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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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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Thai man saves girlfriend from ex’s acid attack, suffers severe injury
A Thai man suffered a severe injury after he bravely protected his girlfriend from an acid attack carried out by her ex-boyfriend. The incident happened at the victim’s house in the Si Maha Pho district in the central province of Prachin Buri at midnight, on April 17. The female victim, Roongrat Towong, recounted that she heard a knock on her…
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China’s economy reaches new highs after zero-Covid restrictions
Official data released today revealed that China’s economy grew by 4.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, recovering after the conclusion of zero-Covid restrictions in late 2021. This is the first indication since 2019 of the world’s second-largest economy making progress without the strict health measures that effectively controlled the coronavirus but heavily impacted businesses and supply chains. Retail figures, which…
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Castaway farang rescued from Thailand’s waters (video)
In a TikTok clip that looks like a sequel to the movie Castaway, a group of Thai tourists on a fishing trip found a foreigner floating on a makeshift wooden raft in the middle of the sea off the coast of Koh Kood in Trat province, southern Thailand, yesterday. The woman who filmed the clip chartered a boat to go…
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BTS’ J-Hope answers call of duty, enlists in South Korean military amid fanfare
BTS sensation J-Hope is set to commence his obligatory South Korean military service today, according to local media, becoming the second member of the immensely popular K-pop group to enlist, leading to an overwhelming show of support from fans. The spectacularly successful septet has generated a global cultural impact, selling out stadiums internationally and topping major US charts while contributing…
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Musk challenges Microsoft and Google with ‘Truth-Seeking AI’ to counter politically correct AI
Tech tycoon Elon Musk recently disclosed plans to develop a “truth-seeking AI” that will counter politically correct artificial intelligence (AI) efforts from competitors such as Microsoft and Google, during a televised interview. The founder of Tesla and Twitter reiterated his concerns about the potential threat AI poses, suggesting it could lead to “civilisational destruction.” Musk also expressed his apprehension that…
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Kidnapper claims he abducted Chinese man to help Thai nation
UPDATE One of six suspects accused of kidnapping a Chinese man for a ransom of nearly 4 million baht in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday says his motive behind the crime was “to help the nation” since the victim is a wanted Chinese criminal. He said the victim’s ex-girlfriend had nothing to do with the kidnapping. At 12.30pm today, police detained…
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Greg Norman’s LIV rebel tour breaks barriers, sells out in Australia
Despite facing opposition from traditionalists and sparking a civil war within the sport, the rebel LIV Golf tour has been embraced by many in Australia, evidenced by tickets selling out for the nation’s inaugural event this week. Greg Norman, the tour boss, has long desired to see top-level golf become a regular feature in his home country. Australia has experienced…
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Man murders ex-girlfriend, friend plays dead to survive in Pattaya
A man murdered his ex-girlfriend in front of Mantra Pura Resort in Pattaya in the early hours of this morning. The victim’s friend pretended to be dead to save her own life. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and a rescue team were informed of the shooting incident and rushed to the resort at 4.30am. Upon reaching the site, officers…
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Kanchanaburi Songkran Festival tragedy: 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting
Police arrested two gunmen following a shooting at a Songkran Festival celebration in the central province of Kanchanaburi on April 17. The incident resulted in the death of an 18 year old man and injury to a 17 year old man. The shooting broke out while many people were splashing water on the road near the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi…
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Daring heist as Thai man steals four necklaces from gold shop
Local police reported that a man, posing as a customer, entered a gold shop located in a department store in the Bang Sao Thong district. The man showed interest in multiple necklaces before stealing four of them in a daring heist. The stolen necklaces have an estimated value of around 230,000 baht. Security camera footage revealed a man aged between…
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Security guard stomps on American tourist’s head in Phuket (video)
An American tourist is seeking justice after being stomped on by a security guard at a pub in Phuket, southern Thailand, at 4am on April 9. The injured tourist decided to take the case to Thai media after the police failed to take action more than a week after he reported the crime. Police deny delaying the investigation and say…
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Chartpattanakla Party reveals bold economic development plan for northeast Thailand
The Chartpattanakla Party recently unveiled an economic development policy aimed at boosting the economy and fostering growth in Nakhon Ratchasima and the northeastern region of Thailand. Tewan Liptapanlop, the party’s secretary-general and an MP candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 1, stated that the policy, dubbed “Korat-nomics,” would assist in transforming the region into a new economic corridor. Liptapanlop emphasised that…
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PPRP pledges to boost economy with soft power promotion in upcoming General Election
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has pledged to enhance the promotion of soft power as a key driver of the economy if the party is victorious in the upcoming General Election. Charnkrit Dejwithak, a spokesperson for the party’s election strategy committee, highlighted the significance of a soft power development policy through the example of the Songkran Festival, which draws numerous…
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Kenyan woman arrested for smuggling cocaine into Thailand
The Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) apprehended a Kenyan woman at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday for smuggling cocaine into Thailand. The Secretary of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Wichai Chaimongkon, disclosed details of the drug bust in a press conference yesterday. The AITF officers discovered 1,250 grammes of cocaine hidden in the luggage of the 45 year…
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Thailand braces for scorching summer as El Nino brings climate change to forefront
Climate experts are warning that Thailand will experience hotter and drier conditions in the upcoming months as a result of El Nino weather patterns, and they caution that this is just the start of the impact of climate change. While hot and humid weather is expected at this time of year, recent heatwaves have been more extreme than anticipated. A…
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Overcharging, drugs and weapons: Police arrest 30 motorbike taxi ‘Win’ drivers in Bangkok
Thai police cracked down on naughty ‘Win’ motorbike taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand, at the weekend and found no shortage of criminal activity. During April 15-17, police arrested 30 ‘Win’ drivers for a wide range of offences, mostly for overcharging passengers, but also for carrying weapons, drugs, and other traffic violations. Bangkok residents and tourists alike depend on the orange…
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Thai man dies in paramotor accident on the Mekong River in Isaan
A 39 year old Thai man died in a paramotor accident on the Mekong River in the Isaan province of Bueng Kan yesterday. The cause of the accident is under investigation. The deceased was identified as Watcharapong Khanteetao. He was a member of a paramotor club in the northeastern provinces. The accident occurred after Watcharapong flew the paramotor over the…
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Chinese man kidnapped and stuffed in a box for ransom in Thailand
A wealthy Chinese man was kidnapped from his condo in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. He was stuffed into a plastic box and transported to Hua Hin for the night and held for a ransom of nearly 4 million baht by a gang of Thai kidnappers, including his ex-girlfriend who is a beauty pageant contestant. It turns out the victim is wanted…
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ACT report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) recently published a report detailing graft cases involving politicians over the past decade. The most significant financial loss, amounting to 130 billion baht, was caused by the rice-pledging scheme. The report studied 61 cases involving a total of 68 politicians, analysing media coverage, investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and rulings by the Supreme…
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Summer storms ravage Thailand, destroying 1,800 homes in 10 provinces
Over the weekend, summer storms caused extensive damage in the northeast and south of Thailand, damaging approximately 1,800 homes in ten provinces. As a result, authorities continue to search for crew members from stricken trawlers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The storms affected 235 villages across Amnat Charoen, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Roi Et,…
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A closer look at the crypto industry in Thailand
Thailand’s crypto industry has been steadily growing in recent years. This success is partially thanks to the government’s increased support for the sector. In 2018, the Thai government legalized cryptocurrencies and introduced a regulatory framework to oversee crypto-related activities in the country. Since then, Thailand has become a popular destination for crypto startups like Bitcoin casinos, trading exchanges, and payment…
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10 fishing vessels sink in violent storms off southern Thailand coast
Violent storms in the coastal region led to the sinking of 10 out of 60 fishing vessels that embarked from ports in five coastal districts in the southern province of Thailand yesterday morning. Tragically, three crew members have been confirmed dead. Out of the 60 boats that set sail, 48 were from the Pak Phanang district, with 121 crew members…
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Endangered bright orange langur monkey rescued in Thailand
A baby bright orange langur monkey is now safe at a Thai wildlife rescue centre after being found abandoned by his family in the wild in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southern Thailand. Estimated to be less than one month old, the infant was found lost and all alone in a rubber plantation. He was abandoned after his family were scared…
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Thai man loses 10,000 baht in lottery after being conned into buying old tickets
A Thai man filed a complaint with the police after he was conned into buying old lottery tickets by a vendor in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok and lost a 10,000 baht lottery prize. The 66 year old lottery winner, or loser, Thanapon Thongchaiya, filed a complaint at Phra Pradaeng Police Station yesterday. Thanapon told police that he bought seven…
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Doi Pui mountain’s TV Tower in Chiang Rai rescued from forest fires
The Channel 9 TV transmitter tower atop Doi Pui mountain in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai had a close shave with destruction as forest fires inched dangerously close last night. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighting volunteers who rushed to save the day! A motley crew of officials from Mae Puem National Park and local volunteers joined…
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Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort wins MICE Friendly Design Award
Press Release Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is delighted to announce that the resort has been awarded the MICE Friendly Design Award by the Foundation of Civilization during the Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022, which was held at Bitec Bangna from 18-22 December 2022. The MICE Friendly Design Award is an award rooted in equal access for…
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Over 25,000 Thai men from diverse backgrounds volunteer for RTA enlistment
A total of 25,100 Thai men, from diverse backgrounds such as monks and those holding Master’s degrees, applied for voluntary enlistment in the Royal Thai Army yesterday, according to deputy army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong. The annual military conscription took a short break during the Songkran Festival and resumed yesterday. The draft is set to continue until Thursday in…
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Bangkok taxi driver condemned for ripping off foreign tourists
Thai netizens condemned a Bangkok taxi driver for ripping off two foreign tourists. The driver was caught on a viral video charging the tourists 700 baht for about a 7 kilometre trip which was considered almost seven times more expensive than the standard fare. On Saturday, April 15, the Facebook page called Let Me Know If You Wanna Be Famous…
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Songkran traffic accidents spike in Thailand’s first six days, with 2,008 reported incidents
During the first six days of Thailand‘s Songkran festival, there were 2,008 traffic accidents reported, marking an increase from last year’s more subdued celebrations. Although the festivities resulted in a higher number of casualties this year, the overall number of road deaths has decreased, according to recent data from the Interior Ministry. Chotenarin Kerdsom, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry,…
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Beach vendor with disability stabbed to death in Pattaya
Police arrested a man fleeing from the scene of a crime yesterday after he allegedly stabbed to death a vendor with a disability on Pattaya Beach. A witness believed the murder was motivated by an illegal business operation. Officers from Mueng Pattaya Police Station received a notification that a 38 year old man named Thotsapon had been stabbed to death…
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