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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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    Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht

    Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...

  • Illicit pork trade crackdown in Thailand set to conclude next month | Thaiger

    Illicit pork trade crackdown in Thailand set to conclude next month

    Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke announced a determined push to dismantle the underground illicit pork trade in Thailand, indicating that all related cases should be resolved by next month. The joint statement was delivered yesterday, alongside representatives from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and other agencies, providing an update on the ongoing operation. Chai Wacharonke stressed…

  • Tipsy Thai tourist turns river ‘cruise’ into sleepover, locals and police ‘buoy’ his spirits in central Thailand | Thaiger

    Tipsy Thai tourist turns river ‘cruise’ into sleepover, locals and police ‘buoy’ his spirits in central Thailand

    Police rescued a tipsy Thai tourist who fell asleep on a boat and floated down the river in Uthai Thani for over 3 kilometres. Locals reached out to the police initially mistaking him for being dead. Residents reported to the Mueang Uthai Thani Police Station on October 30 that they saw a Thai man lying on a boat in the…

  • Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge | Thaiger

    Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge

    Aiming to achieve its revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht, Thailand’s tourism sector is pushing ahead in the last two months of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that the total takings for the first ten months stood at 1.67 trillion. TAT’s governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, outlined plans to stimulate the sector further, with a focus on intensifying…

  • Undercooked pork alert: DDC cautions after hearing loss fever outbreak | Thaiger

    Undercooked pork alert: DDC cautions after hearing loss fever outbreak

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning against consuming undercooked or raw pork following an outbreak of Streptococcus suis, otherwise known as hearing loss fever. This outbreak has resulted in approximately 500 infections and 24 fatalities so far. The announcement was made by Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the director of DDC Regional Office 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima. He revealed that…

  • PM2.5 dust surge: Bangkok on alert, schools may halt activities | Thaiger

    PM2.5 dust surge: Bangkok on alert, schools may halt activities

    Bangkok is bracing for an imminent surge in PM2.5 dust pollution from today until the end of the week, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) preparing strict measures to mitigate the environmental hazard. The city’s Department of Education, under BMA’s directive, may consider a 15-day halt to school activities if dust pollution reaches a critical red level in two to…

  • Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link | Thaiger

    Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link

    A plan to accelerate the development of dual railway tracks connecting five countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China – was announced at the 4th iTIC FORUM 2023: Power of Connectivity and Smart Mobility. The 4500-kilometre-long Singapore-Kunming rail line, expected to be completed by 2027, aims to boost the capacity of goods and passenger travel, making it more efficient…

  • Teacher suicide in China prompts investigation into school pressures | Thaiger

    Teacher suicide in China prompts investigation into school pressures

    A tragic suicide incident involving a 23 year old primary school teacher in China has caught the attention of many. The young woman, known as Lu, jumped from a six-story building ending her life, leaving behind a heart-wrenching note found by her sister on her mobile phone. The school is currently under scrutiny for denying access to the security camera…

  • Taiwan job scam: Thai nationals trapped, seek assistance | Thaiger

    Taiwan job scam: Thai nationals trapped, seek assistance

    Three Thai individuals found themselves stranded on a mountain in Taiwan after being lured there with the promise of work. Fleeing at the airport, they discovered that their tickets back to Thailand were fake. The trio now seek assistance from the Thai embassy as they fear being apprehended by local law enforcement. The Taiwan job scam incident was reported today…

  • Trial twist: Tangmo’s case peels back for fresh witnesses | Thaiger

    Trial twist: Tangmo’s case peels back for fresh witnesses

    The Nonthaburi Provincial Court scheduled a hearing for the prosecution witnesses in the case concerning the death of Nida Patcharaveerapong, better known as Tangmo, who was separated and tried with the remaining four defendants after the initial case had been concluded. The four defendants are Sansara Manomaipiboon aka Zan, Itsarin Juthasuksawat also known as Kratik, Nittas Kiratisuthisathorn aka Job, and…

  • Chon Buri tackles social issues with large-scale law enforcement operation | Thaiger

    Chon Buri tackles social issues with large-scale law enforcement operation

    A collaborative operation by law enforcement and administrative authorities was launched yesterday in Chon Buri, aiming to tackle a range of social issues hindering the province. The main issues highlighted for action were drug abuse, human trafficking, illegal possession and carrying of firearms, gambling, and the disruption caused by influential figures who break the law. The law enforcement operation, initiated yesterday, November…

  • Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand | Thaiger

    Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand

    A deceitful vendor, Anoma (surname withheld), was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) outside a famous temple in Chiang Mai. Anoma was caught red-handed for defrauding the public by faking illness to solicit funds for her medical treatment and deceiving customers into buying counterfeit designer bags. The arrest was a result of a court warrant issued on October…

  • Love spell dilemma: Beware of deceptive sorcerer, warns Thai temple Abbot | Thaiger

    Love spell dilemma: Beware of deceptive sorcerer, warns Thai temple Abbot

    A cautionary warning has been issued for women seeking mystical solutions to mend their love lives, as they could end up being victims of deception. This caution came in response to a recent case where a woman was duped by a notorious deceptive sorcerer into spending the night with him under the pretence of lifting a dark magic spell from…

  • Thai woman accused of stealing identity to swindle 3 million baht from man | Thaiger

    Thai woman accused of stealing identity to swindle 3 million baht from man

    A Thai woman accused another in the central province of Kampang Phet of stealing her identity to swindle more than 3 million baht from a man. The accused woman denied the allegation but admitted to knowing the victim. The male victim, who works as an engineer, filed a police report after realising that his girlfriend, named Bumbim, did not love…

  • 22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash | Thaiger

    22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash

    An early morning encounter between a car and a 22-wheeled truck resulted in a shocking crash in the Samkong Underpass, in Phuket today. Miraculously, the car’s driver, a woman, managed to avoid grave injuries despite her vehicle being severely crushed in the accident. Phuket City Police, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Phetcharat, received the distress call at 4.15am. On…

  • Kid’s joyride costs Lamborghini owner millions: Pricey playtime ride | Thaiger

    Kid’s joyride costs Lamborghini owner millions: Pricey playtime ride

    An eight year old child, left unattended by his parents, ended up playing on a stranger’s Lamborghini worth tens of millions, causing the car owner to pay a hefty money for damages. The incident occurred on October 29 when a man named Su from Zhejiang province in China parked his Lamborghini in an open car park and went about his…

  • Thai man seeks skilled doctor to treat penis infection after enlargement procedure | Thaiger

    Thai man seeks skilled doctor to treat penis infection after enlargement procedure

    In fear of losing his penis, a Thai man turned to a social media influencer for help in finding a skilled doctor to treat an infection in his penis, following an olive oil injection for penis enlargement. Thai social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, accompanied the 29 year old man, who goes by the name A, to Masterpiece Hospital in Bangkok…

  • Triggered by glance: Off-licence spat leads to fatal road incident arrest by Nakhon Si Thammarat police | Thaiger

    Triggered by glance: Off-licence spat leads to fatal road incident arrest by Nakhon Si Thammarat police

    Police in Nakhon Si Thammarat apprehended a gunman involved in a fatal road incident following a dispute at an off-licence. The suspect allegedly pursued the victim after feeling provoked by a glance. He then shot the victim in the head, resulting in his immediate death. The incident took place on the Thung Song-Trang Road, near the entrance to the Wang…

  • Revving up touble: Pattaya police arrest two in connection with motorcycle thefts | Thaiger

    Revving up touble: Pattaya police arrest two in connection with motorcycle thefts

    The peaceful district of Banglamung in Pattaya was recently shaken by a series of motorcycle thefts. Two Thai nationals were arrested yesterday in connection with these crimes. The arrests were made by Pattaya police following an investigation that was initiated after a victim reported a stolen motorbike on October 24. The Chief of Pattaya Police, Thanapong Phothiti, stated that the…

  • Thai karaoke bar raided: Narcotics worth 1,200 baht seized | Thaiger

    Thai karaoke bar raided: Narcotics worth 1,200 baht seized

    Last night, a karaoke bar in Aranyaprathet, East Thailand, was raided by police and administrative officials, who discovered a substantial amount of narcotics on the premises. In a surprise crackdown, five employees were found to have tested positive for drug use and were subsequently taken into custody for legal action. At around 11pm yesterday, leading the operation was Lieutenant Colonel…

  • Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation

    In the early hours yesterday, a police raid was set into motion in the Chang Phueak area of Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province. The operation, at precisely 12.30am, was led by Ronarong Thipsiri, the Inspector General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), alongside DOPA SWAT and other relevant officials. Their target was an illegal entertainment venue, which had…

  • Phuket governor launches safety campaign by Volunteer Defense Corps for peak tourist season | Thaiger

    Phuket governor launches safety campaign by Volunteer Defense Corps for peak tourist season

    Governor Sophon Suwannarat has recently initiated an ambitious safety campaign on the verdant island of Phuket. Yesterday, an official ceremony marked the commencement of a project that will mobilise the local branch of the Volunteer Defense Corps, locally known as OrSor, to boost security measures and clamp down on criminal activities during the peak tourism season. The role of Governor…

  • Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation | Thaiger

    Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation

    A covert football betting operation was raided in Chiang Mai, with police seizing betting slips, cash, and computers. The operation was discovered in a nondescript terraced building near Tonpao Plaza, Tonpao subdistrict, San Kamphaeng district. One suspect was apprehended, who had a previous criminal record for the same offence. The raid on the illegal operation was led by the special…

  • Thailand’s proposed land bridge project could boost various sectors | Thaiger

    Thailand’s proposed land bridge project could boost various sectors

    The potential implementation of the proposed land bridge project in Thailand could significantly benefit sectors such as contractors, industrial estates, transport, and finance, according to industry analysts. The project, which has been under discussion by various governments for four decades, aims to connect the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand, specifically via the provinces of Ranong and Chumphon. The…

  • Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Thai owner urges fans to help pay debt | Thaiger

    Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Thai owner urges fans to help pay debt

    The Thai owner of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC) yesterday admitted that the South Yorkshire outfit is in financial crisis and urged SWFC’s fans to contribute 90 million baht (£2 million) to rescue the club from debt. Just last week, the Owls found themselves in a precarious situation, as the English Football League (EFL) imposed a registration boycott on the…

  • Xinjiang violence: China soughts international media to counter claims | Thaiger

    Xinjiang violence: China soughts international media to counter claims

    China has opened its doors to a number of international media organisations to showcase its claimed victory in quelling terrorism-related violence in its troubled region, Xinjiang. A senior journalist from Bangkok Post, Mongkol Bangprapa, who also presides over the Thai Journalists Association, was among the 22 guests invited. The delegates were predominantly from 17 countries involved in China’s Belt and…

  • Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul | Thaiger

    Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul

    Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to start direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul on December 1, marking a significant expansion of its international flight network. The announcement was officially made in a recent launch ceremony, presided over by the Chairperson of THAI Plan Administrators, Piyasvasti Amranand, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Thailand, Serap Ersoy. The…

  • Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience | Thaiger

    Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience

    The working group tasked with overseeing the proposed new road project linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn in Phuket confirmed that it will proceed with the required surveys and inspections. The group will also create maps delineating the land boundaries, thus paving the way for the road’s construction. The working group, led by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan, convened at Phuket Provincial…

  • Bird breeders tweet plea to un-list the red-whiskered bulbul | Thaiger

    Bird breeders tweet plea to un-list the red-whiskered bulbul

    Thailand‘s red-whiskered bulbul breeders’ association launched an appeal to the government, seeking to remove the bird from its list of protected species. The association argues that the breeding industry previously generated a substantial income for the economy, amounting to a billion baht. Suratep Boonyavatvanit, president of the association, highlighted that half a decade ago, there were approximately a million breeders…

  • Accor predicts surge in hotel conversions in Thailand post-pandemic | Thaiger

    Accor predicts surge in hotel conversions in Thailand post-pandemic

    A surge in hotel conversions is expected in the post-pandemic hospitality sector, according to Accor, an international hotel chain. This trend is in response to stricter lending rules from financial institutions and a slowdown in the construction of new establishments. Andrew Langdon, Accor’s Chief Development Officer for Asia, detailed how the current supply of new hotels is slow and concentrated…

  • High-profile escaped prisoner’s accomplice arrested in Ratchaburi | Thaiger

    High-profile escaped prisoner’s accomplice arrested in Ratchaburi

    In a dramatic turn of events in Ratchaburi, authorities have managed to apprehend a male accomplice who allegedly facilitated a high-profile prisoner‘s escape from a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat. However, the prisoner continues to elude the police. Previously, we reported on the audacious escape of a prominent prisoner named Chaowalit Thongduang also known as Sia Paeng, a well-known figure…