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.
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Prisoner escapes with 23 days left in Thai jail term
A prisoner serving time at Thanyaburi District Prison in Pathum Thani has escaped with just 23 days left on his sentence, reportedly to search for his missing girlfriend. His father has pleaded with him to surrender. The Department of Corrections announced the escape of 37 year old Seksan Ruapthong on May 7. He had been convicted of bodily harm and…
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Chinese man held with C4 and grenades ‘to attack Thailand’
A car crash in Chon Buri has led police to one of the largest private weapons caches uncovered in recent memory, after a 31 year old Chinese national was found with C4 explosives, anti-personnel mines, and two M16 rifles at his rented home. Mingchen Sun was arrested after his sedan overturned in the Na Jomtien area of Sattahip district, Chon…
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Thai police bust major online vaping network in Bangkok
Bangkok police have dismantled a major online vaping network in the Prawet district, seizing over 200,000 illegal electronic cigarettes and related items. Deputy police chief Nirandorn Lueamsri announced the operation on May 8, involving officers from the Anti-Cyber Crime Division and Udomsuk Police Station, alongside customs officials. During the raid, officers discovered a large cache of electronic cigarettes and three…
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True Academy Fantasia judge criticised for complaining contestant’s use of English
A commentator on True Academy Fantasia 2026 faced online criticism after remarks about the use of English of a contestant during an audition, saying it is “a bit showing off“. The incident occurred during a live audition aired on Wednesday, May 6, after the show began its online audition process on March 8. Contestants initially submitted video introductions and performances, with selected applicants…
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Thai monks deceive children into ordaining and use them for donations in Malaysia
Parents of seven children, aged between three and 11, sought assistance after two monks in Prachuap Khiri Khan deceived them into ordaining as novices and soliciting donations in Malaysia. The case came to light after police in Kedah, Malaysia, arrested two Thai monks on April 7 on suspicion of human trafficking. Malaysian police said they had monitored the pair’s activities…
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Coronavirus found in Thai bats poses low spread risk, DDC says
Thailand has found a coronavirus in bats during routine wildlife disease surveillance, but no human infections have been reported, and the public risk remains low, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). DDC Director-General Dr Montien Kanasawat said today, May 8, that the discovery reflected Thailand’s ability to rapidly detect emerging diseases through its monitoring systems. Researchers studying horseshoe…
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8 Chinese nationals held in Chiang Mai for illegal series production
Eight Chinese nationals were arrested for illegally filming a social media drama series without permission in an accommodation in the Hang Dong district in Chiang Mai. Officers from Tourist Police Division 2 acted on a complaint that a group of Chinese nationals had rented accommodation in the district and were using it as a filming location. The complainants questioned whether the…
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Philippines hosts talks as Thailand, Cambodia seek renewed trust
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to rebuild trust and open a new chapter in bilateral relations after three-way talks initiated by the Philippines during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu yesterday, May 7. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Shangri-La Mactan hotel in Cebu to discuss the Thailand-Cambodia situation,…
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Thailand News | Eight suspects detained after Chinese tourist dies following Pattaya Club assault, Humanoid robot ordained as honorary buddhist monk in South Korea
In the news today, eight suspects have been detained after the death of a Chinese tourist following a Pattaya Night Club assault, in Phuket, a British man was reportedly filmed damaging motorcycles in a knife-wielding outburst, also in Phuket an Israeli family is being accused of using their children to steal snacks from a convenience store, in health news Mpox…
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Israel embassy warns Israelis as Phuket tightens foreigner rules
The Embassy of Israel in Thailand has warned Israeli nationals in Phuket to follow local laws after provincial officials reportedly ordered stricter enforcement measures against foreigners on the island. The statement, written in Hebrew, was shared yesterday, May 7, on the Facebook page Israel in Thailand. According to the post, authorities would strictly enforce local laws and regulations, with offenders…
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2 dogs eat gold necklace worth over 140K baht, prompting urgent surgery
Two Pomeranians underwent surgery after swallowing parts of a gold necklace worth more than 140,000 baht, prompting their owner to warn other dog parents on social media. The incident was shared by 41 year old Natthaporn Rukkachart on his TikTok account, @pompomgang888, where he posted videos explaining what happened to his dogs. Natthaporn owns three dogs named Shabu, Yujin and…
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Chinese driver crashes into Chon Buri roadwork barriers
A Chinese driver and two others were injured after a luxury car crashed into barriers at a road repair site and overturned on Highway 331 in Chon Buri late yesterday, May 7. Rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation received reports of the crash at 11.40pm on the inbound side of Highway 331 toward Rayong. At the scene, emergency responders…
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Russian tourist praised for helping elderly vendor in Phuket
A kind foreign man, reportedly a Russian tourist, received praise online after stopping to help an elderly Thai vendor push a cart up a steep hill at a windmill viewpoint in Rawai, Phuket, yesterday, May 7. The incident was shared by the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, which posted a video showing the Russian man helping push the vendor’s cart up…
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Foreign woman dies after motorcycle hits van on Phuket road
A foreign woman died, and a man was seriously injured after a head-on motorcycle crash involving a van on Patak Road in Karon, Phuket, at around 8pm on Wednesday, May 6. Footage of the incident circulated on Thai social media yesterday, May 7. The crash occurred on a curve near the Holiday Inn hotel in Karon district. The video showed…
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Nigerian, Belgian nationals arrested for cocaine sales in Phuket
Two foreign men, from Nigeria and Belgium, were arrested in Phuket on May 7, after tourist police allegedly found cocaine during an operation targeting foreigners suspected of selling drugs in Patong. The suspects were identified as Samuel Egbujonuma Silas, a Nigerian national, and Bruno Trunfio, a Belgian national. Both were also found to have overstayed their visas. Egbujonuma Silas was…
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Foreign family caught using children to steal from Phuket convenience store
A foreign family allegedly stole items from a convenience store in Patong, Phuket, on May 6, and challenged the staff to pursue legal action. The incident occurred at around 8pm, with video later posted by the Phuket Times Facebook page on May 7. The family’s nationality was reported as Israeli, but this has not been confirmed by police. CCTV footage…
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Mpox cases in Thailand reach 48 after Songkran period
Thailand is closely monitoring mpox after the Songkran travel period, with 48 confirmed cases reported this year as of May 3 and health officials warning that more cases may appear during the disease’s incubation period. Department of Disease Control (DDC) chief Dr Montien Kanasawat said today, May 7, that mpox remains under close watch, especially the Clade Ib strain. The…
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Thai man accuses fortune teller of sexual assault during ritual
A businessman has accused a well-known fortune teller of sexual assault during a healing ritual, allegedly presented as a way to cure illness and resolve karma, with a complaint set to be filed with police today, May 7. The man, identified only as 32 year old Ae, went to the Bangkok office of Sai Mai Tong Rod, a social media…
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British man allegedly goes on rampage, damaging motorcycles and shop sign in Phuket
A British man reportedly went on a rampage in Phuket, damaging motorcycles and a food shop sign with a knife, yesterday, May 6. Images and footage of the incident were shared by the Phuket Times Facebook page with a caption that read… “A British man went on a rampage in Phuket, brandishing a knife and shouting. It is believed that…
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Chinese programmer caught in Bangkok over game company hack
A Chinese programmer was arrested in Bangkok today, May 7, and is set to be deported after he was accused of hacking a major game company in China and causing damages worth about 9 million baht. The man, identified as 34 year old Wang, was detained at a building on Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Thai police and…
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Burmese man sustains severe burns after alleged attack by 6 Chinese nationals
A Burmese construction worker alleged that six Chinese supervisors beat him, poured boiling water over his body, and threatened to remove his nails during an hours-long attack at a restaurant in Rayong on April 30. The victim, identified as 27 year old Tata, sought help from Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after suffering severe injuries with extensive burn…
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EV locks itself during charging, traps one year old girl inside
A mother has warned EV drivers after her car locked itself while charging at a station in Kamphaeng Phet at 11pm, leaving her one year and six month old daughter alone inside before a locksmith helped open the car. The incident was shared online by a Facebook user as a warning to EV drivers who may leave their keys inside…
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Thailand News | Tourist injured after risky Songthaew backflip in Pattaya, gear mistake leads to fire at Bangkok petrol station
In the news today we’ve got some tourists in Pattaya engaging in both risky and lewd behavior in separate incidents, Prime Minister Anutin has ordered a crackdown on badly behaved tourists, it’s not all tourists behaving badly, though, as two Thai teen suspects have been arrested for robbing an aussie in Pattaya, speaking of Australia a large shipment of heroin…
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Thai driver, Chinese nationals caught in Sa Kaeo after 70km chase
A suspected smuggling operation was exposed in Sa Kaeo yesterday, May 6, after police arrested a Thai pickup driver following a 70-kilometre chase through Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao and Sa Kaeo, with six Chinese nationals found inside the vehicle. The pursuit began after highway police received a tip-off that Chinese nationals were being transported from the Sa Kaeo border to Bangkok.…
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MP urges action as Thai youth depression hits 26.9%
Democrat Party MP Karndee Leopairote, yesterday, May 6, urged the government to strengthen mental health support for young people after citing rising rates of depression and self-harm among Thai youth. Speaking during a House of Representatives meeting at Parliament, Karndee said she was raising the issue both as an MP and as a mother after her daughter told her that…
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Airports of Thailand confirms higher international passenger fee from June 20
Passenger service charge (PSC) for international departures are set to increase from 730 baht to 1,120 baht starting June 20, following approval from the Ministry of Transport of Thailand. Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Paweena Jariyathitipong announced yesterday, May 6, that the revised passenger service charge (PSC) had officially received approval after earlier plans were proposed in February. The PSC…
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No mafia in Phuket, only foreign criminals
Phuket Provincial Police Commander confirms the province is free of mafia networks and ransom operations. Crypto extortion plots were orchestrated by foreign nationals attempting to strike and flee, but all were arrested. Authorities are actively cracking down on foreign nominees taking local jobs. Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, gave an interview on May 6,…
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Chinese tourist beaten to death inside unlicensed Pattaya pub
A Chinese tourist died after being attacked inside an unlicensed entertainment venue in South Pattaya, following a fight that began during a snooker game late yesterday, May 6. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya rescue centre received a report of an assault at 11.06pm inside a venue in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Police from Pattaya City Police…
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Dream Vegas: A Beginner’s Guide to Payments and Account Access
Dream Vegas is one of the better-known brands run on White Hat Gaming’s platform. For Canadian players the two practical concerns are simple: how do I get money into and out of my account, and how do I sign in securely so I can play without surprises? This guide walks through the common payment routes available to Canadians, the account…
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Pattaya teens arrested over stabbing, robbery of Australian tourist
Two teenagers were arrested last night, May 5, in a Pattaya theft and assault case after an Australian tourist was allegedly stabbed with scissors and robbed of AU$6,000 (about 140,000 baht) in a room in South Pattaya. Pattaya police and Tourist Police arrested the two transgender suspects, aged 17 and 16, at 8.16pm. Officers seized scissors and an amount of…
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