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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Indian tourist reports alleged overpriced ‘miracle’ herbal scam in Pattaya
A 45 year old Indian tourist has filed a police report after claiming he was tricked into buying overpriced herbal products in Pattaya, in what authorities believe may be part of a recurring scam targeting foreign visitors. The complaint was lodged at Pattaya City Police Station in the early hours of yesterday, January 3. The man told police he was…
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Green sea turtle Phuket Karon beach nesting event
A rare and encouraging marine conservation event unfolded on Karon Beach in Phuket on Friday, when an adult female green sea turtle came ashore and laid a large clutch of eggs, drawing attention from both tourists and local officials. The nesting occurred at around 11am on January 3, 2026, along Karon Beach in Karon sub district, Muang district. Thai and…
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Power bank explosion injures woman in market
A woman was injured in Si Racha district, Chonburi province, after a power bank connected to her mobile phone exploded inside her handbag, causing burns to her arms and face and igniting her personal belongings, rescue officials said. The incident occurred at around 7.00pm on January 3, 2026, in the Sahapat Airport area, Moo 5, Bueng subdistrict. The Sawang Prateep…
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Phuket records four road deaths during New Year ‘Seven Days of Danger’
Phuket recorded four road deaths and 39 accidents between December 30 and January 2 during the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ New Year road safety campaign, according to the Phuket Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Operations Centre. Two fatalities occurred in Mueang Phuket district and two in Thalang district, while no deaths were reported in Kathu. Mueang Phuket recorded the…
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Bar host arrested for burglary at Bangkok transgender influencer’s home
A male bar host has been arrested for allegedly breaking into the home of a well-known transgender influencer in Bangkok and stealing luxury items and a large sum of cash. The arrest took place at around 1pm yesterday, January 3, when police from Phaholyothin Police Station detained a 21 year old man at a house in Soi Lat Phrao 41,…
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Thai Cambodian border dispute: army reaffirms sovereignty
The Royal Thai Army has reaffirmed that a recently reorganized border area remains firmly within Thai sovereign territory, stating that the land has been subject to long-term encroachment by Cambodian forces and settlements. Army officials are urging the public to review official protest letters previously submitted by Thailand through the Memorandum of Understanding 43, known as MOU 43, which governs…
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Drugs and ammunition found after fatal motorcycle crash in Chon Buri
A fatal motorcycle crash in Chon Buri has taken a turn after police discovered drugs, ammunition, and a weapon on the deceased, prompting further criminal link investigations. The incident occurred at around 10am on Thursday, January 1, when emergency services were alerted to a motorcycle accident in a grassy area beside the road in Soi Phu Yai Cha, Banglamung district.…
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Rama 2 Flood Rescue: GPS Navigation Error Incident
Five people narrowly escaped serious injury after a GPS navigation error led their vehicle into unexpectedly deep floodwater beneath a bridge on Rama 2 Road in Samut Songkhram province, almost completely submerging the van and trapping passengers inside. The incident occurred on January 3, 2026, when officers from Highway Police Station 1, Division 2, under the Highway Police Bureau, were…
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Young man with three arrest warrants arrested while hiding in closed-box pickup at highway checkpoint
A 20-year-old man linked to multiple online fraud cases was arrested at a highway checkpoint in Kanchanaburi after police discovered him hiding inside the enclosed cargo area of a closed-box pickup truck. Officers later confirmed the suspect had three outstanding arrest warrants, in addition to five previous cases that had already entered the judicial process. The arrest followed an order…
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2026 SAFF Futsal Championship to debut in Bangkok as South Asia launches new tournament
The South Asian Football Federation will stage the first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, from 13 to 26 January 2026, marking a major step in the development of futsal across South Asia. The biennial men’s national team tournament will feature all seven SAFF member associations, each making their debut in the competition. The participating teams are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,…
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Royal Thai Navy detains 67 Cambodian migrants attempting illegal border crossing into Thailand
The Royal Thai Navy has detained 67 Cambodian migrant workers who attempted to illegally cross the Thai border in Chanthaburi province, authorities confirmed on January 3, 2026. The group included men, women, and children who officials said were fleeing severe economic hardship, unemployment, and food insecurity in their home communities. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy,…
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2nd Army Area raids scammer hideout, uncovers scripted fraud operations targeting multiple countries
The 2nd Army Area has raided a large scammer hideout in the Chong Chom border area of Surin province, uncovering an organized fraud operation that used detailed scripts, manuals, and national symbols to deceive victims in multiple countries. Authorities say the findings highlight the growing sophistication of transnational scam networks operating near Thailand’s borders. At 11.38am on January 3, 2026,…
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Will Thailand’s 2026 election reshape tourism, foreign investment, and transport policy?
As Thailand moves toward its 2026 general election, the future of the country’s tourism industry has become a central issue for investors, operators, and local communities. With tourism accounting for a significant share of national income, the policies adopted by the next government are expected to influence foreign direct investment, public safety, and long-term infrastructure planning, particularly in rail transport.…
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Thailand’s new year holiday 2026 sees over eight million travelers, fewer accidents and smooth nationwide transport
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport. From December 30 2025 to January 1 2026, a total of more than 8.2 million passengers used public transport nationwide. Although this figure represents a 3.9…
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Fire destroys monk’s living quarters at Nimit Mai temple, investigation underway
A fire completely destroyed a monk’s living quarters at a well-known temple in the Nimit Mai area of Bangkok on the morning of January 3, 2026, prompting an urgent response from firefighters and an ongoing investigation into the cause of the blaze. The incident was reported at 8.27am through the 199 emergency hotline. Firefighters from the Bang Chan Fire and…
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Fire erupts in condo, woman hospitalized for smoke inhalation
A fire broke out inside a condominium unit in Bangkok’s Ladprao area on Thursday, sending thick smoke through the building and leaving a young woman hospitalized with smoke inhalation injuries. Authorities said the fire was quickly brought under control and is believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit. At around 12.15pm on January…
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Cryptocurrency in Thailand: Legal status, use cases, and global perspectives
Cryptocurrency has rapidly risen from a high-risk, highly volatile, don’t-touch-it-with-a-ten-foot pole commodity to a globally accepted form of payment. But even in 2026, not every country is on board. While the likes of Singapore and Malta embrace it with open arms, others, like Thailand, have a more cautious approach. What’s the current status of using cryptocurrency in Thailand? Let’s find…
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Sea of Trash: Garbage covers Patong beach after New Year countdown
PHUKET — The morning sun on the first day of the year revealed a grim scene at Patong Beach, one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations. Instead of pristine white sands, a mountain of garbage buried the shoreline following the previous night’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Images shared by the local news page “แรงจัง ภูเก็ต” exposed the extent of…
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Patong restaurant fires staff after telling customer to “Wash the pot yourself”
PHUKET — A heated online controversy involving a popular restaurant in Patong has concluded with the immediate termination of a staff member. The employee had sparked outrage after challenging a customer to “wash the pot yourself” if she wished to be served. The incident, which went viral on TikTok, occurred at the “Sam Chor Chern Chuan Chim” restaurant (Patong Branch),…
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Explosion at Swiss Bar in Crans-Montana Kills at Least 40
Swiss Ski Resort Tragedy Explosion at Crans-Montana Bar Kills ‘Dozens,’ Italy Reports 40 Dead CRANS-MONTANA — A devastating explosion followed by a massive fire at a popular bar in the renowned Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has resulted in a “mass casualty” event, sending shockwaves across Europe. Swiss police confirmed “dozens” of fatalities, while Italian authorities report the death toll…
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Bangkok fireworks blast injures 7 at New Year party
New Year Chaos: Unauthorized Fireworks Blast Injures 7 in Bangkok’s Wattana District BANGKOK — A New Year celebration in Soi Pridi Banomyong 26 on Sukhumvit 71 Road turned dangerous early this morning (January 1), leaving seven people injured after a fireworks display went wrong. Police are preparing to summon the group responsible, while the Wattana District Office plans to file…
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Cold spell returns: Temps to drop across Thailand from Jan 2-6
Thailand Weather Update: Foggy Mornings to Start the Year, Fresh Cold Spell Arriving Jan 2-6 BANGKOK — The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather outlook for the first week of 2026, advising the public to prepare for fluctuating temperatures. While the current cold front is weakening, a new high-pressure system is set to bring cooler weather back starting…
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King and Queen Grant Royal Greeting Card for 2026
Their Majesties the King and Queen Grant New Year 2026 Greeting Card to Thai People BANGKOK — On December 31, 2025, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Suthida graciously granted a royal New Year greeting card for the Buddhist Era 2569 (2026) to the people of Thailand. The front of the card features the emblem of the Chakri…
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M6 jammed for kilometers as crowds rush back to Bangkok Before New Year
M6 Motorway Heavily Congested as Holidaymakers Return to Bangkok. NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Traffic on the special highway, M6 Motorway, has ground to a slow crawl stretching several kilometers as citizens begin their return journey to the capital. Reporters observing the traffic flow at Kilometer 114, near Ban Pin Thong in Khanong Phra Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, noted a significant increase…
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Jealous gunman Kills ex-girlfriend and self, critically wounds new partner
New Year’s Eve Tragedy: Jealous Gunman Kills Ex-Girlfriend and Self, Critically Wounds New Partner CHON BURI — At 1:30 AM, Pol. Capt. Pichamon Sata, Deputy Inspector of Bo Thong Police Station, received reports of a shooting at a local gas station. Police arrived at the scene alongside medical personnel from Bo Thong Hospital and rescue volunteers. Officers found the body…
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Body of Missing 19-Year-Old Texas Teen Found After Christmas Eve Disappearance
Tragic End: Body of Missing 19-Year-Old Texas Teen Found After Christmas Eve Disappearance SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The desperate search for Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, who vanished on Christmas Eve, has concluded with a heartbreaking discovery. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that search teams located a lifeless body in a field near the residential area where…
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Arrests 8 foreign sex workers for soliciting tourists on Pattaya beach road
Pattaya Cleanup: Immigration Arrests 8 Foreign Women for Soliciting Tourists on Beach Road. fine of 1,000 baht on each individual. PATTAYA — Chon Buri Immigration officers launched a crackdown on foreign sex workers along Pattaya Beach Road on New Year’s Eve, arresting eight women for soliciting tourists and damaging the city’s tourism image. Acting on orders from Pol. Col. Naphatpong…
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Thai maid detained live on TV after allegedly poisoning toddler with disinfectant
Police detained a Thai housemaid during a live television interview today, December 30, after she was accused of attempting to poison her employer’s young child by mixing disinfectant into his milk. The case came to light after a Thai mother issued a warning to the online community, saying her two year old Thai son Kirin narrowly escaped serious harm. She…
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Naval officer rapes woman and allegedly leaves her naked on back of car
A naval officer paid 180,000 baht to a Thai woman after he raped her and allegedly left her naked on the trunk of his mini bus while driving her home along a road in Chon Buri. The 23 year old Thai woman filed a complaint with Sattahip Police Station today, December 30. She told police that she was sexually assaulted…
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New year 2026: BTS-MRT last train schedule & free parking locations revealed
As the countdown to New Year 2026 approaches, revellers planning to celebrate at Bangkok’s major landmarks can enjoy a smoother New Year commute and travel with peace of mind. The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with mass transit operators, is gifting the public extended service hours under the ‘H.N.Y 2569’ campaign to ensure safe and convenient journeys home. All Trains…
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