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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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Colombian man arrested over fatal shooting of Iraqi tourist in Phuket
Police arrested a Colombian national in connection with the fatal shooting of an Iraqi tourist in the Patong area of Phuket on Saturday, February 7. Officers confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody on Sunday, February 8, following an intensive manhunt led by Patong Police Station. The victim was identified as a 24 year old Iraqi man, Ameer Mundher Mahmood.…
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Thailand News | Thailand’s election shock: Anutin Charnvirakul powers up after big win, Pattaya ransom plot: two Indian tourists freed from condo after alleged kidnapping by compatriots
Today we’ll be talking about the election results over the weekend and the sweeping victory for a familiar face in Thai politics, a construction site scare as yet another crane collapses, this time in Asok, and a little later a major effort to relocate and reintegrate the homeless has been launched. Thailand’s Election Shock: Anutin Charnvirakul powers up after big…
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Nonthaburi teen arrested after stealing bicycle from elderly woman
Police in Nonthaburi arrested a 15 year old boy on February 7 after CCTV footage linked him to the theft of a bicycle belonging to an elderly woman in Pak Kret district. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station tracked down the suspect, identified as Ong‑art, at an abandoned warehouse in Moo 4, Pak Kret. Police seized one bicycle as evidence and…
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Ballot-tearing error leaves Nan to faces possible re-election
A serious error was reported at a polling station in Nan province in northern Thailand during the 2026 General Election on Sunday, February 8, after a polling officer mistakenly tore up dozens of ballot papers for the constituency-based Parliamentary election. The incident occurred at polling station unit 3, located inside Baan Sri Kird Hall in the Chai Sathan sub-district of…
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Anutin declares unofficial victory as Bhumjaithai leads 2026 General Election
Acting Prime Minister (PM), Anutin Charnvirakul, announced an unofficial victory for himself and the Bhumjaithai Party in the 2026 General Election last night, February 8, after the party secured the highest number of seats in Parliament based on a 94% vote count. The General Election was held nationwide yesterday. According to the latest update reported by TNN News this morning,…
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Phrae man returns home for election, finds house ransacked
A man returning to his home in Phrae province on the evening of February 7, for the election, was left stunned when he discovered his house had been broken into, with valuables worth over 200,000 baht missing. The victim, identified as 54 year old Chart, had been away for two to three days to buy goods in Chiang Rai. When…
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Thai politician linked to gambling and money laundering scheme
A criminal network involving an influential local politician in northeast Thailand has been uncovered, allegedly using religious activities to launder money. The group, associated with online gambling platforms, is under investigation for filing false asset declarations. Investigators report that the network is linked to the illegal gambling website ‘www.huaysodplus.com,’ which offers online betting on various lotteries and other gambling activities.…
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Phuket tightens motorcycle rental rules, targets tourist infractions
Phuket officials are increasing regulations on motorcycle rental businesses and addressing unlicensed and reckless riding by foreign tourists. This follows a multi-agency meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on February 6, which was chaired by Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn. The initiative aims to reduce road accidents while maintaining the province’s tourism appeal. The meeting included representatives from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Phuket…
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Court extension sought after elephant’s death during relocation
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has sought an extension from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court for the relocation of three wild elephants. This request comes after a recent incident where an elephant died during its transfer, raising safety concerns. Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Suchart Chomklin, directed Raweewan Bhuridej, the ministry’s…
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Thailand enforces border claim with containers near Cambodian border
Social activist Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, known as ‘Gun Jompalang,’ alongside supporters, is asserting Thailand’s territorial claim near the Cambodian border in Trat province, amid escalating tensions. The planned operation commenced on Friday, involving cranes and forklifts to arrange containers blocking two road access points. These barriers effectively closed entrances to shops and resorts operated by Chinese nationals in areas recently reclaimed…
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Indian tourists rescued from Pattaya condo in 6m rupee ransom plot
In Pattaya, on early yesterday, February 7, police executed a raid on an upscale condominium in the Phratamnak area, successfully freeing two Indian tourists who had been kidnapped and held for ransom by a group of their compatriots. The operation, led by Police Major General Kiattisak Sarathongoi, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division in Provincial Police Region 2, was initiated…
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Heightened vigilance in Narathiwat after anti-government banners found
Security forces in Narathiwat are maintaining heightened vigilance following the discovery of banners with anti-government slogans and items resembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across the province. This activity is believed to be an attempt to incite unrest ahead of the general election set for Sunday. Provincial police commander Prayong Kotsakha reported that police in nine districts received information about 24…
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Pregnant woman among three killed in Bangkok motorway crash
A tragic accident occurred when a couple, including a pregnant woman, driving back to Bangkok, collided with a barrier on the motorway due to spilled plastic pellets. The incident, which led to three fatalities, was caused by negligence on the part of a six-wheel lorry driver. Yesterday, on February 7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sophon Komolsutthi, deputy inspector of Highway Police…
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Iraqi tourist shot dead in Phuket; police hunt for gunman
A violent incident unfolded in Phuket when a helmeted assailant shot and killed an Iraqi tourist in a shocking attack that has raised serious concerns. The Patong Police Station is actively investigating the case apprehend the suspect. Yesterday, on February 7, Police Sub-Lieutenant Thapnatthon Meejeena of the Patong Police Station received a report of a shooting that occurred opposite the…
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Pathum Thani launches operation to assist homeless in Rangsit
Officials in Pathum Thani today, February 6, launched a coordinated effort to relocate homeless individuals living in Rangsit, aiming to provide shelter, medical care, and employment support to assist with societal reintegration. Dr Thanakrit Jittareerattana, secretary to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, joined Rangsit Mayor Police Sub-Lieutenant Dr Treelup Toopgrajank and officials from the Pathum Thani Provincial…
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Thais warned against wearing numbered shirts on election day
The Election Commission of Thailand has urged voters to avoid wearing football jerseys or any shirts featuring numbers on the back when casting their ballots on February 8, warning that such attire could be misinterpreted as political messaging. The announcement was made just days before the upcoming general election, which is expected to draw a high turnout as citizens head…
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Thailand’s alcohol ban frustrates tourists, hits restaurant sales
Foreign tourists visiting Thailand during the country’s election period have found themselves caught off guard by a nationwide alcohol ban, leading to frustration at restaurants and bars, particularly in popular destinations like Bangkok and Phuket. On February 1, during the first 24-hour restriction linked to advance voting, diners at a Bangkok restaurant, newly arrived from the United States, were told…
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French nationals accused of staging theft to scam Thai woman
A Thai woman accused a group of foreigners, believed to be French nationals, of attempting to scam and swindle money from her older sister by falsely claiming she picked up their dropped cash on Phuket road. The woman shared CCTV footage of the incident on her Facebook account, Jedsy Jedsadaporn, on Wednesday, February 4. The incident took place outside her family’s…
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Thailand News | Thailand’s election endgame: coalition horse-trading meets a make-or-break charter vote, Sbai goes street: traditional Thai draping returns as a viral denim-era fashion trend
Today we’ll be talking about the various possible election outcome scenarios coming this weekend, legendary Thai Action Star Tony Jaa’s ongoing battle with cancer is rallying national support, and a little later Sbai goes street, a viral fashion movement is flexing the muscles of Thai soft power. Thailand’s Election Endgame: Coalition Horse-Trading Meets a Make-or-Break Charter Vote With the 8…
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Two men caught hunting protected wildlife in Salawin National Park
Two men were arrested on February 4 in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son province, after they were caught illegally hunting protected wildlife inside Salawin National Park during a routine patrol aimed at preventing wildfires. The incident took place around 7.30pm when park rangers from the conservation and protection division of Salawin National Park were conducting an active patrol in…
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Chachoengsao man dies during livestream as friends hear gasping
A man from Chachoengsao died suddenly while livestreaming late at night on Tuesday, prompting friends to rush to his home after he disappeared from the screen, and disturbing sounds were heard. The incident occurred around 2am on February 6 at a one-storey house in Bang Samak, Bang Pakong district. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station, along with Chachoengsao rescue workers,…
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Norwegian man arrested for assault and car theft on Koh Samui
Police on Koh Samui arrested a Norwegian man after the physical assault of a Thai driver, the theft of a pickup truck, and a high-speed chase across the island. Officers from Koh Samui Police Station were alerted to the incident after receiving reports of a physical assault and vehicle theft in the Mae Nam sub-district of Koh Samui. The incident…
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PM candidate Mongkolkit challenges election secretary to fistfight
A political dispute has surfaced after a prime ministerial candidate publicly challenged Thailand’s election secretary to a physical fight at the country’s Election Commission headquarters. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, 42 year old secretary-general of the New Alternative Party, announced via livestream that he plans to gather supporters at 10.30am today, February 6, at the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) headquarters on Chaeng…
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Russian man found dead on beach below Koh Samui viewpoint
A Russian tourist was found dead on a beach below a viewpoint on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province, with police believing the incident was most likely an accident. The body was discovered on yesterday, February 5, after another foreign tourist encountered the remains on a beach beneath Na Phralan Viewpoint on Koh Samui. The witness immediately contacted officers from…
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Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist
Police arrested a Swedish man at a hotel in Phuket for the alleged rape of a woman from the same country, following a complaint filed earlier this week. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, after officers from Patong Police Station tracked down the suspect at a hotel on Na Nai 8 Road in Kathu district, Phuket. The 32…
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Wild elephants alarm locals and campers in Nakhon Nayok and Tak
Officials in Nakhon Nayok and Tak provinces were called into action today, February 5, after wild elephants emerged from nearby forests and startled both residents and tourists in two separate incidents. In Nakhon Nayok, residents of Moo 8 in Nong Saeng subdistrict, Pak Phli district, alerted wildlife officials after a large male elephant known locally as “Phlai Thongkham”, roughly translated…
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Thai TikToker claims followers can visit Mars and Japan through meditation
A Thai man sparked widespread online controversy after claiming he possesses supernatural abilities and trains children to perform spiritual practices for “out-of-body travel“. The man shared multiple videos on his TikTok account @ongdum, where he presented himself and his followers practising meditation techniques for out-of-body experiences. In each clip, he claimed participants were able to leave their physical bodies and…
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Lopburi teacher under investigation for 800 squat punishment
Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) today, February 5, launched an investigation into a teacher in Lopburi province after confirming that a student was indeed ordered to perform 800 squats as punishment. The case gained national attention after the boy’s father revealed that his son had been hospitalised with severe leg pain after being punished with 800 squats…
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Rare dugongs observed in Trang marine habitat survey
Marine researchers in Trang province teamed up with wildlife defenders yesterday, February 4, to survey dugong populations near Libong Island, using drone technology and direct observation to assess the condition of these rare sea mammals. The survey was led by staff from the Marine National Park Research Centre 3 (Trang) in collaboration with the Dugong Conservation Group, and it was…
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Construction site manager claims gun accident in worker’s death
A construction site manager fatally shot a worker in Ubon Ratchathani and claimed the shooting was accidental, saying the gun discharged when he tried to slap the victim with the firearm. Officers from Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station were called to investigate the fatal shooting at a construction site on Tuesday, February 4, after receiving a report from workers at the…
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