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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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See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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Thai rice body urges government to focus on new rice strains
The Thai Rice Exporters Association is calling on the new government to avoid manipulating rice market prices and instead focus on the strategic production of new rice varieties. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the association’s honorary president, emphasised the importance of developing new rice strains to maintain competitiveness with other exporting nations. “This is crucial for the future of Thai rice. Following roadshows…
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Bangchak acquires Esso Thailand bolstering network and refining capacity
In a significant move in Thailand’s petroleum sector, Bangchak Corporation secured a resounding acquisition of Esso Thailand. ExxonMobil Asia Holdings’ relinquishing of a 65.99% majority stake to Bangchak marks the completion of this transaction. As a consequence of this development, around 700 Esso petrol stations throughout the country will commence operations under Bangchak’s brand, starting tomorrow. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the Group…
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Blue Strike-2023: China and Thailand’s joint naval exercise
The Gulf of Thailand and the Sattahip district of Chon Buri will serve as the training grounds for the Blue Strike-2023 joint naval exercise, involving China and Thailand. Participation from Chinese warships and submarines has been confirmed for this annual drill. The exercise, which will extend from tomorrow to September 10, will take place in the upper reaches of the Gulf…
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Phuket Blood Bank and Thai Red Cross launch donation drive for rare blood type
The Phuket Regional Blood Bank (Phuket RBC) in partnership with the local chapter of the Thai Red Cross and 20 local businesses, have initiated a campaign in September to restock their depleting blood reserves. This campaign invites the local populace to provide their valuable donations at any of the 20 mobile blood donation stations scattered across Phuket, commencing from 2pm…
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Thai research probes herbal solutions to PM2.5 dust-related chronic diseases
In promising scientific research, experts are exploring the potential of three herbal plants in combatting chronic diseases connected to PM2.5 dust. The focal point of this collaborative project is to address the health challenges arising from prolonged exposure to harmful PM2.5 dust particles, a pressing concern in regions affected by air pollution. The collaborative efforts have seen researchers from Chaophraya…
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Chiang Mai University launches Builds platform to boost student entrepreneurship
Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, has unveiled an entrepreneurial platform named “Builds”. This initiative is designed to assist students in transforming their research projects into profitable enterprises. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, a CMU rector, expressed the institution’s ambitions to become an entrepreneurial hub, aiming to bolster its economic contribution to 60 billion baht within the…
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Thai GPO’s Covid-19 vaccine set for 2023 launch, targets 10 million doses annually
Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is making significant strides with its first domestically produced Covid-19 vaccine, HXP-GPOVac. The vaccine, currently in its third stage of clinical trials, is on track to conclude this phase by the end of the month. This development represents a crucial step forward for Thailand’s efforts to continually combat the pandemic. The vaccine’s production is overseen…
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Siriraj hospital offers free joint replacement surgeries to Nepal’s underprivileged
Free joint replacement surgeries will be offered to the underprivileged population of Lumbini, Nepal, courtesy of Siriraj Hospital. The groundbreaking initiative, dubbed ‘The Buddha’s First Step’, is a collaborative effort between the hospital and Love for Humanity, a corporate social responsibility project. Apichart Asavamongkolkul, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, revealed that the project…
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Chalong underpass closure in Phuket tonight for essential pump repairs
Phuket’s Chalong Underpass will be inaccessible to all traffic tonight due to closure to perform critical repair works on the tunnel’s pump system. The Phuket Highways Office has issued a statement detailing the closure timings, which commence from 9pm today and extend until 5am tomorrow. This is not the first instance of such a closure; the region’s ongoing rainy season…
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South Korea aims to boost Thai tourism with new campaign
South Korea, marking its 65th year of diplomatic relations with Thailand, is all set to attract more Thai tourists. This comes as part of a bilateral effort to revive the tourism industry in both countries, which shares a robust relationship economically, socially, and culturally. Covid-19 restrictions saw a decline in international tourism, with South Korea welcoming about 570,000 Thai tourists…
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Surrogacy ring arrest in Bangkok linked to missing toddler case
A series of raids and an arrest have been carried out against an international surrogacy ring, suspected to be tied to last year’s missing toddler case in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) this week searched three clinics in Bangkok and a building in Nong Khai, with a man apprehended for suspected involvement as an agent in the operation.…
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Thailand’s free visa initiative to boost Chinese tourist influx by 700,000
Thailand‘s government’s initiative to issue free visas to visitors from China is expected to boost visitor figures by 700,000 during the high season, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool noted that Thailand typically receives between 350,000 and 400,000 Chinese visitors monthly, totalling 2.1 million in the first eight months of this year. Thailand accounted…
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Thai motorcycle production to exceed 2.1 million units amid tourism rebound
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is forecasting that motorcycle production this year will surpass the initial target of 2.1 million units. The revival of the tourism sector and the easing of the global semiconductor shortage are cited as the primary factors for this optimistic outlook. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the vice-chairman and spokesperson for the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club, attributes this…
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Thai Prime Minister pledges to tackle fisheries industry woes
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, promised to address the issues plaguing the fisheries industry in his visit to Samut Songkhram yesterday. This move came after representatives from the industry called upon the newly formed government to revise laws to mitigate the effects of restrictions put in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Srettha stated that the…
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Ratch Group earmarks 35 billion baht for business expansion
Thailand’s leading private power producer, Ratch Group Plc, remains steadfast in its decision to allocate a capital expenditure of 35 billion baht for the expansion of its operations in both the power and non-power sectors this year. Chief Executive Choosri Kietkajornkul said that out of this capital allocation, 29 billion baht is for investments in power generation. She further revealed…
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Bangkok’s ‘Beautiful Roads’ project aims to enhance cityscape
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) initiated a new endeavour to enhance the city’s traffic islands, lands under expressways, and public pavements. The project, dubbed Beautiful Roads, aims to augment the overall landscape of roads, including road surfaces, traffic lights, light poles, on-road utilities, and the reorganisation of street food vendors, and roadside surroundings. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that the…
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Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party: A glittering tribute to Studio 54
The glamour, the glitz, and the electric energy of an era gone by came alive once again at the Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party held at Escape Bangkok. This sensational event is hosted jointly by Megatix Thailand and TPN with an iconic Studio 54 theme, a name synonymous with the golden age of disco and extravagant nightlife. The night…
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Toothpaste review uproar: 1.7 million baht lawsuit gets brushed aside
A legal case involving a young woman who reviewed a toothpaste brand and was subsequently sued for 1.7 million baht has been dropped, causing a stir on social media. The young woman had earlier requested justice after developing an allergic reaction to the toothpaste, leading to the brand’s owner suing her for damages, sparking widespread debate across various social media…
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BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
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karma: Jealous husband’s fiery act backfires, leaving him scorched
If karma indeed exists, it enacted a merciless retribution upon a Thai man who, consumed by jealousy over his ex-wife’s new romance, set fire to her and her mother. The Thai man ended up suffering severe burns all over his body during the arson attack on his former spouse. This harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of yesterday when…
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Bangkok bullet bust: Officers nab four with guns and ammunition at petrol pit stop
Four suspects were arrested by Min Buri inspection officers, who seized five handguns and nearly 50 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition arrest occurred at a petrol station in Min Buri, a district of Bangkok, today. The group, consisting of 15 year old A, 19 year old Naphat, 20 year old Natthawut, and 19 year old Chanachon, were found in possession…
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Globe of death stunt rider injured in fiery accident at Chinese theme park
A fiery motorcycle stunt performance at Happy Valley theme park in Shanxi, China took a dangerous turn when a performer lost control, resulting in a blazing accident that left him injured. The incident, which occurred during a daring Globe of Death routine performed by two stunt riders, caused shock and concern among spectators. The Globe of Death Show, a popular…
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Fruit jelly jolt: Wormy surprise in popular brand’s treat leaves customer queasy
A shocking discovery of worms nestled in a popular brand’s fruit jelly has left a female customer feeling nauseated. The incident, shared by the woman on the We Are Consumers Facebook group, occurred shortly after purchasing the product from a convenience store. The woman posted, accompanied by pictures, describing her unsettling ordeal. “Was eating and found a worm, almost vomited.…
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Media meltdown: JKN global struggles as shares drop amid debenture dilemma
JKN Global Media Plc’s shares plummeted to 1.67 baht during early trade as the company acknowledged its inability to fully repay the 609 million baht debenture due that day. This debenture is part of a seven-series set, totaling 3.36 billion baht. After the disclosure on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), JKN Global Media’s shares tumbled by 29.8%, a drop…
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Thai Airways takes off in new direction with operational shake-up
Thai Airways International (THAI) Public Company Limited today announced several operational changes. THAI will use Airbus A320 aircraft for routes formerly managed by THAI Smile Airways: Ahmedabad, Kaohsiung, and Penang. The A320s will also fly to Kolkata, a route currently operated by THAI. Changes begin on September 1 for Ahmedabad and October 15 for Kolkata. The detailed flight schedule is…
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AirAsia cancels all flights to Hong Kong due to Typhoon Saola
AirAsia cancelled all of the flights to Hong Kong today, September 1, due to Typhoon Saola. Several routes in and out of Shenzhen, Macau, and Guangzhou have also been affected by these cancellations. Typhoon Saola is forecasted to be one of the five most powerful typhoons to hit Guangdong province since 1949. With wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometres per hour,…
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Quackers’ surprise: Homeowner unravels duck dilemma with a twist of python
A homeowner finally discovered the reason for his dwindling duck stock when he found a 3 metre long python lounging in his duck coop. The early morning python discovery led the homeowner, Somsak Metta, to call for emergency assistance. The incident took place today, at house number 131, in the Bang Kung village, Si Maha Phot district, Prachin Buri province.…
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Thailand’s best-kept secret: Unraveling the online wonderland!
Nestled amidst the shimmering lights and pulsating rhythms of the Asian gaming panorama, fun88 emerges as a beacon for avid gamers and enthusiasts. More than just a platform, it serves as a testament to the evolution of digital entertainment, seamlessly blending tradition with technology. With every click and every play, fun88 doesn’t just offer a game; it extends an invitation…
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Power play: FTI cheers new government’s energy cost pledge
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed its satisfaction with the newly elected government’s commitment to lowering energy costs and retail diesel prices. Newly inaugurated Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has prioritised energy price reductions as an early objective of his administration. An immediate cut in energy prices has been promised by the 61 year old Srettha and his Cabinet upon…
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Passport pretender: Chinese woman’s Phuket Airport arrest sparks legal turbulence
A Chinese woman was arrested last night for passport fraud at Phuket International Airport. The woman, identified as a 44 year old Chinese national, Jian Qi, attempted to bypass immigration control using a passport that did not belong to her, a crime that could lead to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 baht…
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