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.
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Sponsored See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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Fatal accident in Sri Racha as storm rips PTT signboard from mountings
A terrifying incident unfolded in the Sri Racha, Chon Buri district on Wednesday, September 20. A PTT signboard was torn from its mountings by violent winds and heavy rain. In a tragic turn of events, the plummeting signage caused one fatality and inflicted damage on several nearby convenience stores. The PTT gas station at Pha Daeng branch was the scene of…
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El Niño effect forecasted to lower Thai rice production in 2023-24
The Agricultural Economics Office of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in Thailand forecasted a decline in rice production for the 2023-24 harvest season. The expected drop is approximately 871,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.27%, totalling 25.8 million tonnes. This significant decrease is primarily due to the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Department,…
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Phuket hotels thrive amid economic uncertainty, thanks to diverse visitor base
Phuket hotels are showing resilience amid a sluggish European economy and a weak British pound, with Laguna Phuket setting sights on its best high season yet. This optimism is fuelled by the return of Chinese tourists and a rebound in international travel demand. Paul Wilson, who holds the position of Vice-President and Deputy Managing Director at Laguna Phuket, revealed that…
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Malaysian ‘Godfather’ of wildlife trafficking jailed in US over rhino horns
A Malaysian wildlife trafficker has been confined to prison for a period of 18 months in the United States. The charge against the trafficker, Teo Boon Ching known infamously as the Godfather, is the planned trafficking of hundreds of kilogrammes of rhinoceros horns. The horns, a result of the illicit poaching of rhinoceroses, are valued at millions of dollars. The…
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Significant arrest over 41 million baht embezzlement case
Bangkok was recently the scene of a significant arrest as Thai authorities apprehended a man implicated in a substantial embezzlement case. A 52 year old individual, known as Chaloam, was taken into custody in Bang Kapi, a district in Bangkok. This arrest comes in response to a warrant issued by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in…
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Sky ICT aims for top three global aviation software spot by 2024
Having clinched a deal with Airports of Thailand (AoT) in 2020 to develop smart airports, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed aviation tech firm Sky ICT is now setting its sights on becoming a top three global player in aviation software by 2024, according to Sithidej Mayalarp, the company’s chief executive. Sky ICT is negotiating with a leading global aviation…
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Thai PM outlines global expansion strategy at New York meeting
A significant meeting took place yesterday at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, where Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, teamed up with the Minister of Finance to lay down important policies for a Thai national team operating in the United States. Imposing his government’s work philosophy, PM Srettha stressed the importance of embracing progress in line with the rule…
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Gulf Energy and China Datang collaborate on Thai-Laos hydroelectric project
Gulf Energy Development Plc has teamed up with China Datang Overseas Investment Co (CDTO), a subsidiary of a mainland energy firm, to ink a tariff memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EEGAT) for the Pak Beng hydroelectric power project. The announcement was made in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The Pak Beng…
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Thai man linked to 2013, 2014 infant deaths through DNA tests
DNA tests have confirmed that a 46 year old man named Songsak Songsaeng, presently under arrest on charges of murdering his two year old daughter is also connected to the deaths of two infants discovered in the Bang Sue district in 2013 and 2014. The DNA samples from the bodies of the infants match those of Songsak and one of…
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Thailand’s mega land bridge project: an economic boon or environmental bane?
The Industry Ministry of Thailand is currently assessing the environmental impact of a proposed land bridge megaproject in the southern part of the country, a venture that promises to significantly bolster the Thai economy in the future. This assessment is crucial to determining the project’s viability and addressing any potential negative effects on the environment. The proposed land bridge, which…
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Henna tattoo horror: Thai woman’s ordeal serves as an allergy warning
A devastating experience with a budget henna tattoo has been shared by a woman on social media who ended up with severe blisters and itching, leaving a scar. The TikTok user @Iamseasons posted a video today detailing her ordeal with the cheap henna tattoo that turned into a nightmare. “I advise you not to follow suit, it’s not about the…
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Sweet solution: Honey rushed to rescue as child swallows button battery
Parents have been warned to be alert after a seven year old child accidentally swallowed a button battery, prompting doctors to advise a dose of honey on the way to the hospital to save his life. Children are naturally curious and often put objects in their mouths, leading to accidental ingestion of hazardous items like button batteries. Fortunately, timely surgical…
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Factory explosion in Prachinburi sparks investigation into potential electric fault
An electrical transformer exploded in a factory within the 304 Industrial Park, Prachinburi, causing a shockwave and towering plume of smoke. Officials promptly arrived at the scene to investigate the cause of the factory explosion, which occurred at 11.20am today. The factory under scrutiny belongs to Ratchakrit Phayak, the District Chief of Sri Maha Phot. The explosion sent a pillar…
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Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher ‘Lives Forever’ with Thai fans after adopting stray dog from Thailand (video)
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will “Live Forever” in the eyes of a legion of Thai fans after they learned the charismatic singer adopted a five month old stray dog from Thailand. Irishman Niall Harbison took to Twitter to share the heartwarming news of Gallagher and his dog, Buttons. Harbison who lives in Koh Samui in the southern province of…
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Box office shocker: Thai trafficking thriller spooks Chinese tourists from coming to Thailand (video)
A Thai box office movie highlighting the real-life dangers of human trafficking in Thailand and Southeast Asia has been blamed for scaring Chinese tourists away from the kingdom. The movie, No More Bets, is a gripping thriller grounded in true events. It follows the harrowing journey of a computer programmer who finds himself ensnared in a violent scamming ring in…
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Young oil palm worker fatally attacked by crocodile while trapping crabs in Malaysia
A disturbing incident unfolded in Malaysia when a 23 year old oil palm plantation worker was attacked and killed by a crocodile in front of his three friends. The group, who had been trapping crabs off the coast of Kampung Tinagian, Lahad Datu district, could only watch in horror as the reptile lunged at their companion. The young man was…
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Buzzkill: CIB busts counterfeit mosquito repellent ring spanning three provinces in Thailand
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) recently apprehended a manufacturer of counterfeit mosquito repellent in Samut Sakhon, along with three distribution points across three provinces. The counterfeit products, containing hazardous chemicals, were discovered today, and a total of 227,000 boxes worth 4.54 million baht were seized. The CIB’s investigation was sparked by the discovery of two Chinese mosquito repellent brands sold…
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Predatory allegations: Thai pedophile accused of kidnapping 14 year old from Hmong community
A Thai man has been accused of being a predatory pedophile after kidnapping a 14 year old boy from the Hmong ethnic group community at the Chom Si temple in the central province of Sing Buri on September 16. The missing boy has been identified as Natchapon “Moa” Somphopworrapong. Moa is a Hmong boy who relocated to a temple in the…
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Roojai revs up for success: Thai online insurer aims to drive into top 10 with profitable year ahead
Online insurance firm Roojai is poised to post its first profit from Thai operations in the fiscal year ending March 2024, according to founder and CEO Nicolas Faquet. This is largely attributable to the company’s growth in motor insurance sales, as it sets its sights on becoming a top 10 player in this segment by next year. Faquet revealed it…
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Online infatuation leads to embezzlement: Chinese man’s web of trouble
A Chinese man’s infatuation with an Internet idol escalated to the point where he resorted to online embezzlement from his workplace to bestow lavish gifts upon the captivating young woman, ultimately ending up in prison. As reported by Chinese media, Liu, a university graduate and married father, was employed as an accountant at a company, earning a monthly salary of…
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Phuket’s 191 hotline control room gets ‘ready to dial’
The Phuket control room, part of the National Emergency Notification Center and commonly referred to as the 191 police hotline, yesterday underwent an operational readiness inspection. Police Major General Saksira Phueakam, the Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, conducted the assessment. This control room serves as a crucial hub for receiving reports from both Thai and foreign tourists, as well…
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14 year old schoolboy stabs rival student to death at school near Bangkok
A 14 year old schoolboy fatally stabbed a 15 year old rival student at a school in Bangkok’s Chacheongsao province yesterday after an argument prior to the incident. Community leader Korrakot Tungphan told ThaiRath that he received news of the stabbing at 5pm yesterday and immediately rushed to the school. Upon arrival, he encountered a group of teachers and students…
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Bangkok’s stormy wake-up call: Governor urges preparedness as capital weathers surprises
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the city to be on high alert after storms hit the capital this week resulting in a number of unexpected incidents such as tree collapses, power outages, and flooding. This includes mobilising vehicles from various districts to facilitate the transportation of citizens in risk-prone areas. The command centre reported heavy rainfall yesterday in the Bang…
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Nannygate: Chinese wife unveils husband’s secret affair
A Chinese woman was left in dismay after finding her husband in bed with their nanny, exposing a long-term clandestine affair. The story, shared on the Sohu website, has since caught public attention. The wife, named Lin, initially met her husband through a matchmaking service. The husband, a prosperous businessman, possessed a handsome demeanour and was of the same age,…
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105,000 baht windfall goes downhill: Thai man’s road to trouble after purse find
Police arrested a Thai man who discovered 105,000 baht in a purse on the road behind a hospital in the central province of Nakhon Sawan and spent it on drugs, gambling, a new motorcycle and a new mobile phone. A Thai woman, Wannapa Kaewtakun, told ThaiRath that she withdrew the 75,000 baht from an ATM at 8.20pm on September 15 and…
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Fed’s high interest rates outlook spooks Thai stock market investors
The hawkish stance of the Federal Reserve on maintaining “higher for longer” interest rates is projected to keep the Thai stock market in bearish territory. This comes as elevated rates pose a threat to global economic recovery, leading to consistent fund outflows from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Despite the expected decision by the US central bank to retain…
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Tragic collision in Thailand’s west claims life in high-speed horror
A fatal collision between a saloon car and a pickup truck occurred on the roads of Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. The high-speed crash resulted in the death of a man who was thrown from the pickup truck and subsequently crushed. The incident was reported to Tha Mueang Police Station at 3.30am today. Investigations at the fatal collision scene revealed a…
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Coin-operated dreams come true: Malaysian man buys iPhone 14 after 7-year savings journey
A 30 year old Malaysian man recently bought an iPhone 14 using coins he had been saving for seven years. The story of Muhammad Hafiz Abdul Hamid’s long quest to buy the iPhone was revealed in a video posted on TikTok on September 1. The video, posted by @bifoty_camper, showed Hamid pouring coins out of a 19-litre water jug that…
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Thai-US relations: Strengthening trade ties with Estonian E-Government expertise
The Prime Minister of Thailand announced that he has plans to bolster trade relations with the United States. This comes as the two nations observe their 190th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The announcement was made following a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and US President Joe Biden during a gala dinner, organised by the US-ASEAN Business Council and…
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Overstaying Indian man requests extension to spend budget before he’s deported
Thai Immigration Police arrested an Indian man in the southern province of Phattalung for overstaying his visa by over five months. The foreign man reportedly asked to extend his stay to travel to Pattaya as he still had money left over for the trip. Phattalung Provincial Immigration authorities detained 31 year old Gurinder Singh while he was aboard a train…
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