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 Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move
Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Foreign survivor criticises slow response of Thai police in Siam Paragon shooting (video)
A foreign man shared his experience of the shooting incident at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall on October 3 with Thai media and accused the Thai police and authorities of being slow to act. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) faced substantial criticism from Thai citizens on social media in the aftermath of the mall shooting. People accused the officers of…
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Siam Paragon Mall shooting survivor recounts chilling encounter
Survivors of the tragic Siam Paragon Mall shooting incident where two women were killed and five others were injured shared their harrowing experiences. One survivor, Natthaphat (surname withheld), recounted the terrifying moments she witnessed people dying in front of her, including being unable to assist a Chinese woman. She confessed to having a sleepless night following the traumatic events of…
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Siam Paragon shooting sparks Thai probe: Teenage boy’s deadly spree stirs security measures
Following the fatal shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall yesterday, Thai authorities stepped up their investigation and security measures. The event saw a 14 year old boy open fire, causing the death of a tourist and injuring others. The shopping centre resumed normal operations today, despite the previous day’s tragedy. However, some stores, particularly leading clothes brands, that suffered…
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Thai Cabinet approves panel to draft charter amendment referendum
The Thai Cabinet greenlighted the formation of a 35-member panel yesterday, tasked with drafting a prospective charter amendment referendum, as disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Serving as the chair of the committee, Phumtham revealed that the panel will comprise representatives from both the government and opposition parties, as well as legal experts, scholars, social activists,…
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Retired MP arrested for defrauding victims of money and sex
Police arrested a retired Member of Parliament for the central province of Sukhothai at his home in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu after he pretended to be a spiritual medium to defraud his cult followers, robbing their money and coercing some into having sex with him. “former mp’s cunning cult con: arrested for exploiting followers One victim filed…
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Thailand tourism threatened, Bangkok mall shooting deters Chinese tourists
The tragic shooting at Siam Paragon in the heart of Bangkok yesterday has potentially hampered Thailand tourism. Thousands of Chinese netizens criticised the incident on Weibo, some even stating they would never visit Thailand again. Several casualties, including Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese nationals, resulted from the incident. As soon as the unfortunate event occurred, the hashtag #Paragon started trending on Twitter. The…
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Whooping cough warning: Pertussis cases surge, one fatality in southern Thailand
The Disease Control Department (DCD) in Songkhla province reported an alarming increase in the number of cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, particularly among children. The department confirmed the diagnosis of two patients in the region, with one fatality in Pattani province. The disease, caused by the bacteria B. pertussis, is highly contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing,…
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National Police Commander mourns loss of mother while on duty at Siam Paragon
National Police Commander Torsak Sukwimon mourned the loss of his 104 year old mother, who passed away while being cared for at the Police Hospital. Torsak, who was informed of his mother’s declining health by a doctor, rushed to her side, whispering in her ear that he had become the National Police Commander. He had to leave shortly after due to…
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Juvenile court procedures in dealing with 14 year old Siam Paragon gunman
Juvenile Court spokesperson Sorawit Limprangsi today revealed the legal procedures in dealing with a 14 year old offender who used a 9mm gun to shoot people at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Sorawit stated that upon arresting a juvenile, the Juvenile Court procedures will verify the lawfulness of the arrest. The investigative officer must bring…
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Fire breaks out at prison in Bangkok, inmates and officials unharmed
A fire broke out at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district at 10.40pm last night. Fortunately, no inmates or officials were injured in the incident. The fire was reported to Pracha Chuen Police Station, which later worked with Lat Yao Fire Station to bring the blaze under control. The fire originated in a single-story structure within the prison…
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Thai monk’s ‘soul-soothing’ fire dance ignites interest in ancient healing
A 71 year old monk from Wat Pa Theppitaks Daennabun, located in Nong Mod Daeng, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, uses the ancient method of fire stepping to treat various ailments and cleanse karma. This method was practised today, when a social media user posted a video showing the monk stepping on a heated iron plate or tractor blade, then…
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3BB worker fatally injured by hidden explosive while repairing Internet line in Yala
A 3BB worker tragically lost his life at Yala Hospital after stepping on a concealed explosive while working on an Internet signal line on Sunday. Police Lieutenant Colonel Asrun Hamu, an investigative officer at Yala Police Station, was alerted to the incident by locals who reported hearing an explosion near a former insurgent target area. The scene of the incident,…
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Thai stock market plunges amid public debt concerns and reduced GDP forecast
Following a decline of over 1.5% yesterday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) dropped below the 1,450 points mark. This follows mounting apprehensions concerning escalating public debt and economic growth after the World Bank scaled down its forecast for the Thai GDP. Daol Securities (Thailand) noted selling pressure from the majority of investor groups due to persisting worries about the…
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Thailand banks break the ice: Freezing loan rates to thaw financial stress
Thailand’s state-run banks have taken a bold step to counteract high interest rates by freezing their loan rates. This move has been initiated to assist low-income earners and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as disclosed by Vitai Ratanakorn, who holds dual roles as president and chief executive of the Government Savings Bank (GSB). The GSB, which currently services six million loan…
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Chinese and Burmese killed, 5 injured, twins rescued in shooting rampage at Siam Paragon Bangkok
The shooting rampage at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall yesterday tragically claimed the lives of a Chinese woman and a Burmese woman, and injured five others while a brave Thai woman rescued Chinese twins after their mother was killed. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) announced that the shooting occurred at the mall yesterday afternoon, October 3, resulting in the deaths…
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Fuel fund forecast: Thai govt keeps diesel prices low, faces a billion-baht burnout
The Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) projected a loss of nearly 100 billion baht due to the government’s decision to maintain domestic diesel prices below 30 baht a litre until December. This forecast assumes an increase in global diesel prices during the winter, a period typically marked by heightened energy demand. In 2022, the average global diesel prices for August…
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Severe weather warning issued for Thailand: Heavy rain forecast across 44 provinces including 80% of Bangkok
Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall across 44 provinces, including an 80% area of Bangkok. The public is advised to remain alert for sudden flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in low-lying and mountainous regions close to waterways. This severe weather warning comes due to the Monsoon trough passing over the central, lower northeastern,…
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Eighth day of search for missing mushroom picker in Khao Kho forest as new clues emerge
A desperate search for a 61 year old mushroom picker lost in the Khao Kho Forest in northern Thailand has entered its eighth day, with over 100 people, including residents and officials from various departments, joining the hunt. Tragically, the man, known locally as Khamphan Sisonkarn or Lod, disappeared on September 27 while foraging in the community forest of Jawa…
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Bangkok hotel launches Fifty Shades of Grey theme room
G Boutique Hotel Surawong Bangkok extends an invitation to kinky couples who desire Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey fantasies to experience its newly launched Fifty Shades of Grey-themed room, equipped with BDSM gear for those seeking an unconventional adventure. G Boutique Hotel Surawong Bangkok is a 3-star hotel in the heart of the Thai capital, just a 3-minute walk from…
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Train crash: Young man killed in late night accident
A BMW car was struck by a train in Chumphon province, Thailand, resulting in the vehicle being dragged approximately 500 metres from the accident scene. The train crash occurred at around 11.30pm yesterday. The vehicle, which was found wedged against a railway bridge, was severely damaged, and a male casualty was discovered inside. The rescue team faced a complicated situation…
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ThaiBev expansion: 7 billion baht investment includes new Cambodia factory
ThaiBev, the Singapore-listed food and beverage company, announced an investment plan of 7 billion baht for the expansion of its operations both domestically and internationally. The company’s CEO, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, revealed that 4 billion baht will be used to construct a new beverage factory in Cambodia, while 3 billion has been set aside for logistics facilities, a biogas factory, and…
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Car takes a dive, one man survives: Dramatic sea plunge at Sattahip pier caught on camera
A shocking incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when a car plunged into the sea at the Sattahip – Koh Samui ferry pier, Chuk Samet, Sattahip, Chon Buri. One man managed to escape by breaking the car window, but two women remained trapped in the submerged vehicle. The event was captured on CCTV at around 4am today.…
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Thai welfare department pushes for more ‘home-run’ support as homeless program stalls
The Thai Department of Social Development and Welfare is advocating for increased housing subsidies for the homeless, following a year in which fewer than 100 individuals signed up for the programme, revealed Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security. This joint initiative of the department and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation allows for half of the participants’…
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MRTA advances 220 billion baht mass-transit projects in Bangkok and Phuket
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is set to implore the Transport Ministry to advance three significant mass-transit projects in the regions of Bangkok and Phuket. The ambitious trio of projects come with an estimated investment value of approximately 220 billion baht. Pakapong Sirikantaramas, the governor of MRTA, declared yesterday that these projects include the Orange and Brown…
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Unmasking Wadee: Twitter user reveals twisted tricks of fraudulent fortune teller
In a shocking series of revelations, a Twitter user @summeru756762 exposed a fraudulent fortune teller known as Wadee, who manipulates individuals into obedience, forcing them to transfer money and physically abusing them. The victim, acquainted with the trickster for four years, detailed a chilling account of manipulation, coercion, and abuse that has sparked widespread outrage and led to other victims…
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Breaking news: Three shot dead, five injured by teenage gunman inside Siam Paragon (video)
UPDATE: Three people have been reportedly shot dead and at least five people were injured today by a teenage gunman on the rampage at Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers swiftly responded to the scene, where one officer successfully apprehended the alleged gunman, a 14 year old boy at 5.06pm inside the luxury Siam Paragon…
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Thai villager wins 100,000 baht in lottery from ancient tree numbers
In an enchanting twist of fate, an anonymous resident was thrust into a realm of financial prosperity after uncovering the winning lottery numbers, bestowed upon them by an ancient and revered tree nestled within the tranquil confines of Ban Beng Temple in Sri Narong, Chumphon Buri, Surin. This auspicious turn of events led to the resident’s remarkable windfall—a substantial prize…
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Hermit’s forest meditation takes an eternal detour in remote Thailand
A 58 year old hermit was found dead during meditation in a deep forest in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The rescue team had to walk to the scene due to the inaccessibility of vehicles. The body was later transported by motorcycle from the mountain today. Jiraphan Suinwai, head of the Naprat Chiang Mai Rescue, stated that on Sunday, October 1, they…
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Helmet heist: Foreign couple’s brazen theft to dodge checkpoint fines caught on CCTV
A security camera caught a foreign couple stealing two motorcycle helmets from a post office welfare house in the northern province of Chiang Mai in a bid to avoid being fined at a police checkpoint. The director of the Mae Ping Post Office, Kraisri Thongwirat, discovered that two helmets belonging to the post office had gone missing yesterday, October 2.…
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Survivor’s trauma lingers a year after the daycare centre massacre in northeast Thailand
The trauma of the brutal daycare centre massacre at a Thai nursery still lingers, especially for Paweenuch Supolwong, a four year old survivor in Nong Bua Lamphu. The horrific daycare centre massacre that unfolded a year ago in the rural village of Uthai Sawan, ended in the deaths of 36 people, shattering the peace of this close-knit community. Now, every movement…
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