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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Illicit cigarettes seized in Buriram; 42 million baht loss reported
Police in Buriram have apprehended wholesalers and small retail shops involved in selling illicit cigarettes with counterfeit excise stamps, imported illegally from China, causing a 42 million baht (US$1.2 million) loss to the state. On January 22, officials from the Excise Department’s regional and local branches, alongside the Central Investigation Bureau, conducted operations in Pakham district and Mueang Buriram district…
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3 orangutans destined for Bangkok seized in smuggling bust
Three orangutans were seized in Chumphon’s Mueang district yesterday, January 22 while en route to Bangkok. These animals were discovered in a pickup truck driven by 63 year old Winai (surname withheld), with 45 year old Kalaya in the front passenger seat. The orangutans, classified as endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), were contained…
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Myanmar migrants smuggling ring busted in Ayutthaya
On January 21 at 5pm, Ayutthaya immigration police, in collaboration with highway police, apprehended a 39 year old Myanmar national, Zaw Zaw Lin, and a 32 year old Myanmar national, Nae Sein Ma, for illegally transporting 10 Myanmar nationals in a vehicle. The arrest took place along kilometres 46-47 on Highway 32, Asia Road, Thato subdistrict, Maharaj district, Ayutthaya province.…
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Thailand and Yokohama strengthen Bangkok Port collaboration
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and the City of Yokohama in Japan have formalised a letter of intent to enhance their port operations and infrastructure on the 10th anniversary of their partnership. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit highlighted that this agreement will bolster cooperation in port development and infrastructure, with a focus on Bangkok Port. The collaboration aims to…
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Thailand’s first LGBTQ+ couple registers marriage on historic day
History was made in Bangkok as Thailand celebrated its first official day of equal marriage. Organised by Narumit Pride, alongside numerous government and civil society organisations, the event marked the start of marriage registration for LGBTQ+ couples nationwide, turning a long-awaited dream into reality. At 6.15am, the first couple, 33 year old Ploynapas Jirasukon and 32 year old Kwanporn Kongphet…
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Thai man wins nearly 100 million baht in Korean lottery
A man from Udon Thani, Thailand, has won nearly 100 million baht from a South Korean lottery, sharing the prize with a friend. His mother attributes the win to the positive karma from his good deeds towards his parents. After tax deductions and splitting the prize, each will receive around 30 million baht. The case came to light when reporters…
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Pathum Thani wife stabs husband in self-defence during dispute
In Pathum Thani, a domestic dispute between a suspicious husband and his wife ended in tragedy when the wife defended herself by stabbing him, resulting in his death. The incident occurred today, January 23, at 1am in a fourth-floor apartment room within a five-storey building in Mueang district, Pathum Thani province. Police Lieutenant Suwat Phoree from the Pak Khlong Rangsit…
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Election official faces legal action over Bhumjaithai Party decision
Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawang Boonmee may face legal action for his decision not to recommend the dissolution of the Bhumjaithai Party over allegations of unlawful donations. Lawyer Pattharapong Supaksorn has filed a petition with the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases against the senior EC official. Pattharapong accuses Sawang of dereliction of duty, based on his decision…
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€100,000 reward offered in Dutchman’s mysterious death in Phuket
The chilling mystery surrounding the death of Dutch national Stephan Buczynski in Phuket 12 years ago has taken a dramatic turn, as the Peter R. de Vries Foundation announced a €100,000 reward (around 3.5 million baht) for any information leading to justice. Buczynski, only 26 years old at the time, was found dead in the waters off Patong Beach on…
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Thailand braces for cold wave and increased monsoon rains
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning today, indicating cold to very cold weather, particularly in mountain areas, with frost expected in some places. A new cold wave with strong winds is anticipated, while the southern region is facing increased monsoon activity with more rain predicted from today, January 23. Over the next 24 hours, a high-pressure…
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New Thai law lets LGBTQ+ couples sue for adultery compensation
Thailand has made legal history by granting LGBTQ+ couples the right to sue adulterous spouses for compensation, marking a pivotal step towards equality under the law. The amendment, which came into effect today, ensure[s fair treatment for all couples, regardless of gender. The Civil and Commercial Code has been updated to allow LGBTQ+ spouses the same legal protections as heterosexual…
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Thai driver released on 600,000 baht bail after killing motorcyclist
The Bangkok South Criminal Court released a Thai sedan driver on bail set at 600,000 baht this afternoon after he intentionally hit and killed a motorcyclist on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. The 30 year old suspect, Seree Srettheenamwong, was captured on a security camera deliberately crashing his white Toyota Altis sedan into a black electric motorcycle ridden by 49 year…
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Chinese man left blind after brutal assault by fellow countrymen
A group of over 10 Chinese nationals brutally assaulted a fellow countryman outside the victim’s nightclub in Pattaya in September last year, leaving him blind and causing 2 million baht loss. The Chinese victim, Chen Jing, approached the Facebook news page Big Kren to seek justice. The incident occurred at approximately 2am on September 24 of last year outside the…
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Bangkok gears up for historic equal marriage celebrations
Love wins in Bangkok as the city prepares to celebrate equal marriage registrations for all couples starting tomorrow, January 23 when the Marriage Equality Bill comes into effect. From exclusive giveaways to romantic photo corners, each district is ready to make history while creating unforgettable memories for lovebirds. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has announced the city’s readiness to implement the…
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Love takes flight: Balloon festival lands in Chiang Rai
Get ready for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day and beyond as Chiang Rai’s skies light up with vibrant hot air balloons. The Singha Park Chiang Rai International Balloon Fiesta 2025 promises a breathtaking spectacle with 30 balloons from 13 countries taking flight next month. Pongrat Luangthamrongcharoen, Managing Director of Singha Park Chiang Rai Company Limited, has announced the return of the…
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Thai high school teacher accused of sexually assaulting 13 year old girl
A high school teacher allegedly sexually assaulted a 13 year old girl in the art classroom of a school in the northern province of Phitsanulok over several months. The parents of the 13 year old victim filed a complaint against the male teacher at Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station and later shared details of the case with DailyNews yesterday. They wanted…
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Russian tourist shot with rubber bullet in Phuket knife drama
Chaos erupted in Nai Yang, Phuket yesterday, January 21, as police resorted to using a rubber bullet to disarm a knife-wielding Russian woman in a bid to prevent self-harm. The shocking incident unfolded near Soi Nai Yang 16, sparking alarm among locals and tourists. The commotion began around 4pm when Sakhu Police received a call about a 55 year old…
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Thai pickup driver assaults university student over roundabout dispute
A Thai pickup driver physically assaulted a university student in the northern province of Chiang Rai because the student stopped his motorcycle to allow vehicles in the roundabout to pass first. The university student, Pattanasak Sanya, shared details of the incident on his Facebook page yesterday. He began his account by stating that he was in the right. “I stopped…
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Bangkok: Blind woman sexually harassed by cousin seeks help
A blind woman has sought help from Panadda Wongphudee, president of the Foundation for Good Deeds after enduring a month-long ordeal of alleged sexual harassment by her cousin. The police are set to issue a summons yesterday, January 21. The incident was shared on Panadda’s personal Instagram account, a well-known beauty queen, actress, singer, and presenter, who also serves as the…
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Thai expat wins 96 million baht lottery in South Korea
A Thai national residing in South Korea has won a substantial lottery prize, amounting to nearly 100 million baht. The announcement, shared on the Facebook page แม่ อสม.เกาหลี Chanel – เพจใหม่ revealed that the prize totals 4,066,375,179 Koren won (approximately 96 million baht). The winner returned to Thailand yesterday, January 21. Following the post, many people left congratulatory comments, and…
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Frenchman detained in Thailand for explicit video scandal
Thai immigration police yesterday detained a 26 year old Frenchman accused of posting explicit videos online without the knowledge of those involved. Following a tip-off, Police Colonel Jirapong Rujiradamrongchai, along with his team from Immigration Division 3, investigated a French national accused of sharing explicit content and boasting about his physique on social media. Believed to involve Thai women, these…
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Thai Airways: Ministry’s bid for more administrators rejected
The Central Bankruptcy Court has thrown out the Ministry of Finance’s bid to tighten its grip on Thai Airways’ rehabilitation, ruling that the current administrators are steering the airline’s recovery effectively. In a hearing yesterday, the court dismissed a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to appoint two additional administrators to oversee the struggling carrier’s rehabilitation. The bid aimed to…
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Thailand tops as dream destination for Southeast Asian travellers
Thailand has emerged as the top dream destination for Southeast Asian travellers, as revealed by Grab’s SEA Travel Insights 2024 report. Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, senior director of commercial and marketing at Grab Thailand, highlighted the importance of Southeast Asian tourists to Thailand’s tourism industry. In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 10.6 million travellers from Southeast Asia, representing 30% of its international arrivals.…
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Brunei tourist scammed of 80k baht at Thai floating market
A dream holiday turned sour for a Brunei tourist after falling victim to a floating market scam in Thailand, leaving him over 80,000 baht out of pocket. The tourist’s viral warning clip has sparked outrage and debate across social media. The drama unfolded on January 2 when the tourist booked an extravagant package at a floating market for 160 Brunei…
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Thai police deny plan to deport 48 Uyghur men to China
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has refuted claims by human rights organisations that they are attempting to deport 48 Uyghur men to China. Since fleeing from China’s Xinjiang province in 2014, the group has reportedly been imprisoned, with 43 held at the Immigration Bureau headquarters and the remaining five in Thai prisons. Human Rights Watch has called on the Thai…
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Garbage truck tragedy in Ayutthaya leaves driver dead
In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, a tragic accident occurred when a garbage truck rolled into a canal, fatally trapping the driver under its wheels. Emergency services had to employ a crane to retrieve both the vehicle and the man. Yesterday, January 21, Police Captain Bunchoed Chuedbaramee from Uthai Police Station, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, was notified of a fatal…
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Thai government sets 50-day deadline for casino bill review
The government has tasked the Council of State with a 50-day deadline to complete the review of the entertainment complex bill before it proceeds to the House for consideration. It asserts that a referendum is unnecessary since the policy has already received parliamentary approval. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the secretary-general of the council, stated yesterday that the government has stressed the urgency…
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Teasure-hunting game Jagat sparks public distirbance in Thailand
Patrol and Special Operations Division police are monitoring players of the treasure-hunting game, Jagat, after reports of community disturbances caused by players searching for virtual coins to earn real-life cash. Jagat is gaining popularity, particularly in Thailand and Indonesia. The game was developed by Jagat Tech, founded by Barry Beagen and Loy Xing Zhe. The game operates on a model…
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Labour Ministry probes fake health certificates for migrant workers
Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth ordered an investigation into allegations of fake health certificates being sold to migrant workers, purportedly through connections with senior ministry officials. Boonsong emphasised that the ministry is taking these allegations seriously. He urged representatives and employers registering foreign workers to follow legal protocols, ensuring authentic health checks are conducted. Following these reports, Boonsong has…
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Driver killed as car crashes into electricity pole in Phetchaburi
A tragic accident occurred when a car veered off the road and crashed into an electricity pole, snapping it in two. The driver, a 59 year old man named Thanakorn, was killed instantly. The incident took place at 6.01pm yesterday, January 21, along Phetkasem Road in Don Khun Huai subdistrict, Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province. Police Lieutenant Suthat Majaeo, deputy inspector…
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