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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Sponsored Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand adopts, kills and burns at least 18 cats
A disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand confessed to adopting cats via Facebook and beating them to death. Yesterday, the burned carcasses of 18 cats were dug up from behind his living quarters at a temple in Chachoengsao province. Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT), an animal rights charity, reported the horrific discovery of animal cruelty at the hands of an ordained Buddhist monk…
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Thailand detects FU.1 Covid sub-variant, 50% more transmissible than XBB.1.16
Thailand’s Centre for Medical Genomics has reported a single case of the Covid-19 sub-variant known as “FU.1” or XBB.1.16.1.1, which is said to be 50% more transmissible than XBB.1.16. The Omicron variant continues to mutate into new sub-variants, despite a decrease in global Covid cases. Currently, the dominant Omicron sub-variants are XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.9.1. The Centre for Medical Genomics…
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Tesla to embrace advertising, Musk hints at unique approach
Elon Musk has announced plans for Tesla Inc to venture into traditional advertising, marking a significant shift for the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that has previously relied on its CEO’s star power and customer enthusiasm. Speaking at the company’s annual meeting, Musk stated that Tesla would “try out a little advertising and see how it goes.” The news led to…
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Former RTN sailor seriously injured after accidentally shooting himself
A former Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sailor suffered a serious injury after accidentally shooting himself while playing with a gun in a rental room in the Isaan province of Burriam. The sailor, Phattarapong Kongkird, was found by his girlfriend last night. She arrived home to discover her 41 year old boyfriend lying unconscious in a pool of blood with a…
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FTX founder eyes Supreme Court ruling in bid to dismiss fraud charges
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seeking to use a recent Supreme Court ruling to strengthen his defence against fraud charges related to the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange. However, legal experts have suggested that the chances of having the charges dismissed remain low. Bankman-Fried requested on May 8 that most of the charges against him be dropped, arguing that some…
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Off duty soldier confronts rescue volunteer in Chon Buri
A traffic accident in Chon Buri led to a heated exchange between a local volunteer rescue worker and an off-duty soldier, raising concerns about the behaviour of an individual in military uniform towards civilians during an emergency. On April 16, around 5.50pm, a pickup truck collided with a motorcycle on Sukhumvit Road in Chon Buri. Two people sustained injuries in…
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Parties unite to remember Black May, warn of military’s political power
Yesterday, representatives from three major political parties attended a memorial event to honour the lives lost during the Black May 1992 incident, which took place 31 years ago when a military-led government suppressed demonstrators. The event was held at a memorial on Ratchadamnoen Road. Chaithawat Tulathon, secretary-general of the Move Forward Party, was present at the event and stated that…
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Dead bodies of couple discovered at condominium in Chon Buri
The management of a condominium in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri made a grim discovery last night as they stumbled upon the dead bodies of a Thai couple in room number 12 on the 12th floor. Law enforcement officers suspect that the man killed the woman before taking his own life. Upon entering the room, officers from Si…
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Bail denied for Polish murder suspect in Bangkok, Thailand
UPDATE #2 A court in Bangkok, Thailand, denied the bail request of the Polish tourist accused of murdering and dismembering his Ukrainian girlfriend at a high-rise condo last weekend. South Bangkok Criminal Court denied bail to 25 year old Jan Jerzy Lagoda-Filippow, citing that he is a flight risk since he already tried to flee the country for Cambodia once.…
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Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok over Chinese surveillance fears
Montana becomes the first US state to ban the Chinese-owned TikTok app, with Governor Greg Gianforte signing legislation that prohibits Google and Apple’s app stores from offering it within the state’s borders. The ban is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. TikTok, which has over 150 million American users, has faced increasing calls for a nationwide ban due…
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Chinese man with low salary seeks high-earning wife to uphold marriage values, sparks heated debate
A Chinese man attracted a significant amount of criticism on social media after he posted a set of stringent requirements for his future wife on a dating banner at a public park in China. The 34 year old Shenzhen resident’s demands sparked a heated debate about his matchmaking behaviour and gender equality. The controversial banner outlined the Chinese man’s search…
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Speedboat crashes in Phuket, 37 injured
A speedboat crashed into a channel marker in Chalong Bay in Phuket, southern Thailand, yesterday injuring four Thais and 33 foreign tourists, mostly Russians. The driver is thought to have fallen asleep as he crashed into the huge concrete pillar in the sea about 100 metres away from the shore of Chalong Bay at 5.30pm. The boat, the Thanathip Marine…
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Shirtless Patong man scares people with machete
A shirtless Patong man scared locals and tourists by walking around and swaying a machete back and forth. Patong Police arrested the man yesterday morning near the Suwan Khiriwing Temple (Patong Temple). Officers found the shirtless man swaying the machete and wandering aimlessly in the area. Residents were scared since there is a large number of tourists in the area.…
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Pattaya Police ban prostitution on the beach
Thailand’s Tourist Police have banned sex workers from selling services on the beach in Pattaya. Last night, Tourist Police and officers from Pattaya City Police Station headed down to Pattaya Beach and instructed the city’s ladies and ladyboys of the night to move along. The police informed the sex workers that from now on, they are no longer permitted to…
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Construction worker’s dream leads to staggering 12 million baht lottery win
A 61 year-old construction worker from a village in Subsomotod, Beung Sam Pan District, Phetchabun province, won a staggering 12 million baht in the lottery after following the advice of a dream. Samanee Plookjai purchased the winning tickets based on the dream’s suggestions. The Thai grandmother plans to use the money for her five grandchildren’s tuition fees, Sanook reported. Samanee…
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Youngest ever royal defamation charge: Thai girl, 16, released on bail
A 16 year old girl from Phitsanulok, Thailand, has been granted bail after being charged with royal defamation, making her the youngest individual ever charged under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The alleged offence occurred when the girl, known only as “May”, was 14 years and one month old. Police investigators…
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Rare golden venom-spitting cobra discovered in Thai village
A rare golden spitting cobra recently caught the attention of locals in a village in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. The snake, measuring around 1.2 metres in length, generated significant interest among villagers, who gathered to view the mesmerising creature. The story behind the snake’s discovery started when Piyapan Bua-Phae, a Facebook user, posted photographs of the golden cobra. An assistant village…
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Diesel prices dip amid global economic recession fears and interest rate hikes
On Monday, Diesel prices have fallen to around 32 baht per litre, as global crude oil prices continue to decline amidst concerns about an economic recession. The Oil Fuel Fund Office (Offo) has attributed this decrease to economic contraction, resulting from central banks’ interest rate hikes. As central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB), continue…
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Chinese man arrested in Thailand for deceiving Chinese students
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) arrested a Chinese man, previously employed at the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, for participating in unlawful activities connected to visa issuance. The arrest was made today by the Immigration Bureau and other relevant RTP officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The Chinese man was identified as Tee and reported to…
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Japan ramps up G7 security after PM attack and Abe assassination
Japan is ramping up security measures for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, deploying around 24,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of the event. The increased security comes in the wake of an attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month and the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Patrolling police have been visible in the city’s…
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Thaksin hails MFP’s social media mastery, urges generals to retire
Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, praised the Move Forward Party (MFP) for their recent election victory, attributing their success to their mastery of social media and user-generated content (UGC). Thaksin, who remains an influential figure in Thai politics despite his self-imposed exile, highlighted the party’s ability to gain votes organically without resorting to big-spending campaigns or vote-buying. In a…
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Financial institutions step up to help mortgage customers amid rising interest rates
Financial institutions are taking steps to assist mortgage customers in coping with increasing rates as Central Bank hikes impact floating mortgage interest rates. Thakorn Piyapan, president of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), mentioned that the bank provided some mortgage clients with the option to raise their monthly debt repayment amount or prolong the loan period to alleviate the higher monthly debt burden…
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Build your own House Dog at House of Hotdogs
Craving authentic New York-style hotdogs? House of Hotdogs, Bangkok’s leading Hotdog specialist, serves the best of this simple yet irresistible street food. The harmonious blend of the tender, succulent sausage, nestled in a slightly chewy bun, topped off with special gravy, heaps of sauerkraut and tangy mustard, indeed takes you back to the Big Apple. The Thaiger team got to…
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AIS resumes HBO partnership, offers affordable streaming via AIS Play app
Advanced Info Service (AIS) has renewed its collaboration with global content provider HBO, making content available to customers through the AIS Play mobile app and AIS Playbox set-top box platform at competitive rates. Pratthana Leelapanang, Chief Consumer Business Officer at AIS, stated that the move aims to capitalise on the growing market for streaming services, encompassing both short-form and long-form…
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Biden and McCarthy near deal to avoid US debt default
United States President Joe Biden and leading congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy moved closer to striking a deal to avert the impending US debt default yesterday. Despite the two sides remaining far apart on an agreement to increase the debt ceiling, McCarthy expressed optimism that a deal could be reached by the end of the week. While Democrats were less positive…
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Man accused of selling wife in exchange for drugs
Police arrested a Thai man after his wife filed a complaint alleging that he sold her to settle a debt. The woman claimed the husband forced her to have sex with a drug dealer in exchange for drugs. The husband denied the accusation claiming his wife requested to have group sex. A 31 year old woman filed a complaint against…
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Blood test after early miscarriage could reveal cause and aid prevention
A groundbreaking Danish study has revealed that a blood test taken after a miscarriage as early as the fifth week of pregnancy can help determine the cause and potentially lead to preventative treatments. One in 10 women experience pregnancy loss, a number that increases in countries where pregnancies occur later in a woman’s childbearing years. Henriette Svarre Nielsen, a Danish…
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NASA images inspire cosmic symphony for immersive space experience
A new seven-suite “space symphony” titled “Cosmic Cycles” has recently premiered outside Washington, showcasing stunning imagery from NASA alongside its first-ever public performance. American composer Henry Dehlinger, 56 years old, described the symphony as an immersive experience that encapsulates both visuals and sound. The inspiration for Dehlinger’s composition came from the images compiled by NASA producers into seven short films.…
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Thai man drinks crocodile blood twice a day
A businessman in southern Thailand claims his secret to great health is by drinking crocodile blood mixed with alcohol twice a day. He says he used to be exhausted but is now full of life after two months on the reptile juice. Every day, 52 year old Rojakorn Nanon from Na Tham Tai subdistrict in Trang province starts and finishes…
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GrabFood No.1* Food Delivery App is now available in English!
Living in a foreign country can be a thrilling adventure, but it can also pose its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles for many expats is navigating unfamiliar dining options. With language barriers and an overwhelming array of unfamiliar dishes, finding a satisfying meal can be a daunting task. Fortunately, in Thailand, there’s an app that stands…
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