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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Fake fortune teller warns of loss, then steals woman’s iPhone
A fake fortune teller in Pattaya allegedly stole a woman’s iPhone during a New Year’s Day reading, just moments after predicting she’d lose something valuable. The incident occurred at 6.06am on January 1 outside Wat Chai Mongkol in South Pattaya, where police from Pattaya City Police Station responded to a report of theft involving a man posing as a fortune…
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Swedish groom-to-be dies after crashing motorcycle in Rayong
A Swedish man lost his life after riding his motorcycle while drunk and crashing into a traffic guardrail on a road in Rayong province yesterday, January 6. He was reportedly planning to hold a wedding ceremony with his Thai girlfriend in the near future. Officers from Klaeng Police Station investigated the accident at around 5pm. The crash occurred at a…
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South Korean embassy clarifies Thai civil servant’s denied entry
The South Korean embassy in Bangkok responded to online criticism yesterday, December 6, after a 37 year old Thai civil servant was denied entry at Incheon International Airport, urging the public not to spread misinformation that could harm diplomatic ties. The woman shared her experience in a Facebook group for independent travellers to Korea, saying she was refused entry without…
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Fire damages at least 10 speedboats at Chalong Bay in Phuket
A fire broke out in the early hours of today, January 7, damaging at least 10 speedboats docked at Chalong Bay in Phuket province. Officers from Chalong Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 4am and coordinated with firefighters to investigate and control the blaze. Upon arrival, police reported that flames and thick smoke covered the bay and…
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Viral TikTok shows British tourist amazed by 5G at sea in Thailand
During his New Year holiday in Thailand, a British traveller was stunned to find strong 5G signal in the middle of the sea in Phang Nga province, prompting him to share a video poking fun at the mobile coverage back home in London. The video, posted by @koopatrooping on TikTok during his trip to Thailand, quickly went viral for…
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Thai man flees after sexually assaulting boy in Ayutthaya school
A Thai mother issued a public warning and urged police to swiftly arrest a suspect after her nine year old son narrowly escaped an attempted rape at a school in Ayutthaya province. The mother, 35 year old Thai woman Phatcharaporn, shared details of the sexual assault with Channel 7 on Sunday, January 4. The incident reportedly occurred at a school…
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Four students injured in school dog attack in Nakhon Ratchasima
Four students were attacked and left injured by three large mixed-breed dogs that entered a school in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima, yesterday afternoon, January 5. The dogs, believed to be Doberman and German Shepherd mixes, reportedly wandered into the school grounds, possibly startled by fireworks or firecrackers from the New Year celebrations. Locals suspect the animals may belong…
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Thailand’s national parks see 1.5M visitors during New Year break
Thailand welcomed over 1.5 million visitors to its national parks and nature sites during the New Year holidays, as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) promoted sustainable tourism and waste reduction campaigns. The ministry reported that between 31 December 2024 and 4 January 2025, parks and natural attractions under its supervision saw a rise in both local and…
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Rare Asiatic golden cat spotted in Khao Yai National Park
A rare Asiatic golden cat has been spotted in the forests of Khao Yai National Park, officials revealed today, January 6. The animal was captured on a wildlife camera, offering encouraging signs for the health of Thailand’s world heritage forest. The footage shows the elusive feline, known scientifically as Catopuma temminckii, walking past a camera installed in the park. The…
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Wat Arun photographers warned for exploiting public space for personal gain
Thai Tourist Police moved to regulate the activities of local photographers at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan in Bangkok following complaints that some photographers were exploiting the popular tourist attraction and public space for personal gain. The issue gained widespread attention after Krisda “Pond” Witthayakhajorndet, founder of the entertainment company Be On Cloud, shared his experience on X on January 2.…
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New evidence ties ‘Big Joke’ to alleged gold bribe
New evidence has emerged in Bangkok today, January 6, in a bribery investigation involving a former Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, also known as Big Joke. The material reportedly supports allegations of interference in an ongoing anti-corruption case. The case involves allegations that one of his former subordinates delivered the gold to a commissioner of the National…
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Phuket entertainment venue operators demand probe into alleged bribery
A group of entertainment venue operators in Phuket called for an investigation into government officials after rumours circulated online alleging that some officials sought bribes from business operators. The vice president of the Patong Beach Entertainment Venue Association, Apichet Phulsong, together with around 30 association members, met the Phuket governor to submit an official petition requesting an investigation into the…
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PM candidate sparks controversy after claim to buy 10 nuclear warheads
A prime ministerial candidate from the New Alternative Party sparked online controversy after claiming he would acquire up to 10 nuclear warheads to strengthen Thailand’s security against global powers. As the General Election approaches in February, the party’s PM candidate Mongkolkit Suksintharanon promoted one of his security policies on Facebook yesterday, January 5. In the post, Mongkolkit wrote… “Nuclear weapon costs…
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Over 7,000 cannabis shops close as Thailand overhauls regulations
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed yesterday, January 5, that more than 7,000 cannabis shops closed nationwide in 2025, following a sharp drop in licence renewals under a new regulatory framework approved by the Cabinet. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the ministry had been briefed on progress surrounding a draft ministerial regulation covering permits to study, research, export, sell,…
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Thailand video news | Belgian tourist says hospital withheld care over massive unpaid bill, Thailand faces another cold spell With plummeting temperatures forecast
In Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes fresh developments in the long-running Red Bull heir case, a Belgian tourist alleging withheld care after a motorbike crash and unpaid bills, and later, a strange claim involving an allegedly haunted hotel room. Ferrari Evidence Dispute Reignites in Long-Running Boss Yoovidhya…
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Chiang Mai pigeon feed sellers back at Tha Phae Gate after arrests
A group of pigeon feed sellers has returned to Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai today, January 5, after previously being arrested, reigniting concerns over hygiene and the impact on the city’s tourism image. The issue centres on the open plaza at Tha Phae Gate in Mueang district, where the same group of individuals was seen once again selling pigeon…
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Meth dealer disguised as garland seller arrested in Roi Et
A floral garland stall in Roi Et turned out to be more than it seemed, after police arrested the seller today, January 6, for allegedly running a methamphetamine business under the guise of garland selling. Officers from Mueang Roi Et police station launched the arrest after surveillance led them to a man who regularly sold garlands at the intersection. The…
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French tourist dies after slipping from fifth tier of Koh Samui waterfall
A French tourist died after slipping and falling from the fifth tier of a waterfall on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province while taking selfies with his girlfriend. The woman narrowly escaped the fatal accident. Officers from Koh Samui Police Station rushed to Na Muang 2 Waterfall yesterday, January 5, after receiving a report of the fall. The victim was…
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Thai ex-inmate says prison friend betrays and robs him after release
A Thai ex-inmate expressed his disappointment after a friend he met in prison, and was released alongside, robbed him and fled with 3,000 baht in cash. The 44 year old Thai man Sarayut filed a complaint with Rattanathibet Police Station on Friday, January 2. He told police that his friend, identified as Chai, along with two other men, robbed him…
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Search continues for injured elephant in Khao Yai park
Khao Yai officials are still searching for a wild elephant injured in a collision yesterday, January 4, with a closed-box van, as public concern grows over road safety in wildlife zones. The elephant, reported to be “Phlai Chom View”, also known as “Phlai Biang Yai Moosi”, was reportedly struck while crossing the road near the Mun River Headwater Research Station…
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New fraud center compound found in Cambodia, 50 km from Poipet
Authorities have identified a new large-scale scam compound operating in Cambodia, around 50 kilometres from Poipet, raising fresh concerns over the regional spread of online fraud networks targeting victims worldwide. The Anti-Online Fraud Center, known as ACSC, confirmed the discovery on January 5, 2026, warning that criminal syndicates are rapidly relocating and expanding after recent coordinated crackdowns in Thailand, China,…
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Malaysian woman shares eerie hotel experience in Thailand
A Malaysian woman recently took to Facebook to share a chilling experience during her 10-day stay at a popular hotel in Thailand, where she claimed to have encountered strange and unexplained events nearly every night. She said the first sign of trouble came right after check-in, when the bathroom light began flickering nonstop. Although the light was fixed, more unexplained…
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Suspects flee sugarcane field near border, abandon 600,000 pills
Authorities have seized a major shipment of methamphetamine after suspects fled into a sugarcane field and abandoned approximately 600,000 pills during an overnight interception operation in Udon Thani province. The operation was carried out by the Surasakmontri Task Force, working through its interdiction units in the upper northeastern region, in coordination with ranger forces and local police. The drugs were…
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Foreign motorcyclist slammed for revving engine, causing smoke in Phuket
Thai netizens condemned a foreign motorcyclist after a video showed him repeatedly revving his motorcycle engine on a road in Phuket on Saturday night, January 3. The incident came to light after a Thai witness filmed the foreigner’s actions and shared the footage online. The video was later reposted by several local news outlets. The exact time and location of…
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Wild serows sighted in Khao Sam Roi Yot national park
Park officials at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan shared photographs on January 3 showing a pair of serows, a species rarely seen in the wild, appearing in two different locations within the park. According to Ekkarit Duangmala, head of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, one of the serows was seen at Khao Daeng cliff,…
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Border farmers rush sugarcane harvest amid renewed clash tensions
Farmers living along the Thai-Cambodian border are racing against time to cut and replant sugarcane after repeated evacuations, as fears grow over a possible third military clash that could again force them from their land. In several border villages, agricultural work has resumed only partially, with many farmers returning to fields they were forced to abandon during earlier tensions. While…
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Gunman surrenders after shooting teen in street dispute
A man who shot and injured a teenager in Chonburi province has surrendered to police, admitting he acted out of anger after being insulted during a street confrontation. The shooting occurred at around 6.00pm on January 4 in Ban Suan subdistrict, Mueang Chonburi district. CCTV footage shows the suspect riding a red motorcycle before following the victim, identified as Mr.…
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Drug-addicted Thai man beheads mother, abandons head in rice field
A drug-addicted Thai man beheaded his mother and abandoned her head in a rice field in Amnat Charoen province yesterday, January 4, before being arrested shortly afterwards. The brutal incident occurred at around 8.30am in Ban Non Sung community, Na Wiang sub-district, Senangkhanikhom district. Police identified the suspect as 42 year old Thai man Mongkhon, while the victim was his 71…
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Thai-Chinese couple arrested for mule account operation in Pattaya
Police arrested a Chinese man and his Thai girlfriend in Pattaya after they allegedly attempted to harm a Thai man who froze a mule account after realising he was tricked. The 18 year old Thai man filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station, saying he narrowly escaped from the suspects, later identified as 27 year old Chinese national Li…
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Charity run backs youth education across Bangkok
A large-scale charity walk and run in Bangkok has raised funds to support learning opportunities for Thai youth, as Chevron partnered with the Saturday School Foundation for the third consecutive year. The event, titled Saturday School Run 2025: Running together for the dreams of children, was held at Wachirabenjathat Park, also known as Railway Park. It brought together more than…
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