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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Bristol backpacker in bar brawl bloodbath: Brit stabbed in neck in Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
A horrifying incident unfolded at Bamboo Bar on Koh Pha Ngan, where a British backpacker from Bristol was attacked, leaving him gushing blood after being stabbed in the neck in a Thai bar brawl. Hugo Mooney found himself sprawled on the floor of Bamboo Bar on the infamous Full Moon Party island of Koh Pha Ngan, his life hanging by…
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Agoda reveals hotspots: Bangkok heats up rankings
Agoda unveiled the hottest must-visit destinations with the Big Mango, Bangkok sizzling in second place. Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the unrivalled favourites, igniting a tourism frenzy in the first month alone. Moreover, Malaysia and South Korea are hot on their heels, rounding up the top five inbound markets. According to Agoda’s January 2024 booking rankings, Asian travel destinations have…
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Mentally ill Thai man punches medical worker in central Thailand
A mentally ill Thai man punched a medical worker in the face as he prepared an injection at the Bang Luang sub-district Health Promoting Centre in the central province of Pathum Thani. The incident, which occurred at around 11am on February 2, was captured on CCTV. The medical worker shared the footage on Facebook, revealing that the patient, with mental…
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Discover an enchanting evening with rising R&B stars in Bangkok
Get ready for a night of soul-stirring melodies as five rising R&B stars from California grace Bangkok with their enchanting tunes during The Modern Nostalgia Tour: Live In Bangkok at the BCC Hall of Central Ladprao, Phahon Yothin Road, on February 20 at 8pm. Presented by the Very Company, this special live performance promises to be a musical extravaganza, perfectly…
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Newly crowned Miss Japan dethroned over affair scandal
The glitz and glamour of Miss Japan turned into a whirlwind of controversy as the newly crowned beauty queen relinquished her throne amidst scandalous revelations. The recently crowned beauty queen, 26 year old naturalised Japanese citizen Karolina Shiino, clinched the prestigious Miss Japan title just a fortnight ago. Now she has abdicated her crown following a scandal linking her to…
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Update: Hong Kong disappointed over Lionel Messi’s no-show
Lionel Messi’s failure to grace the pitch in Hong Kong left droves of fans disheartened, but the football icon has hinted at a potential return, this time on the Tokyo turf. The star’s absence during the highly anticipated match at Hong Kong Stadium not only disappointed supporters but also sparked a PR crisis for his Major League Soccer side and…
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Chiang Mai tourism booms as Chinese New Year approaches
The northern city of Chiang Mai in Thailand is experiencing a tourism bonanza as hotel bookings surge to a staggering 90%, with Chinese New Year reservations already topping 60%. Paisan Sukcharoen, president of the Northern Upper Region Hotel Association of Thailand affirms that Chiang Mai’s tourism scene is on an upward trajectory. The cool embrace of Chiang Mai’s weather further…
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Malaysian businessman arrested, confesses to brutal murder
A Malaysian businessman was apprehended at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, after confessing to the brutal murder of an employee. The arrest took place yesterday evening around 10pm. The suspect, a 31 year old man of Chinese descent, was detained upon arrival from Malaysia. Thai authorities had been alerted by their Malaysian counterparts regarding the suspect’s involvement in the…
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World Songkran Festival to last from April 1 to 21
In an exciting announcement, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed that plans were underway to organise World Songkran Festival activities nationwide. This decision comes hot on the heels of UNESCO’s recent recognition of the Songkran festival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally acknowledged the significance of the Songkran…
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Luxury Porsche worth 5 million baht goes up in flames after crashing in Phitsanulok
A Porsche Panamera, estimated to be worth no less than 5 million baht, was found engulfed in flames after veering off the road and crashing into an electric pole at 1.40am this morning, in the Phlai Chumphon area of Phitsanulok. Police and rescue teams rushed to the accident scene only to find the driver missing. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Thai abbot allegedly rapes 7 year old girl, police ignore case
A Thai mother sought help from a social media influencer after her seven year old daughter was allegedly raped by a temple abbot in the central province of Ayutthaya. The mother added that the police ignored the complaint she filed nine months ago. Well-known social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the mother to meet the Deputy Commissioner of the…
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Hazardous air pollution hits Bangkok and Thai provinces
Bangkok and 11 other provinces in Thailand are currently grappling with hazardous air quality levels, exacerbated by PM2.5 particulate matter exceeding standard thresholds. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, alongside the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are monitoring…
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Fatal wrong-way crash on Nonthaburi bridge claims life
A fatal crash occurred early today when a car, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into multiple vehicles on a bridge in Nonthaburi, resulting in one death and several injuries. The incident, which took place around 5.30am on February 6, prompted police to investigate the driver for potential substance impairment. At the scene on the bridge crossing…
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From hardship to billionaire: Rise of martial arts star Chatri Sityodtong
Chatri Sityodtong, a Thai-Japanese entrepreneur, became a global household name as the founder of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest sports media property in history. His journey to success, however, is filled with trials and triumphs that many are unaware of. At over 50 years old, Chatri’s past is a testament to his resilience, having overcome the economic crisis in Thailand during…
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Khon Kaen restaurant worker fatally crushed by malfunctioning lift
A freight elevator at a renowned restaurant in Khon Kaen malfunctioned and plummeted, fatally crushing a 46 year old female restaurant worker. The restaurant owner vowed to take full responsibility and provide compensation as police hasten their investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The calamity occurred at a well-known eatery situated along the Mittraphap Road in Khon Kaen’s…
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New year’s feast or fin-ite: WildAid uncovers Thai waters’ shark crisis
As Lunar New Year approaches, WildAid‘s latest findings expose a crisis in Thai waters, where shark fins on celebratory dining tables spell extinction for these majestic creatures, threatening the balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. WildAid sounded the alarm based on a comprehensive DNA analysis of shark fin products sold in Thailand. A staggering 62% of fins sampled come from species…
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PM Srettha pays unannounced visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport amidst biometric glitch
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a surprise visit to Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday morning, amongst reports of a recent biometric system glitch that threw the airport into chaos during rush hours. The glitch, a repeat offender, wreaked havoc on automatic passport control channels, leaving departing jet-setters stranded and frustrated. Eyewitnesses claim the prime minister’s unannounced appearance was a direct response…
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Thai family demands answers after prisoner suicide
The family of a Thai prisoner who tragically committed suicide on February 4 condemned the lack of action by officers at Manchakhiri Police Station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen and demanded an explanation from the police regarding their handling of the situation. The family of Mong, a 42 year old Thai man, sought police assistance on February 3…
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Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines operates double daily flights to Bangkok
Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is offering two daily flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok to cater for the growing demand over the Lunar New Year festivities and beyond. From Hong Kong’s bustling airport, GBA’s flight HB281 takes off at 8.30am, landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport near Bangkok by 10.30am. A second daytime flight jets off with HB283 departing at 3pm,…
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Foreign men allegedly swindles 1.2 million baht from Thai victims
Two Thai victims sought help from Channel 7 after two foreign men swindled them out of US$34,700 (about 1.2 million baht) while the police delayed taking action on the case. A Thai woman named Karnratha, along with her boyfriend, implored Channel 7 to broadcast their story to put pressure on officers at Lumphini Police Station to take action on their…
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Thai airports set to soar with billion-baht boost
The AOT, eagerly awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), is on the cusp of obtaining public airport certification for Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports. According to Police General Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of the board, the AOT will begin the development of its airports as planned once the certifications have been received.…
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Dugongs’ dinner dilemma: Seagrass vanishing act sparks fears for marine giants
The disappearance of vital seagrass in the southern province of Trang has marine scientists and conservationists on high alert. The dwindling seagrass, a key food source for dugongs, has raised concerns over the fate of these gentle sea mammals. Seagrass, the culinary delight of dugongs, is vanishing at an alarming rate from the pristine seas off Thailand’s southern province of…
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Muay Thai community grieves the loss of rising star Chalarmphet
The Thai boxing community is in mourning following the untimely death of the famed fighter Chalarmphet Sornpichai, also known by his ring name, Shark Diamond. His passing on February 5, was confirmed by the Muay Thai Kiatpetch Facebook page, which posted an image of the boxer accompanied by a heartfelt message of condolence. The boxing community has come together to…
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Motorcycle taxi rider stabs rival rider after dispute over passenger
A 73 year old motorcycle taxi rider in the central province of Chachoengsao stabbed a rival taxi rider after the victim accused him of stealing a passenger. Officers from Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station intervened in a confrontation between two motorcycle taxi riders outside the Metropolitan Waterworks Office on Junlanan Road in Chachoengsao province on February 5. Officers witnessed the 43…
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Thai police officer found dead with gunshot wound at an Isaan dam
Locals discovered the dead body of a Thai police officer with a gunshot wound to his head at Lam Pao Dam in the Isaan province of Kalasin yesterday, February 5. Police suspect suicide but his family are not convinced. Officers from Nakhung Police Station in Kalasin investigated the Lam Pao Dam scene after receiving a report of the death yesterday.…
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Jaws drop in Huay Yai Village as 2-metre crocodile sunbathes by fishing pond
A 2-metre long crocodile weighing 30 kilogrammes sent villagers in Huay Yai Village, East Pattaya into panic as it casually sunbathed by Taklom Fishing Pond on Sunday, February 4. Locals and news crews flocked to capture the unexpected visitor on video, showcasing the reptile’s playful antics and its remarkable evasive skills during capture attempts. The owner of Taklom Fishing Pond,…
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Thai man cycles 400 kilometres for justice after losing disability allowance
A Thai man, paralysed in both legs, devised a plan to cycle more than 400 kilometres from the northern province of Sukhothai to Bangkok in pursuit of justice after his disability allowance was cut off. Despite his plea for assistance, authorities declined to aid him in his endeavour. A rescue team in the central province of Ang Thong accompanied the…
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Thai government and BRN to commence peace talks in Malaysia
The upcoming dialogue between the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) and the Thai government’s peace team is set to start today in Malaysia, as disclosed by a source from the National Security Council (NSC). The two-day negotiation session will be steered by Chatchai Bangchuad, NSC deputy secretary-general, representing the NSC team, and Anas Abdulrahman, a high-ranking BRN official, leading the…
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Udon Thani temple’s rice husk pagoda destroyed by fire
A revered temporary rice husk pagoda at Wat Nakathewi in Udon Thani province was engulfed in flames last night, leaving behind a charred metal framework. At 9pm yesterday, February 5, local disaster prevention and mitigation officials were alerted to the fire, which rapidly consumed the structure despite the efforts of firefighters, temple committee members, and residents. Notably, the temple’s cherished…
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Three-year-old girl drowns in Ayutthaya canal near temple
A tragic incident unfolded today at 1.30am when a three year old girl, Fasai, drowned in a canal opposite the Chumphon Nikayaram Rajaworawihan Temple in the district of Bang Pa-in, Ayutthaya province. The child’s distraught parents, 48 year old Kasem, and 28 year old Matana were inconsolable upon the discovery of their daughter’s body, crying out her name in a…
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