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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Debtor pawns 3 French bulldogs in Thailand
A loan shark in Thailand claims that a debtor who couldn’t make their repayments pledged three French bulldogs as collateral one year ago, but never returned to collect the dogs or repay the loan. The loan shark posted in the “French bulldog club of Thailand” to seek advice… “These are my three adopted kids. These three dogs did not do anything…
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Firework display gone wrong: Huge explosion sends locals fleeing in Kalasin
A dramatic display unfolded during the annual Bun Bang Fai Talai Lan Festival in Kalasin Province’s Kuchinarai District as a single 20 million-fireworks rocket lifted off and exploded mid-air. The festival, which took place on May 22, is uniquely celebrated in this province with millions of rockets being launched into the sky, attracting numerous local and international tourists. At around…
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Cult in Isaan encourages women to worship vagina and penis statues
A religious shrine in the Pak Chong district in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat is encouraging followers, especially women, to worship vagina and penis statues for good fortune. A Facebook page, E Sor News 2 (อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว), shared a picture of some Thai people praying to the golden vagina statue with a caption that said… “Weird… Putting gold…
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South Sudan airport becomes camp for Eritreans fleeing conflict
Paloich Airport in South Sudan has become a makeshift camp for thousands of refugees fleeing the neighbouring Sudan conflict. They now live in dire conditions without basic amenities such as running water, toilets, or kitchens. Many of these refugees are Eritreans, who had sought asylum in Sudan before being displaced once again due to ongoing violence. They are now waiting…
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Durian dispute turns violent after Chinese tourists accuse Thai vendor of selling fake fruit
Things quickly turned sour when three Chinese tourists accused a Thai vendor of selling “fake durian” at a market in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, on Saturday. Officers from Sattahip Police Station were called to de-escalate an altercation at Siwanat Nakorn 700 Rai Market on Saturday night which began when three Chinese tourists expressed discontent with the quality of their…
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Deadly consumption of poisonous mushrooms claims 2 lives, 7 seriously ill in Loei Province
Tragedy struck the Isaan province of Loei as a group of individuals fell victim to the consumption of poisonous mushrooms known as Hed Ra Ngok in Thai, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving seven others injured. The unfortunate incident unfolded on Saturday, May 20, when two residents ventured into a forest near the popular attraction, Phu Lom…
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Thailand unemployment rate drops to 1.05% as tourism industry rebounds
Thailand witnessed a decrease in its unemployment rate during the first quarter, reaching a three-year low of 1.05%, down from 1.15% in the final quarter of 2022, according to the state planning agency’s announcement on Monday. The improvement is attributed to the strengthening recovery of the vital tourism industry. The nation’s economy, which is the second-largest in Southeast Asia, experienced…
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Bangkok Pride parade aims to boost Thailand’s 2028 World Pride bid
Bangkok is set to host a Pride parade on June 4, with the theme “Door to Equal Asia,” as the city prepares to bid for World Pride 2028. Waaddao Chumaporn, the founder of Bangkok Pride, informed the Bangkok Post that this year’s event will be larger than the previous year, highlighting Thailand’s preparedness to host the global celebration in 2028.…
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Reckless rock-thrower arrested in Ang Thong after damaging vehicles and risking lives
Police arrested a 27 year old man in the Ang Thong province allegedly responsible for throwing rocks at three vehicles, causing damages and endangering lives. It was reported that following a cannabis-induced hallucination, the suspect become a potential threat to public safety. Upon investigation, the man was found to have a history involving drug arrests. Today, Pol. Lt. Col. Sayachon…
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Phuket som tam restaurant returns 200,000 baht to European tourist
A European tourist was reunited with his bag containing money and assets worth 200,000 baht yesterday thanks to the honest owner of a som tam restaurant in Phuket, southern Thailand. The restaurant, Som Tam Yam 3 Aow, posted photos of the smiling tourist with a big stash of cash on Facebook with the caption… “From the incident where a customer had…
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Greece’s political earthquake: Mitsotakis wins, Tsipras suffers huge setback
Greece experienced a “political earthquake” as the conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his centre-right New Democracy party secured a significant electoral victory. With nearly 41% of the vote, the party was just five seats short of a majority. Alexis Tsipras, the centre-left rival and leader of the Syriza party, congratulated Mitsotakis as Syriza only managed to secure 20% of…
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Naked Buddhist monk stuns Udon Thani residents as he sheds robes in public
An alarming incident took place in the Udon Thani province of Thailand when a 42 year old Buddhist monk, identified as Damrongsak, suddenly disrobed and walked naked in the streets, unsettling nearby residents. The monk, who originally hails from Ban Pho Chon Temple in Phetchabun province, was discovered having discarded his garments near a local community school, yesterday, May 21,…
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China cybersecurity watchdog fails Micron, urges halt on chip purchases
China’s cybersecurity watchdog has announced that US semiconductor company Micron failed its national security review, urging operators of “critical information infrastructure” to cease purchasing its products. This marks a new development in the ongoing chip dispute between the US and China, with the US seeking to limit Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. In March, Chinese authorities initiated a review of…
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Stolen ambulance radio requested back, needed for life-saving communication
Emergency responders from the Bangkok Medical Centre have reported the theft of a vital communication radio from an ambulance, urging the thief to return the equipment as it is crucial for saving lives. Yesterday, May 21, Mahesak Kanrat, a 48 year old ambulance captain from the Bangkok Medical Centre, reported the theft to Pipatpong Puempoon, a sergeant major investigating the…
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Mysterious woman drugs man, steals US$600k in one-night stand
A luxury condominium in Miami, USA, became the scene of a daring theft after an unsuspecting man allegedly woke up to find his possessions worth over US$600,000 (20 million baht) stolen. The suspect, a woman who is currently being hunted by the Miami Police Department, is accused of drugging the 35 year old victim she met at a club before…
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3 illegal Cambodian monks found living in Samut Prakan forest
Authorities in Samut Prakan province recently apprehended three Cambodian nationals dressed in monk-like attire, living in a makeshift shelter in a forest near a local market. The raid took place on May 21, led by Pol Lt Col. Phakphumpiphat Sajjaphan, Chief of the Immigration Police, and Pol Lt Col Waritsiri Lelasiri, Head of Subdivision 3. The operation aimed to investigate…
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Russia pulled deeper into costly battle for Bakhmut as Kyiv readies offensive
As the battle for the frontline city of Bakhmut continues, Moscow finds itself being drawn deeper into an increasingly costly conflict, while experts suggest that Kyiv is preparing for a major offensive. Despite Russia’s claims of having taken control of the city, which Ukraine denied, the capture of Bakhmut does not offer a significant strategic advantage in terms of launching…
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Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ skips Cannes competition
Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, 80, revealed that he chose not to enter his latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, stating that it was “time for others” to take the spotlight. The movie, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, received rave reviews from critics and is based on the…
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More than 500 people stranded in Chon Buri by luxury cruise company
More than 500 Thai tourists found themselves stranded at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri, despite shelling out over 100,000 baht each for a supposedly luxurious cruise trip. The chaotic incident unfolded on Friday, May 19, leaving disgruntled passengers fuming and demanding answers from the cruise company, reportedly identified as Cost Serena, as they were denied boarding despite their hefty…
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Foreign driver dies in motorbike accident in Pattaya, Thailand
A foreign driver lost control of his motorbike in Pattaya, Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At 3.30pm, officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station were informed of a fatal accident on Jomtien Second Road in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Pattaya City. Police rushed to the scene with rescue workers from Pattaya’s…
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Pro-democracy group pressures senators to back MFP leader as prime minister
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) announced plans to stage a rally in front of the Parliament building tomorrow at 5pm, urging senators to support Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat for the position of prime minister. The rally is scheduled on the same day the Senate will convene an extraordinary session at 9am to discuss a…
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Singapore leads Southeast Asia with 97% cashless payment adoption rate
In Singapore, a growing majority of people are opting for cashless payment methods, with the country’s adoption rate of such payments being the highest in Southeast Asia at 97%. This trend has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and an ongoing national drive for a less-cash society. Digital wallets are expected to overtake credit cards as the most popular online…
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Black panther killed in Malaysian road accident, sparks safety concerns
A black panther was fatally struck by a car in the Malaysian town of Simpang Pertang on a Saturday afternoon, shocking animal lovers worldwide. The incident took place in the western region of Negeri Sembilan. Jelebu District Police disclosed that a 38 year old man driving with his family was involved in the accident. He reported that the adult male…
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Wife snaps, stabs husband and burns his car over constant comparisons to ex
A Thai wife in Chon Buri snapped and stabbed her husband and set fire to his car after he continually compared her to his ex-wife. Officers from Samet Police Station and Nithi Tri Kunnatham Rescue Foundation rushed to the incident scene at 9pm last night in Samet district following a distress call regarding an injured man. The victim, identified as…
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Mysterious murder of beautician found dead in Pattaya apartment haunts family
The murder of a 32 year old woman called Ratana in Pattaya has left her family devastated and seeking justice. Ratana’s body was found with multiple stab wounds to her face, neck, behind the ears, and shoulders four to five days after she died in a third-floor apartment in Pattaya, a city in the Chon Buri Province of Thailand. At…
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Biden, McCarthy hold productive call amid US debt ceiling crisis
In an effort to resolve the impasse over the US debt ceiling, President Joe Biden and top Republican Kevin McCarthy engaged in a productive phone conversation. The two leaders are scheduled to meet on Monday, with the deadline to lift the debt ceiling fast approaching. Failure to reach an agreement could lead to the US defaulting on its debt, causing…
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Fatal Pattani man shooting prompts urgent probe in Southern Thailand rubber plantation
Authorities are investigating the shooting of a 34-year-old man from Pattani province who was found dead in a rubber plantation in the sub-district of Saba Yoi, Songkhla province. The victim reportedly had previous gunshot injuries but had not filed a police report due to fear. The police and emergency services arrived to find the victim near a large rubberwood log…
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Thailand and Cambodia consider reopening Preah Vihear temple to boost tourism
Anticipation is growing among Thais for the reopening of the Preah Vihear temple ruins in Si Sa Ket after a 15-year suspension to boost tourism and promote peace dialogue with Cambodia. The temple has been inaccessible from Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district since 2008 due to border disputes between the two countries. Soldiers from both Thailand and Cambodia remain stationed…
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Jennifer Lawrence’s film spotlights Afghan women defying Taliban
A young woman confronts a Taliban fighter, accusing him of oppressing women and closing schools and universities, in a scene from the documentary Bread and Roses. The film, produced by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, explores the lives of three Afghan women following the Taliban‘s takeover. Lawrence highlights the importance of showcasing women fighting back, a side of the story not…
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Thai driver loses control, crashes into fish-loaded vehicle, 3 killed
Three people lost their lives in a devastating crash involving a Toyota Fortuner, another motorbike with a sidecar loaded with fish, and an electric light pole in Thailand. Authorities were alerted to the incident which took place on Rama 2 Road in Amphawa in the central Samut Songkhram province this morning. A 33 year old driver, a manager of a company…
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