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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Motorcycle taxi driver killed in Chon Buri pickup truck collision
A tragic accident involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle taxi resulted in the death of a 48 year old man with a fractured skull. The incident occurred on Economic Road, heading towards Ban Bueng district, Chon Buri. Police Lieutenant Chinwat Thisala of the Mueang Chon Buri Police Station was notified of the accident at 3pm yesterday, September 25. The…
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Illegal Myanmar workers in Ayutthaya construction camp nabbed
Police raided a construction camp in Uthai district, Ayutthaya province, early yesterday morning, apprehending 272 illegal Myanmar workers. Officials from the Uthai district office and Ayutthaya provincial hall arrived at the camp in Nong Namsom subdistrict at around 6am yesterday, September 24. They detained 272 Myanmar nationals, comprising both men and women, who had entered Thailand illegally, as confirmed by…
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Grilling it illegally: Immigration cops catch foreign ‘meat’ deliverers
Immigration police in Samut Prakan arrested three foreign nationals operating an illegal grilled pork delivery business. The suspects were caught preparing pork, vegetables, and dipping sauces for delivery to customers, violating laws prohibiting foreigners from competing with Thai workers. Yesterday, September 24, Police Colonel Sumet Janwongpitak, the superintendent of the Samut Prakan Immigration Office, led a team to inspect a…
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Gas explosion injures woman and damages homes in Lat Krabang
A gas explosion in a residential area of Lat Krabang, Bangkok, left a 73 year old woman seriously injured and caused damage to five houses. Officials from the Lat Krabang District Office are assessing the damage and investigating the incident. Police from Chalong Krung Station were alerted to a gas cylinder explosion yesterday, September 24, in a house located in…
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Bangkok’s Red Line to extend 20-baht fare after ridership surge
The Red Line operator aims to extend its popular 20-baht flat-rate fare for another year following a significant increase in ridership during the current trial period, which expires in November. Passenger numbers on the Red Line surged by approximately 50% since the 20-baht fare was implemented in October last year, according to Suthep Punthupeng, CEO of SRT Electrified Train Co,…
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Marriage equality approved, LGBTQA+ couples to wed in 120 days
King Rama X yesterday approved the Marriage Equality Bill allowing LGBTQA+ couples in Thailand to officially marry in 120 days after the approval. The movement to allow LGBTQA+ couples to legally register their marriages in Thailand began 23 years ago, in 2001, when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in office. However, Thai society had not yet widely recognised the…
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Fire engulfs Chiang Mai market amid heavy rain and flooding
A fire broke out at the bustling Kad Luang market in Chiang Mai, consuming four commercial units amidst heavy rain and rising water levels from the Ping River. The blaze started around 1am yesterday, September 24, prompting a swift response from local police and emergency services. Police received the emergency call at the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Radio Centre and…
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Thailand starts 10,000-baht handout to 3 million needy individuals
Three million needy and disabled individuals in Thailand will receive the 10,000-baht handout under the government’s digital wallet programme today, announced Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. This initial rollout is part of a larger initiative aimed at aiding 14.5 million recipients in total. Due to limitations with the PromptPay payment system, only 3 million recipients can be processed initially. These funds…
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Thailand’s universal healthcare won’t ‘break the bank’ says minister
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health remains confident that the universal healthcare programme will not face financial difficulties, according to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The government has allocated a central budget of 5.9 billion baht for the scheme for the fiscal year ending September 30. Somsak provided this update following a National Health Security Board meeting, where participants discussed plans for…
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South Korean man wanted for Pattaya murder nabbed in Vietnam
A South Korean suspect of a brutal murder who had been on the run for months, has finally been captured in Vietnam after a dramatic chase across Southeast Asia. The murder suspect, 38 year old Kim HyeonggWon, wanted for a gruesome killing in Pattaya, has been extradited to South Korea, where justice awaits. Kim was arrested in Hanoi’s Dong Da…
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I’m hiring it: McDonald’s Thailand adds Texas Chicken crew to menu
McDonald’s Thailand is welcoming employees from Texas Chicken, which is set to close at the end of this month. Yesterday, September 23, McDonald’s Thailand’s Recruitment Facebook page posted a message specifically inviting Texas Chicken employees to apply for positions at McDonald’s, which operates over 230 branches across the country. “To our friends at Texas Chicken, we are saddened to hear…
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Panda mania hits Hong Kong: Two to arrive from China
Hong Kong is gearing up for panda fever as two giant pandas, gifted by China, are set to arrive in the city on Thursday, September 26. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the exciting news, calling it a “major event” for the region. The entire city is buzzing with anticipation, with Lee revealing a citywide naming contest for the…
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93 countries including Singapore will require ETA for Thai entry
Soon, Singaporeans and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before their trip to the Land of Smiles. Reports suggest a pilot programme might kick off in December, with full implementation expected by June 2025. However, The Straits Times has learned that the exact launch date is still up in the…
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Tragic accident claims man’s life in Buriram amid bank visit
A tragic accident in Buriram has claimed the life of a 38 year old man. The incident occurred as he was returning home from the bank, where he had spent the past three consecutive days trying to link his new bank book to the PromptPay system. Unfortunately, he collided with a tractor and sustained fatal injuries. Yesterday, September 23, Police…
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Thai woman seeks justice after alleged snake bite in Bangkok cinema
A Thai woman is demanding proper compensation from a cinema in the Rama II neighbourhood of Bangkok, claiming she was bitten by a snake while watching a film on July 31. The 27 year old businesswoman, Kornphaphiporn Poka-imsin, brought her story to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive. She stated that she incurred 25,000 baht in medical expenses but received only 6,990…
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Boy returns lost gold necklace worth hundreds of thousands of baht
A nine year old student of Ban Khan Moo School in Phatthalung province, Thailand, returned a gold necklace with a sacred amulet worth hundreds of thousands of baht to its rightful owner after finding it in a market water gutter. Yesterday, September 23, teachers, students, and parents of Ban Khan Moo School in Phatthalung gathered to commend Kris, a Primary…
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Thailand’s virtual banking sector faces competition for licences
Thailand’s emerging virtual banking sector is seeing intense competition as the number of applications has surpassed the available licences. The Bank of Thailand (BoT) announced it received five applications for virtual banking licences before the deadline, with plans to grant a maximum of three licences. The successful bidders are expected to be announced by mid-2025. The BoT has not disclosed…
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Phetchaburi temple under fire for destroying cultural plaster art
A prominent temple in Phetchaburi province is facing criticism for destroying cultural plaster art by a national artist to make way for a coffee shop. Academic and renowned writer Niphatporn Pengkaew shared images and comments on Facebook yesterday, September 23, showcasing the plaster art, and local wisdom of Phetchaburi. The post revealed that the plaster art, created by national artist…
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Thai monk with psychiatric history stabs abbot over loan warning
A Thai monk with a history of psychiatric treatment stabbed an abbot at a temple in the Isaan province of Loei yesterday, September 23, after the victim warned him not to borrow money from a temple visitor. Somkid, a 29 year old community leader in the Nonghin district of Loei, reported the stabbing at Phu Kham Noi Khiri Khet Temple to…
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Move over Moo Deng: Penguin Pesto steals the spotlight
Among the sea of monochrome penguins at Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium, one fluffy superstar is stealing the show – and the Internet can’t get enough of him. Meet Pesto, the penguin chick who’s gone from a 200-gramme hatchling to a massive 22.5 kilogrammes in just nine months! Affectionately dubbed an “absolute unit” and a “linebacker,” Pesto’s viral fame has eclipsed…
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Pattaya: Couple snatches motorbike while noodle shop owner naps
A chicken noodle vendor in Pattaya woke up to discover his motorbike had vanished – all because he left the key in the ignition while taking a nap. The 26 year old vendor, Thanapol Bingkhunthod, runs a small but busy chicken noodle shop on Soi Arunothai. His day took a turn for the worse yesterday, September 23, when a crafty…
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Bangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week
A popular travel booking platform, Agoda, reported that Bangkok is one of the top five destinations among Chinese tourists for the upcoming Golden Week from October 1 to 7. Agoda revealed the number of searches for overseas accommodations by Chinese nationals on September 23. The report showed that the number of searches increased by 137% compared to the same period…
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Foreign man found hanged at Phuket resort
In a chilling discovery on Sunday morning, the body of a foreign man was found hanged outside a resort in Koh Kaeo, Phuket province, leaving police scrambling to uncover his identity. The grim scene was uncovered by a hotel staff member at around 7.50am, on September 22, who immediately alerted the police. Arriving at the scene, officers were joined by…
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Thai PM’s Office hits back at ethics amendment critics
Political storms are brewing over Thailand’s controversial charter amendment proposal but the Prime Minister’s Office is pushing back, insisting the revisions won’t weaken the fight against corruption. Yesterday, September 23, PM Office Minister Chousak Sirinil dismissed concerns surrounding the Pheu Thai Party’s charter amendment plan, which includes revising ethical standards for political officeholders. Critics claim it could undermine the constitution’s core…
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Thai government to tighten grip on online scammers
The Government of Thailand is set to unleash new laws in its war against online scams, with a toughened stance on cyber criminals. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, vowed to not only protect consumers but also tackle the soaring number of fraud cases that threaten the nation’s economic security. Responding to concerns raised by Senator…
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Phatthalung romance: Love-struck victim won’t ‘stick’ it to attacker
A love-struck Thai man in the southern province of Phatthalung has decided to forgive and forget, even after his boyfriend savagely attacked him with a wooden stick, leaving him unconscious. Remarkably, the victim has declared he still loves his assailant. Officers from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station were alerted to the assault at a house in the Mueang district of Phatthalung…
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Thai man killed in boating accident near pier in Nonthaburi
A boating accident occurred last night near Wat Som Kliang Pier in Nonthaburi, resulting in the death of a 58 year old man. The incident involved a collision between a paddle boat and a motorboat. The deceased, Weerawong, was paddling to pick up his mother from the pier when the motorboat, driven by 63 year old Manit, suddenly collided with…
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Thai baht hits 19-month high as US dollar weakens
The Thai baht has soared to its highest level in 19 months against the US dollar, driven by a weaker American currency and profit-taking in gold markets. Opening at 32.92 per dollar today, the baht marked a significant rise from September 20’s closing rate of 33.60 baht. This appreciation follows the dollar’s depreciation, which was triggered by the US Federal…
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Domestic tourism makes tracks but misses 1 trillion baht mark
Domestic tourism is on track to achieve 200 million trips this year, though revenue is anticipated to fall short of the 1 trillion baht (US$30 billion) target, reaching only 965 billion baht (US$29.3 billion). The private sector is urging for the promotion of second-tier cities through a loyalty programme to bolster local tourism. From January to July, domestic tourism receipts…
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Thai man alleges police officer assault over Laotian bar girl
A Thai man accused a police officer and his friends of physically assaulting him over a Laotian bar girl in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo on Saturday, September 21. The 40 year old Thai man, Sarawut, asked Channel 7 to help him seek justice, claiming he was assaulted by a police officer and his two friends at around 2am…
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