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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VIDEO: Thai netizens outraged as school makes student cut hair
A student at a school in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, has uploaded a video to social media sparking a meltdown on Thai social media. In the video, the student films a school teacher measuring her friend’s hair, while another teacher cuts it to follow the rules which state students cannot grown hair more than 9 inches from the top of the ears.…
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Japanese family asks Thai authorities to raise reward for murder of daughter in 2007
PHOTO: SBS News Eleven years have passed since the murder of a Japanese woman in Sukhothai province (central Thailand) in 2007 and, with no developments, an existing cash reward for any information leading to an arrest is expected to be raised from 1.6 million to 2 million baht. In 2007, 27 year old Tomoko Kawashita arrived in Thailand alone and headed to…
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Pick a date, any date – Thai election
February 24, then March 10, then ‘sometime before May 7’, now March 24. The only thing we can be reasonably sure about is that it will be on a Sunday (Thai elections are always held on Sundays). Yesterday, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam hinted that the election could now be held on March 24. He painted March 24 as the “most…
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New Thai E-Driving licences are 95% complete
Thailand law makers are looking to amend the 1979 Land Transport act to bring together databases from the Road Transport and policing departments as registrations and enforcement combine to make a digital traffic violation ticketing system. The National Legislative Assembly held a reading of the new bill yesterday (Thursday), which requires the Royal Thai Police and the Land Transport Department…
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Weather for January 18
Bangkok Mostly cloudy. High 30ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy, with a possible thunderstorm. High 32ºC. Winds E at 15 to 30 km/h. Chance of rain 30%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 29ºC. Winds SSE and variable. Pattaya Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 31ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko Samui…
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Thai monk caught 11 years later for sex with a minor
A monk accused of sexually abusing a 14 year old girl eleven years ago has finally been apprehended by the Crime Suppression Division police. He was arrested in his living quarters in Wat Srang Mai in the centre of Thailand. The 61 year old monk, Sorasak Siripattho, was wanted on an arrest warrant issued on February 11, 2008 on charges…
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Exemption of visa on arrival fees to boost Chinese New Year
The exemption of fees for visa on arrival is expected is expected to boost Chinese arrivals during the Chinese New Year festival. The National News Bureau of Thailand is reporting that visitors from 21 countries are getting their visa on arrival fee waived until April 30, 2019. Those 21 countries are Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan,…
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Up to 10K baht paid to Thai women for marriage license
PHOTO: Immigration Bureau Indian men have been paying up to 10,000 Baht to Thai women for a marriage license. Thairath is reporting that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn says, “Many Thai women have been paid to get married with Indian men without any intention of a physical relationship.” “Indian men are using the marriage license as a means to apply…
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Foreign teacher to be deported after his arrest over rape in Pathum Thani
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau / Lamlukka Police Station The male Pakistani teacher, who was charged with rape this week in Pathum Thani, is to be deported. The Immigration Bureau Office reports that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn headed to Lamlukka Police Station in Pathum Thani where the Pakistani man, a teacher and psychologist, had been arrested. Read more about the case HERE.…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 17
Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…
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Weather for January 17
Bangkok Generally clear. High 33ºC. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 31ºC. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 100%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 30ºC. Winds SE and variable. Pattaya City Partly cloudy. High 32ºC. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko Samui Thunderstorms. High 24ºC. Winds…
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Election 2019: Put it in your calendar – March 10
PHOTO: Protesters in Bangkok demanding the Thai Government announce election dates Bets are on for a March 10 election date as the Prime Minister has, for the first time, admitted that the election can no longer be held on February 24. But nothing official has yet been announced. Under the constitution, the general election must be completed within 150 days…
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The internet booms and print languishes in 2019 advertising spend
Thailand’s Digital advertising market spend is poised to reach 124 billion baht in 2019. That’s a growth of nearly 5%. But newspapers, magazines, Cable TV and radio are on the nose as marketers stick with terrestrial TV and ramp up their digital portfolios. “Digital media is expected to grow 20% and is will nearly equal the value of TV advertising…
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Weather for January 16
Bangkok Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 33ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 30ºC. Winds ESE and variable. Phuket Afternoon showers. High 31ºC. Winds NNE and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Ko Samui Thundershowers. High 25ºC. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 40%. Pattaya Partly cloudy. High 32ºC.…
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Thai ‘hijacking’ elephants get GPS collar trackers
PHOTO: WWF A new project has been launched in the restricted forest areas of eastern Thailand where wildlife officials are putting tracking collars on elephants to help mitigate potential conflict with farmers and local villagers. The first three collars were placed on three elephants in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary. The collars were imported from South Africa with aid…
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Man arrested after killing five family members in Uttaradit
PHOTO: Khaosod A man who shot his pregnant wife, parents-in-law and two other relatives to death, is now in custody. Khaosod is reporting that 37 year old Teeraphol Pin-amon, who allegedly shot five people to death in their home in Uttaradit province last Sunday, has now been apprehended while he was hiding in a forest in Ranong today. Uttaradit is…
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Thailand advance to knockout stage of Asian Cup *Thaiger Bites
Last night saw Thailand finish with a 1-1 draw with the UAE (United Arab Emirates) to ensure their place in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup, managing to finish second in the group after a rocky start. Thailand’s equaliser goal came late in the first half, scored by midfielder Thitiphan Puangjan. Following a their first Asian Cup game where…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 15
Northern Thailand Mostly air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air…
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Foreign teacher charged with rape in Pathum Thani
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau / Lamlukka Police Station A male Pakistani teacher has been charged with rape in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok. The Immigration Bureau Office reports that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn headed to Lamlukka Police Station in Pathum Thani where a Pakistani man, a teacher and psychologist, had been arrested yesterday. “The suspect is a private teacher who…
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Police not accepting the new smartphone driving licence yet
Great. Don’t have to carry my physical Driver’s Licence anymore! But hang on, news today from the Royal Thai Police that they won’t recognise your snazzy new App which displays your digital driver’s licence on your smart phone. Net yet anyway. Police are now saying they won’t recognise the new digital driver’s licenses until a legal amendment is in place.…
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Thai Electronic Driving License on smart phone App from today
From today a new App can be used where motorists will be able to show their license credentials to any law enforcement officer in Thailand. This means you no longer have to carry your physical licence. The police will be able to scan a QR code and check all details including bans or outstanding fines, on the spot. The driver’s…
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A reduction of 100 million+ plastic bags at 7-eleven stores in one month
More than 100 million plastic bags have not bee used at Thailand’s 7-eleven stores in the past month, valued at more than 20 million baht. CP All Public Company, the sole operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand, announced its intention to reduce and, eventually, to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags at all their stores throughout the country.…
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Air quality for Thailand – January 14
Northern Thailand Mostly air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air…
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Future teaching graduates don’t need good ‘English’ levels to pass
The committee in charge of preparing a teacher qualifications framework has decided to lower the level of English needed for its graduates following pressure from its stakeholders. The committee’s chair Rathakorn Kidkan mentioned serious concerns that students may not be able to graduate if the English level was set too high. Using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for…
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Weather for January 14
Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 34C. Winds light and variable. Chiang Mai Partly cloudy. High 32C. Winds light and variable. Phuket Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 31C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 50%. Udon Thani Partly cloudy. High 33C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Songkhla Mostly sunny. High near…
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Three reasons Thailand is winning on same-sex rights *Thaiger Bites
Success for the gay rights cause in Thailand lies in, as the old Chinese formula goes, the “right time, the right place, the right people” Last month, the Thai government supported a bill that would make Thailand the first Asian jurisdiction to allow same-sex civil partnerships. It is significant progress in the battle for sexual equality in Asia, in contrast…
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Thai Tourism chases the pink dollar as one of its “new shades”
by Phatarawadee Phataranawik and The ThaigerWhile Thailand is waiting for a Life Partnership Bill to become law, and maybe a move towards full same-sex marriage down the track, advocates say they are encouraged by the country’s efforts in attracting LGBT tourists. The recent approval of the Life Partnership Bill by the Thai cabinet was a significant step – the first such move…
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Army chief claims election delay critics are “bent on creating trouble”
In a country where the Army has played such a prominent part in the politics of Thailand for so long, we shouldn’t be surprised by commentary today from the Thai Army Commander-in-Chief. General Apirat Kongsompong says that those campaigning against the election delay have a “one-track mind and bent on creating troubles”. “They are being told to think this way,…
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VIDEO: Woman has meltdown in Thai airport
A video posted on social media has been doing the rounds. In the video a woman is seen yelling at an Air Asia airport staff for being told her carry on must be checked in because it was 7.2 kilos over the 7 kilogram weight limit. The woman is calmly told that she will have check-in the extra luggage and…
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Event Round-Up – January 2019
Into a new year and a month packed with activities around the country. The highly anticipated Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous 2019 kicks off at Phuket Royal Marina on January 10-13. A collaboration between some of the most respected and experienced figures in the Southeast Asian yachting industry, Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous is the country’s new and improved yacht…
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