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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Koh Chang durian prices soar to 250 baht amid production drop
A surge in demand for the famed Chanee Koh Chang durian from Trat Province has seen prices starting at 250 baht per kilogramme. With a reported production drop of 30% due to unpredictable weather, local farmers are busy selling the highly sought-after fruit both in-store and online. Phuttiphong Phothipanich, an agricultural officer from Koh Chang, Trat Province, inspected the first…
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PM Srettha’s surprise visit unveils mega airport upgrades
PM Srettha, making his third unannounced appearance, scrutinised Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operations firsthand, focusing on enhancements crucial for managing the surge in passenger traffic expected during the traditional Thai New Year festivities from April 12 to 15. Sharing his insights on X post-visit, the 62 year old PM applauded noticeable improvements across various services, from streamlined traffic flow at the airport’s…
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Sting operation: Hong Kong duo nabbed in Bangkok mall scam bust
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) coordinated with mobile operator AIS in the arrest of two Hong Kong men who attempted to defraud people in a shopping mall in Bangkok by sending scam messages using a StingRay device. CCIB officers, also known as the Cyber Police, were alerted to the scam messages by users of the AIS mobile operator. The…
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Pattaya plagued by motorcycle wheel thieves
A criminal gang is targeting motorcycle wheels in a recent surge of thefts in Pattaya. The brazen escapades of the gang have left the community on edge, with urgent pleas for police intervention. The shocking incident unfolded at Government Housing Na Jomtien Village, captured in chilling detail by closed-circuit television cameras. The footage, which swiftly made rounds on social media,…
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Severe summer storm wreaks havoc in Phichit, Thailand
A severe summer storm recently ravaged Phichit province in Thailand, causing extensive damage to homes, religious sites, and infrastructure. The storm, which struck yesterday evening, particularly impacted three districts: Bang Mun Nak, Dong Charoen, and Taphan Hin. The powerful storm toppled trees, snapped utility poles, and sent roofs flying, resulting in widespread power outages that lasted through the night. The…
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Thailand faces first consumer confidence dip in eight months
A recent survey has revealed a decline in Thailand’s consumer confidence for the first time in eight months. This dip in March is attributed to a sluggish economic recovery and escalating living expenses. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which conducted the survey, reported a decrease in the consumer index to 63.0 in March, down from 63.8…
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Thai man disappears after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter
A Thai man vanished after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter at a resort in the northern province of Uttaradit on April 8. Mueang Uttaradit Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the 10 year old girl, Napat, yesterday, April 9, by an employer of a resort. Upon arrival at the scene, employers led officers to room…
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Serial offender arrested for violent rape in Khon Kaen
A 52 year old man with a history of sexual offences was recently apprehended for committing a violent rape in a rural area of Khon Kaen province. The suspect, Chaichana (surname withheld), was arrested today, April 10, following the issuance of a warrant by the Khon Kaen Provincial Court. The harrowing incident took place on April 8, when a 56…
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Thailand primes for haze mitigation ahead of Songkran festival
Responding to the escalating haze crisis, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed all provinces in the upper north, including Chiang Mai, to prepare their operation centres. This step aims to mitigate air pollution during the forthcoming Songkran festival, which traditionally sees a surge in tourist arrivals. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, these…
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Chon Buri childcare center shock: Police probe guard’s death
A 52 year old security guard was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a childcare centre in Chon Buri Province, sparking an immediate police investigation. The distressing scene, discovered early this morning, included the guard’s body with multiple injuries and torn clothes scattered across the area, raising suspicions of foul play. Upon receiving a distress call around 5am today, April…
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Thai couple face backlash for romantic graffiti on bridge in Japan
A Thai couple faced a backlash on social media after expressing their love by writing their names, Beer <3 Mayvy 2024, on a bridge at a popular tourist destination in Tokyo, Japan. A Thai man took to Facebook to condemn the couple’s action, sharing a picture of the handwritten message on the bridge with a caption that read… “I visited…
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15 police officers found guilty in fatal shooting cover-up
At the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, 15 police officers have been convicted of dereliction of duty for their involvement in a cover-up surrounding the fatal shooting of a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom last year. Former Krathumban Police Station inspector, Police Major Kiartisak Somsuk, alongside 14 other officers and seven civilians, faced justice for colluding…
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Thai doctor offered bribe to drop lawsuit in Swiss scandal
The Thai doctor who was a victim in the Swiss scandal case in Phuket revealed that an unidentified person offered her and her family a bribe in exchange for withdrawing the lawsuit against the Swiss man. The female doctor, 26 year old Tarndao Chandam, took to social media and accused the 45 year old Swiss man, Urs Fehr, of physically…
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Senate approves AI regulation in election campaigns
A report advocating for the regulation of election campaigns conducted using artificial intelligence (AI) was approved by the Senate yesterday. The Senate Committee on Politics compiled the report, which was presented during a meeting chaired by Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai. The report primarily focused on the use of social media in politics and election canvassing. The Senate’s term will come…
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Brutal assault on Jomtien Beach sparks police investigation
Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach became the site of a brutal assault recently, an event captured on video and circulated on social media, triggering a thorough investigation by the local police. The footage shows a group of six men violently attacking a young Thai man near a sidewalk. The video, posted by a Facebook user and soon went viral, reached the local…
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Splashy Songkran: Thai restaurant sales set to surge despite economic lull
Looking ahead to the upcoming Songkran festival, a trade group predicts a boost in restaurant sales during the second quarter, which could potentially surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite the current stagnant economy. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association, noted that although the second quarter is typically a slow season for the Thai restaurant industry, the Songkran festival is expected…
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Dusit International urges government to boost quality tourism in Thailand
Dusit International Vice Chairman Chanin Donavanik urged the government to focus on enhancing the quality of tourism and encouraging exploration of lesser-known destinations to boost the industry. Chanin believes the government’s existing tourism promotion policies, including visa-free schemes and luxury tax reductions, are effective. Chanin, who also serves as the executive committee’s chairman, highlighted several areas for the authorities to…
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Stormy forecast: Thailand braces for thunder, wind, and hail
Thailand’s northern region is bracing for severe summer storms, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a warning for thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas. The warning, which took effect from 5am today, April 10, and is expected to continue until tomorrow, April 11, is a result of high-pressure systems from China extending over the northeast of…
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Thailand ready to host 100,000 Myanmar refugees amid conflict
Thailand’s readiness to accommodate an influx of 100,000 refugees from Myanmar, due to escalating conflicts, was recently confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. The announcement came in the wake of rebel forces capturing Myawaddy, a border town adjacent to Tak’s Mae Sot district. The minister’s statement followed a meeting held yesterday to discuss the evolving situation in Myanmar. The…
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British man fined 5,000 baht for naked stroll on Krabi beach
A British man faces a fine of 5,000 baht after a viral video, filmed by a Thai local, showed him walking naked with his friends along Ao Nang Beach in the southern province of Krabi. A resident of Krabi province witnessed the naked British man, later identified as 23 year old Joseph William Kershaw, and filmed him. The video was…
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s opulent family holiday in Phuket
Ever wondered how Hollywood’s elite enjoy their family vacations? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie show us how it’s done with their opulent getaway in Thailand. The power couple, along with their brood of six, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne are basking in luxury at the Amanpuri beach resort in Phuket, where they’re shelling out a jaw-dropping £18,000 (approximately…
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Street vendor’s fried wonton pricing sparks social media uproar
A recent social media post sparked a debate about the fairness of food pricing after a woman paid 50 baht for less than ten pieces of fried wontons from a street vendor. The post, which quickly went viral, led to a flurry of comments from netizens astonished by what they deemed an exorbitant cost for such a meagre serving. On…
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Thailand heatwave causes car windows to explode
Thailand’s scorching temperatures have led to an unusual phenomenon – exploding car windows, even when vehicles are parked in the shade. The issue sparked widespread discussion and debate among netizens, following viral images of a car with its driver’s side window shattered due to the intense heat. The advice circulating online suggests leaving car windows slightly open to allow hot…
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Bangkok Port shipping scene sets sail for relocation
The Bangkok Port, located in the bustling Klong Toey district, is earmarked for a potential relocation, the Transport Ministry announced. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed plans for a feasibility study into the port’s relocation yesterday, to transform parts of the 32-rai site into a public park. Manaporn, responsible for overseeing the operations of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), shared…
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Phrae authorities foil Songkran festival illegal timber smuggling
Authorities in the province of Phrae intercepted a major illegal timber operation, thwarting an attempt to smuggle wood past checkpoints in a bid to supply factories ahead of the busy Songkran festival. The bust, which took place today, April 9, is part of an intensified crackdown on illegal logging activities in the region. The operation, led by the director of…
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Wildlife trafficker nabbed with protected macaques in Narathiwat
The Thai authorities recently apprehended a wildlife trafficker in a sting operation today, seizing two protected macaque monkeys confined in fertiliser bags. The suspect, 32 year old Haisu Salaere, was caught red-handed in Narathiwat province while attempting to sell the animals, which he admitted to capturing and training for obedience and tasks. Narathiwat police, in collaboration with the Provincial Police…
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Chevron abandons operations in Myanmar’s Yadana gas field
In an unprecedented move, Chevron, the US energy giant, has abandoned its operations in the Yadana natural gas field in Myanmar, as confirmed by a company representative. This decision comes over two years after the corporation expressed concern about the violence and human rights violations in the military-controlled nation and declared its intention to withdraw. The 41.1% stake in the…
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Mentally ill Thai man stabs victim in Chon Buri mall
A mentally ill Thai man hit a fellow citizen in the head with a glass bottle and later stabbed the victim with the broken bottle at a shopping mall in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on April 7. Plutaluang Police Station officers received a report on the stabbing incident at about 3.30pm on Sunday, April 7 and quickly responded…
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Fun drought: Songkran water festivities scaled back, says tourism minister
Despite earlier announcements, the traditional water-splashing activities during the Songkran festival in Thailand will not run throughout the entire month-long celebration, according to Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Tourism and Sports Minister. The minister clarified that although the festival activities were scheduled from April 1 and set to end by the month’s close, water-splashing was not part of the whole duration. Sudawan…
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PTT assures adequate LNG reserves to beat heat in Thailand
With summer temperatures expected to soar, PTT Plc, Thailand’s national oil and gas conglomerate, has assured that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves are up to the task of meeting the country’s increased electricity demand. In Thailand, 60% of the fuel used for electricity generation is gas. As a result, PTT is prepared, with gas reserves of 6 billion cubic…
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