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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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Cold air mass, monsoon rains hit Thailand, affecting 14 provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned of another cold air mass approaching, causing temperatures to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius. The southern region faces heavy monsoon rains impacting 14 provinces, while Bangkok will experience rain and wind. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that a high-pressure area or cold air mass from China is now covering…
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Thai-German rail partnership renewed for sustainable transport
Thailand and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing rail transport systems, with a focus on efficiency and environmental sustainability. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the renewal of the agreement in Bangkok, extending their collaboration for an additional two years. The bilateral agreement, initially signed on November 23, 2016, has been renewed twice, reflecting both nations’ dedication to advancing rail technology…
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Illegal jet ski crackdown in Phuket sees 17 more rentals shut down
Phuket’s relentless battle against illegal jet skis has made another big splash. A daring raid led by marine officials uncovered 17 unlicensed jet skis being used for illegal tourist rentals in the popular tourist spot of Laem Nga, Ratsada. The operation also extended to the picturesque islands of Koh Mali and Koh Pae, off Phuket’s east coast. Senior officials including…
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Thai man shares footage of woman jumping into his car at red light
A Thai man issued a warning to motorists in Chon Buri after an unknown woman entered his car while he was parked at a red light and urged him to continue driving without providing a clear destination. The Thai man shared dashcam footage of the woman entering his car with Channel 7. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, December 10,…
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Thailand claims best worldwide destination at Irish Travel Awards
Thailand has once again stolen the spotlight on the global tourism stage, clinching the prestigious Best Worldwide Destination title at the Irish Travel Trade Awards (ITTN Awards) 2024. The glittering ceremony, hosted by Irish Travel Trade News, unfolded on November 29 at Dublin’s Clayton Hotel, Burlington, with over 5,000 travel agents casting their votes for excellence in travel and tourism.…
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Thai woman caught smuggling 6 million baht of cocaine into Japan
A Thai woman was arrested at Kansai International Airport in Osaka after she smuggled 6 million baht worth of cocaine into Japan. Local news agencies in Japan recently reported that the 23 year old Thai woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested at Kansai Airport after 760 grammes of cocaine were found in her possession. The drugs were worth approximately…
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Sizzling drama: Fire sparks chaos at Pattaya spa
A fiery drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday morning when a blaze broke out in a popular spa on Pattaya Third Road. Thankfully, quick action by firefighters ensured no injuries occurred but the incident left staff and volunteers shaken. Pattaya’s Disaster Prevention officials, joined by local police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation volunteers, raced to the scene at the…
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Labour Ministry steps up protection for migrant workers in Thailand
The Labour Ministry is taking decisive steps to safeguard the welfare of migrant workers while ensuring they do not occupy jobs designated for Thai nationals. A workshop was conducted to train a specialised team tasked with overseeing the employment conditions of migrant workers and ensuring adherence to labour laws. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn presided over the workshop, which took place…
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Chiang Rai couple arrested for illegal online lottery operation
A couple from Chiang Rai has been apprehended by cyber police for operating an illegal online lottery and gambling website, with monthly financial transactions amounting to millions. They advertised their services via Facebook, leading to their eventual capture and subsequent legal proceedings. Today, December 12, several high-ranking officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, including Trirong Phiwpan, Wiwat Khamchanan, and…
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Motorcyclist attacks public bus with rocks, bottles in Nonthaburi
An unidentified man driving a white motorcycle chased and attacked a public bus with rocks and bottles in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The event occurred yesterday, December 11, when 37 year old Kwanchai was driving the public bus on route 32 between Wat Pho and Wat Bo in Pak Kret. Alongside him was 36 year old Nattiporn who managed the…
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Thai official sacked after exposing 500-million-baht inheritance fraud
A government official is seeking justice after being dismissed for exposing alleged corruption and document fraud linked to a 500-million-baht inheritance. The victim, Thanyarot, sought assistance from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after being sacked from her workplace of 10 years for exposing the truth. She stated that some colleagues accused her of unethical behaviour, which ultimately led to her dismissal.…
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Pattaya karaoke raid uncovers illegal workers and minors
Police raided a Pattaya karaoke venue, uncovering illegal employment of foreign women and detaining eight tourists who tested positive for drugs. The operation also revealed four minors, under 14 years old, inside the venue, leading to serious charges. Early today, December 12, Thai law enforcement led a significant raid on a karaoke establishment in Pattaya, Thailand. The operation was spearheaded…
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Thailand leads ASEAN in gold-driven financial growth, inclusion
Gold’s role in providing financial stability amid global uncertainties is gaining attention as the world moves into 2025. Traditionally linked to prosperity and wealth in Thai culture, gold remains a symbol of celebration during significant family events such as weddings and birthdays. Despite societal changes, gold’s cultural significance continues to drive strong consumer demand in Thailand, evidenced by the nation’s…
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Australian expat donates van to Pattaya children’s home (video)
A generous act of kindness took place in Pattaya as an Australian expat donated a 2024 Toyota Commuter 15-passenger van to Baan Jing Jai, a local children’s home. The vehicle, valued at 1.3 million baht, was gifted in memory of the Australian, Daryl Evans’ late wife, Tuanjai Naksale, and is intended to support the welfare of children in need. This…
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Seven arrested in Songkhla for 2 million baht scam and gun trade
Seven young adults were arrested in Songkhla’s Mueang district for orchestrating a complex scam that defrauded victims of nearly 2 million baht (US$59,170) and subsequently funding the illegal production of firearms for sale. The arrests took place following an investigation into fraudulent activities conducted by a gang that targeted individuals through random calls, convincing them to invest in a scheme…
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Tragedy on Phuket bridge: Motorcyclist killed in late-night crash
A tragic late-night collision on Phuket’s notorious Kojan Bridge claimed the life of a motorcyclist just before midnight yesterday, December 11. The crash occurred on Rattanakosin 200 Pi Road in Phuket Town, prompting police to rush to the scene at 11.54pm. Arriving officers found a white Toyota Hilux Vigo, registered locally, stopped in the middle of the road. The driver,…
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Pier Pressure: IIlegal boat operator nabbed in Phuket crackdown
A 21 year old Myanmar man found himself in hot water after being arrested at Chalong Pier for running an illegal tourist boat operation. The Marine Police pounced during a routine inspection, uncovering a string of violations that landed him in custody. The arrest is part of an ongoing clampdown on unlicensed activities in the popular tourist hotspot. “The Marine…
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Cold front takes Thailand by storm: Brace for a chilling forecast
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, predicting cold to very cold conditions due to a strong cold air mass. Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit 14 provinces, including Bangkok. In the latest forecast, the TMD indicated that a relatively strong high-pressure system or cold air mass from China has now extended to northern Vietnam…
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Enthusiasts eye past winning numbers for December 16 lottery luck
The anticipation for the upcoming Thai government lottery draw scheduled for December 16 has prompted a compilation of past winning numbers from December 16 over the last decade. Sanook News has drawn up a list of the record of winning lottery numbers. Over the past 10 years, the Thai Government Lottery has seen a variety of winning numbers on December…
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Van tyre blowout injures 14 Lao workers on Thai highway
A terrifying accident unfolded when a van carrying Lao workers experienced a tyre blowout, nearly resulting in a tragic outcome. The incident, which occurred early today, December 12, left numerous individuals injured. The driver revealed the left rear tyre had issues just before they were en-route to the Nong Khai immigration checkpoint. Around 12.15am today, Preecha Suebrat, an inspector at…
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84 Myanmar immigrants arrested in Thailand after jungle trek
In the early hours of yesterday, police in Kanchanaburi successfully apprehended a group of 84 individuals from Myanmar’s Rakhine State who had entered Thailand illegally. The operation, carried out by Thong Pha Phum police and other relevant agencies, unfolded after a tip-off led them to a suspicious scene involving an abandoned pickup truck with obscured license plates. The truck, which…
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Drink driver finally on trial after arrest and assault of innocent man
Police arrested a drink driver who ran a traffic checkpoint on Prasert-Manukritch Road in Bangkok on December 4, after officers mistakenly arrested an innocent man and allegedly assaulted him on the same day. The conflict between a 33 year old Thai man, Thananop Kirddri, and seven officers from the Traffic Police Division came to light after his family called for…
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Thai crew’s release from Myanmar expected post-new year
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that the four Thai crew members detained in Myanmar are anticipated to be released shortly after the new year. The crew, held following a maritime incident, are awaiting the conclusion of Myanmar’s legal processes, though their safety remains uncompromised. The Thai foreign minister and his Myanmar counterpart are scheduled to meet on December 19. As…
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Young man’s body found in car sparks police probe in Phetchaburi
A tragic discovery was made this morning in Phetchaburi, where the body of a young man was found lifeless inside a car. Police are actively investigating the incident and have summoned people connected to the case for questioning. Officers from the Nong Ya Plong Police Station in Phetchaburi province received a report of a death inside a vehicle located in…
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Krabi man caught with over 6,000 meth pills at Phuket checkpoint
A significant drug bust unfolded as a 41 year old Krabi resident was arrested at a primary checkpoint leading to Phuket. The arrest occurred early yesterday morning, December 11, when police discovered a substantial stash of methamphetamine (meth) pills concealed in the man’s vehicle. The suspect, Wutthachai Klapkhong, was detained at a Phuket Chatchai Checkpoint following a search of his…
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Thai man fatally stabbed after killing 2 relatives in Prachin Buri
A Thai couple fatally stabbed a relative in self-defence after he killed two other family members in Prachin Buri province. The incident began when 38 year old Surat “Jack” Thongbai carried out a shooting spree in two locations in the Mueang district at around 2pm on Tuesday, December 10. The first location was a fresh market, and the second was…
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Man defrauded by ex-village chief in Chiang Rai probation scam
A man in Chiang Rai, concerned about violating probation conditions and potentially returning to prison, reported being defrauded of over 415,000 baht by a former village assistant headman. The incident was reported yesterday, December 11, at the Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai province. Thanawit, accompanied by relatives, filed a complaint with Angsumarin Meeboonlap, an investigative officer, alleging that…
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Condom chaos: Pattaya railway station becomes X-rated litter zone
Shocked residents in Pattaya have raised alarms over a sordid discovery at the local railway station yesterday, December 11. Concerned locals reported finding used condoms, wrappers, and tissues strewn near a pile of track ballast in the station’s multipurpose area, sparking fears of a public health hazard. “This area is popular with tourists and families. We use it for exercise…
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Thai police arrest suspect in 70,000 baht missing person scam
Thai police apprehended a suspect involved in a fraud scheme, where victims were deceived into transferring money under the guise of helping locate missing persons. The scam resulted in both the disappearance of vehicles and the individuals themselves. Police officers, including Siam Boonsom, Wasan Thechakrakasem, Noppasilp Phulsawat, and Teeradej Thammasuthee, ordered the arrest of 27 year old Thinapat yesterday, December…
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Swiss man saved after suicide attempt over financial losses to Thai ex-wife
A Thai man successfully rescued his Swiss boyfriend from a suicide attempt at a house in Pattaya, reportedly due to financial losses connected to his Thai ex-wife. The 37 year old Thai man sought urgent assistance from Nong Prue Police Station after discovering his 66 year old Swiss boyfriend sitting in the bathroom, covered in blood. Despite the Swiss man’s…
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