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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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PTT Plc shifts gears: Oil giant explores new horizons
PTT Plc, Thailand’s oil and gas giant, is re-evaluating its tactics in the logistics sector, contemplating a shift away from its traditional petroleum roots. The national conglomerate is investigating fresh investment avenues in non-oil sectors, aiming to revamp its business footprint in the rapidly advancing world of logistics. Leading the charge is Chaya Chandavasu, PTT Senior Executive Vice-President for Corporate…
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Chon Buri locals celebrate lottery wins at temple visit
Residents celebrated with enthusiasm at a renowned temple in Chon Buri after winning lottery prizes with numbers linked to their visit to Luang Pho Yai. Many gathered at the temple to offer thanks following the lottery draw on January 17, where the winning numbers included 807779, three-digit numbers 699 and 961, and two-digit number 23. The celebrations were fuelled by…
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Red light: Thailand’s car industry caught in hybrid dilemma
Thailand’s car production industry, a powerhouse of the national economy, stands at a pivotal red light crossroads. The decision now looms large: should the focus be on propelling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into the spotlight, or should there be a concerted effort to guide the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector through a transitional phase towards electric vehicles (EVs)? With the…
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Teacher’s murder suspect identified, evidence found near scene
A suspect has been identified in the fatal shooting of a teacher in Bang Pa-In district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with key evidence found 2 kilometres from the crime scene. Efforts are underway to gather evidence for an arrest warrant. Yesterday, January 19, at the Bang Pa-In Police Station, Police Major General Naruenat Phuttaisong, commander of the Phra Nakhon…
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Thailand locks in on crop burning with strict new measures
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced strict new measures on January 17 to combat the growing PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with a particular focus on penalising farmers for crop burning. Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn signed the announcement, highlighting how agricultural burning has become a major contributor to the country’s deteriorating air quality. The practice generates smoke and fine particulate…
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Fake monk’s act doesn’t pass the vest test in Khon Kaen
A man dressed as a monk was detained by police in Khon Kaen after residents reported suspicious behaviour. The alleged monk claimed he found methamphetamine on the roadside and consumed it. He also stated he was genuinely ordained but had not yet received official documentation. Today, January 20, a report surfaced about a man resembling a monk, wearing sunglasses and…
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Thaksin’s power tariff cut plan sparks debate on electricity pricing
Thaksin Shinawatra‘s proposal to lower the power tariff from 4.15 to 3.70 baht per kilowatt-hour has ignited a discussion on the future of electricity pricing, which has remained elevated since 2022. The adjustment of tariff rates directly impacts electricity bills, with a reduced tariff leading to lower costs for businesses and households. The former prime minister introduced the tariff reduction…
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Theft at Add Carabao’s daughter’s home incurs 100,000 baht loss
A theft at the under-construction home of Nenicha Opakul, daughter of renowned singer Yuenyong Opakul, more commonly known as Add Carabao, resulted in losses estimated at over 100,000 baht. The incident, reported by Nenicha’s legal representative, Melita, is under police investigation. Today, January 20, Phuvanes Viviekhatkan, a deputy investigator at Pravet Police Station, received a report about the theft. The…
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Majority ineligible for Thailand’s debt relief programme
A significant number of borrowers have registered for the You Fight, We Help debt relief programme one month after its launch. However, a substantial portion of these applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria, as noted by banking officials. Kris Chantanotoke, Chief Executive of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), highlighted that some registrants do not qualify for the programme. Consequently, the…
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Pickup driver falls asleep, cause fatal crashes in Chon Buri
A pickup truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer into the opposite lane and crash into a motorcycle. This tragic accident resulted in the immediate deaths of two individuals and severe injuries to another. The incident occurred at 10.40pm yesterday, January 19 on the Phan Thong-Ban Bueng road, near a restaurant in Nong Hong, Phan…
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Police seize 3 million meth pills, arrest two in drug bust
Narcotics Suppression Bureau police officers seized 3 million methamphetamine pills and apprehended two people accused of drug trafficking in Nakhon Pathom. The people arrested were identified as 32 year old Katakorn and 27 year old Supattra. They were detained yesterday evening. January 19, during a police raid at a house in the Mueang Nakhon Pathom district. Police discovered seven fertiliser…
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Thai cop blames exhaustion after crashing into 2 motorcycles, injuring 3
A Thai police officer in the southern province of Narathiwat blamed work-related exhaustion after crashing his sedan car into two motorcycles, resulting in three injuries. One of the victims is in critical condition. The accident was reported to officers at Chanae Police Station at about 5.12am on Saturday, January 18. The suspect, who was wearing a police T-shirt, identified himself…
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Motorcyclist dies in high-speed crash at Pathum Thani intersection
A collision occurred when a motorcyclist crashed into an overpass at a red light intersection in Pathum Thani, resulting in the rider’s death. The incident, which locals suspect involved high speed and no braking, prompted a police investigation. At approximately 1.30am today, January 20, Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerawat Niyomsub, an investigator from Khlong Luang Police Station, responded to a report…
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Thaksin plans one million homes for low-income Thais
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand and de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, announced plans to construct up to one million housing units for low-income Thai nationals. The announcement was made during a rally in Bueng Kan province. The government recently launched the Home for Thais scheme and Thaksin stated that around 31 million people…
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Thai singer alleges lese majeste threat in legal battles with ex-lover
A Thai singer accused the father of his ex-lover, a high-ranking soldier, of threatening to issue a false lese majeste charge against him following repeated legal battles with his former mistress. The renowned singer and songwriter, Apiwat “Stamp” Ueathavornsuk, disappeared from the music industry and social media for nearly two years. During this time, he rarely performed live or released new…
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Wildfire at Khao Krathing extinguished after two-day battle
A fire that blazed through Khao Krathing has finally been extinguished after a two-day battle. The cause was identified as human activity, not natural causes, with individuals secretly laying pipes up the mountain. The blaze erupted at 7.30pm on January 17 in the forest area along the Khao Krathing range, Mueang 6, within the jurisdiction of the Kled Kaew Subdistrict…
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Two arrested after deadly teen clash in Pathum Thani
Two suspects have been apprehended following a violent altercation involving firearms and explosives between groups of teenagers, resulting in one death and five injuries. The suspects have confessed, and a firearm has been recovered. A concerned father is worried about his 16 year old son being questioned, claimed that he was at home during the incident. Today, January 20, it…
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Thailand video news | Elephant panics at fireworks display, injures several at fair, ASEAN urges Myanmar junta to prioritise peace over elections
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay present compelling stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. From a panicked elephant causing injuries at a Nong Bua Lamphu fair to Bangkok’s urgent air pollution measures, the headlines highlight critical regional issues. Tragedy struck a Phuket music festival with the sudden deaths of two tourists, while a viral video of tourists misbehaving…
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VietJet Thailand to boost fleet and expand routes by 2025
VietJet Thailand has announced plans to expand its fleet for 2025 by leasing additional aircraft, pumping up numbers from the current 18 planes currently in operation. This information comes from Pinyos Phibulsongkhram, the Director of Commercial Affairs for VietJet Thailand. This expansion aims to support the airline’s route enhancement, particularly focusing on international destinations. Initially, five new routes are planned:…
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Thailand intensifies crackdown on new drug pod k
The Government of Thailand is intensifying efforts to suppress a new narcotic known as pod k, a blend of vape juice and ketamine that has gained popularity among club-goers, according to deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak yesterday, January 19. Ketamine, a type 2 narcotic stimulant, carries severe penalties for possession, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines reaching…
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Thailand’s UNHRC role challenged by human rights shortfalls, says advocate
As a newly elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Thailand faces the need to elevate its human rights performance to align with international standards, according to a Thai human rights advocate. Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), discussed Thailand’s human rights situation on January 17 at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand,…
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Bangkok stabbing over missing money leaves man critically injured
A dispute over missing money led to a stabbing incident in Bangkok, where a 28 year old man was seriously injured. The suspect later returned to the hospital to check on the victim, resulting in his arrest. Yesterday, January 19, police in the Nong Chok district were approached by 61 year old Wanna, who reported that her son, 28 year…
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Phuket van driver caught with meth pills after police chase
Crime Suppression Division officers stationed at the Phuket City Police Station yesterday stumbled upon a drug stash on a routine patrol landing a van driver in hot water in a nail-biting escapade. The clock had barely ticked past 5.30pm, yesterday, January 19, when officers on routine patrol caught sight of a man behaving suspiciously near a red booth, clutching something…
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Monk defrocked for raping foreigner’s Thai wife in Dhamma retreat
A Thai woman took legal action against a monk in the Isaan province of Buriram for raping her during her Dhamma retreat. She also expressed fear of pregnancy and worry that her foreign husband might discover what happened. The 38 year old victim sought legal assistance from the Be One organisation after the sexual assault, which occurred on January 15…
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Canadian pickup artist leaves Phuket in a tailspin
A Canadian man in a pickup truck yesterday led police on a dramatic, wild high-speed chase across Phuket, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles in his wake before being nabbed in Karon. The chaos kicked off at 4.45pm, yesterday, January 19, when Patong police were alerted to a fracas outside the Patong Condo Hotel. But just as they arrived on…
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Boy found safe in Khon Kaen after drug use with father
A stepmother in Udon Thani reached out to a local activist after concerns that her husband was introducing their 12 year old son, A, to drugs. However, when officials investigated, they initially lost contact with the family. Eventually, they found the boy safe in Khon Kaen, preparing to become a novice monk, and he admitted to drug use with his…
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Revving up for 2027: F1 circuit planned for Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
The Government of Thailand revealed ambitions to host a prestigious Formula 1 race right in the heart of Bangkok by 2027. The plan? To transform the bustling Vibhavadi Rangsit Road into a high-speed circuit, as mentioned by Kongsak Yodmanee, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand. Just last week, key discussions took place to explore potential routes and tackle the…
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Canadian and American men die after attending Phuket EDM music festival
Two foreign men, one Canadian and one American, tragically lost their lives after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 (EDC Thailand 2025) in Phuket on Saturday, January 18. The causes of their deaths are still under investigation. The music festival that most Thais and foreigners in Phuket were looking forward to joining took place between January 17-19 at the…
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Thailand braces for cold weather and possible thunderstorms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted cold to very cold weather across northern and northeastern Thailand, with temperatures dropping to single digits. Bangkok will see temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius. Additionally, five provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms today, January 20. Over the next 24 hours, the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions will continue to experience…
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Hospital staff takes baby steps to solve abandoned newborn mystery
A newborn baby boy, thought to be only 4-5 days old, has been discovered abandoned at Pattaya Patthamakun Hospital. Hospital staff are now pulling out all the stops to care for the baby while local officials embark on a mission to uncover the identity of the mystery mother. The discovery was made on January 17 when Bang Lamung district chief…
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