rice, and secret spices that has set taste buds ablaze across Thailand, this culinary coronation is part of the 18 gastronomic treasures honoured in 2023, as published in the prestigious Royal…
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Unidentified tourist found lifeless off Pattaya coast
A male tourist, believed to be of Indian nationality, was discovered lifeless, floating off the coast of Pattaya’s vibrant Walking Street this morning. The grim find unfolded around 10.30am near Soi 14, sparking concern through the area and prompting a rapid response from local authorities. Pattaya police, in collaboration with Tourist Police, immigration officers, and rescue personnel, swiftly arrived at…
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Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand
A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…
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Hong Kong introduces diagonal crossings in Sha Tin
The Hong Kong government rolled out a measure allowing diagonal pedestrian crossings at selected intersections. The first pilot project, initiated yesterday, January 31, can be found at the bustling junction of Sha Kok Road and Yat Tai Street in Sha Tin. This move, aimed at streamlining foot traffic, has garnered applause from citizens eager to slash their waiting time at…
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High speed train and dual tracks to transform travel experience in Hua Hin
The newly inaugurated dual-track train line on December 15 promises faster travel times and increased efficiency for Hua Hin’s commuters. Yet, confusion reigns among the public as they grapple with the distinction between this groundbreaking initiative and the upcoming high-speed train project. The dual track line, complete with the gleaming new elevated train station in Hua Hin, stands as a…
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Young man crushed by car in Buriram roadside mishap
Tragedy struck yesterday when a young man suffered severe injuries after being crushed by a car while trying to change a flat tyre. His wife, standing by with their four month old son, recounted the harrowing moments she heard his cries for help. On the rural road between Nang Rong and Non-Din Daeng in the Buriram province, an otherwise ordinary…
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Brief encounter: Thai man in underwear dodges death after sick leave refusal sparks murder attempt
A Thai man narrowly escaped death and urgently sought help from a neighbour while clad only in his underwear, after a subordinate tried to kill him for rejecting a sick leave request. The suspect was arrested yesterday, January 31. Deputy District Chief Rojanin Borwonthitichairat filed a complaint against his subordinate, 39 year old Adul, at Nonsuwan Police Station at about…
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Hong Kong high school kids splash coke on the homeless in pedestrian tunnel (video)
Four heartless Hong Kong teenagers sparked fury after a video surfaced, capturing their disgraceful act of splashing water and coke on an unsuspecting homeless person in a pedestrian tunnel. The disturbing footage unfolded as one teen darts towards the rough sleeper, dousing him in a heartless liquid onslaught. A cohort quickly follows suit, leaving the disoriented victim shocked, while the…
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Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand
Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…
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Whale of a time: Thai tourist’s video reels in awe with rare shark sighting near Koh Samet (video)
A fin-tastic encounter unfolded yesterday as a Thai tourist shared a video capturing the rare moment when a whale shark made a splash near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong. A Facebook account, Tanakorn Boontaram, shared a video of a whale shark making a surprise appearance near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong, yesterday,…
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Live cobra smuggled onboard AirAsia flight from Bangkok concealed in bottle
CISF personnel thwarted a smuggling attempt at Kempegowda International Airport, Karnataka, India, as a passenger who landed from Bangkok on an AirAsia flight tried to conceal a live cobra inside a bottle. The astute CISF officers uncovered the hidden serpent during a routine luggage check. The daring passenger, identified as Purushottam, now faces the clutches of the Forest Department as…
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British couple’s near fatal motorbike crash in Thailand leads to a romantic hospital proposal
In a tale of love, resilience, and an unexpected proposal, a British couple from Durham, in the northeast of England, found themselves thrust into the spotlight after a near-fatal motorbike crash during what was supposed to be a dreamy 28-day Thai vacation. As their love story unfolds amidst the wreckage, a community rallies to support the engaged couple, fighting against…
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Samui Airport sees remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed an outstanding surge in tourist arrivals at Samui Airport, in Thailand, with 2.2 million holidaymakers marking their footprints on the east coast island. The figure indicates a significant 66.65% increase compared to the previous year’s numbers. Located in the Surat Thani province, the Koh Samui district is home to Samui Airport. The district’s director, Jirawat Wutthiwatworakun,…
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Stretching for change: Foreign yogi beggar sought near Bangkok’s Mor Chit BTS station
Human Security Emergency Management Center (HuSEC) officers are searching for a foreign beggar who showed off his yoga skills for money near Mor Chit BTS Station in Bangkok . Pictures of a foreign beggar seeking money to travel back to his home country went viral on Thai social media this week. The foreign man in the pictures was seen wearing…
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Entertainment guard gunned down at traffic light in Pattaya
An entertainment guard was shot multiple times while waiting at a traffic light at the intersection at Na Kluea sub-district, North Pattaya, at 6.16am yesterday. The 39 year old guard, Panya Khayanngan, succumbed to his wounds despite a swift rush to the hospital. The crime scene painted a gruesome picture, with Panya’s overturned motorcycle and his body riddled with bullet…
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Visa applications in Thailand surge, overtaking pre-Covid figures
Visa applications from Thailand have surged, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Visa application volumes from Thailand, after a turbulent spell, are on the brink of eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, signalling a remarkable recovery in global travel confidence. A 35% increase in applications last year compared to 2022 promises a boost to international tourism. Key points: Visa applications rebounded with a 35% surge…
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Chulalongkorn University’s CU Radio on air hours change triggers debate
Chulalongkorn University‘s iconic CU Radio station, a beacon of knowledge for over six decades, triggered a storm of criticism by chopping its broadcasting hours from 6am to midnight to 6am to 6pm. Starting today, the airwaves on FM101.5 will fall silent post-6pm, heralding the advent of Chula Radio Plus. Established in 1958, the station, synonymous with quality education, faces a…
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Suspected arson leads to wildfire in Trat, Thailand’s Samet Forest
A wildfire ravaged nearly 100 acres of the Samet Forest in Trat province, Thailand, with suspicions that locals secretly set the fire to forage for forest products. Despite the efforts of firefighting teams, the blaze remains uncontained and there are concerns it could spread to an adjacent 2,000-acre forest. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, including the safety…
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Sightseers sans stamps: Syrian, Egyptian guests nabbed for visa overstay in Bangkok hotel
Immigration police arrested a Syrian man and an Egyptian woman at a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok for overstaying their visas. The Syrian man was discovered to have committed several prior offences. Immigration Bureau officers announced news of three successful operations at a press conference yesterday, January 31. The three cases included the arrest of a British man…
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Tourist thrill ride: Hanging out of car windows lands travellers in hot water in Phuket
A group of reckless tourists in Karon, Phuket, were caught on video hanging out of a car’s windows on the road on Tuesday afternoon. Karon police confirmed that the tourists were seen engaging in impulsive behaviour at approximately 3pm on January 30. The police tracked down the individuals in question at 5.45pm and took them to the local police station…
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Rare Pokémon Oreo fetches up to 200,000 baht
A recent online sensation has emerged as a Facebook page announced it is willing to pay up to 200,000 baht (US$5,637) for a special edition Oreo cookie featuring the rare Mew Pokémon design. This limited-edition cookie has caused a stir among collectors and raised questions about the authenticity of the buying offers, with some speculating it might be a price…
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Welsh tourist dies of heart failure on first day of Phuket holiday
A 60 year old Welsh holidaymaker tragically passed away from heart failure on the first day of his vacation in Phuket, Thailand, reported by Patong Police. The lamentable event was confirmed to Police Lieutenant Colonel Pacharathorn Chan-iad of Patong Police by Patong Hospital at around 12.30pm yesterday, January 31. The man, accompanied by his family of three, had embarked on…
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Palang Pracharath Party member calls for dissolution of Move Forward Party
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP Rueangkrai Leekitwattana plans to submit a letter to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) following the recent decision by the Constitution Court. Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn accused the MFP and former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat of trying to overthrow the monarchy and the…
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Teenager detained for premeditated murder in Suan Luang school
A 14 year old schoolboy, recently detained at a juvenile detention centre, stands accused of premeditated murder and public possession of a weapon. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on Monday at a school in the Suan Luang district, where he allegedly stabbed and killed another student. Awaiting judgment, the teenager remains under the jurisdiction of the Central Juvenile…
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Foam and scale: Dishwashing liquid divides netizens in fishy transport debate
A fish vendor’s unconventional method of using dishwashing liquid to keep fish alive during transportation has sparked intense online debate. A video went viral showing the vendor pouring the liquid into a fish transport container, claiming it helps provide oxygen to the fish, preventing them from water shock. However, Dr Jesada Denduangboripant, a biology lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and a…
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Heroic bus driver’s honesty wins hearts: Returns lost wallets to French couple
A Thai bus driver is breaking the Internet with his virtuous act after returning the wallets of a French couple. Kanta Sridara, the 59 year old driver of Mini Bus No. 44 on the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok route, not only discovered misplaced wallets belonging to French tourists but also promptly returned their lifetime savings, earning praise and admiration across social media. According to…
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Thailand weather forecast: Cool morning, fog, warming, light rain
A sharp temperature drop and sporadic rain are expected in parts of Thailand today, according to the Thai weather forecast by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). In Bangkok, light showers are anticipated, while the south faces stormy conditions due to the prevailing monsoon, with waves exceeding 1 metre in some areas. The country’s northern region is bracing for a…
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Lottery frenzy hits Thailand ahead of Chinese New Year
As the festive season of Chinese New Year beckons, lottery fever grips Thailand, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the draw today, February 1. The blend of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day sparked a surge in lottery ticket sales, with a particular focus on numbers associated with these celebrations. The government lottery office, however, has yet to commence its travelling draw…
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4 year old boy falls to his death from 23rd floor of Bangkok condo
Tragedy struck the Jomthong district of Bangkok yesterday when a four year old boy fell to his death from the balcony of a 23rd-floor condominium on Rama II Road. The family had only just moved into the condo on the day of the heartbreaking incident. Bangmod Police Station officers visited the 26-storey condo at about 4pm yesterday after receiving reports…
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