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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Severe weather alert for 36 Thai provinces amid heatwave
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hailstorms across the regions. This alert comes amid a period of intense heat enveloping the country, with scorching temperatures and sporadic thunderstorms expected throughout the day. As of 6am, today, April 15, the low-pressure system caused by the prevailing heat…
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Voluntary enlistment in Thai army sees notable increase
An increase in voluntary enlistment for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) was announced yesterday by an assistant army spokesperson. Compared to last year’s enlistment season, there is a notable rise in the number of males opting to join the ranks voluntarily. Assistant Army spokesperson, Captain Juthapat Prembanyat noted that from April 1 to 12 this year, 38,160 males across Thailand…
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Local leader’s gunfire hits elderly man during Songkran celebration
A celebration took a perilous turn when a local leader of the Volunteer Defense Corps fired shots into the air, with one stray bullet striking a disabled 67 year old man, Somchai, as he rested at home. The gunman, identified as 48 year old Phiphat admitted to losing control due to intoxication during the Songkran festivities. This reckless act not…
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Water gun incident sparks foreign tourist dispute at Songkran event
The lively Thaweewong Road, on Patong Beach in Phuket, bore witness to a heated dispute between two foreign visitors at a Songkran event. This incident, occurring around 4.20pm on April 13, was sparked by a minor altercation involving a water gun. The Songkran event is renowned for its playful water fights, which are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Despite…
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UNESCO-recognised Songkran festival goes global
Thailand’s Songkran Thai New Year celebrations have gathered international attention, with 35 foreign embassies collaborating with the Thai government to promote the festival worldwide. This initiative comes after UNESCO recognised the festival as an intangible cultural heritage in December of last year. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich revealed that the embassies have produced a series of short videos wishing Thais a…
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Young man found dead in Khon Kaen pond sparks police probe
Tragedy struck when the body of a young man was discovered, his head brutally stuffed in a bag and submerged in a pond, triggering an urgent police investigation. The unsettling find was made at 10am today, April 14, in a water body within the Ban Ped area of Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Law enforcement, accompanied by the Sawang Khon Kaen…
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Student’s fatal fall from condo stirs Pathum Thani community
A 27 year old female student tragically fell to her death from the fifth floor of a condominium early today. The incident occurred in the Mueang Ake community in Pathum Thani, where police and rescue services were swiftly summoned to the scene. In the quiet pre-dawn hours of today, the serene atmosphere of a Pathum Thani condominium was shattered when…
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Man arrested in Thailand for assaulting teen during Songkran
A 40 year old man was arrested yesterday for luring and assaulting a 16 year old girl in a harrowing Songkran holiday incident. Thai police apprehended the suspect, known as Arm Laisak, with an extensive criminal background, including prior offences related to drug trafficking. The arrest followed a mother’s desperate rescue of her daughter, who was found in a traumatised state…
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Storm disrupts Nonthaburi temple fair, injuring three
A sudden storm wreaked havoc at a well-known temple fair in Nonthaburi, Thailand, toppling the stage backdrop during a music performance and injuring three musicians. The incident occurred at Wat Paramaiyikawat Worawihan on Ko Kret island yesterday at 7pm during the annual Mon Songkran festival, which started on April 12 and is set to continue until April 17. Attendees were…
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Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes as Songkran hopefuls chase lucky numbers
The buzz of the Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is palpable in Chiang Mai, where locals eagerly anticipate the lottery draw on April 16. Amidst the festive fervour, the city’s lottery vendors witness a surge in sales, with certain lucky numbers becoming the talk of the town. Today, at 8.30am, the atmosphere in Chiang Mai was electric with anticipation,…
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Thai government prepares for potential Iran attack on Israel
The Thai government assured yesterday that contingency plans are in place to safeguard Thai nationals in Israel, should Iran follow through on its threat to attack. This follows the evacuation of approximately 8,000 Thai workers from Israel after the attack initiated by Hamas on October 7 last year. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed that most workers have returned to Israel…
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KNU commits to Thai-Myanmar border security amid conflict
The Karen National Union (KNU) made a statement on April 12, asserting its commitment to provide cross-border security along the Thai-Myanmar border. The organisation expressed its dedication to cooperating with Thai authorities and international bodies to maintain peace and safety. The KNU reported that anti-junta forces seized control of several bases, including the 275th Infantry Battalion in Myawaddy on April…
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Myanmar’s military regime loses grip: Thailand on high alert
The military coup in Myanmar in 2021 has ignited ongoing resistance from armed rebel groups, causing the military regime to lose control over multiple strongholds. The recent aggressive rebel offensive in Myawaddy, a significant border town opposite Tak’s Mae Sot district in Thailand, led to the displacement of thousands of individuals and raised fears of a security and humanitarian crisis.…
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Songkran celebration turns tragic as stray bullet hits elderly man
A celebration of Songkran took an alarming turn in Chachoengsao province when a stray bullet pierced through the ceiling and struck a 70 year old diabetic man, Somyot, who had previously lost a leg to his illness. The incident, which occurred at 9pm yesterday, April 13, is currently under police investigation as they search for the shooter. Somyot was lying…
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Songkran festival sees 1% rise in public transport usage in Thailand
Public transport usage during this year’s Songkran festival experienced a 1% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, with around 5.6 million travellers across Thailand, as reported by the Transport Ministry. The minister, Suriya Juengrungreangkit, reassured that the public transport networks were effectively managing the increased number of passengers and vehicles on the country’s main transportation routes.…
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Chon Buri locals detain armed man during Songkran celebration
Residents in a Chon Buri community acted swiftly to detain a heavily intoxicated man who, after becoming agitated during a Songkran celebration, returned home to fetch a gun and threaten his companions. The incident, which took place yesterday at around 5.30pm, saw local law enforcement led by Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat, the superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, along with…
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Man found dead in Chachoengsao after breakup
A tragic love story unfolded during the Songkran festival as a man, after being told by his girlfriend that their relationship was over, was found dead with a gunshot wound. The incident, which occurred in the early hours today, has shocked the local community in Chachoengsao province, and police are investigating to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding his death. The…
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Bangla Road comes alive as Songkran festival kicks off in Phuket
Songkran celebrations kicked off with a bang on Bangla Road, Phuket yesterday and are expected to reach their peak today. Throngs of people, both locals and international tourists, assembled on Thaweewong Road and Soi Bangla, drawn in by the popular water-splashing events. Soi Bangla, famous for its energetic nightlife, became a bustling centre of daytime merriment as individuals from diverse…
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Songkran festival anticipates 100,000 Malaysian tourists in Hat Yai
Hat Yai district of Songkhla anticipates the arrival of approximately 100,000 Malaysian tourists this weekend during the Songkran Festival. The influx of Malaysian visitors has seen an increase this year due to the festivities aligning with the end of Ramadan, according to Sitthipong Sittipatprapha, the president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association. A special train service named My Sawasdee arrived…
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Police checkpoint blitz targets helmetless riders in Pattaya
To curb the mayhem on Thailand’s roads during the Songkran Festival, Bang Lamung police have unleashed a blitz on helmetless riders. Setting up shop along Sukhumvit Road in Nong Prue Subdistrict on Thursday, officers aimed to tackle the notorious issue of motorcyclists without helmets, a leading cause of accidents, especially during festive times. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jakrit Chantakham, Traffic Inspector…
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Thailand suspends TM 6 immigration forms to boost tourism
The Government of Thailand has put a halt to the obligatory TM 6 immigration forms for foreigners arriving in the country via land or sea, effective from April 15 to October 15. This resolution, approved by the Cabinet on April 9, is a response to a suggestion by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. This pause…
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Pattaya beachfront gets a makeover to enhance city image
A major makeover is unfolding along the 2.7-kilometre coastline of Pattaya Beach. Spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai the project is set to redefine the city’s landscape and will be completed ahead of the original deadline. Funded by a 166 million baht budget, this facelift aims to boost the city’s image and enhance amenities for residents and tourists alike. The…
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Pattaya commercial building fire leaves two injured
A commercial building in Pattaya was engulfed in flames on Thursday night, resulting in two individuals injured. The fire broke out at 7.06pm at a structure within the Ta Kian Tia sub-district of the Bang Lamung District in Chon Buri Province. The building was known to accommodate a shop selling kratom juice. Upon receiving the distress call, teams from the…
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Bangkok’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 kicks off
Bangkok witnessed the grand opening of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Thursday. The event, which is a highlight of Thai cultural celebrations, was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, alongside other notable agencies. The festival, lasting until Monday, April 15, showcased 20 vibrant parades that marched through Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang,…
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Pattaya mystery substance confirmed as harmless scrap metal
In Pattaya, local authorities recently allayed fears by announcing that the mysterious black substance discovered in bags near an excavation pit was harmless scrap metal, not the feared carcinogenic cadmium waste. Previously reported concerns revolved around multiple white bags found discarded near a pit in Moo 7, Pattaya. Locals grew anxious, suspecting that the bags could be harbouring the lost…
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Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities
Tragedy struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident occurred yesterday at approximately 3.50pm, when Anuchit, visiting his girlfriend’s family, decided to cool off from the heat by swimming across the Huay Yang reservoir in Pak…
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Phi Phi Islands tackle critical water shortage
Krabi’s renowned Phi Phi Islands are currently wrestling with a critical freshwater shortage. The local governing body, Ao Nang’s Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO), is considering two primary solutions: establishing a pipeline for water provision from the mainland or resorting to seawater desalination. Over the last few years, the absence of tap water during the tourist high season, coinciding with the…
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Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours
A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party’s Deputy Leader and list MP, Wittaya Kaewparadai, stated that despite talks circulating for over a month, no indications of an imminent reshuffle have been communicated by the prime minister. Wittaya, referring to UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, pointed…
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Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use
Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement. From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme…
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Man found dead in Khon Kaen, police chase killer
Police are urgently pursuing a suspect in the brutal slaying of a 41 year old man, who was found with his throat slit while returning to his shack in the middle of a field. The murder incident occurred today, April 12, when police from the Ubonrat Police Station in Khon Kaen Province were dispatched to investigate the crime scene in…
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