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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Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
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Thailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network
Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking operation involving Thai and Malaysian nationals. The operation, carried out in Songkhla, a southern province, led to the arrest of two Thai suspects and the seizure of 261 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice). Prin Mekanandha, the ONCB’s Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement, confirmed the operation…
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Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform
Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…
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Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
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Thai cuisine goes global with new Orchid Star programme
Thai commerce minister, Phichai Naripthaphan, has announced enhancements to the Thai SELECT programme, aiming to elevate Thai cuisine to a global level by introducing a new Orchid Star symbol. This initiative, which began in 1998, continues to promote Thai food and restaurants worldwide, assuring consumers of authentic flavours and high-quality standards. There are currently over 18,852 Thai restaurants worldwide, with…
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Drunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum
Last night, April 30, at 10.16pm, a drunk driving hospital director crashed into two television photographers in Chaiyaphum province, resulting in severe injuries. The incident occurred as the pair were out for a late-night meal. Police Lieutenant Kanti Piansoongnern, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Chaiyaphum Police Station, received a report about a car crash at a restaurant in Nai Mueang subdistrict.…
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Residents seek lucky incense numbers at Phetchabun ceremony
Residents gathered to observe auspicious incense numbers during a significant religious ceremony at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Phetchabun province, where a Buddha statue named Luang Pho Prasop Chok was being cast. During the offering rituals, dark clouds ominously formed but eventually drifted to a nearby subdistrict yesterday, April 30. The ceremony, held at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Ban…
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People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals
The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Drug raid in Phuket worker camps leads to three arrests
Raids at two worker camps in central Phuket led to the arrest of two Myanmar nationals and one Thai national after methamphetamine use was detected among six Myanmar workers. The operation took place in Srisoonthorn on April 29, as reported by the Thalang District Office. The coordinated effort aimed at combating drug-related activities involved approximately 150 workers and was carried…
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Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree
Yesterday, April 30, police apprehended 32 year old Koraphak or Oak, known as the ninja thief, in Pathum Thani province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court on April 29 for fraud. The suspect admitted to committing thefts to support his online gambling habit and buy food for his cats. According to Police Colonel…
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Police officer injured in Yala checkpoint shooting
A police officer was injured in a shooting incident while setting up a checkpoint in Mueang district, Yala province, at 8.15pm yesterday, April 30. The Yala Mueang Police Station’s radio centre reported that an ambush took place near the operational base in Baan Chanan, Phorn subdistrict, resulting in one border patrol officer being wounded. Following the incident, emergency services promptly…
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Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai
Yesterday, April 30, immigration police in Chiang Mai apprehended a Chinese national who had overstayed his tourist visa in Thailand. The arrest took place on Thipanet Road, Mueang district in Chiang Mai province, following a coordinated operation between the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Bureau and Immigration Division 5. The man was charged with remaining in the kingdom after the expiration…
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Motorcyclist tragically killed in Bang Kaeo road accident
A tragic accident occurred when a motorcyclist collided with the back of a car, fell, and was subsequently run over by an 18-wheel truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, April 30, in Bang Kaeo district, Samut Prakan province. Police from Bang Kaeo station were notified of the accident on Thepharak Road, at kilometre marker…
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Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries
A six-wheel water truck experienced brake failure and collided with an electric pole in Chon Buri, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident took place at 2.56pm yesterday, April 30, with the driver taking decisive action to avoid harm. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya were alerted about the accident involving a six-wheel Isuzu water…
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Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims
The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications. In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final…
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Police arrest suspect in Yasothon tattoo shop shooting
Police have arrested 30 year old Apisit Hoolob following a shooting incident at a tattoo shop in Yasothon city. The arrest was made in a rented house in Pathum Ratchawongsa district, Amnat Charoen province, based on an arrest warrant issued by Yasothon Provincial Court on April 29. Apisit faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a…
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Gunman surrenders after Ratchaburi restaurant shooting injures four
A gunman has surrendered following a shooting incident at a well-known restaurant in Mueang Photharam, Ratchaburi, resulting in four injuries: three men and one woman. The provincial police chief has expressed concern over people claiming connections to influential figures, prompting a proposal to close the establishment. The event occurred yesterday, April 30, at Slam restaurant, located in Moo 9, Ban…
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Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…
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Lottery number frenzy empties stalls at Kham Chanod
A surge of interest in specific lottery numbers has left the stalls at Kham Chanod nearly empty as people search for lucky digits. Yesterday, April 30, reporters at the Naga King Palace on Kham Chanod Island in Baan Muang subdistrict, Baan Dung district, Udon Thani province, observed the scene at this spiritual site, dedicated to the revered Phaya Naga, Father…
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Phuket police crack down on teen gang with guns and bombs
A dangerous teen gang armed with guns and explosives was swiftly taken down by Phuket police in a high-stakes operation, preventing what could have been a major incident in the city. Yesterday, April 29, at 6pm, Chalong Police Station launched a bold crackdown on a group of teens suspected of disturbing the peace and planning an attack. Under the direction…
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Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok
Officers arrested a Thai man posing as a police officer who extorted money from migrant workers and their employers at the popular tourist destination Asiatique the Riverfront, in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood of Bangkok Restaurant owners and business operators in the area questioned officers at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station about the frequency of operations targeting migrant workers after observing…
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Cock-up confession: Heartbroken drug addict begs to go to jail
A lovesick drug addict handed himself over to police in a tearful plea to be locked up, claiming life had lost all meaning after his marriage collapsed and his bedroom antics dried up because he couldn’t get erect. The 48 year old man, devastated by the breakdown of his relationship, said prison seemed better than facing the daily heartache on…
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Thai police crackdown on human smuggling network
Police announced the arrest of a network smuggling Chinese and foreign nationals through Thailand to third countries. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau confirmed that an engineer at a construction project holds a valid temporary work visa, not a student visa as previously reported. Yesterday, April 29, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai, an assistant to the…
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Woman killed by ex-husband in Chon Buri knife attack
A 51 year old woman was killed after her ex-husband stabbed her eight times in a fit of rage at her rental home in Bo Win, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province. The suspect, 50 year old Den, who was also injured after attempting to take his own life, was rushed to Laem Chabang Hospital for treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanoknan…
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Monkey mayhem: Nearly 300 sterilised in Lopburi crackdown
It’s monkey business no more in Lopburi as wildlife officials stepped in to snip the chaos—literally. In a bid to ease tensions between humans and monkeys, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has captured and sterilised 299 monkeys in Chai Badan district, Lopburi province. The operation, which ran from April 24-29, is part of a wider…
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Police hunt for suspect in child sexual assault case in Surat Thani
Police are actively pursuing a 52 year old man wanted for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a nine year old girl. The incident occurred on April 25 in Surat Thani province, and a warrant for his arrest was issued on April 26. Police Colonel Narong Rakprathum and Deputy Superintendent Manop Marotrakul from the Khiri Rat Nikhom Police Station, along with…
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Ukrainian woman vanishes after trashing Phuket condo
A Ukrainian woman disappeared after causing extensive damage to a condominium unit in Phuket, resulting in losses exceeding 350,000 baht for the owner. The Thai owner of the unit, Praphaphan Meesomboon, shared images of the devastation on Facebook today, April 30. She posted several photos of the wrecked room along with a caption that read… “A lesson learned for all…
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Child’s play turns to ash: Toy factory fire sparks 10 million baht loss
A fire erupted at a children’s toy warehouse shortly after the owner left, causing damage estimated at over 10 million baht, though fortunately, the blaze did not spread to adjacent warehouses. The incident occurred at approximately 6.30pm yesterday, April 29, at Tiny Lion Co., Ltd., located in Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province. The company specialises in distributing children’s…
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Thai agriculture minister boosts lychee farming in Nakhon Phanom
Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat yesterday visited a major lychee farm in Nakhon Phanom province to observe the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing high-value agricultural products and services. Accompanied by Anongnat Jakaew, the agriculture minister’s secretary, and a team of officials, she engaged with local farmers to understand their challenges. The Uthai Rasmilichit Nakhon Phanom 1 lychee variety is a…
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