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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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British family’s £4,000 Phuket villa holiday turns nightmare
A family’s dream Christmas holiday in Phuket turned into a nightmare after discovering their £4,000 (around 176,000 baht) villa booking was a scam, leaving them stranded and scrambling for last-minute accommodation. After a gruelling 30-hour journey, Judy and Richard Loader arrived in Phuket only to discover the villa they booked through Booking.com for over £4,000 simply didn’t exist — turning…
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Phayao’s Thao Wessuwan statue draws lottery hopefuls
As the lottery draw approached, hundreds flocked to Wat Analayo Thipyaram in Phayao province yesterday, eager to seek blessings and uncover lucky numbers from the revered Thao Wessuwan — a mysterious black statue believed to grant fortune to devoted worshippers. Situated prominently at the temple entrance in San Pa Muang subdistrict, the statue has become a magnet for lottery enthusiasts…
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Thai man jumps on moving pickup to stop alleged car scammer
A Thai man jumped onto a moving pickup in an attempt to stop a suspect who tricked him and his wife into purchasing a second-hand vehicle. The Thai couple, Nop and Ple, were acting as agents searching for a vehicle on behalf of a client. They came across a second-hand pickup, a green Toyota Hilux Revo Rocco, via a Facebook…
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Sattahip woman dragged on road in brazen bag snatch (video)
Chon Buri’s streets are once again under siege as a brazen bag-snatcher strikes in broad daylight, dragging a young woman nearly 40 metres along a busy Sattahip pavement in a terrifying attack that has shaken the local community. The harrowing incident happened at about 5pm yesterday, May 27, in Soi Bon Kai, close to the Ma lor Kan barbershop. CCTV…
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Pattaya condo bust: Chinese man arrested for Facebook scam
A Chinese man was arrested in Pattaya after allegedly running a fake online market scheme that conned victims out of tens of thousands of baht, with assets worth around 9 million baht seized by police. The suspect, identified only as 30 year old Li, was apprehended at a condominium in Na Kluea subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, following…
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High and dry: British bloke nicked in Euro cannabis run flop
A British man has been caught red-handed trying to smuggle a suitcase crammed with cannabis from Bangkok to Newcastle, the latest bust in a growing string of drug mule disasters linked to Thailand. The 31 year old was stopped at Vienna International Airport, yesterday, May 27, during a transit stop en route from Bangkok to Newcastle via Frankfurt, and was…
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Pattaya condo tragedy: Swiss man devastated by partner’s suicide
A quiet condo in Pattaya was rocked by tragedy in the early hours of today when a 53 year old woman was found dead in an apparent suicide. Police received the distressing report at approximately 2.46am from a residence in Nong Prue, Pattaya, Chon Buri province. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Chaineret Phengkaen, deputy investigator at the Dongtan sub-branch of Pattaya City…
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Old Thai father becomes homeless after being kicked out by son
Locals in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok sought help for a 77 year old Thai man, who was reportedly kicked out of his family home by his son and forced to take refuge in a roadside wooden shelter. Residents of Soi Thesaban Bang Pu 39 in the Tai Banmai sub-district noticed the elderly man, later identified as 77 year old…
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ATM hacker’s ‘jackpot’ sting fizzles as Bulgarian suspect nabbed
A slick Bulgarian cyber crook who posed as an ATM repairman to unleash a “jackpot” virus on machines across Thailand has been nicked after cops raided his posh hideout in Nonthaburi. Cyber cops busted a criminal ring allegedly led by a 50 year old Bulgarian man who used high-tech trickery to sabotage ATM machines and siphon sensitive data, crippling 13…
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Bangkok ride-hail row erupts over forced toll fee (video)
A viral TikTok video has ignited fierce debate over passenger rights after a Bangkok woman claimed her ride-hail driver ignored her route instructions and demanded she pay a toll she hadn’t agreed to. The incident came to light when TikTok user @aomsintupleng shared footage of the heated exchange during a ride. She said she had told the driver to avoid…
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Mud and done it! Phuket villa project sinks after landslide scandal
A swanky Phuket villa project has been slapped with a construction ban after furious locals complained it was turning their neighbourhood into a mudbath. The VIP Galaxy Villa development in Rawai was ordered to down tools earlier this month after a series of alleged planning breaches, including triggering mudslides onto public land. The two-storey luxury pad project, built from reinforced…
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Human skull discovery near Chachoengsao sparks police probe (video)
A human skull wrapped in a pink towel was discovered alongside two black bags near Mueang subdistrict, Ban Pho district, Chachoengsao province. The skull, which showed signs of trauma likely from a blunt object, had long red hair attached to it. This led police to suspect the deceased was a woman. No other human remains were found in the vicinity.…
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Trans and out: British transwoman fleeing UK ‘hate’ for Thailand
A British transwoman says she’s preparing to flee the country after a bombshell Supreme Court ruling left her fearing for her life on the streets of the United Kingdom. Alexis Solia, a content creator and activist, says she’s endured years of abuse simply for existing, but last month’s landmark ruling that “sex” in the Equality Act means biological sex was,…
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New regulation updates fees for Thai historical sites and museums
Visitors to Thailand’s national museums and registered historical sites should prepare to pay updated entry fees following a new ministerial regulation announced today. Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, the regulation immediately revises the charges for entry to these cultural landmarks, aiming to modernise fees that had remained unchanged since 2008. The culture minister enacted the regulation under the…
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Borderline madness as Thai and Cambodian troops trade fire
Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged gunfire in the early hours of yesterday morning in a tense border flare-up that’s reignited fears of conflict in a disputed stretch of jungle in Ubon Ratchathani province. Shots rang out just before sunrise near Chong Bok, in Nam Yuen district, when Thai troops approached Cambodian soldiers who had crossed into contested territory, sparking a…
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2 meth dealers arrested in police bust in Phuket
Phuket’s drug suppression unit struck a significant blow against the local narcotics trade on Monday, arresting two suspects and seizing methamphetamine and related paraphernalia in a crackdown led by top provincial police officials. Under the command of Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, Phuket Provincial Police deployed a focused operation headed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Thongto, head of the Narcotics…
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British holidaymaker dies after snorting killer cocktail in Bangkok
A fun-loving British holidaymaker died in a Bangkok hotel room after snorting what she thought was cocaine, only for it to be a deadly cocktail of heroin, tranquillisers and sleeping pills, an inquest has heard. Rebecca Turner, had been travelling in Thailand with her partner when the pair took a line of white powder, unaware it was a lethal blend…
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Si Racha arson attempt foiled after drug-fuelled attack
A drug-fuelled rampage nearly ended in disaster in Bo Win, Si Racha district, yesterday when a man smashed household items and tried to set fire to a relative’s home — but quick action from local officials stopped the chaos in its tracks. At around 1pm, yesterday, May 27, police apprehended 30 year old Saharat Nuangjamnong after reports surfaced of a…
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Thai Defence Ministry appoints first ever female spokesperson
The Thai Defence Ministry has appointed its first female spokesperson, marking a major milestone in the traditionally male-dominated military sector. The historic appointment signals a fresh, progressive direction for the ministry’s communications and public engagement efforts. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai approved the appointment yesterday, May 27, making Colonel Dr Dangjai Souvannakitti the first woman to hold…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok cracks down on rogue taxi drivers, Vietnamese sex workers outnumber Thais in Bangkok’s red-light zone
In today’s Thailand news update, Alex and Jay bring viewers the top stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Bangkok police crack down on rogue taxi drivers, while authorities prepare to enforce a nationwide helmet law from 1 June. In international headlines, a British couple is caught smuggling cannabis through Spain, and a Thai transgender YouTuber reports discrimination in China.…
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Malaysian man robs Chinese influencer to fund Chiang Mai holiday
A 34 year old Malaysian man robbed a Chinese influencer and university student of 135,000 baht in the northern province of Chiang Mai, claiming he needed the money to fund his holiday. Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station officers held a press conference yesterday, May 27, to reveal details of the case. The suspect, identified as Eng Chee Hon, allegedly committed…
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PM Paetongtarn champions green economy at Malaysia summit
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made waves yesterday at the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Malaysia, unveiling a three-pronged strategy aimed at boosting economic prosperity, protecting human resources, and preserving the environment. Speaking at the high-profile gathering, the 38 year old Thai premier urged deeper collaboration between ASEAN and Gulf countries to tackle pressing challenges while seizing new…
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Bitcoin hit! Crypto king eyes US$130k in grown-up glow-up
Bitcoin is not just for the tech bros and crypto cowboys anymore, it’s all grown up, flashing serious financial muscle as analysts tip it to smash through the US$130,000 barrier by year’s end. Following a high of US$111,000 last Thursday, financial analysts now peg bitcoin’s next major resistance at US$130,000, as the world’s top digital currency shakes off its wild-child…
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Pattaya cannabis shop vandalised by American tourist
A late-night visit to a Pattaya cannabis shop turned ugly when an American tourist allegedly smashed a glass window, sparking a furious brawl and a police investigation. At 11.36pm yesterday, May 27, Police Lieutenant Wuttinan Kongdee from Pattaya City Police Station received reports of a fight and property damage at the SWEET69 cannabis shop in Soi Honey. Police patrol officers…
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Takin’ the mic! Thaksin pops up to preach on drugs
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has emerged from the shadows once again, this time turning up at the country’s top anti-narcotics office to lecture on drugs, all while dodging fresh rumours he’s planning another great escape. The former Thai premier rocked up at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in Bangkok yesterday, May 27, brushing aside speculation…
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Rainy wreck: Wild crash smashes noodle shop in Chon Buri
What started as a rainy afternoon bowl of noodles turned into a high-speed horror show when a sedan slammed into a roadside shop in Chon Buri, sending bowls, broth, and chairs flying in every direction. The chaos unfolded at around 3pm yesterday, May 27, on Highway 331 in Khao Mai Kaew, heading towards Bowin. Officers from Huay Yai Police Station…
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Pom-pom pow! Big Pom swings at reporter in ‘strength test’ stunt
Controversial Thai MP “Big Pom” stirred up fresh outrage after pretending to punch a female reporter during a bizarre exchange at party HQ, all while dodging serious questions on political rifts and budget bust-ups. General Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), was back in front of the press yesterday, May 27, for the first time since taking…
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Fisherman rescued from Chon Buri rock after ignoring warnings
A dramatic rescue unfolded off the coast of Bang Saen in Chon Buri after a fisherman found himself trapped on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by rising tides and pounding waves, all because he refused to abandon his fishing gear. The man, believed to be around 50 years old, was spotted stranded about 150 metres from the shore around 6.30pm on…
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Top 5 kid-friendly experiences on Koh Samui
Experiencing Koh Samui with kids may just offer an adventure of a lifetime. The award-winning island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, features many educational activities set against the backdrop of a tropical paradise, Ann Carter writes. The island’s kid-friendly establishments focus on educational opportunities that blend a sense of community, nature-themed activities, and creative outlets. Koh Samui is where…
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Phuket transwoman arrested for pickpocketing Turkish tourist
Police arrested a Thai transwoman for pickpocketing a Turkish tourist in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket in the early hours of this morning. Stolen cash amounting to 4,000 baht was recovered. The 38 year old Turkish tourist filed a complaint with officers at Patong Police Station at 4am today, May 27. He suspected a transwoman of stealing 4,000 baht in cash…
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