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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Pattaya officials discuss opening Dongtan Beach Road to 24-hour vehicle access
In Pattaya, a recent meeting took place to discuss the possibility of opening Dongtan Beach Road to vehicle traffic 24 hours a day. This road, which connects Jomtien Beach to Pratumnak Soi 5, has been closed to traffic overnight for quite some time. However, due to significant growth in the area over the past year, particularly in the number of…
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Thai man trapped in a crooked web of deceit seeks media help after being swindled by cunning con artist
A Thai man sought help from a Thai media agency to highlight his plight after falling victim to a crooked Thai woman who spun a web of deceit and swindled over 300,000 baht from him. It was later discovered he wasn’t her only victim and that she had also deceived numerous men by manipulating romantic relationships. A 41 year old…
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Reality show ‘Keep Running’ to boost Chinese tourism to Pattaya, mayor says
In Pattaya, over the past few days, crowds of excited fans and camera crews have been spotted at various locations, such as Grande Centre Point Space Hotel and the World’s Largest 7-eleven in South Pattaya. The reason behind this excitement is the filming of episodes for the popular Chinese reality and variety show “Keep Running.” The show features famous Chinese…
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China-Africa Expo to boost trade, explore emerging sectors
The upcoming third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, set to take place in Changsha from June 29 to July 2, is expected to further enhance economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. The expo, which occurs every two years in Hunan Province, has gained significance as a platform under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework. China currently holds the…
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Southern Thailand youth risk manipulation for political agendas
In Southern Thailand, concerns have been raised over the potential manipulation of young people for political purposes by certain groups. This follows a recent event organised by the Pelajar Bangsa “national student movement” where a controversial public vote on a potential separation from Thailand took place. The 4th Army Region has strongly condemned this move, calling it a threat to…
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Eeling lucky: Sausage seller reels in twin albino eels, locals hooked on fortune
Two albino eels caught within two days by a sausage seller have captured the attention of residents, who believe the eels are bringing good fortune. The fortunate fisherman also found lottery success in the last draw. At 1pm yesterday, reporters were informed that 42 year old Boonmee Marman, a sausage seller living in the Mueang district of Loei province, discovered…
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Thai government weighs extending diesel excise tax cut beyond July
The Thai government is considering extending the excise tax cut on diesel, which is set to expire on July 20. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha directed the Finance Ministry and other relevant agencies to evaluate the feasibility of prolonging the tax reduction. Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow revealed that the Finance Ministry has been tasked with determining the appropriateness of an extension.…
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Pattaya parades: International PRIDE and Festival march to be hosted simultaneously
Pattaya is gearing up for a spectacular day on June 24, 2023, as the city prepares to host two major parades simultaneously. The International PRIDE Parade and Pattaya Festival Parade are set to attract thousands of participants and visitors, while also causing traffic disruptions in the area. The International PRIDE Parade will kick off the day’s celebrations, with a colourful…
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Busted: Cops nab 89 suspects, seize drugs, weapons at party in South Thailand
Police arrested 89 suspects at a drug party at a resort in the southern province of Pattalung yesterday. Several types of drugs and weapons were confiscated. Pattalung Provincial Police Office received a tip-off that the members of a Facebook group planned to hold a party at a resort around midnight. Officers monitored each member until they checked in at a…
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Neo Pattaya project revitalises Old Town Naklua with multimillion-baht budget
Pattaya’s deputy mayor, Manoch Nongyai, yesterday oversaw a restoration project at Chalerm Phrakiat Public Park in Old Town Naklua. The initiative is part of the larger Neo Pattaya project, which aims to transform Pattaya into a central hub for commerce and tourism within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zone. This ambitious endeavour is supported by a multimillion-baht budget, and authorities…
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Pattaya bar workers and Indian tourists fight
In the early hours of this morning, a violent altercation took place between a group of bar workers and two Indian tourists at the entrance of Soi 16 and Walking Street in Pattaya. The incident occurred in front of Kamaa Club, located at the entrance of Walking Street from Soi 16 in South Pattaya, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district,…
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Driver asleep at wheel injures 5, including 3 foreigners, in Phatthalung crash
A passenger van en route to Krabi met with an accident in Phatthalung, resulting in injuries to three foreign nationals and two Thai individuals. The incident took place yesterday on Petchkasem Road, with Sri Nakarin Police being notified in the afternoon. Emergency services discovered the damaged minivan on the side of the road, having crashed into a power pole. A…
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Thai elephant’s fate hangs on flight fitness decision
The fate of an ailing Thai elephant residing in Sri Lanka will be determined on June 28, as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment decides if the animal is fit enough to endure a six-hour flight to Chiang Mai. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa explained that a Thai caretaker team, consisting of veterinarians and two mahouts, has been preparing the elephant…
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Thai Cabinet supports Ethanol Bioplastic for eco-friendly transition
The Thai Cabinet has given the green light for the promotion of ethanol in the production of bioplastics, aiming to develop more eco-friendly materials, according to government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. This decision supports the ethanol bioplastic manufacturing industry with tax exemptions for bioethylene, a key precursor in bioplastic pellet production. Current legislation states that domestically produced ethanol can only be…
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Driver who severely injured Thai actor ordered to pay 4.17 million, still battles case
News has emerged of Thai actor Off Thanakrit, who became bedridden after a severe road accident involving a drunk woman crashed her car into the back of his motorcycle. The court recently sentenced the woman to one year imprisonment and ordered her to pay a total of 4,172,962.62 baht (US$120,577) in damages, while the defendant continues to battle the case…
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Germany returns ancestral remains, artefacts to New Zealand in heartfelt gesture
In a poignant gesture, Germany has returned the ancestral remains of 95 Indigenous New Zealanders, along with artefacts and cultural treasures, to their homeland. The remains of the Maori and Moriori individuals, including six mummified tattooed heads known as toi moko, were received at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, in a private ceremony. Craig Hawke, New Zealand’s Ambassador to…
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Malaysia’s Economy Ministry targets 4,900 vending machines in two months
The Economy Ministry of Malaysia anticipates the acquisition of the remaining 4,900 vending machines aimed for this year under the People’s Income Initiative (IPR) programme to be finalised within the next two months. Rafizi Ramli, the Economy Minister, explained that the ministry is currently selecting and evaluating suitable applicants through an ongoing open procurement process. “Our aim is also to…
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Seven arrested in Malaysia over Pakistani human trafficking suspicions
Seven Pakistani men were arrested in Kuala Lumpur on suspicion of involvement in a human trafficking case. The suspects, aged between 21 and 44, were apprehended at an apartment in Taman Pandan Perdana, Ampang. The police were alerted to the situation by a 23-year-old Pakistani male victim who had been beaten by four of the suspects, who were believed to…
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22 PR1MA housing projects underway, 13 ‘sick’ projects targeted for 2024 completion
Twenty-two 1Malaysia People’s Housing Programme (PR1MA) projects are currently under construction, including 13 that are classified as ‘sick’ projects. Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir reported that as of yesterday, 54 PR1MA projects had been completed, with another 10 still in the planning stage. “Of the 54 projects that have been completed, two of them have received…
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Thai interest rates raised to 2% by BoT amid core inflation worries
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) anticipates ongoing economic growth with some potential risks, as evidenced by their decision to increase the key Thai interest rates for the sixth consecutive meeting, according to the minutes released recently. On May 31, the committee unanimously agreed to increase the one-day repurchase rate by a quarter point to 2%,…
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Influencer Andrew Tate faces intensified human trafficking charges in Romania
Romanian authorities have intensified human trafficking charges against well-known influencer Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan, and two associates. The case now includes one more victim, bringing the total to seven women. Since April, the Tate brothers and their associates have been under house arrest in Bucharest. Initially detained in December, they are being investigated for rape, human trafficking, and forming…
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UK economy grows 0.2% in April driven by pubs and car sales
The United Kingdom’s economy experienced growth in April, with a 0.2% increase following a 0.3% contraction in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data revealed a 0.1% growth over the three months leading up to April. ONS Director of Economic Statistics, Darren Morgan, attributed the bounce back to strong performance in bars and pubs, a rebound…
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El Niño threatens Thai agriculture with 5% rainfall drop and water shortages
The El Niño weather pattern’s impact on Thailand is becoming more apparent, with hot and dry conditions persisting despite the rainy season’s official commencement on May 22. The Meteorological Department has announced that this year’s total rainfall will be approximately 5% lower than the annual average, leading to potential water shortages and prolonged dry spells. The El Niño phenomenon, which…
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Phallic procession invokes divine showers: Thai residents parade huge wooden penis to summon rain gods (video)
Residents in the central province of Kanchanaburi took part in a ritual with an enormous wooden sculpture of a penis to invoke rain and paraded it around the community while praying to Devas, also known as Buddhism angels. The 600 kilogrammes wooden phallic sculpture, called Palad Khik in Thai, serves as an amulet that many Thai people carry with them,…
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Thai outbound travel surges as Asian flight capacities increase
The Thai outbound travel market is experiencing fierce competition among Asian countries, as flight capacities have increased compared to last year. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) anticipates that the Thai outbound market could recover to half of the 11.2 million departures in 2019, prior to the pandemic, due to stronger flight frequencies in Asia. TTAA vice-president Chotechuang Soorangura stated…
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Over 200,000 parents miss out on £53m Healthy Start vouchers
Over a third of eligible parents are not receiving the Healthy Start voucher scheme, which is intended to help families afford essential items like baby formula. This revelation comes after a Sky News investigation into the extreme measures UK families are taking to feed their infants due to the soaring cost of baby formula milk. Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck is…
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Royal Thai Air Force defends 50 million South Korean guidance kit acquisition
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) yesterday defended its purchase of guidance-extended range kits from South Korea, worth 50 million baht, asserting that the acquisition adheres to regulations. RTAF spokesperson AVM Prapas Sornchaidee explained that the kits will be utilised with 500-pound air-dropped bombs to improve the air force’s long-range air strike capabilities, in line with the country’s defence preparation…
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Brake urges 20mph limit near schools to cut child road casualties
Safety charity Brake has called for a 20mph speed limit to be imposed on all roads near schools in the UK to reduce child fatalities. Last year, 2,456 children under 16 were seriously injured or killed on the country’s roads. Many councils have already implemented 20mph zones near schools, but Brake claims that two-thirds of parents report higher limits on…
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Ex-minister disputes PM’s claims on 30,000 absent SPM exam students
Former Malaysian education minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin has countered Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s claims regarding the number of absent SPM candidates during last year’s national examinations. Mohd Radzi pointed out that local news reports indicated 14,858 students were absent, not the 30,000 cited by the prime minister during a dialogue session with undergraduates at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Anwar had…
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KLIA aerotrain service upgrade set for 2023 completion, minister urges haste
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is set to have one of its two Automated People Mover (APM) or aerotrain services back in operation next year. The Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to ensure the upgrading works are completed on schedule or earlier. The aerotrain has been in service for 25 years and is now…
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