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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Bangchak acquires Esso Thailand bolstering network and refining capacity
In a significant move in Thailand’s petroleum sector, Bangchak Corporation secured a resounding acquisition of Esso Thailand. ExxonMobil Asia Holdings’ relinquishing of a 65.99% majority stake to Bangchak marks the completion of this transaction. As a consequence of this development, around 700 Esso petrol stations throughout the country will commence operations under Bangchak’s brand, starting tomorrow. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the Group…
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Blue Strike-2023: China and Thailand’s joint naval exercise
The Gulf of Thailand and the Sattahip district of Chon Buri will serve as the training grounds for the Blue Strike-2023 joint naval exercise, involving China and Thailand. Participation from Chinese warships and submarines has been confirmed for this annual drill. The exercise, which will extend from tomorrow to September 10, will take place in the upper reaches of the Gulf…
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Thai research probes herbal solutions to PM2.5 dust-related chronic diseases
In promising scientific research, experts are exploring the potential of three herbal plants in combatting chronic diseases connected to PM2.5 dust. The focal point of this collaborative project is to address the health challenges arising from prolonged exposure to harmful PM2.5 dust particles, a pressing concern in regions affected by air pollution. The collaborative efforts have seen researchers from Chaophraya…
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Chiang Mai University launches Builds platform to boost student entrepreneurship
Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, has unveiled an entrepreneurial platform named “Builds”. This initiative is designed to assist students in transforming their research projects into profitable enterprises. Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, a CMU rector, expressed the institution’s ambitions to become an entrepreneurial hub, aiming to bolster its economic contribution to 60 billion baht within the…
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Siriraj hospital offers free joint replacement surgeries to Nepal’s underprivileged
Free joint replacement surgeries will be offered to the underprivileged population of Lumbini, Nepal, courtesy of Siriraj Hospital. The groundbreaking initiative, dubbed ‘The Buddha’s First Step’, is a collaborative effort between the hospital and Love for Humanity, a corporate social responsibility project. Apichart Asavamongkolkul, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, revealed that the project…
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Thai government considers visa system revamp to boost tourism revenue
A major revamp of the visa system is presently under deliberation by the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The amendments are anticipated to augment revenue generated from vital tourism markets like India and China. The call to review the visa system originated from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They acted in response to many complaints from…
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South Korea aims to boost Thai tourism with new campaign
South Korea, marking its 65th year of diplomatic relations with Thailand, is all set to attract more Thai tourists. This comes as part of a bilateral effort to revive the tourism industry in both countries, which shares a robust relationship economically, socially, and culturally. Covid-19 restrictions saw a decline in international tourism, with South Korea welcoming about 570,000 Thai tourists…
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Surrogacy ring arrest in Bangkok linked to missing toddler case
A series of raids and an arrest have been carried out against an international surrogacy ring, suspected to be tied to last year’s missing toddler case in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) this week searched three clinics in Bangkok and a building in Nong Khai, with a man apprehended for suspected involvement as an agent in the operation.…
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Bangkok’s ‘Beautiful Roads’ project aims to enhance cityscape
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) initiated a new endeavour to enhance the city’s traffic islands, lands under expressways, and public pavements. The project, dubbed Beautiful Roads, aims to augment the overall landscape of roads, including road surfaces, traffic lights, light poles, on-road utilities, and the reorganisation of street food vendors, and roadside surroundings. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that the…
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Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party: A glittering tribute to Studio 54
The glamour, the glitz, and the electric energy of an era gone by came alive once again at the Miss Universe 2023 Official After Party held at Escape Bangkok. This sensational event is hosted jointly by Megatix Thailand and TPN with an iconic Studio 54 theme, a name synonymous with the golden age of disco and extravagant nightlife. The night…
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Toothpaste review uproar: 1.7 million baht lawsuit gets brushed aside
A legal case involving a young woman who reviewed a toothpaste brand and was subsequently sued for 1.7 million baht has been dropped, causing a stir on social media. The young woman had earlier requested justice after developing an allergic reaction to the toothpaste, leading to the brand’s owner suing her for damages, sparking widespread debate across various social media…
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BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
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Illegal surrogacy ring busted in Bangkok as police raid three healthcare facilities
A special investigation team (DSI) raided three healthcare facilities, apprehending an operation secretly arranging surrogate mothers. The illegal surrogacy operation involved Thai women paid to carry pregnancies before the infants were sent abroad. Crucial documents were found during the raid, and legal proceedings are underway. The illegal surrogacy operation news broke out today, at 6.30am. The DSI, under the supervision…
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Bangkok bullet bust: Officers nab four with guns and ammunition at petrol pit stop
Four suspects were arrested by Min Buri inspection officers, who seized five handguns and nearly 50 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition arrest occurred at a petrol station in Min Buri, a district of Bangkok, today. The group, consisting of 15 year old A, 19 year old Naphat, 20 year old Natthawut, and 19 year old Chanachon, were found in possession…
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Fruit jelly jolt: Wormy surprise in popular brand’s treat leaves customer queasy
A shocking discovery of worms nestled in a popular brand’s fruit jelly has left a female customer feeling nauseated. The incident, shared by the woman on the We Are Consumers Facebook group, occurred shortly after purchasing the product from a convenience store. The woman posted, accompanied by pictures, describing her unsettling ordeal. “Was eating and found a worm, almost vomited.…
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Media meltdown: JKN global struggles as shares drop amid debenture dilemma
JKN Global Media Plc’s shares plummeted to 1.67 baht during early trade as the company acknowledged its inability to fully repay the 609 million baht debenture due that day. This debenture is part of a seven-series set, totaling 3.36 billion baht. After the disclosure on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), JKN Global Media’s shares tumbled by 29.8%, a drop…
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Quackers’ surprise: Homeowner unravels duck dilemma with a twist of python
A homeowner finally discovered the reason for his dwindling duck stock when he found a 3 metre long python lounging in his duck coop. The early morning python discovery led the homeowner, Somsak Metta, to call for emergency assistance. The incident took place today, at house number 131, in the Bang Kung village, Si Maha Phot district, Prachin Buri province.…
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Thailand’s best-kept secret: Unraveling the online wonderland!
Nestled amidst the shimmering lights and pulsating rhythms of the Asian gaming panorama, fun88 emerges as a beacon for avid gamers and enthusiasts. More than just a platform, it serves as a testament to the evolution of digital entertainment, seamlessly blending tradition with technology. With every click and every play, fun88 doesn’t just offer a game; it extends an invitation…
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Power play: FTI cheers new government’s energy cost pledge
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed its satisfaction with the newly elected government’s commitment to lowering energy costs and retail diesel prices. Newly inaugurated Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has prioritised energy price reductions as an early objective of his administration. An immediate cut in energy prices has been promised by the 61 year old Srettha and his Cabinet upon…
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A woman looking for calm on meditation retreat finds chaos after abbot sexually harassed her
A 20 year old Thai woman announced yesterday that an abbot sexually harassed her at a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat while on a meditation retreat. The abbot denied the allegations and accused the woman of blackmailing him for money. The woman recounted the incident with Channel 7 yesterday. She asserted that the abbot subjected her…
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Clickbait caper: 26 year old nabbed by cyber cops for online fraud
A 26 year old man was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and Sector 5 Royal Thai Police officials today, under allegations of cyber fraud. The man had reportedly set up a Line Group under the name Ek Pattani, a renowned Muay Thai expert, and successfully duped numerous victims into transferring money to him. The operation was led by…
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Woman with Alzheimer’s lives with husband’s dead body for 4 days
A 76 year old woman with Alzheimer’s was found in the company of her 86 year old husband who had been lying dead for four days at their house in the northeastern province of Bueng Kan. The old woman was unaware he was dead. It wasn’t until a friend took food to the couple’s house yesterday that they discovered the…
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Perverted Chiang Mai teacher arrested for producing highly explicit pornographic content featuring students
A perverted high school physical education teacher in the northern province of Chiang Mai stands accused of producing highly explicit pornographic content featuring his male students. The perverted teacher, known only as Yos, was detained today in the vicinity of a school located in the tambon Tha Sala of Muang district. Upon arrest, the police confiscated a hard drive that…
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Brewing trouble: Kratom tea shop gets steeped in controversy after midnight raid
In a joint operation, Khon Kaen police raided a local establishment, Suppaweed, known for selling kratom tea intermixed with cough medicine. The kratom tea raid, which occurred yesterday, was initiated due to various complaints about the shop’s 24-hour operation and its habit of creating noise disturbances late into the night. The kratom tea raid team, led by Police Captain Danai…
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Digging for justice: Mother’s anger grows after 8 year old son buried alive by uncle
A furious Thai mother sought justice for her eight year old son after the boy was buried alive by his uncle. The mother is incandescent with rage at the Royal Thai Police’s procrastination in issuing charges against the suspect despite the overwhelming evidence presented to them. The mother, Tanyong, revealed her fury on Facebook. “The incident occurred on August 26,…
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Bangkok encourages disabled citizens to join ‘Bangkok For All’ initiative
Disabled people in Bangkok are being urged to sign up for the Bangkok For All initiative via the Line app, an effort by City Hall to streamline access to social benefits. The push was highlighted by Phanumas Sukamporn, an advisor to the Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, at the Disabled Social Wellness Expo held at the Youth Centre. Bangkok For All…
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Smooth takeoff: Phuket Airport partners with Grab for app-solute taxi convenience
Phuket International Airport is leaping into the digital age, enabling passengers to hail Grab taxis directly via their mobile apps from today. This initiative is aimed at providing passengers with more transportation options. The airport’s director, Monchai Tanode, shared that four ride-hailing app developers, including Grab, Asia Cab, Hello Phuket, and Air Asia, applied for the license to operate at…
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Twisted taste: Noodle vendor’s simmering feud ends in chilling murder in northern Thailand
A 49 year old noodle vendor was arrested for the brutal murder of a 63 year old moneylender in Lampang, northern Thailand. The alleged crime stemmed from a dispute over loan repayment that escalated into violence, shocking the local community. Anantasin, also known as Pa Sarge, was found dead in his home in Pong San Thong, Mueang Lampang, on Tuesday,…
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Thai government grins and bears it: New dental health department to tackle nation’s oral health
The Thai government is set to establish a dedicated dental health department, a move aimed at promoting oral healthcare across the nation, the Public Health Ministry announced. Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, revealed to the press that the government had acknowledged the Senate Public Health Committee’s proposal to form the new department, though the plan is yet to…
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ATTA doubts efficacy of free visa plan for Chinese tourists
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has expressed scepticism about a government proposal to offer free visas to Chinese tourists as a means of stimulating demand. ATTA cites economic difficulties and a weak currency as challenges that could render this initiative ineffectual, particularly in the face of flight and staff shortages. The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations and the…
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