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 much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
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Fire devastates home in Phuket, leaves resident in shock
A fire erupted at a two-storey residence in Samkong Park Village, located north of Phuket Town, early yesterday, January 31. The incident left a 53 year old local in shock and resulted in extensive property damage. Phuket City Police received notification of the fire on Pracha Samakkee Road in Ratsada at 12.20am. Firefighters were promptly dispatched and worked for about…
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Geckos’ centipede battle sparks lucky number frenzy (video)
A spine-chilling video of two geckos battling over a centipede has sent netizens into a frenzy—not just for the drama, but for the potential lottery numbers hidden in the showdown. TikTok user @yowtamadai posted the eerie clip on January 30, showing two geckos locked in a fierce tug-of-war over a centipede. The video, captioned “Every day, oh my,” quickly gained…
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British dad mysteriously vanishes in Bangkok
A British dad has vanished in Thailand after failing to board his flight home—sparking fears from his distraught family. The 33 year old Brit, James Sangwine, from Epping, Essex, jetted off to Bangkok on January 18 to visit a friend but hasn’t been heard from since he left for a night out on January 20. His partner, 38 year old…
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Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, February 1, highlighting cold to chilly conditions in the north and northeast, with frost expected on mountain tops. Residents are advised to be cautious of fire hazards due to dry weather, while South Thailand faces monsoon effects with high waves at sea. In the next 24 hours, a…
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Thailand lottery players seek Chinese calendar for lucky numbers
Lottery enthusiasts in Thailand continue their quest for winning numbers for the February 1 draw, tomorrow. The search includes popular numbers from celebrities, social media, and well-known advisors, along with the widely-followed Chinese calendar numbers, which remain a significant interest among lottery players. For the lottery draw tomorrow, numbers from the Chinese calendar have gained traction. A TikTok user with…
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5 Chinese nationals arrested crossing illegally into Thailand
Thai police arrested five Chinese men last night as they attempted an illegal border crossing from Myanmar into Thailand’s Tak province, raising further concerns about the region’s notorious scam operations. Border patrol officers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce discovered the group at 8.30pm, yesterday, January 30, wading through the Moei River from Myawaddy to Mae Sot district. The men—29 year old…
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Phumtham dismisses refugee employment proposal as impractical
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed disapproval of Fair Party list MP Kannavee Suebsang‘s proposal to offer employment to refugees. Phumtham considers it impractical. Phumtham addressed concerns over the United States’ decision to reduce funding for hospitals in nine refugee camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border. He noted that the Thai government is also impacted by this decision,…
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Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a passionate last-minute appeal to his supporters, urging them to turn their loyalty into votes as Chiang Mai gears up for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections tomorrow, February 1. Returning to his home province on Thursday, the 75 year old political titan took the stage in a high-energy rally to back Pichai Lertpongadisorn,…
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Hot sting: Thai child scalded by soup at Chon Buri restaurant
A restaurant owner pledged to take responsibility and provide compensation after a five year old girl was scalded by hot soup at a popular eatery in Chon Buri. The incident took place yesterday, January 30 at the Khrua Pla Too Thit Auan restaurant, located on Hat Wonnapha Beach, Mueang district, Chon Buri. The child’s mother posted about the incident online,…
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Sky’s the limit: AIS takes off with HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone
In a daring leap into the skies, Advanced Info Service (AIS) has launched its first drone, the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max, setting its sights on the lucrative drone market. The high-flying gadget is now ready for takeoff at AIS service shops, promising to boost revenue from retail outlets and capture the imaginations of tech enthusiasts and adventurers alike. In a…
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Sacred tattoo event in Nakhon Pathom draws blessings
A sacred tattooing event at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom’s Khun Kaeo subdistrict featured a woman receiving a talisman on her hand from Luang Phor Pae. The event, part of the 9 Temples, 99 Luknimit ceremony, runs from January 25 to February 23. The ceremony’s highlight is the world’s largest Luknimit, available for public gilding. Taking place during the…
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Smoke signals: Thailand cracks down on PM2.5 cross-border pollution
In a sizzling new move to tackle the smoggy skies, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) sets its sights on cracking down on PM2.5 pollution stemming from cross-border agricultural antics. Their bold plan? To roll out strict measures that target corn imports, demanding ironclad proof that the golden kernels come from non-burning cultivation zones. In a hard-hitting proposal slated for…
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Thai senator’s death penalty drama stirs up capital debate
A Thai senator sparked controversy after proposing a more severe punishment for drug offenders in a parliamentary session that drug suspects must face the death penalty, and their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels. During a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 29, Senator Amat Ayuken spoke about what he perceived as lenient punishments for suspects in drug-related cases.…
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Taking the piss: Tourist pees at Phuket Airport
A video showing a foreign tourist urinating openly at Phuket International Airport, in Mai Khao subdistrict, Thalang district, sparked outrage both online and offline, with many demanding decisive action. The 13-second clip, shared yesterday, January 30, shows the tourist urinating without concern for onlookers, despite being warned by airport staff. The video was circulated widely on social media, particularly on…
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Gold prices soar to record heights amid Trump’s tariff turmoil
Gold is glittering like never before, with prices reaching record heights as jittery investors scramble for safe havens following United States President Donald Trump’s bombshell tariff threats against Mexico and Canada. The price of bullion saw a gleaming rise of up to 0.2%, hitting an all-time high of US$2,799.65 per ounce. This shiny achievement came hot on the heels of…
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Thai airline flight makes emergency landing in Phuket
Passengers on a Thai airline flight endured terrifying, life-threatening moments yesterday when their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport due to engine failure. The flight, carrying 150 passengers and crew, was approaching Phuket yesterday, January 30, when one of its engines malfunctioned, prompting immediate action from the flight crew. Despite the alarming situation, all onboard…
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Gem of a deal: Bangkok fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in trade
Organisers of the 71st Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair expect the event to generate over 3.5 billion baht in trade. Scheduled for February 22 to 26 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), the fair is hosted by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, with support from various public and…
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Thai woman fakes kidnapping and miscarriage for attention
A fake Thai nurse in the central province of Ayutthaya yesterday fabricated her pregnancy, kidnapping, brutal assault, and miscarriage to gain her husband’s attention. The husband had only just discovered that she was not a member of the medical profession but merely dressed in a nurse’s uniform. The 52 year old Thai man, Naruebet, called emergency responders yesterday, January 30, and officers…
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Snake and escape: Python slips past Trang officials in daring breakout
Officials from the Thung Khai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation found themselves in a tailspin when a slippery python made a daring escape. The reptilian Houdini slithered its way onto the bonnet of their white Nissan pickup truck, leaving onlookers in Trang province utterly gobsmacked. The incident unfolded in the bustling Wang To intersection in the Thap Thiang subdistrict, where the vehicle…
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Drunken tourists attack Bolt driver in Pattaya over ‘silent treatment’
A ride-hailing driver in Pattaya was left bruised and battered after a group of drunken tourists attacked him for refusing to engage in conversation. The shocking incident took place around 3am on Wednesday, January 29 in Soi Buakhao, South Pattaya, when 29 year old Suradet Khawlamai picked up five passengers from the Marina Pattaya South area. The group included two…
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Thai man shot near penis in jealousy over karaoke bar girl (video)
A Thai man shot attempted to shoot another man’s penis at a karaoke bar in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Wednesday due to jealousy after his favourite bar girl paid too much attention to the victim. The shooting took place at about 11pm on Wednesday, January 29, frightening partygoers and workers at the karaoke bar. The gunman,…
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Phuket booze ban begins as election showdown heats up
Thailand’s nationwide alcohol ban kicks in at 6pm today, leaving Phuket tourists dry for 24 hours as the country gears up for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections tomorrow, February 1. Under Thai election law, the sale of alcohol is strictly prohibited during voting periods. Those caught flouting the rule face harsh penalties, including fines of up to 10,000 baht,…
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Uzbek man nabbed at Phuket Airport for overstaying visa
A 21 year old Uzbek national found himself in hot water after being arrested at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by six days. The arrest took place on Wednesday morning, January 29 at around 10.30am, as immigration officers and local police swooped in on the suspect at the international passenger terminal. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphon Kaewkiattiyot of the Suppression…
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Fire fight: Minister braves flames to back Chiang Mai wildfire battle
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Doctor Chalermchai Sri-on, yesterday made a daring visit to the smoky frontlines of Thailand’s forest fire battle in a show of support. Accompanied by Jatuporn Buruspat, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Chalermchai rallied the troops at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, bolstering the morale of fire-fighting personnel and community networks dedicated to…
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Thailand gears up for Chinese tourist surge amid charter flight push
Thailand is ramping up efforts to boost Chinese tourist arrivals by increasing charter flights from secondary cities in China while launching a major domestic travel subsidy in June. Chuwit Sirivejkul, regional marketing director for East Asia at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that Thailand welcomed an average of 22,000 to 24,000 Chinese tourists daily in January. The numbers peaked…
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Thailand video news | Thai police arrest Israeli man for using fake US dollars, Thailand’s elite visa faces growing competition from digital nomad visa
In today’s Thailand video news, Jay reports on major developments across the country. Thai police arrested an Israeli man in Pattaya for using counterfeit US dollars, while a heated dispute in Bangkok saw an Indian-Thai man accuse a delivery rider of espionage. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Elite Visa program faces growing competition from the Digital Nomad Visa, raising questions about its long-term…
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Israeli man arrested for trying to exchange fake dollars in Pattaya
Police arrested an Israeli man after he tried to exchange fake US dollars at an exchange shop in Soi Bua Khao, Pattaya, yesterday, January 30. Staff at a currency exchange shop filed a complaint with Pattaya Tourist Police, reporting that the Israeli man, later identified as 56 year old Rami Ayash, had visited the shop to exchange US dollars for…
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Thai seafood exports to US unaffected by fishing gear concerns
The Department of Fisheries aims to reassure the public that recent changes to Section 66 of a Fisheries Executive Decree will not impact seafood exports to the United States. There are concerns that the US might ban Thai seafood caught using fishing gear harmful to certain marine mammals. Bancha Sookkaew, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, responded to a…
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Investors to pump 40 billion baht into Pattaya’s tourism sector
Investors are set to inject 40 billion baht into Pattaya, focusing on new hotels and attractions to enhance tourism. On Wednesday, January 29, Wallaya Traisorat, CEO and President of Asset World Corporation (AWC) announced the opening of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, a 234-room property with an investment exceeding 2 billion baht. This hotel targets workcation travellers, digital nomads, meetings, incentives, conferences…
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Five Thai hostages released after year-long ordeal in Gaza
Five Thai hostages have been released after being held captive by Hamas in the volatile Gaza Strip for over a year. The news broke yesterday, January 30, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs triumphantly announced the hostages’ release, a moment filled with relief for their families and an entire nation. According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the Royal…
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