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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Hotel gold rush cools this year, but green deals heat up
After a blockbuster year for Thailand’s hotel market in 2024, the pace of property deals is beginning to cool, but savvy investors are turning their eyes to greener pastures. According to global real estate firm JLL, Thailand’s hotel transaction market in 2025 is undergoing a “normalisation” phase, with activity returning to sustainable levels. Following a record-breaking 22 billion baht in hotel…
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‘Secret Club’ busted: spa runs prostitution targeting gay clients
Police raided the “Secret Club” spa in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen yesterday, May 21, after discovering it was a front for illegal prostitution services targeting gay clients. The Khon Kaen Provincial Immigration Bureau received a tip-off that a property in Phimanchon Village, located in the Phralub sub-district of Khon Kaen, was operating under the guise of a spa…
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Better Pattaya plan unites business leaders for greener future
Pattaya’s mayor is doubling down on his Better Pattaya campaign, calling on businesses and residents alike to join forces in turning the beachside city into a cleaner, greener, and more resilient urban hub. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet took centre stage at the annual meeting of the Pattaya-Chon Buri Business and Tourism Association (PCBTA), held at the Sabai Sabana Hotel, where he…
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China backs green Phuket push to boost tourism and tunnels
China is throwing its support behind Phuket’s dream of becoming a low-carbon tourist haven, following a high-level diplomatic visit that’s turned heads across the island. Yesterday, May 21, Chinese Consul General in Songkhla Wang Zhijian paid a courtesy visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the Phuket Provincial Hall. The visit wasn’t just ceremonial—both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen…
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Thai forces seize massive crystal meth haul in dual operations
Security forces in Thailand apprehended two people in separate operations across two provinces, seizing a total of 300 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 3 million methamphetamine pills yesterday, May 21. The operations were coordinated by the Eastern Border Narcotics Suppression and Prevention Command Unit (NBYSD24), led by Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region. The first arrest…
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Thai woman suspected behind disappearance of her lover
A Thai man from the Isaan province of Udon Thani went missing after receiving 750,000 baht in cash from the sale of some sugarcane. His family suspects his lover may be involved in his disappearance. A 45 year old Thai woman, Nutchanee Irick, reached out to news agencies in the hope of obtaining information about the disappearance of her older…
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Elderly Thai man arrested for alleged assault on granddaughter
An 80 year old man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his granddaughter over a five-year period, starting when she was in third grade. The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the child’s mother, although the accused has denied all allegations. Yesterday, May 21, Police Colonel Sompong Suwanwong, the deputy commander of the Region 9 Provincial Police,…
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Thai man goes viral for ‘sleep-riding’ motorbike stunt on a mattress (video)
Who says you can’t sleep on the job and get paid? One Thai man is living the dream after a bizarre and hilarious motorbike stunt sent the Internet into a frenzy. In a now-viral video that’s racked up over 11 million views, the man was seen riding a motorcycle while lying face-down on a mattress, clinging to the handlebars as he cruised down…
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Patong card game bust: 4 arrested in secret gambling raid
A not-so-secret card game ended in handcuffs when police raided a small shop in Patong, arresting four people allegedly caught gambling illegally. The dramatic bust took place in Soi Kebsup, at the southern end of the island’s party capital, following an investigation into what officers described as a “covert gambling network” operating under the radar of Patong’s bustling nightlife scene. Patong…
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Teen girl arrested for orchestrating online sex trade in Bangkok
A 15 year old girl has been apprehended for allegedly orchestrating an online sex trade, involving peers for up to 5,000 baht per engagement while pocketing commissions of 2,000 to 3,000 baht. Police coordinated the arrest after the suspect confessed to repeated involvement. Today, May 22, Police Major General Songklod Krikkritya directed Police Colonel Korkiet Wutjamnong and his team to…
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PTT to cut costs amid US tariffs and oil price drop
National oil and gas company PTT Plc is preparing to tackle US tariffs and a decline in global oil prices by cutting costs and enhancing operational efficiency to improve profitability. The company is also facing challenges in the petrochemical and oil refining sectors. PTT’s strategy includes three initiatives: Axis to reduce spending, D1 to foster asset synergy within the PTT…
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Police raid birthday party in Chon Buri, arrest 55 with drugs
Police this morning raided a pool villa in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province disrupting a birthday party and arresting 55 people, 11 of whom were minors, with the youngest being just 15 years old. The raid at 3.06am today, May 22, uncovered a stash of illicit substances, including ketamine. The operation followed a tip-off from residents about a gathering…
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2 Chinese men arrested in 5 billion Bangkok hotel money laundering
Police arrested two Chinese men at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in connection with a money laundering operation involving the purchase of a hotel in Bangkok for 5 billion baht. One of the suspects, a Chinese man named Yin Qian Ying, who is currently detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, authorised a former police officer, Kittinan Aksornsom, to file a complaint against another…
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Eight foreigners detained for illegal street food sales in Bangkok
Eight foreigners, consisting of one Turkish national and seven from Myanmar, were detained for illegally selling street food on Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road in Bangkok. The operation was a collaboration between Immigration Division 1 and Chanasongkram Police Station. This initiative aimed to address the issue of foreigners working without proper authorisation in Bangkok’s major tourist areas. The focus…
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Body of foreign man found floating near Nui Beach, Phuket
The body of a tattooed foreign man has been found floating in the sea off Phuket’s Nui Beach, marking yet another tragic case of tourists meeting their end in the island’s waters. Karon Police were alerted to the grim discovery at around 3.20pm yesterday, May 21, after beachgoers spotted a body drifting offshore. Lifeguards responded quickly, using a speedboat to…
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Rocket mishap at Kalasin festival sends fireballs flying (video)
A dramatic scene unfolded during a traditional rocket festival in Kalasin province when a skyrocket exploded, sending fireballs in every direction. This annual festival in northeastern Thailand is deeply rooted in tradition, with villagers launching rockets to ensure seasonal rainfall and to compete for whose rocket stays airborne the longest. However, it is not uncommon for accidents to occur, such…
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Bangkok police arrest notorious motorcycle theft gang
Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and senior police officials, successfully apprehended a motorcycle theft gang in Bangkok. The suspects, 45 year old Somsak, known as Ood, and 40 year old Ting Ko Ko Oo, yesterday, May 21, were caught in possession of four motorcycles and numerous spare parts in Soi Lat Phrao 119, Khlong Chan, Bang Kapi district. The investigation…
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Vape and cig racket busted at Pattaya weed shop
A cannabis shop on Pattaya Beach Road has been exposed as a front for selling illegal vapes and foreign cigarettes, with cops seizing hundreds of illicit products in a dramatic police raid. Officers from Pattaya Police, in collaboration with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), swooped on the Dr Weed cannabis store in the heart of the popular resort town, uncovering…
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Teacher dies in Nonthaburi motorcycle accident
A tragic accident led to the death of a 30 year old teacher in Nonthaburi province. The victim, Jamaree Choomueang, lost control of her motorcycle on Chaiyapruek Road, resulting in a fatal crash. Police are reviewing CCTV footage to determine the cause. At 12.30am, today, May 22, officers from Chaiyapruek Police Station, along with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation team, responded to…
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Drunk motorcyclist goes against traffic flow and kills female rider
A drunk Thai man rode his motorcycle against the flow of traffic and collided with a female rider, resulting in her death, on Number 4027 Road in Phuket on Tuesday night. The accident was reported to officers at Thalang Police Station and Thalang Hospital at approximately 11.45pm, May 20. It occurred near the PTT petrol station at the Paklok branch in…
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Officer’s tragic shooting leaves woman critical in Phitsanulok
A Border Patrol officer fatally shot himself and critically injured a woman during a confrontation over a personal matter in Mueang district, Phitsanulok province. Police were alerted to the incident, which took place today, May 21, at 4.45pm, in a house in the Tha Thong subdistrict. Doctor Rakthin Bamrungsri, an investigative officer from the Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, led a…
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Russian woman busted in Phuket sex sting in tourist crackdown
A late-night sting in Phuket ended with the arrest of a young Russian woman accused of selling sex at a luxury villa, just as Thai police ramp up efforts to clean up crimes affecting tourism. Tourist Police confirmed the 25 year old woman, whose name has not been released, was arrested around midnight on Tuesday, May 20, at a private…
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Motorcyclist dies in Chon Buri crash involving pickup truck
A 43 year old man died yesterday in a motorcycle accident involving a big bike and a pickup truck. The incident yesterday, May 21, at 9pm, occurred near the entrance of Wat Santikham in Nong Pla Lai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Emergency services and police from Bang Lamung Police Station were dispatched to the scene, where a…
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Thai airports to boost services for elderly and disabled passengers
Flying in Thailand is about to get a major upgrade—especially for those who need it most. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is rolling out a new set of regulations aimed at dramatically improving service standards for passengers requiring special assistance. Whether you’re elderly, injured, or living with a disability, these new rules are designed to make air travel…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok ranked among world’s top tourist scam hotspots, Cambodian PM asserts citizens enjoy full freedoms
In Thailand video news, Alex highlights major developments across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Bangkok ranks among the world’s top tourist scam hotspots, while Chiang Mai and Koh Phangan see visa and tour operator crackdowns. The Royal Thai Navy intercepts illegal fishing boats near Phuket, and Pattaya’s restaurant sector teeters on collapse. Meanwhile, Korat Zoo welcomes Thailand’s first Aldabra tortoise hatchlings.…
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No sex on the beach: Cops go nuts for ‘coconut tree’ sex workers
More than 50 alleged sex workers were rounded up along Pattaya Beach last night in a dramatic police sweep, just over a week after furious residents branded previous crackdowns a “PR stunt.” Officers stormed the beachfront at 9.06pm, yesterday, May 21, in a coordinated operation aimed at flushing out the illegal trade tarnishing the city’s tourist image. The move came…
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Ranger surrenders after shooting colleague in Pattani
A ranger has surrendered after shooting a colleague from the 4215th Ranger Company, part of the 42nd Ranger Task Force, in Panare district, Pattani province. The incident occurred around 10pm yesterday, May 21, when a water pump malfunction prompted the soldiers to inspect it outside their base. Before leaving the base to inspect the pump, Pongdet Nananuksuk and Sarawut Kaewjanarit…
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Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025 boosts rainbow tourism economy
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), part of Central Group and operator of Central shopping centres, is reinforcing its dedication to diversity and equality with the launch of Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025: Pride For All. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, CPN’s chief marketing officer, highlighted that the campaign celebrates Pride Month as a recognition of human rights and a strategic element for economic expansion. Thailand’s…
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High spirits: Russian tourist leaps to death fleeing ‘ghost’ in Pattaya
A Russian tourist high on marijuana plunged to his death from a Pattaya condo after telling a security guard he was being hunted by a murderous ghost with “bulging eyes.” The 27 year old man, named only as Mikhail, had been smoking heavily when he became convinced a phantom was trying to murder him. He ran frantically around the building…
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Thailand mandates medical certificates for cannabis use
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that cannabis users in Thailand will soon need medical certificates to ensure the plant is used for medical purposes only. This decision marks another step in the ongoing process of regulating cannabis use since its decriminalisation nearly three years ago. Somsak stated his intention to refine cannabis regulations in Thailand, highlighting that both foreign…
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