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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Thailand intensifies crackdown on new drug pod k
The Government of Thailand is intensifying efforts to suppress a new narcotic known as pod k, a blend of vape juice and ketamine that has gained popularity among club-goers, according to deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak yesterday, January 19. Ketamine, a type 2 narcotic stimulant, carries severe penalties for possession, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines reaching…
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Foreign cannabis thieves: Thai shop owner offers reward for information
A cannabis shop owner is offering a 2,000-baht reward for information about two foreign men who stole cannabis from a shop in the southern province of Krabi on Friday, January 17. The theft occurred at the Smok XXX shop in the Pu Dam Market, Krabi, at approximately 10pm. The two foreign thieves were captured on the store’s CCTV cameras. One…
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Thailand’s UNHRC role challenged by human rights shortfalls, says advocate
As a newly elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Thailand faces the need to elevate its human rights performance to align with international standards, according to a Thai human rights advocate. Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), discussed Thailand’s human rights situation on January 17 at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand,…
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Bangkok stabbing over missing money leaves man critically injured
A dispute over missing money led to a stabbing incident in Bangkok, where a 28 year old man was seriously injured. The suspect later returned to the hospital to check on the victim, resulting in his arrest. Yesterday, January 19, police in the Nong Chok district were approached by 61 year old Wanna, who reported that her son, 28 year…
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Monk defrocked for raping foreigner’s Thai wife in Dhamma retreat
A Thai woman took legal action against a monk in the Isaan province of Buriram for raping her during her Dhamma retreat. She also expressed fear of pregnancy and worry that her foreign husband might discover what happened. The 38 year old victim sought legal assistance from the Be One organisation after the sexual assault, which occurred on January 15…
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Woman accused of visa fraud arrested in Bangkok
A woman accused of visa fraud, who had closed her company after receiving 10 arrest warrants and causing damages exceeding 3 million baht, was arrested while working as a dishwasher in Bangkok. The arrest took place on Saturday, January 18 in front of a restaurant in the Chom Thong district. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and Police Colonel Santi Korkasem…
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Canadian pickup artist leaves Phuket in a tailspin
A Canadian man in a pickup truck yesterday led police on a dramatic, wild high-speed chase across Phuket, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles in his wake before being nabbed in Karon. The chaos kicked off at 4.45pm, yesterday, January 19, when Patong police were alerted to a fracas outside the Patong Condo Hotel. But just as they arrived on…
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Boy found safe in Khon Kaen after drug use with father
A stepmother in Udon Thani reached out to a local activist after concerns that her husband was introducing their 12 year old son, A, to drugs. However, when officials investigated, they initially lost contact with the family. Eventually, they found the boy safe in Khon Kaen, preparing to become a novice monk, and he admitted to drug use with his…
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Canadian and American men die after attending Phuket EDM music festival
Two foreign men, one Canadian and one American, tragically lost their lives after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 (EDC Thailand 2025) in Phuket on Saturday, January 18. The causes of their deaths are still under investigation. The music festival that most Thais and foreigners in Phuket were looking forward to joining took place between January 17-19 at the…
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Chinese penis size matters: Cheeky joke blows up into beach brawl
A light-hearted joke about the size of a Chinese man’s penis turned into a full-blown scuffle on Pattaya’s Beach Road. Chaos erupted in the early hours of today, January 20, when 35 year old Ms A, accompanied her 24 year old Chinese boyfriend, to Pattaya City Police Station. The night had taken a violent turn after a Thai-Chinese man ignited…
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Thailand braces for cold weather and possible thunderstorms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted cold to very cold weather across northern and northeastern Thailand, with temperatures dropping to single digits. Bangkok will see temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius. Additionally, five provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms today, January 20. Over the next 24 hours, the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions will continue to experience…
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Hospital staff takes baby steps to solve abandoned newborn mystery
A newborn baby boy, thought to be only 4-5 days old, has been discovered abandoned at Pattaya Patthamakun Hospital. Hospital staff are now pulling out all the stops to care for the baby while local officials embark on a mission to uncover the identity of the mystery mother. The discovery was made on January 17 when Bang Lamung district chief…
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Fatal stabbing in Bangkok after noise complaint confrontation
A confrontation over noise complaints led to a fatal stabbing in Bangkok, resulting in one death and one serious injury. Police arrested the suspect, who was found with a knife, as police investigated the incident today, January 19. The altercation took place near Soi Phatthanakan 20, Yaek 12, in the Suan Luang district. Police Colonel Wachirakorn Wongboon from Khlong Tan…
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32 Indonesians caught crossing into Thailand from Myanmar
In a joint operation, the Ratchamanu Task Force, police, and administrative officers detained 32 Indonesian nationals attempting to illegally cross the border into Thailand. This incident occurred in the early hours of today, January 19, in Tak province. The group was intercepted as they crossed from Myanmar near Ban Wang Takian Tai, Mae Sot district. Upon inspection, it was discovered…
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Elephant panic at Nakhon Phanom fair injures five people (video)
An incident at the annual Nakhon Phanom Red Cross Fair, when an elephant, startled by fireworks, ran through the crowd, injuring five people. The governor ordered legal action against the elephant’s owner, who had just arrived in the area. The event took place yesterday, January 18, during a ceremony led by Surasak Aksornkul, governor of Nakhon Phanom, to honour King…
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Bangkok mall escalator malfunction leads to temporary closure
An escalator at a prominent shopping mall in Bangkok suffered damage, prompting officials to suspend usage while the cause is investigated. Initial assessments suggest mechanical failure. The incident occurred in the evening yesterday, January 18, at a mall on Rama 4 Road, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok. Officers from Thonglor Police Station examined the scene, identifying the malfunction on the second…
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Gunman kills teacher Nak in Ayutthaya highway shooting
A gunman fatally shot a 60 year old teacher, identified as Nak, inside his Honda Accord yesterday, January 18. The incident occurred on Highway 3011 in the Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya province, resulting in the car veering off the road. Police Sub-Lieutenant Aisawan Pathomsanti from Bang Pa-In Police Station, along with investigative officers, forensic teams, and emergency services, arrived at…
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Bangkok warehouse fire causes millions in damages
A fire engulfed a timber warehouse in the Bang Po area, causing millions in damages, with the Bang Sue district preparing a temporary shelter for affected residents. The fire broke out on January 18 at a timber facility on Pracharat Sai 1 Soi 23 in the Bang Sue district, Bangkok. Fire and rescue teams from Bang Po deployed over 10…
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Thailand tourism surges with 1.3 million visitors in early 2025
Thailand experienced a significant influx of international tourists in the first 12 days of 2025, with over 1.3 million visitors, marking a 19.89% increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Government reports attribute this surge to tourism revenue amounting to 66.089 billion baht (US$1.9 billion). Key visitor origins included China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, with…
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Thai police seize 100 kilogrammes of meth worth 200 million baht
Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan discovered a significant drug haul on January 17, seizing more than 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. The street value of the drugs is estimated to surpass 200 million baht (US$5.8 million). The illicit substances were concealed in foam boxes and white fertiliser sacks, left outside the train station for two days, awaiting transit to Hat…
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Forum debates contraceptive vaccines for wild elephant control
The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) convened a forum on January 17 to discuss the use of contraceptive vaccines as a means to manage the population of wild elephants and address their movement beyond designated conservation areas. The forum attracted around 300 participants, including community representatives, academics, elephant conservation groups, and members of Parliament. Opinions were…
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Gorilla smuggling plot uncovered after Istanbul Airport seizure
A wildlife official has acknowledged the challenges in pursuing legal action against those involved in the attempted trafficking of a baby gorilla, initially seized in Turkey and allegedly destined for Thailand. The gorilla, named Zeytin, meaning olive in Turkish, is now at a zoo in Turkey and reportedly in good health, according to Sadudee Punpugdee, director of the Wild Fauna…
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Missing Chinese model found safe in Thailand, returns home
A 25 year old Chinese model who was missing for nearly a month has been found and safely returned to China, according to Thai police. Yang Zeqi’s return was confirmed by the Chinese embassy, as stated by Police General Chatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police Office, who was in Mae Sot district, Tak, on January 17. Yang’s father…
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Monk charged with rape at Buriram meditation retreat
Rape charges have been filed against a 59 year old monk, Wichai, following allegations of sexual assault on a woman attending a meditation retreat at his monastery in Buriram. The charges were lodged yesterday, January 18, at the Nong Song Hong police station by Chalida Palamat, chair of the Be One Foundation, who accompanied the 38 year old foreign woman,…
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Tech-savvy traveler: gadgets that will enhance your next Thailand trip
Thailand has it all: stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and a rich culture. But getting around isn’t always easy, especially if it’s your first time. The right gadgets make the journey more comfortable, so you can enjoy the trip without hassle. Here are some tech essentials worth packing. Travel-Friendly Smart Devices Your phone and a few good apps can make getting…
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Thai lottery dream leads to 24 million baht jackpot win
A new multimillionaire has emerged through Lottery Plus, with a 24 million baht jackpot win linked to a dream. The winning number for the first prize was 807779, announced at 4pm yesterday, January 17, following the Government Lottery Office (GLO)’s draw. The prize also included two sets of three-digit numbers, 961 and 699, and two sets of three-digit numbers, 448…
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Luxury watches worth 100 million baht stolen in Chon Buri heist
A luxury residence in Huai Yai, Chon Buri, owned by a Chinese businessman, was burgled, with thieves reportedly making off with luxury watches valued at over 100 million baht. The incident was reported to Huai Yai police at 1.30am on Thursday, January 16. Police officers, accompanied by forensic experts from Chon Buri Forensic Division 2, arrived at the scene, a…
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Krabi park e-ticketing system struggles to curb cash handling risks
A special task force from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conducted an inspection yesterday, January 17, at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi to evaluate anti-corruption measures. The inspection followed the introduction of an e-ticketing system intended to prevent fraud in park entry fee management. Officials examined the fee collection processes at popular tourist sites such…
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“Barrelled and dumped”: Korean killers get life for Pattaya murder
A South Korean court has sentenced three men to lengthy jail terms for the gruesome murder of a compatriot near Pattaya, Thailand, last year. The Changwon District Court handed life sentences to two of the perpetrators, aged 28 and 40, while a third, aged 27, received 25 years behind bars, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. The chilling crime occurred…
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Thai singer demands revenue from falsely claimed song rights (video)
Min Kuntaphat, a renowned Thai singer and independent artist from Maha Sarakham province, has accused a popular influencer with nearly 3 million followers of falsely claiming ownership of his song Soi Dao. According to Min, who legally owns the song’s rights, the influencer has been collecting revenue from the song on various online platforms for almost a year, despite Min’s…
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