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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Central Thailand’s ‘high’ note: Historic drug bust lands four in cuffs
A significant drug bust occurred in Nakhon Pathom province late last night, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of the largest amount of narcotics ever recorded in a single operation in Thailand. The operation, part of an ongoing drug suppression mission, took place at a house in the Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom, where yesterday, September…
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Cat-astrophe: Ayutthaya homeowner’s pet swallowed by python
A large python was found in a house in Ayutthaya province after it fell through the ceiling. The snake had consumed a rare breed of cat, known as a Khao Manee, before being captured by rescue workers and returned to the wild. The house owner, 33 year old Chonisara Rujinath, was shocked to discover the snake in her home, particularly…
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Thailand’s DES ministry launches Anti Online Scam Centre amid rising fraud
Amidst growing concerns over online fraud, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), in unison with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police and other associated agencies, is launching an Anti Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC). The AOC, which begins its operations on November 1, is set to function as a war room, implementing technology to provide intelligent assistance,…
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Pickpocketing pair pinched: Cambodian couple confesses to Bangkok crime spree
Police arrested a Cambodian couple for more than 100 pickpocketing offences in different areas of Bangkok. The Khmer couple confessed to their crimes and revealed that they had learned their dishonest skills from Vietnamese thieves in Thailand. Pickpocketing complaints from both Thais and foreigners in various business districts of Bangkok, such as Sukhumvit, Nan, Silom, and Sathon, started pouring into…
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Gemstone caper: DSI rocks the boat, suing 32 scammers in 227 million baht bluff
The Special Case Investigation Department (DSI) filed a lawsuit against a scammer and her 31 associates for soliciting fraudulent investment in precious gemstones, causing damages exceeding 227 million baht. The case encompasses over 50,000 documents and the suspects will be handed over to the prosecutor on September 28. The DSI revealed that the Financial Business Crime Division had been investigating…
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Prachin Buri villages soaked as forest stream’s overflow leads to distress in central Thailand
Rapid rainfall across Prachin Buri province in central Thailand caused a forest stream from Thap Lan National Park to overflow into Khlong Lam Phaya Than, resulting in the flooding of five villages. It has been reported that residents are greatly distressed by the event, and schools have been ordered to close for one day. The stream, originating between Wang Nam…
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Twisted tale of chubby-chasing motorcycle thief ends in jail suicide
The chubby-chasing motorcycle thief, who used a dating app to target victims and steal their motorcycles, reportedly committed suicide while in custody at Sam Kork Police Station in the central province of Pathum Thani. The deceased prisoner, Pacharapon, was arrested in Ayutthaya province on Monday, September 25 before officers transferred him to Sam Kork Police Station in Pathum Thani, where…
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Thailand skies set to THEOS-2: A space-age milestone on the horizon
The forthcoming launch of Thailand’s second earth observation satellite, THEOS-2, on October 7, was announced by Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation. At a recent press conference, Supamas shared that the low-earth orbit satellite’s launch will be a significant milestone for the country’s expertise in space technology and expressed plans for the THEOS-3 project. Supamas…
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Border Banter: Thai and Cambodian PMs tackle disputes and scams in talks
The discussion between Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, will primarily revolve around the issues of Thai-Cambodia border disputes and call centre scams. The meeting is regarded as a significant move towards strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations, as this is the Thai PM’s first visit to an Association of Southeast…
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Love on a ledge drama: Thai man rescued after his suicide attempt at Bangkok condo
Ratburana Police Station officers and rescuers successfully rescued a Thai man who attempted to commit suicide at a condominium in Bangkok after an emotional domestic dispute with his girlfriend. The police and rescue team were called to the five-storey condominium on Soi Suksawat 62 in Bangkok’s Thung Khru district at around 9.20am yesterday, 27 September. On arrival, officers found a…
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Currency crunch: Thai SET under strain as rates rise and baht bites
A recent policy rate hike of 0.25% by the Bank of Thailand, coupled with the weakening baht, is placing pressure on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Analysts have suggested this after observing that the index slipped below the resistance level of 1,500 points. The Thai bourse experienced a downturn at the opening yesterday, following a 0.88% drop to conclude…
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Permit panic: Thailand spots 3,000+ migrant workers in hot water
The Department of Employment in Thailand identified over 3,000 migrant workers operating without required permits. This discovery was part of an ongoing clampdown on migrants engaged in jobs deemed off-limits for foreign workers. Between October of the previous year and yesterday, the department conducted random checks on 53,732 workplaces across the country that employ migrant labourers. These investigations revealed that…
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Thai police dismantle major drug syndicate seizing narcotics worth 300 million baht
In a first major operation under new leadership, the Thai Police successfully dismantled a significant drug syndicate, seizing 15 million methamphetamine pills, 443 heroin bars, 420 kilogrammes of crystal meth, and a significant quantity of Happy Water and Five Five drugs. The raid took place yesterday, at 11.30pm in a house in Nakhon Pathom. The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner,…
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Cluck-up chronicles: Novice cook’s chicken catastrophe roasts online
A social media post featuring a novice cook’s disastrous attempt at grilling chicken sparked hilarity among a group of homemakers. Despite following an online recipe, the result was far from successful, highlighting that not everyone possesses the culinary skills or magic touch to achieve a successful outcome in the kitchen. The post’s owner revealed that this was their first attempt…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and strong winds, warns TMD
The Department of Meteorology (TMD) issued its 13th announcement, revealing that numerous provinces are set to be impacted by heavy rainfall today and tomorrow September 28-29. Strong winds, flash floods, and forest run-offs are expected in many areas. High waves are anticipated in the sea today. The announcement focused on the low-pressure area covering the western part of the northern…
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Tragic motorcycle collision kills two young men in Buriram province
A shocking collision between two motorcycles in Buriram province resulted in the tragic demise of two young men. Police Lieutenant Colonel Rek Wichian, deputy investigator of Nang Rong Police Station, Buriram, coordinated with medical staff from Nang Rong Hospital and Siam United Heart Rescue unit to investigate the incident that occurred at about 8pm yesterday. At the scene of the…
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Lopburi homeowners swing into action against monkey invasion
Homeowners in Lopburi province are calling for assistance from authorities as they battle an ongoing monkey invasion. The primates are wreaking havoc, causing significant damage to the properties and possessions of Lopburi residents and homeowners who are living in fear. A user on TikTok has highlighted the severity of the issue by posting a distressing clip of monkeys vandalising a…
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Unmasking the money: The underworld of ‘dummy accounts’ in illicit finance
A bank account referred to as a dummy account is typically held by a person who is not the actual owner. These accounts are commonly used in illicit financial activities such as fraudulent transfers, gambling, drug trafficking, or money laundering. Dummy accounts can be obtained in two main ways: 1. Paying someone else to open an account. 2. Deceiving or…
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Ele-fantastic fortune: Thai cactus with trunk-like growth attracts good luck-seeking locals
Residents of Phayao province are flocking to a golden chicken ball cactus, believed to be a good luck charm due to its unusual growth resembling a baby elephant’s trunk. The cactus belongs to 46 year old Phatharaporn, who has experienced an influx of customers and a significant increase in income since the peculiar growth appeared. The golden chicken ball cactus,…
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Bangkok braces for wet woes: Governor rallies to tackle flood fury
Heavy rainfall last night in Lat Krabang and Bang Khen prompted Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to establish six rallying points to tackle flood-prone areas around the clock. He urged citizens to plan their travel and return home early. This action was inspired by the rainfall recorded in the Bang Na and Phra Khanong areas yesterday, September 27 which lasted for…
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Year-end bonus frenzy: Thai companies make it rain with envy-inducing rewards
Over ten renowned Thai companies are set to distribute generous year-end bonuses for 2023, leading to a wave of envy. The highest bonus reported is 7.3 months’ salary plus an additional 37,000 baht. Some of the companies declaring such bonuses include IHI Turbo Thailand, Jtekt (Thailand), Siam Toyota, Siam ATT I-Shin, Trimotive, SIAM DENSO KYOSAN, IJT Thailand, TTK, TBKK, and…
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American TikToker condemns Bangkok taxi driver for trying to rip him off
An American TikToker condemned a Thai taxi driver in Bangkok for trying to rip him off by refusing to use a meter and charging him 300 baht for a trip to Khao San Road. The American, Jason Rupp, shared a video on TikTok on September 5. The video showed Rupp confronting a taxi driver in Bangkok who refused to use…
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Tragedy on the rocks: Missing Russian tourist found dead after speedboat collision
The body of a Russian tourist who had gone missing following a collision with a speedboat was discovered today on the Haad Tian rocks near Pattaya’s Koh Larn. The tragic incident occurred on Monday, September 25, when a speedboat strayed into a restricted area, resulting in a collision that claimed the life of the Russian tourist and injured his Thai…
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Lost and found, but not forgiven: Thai woman’s kind gesture met with mobile phone mayhem (video)
In a viral video viewed over 3.2 million times, a Thai woman’s attempt to return a lost mobile phone resulted in a torrent of verbal abuse from the caller on the other end of the line. The incident, posted by a TikTok user identified as 492959kj, sparked a wave of online commentary, with many netizens criticising the caller’s behaviour and…
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Egg-stonishing discovery: Thai woman finds unusual ‘rock’ in boiled egg in eastern Thailand
A 55 year old Thai woman encountered an unusual incident while eating her boiled egg in Rayong, eastern Thailand. Patcharin Jaisuk bit into a hard substance which, upon extraction, turned out to be a peculiar stone nestled within the egg yolk. Believing it to be an auspicious sign, Patcharin, who has been selling boiled rice for more than 30 years,…
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Fallen hero remembered: Late narcotics officer posthumously promoted in royal tribute
The late narcotics officer, Veerawat Kamdee, was posthumously honoured in a royal funeral ceremony. Veerwat, who lost his life in a shootout with a drug trafficking gang on September 19, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel. The ceremony took place at Mengrai Maharaj Temple in Chiang Rai and was presided over by Police Lieutenant General Prachuap…
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Wedding photo dispute sparks social media backlash as disappointed Thai bride seeks sponsors for reshoot
A social media feud erupted over wedding photos between a recently married Thai couple and their photographer due to dissatisfaction with the quality of the 4,000 baht pictures in central Thailand. The bride openly voiced her disappointment, even seeking sponsors to fund a redo of the wedding shoot. However, the photographer later clarified the situation, resulting in public backlash and…
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Thai workers stage ‘regulation rebellion’ against Burmese manager in protest near Bangkok
More than 1,000 Thai workers at a company in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok protested against a Burmese manager for reportedly implementing unjust regulations, insulting his workers, and attempting to replace Thai staff with Burmese nationals. The superintendent of Bang Sao Thong Police Station, and the Samut Prakarn Provincial Labour Protection and Welfare Department, rushed to the factory yesterday, September…
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Monkeying around: Fake Thai spiritual medium swindles 50 million baht from believers in Chinese Monkey King con
A Thai woman claiming to be the spiritual medium of the traditional Chinese Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, swindled 50 million baht from victims. Ten victims, who had donated about 50 million baht to the spiritual medium eight years ago, sought assistance from renowned Thai lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet. They had given the money with the understanding that it…
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Tropical storm drenches northeast Thailand but pumps come to the rescue
A tropical storm has swept across northeast Thailand, causing the Mun River to rise, and flooding local communities. In response, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department hastened to set up water pumps to draw rainwater back into the river, lessening the impact of the floods. Two districts have been affected, forcing residents from 15 communities, totalling 200 households, and 684…
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