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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China steps in with 90 million baht aid after Thai train tragedy
China has reaffirmed its close diplomatic ties with Thailand today, January 15, by donating 20 million yuan, approximately 90 million baht, in humanitarian aid, in the wake of a crane collapse at a high-speed rail construction site. At 11am today, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Government House to formally deliver the assistance. The…
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Elusive crested jayshrike spotted on Kaeng Krachan forest trail
A rare crested jayshrike made a surprise appearance yesterday, January 14, on a forest trail in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park, stunning birdwatchers and park officials. Mongkol Chaiphakdi, chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said the elusive bird was seen near the 18-kilometre forest trail known as Ban Chang Yieb, which leads up to Panoenthung mountain. The encounter was captured…
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Thai man shares final moment with girlfriend killed in Korat crane collapse
A Thai man shared heartbreaking footage of the final moments he spent with his girlfriend before she was killed when a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, January 14. The woman, Chananya Wongchan, was among 32 victims who lost their lives after a crane from the elevated Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway construction fell onto a…
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Government urges caution as PM2.5 levels hit dangerous highs
Thailand‘s government has issued a warning today, January 15, over rising levels of PM2.5 air pollution expected between January 14 and 16, urging strict control of pollution sources and greater public caution, particularly in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Pairsawetthawana said the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre under the Pollution Control Department (APSC) had reported a significant…
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Royal Thai Army admits 8 drunk soldiers beat conscript to death
The Royal Thai Army admitted that eight soldiers physically assaulted three conscripts at Sura Dham Pithak Military Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in the death of one of the victims. The case came to public attention after the family of a 21 year old private, Krittanon Phonchantuek, spoke out on social media to condemn the abuse inside the military camp.…
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Thailand’s conservative parties push back on charter rewrite
Yesterday, January 14, three of Thailand’s conservative political parties reaffirmed their opposition to replacing the current constitution, warning that the move could be costly and politically risky. Key figures from the Rak Chart Thai Party, Thai Pakdee Party, and the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party voiced their stance during campaign activities in Nakhon Ratchasima and Surat Thani, stating they would…
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UAE tourist loses 14,500 baht to foreign pickpockets in Pattaya
A tourist from the United Arab Emirates lost around 14,500 baht in cash after being pickpocketed by two foreign men in Pattaya yesterday, January 14. The victim, 45 year old Mohamed Abdelkaliq Abdalla Khadim Almaazmi, filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 7am on Tuesday, January 13, after realising that cash had gone missing from his trouser…
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Thailand News|Massive crane collapse in Korat trains claims dozens of lives,Thailand sees strong tourist numbers in early 2026, Thailand’s night markets shine in global rankings
Today we’ll be giving you an update on the horrifying crane collapse that claimed dozens of lives yesterday, the United States is officially halting visa processing for Thai applicants in less than a week, and a little later we’ll try to brighten your day with news about tourism numbers, exotic wildlife, and Thailand’s thriving night markets. Massive Crane Collapse in…
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People’s Party MP candidate arrested over alleged online gambling links
Police arrested a Member of Parliament (MP) candidate from the People’s Party yesterday, January 14, at his home in Bangkok over alleged involvement in an online gambling network and money laundering. Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) raided the residence of 32 year old Ratchapong “Pond” Soisuwan at around 5.30pm. The property is located in Nuan Chan Village,…
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Search underway for missing TikTok fishing star in Chon Buri
A popular fishing content creator went missing yesterday, January 14, after his boat was found drifting unmanned in Mabprachan Reservoir, Chon Buri. Rescue teams launched an urgent search following reports that he had vanished while testing the boat. Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Centre received a report of a possible drowning at Mabprachan Reservoir in Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung district,…
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2 killed as crane collapses onto 2 vehicles on Rama II Road
At least two people were killed after a construction crane collapsed onto two vehicles travelling along Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok this morning, January 15. The fatal incident occurred at around 9.25am outside the Paris Garden Hotel in the Tha Chin sub-district. The crane was part of a bridge construction project above Rama II Road, one…
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Anutin rejects 40k payout for victims of crane collapse
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed strong disapproval of the proposed 40,000 baht compensation for victims of a fatal crane collapse, urging the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to immediately revise its approach to victim support. Yesterday, January 14, Anutin visited the site where a crane collapsed during a railway construction project, killing over 30 people. He received a briefing from…
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Thailand among 75 nations hit by US visa processing suspension
The United States will temporarily suspend immigrant visa processing for Thailand and 74 other countries, effective January 21, 2026, as part of tighter immigration screening under its America First policy, the US State Department announced on January 14. The immigration visa freeze targets applicants from countries where migrants are said to disproportionately rely on public assistance after settling in the…
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German and South Korean among 32 killed after crane collapses onto train in Korat
A German man and a South Korean national are among 32 people killed after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province yesterday morning, January 14. The devastating incident occurred at around 9am on a railway track in the Baan Thanon Kot community in Sikhiu district, also known as Korat. The area is located beneath the…
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ITD accepts responsibility after crane collapse kills 31 in Korat
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD) issued an official statement expressing condolences and accepting responsibility following a crane collapse that struck a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Tuesday morning, January 14. The fatal incident occurred at around 9am when a construction crane from the elevated Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway project collapsed onto the Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani passenger train as…
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SHIELD system unveiled at Thai-led trafficking talks with 18 nations
Thai police have intensified international efforts against human trafficking and cyber scams after officials from 18 countries met in Bangkok yesterday, January 13, to discuss cooperation, data sharing, and tools to tackle transnational crime. The high-level meeting took place at the Royal Thai Police headquarters and was chaired by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, deputy national police chief and director of…
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Bus passengers clash after woman criticises driver over delays in traffic jam
A heated argument broke out between two passengers on a public bus in Bangkok after a woman repeatedly complained about slow driving during heavy traffic congestion, sparking irritation among fellow commuters. A witness shared a video of the incident on TikTok account @gotobedwithnext yesterday, January 13. The footage showed a woman dressed entirely in black engaging in a verbal confrontation…
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Rare red-headed krait spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park
A rare and highly venomous snake was spotted yesterday, January 13, in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park, after a park ranger photographed it during a routine patrol on Phanoen Thung Mountain. The snake has been identified as a red-headed krait, a highly venomous species known for its distinctive glossy black body, bright red head and tail, and raised triangular back.…
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Distressed woman walks naked near hospital in Udon Thani
A woman caused a stir in Udon Thani yesterday, January 13, when she was seen walking naked in broad daylight near Udon Thani Central Hospital. What followed was a troubling account involving alleged abuse and a desperate cry for help. Police and rescue personnel were dispatched after a concerned citizen reported the incident around noon. The woman was found clothed…
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Thai rapist remains at large after drugging and raping 15 year old girl
A Thai mother demanded a punishment on a rapist who drugged and sexually assaulted her 15 year old daughter in Rayong province in 2024. The 52 year old victim’s mother met the commander of the Rayong Provincial Police, Pramote Ngampradit, to seek justice after the rape case had no development since it occurred in July of 2024. The suspect remains…
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People’s Party MP candidate sues Thai woman for staging vote-buying
A parliamentary candidate from the People’s Party in Saraburi province announced legal action against a woman who admitted staging a fake vote-buying incident to attract attention on social media. The controversy began on Monday, January 12, when a Thai woman posted a photo on her Facebook account, Rungnapa Kotphuthorn. The image showed a 1,000-baht banknote placed together with a election…
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Etihad flight rocked by turbulence ahead of Phuket landing
An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi experienced severe turbulence shortly before landing in Phuket on January 14, prompting an emergency response on the ground. All passengers and crew members were confirmed safe. Flight EY416, which was en route to Phuket International Airport, reportedly encountered turbulence at around 11.30am while descending. The aircraft, carrying passengers and crew, landed safely at…
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6 boat workers at Chalong Bay Pier in Phuket tested positive for drugs
Phuket Tourist Police intensified safety measures at Chalong Bay Pier following a fatal speedboat accident involving a drug-fuelled driver, with random drug tests revealing that six boat workers tested positive for illegal substances. Officers from Phuket Tourist Police, Marine Police, Chalong Police Station, and Marine Department Region 5 jointly announced stricter controls targeting drug use among workers in the tourism…
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Thailand News | Drunken foreigner sparks chaos and passenger clash on Thai train, wanted french crime figure nabbed in Pattaya, Filipina tourist issues apology
Today we’ll be talking about some viral incidents on Thai Trains and hotel balconies, French and Russian crime figures being tracked down and arrested, and a little later Thailand is mulling age limits for social media users. 1) Drunken Foreigner Sparks Chaos and Passenger Clash on Thai Train A foreign man believed to be heavily intoxicated caused a disturbance on…
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Myanmar man goes on car-smashing rampage in Satun
A Myanmar national was arrested yesterday morning, January 13, after allegedly damaging 19 parked vehicles in Satun’s La-ngu district using stones and a digging tool. The incident occurred around 3am in Moo 6, La-ngu subdistrict, where the suspect, a 45 year old man identified only as Saw, was captured on CCTV picking up a stone and smashing two cars parked…
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At least 4 killed after crane collapses onto train in Nakhon Ratchasima
An elevated railway construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima this morning, January 14, killing at least four people and injuring more than 20 others. The incident occurred at around 9am on a railway line near the Baan Thanon Kot community in the Sikhiu district. The area lies beneath the Bangkok–Nong Khai High-Speed Railway, which is currently…
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Baby elephant Khao Tom’s journey ends in Suphan Buri
A three-month-old elephant calf named Khao Tom died yesterday afternoon, January 13, in Suphan Buri after a rapid decline in health, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The female calf passed away at 3.40pm at the Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Centre, where she had been receiving intensive care from veterinarians and wildlife officials. Her…
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Thai man attacks 3 Cambodian nationals after repeated ‘ladyboy’ taunts
A Thai worker at a cannabis shop in Bangkok physically attacked Cambodian customers after allegedly enduring repeated harassment and being mocked as a “ladyboy”. The shop owner released CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred at around 2am on Sunday, January 11, saying he wanted justice for his employee. The video shows the 26 year old shop worker, Jirayu, rushing…
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Russian mother flies to Pattaya to search for son missing with US$10,000
A Russian mother travelled to Pattaya to search for her son, who has been missing since January 7 after reportedly carrying US$10,000 in cash, or about 320,000 baht. The 51 year old Russian woman, Olga, gave an interview to Thai media through an interpreter in the early hours of today, January 14, expressing deep concern for the safety of her…
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Naked Belgian man seriously injured after fall from Pattaya hotel
A Belgian man sustained serious injuries after falling from the seventh floor of a hotel in Pattaya while naked in the early hours of today, January 13. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station, along with rescuers from Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation, were notified of the incident at around 2.30am. The fall occurred at a hotel located on Soi Buakhao,…
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