Hot News
Thailand hot news, breaking stories, crime, politics, tourism, and business—stay updated with in-depth reports and exclusive interviews on the latest events across the country. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Thailand news source.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Chinese New Year spending in Thailand hits 51 billion baht
Public expenditure during the Chinese New Year is projected to reach 51.78 billion baht, marking the highest level in five years, according to recent government estimates. Sasikan Wattanachan, deputy government spokesperson, noted that this figure signifies a 4.5% rise compared to the previous year. It is also the first occasion since the Covid-19 pandemic that spending for Chinese New Year…
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Russian couple accused of dining and dashing at many Phuket restaurants
A Russian couple reportedly dined and dashed at multiple restaurants in Phuket, sparking an online debate over the visa-free scheme, which some online users claim attracts low-quality foreign visitors. A restaurant owner in Patong, Phuket, shared his experience with the foreign couple, believed to be Russian nationals, via the news Facebook page Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์ today, January 28. He warned…
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No promises on 400 baht minumum wage: Labour chief
The long-awaited nationwide implementation of the 400-baht daily minimum wage remains uncertain, according to Labour Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth. While some major tourism provinces like Phuket and Chon Buri began offering the increased rate from January 1, Boonsong admitted there is no guarantee the wage hike will extend to all provinces anytime soon. Speaking during the first meeting of the…
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Drowsy truck driver crashes into parked pickup, injuring woman and killing dog
A drowsy truck driver crashed into a parked pickup outside a tyre shop in the Isaan province of Roi Et, injuring a Thai woman standing near the pickup and killing her dog. The 20 year old victim, Siriporn, shared CCTV footage of the accident on her TikTok account, @siriporn_mos, last week. In the caption, she wrote… “A lesson learned. Even if…
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Thailand to launch digital TM6 for tourists, delays 300-baht fee
Starting May 1, all foreign visitors to Thailand will need to complete a mandatory digital version of the TM6 immigration form, replacing the old paper-based system. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed the move, which aims to streamline immigration procedures and boost safety confidence among tourists. Natthriya Thaweevong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, explained that the online form will help…
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China exposes 36 scam gangs targeting victims with 100k callers
Chinese police have revealed the shocking scale of international call scam operations, with 36 major gangs employing over 100,000 callers to swindle victims out of their money. The revelation came during a high-profile meeting between Chinese Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi and Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in Nonthaburi yesterday. Leading a Chinese delegation, Liu sought Thailand’s…
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Bangkok taxi driver denies raping victim despite her fleeing in underwear
A Thai taxi driver denied raping his intoxicated passenger this past Sunday, January 26, despite the victim fleeing his home in Bangkok wearing only underwear to seek help. The victim filed a complaint with officers at Taling Chan Police Station on Sunday. The 60 year old taxi driver, Thanawat, turned himself in but denied all allegations. However, he could not…
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Worker electrocuted in shocking Pattaya restaurant accident
Chaos erupted on Pattaya Beach Road as a restaurant worker suffered an electric shock while renovating a popular venue near Soi 13/3. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where a crowd of locals and tourists had gathered around the injured man, identified as 34 year old Chatmongkol. He sustained severe electrical burns on both palms and was bleeding heavily. First…
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3 poachers caught with wildlife carcasses in Kanchanaburi
Three Karen poachers were apprehended in the Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi province following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The suspects were caught with homemade firearms and numerous wildlife carcasses. Yutthaphong Damsrisuk, the head of Thong Pha Phum National Park, reported that Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, along with senior officials, have implemented…
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Motorcyclist’s dangerous Pattaya stunt sparks outrage
Shocking footage has emerged of a motorcyclist pulling a jaw-dropping stunt on a busy Pattaya road, leaving other drivers stunned. The reckless rider was captured riding hands-free and sideways at high speed, putting lives at risk on Sukhumvit Road. A Facebook video, posted by an onlooker, shows the man casually turning his body sideways while letting go of the handlebars…
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Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership…
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Elephants wreak havoc on Prachin Buri sugarcane farms
Farmers in Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district face significant challenges as wild elephants from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao province have invaded their sugarcane fields. Over 50 sugarcane farmers from the subdistricts of Khao Mai Kaew and Wang Tha Chang gathered at the district office yesterday, January 27 to submit a letter to District Chief Thammarat…
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Phuket’s burning ban: Violators face 20 years amid smog crisis
Phuket has joined the nationwide crackdown on burning as the country battles severe smog and PM2.5 pollution. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul ordered all provinces to implement burning bans, prompting Phuket officials to issue their strict measures last week. Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong announced the ban last Friday, January 24, which prohibits all agricultural burning…
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Thai motorcyclist hits South Korean man on zebra crossing
A Thai motorcyclist struck a South Korean pedestrian at a zebra crossing on a Bangkok road on Thursday, 23 January. The incident occurred at the same location as a case in 2022 when a Thai ophthalmologist was fatally struck by a motorcycle. The Facebook page เรารักด่านตรวจ (translating to “We Love Police Checkpoints”) shared dashcam footage of the accident on Phaya…
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Major drug bust: 10,000 meth tablets found in fuel tank
A significant drug bust occurred when law enforcement intercepted a vehicle carrying 10,000 methamphetamine tablets hidden in the fuel tank. The vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province yesterday, January 27. The drugs were reportedly being transported from Sangkhla Buri to a dealer in Kanchanaburi city. General Atsadawut Punyarachun, commander of the 9th Infantry Division and head of…
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South Korean tourists outnumber Chinese in Chiang Mai amid direct flights boost
The South Korean market may surpass the Chinese in terms of tourist arrivals in Chiang Mai this year, attributed to the increase in direct flights and favourable winter weather, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Patsalin Swetarat, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, noted that a decline in safety confidence among Chinese travellers has somewhat affected tourism…
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Khon Kaen police arrest two men with millions of meth pills
Police in Khon Kaen have arrested two men attempting to transport four million methamphetamine pills, believed to be linked to the network of Xaysana, a major drug dealer from a neighbouring country. The arrests occurred yesterday, January 27, at Ban Phai Police Station. According to Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachetpong, the commander of Region 4, the arrest was part of…
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Critics slam 140m baht quick fix for Bangkok haze crisis
Critics have blasted the government for allocating 140 million baht to fund free public transport in Bangkok for one week, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money that fails to tackle the root cause of the city’s haze pollution crisis. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra introduced the measure, which began last Saturday, January 25, to combat surging levels of hazardous PM2.5…
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British woman jailed after collecting debt from Thai millionaire
A British woman accused a Thai millionaire of bribing police to have her jailed after she travelled from the UK to Thailand to collect an unpaid service fee of £30,000 (approximately 1.25 million baht) for her company. Rachel Stallard, a British private estate consultant, shared her distressing experience in a Thai jail on her LinkedIn account but later deleted the post after being…
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Fatal shooting at Nan land reform office leaves two dead
In the office of the Nan Provincial Land Reform, a shooting incident resulted in one fatality and one critical injury. The event unfolded yesterday, January 27, when a disagreement escalated. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanatpong Santiphongsathorn and Police Major Danuwat Kittiyos led a team to the scene after being notified. The tragedy occurred on the second floor of the Nan Provincial…
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Tourist brawl in Phuket sparks debate on visa policy (video)
A video depicting an altercation between Italian and Indian tourists in Phuket’s Patong area has sparked significant social media discussion. The incident, captured in a 1.04-minute clip shared by the Facebook page Speednews Phuket, occurred yesterday, January 27, at the end of Bangla Road, Kathu district, Phuket. The video shows the tourists engaged in a fierce brawl, surrounded by onlookers…
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Chulalongkorn University boosts AI collaboration with Cambodia
Chulalongkorn University (CU) is seeking to enhance its academic collaboration with Cambodia, focusing on a future driven by artificial intelligence (AI). A delegation led by university president Wilert Puriwat recently met with Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hang Chuon Naron, in Phnom Penh. Minister Naron, a CU alumnus, was accompanied by 10 other CU alumni from Cambodia and expressed…
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Step into the world of dinosaurs at Dinolab Bangkok 2025 Jurassic Domination
ICONSIAM, a world-class landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has partnered with Japan Anime Movie Thailand and INCEPTION, a renowned creator of global exhibitions, to bring the prehistoric world to life with an immersive dinosaur experience right in the heart of Bangkok at Dinolab Bangkok 2025 Jurassic Domination. Experience the most spectacular interactive exhibition where visitors will embark…
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Thai police crack down on Chinese money laundering in Chon Buri
The Thai Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has initiated an extensive operation called “Operation Dragon Slayer” targeting over 40 Chinese businesses in Chon Buri that are suspected of laundering money through cryptocurrency and taking advantage of foreign tourists. Intelligence gathered by CIB officers suggests the involvement of Chinese nationals in call centre scam groups. These individuals allegedly used cryptocurrency to purchase…
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School janitor in Kanchanaburi surrenders after assault accusations
A school janitor in Kanchanaburi province has turned himself in to the police after being accused of sexually assaulting four female students. The incidents occurred on Children’s Day, and the janitor, identified as 50 year old Theerachai or Thong, admitted to the crime, claiming it was his first time and blaming his actions on alcohol consumption. Parents of the students…
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Rogue riders spark outrage as Phuket police face backlash
Kamala Police are feeling the heat after a viral video exposed a group of foreign motorcyclists speeding past a checkpoint without stopping. The 1-minute-and-17-second clip, widely shared on platforms like Phuket Hod Jang’s Facebook page, shows reckless riders blatantly ignoring traffic officers on the Patong-Kamala Road. The video reveals one motorcyclist weaving past officers before accelerating towards Patong. Moments later,…
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Fifteen arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for land burning amid forest fire
A total of 15 people have been apprehended in Nakhon Ratchasima for burning agricultural land, contributing to a forest fire that destroyed 6,016 rai. This has led to PM2.5 dust levels exceeding safety standards. Yesterday, January 27, a meeting at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall was chaired by Suraphan Silpasuwan, the province’s deputy governor. The discussion focused on tackling forest…
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New haze directives to combat deadly pollution in Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will provide additional directives at a Cabinet meeting today to address the ongoing haze issue, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. The meeting will prioritise PM2.5 pollution, following the prime minister’s return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, over the weekend. She emphasised that the worsening pollution crisis extends beyond national boundaries. The 38…
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Truck collision in Chachoengsao leaves driver severely injured
In Chachoengsao province, a collision involving a 10-wheel truck and an 18-wheel trailer resulted in significant injuries for a 56 year old driver. Emergency services used extraction equipment to free him from the wreckage, amidst claims from locals that accidents are frequent in the area. Police Lieutenant Rewat Abdin of Bang Nam Priao district received an emergency call about a…
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Bangkok exercise equipment probe clears officials of corruption
An investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of exercise equipment for seven recreation and sports centres in Bangkok has concluded with no evidence of misconduct. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday, January 27, that the inquiry, initiated in June last year, found no grounds for graft allegations involving 29 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials in the 77.22 million baht project.…
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