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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Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Mixed reactions to Thailand’s new cannabis law from tourism industry
The recent draft law on cannabis and hemp, targeting to limit recreational use, is garnering mixed reactions from Thailand’s tourism industry. While it could potentially lead to the closure of several dispensaries, industry insiders feel it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall tourism landscape as cannabis and hemp aren’t primary attractions for international visitors. The bill, endorsed by…
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Thai man arrested for house burning, orchestrating rape of mother-in-law
Police today arrested a Thai man responsible for a house burning and the architect behind the rape of his mother-in-law in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The accomplice involved in the crime is still at large. Kaeng Krachan Police Station officers yesterday, January 10, embarked on a search for two suspects, Yuranan Pranprai and Chaiwat Auambut, also known as Pae,…
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British scientist’s findings suggest new cave virus in Thailand
In the heart of Thailand, a cave harbours a virus with an eerie connection to Covid-19, and Dr Peter Daszak, a renowned expert in zoonosis, is sounding the alarm. Previously dismissed lab leak theories resurface as this cave virus, linked to both SARS-CoV-2 and RATG13, raises questions about its potential to infect humans. Hailing from Dukinfield, near Manchester, Dr Daszak,…
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Former ministers charged over unlawful Thai worker fees in Finland
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of the Attorney General have jointly decided to charge four individuals, including two former ministers and two senior executives of the Ministry of Labour, in connection with the unlawful deduction of fees from Thai workers in Finland. The charges were laid under sections 149 and 157, along with sections 83 and…
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Rayong police criticised for imposing 10pm curfew on kids under 18 years old
Mueang Rayong Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong is facing criticism for imposing a 10pm curfew on residents aged under 18 years old. The official Facebook page of Mueang Rayong Police Station shared the curfew announcement yesterday, January 10. “From today, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave their homes after 10pm without a…
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Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
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AirAsia: Bangkok to rival Dubai as aviation hub
In a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AirAsia unveiled ambitious plans to transform Bangkok into the aviation hub of Southeast Asia, aiming to mirror the success of Dubai. The low-cost carrier is urging the Thai government to slash the excise tax on jet fuel, a move it believes will further propel the country’s tourism industry. AirAsia’s top brass, led…
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Tragic end for couple in Thai resort: Suspected suicide stirs shock
A chilling discovery unfolded in Phetchabun when a couple from Pathum Thani were found dead in their resort room. The suspected suicide of 62 year old Natcha and 61 year old Akrara has left authorities puzzled and seeking answers. The local authorities yesterday were alerted to the tragic scene at a resort in Lom Sak, Phetchabun. The resort, consisting of…
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Thai cult leader condemned for performing oral sex on followers
Thai netizens condemned a cult leader for performing an explicit ritual by laying gold leaves on the private parts of his followers and kissing and performing oral sex on them to improve their fortunes. A video of a Thai man performing the strange gold leaf ritual went viral and received a lot of attention from netizens on social media. Some…
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Two police officers hailed for assisting man in wheelchair in Nonthaburi
Two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, Nonthaburi province, received recognition from senior officials for assisting a disabled man in a wheelchair to reach the BTS. TikTok users posted a video of two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, in the Nonthaburi province, pushing a disabled man in a wheelchair to take him to the Khlong…
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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
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Thai woman escapes burning car after dog-related collision
A woman escaped unscathed after her car was engulfed in flames following a dog unexpectedly crossing her path while she was driving home. The incident, which took place today in Buriram, saw the woman manage to flee her burning vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, which was completely damaged. Aphinya Phantaprateeb, a detective from Mueang Buriram Police Station in Buriram province, last…
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Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
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Gold price takes a dip in Thailand, down 50 baht from previous close
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today revealed a further drop in today’s gold price when compared to the final price of yesterday. Today, a baht of gold ornament is selling for 34,150 baht, a 50 baht reduction from the closing price of yesterday. As per the GTA website, gold bars can be sold for 33,650 baht per baht and purchased…
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Investment scam: Thai man claiming to be marijuana consultant arrested in Bang Kaeo
A 52 year old Thai man was arrested for falsely claiming to be a marijuana investment consultant in Bang Kaeo Subdistrict, Bang Kaeo District, Samut Prakan province on January 9. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsaeng, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Commander of the Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthee, Pol. Col. Atchawasit…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
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Fuel tanker overturns in Surin causing potential explosion risk
A tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned on Route 24 from Chokchai-Det Udom in Surin province. The incident took place yesterday around 10.50am and left the 36 year old driver, Tiwa, injured with back pain and vomiting. The accident was reported by Thanakorn Chaiharn, an investigation officer from Prasat Police Station. The truck, carrying 24,000 litres of diesel…
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Mother suspected after 3 year old boy falls from apartment and dies
A 3 year old boy died yesterday after falling from the fourth floor balcony of a apartment in Soi Rama II 50 in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. Police suspect the mother was involved in the tragic death due to some suspicious evidence. The Ruam Katanyu Rescue Team and Tha Kham Police Station were alerted to the fall…
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Thai grandfather sexually assaults two young girls, arrested
The mother of two young girls reported their grandfather to authorities on January 9 for the alleged sexual abuse of her daughters. The girls’ mother, known by the alias May, brought the matter to Paveena Hongsakul, Thai Foundation for Children and Women President. May claimed that the girls’ 47 year old grandfather, Man (nickname) had sexually abused the two girls…
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TMD warns of impending cold front in northern Thailand
A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. The temperature will drop by 3 degrees Celsius starting today. The high-pressure system, or cold air mass, is currently covering the northeastern region and the South China Sea. The department advises residents in…
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Thailand’s government initiates inclusivity in education to curb student dropouts
Thailand’s government is planning on launching an inclusivity in education initiative. The aim is to provide equitable access to quality education and decrease student dropouts. This announcement aligns with Children’s Day, celebrated this coming Saturday, January 13. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his advocacy for children’s rights to education in a recent social media post. His dedication to promoting educational…
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Brutal murder shocks Chumphon as mini-mart owner found dead
A heinous murder has shocked the community after a 36 year old mini-mart owner was brutally killed and his body dumped in remote woodland near Chonlprathan Canal, Bang Luek Subdistrict, Chumphon Province, on the evening of January 7. The 27 year old prime suspect, Jenarong Wongsuwan, also known as Em, was a close friend of the deceased. The intense manhunt…
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Midnight blaze turns golf course into ‘tee-rific’ inferno
A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Deputy Inspector Pak Jambairat of San Pudas Police Station, upon receiving the fire report, immediately rushed to the scene with the Chachoengsao fire-fighting unit and the San Pudas municipal fire…
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Human rights committee investigates Pattani activists’ dress code penalty
The Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) Region 4’s decision to penalise activists for wearing Malay traditional dress at an event in Pattani in 2022 came under scrutiny yesterday as the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights vowed to investigate a complaint lodged against this action. Kamolsak Leewamoh, the committee chairman, affirmed that a thorough questioning session involving all…
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Thai man sets fire to wife’s house and orchestrates rape of mother-in-law
A Thai man is evading arrest after setting fire to his wife’s house and tricking his mother-in-law into meeting his friend, who raped her. Firefighters rushed to control the fire at a house in the Kaeng Krachan district in the southern province of Phetchaburi yesterday, January 9, and brought the blaze under control. Only the bathroom and cattle shed were…
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Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand
A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Likhit explained that he once borrowed 20,000 baht from his relatives, with a 10% interest rate, for which he agreed to…
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Online bought solar cell causes devastating fire in Thai family home
A tragic incident occurred when a solar cell-induced short circuit resulted in a catastrophic fire that razed an entire house in Pathumthani Province’s Bang Khu Wat district. The unfortunate event happened on January 3, at house number 40, Moo 9, Bang Khu Wat, Mueang Pathumthani District, leaving the house and all its contents destroyed. The single-storey house, elevated and roofed…
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Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January…
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Chiang Rai accident victims struggle with costs as drunk driver offers minimal compensation
A tragic accident involving a drunk driver in an Isuzu D-Max, who collided with a motorbike, has resulted in serious injuries and financial hardship for the victims. The incident occurred in Chiang Rai on July 30, around 10pm, when Jidapa, a local shopkeeper, and her sister-in-law were returning home. The collision caused both women to be thrown in different directions,…
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