News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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Whistleblowers to receive rewards in iCon Group fraud case
Whistleblowers and officials are set to receive rewards for their role in the arrest of suspects involved in a major fraud case, where victims accused a prominent company, The iCon Group, of deceptive loan practices, leading to approximately 35 million baht in damages. Around 90 individuals have come forward to file complaints against The iCon Group and its associates, alleging…
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Smell of trouble: Bangkok busts 7 Vietnamese for selling cannabis
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested seven Vietnamese men at a house in Bangkok for illegally selling cannabis after residents complained about the unpleasant, intoxicating smell. Locals in the Bueng Kum district of Bangkok filed a complaint with the ONCB, stating that a group of Vietnamese nationals had disturbed the peaceful community by using cannabis and releasing…
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Tourist trap: Russian national caught peddling illegal tours in Phuket
Police in Phuket are investigating a Russian national accused of illegally selling tours to tourists at a kiosk in Karon. A 23-second video posted online sparked outrage, with netizens criticising foreigners for allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. “The tour sales profession has been taken away by foreigners. Please ask the page to tell the relevant agencies to help investigate.…
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Parking lot shootout: Hat Yai neighbours take aim in space dispute
A dispute over parking spaces between neighbours escalated to gunfire, resulting in one injury and one arrest. Police have charged the suspect with attempted murder. An altercation over parking spaces in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, culminated in a shooting incident. The confrontation occurred between 50 year old Warasak, and 35 year old Sarawut, who reside about 100 metres apart in…
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Fatal crash on Rama IV Road claims young woman’s life
A young man riding a large motorcycle collided with a pickup truck turning into a side street, resulting in the death of a female passenger and injuries to two others on Rama IV Road. The tragic accident occurred early today, October 11. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthaphat Sirinantphuchit from Thung Maha Mek Police Station received a report of a collision between…
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Pattaya punch: Man arrested after leaving four on the ropes
A 34 year old Thai man has been arrested in connection with a violent attack that injured four people in Pattaya last month. Nong Prue police detained the perpetrator at his residence on Soi Mab Song yesterday, October 10, following a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court for assault charges. The incident occurred in the early hours of September…
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Thai maid discovers body of Japanese man in Phuket hotel room
A Thai maid discovered the body of a Japanese man in a hotel in the Sakhu district of Phuket yesterday, October 10. A suicide note written in Japanese was found at the scene. Officers from Sakhu Police Station were alerted to the man’s death by a hotel maid and rushed to investigate. The deceased, later identified as 45 year old…
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Rain check: heavy downpours set to flood 43 provinces in Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued another warning for continuous heavy rainfall impacting 43 provinces, including Bangkok and southern regions, with 70% of the areas affected, posing risks of flash floods. Today, the TMD forecasted 24-hour weather conditions, noting that easterly winds are bringing moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to cover the lower northeastern…
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Cycling accident in Chiang Rai claims coffee champion’s life
A tragic accident in Chiang Rai has left the local community mourning the loss of a 33 year old renowned coffee drip champion, Yodsaphon Chaibao, who died while cycling with friends. A black Toyota Fortuner collided with his bicycle, causing fatal injuries. Police from Ban Du Station, Chiang Rai, arrested the driver and seized the vehicle for further investigation after…
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Thailand and South Korea to boost cooperation in soft power
Thailand and South Korea have committed to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including soft power development, electric vehicles (EVs), and labour issues. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol yesterday, October 10, during the ASEAN summit in Vientiane. The leaders discussed expanding collaboration in trade, investment, electric vehicles, national defence, and cultural exchanges. PM Paetongtarn emphasised…
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Bacterial infections: Thailand’s silent killers strike flood victims
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning as cases of Leptospirosis and Melioidosis surge amidst the rainy season and floods. Both bacterial infections are on the rise, particularly threatening children, and require immediate attention. In just the first nine months of this year, around 6,000 cases have been reported, leading to a staggering 119 deaths. Leptospirosis, often spread…
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Move over ChatGPT, Meta’s AI chatbot now speaks Thai
In a bold move to challenge OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, is rolling out its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Meta AI, to 21 new markets, including Thailand. With Thai language support now on the table, Meta is upping the stakes in the race for AI chatbot supremacy. Big tech companies have been fiercely competing to attract…
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Bangkok bust: Cops hang up on Thailand’s largest call centre scam
Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police swooped on four clandestine locations in Bangkok and arrested two Thai and Chinese leaders of the largest call centre scam gang in Thailand. Over 18,000 items of evidence were seized. CSD officers held a press conference yesterday, October 9, at about 4pm, to report on the details of the call centre scam suppression operation, named…
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Dam full: Phuket’s reservoirs overflow as Bang Niew hits 103%
Phuket’s reservoirs are bursting at the seams, with Bang Niew Dam in Srisoonthorn now at a staggering 103% capacity. The island is bracing for more rain and potential flash floods through to Saturday, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of continued downpours. Bang Niew Dam currently holds a whopping 7.39 million cubic metres of water, surpassing its official capacity…
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Pattani: Border patrol officer killed in dual insurgent attacks
Tensions erupted late last night when insurgents launched coordinated attacks on two security outposts in a southern border province, resulting in the tragic death of a border patrol officer. The assailants, armed with military-grade weapons, carried out the strikes within minutes of each other, leaving authorities scrambling to respond. The first attack occurred at around 11.45pm, yesterday, October 9, when…
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Economists urge Bank of Thailand to maintain independence
Economists are urging the Bank of Thailand to maintain its independence, emphasising its importance for the nation’s economic stability and growth. Nonarit Bisonyabut, a research fellow at the Thai Development Research Institute, pointed out that globally, countries with autonomous central banks tend to achieve better economic stability, lower inflation, and stronger economic growth compared to those where central banks lack…
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Big Buddha Phuket charged with encroachment after deadly landslide
Police have charged the Big Buddha Phuket Phraphutthamingmongkhol Sattha 45 Foundation and its president, Suporn Wanichakul, with forest encroachment and unauthorised construction following a deadly landslide at the site. Karon police announced the charges related to forest destruction and have referred the case to public prosecutors. The landslide, which occurred after heavy rain on August 23, struck Nak Koet Hill,…
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Voted: Top 10 travel influencers in Thailand that you need to follow
For many, Thailand is the traveller’s ultimate dream. It is full of interesting and beautiful sights, delicious food, and some of the nicest people you will meet on Earth. However, there are probably too many things to see and there might be a lot more that you don’t know about Thailand and that’s where the top travel influencers come in.…
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Thai woman logged for selling phantom furniture online
Thai police arrested a 31 year old Thai woman for allegedly defrauding customers through a Facebook page by selling non-existent wooden furniture. She was taken into custody near Wat Tha Kwian in Nonthaburi. The investigation revealed that on June 23, 2022, a victim reported to Mae Chan Police Station that they had been deceived. On June 10 of the same…
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Old Thai man commits suicide after love triangle dispute
A 73 year old Thai man committed suicide in the Mae Sai district of the northern province of Chiang Rai, following a bizarre love triangle and an argument with his legal wife and children. Koh Chang Police Station officers received a report of the man’s suicide, identified as Lai, at his home in the Mae Sai district. They coordinated with…
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Thailand, Cambodia to revive US$300 billion offshore oil field talks
The Pheu Thai-led coalition government is set to revive talks with Cambodia regarding the exploration of a contentious offshore oil and gas field, estimated to hold at least US$300 billion in reserves. This field has been a point of contention between the two nations since the 1970s. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who assumed office in September following the Constitutional Court’s…
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Thaksin and Pheu Thai Party face constitutional showdown
Independent lawyer Thirayut Suwankesorn, renowned for dismantling the Move Forward Party, has launched a scathing complaint against the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its influential patriarch, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The complaint, submitted to the Constitutional Court at 10.30am today, October 10, accuses them of a serious breach of constitutional protocol, alleging attempts to undermine the country’s constitutional monarchy.…
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Perpetual panty pinching pervert caught red-handed in Chon Buri
Police arrested a Thai pervert who grabbed and sniffed a woman’s underwear in front of her in Chon Buri. It was revealed that he was recently arrested for stealing a mobile phone from a Russian woman in early September. A 25 year old Thai woman filed a complaint against the man, later identified as 21 year old Rung, after she…
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Foreigner’s body found near Patong Beach, police investigate
Police are scrambling to identify the body of a foreign man found floating in the water south of Patong Beach early this morning. Officers were alerted to the scene, located in front of a hotel on Muen Ngern Road, at 9.10am, today, October 10, after a guest spotted the body and raised the alarm. A team from the police force,…
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Former Aussie cop’s epic run across Thailand for tsunami victims
A former forensic cop from Australia is gearing up for his biggest physical challenge yet—a gruelling 1,400-kilometre run across Thailand in December. Dubbed “Run to Remember,” this endurance test marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which claimed 230,000 lives worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand. Starting on December 1, charity Hands Across the Water founder Peter Baines…
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Deaf, mute Grab driver tangled in sexual assault claims after ride goes awry
A deaf, mute Thai Grab driver is seeking justice after a passenger accused him of attempted sexual assault due to a misunderstanding during a trip in Bangkok on Tuesday night. The Grab driver’s 70 year old mother, Thongmuan, visited Huay Kwang Police Station yesterday, October 9, to seek justice for her son. The misunderstanding led to her son being charged with…
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Thailand’s tourism confidence index drops amid floods, economy
Thailand’s tourism confidence index for the third quarter saw a significant drop year-on-year, remaining below the benchmark due to challenges such as factory closures, rising unemployment, increasing non-performing loans, and severe flooding both domestically and internationally, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). The TCT has scheduled a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s board chairman tomorrow to…
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Thai king’s birthday sparks 10 royal projects to transform Bangkok
To celebrate His Majesty the King’s 6th cycle birthday, the Thai government has launched 10 ambitious royal projects under the theme Forest, Water, People. These initiatives align with His Majesty’s vision to blend environmental conservation with improving the quality of life for Thai citizens. Among the standout projects is the Elevate Pocket Park initiative, a partnership between the government and…
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Oedipus rex-ed: Doctor caught in toxic plot to kill mum’s partner
In a subverted Oedipus-like tale, a once-respected doctor has admitted to plotting a shocking murder attempt by disguising himself as a community nurse and poisoning his mother’s partner with a fake Covid booster. Hong Kong-born doctor 53 year old Thomas Kwan aimed to kill 72 year old Patrick O’Hara, who was left battling a rare flesh-eating disease after the deadly…
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Thai society’s con man unmasked: Smooth criminal pledges to change his stripes
Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested a fake Thai Hi-So (high-society) man for deceiving more than 30 victims, mostly women, for money. The suspect promised to change his ways after serving his punishment. The 27 year old suspect, Krittidate, also known as Sia Meen or Meen Vogue, shared his fake luxurious lifestyle on social…
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