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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thailand waives park fees for Family Day celebration
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will waive entrance fees to all national parks, botanical gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation sites in Thailand today in celebration of Family Day, observed annually on April 14. According to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the director-general of the department, this initiative is part of an effort to promote visits to the country’s lesser-known…
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TMD warns of summer storms in 33 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings concerning summer storms affecting the northern and central regions, impacting 33 provinces with thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and potential lightning. The advisory is valid today, April 14. A moderate high-pressure system or cold air mass from China is influencing the northeastern region of Thailand and the South China Sea. This results in…
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Songkran drink-driving cases top 1,300 in two days
The Department of Probation has released statistics revealing that drink-driving cases remain high during the Songkran festival, accumulating over 1,300 cases in two days. Today, April 13, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suriya Singhakamol, Director-General of the Department of Probation, reported on cases entering probation yesterday, marking the second day of stringent measures. A total of 1,037 cases were recorded, with six…
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Myanmar earthquake tremors reach northern Thailand cities
An earthquake measuring 5.9 magnitude in Myanmar was felt in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai. This tremor, occurring at 9.24am today, April 13, was attributed to the movement of the Sagaing Fault. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake struck on land at a depth of 10 kilometres, approximately 271 kilometres…
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Man found dead after fall in Phuket’s Wichit district
A 44 year old man was found dead after falling from an abandoned building in the Wichit district, Phuket. Before the incident, he had a dispute with his wife and left on a motorcycle. The police are investigating the cause of death. At 8.50pm yesterday, April 12, Police Lieutenant Colonel Fonthip Kaewsaen, Deputy Inspector of Wichit Police Station, was informed…
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Bangkok raid seizes illicit goods worth over 845 million baht
A joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and the Department of Excise led to the arrest of a 37 year old Chinese national and the seizure of 668,407 packs of illicit cigarettes and 23,721 bottles of illegal liquor. The operation took place across seven locations, with a significant raid conducted at a residence in the Ekkamai-Ram Inthra area of Bangkok on…
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Man in Chon Buri arrested for killing puppy in shocking incident
Today, April 13, in Chon Buri’s Mueang district, a distressing incident occurred involving a man who reportedly placed a puppy into a fertiliser sack and smashed it to the ground, resulting in the animal’s death. A concerned citizen captured the act on video, showing the man entering an alley with a group of barking dogs before committing the act. Nirat…
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Tourists protest inflated water prices at Hat Yai Songkran festival
Tourists at the Hat Yai Midnight Songkran festival in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, today raised concerns over the inflated prices of water sold for the event, with costs reaching 1,000 baht for 200 litres. Many Malaysian tourists participated in the festival, attracting vendors who charged significantly higher prices for water, claiming it included ice. The Songkhla governor, Chotinrin Kerdsom,…
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Bangkok man charged with murder after shooting pregnant wife
At noon yesterday, April 12, a tragic incident occurred in the Thung Khru district of Bangkok, when a 35 year old pregnant woman was shot dead in her home by her husband. The suspect confessed to the police that a heated argument led to the fatal shooting, with charges of intentional murder and firearm violations filed against him. The incident…
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Retired officer found dead after shooting motorcycle taxi leader
A retired police officer was discovered dead beneath a Bodhi tree at a temple in Saraburi after allegedly shooting a motorcycle taxi leader in front of a passenger. Yesterday, April 12, Police Lieutenant Nikathat Haken, a duty officer from Nong Khae Police Station, was alerted by locals to a death at Wat Rat Samakkhi in Khok Yae subdistrict, Nong Khae…
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Vietnamese woman arrested in Bangkok for Songkran thefts
A 42 year old Vietnamese woman was apprehended in Bangkok for allegedly cutting open bags of people praying during Songkran festivities. The arrest, made today, April 13, at 2.30am, followed surveillance footage capturing the act. The operation involved multiple high-ranking police officers, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom. Nguyen, charged with theft and disguising herself to avoid detection, was arrested in…
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Thailand to curb illegal rentals with new booking regulations
State agencies are being encouraged to collaborate with online accommodation booking platforms to create a system ensuring that only legally registered hotels and accommodation providers can accept online reservations. This initiative is driven by the House Committee on Consumer Protection, following discussions with state agencies and online travel companies regarding the illegal rental of condominium units in violation of the…
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Chinese YouTuber mugged in Pattaya by fellow nationals
A Chinese YouTuber was discovered with severe injuries in Pattaya in the early hours of yesterday, April 12, after reportedly being tricked into a mugging by two fellow Chinese nationals. Police in Chon Buri’s resort town were notified by a resident at 5.10am about a man who had been assaulted and left on the roadside in Soi Thep Prasit 6/1,…
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Summer storm warning for 44 Thai provinces including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast indicating persistent severe conditions, with a summer storm affecting 44 provinces, including Bangkok. Thunderstorms are expected across the north, central, east, and Bangkok, covering 60% of these areas on April 13. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts a summer storm in upper Thailand, characterised by thunderstorms, strong…
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Thailand’s flower power: a splash of life and tradition
Thailand’s a place that grabs you—steamy air, spicy street food, and then there’s the flowers. Walk through any market, and you’ll see orchids spilling over tables, lotus buds bobbing in water, jasmine tucked into garlands. They’re not just there to look nice; they’re part of what makes Thailand tick. I’ve watched vendors weave them into offerings and kids hawk them…
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Maha Songkran World Water Festival splashes on Bangkok
The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 kicked off with a vibrant atmosphere at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, drawing large crowds to enjoy the festivities. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event will run until Tuesday, April 15, 3pm to 11.30pm daily. The festival features various highlight zones, including the Giant Maha Songkran zone, where visitors can capture…
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Bangkok building collapse death toll rises to 32
The ongoing rescue operation at the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok revealed five additional fatalities, raising the death toll to 32. Suriyachai Raviwan, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reported that emergency services have been working tirelessly to locate the missing. Information indicated that the area with flashing light signals was under a beam tilted…
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Pattaya herbal shop scams tourists, 3 arrested
Pattaya police have detained three suspects after a shocking herbal store scam was uncovered on Thursday, April 10. The store, allegedly scamming tourists with overpriced “miracle herbs,” had been coercing customers into buying products under threat of violence. The incident, which took place at 4.20pm on April 10, follows a series of similar cases involving fraudulent herbal shops in the…
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Thailand to negotiate US trade policies, avoid pork imports
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Pichet Choonhavan, outlined five strategies to address the issue of the so-called Trump tariffs, emphasising that Thailand will not import pork due to concerns about the impact on domestic producers. Following a meeting on Thailand’s approach to US trade policies, Pichet revealed that while no specific date has been set for negotiations with the…
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Truck crash causes major disruption on Phuket road
Motorists are being warned to steer clear of Patak Road over Kata Hill, following a dramatic accident involving a 10-wheel truck. The truck skidded on the wet, rain-slicked road and crashed into three power poles, bringing down live cables and causing major disruptions. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12.15pm yesterday, April 11, has led to a temporary road closure…
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Tourist police raid Pattaya salon, arrest foreigners without permits
A beauty salon in central Pattaya was the scene of a shocking bust yesterday, April 11, when Tourist Police apprehended a group of foreigners working illegally without the proper permits. The raid, conducted by an investigation team from the Tourist Police Bureau, revealed several individuals, believed to be Chinese nationals, providing beauty services to customers without the necessary work authorisations.…
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Songkran safety warning: Drowning risks surge during festival
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has issued a warning for increased caution during the Songkran holidays due to the annual surge in drowning incidents associated with the water festival. Statistics reveal a significant increase in drowning fatalities in April, particularly during Songkran. Data from the ministry’s permanent secretary’s office indicates that an average of 327 drownings occur each April, with…
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Tourist boat fire injures two near Koh Kut, southeast Thailand
A tourist boat carrying a family of four caught fire near Koh Kut in Trat province, injuring at least two people yesterday, April 11. Provincial officials were notified to assist at approximately 11.40am, as the Aor Subpiti was engulfed in flames, with initial reports mentioning one injured person on board. The boat held a family of four tourists and a…
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Thaksin hospitalisation ethics probe to conclude by May
An ethics investigation into the doctors involved in the hospitalisation of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital is progressing on schedule, according to the Medical Council of Thailand. Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa, Vice President of the Medical Council, addressed the media yesterday, April 11, clarifying that there has been no delay in the proceedings. He noted that a subcommittee is…
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Lost in the woods: Italian tourists rescued on Koh Pha Ngan
Police on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province successfully located two Italian tourists lost in the forest for over three hours yesterday, April 11. The incident was reported by Police Lieutenant Vinij Bunchit after coordination with the Italian embassy, leading to the activation of local search and rescue teams. The two tourists, Maria Florencia Abaca and Linda Rattero, found…
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British woman ditches the UK for Koh Samui with dogs (video)
A British woman has ditched the UK for a beachside lifestyle on Thailand’s Koh Samui, volunteering at a dog sanctuary. The young woman, known only as Iona, who often shares travel hacks online, shared her holiday escape on TikTok that’s racked up over 100,000 views. Using the volunteer platform Worldpackers, she is now cuddling dogs on the very island where The White…
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Thailand issues summer storm alert amid severe weather
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its sixth warning about an impending summer storm affecting 45 provinces today, April 12, with severe weather expected in the North and Northeast regions. The public should be cautious of strong winds, hail, and potential lightning strikes from April 12 to 14. The summer storm warning highlights that the upper areas of Thailand…
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Thai tourists flock to China for Songkran deals, beating Japan
The Thai Travel Agents Association (ATTA) revealed that China has surged to the top of the list for Thai travellers heading abroad during this year’s Songkran holiday, from April 12 to 16. According to TTAA advisor Thanapol Chewarattanaporn, the shift is being driven by airlines slashing airfares to China amid a slump in incoming Chinese tourists. “China has become the…
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Chinese steel factory raided over Bangkok building collapse
The factory at the centre of Thailand’s latest construction scandal was raided today as investigators ramped up scrutiny into the supplier linked to the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The Department of Industrial Works’ “Sud Soi” team, under the Industry Ministry, stormed the Xin Ke Yuan (SKY) Steel Ltd facility in Rayong’s…
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Chiang Mai rattled by quake as Myanmar tremors hit
A mild earthquake measuring 1.4 on the Richter scale struck Chiang Mai’s Phrao district at 4.33am today, April 11, according to the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division. The tremor’s epicentre was pinpointed in San Sai subdistrict, located at coordinates 19.529°N and 99.222°E, with a shallow depth of just 1 kilometre. While the quake was minor and caused no immediate…
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