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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Sponsored A healthy tomorrow starts today: Celebrate the great American Smokeout day
The Great American Smokeout, held this year on November 17, is a nationwide event that encourages smokers to take their first steps towards a smoke-free life. If you’re an expat in Thailand, this day could be a timely reminder to...
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Chiang Mai temple halts 19-metre statue plan after public outcry
Wat Phra That Doi Kham in Chiang Mai has decided to halt its plan to build the world’s tallest Taowesuwan statue, standing at 19 metres, after facing significant opposition from locals and social media users. The revered temple, located in Mae Hia, Mueang district, had initiated a ceremony to install the giant statue’s feet, intending to provide devotees with a…
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Thai government destroys counterfeit goods worth 325 million baht
Thai officials recently conducted a significant destruction of counterfeit and pirated goods in an effort to combat intellectual property rights violations. The ceremony took place at the Air Defence Command headquarters in Don Mueang, Bangkok, and was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, alongside Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisangpang, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Wuttikrai Leeviraphan,…
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Bangkok: Thai man arrested for exploiting schoolgirl via dating app
Police apprehended a man exploiting a 16 year old schoolgirl through a dating app, producing and distributing explicit videos for profit, earning up to 30,000 baht monthly. Bangkok police, led by Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopa, arrested 25 year old Naphadol, also known as Ohmmy Aklok, under charges of human trafficking and the production or distribution of child pornography. The arrest…
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Thai mascot Butterbear mocked with overpriced satirical product
A recent online controversy erupted after a Facebook page mocked the beloved mascot Butterbear by selling a satirical product. The item, made from shredded pork floss, was labeled in a disrespectful manner and priced exorbitantly at several hundred baht. Butterbear, a mascot from the Butterbear shop, has become a national favourite, akin to a celebrity. The mascot has appeared on…
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Flood aid dispute in Nan province over meal box distribution
Drama unfolded over the distribution of donated meal boxes to flood victims in Nan province yesterday. A heated debate arose after a member of the Facebook group, Original Nan Community Market posted about their frustrating experience trying to obtain food aid. “I braved the floodwaters to request two meal boxes from the Suan Tan Temple foundation. The response I got…
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Food Republic to close last Thai branch on November 22
Food Republic’s final branch in Thailand, located at Central Plaza Grand Rama IX, will close its doors on November 22. The company expressed gratitude to its loyal customers in a Facebook post, marking the end of an era for the popular food court chain. Food Republic has been a well-known name in the food court industry, originally hailing from Singapore.…
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Intoxicated Thai man berates MRT rescue team after escalator fall
A Thai man, reportedly intoxicated, fell down the escalator at Phahon Yothin MRT station, only to berate rescue personnel who came to his aid, claiming to be a high-profile journalist. The incident was reported by a Facebook page, where MRT Phahon Yothin station staff detailed the events. According to the post, the incident occurred around 2pm yesterday when the intoxicated…
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Truck overturns in Chon Buri, injures four due to brake failure
A six-wheel truck overturned on the road leading down Pratumnak Hill in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province on Thursday, August 22, causing moderate injuries to four individuals. The driver attributed the accident to brake failure. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received the report of the overturned truck at 3.46pm. The incident took place near the Bali Hai Pier intersection…
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Frenchman robbed by transgender individual on Pattaya songthaew
A Frenchman in Pattaya reported being robbed by a transgender individual who slashed his bag and stole his mobile phone before fleeing. Pascat Gaston Pair Francais, a 71 year old French national, filed a complaint with Pattaya police yesterday at 2am. He recounted that while riding a songthaew from Soi Buakhao to Soi 6, someone had secretly slashed his bag…
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Death toll in Phuket landslide rises to 9, including 2 Russians
The death toll from the flash flood and landslide in Phuket rose to nine, with two of the deceased being Russian nationals. Ten people were injured while dozens remain missing. The heavy rain from 1am today, August 23, led to a flash flood and landslide in the community near Kitti Sangkatam Temple in the Mueang district of Phuket. The residential area located…
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Thailand drafts new law to restructure oil prices
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced the completion of a draft law aimed at restructuring oil prices. This law is currently under review by a team of legal and energy experts before being presented to the Cabinet and later to the House of Representatives for consideration. Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga emphasised his commitment to ongoing projects despite the…
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Thaksin-era furniture returns as Paetongtarn takes office
The iconic furniture from Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration has been reinstated in the Prime Minister’s office, just in time for his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to take the reins as Thailand’s youngest premier. The sofa set and wooden desk, once the centrepieces of the PM’s office during Thaksin’s tenure (2001-2006), were returned today to their original spots in the Thai Khu Fah…
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Thai police seize crystal meth stash hidden in cement ware
Thai police scored a major win against international drug traffickers after uncovering a massive stash of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) hidden in decorative cement items at Bangkok Port. The drug bust was carried out by the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF) on Wednesday, August 21. During a routine inspection at the Khlong Toei district, officers stumbled upon two suspicious boxes in…
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Police hunt 3 Thai thieves for Bangkok apartment robbery
Police are reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to identify and track down three Thai thieves who stole 50,000 baht in cash, three mobile phones, and a gold bracelet from three victims at an apartment in the Bangkok Yai district today. Officers from the Bangkok Yai Police Station swooped on an apartment room in Soi Charan Sanitwong 12 after the…
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Fare play: Pattaya teens make amends after ride mix-up
A group of teenagers in Pattaya apologised and compensated a ride-hailing driver after a misunderstanding led to an unpaid fare. The incident came to light when a 25 year old driver for a popular ride-hailing app, Sirawat shared his experience on social media. Sirawat claimed that five teenagers in Pattaya failed to pay him a 70-baht fare. The event occurred…
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Thai SMEs eye US e-commerce payday after major Amazon deal
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to cash in on the lucrative US e-commerce market following a groundbreaking deal inked between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Amazon Global Selling (AGS). The partnership, formalised during the TOPTHAI Cross-Border e-Commerce Day 2024, aims to turbocharge the e-commerce export capabilities of Thai businesses, opening doors to the US$1.1…
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Thai airlines gear up for massive fleet expansions
Thailand’s airlines are preparing for a massive fleet expansion as the global aviation industry rebounds at full throttle after the Covid-19 pandemic. With air travel poised to double by 2043, as predicted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Thai carriers are seizing the opportunity to dominate the skies. Thai Airways International (THAI), the country’s national airline, is leading the…
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Thailand opens first semiconductor R&D centre
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has inaugurated Thailand’s first comprehensive semiconductor technology research and development centre, setting the stage for the nation’s enhanced role in the global supply chain. The KMITL Academy of Innovative Semiconductor Manufacturing (KAISEM) will function as a central laboratory, uniting experts from diverse fields to collaborate on semiconductor research, innovation, and electronic manufacturing processes.…
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Thai teacher suspected of creating explicit images of schoolgirls
Thai schoolgirls in the southern province of Pattalung suspected their male teacher of creating explicit images of them and sharing them on the Instagram application. A schoolgirl and her parents filed a complaint at Khok Cha-ngai Police Station today, August 23, after she came across nude images of herself on Instagram. She brought the matter to teachers but the school…
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Thai Art Toy Fest comes to Bangkok this weekend
The IconSiam shopping complex is the place to be this weekend as the Thai Art Toy Fest kicks off tomorrow. The exhibition showcases Thailand’s rich heritage, all through the lens of art toys. Brought to you by a powerhouse collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), IconSiam, and DDD Collectible Art Toys, the event will feature over 80 art…
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Plane to see: Suspicions surround Chachoengsao plane crash
Details surrounding the small plane crash in Chachoengsao have begun to emerge, revealing several suspicious factors. It was reported that the weather was fair on the day of the incident, with no rain clouds and the captain was very experienced. It took some 11 hours for rescue teams to search for the bodies of all those onboard a small plane…
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Thai man accuses cop of assault after he honked truck horn (video)
A Thai man accused a police officer in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, of physically assaulting him, even though he did not violate any laws and only honked his truck horn to greet a passing friend. The Thai truck driver shared a video on Facebook, where he and his girlfriend were seen arguing with a traffic police officer from the…
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Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
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19 firms request SEC approval for investment tokens
Nineteen companies, primarily in real estate and software, notified the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of their intent to secure funding through investment tokens as per the Digital Asset Act. The Deputy Secretary-General of the SEC, Jomkwan Kongsakul, confirmed that these 19 firms are currently in pre-consultation with the commission to explore fundraising via investment tokens. Three companies have already…
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Mysterious shadow resembling face haunts Thai plane crash site
Rescue workers experienced a chilling moment when a mysterious shadow resembling a face appeared while they were digging for human remains from an aeroplane crash that claimed nine lives. This incident, shared widely on social media, has captivated netizens and sparked numerous reactions. A rescue worker from Bang Pakong named Jairak Pitakchip, yesterday, August 22, shared a photograph on social…
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Massive oil slick threatens Sattahip’s pristine shores
A massive oil slick has been discovered just 4 nautical miles from Bang Saray Beach, sending shockwaves through the local community and environmental groups. The slick, stretching over 2 kilometres, was first reported in the afternoon, igniting fears of its devastating impact on marine life and the booming tourism industry. Bang Saray Community Enterprise for Tourism and Sports chairperson Udom…
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Efforts underway to prevent oil spill from reaching Chon Buri beach
Local officials in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province are battling to prevent an oil spill in Bang Saray Bay from reaching the coast. The source of the oil remains undisclosed. Locals and tourists spotted lines of oil, approximately 3-to-4 kilometres offshore in Bang Saray Bay in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, yesterday, August 22. The spill was…
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Thai-Myanmar gates reopen after sudden closure
The Burmese border town of Phayathonzu, straddling Thailand and Myanmar, was thrown into chaos when its gates were abruptly shut on August 16. The gates, crucial for the movement of goods and people, left locals in a lurch. However, on August 20, relief came as the gates were reopened, much to the delight of residents and traders, one Phayathonzu local…
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Bangkok restaurant owner accused of trying to slap foreign tourists
A Thai tour guide accused the owner of a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in Bangkok of attempting to slap foreign tourists after a reservation dispute. The Facebook user, Burapa Seiko, shared the story on the Facebook page, พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (meaning “we are consumers”), yesterday, August 22. He introduced himself as a tour guide who provides services to foreigners travelling in Thailand. Burapa…
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Thailand’s Nam Wa bananas go ‘bananas’ as prices soar
The price of Nam Wa bananas, also known as sugar bananas, has surged to a staggering 60 baht per bunch. Once a staple in Thai households, this beloved fruit is inching closer to becoming a luxury item, with experts predicting a further rise to 80 baht per bunch. For nearly a month, vendors and consumers alike have been grappling with…
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