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 Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Phuket youths arrested for reckless beach gunfire (video)
Phuket’s pristine beaches were rocked by outrage after a video showing youths recklessly firing guns at Surin Beach went viral, stirring fears over tourist safety and law enforcement lapses on the island. The explosive 21-second clip, shared by the Facebook page Phuket Exposed (แฉยับ ภูเก็ต) yesterday, May 29 just after midnight under the hashtag #ThisIsPhuket, showed several young men discharging…
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Thai transwoman fatally stabbed for alleged sexual assault on teen
A Thai man stabbed a transwoman to death and abandoned her body in a roadside forest in the Isaan province of Roi Et, claiming that the victim sexually assaulted him. The 18 year old Thai man, Anuwat, confessed to the community leader in the Pho Chai district of Roi Et that he fatally stabbed 32 year old transwoman Phuwanon Kamonphard.…
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Bangkok’s Grand Palace shuts down for royal birthday
Bangkok’s iconic Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (or Temple of the Emerald Buddha) will close their gates completely on Tuesday, June 3, as the nation honours the royal birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida. The Bureau of the Royal Household announced the closure yesterday, May 29, urging visitors and tourists to plan accordingly. Ahead of the full closure, a…
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Thaksin holds firm as Pheu Thai plans Cabinet shake-up
June is shaping up to be a stormy month in Thai politics, with tensions boiling over amid protests and courtroom drama targeting Pheu Thai’s spiritual leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite rumoured flight and political chaos, Thaksin made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, May 27, dismissing speculation that he had fled the country. His keynote speech at a narcotics control event…
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Police’s son accused of brutally assaulting Thai actress surrenders
The son of a retired high-ranking police officer surrendered himself at Phra Khanong Police Station on Wednesday, May 28, after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, a Thai actress. The actress, Bell, came forward last week to seek justice after suffering repeated physical abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Kongla. He reportedly threatened her not to report the assaults…
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Chinese arrested for molesting intern at Chiang Mai aquarium
A brazen act of sexual harassment has rocked Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium, as a Chinese tourist was caught on camera groping a female intern before being swiftly apprehended by staff and police. The disturbing incident has sparked outrage and a firm promise from police to prosecute the offender to the fullest extent of the law. The incident occurred today, May…
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Waterspout hits near Phuket and Phang Nga, officials warn tourists
A rare waterspout was spotted this morning near Koh Khai Nok and Koh Khai Nai, right on the border between Phuket and Phang Nga provinces. The swirling vortex, whipped up by a severe thunderstorm, lasted 10 to 15 minutes and was visible from the shore, leaving many stunned by nature’s raw power. Fishermen and holidaymakers in the area reported the…
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Missing Pattaya woman’s Dutch boyfriend says red-hair skull likely unrelated
The skull with red hair, which was found in the central province of Chachoengsao, may not be linked to the missing woman in Pattaya, according to statements from her friend and her Dutch boyfriend. A 15 year old Thai teenager named Krittapas discovered the skull of an unidentified woman on May 27 while jogging around a pond in the Saen…
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Thai business closures rise 8.3% amid economic concerns
Thailand’s business landscape is facing stormy skies as nearly 4,000 companies shut their doors in just the first four months of 2025 — an 8.3% increase from the previous year, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD). This surge in closures, with a combined registered capital of almost 16 billion baht, has alarmed lawmakers during this week’s heated budget…
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F1 fever hits Bangkok: Street race plans rev up
Thailand is gearing up for a high-octane future as Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed plans to host the F1 World Championship on a street circuit rather than investing in a dedicated racetrack. This bold move aligns with Formula One’s preference and the private sector’s eagerness to back the event, signalling an exciting chapter for Thai motorsport. Minister Surawong…
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Chiang Mai locals rush to buy lottery tickets before draw
In Chiang Mai, as the lottery draw approaches, locals are eagerly purchasing lottery tickets, especially in the bustling morning markets and areas like Mahidol Road and Mueang district. Prices remain steady with single tickets at 100 baht, two-ticket sets at 200 baht, and five-ticket bundles priced between 650 and 700 baht. Pannee Lu Poo Ngern, a lottery vendor from Chiang…
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Thailand braces as new Covid variant NB.1.8.1 rises fast
Thailand’s health experts are keeping a sharp eye on a new Covid-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, which is rapidly gaining ground and is expected to become the dominant strain in the country soon. Dr Yongyot Thummavudhi, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC), revealed yesterday, May 29, that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is actively monitoring multiple Omicron variants. Among these,…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok Bank shuts door on short-term foreign accounts, Amad Diallo’s middle finger was a response to personal abuse, not fans
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. News stories include Bangkok Bank tightening rules for foreign account holders amid a fraud crackdown, and a Bulgarian hacker arrested for installing malware in Thai ATMs. The program also covers a British family’s holiday nightmare in Phuket, a tragic police helicopter crash raising…
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Thai-Cambodian tensions ease as leaders seek peace
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are anticipated to ease as both nations engage in talks to address recent conflicts, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday. The Thai PM’s comments follow a Facebook statement by Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister and father of the current leader, after a brief gunfight on Wednesday, May 28, resulted in the death of a…
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Food poisoning outbreak in Udon Thani school affects 200 students
An incident involving nearly 200 kindergarten students from a school in Udon Thani province being rushed to Somdet Phra Yupparat Ban Dung Hospital has caused the emergency room to overflow. The children exhibited symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, suggesting food poisoning. Medical professionals are working diligently to uncover the exact cause. The students began experiencing symptoms during the evening of…
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Bangkok man arrested for possessing child pornography on LINE app
Yesterday, May 29, the Metropolitan Police apprehended a 32 year old man for possessing explicit images and videos of minors under 18. The investigation revealed he accessed and stored such content on the LINE app at his residence in the Thawi Watthana district of Bangkok. The arrest followed a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)…
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Udon Thani temple funeral turns violent as monk and man fight (video)
A confrontation occurred at a renowned temple in Udon Thani’s Mueang district, where a monk and a local man engaged in a physical altercation. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media, prompting public concern. The video shows a man in a black shirt restraining another man, while a monk uses his feet and fists against him.…
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Austrian man arrested for cannabis theft in Phuket
Police arrested an Austrian man for stealing cannabis from a shop in Phuket on Sunday, May 26, after the shop owner took to social media to report the incident. The shop owner, Chatchai Tanamas, posted pictures and CCTV footage of the theft on his Facebook account on Monday, May 27, one day after the incident. He urged netizens to help…
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Thai police arrest Chinese suspect linked to billion-baht scam
On the evening of May 28, Thai police successfully apprehended 41 year old Chinese national, Wu Feng Ma, also known as Amah or Afei, in Din Daeng district, Bangkok. Ma is a major suspect in a call centre gang operation, allegedly defrauding fellow Chinese citizens of over 10 billion baht (US$306 million) and suspected of facilitating illegal Chinese migration into neighbouring…
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Chinese tourist rescued after rooftop water tank swim in Pattaya
A surreal rescue unfolded yesterday afternoon when Pattaya authorities scrambled to save a 26 year old Chinese tourist who jumped into a water tank atop an eight-storey condominium. The unusual incident took place at 5pm yesterday, May 29, at a condo on Soi 17 off Thepprasit Road, leaving rescuers grappling with the challenge of extracting the man from the cramped…
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Pickup truck driver killed in collision with truck on Phetkasem Road
A tragic accident occurred when a pickup truck collided with a 10-wheel truck making a U-turn, resulting in the death of the pickup truck driver. Rescue workers took over an hour to extract the body. The incident was reported at 9.12pm yesterday, May 29, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Jiraphorn Phoolpipat, deputy inspector of Mueang Phetchaburi Police Station, received a report…
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Three arrested for concealing murder in Nakhon Sawan reservoir
Police have detained three men accused of concealing a murder by placing the body in a barrel and disposing of it in a reservoir in Nakhon Sawan province. The suspects, including 35 year old Paravee or Game, Chalerm or Mam, and Prasong or Beer, confessed to their involvement in hiding the body after shooting the victim, Chutapet or Uan. Yesterday,…
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Phuket dominates southern Thailand tourism
Phuket continues to crush the competition as Thailand’s top southern tourism hotspot, raking in a staggering 188.9 billion baht in revenue in just the first four months of 2025. Leaving rivals in the dust, this “Andaman Pearl” proves why it remains the go-to destination for beach lovers and luxury seekers alike. The Public Relations Office Region 6 has released the…
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Motorcycle collision with truck in Ratchaburi leaves one dead
A tragic accident occurred involving two women on a motorcycle returning from the market. While carrying bags of rice and dried food, they collided with a trailer truck, resulting in one fatality and critical injuries. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, May 29, on Phetkasem Road, near the entrance of Wat Don Sai, Mueang subdistrict, Photharam district, Ratchaburi province.…
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Over 10 assailants attack Narathiwat Police Station with M60s
Over 10 armed assailants launched an attack on the Chanae Police Station in Narathiwat using two M60 machine guns, as revealed by the Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 9. The violent incident saw 30 year old Sergeant Major Abdullor Makaseng, bravely respond to the attack but was fatally shot. Meanwhile, 33 year old Police Lance Corporal Jesada Promrat, sustained severe…
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Buriram man arrested with over 1,000 yaba pills
Police apprehended a 29 year old man, identified as Saharat, in Buriram province for possession of over 1,000 methamphetamine pills, commonly known as yaba. The arrest occurred when Saharat was about to leave his residence on a black Honda Wave motorcycle yesterday, May 29. Saharat, from Ban Yang subdistrict, was detained following reports of his involvement in drug activities. Upon…
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Couple arrested for embezzlement in Thai temple fair scandal
A financial scandal has rocked Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom, with a couple linked to the former abbot arrested over a massive embezzlement scheme involving the temple’s annual fair auction. The investigation has revealed an astonishing web of corruption, money laundering, and online gambling worth hundreds of millions of baht. Police detained Patcharaporn “Toey” and 32 year old…
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Teenager swept away after fall into Chaiyaphum weir
Yesterday, May 29, a 13 year old girl tragically fell into a weir in Chaiyaphum province and was swept away by strong currents. Police from Ban Duea station responded to the incident at the village weir in Baan Nong Bua Noi, Kaset Sombun district. Divers from Luang Siri Rescue and Mangorn Rescue, Nong Bua Daeng district, joined in the search.…
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University lecturer arrested for illegal firearm import in Thailand
A prominent university lecturer has been detained in connection with the illegal importation of firearms into Thailand, bypassing customs at ports. The suspect, 41 year old Visut, allegedly acquired up to 24 firearm permits and operated a gun shop within a military camp. Yesterday, May 29, police in Nakhon Si Thammarat intensified their investigation into a network suspected of smuggling…
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Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has decided to dismiss lese majeste charges against a 58 year old American academic due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed nearly two months after his initial detention, which resulted in US national Paul Chambers losing his job, work visa, and the confiscation of his passport. Earlier this week, the OAG issued an…
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