Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Thailand Ice Hockey Association accused of budget fraud
Athletes and the owner of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena (TIIHA) in Bangkok are calling for an investigation into alleged budget fraud involving the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand (IHAT). TIIHA owner Jumphol Darusakdapong filed a complaint with the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), alleging IHAT sought a 700,000 baht budget from the Sports Authority of Thailand…
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Eurovision launches Asia edition with final planned in Bangkok
The Eurovision Song Contest is launching Eurovision Asia for the first time, with broadcasters from 10 countries confirming participation and a grand final planned in Bangkok on November 14. Participating countries listed on the contest website include South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand and the Philippines, with the organisers noting that more countries are expected to join. Each country will first run…
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In-flight credit card theft hits 80 cases as losses pass 8 million baht
Immigration police have warned travellers about in-flight credit card theft after reporting a significant rise in cases on short international flights, with more than 80 incidents and losses exceeding 8 million baht. Yesterday, March 30, Pol Col Phongthorn Phongrattanant, deputy commander and spokesperson of Immigration Division 2, said the Immigration Bureau issued the alert after detecting a notable increase in…
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Old Thai woman attacked and robbed in Nonthaburi
Police arrested a Thai man for attacking and robbing an old woman, leaving the victim lying injured at a bus stop in Nonthaburi. The case emerged on March 29 after a Thai man posted on social media seeking relatives of the victim, identified as 78 year old Malee Charoenkorn. He said he found her lying injured at a bus stop…
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BTS responds after viral post shames passenger over sandals
BTS Skytrain has moved to shut down an online debate over footwear, saying any shoes are acceptable on the train after a post criticising back-strap sandals went viral yesterday, March 30. The debate began when a social media user shared a photo of a passenger in back-strap sandals on a BTS train and complained about it. The user wrote, “Honestly,…
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Muay Thai gym reports suspected poisoning after fighter hospitalised
A Muay Thai gym alleged its boxer was drugged before a bout at Siam Om Noi Boxing Stadium in Samut Sakhon province on March 28, after the fighter fell ill and later sought medical treatment. The official Facebook page of Avatar PK Saenchai gym, posted a photo of its kickboxer Suppachai Sakunwong, also known as Pharuehatnoi S. Sommai, lying in…
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Warning issued after toxic fire jellyfish detected in Phuket waters
Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin warned the public yesterday, March 30, after poisonous fire jellyfish were found in high density around Koh Aeo, Phuket. Suchart said the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported toxic jellyfish dispersed at a relatively high concentration of about 100 per square metre, floating near the surface at…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s shifting visa landscape leaves long-term foreigners in limbo, Chiang Mai air crisis deepens as city tops global pollution list
In Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. This episode covers Thailand securing shipping assurances through the Strait of Hormuz and the potential impact on oil supply, a system malfunction blamed for severe gridlock at Phuket Airport, and Chiang Mai topping a global ranking of the world’s most polluted cities. The update…
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Belgian man found dead after fall from eight-storey Pattaya condo
Police are investigating the death of a Belgian man who fell from a height at an eight-storey Pattaya condominium in Na Kluea, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, on March 29. Pattaya police and tourist police were called to the building at about 8pm and coordinated with Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation to attend the scene. The man, identified as a…
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Search finds no trace of missing Thai crew after Mayuree Naree attack
Three Thai crew members from the Mayuree Naree cargo ship remain missing after the ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, with the vessel’s operator saying an extensive search found no trace of them. The Mayuree Naree was attacked by the Iranian military while departing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and travelling to India. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary…
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Foreign man held after alleged rampage on Pattaya Walking Street
Police were called yesterday, March 30, after a foreign man reportedly became aggressive and tried to attack members of the public and tourists on Pattaya Walking Street in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station received the report at 9am and went to the scene with additional personnel. The man, believed to be about…
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Thailand introduces guidelines for intoxication checks before alcohol sales
Thailand’s Royal Gazette published guidelines on how alcohol vendors should assess whether customers are intoxicated before serving further drinks, following a new regulation that bans sales to already drunk people. The regulation was announced in December last year and is set out under Section 29 of the Alcohol Control Act. Under the rule, vendors are prohibited from selling alcohol to…
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Thai couple alleges peeping incident at Koh Lipe resort
A Thai couple warned others on TikTok after a woman said an alleged resort worker spied on her while she was changing inside a bungalow on Koh Lipe in Satun province. The woman, identified only as Anna, shared details on her TikTok account @arnabarbie on Saturday, March 28. She said the incident happened at a resort on Koh Lipe where…
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American man convicted in Thai man’s death released
A court in the United States ordered the release on probation of an African-American man convicted over the death of the 84 year old Thai man Vicha Ratanaphakdee in San Francisco in 2021. The judge ruled he had already completed the custodial portion of his eight-year sentence after receiving credit for time served and placed him on five years of…
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Thai victim loses 25,000 baht after falling for Saddam fortune scam
A Thai man lost 25,000 baht after a scammer persuaded him to pay a tax to secure US$1.5 million, or about 49 million baht, allegedly taken from the vault of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The victim filed a complaint with officers at Phetchakasem Police Station, saying he transferred the money to a woman on March 20. He told police…
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Italian man proposes to his girlfriend with Moo Deng as witness
An Italian man proposed to his girlfriend at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri on March 27, choosing the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng as a witness because his partner is a fan of the animal. The Italian chef and his girlfriend said they visited the zoo specifically to see Moo Deng. They also prepared a fresh vegetable cake…
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Thailand clinches deal with Iran for safe oil route via Hormuz
Thailand has reached a Strait of Hormuz oil deal with Iran to allow Thai oil tankers to transit the waterway safely, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday, March 28, as the government adjusts its response to energy market volatility. Anutin announced the agreement during a press briefing titled “One month of global crisis: Thailand’s plan for a changed world”…
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Finnish tourist loses Rolex watch and cash to Pattaya bar workers
A Finnish tourist reported the theft of a Rolex watch worth more than 700,000 baht and 5,000 baht in cash after bringing two Thai bar workers back to his hotel in the Jomtien area of Pattaya in the early hours of today, March 30. The victim, 30 year old Kenneth Mikael Konttinen, filed a complaint at Mueng Pattaya Police Station…
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Kanchanaburi sting nets two Myanmar suspects in prostitution case
Police in Kanchanaburi arrested two Myanmar men on March 27, after an undercover sting targeting a prostitution arrangement network in a border area, with a 15 year old identified as a human trafficking victim. The investigation began after police received information that a group of Myanmar youths were allegedly bringing women across the border for prostitution in Nong Lu, Sangkhla…
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Bridge linking Lumpini and Benchakitti park set to open on May 1
Bangkok runners and walkers will soon be able to travel between Lumpini Park and Benchakitti Park via the Lumpini Green Bridge. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials are expecting an informal opening on May 1. Deputy Bangkok governor Chakkapan Phewngam visited the project site in Pathum Wan district to follow up on work overseen by the Environment Department. He was…
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Songkran festival to boost Thailand’s economy with 30 billion baht
Thailand’s Songkran Festival Expected to Generate Over 30 Billion Baht This April Thailand’s Songkran festival is set to draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and generate over 30 billion baht in economic circulation this April, with celebrations running from April 11 to 15. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects a 6% increase in revenue compared to last year. Despite…
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Long queues at Phuket Airport raise ‘special paid lane’ questions
Claims of a “special paid lane” at outbound immigration in Phuket have circulated online after photos showed long queues at Phuket International Airport over the weekend, according to reports yesterday, March 28. Images shared from the Phuket Info Centre page showed large numbers of tourists queuing at the Immigration Bureau checkpoint on the international departures side. The images prompted widespread…
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Thai authorities target fake local businesses in Krabi tourism sector
Thailand’s Department of Business Development has stepped up its crackdown on nominee businesses in Koh Lanta, Krabi, deploying a multi-agency team to investigate foreign-owned operations disguised as local companies. On March 26 and 27, investigators from the department were joined by the Department of Tourism, Krabi’s Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourist Police Bureau, Immigration Bureau, and Krabi’s Commerce Office.…
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Chinese expat faces uncertainty over visa rules in Thailand
A 34 year old Chinese national living in Pattaya is facing an uncertain future in Thailand after his visa application was rejected and the country weighs tighter entry rules for long-term foreign residents. Cui Heng arrived in Thailand in July 2023 on a tourist visa, initially exploring whether the country could become a long-term home rather than a temporary escape.…
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Cicada Covid variant prompts caution as cases rise abroad
A Thai health official has warned the public to monitor the new Covid-19 variant known as Cicada, which has been detected in several countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Jessada Boonyawongwiwat, deputy director of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, said the World Health Organisation has urged caution over the variant due to its potential to spread rapidly and…
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Man found dead in Udon Thani field after headshot
A man was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in a field in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani, on March 27. His wife disclosed his alleged involvement with drug dealers, while police are also investigating a land sale dispute and a missing relative as part of the case. Police Colonel Phongphan Nakwa, along with officers from Ban…
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Teen’s tragic death sparks call for school safety investigation
A 14 year old girl died following a motorcycle accident after her school allowed her to leave campus without notifying her guardian, raising concerns about student safety protocols and prompting calls for a formal investigation. On March 27, the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women received a complaint from a 43 year old aunt, who travelled from Saraburi province carrying…
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Fake dollar bills distributed in Pattaya by tourists
Foreign tourists in Pattaya were caught distributing counterfeit US$100 bills while filming content on Thursday, March 27, prompting a public warning after some vendors nearly faced legal trouble for attempting to exchange the fake notes. A Facebook user raised the alarm after witnessing well-dressed tourists, described as resembling affluent Arabs, handing out money to members of the public, particularly children,…
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Bangkok Airways hikes ticket prices amid rising oil costs
Bangkok Airways is raising ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges from April 1 as oil prices climb to between US$170 and US$180 per barrel. The airline is hedging 30% of its fuel costs and is keeping a close watch on the situation, warning that its annual plan could need revising if prices stay elevated. CEO Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said domestic fares…
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Italian drug user arrested on Koh Chang after argument with Thai wife
Koh Chang police arrested an Italian man for drug use today, March 27, after a caretaker at his rented house called officers to intervene in a violent argument between him and his Thai wife. Koh Chang Police Station officers were called to the couple’s home at about 9.50am and found them arguing outside the accommodation. Police identified the Italian man…
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