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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Ancient Buddhist relics unearthed in Korat temple dig
In an archaeological breakthrough, ancient Buddhist relics dating back over 1,300 years have been unearthed beneath a historic temple in northeastern Thailand — and experts say the find could reshape our understanding of early Buddhist art in the region. The rare artefacts were discovered in April during a conservation project at Wat Dhammachak Semaram in Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima.…
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Couple claim relatives plan their murder for 120 million baht payout
A Thai couple accused their relatives of plotting to murder them to claim an insurance payout totalling over 120 million baht. A police officer was allegedly involved in the plan. The couple, Tong and Au, sought help from the non-profit organisation Be One after Tong survived an alleged murder attempt in 2022. The couple later discovered over 50 life insurance policies…
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Thailand lowers tourist target after 30% drop in Chinese visitors
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) considers lowering its target for foreign tourists this year due to a 30% drop in Chinese visitors. As a response, TAT plans to allocate 2 billion baht for the We Travel Together campaign, which will start next month. Teerasak Thepensri, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, addressed this at the third Capital Market…
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Soviet space junk could skim Thailand, experts warn
A 53 year old Soviet spacecraft is hurtling back to Earth—and while experts say Thailand is safe, eyes are still nervously watching the skies. Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has issued a warning about the anticipated re-entry of Cosmos 482, a defunct Soviet-era spacecraft that failed its original mission to Venus. The object, or what’s left of…
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Mystery surrounds death of Thai monk with bag over head
A Thai monk died in mysterious circumstances in his accommodation at a temple in the central province of Samut Songkhram. He had a plastic rubbish bag covering his head, with a pillow placed over his face. Officers from Amphawa Police Station investigated the death of 70 year old monk Boonman Sanjitto at Payayat Temple (also known as Wat Pak Ngam)…
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Cheers allowed: Buddhist holiday booze ban eased
Just after Phuket had announced a 30-hour alcohol sales ban this weekend for its upcoming municipal elections and the Visakha Bucha holiday, the Thai government officially relaxed its alcohol ban on sacred Buddhist holidays — but only under strict conditions. The Royal Gazette announced today, May 9, that the Prime Minister’s Office has revised its previous order on alcohol sales,…
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Recycling firm board member arrested for 333 million baht tax fraud
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) police have apprehended a board member of a recycling company suspected of collaborating with a business partner to issue fraudulent tax invoices. This operation led to state losses exceeding 333 million baht. Yesterday, May 8, Police Major General Thatphum Charuphat, ECD commander, directed Police Colonel Narupon Karuna and Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannalop Rattanawong to…
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Mum and son fling onto road after Pattaya motorbike crash
A late-night ride turned into a nightmare after a mother and her young son were violently hurled from their motorbike during a high-speed crash in Pattaya. The terrifying accident occurred just after midnight yesterday, May 8, in Soi Boon Kanjanaram 8. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene after reports that a motorbike had…
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Thai woman electrocuted on flooded road in Surat Thani
A Thai woman died from electrocution while walking along a flooded road in the southern province of Surat Thani on Tuesday, May 6. A rescue team rushed to the Bypass Road near Bang Yai Intersection in Mueang Surat Thani district after receiving a report of a fatal electrocution at around 4.50pm. The victim, 26 year old Mantana “Mint” Phewpong, who…
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Man investigated after wife’s death in Lop Buri apartment
A 61 year old man is under investigation after his 66 year old wife was found deceased in their Lop Buri apartment. The couple had been drinking, leading to an argument and physical altercation. The husband later returned to discover her body. Today, May 9, at 12.20am, Police Lieutenant Banchachop Choptham, deputy inspector at Phatthana Nikhom Police Station, received a…
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Thailand boosts fruit distribution to counter declining prices
The Thai Commerce Ministry is tackling the issue of declining fruit prices by accelerating the distribution of 950,000 tonnes of produce both within Thailand and abroad. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan stated that the ministry is collaborating with various organisations to manage the surplus of fruit through measures encompassing production, marketing, export, processing, and trade facilitation. The aim is to distribute…
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Myanmar call centre crackdown cuts crime by 60% in three months
The government has declared the 3 Cuts strategy, aimed at disrupting call centre operations in Myanmar, a success three months after its implementation. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced yesterday, May 8, that measures initiated since February 5, targeting electricity, fuel, and internet access in five specific locations, have led to a notable decrease in call centre activities, particularly in…
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Arrest warrants expected for groups linked to audit office collapse
Arrest warrants are anticipated to be issued next week for three groups allegedly linked to the collapse of the State Audit Office’s under-construction building following the earthquake on March 28. Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Noppasin Poolsawat, reported that 193 witnesses have been interviewed to date. These comprise SAO officials, relatives of those injured, contracted…
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Foundation opposes cable car in Phu Kradueng National Park
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has expressed opposition to the planned construction of a cable car system in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, due to concerns over potential harm to the park’s delicate ecosystem. The foundation also questioned the project’s cost-effectiveness. These concerns follow a recent decision by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to extend…
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Royal Ploughing Ceremony kicks off Thailand’s rice planting season
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, held at Sanam Luang today, marked the beginning of the rice planting season in Thailand. King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida presided over the annual event. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, members of the Cabinet, and diplomatic representatives were also in attendance. The ceremony, a traditional ritual promoting good fortune and agricultural prosperity, coincides with the sixth…
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Tunisian man tries to swap clamped tyre, gets caught in the act
A Tunisian man faces legal charges after parking in a restricted area in Phuket and attempting to evade a wheel clamp and a subsequent fine by swapping out the clamped tyre. Several Thai news Facebook pages shared a video of the couple on May 8. The pair were seen removing a spare tyre from their vehicle in an apparent attempt to…
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Labour minister vows to slash work deaths by 2030
Thailand’s labour boss is declaring war on deadly workplaces—\promising to cut fatalities in half within five years. At the National Occupational Safety Day 2025 opening ceremony, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled his ambitious “Safety Thailand” vision to drastically reduce serious workplace injuries and deaths. The aim is to bring down severe injury rates from 2.13 to one per 1,000 workers,…
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Hailstorm wreaks havoc in Udon Thani, leaving homes damaged
Yesterday, May 8, a severe hailstorm accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain struck Udon Thani, causing significant damage to numerous houses. The storm, occurring at 1.30pm, uprooted trees and toppled high-voltage power poles, obstructing roads and disrupting power supply in multiple areas. In Baan Jeet, Moo 4, Baan Jeet subdistrict, Gu Kaew district, the storm tore off roofs from…
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Rayong MP exposes illegal Chinese lobster factory operation
Rayong MP and provincial employment officers have joined forces to dismantle a Chinese zero-dollar lobster factory that was allegedly taking jobs from locals. Rayong MP Krit Silpachai, from the People’s Party, collaborated with Sommat Anantharatrasub, the Director of Rayong Employment Office, to crack down on the operation, which reportedly employed unauthorised foreign workers. Krit shared on Facebook that social media…
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Tsunami alert: Phuket braces for large-scale emergency drill
Sirens, search dogs, and simulated chaos—Phuket is gearing up for the biggest tsunami disaster drill in years. Local officials announced the CMEX 25 national crisis response exercise, set to hit six Andaman coastal provinces from June 24 to 26, with Phuket taking centre stage. The simulation aims to prepare government agencies, rescue teams, schools, and residents for a worst-case tsunami…
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Thailand’s bold ‘3 Cuts’ plan cripples border call centres
Criminal call centres in Myanmar are running out of juice thanks to Thailand’s tough new crackdown strategy. Three months after launching its “3 Cuts” campaign, the Thai government claims a major victory against cybercrime networks exploiting the border. The operation began on February 5 and aimed to sever the power supply, fuel delivery, and Internet access to five notorious scam…
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Bangkok motorcycle repairman shot dead over pawn dispute
A motorcycle repairman was fatally shot in the early hours of today, May 9, in his shop on Soi Phatthanakan 32, Suan Luang district, Bangkok. The attack, which also left another person injured, stemmed from a dispute over a motorcycle pawn agreement. Police Lieutenant Phuwadej Wanichyobol, an investigator from Khlong Tan Police Station, was alerted to the incident at 1am.…
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Thai teen in coma after hospital allegedly dismisses snake bite as unimportant
A hospital in the eastern province of Rayong reportedly provided inadequate treatment for a Thai man who was bitten by a snake, leaving the victim in a critical condition. A Thai woman, Paweena Tubtimhom, took to her Facebook account on Wednesday, May 7, to criticise Wang Chan Hospital after her 18 year old employee fell into a coma due to…
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Polish tourist drowns in Phuket after morning swim
A dream holiday turned to tragedy for a 36 year old Polish tourist who was found dead after a solo morning swim at Kamala Beach. The man was pulled from the water, unresponsive, after lifeguards spotted him floating face down near the Kamala Shrine yesterday morning, May 8. Despite frantic CPR attempts on the beach and en route to the…
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Teen arrested in Bangkok with firearm for self-defence
A 17 year old was apprehended by police after exhibiting suspicious behaviour and found in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The teenager claimed the items were taken from a rival for self-defence. Legal proceedings ensued promptly. At 4am today, May 9, Police Colonel Anan Warasart, the superintendent of Bang Khen Police Station, directed investigation deputy superintendent, Police Colonel Sanpich…
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Nowhere to hide: ‘Digital Crime Clock’ targets Pattaya’s criminals
In a high-tech twist straight out of a crime thriller, Pattaya police have rolled out a mobile crime-tracking system that could change the game for criminals lurking in the shadows. Dubbed the “Digital Crime Clock,” this innovative platform is the first of its kind in Thailand’s Provincial Police Region 2 and offers real-time crime data at officers’ fingertips. The system…
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Thai weather alert: storms and strong winds in 53 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for May 9 regarding severe weather conditions across 53 provinces. The northeast will experience summer storms with thunderstorms, strong winds, and occasional hail. Residents are advised to stay alert and avoid open areas during these conditions. A moderate high-pressure system from China is expected to cover Vietnam and the South China…
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Doctors disciplined over Thaksin’s hospital stay amid ethics probe
Three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s controversial stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital have been disciplined by the Medical Council of Thailand. The disciplinary actions stem from the findings of an investigation into Thaksin’s treatment, which has raised ethical concerns about the standard of care provided. Today, May 8, Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa,…
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Chumphon chief faces backlash over monitor lizard cooking (video)
Locals in the southern province of Chumphon are demanding legal action against a community leader who shared a video of himself cooking and eating a monitor lizard, a protected species in Thailand. Residents in the Pathio district of Chumphon came across a Facebook post by the male community leader and shared it with various news agencies, calling for legal action…
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Bangkok SWAT busts online gun dealers selling modified weapons
Two suspects were arrested in Bangkok for allegedly modifying and selling guns online, sparking fears of a growing black market for weapons. The SWAT team swooped into a house in Suan Luang district, where they detained the duo, identified as 29 year old Natthakiat, also known as “New,” and 31 year old Suppasit, aka “Peach.” The arrests follow a series…
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