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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Phang Nga to host mobile lottery draw on March 1
The upcoming lottery draw on March 1 will be a mobile draw held in Phang Nga province. The Government Lottery Office plans to conduct the draw at the Le Erawan Hotel’s Mai Fah Room in Mueang district, Phang Nga. Khaosod Online has compiled a decade’s worth of statistics from March 1 draws. This includes notable repeating numbers and popular numbers…
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Police raid in Bangkok uncovers 100 million baht in fake drugs
Police officers, including Police Major General Noppasilp Poonsawat, yesterday conducted a raid on three houses in Bangkok. The properties had been rented by Chinese nationals to store unregistered drugs and counterfeit medicines, valued over 100 million baht (US$2.97 million). Officials warned of significant dangers if these products entered the market. The raid took place yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, at…
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Thai farmers demand rise in rice price to 10,000 baht per tonne
Farmers congregated at Government House in Bangkok, yesterday, February 19, urging the government to increase rice prices from the current 6,000 baht to 10,000 baht per tonne. Farmers from various provinces, including Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Suphan Buri, sought meetings with the prime minister, the agriculture minister, or the commerce minister to discuss solutions to declining rice prices. Deputy Commerce Minister…
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Police track down gunman who fatally shot pet dog in Koh Samui
Police are searching for a gunman who fatally shot a four year old dog in a community in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, on Monday, February 17. A 35 year old Thai woman, Wiramaya, is seeking justice for her mixed Thai Bangkaew-Labrador dog, Lucky, who was shot dead on Monday. The lifeless dog was…
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Scam horror: Ethiopian men reveal abuse in Myanmar compounds
In Thailand’s Fort Wachiraprakan military camp, four Ethiopian men revealed bruises and scars they acquired during their detention in Myanmar’s infamous scam compounds. Yotor, a 19 year old, spoke about daily electric shocks. These men are among 260 individuals, primarily human trafficking victims, transferred from Myanmar to Thailand as part of an ongoing international effort to dismantle scam centres along…
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Thai man kills ex-wife in Udon Thani after separation dispute
A Thai man attacked and killed his ex-wife at their home in the Mueang district, Udon Thani province, yesterday, February 19, following a dispute over their separation and his struggles with drug addiction and gambling. The incident, which occurred around 12.30pm, was reported to the local police by concerned relatives who had previously been threatened by the assailant. Police Colonel…
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Bangkok’s Pink Line monorail to offer free test rides in June
The Pink Line monorail branch to Muang Thong Thani will offer free rides during its test run in June before starting full services in July. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the 3-kilometre extension from Si Rat Station to Mueang Thong Thani will begin test operations in late June. During this period, rides will be free, leading up to the official…
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Phayao abbot leaves monkhood after photos with partner emerge
A well-known abbot and subdistrict head monk in Mueang district, Phayao province, has left the monkhood following the circulation of photos showing him dining with his male partner. The incident, which took place in Phetchabun province, led to significant public attention. Yesterday morning, February 19, the abbot completed the formal process of leaving the monkhood and departed from the temple,…
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Pattaya police allegedly ignore theft case of Japanese tourist
A Japanese tourist accused Pattaya Police Station officers of inaction after losing cash and belongings on his first day in Pattaya. The officers reportedly asked him to investigate the theft case himself. The victim, 78 year old Yoshiki Matsuura, reached out to Thai news agencies to expose the inaction of the Thai police to the public. He expressed his disappointment and urged…
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Blow and behold: British man’s nose for trouble at Phuket Airport
Drama unfolded at Phuket International Airport as a British man swapped sun, sea, and sand for cuffs at customs for cocaine possession. The 42 year old British man found himself in hot water after allegedly kicking off and creating a scene at Phuket Airport. Following his tumultuous antics, airport officers uncovered 4.11 grammes of cocaine on him, sealed in a…
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Gunmen ambush police in Pattani, killing two officers
Gunfire erupted late last night when a group of assailants ambushed police officers in Yarang district, resulting in the immediate deaths of two officers at the scene. The incident occurred yesterday, February 19, at approximately 11.25pm, prompting an urgent investigation to track down the perpetrators. Residents alerted the police upon hearing gunshots in the middle of the night. The unidentified…
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Thaksin Shinawatra to visit Narathiwat for security talks
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, is set to visit Narathiwat on Sunday, February 23 as an informal adviser to the ASEAN chair, where he will discuss security matters with officials in Thailand’s Deep South. The visit, confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday, marks Thaksin’s first return to the region since his tenure…
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Pattaya fights a shore thing: War declared on stinky seaweed
In a bid to rescue their once-pristine shorelines, Pattaya City officials have declared war on the stinking seaweed invasion that’s left Krating Rai Beach in turmoil. Under Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, a massive clean-up operation was launched yesterday, February 19, as officers from the Cleaning Control Division, Pollution Control Division, and Natural Resources and Environment Department rolled up their sleeves…
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Bangkok plans new central bus terminal for better city connectivity
The Transport Ministry is considering relocating Bangkok’s inter-provincial bus terminals to the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal to enhance connectivity with the city’s mass transit system. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit discussed this proposal with the Policy Monitoring Committee, instructing the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) to explore the feasibility of consolidating all state-operated bus terminals within this new…
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Bangkok braces for a thunderstorm as heavy rains roll in
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast thunderstorms in 39 provinces tomorrow, with Bangkok expected to experience the heaviest rainfall. Strong gusts of wind and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand are anticipated, prompting cautious navigation advice for sailors. Yesterday, February 19, the TMD issued a 24-hour weather forecast. Thunderstorms are expected in parts of northern Thailand, the western…
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Thailand launches new luxury bus service to Pattaya and Hua Hin
Thailand is about to rescue those arriving in the Land of Smiles lost in a sea of taxis with a new first-class bus service that’s set to redefine airport transfers from Bangkok, to Pattaya and Hua Hin. Thailand’s state-run Transport Co., is ready to roll out a swanky first-class bus service starting on March 8, promising to make the dreary…
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Bangkok to adopt Beijing’s air pollution solutions in landmark deal
Bangkok is set to benefit from Beijing’s expertise in tackling air pollution, as the two capitals signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Air Quality Monitoring and Management Cooperation. The agreement, signed via video between the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department, marks a major step in the fight against toxic smog.…
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Thai bar girl accuses employer of raping her at staff accommodation
A Thai bar girl accused her employer of raping her in November last year and attempting to evade legal punishment by offering her 600 baht in compensation. Police reportedly ignored her case, allowing the alleged rapist to remain at large. The 26 year old bar girl, Ple, sought assistance from social media influencer Thamanat “King” Daengtim after her sexual assault case…
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Industry Ministry seizes 49 million baht substandard steel
Industry Ministry officials have seized substandard steel and electrical accessories worth 49.2 million baht in Bangkok and Chon Buri, ordering a factory suspension and launching further investigations into non-compliant products. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan announced that a special committee, led by Thitipat Chotedechachai, conducted inspections in collaboration with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and provincial industrial offices. The operation…
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Phuket urges waste separation as incinerator shuts down
Phuket’s waste crisis is escalating as the island’s only public incinerator shuts down for a month-long renovation, forcing local government operatives to dump hundreds of tonnes of excess waste into overflowing landfills. Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet visited the Phuket Solid Waste Disposal Centre at Saphan Hin on Monday, February 17 to discuss emergency waste management measures with municipal engineers and…
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Thai Union hosts PM in Songkhla to boost seafood industry
Executives from the Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, a global leader in the seafood industry, hosted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her Cabinet yesterday, February 18. The visit took place at the Thai Union Seafood Company’s frozen seafood processing plant in Songkhla province. The aim was to understand challenges and explore strategies to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s fisheries…
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Customs seizes over 46 million baht in counterfeit goods
The Department of Customs, led by Theerach Atthanavanich, has successfully seized 602,600 items in violation of customs, intellectual property, and related laws. The confiscated goods, which include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, counterfeit branded products, and other illicit items, are valued at over 46 million baht. The legal processes have concluded, and these items are now the property of the state. The Ministry…
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Fire destroys Phatthalung home, residents escape unscathed
A fire engulfed the home of an 83 year old former forestry official late at night in the Phatthalung area. The blaze destroyed the wooden house, though fortunately, all five residents escaped unharmed. The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Police Captain Sorawit Rakjui, duty officer at Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, received a report…
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Sisaket woman takes child hostage after mental health meltdown
A 28 year old woman with a history of psychiatric issues held her three year old daughter hostage and attacked her mother in Sisaket’s Mueang district. Emergency services responded promptly, securing the woman and taking her to a hospital for treatment. Upon arriving at the residence in Ban Chan, Sam subdistrict, police from Mueang Sisaket Provincial Police Station, along with…
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Mother and daughter arrested in Buriram for online prostitution
Police in Buriram province arrested a mother and her 17 year old daughter for allegedly engaging in online prostitution. The police set up a sting operation to apprehend the pair, despite the daughter claiming her actions were consensual. Yesterday, February 18, the investigative team from Buriram Provincial Police was alerted to online posts advertising sexual services via an application. Reports…
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Heavy rain leads to over 50 accidents in one hour in Loei
Loei province was thrown into chaos as the season’s first heavy rainfall triggered a catastrophic wave of accidents, leaving over 50 vehicles wrecked in just one hour. The sudden downpour turned the roads into slippery hazards, catching drivers off guard and resulting in a series of crashes across multiple districts. Yesterday, February 17, intense rainfall lashed several areas, including Phu…
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Thai transwoman nabbed after Indian gold heist goes off-chain
Police arrested a Thai transwoman and her friend for physically assaulting an Indian man and stealing his gold necklace, valued at 120,000 baht, at a hotel in the southern province of Songkhla. The incident occurred after the victim refused her sexual services, claiming she looked different from her online profile. The 41 year old Indian victim filed a complaint at…
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Time’s up: Stallholders at Chatuchak weekend market told to leave
A double dose of drama and upheaval is brewing at Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market, as City Hall rings the alarm for 529 stallholders near the iconic clock tower. They’ve been ordered to vacate by April 30 to make way for a swanky redevelopment plan, sending a shockwave through one of the city’s most cherished shopping havens. In a press conference…
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Border patrol seizes 700kg of crystal meth after smugglers flee
Border patrol officers seized over 700 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine following a clash with a smuggling gang, who abandoned their vehicle and fled. The increased drug flow has prompted heightened police vigilance as the price of crystal meth dropped significantly to 10,000 baht per kilogramme. At 4.30pm, yesterday, February 18, Police Colonel Worapat Boonma, commander of the Border Patrol Police…
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PM urges fast-track completion of Songkhla-Malaysia border road
Thailand’s long-delayed new border crossing in Songkhla is finally set to open, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordering urgent action to complete the missing road link to Malaysia. During a mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla yesterday, February 18, PM Paetongtarn inspected several development projects and was shocked to learn that the 2nd Sadao Border Checkpoint, built in 2019, remains closed…
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