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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ECT rejects Chon Buri vote recount request, cites lack of corruption evidence
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) formally rejected a request for a vote recount in Chon Buri’s District 1, stating there was no concrete evidence to support allegations of corruption. On February 9, a group of voters gathered at a badminton court in Chon Buri province, which had been used to store ballots from the District 1 polling station, after…
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Thailand News | Russian man assaults Thai woman in Pattaya, Krabi installs heart-shaped traffic lights for Valentine’s day
In today’s episode we will be talking about a Russian arrested for assault in Pattaya, a stolen pickup tracked by GPS, an illegal doctor exposed, a bizarre fermented-fish protest in Bangkok, Krabi’s Valentine traffic lights, and a US$2.8 billion corporate shake-up in Malaysia. Russian Man Assaults Thai Woman in Pattaya A Russian man has been arrested in Pattaya after assaulting…
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Thai single mother dies after assault by boyfriend in South Korea
A Thai single mother from Chaiyaphum was found dead in Mokpo, South Korea, on February 12 after allegedly being assaulted by her Thai boyfriend. South Korean police have taken the man into custody and are pursuing legal action. The case came to light after the Facebook page ท่านเปา เรื่องนี้ต้องใส่ใจ shared details of the incident. The victim was identified as Sunantha…
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Pattaya hotel staff confronts foreign couple over sex near spirit house
A foreign man allegedly assaulted a hotel employee in Pattaya who sprayed water over him and his girlfriend for engaging in sexual activity near a spirit house outside the property late at night. The incident came to light after a 41 year old Cambodian staff member at Dream Hotel Pattaya, Piatra, shared a video online exposing the couple’s behaviour. The…
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Pattaya man stabs British tourist in Pattaya over drug dispute
A Thai man stabbed a British national outside a convenience store in Pattaya earlier today, February 13, claiming the foreigner punched him and broke his tooth after he insisted he was not a drug dealer. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to the incident at 1.29am at a convenience store along Jomtien Beach Road. Police arrived at the…
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Overlapping score sheets seen again in Trang vote count footage
A viral video recorded in Kantang district, Trang province, appeared to show two election officials marking tallies behind overlapping score sheets, raising eyebrows regarding the transparency of the process. The footage, shared today, February 12, by the Facebook page “อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว อีซ้อ”, shows a similar setup to a previously circulated clip in which score sheets are placed over one another on a…
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Krabi installs heart-shaped traffic lights for Valentine’s Day
Krabi Municipality installed heart-shaped red traffic lights at major intersections in the city yesterday, February 11, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, later sharing photos on its official Facebook page. The unusual traffic lights, shaped like hearts instead of the standard circular red signal, were posted on the official Krabi Municipality Facebook page and quickly drew attention online. The decorative red signals…
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Prison-trained ‘doctor’ busted for illegal penile procedures
A man was arrested in Si Racha, Chon Buri, today, February 12, for allegedly operating as an unlicensed doctor and running an illegal clinic from his home, where he offered penile enhancement procedures to clients he contacted through TikTok. Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division, acting under the direction of senior commanders, detained the suspect, identified as 38 year…
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Three Chinese men arrested after illegal border crossing in Sa Kaeo
Thai rangers in Sa Kaeo arrested three Chinese men yesterday evening, February 11, after they were found illegally crossing into Thailand from Cambodia through a natural path in Aranyaprathet district, reportedly intending to seek business opportunities in Bangkok. According to a report from the Burapha Task Force, Aranyaprathet rangers intensified patrols along the Thai-Cambodian border and intercepted the group at…
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Man rams his own stolen pickup to stop thief in Korat
A Nakhon Ratchasima man recovered his stolen pickup truck yesterday, February 11, after locating it several kilometres from his home via GPS and ramming it in an attempt to stop the suspect, though the man managed to escape. The 61 year old man said he woke up at around 5am and noticed that his pickup truck, usually parked in front…
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Thailand News | shooting and hostage situation at Patong Prathan Khiriwat School (Hat Yai), Bangkok offers free Valentine’s Day marriage services
In todays stories I will be talking about a school hostage crisis in Hat Yai, a tourist found injured in Pattaya, major visa changes nationwide, Bangkok’s free Valentine weddings, new sugar rules, monks completing a 3,700-km peace walk, and Thailand’s corruption score falls. Shooting and Hostage Situation at Patong Prathan Khiriwat School (Hat Yai) On 11 February 2026, an 18-year-old…
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Chon Buri election director files complaint over ballot obstruction
The election director for Constituency 1 in Chon Buri yesterday, February 11, filed a police complaint against two women following an alleged intrusion and obstruction during the collection and consolidation of ballot boxes at the tally venue. The complaint was lodged following an incident that reportedly took place on February 9 during the transfer and consolidation of ballot boxes after…
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Bangkok offers free Valentine’s Day marriage services with prizes for couples
Bangkok is set to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2026 with a citywide initiative allowing couples to register their marriages at 10 specially themed venues, including romantic and unique locations across the capital. Narong Ruangsri, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent secretary, announced that couples can register either at district offices or at designated off-site events on February 14. Each location will…
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Thailand to revise visa policies in economy revamp efforts
Thailand’s Cabinet has formally approved a new phase of visa policy changes aimed at attracting more tourists, digital nomads, students, and retirees as part of a broader economic stimulus strategy. Deputy government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the Cabinet has endorsed a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covering short-, medium-, and long-term visa measures. The…
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Thailand launches taxi QR code system for tracking, safety and complaints
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) has introduced a three-colour QR code system in taxis nationwide, allowing passengers to verify drivers, track trips in real time, estimate fares and file urgent complaints. The initiative aims to improve passenger safety and service transparency across the industry. QR code stickers are now being installed on approximately 70,000 metered taxis currently in operation,…
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Udon Thani MP candidate questions missing vote after casting ballot for herself
A Parliamentary candidate in Udon Thani has filed a formal complaint after discovering that her vote, which she personally cast for herself and her party, was missing from the official tally. Former teacher and candidate for the Thai People’s Party in Constituency 2 of Udon Thani, 68 year old Yaowalak Khamsri, visited the provincial Election Commission (EC) office yesterday, February…
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Thailand’s corruption score falls in 2025 index
Thailand’s score in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) slid to 33 out of 100, down from 34 the year before, placing the country 116th out of 182 countries in the global rankings, according to Transparency International’s latest survey released yesterday, February 10. The CPI, published annually by the global anti‑corruption watchdog, ranks nations by perceived levels of public‑sector corruption…
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Thailand redefines ‘normal sweet’ drinks to 50% sugar
Thailand’s Department of Health has officially implemented a new sugar standard effective today, February 11, redefining the “normal sweet” level in beverages as just 50% of the original recipe. The move is part of a nationwide collaboration between the Department of Health and nine major beverage brands, including Café Amazon, Inthanin, All Café, Black Canyon, PunThai and Chao Doi. From…
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Oil spill from sunken cargo ship off Phuket not expected to threaten islands
Authorities say a refined oil spill from a cargo ship that sank near Phuket over the weekend is unlikely to threaten nearby islands or coral reefs, with the slick now drifting out to open waters. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the latest oil spill modelling shows the refined petroleum is moving southwest, away from coastal…
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People’s Party calls for vote recounts, urges probe into alleged election irregularities
The People’s Party is calling for vote recounts in 18 constituencies across Thailand, raising concerns over alleged irregularities in ballot counting and unusually high numbers of invalid votes in the recent general election. Although party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged the overall election outcome, he urged the Election Commission (EC) to conduct a thorough investigation into reports…
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Man walks into Pattaya police station with drugs, begs to be arrested
A man stunned officers at Bang Lamung Police Station in Chon Buri today, February 10, when he walked in holding methamphetamine and crystal meth, requesting to be arrested because he was unhappy living outside of prison. The incident occurred around midday while investigators were working inside the station. Officers reported that the man calmly approached the inquiry desk, handed over…
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Thai man gets 30 years in jail for monarchy-related tweets
The Criminal Court today, February 10, delivered its verdict in a lèse-majesté case involving Pruttikorn “Jo” Sarakul, a former staff member of the Progressive Movement, who faced charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. The hearing took place after prosecutors from the Office of Criminal Litigation 4 filed charges against the defendant. The trial…
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Thai man arrested for firing shots at renowned late politician’s home
A Thai man, believed to be under the influence of drug, was arrested after firing multiple gunshots into the air at the luxury residence of late politician Chonsawat Asavahame in Samut Prakan province. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 10am today, February 10. The shooting took place at Chonsawat’s residence in the…
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Drunk American man found injured outside Pattaya condominium
An injured American man collapsed outside a condominium in Pattaya, prompting rescue workers to rush him to hospital. The man was reportedly heavily intoxicated and unable to explain how he sustained his injuries. A security guard at a condominium in Soi Bongkot 8, located in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya, contacted rescuers from Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation after discovering…
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Anutin holds off on coalition talks, awaits final vote count
With official election results still to be finalised, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul spoke publicly today, February 10, to address speculation over Thailand’s next administration. Speaking ahead of the final election results, he said it was too early to discuss positions or coalitions, as vote counting was still ongoing and had only surpassed 90%. Anutin stated that no decisions would…
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Udon Thani woman loses car and 80000-baht amulet to online date
A Thai woman lodged a police complaint after a man she met online stole her car and a valuable Buddha amulet worth more than 80,000 baht following an in-person meeting at a resort in Udon Thani province. The 50 year old victim, identified only as Bee, filed a complaint at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, February 9. She accused…
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Big Joke’s wife wins defamation lawsuit over affair accusations
The Civil Court ordered a Thai woman to pay 8 million baht in compensation to the wife of former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Surachate Hakparn, widely known as “Big Joke”, after ruling that she falsely accused the police officer’s wife of having an affair with her husband. The ruling was delivered yesterday, February 9, concluding a civil…
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Vietnamese man arrested at Suvarnabhumi with rhino horns
A Vietnamese man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday, February 9, after officials discovered nearly 12 kilograms of rhino horns hidden inside his luggage during a joint wildlife trafficking operation. Sadudee Phanphakdee, director of the Office of Wildlife and Plant Protection, reported that the arrest was made during a coordinated operation involving C.I.Q. agencies, and the Natural Resources and Environmental…
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2 South Korean women wanted for swimwear theft in Phuket
Two South Korean women pretended to try on swimwear at a shop in Phuket before stealing the clothing before fleeing the scene yesterday, February 9. The incident occurred at Plaifah Beachwear yesterday. A shop employee later released CCTV footage of the theft on social media and appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspects. According to the staff…
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Indonesian and Malaysian men arrested in Udon Thani car break-in theft
Police in Udon Thani arrested an Indonesian man and a Malaysian man for breaking into a parked car and stealing cash and a gold accessory from a Thai woman, while a third foreign suspect remains at large. The victim, Napasorn, 48, filed a complaint with Mueang Udon Thani Police Station on February 3. She told officers that she withdrew 500,000…
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