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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Lightning strike in Udon Thani claims two lives
A lightning strike in Baan Chaelae, Kumpawapi district, Udon Thani province, has resulted in the deaths of two men. The incident occurred as they were constructing a fish-trapping raft. Emergency services faced challenging conditions to retrieve the bodies amidst severe rainstorms. On May 17, heavy rain and lightning hit the region, leading to the deaths of 68 year old Wirun…
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Bangkok taxi driver arrested for indecent act on teen
A 62 year old taxi driver was arrested for allegedly committing an indecent act on a 15 year old girl in Bangkok. He claimed his age made him uninterested in romantic pursuits and insisted his actions were paternal. Yesterday, May 18, Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap directed the arrest operation, with Police Colonel Manoon Kaewkam and Police Lieutenant Colonel Rueangwit Duangjinda…
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Urgent call for help to remove massive net from coral reef
A post was recently shared online by a Facebook user, Rainan Denben, this past weekend on May 17, seeking assistance in removing fishing nets entangled in coral reefs at a national park in Koh Bulon Le in Satun province. The use of nets in fishing is regulated by laws to prevent ecological imbalance, however, some netting methods still adversely affect…
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Bangkok coffee shop worker gives birth unexpectedly in petrol station toilet
Yesterday, May 18, a 31 year old coffee shop employee, identified as A, unexpectedly gave birth in a toilet at a petrol station located at the entrance of Soi Seri Thai 38, in the Ram Inthra subdistrict of Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. The newborn, a baby boy, was discovered in the toilet bowl with the umbilical cord still attached.…
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Heavy rain forecast across Thailand with risk of flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for May 19, forecasting heavy rain across 42 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok. The rain is expected to affect 60% of the area, with risks of flash floods and water runoffs. The Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are predicted to experience high waves. The weather forecast for the next…
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DJ Tete found dead after abduction in Kanchanaburi
Forensic officers are conducting an investigation following the discovery of DJ Tete’s body, who was abducted earlier. Warapong Khunsrijaturong, a 33 year old man also known as DJ Tete, was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified people. The incident occurred around 3.53am on May 14 in Pruksa Kan 5 Village, Soi 7, Tha Makham subdistrict, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. The police have…
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Tragic elephant attack claims man’s life in Uthai Thani
A tragic incident unfolded today, May 18, when a 59 year old man was found dead in a drainage ditch in the Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani province. The man, named Chalo (surname withheld), was reportedly attacked by a wild elephant while returning home from frog hunting. Police Colonel Phonpaisan Kladfueng and other officials were notified and arrived at…
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Police arrest teenagers in Bangkok hotel sex trafficking sting
Police apprehended two 18 year olds at a well-known hotel in Bangkok’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district on May 17 at 9.30pm. The suspects were accused of engaging in sex trafficking activities, receiving a commission of 1,000 baht for each transaction. The arrest followed a sting operation coordinated by the police. The suspects, identified as A and B, were caught…
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Chon Buri village in fear after pit bull attacks
Residents of a Chon Buri village are alarmed and have filed a complaint after a foreign national allegedly released two pit bulls that attacked and killed local dogs. Yesterday, May 17, reporters visited the Areeya Village in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, following multiple reports from locals who are living in fear due to the actions of…
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Tragic van-truck collision in Surat Thani kills three
Thirty kilometres from their destination, a family travelling in a van collided with a 10-wheeler truck, resulting in the tragic deaths of three people, including a one year old girl, and injuring four others. The incident occurred on May 18 when police from Tha Chang Police Station received a report of the collision on Asian Highway 41 in the southbound…
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Insurgents attack Yala security unit, injuring two officers
Violence erupted in Yala as unidentified insurgents opened fire with M-16 rifles and shotguns, targeting a security protection unit and injuring two officers during a shift change. Emergency services rushed the injured to the hospital, where they were stabilised. Yesterday, May 17, the radio centre in Lam Mai district, Mueang Yala, reported the shooting incident involving a security protection unit…
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Trang child allegedly kicked by parent during school incident (video)
A six year old child was allegedly kicked by an angry parent at a kindergarten in Trang province, following a playground incident. The child’s injuries require a week of medical care, while the accused parent denies the charges. The incident took place on May 15 at around 2.30pm, when a mother arrived at the school to pick up her injured…
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Nonthaburi crackdown on unlicensed bars leads to fines
In Nonthaburi, a rigorous crackdown has been initiated by the provincial excise department targeting unlicensed bars and entertainment venues. Over 100 establishments across the province’s six districts were found operating without proper excise registration, leading to immediate penalties. Yesterday, May 17, Decha Boon-in, the Nonthaburi Excise Department’s director, dispatched a team led by Molichan Chaisaa and Thanawat Anupap, both experienced…
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Tragic car accident claims lives of two interns in Phetchaburi
Two 18 year old female interns tragically lost their lives in a car accident yesterday, May 17, at 5.50pm in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province. Police Lieutenant Suphasin Vittinanon, Deputy Inspector of Cha-am Police Station, received a report of the incident involving a car colliding with pedestrians on Petchkasem Road, inbound to Bangkok. Medical personnel from Cha-am Hospital and rescue teams…
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Pickup truck driver arrested after Bangkok police chase
A pickup truck collided with multiple vehicles during an attempted escape from police in Bangkok, resulting in the driver being detained. Yesterday, May 17, a viral video showed the truck speeding and emitting thick black smoke as it tried to evade capture but was eventually stopped by police. The incident occurred at 1pm on Theparak Road, inbound, near a PTT…
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Five Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal work in Bangkok market
On May 17, five Myanmar nationals were arrested for illegal entry and working without permits at a popular street food market in the RCA area. Immigration officials are expanding investigations to prosecute their employers. Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, instructed Police Major General Prasath Khemprasert, head of Immigration Division 1, along with Police Colonel Pholasit…
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Thailand braces for severe weather with thunderstorms in 51 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for May 18, predicting thunderstorms across Thailand, with heavy rain expected in 51 provinces, including Bangkok. Residents should be cautious of potential flash floods and forest runoff, especially in regions near mountain slopes and water flow paths. The forecast attributes these conditions to southeasterly and southerly winds covering the lower…
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Maha Sarakham man nets 12 million baht lottery windfall (video)
A man from Mueang Phayakkhaphum Phisai district in Maha Sarakham province recently became a multi-millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the Thai lottery. The winning numbers were announced yesterday, May 16, with the first prize number being 251309. The news quickly spread on social media, with the village head of Khok Lam, Asda Nuek Kaewbutsa, expressing his joy on…
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Thai women’s early morning fight rocks Pattaya’s Walking Street (video)
A brutal street fight between rival groups of Thai women erupted on Pattaya’s famous Walking Street, stunning foreign tourists and sparking social media frenzy. Today, May 17, at around 5am, six women were caught on camera violently clashing amid light rain in South Pattaya’s bustling nightlife district. The 42-second viral video shows the women punching, kicking, and grappling fiercely in the…
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Phu Kradueng cable car sparks sustainability fears
The proposed cable car project in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with questions being raised about its compliance with sustainable development objectives. Opponents argue that the project exemplifies a trend of government-supported large-scale initiatives that could exploit natural resources under the guise of tourism growth. The issue re-emerged late last month…
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Chalong wire thieves nabbed in Phuket raid
Phuket’s Chalong area has been plagued by a string of bold electrical wire thefts — until police launched a daring night operation that ended with thieves crashing into a squad car and landing behind bars. Earlier this month, police intensified efforts to combat a rising wave of electrical wire thefts in Chalong, tracking suspects and gathering crucial evidence. Their persistence…
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SRT to test refurbished Japanese diesel trains for suburban routes
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will start testing on KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains before next month ends, with plans to deploy these second-hand trains from Japan on suburban feeder routes by the end of the year. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala stated that the donated trains have been adapted to suit Thailand’s narrow-gauge tracks. Out of 20 units…
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Lotto Plus hits big: 4 winners share 60 million baht jackpot
Lotto Plus revealed four new lottery winners across four provinces, with a total of 10 first-prize tickets, amounting to 60 million baht. A particularly fortunate woman from the northern province of Phichit secured 30 million baht by purchasing five tickets, all of which were winning numbers. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the results for yesterday, May 16, with the…
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Thailand and Vietnam target US$25bn trade boost
Thailand and Vietnam have committed to strengthening economic ties and aim to increase bilateral trade to US$25 billion (833 billion baht) annually in the near future, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. During a media briefing following the 4th Thailand–Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR), co-chaired with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during her official two-day visit which ended yesterday,…
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Bangkok’s Bang Na gridlocked by floods and traffic (video)
Bangkok’s roads turned into rivers yesterday evening, sparking one of the worst traffic nightmares in recent memory, with queues stretching over 31 kilometres and motorists stuck for hours in waist-deep floodwaters. Heavy rainfall yesterday, May 16, caused severe flooding on key routes in Bang Na and surrounding areas, leading to massive traffic congestion that brought parts of the city to a…
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Miracle escape: Amulet saves driver in Chon Buri SUV crash
In a heart-stopping moment on a shadowy Chon Buri highway, a man’s SUV flipped onto its side — but against all odds, he walked away unscathed, crediting a sacred amulet for saving his life. At 10.36pm yesterday, May 16, Police Lieutenant Colonel Prakasit Phondech of Huai Yai Police Station was alerted to an accident on Highway 36, the Chon Buri-Rayong Bypass…
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Phuket gears up with sandbags ahead of rainy season
Phuket is bracing for the rainy season with a full-scale flood battle plan ready to roll out, as officials warn locals to stay alert and keep canals clear of rubbish. Yesterday, May 16, Chalermporn Piyanarongroj, Permanent Secretary of Phuket City Municipality, acting as Mayor, announced preparations following the Meteorological Department (TMD)’s declaration that Thailand’s rainy season officially began on May…
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Lottery luck: Rayong restaurateur wins 12 million baht jackpot
Luck struck in the most unexpected way for a Rayong restaurateur who scooped 12 million baht in the lottery — all thanks to a broken durian delivery wheel that flew onto a neighbour’s roof. Yesterday, May 16, the usually quiet village of Ban Yang En in Mueang Thap Mon, Khao Chamao district, erupted with joy after the announcement of the…
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Thailand deluge: Heavy rain and flash flood to hit 12 provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in 12 provinces, urging caution against landslides and forest runoffs. The Department of Mineral Resources is closely monitoring these risks, particularly in North Thailand, the central region, the northeast, and the South. Yesterday, May 16, the Geohazard Operations Centre of the Department of Mineral Resources,…
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Drug addict arrested for sex attempts with cow and dog
Police in the Isaan province of Buriram arrested a drug addict after he attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with a cow and a dog. The 70 year old homeowner, Chaiyasak, called a community leader and officers from Mueang Buriram Police Station to facilitate the arrest of a 37 year old man, Ittiporn, for his disturbing actions yesterday, May 15.…
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