News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Thai politician linked to gambling and money laundering scheme
A criminal network involving an influential local politician in northeast Thailand has been uncovered, allegedly using religious activities to launder money. The group, associated with online gambling platforms, is under investigation for filing false asset declarations. Investigators report that the network is linked to the illegal gambling website ‘www.huaysodplus.com,’ which offers online betting on various lotteries and other gambling activities.…
-
Phuket tightens motorcycle rental rules, targets tourist infractions
Phuket officials are increasing regulations on motorcycle rental businesses and addressing unlicensed and reckless riding by foreign tourists. This follows a multi-agency meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on February 6, which was chaired by Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn. The initiative aims to reduce road accidents while maintaining the province’s tourism appeal. The meeting included representatives from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Phuket…
-
Thai voters decide on new constitution in general election
Today, on February 8, citizens across Thailand headed to the polls to cast their votes for constituency candidates, party lists, and to decide on drafting a new constitution, marking a significant political moment for the country. Party leaders across the political spectrum emphasised the importance of strong voter participation in this general election, urging the public to exercise their democratic…
-
Court extension sought after elephant’s death during relocation
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has sought an extension from the Khon Kaen Administrative Court for the relocation of three wild elephants. This request comes after a recent incident where an elephant died during its transfer, raising safety concerns. Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Suchart Chomklin, directed Raweewan Bhuridej, the ministry’s…
-
Indian tourists rescued from Pattaya condo in 6m rupee ransom plot
In Pattaya, on early yesterday, February 7, police executed a raid on an upscale condominium in the Phratamnak area, successfully freeing two Indian tourists who had been kidnapped and held for ransom by a group of their compatriots. The operation, led by Police Major General Kiattisak Sarathongoi, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division in Provincial Police Region 2, was initiated…
-
Heightened vigilance in Narathiwat after anti-government banners found
Security forces in Narathiwat are maintaining heightened vigilance following the discovery of banners with anti-government slogans and items resembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across the province. This activity is believed to be an attempt to incite unrest ahead of the general election set for Sunday. Provincial police commander Prayong Kotsakha reported that police in nine districts received information about 24…
-
Crane collapse in Bangkok injures two Myanmar workers near Asok mall
A tower crane collapsed at a construction site near a shopping mall in Asok, Sukhumvit 21, in Bangkok’s Watthana district, injuring two workers and prompting a temporary halt to construction. The incident occurred at 10.27am yesterday, on February 7, when Police Lieutenant Pairoj Maneejan of the Lumphini Police Station received a report detailing a serious construction accident at the site.…
-
Pregnant woman among three killed in Bangkok motorway crash
A tragic accident occurred when a couple, including a pregnant woman, driving back to Bangkok, collided with a barrier on the motorway due to spilled plastic pellets. The incident, which led to three fatalities, was caused by negligence on the part of a six-wheel lorry driver. Yesterday, on February 7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sophon Komolsutthi, deputy inspector of Highway Police…
-
Pathum Thani launches operation to assist homeless in Rangsit
Officials in Pathum Thani today, February 6, launched a coordinated effort to relocate homeless individuals living in Rangsit, aiming to provide shelter, medical care, and employment support to assist with societal reintegration. Dr Thanakrit Jittareerattana, secretary to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, joined Rangsit Mayor Police Sub-Lieutenant Dr Treelup Toopgrajank and officials from the Pathum Thani Provincial…
-
Thais warned against wearing numbered shirts on election day
The Election Commission of Thailand has urged voters to avoid wearing football jerseys or any shirts featuring numbers on the back when casting their ballots on February 8, warning that such attire could be misinterpreted as political messaging. The announcement was made just days before the upcoming general election, which is expected to draw a high turnout as citizens head…
-
Thai boy found with bruises after being beaten by grandmother
A boy in Prachin Buri province was found with extensive bruising across his body today, February 6, after being beaten by his grandmother for returning home late from school. The incident was reported by the village head of Moo 3 in Na Di district, after a classroom teacher noticed the boy’s injuries during school. The boy, 10 year old Pae, lives…
-
Thailand’s alcohol ban frustrates tourists, hits restaurant sales
Foreign tourists visiting Thailand during the country’s election period have found themselves caught off guard by a nationwide alcohol ban, leading to frustration at restaurants and bars, particularly in popular destinations like Bangkok and Phuket. On February 1, during the first 24-hour restriction linked to advance voting, diners at a Bangkok restaurant, newly arrived from the United States, were told…
-
Thailand News | Thailand’s election endgame: coalition horse-trading meets a make-or-break charter vote, Sbai goes street: traditional Thai draping returns as a viral denim-era fashion trend
Today we’ll be talking about the various possible election outcome scenarios coming this weekend, legendary Thai Action Star Tony Jaa’s ongoing battle with cancer is rallying national support, and a little later Sbai goes street, a viral fashion movement is flexing the muscles of Thai soft power. Thailand’s Election Endgame: Coalition Horse-Trading Meets a Make-or-Break Charter Vote With the 8…
-
Two men caught hunting protected wildlife in Salawin National Park
Two men were arrested on February 4 in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son province, after they were caught illegally hunting protected wildlife inside Salawin National Park during a routine patrol aimed at preventing wildfires. The incident took place around 7.30pm when park rangers from the conservation and protection division of Salawin National Park were conducting an active patrol in…
-
Financial stress cited after Thai man fatally stabs his mother
A Thai man fatally attacked his mother at their shared home in Samut Prakan province yesterday, February 5. His stepfather believed the murder was triggered by financial stress and unemployment. The incident occurred yesterday at a house in the Bang Chak sub-district of Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan. The 44 year old victim, Nokkaew, was attacked by her 22 year…
-
Chachoengsao man dies during livestream as friends hear gasping
A man from Chachoengsao died suddenly while livestreaming late at night on Tuesday, prompting friends to rush to his home after he disappeared from the screen, and disturbing sounds were heard. The incident occurred around 2am on February 6 at a one-storey house in Bang Samak, Bang Pakong district. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station, along with Chachoengsao rescue workers,…
-
PM candidate Mongkolkit challenges election secretary to fistfight
A fiery political exchange has erupted as a prime ministerial candidate publicly challenged Thailand’s election secretary to a physical fight at the country’s Election Commission headquarters. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, 42 year old secretary-general of the New Alternative Party, announced via livestream that he plans to gather supporters at 10.30am today, February 6, at the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) headquarters on…
-
Russian man found dead on beach below Koh Samui viewpoint
A Russian tourist was found dead on a beach below a viewpoint on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province, with police believing the incident was most likely an accident. The body was discovered on yesterday, February 5, after another foreign tourist encountered the remains on a beach beneath Na Phralan Viewpoint on Koh Samui. The witness immediately contacted officers from…
-
King cobras mate roadside in Krabi ahead of Valentine’s Day
Locals in Krabi were left stunned yesterday, February 5, after spotting two massive king cobras mating by the roadside in Khlong Thom district just days before Valentine’s Day. The rare encounter occurred in Khlong Thom Nuea subdistrict, where two king cobras, each measuring an estimated three to four metres long, were seen engaging in mating behaviour along Khlong Chamuang Road…
-
Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist
Police arrested a Swedish man at a hotel in Phuket for the alleged rape of a woman from the same country, following a complaint filed earlier this week. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, after officers from Patong Police Station tracked down the suspect at a hotel on Na Nai 8 Road in Kathu district, Phuket. The 32…
-
Thai TikToker claims followers can visit Mars and Japan through meditation
A Thai man sparked widespread online controversy after claiming he possesses supernatural abilities and trains children to perform spiritual practices for “out-of-body travel“. The man shared multiple videos on his TikTok account @ongdum, where he presented himself and his followers practising meditation techniques for out-of-body experiences. In each clip, he claimed participants were able to leave their physical bodies and…
-
Lopburi teacher under investigation for 800 squat punishment
Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) today, February 5, launched an investigation into a teacher in Lopburi province after confirming that a student was indeed ordered to perform 800 squats as punishment. The case gained national attention after the boy’s father revealed that his son had been hospitalised with severe leg pain after being punished with 800 squats…
-
Filipina woman arrested at Phuket over theft and forged documents
Police arrested a Filipina woman at the Phuket Immigration Office after discovering that she was wanted under an arrest warrant for theft and the use of forged documents while she was attempting to renew her visa. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, when the woman visited the Phuket Immigration Office to apply for a visa renewal and extend her…
-
Rare dugongs observed in Trang marine habitat survey
Marine researchers in Trang province teamed up with wildlife defenders yesterday, February 4, to survey dugong populations near Libong Island, using drone technology and direct observation to assess the condition of these rare sea mammals. The survey was led by staff from the Marine National Park Research Centre 3 (Trang) in collaboration with the Dugong Conservation Group, and it was…
-
Thai action star Tony Jaa battling stage 3 gallbladder cancer
A close friend has revealed that Thai action star Tony Jaa is undergoing treatment for stage 3 gallbladder cancer after being diagnosed in 2024 and is currently continuing chemotherapy. The update came from a source close to both the actor and his wife, who shared the information with Thairath. According to the source, the condition was first discovered in June…
-
Foreigner seen relaxing on SUV roof during Phuket traffic
A foreign man surprised onlookers on the road as he relaxed on the roof of a moving SUV, casually using his mobile phone while the vehicle crawled through heavy traffic on a busy road in Patong, Phuket. The incident, caught on video and shared by the PhuketTimes Facebook page today, February 5, shows the man lying face down on the…
-
German man arrested for political graffiti on Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested a German man known locally as “Mr Spray” after he spray-painted political graffiti across multiple locations on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province. The suspect was arrested at a hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 4. Residents and business operators on Koh Pha Ngan turned to social media to seek help identifying the foreign man, after numerous…
-
American man speaks out after Pattaya security guards attack
Pattaya police have summoned three security guards for questioning following a viral video showing an American tourist being assaulted on Pattaya Soi 6. The incident, which took place on the evening of February 2, has drawn mixed opinions online. Footage shared on social media captured multiple men repeatedly kicking and punching the foreigner on the roadside. At the time, little…
-
Thailand News | Thailand’s economy branded “Asia’s Sick Man” as growth slows, Thai taxi driver praised after sharing traditional desserts with Australian tourists
Today we’ll be talking about Thailand’s newly dubbed status as being the ‘Sick Man of Asia,’ allegations of election tampering and vote buying ahead of this weekend’s vote, and a little later, Thai influencers weigh in on the prospect of Disney in the land of smiles. Thailand’s Economy Branded “Asia’s Sick Man” as Growth Slows Analysts are labelling Thailand the…
-
Foreign mum fights off attempted child abduction in Samut Prakan
A three year old boy narrowly escaped a kidnapping in Samut Prakan yesterday, February 4, when a man allegedly targeted him on a roadside in Phra Pradaeng district. The child’s foreign mother screamed for help, causing passersby to intervene. The attempted abduction occurred at the entrance of Soi Suksawat, in front of a local food stall. According to witnesses, the…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.