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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Thai MP with history of sexual assaults accused of raping Taiwanese woman
Police issued an arrest warrant for a Thai Progress Party MP for allegedly raping a Taiwanese woman at a hotel in Chiang Mai province on January 9. The Taiwanese woman filed a complaint against MP Chaiyamphawan “Puaut” Munpianjit at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station following the incident, which took place at 2am on January 9. The alleged assault occurred at…
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Tiger dies in Suphan Buri park despite rescue efforts
A tiger, ensnared by a poacher’s trap in Phu Toei National Park, Suphan Buri, has died despite efforts to save it. The animal was discovered on January 8 and treated at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Breeding Centre, Uthai Thani, until its death on February 3 at around 3pm. On February 4, specialised veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkhon, along with wildlife conservation officials,…
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Fuelling growth: Thailand’s energy use rises as tourism powers up
The Department of Energy Business revealed fuel consumption in Thailand saw a 2.1% rise last year, reaching a daily average of 155.4 million litres, in tandem with an estimated GDP growth of 2.6-2.7%, largely fuelled by bustling tourism-related industries. In 2023, total fuel consumption was slightly less, at 152.3 million litres per day. Jet fuel, driven by the surge in…
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Icelandic man gets his face busted after falling into Pattaya drain
An Icelandic tourist suffered painful facial injuries after tumbling into an uncovered drainage hole on a hazardous Pattaya footpath—yet another grim reminder of the city’s crumbling infrastructure. The accident occurred around 1am yesterday, February 6 along Pattaya Second Road. The tourist, left bleeding from facial wounds, was treated at the scene by Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation before being rushed to…
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Korat inmate surrenders after hurting himself on prison barbed wire
A 25 year old inmate convicted of drug offences was apprehended after escaping from a correctional facility in Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Korat). The escape, which occurred yesterday, February 6, involved climbing the prison wall and fleeing into a nearby community area. Prison officials in Nakhon Ratchasima alerted the local police about the escape, noting that the escapee, Kanpoj,…
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Scouting trouble: Russian woman nabbed after uniform theft in Phuket
Police arrested a Russian woman in Phuket after breaking into a local’s house and stealing a scout uniform before leaving. The homeowner took to social media to share details of the unusual theft with his followers. He posted a picture of a leopard-print shirt along with a caption that read… “Beware of a Russian woman walking around in a scout…
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NBTC orders dismantling of antenna towers near Tak border
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated mobile networks to dismantle 24 antenna towers located within 50 metres of the Tak province border by February 24. Antennas within 200 metres must reduce transmission power and height to a maximum of 15 metres. On February 6, the Facebook page of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, a well-known news presenter, reported these measures.…
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Thailand video news | 4 Israeli tourists fined for chaos at Mae Hong Son hospital, Thailand regains title as Southeast Asia’s top tourist destination
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover top stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Thai police fined four Israeli tourists for disrupting a Mae Hong Son hospital, while Airports in Thailand faces backlash for proposing smoking rooms at Suvarnabhumi. Police uncovered a shocking case of mummified infant bodies linked to black magic, and an American-Thai couple lost 15.2…
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Man found dead in Bangkok in wedding outfit
A 31 year old man was found dead in a room in the Khlong Sam Prawet district of Bangkok, with a wedding gown and farewell note beside him. The incident unfolded yesterday, February 6, when volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation received a report of a dead man in an unnamed residence on Kamnan Yen Villa Soi. The man,…
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Chinese man arrested for spray-painting pharmacy in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday arrested a Chinese man for spray-painting on the roller shutter doors of two pharmacies in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The pharmacist, who owns a shop on Bamrung Buri Road in Chiang Mai, caught the 33 year old Chinese man, He Ma, red-handed yesterday, February 6, while he was spray-painting the store’s roller shutter door. The pharmacist…
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Sin city: Brit beaten by furious Thai bar girls over unpaid bill (video)
A British tourist was beaten with high heels and thrown out of a Thai bar by furious female workers after refusing to settle his tab. The middle-aged holidaymaker and his friend were treating a group of young women to drinks at a bar in Pattaya, Thailand’s infamous nightlife hub, when the night took a violent turn. The man allegedly refused…
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Shore thing: Viral video shows Indian tourists sleeping on Pattaya Beach
A video circulating on Instagram showing what appears to be a mass takeover of Pattaya Beach by Indian tourists has set social media on fire. Shared with the not-so-subtle caption “Indian Tourists in Pattaya,” the clip reveals around 100 holidaymakers lounging on mats. Some are seen knocking back beers while surrounded by unsightly piles of litter. The footage has ignited…
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Anti-corruption body probes Khao Kradong land dispute
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has reported ongoing progress in its investigation into the land dispute between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Lands (DoL) involving approximately 5,000 rai in Buriram. However, the completion date for the investigation remains uncertain. Mongkol Srisawang, director of investigations for environment and natural resource-related cases at the NACC, stated that…
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Tariff-ied: Thai exporters brace for US trade heat
Thai exporters could soon find themselves in hot water, facing increased tariffs from the United States. The Government of Thailand might also be compelled to import more American goods to balance out its trade surplus, warns Burin Adulwattana, the Managing Director and Chief Economist at Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). Burin shared that K-Research hasn’t yet drilled down into the possible…
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Trafficking crackdown: Officials inspect Phuket fishing boats
Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri led a thorough inspection of several commercial fishing boats in Phuket yesterday, February 6, aiming to prevent human trafficking and ensure adherence to labour laws. The inspections took place at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute Pier at Cape Panwa and involved officials from over 14 agencies. The primary focus…
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Price hike strikes again: Inflation on a ten-month hot streak
Inflation in January has surged to 1.32%, continuing a relentless ten-month climb, with fuel, food, and beverage costs driving the increase. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) chief, disclosed that the consumer price index has jumped by 1.32% compared to the same time last year. It’s the second consecutive month where inflation has breached the 1% mark. A…
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Thai and mighty: President Xi praises Thai PM for scam crack down
In a warm gesture of appreciation, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for Thailand’s tough stance against scammers preying on Chinese nationals across the region. As the Land of Smiles seeks to revive its tourism industry post-Covid-19, China stands as a vital partner. Yet, new threats have emerged, with reports indicating that Chinese tourists are being…
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Thai man accidentally stabs New Zeland son-in-law in Buriram
A Thai man accidentally stabbed his New Zealand son-in-law at their shared home in the Isaan province of Buriram yesterday while attempting to attack his drug-addicted nephew. Officers from Prakhonchai Police Station investigated the stabbing at a house in the Ban Bordin community in Prakhonchai district, Buriram, yesterday afternoon, February 6. They found the 60 year old New Zealand man…
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Call centre scam victims rescued from Myanmar’s clutches
Sixty-one hapless victims, duped by call centre scammers and whisked away to Myanmar, yesterday made a triumphant return to Thailand. Courtesy of the Myanmar Border Guard Force, the rescued victims were handed over to Thai officials at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Bridge in the Mae Sot district of Tak province. The rescue mission was graced by none other than Defence Minister…
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Thai constitutional rewrite may require multiple referendums
Chousak Sirinil, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, proposed yesterday that the government, opposition, and Senate whips collectively request a Constitutional Court decision regarding the number of referendums necessary for a constitutional rewrite. This proposal precedes Parliament’s first reading of multiple charter amendment bills, scheduled for February 13 to 14. Yesterday, the government, opposition, and Senate whips convened to…
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Waste no time: Phuket fast-tracks trash tech near city centre
A ticking time bomb lurks in the heart of Phuket’s beautiful landscape but not one you would expect. Phuket City Municipality is racing against the clock to establish a state-of-the-art solid waste sorting facility at the waste disposal centre in Saphan Hin, a stone’s throw from bustling Phuket City centre. Deputy Mayor Suphachok La-ongphet revealed that by the end of…
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ex-Thai artist finds fame washing himself in the middle of the road (video)
A viral video showing a Thai man washing himself in the middle of a road in the Phra Khanong area of Bangkok has captivated onlookers, dubbing him as the “Phra Khanong sensation.” The man, identified as 43 year old Samphan, originally from the area, shared insights into his life and past experiences. Previously, he earned between 1,000 and 5,000 baht…
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Mummified infant bodies found in chilling Chiang Mai delivery
A routine package check at a Sa Kaeo logistics shop turned into a horrifying discovery when staff found two dried infant bodies inside a parcel bound for Chiang Mai. Police are now investigating a self-proclaimed medium, who allegedly bought the bodies for 10,000 baht and planned to resell them to Chinese tourists. Sa Kaeo police were alerted this afternoon, February…
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Phuket ranks among top winter sun destinations – But is it worth it?
Phuket has been named the third-best winter sun destination in the world, according to travel and luggage experts Bounce. The ranking was based on temperature, rainfall, sea conditions, and sunshine hours, making the Thai island a top pick for sun-seekers escaping the winter chill. With a winter sun score of 6.24 out of 10, Phuket secured the third spot, trailing…
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4 Israeli men fined for causing chaos at hospital in Mae Hong Son
Police fined four Israeli men 3,000 baht each for causing chaos at Pai Hospital in the northern province of Mae Hong Son on February 2 by entering an emergency room without permission. The medical professionals at Pai Hospital expressed their dissatisfaction with Israeli nationals in the province to Channel 7 following the incident. One of the doctors revealed that a…
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Taiwanese man offers 100 pig heads at Bangkok temple
A Taiwanese man made a significant offering at Wat Ko Suwannaram in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district after winning millions in the lottery. Yesterday, February 5, the lucky man, along with friends and devotees, presented 100 pig heads, 3,000 candles, and various food items as a gesture of gratitude. The offerings were made to the Great Brahma Emperor, a large statue…
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Thai banks to ban mule account transactions next month
The banking sector will introduce a ban on financial transactions involving mule accounts next month, adhering to a directive from the Bank of Thailand. Following a recent meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, announced that banks are upgrading their operational and security systems to block transactions across…
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Thai media regulator jailed for abusing power in TrueID scandal
A high-ranking member of Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has been sentenced to two years in prison for abusing her position in a controversial case involving the OTT media platform TrueID. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases ruled today that Professor Pirongrong Ramasoota was guilty of malfeasance in office, having unfairly targeted TrueID and causing…
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South Korean arrested for illegal tour guide work in Chon Buri
A South Korean man’s dream job in Thailand turned into a nightmare when he was arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide while leading a group of tourists on a luxury boat tour. Tourist Police swooped yesterday, February 5, catching the man in the act as he escorted a group of South Korean tourists aboard…
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Luxury car executive busted for 160m baht tax dodge
A 48 year old executive of a luxury car import company was apprehended in Ayutthaya for allegedly evading taxes amounting to 160 million baht. The car executive, Chakri, claims his identity was wrongly used, suggesting someone registered the company using his personal information without his knowledge. Yesterday, February 5, Police Colonel Tatsapoom Jaruprat, acting commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division…
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