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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Thai model caught in billion baht cryptocurrency scams and money laundering bust
Royal Thai Police swooped on 30 targets, capturing an illicit Chinese network involved in cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, and money laundering. The operation, led by Police Colonel Siriwat Deephor, Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and his team of over 200 officers, resulted in the arrest of the infamous model, known as Kiki Maxim, and the seizure of almost…
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Stargazers invited to marvel at Super Blue Moon’s rare celestial show
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has invited stargazers to go from infinity and beyond and marvel at the Super Blue Moon phenomenon. The event will be visible to the naked eye from this evening until tomorrow morning. The rare celestial occurrence, the closest full moon to Earth of the year, will be roughly 357,334 kilometres from Earth.…
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School renovation in Nonthaburi transforms student restrooms into plush, mall-like facilities
The Nonthaburi-based Nawanmintharachinutit School transformed its student restrooms with a luxurious and modern renovation akin to facilities found in large shopping malls. The school director, Rangsiman Yala, announced the upgrade, stating it aims to improve student quality of life and happiness. The school renovation received widespread praise on social media due to its pristine and contemporary facilities, making it one…
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Thailand’s PM plans to boost tourism revenue to US$100 billion by easing visa rules
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has proposed a plan to boost tourism revenue to nearly US$100 billion next year. This involves loosening visa regulations for travellers from China and India and extending the duration of stay for tourists from all nations. Chinese travellers, who accounted for the most significant proportion of visitors pre-Covid-19, have been subjected to a taxing visa…
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Prominent loan shark murdered in northern Thailand, sparks business feud suspicions
A prominent loan shark was murdered following a brutal attack in the Lampang province of northern Thailand. His wife discovered the gruesome scene, which led to the suspicion that the culprits were well-acquainted with her deceased husband and that the motive for the murder could be due to a business dispute. Deputy Chief of the Khelang Nakhon Police Station, Worachet Sakitkan,…
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1.7 million baht fraudulent scheme uncovers chilling family tragedy: Thai police hunt suspects
Thai authorities are in pursuit of five individuals implicated in a fraudulent scheme that is connected to a tragic family incident in Samut Prakan. The gruesome event saw a debt-ridden man take the lives of his two children and wife before attempting suicide. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) uncovered transactional evidence connecting the 44 year old victim, Wipaporn Racha,…
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Enchanted discovery: Ancient Bodhi tree’s Naga-like form shines light on Thai temple
A mysterious Bodhi tree, believed to be over 300 years old and bearing a striking resemblance to the mythical Naga serpent, has been discovered in Wat Pho Sai, Nakhon Phanom. This bizarre spectacle, witnessed by residents, involved an unusual light emanating from the tree during the full moon. In Nakhon Phanom, a region renowned for its natural beauty and cultural…
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Neighbourly mystery: Thai man found dead at home days after last sighting
News broke yesterday of a 51 year old man found dead in his home in Bang Khon Thi, Samut Sakhon. The alarming part is that the deceased had been dead for about three to four days, despite neighbours reportedly seeing him alive the day before. The incident occurred in a single-storey wooden house on stilts, where the dead Thai man…
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Tragic pickup collision claims life and injures eight in central Thailand
A pickup truck lost control and collided with another pickup causing eight injuries and one fatality on a road in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, central Thailand. The distressing road accident occurred at 4am today. Assistant Inspector Prida Kaowphong, a deputy investigator of Bang Pa-In Police Station, was alerted to the accident involving two pickup trucks on Chomphon P. Highway…
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Thai woman finds lifeless body of South Korean boyfriend at condo in Pattaya
A Thai woman made the distressing discovery of her South Korean boyfriend hanging from an air conditioner in their shared condominium in Pattaya after he committed suicide. The woman, 25 year old Nattamon Sarabut, reported the harrowing incident to Meaung Pattaya Police Station at 4am today that her 37 year old South Korean boyfriend, Daesik Kim, took his own life. Upon…
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Peeping Tom busted filming in men’s restroom at Thai petrol station in Nonthaburi
A perverted Peeping Tom was apprehended for secretly filming in a men’s restroom at a petrol station in Nonthaburi province today. The suspect voyeur claimed he was inspired to commit the act while browsing Twitter. The arrest was made by Deputy Inspector Uttith Arsanok of Chaiyapruek Police Station, who revealed that the complaint was lodged at 11.30pm the previous day.…
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Thailand’s expressway authority digs into land values with market survey
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) initiated a market survey concerning its plots of land located under and close to its elevated expressways. These 17 regions, which include prime business districts in Bangkok such as Silom, Phloenchit, Wacharaphon, and Asok, show significant potential for commercial EXAT land development. The survey aims to gather the perspectives of potential private investors, which…
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Australian man falls to death from 6th floor of Phuket Airport
A 50 year old Australian man last night reportedly jumped out of the sixth floor of a car parking facility at Phuket International Airport. The Sakhu Police Station officers were notified of the incident at 8.20pm last night. It was reported that the Australian man, Justin Keith Hector Beasley, plunged from the sixth floor of the car park building near…
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Thai deluge: Heavy rainfall to reign across 49 provinces, Bangkok wades into 70% chance
Severe rainfall is expected in 49 provinces across Thailand today, particularly in the north and northeast. Bangkok and its surrounding areas are also expected to experience rainfall, with a 70% chance forecasted. According to the Thai Meteorological Department’s forecast for the next 24 hours, strong monsoons are sweeping across the northern and upper northeastern regions, while a fairly strong southwest…
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Online impostors scam public with high-profile personas as digital deception thrives
Members of the public are being targeted by fraudsters posing as high-profile business figures as online scams continue to run rife. Authorities warned potential investors to exercise caution and authenticate any investment links or messages they receive, following a spike in scam cases. The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry identified common traits among scammers, most notably the promise of…
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Thailand’s PM plans secondary city airport revitalisation to boost tourism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent plan to revitalise airports in secondary cities has been warmly received by tourism operators in Nakhon Ratchasima. The airport revitalisation proposal, aimed at driving up tourist arrivals and stimulating the economy, was announced yesterday. Local tourism promotion association’s leader, Pongthep Malachasing, sees this as a golden opportunity to invigorate Nakhon Ratchasima Airport. The airport, despite…
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CKP and BEM partner for Thailand’s first solar-powered mass transit rail
CK Power Plc (CKP) Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) have forged a partnership to bring the first solar-powered mass transit rail systems to Thailand. The collaboration aims to utilise solar energy to power the MRT Chalerm Ratchamonkol Line (MRT Blue Line) and the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line (MRT Purple Line) which, combined, span over 71 kilometres and have 54…
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Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies
Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators. A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may…
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Health scare as container fire forces evacuation at Thai port
A container fire ignited a cargo of harmful chemicals at the Laem Chabang port in the province of Chon Buri, leading to the swift evacuation of 183 employees yesterday. Six individuals required treatment for breathing difficulties. The container fire, which originated at the JWD warehouse in the Thung Sukhla district of Si Racha, resulted in a thick plume of black…
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Blood sample tubes sold as sweets by Thai school kids, sparking outcry
A startling revelation has come to light regarding mysterious tubes filled with pink liquid being sold to primary school children as sweets at a shop near their school. The tubes are used for collecting blood samples in hospitals. This alarming situation was brought to attention by parents on the Facebook group Don Chedi. Following this, a renowned medical technician, Parkphum…
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United voices: Education associations list criteria for next Thai minister
Thailand’s National Association of Secondary School Administrators, along with the National Parents and Teachers Association and the Basic Education Committee of Thailand, released a joint statement outlining six desired traits for the country’s next Minister of Education and its deputy. The groups stressed that the roles require individuals with solid educational experience, capable of addressing the current challenges faced by…
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Severe storms to hit Kanchanaburi: flash floods, forest runoff risks
Kanchanaburi is on high alert for severe storms, with the local authorities warning of the risk of flash floods and forest runoff in two districts. The announcement, made by acting governor, Ronnapop Wiangsima, comes after the Thai Meteorological Department issued a strong storm warning. This warning is in effect from today until September 3, affecting Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla…
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Fatal fan quest: Thai man’s attempt to retrieve fan ends in tragic loss in Chon Buri
A man tragically died after a Thai man cut his hand as he tried to retrieve a fan in Chon Buri. The man sliced his hand on a metal sheet which resulted in a severe loss of blood. Dismissing it as a minor wound, he was later found dead in another room the following morning. The police are yet to…
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Fishy business busted: Thai woman nabbed selling sanctuary-seized aquatic treasures
A 49 year old woman was caught red–handed selling aquatic animals captured from a sanctuary area in Rayong province. The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday at Wat Khod Thim Tharam, in the city of Rayong. The woman, named Aun, was spotted by Suwat, a local temple boy, while she was capturing aquatic animals from the sanctuary. Despite being…
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Gold prices see slight lift, gold ornaments trading at 32,500 baht
Gold prices surged today as the Gold Traders Association revised rates upwards. This comparison is made to the end prices of August 28, when gold ornaments were selling at 32,500 baht per baht weight. Today, the price was revised upwards by 100 baht, compared to the closing price of August 28. The price of gold ornaments moved to 32,500 baht…
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Crypto scam impersonates news anchor, swindles 20 million baht
An online scammer impersonated well-known news anchor, Arakar Jiwagit, also known as Kwang, and defrauded Thanasak, a former Bangkok Water Supply director, of nearly 20 million baht via an investment in cryptocurrency. Thanasak yesterday, accompanied by his lawyer Chidchonok Laminai, and news anchor Kwang, visited Police Colonel Chatchapund Klaikleung, Commander of Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau 1, at the Government Complex…
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Farm-to-table movement takes centre stage at PHIST 2023
The flourishing farm-to-fork movement will take centre stage at PHIST 2023 (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), as a group of leading chefs demonstrate how Michelin ratings can raise the bar for sustainability and social responsibility in Thailand. PHIST 2023, Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event for the travel and hospitality sectors, returns to Phuket on 4th September with an energizing full-day…
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Rain reign: TMD’s fifth warning signals monsoon mayhem
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its fifth warning due to a strong monsoon bringing heavy rain across various regions. Flash floods and forest runoffs are anticipated, especially in mountainous and low-lying areas. People are urged to be cautious, particularly in thunderstorm-prone zones. The warning comes as a robust monsoon trough is currently passing through northern, northeastern, and upper central…
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Dine, dash, and deceive: Crafty customer feasts and flees without paying the bill at Pattaya eatery
A deceitful customer dined and dashed from a local Pattaya restaurant without paying after ordering an abundance of food and three bottles of beer. The man left behind a mobile phone and cigarette, claiming he needed to pick up a friend. It was later revealed that the phone was a decoy, and the same individual had previously impersonated an assistant…
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Shaken, not stirred: Thai elephant Play Pepsi survives brutal training with no serious injuries
A Thai elephant named Play Pepsi, which was recently subjected to brutal training methods is not seriously injured said examining veterinarians. The owner, who paid 1.5 million baht for the elephant, is willing to sell it to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for a fair price. The case came to light when the Watchdog Thailand Foundation…
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