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.

  • Sponsored

    New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand

    Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...

  • Rush hour inferno: Car fire sparks Vibhavadi traffic chaos (video)

    Rush hour inferno: Car fire sparks Vibhavadi traffic chaos (video)

    Commuters endured a nightmare journey last night after a car burst into flames on one of Bangkok’s busiest roads, turning rush hour into a gridlocked inferno. At 8.44pm yesteryday, June 27, the Phra Ram Radio Centre received frantic reports that a vehicle was ablaze near Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 22 in the Chom Phon subdistrict of Chatuchak district. Within minutes, fire…

  • Drug den blitz: Bang Lamung cops bust bamboo hideout

    Drug den blitz: Bang Lamung cops bust bamboo hideout

    Bang Lamung officials stormed a notorious bamboo hideout, rounding up suspected drug users in a sweeping crackdown. Yesterday, June 27 at 5pm, Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon led a coordinated operation targeting a known drug hotspot in Village 1, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict. The mission, aimed at choking off local drug networks, was carried out under the supervision of…

  • Russian drug kingpin hunted down in Phuket paradise bust

    Russian drug kingpin hunted down in Phuket paradise bust

    A Russian fugitive who thought he could hide in Phuket’s tropical playground has been dragged back into the spotlight after Thai police swooped in to end his run from justice. Phuket Immigration officers arrested 46 year old Igor, a Russian national, after uncovering he was wanted on an international Red Notice for drug trafficking and membership of a serious criminal…

  • Thai PM promotes peace amid Hun Sen’s provocative claims

    Thai PM promotes peace amid Hun Sen’s provocative claims

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded with a forgiving message following provocative remarks made by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a recent livestream, amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Neither the 38 year old Thai PM nor her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have issued a formal response to Hun Sen’s comments. Instead, Paetongtarn shared a reflective…

  • Weekend sees more heavy rain across Thailand in seasonal deluge

    Weekend sees more heavy rain across Thailand in seasonal deluge

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for 57 provinces to prepare for heavy rainfall over the weekend. The northeastern and northern regions, as well as Bangkok and surrounding areas, are expected to experience significant rainfall, covering 60-80% of these areas. In Bangkok and its vicinity, thunderstorms are anticipated across 60% of the area with some places experiencing heavy…

  • Pattaya cracks down on illegal ramps to tackle drainage issues

    Pattaya cracks down on illegal ramps to tackle drainage issues

    Pattaya is cracking down hard on illegal ramps obstructing public footpaths, with officials warning that unauthorised structures will be removed and could result in legal action. The renewed effort aims to tackle recurring drainage issues caused by the concrete ramps, which have long been a source of frustration for residents. This week, municipal teams from the Office of Public Works,…

  • Injured Thai man lies to protect drunk girlfriend after car crash

    Injured Thai man lies to protect drunk girlfriend after car crash

    A Thai man took the blame for a car crash in the central province of Chachoengsao to protect his drunk girlfriend, asking her to leave him at the scene despite suffering a head injury himself. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 3am today, June 27, after a sedan crashed into an electricity pole…

  • People’s Alliance rallies to protect Koh Kut, oust Thai PM

    People’s Alliance rallies to protect Koh Kut, oust Thai PM

    The People’s Alliance for Democracy has kicked off a movement to protect Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut, rallying against neighbouring Cambodia’s claims on the island. The movement, led by Kanyut Boonloy, a former civil servant and local leader, gathered around 200 people in Trat yesterday, June 26. Residents, civil servants, former civil servants, students, and merchants donned yellow shirts, waving…

  • Thai abbot accuses bank of embezzling over 1.3 billion baht

    Thai abbot accuses bank of embezzling over 1.3 billion baht

    A Thai abbot in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani is taking legal action against a bank for allegedly embezzling over 1.3 billion baht from a non-profit organisation under his care. Phra Panya Wachiramolee, the abbot of Wat Pa Si Saeng Tham in Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani, shared on social media that over 1.3 billion baht had disappeared from…

  • Thai govt urged to scrap casino bill over constitutional concerns

    Thai govt urged to scrap casino bill over constitutional concerns

    A Senate committee reviewing the controversial casino bill has called on the government to withdraw its draft legislation, warning that it could violate multiple sections of Thailand’s 2017 Constitution. Yesterday, June 26, Senator Veerapun Suvannamai, the chair of the panel, highlighted that the bill may breach Sections 3, 58, 63, and 65 of the Constitution. He explained that the legislation,…

  • Aussie man searches for long-lost Thai mother, makes public plea

    Aussie man searches for long-lost Thai mother, makes public plea

    A 38 year old Australian man is making an emotional plea for help as he embarks on a mission that has consumed his entire life—finding his Thai mother. Jeffrey, who was separated from his mother when he was just a child, has spent decades searching for answers, clinging to the hope of a reunion. Born in Phuket, Jeffrey lived with…

  • PAO official escapes rape attempt by colleague at Pathum Thani love hotel

    PAO official escapes rape attempt by colleague at Pathum Thani love hotel

    A female official from a Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) narrowly escaped a rape attempt by a colleague at a love hotel in the central province of Pathum Thani on June 19. The victim complained to Kukot Police Station, accusing a member of the Khlong Luang PAO, Noppanan “Tee” Noocharoen, of attempted rape. The victim is reportedly a PAO official from a…

  • Thai man punched by stranger on Chiang Mai road

    Thai man punched by stranger on Chiang Mai road

    A Thai man is seeking justice after being punched by a stranger on a road in Chiang Mai province without any prior altercation, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 25. The victim, 30 year old James, posted CCTV footage of the assault on his Facebook page, appealing to the online community to help identify the attacker. He uploaded the…

  • Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early

    Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early

    Phuket airport is on high alert following the discovery of an explosive device hidden in an abandoned motorcycle on its premises. Passengers are urged to arrive at least two hours early from today, as security measures have been tightened in the aftermath of the threat. The warning comes after bomb experts successfully neutralised the device found on Wednesday night, June…

  • Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal?

    Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal?

    Thailand is on the edge of a crucial trade deadline with the US, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that he will be heading to the US next week for urgent trade negotiations. With Thailand facing a 36% tariff on its exports unless a deal is struck, time is running out for the kingdom to…

  • Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns

    Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns

    A staggering 774 million baht sports complex in Pattaya, Chon Buri, designed to serve as a national hub for sports events, has been left in a state of neglect and disrepair since its construction began in 2008. Yesterday, June 26, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led by Secretary-General Saroj Phueng-ramphan, conducted an on-site inspection of the Eastern Region National Sports…

  • Hun Sen warns Thaksin: Betrayal, treason, and exposing the truth

    Hun Sen warns Thaksin: Betrayal, treason, and exposing the truth

    In a display of frustration and betrayal, Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has lashed out at his former “godbrother” and ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of betrayal and warning that he will expose the “treasonous” actions of Thaksin’s family, including their alleged disrespect towards the Thai monarchy. But Hun Sen has made it clear he’s not acting alone…

  • Thailand Video News | Cannabis advocates plan mass protest over recriminalisation push, South Korea bans dog meat—but what happens to 500,000 dogs?

    Thailand Video News | Cannabis advocates plan mass protest over recriminalisation push, South Korea bans dog meat—but what happens to 500,000 dogs?

    Cannabis advocates and opposition groups plan large-scale protests in Thailand, while criminal cases involving teachers, robberies, and fraud shake public trust. Meanwhile, regional cooperation improves as Thailand and Cambodia ease border tensions, and Vietnam rolls out landmark free public education. Other notable developments include South Korea’s historic dog meat ban, chaotic nightlife incidents in Pattaya, and a bear disrupting flights…

  • Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised

    Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised

    A 26 year old Thai student and aspiring model was attacked and robbed in New York, prompting concerns about the lack of assistance from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff. She was forced to flag down a vehicle to seek help from police. A Facebook user shared details of the incident today, June 27, highlighting a warning for Thai nationals to…

  • Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay

    Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay

    Immigration officers in Krabi apprehended an Irish national who overstayed his visa by 415 days. Yesterday, June 26, Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, along with senior immigration officials, coordinated with the Irish police to locate the suspect, who has a history of criminal activities in Ireland. The Irishman is reportedly involved in numerous crimes, including 12 offences related to drug…

  • Phuket soldier honoured in royal ceremony after fatal sniper attack

    Phuket soldier honoured in royal ceremony after fatal sniper attack

    His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has granted a final tribute to Private First Class (PFC) Pakom Suden, a young Phuket soldier killed during a patrol in Thailand’s Deep South. The special ceremony took place yesterday, June 26 at 1.30pm, at the Muslim cemetery in Baan Bang Malao, Sakhu, where officials, soldiers, police officers, Islamic religious leaders, and family…

  • Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting

    Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting

    A routine undercover operation in Nonthaburi turned into a major drug bust when Bang Lamung Police apprehended a 42 year old farmer attempting to smuggle 10,000 methamphetamine pills across provincial lines for sale in Chon Buri. The arrest took place at 12.30pm yesterday, June 26, outside a convenience store in the Sai Yai subdistrict of Nonthaburi province. Acting on a…

  • Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht

    Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht

    A Russian journalist was left traumatised and nearly 2.5 million baht poorer after being kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted by a gang of fellow Russians. The harrowing ordeal took place in Pattaya, with the victim, identified as David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, left with bruises and marks of assault. Yesterday, June 26, at 9pm, Pattaya City Police…

  • Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search

    Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search

    Officials are searching for two more bombs, which the suspects claimed to have hidden on Surin Beach in Phuket. All six criminals involved in the bomb plot were arrested. Officers from Mueang Phang Nga Police Station apprehended two suspects, 29 year old Muhama Wadeng and 27 year old Sulaiman Gaza, in the southern province of Phang Nga at 3.30am on…

  • 20-baht flat fare for Bangkok trains starts September 30

    20-baht flat fare for Bangkok trains starts September 30

    Bangkok’s electric train network will soon have a flat fare of just 20 baht. Starting from September 30, passengers will be able to travel on all eight electric train lines in the capital and surrounding areas for the same low price. But there’s a catch—if you want to take advantage of the new system, you’ll need to register via the…

  • Heavy rainfall and flash flood continue to batter Thailand

    Heavy rainfall and flash flood continue to batter Thailand

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall in the country’s upper regions, affecting 70% of two provinces today. A total of 43 provinces are expected to experience severe weather, with warnings issued for potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. The heavy rain is attributed to a monsoon trough stretching across northern Thailand and Laos, merging into a low-pressure…

  • NACC probes justice minister, DSI chief over senate collusion

    NACC probes justice minister, DSI chief over senate collusion

    Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched an investigation into the actions of Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and the director general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Police Major Yutthana Praedam, following allegations of misconduct during the investigation into alleged collusion in the Senate elections. The NACC’s decision to establish a committee to investigate the two officials follows a formal complaint lodged by…

  • Thailand and Cambodia relax border rules amid tensions

    Thailand and Cambodia relax border rules amid tensions

    In a significant move to ease tensions, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has temporarily relaxed regulations at four border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province, allowing Thais and Cambodians to cross the border after days of strict closures. The announcement, made by the Burapha Task Force today, June 26, comes amid increasing calls for a relaxation of the blanket border closures…

  • Pattaya takes to the streets in World Drug Day march

    Pattaya takes to the streets in World Drug Day march

    In a powerful show of unity, Pattaya took to the streets today to mark World Drug Day with a major anti-drug campaign march. Led by Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Srithanyanon, the event along Pattaya Beach Road, in front of Central Pattaya Shopping Mall, attracted participants from all walks of life, united in the battle against drug abuse. The march,…

  • Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants

    Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants

    In a massive push to strengthen Thailand’s disaster response, more than 1,000 people will take part in a major tsunami drill in Kamala tomorrow as part of the national disaster response exercise, C-MEX 25. The drill, aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination across six Andaman coastal provinces, is set to be the largest exercise of its kind in recent years. The…