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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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    What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?

    The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...

  • Gridlock crisis: Phuket’s billion-baht boom sparks urgent action | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai health ministry warns against fake medical certificates | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai police to manage new year traffic with drones | Thaiger

    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…

  • Motorcyclist fatally shot in Chon Buri, police search for suspect | Thaiger

    Motorcyclist fatally shot in Chon Buri, police search for suspect

    A young man was fatally shot whilst riding a motorcycle in Chon Buri, leaving him dead on the spot. Initially, locals mistook the accident for a collision with a dog due to the loud noise. However, their suspicions were confirmed when they heard gunfire and witnessed a pickup truck speed away from the scene. The incident took place at approximately…

  • Phuket’s Freedom Beach embroiled in land encroachment dispute | Thaiger

    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…

  • Chinese call centre scam: Bangkok police arrest 4 more men | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Foreign motorcyclist’s ill-judged turn in Pattaya leaves 3 injured | Thaiger

    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…

  • Drowsy danger: Driver fatigue blamed in fatal Loei bus crash | Thaiger

    Drowsy danger: Driver fatigue blamed in fatal Loei bus crash

    A tragic accident unfolded yesterday morning, December 27 when a double-decker bus crashed on the Chum Phae-Phu Kradueng road in Loei. The bus, part of the Bangkok-Loei-Chiang Khan route, veered off course around 6.30am, colliding with trees for approximately 100 metres. Police and emergency teams arrived to find the vehicle’s front severely damaged, with shattered windows and the driver’s door…

  • Chilly start: Thailand braces for new year cold spell | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand celebrates National Wildlife Protection Day | Thaiger

    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…

  • Yacht fleet breakfast: Thaksin and Thamanat’s island meet-up | Thaiger

    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…

  • Missing Bangladeshi man found high on crystal meth in Bangkok hotel | Thaiger

    Missing Bangladeshi man found high on crystal meth in Bangkok hotel

    Police yesterday, December 26, found a Bangladeshi man, reported missing by his concerned mother, relaxing and using crystal methamphetamine in a hotel room in the Bang Na area of Bangkok. Officers from the Immigration Bureau launched a search for the 30 year old Bangladeshi financial consultant, Abu Alkasim, after his mother reported him missing. She revealed that she lost contact…

  • Thailand’s top destinations gear up for new year surge | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai tourist police arrest 20 foreign sex workers on Pattaya Beach | Thaiger

    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…

  • Frenchman loses 6,000 euros to foreign sex worker in Phuket | Thaiger

    Frenchman loses 6,000 euros to foreign sex worker in Phuket

    A Frenchman lost 6,000 euros in cash (approximately 210,000 baht) to a sex worker of colour in Phuket on Christmas night, December 25. The Facebook news page Phuket Times reported today that the French victim took a foreign sex worker to a hotel after a Christmas party in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. He was intoxicated and subsequently fell asleep.…

  • Festive cops hit Pattaya Walking Street with candies | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Man’s goodwill exploited as woman steals motorcycle in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Traffic congestion rises as Thai motorists head home for new year | Thaiger

    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.…

  • Thai police halt illegal migrant smuggling in dramatic Phetchabun chase | Thaiger

    Thai police halt illegal migrant smuggling in dramatic Phetchabun chase

    A dramatic chase unfolded yesterday, December 26, as police pursued a group smuggling illegal migrant workers in Thailand. Two vehicles, packed with a total of 26 individuals, were intercepted in Phetchabun, revealing an illicit operation that charged 1,000 baht per head. Police officer Warabodin Lertsupasinstit, leading the Highway Police Division 5, was alerted to a potential smuggling attempt involving migrants…

  • Motorcyclist dies in Lampang crash, tragic call reveals news | Thaiger

    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…

  • Christmas cable heist sparks outrage in Pattaya | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai father kills 2 children before committing suicide, only 8 year old boy survives | Thaiger

    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.…

  • Thailand to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers | Thaiger

    Thailand to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers

    Drunk drivers in Thailand will soon face stricter penalties, as announced by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The government plans to collaborate with the Interior Ministry to enforce tougher laws aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Suriya highlighted the growing concern over traffic accidents, especially those caused by drunk driving, smartphone distractions, drowsiness, speeding, and other traffic violations. According to the Don’t…

  • Bangkok to Loei bus crash in Chum Phae leaves one dead | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand boosts child welfare benefits to 1,000 baht monthly | Thaiger

    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…

  • Man suffers electric shock during power line theft near police station | Thaiger

    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…

  • Indian customs seize haul of weed smuggled from Bangkok | Thaiger

    Indian customs seize haul of weed smuggled from Bangkok

    Five travellers arriving from Bangkok were busted in a brazen smuggling attempt at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Christmas Day. Indian customs officials seized a staggering 26 kilogrammes of hydroponic marijuana—worth 26 Indian crores (approximately 104 million baht)—ingeniously concealed in everyday household items. Acting on a tip-off, the Indian Customs Department intercepted the suspects shortly after they…

  • Cyber theft in Udon Thani drains 2.4 million baht from firm | Thaiger

    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…

  • Police vehicle attacked in Yala, one officer killed | Thaiger

    Police vehicle attacked in Yala, one officer killed

    An armoured police vehicle was severely damaged in an ambush involving a bomb and gunfire in Yala, Thailand, resulting in the death of one officer. In the evening yesterday, December 26, a violent incident occurred in Thanto, a district in Yala province. An explosive device was detonated by unidentified assailants targeting border patrol police officers, followed by gunfire. The officers…