Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Sponsored Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...
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Thai fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang to be extradited from Indonesia
High-profile jail escapee Chaowalit Thongduang will be extradited from Indonesia back to Thailand under tight security measures. Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Chief Somchai Seutortrakul confirmed that a special unit will receive the 37 year old inmate at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport tomorrow. Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, who escaped from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital during a dental visit…
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Thailand sees 60% rise in Indian tourists with new visa-free policy
Thai Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the success of a visa-free policy for Indian tourists, effective from May 11 to November 11. This initiative aims to boost tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy. Bookings by Indian tourists surged by 60% between 2022 and last year, according to Airbnb. Searches for accommodations in Thailand by Indian tourists increased by over 200% during…
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Free zoo entry for children in Thailand for Queen Suthida’s birthday
Zoos across Thailand are offering free admission for children under 12 years old today in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s birthday. This initiative, announced by the director of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPO), Attapon Srihayrun, will include several prominent zoos, such as Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai Zoo, Songkhla Zoo, Khon Kaen Zoo,…
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Thai King bestows new monastic title on esteemed monk
The King of Thailand has bestowed a new monastic title on a respected monk. The Royal Gazette announced on Saturday that the King granted the title to the monk last Friday, May 31. The Royal Gazette reported that King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a royal command appointing Phrakhru Palad Samphiphatthanatheerachan Kittichet, also known as Phra Achan Kittichet Wat Phuttha Metta…
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Elderly woman transforms village with 500-metre flower garden
A 75 year old woman has garnered widespread admiration online for her dedication to maintaining a 500-metre stretch of flowers along a roadside. Initially mistaken for a government project, the flower garden is entirely the work of the elderly woman. The online community was abuzz with appreciation after a clip posted on the page Jae Moi V+ from TikTok user…
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Srettha seeks legal counsel from Wissanu amid Pichit controversy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has sought legal advice from his newly-appointed adviser, Wissanu Krea-ngam, to prepare his defence in court over the contentious appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. Srettha disclosed yesterday that a defence has already been drafted but requires further refinement before its submission to the Constitutional Court by June 10. “He is one of…
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Thailand’s tech exports face threats as Vietnam takes lead
Thailand’s export sector, which contributed 54.5% of GDP last year excluding services, faces potential disruption due to rapid technological advancements. Vietnam has surpassed Thailand in exporting high-tech products, emerging as a key production base for the downstream electronics industry. The global market’s recovery, particularly in computers, semiconductors, and smartphones, has driven this demand. Thailand mainly exports intermediate electronics products like…
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Thailand’s GPSC secures 1,050MW solar project in India
The power generation division of Thailand’s PTT Plc, Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC), is making significant strides in expanding its renewable energy footprint in India. Its subsidiary, Avaada Energy, has secured a contract to construct a massive 1,050-megawatt solar farm aimed at boosting clean energy production, reducing carbon emissions, and serving millions in India. Avaada Energy emerged victorious in a…
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HR leaders urged to align vision for strategy success
Aligning every member of an organisation with a unified vision has become essential in today’s fast-changing business environment. The recent HR Talk, titled E=AMC: Unlocking the Code — How HR Can Turn Strategy into Action, delved into this theme, offering significant insights into how Human Resources teams and leaders can transform strategic visions into concrete results. Distinguished speakers at the…
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Grieving mother pleads for justice after son shot dead by gang
A bed-ridden mother mourns her son, a Grade 8 student, who was shot dead by a gang. She pleads for the police to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators, asserting her son had no conflicts with anyone. Yesterday, a tragic incident occurred in Nakhon Phanom where three individuals on a motorcycle shot 14 year old Oak in the back of the head,…
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Government to advance 47 billion baht in PPP projects this year
Government investment projects under public-private partnerships (PPP) are set to advance this year, nearing the target of 47 billion baht, as projected by the State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo). Sepo’s director-general, Tibordee Wattanakul, mentioned that the PPP investments are expected to alleviate the government’s fiscal responsibilities. By February, the PPP Committee had sanctioned 18 billion baht for fiscal 2024, focusing…
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Ethereum ETFs approved, crypto prices to surge this year
Cryptocurrencies are having a golden year, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approving eight funds set to launch spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Analysts predict the bull run will persist into the second half of the year, driven by strong interest from institutional investors. The SEC’s approval on May 23 for rule changes allowing ETFs to buy…
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Six arrested for operating illegal gambling sites linked to Cambodia
Authorities have arrested six individuals in connection with two illegal gambling websites, believed to be linked to a criminal organisation in Cambodia. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakhonbancha, confirmed the arrests following an investigation into the websites mm.safa555.com and safa55game.com, which were actively promoting online gambling. According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat, both websites…
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Body of foreign man found on Pattaya beach
A foreign man was discovered dead and washed ashore in Pattaya around noon yesterday, sparking a police investigation. Police arrived at the beach opposite Soi Pattaya 3 Road to find the body of a white man with distinctive tattoos: a flower on his left arm and a bird on his right arm. The man was dressed in black shoes and…
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Over 50% of Bangkok residents give Chadchart a thumbs up
Bangkok’s bustling streets are abuzz with approval for Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s performance, as a recent NIDA Poll reveals. After two years at the helm of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Chadchart has garnered widespread satisfaction among residents. In an extensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), 2,000 Bangkok residents aged 18 and over shared their views…
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Thai Airways resumes daily Brussels-Bangkok route
Starting December 1, Thai Airways (THAI) will resume its daily direct passenger flights between Brussels Airport and Bangkok. This eagerly awaited route, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, significantly enhances Brussels Airport’s intercontinental offerings. After a four-year hiatus, Brussels Airport is thrilled to welcome back THAI, a former member of its prestigious airline community. The airline has once again…
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Intoxicated Thai man arrested after rampage in Wichit
A Wichit man was arrested following a seven-hour siege at his father’s car shop, with police seizing a small arsenal of firearms. The standoff, which saw residents gripped in fear, finally ended peacefully as the suspect tried to make a getaway in a luxury car that wouldn’t start. The ordeal began late Friday night when a distressed woman in Phuket…
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Pattaya’s persistent peddlers: Foreign flower sellers annoy tourists
Reports have emerged once more on May 26 of a troublesome trend in Pattaya: foreigners with young children in tow, struggling to speak Thai, are pestering tourists by aggressively hawking flowers and candies. Despite polite refusals, these persistent peddlers continue to follow potential customers, even tugging at their arms, creating a significant nuisance for holidaymakers. Witnesses have also reported groups…
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Thai man falls from six-story Pattaya hotel
A tragic incident occurred yesterday morning when a 23 year old Thai man fell from a six-story hotel in Soi Pattaya 5, Banglamung, Chon Buri. The incident took place at 9.36am yesterday, prompting an immediate response from Pattaya City police and the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Sahatsawat’s body in the hotel parking lot, causing panic…
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Stepfather arrested for sexual abuse of 12 year old girl in Bangkok
Authorities have apprehended a Thai man in Bangkok following a report from a doctor that a 12 year old girl claimed she had been sexually abused by her stepfather since she was six years old and that her mother did not believe her. The disturbing events began around 2017 when the girl was only six. Living with her biological mother…
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Loan sharks arrested for assaulting teacher in Ratchaburi
Authorities have apprehended two notorious loan sharks for assaulting and publicly humiliating an assistant teacher in Ratchaburi province. The couple filmed the assault and nearly shaved the victim’s head before their clippers malfunctioned. The incident began when a Thai woman named Fa gathered a group to attack the assistant teacher due to missed debt payments. The interest rate imposed was…
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Hot water spring found under statue at Wat Suan Kaew Uthayan
Hot water has been discovered bubbling up from beneath the base of a statue at Wat Suan Kaew Uthayan in Samut Songkhram. The statue, Tao Wessuwan, a deity figure standing 2.5 metres tall, is situated next to the temple’s main hall. Concerns initially arose that the heat might be due to an electrical short circuit. However, after digging approximately 50…
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Phuket beautician shot by van driver after DNA test dispute
A grey van driver in Phuket shot a slingshot at a beautician, causing her to bleed, due to anger over his wife refusing a DNA test for their child. Social Hunter 2022 posted an image and a warning, alerting Phuket residents about a grey van with the licence plate number 30-9306 Phuket. The van nearly collided with a motorbike, driven…
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Nervous thief’s gold heist foiled at Ratchaburi department store
A young man attempted a solo gold heist at a prominent department store in Ratchaburi, but his nerves got the better of him. He escaped with a single gold necklace, only to be caught later. Police Lieutenant Pramarn Plathong, an investigator at Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station, received a report at 6pm yesterday about a robbery at a gold shop in…
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Thai film industry to exceed 3.8 billion baht at Cannes festival
The 77th Cannes Film Festival has presented significant opportunities for the Thai government, local filmmakers, and production companies to secure lucrative business deals. The festival, which ran from May 14 to 25, is expected to generate more than the 3.8 billion baht grossed from last year’s event. Companies participating in the Thai booth, which showcased local films and promoted tourism,…
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Thailand’s Pride Month to attract 860,000 visitors
The Thai government is preparing to champion gender equality, anticipating that Pride Month activities will provide a significant economic boost. Deputy government spokeswoman Kenika Ounjit highlighted that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration had announced this initiative as he assumed office. “The government aims to foster a society that embraces diversity and equality across age, gender, religion, and social status, positioning…
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Thai CBD market faces 10bn Baht losses
The Hemp and Cannabis Industry Association in Thailand has sounded alarm bells over the possible relisting of cannabis and hemp as narcotic plants. The controversial decision by the government could lead to industry operators incurring losses upwards of 10 billion baht in combined investments. CBD, or cannabidiol, a medically beneficial compound found in both cannabis and hemp, has skyrocketed in…
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Global hacking group dismantled in Thai-US joint operation
In an unprecedented global crackdown, a leading cybercrime organisation, described as the world’s most sophisticated hacking group, has been successfully dismantled. This victory comes as a result of a tireless combined operation between Thai and US security services. The operation orchestrated by the FBI and Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), resulted in the arrest of three top-ranking members of…
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Chadchart signs MOU on renewable energy projects in Bangkok
Bangkok has taken a significant step towards becoming a smart city, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor Wilas Chaloeysat. The agreement, formalised yesterday, aims to advance smart city development and renewable energy projects in Thailand’s bustling capital. Chadchart stressed the importance of sustainable energy and efficiency,…
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Confusion at BKK Airport Immigration: Travelers got 30 days entry instead of 60 days
The recent announcement of a 60 days visa exempt at arrival in Thailand has apparently not yet been enforced at Suvarnabhumi Airport and land borders. Confused travellers arriving this morning at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) received 30 day entry stamps only, not 60 days as they had expected. The announcement from different Thai Government entities had announced 60 days stamps for…
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