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 Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
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Russian man arrested for exchanging fake euro bills for Thai baht
Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Bureau officers arrested a Russian man after he tricked a Thai man into exchanging his fake euro bills for Thai baht. The counterfeit euro banknotes, worth 7,000 euros (280,000 baht) were seized. The arrest of the Russian man, 29 year old Abdulkhakim Khasanov, took place at noon on July 8, following a complaint from a Thai…
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Pattaya Education Office checks out Chon Buri’s finest reads
Pattaya Education Office yesterday launched its annual Library Week Project, spotlighting Chon Buri province with the theme Chon Buri: What Is Good About This Province? The event is designed to promote reading awareness and highlight the unique qualities of this vibrant region. Prasatphon Deeden, a Pattaya City Council Member, led the opening ceremony at the Pattaya Public Library on Thepprasit…
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Sticky situation as man sniffing glue gets nabbed at Bang Saen Beach
A man was seen inhaling glue while sitting in the sea at Bang Saen Beach, causing concern among beachgoers. Local police have detained him. The incident, which has drawn significant social media attention, took place yesterday, July 7. Reports indicate that the man, shirtless and inhaling glue, alarmed tourists who feared for his safety. A video of the event circulated…
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Motorcyclist dies in head-on collision on Bangkok expressway
A motorcyclist driving against traffic on a Bangkok expressway collided head-on with a car, resulting in a fatal accident. The impact resulted in a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leading to injuries for the car driver and the untimely death of the motorcyclist. At around 4.10am yesterday, July 7, Chaiyaphat Thabchom, Deputy Inspector from the Traffic Control Centre of the…
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Purple Line power surge: Bangkok’s MRT sees ridership spike
The MRT Purple Line in Bangkok experienced an unprecedented surge in ridership, with over 86,000 passengers using the service late last month. This significant milestone, achieved on June 28, is attributed to the integration with a new bus terminal. The Acting Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), Witthaya Phanmongkol explained today, July 8, that the significant increase in…
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Thai government seeks 7 billion baht for EV subsidies
The Thai government plans to request an additional 7 billion baht in funding to support the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs). This effort aims to subsidise 35,000 EVs, with expectations for EV production facilities to compensate with 80,000 to 90,000 units in the first year. Over 30 automotive companies are participating in the initiative. The Excise Department proposed a budget…
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Police chief reassigned amid missing boats and smuggled oil probe
Marine Police Chief Pritthipong Nuchanat has been reassigned to an inactive post amid an investigation into the recent disappearance of three boats and smuggled oil. Reports revealed that Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), issued the transfer order last Friday, moving Pritthipong to the CIB operation centre. To fill his position, the Deputy Commander…
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2 Thai women unite to expose soldier’s extortion scheme
Two Thai victims stepped forward to warn other women about their ex-boyfriend, a soldier in the Royal Thai Army (RTA) after he extorted money from them and recorded explicit videos involving one victim. The first victim, 41 year old Nok, disclosed to Channel 3 that she initially encountered Lance Corporal Sun on TikTok. Sun had been interacting with her videos…
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Minister orders investigation into university selling degrees
In a move to uphold academic integrity, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi announced immediate action following reports of a private university allegedly selling degrees to wealthy students without requiring them to study. Announced today, July 8, Supamas confirmed the establishment of a fact-finding committee led by the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Professor Doctor Supachai Pathumnakul. While…
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Final deadline for Thai mobile users to verify SIM cards
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced that today is the final deadline for mobile phone users with six or more SIM cards to verify their identity to retain their service. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of services such as making calls, sending SMS, and using the Internet. Trirat Viriyasirikul, acting Secretary-General of the NBTC, stated…
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Thief steals 2.5 million baht worth of gold in Chiang Mai mall heist
A gold heist at a prominent Chiang Mai shopping mall saw a thief steal approximately 60 baht of gold, worth roughly 2.5 million baht before fleeing in a white Toyota sedan. The suspect remains at large and police checkpoints were established city-wide as the suspect was last seen driving towards the Super Highway. At 11.30am today, July 8, the Chiang…
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Snakebite showdown: Man bites back, snake slithers silent
A man bitten by a snake retaliated by biting the snake three times, resulting in the snake’s death and the man’s survival. This incident reflects a local belief that such an action can neutralise the venom. Santosh Lohar, a railway project worker, was asleep in his work camp when he was bitten by a snake. Instead of panicking, the 35…
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Bangkok governor urged to address homeless & sex workers issue
Facebook page Hey, This is Thailand’s Footpath (เฮ้ย นี่มันฟุตบาทไทยแลนด์), demanded Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt address the issue of a footpath near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station being occupied by homeless people and sex workers. The Facebook page shared a picture on Saturday, July 6, showing a clothes rack on the footpath opposite Asoke Skin Hospital. The caption read, “Footpath…
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Teenager dies in motorbike crash with broken-down timber truck
A tragic accident unfolded in Phattalung last night as a teenager, riding his motorbike, fatally crashed into a broken-down, unregistered timber truck parked on the roadside. The young man’s father arrived at the scene, collapsed and heartbroken. Officers from Thamod Police Station in Phatthalung received a report of a fatal accident around 11pm yesterday, July 7. The incident took place…
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Construction worker falls to death in Phitsanulok site accident
A construction worker tragically fell to his death while securing a crane cable at a site in Phitsanulok. The worker, known only as Dam, lost his footing and fell approximately 4 metres, fatally striking his head on a piling. Officers from Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station yesterday, July 7, received a report about the fatal accident at a construction site for…
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Thailand allocates 15.3 billion baht for VIP aircraft and helicopters
The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft and 3.3 billion baht for two mid-sized helicopters designated for important passengers. These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities. Intended to replace the ageing Airbus 304 scheduled for decommissioning in…
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Drug-addicted monk arrested for threatening locals in land dispute
Police arrested a drug-addicted monk in the Isaan province of Kalasin yesterday, July 4, after he threatened to kill locals living near a temple over a land dispute. A 22 year old Thai man and his father sought help from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after facing death threats from a 49 year old monk from a nearby temple.…
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Myanmar armed groups boost drug production to fund resistance
Armed ethnic groups in Myanmar are increasingly producing illicit drugs to fund their resistance against the Myanmar government, according to a senior Royal Thai Army (RTA) officer. Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Force, Colonel Meechai Nillasart, disclosed that these groups are using drug trafficking to finance their purchase of weapons and sustain their fighters. The Pha Muang Force has…
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Chon Buri community helps mother find missing 12 year old girl
A 12 year old girl from Chon Buri, missing for four days since July 4, has been found safe and sound, after tireless efforts from her mother following over 100 tip-offs stemming from her social media post. Namfon disappeared from a condominium in Si Racha, Chon Buri, on July 4. Her mother, 43 year old Nanjinya immediately took to social…
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Livestream captures Thai man’s final moments before fatal shooting
A livestream captured the final moments of a Thai man who was shot dead by two gunmen at a public park in the Isaan province of Loei on the evening of July 7. Officers from Mueang Loei Police Station were alerted to the shooting at the Kut Pong Public Park in the city centre of Loei province. Upon arrival, officers…
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Thailand’s oil reserves expansion faces financial challenges
Plans to bolster Thailand’s strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) are encountering pushback from industry executives due to financial constraints. Thailand’s Energy Minister, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, spearheaded an initiative to increase national oil reserve security by expanding the SPR as detailed in the 2024 oil plan. Pirapan aims to increase Thailand’s oil reserves, both crude and refined, from 50 days to 90 days…
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Man’s drug-induced hallucinations terrorise local community
Residents in a local community are living in fear due to a man experiencing severe drug-induced hallucinations, who has been causing disturbances and property damage. Despite repeated police interventions, the issue remains unresolved as hospitals refuse to admit him. Footage captured by a security camera on the morning of July 7 shows a thin man shouting and causing a commotion.…
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Cyber police raid in Songkhla uncovers illegal firearms stash
Cyber police raided a house in Songkhla’s Chana district and arrested a man for possessing numerous illegal firearms, including a machine gun and a shotgun, some of which he claimed belonged to his sister. Today, July 8, the Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), Worawat Watnakornbancha, directed a team to execute a search warrant issued by the Songkhla…
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Laotian police arrest Thai man in 3.3 million baht theft
Laotian police yesterday arrested a Thai man in the Khammouane province of Laos for conspiring with another thief to steal 3.3 million baht from a victim in the car park of a supermarket in Bangkok. The two thieves stole 3.3 million baht in cash from the 44 year old victim, Yanai Taechathanabut, on July 3 after he had just withdrawn…
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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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