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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Motorbike rider dies after colliding with ten wheeler truck in Thalang
A male motorbike rider has died after colliding into the back of a ten wheeler truck in Thalang early this morning. Thalang Police were notified of the accident along Thepkrasattri Road in the southbound lane through Thalang at 2am this morning. The conditions were dry and road was clear of traffic. Emergency responders arrived to find the ten wheelers truck…
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Boating no-go zone set for HRH Princess Sirivannavari visiting Phuket
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate a new marine research vessel. A boats no-go zone has been set. The Phuket Marine Office has announced “Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate the new marine vessel at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC)” “The official ceremonies is from midday to…
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Summer storm cell hits Bangkok
PHOTO: @fm91trafficpro A sudden and brief summer storm swiftly passed through Bangkok’s Lak Si and Don Mueang areas yesterday afternoon. The storm left some damage in its trail, including toppled small trees on Soi Vibhavadi 60, clogged drains and an under-construction Vibhavadi-Rangsit pedestrian bridge’s metal scaffold falling onto a car at Lak Si Intersection. The stormy weather took place around…
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Heavier traffic violation penalties being discussed by police
Heavier penalties for drink-drivers and repeat offenders on Thai roads are under scission between traffic police and other agencies. Maj-General Ekkarak Limsangkatt, a member of the committee reviewing of traffic-law enforcement, is calling for harsher punishments in line with the Japanese model that penalises both the drink-driver and any passenger who “abetted the wrongdoing.” Ekkarak was speaking after a meeting…
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Pattaya officials help a Finnish tourist sort out a lost passport and luggage
PHOTOS: Tourist Police Bureau Pattaya Tourist Police have coordinated with local agencies to help a 53 year old Finnish tourist Jussi Harri Tuokkola. He’d lost his passport, luggage, cash and other valuable items on Tuesday. The manager of the Grand Palazzo Hotel alerted Pattaya Tourist Police that Mr Tuokkola had sought help from the hotel as his luggage and passport…
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800 million baht of drugs seized in three recent busts
by Jessada Chantharak Police have seized a total of eight million methamphetamine pills, 2,070 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 1,546 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of 800 million baht from three recent drug busts. Four suspects were arrested and a fifth was killed during arrest. The report from the national police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan.…
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Foreign Affairs denies attempts to extradite Thaksin from Hong Kong
PHOTO: The happy couple and ‘dad’, in HK for tomorrow’s wedding The director of the foreign affairs department of the public prosecutor’s office in Thailand says media reports that the Thai officials are trying to extradite former PM and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong, are wrong. Daily News reports that Chatchachom Akkhapin says there was no truth in stories…
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UPDATE: Water truck driver presents himself to police after motorcycle death on Kata hill
A water truck driver has presented himself to Karon Police after yesterday’s road accident on Kata Hill that killed a female motorcycle rider. She died after skidding on oil spilled on the road, falling off the motorbike and being crushed by a water truck in Kata last night. Two others motorists following being also crashed and sustained injuries. Read more…
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68 Ridley’s sea turtles hatched on Phang Nga beach – VIDEO
PHOTOS/VIDEO: The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand 68 Ridley’s baby sea turtles have hatched on Tha Sai Beach in Thai Muang, Phang Nga and made their way to the sea last night. Ridley’s sea turtles, a protected species in Thailand, have returned recently to Phang Nga beaches to breed over the past few months following a 23 year absence.…
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Motorbike driver dies, another person injured after car driver slams into them
A female motorbike driver has died while a male car driver has sustained injuries after a second car driver fell asleep at the wheel in Thalang crashing into them. The incident happened on Srisoonthorn Road in Thalang at 2pm yesterday (Wednesday). Police and emergency responders arrived to find a damaged motorbike and two damaged cars. Police report that the car…
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Grab rider attacked by local motorcycle taxi driver – police admit the law is not clear
MONTAGE: Facebook/Patiharn Sarikapun Police near Khao San Road admit the law regarding the use of Grab Bike and similar ‘disrupting’ public transport services, is still unclear. They are calling on motorcycle taxis drivers, Grab riders, taxi drivers and Uber to keep calm and contact police if there are any disputes rather than taking matters into their own hands. Daily News…
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Baby flying lemur and injured slow loris rescued in Phuket
PHOTOS: Pongchart Chueahom/DNP The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reports that the head of Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area, Pongchart Chueahom, has checked in to see the progress of a baby flying lemur and injured slow loris which are being treated at the Department’s wildlife facility. “They are both healthy and the Loris is recovering well. They…
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Thungyai wildlife chief could appeal for a heavier penalty for Premchai
Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary chief Wichien Chinnawong, hailed as a hero for standing up to Premchai and taking his case to court, says, while he respects the verdict of the Thong Pha Phume provincial court on Italian-Thai Development boss Premchai Karnasuta, he believes the billionaire deserved a heavier penalty. A panel discussion organised by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and environment reporters’ club yesterday heard from the Wildlife Sanctuary chief in…
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100 houses damaged after storm hits Nakhon Ratchasima districts
by Prasit Tangprasert A tropical storm has left more than 100 houses damaged after it hit Nakhon Ratchasima province, north-east of Bangkok, yesterday. Nakhon Ratchasima’s Governor Wichian Chantanothai says… “We are in the process of surveying damages.” He made the comment as he was handing out relief items to storm victims in Sikhiu district. He said authorities planned to ask soldiers…
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Future Forward’s Thanathorn demands an apology from conservative Nation TV
The Future Forward Party leader is demanding an apology from Nation TV for broadcasting an edited voice clip that makes it appear like a conversation between him and former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra. “I am demanding Nation apologise to me and the people who heard this content,” he said when given a chance to respond on Nation TV yesterday. Nation…
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Cabinet waives tolls for 8 days over Songkran break
Thailand’s cabinet has decided to waive tolls on the Bangkok-Pattaya and Bangkok-Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli motorways starting April 10 until midnight on April 18. This takes in the main Songkran break between April 12 – 14 and the annual ‘seven days of danger’. A Cabinet spokesperson say that a large number of people are expected to leave Bangkok for the provinces…
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Dead dugong washed up on Trang Beach
PHOTOS: DNP A dead dugong which was washed up on a beach in Trang today has been sent to Phuket Marine Biological Centre for further examination. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reports that Chaiyapruek Weerapong, the head of Mu Koh Libong Non-Hunting Area in Trang was notified that the dugong was washed up on the beach…
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Man stabbed at a Chon Buri karaoke lounge
PHOTO: Thai Rath Police were called to a karaoke lounge in Sri Racha, Chon Buri last night after a man was stabbed following an argument. 39 year old Chuchart Kamngern was found outside the lounge with a serious stab wound to the left side of his chest and was rushed to hospital in Sri Racha. Thai Rath reports that staff…
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75 year old mauled to death by pitbulls in Nonthaburi
PHOTO: Sanook A family have returned home to find the 75 year old Grandmother had been attacked and mauled by the family’s six pit bull terriers. The woman, named Iat, was lying in a pool of blood outside the house in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok. Sanook reports that she had been…
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Indian tourist rescued from a near-drowning at Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Surf Life Saving An Indian tourist has been rescued from drowning after getting into difficulty while swimming at Patong beach yesterday. Patong Surf Life Saving report that around 1.30pm at Patong Beach an Indian tourist was spotted in the water, choking and fighting to stay afloat. Lifeguards dived in and brought him back to the beach. He was…
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Massive petrol smuggling network uncovered in South
by Krissana Thiwatsirikul PHOTO: Facebook/Thai News Agency Thirteen people have been arrested following the largest seizure of smuggled petrol in the South in years. Soldiers and paramilitary rangers intercepted 290,000 litres of petrol being smuggled at a pier in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Tha Sala district after a stake-out this morning. Customs and excise officials inspected the petrol and vehicles before handing…
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31 injured when bus overturned in Nakhon Ratchasima
by Prasit TangprasertPHOTOS:โนนสูง “อาสา” ฐานหน้าโรงพยาบาลโนนสูง Thirty one passengers have been injured, two critically, when a Nong Khai-Rayong inter-provincial bus overturned in Nakhon Ratchasima early this morning. Police and rescue workers were alerted at 2.40am to the scene on Mitraparp Highway in Ban Don Tabaeng, Noen Sung district in Nakhon Ratchasima. The blue and white air conditioned bus was carrying 41…
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People have short memories. Why the Boeing 737 MAX will survive the current crisis.
If history is anything to go on people’s current fears about the Boeing 737 MAX jets will be short-lived. The make0ver of the venerable 737 plane, the most popular passenger jet in history, was supposed to set Boeing on a path to success. Airlines said it was the plane they wanted – perfect for short-haul, cheap to run, new efficient…
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Phuket kratom-cooker robs pharmacies – VIDEO
Phuket police yesterday have arrested a thief while he was cooking up a batch of kratom. He had earlier robbed pharmacies in Chalong, Phuket. Chief Investigator of the Phuket Provincial Police Col Prawit Engchuan says, “Yesterday we have arrested 25 year old Rattaphon Pales at a house in Chalong. Police seized 0.45 litres of liquid kratom.” “On Monday night Chalong…
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Investigation into mine explosion on a Phang Nga Bay bird’s-nest concession island
by Sittichai Sikhawat Police have launched an investigation into an explosion at a bird’s-nest concession area in Phang Nga bay, where one man was killed and another injured on Monday night. The island is Koh Lao Dua, six kilometres north of Koh Yao Noi. Story HERE (one man has died since The Thaiger story). 25 year old Boodrod Thongdee died…
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Choosing sides. Abhisit Vejjajiva will have to choose after Sunday.
PHOTO: The Nation Sunday’s election will not be the end, it will only be another episode in a two-decade long drama as Thailand struggles with democracy and attempts to throw off the shackles of nearly a century of military tampering in political affairs. Thailand’s oldest political party, the Democrats, head into Sunday’s election with leader Abhisit Vejjajiva facing some tough…
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“I’m sorry” – Premchai granted bail
“There is one thing. I am sorry.” PHOTO: Thai PBS Thailand’s billionaire construction magnate says he was “sorry” after being granted bail following yesterday’s court verdict that set a prison sentence of 16 months for illegal hunting in the Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in far north-west Thailand. Three others were also found guilty and given jail terms by the court. Yong…
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Phuket Town Beauty spa shooter kills himself in Saphan Hin
UPDATE: The suspect in this morning’s shootings, 53 year old Chana Rodket from Songkhla, has shot and killed himself in Saphan His this afternoon. He was a housekeeper a the beauty spa where the shooting took place. Earlier, a South Korean man and Thai woman were injured in a shooting at a beauty spa near Naka Market in Phuket Town.…
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Two shot in Phuket Town beauty spa this morning
A South Korean man and Thai woman have been injured in spa shooting in Phuket Town. The two sustained serious injuries from bullet wounds after having been shot at the spa in Wichit today. Wichit Police reports that they was notified of an incident at ‘The Beauty Spa’ in Wichit at 10.30am this morning. Police and emergency responders arrived at…
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Two injured after stepping on suspected mines at a Krabi island
Two Thai men have sustained serious injuries after stepping on a mine at an island near Ao Nang, Krabi. The Ao Nang Police were notified about the two men being injured from the incident in Ao Nang at 6pm last night. 35 year old Somchaai Longj sustained injuries on his legs, shoulder and a broken leg from the explosion and…
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