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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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New damselfly species discovered in Thai wildlife sanctuary
Researchers from Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) and Duy Tan University in Vietnam have made a significant discovery, identifying a new species of damselfly named Prodasineura sangkhla in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi. The announcement was made at a press conference led by Veera Khunchaicharak, DNP deputy director-general. Joining him were Kaewphawika Jitthamma, a specialist entomologist from…
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Gridlock crisis: Phuket’s billion-baht boom sparks urgent action
Provincial officials have vowed to tackle Phuket’s surging traffic chaos as the island’s tourism industry hits record-breaking highs. Governor Sophon Suwannarat chaired a high-stakes Zoom meeting with key stakeholders on Thursday, December 26, to address infrastructure challenges threatening the paradise’s reputation. With over 10 million visitors in 2023 generating a staggering 388 billion baht in revenue—an astounding 100.38% increase from…
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Thai health ministry warns against fake medical certificates
The Thai Ministry of Public Health has issued a stern warning to medical facilities against issuing fake medical certificates to foreign workers. Such actions could result in severe penalties, including a maximum two-year prison sentence and a 40,000 baht fine. Phanuwat Panket, Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support (HSS), expressed concerns about potential malpractice by hospitals in issuing…
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Thai police to manage new year traffic with drones
Real-time traffic management is a priority for the Police Region 2 during the new year festive period, utilising drone technology to monitor and address traffic issues. The focus is on two major routes connecting to the northeastern region, with measures including vehicle dispersal and law enforcement to reduce accidents. Within the CCTV operations control room of Police Region 2, Yingyot…
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Electric car smashes into sugarcane truck in Khon Kaen
A serious accident unfolded in Khon Kaen province yesterday evening, December 27 involving an electric car rear-ending an 18-wheel sugarcane truck, resulting in severe injuries for the driver. Emergency services swiftly intervened to extricate the trapped individual and rushed him to hospital. Emergency responders from the Sawang Khon Kaen Samakkhi Foundation in Khon Kaen were alerted to the incident at…
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Phuket’s Freedom Beach embroiled in land encroachment dispute
Phuket’s scenic Freedom Beach, a favourite among tourists, finds itself at the centre of a legal tussle as allegations of land encroachment surface. The head of the Forest Protection Unit, Sorasak Rananan, has reported 15 alleged incidents of encroachment onto the protected grounds within the Khao Nakkerd National Forest Reserve. This complaint was lodged with the Karon Police following an…
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Chinese call centre scam: Bangkok police arrest 4 more men
A coordinated crackdown on a suspected call centre scam network culminated in the arrest of four Chinese men in Bangkok. Police carried out raids across eight locations in the city yesterday, December 27, targeting areas in Bang Na, Makkasan, Lumpini, Huai Khwang, Hua Mak, and Din Daeng. Metropolitan Police Bureau chief investigator, Theeradej Thamsuthee, spearheaded the operation. During the raids,…
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Foreign motorcyclist’s ill-judged turn in Pattaya leaves 3 injured
A serious accident unfolded on Pattaya Third Road just after midnight yesterday, December 27, resulting in critical injuries for a foreign motorcyclist and minor injuries for two Thai women. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre was alerted to the collision at 12.16am and dispatched volunteers to the location near Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 4/1. Upon arrival, rescue teams found the foreign…
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New year traffic chaos hits Ayutthaya roads
Traffic congestion gripped the routes through Ayutthaya as people embarked on their new year holiday journeys. Traffic reports yesterday evening, December 27 highlighted heavy vehicle accumulation at Bang Pa-in Interchange, with cars from Phahonyothin Road, Highway 9, and the motorway filling all lanes. Many city dwellers were eager to leave Bangkok and surrounding provinces, heading towards the northern and northeastern…
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Chilly start: Thailand braces for new year cold spell
Thailand is bracing for a cool spell across its north, northeast, and central regions during the new year period, with temperatures expected to remain low until January 9, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The department announced that much of the country should prepare for cold mornings, as a robust cold air mass from China is set to blanket…
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Thailand celebrates National Wildlife Protection Day
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) celebrated National Wildlife Protection Day yesterday with the theme World – Wild – Life Balance: Sustainable Ecosystems for People, Wildlife, and Forests. The event included the official opening of the National Park Tourism Year 2025, aiming to enhance Thailand’s beaches to international standards. The ceremony took place at the Government…
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Yacht fleet breakfast: Thaksin and Thamanat’s island meet-up
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and ex-Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow made waves yesterday, December 26 as they were spotted enjoying a private breakfast on the picturesque Koh Lipe, Satun province. The political duo arrived in style, leading a fleet of six luxury yachts to the tropical getaway. Landing unannounced at the upscale Bulow Casa Grand View Resort, they dined from…
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Thailand allows daily airport alcohol sales to boost tourism
The Prime Minister’s Office has implemented a regulation allowing the daily sale of alcoholic beverages at major international airports. This directive, detailed in the Royal Gazette on Christmas Day, became effective yesterday, December 26. The modification aims to align legal practices with the current situation, an observer noted. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, following the counsel of the Alcoholic Beverage Control…
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Thailand’s top destinations gear up for new year surge
A jaw-dropping wave of tourists is set to descend on Thailand’s favourite hotspots this new year, with Phuket leading the charge and Chiang Mai hot on its heels. Here’s how the Land of Smiles is gearing up for the festive frenzy. Phuket is bracing for an influx of over 230,000 visitors between December 28 and January 1, projected to inject…
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Thai tourist police arrest 20 foreign sex workers on Pattaya Beach
Thai tourist police officers arrested 20 foreign sex workers for illegally working and offering sexual services on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of today. Officers from the Pattaya Tourist Office announced the crackdown on foreign sex workers to the public. They revealed that the arrests were made at about 1am today following complaints from both locals and tourists in…
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Bangkok woman arrested for call centre scam impersonating police
A 63 year old woman was recently arrested in Bangkok for allegedly participating in a call centre scam that impersonated police officers from the Surin City Police Station. The scam involved video calls to victims, convincing them to transfer money for “verification” purposes, resulting in losses exceeding 1 million baht. The arrest was made yesterday by the Metropolitan Police Bureau,…
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Fight breaks out between 2 foreign men on Bangla Road in Phuket
Two foreign men engaged in a fight using Muay Thai and wrestling skills on Bangla Road in Phuket on December 25, drawing hilarious comments. Some Thai netizens remarked that it was just another typical day on Bangla Road. A video of the altercation between the two men was shared yesterday, December 26, on the Facebook pages of Phuket Times and…
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Festive cops hit Pattaya Walking Street with candies
Tourists in Pattaya got an unexpected festive surprise on Christmas Day as the city’s Tourist Police doled out sweets to delighted visitors while promoting the Thailand Tourist Police app, a tool designed to enhance safety and provide quick assistance across the country. “Safety doesn’t take a holiday,” quipped one officer, handing out candy to a group of tourists. The app,…
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Man’s goodwill exploited as woman steals motorcycle in Chon Buri
A 57 year old man fell victim to a theft after his goodwill gesture was exploited by a woman who absconded with his motorcycle. The incident unfolded yesterday, December 26, in the area of Moo 5, Ban Phu Thai, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Thaworn, a construction worker, had reported the theft to Surasing Sookmak,…
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Traffic congestion rises as Thai motorists head home for new year
Traffic congestion has begun as people return home for the new year celebrations. Roads across Saraburi, particularly Phahonyothin and Route 304, are seeing increased volumes of vehicles, prompting traffic police to expedite the flow towards the gateway to Isaan. Reports yesterday highlighted the growing traffic on Friendship Highway as people journey back to their hometowns for the new year festivities.…
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4 Pattaya teenagers arrested for brutally attacking and robbing Belgian man
Police arrested four Thai teenagers yesterday, for brutally assaulting and robbing an 80 year old Belgian man in Pattaya on Christmas Eve, December 24. A 38 year old Thai woman, Phonthip, alerted officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and rescuers to assist the injured Belgian man, identified as 80 year old Richard Ander M. Van Bogaert, at a village in…
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Motorcyclist dies in Lampang crash, tragic call reveals news
A tragic accident claimed the life of a young man when his motorcycle veered off the road and struck a utility pole, resulting in his immediate death. While police and medical personnel were examining the scene, a call came through on the deceased’s phone, delivering the heartbreaking news to a shocked woman. Around 8.45pm yesterday, December 26, Siriwetch Jaisanwong, a…
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Christmas cable heist sparks outrage in Pattaya
Pattaya residents were left fuming after two brazen thieves swiped 60 metres of electrical cable worth 27,000 baht on Christmas Day. The audacious theft occurred behind the Pattaya Indoor Sports Stadium, prompting Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai to demand immediate action from officials and investigators. Huay Yai Police acted swiftly, conducting a thorough investigation at the scene and nabbing the culprits…
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Thai father kills 2 children before committing suicide, only 8 year old boy survives
A desperate Thai father committed a murder-suicide involving his three children after his wife requested a divorce to start a new family. Tragically, only an eight year old boy survived the horrific incident. The distressing event took place in a bathroom near Mae Khao Tom Reservoir in the northern province of Chiang Rai at around 7.30am on Wednesday, December 25.…
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Thai actor DJ Man freed after acquittal in Forex-3D fraud case
Thai actor Pattanapol Mintakhin aka DJ Man was released from prison after being acquitted in the Forex-3D fraud case. The court’s decision brought relief to his family, who were eagerly waiting outside the Bangkok Remand Prison. DJ Man, who had been in custody, was greeted by his parents and ex-wife, Baitoey, upon his release. Emerging from the prison at 7.55pm…
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Bangkok to Loei bus crash in Chum Phae leaves one dead
A Bangkok to Loei bus tragically veered off the road in Chum Phae, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Rescue teams promptly responded to the scene to offer assistance and transport the injured to hospital facilities. The accident occurred at 6.50am today, December 27, when the bus lost control near the Don Lan Forest Park junction on Maliwan Road…
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Thailand boosts child welfare benefits to 1,000 baht monthly
Thailand’s Social Security Office (SSO) has announced an increase in child welfare benefits for insured individuals, with payments rising from 800 baht to 1,000 baht per month per child. This adjustment will take effect in January 2025, following a decision made by the Cabinet on December 17. The move is aimed at encouraging childbirth among insured citizens, as Thailand faces…
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Man suffers electric shock during power line theft near police station
A daring incident unfolded today as a man attempted to cut high-voltage power lines just 200 metres from a police station in Samut Prakan, resulting in a severe electric shock and a precarious rescue operation. The man, approximately 30 years old, was found hanging from the power lines after suffering a shock, prompting an urgent response from emergency services. The…
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Top official inspects Phuket’s safety amid landslide scandal
A high-profile visit to Phuket has reignited scrutiny over the island’s safety protocols and infrastructure as former Vice Governor and now Inspector-General of the Ministry of Interior, Supoj Rodruang Na Nongkhai, returned on Christmas Day. Supoj, whose career has soared since leaving Phuket in 2020, arrived to review critical policies including tsunami preparedness, illegal hotels, and landslide prevention. Accompanied by…
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Cyber theft in Udon Thani drains 2.4 million baht from firm
A significant cyber theft incident involving a mobile banking app has emerged, affecting an accountancy firm in Udon Thani. The firm found its bank accounts emptied of 2.4 million baht across three banks, and the lack of notification about these transactions has raised serious concerns. Ornanong Boonto, managing director of a company in Moomon, Mueang district, shared her experience to…
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