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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.

  • Pattaya’s iconic sign gets a dazzling upgrade | Thaiger

    Pattaya’s iconic sign gets a dazzling upgrade

    Pattaya City’s famous hillside sign is getting a stunning new look, with a high-tech lighting upgrade set to be completed by February 27. Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai recently inspected the site on Pratumnak Hill, where contractors demonstrated the state-of-the-art lighting system. “The Pattaya City sign has been a landmark for over 20 years, but time has taken its toll. This…

  • Police confiscate illegal sexual enhancers worth 1.5 million baht | Thaiger

    Police confiscate illegal sexual enhancers worth 1.5 million baht

    Police have seized and confiscated a range of sexual enhancement products branded as “Nam Phueng Pueng Pang” containing the active ingredient in Viagra, posing a potential danger to users. The operation, conducted yesterday, February 14, successfully seized items valued at over 1.5 million baht. Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), led the operation…

  • Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land | Thaiger

    Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land

    Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…

  • Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans | Thaiger

    Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans

    Phuket is on the radar for deeper ties with Azerbaijan. Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, February 13, for Ambassador Elchin Rakub Ogul Bashirov of Azerbaijan at the Phuket Provincial Hall, where the two discussed ramping up diplomatic and tourism cooperation. With Phuket’s tourism boom in full swing: 13.1 million visitors raking in over 497 billion…

  • Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing | Thaiger

    Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing

    A long-standing rivalry between two motorcycle taxi drivers erupted into a brutal knife fight outside Vachira Phuket Hospital last night, leaving one man seriously injured. The violent altercation, which unfolded at around 9pm yesterday, February 13, saw the men stab each other in a heated dispute over passengers. Phuket City Police, led by Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Captain Pawinut…

  • Thailand rolls out new tollway speed limits to enhance safety | Thaiger

    Thailand rolls out new tollway speed limits to enhance safety

    Thailand’s transport ministry has introduced new speed limits for tollways, aiming to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. The regulation, issued under the Highway Act 1992, applies specifically to concession highways, marking the first time such roads have been subject to speed restrictions. Under the new rule, different vehicle categories must adhere to strict speed limits: Trucks over 2.2 tonnes…

  • Tragic temple fire in New York kills Buddhist monk | Thaiger

    Tragic temple fire in New York kills Buddhist monk

    A devastating fire tore through a Buddhist temple in The Bronx, New York City, early Wednesday morning, February 12, leaving two people dead, including a Buddhist monk. The blaze, which erupted around 6am, quickly engulfed the small temple and a neighbouring residence for monks, causing irreversible damage. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito confirmed the tragedy. “We had fire throughout…

  • Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts | Thaiger

    Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts

    Thailand, long celebrated as the birthplace of Muay Thai, is experiencing a dynamic shift in its combat sports landscape. In 2025, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), signalling a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the fighting arts. Historically, Muay Thai has been the cornerstone of Thailand’s martial arts identity.…

  • Drunken tourist brawl erupts in Phuket, sparks online outrage (video) | Thaiger

    Drunken tourist brawl erupts in Phuket, sparks online outrage (video)

    A wild street brawl involving foreign tourists outside Cafe del Mar in Kamala has set social media ablaze, reigniting debates over the type of visitors Phuket is attracting. The 1-minute, 37-second clip, shared by the โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต Facebook page today, February 14, captures the chaotic fight, with drunk tourists trading punches as stunned onlookers watched. The altercation began outside the…

  • Volt-face: Volvo shifts gears with new EV offerings in Thailand | Thaiger

    Volt-face: Volvo shifts gears with new EV offerings in Thailand

    Volvo Car Thailand is gearing up for modest growth in car sales, capped at 5% this year, by revving up its appeal with fresh electric vehicle models and an innovative battery repair service. This bold strategy aims to keep long-term maintenance costs low for drivers and attract more eco-conscious consumers. Chris Wailes, managing director of Volvo Car Thailand and Malaysia,…

  • Thai woman found dead under tree after online gambling debts | Thaiger

    Thai woman found dead under tree after online gambling debts

    A 22 year old woman was found dead beneath a mango tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, reportedly overwhelmed by debt after extensive online slot gambling. Her husband discovered her absence from their home around midday and later found her lifeless body yesterday, February 13. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Rungrueng from the Thap Sakae Police Station received a report of…

  • SIAM Songkran Music Festival 2025: The ultimate EDM and water festival | Thaiger

    SIAM Songkran Music Festival 2025: The ultimate EDM and water festival

    The SIAM Songkran Music Festival is back for Songkran 2025, bringing four days of top-tier EDM acts and full-scale nighttime celebrations. Running from April 11 to 14 at Bravo BKK, RCA, and Rama 9, this festival combines Thailand’s water festival culture with world-class electronic music. This year’s edition, SIAM Songkran 2025: The Dawn, has an impressive lineup featuring some of…

  • Foreign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama | Thaiger

    Foreign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama

    In a bid to untangle a complex web of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, Bangkok embassies have been summoned to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters for a crucial meeting. The agenda: sorting out who among the over 260 foreigners recently rescued from neighbouring countries are genuine victims and who might be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Under the spotlight are…

  • Tricycle hit-and-run leaves rider critically injured in Phetchabun | Thaiger

    Tricycle hit-and-run leaves rider critically injured in Phetchabun

    A tricycle was severely damaged after being hit by an 18-wheel truck in Phetchabun province, leaving the female driver critically injured. The woman’s nine year old daughter has had to take a two-week break from school to care for her, while her husband, who is blind, also depends on her. Yesterday, February 13, a Facebook user posted about an incident…

  • Dust to dust: Toxic haze blankets Bangkok and beyond | Thaiger

    Dust to dust: Toxic haze blankets Bangkok and beyond

    A thick shroud of ultrafine dust pollution has descended upon Bangkok and 53 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, leaving the air quality in a perilous state, according to the latest findings from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the east bore the brunt of this hazardous haze. GISTDA’s report, released at 8am, today, February 14,…

  • Crêpe caper: Thai vendor attacked in street stick-up | Thaiger

    Crêpe caper: Thai vendor attacked in street stick-up

    A crêpe seller found himself the victim of a vicious street attack by two helmeted teenagers on a motorbike, leaving him with 17 stitches. The brazen assault on crêpe seller Chamnan Ponyiam unfolded on the night of February 12 in the Ban Suan subdistrict of Mueang district, Chon Buri. Chamnan, a long-standing vendor in the community, was on his way…

  • Bangkok police launch drunk driving crackdown near nightclubs | Thaiger

    Bangkok police launch drunk driving crackdown near nightclubs

    Traffic police have established checkpoints in front of entertainment venues as part of the Breath Before You Drive, Get Home Safely initiative. The campaign encourages tourists to refrain from driving under the influence, aiming to reduce road accidents. Last night, officials, including Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Police Major General Thawat Wongsanga, alongside the traffic police division led by…

  • Temple turmoil: Thai teens attack as fair turns into a video nasty | Thaiger

    Temple turmoil: Thai teens attack as fair turns into a video nasty

    A temple fair in Pathum Thani turned into a scene straight out of a violent video nasty when a group of teenagers launched a brutal attack on a rival, leaving chaos in their wake. The violent altercation, which erupted around 10pm, yesterday, February 13, saw gunfire and knife violence break out before the culprits sped off on motorcycles. Police and…

  • Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase | Thaiger

    Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase

    A high-speed rampage through Thalang district has left Phuket residents in shock after a pickup-driving mother smashed into multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene, leaving behind her terrified three year old son. The dramatic series of crashes began in front of a fresh market in Thepkrasattri, where municipal officers witnessed a pickup truck colliding with several vehicles and motorcycles. The…

  • Lao-American man arrested for stealing iPhone at Bangkok airport | Thaiger

    Lao-American man arrested for stealing iPhone at Bangkok airport

    A 58 year old man of Lao-American nationality was apprehended for allegedly stealing an iPhone 16 from a Japanese tourist at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Initially denying the accusation, he was confronted with evidence leading to his arrest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksanti Thiraruangrat and Police Lieutenant Colonel Papassorn Maituk, along with a team from the tourist police at Suvarnabhumi Airport, detained…

  • Ex-legal officer caught for embezzling 10 million baht in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Ex-legal officer caught for embezzling 10 million baht in Bangkok

    Police apprehended a former legal officer of the Social Security Office accused of embezzling 10 million baht from the social security fund. The suspect, who had been on the run, was captured while working at a shop in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok yesterday, February 13. Poomwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with Ekachai…

  • Nigerian man arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine to tourists | Thaiger

    Nigerian man arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine to tourists

    Phuket Immigration officers detained a 37 year old Nigerian man in the Thepkrasattri subdistrict for possessing cocaine with the intention to sell. The individual, identified as John Paul, was arrested at a rented residence in Village 11, Thepkrasattri yesterday morning, February 13. The operation was a joint effort by Phuket Immigration and officers from Thalang Police Station. During the arrest,…

  • School shame: Bangkok security guard accused of sexual assault | Thaiger

    School shame: Bangkok security guard accused of sexual assault

    A 21 year old security guard at a well-known Don Mueang school in Bangkok has been accused of sexually assaulting a 12 year old student in the school’s bathroom. What’s more alarming, the school director allegedly brushed off the incident, reportedly offering a measly 5,000 baht to make it all go away. The harrowing ordeal, which took place on February…

  • Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high | Thaiger

    Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high

    In Chai Nat, the demand for roses during Valentine’s Day has led to a significant increase in retail prices, reaching a two-decade high, according to local vendors. Rose sales have surged in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, resulting in higher prices at the Chai Nat municipal market. Prices nearly doubled overnight, rising from 10 to 15 baht per flower yesterday, February…

  • DASTA backs Phu Kradueng cable car feasibility study | Thaiger

    DASTA backs Phu Kradueng cable car feasibility study

    The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has expressed support for the government’s proposal to conduct a feasibility study on a cable car project within Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. DASTA director Thitipong Khiawpaisan stated that Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong instructed the agency to undertake the study of this contentious project. The study will encompass…

  • Turkish man’s visa revoked in Phuket over Interpol notice | Thaiger

    Turkish man’s visa revoked in Phuket over Interpol notice

    Phuket Immigration has withdrawn the visa of a 32 year old Turkish national due to an Interpol Red Notice. The notice was issued for alleged offences involving illegal firearms and unauthorised sharing of personal data. The Republic of Turkey’s arrest warrant accused the Turkish national, Taskin, of possessing firearms and ammunition unlawfully and disseminating personal information without permission. This led…

  • Thunderstorms and cool foggy mornings hit Thailand | Thaiger

    Thunderstorms and cool foggy mornings hit Thailand

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast cautioning residents in South Thailand of thunderstorms and high seas, while the upper regions of Thailand will experience cool mornings with fog and hot afternoons. The forecast predicts a weak high-pressure system will cover the northeastern areas and the South China Sea, causing the upper regions to be cool in the…

  • Bangkok passenger caught smuggling ‘space oil’ at HK airport | Thaiger

    Bangkok passenger caught smuggling ‘space oil’ at HK airport

    A brazen drug smuggler’s trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong ended in disaster when customs officers uncovered a shocking stash of illicit “space oil” hidden in fruit-flavoured drink powder. The 22 year old suspect was stopped at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday, February 13, where officials discovered approximately 8 kilogrammes of the substance, containing the controlled drug etomidate, inside his…

  • Pattaya police kick the habit: Drug raids clean up city streets | Thaiger

    Pattaya police kick the habit: Drug raids clean up city streets

    Over 500 officers from Pattaya City police, Chon Buri Immigration, and other agencies swooped on the underbelly of Pattaya in a sweeping anti-drug crackdown. Revellers and residents alike were left reeling as the government’s ambitious campaign zeroed in on two notorious hotspots, leaving no stone unturned. The first target, a bustling commercial building on Soi Pattaya Klang 16, saw six…

  • French tourist’s trip to Koh Tao turns into cabbage truck chaos | Thaiger

    French tourist’s trip to Koh Tao turns into cabbage truck chaos

    A French tourist’s dream trip to Koh Tao in Surat Thani took an unexpected turn when he ended up stranded in Doi Tao, Chiang Mai, due to a miscommunication. His misadventure didn’t end there, while hitchhiking south he lost his wallet in Suphan Buri. But thanks to kind locals and police, he was able to recover it and continue his…