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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Sponsored Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Phuket replaces iconic pink buses with new electric fleet
Phuket’s well-known pink Pho Thong buses, which have been a staple of the town’s streets for decades, have been replaced by 24 new electric buses from China, each costing over 5 million baht. These iconic vehicles were an integral part of Phuket Town’s charm, easily recognised by their simple design, which included six-wheeled flatbed trucks modified with wooden bench seats…
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Cambodia fuel shortage drives cross-border traffic surge into Thailand
A fuel shortage in Cambodia has led to a significant increase in cross-border traffic into Thailand, as Cambodian motorists seek to fill their tanks with more affordable and readily available fuel. Yesterday morning, more than 100 luxury vehicles were observed crossing the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge into Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province, resulting in congestion near the immigration checkpoint. This…
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Tragic accident claims life of 12 year old cyclist in Ayutthaya
A tragic accident occurred involving a 12 year old boy who was cycling with a friend riding pillion on their way to a convenience store across from their village. As they attempted to cross the road, the boy was struck and killed by a trailer truck, while his friend narrowly escaped injury. The incident took place on June 21 on…
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Man found dead with head injuries in Samut Sakhon
A 33 year old man named Uan was found dead with severe head injuries today, June 22, along the Khae Rai Road in Samut Sakhon province. A beer bottle was discovered beside him, and shattered glass fragments littered the ground. Earlier, he had posted on Facebook, “Ending the village problems,” alongside a photo with a young man. The Katumban Police…
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Police seize 39 million baht in mining embezzlement case
Police from Region 2 have seized 39 million baht in cash linked to a case involving two female employees from a mining company accused of embezzling 103 million baht from their employer. The money was hidden under a bed in a condo owned by one of the suspect’s husbands, before the suspects fled abroad. The situation took a grim turn…
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Three boys drown while fishing at Samut Sakhon project site
Three 13 year old boys tragically drowned while fishing at a water management project in Samut Sakhon, with their bodies later found underwater. The incident occurred around 4.30pm yesterday, June 21. Police Lieutenant Sarawit Saothong received a report about missing children at the Phasi Charoen Water Management Project in the Talat Krathum Baen subdistrict, Krathum Baen district. Upon arrival, the…
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Tragic discovery of man in Samut Prakan after family dispute
A 42 year old man was found deceased in his bedroom in Mueang district, Samut Prakan province, after reportedly not leaving his room for two days following an argument with his wife. Police from the Mueang Samut Prakan station, together with forensic officers and rescue personnel, were alerted to the incident today, June 22. The deceased, identified as Supakit, was…
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Bangkok house used to produce illegal e-cigarettes seized
A Chinese entrepreneur rented a luxurious house in the Ram Inthra area of Bangkok to produce illegal e-cigarettes. The operation involved refurbishing discarded e-cigarette heads with new liquid before repackaging them for resale. Yesterday, June 21, Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, directed Police Colonel Krivis Santhavisuk, superintendent of sub-division 1, Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Thai-Cambodian border crossing closes amid rising tensions
The Chong Sai Taku border crossing in Buri Ram province, located near the Cambodian border, has been closed by Second Army Region commander, Boonsin Padklang. The closure order, issued yesterday, June 21, was shared widely last night. This decision follows a directive from the Royal Thai Army granting the Second Army Region authority over border crossing operations along the Thai-Cambodian…
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Vietnamese nationals arrested in Thailand for illegal online lending scheme
Seven Vietnamese nationals were apprehended in Pathum Thani for running an unauthorised online lending operation, imposing high floating interest rates on Vietnamese clients, reported Thai police yesterday, June 22. Immigration, cybercrime, and tourist police officers conducted a raid on a residence within a housing estate in Lam Luk Ka district. Security personnel had alerted them to suspicious activities by a…
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Phuket police hunt burglar after 2 million baht villa heist
Police in Phuket are searching for a burglar who targeted four luxury villas in a single night, stealing items valued at over 2 million baht in Thalang district. Security footage shared online depicts a man dressed in black scaling the perimeter wall of a villa in Ban Yamu, located in the Pa Khlok subdistrict, on the evening of June 17.…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods across 46 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather advisory, warning of increased rainfall across Thailand, with some areas, particularly in the east, expected to experience heavy rain. A total of 46 provinces are cautioned about potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, including Bangkok, which is predicted to have a 60% chance of rain today, June 22. The increased…
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Pattaya beach turns green: Plankton bloom causes panic
Pattaya’s popular Wong Amat Beach recently became the centre of environmental concerns as a sudden plankton bloom turned the waters a disturbing dark green and filled the air with a sulfur-like stench. The phenomenon, which began a few days ago, not only altered the sea’s appearance but also raised serious worries among locals and tourists about its potential impact on…
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Bangkok hotel raid: 200 phones seized in Chinese bust
A police raid at a hotel in the Makkasan area of Bangkok has led to the discovery of a suspicious operation involving Chinese nationals, sparking fears of illegal activities. Acting on a search warrant, investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau uncovered a series of alarming findings that point to an underground phone trafficking network. The raid, which took place after…
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Measles surge in Thailand: Young children at high risk
Measles concerns have arisen for those returning from neighbouring countries, with young children particularly vulnerable to the disease and at higher risk of death. Measles is airborne, much like tuberculosis, and those at risk are advised to monitor symptoms closely. Doctor Jurai Wongsawat, a senior medical officer and government spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public…
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Pattaya’s parking crackdown: No car is above the law
Pattaya traffic police launched a no-nonsense crackdown on illegal parking, sending a clear message that no vehicle is above the law—whether it’s a luxury sports car or a humble taxi. The key rule is simple: vehicles must strictly adhere to the odd-even parking schedule on South Pattaya roads. Failure to comply? Prepare for a clamp. The new enforcement initiative aims…
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Ratsada’s bold plan: Mayor unveils 7 key initiatives for growth
Jirayut Songyos, the newly elected Mayor of Ratsada Subdistrict Municipality, laid out an ambitious policy plan aimed at transforming his subdistrict into a stronger, more prosperous community. Following his certification by the Phuket Provincial Election Commission on June 4, Jirayut spoke to the Ratsada Subdistrict Municipality Council, outlining his commitment to work under the principles of good governance and transparency.…
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Cambodian tourist numbers to Thailand drop 48% due to closures
Cambodian tourist numbers visiting Thailand have significantly decreased by 48% this month due to border closures, impacting a market already experiencing a slowdown since the previous year. Despite this, Thai AirAsia has reported a strong load factor on flights from Bangkok to Cambodia. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that Cambodian arrivals in the first…
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Bangkok police arrest trio for selling drug-laced e-cigarettes
Officers in Bangkok arrested a group yesterday for selling e-cigarette liquids laced with drugs online. The three suspects, 37 year old Netnapa, 46 year old Thanakorn, and 33 year old Pratchaya, were caught red-handed yesterday, June 20, with a large stash of illegal vaping liquids and equipment, sparking a serious drug trafficking investigation. The bust came after concerned residents in…
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Senate seeks to oust Paetongtarn over leaked call with Cambodia
The Senate Speaker has petitioned the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to remove Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office due to a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The petitions question if the Thai PM engaged in corruption by violating the Constitution or laws, or if she seriously breached ethical standards. Concurrently, the Constitutional…
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Thai aide accuses Cambodian leader of national security threat
An aide to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has lodged a police complaint against Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, alleging threats to Thailand’s national security and causing internal discord. Somkid Chueakong, the deputy secretary-general for political affairs to the prime minister, submitted this complaint yesterday, June 20, to Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).…
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Poipet casinos offer promotions to lure back Thai gamblers
Casino operators in Poipet, Cambodia, are implementing enticing travel promotions to attract Thai gamblers back after a noticeable decline in cross-border visits due to increased security measures at the Thai-Cambodian border. A local source noted that smaller gates at the Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district remain operational to facilitate students travelling to school. The official…
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Russian tourist drowns after ignoring red flags at Phuket beach
A Russian tourist disregarded red warning flags and entered the sea at Karon Beach, Phuket, before tragically drowning in front of his family. Despite rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead on June 10 at 11.40am. Police Sub-Lieutenant Jaras Lempan of the Karon Police Station received a report of the incident and informed Police Colonel Khundech Na Nongkhai, the Karon Police…
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More rain: Thunderstorms and downpours continue to hit Thailand
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, forecasting increased rainfall across Thailand, with heavy showers expected in the north, east, and south. The northeast will experience particularly severe conditions. Residents are advised to remain cautious. The intensified southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure area over northern…
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German man found dead in rented house in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A German man was found dead at a rented house in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, reportedly due to an ongoing illness. Officers from Thasala Police Station were called to the scene at 6.50am today, June 20, after receiving a report of a foreign man’s death at a house in Tha Kuen sub-district, Tha Sala district. The deceased…
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Phumtham defends PM, dismisses audio scandal backlash
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has come out swinging in defence of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging calm and diplomacy following the political storm triggered by her leaked audio conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Phumtham, who also serves as Defence Minister, downplayed the fallout from the controversial clip, reaffirming the coalition’s support for Paetongtarn and brushing off…
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Thai couple accused of faking rape to extort former police officer
A Thai couple accused a former police officer of raping and accused another officer of extorting 15,000 baht, but a lawyer later discovered that the pair withheld significant information about the case. The couple, known as Em and Bee, sought assistance from well-known lawyer Paisarn Rueangrit. They claimed to have filed complaints with local police, but alleged that no progress was…
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Tiger comeback: Prey release sparks hope in Thai jungle
In Thailand’s dense, steaming western forests, 20 sambar deer leap into freedom — and straight into the domain of one of Asia’s most elusive predators: the Indochinese tiger. This dramatic release in Khlong Lan National Park, Kamphaeng Phet, Central Thailand, is part of an ambitious government and WWF-backed effort to revive Thailand’s wild tiger population by restoring their natural prey…
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Watch your words: Thai air force warns troops on recordings
Heads up, airmen — Big Brother might be listening. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has issued a stark warning to its personnel: think twice before you speak, because your conversations could be recorded. In a now-deleted post made on June 19 via the official RTAF News Facebook page, Air Chief Marshal Praphat Sonjaidee, the air force’s spokesperson, reminded service…
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Pattaya motorbike thug attacks Bolt rider in road rage meltdown
An early morning altercation at a busy Pattaya intersection has ignited public outrage after a motorcycle taxi driver was caught on camera assaulting a Bolt passenger, and now police are under pressure to act. The incident took place at around 6.45am yesterday, June 19, at the intersection of Pattaya South Road and Thanon Sai Sam, near Soi Pattaya South 18…
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