Eastern Thailand News

Eastern Thailand news, Pattaya news, Isaan news, Rayong updates, and Chonburi developments—stay informed on local events, business, tourism, and culture, including attractions like the Sanctuary of Truth and Koh Samet. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Eastern Thailand news source.

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    What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?

    The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...

  • Map Ta Phut fire: Company hero’s selfless act ends in tragic death | Thaiger

    Map Ta Phut fire: Company hero’s selfless act ends in tragic death

    A selfless act of bravery by a 36 year old company employee attempting to close a valve on a tank moments before a gasoline explosion has tragically cost him his life. The incident occurred during a fire at the Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal in the town of Map Ta Phut, Rayong province, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.…

  • School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et | Thaiger

    School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et

    Investigations concluded yesterday as police made a definitive arrest of a school van driver for the murder of a 23 year old woman whose body was found handcuffed, abandoned in a scrubland by the Chi River in Roi Et province. After a meticulous search, authorities apprehended a 67 year old school van driver, named Ken, from the same village as…

  • Thai drug addict throws 1 year old boy into pond, killing victim | Thaiger

    Thai drug addict throws 1 year old boy into pond, killing victim

    A Thai drug addict yesterday murdered his one year old employer’s son by throwing him into a pond in the eastern province of Rayong. The killer then enjoyed swimming in the pond after his horrific action as if nothing serious had happened. Officers from Klaeng Police Station responded to a murder report at a house in the Neunkho sub-district of…

  • Teen dies after brutal assault at Nakhon Phanom temple | Thaiger

    Teen dies after brutal assault at Nakhon Phanom temple

    A 16 year old boy fell victim to a brutal assault by a group of eight teenagers after helping out at a temple in Phon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom. The culprits, aged between 16 and 18, were later apprehended by the police. The victim and a friend were returning from their temple duties at Wat Phra That Phon Sawan when they encountered…

  • Si Racha grapples with severe flooding after torrential rains | Thaiger

    Si Racha grapples with severe flooding after torrential rains

    Torrential rains have battered Si Racha, a district in the province of Chon Buri, causing widespread flooding and damage. The downpour, which lasted for hours, overwhelmed drainage systems and caused water levels to rise rapidly, inundating homes and submerging vehicles. The deluge struck at 10am today, catching many residents off-guard. Cars and motorcycles were seen partially submerged, and numerous electrical…

  • Thai monks implicated in illicit wildlife sanctuary encroachment | Thaiger

    Thai monks implicated in illicit wildlife sanctuary encroachment

    Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary officers yesterday unveiled a case of alleged illicit encroachment involving monks from a highly revered temple in Chaiyaphum. The monks and their accomplices are suspected of violating the sanctity of the wildlife sanctuary’s protected grounds. The Suomi NPP satellite pinpointed 14 hotspots in a forest located in Nong Bua Daeng, Chaiyaphum on Tuesday. Responding swiftly, the…

  • Thai-Lao friendship bridge to open in November | Thaiger

    Thai-Lao friendship bridge to open in November

    The fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, connecting Thailand’s Bueng Kan province and Laos’ Pakxan town, has been scheduled to open in November. The announcement was made by Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri. The bridge will span from Bueng Kan, Khai Si and Wisit subdistricts in the Mueang Bueng Kan district, situated across the river from Pakxan. The construction project features a…

  • Ammonia leak in Udon Thani ice factory prompts evacuation | Thaiger

    Ammonia leak in Udon Thani ice factory prompts evacuation

    An ammonia gas leak at an ice factory near a fresh market in Udon Thani caused panic and led to the evacuation of approximately 20 homes in the vicinity. With temperatures soaring to 44 degrees Celsius, it is suspected that the heat and outdated equipment contributed to the incident, which occurred early in the morning. Chaos ensued when an ice…

  • Supachai Phosu found guilty of serious ethical misconduct | Thaiger

    Supachai Phosu found guilty of serious ethical misconduct

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of Thailand declared former Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu, culpable of serious ethical misconduct. The charges stem from his unlawful occupation of a forest reserve in Nakhon Phanom province. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the NACC spokesman, declared that the case will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for political office holders to determine the final verdict. Investigations…

  • Thai gold shop owner saves parents hundreds on student uniforms | Thaiger

    Thai gold shop owner saves parents hundreds on student uniforms

    A gold shop owner in Roi Et province has become a local hero by offering a unique solution to parents struggling with the cost of student uniforms. Wimol Archasantisuk, the brains behind this heartening initiative, turned heads with his generosity. Wimol, the compassionate owner, embarked on a mission to ease the financial burden on parents gearing up for the new…

  • Police uncover illegal gambling ring in Ubon Ratchathani | Thaiger

    Police uncover illegal gambling ring in Ubon Ratchathani

    A covert sting operation led to the raid of an online lottery operator’s residence, uncovering an illegal gambling ring and revealing a flow of approximately 10 million baht per month through 12 interconnected bank accounts. This incident aligns with the Thai government and the Royal Thai Police’s crackdown on all forms of technology-driven crime, particularly illegal online gambling. Following orders…

  • Boxing camp owner murdered in Buriram | Thaiger

    Boxing camp owner murdered in Buriram

    A boxing camp owner known by many as Sia Dam was brutally murdered at a religious celebration in Buriram. Sia Dam, whose real name is being withheld, was a 56 year old boxing camp owner from Surin Province. The incident occurred yesterday when an unknown assailant shot him in the head and neck, leading to his death in his Hyundai…

  • Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu | Thaiger

    Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu

    A 57 year old woman was found dead in a pond in Nong Bua Lamphu province, following a period of severe stress due to her tenants failing to pay three months’ worth of rent. Children playing nearby initially spotted the body floating in the water and alerted adults yesterday. The deceased, later identified as Sumalee, had expressed to her mother…

  • Chemical warehouse fire causes evacuation in Ban Khai district | Thaiger

    Chemical warehouse fire causes evacuation in Ban Khai district

    A fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in the tambon Bang But area of Ban Khai district, leading to a series of explosions and prompting the evacuation of residents. The blaze, originating from the industrial waste warehouse owned by Win Process Co, ignited at approximately 9am today, April 22. The response was immediate, with 16 fire engines, eight ambulances,…

  • Elderly rice farmer dies in field blaze in Udon Thani | Thaiger

    Elderly rice farmer dies in field blaze in Udon Thani

    A tragic incident occurred yesterday in Udon Thani province where a 73 year old rice farmer perished in a blaze that swept through his field. Police Deputy Inspector Niwat Jaengkrathok of Huai Luang Police Station, alongside medical personnel from Udon Thani Hospital Center and the Sawang Metha Tham rescue team, responded to the distress call at Ban Naklong, in the…

  • Thai Cyber Police bust major online gambling ring in Chanthaburi | Thaiger

    Thai Cyber Police bust major online gambling ring in Chanthaburi

    The Thai Cyber Police dismantled a prominent online gambling ring operating under the name texas147, with an estimated turnover of 300 million baht. The raid involved searches at two locations in the Khlong district of Chanthaburi province, resulting in the seizure of computers and luxury vehicles. The operation, led by high-ranking officers from the Cyber Police and Immigration Bureau, along…

  • Frosty fright: Ammonia leak chills Bang Lamung district | Thaiger

    Frosty fright: Ammonia leak chills Bang Lamung district

    An ice factory in Nong Prue, a tambon of Bang Lamung district, experienced an ammonia leak early this morning, affecting nearly 100 people within its 1-kilometre vicinity. The incident at Banglamung Ice Plant was reported to the district chief, Weekit Manarotekit, shortly before midnight yesterday, April 17. Emergency rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene, discovering that the leaked ammonia…

  • Dugongs forced to flee as seagrass vanishes in Thai waters | Thaiger

    Dugongs forced to flee as seagrass vanishes in Thai waters

    The warming waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are wreaking havoc on marine life, leaving dugongs desperate for food. Described as “steamed” grass, the disappearance of seagrass which serves as the primary diet of these gentle mammals, is pushing them out of their natural habitats. According to Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of the Faculty of…

  • Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri

    A man’s ear was nearly cut off during a violent altercation that took place yesterday evening in Chon Buri province, resulting in an emergency response from local rescuers. The incident, which occurred during the Songkran festivities, reportedly began over a disagreement about the man’s singing abilities. At approximately 7pm, yesterday April 16, the emergency services of Thammarat Manee Rat Rescue…

  • Two pickup trucks collide in fatal crash in Buriram | Thaiger

    Two pickup trucks collide in fatal crash in Buriram

    Tragedy struck on the festive return home during Songkran as two pickup trucks collided head-on, resulting in both vehicles being crumpled and three people killed instantly. The accident occurred at 11pm yesterday in Buriram province where a six year old girl was among four others injured. Responding swiftly to the crash site in the Donmont Subdistrict, Buriram province, police and…

  • Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities | Thaiger

    Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities

    Tragedy struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident occurred yesterday at approximately 3.50pm, when Anuchit, visiting his girlfriend’s family, decided to cool off from the heat by swimming across the Huay Yang reservoir in Pak…

  • Bangsaen Beach restaurant platform collapses, injures three | Thaiger

    Bangsaen Beach restaurant platform collapses, injures three

    In the coastal town of Bangsaen, Chon Buri, a sea-viewing concrete platform under construction at a restaurant suffered a structural failure, injuring three workers on Tuesday. The platform, located on Soi 18 in the Saen Suk Municipality, Saen Suk subdistrict, Mueang district, was intended to extend over the serene waters of the Bangsaen Sea, providing a panoramic view for the…

  • Homeless man’s reign of terror sparks concern in Sattahip | Thaiger

    Homeless man’s reign of terror sparks concern in Sattahip

    In a corner near the junction of Highway 332 and J-Intersection-Kasemphop Road, Bang Saray, Sattahip, a temporary abode has been claimed by a violent 55 year old homeless man. Responding to distress calls, law enforcement officers swooped in to confront the unidentified vagabond, after reports flooded in of his erratic and alarming behaviour. Witnesses recounted harrowing tales of the man…

  • Koh Chang durian prices soar to 250 baht amid production drop | Thaiger

    Koh Chang durian prices soar to 250 baht amid production drop

    A surge in demand for the famed Chanee Koh Chang durian from Trat Province has seen prices starting at 250 baht per kilogramme. With a reported production drop of 30% due to unpredictable weather, local farmers are busy selling the highly sought-after fruit both in-store and online. Phuttiphong Phothipanich, an agricultural officer from Koh Chang, Trat Province, inspected the first…

  • Northeast Thailand tackles drug trafficking | Thaiger

    Northeast Thailand tackles drug trafficking

    War against drug trafficking is underway in Northeast Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4 unveiled the details of this ambitious operation named “No Place for Drugs” during a press conference held on Thursday. The operation’s primary goal is to dismantle the local drug trade, focusing on 87 known hotspots under the jurisdiction of…

  • Former Rayong MFP MP faces legal action from EC | Thaiger

    Former Rayong MFP MP faces legal action from EC

    Legal action is imminent for the former Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Rayong, Nakhon­chai Khunnarong. The Election Commission (EC) has moved against him, citing his ineligibility to contest for a House seat. Further, they have demanded that he foots the bill for a consequent by-election. The EC, in their announcement, pronounced that their inquiry into the dispute over Nakhon­chai’s…

  • Udon Thani luxury home ransacked by thieves | Thaiger

    Udon Thani luxury home ransacked by thieves

    A Udon Thani homeowner was left in shock yesterday when he returned to find his luxury home ransacked by a brazen thief. Among the stolen objects are parts from a cherished Rolls-Royce inherited from the homeowner’s grandparents. The incident, which took place in the Soi Jintakam area, is currently under police investigation. Udon Thani police were alerted to a burglary…

  • Rayong police investigate Facebook gold scam | Thaiger

    Rayong police investigate Facebook gold scam

    Victims of a fraudulent gold instalment scheme reported their case to the police, claiming to have been deceived by a scammer posing as a renowned gold shop in Rayong. Police Lieutenant Anuphong Phuangpee from the Klaeng District Police Station in Rayong Province received complaints from three victims, including 46 year old Suladda, Pornpawee, and Sasithorn. They were duped into making…

  • Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province | Thaiger

    Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province

    A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. The horrific incident occurred on the evening of March 31, in the village of Ban Yang. Captured by CCTV, five youths on two motorcycles pursued the group to a dead-end…

  • Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images | Thaiger

    Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images

    Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The student, Suphanat, has been previously apprehended for similar offences and was found with over 1,000 doctored images. The arrest on April 5, 2024, by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led by Police Major…