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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Young municipal worker drowns in Rayong River tragedy
A young municipal worker tragically drowned while cleaning the Rayong River, leaving his mother devastated by the loss. The 19 year old man disappeared beneath the water, raising his hand for help before succumbing to what is suspected to be a cramp. The incident occurred yesterday, December 12 at 4.30pm near the Rayong Kindergarten School in the Tha Pradu area…
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Nakhon Phanom ritual sparks lottery hope with lucky number
A religious ceremony was recently held at the Phaya Nak landmark along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in search of a lucky number for the upcoming lottery draw. A group of devotees from Bangkok recently conducted a significant ritual in honour of Phaya Srisattanakharat, or Grandfather Phaya Nak, aiming to invoke prosperity, fortune, and success in careers and…
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Woman with 12 warrants caught after chase in Roi Et
A woman with 12 arrest warrants, primarily for embezzlement and fraud, was apprehended by police after a chase through a wooded area in Roi Et province, Thailand. Despite the charges, she continues to deny any wrongdoing. Police officers, under the direction of Montri Tetsan, ordered the arrest of 41 year old Jirachaya, in response to a warrant issued by Khon…
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Pattaya flower seller boosts sales in Santa suit
A flower garland seller in Pattaya has been spotted donning a Santa Claus outfit, capturing the curiosity and admiration of both tourists and locals. At around 12.30pm yesterday, December 12, the festive figure was seen under the motorway overpass on Sukhumvit Road, engaging with drivers who paused at the traffic lights. The flower vendor, 37 year old Kritsada Boonsopa, shared…
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Six arrested in South Thailand for call centre scams and firearms
Police apprehended six people suspected of being involved in call centre scams and the illegal trade of firearms. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) announced the arrest on Tuesday, December 10, indicating possible connections between the suspects and insurgency financing in Thailand’s southern regions. The arrests took place on December 10 in Songkhla and Yala provinces following numerous complaints related…
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Portuguese man missing in Koh Pha Ngan, wife fears suicide
The wife of a Portuguese man, missing from his home in Koh Pha Ngan since November 17, fears he may have taken his own life. The 38 year old half-Thai, half-American woman, Avalon Oneita Juliana, sought help from local police and the Portuguese Embassy in Thailand after her husband, 51 year old Daniel Joao D’Costa Ferreira Dos Santos, disappeared. Santos…
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Grandmother faces arrest over mysterious death of baby Pang
Police are preparing to issue an arrest warrant for the grandmother of one month old baby Pang, who died under mysterious circumstances after being in her care for only five days. The autopsy revealed subdural hematomas on both sides of the brain and bruising on the leg. The tragic death of baby Pang has left her parents in deep sorrow…
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Mother and daughter hurt in Honda Jazz crash on Ratchaphruek Road
A mother and her daughter were involved in a serious car accident after their Honda Jazz collided with a truck, causing their vehicle to veer off course and crash into a barrier. The incident, which led to their car overturning and blocking the road, occurred late yesterday evening. Following the initial crash, a subsequent collision took place when a pickup…
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Cold air mass, monsoon rains hit Thailand, affecting 14 provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned of another cold air mass approaching, causing temperatures to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius. The southern region faces heavy monsoon rains impacting 14 provinces, while Bangkok will experience rain and wind. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that a high-pressure area or cold air mass from China is now covering…
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Thai-German rail partnership renewed for sustainable transport
Thailand and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing rail transport systems, with a focus on efficiency and environmental sustainability. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the renewal of the agreement in Bangkok, extending their collaboration for an additional two years. The bilateral agreement, initially signed on November 23, 2016, has been renewed twice, reflecting both nations’ dedication to advancing rail technology…
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Illegal jet ski crackdown in Phuket sees 17 more rentals shut down
Phuket’s relentless battle against illegal jet skis has made another big splash. A daring raid led by marine officials uncovered 17 unlicensed jet skis being used for illegal tourist rentals in the popular tourist spot of Laem Nga, Ratsada. The operation also extended to the picturesque islands of Koh Mali and Koh Pae, off Phuket’s east coast. Senior officials including…
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Thai man shares footage of woman jumping into his car at red light
A Thai man issued a warning to motorists in Chon Buri after an unknown woman entered his car while he was parked at a red light and urged him to continue driving without providing a clear destination. The Thai man shared dashcam footage of the woman entering his car with Channel 7. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, December 10,…
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Thailand claims best worldwide destination at Irish Travel Awards
Thailand has once again stolen the spotlight on the global tourism stage, clinching the prestigious Best Worldwide Destination title at the Irish Travel Trade Awards (ITTN Awards) 2024. The glittering ceremony, hosted by Irish Travel Trade News, unfolded on November 29 at Dublin’s Clayton Hotel, Burlington, with over 5,000 travel agents casting their votes for excellence in travel and tourism.…
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Thai woman caught smuggling 6 million baht of cocaine into Japan
A Thai woman was arrested at Kansai International Airport in Osaka after she smuggled 6 million baht worth of cocaine into Japan. Local news agencies in Japan recently reported that the 23 year old Thai woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested at Kansai Airport after 760 grammes of cocaine were found in her possession. The drugs were worth approximately…
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Sizzling drama: Fire sparks chaos at Pattaya spa
A fiery drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday morning when a blaze broke out in a popular spa on Pattaya Third Road. Thankfully, quick action by firefighters ensured no injuries occurred but the incident left staff and volunteers shaken. Pattaya’s Disaster Prevention officials, joined by local police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation volunteers, raced to the scene at the…
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Labour Ministry steps up protection for migrant workers in Thailand
The Labour Ministry is taking decisive steps to safeguard the welfare of migrant workers while ensuring they do not occupy jobs designated for Thai nationals. A workshop was conducted to train a specialised team tasked with overseeing the employment conditions of migrant workers and ensuring adherence to labour laws. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn presided over the workshop, which took place…
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Chiang Rai couple arrested for illegal online lottery operation
A couple from Chiang Rai has been apprehended by cyber police for operating an illegal online lottery and gambling website, with monthly financial transactions amounting to millions. They advertised their services via Facebook, leading to their eventual capture and subsequent legal proceedings. Today, December 12, several high-ranking officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, including Trirong Phiwpan, Wiwat Khamchanan, and…
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Motorcyclist attacks public bus with rocks, bottles in Nonthaburi
An unidentified man driving a white motorcycle chased and attacked a public bus with rocks and bottles in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The event occurred yesterday, December 11, when 37 year old Kwanchai was driving the public bus on route 32 between Wat Pho and Wat Bo in Pak Kret. Alongside him was 36 year old Nattiporn who managed the…
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Thai official sacked after exposing 500-million-baht inheritance fraud
A government official is seeking justice after being dismissed for exposing alleged corruption and document fraud linked to a 500-million-baht inheritance. The victim, Thanyarot, sought assistance from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after being sacked from her workplace of 10 years for exposing the truth. She stated that some colleagues accused her of unethical behaviour, which ultimately led to her dismissal.…
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Pattaya karaoke raid uncovers illegal workers and minors
Police raided a Pattaya karaoke venue, uncovering illegal employment of foreign women and detaining eight tourists who tested positive for drugs. The operation also revealed four minors, under 14 years old, inside the venue, leading to serious charges. Early today, December 12, Thai law enforcement led a significant raid on a karaoke establishment in Pattaya, Thailand. The operation was spearheaded…
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Thailand leads ASEAN in gold-driven financial growth, inclusion
Gold’s role in providing financial stability amid global uncertainties is gaining attention as the world moves into 2025. Traditionally linked to prosperity and wealth in Thai culture, gold remains a symbol of celebration during significant family events such as weddings and birthdays. Despite societal changes, gold’s cultural significance continues to drive strong consumer demand in Thailand, evidenced by the nation’s…
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Australian expat donates van to Pattaya children’s home (video)
A generous act of kindness took place in Pattaya as an Australian expat donated a 2024 Toyota Commuter 15-passenger van to Baan Jing Jai, a local children’s home. The vehicle, valued at 1.3 million baht, was gifted in memory of the Australian, Daryl Evans’ late wife, Tuanjai Naksale, and is intended to support the welfare of children in need. This…
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Seven arrested in Songkhla for 2 million baht scam and gun trade
Seven young adults were arrested in Songkhla’s Mueang district for orchestrating a complex scam that defrauded victims of nearly 2 million baht (US$59,170) and subsequently funding the illegal production of firearms for sale. The arrests took place following an investigation into fraudulent activities conducted by a gang that targeted individuals through random calls, convincing them to invest in a scheme…
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Tragedy on Phuket bridge: Motorcyclist killed in late-night crash
A tragic late-night collision on Phuket’s notorious Kojan Bridge claimed the life of a motorcyclist just before midnight yesterday, December 11. The crash occurred on Rattanakosin 200 Pi Road in Phuket Town, prompting police to rush to the scene at 11.54pm. Arriving officers found a white Toyota Hilux Vigo, registered locally, stopped in the middle of the road. The driver,…
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Pier Pressure: IIlegal boat operator nabbed in Phuket crackdown
A 21 year old Myanmar man found himself in hot water after being arrested at Chalong Pier for running an illegal tourist boat operation. The Marine Police pounced during a routine inspection, uncovering a string of violations that landed him in custody. The arrest is part of an ongoing clampdown on unlicensed activities in the popular tourist hotspot. “The Marine…
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Cold front takes Thailand by storm: Brace for a chilling forecast
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, predicting cold to very cold conditions due to a strong cold air mass. Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit 14 provinces, including Bangkok. In the latest forecast, the TMD indicated that a relatively strong high-pressure system or cold air mass from China has now extended to northern Vietnam…
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Enthusiasts eye past winning numbers for December 16 lottery luck
The anticipation for the upcoming Thai government lottery draw scheduled for December 16 has prompted a compilation of past winning numbers from December 16 over the last decade. Sanook News has drawn up a list of the record of winning lottery numbers. Over the past 10 years, the Thai Government Lottery has seen a variety of winning numbers on December…
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Van tyre blowout injures 14 Lao workers on Thai highway
A terrifying accident unfolded when a van carrying Lao workers experienced a tyre blowout, nearly resulting in a tragic outcome. The incident, which occurred early today, December 12, left numerous individuals injured. The driver revealed the left rear tyre had issues just before they were en-route to the Nong Khai immigration checkpoint. Around 12.15am today, Preecha Suebrat, an inspector at…
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84 Myanmar immigrants arrested in Thailand after jungle trek
In the early hours of yesterday, police in Kanchanaburi successfully apprehended a group of 84 individuals from Myanmar’s Rakhine State who had entered Thailand illegally. The operation, carried out by Thong Pha Phum police and other relevant agencies, unfolded after a tip-off led them to a suspicious scene involving an abandoned pickup truck with obscured license plates. The truck, which…
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Drink driver finally on trial after arrest and assault of innocent man
Police arrested a drink driver who ran a traffic checkpoint on Prasert-Manukritch Road in Bangkok on December 4, after officers mistakenly arrested an innocent man and allegedly assaulted him on the same day. The conflict between a 33 year old Thai man, Thananop Kirddri, and seven officers from the Traffic Police Division came to light after his family called for…
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