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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thai man allegedly fakes adultery story to extort money from couple
A Thai man allegedly faked an adultery story to extort 5,000 baht from a couple in the central province of Ayutthaya. He even pretended to be a death threat victim and sought help from a Thai news agency. A 42 year old Thai man named New told Channel 7 that he worked at a rice harvester garage in the central…
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Deputy minister’s son crashes BMW into police checkpoint
Traffic Police Division 5 officials in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district found themselves in a high-speed chase with the son of a deputy minister. The 46 year old man in question was behind the wheel of his sleek BMW sports car when the vehicle careened into steel barricades at a police checkpoint near Soi Ratchadaphisek 31. The driver declined an alcohol test,…
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Chiang Mai duo nabbed for 76 million baht home theft
Chiang Mai police apprehended two suspects in a brazen theft that saw 76 million baht stolen from a home. Police recovered nearly 40 million baht in cash, revealing that the culprits were known associates of the victim, motivated by a dispute over incomplete payment for work done. Other stolen assets were discarded in black bags. The incident, which occurred on…
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Dead Burmese man found in water tank of Bangkok condo
The change in colour and odour of the tap water at a condominium in the Min Buri district of Bangkok led to the discovery of a dead Burmese man in a rooftop water tank early this morning. Residents alerted the condo’s owner about the slow flow of tap water, noting an unpleasant odour and a shift in its colour. The…
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Brewing herbal revolution: Thai herbs poised to spice up global markets
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke unveiled Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s master plan to transform Thai herbs into a formidable soft power product, captivating domestic and international markets. “Prime Minister Thavisin’s vision is crystal clear: to propel Thailand’s herbal industry to unprecedented heights, elevating the status of Thai herbs worldwide.” Harnessing the innate medicinal prowess, rich biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge embedded within…
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Food for thought: Thai restaurant operators adopt new strategies
The increasingly competitive nature of Thailand’s food industry has spurred restaurant operators to adopt inventive strategies. They are now focusing on adapting to shifts in consumer preferences and lifestyle changes, ensuring their businesses remain competitive and continue to grow, as noted by the leader of a prominent conglomerate. Nath Vongphanich, who heads Central Restaurants Group, estimated the restaurant market in…
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TAT to launch Nihao Festival in October to woo Chinese tourists
To captivate the hearts of Chinese tourists, the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has unveiled a month-long extravaganza, the Nihao Festival, set to take place for the entire month of October. Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced the grand scheme yesterday, aiming to entice holidaymakers during China’s National Day Golden Week, renowned for its bustling travel fervour. The festivity will unfurl across Bangkok’s…
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10 year old girl shot dead over land concession conflict in Krabi
Police are searching for the gunman who shot dead a 10 year old girl on a palm plantation in the southern province of Krabi. The girl’s family believes the shooting was motivated by a dispute over land concessions. The fatal shooting took place in a palm plantation in the Khao Panom district of Krabi at about 8pm on Wednesday, April…
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Phuket launches free electric bus to drive sustainable tourism
Phuket is gearing up for a greener future with the launch of a free air-conditioned electric bus service in the heart of the city. Scheduled to accelerate on May 9, this eco-friendly initiative is driven by a collaboration between local companies under the banner of PKCD and the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation. The announcement for the 22-seat Smart Bus EV…
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Spain’s plastic law impacts Thai beverage exports
The Ministry of Commerce’s latest directive has set Thai entrepreneurs on a mission to crack the cap code in light of Spain’s latest law on plastic waste. To tackle plastic waste, Spain’s new law insists bottle caps remain steadfastly attached, impacting global trade. Aligning with the EU’s green agenda, this move aims to slash plastic pollution and set a new…
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Transgender village head and boyfriend found dead in car
A transgender village head and her boyfriend allegedly yesterday committed suicide in a car parked outside a 7-Eleven convenience store in the central province of Ratchaburi. A 7-Eleven member of staff, Thatsaya Saetang, contacted Ban Pong Police Station officers at about 4pm yesterday, April 18 after she found the people unconscious in the car. Thatsaya explained that she noticed a…
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Thai PM’s power play: Srettha hints at defence portfolio addition
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin drops hints of an unprecedented power move, hinting at the possibility of adding the defence portfolio to his already hefty workload. This bombshell revelation comes amidst swirling speculations about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape. Addressing a curious press pool after the delayed Cabinet meeting, the 62 year old PM, wearing a…
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Thailand Video News | Phuket autonomy proposed amidst tourism crisis, British man arrested for using beggar earnings for drugs
In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the news across Thailand. Phuket’s Mayor proposes Special Administrative Status to rejuvenate tourism and infrastructure, while the nation seeks OECD membership to bolster economic growth. Tragedy strikes in Pathum Thani as a fatigue-induced crash claims a monk’s life. Meanwhile, in Koh Pha Ngan, a British man’s arrest for begging highlights ongoing challenges.…
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Five dead in Nakhon Phanom road accident
A road accident claimed the lives of five family members when their Isuzu D-Max pickup truck veered off the road and collided with an electricity pole in Nakhon Phanom province. The incident, which occurred at 12.30pm yesterday, involved a vehicle carrying six relatives from Amnat Charoen province. The driver, 42 year old Kanchai Sarakun was among the deceased. The latest…
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Thai Ministry to reimburse victims of call centre scams
The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) announced plans to reimburse victims with more than 10 billion baht worth of money and assets, previously seized from call centre scam operations. The assets, including 6 billion baht in cash, were retrieved by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in 2021, according to Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. He iterated that AMLO is…
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Pheu Thai Party eyes House Speaker position
The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly planning to reclaim the House Speaker position from the Prachachat Party, according to a source yesterday. This move is part of the ruling party’s strategy to restructure its parliamentary operations, and it is predicted that the position might be given to a prominent member of the party, possibly a minister who may be removed…
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Acting police chief suspends Big Joke over gambling links
The acting national police chief has signed a suspension order for Deputy Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn and four other subordinates over their alleged involvement with an online gambling network, as per a source close to the matter. The directive, which was enforced immediately yesterday, April 18, was signed by Pol. Gen. Kitrat Panphet. In addition to Big Joke, the…
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Thai government’s triple referendum approach under scrutiny
The Cabinet will acknowledge the government’s stance on a triple referendum as a part of the process to amend the entire charter next week, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham asserted that despite being a protracted process, three referenda would ensure a judicious approach. However, critics have raised concerns that organising the triple referendum, each…
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MFP bill to penalise officials ignoring Parliament summons
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has tabled a bill in the Parliament penalising ministers and state officials who disregard summons to testify before House committees. The bill, proposed by Rangsiman Rome, an MFP list-MP and the head of a House committee on state security, was formally presented to Parliament yesterday, April 18. Under the proposed legislation, MPs who ignore their…
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Thai and Taiwanese firms join to build medical products plant
Aiming to capitalise on the government’s initiative to make Thailand a medical hub in Southeast Asia, Thai firm Namwiwat Medical Corporation (Nam) and Taiwanese company Somnics Inc have joined forces to construct a new manufacturing plant. The facility, intended to serve as an export base, will produce a wide range of medical products, including sleep-enhancing devices. Nam, a local sterilised…
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Fire lights up Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Forest blaze sparks alarm
The night skies over Chiang Mai were illuminated after a fire erupted in Doi Suthep Forest. The incident, reported by local media on Wednesday, April 17, was first sighted at a temple nestled within the forest. Phuping Forest fire officers from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park were the first ones to spot the blaze and were promptly dispatched to the site…
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Songkran festival sees surge in road accidents across Thailand
Thailand is grappling with a surge in road accidents, with an alarming tally of 2,044 mishaps leading to 2,060 injuries and a tragic loss of 287 lives. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) released these figures as part of their Seven Days of Road Safety Campaign, which covered the Songkran festival period from April 11 to April 17.…
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Venturing into the fast-paced world of online casinos in Thailand
Exploring online casinos can feel confusing. Thailand’s online gambling scene is growing fast and the country’s potentially looking at legalising casinos altogether. Quite the contrast to the rest of SE Asia, excluding Singapore! We’ll take a quick look at the popular games, laws, and safety tips currently in place in Thailand Popular Online Casino Games in Thailand Despite being mostly…
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Can a radical proposal save Phuket’s tourism crisis?
In a bid for autonomy, Phuket Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas is leading a daring move to transform the city into a special administrative organisation to save it from a tourism crisis. The current system, he claims, is holding back progress, leaving the island paradise struggling to keep pace with global rivals. “Tourist cities in many countries are far ahead in their…
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Thailand scraps visa requirements for Kazakhstan tourists
The Thai Cabinet gave its nod for the permanent removal of visa requirements for tourists from Kazakhstan, a government spokesperson announced. This move aims to increase the influx of tourists from Kazakhstan, one of the rapidly evolving markets for Thailand’s tourism sector and a significant contributor to the nation’s economic development. Data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand indicates…
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Phuket officials explore technology collaboration on Chengdu visit
Phuket officials recently concluded a three-day visit to Chengdu, in China, focusing on potential collaborative ventures in trade, investment, and tourism. One of the key discussions centred on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, to tackle various challenges in Phuket, including traffic management and tourist assistance. The delegation, led by the President of the Phuket Chamber…
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Truck brake failure leads to fatal crash in Chiang Mai
A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 2.45pm in the Hod district of Chiang Mai when a six-wheeled truck’s brakes reportedly failed, causing it to crash into a procession of revellers. The incident resulted in the death of two individuals and serious injuries to two others. The procession was part of a traditional ceremony in which participants were enjoying themselves in…
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Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations
To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city. Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a…
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Thailand Post considers becoming virtual banking agent
Thailand Post, the government-owned logistics firm, is examining the possibility of becoming a neutral virtual banking agent to supplement the functions of emerging virtual banks, according to Chief Executive Dhanant Subhadrabandhu. The national organisation plans to use its extensive network of 1,600 branches and a delivery workforce of 25,000 to support this initiative. Serving as a neutral virtual bank agent…
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Pattaya sees record tourist surge during Songkran
As the extended Songkran holiday wrapped up on Tuesday, tourists bid farewell to the sun-kissed islands surrounding Pattaya, turning the Bali Hai Pier area into a buzzing hub of activity. Local authorities ramped up services to cater to the influx, ensuring convenience for visitors throughout the holiday period. Officers stationed at the pier witnessed a remarkable influx of tourists from…
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