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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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What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Thailand’s digital economy ministry sparks ‘byte’-sized revolution for national growth
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, led by Prasert Chantararuangthong, is turning to digital technology in a bid to propel the nation’s development. As outlined in an interview with the Bangkok Post, Prasert revealed the DES Ministry has a policy to position digital technology as the fifth driver of the country’s growth. “I underlined ‘the Growth Engine of Thailand’…
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Late-night accident results in tragic death of elderly couple in Ratchaburi
A tragic accident claimed the lives of an elderly couple when a pickup truck collided with their sidecar motorcycle in Ratchaburi. The incident occurred today, around 2am, on Petchkasem Road, Ang Thong subdistrict in Ratchaburi province. The couple, who were returning home from a local market where they had been selling vegetables, collided with a black Isuzu pickup truck. The…
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Hong Kong’s electric surprise: US$1.5 million hidden cocaine stash rolls in an electric wheelchair
Hong Kong customs officials discovered an estimated US$1.5 million (54 million baht) worth of concealed cocaine stash inside an electric wheelchair. The 11 kilogramme drug haul was found on a 51 year old man travelling from Saint Martin, a Mediterranean country, to Hong Kong via Paris, France. The discovery occurred on Saturday, October 14, during the man’s customs clearance at…
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Israeli-Hamas conflict sparks fears of disruptions in global oil prices
Price fluctuations in global crude oil have surged by 4% following the Israeli-Hamas conflict. This escalation in oil prices has sparked fears, especially among oil companies, as Montri Rawanchaikul, the Chief Executive of PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP), voiced worries that the conflict may lead to disruptions in petroleum production in the Middle East. Auttapol Rerkpiboon, CEO of PTT…
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Murder-suicide suspected as couple found dead in Thai rental home
A chilling murder-suicide discovery was made in the Phana district of Amnat Charoen when a foreign couple, found dead in their rented house, sparked a police investigation. The 47 year old Swiss man and 40 year old Moldovan woman were identified by Police Colonel Chotnarin Sathupawarat, the superintendent of Phana station. Found in their shared bedroom on Saturday, both individuals…
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Thai flooding: Chao Phraya overflows, floods 200 homes in Ayutthaya
Bang Ban district in Ayutthaya suffered an overflow from the Chao Phraya River, resulting in the Thai flooding of approximately 200 residences, plantations, and rice fields yesterday. The district chief of tambon Bang Luang, Montri Samathi, contradicted previous claims by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) that the river’s water level would not cause flooding in Bang Ban this year. Montri…
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Thai embassy issues urgent advisory after knife attack in France
A knife attack at a public school in Arras, northern France, led the Thai embassy in Paris to issue an urgent advisory for Thai nationals in the country. The embassy urged individuals to avoid crowded areas and key tourist sites, following the elevation of the national threat alert to its peak by the French government. The advisory, published on the…
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Cement truck ignores warning and crashes into canal after wooden bridge collapse
A cement truck plunged into a canal after its driver ignored warnings and drove onto a wooden bridge, causing it to collapse. The 55 year old driver, from Amnat Charoen, revealed that he thought the bridge was supported by concrete pillars, and thus decided to cross it. The incident occurred at 12.30pm today. The 10-wheel truck, registered in Samut Prakan,…
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Thai citizens repatriation from Israel accelerates after death toll rises to 28
The death toll of Thai citizens from the incidents in Israel has risen to 28, prompting an acceleration in the repatriation of Thai citizens. The process is set to speed up, and more people will be able to be repatriated. At 11am today, at the SC Park Hotel on Praditmanutham Road, Labour Minister Piphath Ratchakitprakarn explained, after welcoming a group…
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Flash flood destroys bridge in Phayao, disrupting districts and leaving locals missing
Last night’s severe rainfall in Phayao province resulted in a flash flood that destroyed a bridge, disrupting connectivity between the districts of Chiang Muan and Dok Khamtai. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, swept away two vehicles and left several individuals missing. Authorities are currently mobilising efforts to locate the missing persons from the Nong…
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Convenience store’s refusal to accept taped banknotes sparks online controversy
A recent online controversy erupted over a convenience store’s refusal to accept old banknotes, aggravating customers and sparking heated debate among netizens who pointed out that such notes remain legally valid unless damaged. The main reason for the refusal was due to the banknotes being heavily taped. Today, a social media post was shared by a member of the พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค…
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Mythical Naga statue in Chon Buri temple draws crowds after lucky shadow sighting (video)
An intriguing video clip sparked a flood of visitors seeking good fortune from a statue of the mythical serpent Naga, affectionately known as Por Pu Naga, at the Woraprot Sangkawat temple in Bang Nang, Panthong, Chon Buri. The clip, shared on Facebook by a user named Rong, showed what appeared to be the shadowy outline of Naga within a simulated…
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Thai government denies charging 2,500 baht for airport transport for workers
The government’s deputy spokesperson clarified that the Ministry of Labour has no policy to charge 2,500 baht for airport transport for workers to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Karom Polphonklang insisted that the travel expenses for working in Israel depended on the exchange rate at that time. The statement was made today, in response to a post claiming that those going to work…
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Third group of Thai workers return from Israel, escaping Gaza conflict
A group of Thai workers, comprising 88 males and two females, arrived back home from Israel this morning, marking the third group to return. This repatriation was orchestrated by the Thai government. The workers’ journey home began in Israel yesterday, where they boarded Fly Dubai Flight FZ1550 at 11am local time and travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Their journey…
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Public concern over 10,000 baht digital wallet policy, NIDA poll reveals
The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), has revealed public concern that the government’s policy of distributing 10,000 baht in digital wallets may not be beneficial for the country. The survey suggests that the policy should be adjusted to match current circumstances. Between October 9 to October 11, the survey was conducted among individuals aged 18 and above, spread across…
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Thai workers recount perilous experiences amid Gaza conflict
Recently returned Thai workers from conflict-hit Israel conveyed their harrowing experiences, raising questions about the government’s decision to send workers to the conflict-ridden zones, notably areas near the Gaza Strip. The first batch of 41 Thai workers landed in Thailand last Thursday on Israel Airlines flight LY 083, with 15 sponsored by the Thai government and the remaining 26 funding…
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Thai workers question Israel’s safety following fatal Hamas attack
The recent attack by Hamas in Israel, which caused the deaths of 24 Thai labourers, is leading to doubts about the suitability of Israel as a destination for workers seeking higher wages abroad. For over two decades, Israel has been a popular choice for Thai workers, particularly those in the agricultural sector. Currently, around 30,000 Thai workers are based in…
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Thai restaurant’s job ad goes viral for unique qualifications and high salary
A Thai restaurant, Xin Rong, has announced several job vacancies, offering a salary range of 70,000 to 90,000 baht. The positions available include clean-up crew, customer service staff, and kitchen staff. The announcement became a viral sensation on social media due to the high starting salary. However, the job listings also come with a peculiar list of qualifications. The restaurant…
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Thai PM defends Corrections Department over ex-PM Shinawatra’s controversial hospital stay
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood up for the Corrections Department amidst backlash over the alleged special treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the imprisoned ex-prime minister. PM Srettha confirmed that all inmates are treated equally, addressing a controversial photograph that surfaced on social media. The picture, which sparked the debate, featured a person resembling Thaksin on a gurney, donning a patient gown…
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Thai government denies plans to slash digital wallet initiative budget, aimed at boosting economy
The Thai government has refuted rumours of cutting funds for the digital wallet initiative from 560 billion baht (US$ 15,426,997,600) to 400 billion baht (US$ 11,019,284,000), stating that the project is not just for the underprivileged but aimed at stimulating the economy more broadly. The government is keen on weeding out the wealthy from benefiting from the scheme, which is…
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Fugitive wanted for attempted murder captured after 20 years on the run
A fugitive suspected of attempted murder and evading capture for nearly two decades was ultimately arrested by police In Nakhon Si Thammarat. The fugitive in question had been employed as a firefighter at the Khu Khwang Fire Station. The arrest for attempted murder on October 12 was conducted by a unit from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), acting on an…
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Massachusetts teen dies after attempting world’s spiciest chip challenge
Tragic news involving a viral challenge has surfaced in the United States, as a 14 year old boy residing in Massachusetts succumbed to intense abdominal pain, eventually losing consciousness and passing away after attempting the popular One Chip Challenge. The globally trending challenge involved consuming the world’s spiciest potato chip. Harris Wolobah, the unfortunate youngster, had tasted the spicy chip…
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Two wild elephants electrocuted by durian orchard owner’s fence in Thailand
Two wild elephants, roughly aged between 20 and 25 and 30 and 35 years, met a tragic end due to electrocution in Surat Thani province. The elephants fell victim to an electric fence positioned by a local durian orchard farmer in Tai Rom Yen National Park located within Kanchanadit, a district in southern Thailand. The incident occurred on October 12,…
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Israel-Palestine conflict: Thai death toll rises, government hastens evacuation
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has claimed three more Thai lives, bringing the Thai death toll to 24, as reported by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also reported on Saturday that 16 Thais have been injured and an equal number abducted in the escalating conflict. Addressing the press before his departure to Phitsanulok province,…
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Unusual banana tree fruits from trunk, sparks lottery fever in Nakhon Ratchasima
A banana tree in Nakhon Ratchasima province has caught the attention of locals due to its unusual fruiting pattern. The tree, located in a garden in Bua Yai district, has been found to bear fruit from the middle of its trunk rather than the usual top. The tree’s 62 year old owner, Oranwan, led reporters to the curious sight in…
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Significant rise in Thai gold prices: ornaments now at 33,500 baht per baht weight
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced this morning a significant increase in gold prices compared to the previous day. The increase was reported to be 550 baht (US$15), with the price of gold ornaments set at 33,500 baht per baht weight. This is a marked jump from yesterday’s closing price of 32,305.96 baht per baht weight. The report released today…
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Thai worker pays 50,000 baht for flight home amid conflict zone chaos
A Thai worker who paid for his own flight back home to Thailand revealed the dire situation in a conflict-ridden zone. He disclosed that several of his friends who lost their lives could not be repatriated due to ongoing identity verification. He decided to take matters into his own hands, spending over 50,000 baht (US$1,377) on his journey home. According…
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Tropical depression triggers heavy rain warnings for 47 Thai provinces, including Bangkok
Today, 47 provinces of Thailand, including Bangkok, brace for heavy rainfall due to a tropical depression covering the Gulf of Thailand. The public has been warned to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoff, especially in hillside areas and low-lying regions. The sea waves are expected to reach a height of 2 metres in areas affected by thunderstorms. The…
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Two killed in fiery road accident involving multiple motorcycles and pickup truck
A horrific road accident claimed two lives and injured others in the early hours of today on Asia Highway No. 32 in Ayutthaya province. The accident involved multiple motorcycles and a pickup truck, leading to a fiery aftermath. At around 12.30am, the police in Bang Pa-in district of Ayutthaya received a report of a serious road accident involving several motorcycles…
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Malaysian family steals 600 dishes from restaurant: a 1,250 baht hotpot heist exposed on social media
A Malaysian restaurant owner took to social media to express his dismay after a family of five ordered and subsequently stole over 600 dishes from his establishment. The incident, which took place on October 8, was discovered after the owner reviewed CCTV footage, revealing the family’s unusual behaviour. The owner of a hotpot restaurant in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia, posted on…
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