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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Sponsored See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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Anutin brushes off Hun Sen’s 500-year border closure jibe
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed pointed remarks made by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, who claimed Cambodia could withstand a closed Thai-Cambodian border for “500 years.” Speaking to reporters, Anutin played down the comments. “I haven’t read them.” Hun Sen had taken to Facebook to assert that Cambodia never asked Thailand to reopen any crossings, stating that it was…
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Thai girl, 12, rescued after getting trafficked to Tokyo by mother
A 12 year old Thai girl has been rescued from a Tokyo massage parlour where she was forced to serve dozens of customers in a month-long trafficking ordeal orchestrated by the establishment’s owner and her own mother. The girl was forced to work in a massage parlour, serving approximately 60 customers in just one month whilst generating 627,000 yen (around…
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BMW driver pays 5.5 million baht after killing mother and 2 children in Chumphon
A Thai BMW driver faces four years and seven months in prison after a fatal accident that killed a mother and her two children in the southern province of Chumphon last year. She was later granted temporary release. The crash occurred on a highway in Chumphon at around 7.40pm on November 27 last year, when a BMW collided with a…
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People’s Party hits back at salary deduction smear claims
Thailand’s opposition People’s Party has denied claims it used MP assistants’ salaries to fund memberships, calling the allegations politically motivated. The allegations were raised by Klatham Party MP Phai Lik, who suggested such deductions could constitute money laundering. In response, People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome dismissed the claims as baseless and legally flawed. “Diverting salaries to pay for party…
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Bank of Thailand to roll out new 50 and 100 baht polymer banknotes
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is set to introduce new 50 and 100 baht polymer banknotes, which will officially enter circulation on November 21. BOT Governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, said the new banknotes, made from a special polymer material, are more durable and resistant to moisture and dirt. The change aims to keep banknotes cleaner, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly. The…
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Thailand to slap import duties on all low-value online goods
Thailand’s Customs Department will begin imposing import duties on low-value online goods to boost revenue and support fair competition for local businesses. The move, aimed at levelling the playing field for local businesses, will target goods previously exempt from import duties and applies to any item valued under 1,500 baht, even those costing just 1 baht. Phanthong Loykulnanta, director-general of…
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Kenyan woman drives car into Chiang Mai moat on Loy Krathong night
A Kenyan woman accidentally drove her red Nissan sedan into a Chiang Mai moat on Loy Krathong night, November 5, after being startled by firecrackers and children’s screams. Channel 7 reported that the accident occurred in front of Wat Lok Molee last night, where attendees were enjoying the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals. Witnesses alerted officers from Mueang Chiang Mai…
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Bangkok private school to close after 50 years of service
A long-standing private school in Bangkok will close after decades of operation, citing low enrollment caused by Thailand’s declining birth rate and economy. Udomsuksa School, located in the Wang Thong Lang district, announced it will officially close at the end of the 2025 academic year, citing a sharp decline in student enrolment as the key reason. The final day of…
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Thai woman claims rape by three Chinese men in Pattaya home
A Thai woman has accused three Chinese men of raping her at a private residence in Pattaya after a night out at a karaoke bar. The men reportedly met the woman at a pub before inviting her to the house, where the alleged assault took place. The 21 year old woman, identified only as May, filed a complaint with officers…
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Bangkok warehouse erupts in fireball and explosions overnight
A fire broke out at a warehouse in Bangkok during the early hours, causing explosions and thick smoke as firefighters rushed to contain the fast-spreading blaze. The inferno occurred at around 1.45am today, November 6, in Soi Rat Burana 29, in the Rat Burana district of Bangkok. Thick black smoke and intermittent blasts terrified locals as firefighters scrambled to contain…
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Pattaya biker fights for life after smashing into garbage truck
A motorcyclist was critically injured after crashing into a garbage truck during heavy rain on a major road in Pattaya in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred around 3.30am on November 2 on Sukhumvit Road, inbound to Chon Buri, as torrential rain soaked the streets. The slick road surface is believed to have played a major role…
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Thai woman killed and dumped in canal over alleged love affair
Police are searching for the suspects involved in the murder of a Thai woman whose body was found dumped in a canal in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. Adultery is suspected to be the motive behind the killing. A local fisherman alerted officers from Bang Len Police Station after discovering the body of the woman, later identified as 49…
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Chon Buri worker dies on hammock after booze row with wife
A municipal worker in Chon Buri was found dead on a hammock behind his office after being kicked out by his wife following a dispute over his drinking. Police were called to the Laem Chabang City Municipality staff quarters in Thung Sukhla subdistrict around 8.30am on Monday, November 3, after a 39 year old employee was discovered motionless behind the…
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Foreign man threatens Phuket hotel staff after being denied entry with cat
A foreign man allegedly threatened to stab and shoot a hotel employee in Phuket yesterday, November 6, after being refused permission to bring a cat into the accommodation. The victim shared details of the violent behaviour with the Phuket Times Facebook page, which also released CCTV footage capturing part of the incident. In the video, the foreign man, dressed in…
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Phuket bosses demand action on Kathu-Patong tunnel plan
Business leaders in Phuket are urging the government to move forward with a vital tunnel project, warning that proposed changes could cause costly delays. At a recent press conference, 24 private-sector organisations joined forces to urge the Transport Ministry to move forward without further alterations or delays. The 3.98-kilometre tunnel, approved by the Cabinet on August 26, comes with a…
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Anutin cracks jokes, floats krathong and shrugs off zipper gaffe
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife, Thananon Niramit, joined a traditional Loy Krathong event near Government House, where he made wishes, floated a krathong and shared a cheeky moment. They were joined by Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isaraphakdi, interior ministry official Santi Piyatat and Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat. The group…
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Finnair piles on Thailand flights for winter sun seekers
Finnair has announced it will boost flights to Thailand for the upcoming winter season, aiming to meet rising demand from European travellers seeking warmth. The airline will offer 25 weekly flights to the kingdom, marking a significant increase in capacity and forward planning for the Nordic carrier. Currently operating three daily services to Thailand, Finnair is adding another daily flight…
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DHL powers up Thailand’s first solar-run logistics hub
Thailand has taken a major step toward green logistics as DHL opened its first fully solar-powered facility, aiming to boost sustainable trade in Southeast Asia. The new Bangna Sustainable Logistics Centre, launched by DHL Supply Chain Thailand, is the logistics giant’s first global facility powered entirely by on-site solar energy. Backed by a 1.39 billion baht investment, the site showcases…
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Pattaya man arrested for turning blank guns into live weapons
Police in Pattaya arrested a man during a pre-dawn raid after discovering he was illegally modifying and selling firearms from a rented room in the city. The suspect, identified as 27 year old Chatchawan Inmongkol from Sisaket province, was arrested at 6.36am yesterday, November 4, following a raid at 62/157 Soi Kopai 14. Acting on a court-issued search warrant and…
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PM Anutin threatens early House dissolution over censure plot
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned he may dissolve the House early if opposition parties push ahead with a censure debate driven by political motives. Anutin said he would not stand for politically motivated attacks. “If the censure debate is merely a political game and the government cannot counter it, the House will be dissolved.” The prime minister said the…
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Drug duo arrested in Phuket police raid on Cherng Talay home
Police in Cherng Talay arrested a Nigerian man and a Thai woman after raiding a home where multiple types of illegal drugs were discovered during a crackdown. Cherng Talay Police arrested 37 year old Nigerian national Kenneth Sibowo Nat and 32 year old Thai woman Nitida Karaket during a targeted raid on a house in Soi Cherng Talay 14 on…
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Thai cop charged after hit-and-run with teacher in Udon Thani
A police officer in Udon Thani, northeastern Thailand, faces charges after allegedly sideswiping a teacher’s car and fleeing the scene, prompting a chase and investigation. The drama unfolded yesterday, November 4, when kindergarten teacher Prapaporn, nicknamed Joom, was driving her white Honda City in Nong Han district. At a local intersection, her vehicle was reportedly struck by a pickup truck. Instead…
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Bangkok’s Mexican Embassy steps in after Miss Universe dispute
The Mexican Embassy stepped in after its Miss Universe contestant clashed with organisers in Thailand, following a dispute during pre-pageant events. The Mexican Embassy in Bangkok has confirmed it is actively monitoring the situation surrounding Fátima Bosch, the country’s representative at this year’s Miss Universe pageant. In a public statement, the embassy said it has remained in close contact with…
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Waterfall romp lands foreign couple in hot water on Koh Pha Ngan
An Israeli couple was caught having sex at a waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan, drawing backlash from tourists and prompting legal action by Thai police. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 4, at Wang Sai Waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, where the couple were seen engaging in sexual activity in broad daylight, seemingly unfazed by the presence of other…
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Brazen Russian gang plasters Phuket with drug-selling QR codes
Chalermpong Saengdee, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Phuket (Zone 2) from the People’s Party, has warned of a new form of drug trafficking spreading across the island via a post on his personal Facebook page. Chalermpong revealed that foreigners are placing QR code stickers in tourist attractions and public areas throughout the province. These stickers link to online drug…
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Thailand pension scam: Fake app targets unsuspecting heirs
Thailand’s environment ministry has warned of scammers posing as officials, tricking pension recipients and heirs into downloading a fake app to steal data. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has issued an urgent warning after reports surfaced of fraudsters pretending to be officials from its Office of the Permanent Secretary. The con artists are targeting victims by falsely claiming…
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Loy Krathong to rake in 6.5 billion baht despite toned-down mood
Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival is expected to draw nearly 2 million local tourists and generate billions in revenue, despite scaled-back celebrations nationwide. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that around 1.91 million domestic tourists will take part in the nationwide festival today, November 5, opting for serene celebrations over the usual fanfare due to the national mourning period honouring…
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Thailand video news | Thai-UK community marks 170 years of diplomatic, Miss Universe 2025 pageant in turmoil
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes early chaos surrounding the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand, a major romance-scam ring tied to Nigerian networks, and a ceremony marking 170 years of Thailand-UK diplomatic relations. Miss Universe 2025 Pageant in Turmoil After Host and Organisation Clash The…
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Thailand splashes 4 billion baht to keep MotoGP roaring till 2031
Thailand has approved a multi-billion baht budget to extend its MotoGP hosting rights, securing the international racing event for another five years. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ayrin Phanrit announced yesterday, November 4, that the Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ proposal to extend Thailand’s MotoGP hosting rights from 2027 to 2031. The budget set aside for the high-octane…
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Pervert on a bike stalks woman in Sri Racha neighbourhood
A woman in Sri Racha, Chon Buri, was stalked and nearly attacked by a man on a motorbike who followed her home and was later caught on CCTV lurking outside her house. A 32 year old department store worker narrowly avoided an attack after being stalked by a man on a motorcycle. The drama unfolded around 8am yesterday, November 4,…
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