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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Koh Kut mayor says smoke detector didn’t work when villa caught fire
The luxury villa in Koh Kut that burned to the ground, with guests narrowly escaping the flames, was equipped with smoke detectors and alarms, but they weren’t working, according to the island’s mayor, Dechathorn Chanob. All guests escaped the fire at Soneva Kiri resort on Koh Kut, off the coast of the eastern province Trat, but many guests, including famous…
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SEADS provides sustainable solutions for Southeast Asia’s recovery
Press Release The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is hosting the Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) 2022—Sustainable Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Recovery on the 16th and 17th of March. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming SEADS 2022 event. What is SEADS? The Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) is an annual flagship knowledge event organized by the Asian Development…
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Prominent Thai MP jailed for housing project corruption
A Thai MP, who at one point was involved in Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party, was jailed on Friday for corruption in a housing project. MP Watana Muangsook, who left Pheu Thai to join Thai Sang Thai last year, is charged with 11 counts of corruption, including abuse of power and demanding bribes. In 2003, Watana was involved in the Ua…
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Tangmo witness Robert admits he ‘lurched’ boat forward, sending actress overboard
One of the five boat buddies — i.e. “witnesses” — of Thai actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong has confessed to causing the vessel to “lurch,” tossing the celebrity actress overboard where she drowned in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi on the night of February 24, the Bangkok Post reported police as saying Tuesday. Phaiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun, told investigators he had…
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Call centre set up to help Ukrainian and Russian tourists in Phuket
With a number of Russian and Ukrainian expats and tourists in Phuket, a call centre has been set up in the island province to help those who may need assistance during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Those who need assistance can call 0939372086 or 0948191124. A local tourism official says the centre is prepared to help Ukrainians and…
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Pattaya business owners claim authorities issued fake, overpriced SHA+ certificates
A number of business owners in Pattaya say they were duped into buying fake documents to certify that they meet standards set by Thailand’s Safety and Health Administration. When authorities inspected their businesses, they discovered the SHA+ documents had been fabricated. Some say they even paid thousands of baht to have the certification process expedited. Around 20 business owners from…
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Thai Foreign Minister calls for Russia-Ukraine negotiations
Thailand’s Foreign Minister spoke out yesterday, calling for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He says that even though it will be difficult, every party wants to see the situation return to normal. He said there will be negative consequences if the conflict is not resolved, adding that if the situation does not return to normal soon, it would “cause an…
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Fast-food chain A&W to close all branches in Thailand following huge Covid losses
The American fast-food giant A&W looks set to close all 26 branches in Thailand as the economic fallout of Covid-19 takes its toll. According to a Nation Thailand report, Global Consumer Plc, which owns the Thai franchise, is seeking board approval to close all branches in the kingdom. Global Consumer’s annual report shows that last year alone, A&W outlets in…
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Health officials say PCR testing no longer required after positive ATK result
Patients who test positive for Covid-19 after using an antigen test kit no longer need to take a PCR test to confirm the result. Suphakit Sirilak from the Department of Medical Sciences says the requirement for a follow-up PCR test is expensive and time-consuming. In addition, the generally mild nature of the Omicron variant has removed the need for people…
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Government says Songkran can go ahead, CCSA to decide what that looks like
The Thai government says Covid-19 won’t stop this year’s Songkran celebrations, but insists that disease prevention measures will need to be followed. What that means for the mass water fights that were such a huge part of the celebrations pre-pandemic remains unclear for now. According to a Bangkok Post report, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the green light for interprovincial…
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Thai noodle price crisis averted
After some local media outlets reported that noodle prices will rise soon, Thai trade officials claim this isn’t true. The director-general of Thailand’s International Trade Department told the Bangkok Post the department has not yet approved any manufacturers raising their prices. The director-general said the department regularly speaks to instant noodle manufacturers. He said manufacturers who want to raise prices…
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Treatment to remain free for Covid patients with moderate or severe symptoms
Emergency Covid-19 treatment will remain free for patients with moderate or severe illness, according to the government. Deputy spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul says the new Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients Plus scheme will mean such patients can request treatment at any facility for 3 days, before being transferred to the government or private hospital where they are registered. Currently, Covid patients…
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F-16 fighter crashes during training in Chaiyaphum, pilot is safe
An F-16 fighter plane crashed during a training session in the northeastern province Chaiyaphum today. The pilot managed to eject himself from the aircraft and is safe, according to a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force. The spokesperson says that the incident was reported to the relevant department and committee, who will then investigate the cause of the crash. The…
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Man who released cobras, cut himself at Bangkok intersection arrested at airport
A man who made headlines last month after releasing cobras and cutting himself at a busy intersection in Bangkok was arrested by police at Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday evening. 47 year old Kanetpisanuthep Jakapopmahadecha, known as “K Hundred Million,” was arrested under six charges and has since been taken to Somdet Chaophraya Institute of Psychiatry for a psychiatric assessment. At…
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112 endangered green sea turtle eggs found at Koh Surin National Park
A nest containing 112 eggs from an endangered green sea turtle was found by park rangers at Koh Surin National Park in the southern province of Phang Nga on Sunday. Since the nest was in a potential flood zone, and the eggs were at risk of being eaten by animals, park rangers decided to relocate the eggs to a safe…
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Family and fun Sunday brunch with the live jazz at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket returning to Sears & Co
Press Release Phuket, Thailand, February 17, 2022 – A favoured afternoon activity for family and friends, Sunday brunch at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is back on March 6, 2022. Bringing the taste of the world’s weekend brunch scene to Patong beach with live saxophone and cool DJ vibes. Enjoy contemporary and classic cuisine combining the freshest…
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Taxi drivers fight over passenger saying Bangkok taxi shouldn’t service in Pattaya
A video was widely shared among Thais of Pattaya taxi and win drivers crowded around a driver from Bangkok, some saying he stole their customer and arguing with him about offering services outside of his home province. One Pattaya taxi driver reportedly said that drivers in other provinces should be more thoughtful about offering services in Pattaya as those in…
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Department of Medical Science seeks FDA approval for two types of Covid-19 tests
The Department of Medical Science is seeking FDA approval for two types of Covid-19 tests known as LAMP and CRISPR. Reports say the tests are quick and just as precise as the RT-PCR test, which is the primary test being used in Thailand to confirm Covid-19 infections. Officials are also looking into using “machine based assay” or “MBA” antigen testing…
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Mario Kleff designed the longest steel box girder used in residential construction in Thailand
It was early March 2022 in Pattaya when the delivery of 50 tons worth of custom fabricated steel, in the form of box girders and cellular beams arrived at the Majestic Residence construction site, Khao Phra Tamnak. The architect Mario Kleff and his construction company Wandeegroup Asia Co Ltd continue to set new standards in residential construction in Pattaya and…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 18,943 new cases; provincial totals
69 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 23,369 with 1,671 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 18,943 new Covid-19 cases and 25,005 recoveries. There are now 224,328 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…
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Motocross rider dies, another injured after falling from cliff in Chiang Mai
A motocross rider died and another was severely injured after driving off a cliff in Chiang Mai and falling more than 50 metres. The two were on a motocross trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and were driving near the scenic village Mae Kampong and up to a mountain viewpoint when they fell from the cliff. The riders were going…
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Fire breaks out at luxury Koh Kut resort burning villa to the ground, guests narrowly escape
A fire broke out at a luxury resort on Koh Kut, an island off the coast of Trat by the Cambodian border on Sunday morning, burning a villa to the ground where a group of 15, including a famous paediatrician, were staying. The Soneva Kiri resort released a statement saying all guests staying at villa 63 were evacuated and the…
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Will Songkran be wet or dry? CCSA to discuss restrictions on March 18
The question of whether or not to allow massive water fights to celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year, will be discussed on March 18 at a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration meeting. The celebrations with water guns and splashing have been called off for the past two years to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Recently, the Department of Disease Control…
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US government tells citizens to avoid travel to Hong Kong, New Zealand – and Thailand
Americans are being told to avoid travel to Thailand, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, due to the rise in Covid-19 infections in each country. According to a Reuters report, the travel advisory was issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has raised its travel alert for Thailand to “Level Four: Very High”. In total, the US…
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The Backpacker Murders Of Koh Tao. What Really Happened There?
We’ve all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery. What really happened there? Tim Newton talks with Sue Buchanan on her new upcoming book ‘The curse of the turtle’ which is regarding…
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Wild bull attack injures two park rangers in Phetchabun
A wild bull charged at a group of five park rangers patrolling in Tat Mok National Park in Phetchabun province on Sunday afternoon. The bull hit squadron leader Woraphot Piraksa head-on, knocking out some of his teeth and injuring his face, mouth and body. Team member Jiraphong Nakrabum was also injured. The team made it to Phetchabun hospital by Sunday…
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Monk survives 50 metre fall inside mountain cave in Kanchanaburi
A monk fell 50 metres down into a cave and was rescued after a 10-hour mission. Reports say 29 year old Phra Thada was descending into the cave when a rope on the ladder snapped, hurling him down to the cave floor. He suffered serious injuries to his hips and legs. The monk, from a temple in the Khlong San…
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Excessive news consumption causes stress – Thailand’s Department of Mental Health
Don’t read too much news, at least that’s what Thailand’s Department of Mental Health is saying. The spokesperson told the media the department concerned with Thais that obsessively monitoring the news and social media updates to the point of stress, particularly while major events are occurring. The warning from the department comes at a time when the investigation into the…
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Monk gives residents 200 baht each after winning 18 million baht lottery
A monk won the top Thai government lottery prize of 18 million baht and is now giving the money away to locals, other temples, and various organisations. The monk in the northern province Nakhon Phanom says he doesn’t usually buy lottery tickets as monks shouldn’t join any kinds of gambling, but says he recently bought a ticket to help a…
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Event Announcement: Sustainable solutions for Southeast Asia’s recovery to be held on 16-17 March
Press Release The Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) 2022—Sustainable Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Recovery will be held on the 16th and 17th of March by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). SEADS 2022 brings together a powerful lineup of thought leaders, decision-makers, and insight influencers to discuss new insights, innovative solutions, and policy responses that can help Southeast Asian nations “build…
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