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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Loei forest fire extinguished after 30-hour battle
Firefighters in Loei province have successfully extinguished a forest fire that ravaged 400 rai over a 30-hour operation. The blaze, which affected the Phu Huai Ngiu, Phu Hin Hong, and Phu Yata forests in Mueang district, had been active for a day and caused significant distress to residents due to the smoke. Thinnakorn Kasetkasorn, the mayor of the Chaiyaphuek Subdistrict…
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Thailand cuts power to Myanmar border areas to tackle call centre scam
In a dramatic crackdown, Thailand cut off the power, Internet, and petrol supplies to five border areas of Myanmar suspected of harbouring call centre scam operations. The bold move, effective from 9am today, February 5, aims to dismantle what officials believe are the headquarters for a notorious scam gang operating along the Thai border with Myanmar. An MP from the…
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Parking puzzle: Pattaya evens out the odds to curb traffic congestion
In a bid to tackle the notorious traffic congestion in South Pattaya, city officials have rolled out a strict enforcement of odd-even parking rules on the bustling South Pattaya Road. Starting Monday, February 3, the initiative aims to streamline traffic flow and bring order to the chaotic streets. On the first day of enforcement, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet took to…
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Thailand video news | Drunk French tourist crashes into Patong cop, Malaysia to offer 50% toll discount for festive seasons
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest news from Thailand and across Asia, covering key developments in tourism, crime, the environment, and international affairs. In Phuket, a drunk French tourist crashed into a traffic officer, sparking calls for stricter drink-driving laws. Meanwhile, Pattaya police deny a British tourist’s bribery claims, and Bangkok faces flight disruptions due…
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Kalasin police probe mysterious death of man found burned
The Police Colonel of Kalasin province is leading an investigative team to unravel the passing of a 73 year old man who was found burned to death in his hut. The investigation, based on collected evidence, aims to deliver fairness to all parties involved. Currently, all suspects are presumed innocent. On February 4, at the Khong Chai District Police Station in…
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British husband of the Thai ‘Lady of the Hills’ bailed (video)
The British husband suspected of murdering his Thai wife over two decades ago has been released on bail. The mystery surrounding the tragic case of Lamduan Armitage, whose body was discovered in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, deepens as police make urgent appeals for information. Lamduan, known as the “Lady of the Hills,” was found lifeless in a stream near the…
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Bangkok warns of rising PM2.5 dust levels from February 6
Bangkok has issued a warning regarding PM2.5 dust levels, which are expected to reach the orange level from tomorrow, February 6 to Sunday, February 9. Residents are advised to wear masks, refrain from open burning, and report smoke-emitting vehicles via Traffy Fondue and hotline 199. Yesterday, February 4, Ekwaranyu Amrapal, Bangkok’s government spokesperson, highlighted the forecast for PM2.5 dust levels…
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3 foreigners caught in Phuket for illegal motorcycle modifications
Officers from Karon Police Station stopped three foreigners at a checkpoint on a road in Phuket due to illegal modifications to their motorcycles. Karon Police set up a checkpoint outside the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket to monitor both Thai and foreign motorists violating traffic laws. At approximately 3.30pm, Monday, February 3, officers stopped a suspicious Frenchman, 29 year old Mehdi Lamine…
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Fatal pickup truck accident claims life in Chachoengsao
In the early hours of today a pickup truck accident resulted in the death of the driver in Chachoengsao province. The incident occurred near Bang Phai Canal in Samet Tai subdistrict, Bang Khla district. Police were alerted around 3am today, February 5, and police, along with rescue teams from Chachoengsao, quickly arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, a Mazda BT-50 PRO…
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Bangkok’s new bus shelters as much use as a chocolate fireguard
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) addressed concerns regarding the transparency of its bus shelter procurement initiative amidst criticisms that they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard as the shelters won’t protect people from the sun and rain. The BMA outlined plans for two shelter models: one is 2.3 by 3 metres, accommodating three individuals, priced at approximately 230,000 baht.…
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Tiger honours ‘force of nature’ mum who shaped his red-hot legacy
Tiger Woods hailed his Thai-born mother a “force of nature” in a fitting tribute after announcing her death at the age of 80 late yesterday, adding the famous red shirt he wears at golf tournaments on Sundays was a nod to her Thai belief in red as his power colour. The golfing legend shared the heartbreaking news late yesterday, sparking…
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Russian man attacks Thai couple for honking at him in Phuket
The foreign man who attacked a Thai motorcyclist and his girlfriend for honking at him as he crossed a road in Phuket was identified as a Russian national. The foreigner reportedly crossed the road when the pedestrian signal turned red. The Thai woman, Pimpapan, shared the details of the attack by the foreign man with the news Facebook page Phuket Times…
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Cold air from China brings cool weather and rain to Thailand
A cold air mass from China is affecting the north, northeast, central regions, the east, and Bangkok, causing a temperature drop of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. Rain is expected in some areas, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast for the next 24 hours. A new wave of moderate high-pressure or cold air mass from China is covering…
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Missing British man found dead in Bangkok
The family of a missing British man paid tribute after he was found dead in Thailand. Essex-born James Sangwine has died after going missing in Thailand for days. Thai police have yet to release details around the circumstances of the Londoner’s death. The father of one’s family has launched a fundraiser to help bring the 33 year old man’s body…
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Chinese gambling trio busted in Bangkok luxury condo raid
Three Chinese men have been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly running an illegal online gambling network with over 200,000 members and a daily turnover exceeding 2 million baht. Tourist Police raided a luxury condominium in Huai Khwang today, February 4, apprehending 41 year old Wen Chong, 24 year old Peng Cheng, and 31 year old Po Hong. The suspects were…
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Toxic smog disrupts Bangkok flights as PM2.5 levels soar
Bangkok’s toxic air pollution has reached hazardous levels, forcing flight diversions and sparking health warnings across the city. On Sunday morning, February 2, several flights were diverted from Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport, as thick smog reduced visibility to just 150 metres. Among the affected flights was AirAsia X Flight XJ901 from Harbin, China, which had to be…
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Thailand tourists surge by 21% despite safety fears
Despite a recent high-profile trafficking case involving a Chinese actor, Thailand's tourism is booming. Foreign visitors are undeterred by safety concerns and arriving in record numbers.
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Chinese-American arrested for antisocial behaviour with fireworks
Police arrested a Chinese-born American citizen in Chon Buri for antisocial behaviour in the community by setting off fireworks, despite repeated pleas and warnings from his neighbours. A resident of a luxury housing estate in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, recorded a video of the fireworks and shared it with the media to seek police intervention. The footage showed a Chinese…
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Bangkok man arrested for setting fire to relative’s pickup
A 52 year old man was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a relative’s pickup in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district. The incident followed a dispute over a motorcycle accident and occurred on Saturday, February 1, when a Ford Ranger was found burned beside a house in Bangkok. Upon investigation, police discovered security camera angles had been altered, obscuring the identity…
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Israeli fugitive wanted for stabbing caught hiding in Pattaya
A 27 year old Israeli fugitive was arrested in Pattaya after Thai immigration police discovered he was wanted for a violent assault in Tel Aviv and had overstayed his visa. The suspect, identified only as T, was apprehended yesterday, February 3 after police found he was listed on an Interpol Red Notice for a gruesome attack in Israel. Officers arrested…
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Man arrested with 3.2 million meth pills in Mukdahan after car crash
A 32 year old man was arrested after crashing his car into an electricity pole during a police chase in Mukdahan province. Officers discovered 3.2 million methamphetamine (meth) pills in the vehicle, with an accomplice escaping in another car. Police from Region 4, in collaboration with various drug suppression units and the Mukdahan police, apprehended Setthachoke near Modcharoensap Garage in…
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Pharmacist in Buriram narrowly escapes attack by six American Bullies
A pharmacist in Buriram narrowly avoided an attack from six American Bullies that invaded her pharmacy and injured her disabled dog. The owner of the dogs requested the shop be closed so the dogs could run freely. However, the dog’s owner claims the pharmacist’s dog instigated the incident. Yesterday, February 3, Piyanat Munha, a 48 year old pharmacist and owner…
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Fire in Trang car paint shop causes millions in damage
A fire broke out at a car paint shop in Trang province, destroying seven vehicles and causing extensive damage estimated at several million baht. The blaze erupted yesterday, February 3 at 9pm, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene and battle the flames for nearly two hours. Police Lieutenant Colonel Vechayan Hiranyasuwan, an investigator at Mueang Trang Police Station,…
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Thai woman files theft report but police mistakenly list her as thief
A Thai woman filed a police report after losing 400,000 baht in valuables to her former tomboy girlfriend but ended up being labelled a thief herself when police mistakenly switched her name with that of the suspect. The 28 year old victim, Puifai, shared details of the crime with Channel 3 after the suspect, Earn, managed to secure her release…
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Wildfires in Tak worsen air quality, efforts to contain blaze continue
Wildfires have engulfed Doi Nam Dip in Tak province for three consecutive days and nights, showing no signs of abating. The fires have exacerbated air pollution in the area, with PM2.5 levels blanketing the province. Officials are intensifying efforts to extinguish the blaze. The wildfires raging in Tak have intensified, causing hazardous smoke to cover the entire province. Today, February…
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NHSO adds six medications to national health insurance scheme
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) board approved the addition of six medications to the national health insurance system yesterday, February 3. This initiative aims to ensure patients have comprehensive access to essential treatments, particularly for tuberculosis, nephritis, and lymphoma. The decision follows approval from various subcommittees and aligns with recommendations from the World Health Organisation on tuberculosis treatment. The…
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Five Myanmar nationals caught crossing into Thailand illegally
Five Myanmar nationals were apprehended by the Ratchamanu Special Task Force for illegally crossing into Thailand near the Moei River today. The team, led by the Naresuan Mobile Unit, was patrolling the area of Don Chai village in Mae Tao subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province, today, February 4 at 1.30am, when they noticed suspicious movement in the grasslands by…
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Drunk French tourist crashes into Patong cop, arrested on the spot
A drunk French tourist crashed his motorcycle into a traffic police officer in Patong early this morning, leaving both men injured and prompting an immediate arrest. The incident occurred at 7.14am, today, February 4, on Phra Metta Road, in front of the Bangkok Bank branch. Patong police were alerted and rushed to the scene, where they found two damaged motorcycles…
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British tourist’s bribery tale jailed as ‘untrue’ by Pattaya police chief
A British tourist’s claims of bribing his way out of a Pattaya jail have been denounced as “largely untrue” by a Pattaya police chief. However, in a bid for transparency, the Pattaya police chief promises a thorough review of the evidence. Police Colonel Nawin Theerawit, head of the Pattaya Police Station in Chon Buri province, issued a strong denial yesterday,…
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Thailand’s 34 billion baht railway plan to boost trade and tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is pushing for an 80-million-baht budget to conduct a feasibility study for a new double-track railway linking Hat Yai in Songkhla to Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat. The massive 34.59 billion baht project aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s policy to enhance railway efficiency, improve connectivity between Thailand and neighbouring countries, and stimulate border trade,…
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