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.
-
Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
-
Police intercept 736,000kg of illicit red dust at Bangkok port
The Department of Industrial Works and a special task force known as the Sudsai Team recently intercepted over 736,000 kilogrammes of illicit red dust at the Port of Bangkok. This operation, conducted on June 10, involved collaboration with the Bangkok Port Customs Office, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. Initial investigations suggested…
-
Phuket’s stink crisis: Landfill odours worsen amid rainy season
Phuket’s bustling streets are getting a whiff of something far less pleasant as the city grapples with an intensifying odour crisis. The stink emanating from the Phuket Waste Disposal Centre at Saphan Hin has reached unbearable levels, especially as the rainy season worsens conditions at the already overcrowded landfill. With more than 1,200 tonnes of rubbish arriving at the site…
-
Thai tomboy accuses spiritual medium couple of swindling 50 million baht
A Thai tomboy accused a spiritual medium couple of swindling 50 million baht from her over nine years. The accused couple denied the allegation, claiming the tomboy spent the money on her partners, not on them. The tomboy, Som, gave an interview to Channel 3, appealing to the media to help her seek justice. She explained that she first met the…
-
5 arrested as obsessive fans stalk Thai actresses
Five suspects have been arrested for stalking and harassing Thai actresses Sirilak “Lingling” Kwong and Kornnaphat “Orm” Sethratanapong. The actresses, who star in the popular TV series The Secret of Us, filed a police complaint after being relentlessly pursued by a group of obsessive fans. According to police, the suspects had been following the actresses to their residences, photographing their cars…
-
‘Pre-bed purchase’ trend takes over Thailand’s shopping habits
Forget late-night snacks – in Thailand, the hottest thing at 9pm is a shopping spree. Thai consumers are increasingly embracing a unique habit: the “pre-bed purchase,” where online shopping peaks just before bedtime. This shift is transforming the retail landscape, with health and beauty products consistently topping wish lists across all demographics. The trend, driven by a desire for relaxation…
-
Police halt truck with 19 illegal migrants and drugs in Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi highway police intercepted a suspicious pickup truck at a red light and discovered 19 illegal Myanmar migrants along with drugs today, June 11. While patrolling Route 3199 in Kanchanaburi, near the Lat Ya intersection in Mueang district, police noticed a white four-door Isuzu pickup truck in the rightmost lane. The vehicle appeared suspicious due to its abnormal load, prompting…
-
Thai Fruits Festival 2025 launched to boost domestic durian sales
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) and the Thai Fresh Market Association have jointly initiated the Thai Fruits Festival 2025 by DIT to distribute quality durian and promote domestic consumption, aiming to support local fruit prices. Goranij Nonejuie, Deputy Director General of the DIT, announced the collaboration with the Yes Bang Phli market in Samut Prakan to enhance fruit consumption…
-
Gang brawl suspect arrested after six years on the run
After six years on the run, the final suspect in a gang-related brawl among motorcycle taxi drivers at Udomsuk Market, which resulted in a fatality, has been apprehended. The suspect, who fled to Bang Na, was arrested while working as a motorcycle taxi driver. Today, June 12, Police Major General Witthaya Srisaprasert, commander of the Provincial Police Region 4, directed…
-
Navy conscript arrested for attempting to assault teen in Chon Buri
A 22 year old navy conscript, known as Bank, has been arrested after allegedly impersonating a police informant to lure a 14 year old girl from her home in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province. On June 8 at approximately 11.30pm, the suspect is said to have threatened the girl with arrest over possessing an e-cigarette, leading her into a banana…
-
Teenagers assault Thai actor after Bangkok market row
Police arrested two Thai teenagers for allegedly physically assaulting a well-known actor near Khlong Thom Plaza in Bangkok yesterday. One of the suspects reportedly said, “I know I’m just a child, but I would never have acted this way if the adult hadn’t started it.” Officers from Phlapphla Chai 1 Police Station accompanied the 69 year old actor, Saphatchanon Cespedes,…
-
Police seize firearms after arrest in Chon Buri condominium
Police apprehended a 22 year old man at a condominium in Chon Buri, discovering an M16 assault rifle along with numerous other firearms and over 100 rounds of ammunition. The suspect claimed to have purchased the weapons online. Yesterday, June 11, Na Jomtien Police Station in Chon Buri received a tip-off from a concerned citizen about a suspicious man parked…
-
Thailand to launch direct flights to the US after aviation boost
Thailand is gearing up to reconnect with the United States through direct flight routes, as part of the government’s ambitious plans to turn the country into Southeast Asia’s aviation hub. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced accelerated efforts to establish non-stop services between Thailand and the US, a move that could significantly enhance the country’s global standing. Currently, no airline offers…
-
Round 2: Thai and Filipina transwomen clash again in Soi Sukhumvit 11
A group of Thai and Filipina transwomen clashed once again last night in Soi Sukhumvit 11, Bangkok. The Thai nationals accused the foreigners of initiating the conflict. A Thai transwoman shared videos of the altercation on her Facebook account, Naeya Umar, yesterday, June 11. The footage showed several Thai ladyboys physically assaulting two Filipina transwomen dressed in black and grey…
-
Roi Et rocket crashes into Yasothon school as festival chaos erupts
A lively rocket festival turned into a terrifying ordeal after a massive homemade rocket crashed through the roof of a school in the northeastern province of Yasothon, narrowly missing teachers during a lesson. At around 9am yesterday, June 11, a 6-inch wide, 4-metre long Saen Tho rocket, launched as part of the annual Bun Bang Fai Festival in Roi Et…
-
Austrian man hospitalised in Bangkok with 255 meth pills
An Austrian man was urgently transported to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital from Don Mueang Airport after suffering seizures and passing out. A CT scan revealed multiple suspicious packages, with 255 methamphetamine pills initially found. At 1am yesterday, June 11, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Pallop Aermla and Police…
-
Thai-Cambodia border tensions rattle SET index
Tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border have unsettled investors, with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index declining by 4.8% since May 15. Krungsri Capital Securities (KCS) reported that cross-border commerce disruptions and shaken confidence in sectors linked to Cambodia, such as beverages, food, cinemas, and hospitality, are contributing factors. Carabao Group, which generates 10% of its sales from Cambodia, and…
-
Man with chainsaw storms Government House over unpaid wages
A furious man armed with a chainsaw caused chaos outside Government House this morning, demanding justice over unpaid wages linked to a state hospital construction project. The drama unfolded at 8.20am today, June 12, when 53 year old Chalerm, from Nan province, stormed Gate 4 of Government House in Bangkok. Wearing an orange reflective vest and gripping a buzzing electric…
-
Thai-Cambodia border hours cut amid tensions over disputes
The border crossing at Ban Khlong Luek in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, has seen changes in its opening hours due to ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The adjustments, now in their fifth day, aim to address disputes in the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Brigadier General Benchapol Dej-atiwong Na Ayudhya, commander of the…
-
Fishy business: Mutant fish found in the Mekong River
A growing contamination crisis is threatening the lifeblood of northern Thailand after another mutant pla kae fish was pulled from the Mekong River, the latest in a string of blighted catches leaving fishermen broke, rivers poisoned, and locals fearing for their food supply. The Rivers for Life Association, monitoring the alarming surge in sick fish across the region, confirmed on…
-
Bangkok doctor suspended over sedative scandal
A doctor at Police General Hospital in Bangkok has been suspended following her arrest over allegations of procuring large quantities of sedatives. A disciplinary investigation is underway. Police Colonel Doctor Anchulee Theerawongpaisal, a psychiatrist, is accused of using her credentials to obtain tens of thousands of alprazolam pills and other psychotropic substances from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA).…
-
Teen grandson suspected in 500,000 baht theft from family
An 80 year old woman, and her 35 year old son, from Ban Makkhaeng, reported a theft by a teen grandson to Police Lieutenant Theeraphan Kaewphornyo at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station at 10.20am yesterday, June 11. The woman victim, Chalo, and her son, Cha, claimed that gold jewellery weighing a total of 9 baht, valued at approximately 453,798 baht (US$13,990),…
-
Thai student suffers life-threatening muscle injury from school punishment
A Thai student in Bangkok suffered kidney failure and a rare muscle injury after being punished by a teacher with 200 sit-ups. A doctor who treated the student urged the Facebook page Drama-addict to publicise the incident to highlight the life-threatening consequences of extreme punishments in schools, especially to raise awareness among teachers. The doctor revealed that the high school…
-
Illegal slaughterhouse uncovered in Nakhon Sawan City
The Department of Livestock Development in Nakhon Sawan recently uncovered an illegal slaughterhouse operating in the city. Officials seized eight pig carcasses weighing over 700 kilogrammes. Doctor Somchuan Ratanamangkalanon, Director General of the Department of Livestock Development, reported that yesterday, June 11, officials from the Nakhon Sawan animal quarantine station, along with the provincial livestock office, inspected a suspected location…
-
Monkey sterilisation drive ramps up in Lopburi crackdown
Efforts to control the monkey population in Lopburi city centre are ongoing, with macaques being trapped, sterilised, and relocated to shelters. A new facility is being built to accommodate more of these monkeys, which have been causing disruptions in the area. The operation is managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant…
-
Man walks 700km to overcome cannabis addiction in Ratchaburi
A Thai man is making headlines for his extraordinary attempt to turn his life around by walking more than 700 kilometres to escape cannabis addiction. Piya, a 46 year old man from Ratchaburi, has spent the past 20 days trekking towards Chiang Mai in a personal mission to overcome his dependency on cannabis. Armed with nothing more than a single…
-
Pattaya couple cuffed for meth deal with toddler in tow
A Pattaya couple have been arrested in a major drug sting, after allegedly turning up to a meth deal with their two year old son sat on the motorbike. Pattaya police reported that 42 year old Wirot Ratloi, nicknamed “Ting,” and his 27 year old wife, Ployphan Mueangdit, known as “Pin,” were caught with over 1,000 Yaba pills, just moments after…
-
Thai Journalists Association urges PM’s team to stop intimidating media
The Thai Journalists Association urged officials working closely with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to refrain from any intimidating behaviour towards journalists following a recent confrontation between the PM and a reporter. The Thai premier was seen expressing irritation towards a journalist during an interview on June 4 regarding the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The 38 year…
-
Hotel boss eyes Thai tourism slump as golden opportunity
Thailand’s tourism sector may be cooling off, but one hotel boss is turning up the heat — and he’s betting big on local travellers. Despite a slowdown in international arrivals, Koko Global Hospitality (Thailand) Co Ltd (KGH), the operator behind the Kokotel hotel chain, is expanding its footprint across the region. The company’s chief executive, Rei Matsuda, believes the current…
-
Thaksin skips Supreme Court hearing over hospital jail stay
Thaksin Shinawatra will not attend the Supreme Court tomorrow, as it reviews whether he served his prison sentence during his extended stay at Police General Hospital (PGH). According to his lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, the former Thai prime minister was not required to appear for the hearing at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions tomorrow, June…
-
Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon Buri
A massive crackdown on illegal foreign workers has rocked Thailand’s party province of Chon Buri, with multiple raids, social media tip-offs, and a string of arrests hitting everything from restaurants to racy nightlife venues. A joint task force yesterday, June 11, stormed businesses in the Bang Lamung district, rounding up eight undocumented workers at a company in the Huay Yai…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.