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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Miracle escape as officer survives Yala-Bangkok train collision unharmed
A collision occurred between a Yala to Bangkok express train and a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle being seriously damaged but the driver, a corrections officer, miraculously survived unscathed. The collision involved train number 170, the rapid service from Yala to Bangkok, originating from three border provinces in the south. The train collided with a Toyota pickup truck, license…
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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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Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more
A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting…
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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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Siam Cement delays SCGC IPO citing adverse economic climate
The initial public offering (IPO) of Siam Cement Group‘s subsidiary, SCG Chemicals Plc (SCGC), has been delayed. Citing the company’s large size and the current adverse economic and investment climate, the parent company, Siam Cement Group (SCG), did not provide a new timeline for the IPO. This announcement was made by Roongrote Rangsiyopash, the President and Chief Executive of SCG.…
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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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Human trafficking: Thai “masseuses” escaped from Maldives
A woman was arrested at Don Mueang airport on charges of human trafficking and exploiting two Thai women by promising them high-paying massage jobs in the Maldives. The women, however, were forced into prostitution upon arrival. The arrest took place yesterday, followed by a complaint by the victims who managed to escape and seek help from the Thai embassy in…
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Lottery frenzy: Seekers decode signs from pythons to prayers for winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly deciphering potential winning numbers from various events and rumours for the latest draw on Friday, September 1. Townsfolk have been seen praying and performing rituals by a Bodhi tree, hoping to get lucky numbers. An unexpected appearance of a python in a garage and the registration number of a car has also been interpreted as potential…
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Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
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Love turns lethal: Intoxicated man’s jealous rage ends in tragic murder of girlfriend
A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a Thai man, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, murdered his girlfriend in a fit of jealous rage. The fatal event transpired at approximately 3.45am today, in a residential house located in the Bang Kho Laem district of Bangkok. The victim, a 24 year old woman named Minthira…
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What a bummer: Chinese couple’s fertility woes due to unconventional lovemaking, doctor reveals
A Chinese couple who had been married for four years were puzzled as to why they were unable to conceive until a doctor told them they were having sex the wrong way. The couple, from Bijie City in the southwestern province of Guizhou, are both in their early twenties and reportedly in good health. The revelation by a doctor that…
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Thailand’s transit twist: Electric plans spark train fare cap talks in Bangkok
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) in Thailand is currently considering plans to deliver on the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s promise of introducing a cap on Bangkok’s electric train fares at 20 baht per trip. This was announced by a department source on Monday, who also revealed that the findings from this investigation will be presented to the new administration once…
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Thunderstorm warning for 45 Thai provinces, including 60% of Bangkok: Heavy rain expected
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a thunderstorm warning for 45 provinces, including 60% of Bangkok. The weather system is sweeping across the northern and northeastern regions, heading towards a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, while a moderately strong southwestern monsoon is blowing across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This is causing thunderstorms and…
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Banking on change: Kasikornbank unveils shakeup with fresh faces and spin-off plans
Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailand’s second-largest lender by total assets, revealed a significant restructuring of its business operations. This includes the introduction of a new president, co-president, and a spin-off strategy. KBank notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday about the appointment of Chongrak Rattanapian to the position of president and executive director, effective from August 29. Chongrak, with over 20…
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Tragic injection: Medical mishap leaves young Trang boy’s life hanging by a thread
A severe incident of medical negligence occurred in Trang Province, where a four year old boy’s condition worsened and then he nearly died after allegedly receiving a wrongful adrenaline injection by a nurse. The Trang Province Public Health Office has initiated an investigation into the case, as stated by Chief Physician Sinchai Rongdech. The incident saw the light of the…
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Junkie escapes arrest after filming neighbour take a shower, also confesses to selling porn videos of wife
A junkie with a porn habit managed to escape arrest after secretly filming a neighbour in her bathroom. It was later discovered that the sex and drug addict secretly sold pornographic videos of his wife on social media for only 20 baht per video. A 52 year old woman named Sumalee filed a complaint at Kabin Buri Police Station in…
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Mysterious Mother Wrapped in Fig statue draws lottery hopefuls to Kamphaeng Phet
A century-old fig tree has become a sensation as villagers discovered a female statue, referred to as Mother Wrapped in Fig, entwined in its roots in Wat Charoen Suk, Klong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet. The statue, which appears to be dressed in silk-like clothing and adorned with a crown, attracted over 60 villagers, who arrive daily to pay respects and…
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Highway havoc: Mercedes-Benz driver’s taxi riders gun threat and drug use lead to charges
Police charged a Thai Mercedes-Benz driver after he threatened motorcycle taxi riders in the Thong Lor area of Bangkok with a gun and used crystal methamphetamine. His five friends were charged with using the drug. The Thai man charged, 44 year old Chawin Chanintarawanich, crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a motorcycle taxi rider, 39 year old Kwanchai Tadee at 8.40am on Friday,…
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Revenue target for Thai government exceeds by 150 billion baht
Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja has announced that the Thai government is rolling in cash. The director-general declared that the government’s revenue surpassed expectations, surpassing its target by 150 billion baht in the opening ten months of fiscal 2023. This continues a positive trend reported in May when revenue targets were surpassed by 112 billion baht. As per…
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Thai Taxi Association’s controversial tips for satisfactory rides spark debate
The Thai Taxi Association stirred debate by posting six tips to ensure a satisfactory taxi ride. The recommendations include asking before getting in, not forgetting to tip, and calling for a Grab taxi during peak hours or if the location is difficult for a regular taxi to reach. The Thai Taxi Association’s Facebook page recently shared these suggestions, aiming to…
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Ring of legends: Buakaw and Saenchai to face off in unique BKFC Thai boxing match
Legendary Thai boxers and best friends Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek and Supachai “Saenchai” Saepong are set to step into the ring under a special rule for the 5th Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Thailand – Legend of Siam. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 4, at Royal Cliff Hotel Group in Pattaya. BKFC ASIA officially announced that…
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VAT’s next? Thailand mulls talks amid dismissals over potential increase
The Thai administration yesterday dismissed the possibility of increasing the value–added tax (VAT) from 7% to 10%. Despite this official stance, talks have been initiated around this proposal, attributing the potential increment to the requirement for additional funding to cater to the escalating needs of the country’s ageing populace. From the Office of Fiscal Economy, Pornchai Thiravej, the director, shed…
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Thunderstruck: TMD predicts stormy weather across 32 provinces and Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of thunderstorms and stormy weather across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience heavy rainfall in 20% of its areas. The southwest monsoon is predicted to cover the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is stormy and a trough is to pass over Myanmar’s upper region…
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Gun-grab getaway: Daring Thai man captured after snatching police officer’s gun
Provincial Police Region 6 officers finally arrested a Thai man yesterday after he snatched a gun from a police officer in the northern province of Uttaradit and escaped on a stolen motorcycle. Traffic police officer Chitipun Kunnarmang was on duty Friday, August 25 on the Boroma-as Road when he spotted a Thai man, later identified as 40 year old Pitsanupanya…
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Plea for flight: Provincial governor urges reconsideration after Thai Smile route closure
Thai Smile’s decision to discontinue flights from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Surat Thani Airport, beginning October 1, has led provincial governor, Witchawut Jinto, to appeal for a reversal. Jinto submitted a formal letter to Thai Smile, an affiliate of Thai Airways, requesting the continuation of the Suvarnabhumi-Surat Thani route. The governor expressed public discontent over Thai Smile’s plans, which are…
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