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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Boat capsize tragedy: Retail manager and friend drown in northeast Thailand reservoir
A prominent 35 year old retail store manager, along with a friend, tragically drowned after their boat capsized due to a leak in a reservoir in Nakhon Phanom province, northeast Thailand. The boat capsize incident, which occurred yesterday, was reported to the police department by a 29 year old woman, the deceased’s friend, who was present at the scene but…
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American TikToker and teacher arrested for sexually assaulting young Thai girl
Thai police arrested a renowned American TikToker and English language teacher in Bangkok for sexually assaulting a 16 year old Thai girl who is a student of his. A Thai woman complained at Khlongtan Police Station that her 16 year old daughter engaged in a sexual relationship with her American teacher, Luke Nathanael Rockwell, after meeting each other five months…
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Thailand’s own Aquaman, ‘The Merman,’ rescues drowning Spanish tourist in Krabi (video)
Thailand’s very own Aquaman showcased his heroic qualities last week when he saved a drowning Spanish tourist in Krabi, Thailand. Scott Siranat, known among locals as “The Merman” rescued a Spanish tourist from drowning off Koh Hong island in Krabi province on Tuesday, August 29. The 25 year old half Thai, half-Scottish man was on patrol when he noticed a…
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Fatal shooting in Chachoengsao leaves one dead
A fatal shooting has taken place in Chachoengsao province, leaving a 43 year old man dead after a heated argument. The incident occurred at 10pm yesterday, in Tha Takiap district. Local authorities identified the deceased as Akkadet, who was shot multiple times and left near a red and black Honda Wave motorcycle. The suspect, Sarayut, also 43, was subsequently apprehended…
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Thonglor murder: Teen son arrested for suspected hammer killing of French father
A violent incident unfolded in a condominium in Thonglor, as police arrested a 19 year old half-Thai man suspected of killing his French father with a hammer. The Thonglor murder took place in Phra Khanong district yesterday. Deputy Investigation Officer, Sirichai Kaewprasit of Khlong Tan Police Station, acted on the report of the murder in a townhome on Soi Pridi…
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Thailand eyes growth in pink economy by attracting international LGBTQ+ retirees
Thailand’s potential to expand its pink economy through the attraction of international LGBTQ+ retirees was the highlight of a recent conference held in Bangkok. Dr Chaiwat Songsiriphan, who is the founder and medical director of the Safe Clinic, emphasised that Thailand’s high tolerance for gender diversity could make it an ideal retirement destination for the LGBTQ+ community. He further noted that…
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Monkeypox outbreak: Surge in cases among Thai teenagers
The rapid spread of the Monkeypox outbreak in Thailand has escalated alarmingly in a single month with 145 new cases, taking the total tally to 316. The youngest patient is a 16 year old male student with a history of multiple sexual partners. Dr Tharet Krasanairawiwong, Director of the Department of Disease Control, reported yesterday that the majority of the…
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Mysterious dragon artefact spooks Heilongjiang farmers with nocturnal noises
In the autumn of 1965, farmers in Heilongjiang Province, China, stumbled upon a peculiar metal object while constructing a pigsty near their home. The artefact, resembling a dragon, became an enigma when it started emitting strange noises at night, leaving the residents in a state of confusion and fear. The mystery was later unravelled by experts from the Harbin Cultural…
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Panda stone discovery could fetch 490 million baht
A stroll along the beach led Lin, a resident of Shandong, China, to an unusual stone, which turned out to be a remarkable find worth over 490 million baht (£11.2 million). The intriguing panda stone had a peculiar shape and a distinct surface pattern. The resident said… “At first, I thought it was just an ordinary black stone, but on…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart to attract growth from multinationals
In a bid to stimulate economic growth, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt intends to transform the city into a base for multinational corporations. This initiative, according to Chadchart, should dovetail with the government’s strategies as it would bolster the city’s economy and generate employment opportunities. “Urban centres are essentially labour markets. The reason people reside in such areas is the availability of…
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Teenager severely burnt in Molotov cocktail attack in Pattaya
In a sudden and brutal attack, a 16 year old teenager in Pattaya was the victim of a Molotov cocktail assault. The incident occurred in the wee hours of today, resulting in severe burns for the young boy. The location of the attack was Soi Khao Noi, situated in the Nong Prue sub-district, Banglamung district, within the province of Chon…
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Severe drought in Uthai Thani prompts wildlife migration, risks for locals
Uthai Thani’s Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is grappling with a severe drought attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, prompting elephants and various other species to migrate into nearby regions in search of food, according to an official announcement. The sanctuary’s wildlife breeding station chief, Tonsak Nipanan, stated that wildlife has encroached upon the station’s area and beyond. The breeding…
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Indonesia introduces golden visa scheme to attract foreign investors
Indonesia has launched an initiative to draw foreign individual and corporate investors with the introduction of a golden visa scheme, aimed at bolstering the nation’s economy, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The director-general of Indonesia’s immigration Silmy Karim explained the new long-term, high-value visa plan. “The golden visa is granting a residence…
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Forest City’s future uncertain amid Chinese property giant’s financial struggles
Forest City, the Malaysian island megaproject backed by Chinese investment, is facing an uncertain future due to the financial struggles of Chinese property giant Country Garden. The US$100 billion artificial city, which has been built in the middle of palm oil trees, remains largely vacant despite being aimed at middle-class Chinese buyers. The project, which includes condos, roads and shops,…
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Kazakh tourist drowned on Phuket beach after ignoring weather warning
The body of an 18 year old tourist from Kazakhstan, was discovered washed ashore drowned on Nai Yang Beach, Phuket. The man’s body was found two days after he was declared missing. He had reportedly gone for a swim amidst inclement weather on September 1 and failed to return, sparking a search operation. A lifeguard from Nai Yang Beach found…
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Visa overstay charge lands international visitor in trouble at Phuket Airport
An international visitor was apprehended at Phuket International Airport this week, facing charges of overstaying his visa, according to the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint’s Facebook page managed by the airport division of Phuket Immigration. The arrest occurred on August 30, with the individual now at risk of being blacklisted under the Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out regulation. The man, whose…
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Thai PM’s new weapons procurement plan to boost national economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is moving forward with plans to overhaul Thailand’s armed forces, beginning with a significant shift in weapons procurement procedures, a military source has confirmed. The new leader had a meeting with the heads of the armed forces last week, where they discussed the new government’s intended course of action concerning military and security matters. During this…
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AEC meeting to discuss digital economy and sustainability for ASEAN
The ASEAN Economic Council (AEC) meeting, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, will be attended by Thai representatives, the objective being the discussion of the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) progress. The upcoming 43rd ASEAN Summit’s preparations will also be a focal point in the discussions. Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Auramon Supthaweethum, shared with the press…
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Thai government pledges better conditions for motorcycle taxi drivers
The Thai government has recently taken into account a series of grievances from motorcycle taxi drivers, tasking the Transport Ministry with the job of enhancing their working conditions. The decision was made yesterday, following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and representatives from the drivers’ community. The gathering took place at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, marking…
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Chinese developer Country Garden secures bond repayment delay amid liquidity crisis
Chinese developer, Country Garden, has successfully secured creditor approval to postpone a critical bond repayment deadline, narrowly dodging a potential default. This agreement provides temporary relief amidst a liquidity crisis that has significantly impacted the nation’s financial markets. Country Garden gained enough support in a vote concluded yesterday to extend payments on the 3.9 billion yuan (18 billion baht) outstanding…
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JKN Global reassures investors after bond payment rescheduling
JKN Global Group Plc (JKN), the owner of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), reassured investors that its financial status is robust, despite a recent bond payment rescheduling caused by a liquidity mismatch. Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the chief executive and managing director, said at a briefing that the company is set to meet its revenue target of over 3 billion baht this…
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15 years of escrow legislation: 867 billion baht in transactions
Data released by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has shed light on the impact of escrow legislation over a 15-year span. According to an anonymous FPO source, escrow service transactions during this period totalled a hefty 867 billion baht, the majority of which were linked to capital market transactions. The Escrow Account Act came into effect in 2008, and from…
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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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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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Loei’s PEA moves transformers underground to boost Chiang Khan tourism
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in Loei has embarked on a mission to relocate electric transformers underground in the tourist-heavy Chiang Khan district. The initiative aims to prevent fire hazards in the district, which is known for its century-old wooden houses. Komkrit Siriyutthaseanyakorn, who heads the local office of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, stated that…
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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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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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Thai government considers visa system revamp to boost tourism revenue
A major revamp of the visa system is presently under deliberation by the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The amendments are anticipated to augment revenue generated from vital tourism markets like India and China. The call to review the visa system originated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They acted in response to many complaints from…
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