News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Bangkok bust: 6 Chinese arrested with 200k SIM cards
Police in Bangkok have dismantled a major call centre gang, arresting six Chinese nationals who had set up their operations in a luxury condominium in the heart of the city. The suspects were found with an astonishing 208,652 SIM cards and 286 SIM boxes, alongside other electronic equipment. Entering Thailand on student and tourist visas, the group had been operating…
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Thailand eyes Phuket for bitcoin sandbox experiment
Thailand is edging closer to cryptocurrency adoption, with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira dropping hints about extending the bitcoin sandbox experiment in Phuket. This bold move could position Thailand as a regional leader in digital currency innovation. “We are not suggesting replacing existing currencies with bitcoin.” Pichai emphasised the controlled nature of the trial. Under the sandbox model, bitcoin would be…
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Udon Thani: Sports shoes blunder leaves seller with 80k baht loss
An incident involving a misunderstanding over second-hand shoes seemingly abandoned in a park in Udon Thani province has left a resident of Ang Thong distraught after a social media post led to the unintended distribution of her merchandise. A Facebook user shared an image of locals selecting second-hand shoes, mistakenly suggesting they were free for the taking. This post resulted…
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Girls abandoned by drug-addicted parents in Chachoengsao
A silent cry for help emerged from Bang Nam Priao district in Chachoengsao province when two young girls, aged five and seven, were found abandoned with their impoverished grandfather. The girls’ parents, both battling drug addiction, had consistently subjected them to abuse. The Be Nueng Foundation received a report about the mistreatment yesterday, December 20, prompting immediate action. Chalida Palamat,…
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Phuket welcomes tourists on first Bucharest flight
Phuket rolled out the red carpet for the first-ever direct charter flight from Bucharest, Romania, marking a new milestone in Thai tourism. Operated by Romania’s HiSky airline in collaboration with top tour operators Dertour and Karpaten, the inaugural flight, H4 7467, landed at Phuket International Airport on Thursday, December 19. Passengers were greeted with a warm ceremony hosted by the…
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Residents challenge SRT’s ownership claims to Khao Kradong
A land dispute in Khao Kradong, Buriram, has sparked controversy, with Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Minister of Interior, stating that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) seems to be at fault. The conflict involves over 400 residents who claim rightful ownership of the land, asserting their families have occupied it long before the railway’s construction. During a visit to the contested…
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Thai government to choose sites for casino complexes
The Thai government is set to centrally determine the locations for proposed casino-entertainment complexes, a move aimed at ensuring fair competition among prospective investors, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The initiative hinges on the passage of a bill legalising gambling, which is currently under consideration. “If the locations are chosen by the government, this will allow investors to…
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Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver
A driver has triumphed in a legal battle against the Department of Land Transport (DLT) over their refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines. The Central Administrative Court instructed the department to provide the sticker to the driver, who had filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the…
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Kanchanaburi: ‘Miss Grand Purple Sweet Potato’ wins 200k lottery (video)
Excitement filled the air as the owner of a popular crepe shop in Kanchanaburi province in West Thailand, celebrated a lottery win of nearly 200,000 baht. The shop owner’s winning ticket was inspired by an unusual sweet potato resembling a high-heeled shoe, famously dubbed Miss Grand Purple Sweet Potato. The lucky winner, Joy, had planted the sweet potato for personal…
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Phuket to host Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages
Phuket is set to make history on January 22 next year, as the island hosts a dazzling event to mark the first day of legal same-sex marriages in Thailand. Held at Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong, the celebration promises to be a landmark moment for equality and love in the country. Dubbed DOPA Day One: Equality Rings in 878 Districts,…
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PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll
Move over, rivals! Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stormed ahead in the political popularity race, clinching the top spot in a nationwide survey that crowned her Politician of the Year 2024. The North Bangkok Poll, conducted by North Bangkok University between December 10 and 15, asked 1,500 respondents from across Thailand a simple but telling question: “Who do you think…
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Elvis of Thailand reveals duct tape secret for younger look at 78
A 78 year old Thai man from Chon Buri, popularly known as the “Elvis of Thailand,” shared his unconventional tips for looking younger in a TikTok video showing him using duct tape to lift his face. The TikTok channel, @elvisthailand, was created by Somsak’s granddaughter to share his story and showcase how he remains fit and firm at his age.…
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Thailand secures South Korean investment in Smart Park project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has successfully attracted an investment commitment of US$500 million (approximately 17 billion baht) from South Korean investors for the development of Smart Park. The initiative, part of the Now Thailand – The Golden Era campaign, aims to position Thailand as a prime destination for international business ventures. Yuthasak Supasorn, Chairperson of IEAT, welcomed…
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Grab sees 400% growth in Thailand’s ride-hailing-delivery services
Leading super-app Grab released its year-end statistics for on-demand transport and delivery services in Thailand, revealing significant growth and trends in 2024. The company reported an impressive increase in its ride-hailing and delivery services, driven by both local and international demand. Grab’s ride-hailing services have remained a favourite among users, with the GrabCar Saver option experiencing a remarkable growth of…
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3 arrested in Kalasin businessman kidnapping, 2 on the run
Police have detained three young men following a violent assault and kidnapping for ransom involving a local businessman in Kalasin province. The incident occurred after he had attended a retro dance event in Kalasin province. Police are actively pursuing two additional suspects, one identified as the group’s ringleader. Police in Kalasin yesterday, December 19, arrested three individuals connected to the…
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Thailand’s credit card industry faces toughest challenge in 20 years
The credit card industry in Thailand is bracing for its most formidable challenge in two decades, a situation attributed to an anticipated weak economy next year, as highlighted by the Thai Bankers’ Association’s credit card club. Atis Ruchirawat, chair of the club, emphasised that the unsecured loan sector, encompassing credit cards and personal loans, has already felt the tremors of…
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Sleighing it: Thaiger’s best Christmas films to spark a flurry of debate
In the wake of our Best Christmas Singles feature, The Thaiger is turning the spotlight on our favourite festive films. With a sleigh-load of movies to choose from, we anticipate a flurry of debate as some readers may be miffed to find their beloved Christmas classic absent from our list. But fear not! It’s the perfect topic to get the…
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Pheu Thai members defend card photo as fortune telling, not gambling
A group of Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) members from the Pheu Thai Party denied allegations of gambling after a photograph of them playing cards was circulated on social media. One of the BMC members claimed they were reading cards for fortune telling, not gambling. The Facebook page ชมรมSTRONGต้านทุจริต ประเทศไทย (translated as “Strong Anti-Corruption Club Thailand”) shared an image on Tuesday,…
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Thailand airports gear up for 18,000 flights this new year
Thailand’s airports are preparing for a bustling new year holiday season with over 18,000 flights expected to operate nationwide, marking a significant boost for the country’s aviation industry. This increase, as per the Transport Ministry, reflects the sector’s ongoing recovery and anticipated growth in the coming year. During the holiday period from today through January 2, airports across the country…
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Thailand rolls out the red carpet for Polish tourists
Thailand has turned on the charm for Polish holidaymakers, welcoming 294 tourists on a landmark charter flight from Warsaw to Krabi. LOT Polish Airlines‘ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Krabi International Airport yesterday, December 19, marking a high-flying milestone in Thai-Polish tourism. This inaugural seasonal service, organised by leading tour operator ITAKA, is set to run until March 19,…
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Plane and simple: Phuket Airport gears up for holiday rush
Phuket International Airport is bracing for a surge of holiday travellers, with up to 60,000 passengers expected daily during the festive season. Officials promise streamlined services and enhanced security to handle the crowds. The Royal Thai Police (RTP)’s Immigration Bureau, led by acting commissioner Police Lieutenant General Panumas Bunyalak, joined forces with airport director Monchai Tanode to ensure the airport…
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Thai baht to fall to 35.50 against US dollar by 2025
Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) forecasts that the Thai baht will depreciate, reaching 34.50 to the US dollar by the end of this year and sliding further to 35.50 in 2025. This prediction comes as new US government policies are expected to exert pressure on the Chinese yuan next year. The baht recently hit a three-month low of 34.61 against the…
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Paws and reflect: Workers celebrate well-done Udon Thani dog rescue
Rescue workers in Udon Thani were filled with joy after successfully rescuing a stranded dog from a well near a fishpond on Tham Chedi Road in Mueang district. The heartwarming scene unfolded yesterday, December 19, when the team from Udon Thani’s Songserm Tham Foundation received a call for assistance from locals, who reported hearing a dog trapped in a well for…
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Thai girl forced to send explicit photos of herself and mother for game items
Bangkok police allegedly refused to take a complaint from a 10 year old girl after she was tricked into sending explicit pictures of herself and her mother in exchange for game items. The Thai mother took to her Facebook account to share the story of how her 10 year old daughter fell victim to a scammer, as a warning to…
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Myanmar to release Thai fishermen, fostering regional peace
Myanmar’s impending release of four Thai fishermen, captured in disputed waters off Ranong province last month, demonstrates its commitment to fostering regional peace. This assurance emerged during an informal consultation in Bangkok, where Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa engaged representatives from six regional countries to tackle transnational crime and related issues. The meeting saw participation from key regional figures, including…
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The Thaiger unwraps the ultimate Christmas singles showdown
As the countdown to Christmas goes on, The Thaiger team has decided to revisit a favourite festive argument: What are…Best Christmas Singles, Ever! Share your top picks in the comments if your favourite didn’t make the cut! No.9 (1974) Lonely This Christmas – Mud At No.9 in the festive hit parade, Lonely This Christmas by UK glam rockers Mud. The neat…
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Newborn abandoned in Rayong market toilet sparks investigation
The body of a newborn was discovered wrapped in a red towel and abandoned in a women’s restroom at a local market in Pluak Daeng, Rayong. Police received the report at 9am today, December 20, and upon inspection, found no visible injuries on the infant, believed to have died approximately one day before. The unsettling discovery was made in the…
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Thai woman accused of poisoning husband’s family with cyanide
A Thai woman in the central province of Chanthaburi allegedly poisoned members of her husband’s family with cyanide, including her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law, leading to one death. Non-profit organisation Saimai Survive accompanied Yupaporn to the Ministry of Public Health to seek justice for her mother, who had just died in hospital, and her grandmother, who managed to survive the poisoning.…
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Man arrested for selling gun parts online, claims self-defence
Cyber police arrested a 37 year old man for operating a YouTube channel selling gun barrels and firearms online. Upon searching him, they discovered four methamphetamine pills, and a subsequent house search revealed a substantial cache of illegal items. The suspect claims self-defence as the reason for possession. Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, led by Trairong Piwpan, conducted…
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Extra road safety: Phuket’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’ extended to 10
In a bid to curb road carnage this new year, Phuket officials are going all out. The long-standing “7 Dangerous Days” campaign will stretch to a full 10 days this year, running from December 27 to January 5, marking the most extended safety crackdown yet. The decision was confirmed during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday, December 18,…
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