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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Luxury car executive busted for 160m baht tax dodge
A 48 year old executive of a luxury car import company was apprehended in Ayutthaya for allegedly evading taxes amounting to 160 million baht. The car executive, Chakri, claims his identity was wrongly used, suggesting someone registered the company using his personal information without his knowledge. Yesterday, February 5, Police Colonel Tatsapoom Jaruprat, acting commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division…
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PM Paetongtarn strengthens ties with Xi in landmark China visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra kicked off a landmark visit to China, meeting President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, February 6, in a high-level diplomatic exchange at the Great Hall of the People. The visit comes as Thailand and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, marking what Xi described as a “golden year of friendship.” In a warm exchange, the…
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Thai woman admits to faking pregnancy and child loss
A Thai woman today confessed to faking her pregnancy, child loss, and accusation against a hospital in Pathum Thani province but refused to reveal her motive. The 38 year old Thai woman Rungarun and her 42 year old husband Wicharn sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to obtain an explanation from Pathum Thani Hospital as to why one…
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Thai court rules traffic fines unlawful since 2020
Thailand’s top court has dropped a legal bombshell, ruling that traffic fines issued by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) since July 2020 were unlawful—potentially affecting millions of motorists. The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) yesterday, February 5, partly overturned a ruling by the Central Administrative Court (CAC), which had previously found that two RTP announcements on traffic fines, issued in July…
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Thailand approves US$9.8 billion high-speed rail expansion
Thailand is racing ahead with its high-speed rail ambitions as the Cabinet greenlights the second phase of the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, extending the line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The colossal 341.35 billion baht (US$9.8 billion) project will span 357 kilometres and take eight years to complete, from 2025 to 2032. Once operational, it will provide a direct link between Bangkok and Nong…
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Thai health services brace for refugee influx amid US funding cut
The Tak Provincial Public Health Office is preparing to accommodate a surge of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, anticipating around 40,000 to 50,000 people. This preparation comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to halt funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Public health officials in the Nu Po Refugee Camp, located in…
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Thai royal command appoints four military officers as bodyguards
A royal command has been issued, appointing four military officers as royal bodyguards. Yesterday, February 5, the Royal Gazette published the royal command detailing the appointments. These appointments are made under the authority of Section 7 of the Royal Security Act of 2017, in conjunction with Sections 6, 8, and 10 of the Royal Bodyguard Act of 1937, and Section…
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Thai woman confesses to burning father alive over money dispute
A Thai woman confessed to burning her father to death in a hut in the Isaan province of Kalasin after he refused to give her money. The 73 year old man, Boonliang Jannsri, was burned to death in a hut in the Khong Chai district of Kalasin. His body was discovered on January 31, with clear signs of foul play, as…
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Surin tragedy: Man drowns in pond as family watches in horror
A 39 year old man drowned in a village pond in Surin province in front of family and locals, with rescue operations taking four hours to retrieve his body. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, in Baan Angkan, Mueang district, Surin. Police from Tenmee Mueang station and Surin rescue teams were alerted to the drowning at the large pond, around…
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Phuket drug den busted: Cops seize 25,000 meth pills
Thalang Police smashed a major drug operation in Phuket, seizing over 25,000 methamphetamine pills (meth pills) and arresting two women in a raid at a housing estate in Srisoonthorn. The bust yesterday, February 5, began with the arrest of 33 year old Prathana Khummit at a rental unit in the Keha Eua-Athorn housing estate. Officers found 602 meth pills and 2.8…
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Smoke signal: Suvarnabhumi sparks smoking rooms outrage
Smoking row ignites as the Airports of Thailand (AoT) makes a shocking bid to reintroduce smoking rooms at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, pushing against the global trend towards smoke-free terminals. As the world gears up for 100% smoke-free airports, Thailand’s move has stirred up a storm of controversy. Associate Professor Dr Naowarat Charoenkha from the Thai Health Promotion Institute, part of…
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Call centre scams stay lit while Burmese locals suffer Thai power cut
Innocent Burmese nationals, affected by Thailand’s measures to combat call centre scams, visited petrol stations to stock up, causing the price to rise. As part of a solution to tackle the call centre scam issue, the Thai government cut off power in five key areas of Myanmar, which were believed to be the headquarters of the scam gangs. In addition…
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Activists demand Parliament clean house on old prostitution law
A groundswell for change surged through Parliament today, as Naiyana Suphaphueng of the Service Workers’ Friends Foundation, flanked by activists and supporters, submitted a bold draft bill to scrap the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539. With over 13,000 signatures in tow, the proposal was formally handed over to Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House…
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Clean hotels with ‘3C’ initiative launches in Phuket
To ensure a safer travel experience, the Department of Medical Sciences is rolling out its ambitious Clean Hotels with 3C initiative across Thailand’s prime tourist spots. Deputy Director General Dr Ballang Uppong launched a crucial training session at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, aiding hotel operators in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. With over 250 participants, including public health officials,…
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Fare fight: Bang Lamung bikers protest against ride-hailing rivals
Bang Lamung’s motorcycle taxi drivers are revving up their engines in protest, calling on government departments to clamp down on ride-hailing services they say are taking the wind out of their financial sails. On Tuesday, February 4, representatives from the Public Motorcycle Taxi Association for Tourism met with district chief Patcharapatch Sritanyanont, demanding swift action to curb these so-called interlopers.…
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Thai man assaulted by seller for trying on shoes without buying
A Thai woman took to social media to seek justice for her family after a shoe seller at a shopping mall in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri physically assaulted her husband when their son tried on a pair of shoes but did not buy them. The woman named Ploysai shared videos of the assault on her TikTok account,…
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Close call: Thai ex-adviser’s wife nearly scammed of 14 million baht
The wife of a former adviser to the minister of commerce was nearly duped into transferring 14 million baht by a call centre scam. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, when police from Mueang Chai Nat Police Station investigated a local resort following a report from 56 year old Dr Natjarat Klumtawee, a former adviser to the minister of commerce.…
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Ayutthaya police intercept illegal Myanmar migrants paying 8,000 to 10,000 baht
Police in Ayutthaya intercepted a group of 31 illegal Myanmar migrant workers, who admitted paying between 8,000 and 10,000 baht each to find work in the city. Yesterday, February 5, Police Colonel Eknirut Wansiripak, head of Highway Police Division 1, discovered an operation transporting illegal foreign workers into Thailand. The migrants crossed the border on foot through natural paths, where…
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VFS Global warns Thai travellers of rising visa scam threats
VFS Global cautioned Thai travellers about visa scams, urging early applications due to increasing outbound travel. The organisation, a leader in visa outsourcing and technology services, hosted an awareness event in Bangkok. Diplomats from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Switzerland attended to address the growing threat of visa fraud. As visa applications surge to record levels, scammers…
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Public debate erupts after over foreign foot masseur in Phuket
Thai netizens demanded action from relevant government departments after a viral video showed a foreign man working as a foot masseur in Phuket. The video showing the foreign man providing a foot massage service to two customers was shared by the Phuket Times yesterday, February 5. In the video, the foreigner was seen cleaning the feet of male and female…
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NACC to decide on charges for 44 former MPs over lese-majeste
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to decide in the next two months regarding potential charges against 44 former MPs of the defunct Move Forward Party, who supported a proposal to amend the lese-majeste law. Currently, 39 of the accused serve as MPs for the People’s Party, established in August last year after the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward…
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American man and Thai wife lose 15.2 million baht in Hua Hin property fraud
An American man and his Thai wife are pursuing justice after being duped by a real estate firm into buying two plots of land and a house in Hua Hin, located in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, amounting to 15.2 million baht. Despite their investment, they have been unable to gain ownership of the property. The couple, Patrick…
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Thailand video news | Missing British man found dead in Bangkok, Phnom Penh nightclub fire kills two, injures five
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from Thailand and Asia. Bangkok authorities have found a missing British tourist dead, while a Thai man in Rayong faces outrage for attacking his ex-girlfriend. Five Thai hostages freed by Hamas will return home this week, and confusion surrounds Thailand’s new Digital Arrival Card rollout. In a major crackdown,…
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Vietnamese workers arrested in Pattaya beauty salon raid
The Tourist Police Bureau conducted a raid on a beauty salon in Pattaya, resulting in the arrest of Vietnamese nationals for working illegally in a restricted occupation. The operation took place on Tuesday, February 4, under the directive of Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Raksa, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at the bureau. Residents had alerted the police about foreign nationals allegedly…
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Illegal gambling ring in Bangkok busted, Taiwanese nabbed
Thai cybercrime police conducted a major raid on an illegal online gambling network in Bangkok, apprehending a Taiwanese leader and detaining more than 20 administrators. The network, which posed as an NFT trading website, was secretly providing online gambling services, including slots, live casinos, sports betting, and poker. Officials estimate the network’s annual cash flow exceeded 500 million baht. This…
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Woman accuses soldier boyfriend of assault, sharing explicit videos
A 22 year old woman from Sangkhaom district in Udon Thani province, accused her boyfriend, a soldier, of assaulting her and posting explicit videos on social media without her consent. The incident reportedly happened on February 3 when her boyfriend took her phone and shared private content on Facebook. The victim, Kade, is now seeking action against him. Kade, who…
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PPRP opposes casino legalisation, fears national harm
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) announced its opposition to the government’s proposed bill on entertainment complexes, which aims to legalise casino gambling. The party argues that the legalisation of casinos could negatively impact Thailand and its citizens, while the bill disproportionately empowers the prime minister. The party plans to address the casino issue during the no-confidence debate it intends to…
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Middle-aged man crashes sedan into parked truck in Chon Buri
An incident involving a middle-aged man was reported today, February 6, when he allegedly drove a sedan into the back of a parked pickup truck in Chon Buri. The crash occurred outside the Oum Rak Animal Hospital on Samed-Angsila Road, Mueang district, Chon Buri province, and left the sedan severely damaged. The driver, appearing to be in his 50s or 60s,…
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Foreign man stabs Thai app-based motorcycle rider in car park
A foreign man refused to pay a transport fare and stabbed a Thai app-based motorcycle rider in the car park of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district on January 24. A video of a foreigner arguing with a Thai app-based motorcycle rider was shared on a Thai social media platform last month but it only gained attention from…
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Motorcycle dispute turns violent in Nong Prue, Chon Buri
A confrontation over a borrowed motorcycle led to a violent altercation at a rented room in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Following a dispute about the motorcycle, which had been altered, the borrower was attacked with a knife. At 10.06pm, yesterday, February 5, a report of an assault was received by the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Radio Centre. Emergency…
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