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 Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
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PM Paetongtarn embraces political moniker amid press scrutiny
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been nicknamed “Paetongphoey” by Government House reporters, as part of their tradition of assigning monikers to senior officials at the year’s end. The nickname combines the first two syllables of her name with the Thai word “phoey,” meaning “script,” referencing her reliance on prepared speeches during significant events. When asked about the nickname, the 38…
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Thai father allegedly kidnaps 11 year old daughter for begging
A Thai man allegedly kidnapped his young daughter from her aunt’s home in Bangkok for begging. The man is expected to be hiding in Chachoengsao province near Bangkok. The aunt of the missing girl, Na, filed a complaint at Romklao Police Station yesterday, December 22, that her older brother Phon took her 11 year old niece named C (pseudonym) away…
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Thai mother tries to assault Grab driver, mistaking him for daughter’s boyfriend
A Grab car driver shared dashcam footage showing his passenger’s mother mistaking him for her daughter’s boyfriend and attempting to assault him. He posted the video as a warning to other app-based drivers. The driver, Tanapon “Benz” Chumwong, shared the footage on the Facebook group Grab Car Driver Club Thailand yesterday, December 22. Benz captioned the video… “Warning for Grab…
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Thai teen pregnancy leads to clash between families at hospital
An unplanned pregnancy of a 15 year old Thai girl led to a clash between her mother and her boyfriend’s older sister at a hospital in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan on December 20. A viral video showed two women, 42 year old Phatcharee and 28 year old On-anong, fighting in a hospital, later reported to be Nakhon Sawan…
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Thailand’s massage therapist shortage outlined by Health Ministry
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has unveiled plans to train 7,000 new massage therapists, addressing a significant workforce shortage in an industry worth 200 billion baht annually. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced the initiative yesterday, December 22, emphasising the goal of elevating Thai traditional massage as a complementary treatment alongside conventional medicine. The programme will focus on developing specialists who…
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Shots fired at cockfighting arena after million baht bet (video)
Shots rang out at a cockfighting arena in Nakhon Pathom as a group reportedly lost a high-stakes bet of around a million baht. Law enforcement launched a manhunt for three armed suspects involved in the incident. Two suspects have already been detained, with police vowing to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice. The incident, which occurred when a group lost…
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Thai police removed after video exposes traffic fine misconduct
A viral video on Thai social media led to the temporary removal of a traffic officer from the Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, for allegedly collecting traffic fines personally. The Facebook news page Social Hunter 2022 yesterday, December 22, shared the video, which shows a traffic officer from Rattanathibet Police Station collecting an unofficial fine from a…
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MPs urged to prioritise urgent bills in packed Parliamentary session
Chief government whip Wisut Chainarun is optimistic that the House will successfully scrutinise approximately 20 urgent bills during the current Parliamentary session. This session, which commenced yesterday, December 22, has a packed agenda with bills of significant economic and social impact awaiting approval. The urgent bills include legislation on fisheries, aimed at tackling industry challenges, and a bill to introduce…
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Jealous husband shoots wife over infidelity suspicions
A tragic domestic incident unfolded yesterday, December 22, in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, where a jealous husband used his stepson to lure his wife into opening a bedroom door before fatally shooting her. The woman, identified as 38 year old Dusadee was found critically injured in her home and later succumbed to her injuries at Chonprathan Hospital Pak Kret. The incident occurred…
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Underage Mercedes-Benz driver and girlfriend survive after crashing into truck
A 16 year old Thai boy and his 17 year old girlfriend survived after the underage driver lost control of his black Mercedes-Benz, causing it to be launched onto the back of a parked six-wheel truck at a road construction site in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. Officers from Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station were alerted to the accident at about 12.30am…
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Pathum Thani shop offers splash of petrol to locals, free of charge
A motorcycle shop owner in Pathum Thani has generously offered free petrol to locals, leading to long queues of motorbikes stretching over 500 metres. This gesture, not tied to any festival or condition, aims to alleviate financial burdens. Residents, motorcycle taxi drivers, and delivery riders gathered in front of the Nuanakorn Motorcycles shop on the road alongside Klong Sam to…
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Twenty years on, waves of Tsunami trauma still echoes in Phang Nga
Twenty years after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, survivors in Thailand’s Ban Nam Khem village in Phan Nga province still carry vivid memories of that fateful December morning. For Neungduangjai Sritrakarn, then a 20 year old college freshman, the day began with her mother’s urgent warning to evacuate their seaside home. Sensing danger from unusual whitecaps on the Andaman…
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Thailand video news | Thai taxi driver assaulted by foreigner in Pattaya, Malaysia to resume search for missing flight MH370
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver a roundup of gripping stories from Thailand and beyond. From a Pattaya court sentencing three individuals for the shocking murder of a German businessman to a devastating three-vehicle collision in Nong Bua Lamphu, the headlines cover a spectrum of impactful events. They also highlight Phuket’s historic upcoming same-sex marriage ceremony, a…
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Thai travellers may use ThaID app for airport check-in
Thai nationals now have the option to utilise the ThaID app to present digital identification cards when checking in for flights, aiming to alleviate travel inconveniences during the upcoming new year holiday period. With the introduction of this app, checking in at airports like Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airport is said to become significantly easier, especially when paired with…
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Dutch tourist allegedly escapes bills and steals from many Phuket hotels
A Dutch tourist reportedly evaded paying bills and stole room keys, along with other items, from several hotels in Phuket but remains at large. The Facebook page Phuket Times reported on Saturday, December 21, issuing a warning to hotels in Phuket… “Naughty tourist! He stayed at multiple hotels in Phuket and left without paying. He even stole the room key…
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Udon Thani officers suspended over allegations of traffic bribes
Eighteen traffic police officers in Udon Thani are facing suspension due to allegations of accepting bribes for traffic tickets. This development arose after a video was shared on a popular Thai Facebook page, depicting officers providing motorists with a choice: pay on the spot or receive a ticket. Public outcry ensued, with many criticising the practice. The incident occurred yesterday,…
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Irishman denies involvement in Thai girlfriend’s death in Pattaya
An Irishman denied any knowledge of his Thai girlfriend’s death after reportedly staying with her body for three days in an apartment in Pattaya before other residents noticed the unpleasant odour. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to the five-storey apartment in Banglamung district, Pattaya, to investigate the mysterious death of 45 year old Thai woman Duangta. Police, accompanied…
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Thai weather: Cool mornings, thunderstorms, and changing temps
Severe weather conditions are expected in various regions of Thailand today, December 23, as the Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings for freezing temperatures and thunderstorms covering 20% of certain areas. Despite a slight rise in temperatures across northern Thailand, mountainous areas remain extremely cold. TMD attributes the fluctuating weather to a weakening high-pressure system over the upper parts of Thailand,…
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This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you or your loved ones, prioritising health ensures security and peace of mind in the long run. In Thailand, medical costs…
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Rare serow surprises tourists at Khao Yai National Park
A rare sighting of a two year old male serow has delighted tourists at Khao Yai National Park. The friendly mammal, often elusive due to its habitat in steep mountainous regions, casually approached visitors at a campsite, allowing for close interactions and selfies. Khao Yai National Park, located at the junction of Nakhon Nayok and Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima,…
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Dutch tourist fined 3000 baht for stunts on Koh Samui
A Dutch tourist found himself in trouble after being caught performing dangerous stunts on a motorcycle in Koh Samui. His actions, including popping wheelies and revving loudly, drew the attention of local police, who were not amused by his claim of ignorance regarding Thai laws. The incident came to light following a Facebook post in a group dedicated to Samui…
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Phuket mayors face charges in major corruption scandal
Three mayors in Phuket—Aroon Solos of Rawai, Panya Samphaorat of Pa Khlok, and Juta Dumlak from Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation—are embroiled in legal battles over corruption charges. Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri confirmed these proceedings, emphasising a broader push against corruption in the province. Panya Samphaorat faces charges from the Phuket branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for neglecting…
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Thailand strengthens efforts to combat PM2.5 pollution crisis
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has mobilised multiple government agencies to address Thailand’s PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with a focus on key ministries such as Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture, Interior, and Transport. The Royal Thai Police are also involved in this coordinated effort, aiming to tackle pollution from agricultural burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities. These measures are designed to…
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Thai police arrest six Chinese nationals in call centre fraud bust
Thai police have taken decisive action against an international call centre fraud operation by arresting six Chinese nationals in Bangkok. The operation, which was uncovered in a luxury condominium on Ratchadapisek Road, Huai Khwang, involved a sophisticated network of equipment, including 286 Sim Boxes, 208,652 SIM cards, and 636 mobile phones. The arrested individuals, identified as Fengran Wen, Zhang Jun,…
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Nationwide elections set for February 1, excluding 29 provinces
Nationwide elections for provincial administrative organisation presidents and councillors are scheduled for February 1, as confirmed by the Office of Election Commission. The registration for candidacy is open from December 23 to December 27. In 29 provinces, however, elections for PAO presidents will not occur on that day because these presidents vacated their positions before the end of their terms…
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Taxi driver arrested after fleeing petrol station in Chaiyaphum
A dramatic chase unfolded in Chaiyaphum when a Bangkok-registered taxi collided with both a truck and a police vehicle after its driver fled from a petrol station without settling the fuel bill. The incident, which took place on Chaiyaphum-Bua Yai Road in Mueang district, resulted in the arrest of the 36 year old taxi driver, yesterday morning. The sequence of…
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Don Mueang Airport expects 13% flight rise over new year
Anticipating a significant upswing in travel activity, Airports of Thailand (AoT) forecasts a 13.32% increase in flights at Don Mueang Airport during the new year period, with approximately 717,002 passengers expected to pass through its gates. This surge signifies an 88.62% recovery in flight numbers compared to pre-Covid-19 figures, according to AoT president Kerati Kijmanawat. The passenger count reflects a…
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Chiang Mai soldiers seize 300,000 meth pills after shootout
Soldiers in Chiang Mai‘s Fang district intercepted a significant drug smuggling operation early yesterday morning, December 21, confiscating 300,000 methamphetamine pills left behind by fleeing suspects. The incident unfolded when two military patrols from the Chaiyanuparb special unit encountered three or four men carrying rucksacks near an orange grove in tambon Monpin at approximately 3am. Upon being signalled to stop…
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Sisaket: Man hides in neighbour’s urn after stabbing father (video)
A distressing incident unfolded yesterday, December 20, in Kanthararom district, Sisaket province, where a young man, allegedly under the influence of drugs, stabbed his father before fleeing and hiding in a neighbour’s urn. Police at Kanthararom station received a report at 5.30pm yesterday about a son attacking his father at a residence in Ban Ko, Phak Phrao subdistrict. Upon their…
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Transwoman arrested for explicit online content in Korat
Police have apprehended a transwoman involved in producing and distributing explicit content online, following a discovery of over 120 illicit clips. The operation, led by high-ranking officials, targeted a transgender individual identified as 37 year old Natthakan, accused of creating and circulating pornographic material and uploading it to a computer system. The arrest took place at a residence in the…
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