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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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From murder to mortician: China’s bold scheme to rehabilitate serious criminals
A special rehabilitation program in Shenyang, a city in northeastern China, is offering ex-prisoners a chance to become a mortician or funeral workers and reintegrate into society. The initiative, named Mama Waves You Off to Heaven, aims to address the challenges faced by ex-convicts who deal with discrimination, lack of reform programmes, and a resultant skills shortage that often pushes…
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Minnesota becomes a refuge for transgender children facing conservative laws in other US states
Transgender youth and their families have increasingly found themselves at the heart of a contentious nationwide debate in the United States, with parents like Mary and her 16 year old child, Jasper, seeking refuge in states that offer them protection and support. Their tumultuous journey started in Texas, but due to mounting concerns for their child’s well-being, the family soon…
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Philippines coast guard confronts Chinese vessels making dangerous manoeuvres in South China Sea
A confrontation involving the Philippines Coast Guard and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea has escalated tensions between the two nations. The incident took place during a week-long patrol mission in the strategically important waterway, coinciding with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to Manila to meet his Philippine counterpart and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. China claims a majority…
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TAT expects more Chinese and Thai tourists in Phuket for Labour Day weekend
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects more Chinese and Thai tourists to visit Thailand’s picturesque island province of Phuket during the Labour Day weekend. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn reported a 60% improvement in tourism from January to March 2023 compared to the same period last year, with 6,518,578 foreign visitors generating 334.7 million baht. Speaking to Thai media, Yuthasak…
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Chinese man and 23 Burmese nationals arrested for working without permits
Police arrested 23 Burmese citizens and a Chinese man for working at a construction site in Samut Prakarn province without work permits. The Chinese man reportedly joined the team only three days before his arrest. The crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners and illegal foreign workers is ongoing across the country, particularly in places where there is heavy industry…
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Phuket motorbike rider’s viral video sparks amusement and debate
On Wednesday, a video titled “The end of a reckless teenager” was posted by TikTok user @lineage5578, showing a young man proudly displaying his modified motorbike. At the beginning of the video, he revs the engine to demonstrate its loud and powerful exhaust, before setting off on a nighttime ride. Keen observers will note that two police officers can be…
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First group of Thai evacuees from Sudan arrive in Bangkok
A flight carrying 78 Thai nationals departed from Sudan and was scheduled to land in Bangkok at 10pm, according to the air force, marking the arrival of the first group of evacuees returning home since the conflict in the North African country erupted. Air force spokesman Prapas Sonjaidee stated that an Airbus A340-500 aircraft and two air force C-130s had…
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Man arrested for exploiting Big Joke’s name to lure and rape woman
A Thai man was arrested by the police for using the name of Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), to entice female party entertainers to work for him before allegedly raping them. A Thai party entertainer named Aom reported to the media and police on Tuesday, April 25 that she had been raped…
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US Navy carrier strike group visits Thailand, emphasises free and open Indo-Pacific
The US Navy‘s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group recently expressed readiness to operate in any region of the “free and open Indo-Pacific”, according to the spokesman for the group, which is currently visiting Thailand. The strike group commenced its 11-month patrol mission in the US 7th Fleet area of operations last November, participating in drills with Japan, South Korea, and the…
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FAD to build national museum in Khlong Luang: Over 100,000 artefacts to be accommodated
The Fine Arts Department (FAD) announced plans to construct a national museum in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, which will include a warehouse to accommodate over 100,000 artefacts. Phanombootra Chandrajoti, the director-general of FAD, revealed that the warehouse would house Thailand’s largest database of artefacts, and the museum would be the first in the nation to adhere to…
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Activist seeks to impeach NACC members over luxury watch saga investigation
Activist Veera Somkwamkid announced his intention to impeach members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for disregarding a court order that required them to divulge details about their investigation into the luxury wristwatch saga involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Veera accused the NACC of defying the Supreme Administrative Court’s order in an interview, stating that the court had ruled that…
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Phuket man smashes pickup truck and hits driver with iron bar (video)
A Phuket man smashed a pickup truck and hit the driver with an iron bar, injuring the driver. The incident, reported in The Phuket Express last night, occurred on Sunday, April 23 in Talad Nuea in Phuket’s main city district. According to the Phuket City Police, the pickup truck driver, identified only as Suriya, was waiting at a red light…
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Myanmar migrants arrested for illegally crossing into Thailand
Forty-two job seekers from Myanmar were detained after crossing the border illegally into Sangkhla Buri district late Wednesday night, according to Thai authorities. The group was discovered following an alert in a forested area close to Song Kalia village, in Tambon Nong Lu. However, the individuals had fled the scene by the time officers arrived. Subsequently, the informant advised that…
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Thai appeals court reverses acquittal in lese majeste case over offensive Facebook comment
The Thai Appeals Court overturned a previous ruling yesterday, convicting an individual on charges of lese majeste relating to comments deemed offensive towards the monarchy. The defendant, identified only as Wutthipat, was found guilty by the Appeals Court of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The judges determined that Wutthipat’s comment…
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Chiang Mai’s Mae Chaem district communities granted forest living rights
Over 300,000 rai of reserved forest land in the Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai now has secured living rights for local communities, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The communities have been identified as a successful model by the Department of Royal Forest, due to their compliance with a cabinet resolution from…
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Covid-19 cases surge in Thai tourism hotspots post-holidays
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged health authorities in major tourism destinations to closely monitor the number of Covid-19 cases, as new infections continue to surge following the holidays. The instruction came after the Department of Disease Control (DDC) presented data on caseloads from April 16 to 22, indicating a rise in Covid infections. The prime minister is particularly concerned…
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Malaysian gang conflict leads to double murder in Bangkok
Eight Burmese nationals allegedly murdered two Thai men at a house near Bangkok due to a conflict within a human trafficking gang led by Malaysian men. The murderers reportedly fled Thailand following the incident. The Superintendent of the Bang Kaew Police Station, Mongkon Onkaew, told ThaiRath that officers received a complaint from a Thai woman, 23 year old Wanutpreeya Patrhumthong,…
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Another victim similar to Thai cyanide serial killer case
Another victim has emerged in a case similar to that of the “Thai cyanide serial killer” incident in Khun Han district, Sisaket Province. The deceased, Nittaya, aged 36, who had previously worked as a share farmer in Nakhon Pathom, reportedly died suddenly of heart failure. A reporter travelled to a house in Khun Han district, Sisaket Province, to investigate the…
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Today’s weather forecast: Northern region warned of thunderstorms and strong winds
Today, the Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast for Thailand, indicating that a combination of southerly winds and southeasterly winds will bring moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. Covering Northern Thailand, the region will experience weakening strength, leading to scattered thunderstorms and strong wind gusts in some areas. Residents in the north are advised…
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Ukraine’s ambassador commends effectiveness of UN in condemning Russia
The United Nations (UN) may have its flaws, but it has been effective in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya. He acknowledged the imperfections of the UN but argued that there may be no other country in the world where citizens pay such close attention to UN General Assembly or Security Council…
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NHRC urges end to conscript servant practice in Thai army within 90 days
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Thailand has declared that the longstanding practice of using conscripts as servants by Royal Thai Army (RTA) officers constitutes a human rights violation. The NHRC has urged the Defence Ministry to put an end to this practice within 90 days. During a press conference, NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee shared that the commission has…
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Thailand’s cyanide serial killer claims another life, 14 victims so far
The Police Forensic Science Office has announced today that the number of victims of the Thai cyanide serial killer has risen to 14, with 13 fatalities. Of the 13 murdered victims, one person managed to survive after being poisoned by Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn. Police officers added they discovered cyanide substances in Am’s car. Yesterday, the Police Forensic Science Office discovered…
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Trang governor reveals plans to develop Koh Kradan, the ‘best beach on earth’
Plans are in the pipeline to develop Thailand’s Koh Kradan. Trang province’s governor, Kajornsak Charoensopha, on Wednesday, revealed plans to develop Koh Kradan into a major tourist spot. The move comes after the island was named the best beach on earth in the Top 100 Beaches on Earth by the UK’s World Beach Guide. The governor announced plans aimed at…
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Pheu Thai party rally focuses on agriculture, digital wallet policy, and appealing for votes in Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Pheu Thai Party held an enthusiastic rally in Nakhon Si Thammarat, featuring prominent members such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, candidate for prime minister, and her husband Pik Sukhsawat, as well as party strategist Chaturon Chaisang and director Natthawut Saikua. The candidates for MP seats in their respective districts also echoed the party’s policies and called for local support. During the…
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Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closure and shift towards renewable energy
Australia‘s most senior coal-fired power plant is set to close today, marking a significant step towards the nation’s transition to renewable energy sources. Previously notorious for its climate inaction, Australia is now preparing for a remarkable transformation in its energy sector. The Liddell power station, located approximately a three-hour drive north of Sydney, is just one of several ageing coal-fired…
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Inspirational sledge dog Balto, captured in a statue at New York’s Central Park
New York’s Central Park pays homage to a sledge dog named Balto through a dedicated statue. The dog’s amazing story even made its way to the big screen. Ninety years after his death, this legendary canine is the subject of a DNA study looking into what made him so famously resilient. In 1925, Balto, a Siberian husky, was part of…
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Man found alive after being buried in Guangxi province, China
In an unbelievable turn of events, a man in Guangxi province, China was found alive after being buried in his own grave, throwing the entire village into a frenzy. The man’s wife, who had rushed home from work to attend his funeral, was in shock when she believed she heard her husband’s voice from underground. With the help of her…
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Cops catch transwoman changing hair colour after robbing Pattaya gold shop
Cops caught a transwoman changing her hair colour at a salon after she robbed a Pattaya gold shop. The suspect, 30 year old Chuenkamol Nasingkhan, on Wednesday, stole two gold chains weighing 2 baht each from the Phet Thong Wanida jewellery store located in Pattaya’s Soi Nern Plub Wan at 11.20am. Police said that Chuenkamol walked into the shop wearing…
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Drug addict arrested for assaulting, raping his mother in Bangkok
Police arrested a violent drug addict at a condominium in Bangkok for assaulting and raping his mother over several years. The mother’s employer and the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive helped the victim seek justice. The employer of the 69 year old reported the incident to Saimai Survive on Tuesday, April 25, and the organisation came to the aid of the…
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Chatu Mongol Sonakul to lead new Thai Chana Party into historic election
The Thai Chana Party was officially launched yesterday, with Chatu Mongol Sonakul being nominated as its sole prime ministerial candidate. Party leader Jakkraphong Chuenduang, joined by other members, conducted a shrine installation ceremony at the party’s new operations centre on Pradiphat Road. After the ceremony, campaign vehicles were dispatched to traverse Bangkok. Established in 2021, the party plans to field…
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