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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Student brawl in Pathum Wan mall leaves five injured (video)
A violent altercation broke out between students from two renowned institutes at MBK Shopping Centre in Pathum Wan, Bangkok, resulting in five injuries. Police intervened and detained both parties involved after the incident, which took place at 7.16pm yesterday, March 22. Police Major Montri Khamkhao, an inspector at Pathum Wan Police Station, responded to a report of a brawl involving…
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Thailand plans 1 trillion baht land bridge to boost trade efficiency
The Ministry of Transport has introduced draft legislation for establishing a Southern Economic Zone, facilitating a substantial Land Bridge transport project to connect the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand. This bill proposes a commission to expedite the Southern Economic Corridor’s development across Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit expressed hopes for the…
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Thunderstorms and haze forecasted across Thailand’s provinces
The Meteorological Department has forecasted thunderstorms in 12 provinces, affecting 20% of the area. Northern Thailand is experiencing high temperatures and haze, with Bangkok expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (°C) today, March 23. The low-pressure system over northern Thailand is increasing temperatures due to the weakening high-pressure system covering upper Thailand. This results in hot and hazy daytime conditions…
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Bangkok to complete 1,000km of upgraded footpaths by 2026
Bangkok is stepping up its game, with major changes underway to improve the city’s footpaths and make them safer, more accessible, and better suited to local character. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is on track to deliver 1,000 kilometres of high-quality footpaths by 2026, and they’re already over 70% of the way there. Yesterday, Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, spokesperson for the BMA,…
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Education Ministry backs overseas summer camp for Thai students
The Ministry of Education is supporting the One District One Scholarship (ODOS) initiative, encouraging Mathayom 4 (Grade 10) students across Thailand to apply for the newly launched overseas summer camp programme. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, assistant to Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob, explained that the summer camp aims to offer Thai students international exposure and prepare them for future ODOS higher…
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Toxic haze: Chiang Mai at No. 5 globally for poor air quality
Chiang Mai has been ranked as the world’s fifth-worst city for air quality, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safe limits across the province. Hod district experienced the highest levels, with PM2.5 reaching 144 microgrammes per cubic metre today, March 22. The weakening of a cold air mass has caused reduced air ventilation, contributing to the accumulation of dust particles. At 9am,…
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Pattaya police bust drug den in deserted beer bar
Two homeless men broke down in tears after being caught red-handed with crystal meth in a derelict beer bar in a drug raid near one of the Pattaya’s busiest roads. The joint operation, conducted yesterday, March 21, was prompted by complaints from locals who reported homeless squatters allegedly using drugs inside the abandoned venue on Pattaya Second Road, just before…
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Overnight water cuts to hit Phuket twice
Get your buckets ready – large parts of Phuket are set to run dry overnight as the island’s water authority warns of widespread supply cuts affecting homes and businesses across central areas. The Phuket branch of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has announced that water supply will be disrupted on two consecutive nights, tomorrow and Monday (March 23 and 24),…
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Phuket urges employers to boost worker protection
Phuket’s top officials are urging business owners to get serious about social security – or risk leaving their workers in the lurch and violating the law. The Phuket Social Security Office is pushing for greater awareness of its services and benefits, reminding employers that proper registration and contributions aren’t just red tape – they’re crucial financial lifelines for workers. The…
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Child pornography group leader busted in Bangkok
Thai cybercrime police, in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), have apprehended the administrator of a notorious online group named Second-hand Parts, suspected of distributing child pornography. This arrest follows the capture of a father-son duo involved in similar activities. On March 22, Police General Kittirat Phanphet, along with other senior officers, including Police General Thana Chuwong and…
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Tourist left bloodied in high-heel attack on Pattaya beach
A foreign tourist was left bloodied and dazed after being brutally attacked by a transgender woman wielding a high heel in front of stunned onlookers near Pattaya’s Walking Street in the early hours of today. The shocking brawl unfolded around 12.36am just metres from the entrance to the beachside nightlife strip. Witnesses say the violent outburst was unprovoked and played…
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Heathrow blackout grounds THAI flights, chaos erupts
A massive power failure has plunged London’s Heathrow Airport into chaos, grounding flights and stranding passengers, with Thai travellers among the hardest hit. The meltdown began just after 11pm on Thursday, March 20, when a fire broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, West London. The blaze knocked out both primary and backup power supplies, crippling operations at…
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Ex-Miss Thailand rescues ant-covered woman from drunk husband
A former Miss Thailand turned social activist has exposed a heart-wrenching case of elder neglect in Prachuap Khiri Khan – finding a frail woman bedridden, covered in ants and fed scraps by her drunken husband. Panadda Wongphudee, 46, chairperson of the Good Deeds Foundation, led the rescue mission yesterday, March 21, alongside officials from the Pak Nam Pran Municipality and…
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German dentist attacker found dead with throat slit
A notorious German man accused of attacking female dentists across Korat has been found dead with his throat slashed – his body eerily guarded by two snarling Rottweilers. The grim discovery was made around 5.20pm yesterday, March 21, in a single-storey house near Wat Don Chomphu in the Don Chomphu subdistrict, Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The lifeless body of…
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Thailand braces for rising temperatures and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted an increase in temperature by 1-3°C and heavy rain in some areas, with thunderstorms and strong winds in upper Thailand. This forecast is effective from yesterday, March 21. The weakening high-pressure system moving across the upper part of Thailand will cause temperatures to rise while maintaining cool morning weather in the north, northeast,…
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Bee chaos at Ubon Ratchathani temple market injures 6 (video)
Chaos ensued at a temple market in Ubon Ratchathani’s Warin Chamrap district yesterday when a swarm of local bees attacked a hive of wild bees brought for sale. Six people, including the elderly and disabled, sustained injuries from bee stings and required medical attention. The incident occurred at the Phasukaram Temple’s amulet market when a vendor attempted to sell a…
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Legal pardon offered: Thai man pleads for return of 1 million baht stolen amulets
An owner of a Buddhist amulet store in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri promised to drop legal proceedings if a thief returned four stolen amulets worth nearly 1 million baht. The store owner, 58 year old Boonhome Saen-ubon, reached out to several media outlets in an attempt to locate the thief. Boonhome revealed that the theft took place…
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Masked killers fatally shoot cattle farmer in Pattani
A chilling murder in the southern province of Pattani has left a community reeling, as four masked assailants ruthlessly gunned down a local cattle farmer in a brutal execution-style shooting. The killers escaped on two motorcycles, leaving the police scrambling to uncover the motive behind the cold-blooded attack. The horrific shooting unfolded in Ban Klang subdistrict, Panare district, Pattani province…
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Tragic murder-suicide leaves child orphaned in Surat Thani
A seven year old boy has been orphaned after his father shot his mother in a heart-wrenching murder-suicide today in Surat Thani’s Ban Na Doem district. The 47 year old gunman, Anu, reportedly shot his wife, 42 year old Sasithorn, before turning the gun on himself, leaving their child orphaned. The grim discovery was reported to Police Sub-Lieutenant Krisada Thongsakul,…
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Trunk wash surprise: Thai car care centre goes viral with elephant baths (video)
In a quirky twist, a car care centre in Chon Buri has gained viral fame for introducing a unique new service—elephant baths! What started as a promotional stunt has captured the hearts of netizens, as a delightful video of an elephant enjoying its bath goes viral across social media. A photo shared by Facebook user Chakkrit Chamnongplee yesterday, March 20,…
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Experts warn Thailand’s digital wallet plan could be a short-term fix
As Thailand plans its next round of digital wallet handouts, experts are raising concerns. The government’s initiative, aimed at distributing funds to teenagers, may not have the desired economic impact. In fact, some argue it could do more harm than good in the long run. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) urged the government to reconsider its approach, advising a…
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Loco antics: Drugged-up drama as man halts Hat Yai express
Pandemonium erupted in Hat Yai when a Thai man under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs turned the railway tracks into his personal stage, causing a train to come to a screeching halt. The bizarre incident, captured on video, saw the man standing, lying, and even walking towards the moving train, sparking chaos at the station. It all unfolded yesterday, March…
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Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)
Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…
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Rayong mother’s mate accused of battering girl over blame game
A Thai woman yesterday beat a friend’s 12 year old daughter at a house in the eastern province of Rayong. The alleged aggressor accused the victim of spoiling her daughter and encouraging her to meet with friends without her mother’s permission. Several Thai news agencies shared footage of the incident, showing the 39 year old woman attacking the young girl…
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6 year old Thai boy kidnapped by teenage girl reunited with family
A 15 year old girl kidnapped a six year old boy in the central province of Pathum Thani. The pair were found near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. The motive of the young girl remains under investigation. The family of the six year old boy, named Kao, took to social media to share his missing poster after he disappeared from…
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Thai stock index jumps as gold hits record high amid Fed rate plans
In a striking turn for the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the index surged for the third consecutive day, momentarily cracking the 1,200-point mark yesterday, as gold prices soared to record highs. This rally followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.50%, as anticipated. Rakpong Charoenpong, Senior Vice President at KGI Securities (Thailand), attributed the buoyant market…
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Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand
An Aussie man is scheduled to appear in court in Australia today, accused of aiding the escape of a notorious organised crime figure to Thailand. The unnamed 57 year old from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, allegedly crewed a vessel alongside another man to pick up a fugitive at a clandestine sea rendezvous. After quietly setting sail from Thursday Island, north of…
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Rama II drama: Crane truck collapse severely injures man
Following the Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapse, Bangkok’s Rama II saw yet another serious accident as a crane truck used for tree pruning collapsed, injuring a 63 year old man. The man suffered a serious forehead injury, requiring immediate medical attention, including a ventilator, at the hospital. The incident occurred yesterday, March 20 on Rama II Road near Soi 44.…
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Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports
Thailand has once again proven its floral dominance, exporting over 5 billion baht worth of orchids in the last two years alone. With demand for Thai orchids flourishing across the globe, the country has cemented its status as the world’s leading exporter of these beautiful blooms. According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai exports of decorative plants from…
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Thailand video news | Nightclub owner jailed over deadly Pattaya fire, Malaysia restarts MH370 search with ‘no find, no fee’ deal
In today’s Thailand video news update, Alex and Jay bring key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. A Pattaya court sentenced nightclub owner Phongsiri and associates to prison over the deadly 2022 fire, while Phuket prepares for a major water outage in Patong. Thailand climbed to 49th in the World Happiness Report, though challenges remain. Meanwhile, PM2.5 pollution surges across…
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