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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Bhumjaithai eyes deputy House speaker role amid MFP uncertainty
Bhumjaithai Party is reportedly eyeing the position of first deputy House speaker if the Move Forward Party (MFP) faces dissolution next week. Currently, the role is held by Fair Party MP Padipat Suntiphada, who was originally a MFP MP for Phitsanulok province at the time of his nomination and selection. The law prohibits the main opposition party from having one…
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Bangkok and five provinces face flood threat from high tides
Bangkok and five other provinces are on alert for potential floods due to high tides and continuous rainfall expected to persist tomorrow. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) forecasted that elevated sea levels and ongoing downpours from August 2 to 8 will cause rivers to swell, posing a threat to low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong,…
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South Korean man arrested in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking
Police yesterday arrested a South Korean man in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking after finding him smuggling drugs from Thailand to South Korea. The South Korean drug control division recently arrested Thai and South Korean drug smugglers at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, seizing 600 grammes of ketamine during the process. The suspects confessed that they had smuggled drugs into…
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Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang urged the United States to provide comprehensive details on the offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today. The Thai government remains undecided on whether to opt for the Swedish-made Gripen by Saab AB or the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 by Lockheed Martin for its air force. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aims…
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Heavy rain warning for 46 provinces, North hit hardest
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for heavy rain in 46 provinces today, with the northern region expected to be hit the hardest, affecting 80% of the area. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential floods and flash floods. The TMD forecasts weather conditions for the next 24 hours, predicting a moderate monsoon trough passing over the…
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Lottery fans hunt for lucky numbers ahead of August 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly search for lucky numbers ahead of the upcoming draw on August 1. The Government Lottery Office will announce the results, and hopeful gamblers are buzzing with excitement over various popular numbers. Lucky numbers have been flying off shelves, with combinations such as 28, 82, 72, 27, 10, 73, 12, 91, 92, 106, 728, 904, 672, 495, 812,…
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Thai workers in Israel urged to shelter amid Hezbollah threat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) alerted approximately 2,000 Thai nationals working in northern Israel to the potential threat of an attack from Hezbollah, a group allied with the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. These individuals have been urged to seek shelter in bunkers for their safety. Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, issued this warning yesterday in response to rising tensions…
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Motorcyclist dies in crash on way to see newborn daughter
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a 23 year old man, on his way to visit his wife, who had just given birth to their daughter, lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a pavement, hitting a power pole. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, leaving his father in tears. The incident took place at 5.45pm yesterday,…
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Boat crash in Bang Khonthi claims life of pier owner’s son
Strong waves caused a boat crash in Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, leading to the tragic death of a 34 year old man who was the son of a famous pier owner in Damnoen Saduak. The incident occurred yesterday, July 31, at a riverside pavilion, shocking his father, who fainted upon hearing the news. At 5pm yesterday, Chaiyachet Duangrat, Deputy Inspector…
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Car wash cover-up: DSI finds football feed behind suds and soap
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) stormed a seemingly innocent car wash shop in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The shop turned out to be a front for a sophisticated network broadcasting overseas football matches illegally. This was just one of 21 locations nationwide linked to the syndicate, which is accused of running a staggering 100 mule accounts with over…
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Thai lottery enthusiasts eye PM’s Lexus plate for luck
The upcoming lottery draw tomorrow, August 1, has enthusiasts eagerly searching for their lucky numbers. Many are turning to various sources for inspiration, including social media, popular figures, and well-known lottery tipsters. One particularly notable set of numbers this time comes from the licence plate of a new Lexus van recently purchased by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The 62 year…
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Tang Rat app crashes amid rush for 10,000 baht digital wallet
The Tang Rat application crashed as numerous people rushed to download and verify their identities ahead of the registration for the 10,000 baht digital wallet set to begin tomorrow, August 1. It was reported today that the government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and the Ministry of Finance, will open the registration for the 10,000 baht…
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Urgent call for O-negative blood donations in Phuket
A call for urgent blood donations has been issued by the RH-Emergency Donation group to aid a Frenchman in dire need of O-negative blood. The plea highlights the scarcity of this blood type among the Thai population, underscoring the importance of donations from Westerners. This urgent request was made through a Facebook post, emphasising the critical need for O-negative blood…
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Ex-PM Thaksin’s Dubai dreams dashed: Medical treatment declined
The Criminal Court dashed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hopes of jetting off to Dubai for medical treatment. The embattled ex-leader requested to travel to the UAE from August 1 to 16, citing a slew of health issues, including chronic pneumonia, respiratory and coronary symptoms, a torn right rotator cuff, and spinal disc herniation. Thaksin, who celebrated his 75th birthday last…
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Phuket police seize nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal meth in Rawai
Phuket police apprehended two men in possession of nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine at a residence on Saiyuan Road in Rawai. The arrests, executed by the Crime Suppression Division of the Phuket Provincial Police, were led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Thongto yesterday. A 47 year old man, Tribut Samaktalay, aka Tor, who is registered as living in Moo 4,…
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BTSC demands 40 billion baht Green Line overdue debt payment
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) declared itself ready to negotiate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krungthep Thanakom (KT) over the staggering debt tied to the BTS Green Line extensions. This comes hot on the heels of a Supreme Administrative Court ruling on July 26, giving both parties a 180-day deadline to cough up nearly 12 billion baht…
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Khon Kaen residents find bag of 134,000 meth pills by roadside
Residents in Khon Kaen stumbled upon a black bag containing 134,000 methamphetamine pills (meth) discarded by a roadside. Police are investigating fingerprints left behind to track down the drug trafficking network involved. Police Colonel Pichai Nakhundi, head of the Manchakhiri Police Station, explained that the drugs were found on the route between Ban Burana and Ban Nong Hai in Phon…
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Crackdown reveals 2,000 fake vehicle registrations in Thailand
Royal Thai Police launched an operation titled Crackdown on Illegal Vehicles Flooding the City, leading to the search of four locations and the discovery of over 2,000 fake registrations, including a single registration number used on 26 vehicles. The operation, conducted yesterday, involved the Crime Suppression Division and the Department of Land Transport (DLT). Senior officers including Sopon Saraphat, Montri…
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Thailand to send 900 workers to Finland for berry picking
Thailand’s Minister of Labour discussed with Finland’s Minister of Employment plans to send 900 Thai workers to pick wild berries. The safety, welfare, and benefits of the workers are guaranteed, with strict visa and work permit checks in place. Minister of Labour Pipat Ratchakitprakarn engaged in a video conference with Finland’s Minister of Employment Arto Satonen and his team. The…
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Thai man hunts for ex-girlfriend after 200,000 baht theft (video)
A Thai man took to social media to search for his ex-girlfriend after she stole cash and valuables worth nearly 200,000 baht from his home in Bangkok. The victim, 27 year old Ton, shared security camera footage of the theft and a picture of his 21 year old ex-girlfriend named Ploy on his Facebook page on July 24 with a…
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Tour bus crash in Pattaya injures Chinese tourists and motorcyclist
A tour bus filled with Chinese tourists collided with a truck while en route to Pattaya last night, resulting in multiple injuries. The incident occurred at 4.30pm, July 30, on Route 36 (Katinglai-Rayong) in the Nong Plalai sub-district of Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Responding swiftly to the scene were Bang Lamung Police, reporters, and rescue workers from the…
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Thai Olympic boxer Somluck denies sexual assault charges in court
A Thai Olympic boxing hero arrived at Khon Kaen Provincial Court today, confident he could prove his innocence against sexual assault charges. The 51 year old boxer, Somluck Khamsing, and his close aide Pichet Chinaehantha, accompanied by their lawyer, attended court for the first hearing today, July 31, which involved the examination of evidence and witness lists. Prosecutors have indicted…
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AirAsia launches direct flights from Phuket to India
AirAsia Thailand unveiled new direct flight routes from Phuket to Chennai and Kolkata, promising seamless travel to paradise from two of India’s major cities. Starting from October 27, these flights will offer travellers a convenient gateway to Phuket’s pristine beaches, vibrant cultural scenes, and delectable seafood. The Chennai-Phuket route will operate thrice weekly, while the Kolkata-Phuket connection will take off…
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Thailand warns travellers as Oropouche fever spreads in Brazil
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the spread of Oropouche fever in Brazil, where two fatalities have already been reported. The disease, transmitted by midges, has not yet been detected in Asia, prompting vigilance and travel advisories for those heading to Central and South America. The Brazilian Ministry of Health reported on July 25 that two women under…
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Activist Parit Chiwarak sentenced to two years for lese majeste
The criminal court of Thailand sentenced political activist Parit Chiwarak, also known as Penguin, to three years in prison for lese majeste, later reduced to two years without suspension. An arrest warrant has been issued for him to serve the sentence within a 10-year statute of limitations. The verdict was delivered today, July 31, at 10am at Criminal Court Room…
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Steel plate falls on car on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, during storm
A steel plate fell onto a vehicle on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, due to turbulent weather and strong winds, prompting a three-day suspension of work and compensation for those affected. The incident occurred on July 29 at approximately 11.45am. Sarawut Songsiwilai, Director-General of the Department of Highways, addressed the incident where a steel plate fell onto the bonnet of a…
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Pathum Thani prosecutor’s fake certification scandal
Controversy erupted after a prosecutor in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, allegedly endorsed a fake prosecutor named Mongkol, granting him a rank equivalent to a level five prosecutor despite lacking the legal authority to do so. Reports emerged that a certification letter, signed on March 26 last year by the Thanyaburi prosecutor’s office on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road, Pathum Thani, was…
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2 Chinese men croc-ed in northern Thailand for wildlife trafficking
Officers at Mae Sot Customs in the northern province of Tak arrested two Chinese men for wildlife trafficking on Monday. Mae Sot Customs officers told Channel 7 that they stopped a suspicious pickup truck at the Huay Kralok community in the Mae Sot district of Tak at about 2pm on Sunday, July 28. The driver was a Chinese man named…
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Gunman sought after shooting at molam singer’s car in Khon Kaen
A gunman has been issued with an arrest warrant after shooting at a molam singer’s car, peppering it with bullets. Police detained a woman who was in the car during the incident and questioned her for two hours. Tanadol Ballangsaprom, a 25 year old molam singer and owner of the band Sua Theeraphon Chailert, reported the shooting to the Khon…
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Duty-free shutdown drama: Thai airports set to lose big bucks
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is bracing for a colossal monthly loss of 143 million baht after announcing the closure of all duty-free shops in the arrivals areas of five major airports. This shocking move, aimed at boosting domestic spending, was approved by the Cabinet on July 2 and will come into effect on August 1. The closure affects duty-free shops…
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