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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Bus and truck collision in Ubon Ratchathani injures 11
A collision occurred yesterday, March 7, between a bus and a pickup truck on the Warin Chamrap-Det Udom road, located approximately 200 metres before Ubon Ratchathani University. The incident left 11 injured, two critically, necessitating nearly 20 emergency vehicles to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanyathida Pariyotai, an investigator at Warin Chamrap Police Station in Ubon…
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Foreigners rush to buy Phuket villas on long-term leases
Thailand’s property market is witnessing a real estate revolution, as foreigners snap up houses on long-term leases instead of just condominiums. This trend, particularly in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani, has been booming since Thailand reopened its borders in 2021. According to Dr Wichai Wiratkaphan, an independent scholar in urban development and housing, the leasehold market…
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Endangered Bryde’s whale found dead off Samut Prakan coast
The remains of a giant Bryde’s whale have been discovered floating off the coast of Samut Prakan, sparking concerns over the threats faced by Thailand’s endangered marine life. Locals in Bang Pu, a coastal area near Bangkok, spotted the massive 8 to 9-metre-long whale carcass around 8.30am yesterday, March 7. The mature female, weighing approximately 8 tonnes, had been dead…
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Ocean Marina Jomtien ranked 6th among world’s top marinas
Thailand’s Ocean Marina Jomtien has sailed into global recognition, securing the sixth spot in a prestigious ranking of the world’s top marinas by the South China Morning Post. Located near Pattaya, this stunning marina is Southeast Asia’s largest, boasting over 450 berths that can accommodate vessels up to 75 metres long. Its state-of-the-art facilities and prime location have made it…
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Big Joke faces dismissal without pension, says committee
A committee has unanimously recommended the dismissal of Big Joke from the police force without pension benefits. This decision will be presented to the Police Commissioner General for signature. The meeting took place at 2pm yesterday, March 7, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters. Police General Kraisorn Suwanrat, the most senior deputy commissioner general, chaired the meeting of the disciplinary…
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‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)
Disgraced former Police Colonel Thitisak Uthanaphon, infamously known as “Director Joe,” or Joe Ferrari, has been found dead in his prison cell at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. The 43 year old, who was serving a life sentence for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, reportedly took his own life – but suspicions linger over the circumstances…
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Thai summer storm alert: 39 provinces brace for severe weather
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has reported an impending summer storm affecting 39 provinces, with significant impact expected in the central and eastern regions, including Bangkok, where hail is forecast. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail in northern, western northeastern, central, eastern, and upper southern Thailand. Residents are advised to exercise caution…
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Bangkok motorist and rider resolve dispute, share ride home (video)
A dispute involving a motorist and a rider in Sathorn, Bangkok ended amicably after both parties resolved a misunderstanding. The incident, captured on social media, initially portrayed a heated exchange between the rider and a silver Honda Jazz driver, leading to a minor collision. Both have since clarified the situation and hold no grudges. Yesterday, March 6, the 43 year…
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Man arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat for machete threats
A notorious machete-wielding troublemaker was arrested while sleeping at his home in Nakhon Si Thammarat province after repeatedly threatening locals and rescue workers while under the influence of drugs. The arrest took place yesterday, March 6, when Police Colonel Sonthaya Panpaen of the Nopphitam Police Station, alongside officers from the Human Trafficking Suppression Division, tracked down 34 year old Sarawut…
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Bangkok taxi driver returns 154,000 baht to Japanese passenger
A Bangkok taxi driver has returned more than 154,000 baht in cash to a Japanese passenger who had left it in his cab. The woman, who had already flown back to Japan on March 6, never expected to see her valuables again. The 63 year old taxi driver, Chum Khamwiangsa, handed the black bag full of cash to Phithak Santirat…
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Village hero saves choking man with CPR after water mishap (video)
A 33 year old man with congenital disabilities experienced a life-threatening situation after drinking cold water caused him to choke and stop breathing. Fortunately, a newly trained village health volunteer performed CPR and revived him. Yesterday, March 6, reporters visited Ban Nong Prue Kan Yang in Tha Takiap district, Chachoengsao province, to meet Paranee “Oum” Unkaew, the local volunteer, and…
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Phuket drug bust nets dozens in ‘white organisation’ blitz
In a sweeping crackdown across Phuket, a drug bust brought 35 people into custody, exposing a widespread issue that has plagued the area. Phuket police set up strategic night-time checkpoints on Wednesday, March 5, in Tambon Thepkrasattri, leading to the arrest of those with drugs in their system: 20 of whom were Thai locals and 15 Myanmar migrant workers. The…
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Thai Airways bans power banks on flights after explosive fire risk
Airlines worldwide, including Thai Airways, are banning the use and charging of power banks on flights from March 1, following a shocking fire incident aboard a Korean Air Busan flight. The explosion, caused by a faulty power bank, raised serious safety concerns, leading South Korean airlines and other inter6national carriers to tighten regulations to prevent similar disasters. The ban applies…
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Thai woman mistaken for sister stabbed 18 times by sister’s ex
A Thai man mistook his former sister-in-law for his ex-wife yesterday stabbed her 18 times at the side of a road in the central province of Ayutthaya. Officers from Phak Hai Police Station were alerted to the stabbing at about 6.15am, yesterday, March 6. Upon arrival, they found the 39 year old woman, Waraporn, with severe injuries. She sustained at…
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NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has disclosed budget allocations for each community clinic, revealing some clinics receive up to 7 million baht annually. The income of these clinics largely depends on the number of patients treated and services provided. The Association of Warm Community Clinics yesterday, March 6, released data on per capita budget allocations from the NHSO. They…
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Teenager electrocuted by phone charger in Thailand sparks warning
The tragic death of a teenager electrocuted by a phone charger today has left a community reeling in the Sikhoraphum district of Surin in Isaan. Police revealed that the 15 year old girl was electrocuted after falling asleep with her phone, today, March 7. Officers added that she had burn marks from the phone charger cord. Sergeant Den Wanyang, taking…
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Ayutthaya acting school director arrested for sexually assaulting 13 schoolboys
Police yesterday arrested an acting school director in the central province of Ayutthaya for sexually assaulting 13 schoolboys aged between eight and 12 years old. The child sex abuse at a school in the Bang Sai district of Ayutthaya came to light after the parents of one of the victims discovered it from their son. The parents then filed a…
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Thai Attorney General charges 8 in contract killing case (video)
The Thai Attorney General’s office has filed charges against eight defendants in a high-profile case involving the alleged contract killing of Chaimate “Tong” Sittisanitpong. The case includes charges of conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of firearms. Yesterday, the Attorney General’s inspector, Sak Kesem Nithaiyok, and spokesperson for the office, revealed details about the case dating back to February…
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Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust
In a purrfectly executed operation at Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thai police proudly announced a successful swoop on a hair-raising attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife out of Thailand. The operation on Sunday, March 2, led to the apprehension of a 44 year old Indian woman, who was trying to wing it by sneaking protected animals aboard AirAsia flight FD 137 bound…
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Thailand cracks down on e-cigarettes with tough new measures
The Thai government is ramping up its fight against illegal e-cigarettes with a sweeping crackdown on smuggling, online sales, and domestic distribution. At a high-level meeting yesterday, March 6 at Government House, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, who oversees the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), announced intensified suppression efforts and long-term solutions. Jiraporn revealed that…
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Bizarre ‘airplane’ light poles spark online debate in Samut Prakan (video)
A wave of online chatter erupted after images went viral of densely packed airplane-shaped light poles in Nong Prue subdistrict, Samut Prakan. Critics are questioning the necessity and cost of the elaborate structures, while local officials insist the project follows regulations and is an innovative way to boost the area’s identity. The viral images, first shared by the Samut Prakan…
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Warehouse fire keeps Bangkok firefighters on toes for over 8 hours
A blazing inferno inside a frozen goods warehouse in Bang Phili proved to be a stubborn adversary for Bangkok firefighters, with the flames still not fully extinguished today after more than eight hours. Amid the chaos, the warehouse owner firmly denied any ammonia gas presence in the facility, easing some public safety concerns. Firefighters from a multitude of agencies converged…
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Udon Thani hospital staff beaten by patient over queue number (video)
A disturbing video surfaced online this week showing a hospital worker being brutally attacked by a patient at Nam Som Hospital in Udon Thani. The shocking footage, shared by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Thanakrit Chit-arirat, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, has sparked outrage and calls for tougher security in hospitals. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 5 at 8.56am,…
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Israeli tourists and transwomen clash in Phuket street brawl (video)
Two Israeli tourists found themselves embroiled in a street skirmish with a group of transgender women on the bustling Bangla Road in Phuket, leaving both parties nursing injuries. The brawl erupted in the island’s notorious nightlife district on Wednesday, March 5, sparking a dramatic scene captured on video and widely shared across social media. Drama unfolded in the vibrant hub…
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Thailand video news | Foreign tourist found dead on Kata beach in Phuket, Vietnam sees tourism surge but still lags behind Thailand
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest headlines from across Thailand and Asia. A foreign tourist was tragically found dead on Phuket’s Kata Beach, while an MP has exposed illegal condo rentals and prostitution in Bangkok’s Nana district. Meanwhile, the court has blocked the travel request of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra due to ongoing…
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Turkish man arrested in Phuket for illegally selling cannabis
Police arrested a Turkish man in the Patong area of Phuket for illegally selling cannabis in the province. Patong Police Station officers reported the arrest of the 33 year old Turkish man, whose name remains undisclosed, yesterday, March 6. The arrest took place outside the Weed Kebab store on Bangla Road on Wednesday. The Turkish man was found illegally distributing…
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Thailand halts airport transfer plan due to financial concerns
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has abruptly scrapped plans to transfer Krabi, Udon Thani, and Buriram airports to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), citing financial and operational concerns. Instead, officials are shifting focus towards developing state-run airports to generate more income and reduce reliance on government funding. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, March 6, that the transfer, initially approved by…
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Koh Larn mystery: Tourist’s body leaves police puzzled
Thai police have been left scratching their heads after discovering the dead body of a tourist in a forest on the picturesque island of Koh Larn. A photograph of an elderly woman was found at the chilling scene, yesterday, March 6. Police Lieutenant Anan Mahakit Asawakun from Pattaya City Police Station’s Koh Larn branch today shared news of the unfolding…
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Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates
Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…
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Fatal nap! Driver falls asleep, kills passenger in highway horror
A devastating accident on Highway 11 in Nakhon Sawan province tragically claimed the life of a young passenger this morning after a driver fell asleep at behind the wheel. At around 2.40am, today, March 7, a Toyota pickup truck slammed into the back of a parked 18-wheeler, resulting in calamitous damage and heartbreak. The scene at kilometre markers 13 and…
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