Crime News

Thailand crime news, breaking reports, investigations, and law enforcement updates—stay informed on drug trafficking, cybercrime, corruption, and public safety developments. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for crime news in Thailand.

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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • Similan scandal: Park boss booted over dodgy e-ticket scheme

    Similan scandal: Park boss booted over dodgy e-ticket scheme

    A top official at one of Thailand’s most iconic national parks has been reportedly booted from his post amid a brewing scandal over alleged ticket fraud. Rittikorn Nunloy, head of Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province, has been transferred to an inactive position following reports of serious irregularities in the park’s e-ticketing system. The Department of National…

  • Russian man arrested in Phuket for reckless driving with kids exposed

    Russian man arrested in Phuket for reckless driving with kids exposed

    Phuket police arrested a Russian man for driving recklessly while intoxicated. The arrest on Tuesday, March 25, followed an incident where he endangered his family by allowing his children to hang out of his moving vehicle. Traffic police observed the vehicle, a red MG5 sedan, being driven precariously along the Kamala-Patong Road around 7.30pm. A child was seen sitting on…

  • Rape-accused Bangkok MP denies vote-for-favour claims

    Rape-accused Bangkok MP denies vote-for-favour claims

    Scandal-hit MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit is fighting back against explosive claims that he supported the government in exchange for help with his ongoing rape case. The Thai Progress Party lawmaker, who represents Bangkok’s Bang Khuntien district, insists there was no political deal behind his surprise vote for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during Wednesday’s no-confidence debate. “This issue [the rape case] has…

  • ‘You park, we arrest’: Pattaya cracks down for order

    ‘You park, we arrest’: Pattaya cracks down for order

    Pattaya is on a mission to clean up its act—literally and figuratively. With public spaces overrun by private businesses and traffic jams choking its streets, the city is launching bold new initiatives to restore order and improve quality of life for both residents and tourists. Leading the charge is Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who has rolled out two key…

  • Behind bars and under fire: Thailand’s prisons slammed for slow reform

    Behind bars and under fire: Thailand’s prisons slammed for slow reform

    Thailand’s prison system is under fresh international scrutiny, with human rights organisations condemning the country’s slow progress in reforming its outdated and overcrowded facilities. According to last year’s annual report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Union for Civil Liberty (UCL), Thailand’s efforts to adopt alternative measures to incarceration have been insufficient, and critical changes remain…

  • Thai transwoman and boyfriend arrested for killing brother

    Thai transwoman and boyfriend arrested for killing brother

    Police in Pathum Thani arrested a Thai transwoman and her boyfriend after uncovering evidence that they had murdered her younger brother and managed to keep the crime hidden for three months. The victim, a 28 year old Thai man, Jakkarin Charoenpha, went missing in mid-December last year. Jakkarin left his rented room in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima on…

  • Police slam brakes on teen biker gang in Chalong crackdown

    Police slam brakes on teen biker gang in Chalong crackdown

    A gang of 11 teenagers were arrested early yesterday morning for causing a disturbance and loitering in Chalong, with six motorcycles seized during the operation. The arrests were made yesterday, March 26, under the supervision of Police Colonel Rungrit Rattanaphakdi, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, after officers were alerted to a gathering of youths causing a nuisance near Soi Chao…

  • Russian man’s Phuket cannabis empire goes up in smoke

    Russian man’s Phuket cannabis empire goes up in smoke

    Police in Phuket yesterday arrested a Russian man for illegally distributing dried cannabis flowers and vapes, seizing illegal items worth nearly 1 million baht from his accommodation. Local police officers, in collaboration with administrative officials, launched a crackdown on the illegal sale and use of cannabis and e-cigarettes in Phuket between 21 and 30 March. The arrest of the 24…

  • Illegal condo rentals exposed in Pattaya crackdown

    Illegal condo rentals exposed in Pattaya crackdown

    The Thai government has launched a major crackdown on illegal daily condominium rentals, with a focus on three prime locations in Pattaya. Foreign investors, particularly Chinese nationals, have been accused of turning multiple condominium units into de facto hotels, violating the Hotel Act. These illegal operations have sparked outrage among locals and led to direct intervention by the Ministry of…

  • Frenchman wanted for fatal prison break arrested in Phuket

    Frenchman wanted for fatal prison break arrested in Phuket

    Phuket police officers yesterday arrested a Frenchman wanted for aiding a prisoner’s escape and killing prison guards in France last year. The BBC reported last year that the French prisoner, 30 year old Mohamed Amra, also known as “The Fly,” managed to escape from custody while being transported back to prison after attending a court hearing. Amra had been arrested on…

  • Chon Buri crackdown on illegal foreign workers intensifies

    Chon Buri crackdown on illegal foreign workers intensifies

    Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the active crackdown on illegal foreign workers in Chon Buri, following reports of illegal employment. Yesterday, March 26, a special task force, Tri-Thai Protectors, was deployed to investigate Chinese businesses in Si Racha district after complaints of illegal foreign workers surfaced. The operation, led by Inspector General Pichet Thongphun and Police Lieutenant Colonel Amnat Chooklin,…

  • MP banned for 10 years over vote-buying in Thailand election

    MP banned for 10 years over vote-buying in Thailand election

    The Supreme Court has ruled that Mukdawan Luengsinil, a Bhumjaithai Party MP representing Nakhon Si Thammarat, is barred from contesting or voting in elections for the next 10 years due to an election law violation. This decision follows a petition from the Election Commission (EC), which found evidence of her involvement in vote-buying during the 2023 General Election in Constituency…

  • Khon Kaen school janitor accused of assaulting girls

    Khon Kaen school janitor accused of assaulting girls

    The Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page urged officials to maintain oversight on a case involving a school janitor accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls, including a kindergartener, in Khon Kaen. Parents of the victims reached out to the page, expressing concern that the case, which emerged approximately one month ago, might encounter delays or risk being shelved due to diminishing…

  • British boxing champ knocked down by law after Thailand drug bust

    British boxing champ knocked down by law after Thailand drug bust

    An ex-British boxing champion who ducked and weaved his way through three continents to avoid drug charges has been sentenced to six years behind bars. Lennox Clarke, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, was caught red-handed supplying narcotics to a known dealer before skipping town in a desperate bid to avoid a legal knockout. The former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight…

  • Singaporean wanted after Thai girlfriend found dead in Bangkok condo

    Singaporean wanted after Thai girlfriend found dead in Bangkok condo

    Police are searching for a Singaporean man after his Thai girlfriend was found dead in the bathroom of a luxury condominium on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok yesterday, March 26. The naked body of the 30 year old woman, Proudphilas Paladon, was discovered in the bathroom of a unit on the 22nd floor of a condominium near Soi Sukhumvit 39 in…

  • Teenagers arrested in Bangkok for homemade gun attack

    Teenagers arrested in Bangkok for homemade gun attack

    Two teenagers were apprehended within two hours after brandishing homemade guns and firing shotgun shells at a rival in the Lat Krabang area. The incident, which took place on March 25 at approximately 8.30pm, resulted in no injuries. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with other high-ranking officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, disclosed the arrest of 18 year old…

  • Man shoots thief in Phuket shrimp pond, police investigate

    Man shoots thief in Phuket shrimp pond, police investigate

    A shocking incident unfolded in Phuket late yesterday when a man opened fire on a suspected thief who had broken into his shrimp pond. The suspect, later identified as 28 year old Thana Phanthip, was shot in the ankle after allegedly attempting to steal from the property. Police Lieutenant Colonel Niwat Timket of Thalang Police Station received a call at 11.30pm,…

  • Thailand bans all corporal punishment, a win for children’s rights

    Thailand bans all corporal punishment, a win for children’s rights

    In a groundbreaking move for children’s rights, Thailand has officially outlawed all forms of corporal punishment, including both physical and psychological discipline. The amendment to Section 1567 of the Civil and Commercial Code, announced in the Royal Gazette on Monday, March 24, marks a historic moment for the nation, making Thailand the 68th country worldwide to ban violent discipline in…

  • Patong police crackdown on drink driving nets multiple arrests

    Patong police crackdown on drink driving nets multiple arrests

    A late-night operation in Patong saw local traffic police set up a checkpoint at Laem Phet Monastery, where they tested drivers for alcohol consumption. The checkpoint, which ran from 12.30am to 2.30am today, March 26, revealed a disturbing number of intoxicated drivers on the road, said Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat, Superintendent of Patong Police Station. “The results of the checkpoint…

  • Chinese man caught in Bangkok for 50 million baht fraud

    Chinese man caught in Bangkok for 50 million baht fraud

    Thai Tourist Police apprehended a Chinese man accused of fraud amounting to over 50 million baht. Under orders from Police General Kittirat Phanphet, law enforcement intensified efforts against crime, particularly targeting those involved in firearms offences and those with outstanding warrants, ahead of the Songkran festival. Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuak-am, the Commissioner of the Tourist Police, along with Deputy…

  • Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers

    Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers

    The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand has reported concerns about the imitation of the Thai coconut drink brand “IF” by a Chinese brand “TF”, widely available on Chinese e-commerce platforms. The imitation products, reportedly identical in packaging and name to the IF brand, are confusing Chinese consumers. Despite their similarities in appearance, the TF brand differs from…

  • Seeking forgiveness: Thai thief sends apology letter, returns stolen amulet

    Seeking forgiveness: Thai thief sends apology letter, returns stolen amulet

    A Thai thief sent an apology letter after stealing 3,000 baht in cash and an amulet from a coffee shop in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday, March 23. He also returned the amulet with sentimental value to the victim. The owner of MOKA CAFE in Chiang Mai, 38 year old Somchai, asked Chiang Mai News to publicise…

  • Jomtien Beach altercation: Tourist slaps vendor, chaos ensue (video)

    Jomtien Beach altercation: Tourist slaps vendor, chaos ensue (video)

    A beach mat vendor at Jomtien Beach found himself at the centre of a chaotic altercation with a foreign tourist late yesterday, March 25, after the tourist allegedly slapped him. The incident, which took place near the Pattaya Police Station, Dongtan branch, was captured on video and quickly went viral, raising concerns over the safety of locals and tourists. The…

  • Fare fight: Ride-hailing drivers trade blows in brawl at Bangkok airport

    Fare fight: Ride-hailing drivers trade blows in brawl at Bangkok airport

    A confrontation between drivers of a popular ride-hailing app erupted into a brawl at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s taxi parking area. The incident, shared on social media today, March 26, involved two drivers who had earlier engaged in erratic driving. Video footage captured by a bystander shows drivers from the app’s service attempting to mediate the dispute. The clip ends with…

  • Phuket’s ‘Pineapple Eyes’ boosts community security efforts

    Phuket’s ‘Pineapple Eyes’ boosts community security efforts

    Phuket is stepping up its security game with a new initiative aimed at strengthening community surveillance against modern threats. The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 3 branch held a special training session on March 25 to empower residents, airport security staff, and civilian officers to detect and respond to potential risks. The initiative, Community Pineapple Eyes, aims to create…

  • American throws drunken fit in the middle of a Pattaya road

    American throws drunken fit in the middle of a Pattaya road

    Late-night drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday when an American tourist, heavily intoxicated and causing a scene, sprawled himself across a busy road, blocking traffic and annoying passersby. The bizarre incident, which left locals and rescue workers baffled, has sparked a wave of online chatter. At 11.36pm, yesterday, March 25, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit received a call from concerned…

  • Thai boys post video when killing 33 year old man on social media

    Thai boys post video when killing 33 year old man on social media

    Police arrested two Thai boys after they filmed themselves brutally murdering a 33 year old man in a rubber plantation in Trang and posted the shocking footage on social media. Esor News reported the shocking murder by the young offenders in Trang yesterday, March 25. The page stated that the 14 year old boys took revenge by killing a 33…

  • Tragic drowning of two Cambodian girls in Rayong province

    Tragic drowning of two Cambodian girls in Rayong province

    Two young Cambodian girls drowned after one slipped into a water-filled pit and the other attempted to rescue her in a tragic accident in the province of Rayong. The event unfolded yesterday, March 25, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Punphat Sritritat from the Pluak Daeng Police Station received a report about the drowning in Mueang Yang Phon subdistrict. The girls, aged…

  • Woman arrested for stealing valuables worth 600,000 baht

    Woman arrested for stealing valuables worth 600,000 baht

    Police apprehended a 38 year old woman after she was caught stealing valuables worth approximately 600,000 baht from a luxury home in Chon Buri. The incident occurred yesterday, March 25, when Police Colonel Somchai Thiwangsa, superintendent of Ban Bueng Police Station, directed Deputy Superintendent Thanongsak Suwannawat to lead an investigative team to arrest Naritsara while she was asleep in a…

  • Thai teenager stages fake funeral allegedly to extort money from mourners

    Thai teenager stages fake funeral allegedly to extort money from mourners

    An 18 year old Thai boy in the Isaan province of Udon Thani held a fake funeral for his mother, allegedly to obtain money from a group of friends and teachers. His grandmother defended him, claiming they were merely performing a ritual to ward off an evil spirit. The fake funeral came to light after the community leader, Sisawat Phodhiwat,…