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.
-
Singapore Airlines offers free unlimited WiFi to economy passengers
Singapore Airlines (SIA) revealed plans to offer free unlimited WiFi to economy and premium economy class passengers from July 1. To access this benefit, travellers must be members of SIA’s rewards programme, KrisFlyer. With this move, SIA is set to become the first airline to provide free unlimited WiFi across all cabin classes and nearly its entire aircraft fleet. Currently, about…
-
Doi Inthanon National Park pioneers integrated conservation area management approach
Doi Inthanon National Park is piloting a holistic area conservation approach, with a focus on integrated administration and avoiding unnecessary burdens on personnel. This pioneering project aims to effectively manage the park’s 16 sub-agencies and a budget of 50 million baht, whilst protecting the natural environment and resources. Doi Inthanon National Park, the country’s highest peak, is launching a comprehensive…
-
Money laundering mastermind nabbed: Chinese man busted in Pattaya for multibillion-baht scam operation
Thai authorities apprehended a Chinese man in Pattaya on charges of money laundering over 2.5 billion baht for the scam call centre gang based in Cambodia. The crackdown, led by the Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB), was carried out in response to instances of criminal behaviour causing harm to citizens and tarnishing the country’s image. Details of the operation were released…
-
Drunk as a monk: Intoxicated Thai monks defrocked after selling temple items
In northeast Thailand’s Nong Bua Lamphu province, two intoxicated monks were defrocked after testing positive for high levels of alcohol consumption. The monks were also accused of selling temple-owned items without permission. Concerned locals alerted the Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police about the monks’ behaviour on a recent Tuesday. The police, accompanied by around 20 frustrated residents, visited the temple…
-
Lottery market’s dirty secret exposed: Decades of bribery unveiled
Bribery in the lottery market in Thailand has been prevalent for about 20 years, according to the president of the Thai Lottery Traders Association, Sam-ang Sonklin. He claims the issue stems from high costs at the source, which forces sellers to increase their prices. The police also face pressure to address the problem, resulting in a vicious cycle that affects…
-
Woman attacks Thai shop owner with beer bottle over alleged grudge
A 52 year old woman attacked a 64 year old female shop owner in Thailand‘s central Samut Sakhon province with a beer bottle, leaving the latter injured on her face and head. The attacker later apologised to the victim’s family, revealing longstanding resentment as the reason behind the incident. In the recent incident, a woman was seen on video attacking…
-
Opportunity knocks: 7,813 assistant teacher positions up for grabs, beware of scam traps
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is set to conduct recruitment examinations for 7,813 assistant teacher positions in 63 subject areas, warning candidates to study hard and not to fall for scam groups. The application period runs from today, May 31, and June 6, with 204 regional zones and one Special Education Administration Office participating in the process.…
-
Sappe Plc invests 1 billion baht in warehouse automation amidst wage hike
Sappe Plc, a leading beverage manufacturer, unveiled plans to construct an automated warehouse, establish a new production line, and implement a cost reduction scheme in response to the government’s commitment to increase the daily minimum wage. Piyajit Ruckariyapong, the company’s CEO, disclosed that the project is expected to cost around 1 billion baht between 2023 and 2024. Out of the…
-
Exploding battery injures soldier and startles media at Defence Ministry event
A battery explosion at Thailand’s Ministry of Defence injured a soldier and startled reporters, taking place just before a scheduled military assembly. The explosion occurred today after two power outages in the morning, during which officials tried to repair the equipment. The battery was later found to be in a deteriorated condition. The incident took place just prior to a…
-
Cash and carry: Vietnamese bride’s counting prowess wows online
A Vietnamese bride‘s ingenious approach to dealing with the overwhelming number of cash-filled envelopes from her wedding grabbed the spotlight online. Using a money counting machine, the savvy bride easily managed the task, garnering attention on social media. Counting money after a wedding ceremony is considered a charming activity for many couples, as they smile at the names of relatives…
-
Flood-prone rail underpass raises safety concerns in Thailand, locals demand action
Residents in Thailand‘s northeast Nakhon Ratchasima have encountered recurring flooding in an underpass railway tunnel, severely affecting their daily commutes. Despite the water levels receding, the tunnel remains dangerous to traverse due to accumulated sediment and slippery roads. According to reports, the under-construction Ban Bu underpass railway tunnel – part of a railway project connecting Chira Road and Khon Kaen…
-
Bank of Thailand raises key interest rate amid inflation risks
The Bank of Thailand announced a 25 basis point increase in its key interest rate, bringing it to 2%. This marks the sixth consecutive meeting where the central bank has raised the rate, with a total increase of 150 basis points since August last year. The decision was unanimous among the Monetary Policy Committee members and in line with the expectations…
-
Khon Kaen zoo conducts health check on giant turtles as breeding season ends
Khon Kaen Zoo conducted health checks on various species of tortoises and turtles in preparation for their egg-laying season after the completion of the breeding period. Some of the tortoises weighed over 70 kilograms, yet maintained good health. Khon Kaen Zoo has been focusing on the breeding and conservation of various species of tortoises, including the Aldabran giant tortoise, with…
-
Thailand marks World No Tobacco Day, focuses on youth vaping dangers
As the world observes World No Tobacco Day today, the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and vaping, including the health risks associated with smoking and the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on non-smokers. In Thailand, the Non-Smoking Campaign Foundation and the Tobacco Consumption Control Network are paying particular attention to the issue…
-
Swing group hosts Pattaya skywalk for gender equality, boost tourism
In a symbolic gesture, the Swing group organised an event in Pattaya to showcase support for diversity and promote gender equality. The gathering aimed not only to foster a sense of inclusivity but also to boost tourism in the region. Over the next month, several pride events are scheduled to take place, further celebrating this spirit of unity and acceptance.…
-
Pregnant woman and unborn child die after receiving 4 injections at Rayong hospital
A distraught husband and his mother have appealed for justice after his seven-month pregnant wife and unborn child died following treatment at a hospital in Rayong province. The patient was given four injections administered over 48 hours before experiencing symptoms of pulmonary edema, leading to the tragic loss of both lives. The 42 year old husband recounted how his 37…
-
Australian man arrested in Phuket for damaging van mirror in road rage incident
Phuket police apprehended an Australian man for causing damage to a passenger van in a road rage incident, specifically targeting the vehicle’s rear-view mirrors. The man, identified only as Navale, was taken into custody following a complaint received by Wichit Police yesterday morning, The Phuket News reported. According to the police report, Navale and an individual named Haider from Dubai…
-
Key witness in Jho Low investigation dies at 56, secrets buried
Kee Kok Thiam, a man questioned by Malaysian authorities regarding the location of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, has died at the age of 56. Lawyers for Kee Kok Thiam and his family announced in a statement that he passed away on Monday due to a sudden massive stroke in a hospital. They urged people not…
-
Blackpink fans scammed: Thai woman arrested for selling fake concert tickets
Police arrested an unscrupulous Thai woman for selling fake concert tickets to see the popular K-Pop girl group Blackpink. The victims suffered financial losses exceeding 700,000 baht. During the Blackpink World Tour Bangkok Encore last weekend, police discovered that many attendees arrived at the event holding identical e-tickets, all of which had been purchased under the name of 26 year…
-
Groom’s wedding meltdown goes viral: Defending pregnant bride sparks chaos
A groom’s meltdown at his wedding, where he splashed wine and kicked glasses, caused quite a stir on social media. A wedding guest tried to explain that the groom kicked off because he was defending his pregnant bride and her humble family from his father’s disrespectful remarks. The Vietnamese website, docbao.vn, shared a video showing the groom losing control of…
-
Chiang Rai tackles severe PM 2.5 with China-Thai collaboration on air pollution
In response to the severe PM 2.5 air pollution and forest fire smog issues affecting Chiang Rai, Thai and Chinese experts have collaborated to provide sustainable solutions. They are working to tackle this complex problem, which has been difficult to predict due to fluctuating weather conditions. Representatives from Chiang Rai’s Natural Resources and Environment Office collaborated with Gansheng Shi, an…
-
Thai export growth target maintained despite 7-month shipment decline
Despite a decline in Thai exports for seven consecutive months, the Commerce Ministry maintains its export growth target of 1-2% for the year. Keerati Rushchano, the Permanent Commerce Secretary, predicts that the export outlook will remain negative due to the high inventory held by trading partners, causing delays in orders. However, he expects exports to improve in the second half of…
-
Chinese fighter’s aggressive move risks collision with US aircraft
An American surveillance aircraft encountered an “unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre” by a Chinese fighter pilot over the South China Sea last week, according to the US military. This incident, which the Pentagon claims is indicative of China’s pattern of behaviour, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over issues such as Taiwan and an alleged Chinese spy balloon shot down…
-
Phuket MP warns teachers of jail time for hitting students
Phuket‘s Move Forward MP-elect for Constituency 1, Somchart Techathavorncharoen, has issued a warning to teachers that hitting students is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to 40,000 baht or up to two years in prison, or both. Somchart made the announcement on his official Facebook page, reminding the public that the Ministry of Education had abolished corporal…
-
Thai minimum wage: Coalition parties and industry council engage in discussions
Eight Thai political parties agreed to support a Thai minimum wage increase to 450 baht (US$13) per day and continued discussions with the Federation of Thai Industries about moving the bill forward. Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), emphasized the excellent cooperation within the coalition government. The MFP leader informed INN News that the atmosphere during the…
-
El Nino set to return in 2023, raising haze risk for Singapore
Haze is expected to once again rear its ugly head in Southeast Asia. The Meteorological Service Singapore has forecasted that El Nino conditions are expected to develop in the second half of 2023, following three years of La Nina conditions. This comes seven years after the last strong El Nino event. The Met Service also predicts that a positive Indian…
-
Thai parties push for Progressive Liquor Bill to boost local alcohol production
The Progressive Liquor Bill, which aims to create fairer rules for small and community-based alcohol producers in Thailand, resurfaced in public discussions after being mentioned in a memorandum of understanding signed by eight parties looking to form a coalition government. The bill, proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP), narrowly lost approval in the House of Representatives last year by…
-
Love Confession Day turns into betrayal: Husband catches cheating wife in the act
A marriage was shaken to its core on “Love Confession Day” in China after a husband caught his wife dating another man while out with his daughter in the Jiangsu province. The cheating wife then defended her lover when confronted. ‘A,’ a married woman, chose to celebrate Love Confession Day, which is similar to Valentine’s Day, by secretly dating another man…
-
Virtual twin tech tackles traffic congestion and pollution in smart cities
Virtual twin technology is emerging as a transformative tool for future mobility and smart cities, helping to address issues such as traffic congestion and air pollution, according to Dassault Systèmes, a France-based 3D design software company. This technology is an extension of digital twins, which are digital replicas of physical objects, systems, or processes that integrate advanced technologies and data…
-
Police race action plan faces racism claims from ethnic minority staff
The Police Race Action Plan, an initiative aimed at addressing racism within policing in England and Wales, is facing accusations of racism from some of its ethnic minority staff members. Launched in response to the murder of African-American George Floyd in 2020, the plan seeks to improve police relations with black communities. However, former staff members have told BBC Newsnight…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.