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 How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
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Thailand forges ‘Strategic Partnership’ with New Zealand
Thailand and New Zealand have vowed to embark on a historic “Strategic Partnership” journey by 2026, commemorating seven decades of diplomatic camaraderie, revealed government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin rolled out the red carpet for New Zealand’s Premier Christopher Luxon at Government House, overseeing the signing of two game-changing Memorandums of Understanding. The first pact is a…
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Thailand faces severe weather with strong winds, 42°C heatwave
A severe weather warning has been issued by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) for 39 provinces today, forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail, especially in the northern and northeastern regions. The country is also experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to a peak of 42 degrees Celsius. Today’s weather conditions, as predicted by the TMD at 6am, indicate a…
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Security volunteer shot dead at father’s grave in Yala
A fatal shooting incident took a grim turn in Yala when a security volunteer was brutally assassinated while he was reading the Quran at his father’s grave. The 43 year old victim, Ruslee Daleng, was a ranger volunteer who received a fatal headshot at a Muslim graveyard situated in Tambon Than To of Yala’s Than To district. The Than To…
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Chemical explosion at Banglamung ice factory affects over 60
A chemical explosion disrupted the peaceful night in Nongprue, near Pattaya, at the Banglamung Ice Factory last night, April 17. The explosion, taking place around 11.36pm, unleashed a cloud of chemicals into the sky, prompting swift action from local authorities. By 4am today, the situation was under control, with no deaths or severe injuries reported. The District Chief of Bang…
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Thai IT service demand surges due to digital transformation and AI
Global managed service provider Kyndryl believes the demand for information technology (IT) services in Thailand is being driven by factors such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), smart cloud, and the modernisation of IT infrastructure. Kyndryl was born out of the spin-off of IBM’s infrastructure service business in 2021. Kittipong Asawapichayon, the managing director of Kyndryl Thailand and Vietnam spoke…
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Thai man and foreigner clash over water splash dispute (video)
A water splash dispute between a foreign man and a Thai man became more than a storm in a coffee cup at a petrol station in the eastern province of Rayong sparking controversy on Thai social media. The argument reportedly began when the Thai man splashed water into the foreign man’s coffee cup. The Thai man, identified only as Sorn,…
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Songkran celebration turns violent in Phitsanulok with gang attack
A gang of youths caused a stir on the streets of Phitsanulok as the first day of Songkran turned violent and resulted in several serious injuries. The incident, which occurred on April 13, began when a group of young men climbed onto a vehicle and sexually assaulted a woman. After being confronted and asked to get off, they returned with…
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Thai man suspected of beheading his father at home in Songkhla
Police suspected a Thai man of beheading his father at their home in a rubber plantation in the southern province of Songkhla. Sadao Police Station officers in Sadao district of Songkhla investigated a one-story house in the rubber plantation, yesterday, April 16, after being notified of the discovery of a dead body. The deceased was identified as 56 year old…
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2 foreign men caught performing oral sex at Bangkok Songkran
Two foreign men face up to 10 years in prison after engaging in oral sex in public during the Songkran festival in the Ratchada neighbourhood in Bangkok. A video showing one man performing oral sex on another under a yellow tent circulated on Twitter and Facebook. The two men were reported to be South Korean participants at the Songkran event…
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Search underway for man after fall from Bangkok bridge
A man remains unaccounted for after plunging from the Krung Thon Bridge into the Chao Phraya River, sparking an urgent search operation. At 1.22pm today, April 17, authorities were alerted to the incident, prompting rescue teams to rush to the site. The calm flow of the Chao Phraya River was disrupted yesterday when a man leapt from the Krung Thon…
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Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri
A man’s ear was nearly cut off during a violent altercation that took place yesterday evening in Chon Buri province, resulting in an emergency response from local rescuers. The incident, which occurred during the Songkran festivities, reportedly began over a disagreement about the man’s singing abilities. At approximately 7pm, yesterday April 16, the emergency services of Thammarat Manee Rat Rescue…
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Bangchak expands petroleum business in Norway
Bangchak Corporation, a prominent energy conglomerate listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), is advancing its petroleum business in Norway. The corporation, via its subsidiary Okea ASA, is set to develop an additional production facility at the offshore Brasse petroleum field in the North Sea. This move aligns with Bangchak’s 2022 announcement to bolster its investments in oil and…
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Songkran festival ends with 243 deaths in traffic accidents
The six-day Songkran festival holiday in Thailand ended in tragedy as road accidents claimed the lives of 243 people and left 1,837 others injured. As announced by Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob on Wednesday, some 1,811 traffic accidents were recorded from April 11 to 16, coinciding with the period when many individuals travel back to their home provinces to join in…
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CMU study finds 15-minute dog interaction a bark above the rest
Chiang Mai University (CMU) researchers have discovered that a mere 15-minute interaction with a dog can serve as a significant stress reliever for students amidst the intensity of pre-examination studies. Assistant Professor Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, a member of the research team, explained the reasoning. “Being social creatures, humans often find mood and mental enhancement through frequent interactions. Thus, the therapeutic impact…
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Intoxicated man causes uproar in Udon Thani village
A seemingly intoxicated man on a big bike caused a stir in a village in Udon Thani province when he insisted on sleeping in front of some houses, claiming that they belonged to his girlfriend. Despite being asked to leave, he refused, creating a tense atmosphere among the residents. Late into the night, residents of Ban Chiang, Udon Thani, were…
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Russian tourist dies in Phuket motorbike crash near Big Buddha
A Russian tourist tragically lost his life in a motorbike accident near Kata School on Patak Road in Karon, Phuket. The incident occurred at 5.50am today, April 17, when the tourist, Pavel, lost control of his Honda PCX and plunged into a ditch. His wife, who was riding a pillion, sustained minor injuries. They were en route to visit the…
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Gold ornament prices soar to 41,900 baht in Thailand
Gold prices in Thailand witnessed a notable increase, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA) today. The cost of gold ornaments surged to 41,900 baht, marking a significant rise from the previous day’s closing figures. The GTA, the authoritative body on gold pricing in Thailand, announced an uptick of 200 baht in the price of gold ornaments compared to…
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Couple caught having sex in sea at Patong Beach in Phuket
A video and pictures showing a horny foreign couple having sex in the sea at Patong Beach in Phuket quickly went viral, sparking criticism and hilarious comments across Thai social media platforms. The Phuket Times shared footage and images of the incident yesterday, April 16. The couple’s identities and nationalities have not yet been confirmed. Thai netizens pointed out that…
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Global oil prices dip over China’s economic slowdown
With the ongoing economic slowdown in China and diminishing hopes for imminent US interest rate reductions, global oil prices saw a decline in the early trade today. These concerns outweighed supply apprehensions triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Trading at US$89.16 a barrel, Brent futures for June delivery experienced a minor decrease of 7 cents or 0.1%. Similarly,…
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Scorching heatwave hits Thailand with storms and 42C highs
Today’s weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of thunderstorms and strong winds in 35 provinces, with some regions experiencing hail. As the country grapples with scorching to extremely hot temperatures, which could reach a peak of 42 degrees Celsius, the public is urged to take health precautions by avoiding prolonged outdoor activities. The low-pressure area caused by…
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Indian man arrested for murder of Thai girlfriend at hotel in Bangkok
Police arrested an Indian man in the central province of Kanchanaburi for the murder of his Thai girlfriend at a hotel in Bangkok. The woman’s dead body was found in a hotel room on April 16 with 31 stab wounds across her body. The death of the 51 year old Thai woman, Sukanya, was reported to Talat Phlu Police Station…
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Chon Buri officials bust illegal kratom juice operations targeting kids
Police in Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, launched a coordinated operation yesterday that resulted in the dismantling of illegal kratom juice production sites known for distributing the substance to minors. The district’s administrative head, along with health officials and local police, led the crackdown on these clandestine establishments, netting nearly 2,000 bottles of the illicit mixture. The operation targeted three…
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Thailand Video News | New Eco-tourist, astro-tourist, and digital nomad visas coming soon, Millions celebrate Songkran across the land of smiles
In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the news stories across Thailand. Thailand’s vibrant Songkran Festival sees millions join nationwide water fights while the nation introduces new visa categories for eco-tourists and digital nomads. Yet, amidst the celebrations, a daring gold necklace heist shocks Samut Prakan Mall, and a violent brawl disrupts a traditional procession in Chiang Mai, incurring…
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Relocation of cadmium tailings from Bangkok commences May 7
The logistics of relocating cadmium tailings from Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, and Chon Buri back to their original location in Tak is set to start on May 7. Bound & Beyond Plc, the company responsible for the task, has a deadline of 36 days to execute the operation, as stated by Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister. Pimphattra revealed yesterday that the…
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Upcoming super app to integrate with digital wallet scheme
The up-and-coming super app, designed for the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, is slated to seamlessly integrate with existing banking applications on users’ smartphones, as per Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat’s statement. This application, which has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), is designed to optimise the…
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Love triangle: 2 Chinese men injured after fighting over Thai woman
Two Chinese men suffered injuries after they fought for the hand of a Thai woman outside her condo in the central province of Prachin Buri on April 13. Srimahapho Police Station officers were called to a stabbing incident outside a room on the second floor of the condominium in Srimahapho district of Prachin Buri at about 1.30am on that day.…
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Bangkok police seize 40,000 meth pills in Sai Mai district bust
A significant drug bust occurred today when police apprehended a 32 year old man with a shipment of 40,000 methamphetamine pills in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district. The arrest took place in a desolate area within Soi Sukhaphiban 5 Soi 32, following a covert investigation that linked the drug dealer, Teerapong, to the distribution of drugs to local retailers. The arrest…
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Thailand’s foreign tourism boom: 10 million visitors fuel 500 billion windfall
Thailand has welcomed over 10 million foreign tourists this year alone, leading to revenue exceeding 500 billion baht, reported the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The data, up to date as of yesterday, shows 10,723,953 foreign visitors have contributed to an income of 518 billion baht (US$14 billion). Chinese tourists led the pack with over 2 million visitors, followed by 1.39…
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Foreign man drowns while retrieving water gun in canal in Bangkok
A foreign man drowned while reportedly retrieving his water gun in the Saen Saep Canal in Bangkok during the Songkran Festival on April 14. His nationality wasn’t specified. Phayathai Police Station officers were notified about the drowning near Pratunam Pier in the Saen Saep Canal on the evening of April 14. Then, police officers rushed to the scene with volunteer…
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Chiang Mai Zoo splashes 29 million baht on renovated aquarium
Chiang Mai Zoo proudly unveiled its renovated aquarium following a substantial financial investment of over 29 million baht. The refurbishment of this unique mountain-based aquarium, the first of its kind in Thailand, is projected to draw an increased number of visitors. Wuthichai Muangman, the zoo’s director, shared that Attapon Srihayrun, the director-general of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPO),…
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