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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Big Brother boost: Pattaya invests 2.1 million baht in CCTV
Pattaya is getting serious about surveillance—with a multi-million-baht tech upgrade designed to keep a closer eye on streets, storms, and suspicious activity. To bolster public safety and modernise city management, the Pattaya City Council has approved a 2.1 million baht budget to enhance its real-time CCTV system. The decision was made during a recent council meeting at Taksin Hall, where…
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Thai labour minister pledges 400 baht wage hike by May 1
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has committed to a 400 baht wage increase by May 1, alongside support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). During a censure debate on March 25, People’s Party MP Sirikanya Tansakul criticised the government for not implementing the 400 baht (US$11) wage policy earlier, as promised by the prime minister. She argued that the promise was…
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ChatGPT update sparks fake Bangkok Bank slip warning
A tech-savvy warning has sent shockwaves through the online financial world: ChatGPT can now fake bank transfer slips with near-flawless accuracy—watermarks and all. In a recent post, technology blogger Kafaak raised the alarm about the powerful capabilities of ChatGPT’s latest update, which reportedly allows users to generate eerily realistic bank transfer receipts. The development has sparked serious fraud concerns, especially for small…
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Bangkok delivery rider accuses customer for locking him up
A Thai food delivery rider accused a customer of locking him inside her house in Bangkok for nearly 30 minutes for reasons he could not determine. Other riders shared similar experiences with this particular customer. A LINE Man delivery rider posted a video of himself attempting to leave the customer’s home on his TikTok account, @ice_23648, on Monday, March 24.…
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61 billion baht Motorway 8 project to begin in 2027
The initial phase of the Motorway 8 (M8) project, designed to connect Nakhon Pathom to Ratchaburi, is set to start in 2027, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. This month, the Department of Highways is poised to submit a proposal for the first phase of the M8 project, valued at 61 billion baht (US$1.78 million). This…
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Similan scandal: Park boss booted over dodgy e-ticket scheme
A top official at one of Thailand’s most iconic national parks has been reportedly booted from his post amid a brewing scandal over alleged ticket fraud. Rittikorn Nunloy, head of Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province, has been transferred to an inactive position following reports of serious irregularities in the park’s e-ticketing system. The Department of National…
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Rape-accused Bangkok MP denies vote-for-favour claims
Scandal-hit MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit is fighting back against explosive claims that he supported the government in exchange for help with his ongoing rape case. The Thai Progress Party lawmaker, who represents Bangkok’s Bang Khuntien district, insists there was no political deal behind his surprise vote for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during Wednesday’s no-confidence debate. “This issue [the rape case] has…
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Funeral woe turns to joy as Thai parents realise ‘dead’ son is alive
Thai parents held a three-day funeral for their son before discovering that he was still alive and undergoing treatment at a hospital in the southern province of Phatthalung. Amarawadee Datekhao shared the case of mistaken identity that her family experienced with ThaiRath yesterday, March 26. She explained that her 17 year old son, Pongsaphak Thaneerat, and his friend were rushed…
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PM Paetongtarn heads to Phuket to boost sustainable tourism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is bringing her soft power message to the golden sands of Phuket in a bold bid to reshape the future of Thai tourism. The 38 year old Thai premier is set to jet off to the southern island tomorrow, March 28, as part of her push to position Thailand as a global leader in sustainable travel.…
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Air quality worsens, affecting 56 Thai provinces with high PM2.5
Air quality in the Kingdom of Thailand has deteriorated over the past week, impacting 56 provinces with elevated PM2.5 levels, notably affecting the north and northeast. Projections for the week indicate worsening conditions. As of March 27, the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre released its air quality report. The report highlights that the PM2.5 levels exceed national standards across several…
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‘You park, we arrest’: Pattaya cracks down for order
Pattaya is on a mission to clean up its act—literally and figuratively. With public spaces overrun by private businesses and traffic jams choking its streets, the city is launching bold new initiatives to restore order and improve quality of life for both residents and tourists. Leading the charge is Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who has rolled out two key…
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Thieves steal Honda Wave 125i motorcycles in Saraburi heist
Three young thieves stole two Honda Wave 125i motorcycles from a dormitory in Nong Khae district, Saraburi province. The theft occurred within three minutes, leaving the owner with only the registration documents. One of the motorcycles was newly purchased just a month ago. Yesterday, March 26, Boonsanong Kamphumi, the 37 year old owner of a white-red Honda Wave 125i, licence…
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Pattaya lifeguards and foreigner rescue man from suicide (video)
Two Thai lifeguards and a foreigner yesterday successfully rescued a man who attempted to commit suicide in the sea off Pattaya. Two Thai lifeguards and a foreign man who witnessed the incident yesterday, March 26, pulled the Thai man, later identified as Pisit, out of the sea. Pisit reportedly choked on seawater and was exhausted, as the sea had very…
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Suspect in 7.8 million baht gold robbery arrested
The suspect involved in a gold robbery valued at approximately 7.8 million baht has been apprehended. Police, after scrutinising CCTV footage for two days, discovered a suspicious pickup truck used by the suspect to survey the area before committing the crime. A press briefing is scheduled for today. March 27. The incident involved a male suspect who used a firearm…
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Behind bars and under fire: Thailand’s prisons slammed for slow reform
Thailand’s prison system is under fresh international scrutiny, with human rights organisations condemning the country’s slow progress in reforming its outdated and overcrowded facilities. According to last year’s annual report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Union for Civil Liberty (UCL), Thailand’s efforts to adopt alternative measures to incarceration have been insufficient, and critical changes remain…
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Thai transwoman and boyfriend arrested for killing brother
Police in Pathum Thani arrested a Thai transwoman and her boyfriend after uncovering evidence that they had murdered her younger brother and managed to keep the crime hidden for three months. The victim, a 28 year old Thai man, Jakkarin Charoenpha, went missing in mid-December last year. Jakkarin left his rented room in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima on…
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Thai man found dead in car after unusual online order
A 29 year old man was discovered dead in his vehicle after ordering items online, raising suspicions among family members who had noticed his unusual behaviour three to four days before his death. Yesterday, March 26, at 7.30pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jaresak Suwannasont, Deputy Inspector of Bang Nam Priao Police Station, was informed about a death inside a car parked in…
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Stricter safety urged after multiple Rama II construction accidents
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has called for stringent safety measures in response to recurrent accidents at a major construction project on Rama II Road, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. A meeting with Italian-Thai Development (ITD) is scheduled for tomorrow, March 28. The minister has directed the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), alongside the Institute for the Promotion…
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Toddler drowns in Wang River, northern Thailand
A two year old boy tragically drowned in the Wang River in Lampang province after wandering away from his grandmother’s house. The incident occurred yesterday, March 26, at 5pm, and police, along with rescue teams, responded to the scene. The Lampang Rescue Association, in collaboration with local hospital emergency staff and police, searched and found the boy’s body in the…
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Thai food fight: Restaurant industry left starving as spending drops 40%
Thailand’s restaurant industry is in turmoil, with purchasing power dropping by over 40% in the first quarter of 2025, according to Thanivarn Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association. The sluggish economic recovery and stagnant incomes have left consumers tightening their belts, opting for savings rather than spending, especially ahead of major festivals like Songkran. This downturn is affecting all…
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Lottery tips and stories fuel excitement for April 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the draw on April 1. Various sources have shared their predictions for this upcoming event. Here are some notable lottery tips and stories circulating. Renowned lottery predictor Mae Nam Nueng revealed her picks for April 1. She highlights the number 4 and suggests combinations such as 4176. For a three-digit finish, she proposes 417 and…
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Thailand video news | Trump tariff threat hits Thai auto industry, Cambodia rebuilds cathedral destroyed by Khmer rouge
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Thailand’s auto industry faces uncertainty as Trump’s proposed tariff threatens exports. Meanwhile, dramatic incidents unfold in Pattaya, including a hostage standoff involving a Tunisian tourist and a drunk American causing chaos on the road. In Bangkok, plans for a Formula One Grand Prix by…
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Thai police arrest Chinese duo for counterfeit cosmetics trade
Thai police arrested a 40 year old Chinese national who had obtained Thai citizenship and a 36 year old Chinese woman for allegedly selling counterfeit cosmetics and medicines. They rented two houses in Bangkok, where over 8,200 illegal items were seized. Yesterday, March 26, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, alongside other senior officers, directed a team, including officials from the Food…
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Illegal condo rentals exposed in Pattaya crackdown
The Thai government has launched a major crackdown on illegal daily condominium rentals, with a focus on three prime locations in Pattaya. Foreign investors, particularly Chinese nationals, have been accused of turning multiple condominium units into de facto hotels, violating the Hotel Act. These illegal operations have sparked outrage among locals and led to direct intervention by the Ministry of…
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Phuket rolls out EV buses to boost tourism and reduce pollution
Phuket is set to introduce two new 18-seat open-top electric buses to enhance its tourism appeal. These environmentally friendly vehicles aim to tackle pollution and PM2.5 dust issues while serving as promotional tools for tourism, according to Saroj Angkanapilas, Mayor of Phuket municipality. The buses are adorned with illustrations of the area’s distinctive Sino-European architecture, highlighting the Old Town’s cultural…
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Chon Buri crackdown on illegal foreign workers intensifies
Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the active crackdown on illegal foreign workers in Chon Buri, following reports of illegal employment. Yesterday, March 26, a special task force, Tri-Thai Protectors, was deployed to investigate Chinese businesses in Si Racha district after complaints of illegal foreign workers surfaced. The operation, led by Inspector General Pichet Thongphun and Police Lieutenant Colonel Amnat Chooklin,…
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MP banned for 10 years over vote-buying in Thailand election
The Supreme Court has ruled that Mukdawan Luengsinil, a Bhumjaithai Party MP representing Nakhon Si Thammarat, is barred from contesting or voting in elections for the next 10 years due to an election law violation. This decision follows a petition from the Election Commission (EC), which found evidence of her involvement in vote-buying during the 2023 General Election in Constituency…
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British widow’s Thailand dream turns to heartbreak
A British woman paid tribute to her “kind, compassionate” husband, who died after suffering a heart attack on a flight home from their dream holiday in Thailand. The couple’s flight was diverted to India when he took ill and eventually died in a Delhi hospital. The dead man’s British wife, Gill Dunn, then had the ignominy of bringing her husband’s…
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YouTuber’s van collides with truck, injuring seven in Nakhon Ratchasima
A van carrying the team of a popular YouTuber collided with the rear of a trailer truck, injuring seven people, including the YouTuber’s mother. The incident occurred yesterday, March 26, at 8.30am, on Mittraphap Road in Nakhon Ratchasima. Police Colonel Ratthawit Anandadilakkrit from Khong Police Station received the report and directed Police Lieutenant Songphon Nimmani to the scene, along with…
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Khon Kaen school janitor accused of assaulting girls
The Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page urged officials to maintain oversight on a case involving a school janitor accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls, including a kindergartener, in Khon Kaen. Parents of the victims reached out to the page, expressing concern that the case, which emerged approximately one month ago, might encounter delays or risk being shelved due to diminishing…
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