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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Thailand to test seaplane routes to boost island tourism
Thailand is launching a pilot project with seaplane routes in Trang, aiming to boost tourism by linking remote islands with major travel destinations. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has confirmed plans for a pilot seaplane tourism project that could revolutionise the country’s travel industry. The initiative, developed in partnership with private operators Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, will begin test…
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Buddhist council bans monks from acting as lottery seers
Thailand’s Sangha Council has reiterated its ban on monks acting as lottery fortune tellers, warning that the practice breaks religious discipline and the law. The reminder comes amid growing concern over monks engaging in inappropriate activities, with recent cases involving even senior clergy members. Officials said these actions not only undermine Buddhist principles but also erode the faith of devotees.…
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Chao Phraya Dam surge floods Ayutthaya and displaces thousands
Heavy water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam has triggered flooding across Ayutthaya, affecting thousands of households and prompting urgent safety warnings. Floodwaters have swept through large parts of Ayutthaya after water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam was increased by 2,000 to 2,500 cubic metres per second. The National Water Resources Committee approved the release to handle surging inflows…
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Monkey madness: Hundreds escape cages and run riot in Lopburi
Chaos erupted in Lopburi when hundreds of monkeys broke free from a shelter, invading homes, ransacking cars, and even storming a police station. Residents of Lopburi faced a wild spectacle today, September 16, as more than 100 monkeys escaped from the Pho Kao Ton Monkey Shelter in Mueang district. The mass breakout sparked panic in the area, with troops of…
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NACC pushed to rule on digital wallet fund misuse claims
Thailand’s anti-graft body is under pressure to wrap up its probe into claims that two governments misused state loan funds for a flagship handout scheme. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been urged to finalise its investigation into allegations that the administrations of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra breached the constitution by diverting state loan repayment funds to…
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Phuket hotel mystery: Young woman found dead in room
A 26 year old woman was found dead in her hotel room in Phuket, prompting police and forensic teams to investigate the cause of her unexplained death. Police in Cherng Talay are investigating the death of a young woman who was found lifeless in her hotel room within a resort complex yesterday afternoon. Cherng Talay Police received notification of the…
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Thailand video news Thai PM Anutin Demands Measures to Check Sky-High Baht, Thailand Increases Airline Compensation for Delays and Cancellations
Thailand is rolling out a mix of reforms and upgrades — from tougher rules on nightlife and cannabis in Pattaya to higher airline compensation, currency-stabilisation efforts, and faster action on frozen bank accounts — while also pushing drought-relief cloud seeding and a major facelift for Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Abroad, Britain’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally has underscored deep political…
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Pattaya teens terrorise street in explosive gang showdown
Two rival youth gangs clashed in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area, where weapons and explosives were used in a late-night street fight that alarmed nearby residents. A violent clash between two rival youth gangs erupted in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area in the early hours of yesterday, September 15, leaving locals shaken and demanding answers. The altercation broke out around 2am on…
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Phuket shines a light on Islamic roots with weekend festival
A cultural event in Phuket celebrated Islamic heritage, bringing residents and officials together to promote unity, awareness, and community engagement. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) hosted a vibrant two-day event aimed at celebrating the island’s Islamic roots and promoting unity across communities. Titled Retracing the History of Islam in Phuket Province, the event took place on Saturday and Sunday,…
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Bangkok gran blasts cops for blocking 5 million baht transfer
An elderly woman nearly handed over 5 million baht to scammers, then turned on the real police who tried to stop her, claiming they were the fraudsters. The 83 year old granny had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, believing she was following instructions from a suppsed high-ranking officer. When real police showed up at her Bangkok home to stop…
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Ginger cat ‘Som Bangchak’ brings lottery buzz to Pattaya (video)
A stray cat at a Pattaya petrol station has become a local sensation, drawing crowds with a lottery-themed display that blends fun, charm, and social media fame. As lottery fever grips Thailand, a furry local in South Pattaya is bringing smiles, selfies, and a touch of superstition to a Bangchak petrol station. Som Bangchak, a charming ginger stray cat, has…
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Chaos on Chao Phraya: 3 boats go up in flames, no injuries (video)
Three passenger boats caught fire on a major river in Bangkok on Sunday evening, prompting a swift emergency response and warnings for the public to stay clear. Chaos erupted on the Chao Phraya River on Sunday evening, September 14, when three passenger boats were engulfed in flames near Wat Ratcha Singkhon Pier in Bangkok’s Bang Kholaem district. The fire reportedly…
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AI surveillance helps bust truck with 3.7m meth pills in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai police have seized over 3.7 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kilograms of crystal meth hidden in a cabbage truck, following a high-speed chase aided by artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance. The suspect, 24 year old Anusorn “Sanook” Masuk from Ratchaburi, was arrested early yesterday morning, September 14, in Chiang Mai’s San Sai district. Police tracked him using an AI-powered…
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Drunk ex-officer jailed for crash that killed cop and 4 year old boy
A former provincial agriculture officer has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension after a drunk driving crash that killed a police officer and a kindergarten student in Nakhon Ratchasima in December 2024. The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court handed down the ruling today, September 15, in a case involving 75 year old Somsak Asaraijao, who was found guilty…
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Ministry sets up ‘war room’ to tackle frozen bank account issues
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has launched a dedicated “war room” to handle complaints from people whose bank accounts were suddenly frozen over suspected links to mule account scams. The move follows a surge in cases involving online sellers and everyday users finding their accounts suspended temporarily, while authorities investigate possible fraud links. The measure was agreed on…
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Man found dead after Bangkok shophouse fire sparked by refrigerated truck
A man died in a fire that broke out early this morning, September 15, at a four-storey shophouse in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district. Authorities believe the blaze began in a refrigerated truck parked in front of the building. The incident occurred at 5.05am when Thung Maha Mek Police Station received reports of a fire near the Nang Linchi intersection on Ratchadaphisek…
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Thaksin not seeking special prison transfer, says lawyer
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not currently seeking detention outside prison, according to his lawyer, who said any such request would only be made in line with Department of Corrections criteria. Winyat Chartmontree, the former premier’s legal counsel, gave the update after visiting Thaksin at Klong Prem Central Prison on Ngamwongwan Road today, September 15. It was the first…
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Thailand raises compensation for flight delays and cancellations
Passengers flying in Thailand will soon receive higher flight compensation for long delays and cancellations, under new regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Committee. Regulation No. 101, which outlines measures to protect passenger rights on both domestic and international scheduled flights, will take effect on November 20, 2025. For domestic flights, passengers affected by delays of more than five hours…
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Uncertainty over new alcohol act leaves Thai operators in limbo
Uncertainty looms over how Thailand’s revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act will be enforced, as businesses await further details on new advertising restrictions set to take effect later this year. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) of 2025 is scheduled for enactment on November 8, according to the Department of Disease Control under the Public Health Ministry. However, operators in…
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Buri Ram police seize nearly 100 modified motorcycles from convoy
Nearly 100 modified motorcycles were seized by police in Buri Ram province on Sunday, September 14, as part of a crackdown on illegal street convoys and unregistered vehicles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The group, known as the Phor Piang motorcycle group (roughly translating to sufficient), was intercepted while travelling through…
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IKEA Thailand cuts prices, targets hotels and SMEs
IKEA Thailand, part of the Swedish home furnishing company, is addressing economic difficulties by reducing prices and launching the IKEA for Business programme. This initiative targets growing demand from hotels, offices, property developers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Leonie Hoskin, retail manager for IKEA Thailand and Vietnam, noted that fiscal 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025) was challenging due…
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Phatthalung work camp attacked in midnight shooting
A construction camp in Phatthalung province was attacked earlier today, with gunmen opening fire using what appeared to be military-grade weapons. The incident occurred at around 1am on September 15, leaving workers shaken but unharmed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Police Colonel Suphat Khunnui from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station arrived at…
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Pheu Thai faces election setback after Shinawatra controversies
Pheu Thai list-MP and spokesperson, Danuporn Punnakanta, acknowledged yesterday, September 14, the criticism suggesting the party might secure fewer than 100 seats in the upcoming general election. This follows significant developments involving former prime ministers Thaksin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Danuporn stated that the party would refrain from responding to criticism regarding its waning popularity, which has led to predictions from…
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Heavy rains forecast in Bangkok and 41 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast warning for today, September 15, where heavy rains are expected in 41 provinces, including Bangkok and its metropolitan areas, with a 70% chance of downpours. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The eastern, central, northeastern, and southern regions of Thailand are likely…
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Cambodian drones spotted near Thailand border, signals disrupted
Yesterday, 13 September, the Second Army Region summarised the daily situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border. They noted 12 Cambodian drones flying near the border area. Additionally, signals were successfully disrupted for six of these drones. The summary, released by their operations centre, provides an update as of 2pm. The overall situation revealed movements from the Cambodian side in certain areas.…
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Vendor expelled for selling pork as beef in Ayutthaya market
A vendor in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was found to be selling pork and labelling it as beef by applying cow blood to the meat. The market owner discovered the mislabeling during an inspection, and after confirming the deception, the vendor was removed from the market. Chatchai Kittichai, also known as “Chatchai Talad Thai,” who runs a market business, shared…
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Temple denies funds missing as 40 million baht dispute arises
The Luang Por Ngern Wat Bang Klan Foundation and a former temple committee member have clarified that no funds have gone missing, disputing claims that between 30 and 40 million baht have disappeared. Yesterday, September 13, Porn Panpeng, the foundation’s secretary and former committee member of Wat Hirunyaram or Wat Bang Klan in Pho Thale district, Phichit province, addressed the…
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High-profile Thai figure under investigation for donation scandal
A prominent news presenter has posted a teaser on Facebook that hints at a developing story involving a famous individual with followers across Thailand. This person is reportedly under investigation for connections to women and a vast amount of donation money, making previous scandals seem minor in comparison. The news that once dominated headlines yesterday, on September 13, involved Sika…
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Manhunt underway after fatal stabbing in Lop Buri
A man, frustrated in his search for his wife, whom he suspected others were concealing, attacked and fatally stabbed his wife’s friend. The incident took place at 8.30pm yesterday, on September 13, in Lop Buri province. Following the attack, the suspect fled into the nearby forest, prompting a police manhunt. The assault occurred at a rented room in Mueang district,…
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Bank of Thailand tackles mule account freeze impact
The Bank of Thailand has acknowledged that the suspension of mule accounts could impact a significant number of people. Discussions with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) and commercial banks are underway to devise a way to unlock legitimate accounts not linked to mule activities. Yesterday, on September 13, Daranee Saeju, assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand, responsible for…
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