Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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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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No room for vroom: Phuket police fine foreign tourists in fancy rides
Phuket police earned praise online after ticketing a convoy of foreign supercar owners who brazenly parked in a no-go zone, proving that in Thailand, the rules apply whether you’re in a tuk tuk or a Lamborghini. The crackdown came after jaw-dropping photos of high-end motors, including several bearing foreign plates, lined up along red-and-white curbs outside a swanky restaurant in…
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Nong Khai police seize drugs, arrest two after car crash
In Nong Khai, two men were arrested following a failed attempt to evade police, resulting in their car crashing into a tree. The search of their vehicle uncovered methamphetamine and firearms, leading to further discoveries at a rented house. The arrests took place on June 3, when 32 year old Songsak Kaewchiangwang and 23 year old Thanatorn Makluaopao, both from…
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Thailand plans new casino laws to combat money laundering
Thailand is set to implement measures to record and monitor financial transactions of casino visitors to combat money laundering, as the government aims to gain support for a bill to legalise gambling venues within new integrated resorts. The country plans to enforce responsible gaming regulations, which include prohibitions on casino advertising and barring those considered “financial risks” from entry, explained…
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Woman caught with grenade after fleeing Loei police checkpoint
A 39 year old woman was apprehended after fleeing a police checkpoint on a motorcycle. She was found with an MK2 grenade, also known as a pineapple grenade, hidden in grass at her house, claiming it was for self-defence. Yesterday, June 4, paramilitary rangers from Task Force 2102 of the 21st Ranger Regiment were conducting a checkpoint at Phra Metta…
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Gunman in delivery uniform kills two in Pathum Thani shooting
A gunman dressed as a delivery rider opened fire on a group of drinkers, leaving two dead, and later pursued victims to a hospital, continuing his attack. The incident occurred around 10.25pm yesterday, June 4, at Soi Rong Pui YVP, outside house number 129/15, in Mueang Rangsit subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani province. Friends of the injured initially…
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Banthat Thong’s food scene fights back despite tourist drop
Bangkok’s beloved Banthat Thong Road is facing a food fight of its own, with dwindling tourist numbers, high prices, and cautious diners taking a bite out of business. But the Thai Restaurant Association insists the area’s culinary star hasn’t lost its shine. “Banthat Thong still has tremendous potential,” said Thai Restaurant Association President Chanon Koetcharoen. “It remains a top destination…
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Nakhon Pathom police reshuffle after illegal nightclub raid
The chief of Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police ordered the transfer of five officers from Kamphaeng Saen Police Station following a raid that uncovered an illegal nightclub operating without a permit, drugs, and underage patrons. On June 1, at around 1am, a special operations team from the Department of Provincial Administration inspected Rad Zone Chill Kamphaeng Saen, revealing its lack of…
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Thailand’s meth crisis sparks mental health fears
Thailand is battling a full-blown methamphetamine (meth) epidemic, with 1.5 million users nationwide and hundreds of thousands suffering serious mental health effects, according to bombshell new research unveiled this week. The data, released by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), paints a grim picture of widespread meth use and the severe impact it’s having on Thai society, particularly among youth. During a…
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Fare game: Bangkok taxi driver fined for booting out passenger
A Bangkok taxi driver has been fined and had his licence suspended after dumping a passenger mid-ride for refusing to pay an expressway toll, an incident that’s reignited calls for stricter oversight of the capital’s cabbies. The drama unfolded on May 26, around 4.24pm, in Yaowarat, when a passenger was allegedly forced out of a moving taxi after declining to…
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Thailand eyes global top three spot in entertainment complexes
The Ministry of Finance is positioning the development of entertainment complexes as a new economic driver, aiming to attract investment and tourism worth hundreds of billions of baht. Deputy Finance Minister, Chulaphan Amornvivat, announced yesterday, June 4, that Thailand could become the third-largest entertainment complex hub globally, following Las Vegas and Macau, within five to 10 years. Chulaphan highlighted that…
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70 officials implicated in Bangkok building collusion scandal
Approximately 70 government officials have been implicated in a collusion scandal involving the ill-fated State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok, as revealed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). This group includes both former and current SAO executives, as well as members from 10 committees associated with the building’s design, construction, and inspection, according to statements made by DSI…
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Family in Prachin Buri alarmed by snake invasion
A family in Prachin Buri was alarmed when a group of snakes invaded their home, coiling together in the rafters. Yesterday, June 4, at 7pm, the Sajja Phuttham Dharma Foundation rescue unit and the Sra Bua Police Station were called to house number 242, Moo 1, Lat Takian subdistrict, Kabin Buri district. Upon arrival, they discovered five unidentified green snakes…
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Elderly woman leaps to safety after snake scare in Roi Et (video)
An elderly woman in Roi Et shocked her neighbours – and the Internet – by pulling off a move worthy of an action film after spotting a slithering intruder beneath a house. Kan Kong Suthiprapa, an 80 year old grandmother from Don Hat village in Selaphum district, was sitting on the steps of a neighbour’s house yesterday, June 4, when a…
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Fowl play: Pattaya bird bandits ruffle feathers in cocky heist
Two brazen bird bandits are on the run after snatching four top-notch fighting cocks from a local breeder, leaving the owner fuming that they didn’t even spare him a single feather. The pair of plucky thieves were caught on CCTV stealing four Burmese fighting roosters, two each night over two consecutive early-morning raids, from a home along the railway road…
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Syphilis surge grips Phuket as tourism booms again
A shocking surge in syphilis cases has hit Phuket, with infections now reported in all three districts of the island province. Health officials are sounding the alarm as the rise coincides with the post-pandemic rebound in tourism and a return to riskier sexual behaviour. “Youths remain a high-risk group, but syphilis can affect people of all genders and ages who engage in…
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When it rains, it pours: Deluge to soak 34 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted continued heavy rainfall across Thailand, identifying 34 provinces that will be particularly affected. Residents in the southwestern region are advised to remain cautious due to the ongoing weather conditions. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates persistent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas. This is attributed to a moderate southwesterly monsoon…
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Emirates lands a double delight with new SE Asia flights
Emirates is turning up the heat in Southeast Asia with the launch of two brand-new routes, to Vietnam’s coastal gem Da Nang and Cambodia’s cultural heartland, Siem Reap, both flying via Bangkok. The Dubai-based airline kicked off the Da Nang route on June 2, followed by Siem Reap on June 3, pushing its regional network to 23 destinations. Both flights will…
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High hopes go up in smoke as Indian women busted in weed run
Three Indian women dreaming of a free Thai getaway ended up in cuffs instead, after being caught smuggling high-grade hydroponic weed worth a staggering 85,000,000 rupees (32.4 million baht) into Mumbai. The trio were intercepted by sharp-eyed customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport yesterday, June 4, following a tip-off about a major drug shipment arriving from Bangkok. Busted…
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Singaporean businessman caught at airport over 5 million baht VAT fraud
A Singaporean businessman was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport while attempting to flee to his home country. He faced allegations of evading value-added tax (VAT), resulting in a 5 million baht loss to the state. Today, June 4, Police Major General Thathapoom Charupraphan directed Police Colonel Naruephon Karuna and Police Captain Noppakhun Thatnamalai to arrest 71 year old Liu David…
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Class act! Posh parents splash out as international schools boom
Thailand’s international school sector is booming and it’s the well-heeled who are fuelling the fire. With tuition at top-tier institutions topping a whopping 1.1 million baht a year, it’s clear that wealthy families, corporate high-flyers, and expat professionals are queuing up for a classroom seat with a global edge. Auramon Supthaweethum, head of the Department of Business Development (DBD), named international…
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Here comes the sun: Solar panel plan puts minister in firing line
A fresh push to boost solar panel use across Thailand has sparked a political power struggle, with critics warning the new bill could give the energy minister unchecked authority over who can harness the sun. The proposed legislation, aimed at streamlining solar panel installation and energy trade, has drawn mixed reactions from industry heavyweights, some calling it a bright idea,…
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Saraburi woman charged for illegal lending at 300% interest
A 20 year old woman, known for her aggressive behaviour, has been charged by police in Saraburi province for operating an illegal money lending scheme with exorbitant interest rates of up to 300%. Victims, mainly girls between 13 and 16 years old, were allegedly targeted and intimidated if they failed to repay their debts. The case was brought to light…
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Top 3 must-have apps for exploring Thailand like a local
Sawadee, savvy traveller! If you’re planning a trip to the Land of Smiles, you’re in for a ride full of golden temples, finger-licking street food, island sunsets, and tuk-tuk adventures. But if you want to do it right — not just like a tourist, but like someone who knows their som tam from their satay — you’ll need the right…
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US visa clamp sparks panic but Thai students gets pass
Thai students hoping to hit the books in the United States can breathe a sigh of relief, after officials confirmed student visa interviews in Bangkok are still a go, despite a sweeping clampdown ordered by US President Donald Trump’s team. On April 1, US political news outlet Politico dropped a bombshell: a leaked Trump-era memo revealed that US embassies worldwide…
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Blade and shame! Burmese teen busted after flaunting weapons
A cocky Burmese teen has landed himself in hot water after posing with machetes and a toy gun for Facebook clout, sparking public outcry and prompting a swift police response in Phuket’s Cherng Talay area. The images, which surfaced on social media with the caption, “So arrogant! ‘Phuket’ Myanmar teenager gang in the Cherng Talay area showing off guns and…
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Thai provinces report surge in Covid-19 cases amid rainy season
The Ministry of Public Health reported the five provinces with the highest Covid-19 infections, with a national total of 324,692 cases and 69 fatalities. The surge in cases is attributed to the rainy season and school reopening, while the XEC variant is noted for its ease of transmission. Doctor Taweesin Visanuyothin, Director General of the Department of Medical Services, highlighted…
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Russian scammer nabbed at Phuket Airport in digital crime bust
A suspected Russian cyber crook has been collared at Phuket International Airport, accused of helping to run a high-tech fraud racket that’s fleeced thousands and left victims across Thailand reeling. The 36 year old unnamed man was nicked in the arrivals hall around 1.50pm on June 2, following a sting by Phuket Airport Immigration’s Investigation Team and Surat Thani Police.…
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Thailand prioritises peace in Cambodia border dispute
War should remain a last resort in Thailand’s ongoing border dispute with Cambodia, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Speaking yesterday, June 3, he emphasised the country’s commitment to resolving the issue peacefully, highlighting the need to avoid violence while protecting national sovereignty. Phumtham, who also holds the position of defence minister, made these comments as Cambodia continues its…
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Bangkok man arrested after Bang Sue youth shooting incident
A 21 year old man has been apprehended in connection with a shooting incident following a youth altercation in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok. The arrest occurred yesterday, June 3 at 12.30pm, with police charging him with three offences. Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with other officials from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, directed the arrest of Anon “Joy” Chiamchan.…
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Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia
For decades, Thailand has been the quintessential destination for retirees seeking an affordable, beautiful, and culturally rich new home. With its golden beaches, vibrant cuisine, and famously welcoming population, the Land of Smiles has lured hundreds of thousands of Westerners to spend their golden years soaking up its tropical hospitality. Yet, a quiet transformation is taking place beneath the palm…
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