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 12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Ex-alcohol chief toasts potential gains from lifting drink sales ban
Former chairperson of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association recently discussed the potential economic benefits of lifting the ban on alcohol sales from 2pm to 5pm as well as on religious holidays. The move aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directive to review regulations that hinder economic stimulation and contradict tourism promotion policies. Thanakorn Kuptajit highlighted that revisiting these restrictions, including the…
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Student injured by car running red light in Bangkok
A vehicle ran a red light and struck a student from Suankularb School while he was crossing a zebra crossing, causing injuries. The driver claimed unfamiliarity with the area and was distracted by her GPS. Police have pressed charges. Today, February 13, Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksan Chumchaem, Deputy Superintendent of Traffic at Phra Ratchawang, reported the incident occurred on February 10…
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Chinese tourists lead 4.8m visitors to Thailand, boosting revenue
Over 4 million tourists have visited Thailand since the start of the year, with Chinese visitors leading the numbers. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced yesterday that from January 1 to February 9, Thailand hosted 4.8 million international tourists, contributing more than 234.9 billion baht in revenue. Chinese tourists ranked highest with 825,617 arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 617,631,…
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Pattaya Beach stabbing: Suspect caught, drugs found, police investigate
In the early hours of this morning Police Lieutenant Chaowalit Suwanmanee, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Pattaya City Police Station, responded to a report of a violent altercation at Pattaya Beach, near Soi 10. Police and rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya City rushed to the scene at 1.06am, today, February 13. Upon their arrival, they encountered numerous Thai and…
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Making waves: ONWR dives into final stretch of water plans
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) is racing to wrap up its ambitious water management plans across 22 river basins this year, as revealed by its Secretary General, Surasee Kittimonthon. The countdown is on as the agency pushes to safeguard the nation’s vital waterways. Already ahead in the game, the ONWR has finalised strategies for the lower southern…
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South Korean drug smuggler arrested in Pattaya condo raid
The arrest of 51 year old Lee Chun Sam, a South Korean national, was announced by Pattaya Police Major General Chairit Anurit yesterday, February 12, at 6pm. He was wanted under an Interpol red notice for involvement in transnational drug smuggling. His arrest occurred at a luxury condominium on the eighth floor of Soi Thepprasit 9 in Jomtien. The Chon…
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Man arrested for child porn chatroom exploitation in Khon Kaen
A man has been detained for the sexual assault of underage boys and for distributing videos of the incidents in a paid online chat group in Khon Kaen. The man, 31 year old Warit, was apprehended at a residence in Ban Hat district during a raid conducted by the Cyber Crime Investigation Division 3 (CCID3) yesterday, February 12. The operation…
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Get ready to go ‘Joe Cool’ as Snoopy soars over Pattaya’s kite fest 2025
Get ready for a sky full of wonder as the Pattaya International Kite on the Beach 2025 prepares to dazzle tourists and residents alike with a Snoopy theme. The kite extravaganza, proudly brought to you by Central Pattaya in partnership with the City of Pattaya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya Office, the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, the Marine…
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Thai woman fatally struck crossing dim road in Pattaya
A local Thai woman lost her life after being struck by a car on a perilously dim road beneath a darkened overpass in Bang Lamung. At 10.06pm, Tuesday, February 11, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received a chilling report of a fatal collision on the notorious stretch of Highway 331, heading towards Sattahip, in Chon Buri province’s Bang Lamung…
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Football aristocracy trades boots for birdies in epic golf showdown
Thailand is rolling out the red carpet for the world of footballing aristocracy next month as they swap pitches for putts in a thrilling Ryder Cup-style golf competition. Twenty-four of the globe’s most highly decorated soccer legends will swap the highly-charged, almost gladiatorial, arenas of their playing days to trade goals, penalties and free-kicks for birdies, eagles and hole-in-ones in…
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Teenagers escape custody vehicle in Nakhon Ratchasima
Two teenagers escaped from a custody vehicle while being transported to a juvenile detention centre. The incident occurred at 3.30pm yesterday, February 11, near a traffic junction at Pakham Market, Mueang subdistrict, Phra Thong Kham district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The two boys, aged 13 and 14 years old, were involved in separate cases, one for robbery and the other for…
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Teenager tragically killed by harvester in Kamphaeng Phet
A tragic incident occurred in Kamphaeng Phet when a 15 year old boy from Phetchaburi, working in a sugarcane field, was killed by a sugarcane harvester. Relatives claimed the boy was asleep in a furrow, unnoticed by others. Yesterday, February 11 at 2.30pm, Lan Krabue Police Station was informed that the sugarcane harvester had pulled the boy into its machinery…
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Myanmar and Rohingya migrants found abandoned in Thai forest
More than 50 people, identified as Myanmar and Rohingya nationals, were discovered hiding in a forest near a village in Rim Si Muang subdistrict, Khao Kho district. They had been abandoned after being smuggled into the country and left without assistance. The discovery emerged after a Facebook post by Phaitoon Khotsombat, a district official, shared a video of the group…
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Pregnant woman mourns husband shot by police in Bangkok theft
A nine-month pregnant woman was left in mourning after her husband was shot dead by police during a motorcycle theft incident in Bangkok. The man, part of a gang involved in stealing motorcycles, was confronted by investigators and shot after allegedly threatening officers with a firearm. The family claims the police response was excessive. The shooting occurred near the entrance…
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Explosion and fire in Samut Sakhon claims two lives
An explosion and ensuing fire engulfed a six-storey commercial building, claiming two lives in Samut Sakhon. The fire, initially reported at 5am today, February 12, was tackled by firefighters from various local organisations who managed to contain it to a limited area. Police Lieutenant Phuwarit Palatja from Bang Nam Chuet Subdistrict Police Station received reports of the fire at a…
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Tragedy in Trat as rubber worker kills toddler
A 25 year old rubber-tapping labourer was apprehended by the police for the murder of a one year old boy in Bo Rai, Trat province. The incident, involving multiple stab wounds, occurred after he allegedly consumed methamphetamine and claimed he was threatened by the child’s father. Police Colonel Thanapon Temsara, deputy inspector at Bo Rai Police Station, reported the arrest…
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Thailand considers border ban and export halt to curb scams
The Government of Thailand is considering intensifying its efforts against call-scam gangs operating from Myanmar, potentially including a border ban on suspected accomplices and halting solar panel exports to Myanmar. This was stated by senior officials following recent discussions. Chatchai Bangchuad, Secretary General of the National Security Council, stated yesterday, February 11, that current anti-scam measures will continue. Should these…
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Phuket probes kindergarten injuries amid social media uproar
Officials in Phuket have launched an investigation into alleged student injuries at Patong Kindergarten following concerns highlighted on social media. A high-level meeting was convened on February 10, with officials committing to a comprehensive and impartial inquiry. Attendees of the meeting included Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri, Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, Deputy Mayor Lalita Maneesri, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, senior…
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Russian tourist dies after Pattaya boat slide incident
A 33 year old Russian tourist died following a medical emergency after using a tour boat slide near Koh Sak in Pattaya Bay on February 11 at 5pm. The Pattaya Marine Rescue Division publicly identified the tourist. The Marine Disaster Division of Pattaya City and the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Rescue Unit dispatched a speedboat to retrieve Andrew Anganov, who had…
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Phuket cybercrime bust: Six arrested in online gambling crackdown
A significant operation against international cybercrime in Phuket has led to the arrest of six people, including three Taiwanese nationals, connected to a complex online gambling and money laundering scheme. This was part of an initiative by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). The arrests were publicised yesterday, February 11, at the CCIB headquarters in Bangkok. The operation, named Hunting…
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Teen attacked by classmates in Buriram school incident
In the Lahan Sai district of Buriram, a 13 year old student has reported to the police that a group of her schoolmates physically assaulted her for approximately one hour. The Grade 7 student, accompanied by her parents, approached the Lahan Sai Police Station yesterday, February 11, after being attacked by at least 10 classmates from both Grade 7 and Grade…
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Thailand’s temperatures rise slightly despite chilly mornings
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a slight warming trend despite cold morning temperatures. The Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea will experience waves of about 1 metre, prompting caution for seafarers yesterday, February 11. An update for the next 24 hours highlights that while temperatures in upper Thailand are set to rise by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius,…
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Eerie occurrence: Music plays on after car crashes in Ratchaburi
In an unusual incident, a car involved in a crash mysteriously began playing a country music song, despite a damaged battery and the keys being turned off. The incident was captured in a TikTok video, which left social media users puzzled. Yesterday, February 10, Chakkrit Hadee, the owner of a slide car garage and a related car cemetery, shared his…
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Thailand launches global task force to combat human trafficking
Thailand is stepping up its fight against human trafficking and scam call centres by establishing an international coordination centre to rescue victims trapped in Myanmar, Police Inspector-General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot announced. Speaking from Tak province yesterday, February 10, Thatchai confirmed that the centre will work with international law enforcement to track down and free people, regardless of nationality, who…
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Brit arrested at Manchester Airport for drug offences after Thai trip
A 21 year old British man’s holiday ended in handcuffs after he was arrested at Manchester Airport upon returning home from Thailand. Matthew Crehan, of Dentons Green Lane, St Helens, was taken into custody on Saturday, February 8, before being charged with multiple drug supply offences. Merseyside Police confirmed that Crehan faces charges related to the supply of class A,…
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More planes to take off as Thailand summer travel surges
Thailand’s skies are set to get busier as flights increase across major airports under the new northern summer schedule, which kicks off next month. With international travel rebounding, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirmed a significant rise in flight slots at the nation’s busiest airports. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that Suvarnabhumi Airport has secured 1,202 daily flight…
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Fare play: Bolt driver warns after Indian couple scams free airport ride
A Thai Bolt driver took to social media to issue a warning to others after an Indian couple tricked him into providing them with a free ride to Phuket International Airport. The driver urged the Facebook news page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (which translates to Phuket is brutal) to share his story and warn others not to fall victim to similar fraudulent…
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Thailand’s LGBTQ tourism surge as spending hits record high
Thailand is fast becoming the globe’s top LGBTQ travel destination, with spending among LGBTQ tourists skyrocketing 38% to over 73,000 baht per trip, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The number of first-time LGBTQ visitors has also jumped 19.9%, signalling a major shift in the country’s tourism landscape. Following the Marriage Equality Act, LGBTQ travellers have increasingly inquired…
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Google eyes increased investment in Thai government projects
Google has shown interest in increasing its investment in Thai government-related projects, according to the Commerce Minister. During a visit to the United States last week, Minister Pichai Naripthaphan engaged in discussions with Google executives focusing on collaboration in the digital economy, cybersecurity enhancement, and advanced technology investments in Thailand. A major topic was public project investments, with Google particularly…
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Scorching summer ahead: Thailand braces for 43°C heatwave
Thailand is set to officially enter its sizzling summer season at the end of February, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 43°C, the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) announced today. The scorching season will last until May, driven by hot southerly winds sweeping across the country. However, the north and northeast will continue to see cool mornings throughout March…
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