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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Horny Chinese couple arrested for filming public sex in Pattaya
Police yesterday arrested a horny Chinese couple for engaging in public sex and filming pornographic content on a footpath near Pattaya Walking Street. The Chinese exhibitionists claimed to have done this in several other countries previously. A security guard sought assistance from Mueang Pattaya Police Station after witnessing the lascivious foreign couple having sex on the footpath in southern Pattaya.…
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Ex-police officer arrested for indecent acts with child in Krabi
A 70 year old former police officer has been arrested for allegedly luring a seven year old girl to buy toys before committing indecent acts. The man was previously dismissed from service for similar offences. Yesterday, April 9, Police Major General Wichaya Sriprasertphap directed Police Colonel Phatarawut Onchuay and Police Lieutenant Colonel Kittibodin Kimsea to apprehend Thongdee (surname withheld) under a…
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Malaysians motor ahead as Chinese tourism hits a speed bump
Thailand’s tourism chiefs are shifting gears after a drop in Chinese arrivals put the brakes on what was expected to be a bumper Songkran season while Malaysians continue to flood in. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed a surprise twist in the tourist traffic, with Chinese visitor numbers dipping just as their southern neighbours from Malaysia come roaring in.…
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Phuket faces water crisis as reservoirs run dry
Warning bells are ringing in Phuket as reservoir levels plunge and fears of severe drought grip the island. Officials scramble to prevent a looming water crisis before the taps run dry. Phuket chief Sophon Suwannarat and top provincial officials joined a high-level video conference on April 8 to strategise urgent drought mitigation measures. The session, chaired by Minister of Interior…
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US academic granted bail but remains behind bars
An American academic accused of royal defamation remains locked up despite a court granting him bail, as Thai Immigration drags its feet on his release. Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University’s ASEAN Community Studies Institute, was granted bail by the Court of Appeals Region 6. But the saga is far from over. His lawyer must convince the Immigration…
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Pattaya pensioner cheats death after motorbike skids under lorry
There was a near miss of nightmare proportions in Bang Lamung this week, after a Pattaya pensioner lost control of his motorbike and almost ended up under the wheels of an articulated lorry. The heart-stopping incident unfolded at around 10am, yesterday, April 9, when Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received an emergency call reporting a motorcycle crash on Highway 331, near…
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Decomposed dugong found in Phuket likely died of natural causes
Marine officials reported that a dugong found ashore at Ban Ko En in Mai Khao, Phuket likely succumbed to natural causes linked to a chronic illness. The exact cause remains uncertain due to the advanced decomposition of the carcass. The female dugong, measuring 251 centimetres and weighing around 130 kilogrammes, was discovered on April 8, as confirmed by the Andaman…
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Air India in hot water again after Bangkok in-flight pee incident
Business class on an Air India flight to Bangkok turned into a piddle palace after a sozzled passenger allegedly whipped it out to pee on a fellow traveller mid-flight, despite the loos being in full working order. The Air India high-flyer is now being probed by police after taking the pee, literally, on a fellow business class passenger just before…
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PM Paetongtarn defends entertainment complex bill amid casino claims
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has hit back at critics who claim the Entertainment Complex Bill is a thinly veiled attempt to turn Thailand into a casino destination. She’s made it clear: the bill isn’t about casinos, but about creating economic opportunities and boosting tourism. The 38 year old PM addressed the growing controversy surrounding the Entertainment Complex Bill, dismissing claims…
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Thai commuters must register for 20-baht electric rail fare in August
Big news for Bangkok commuters! Starting September 30, Thai residents will be able to travel on the electric rail system for just 20 baht per trip. But don’t expect to pay cash or get the discount if you’re a tourist—here’s what you need to know. Thai commuters in Bangkok and surrounding provinces will soon be able to enjoy a massive…
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Thai woman denies abusing mentally ill man despite visible wounds
A Thai woman in the central province of Ratchaburi denied physically abusing a man with a mental illness after a video of him with serious wounds and bruises across his face and body went viral on Thai social media. Nawee Ittisangwron met the injured man, identified as Noom, outside a convenience store in Ratchaburi and decided to share a video…
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Phuket launches gateway project to boost tourism and conservation
Phuket unveiled a new initiative designed to boost local tourism, support community businesses, and protect the island’s environment. The Phuket Gateway project, launched by the Governor of Phuket, aims to connect tourists with authentic local experiences while focusing on ecological sustainability. Naraphat Plodthong, the Governor of Phuket, presided over the official launch of the Phuket Gateway ceremony, marking the beginning…
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Soaked and secure: Phuket gears up for a safe splash this Songkran
With Songkran just around the corner, Phuket is ramping up its efforts to ensure safety during the festival. A major new operation centre has been launched to prevent road and marine accidents, as the island prepares for an influx of tourists and local festivities. Today, April 9, at 9.30am, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat officially opened the Road and Marine Accident…
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Woman found unconscious in Pattaya with gold and cash
A glamorous night out took a worrying turn in Pattaya when a well-dressed woman was found unconscious and heavily intoxicated at a restaurant, surrounded by valuables. Police had to step in to protect her, and her jewellery, from potential danger. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Dusadee, Inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, told reporters that he received a call from a…
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Don Mueang Airport sees 10% rise in Songkran passenger numbers
Don Mueang International Airport is anticipating around 700,000 passengers during the Songkran holiday, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat confirmed today, April 9, that Don Mueang Airport is prepared to accommodate the expected surge in travellers. Wichit Kaewsaitiam, the director of Don Mueang Airport, noted that April 11 is…
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American lecturer’s Thai visa revoked over lese majeste charge
The American lecturer facing up to 15 years behind bars if convicted for defaming the Thai royal family, today had his visa revoked. Paul Chambers, an academic based at Naresuan University’s ASEAN Community Studies Institute, was officially arrested yesterday, April 8 at Phitsanulok City Police Station. Accompanied by officials from the US Embassy in Thailand, interpreters, and lawyers from the…
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Pattaya construction site sees arrest of illegal Chinese worker
In a crackdown on illegal foreign workers, Na Jomtien Police arrested a 50 year old Chinese national who was caught overseeing a construction site without a valid work permit. The arrest comes as officials continue to tighten regulations on foreign workers in Thailand. Na Jomtien Police, in collaboration with Immigration Division 3, arrested Chen Gaofeng, a 50 year old Chinese…
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Teen found dead in Chiang Mai after swallowing ping pong bomb
A tragic incident occurred today at a residence in Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai province, when a 17 year old boy was found dead after swallowing a ping pong bomb. The victim, who suffered from depression and was known for spending long hours in his room, was discovered following a reported explosion at 3.19am today, April 9. Police Lieutenant Sumerng…
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Lovesick Thai man fabricates shooting on tanker to meet girlfriend
A Thai man fabricated a shooting and injuries on an oil tanker floating in the sea off Chon Buri on Monday, causing chaos for police officers, simply because he wanted to return home to see his girlfriend. More than 20 officers from Laem Chabang Police Station, Sri Racha Marine Police, and the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Rescue Foundation rushed to…
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Newborn abandoned in pickup truck in Phuket, rescued
A chilling discovery in Phuket has left locals shaken after a newborn baby was found abandoned in the back of a pickup truck. The infant, still with the umbilical cord attached, was miraculously alive and is now in hospital receiving care. Today, April 9 at 10.30am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Khajornkiat Khamwichairat, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Cherng Talay Police Station,…
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Pattaya contractor fined after cement spill causes hazard
A contractor has been slapped with a 10,000 baht fine after cement spilled onto the busy streets of Pattaya, causing a major hazard for both pedestrians and motorists. The incident sparked a wave of public outrage, with many demanding stricter enforcement and accountability for construction trucks. The contractor was recently fined 10,000 baht after loose cement spilled from a truck…
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Night fire near Bangkok mall causes chaos and power cuts
A significant fire incident late last night near a popular shopping mall in Bangkok, caused widespread panic among residents and led to traffic congestion. The fire, which broke out in a large transformer at the Saen Saep substation in Din Daeng district yesterday, April 8, was quickly addressed by local fire crews. Emergency services from the Huai Khwang fire station…
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Bets off: Phuket residents roll the dice against casino plan
A group of Phuket locals has rallied against the controversial casino bill, urging the government to halt its progress. Dressed in white shirts, they gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall to submit a petition that firmly rejects the push for casinos in the popular tourist destination. A group of concerned residents, entrepreneurs, and members of the Phuket State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation…
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Burmese woman finds husband’s mistress after building collapse
A heartbroken Burmese woman walked for four days from Myanmar to Bangkok in a desperate search for her missing husband and son, following the collapse of a government building, only to discover her husband’s secret relationship with a Thai mistress. Locals said the woman was left “stunned and speechless” after discovering her husband had secretly started a new life behind…
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It was a glitch: AirAsia explains price hike on Songkran flights
AirAsia has addressed the recent uproar over skyrocketing ticket prices on flights from Don International Mueang to Sakon Nakhon during the Songkran festival. AirAsia responded to concerns over unusually high ticket prices on its Don Mueang-Sakon Nakhon route during the Songkran period, explaining that the issue was caused by a temporary glitch in its ticket booking system. The airline has…
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Couple arrested in Bangkok for selling drug-laced vape liquids
Police arrested a couple caught selling electronic cigarettes mixed with illicit drugs from their residence. The operation yesterday, April 8, led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and his team, uncovered a significant quantity of drugs and related items at their home in Sai Mai, Bangkok. The arrested suspects, 35 year old Theeraporn and 33 year old Tawiphop, were found…
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Phuket drug bust: 6 arrested with heroin
A major drug crackdown in Wichit, Phuket, led to the arrest of six suspects, including a man caught with over 79 grammes of heroin. The coordinated raids, carried out yesterday, April 8, have sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region. Six suspects were arrested in a well-executed drug operation led by…
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Udon Thani worker found dead amid extreme heat
In Udon Thani, amidst extreme heat, a 27 year old construction worker was found dead at a worker’s camp near a water factory. Lying beside electrical wires wrapped around him, police suspect dehydration and heatstroke, leading to heart failure. Police Lieutenant Kittikawin Umathitipong received reports of a dead worker at a construction camp in Mueang district, Udon Thani province. Upon…
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Ale’s well that ends well: Drunk foreigner trips up in Phuket scuffle
An allegedly drunk foreigner chased a Thai man and attempted to attack him in Phuket. The victim fortunately escaped unharmed when the foreign man stumbled to the ground. The Thai victim shared videos of the incident with the Phuket Times, today, April 9. The incident reportedly took place on the road leading to Rang Hill, a popular viewpoint in Phuket,…
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Luxury village theft ring busted, assets worth 5 million baht seized
Four foreign nationals from Colombia and Peru were apprehended for orchestrating a theft ring targeting luxury villages without security guards, stealing assets worth 5 million baht. Police suspect an organised operation with possible accomplices behind the scenes. The arrest took place at 7pm yesterday, April 8 at the Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station. Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutra, Police Major…
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