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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thai officer accused of land encroachment on self-help settlement
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) requested police action regarding an alleged land encroachment involving a prominent police officer in Ubon Ratchathani. Police Senior Sergeant Major Yutthaphon Srisompong, popularly known online as “Johnny the Enforcer,” owns a resort in Lam Dom Noi. The land on which the resort is built has been designated by the ministry as…
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Thai man admits killing 2 year old stepson for crying too much
A Thai man confessed to killing his two year old stepson at a house in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, claiming the child’s crying irritated him. The boy, named Kong Beng, was rushed to Sai Noi Hospital in Bang Bua Thong district at around 10pm on Sunday, July 6, after being found unconscious in the family home. Despite medical efforts, he…
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Cat-astrophe in Pattaya: Faulty bug zapper blamed as fire guts bar
A racy late-night basement bar in Pattaya went up in flames in the early hours, with shocked punters and neighbours jolted awake by the acrid stench of smoke and the sound of sirens. The fire, which tore through Cat Flaps on Soi Phratamnak 4 just after 2am, yesterday, July 7, marked the third bar blaze in Pattaya in as many…
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Government warns Thais: Nominee roles risk jail time
The government issued a warning against acting as nominees for foreign investors in business ventures, particularly in tourism-related sectors, highlighting the risk of severe legal repercussions. Sanctions include imprisonment, substantial fines, asset confiscation, and the revocation of business licences. Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Pruksanusak stated that many are either unknowingly or willingly being used as fronts or nominees by foreigners…
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Deal or no deal? Thailand rocked by Trump’s 36% tariffs bomb
Donald Trump has lobbed another economic grenade into global markets, slapping punishing new tariffs on key US trading partners, including Thailand, in a fresh trade tirade that’s left allies fuming and markets tumbling. The US president kicked off his latest trade war salvo by revealing a raft of “reciprocal” tariff letters, and warned this was only the beginning. Starting August…
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Last farewell: Thai-Swedish couple arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine
A Swedish man and his Thai girlfriend bid farewell to each other after they were arrested at a condominium in Phuket yesterday, July 6, for selling cocaine. Officers from Patong Police Station reported the arrest of the two suspects, a 41 year old Swedish man and his 31 year old Thai girlfriend, yesterday. The names of the suspects have not…
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Thailand struggles to revive Chinese tourism as arrivals drop 34%
Thailand’s tourism sector is grappling with a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals, forcing tourism agencies to lower expectations and step up efforts to attract more visitors. In the first half of 2025, Chinese tourist numbers fell by 34% compared to last year, with only 2,265,556 arrivals recorded. This downturn has pushed China into second place behind Malaysia, which saw 2,299,897…
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Manchester gets Thai’d up with new direct flight to Bangkok
Manchester Airport is flying high after bagging a brand-new direct route to Bangkok, making it the only airport outside London with a non-stop flight to the Thai capital. The weekly service, operated by Norse Atlantic Airways on a Boeing 787-9, will take off in November, offering northerners a hassle-free ticket to the most-visited city on the planet. Tickets have just…
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Rescuer catches giant king cobra in Trang durian orchard
A large king cobra was captured in a Trang durian orchard after repeated sightings during harvest season. Orchard owner, 73 year old Jarun Sae-Iew, today, July 7, called for help after spotting the snake again on his orchard in Ban Thung Yao, Palian district. He contacted 21 year old Suphat Eadchata, known locally as Benz the Snake Wrangler, a rescue…
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Police investigate toddler’s death with bruises in Nonthaburi
A two year old boy has died with bruises covering his body, prompting an investigation by police in Nonthaburi province. The child’s biological father fainted upon arriving at the hospital, while the mother suspects her new partner of four months. At 10.20pm yesterday, July 6, police from Sai Noi Police Station were informed by Sai Noi Hospital that a man…
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Phuket’s got night fever as new market hits the spot
Phuket Town has a new reason to stay up late, a sprawling night market has officially opened near Surin Circle, giving a boost to small businesses and offering a fresh hotspot for locals and tourists alike. The Plern Pao Night Market was launched with a flourish on Saturday, July 5, with Phuket MP Thitikan Thitiphrutikul presiding over the opening ceremony.…
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Bangkok expressways free on July 10 and 11 for Buddhist holidays
Motorists in Bangkok will enjoy free access to major expressways for two days to mark the Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent holidays. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced toll exemptions on July 10 and 11, from midnight to midnight each day. Some 61 toll booths across the Chalerm Maha Nakhon, Si Rat, and Udon Ratthaya expressways will waive toll…
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Thailand warns travellers of Japan’s new power bank rules
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a notice reminding travellers of new regulations on carrying power banks when flying to Japan. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced the updated rules, which will take effect tomorrow, July 8. Under the new guidelines, passengers may carry and use power banks during the flight, but the devices…
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Elderly man injured by driver in buffalo collision dispute
A 71 year old man filed a police report in Surin province after being assaulted by a driver following an accident involving a buffalo. The driver allegedly struck him with a licence plate, causing facial injuries. The victim, Likit, reported the incident to Police Lieutenant Kan Wanaram, Deputy Inspector at the Sri Narong Police Station, on July 6. The collision…
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Drunk man pulls gun, attacks guests at Buriram housewarming party
A drunk man armed with a gun caused a disturbance at a housewarming ceremony in Buriram yesterday, July 6, injuring one person and threatening local security officers. The incident took place at around 3pm in Ban Jan village, Nong Teng subdistrict, Krasang district. Witnesses said the man arrived uninvited, fired a shot into the air, and later assaulted several people.…
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Burmese man arrested for wife’s murder in Samut Prakan hotel
A Burmese man was apprehended for the suspected murder of his wife at a hotel in the Mueang district of Samut Prakan province. Hotel staff found the man behaving suspiciously outside the room before discovering his dead wife inside. Yesterday, July 6 at 12.30pm, Police Lieutenant Panyawat Khamsi from the Samut Prakan Mueang Police Station received reports of a woman found…
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Moo-ving too fast: Biker killed in horror smash with herd of cows
A tragic accident occurred when a 47 year old man on a motorcycle collided with a herd of cows crossing a road in the Lahan Sai district of Buriram province. The incident, which resulted in the man’s death, happened yesterday, July 6, along the Baan Pak Chong–Nong Waeng road. Police Lieutenant Asadayuth Phelkorabuti, Deputy Inspector at Lahan Sai Police Station,…
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Senate panel summons PM Paetongtarn over border issues
Thailand’s Senate Committee on Military and National Security has invited suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to explain the government’s approach to mounting security concerns along the Thai-Cambodian border. Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, the committee’s secretary and spokesperson, said the decision was prompted by disputes affecting Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests under the constitution. He added that Cambodia’s actions were…
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Thai women caught in call centre scam at Cambodia border
The Eastern Border Security Forces apprehended two Thai women who falsely claimed they were deceived into working in Poipet, Cambodia. In reality, they were hired to cross the border illegally and create mule bank accounts and conduct face scans for a call centre scam. Their background checks revealed that one suspect, 48 year old Ornuma Boonchoong, had been implicated in…
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Thailand to boost tourism with Muslim-friendly hotel certification
A Bangkok hotel has become the first in Thailand to receive Muslim-friendly certification aimed at improving the tourism experiences of Muslim travellers. Ninareeman Binnima, a Thai veterinarian, said to Bangkok Post that many foreign Muslim business visitors struggle to find Halal dining options at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports. She noted this issue affects Thailand’s reputation among Muslim tourists.…
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Respected Lop Buri abbot found dead outside temple lodgings
A 61 year old abbot was found dead outside his lodging at a temple in Wang Chan subdistrict, Khok Samrong district, Lop Buri province yesterday, July 6. The discovery of the abbot, Phra Athikan Chatchai, shocked both students and locals who revered him as a respected monk. The incident, accompanied by a handwritten note, suggested a tragic cause. Police Lieutenant Suthiphong…
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Thailand Video News | British man jailed 21 years for child trafficking in Pattaya, Selangor to enforce plastic bag ban across all councils by 2026
In Thailand, the government’s controversial casino bill is faltering amid public opposition, while system failures have forced major hotel chains to pull out of a domestic tourism subsidy program. The country also saw the conviction of a British man for child trafficking in Pattaya and a community-driven relief effort supporting nightlife workers struggling from the ongoing tourism slump. Meanwhile, unusual…
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Pattaya restaurant owner defends hygiene after sexy cooking video
A female restaurant owner in Pattaya reassured the public of her hygiene standards after facing criticism for cooking and serving food while wearing revealing outfits. The owner of the Kai Yok Krok restaurant in Pattaya, Napak-on “Prece” Jiraratchataphak, caught the attention of Thai netizens with her provocative attire and cooking videos. Both Thai and foreign customers began flocking to her…
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Kuwait too late: Pensioner dies in Phuket beach tragedy
A 74 year old Kuwaiti man who ignored warnings not to swim in rough seas drowned at a Phuket beach, the latest in a string of tourist deaths in treacherous Thai waters. A holidaying Kuwaiti pensioner died after being pulled unconscious from the sea at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket early on Saturday morning, July 5. Police arrived at the…
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Thailand races to avert steep US tariffs with trade deal
Thailand has submitted its latest trade proposal to the United States in a last-minute effort to avoid steep tariffs on its exports, as confirmed by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. The move comes ahead of a July 9 deadline when a 90-day suspension capping tariffs at 10% for most nations is set to expire. If no agreement is reached, Washington plans…
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Lao national arrested in Surin for child abuse video distribution
A 20 year old Lao national has been detained for producing and distributing online child sexual abuse material in Surin province. The man allegedly managed covert groups on a widely used chat application, charging fees for access to explicit videos featuring underage boys. The suspect, Chaipol, was apprehended at a resort in Mueang district on July 5 by officers from the…
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FDA plans new standards for bottled water
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to propose a draft announcement to the health minister to raise the quality standards of bottled water and ice to international levels. Doctor Surachoke Tangwiwat, Secretary General of the FDA, said the proposal aims to benefit manufacturers, consumers, and the environment. A recent meeting was held to present the draft regulations, which…
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Wild elephants from Thap Lan venture out, sparking concerns
A herd of more than 100 wild elephants from Thap Lan National Park has ventured out of the World Heritage Forest, causing concern among residents about potential crop damage and safety risks. Yesterday, July 6, residents of Wang Ai Pong village near the Naruebodindra Chinda Reservoir, Prachinburi province, reported the elephants foraging near their homes. Local leaders and Thap Lan…
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Thai girl risks brain damage after mistaking cannabis gummies for sweets
A two year old Thai girl in the northern province of Chiang Mai lost consciousness and may suffer long-term brain damage after mistaking cannabis gummies for sweets and eating more than 10 of them on July 2. The girl’s father took to Facebook to warn other parents about the dangers of cannabis gummies after his daughter was hospitalised twice following…
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Thailand investigates mpox case in Chiang Mai amid rising numbers
The Department of Disease Control is actively investigating a mpox case in Chiang Mai, as Thailand reports 40 cumulative cases this year, with a total of 900 cases and 13 deaths since 2022. Sexual transmission is identified as a primary cause of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, prompting advice to use condoms to mitigate risk. Vigilant monitoring of international mpox…
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