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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Runaway truck leaves ‘sign’ of trouble near Pattaya
Motorway officials were thrown into high drama last night as a massive signboard came crashing down across a bustling road near Pattaya, sparking traffic mayhem and sparking fears of electric shocks. The drama unfolded yesterday, February 2, at the motorway exit leading to the toll plaza en route to an international school just outside the city. When officials arrived on…
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Thai father saves 3 children but dies in house fire in Lampang
A Thai father sacrificed his life to save his three children from a fire at their home in the northern province of Lampang yesterday. Officers from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office of Khelang Nakhon Municipality were alerted to the fire at a three-storey building located across from Ban Kad Mek Fresh Market at about 1pm yesterday, February 2. The…
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British man’s Thailand trip goes from heaven to prison hell (video)
A British man ventured to Thailand anticipating nothing more than a peaceful, sun-drenched escape, yet, his dream holiday rapidly descended into a nightmare after a seemingly trivial mishap spiralled into a chain of catastrophic events. Arrested, assaulted, and stripped of his belongings, Andrew Hopkins’ tale unfolds as a chilling reminder for would-be travellers drawn to the Land of Smiles. It…
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People’s Party wins key Lamphun election victory
The opposition People’s Party (PP) has achieved a significant milestone in local politics, as candidate Weeradej Pupisit won the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidential election in Lamphun. Unofficial results indicate that 39 year old Weeradej defeated Anusorn Wongwan, a four-time veteran from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, in the election held on February 1. The PP presented 17 candidates for…
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Thailand braces for cooler weather as cold front arrives
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today predicting cooler temperatures and strong winds due to a new wave of cold air from China. This front has reached northern Vietnam and is expected to cover upper northeastern Thailand today, February 3. This weather pattern will initially result in a temperature drop and strong winds in the northeastern…
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Three children in Buriram praised for returning lost gold necklace
Three children in Buriram province are being praised for their honesty after finding a gold necklace weighing 2 baht in front of a village shop and handing it over to the village head to locate its owner. Yesterday, February 2, at 9.33am, 66 year old Suphon Khongsotsap visited the investigating officer to report that he lost a 2 baht gold…
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Peace talks misfire: Pattaya feud ends in bullets and blown tires
In another day of drama in Pattaya, an attempt to settle a feud between two rival groups spectacularly backfired, ending with bullets flying and a vehicle caught in the crossfire. Early yesterday morning, February 2, at precisely 9am, saw the police swoop on 24 year old Aniwat, better known by the street name “Nick,” at his Pattaya home. His crime?…
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Thai police to establish centre to combat Myanmar scam gangs
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is establishing an international coordination centre to collaborate with foreign embassies in preventing foreign nationals from joining call centre scam gangs in Myanmar. The initiative, spearheaded by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, aims to tackle call centre scams, particularly in the Mae Sot district of Tak, which serves as a significant transit point for individuals joining…
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Pattaya showdown: Family feud turns into a Western gunfight
In a scene more suited to a Spaghetti Western movie, a heated feud between two local families in Pattaya last night spiralled into a gunfight, leaving several injured. The explosive altercation unfolded along the railway roadside just before Soi Siam Country Club, on the inbound stretch towards Sattahip in the Bang Lamung district. At precisely 10.06pm, yesterday, February 2, the…
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Bud luck: Bold bandit breaks into Pattaya pot shop, swipes stash
Budbox Pattaya was the scene of a daring break-in yesterday morning. The infamous cannabis shop, situated in front of the JA Plus Hotel on Soi Chalermprakiat 3, was targeted by a bold foreign bandit who smashed his way through the glass doors to make off with goods valued at around 10,000 baht. The break-in occurred at approximately 11am, yesterday, February…
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Rayong police probe thief’s death after alleged self-shooting (video)
Police summoned a subdistrict administrative organisation secretary for interrogation following an incident where a thief reportedly shot himself while fleeing. The man is revealed to be the nephew of the secretary’s wife. Police are intensifying their investigation to resolve this complex case. The incident unfolded when a thief broke into the home of Somsak, the secretary of the Pai Yub subdistrict…
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Man arrested after 18 years for assaulting minor in Thailand
A 37 year old man, Apichat, was apprehended after evading arrest for 18 years following a criminal act involving a minor. He was accused of luring a 17 year old girl, Bee, on a trip to Bang Saen Beach, where he later got her drunk before committing sexual assault. Police Colonel Witthaya Sriprasertphap, acting commander of the Crime Suppression Division,…
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Thailand tops travel list for Chinese New Year celebrations
Thailand has emerged as a preferred destination for travellers during the Chinese New Year, offering convenience and safety, according to tourists. Digital travel platform Agoda highlighted Thailand’s popularity for the festival, which began on February 5, marking the Year of the Snake. The platform noted a significant increase in accommodation searches in December, with Bangkok remaining the top choice for…
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Thai app Jagat banned for illegal gambling activities
The Jagat application has been deemed illegal by the Department of Provincial Administration, as it falls under gambling activities. Yesterday, February 1, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), announced that the Bureau is coordinating with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) to block the app. Previously, Jagat gained popularity for enabling…
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Deadly crash on Western Ring Road: 2 killed, 3 injured
A collision involving a cement-laden trailer, an unmarked police car, and a steel-carrying trailer resulted in three injuries and two fatalities. The police plan to interview the drivers and injured parties to determine the cause. Today, February 2, at 1am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kritchatha Pratumkaew from Sam Khok Police Station received a report of a car colliding with a trailer…
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Thai police crackdown on border call centre gangs
Operation Aranyaprathet 68 SEAL BORDER aims to dismantle a network of call centre gangs and online fraudsters, rescuing a tortured Chinese interpreter and preventing mule accounts from being smuggled across the border. Yesterday, February 1, Police Lieutenant General Yingyot Thepchamnong, Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 2, unveiled progress in this operation, which has been monitoring the Thai-Cambodian border near…
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Explosives found near election unit in Chumphon oil palm plantation
Three grenades and nearly 100 machine gun rounds were discovered just 50 metres from a local election unit in Chumphon province. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, February 1, when a worker inadvertently kicked a suspicious bag while working. Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Yamee of Pathio District Police Station received a report from Sunthorn Thamniam, the village head of Mueang…
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Thai hostages freed by Hamas set for repatriation from Israel
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa arrived in Israel yesterday, February 1, to supervise the anticipated repatriation of five Thai nationals who were recently released after being held hostage by Hamas for 15 months. Maris, along with Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday morning local time. They later visited the five Thai nationals at Al-Shamir…
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Civil servant caught filming police officers in Khon Kaen restroom
A civil servant from Udon Thani has been detained for secretly recording two police officers in a restroom in Khon Kaen with plans to share the footage in online groups. Police were alerted to a man exhibiting suspicious behaviour at a petrol station restroom on Mittraphap Road in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen yesterday, February 1, as per…
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Illegal recycling site found with 3,600 tonnes of power lines
An unlicensed recycling facility in Samut Sakhon province has been found with illegally stored power lines, following a fire at a nearby plastics factory. The incident occurred on January 29 in Ban Phaeo district when a fire erupted at a plastics factory, leading to an investigation. Police discovered materials marked for recycling by a Chinese-owned company, including power lines from…
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Thailand sees slight temperature rise with isolated southern storms
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted a slight increase in temperatures due to weakening cold air masses, alongside isolated thunderstorms in parts of the south for February 2. The high-pressure system affecting upper Thailand is diminishing, resulting in a 1 to 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperature and morning fog. Northern and northeastern regions remain cool to cold, while…
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Gas explosion in Nonthaburi townhouse leaves 1 injured
A gas explosion occurred in a two-storey townhouse on Tiwanon Road, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, resulting in one injury. Police and forensic officers, along with a rescue foundation, responded to the incident which occurred yesterday, January 31, leaving the house severely damaged. The explosion caused the front windows to shatter and fall to the ground, while side windows were…
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Debt-ridden woman found dead in car in Ayutthaya
A 47 year old woman was found dead in a luxury car parked on a roadside in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, causing distress to her husband and daughter. The woman, who had been missing since she said she was going to the market the previous day, could not be reached despite numerous attempts to contact her. Police Lieutenant Thongchai Kaewjarun…
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Car rental leads police to massive drug haul in Pathum Thani
A man who rented a car and failed to return it has led police to a significant drug find in Pathum Thani. A Toyota Vios was discovered abandoned yesterday, January 31, with over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) inside. Police Colonel Kiattisak Mitprasat from Khlong Luang Police Station received a report from a car rental company representative about a…
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Swiss tourist reunited with lost Samsung mobile in Pattaya
A Swiss tourist in Pattaya, who had misplaced his Samsung S24, has been reunited with his phone thanks to the efforts of a good Samaritan and the Bang Lamung police. On January 29, Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat, Chief of Bang Lamung Police Station, directed his team to return the device after it was handed over by a helpful man named…
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Fire erupts at Ubon Ratchathani petrol station, blaze contained
A fire broke out at a petrol station in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani province yesterday, January 31 at 6.30pm. This incident occurred on the same day that a molotov cocktail attack was launched at Somdet Phra Yuparat Hospital in Det Udom district. The Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page shared images of the petrol station engulfed in flames, with…
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Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30
Kasikornbank has announced that mobile banking customers need to ensure their registered name matches their mobile SIM card name by April 30. The bank outlined two conditions for this requirement. Customers who have not been contacted need not take any action. Kasikornbank communicated through its Facebook page, KBank Live, regarding a measure to enhance mobile banking security. This initiative requires…
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Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht
In Samut Sakhon, an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation was uncovered by Thai police yesterday, January 31, resulting in significant financial losses due to unauthorised electricity usage over a three-year period. The operation, which led to over 500 million baht in losses, was discovered during a raid conducted by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) following abnormal power consumption reports…
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Thaksin Shinawatra allowed to leave Thailand with 5m baht surety
The Criminal Court has granted Thaksin Shinawatra permission to temporarily leave Thailand, requiring a 5 million baht cash surety to ensure his return. The former prime minister received approval yesterday, January 31 to visit Malaysia on Sunday and Monday. Thaksin named himself and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa as witnesses, supported by documentation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to validate…
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Pattaya tourism surges with Russian and European influx
Pattaya has experienced a notable increase in tourism during the current High Season, with a significant influx of visitors from Russia and Europe, as reported by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association. On January 29, Thanes highlighted that many of these tourists are opting for extended stays in the city, contributing to a vibrant local economy. Thanes…
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