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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King Rama X boosts Thai sports culture with lifelong passion
King Rama X’s lifelong passion for sports has made a significant impact on Thailand’s sporting culture. His journey began at a young age when he mastered horseback riding at around 11 years old, quickly proving himself to be an adept rider. In his youth, he also engaged in rowing, football, and rugby with friends both in Thailand and overseas. His…
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Kalasin monk exposed by activist for possession of drugs and guns
Renowned Thai social activist, in collaboration with the Kalasin police and local administration, intervened to help a young man allegedly threatened by a monk. During the investigation, police discovered firearms, methamphetamine, and marijuana in the monk’s quarters. At 2pm yesterday, July 7, at Khao Wong Police Station in Kalasin province, social activist Kanthas Phongphaiboonwetch, also known as Gun Jompalang, coordinated…
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Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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Repeat offender rearrested in Bangkok five minutes after release
A repeat offender found himself back behind bars just five minutes after he had been released from prison for theft in Chon Buri. The suspect stole money from numerous donation boxes. Initially from Udon Thani province, 21 year old Saharat Sananthai was apprehended by Banglamung police as he exited Min Buri Central Prison in Bangkok yesterday, July 8. Saharat had finished…
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Cat-astrophic fire in Bangkok building kills 21 cats, injures five
A devastating fire last night engulfed a four-storey commercial building in Don Mueang, Bangkok, leaving 21 cats dead and five others injured. Within ten minutes, firefighters managed to control the blaze, which erupted. The fire broke out at 10.20pm, yesterday, July 7, in a residential area on Chang Akat Uthit 15 Alley, Don Mueang. Local police coordinated with fire services…
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Reforming Thailand’s creative sector to boost economy globally
Thailand’s creative industry requires a comprehensive reform to foster growth both domestically and internationally, as emphasised by the soft power development subcommittee. The government has identified the creative sector as a crucial driver for economic enhancement and international recognition, leveraging Thailand’s soft power. The 5F approach, encompassing Thai food, films and videos, fabric and fashion design, martial arts, and traditional…
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Outgoing Senate to fulfil duties until new members endorsed by EC
Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai affirmed that the outgoing Senate will continue its duties until the Election Commission (EC) officially endorses the 200 new senators. This statement comes amid questions from political analysts and senators-elect regarding the outgoing Senate’s role in reviewing the budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Concerns have been raised about why the outgoing senators, whose terms…
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Chinese couple remains at large after public sex show in Thailand
Police are searching for a Chinese couple after they were caught having sex in public in a university car park in the city centre of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Photos of the naked Chinese couple were shared in a local Facebook group in Chiang Mai yesterday, July 7. The photos showed two Thai police officers intervening in the…
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Pathum Thani PAO chairman suspended amid corruption trial
The recently elected Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) Chairman in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, faces suspension from duty due to malfeasance, pending a court decision, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin confirmed that the provincial officers will adhere to the legal advice provided by the Council of State (CoS), which recommends suspension due to Charn’s ongoing trial for malfeasance. While…
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Tax relief planned for businesses after minimum wage hike
The Finance Ministry is poised to introduce measures to support businesses impacted by the recent increase in the minimum wage. The ministry confirmed that the wage hike must be paired with tax measures to lessen the burden on businesses, following precedents set by past wage increases. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the goal of the minimum wage increase…
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Salaween River reroute raises fishy fears: Ecological impact alarm
Concerns are mounting over the potential ecological impact of diverting water from the Salween River to the Ping River, with experts warning of a possible decline in fish stocks due to invasive species and genetic contamination. Fisheries biologist Apinan Suwannarak from Maejo University revealed that the Nam Yuam Dam project, which aims to redirect up to 1.8 billion cubic metres…
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Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run
Police arrested a Russian DJ at a rented room in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, for crashing an SUV into a motorcyclist last year. A Thai motorcyclist, whose identity was not disclosed, was severely injured in an accident on Koh Pha Ngan on July 30 of last year. A white Toyota Fortuner SUV…
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Thai woman arrested for drugging, and robbing foreign date
Pattaya police arrested a Thai woman on charges of drugging and robbing her foreign date in Bangkok, making off with a Rolex watch and a gold chain worth over 500,000 baht. The incident, which took place on June 20, came to light after the foreign tourist complained to the Huai Khwang Police Station. The complaint alleged that the tourist was…
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Foreign man escapes hospital, steals van, and crashes in Phuket
A foreign man escaped from a hospital at the weekend, stole a van parked at a petrol station, and crashed it into another vehicle on Khao Patong Road in Phuket. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to an accident on Baramee-Khao Patong Road in the Kathu district of Phuket on Saturday, July 6. Police then requested the Kusoldharm Phuket…
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Minibus crash in Surat Thani injures ten foreign tourists
A minibus carrying foreign tourists overturned yesterday, injuring ten passengers. The accident occurred around 6.30am, yesterday, July 7, on Phunphin-Mueang Road in the Tha Lon sub-district, Phunphin district, Surat Thani province. Police and rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene where they found the minibus overturned on the roadside. The ten foreign tourists, who sustained minor injuries, were swiftly transported…
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Bangkok brawl leaves two teens dead, one injured in soi showdown
Two teenagers were found dead yesterday and another 16 year old was severely injured following a fatal brawl involving several teenagers in Soi Udomsuk 26, Bang Na in Bangkok. Bangkok police received a report at 11.30pm, Sunday, July 7, regarding the killing and injuries. Upon arrival, officers and rescuers discovered the bodies of the two victims, one 14 and the…
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Bangkok police arrest man with 200 methamphetamine pills
Police apprehended a man after he attempted to flee during a routine check, discovering 200 methamphetamine pills in his possession. The arrest took place outside a supermarket on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. The incident began when officers from Bang Khen Police Station, including Anant Warasat, Sanpich Sirisoonthorn, and Adul Phothakan, received a report of a group of teenagers fighting.…
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Bangkok police arrest woman for 5 million baht fraud scheme
Police in Bangkok have apprehended, a 44 year old woman, a key figure in a large-scale fraud case. She is accused of luring victims into a high-interest investment scheme, resulting in losses exceeding 5 million baht. Pimpapatsorn, a prominent recruiter in the scheme, enticed numerous individuals with promises of high returns and special perks, including international travel. Victims were threatened…
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Teen brawl in Bangna leaves two dead and several injured
A tragic altercation among teenagers in Bangna escalated, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries. The confrontation, involving youths aged 14 to 16 years old, led to the arrest of seven individuals. The incident occurred late at night outside a residence in the Udomsuk 26 alley. Police responded to a report of a violent brawl involving a group of teenagers,…
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Tourists rescued after speedboat sinks off Surat Thani coast
A speedboat carrying tourists on a fishing trip was hit by large waves, causing it to take on water and eventually sink. Five people were left stranded in the sea before being rescued by local fishing boats and the marine police. At 12.20am today, the marine police received a distress call from relatives of the speedboat’s driver, alerting them that…
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Thailand proposes 75% foreign ownership in condos, extending leases to 99 years
The government’s proposal to increase foreign ownership quotas for condominiums to 75% and extend land leasehold terms to 99 years has raised concerns, though officials are downplaying potential negative impacts. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke addressed these concerns in a Facebook post, asserting that regulations could be introduced to mitigate any adverse effects on Thai citizens. The proposal aims to raise…
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Fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown injures 30, damages hotel
A fire that ravaged the Trok Pho community in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, was brought under control late last night after igniting around 9pm. The blaze left approximately 30 people injured. Firefighters received reports of the fire beginning at 8.42pm in the Trok Pho area along Yaowarat Road in the Samphanthawong district. The fire quickly spread through the 3,200-square-metre community, which…
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Chon Buri police raid villa party, seize drugs and arrest man
Police in Chon Buri raided a pool villa party in Najomtien, seizing drugs and arresting a 29 year old man. The police acted on a tip-off regarding loud music and suspicious activities at the property. At around 3.30pm yesterday, officers led by Police Colonel Wattanachai Saengrith, along with Deputy Superintendent Arut Saphanont and an investigation team, stormed the villa located…
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Tourist chaos in Phuket: van theft and crash disrupt traffic
A foreign tourist caused a chaotic scene in Phuket by assaulting a Myanmar worker, escaping from the hospital, stealing a van, and crashing it into another van on Patong Hill, leading to severe traffic congestion. Yesterday, law enforcement officers from Patong Police Station responded to an accident involving two vans near the Por Sue Shrine on Phra Barami Road, Patong…
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Police raid finds underage patrons at Boston Rangsit in Pathum Thani
Pak Khlong Rangsit police, supported by relevant agencies, conducted a raid at 1am yesterday on an entertainment venue in Mueang Pathum Thani. The establishment, known as Boston Rangsit, was found to be violating several regulations, including serving patrons under 20 years old. During the operation, police performed drug tests and checked ID cards. Over 81 individuals were discovered to be…
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Thailand-China flights surge 213% after visa exemption deal
Flights between Thailand and China have surged to 55,000 in the past eight months, following the signing of a mutual visa exemption agreement, according to the Ministry of Transport. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote reported that the 55,433 flights from October last year to May marked a 213% increase compared to the same period the previous year. He projected that…
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Parcel worker shot dead in Ranong over alleged affair
A shooting incident occurred yesterday evening, July 5, behind a market in Ranong, leaving a private parcel delivery employee dead and his family in mourning. Witnesses reported a physical altercation between the victim and a man in black before shots were fired. Police received the distress call around 6.42pm and immediately dispatched officers and medical personnel to the scene. The…
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Thai man sets fire to irrigation house in Pak Kret, wife hospitalised
A man set fire to an irrigation house in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, leaving his wife hospitalised after an assault. The incident occurred at 5pm yesterday, July 5, prompting immediate intervention by local police and fire services. Police responded to a call from residents reporting a man in a frenzied state setting fire to a government-owned house in Bang Talat, Pak…
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Thailand faces ‘invisible time bomb’ population crisis
Thailand’s population crisis, described as an “invisible time bomb,” requires urgent government intervention, according to Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). Varawut stated the following during a forum on national strategies hosted by the National Press Council of Thailand on Thursday, July 4. “Environmental issues are visible, but this [population crisis] is an invisible time…
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