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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Delivery rider attacked near Bangkok taxi stand (video)
A delivery rider was assaulted near a motorcycle taxi stand in Sukhumvit Soi 93 in Bangkok after parking his vehicle to make a delivery. The incident, captured on video and shared by a popular social media page, occurred on May 28 at 11am. A long-serving local motorcycle taxi driver, Somkit, expressed disbelief at the violent incident, citing his 30 years…
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Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace
In a groundbreaking show of royal support, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made history by blessing Thailand’s first-ever royally-sponsored same-sex wedding. On May 19, the royal couple graciously presided over a lavish ceremony at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, honouring the union of Kampol Wongnaree and Nutthabhum Taenseesang. The unprecedented event marks a…
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Police apprehend burglary suspect Mr Nobody in Bangkok
Police officers from Unit 191 apprehended a suspect known as Mr Nobody, who was involved in a series of burglaries at luxury residences. Mr Nobody and his accomplice were caught with drugs and were wanted for fraud. Yesterday, May 28, at 8pm, Police Colonel Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, the commanding officer of Unit 191, instructed Police Lieutenant Natdanai Bamrungsri to arrest 43…
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Flipped and lucky: Pattaya driver cheats death after horror smash
Pattaya’s highways turned into a crash scene yet again when a young driver’s reckless night ended with his car flipped upside down — and his life barely intact. In the early hours of yesterday, May 28, a 27 year old man miraculously survived a high-speed collision that saw his car slam into a streetlight pole and land roof-up, wheels in…
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Deputy minister hits back at Senate vote scandal claims
Thailand’s Senate election scandal just got messier and Deputy Commerce Minister Napinthorn Srisanpang is right in the thick of it. Napinthorn, a key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), showed up at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters yesterday to confront allegations of vote-rigging during the recent Senate elections. Calm and composed, he denied all claims of collusion, calling them “unfounded.”…
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Thai man claims fatal shooting of wife in Sa Kaeo as accident
A Thai man claimed that the fatal shooting of his wife at their home in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo was accidental, occurring during an argument and a struggle over a gun. The victim, 35 year old Wassana “Waew” In-sura, was rushed to a hospital at around 7pm on Tuesday, May 27, with a gunshot wound to the back…
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NBTC seeks detailed analysis on digital TV future in 60 days
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board has instructed its management to deliver a more definitive conclusion within 60 days regarding a study on the future of broadcasting. The board, after discussing the study yesterday, May 28, refrained from reaching a final decision, with NBTC Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck indicating the need for a more comprehensive analysis. The board seeks…
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Fifteen women arrested in Bangkok raid on prostitution charges
Fifteen women from four different nationalities were detained on suspicion of engaging in prostitution following a police raid in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok’s Klong Toey district late at night. The operation, conducted around 10.30pm yesterday, May 28, involved officers from Lumpini Police Station, Immigration Division 1, and Metropolitan Police Division 5. The raid focused on addressing prostitution and human…
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Thailand crackdowns on illegal green oil use in fishing industry
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul launched an initiative in Rayong province to tackle the illegal use of green oil, a diesel meant for fishermen. The effort involves utilising technology to monitor shipping routes in real-time through RTS and AIS systems. Paopoom emphasised that his visit to Rayong was focused on overseeing the control and regulation of green oil to prevent…
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Boom to boon: Thailand and US launch elite landmine-clearing hub
From deadly danger zones to safe farmland — Thailand is levelling up its landmine-clearing game with help from the US military. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), in partnership with the United States Department of Defence, has officially opened its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining Missions, marking a major step forward in regional efforts to eliminate landmine threats.…
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Red hair skull found in Chachoengsao linked to missing Pattaya woman
A skull with long red hair, found in the central province of Chachoengsao, may belong to a Thai woman, who disappeared in Pattaya following an argument with her foreign boyfriend. A 15 year old boy, Krittapas, reported his shocking discovery to a community leader at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, May 27. He explained that he had been jogging in preparation…
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Class dismissed? Refugee children face hunger as aid dries up
More than 28,000 refugee children are returning to school along Thailand’s border with Myanmar but as food rations are slashed and funding dries up, many face a harsh lesson in survival before they even crack open a book. In Mae La, the largest of nine refugee camps hugging the Thai-Myanmar border, families say food aid cuts are making it harder…
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Crystal-clear police drug raids in Phuket leave dealers on ice
A series of drug raids in Phuket has resulted in five suspects being nicked and over a kilo of crystal meth, also known as ya ice, scooped off the streets in a blitz that’s left local dealers shaking. Phuket City Police launched multiple operations targeting suspected drug dens, netting a haul of hard drugs, digital scales, motorbikes and mobiles, all…
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Thai PM proposes 3.78 trillion baht budget amid opposition criticism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra submitted a 3.78 trillion baht budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026 to the House of Representatives, initiating a four-day debate with the vote set for Saturday, May 31. The People’s Party criticised the proposal for not addressing current economic challenges, indicating their intention to reject it. Paetongtarn explained that the spending plan was crafted based…
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Concrete panels fall from Pattaya condo, injuring Australian man
Concrete panels fell from the 37th floor of a condominium in Pattaya yesterday, injuring an Australian man and damaging multiple parked motorcycles. A Thai tourist observing the view of Pattaya City from the Phra Tamnak Mountain Viewpoint witnessed the incident and captured a video of the panels falling from the condominium. The tourist claimed the building appeared tilted, which may…
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Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos
Commuters in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Chaiyaphruek Road just got a serious glow-up. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) officially opened the expanded 10-lane Chaiyaphruek Road, a major upgrade from its original six lanes. The mega-project aims to ease traffic congestion and prepare for surging commuter numbers in the years to…
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Baht off! Bangkok Bank shuts the door on tourist accounts
Tourists and short-term visitors in Thailand are getting the cold shoulder from Bangkok Bank after the banking giant quietly slammed the brakes on opening accounts for foreigners without long-term visas. Expats and digital nomads are reeling after Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest lender, introduced tough new rules barring tourists from opening deposit accounts, applying for credit cards, or using mobile banking…
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Fire sparks chaos at Pattaya condo in dead of night
Holidaymakers were left scrambling for safety after a fire erupted in a high-rise condominium in Jomtien during the early hours of yesterday. The drama unfolded at around 1.06am yesterday, May 28, when emergency services were alerted to a blaze on the 27th floor of a condo in Soi Chaiyaphruek 1, Pattaya. The Pattaya City Disaster Relief Centre swiftly dispatched a…
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Thai and cry: Missing Dane dies in Bangkok police cell after meltdown
A Dane who vanished in Thailand has been confirmed dead, two months after his baffling disappearance sparked a desperate search led by his family and expats. The body of Jakob Jensen has been found in Bangkok, bringing a heartbreaking end to a mystery that gripped both Thailand and Denmark. The 41 year old, who went missing in March 2025, was…
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Foreign thieves steal cannabis in Phuket while friends distract staff
A Phuket cannabis shop owner is hunting for foreign thieves who were caught on CCTV stealing products from his store. The theft did not cause much loss, but the owner wanted to teach the thieves a lesson. The owner of the Shweed Panwa store in the Wichit area of Phuket, Chatchai Tanamas, shared details of the incident on his Facebook…
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Earthquakes hit Thailand and surrounding regions
Thailand and its neighbouring countries experienced a series of mild earthquakes today, with the strongest registering a 4.9 magnitude near the Myanmar-India border, sparking unease but no major damage. According to the Earthquake Observation Division, tremors were detected not only in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces but also across Myanmar, China, and Vietnam. The largest quake…
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British family’s £4,000 Phuket villa holiday turns nightmare
A family’s dream Christmas holiday in Phuket turned into a nightmare after discovering their £4,000 (around 176,000 baht) villa booking was a scam, leaving them stranded and scrambling for last-minute accommodation. After a gruelling 30-hour journey, Judy and Richard Loader arrived in Phuket only to discover the villa they booked through Booking.com for over £4,000 simply didn’t exist — turning…
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Phayao’s Thao Wessuwan statue draws lottery hopefuls
As the lottery draw approached, hundreds flocked to Wat Analayo Thipyaram in Phayao province yesterday, eager to seek blessings and uncover lucky numbers from the revered Thao Wessuwan — a mysterious black statue believed to grant fortune to devoted worshippers. Situated prominently at the temple entrance in San Pa Muang subdistrict, the statue has become a magnet for lottery enthusiasts…
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Thai man jumps on moving pickup to stop alleged car scammer
A Thai man jumped onto a moving pickup in an attempt to stop a suspect who tricked him and his wife into purchasing a second-hand vehicle. The Thai couple, Nop and Ple, were acting as agents searching for a vehicle on behalf of a client. They came across a second-hand pickup, a green Toyota Hilux Revo Rocco, via a Facebook…
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Double numbers dominate June 1 lottery history
Excitement is building as the Government Lottery Office (GLO) prepares for the June 1 draw, set to take place at The One Convention Hall in Bueng Kan Province. But before the big day, lottery enthusiasts are already analysing a decade of results to uncover fascinating patterns and lucky numbers. From 2015 to 2024, Khaosod Online has tracked government lottery results…
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Pattaya condo bust: Chinese man arrested for Facebook scam
A Chinese man was arrested in Pattaya after allegedly running a fake online market scheme that conned victims out of tens of thousands of baht, with assets worth around 9 million baht seized by police. The suspect, identified only as 30 year old Li, was apprehended at a condominium in Na Kluea subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, following…
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High and dry: British bloke nicked in Euro cannabis run flop
A British man has been caught red-handed trying to smuggle a suitcase crammed with cannabis from Bangkok to Newcastle, the latest bust in a growing string of drug mule disasters linked to Thailand. The 31 year old was stopped at Vienna International Airport, yesterday, May 27, during a transit stop en route from Bangkok to Newcastle via Frankfurt, and was…
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Pattaya condo tragedy: Swiss man devastated by partner’s suicide
A quiet condo in Pattaya was rocked by tragedy in the early hours of today when a 53 year old woman was found dead in an apparent suicide. Police received the distressing report at approximately 2.46am from a residence in Nong Prue, Pattaya, Chon Buri province. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Chaineret Phengkaen, deputy investigator at the Dongtan sub-branch of Pattaya City…
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Phuket boosts tourism with 7 new developments
Phuket’s booming tourism industry is set for a fresh injection of new developments as four hotels and three condominiums received approval from the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during a recent meeting. The third EIA committee gathering of the year took place at the Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, chaired by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai. The…
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ATM hacker’s ‘jackpot’ sting fizzles as Bulgarian suspect nabbed
A slick Bulgarian cyber crook who posed as an ATM repairman to unleash a “jackpot” virus on machines across Thailand has been nicked after cops raided his posh hideout in Nonthaburi. Cyber cops busted a criminal ring allegedly led by a 50 year old Bulgarian man who used high-tech trickery to sabotage ATM machines and siphon sensitive data, crippling 13…
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