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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Thailand video news | Taxi blocks ambulance, causing patient’s death in Phuket, ‘Family holiday’ revealed as drug trafficking operation
This week in Thailand and Southeast Asia, tragedy struck in Phuket as a blocked ambulance led to a patient’s death, while a supposed family trip was exposed as a drug-smuggling convoy. Viral incidents involving unruly tourists in Pattaya and Phuket reignited scrutiny over visa-free travel policies. Amid the chaos, Thai locals earned praise for their compassion during a medical emergency…
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Thai police raid uncovers illegal pork carcasses in Pathum Thani
Police and the Department of Livestock Development yesterday conducted a raid at four locations in Talat Thai, Pathum Thani province. The operation followed reports of illegal pork carcass imports intended for sale across Thailand. One target of the raid yesterday, April 29, was a cold storage facility with a 40-tonne capacity, storing pork carcasses illegally brought in from Nakhon Pathom…
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British ambassador issues cannabis warning in Phuket
British tourists lighting up in Thailand have been hit with a harsh reminder—bring cannabis home and you could face serious jail time. During an official visit to Phuket on Monday, April 28, British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding urged Thai officials to continue warning tourists that cannabis remains strictly illegal in the UK. The message was delivered during a meeting…
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Nakhon Phanom man credits lottery win to sacred numbers
A 51 year old man from Nakhon Phanom visited the Ruesi Nen Hermitage in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province to offer a pumpkin to revered Grandfather Ruesi Prommeth after winning a lottery prize. The man credited his success to numbers he saw in a sacred water basin at the hermitage. Yesterday, April 29, a vibrant atmosphere was reported at the…
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Hungarian man attacked by Pattaya transwoman over unpaid service
A Thai transwoman and her friend attacked a Hungarian man outside a bar in Pattaya in the early hours of today, April 30, after he allegedly failed to pay for entertainment services. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to a physical assault at 12.16am. The incident occurred outside a bar in Soi Pattaya Beach 12. The assailants had…
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Teenage degenerate caught with his hand in the kiddie trafficking till
In a jaw-dropping scandal, a teenage degenerate has been arrested by the Crime Suppression Division for orchestrating a shocking underage gay sex ring in Bangkok. The debauched 14 year old, referred to as “A,” confessed to gaining a 400 baht profit from his seedy enterprise, which involved exploiting friends of the same age. The saga unfolded on Tuesday night, April…
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Man arrested for bag snatching to fund online gambling habit
A 47 year old man was arrested by police at Rattanathibet Police Station for snatching a bag to fund online gambling. His mother publicly chastised the suspect, Navi, emphasising she never raised her son to be a criminal, despite his unemployment. Investigations began on April 27 when a 25 year old Myanmar national, Nan Mu Aw Kon, reported a theft…
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Retired police general in Bangkok hit-and-run incident
A retired police general was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a luxury car and a motorcycle near the entrance of Kluaynamthai Hospital on Rama 4 Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok. The incident occurred at 11pm on April 27. The driver fled towards Phra Khanong intersection, where vigilant locals managed to stop him. The area falls under the…
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Foreign man injured after falling on jet ski while parasailing in Phuket
A foreign man sustained a leg injury after falling onto a jet ski during a parasailing activity off Patong Beach in Phuket. The Kusoltam Patong Rescue Foundation was called to assist the man, whose nationality and identity were not disclosed, at 2.19pm, yesterday, April 29, on Patong Beach. The man reportedly fell while parasailing, although the height from which he…
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Late shift on Thailand’s stock market clock as SET goes global
Thailand’s stock market is pulling a night shift, with extended hours letting investors chase Wall Street and European giants well into the wee hours, starting May 6. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is throwing open its doors around the clock for global investment, with new trading hours for depositary receipts (DRs) linked to US and European securities launching this…
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Concrete slab from old overpass kills driver in Bangkok
A concrete slab fell from an older overpass onto a pickup truck, injuring the driver yesterday on the outbound side of Rama 2 Road in Bangkok. The incident, not related to the new bridge construction, prompted immediate action to assist the injured party. The accident occurred around 8am, yesterday, April 29, when concrete debris fell from an old overpass connecting Krathum…
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Trumped up trouble puts brakes on Thailand’s car industry
Thailand’s car industry is veering off course, with annual production now expected to skid below target thanks to Washington’s punishing tariffs and a domestic market bogged down by debt and rejected loans. Thailand’s automotive engine is spluttering, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warning that this year’s car production is set to fall short of its 1.5 million-unit goal,…
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Bhumjaithai loses southern seat in shock Klatham upset
A dramatic political upset has rocked southern Thailand, as the rising Kla Tham Party snatched a crucial seat from the ruling Bhumjaithai Party in Sunday’s by-election. Kongkiat Ketsobat of Kla Tham unofficially clinched victory in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Constituency 8 with 38,680 votes, knocking out Bhumjaithai’s hopes of holding onto the seat. The poll was triggered by the disqualification of former MP Mukdawan…
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Phuket Airport soars as Russians jet in while China jets off
Phuket Airport is flying high despite a sharp drop in Chinese tourists, with Russian and Turkish travellers stepping in to keep the island’s tourism industry cruising toward a record-breaking 18 million passengers this year. Phuket International Airport is on course to welcome a whopping 18 million passengers in 2025, even as the number of Chinese arrivals nosedives, according to airport…
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Thailand braces for summer storms across 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its 12th warning regarding the severe weather forecast for today, April 30. Thirty-six provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and lightning. northern Thailand is anticipated to be the most affected region. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that both the northern and central regions of Thailand will continue to face…
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Boozed-up Belgian tourist smashes up store in drunken rampage
A boozed-up Belgian tourist turned a Pattaya 7-Eleven into his personal wine-tasting warzone but ended up footing a hefty bill after turning the aisle into a scene straight out of Bottleship Down. Chaos erupted at around 4am on April 27 when a drunken foreigner wreaked havoc inside a convenience store in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung district, smashing at least ten wine…
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Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ boom to boost economy by 152 billion baht
Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ community is fast becoming an economic force to be reckoned with, with a new study projecting a 152 billion baht boost to the nation’s GDP this year, fuelled by local spending and a surge in LGBTQIA+ tourism. According to research from Mahidol University’s College of Management (CMMU), more than 5.9 million LGBTQIA+ persons, around 9% of Thailand’s population,…
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BMTA to launch super app for Bangkok commuters in October
Bangkok commuters may soon enjoy a smoother ride, digitally, at least. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced that its much-anticipated “super app” is set to launch this October, promising to simplify payments, provide route updates, and offer a digital platform for feedback and complaints. But while the promise sounds slick, there are still a few speed bumps ahead. Kittikarn…
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Shocking encounter: Man hides in Thai woman’s Japan hotel room
A solo traveller from Thailand shared a chilling experience in Japan when she discovered a man hiding under her hotel bed. Natalisi Taksisi, who had chosen Japan for its reputation for safety, was horrified to find a stranger in her room despite the hotel’s key card system. The incident, which has since gone viral, has raised concerns about hotel security and…
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M81 motorway free for 10 days to boost Kanchanaburi fair
Motorists heading to Kanchanaburi province for the Samburi Kaset Fair next month are in for a treat—free access to the newly completed M81 motorway. From May 3 to 12, the Department of Highways has announced that travel on the 96-kilometre route will be free of charge to facilitate easy access to the agricultural fair, offering a much-needed break for travellers.…
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Cement block falls onto truck, driver injured on Rama II expressway
A motorist has been injured after a large cement block fell from the construction site of the Rama II elevated expressway, smashing onto his pickup truck as he was driving beneath the ongoing project. The shocking incident occurred on Rama II Road, as the driver was heading towards Samut Sakhon. The unnamed driver told emergency medical technicians (EMTs) that he…
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Up in the air: Thailand to elevate tourism with airport upgrades
The Ministry of Transport in Thailand has allocated funds to upgrade airports in three provinces in northeastern Thailand to boost secondary city tourism. Assistant Transport Minister Manoporn Charoensri announced efforts to transform Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan into year-round tourist destinations. The initiative aligns with the government’s policy under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who emphasises secondary city tourism, with…
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Pattana Pet Run 2025: Dogs and cats race for fun in Chon Buri
Pattana Sports Resort is stepping up its pet-friendly game with an exciting new event that’s sure to make tails wag! The Pattana Pet Run 2025 will take place in Chon Buri this June, offering pet parents a unique opportunity to run alongside their four-legged friends and create lasting memories together. On Thursday, April 24, a press conference for the event…
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Thai woman, 70, arrested for brother’s murder over inheritance row
A 70 year old woman was recently apprehended for the murder of her younger brother, a crime stemming from a land inheritance dispute that had remained unresolved for over a decade. The arrest was made by the police in Rayong province, following a directive from Police Major General Thirachart Thirachartthamrong. The incident dates back to 2012, when the woman, identified…
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Thai locals show compassion, aid foreign woman in roadside seizure (video)
A foreign woman experienced a seizure on the roadside, prompting immediate assistance from nearby Thais who showed great compassion. Yesterday, April 28, a TikTok user @guyslumclub posted a video capturing the incident, highlighting the kindness of Thai locals who rushed to help without hesitation. The post humorously encouraged support for the poster’s noodle shop, Ann’s Kuay Teow Khua Gai, Baanthat…
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Bangkok ranks No. 6 among world’s friendliest cities for expats
Bangkok has been named one of the world’s most expat-friendly cities, securing 6th place in the annual survey conducted by InterNations. While Malaga, Spain, clinched the top spot as the most welcoming city for expatriates, Bangkok’s high ranking highlights the city’s growing appeal to foreigners. According to the survey, expats in Bangkok reported feeling very welcomed by locals, with 67%…
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Police halt convoy disguising drug transport as family trip in Chumphon
Police intercepted a convoy attempting to transport 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, disguising the operation as a family trip. Yesterday, April 28, Police Major General Khongkrit Lertsitthikul directed officers to arrest four people in Chumphon province. Those arrested included 40 year old Narongsak, 43 year old Sirisak, 19 year old Pornpen, and a 17 year old referred to as A.…
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PM Paetongtarn’s health scare disrupts Nakhon Phanom visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Nakhon Phanom province took an unexpected turn yesterday as she battled a high fever and fatigue, forcing her to cancel several key activities. The premier, who appeared visibly unwell, was seen struggling to stay focused during a briefing about cross-border drug issues along the Mekong River. Despite her efforts to push through, Paetongtarn’s…
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Defence minister sets 1 week deadline for southern unrest report
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has given security forces a week to submit a report on their efforts to address the ongoing unrest in Thailand’s southernmost provinces. Yesterday, April 28, Phumtham instructed the Royal Thai Army chief to adopt a more proactive strategy for dealing with security issues in the Deep South. The police and military have…
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Thai transport ministry fast-tracks 20 baht train fare policy
The Ministry of Transport is accelerating efforts to implement the 20 baht flat fare for electric trains policy, targeting completion by September 2025. A new draft of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Act is slated for Cabinet consideration in May. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted that the ministry is currently detailing the draft law, aimed at modernising…
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