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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Thaksin’s royal pardon bid under review by justice panel
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be one step closer to freedom as the Justice Ministry confirms a panel has been formed to review his royal pardon request. Justice Minister Police Lieutenant General Rutthapon Naowarat announced yesterday, October 2, that the committee will assess Thaksin’s petition and is expected to decide within three days. The move follows a formal submission…
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Bangkok kids hit hardest as flu and HFMD cases skyrocket
Bangkok is battling a worrying surge in flu and hand, foot, mouth disease (HFMD), with thousands of new infections reported and children worst affected. Health officials are urging parents to be vigilant as cases continue to rise with the arrival of the rainy season, which has created ideal conditions for disease transmission in schools and crowded communities. According to the…
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Bangkok woman caught in 5 billion baht global laundering scheme
A Bangkok woman was arrested for allegedly operating bank accounts linked to a transnational money laundering network worth over 5 billion baht. Nicknamed the “Bangkok granny banker” by online sleuths, the suspect was nabbed by Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) officers while walking along Ngam Wong Wan Road in the city’s Chatuchak district. Police identified her as Wimol, who was…
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Employer pours boiling water on worker over romance with her brother
A female employer allegedly poured boiling water over a female employee after discovering a romantic relationship between the victim and her older brother. The shocking attack on the 22 year old victim drew widespread public attention after a social media influencer shared the case on his Facebook page, Ban Hia Charn Oui Ubon. He posted a photograph of the victim…
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China denies fuelling Thai-Cambodian border tensions with arms
China has denied claims that its weapons were used by Cambodia in recent border clashes with Thailand, insisting it had no part in escalating the conflict. The denial comes after speculation in regional media that Chinese-made rockets were deployed by Cambodian forces during violent exchanges between July 24 and 28, reigniting scrutiny over Beijing’s growing military and economic influence in…
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Thailand video news Bridge electrocution victim vanishes in Nan River, Massive plastic factory fire forces evacuation in Bangkok
Thailand’s headlines this week capture a mix of tragedy, public safety concerns, and cultural milestones. From a fatal electrocution accident in Uttaradit and violent clashes in Pattaya and Phuket to a factory fire in Bangkok and quake devastation in the Philippines, safety and disaster response took center stage. Meanwhile, Thailand’s progress on climate goals drew both praise and criticism,…
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Portuguese crypto scammer arrested in Bangkok mall sting
A Portuguese man was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly running a massive cryptocurrency and credit card scam across Europe and Asia, police confirmed. The Portuguese national 39 year old Carlos Laposo, dubbed the “crypto kingpin” in Portuguese media, was apprehended at a luxury shopping mall on Rama I Road after Thai immigration officers tracked him down following a tip-off from…
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CCTV captures foreign thief stealing laptops and wallet in Phuket
A Thai man is seeking clues to the identity of a foreign suspect who allegedly stole two laptops and a wallet from accommodation in the Bang Tao area of Phuket on Wednesday, October 1. The victim, Ferosh “Eve” Suriya, posted CCTV footage of the alleged thief on his Facebook account yesterday, October 2, urging netizens to provide any information if…
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Stoned son knocks mum out cold in Thai family meltdown
A Thai man high on cannabis has been accused of viciously attacking his mother, leaving her battered and unconscious in a brutal outburst at their rural home. The incident unfolded earlier this week in a village in Thailand, where the suspect, the woman’s biological son, allegedly assaulted her following a heated argument. The young man has since surrendered himself to…
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Dutch man and Thai woman arrested in Pattaya child prostitution crackdown
Police arrested a Dutch man and a Thai woman in Pattaya for procuring children for prostitution after teenage victims were taken to a hotel to provide sexual services to foreigners. Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) received a tip-off from the Destiny Rescue and Free a Girl foundations about a child prostitution ring in Pattaya, allegedly operated by…
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Russian man found dead in Phuket pool villa
A Russian man was found dead at a villa in Phuket after being pulled from a pool, prompting police to launch an investigation into the circumstances. The 58 year old tourist was discovered lying face-up and wet on a bed inside his private accommodation in a housing estate in Rawai. Police were alerted to the scene at 11am yesterday, October…
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Jesus on fire: Blaze tears through idol factory in Bangkok
A fire broke out at a factory in Bangkok’s Bang Na district, destroying part of a site used to produce Christian religious idols. No injuries were reported. The blaze broke out inside a single-storey warehouse belonging to Paul Industry Co., Ltd., located in Soi Lasalle 42, off Sukhumvit 105. Emergency services were alerted around 1am yesterday, October 2, and Bang…
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Thailand climbs climate ranks but flunks on clean energy
Thailand was ranked 24th in a global climate index, receiving praise for emissions control but criticism for its weak renewable energy efforts and policies. The ranking highlights a high score for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, a medium score for energy use, but a disappointing low score for renewable energy adoption and a low score for climate policy. To further align…
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Man vanishes after fatal electric shock on Nan River bridge (video)
A man died after being electrocuted by a hanging cable while trying to secure a drifting raft to a bridge over the Nan River in Uttaradit province. The incident occurred yesterday morning, October 1, in Ban Dong village, Pichai district, when the man attempted to stop the fast-moving raft from being swept away by strong currents in the Nan River.…
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Mayor’s grandson wanted after jealous stabbing at Phuket pub
Police in Phuket are searching for a man accused of stabbing a rival inside a popular pub during a violent altercation believed to be motivated by jealousy. Police are on the trail of a suspect wanted for a vicious stabbing at a pub in Phuket Town, with the attacker identified as the grandson of a prominent southern politician. The attack,…
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Indian nightclub brawl in Pattaya heads to court
An Indian tourist and a nightclub manager are heading to court after a dispute at a Pattaya venue allegedly turned violent over an unpaid bill and threats. The incident reportedly took place at 4am on Friday, September 26, when 33 year old Rohit alleged that he was dragged behind the venue, beaten, and threatened with a firearm by the club’s…
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Baht holds steady as US shutdown spooks global markets
Thailand’s central bank reassured the public that no irregularities have been seen in local markets after the US shutdown triggered global financial jitters. The shutdown, which began after the US Senate failed to approve a temporary spending bill, has unsettled international markets and raised concerns over delayed economic data critical to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. Yesterday, October 1,…
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Thailand and Mexico celebrate 50 years of friendship in Phuket
Diplomats, officials and guests gathered in Phuket to celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mexico at a gala dinner event. Hosted at the elegant Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort & Villas in Kamala, the event was organised by Natthakanya Sangpho, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Phuket. The evening welcomed an illustrious gathering of guests, including dignitaries, diplomats,…
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Miracle escape: Myanmar couple plunge off Sri Racha bridge
A Myanmar couple survived a 10-metre fall after crashing their motorcycle off a Sri Racha overpass while en route to work, prompting a swift rescue response. The crash took place yesterday, October 1, at around 3pm near the Bo Yang overpass on the inbound lane to Chon Buri. Rescue teams from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Unit, ambulance staff from…
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Bangkok saver strikes it rich with 30 million baht lottery jackpot
A Bangkok resident won 30 million baht in a Government Savings Bank (GSB) lottery draw, becoming the latest millionaire in this special two-year savings scheme. The winner, a customer of GSB’s CentralWorld branch in the Thai capital, struck gold with the first-prize ticket in the popular long-term savings lottery. The bank officially announced the results yesterday, October 1, via its…
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Chinese tourist missing after being swept away in Phuket surf
A Chinese tourist went missing while swimming in rough waters at a Phuket beach, prompting a coordinated search by police, rescue teams, and local officials. The tourist was swept away by strong waves while swimming at Nai Harn Beach. The incident occurred yesterday, October 1, at around 2.48pm, prompting an urgent response from local police and rescue teams. Officers from…
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Humble garland vendor in central Thailand wins 12 million baht
A garland vendor from Prachin Buri won the top lottery prize but surprised locals by continuing her work at a roadside stall the very next day. The winner, a 55 year old woman named Kinaree, discovered she held two first-prize tickets with the winning number 876978, announced in the Government Lottery Office’s October 1 draw. The two-digit number for the…
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Pattaya patrol heroes return lost wallet to Chinese tourist
Pattaya officers returned a lost wallet to a tourist during a routine patrol, earning praise for their honesty in safeguarding visitors to the city. The incident unfolded around 8pm during a routine patrol by municipal officers from Pattaya City Administration’s Peacekeeping Division along the bustling Walking Street. Officers Natthaphum Singhseng, Nophakhun Songcharoen and Rungrueang Boonprakob were making their rounds when…
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Thailand video news Phetchabun Woman Wins 6 Million Baht in Lottery, PM Anutin Says US Shutdown Won’t Harm Thailand’s Economy
Thailand’s week brought a mix of political debate, infrastructure woes, crime busts, and human drama. A Phuket MP called for tighter visa rules to curb unruly tourists, while another Bangkok road collapse reignited concerns over aging infrastructure. PM Anutin downplayed fears of U.S. shutdown impacts on the economy, as police nabbed an Interpol fugitive in Bangkok with drugs…
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Thailand maintains Tier 2 spot in US trafficking report
Thailand has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the United States’ 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking the fourth year in a row the kingdom has remained in the category. The ranking reflects efforts to combat human trafficking but also highlights persistent shortcomings, according to officials. The TIP Report, released by the US Department of State on Monday, September…
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Ayutthaya worker hits jackpot with 12 million baht lottery win
A worker in Ayutthaya became an instant millionaire after winning the top prize in the national lottery, sparking celebration in their hometown community. The lucky winner held two tickets that matched the first-prize number in the October 1 draw yesterday, announced by the Government Lottery Office. The winning ticket number, 876978, was revealed alongside the two-digit prize number 77. The…
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Pattaya plunge: Man falls to death from high-rise condo
A man fell to his death from a high-rise condominium in Pattaya, shocking onlookers and prompting a police investigation into what caused the fatal plunge. The incident occurred around 12.30pm yesterday, October 1, at a prominent condominium on Second Road in North Pattaya. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suteeraphan Thapasri of Pattaya City Police received the alert and immediately notified senior officers.…
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Rayong house fire kills 7 as family trapped in blaze (video)
A deadly fire broke out in a residential area of Rayong, killing seven people and injuring three others in the early hours, prompting an urgent investigation. The blaze broke out at around 4.30am today, October 2, near the entrance to Pai 2, Soi 7, in Tha Pradu subdistrict. Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames engulfed the property. Firefighters…
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Lottery luck: Phetchabun woman scoops 6 million baht jackpot (video)
A woman from Phetchabun won the national lottery’s first prize, sparking cheers as her neighbours gathered to celebrate her 6 million baht jackpot. The winner, known as Jeab from Ban Ang Padu, became the centre of attention when the results of today’s (October 1) government lottery draw were announced. The winning number, 876978, secured her the life-changing payout, sparking cheers…
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Thai father attacks daughter with saw in Samut Prakan house
A Thai father attacked his 15 year old daughter with a saw at a house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok today, October 1, after she refused to help him with his work. Officers from Bang Kaew Police Station rushed to a house in the Bang Pli district of Samut Prakan this afternoon following reports of child abuse. Rescuers from…
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