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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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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Bangkok developers warned over glut of affordable condos and townhouses
Real estate developers in Greater Bangkok should tread carefully when introducing new condos and townhouses priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) due to a significant backlog of unsold units, warns Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Vichai highlighted that the condo and townhouse market for units priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) experienced a slowdown…
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Thai prime minister ready for key 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently announced yesterday his readiness to participate in the upcoming debate on the 2024 fiscal year budget bill. The discussions are set to kick off tomorrow, January 3. PM Srettha revealed that a series of discussions with coalition partners in preparation for the debate had taken place before the new year holiday. The primary aim,…
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Chinese tourist’s fatal plunge at Pam Bok waterfall underscores safety importance
In the serene province of Mae Hong Son, an unfortunate incident unfolded at the Pam Bok waterfall in Pai, on December 31. A 52 year old Chinese visitor named Peng Xin met an untimely demise after a fatal fall from 10 metres at the waterfall. The distressing event surfaced at 3.30pm when the Pai police were alerted about the incident.…
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PM Srettha extends new year wishes, discusses govt’s plans
On the advent of the new year, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in company with Supreme Patriarch and House Speaker and Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, extended heartfelt wishes to the nation and its inhabitants. PM Srettha started his year with a visit to Wat Ratchabophit, accompanied by his wife, Pakpilai Thavisin. They expressed their reverence to the Supreme…
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Thousands gather in Thailand for New Year’s blessings and cultural preservation
New Year’s Day was marked with customary merit-making and prayers for blessings across Thailand, with thousands of locals and tourists converging at popular sites to witness the first light of 2024. An estimated 5,000 individuals turned out to give alms to over 200 Buddhist monks and novices at the city pillar in Muang district, Khon Kaen province. The event symbolised…
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Thai politician among suspects in fatal Nakhon Phanom petrol station shooting
A local politician is under investigation, together with two other suspects, following the fatal shooting of two petrol station employees in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. The victims, a 50 year old female employee and a 33 year old male known as Phromjak were discovered dead with no significant evidence or spent shell casings found at the scene. The petrol station’s 13…
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Fatal New Year’s shooting in Phuket hotel: police apprehend 32 year old suspect
A 32 year old man was fatally shot in front of a hotel in Phuket during New Year’s celebrations. The assailant, who fled the scene on a motorcycle, was later apprehended by police. The incident occurred at 4.14am today (January 1) Police Lieutenant Colonel Eakasak Khwanhuan, an investigator at the Karon Police Station in Phuket, was notified of the shooting…
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Rescued calf for 100 Thai baht warms hearts on TikTok journey
The young calf that warmed the hearts of TikTok users by sitting in the back of a pickup truck on its journey home has been found. The touching backstory of the calf, worth merely a hundred baht, has since been revealed. On New Year’s Eve, a TikTok user captured a video of the calf sitting in a pickup truck, registration…
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Pink line monorail extends free service during conductor rail repair
The Pink Line monorail, currently in its trial phase, has prolonged its complimentary service till this Saturday as it continues with the repair of its conductor rail. This extension follows an inspection led by Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, who visited the ongoing work from Chaeng Wattana-Pak Kret 28 Station (PK08) to Nonthaburi Civic Centre Station (PK01). The intent is…
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Thai public sentiment: 2023 economic challenges impact happiness levels
A recent year-end poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) has revealed that while a majority of the Thai populace were content with their personal lives in 2023, about a third expressed discontentment with the economic challenges that the nation faced in the same year. The poll, executed telephonically from Dec 12-20, engaged a diverse group of 1,310…
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Despite conflict, Thai labourers eye Israel’s farmlands for higher wages
The escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, hasn’t deterred Thai labourers from seeking employment in Israel’s farmlands. Their decision to remain or return to work in Israel is primarily driven by the substantial financial benefits they can accrue. Satid Prom-u-narot, 37 years old, highlighted the stark disparity in wages between the two countries. “On average, I…
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New year’s eve chanting ceremony at Ayutthaya’s Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple
On December 31, Buddhist devotees convened at the significant Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya province for the annual New Year’s Eve chanting ceremony. The evening event included meditation and listening to Dhamma preaching, culminating in the chanting of Buddhist mantras to usher in the New Year. The attendees, dressed in white, came as families and young individuals. The…
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New year’s road safety campaign sees spike in accidents across Thailand
The nationwide road safety campaign over the New Year holidays, spanning from December 29 to January 4, experienced a substantial 385 road accidents on its second day alone. These incidents resulted in 404 injuries and claimed 37 lives, according to figures disclosed by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong and the Road Safety Directing Centre. Tak, a northern province, reported…
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Bazaar hotel Bangkok slapped with 1.3 million baht fine for unlawful construction
Following the removal of the statues of Kru Kai Kaew and other deities, including Khun Paen, Umathumma, Brahma, nine-tailed fox, Thep Heng Chia, Thep Naja, and Thep Chaothaising, from the premises of The Bazaar Hotel Bangkok yesterday, a hefty fine of over 1.3 million baht (US$ 37,325) was levied on the company for unlawful construction activity in the area. Despite…
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Surge in New Year’s tourism causes traffic chaos in Phetchabun
Traffic was heavily congested as a surge of tourists flocked to the Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew temple in Phetchabun province yesterday, during the extended New Year’s holiday period. The influx of both Thai and Burmese visitors, keen to pay homage to the temple, led to the traffic disruption. The holiday period saw families taking advantage of the break…
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Laotian couple resolves roadside dispute peacefully in Samut Prakan
A roadside dispute between a couple, 26 year old Kim, and 25 year old Magud, both Laotians, was defused by the Samut Prakan Rescue Association today at 1am. The verbal conflict escalated into physical violence, which alarmed the on-duty officers at a nearby petrol station, who quickly intervened and informed the local police. Both individuals seemed intoxicated. Despite suffering minor…
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Phu Kradueng National Park’s cable car project faces uncertainty
A cable car project, initially proposed in 1982 to reach the peak of a mountain at Phu Kradueng National Park in Thailand’s Loei province, may not materialise soon. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the decision will be reliant on a study due for completion in 2025. The initial goal behind the proposed 4.4-kilometre cable car system…
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Urgent renovation planned for Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 bus terminal
Bangkok Bus Terminal, popularly known as Mo Chit 2, is set for an urgent renovation, according to the Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit. His remarks were in response to a complaint lodged by Suphanat Meenchainan, a Move Forward Party MP who represents the Chatuchak, Bang Khen and Lak Si constituencies. Suriya, during a statement on Saturday, disclosed that he had instructed…
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Thai municipal employees hit the lottery jackpot of 6 million baht
A couple, both municipal employees of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, celebrated the new year with a win at the lottery – a whopping 6 million baht (US$ 172,271). Forty four year old Nitaya Pongsawin, and her 38 year old husband, Nopadol Khonsawan, who live in Srisamran Subdistrict, planned to construct a new building in their field in honour of their…
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Undercover operation uncovers hidden gambling den in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district
In the heart of Bangkok’s Don Mueang district, an undercover police operation led to the raid of a covert gambling den disguised as an abandoned futsal stadium at 1.30pm yesterday. The joint raid involved over 30 officers from Don Mueang police and relevant departments, following reports of illicit gambling activities at the premises. Previously, on November 21, the same establishment…
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MFP accused of backing anti-government activities in Cambodia
The Move Forward Party (MFP) finds itself embroiled in a political storm as the Cambodian Khmer Unity Great National Party (KUGNP) accuses it of supporting activities against the Phnom Penh government from the sanctuary of Thailand. The opposition MFP vehemently denies these allegations, sparking a cross-border political spat. The KUGNP, an alliance of seven political parties and six civil society…
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China: Online debate on fireworks ban as Chinese New Year approaches
Chinese lawmakers have waded into the online fireworks debate, shedding light on the contentious issue of whether fireworks should illuminate the Lunar New Year festivities. Addressing concerns yesterday, December 29, officials acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing an outright ban on pyrotechnics, given the country’s historical connection with inventing these dazzling displays. Lawmakers revealed the nuanced nature of the supposed fireworks…
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British tourist drugged and raped on Koh Tao
A 30 year old British tourist has broken her silence about a harrowing incident on Thailand‘s infamous Koh Tao, dubbed Death Island for its dark history. The tourist, named Marijke, was drugged, raped, and abandoned in the middle of nowhere. Marijke recounted the traumatic experience. “I remember taking a sip from a bucket, and a moment later, I woke up…
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Phuket: Russian tourist’s water slide nightmare sparks urgent safety probe
A 42 year old Russian tourist found himself at the centre of a harrowing ordeal at a renowned water park in Phuket. His quest for aquatic thrills turned into a nightmare, resulting in severe injuries and a subsequent complaint filed with the Consumer Protection Committee. On November 10, Fedor Kondrakov’s day of fun took a perilous turn as he encountered…
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Hat Yai: 760 million baht profit predicted from New Year festivities
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts a staggering 760 million baht windfall for Hat Yai during the upcoming New Year holiday period. Nongyao Jirundon, the TAT’s Hat Yai office director, predicts an unprecedented surge in arrivals from both foreign and domestic tourists between December 30 and January 1. The city is already buzzing with excitement, especially with the influx of…
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Court orders 300K baht compensation for protesters from Thai police
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) have been slapped with a hefty bill of 300,000 baht over a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy Ratsadon, or People’s Party, protesters. While the court’s decision may have came as a shock to many, the details of the ruling reveal a deeper, contentious battle between the authorities and the people. The Civil Court ruled on December…
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Frenchman’s financial woes and marijuana meltdown led to knife-wielding drama
A distressed Frenchman, grappling with financial turmoil and the aftermath of marijuana use, brandished a knife in a threatening manner on December 28. The drama reached a boiling point in the picturesque Bang Saray sub-district, Sattahip, as the Sattahip Police swooped in to defuse the intense situation. At 4.30pm, Sattahip Police, accompanied by emergency responders, responded swiftly to a distress…
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CNN chooses Wat Arun for New Year’s Eve bash
CNN International has handpicked the iconic Wat Arun in Bangkok to be the star of their global New Year’s Eve Live celebrations. Under the banner of Wichit Arun, this extravaganza promises to showcase the vibrant tapestry of Thai identity through a stunning display of fireworks. On the eve of December 28, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proudly announced that…
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Pattaya: British tourist injured in road accident involving motorbike
A 52 year old British tourist was struck by a motorcycle while crossing Thepprasit Road, Bang Lamung, Pattaya on the evening of December 28. The British man, known only as Mei, was struck by Thai motorcyclist, 35 year old Suphansa Taengthong, while crossing Thepprasit Road, creating a spectacle near a PTT gas station around 5.50pm. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport braces for record-breaking new year influx
Dr Keerati Kitmanawat, the president of Airports of Thailand Co Ltd. (AOT) led a thorough inspection on December 28, of Suvarnabhumi Airport‘s preparedness for the impending new year celebrations. Sources reveal that Dr Keerati is gearing up for an aviation onslaught from December 29 to January 4, with a staggering 6,777 flights scheduled at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This sky-high number includes…
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