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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Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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3 teenagers arrested for burning disabled dog in Lampang temple
Police arrested three Thai teenagers for burning a disabled dog alive in a temple bathroom in the northern province of Lampang. Locals in the Ko Kha district of Lampang reported the cruel act by the 14 year old suspects to the Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) yesterday, August 14. The incident had occurred the previous week in the abandoned bathroom of…
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Udon Thani lottery thief returns stolen tickets and begs for forgiveness
A thief returned 23 out of 51 stolen lottery tickets to a vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani and promised to pay for the remaining tickets within three days. The lottery stall owners, 68 year old Boonmee Bootpho and 43 year old Wannaporn Bootpho, lodged a complaint at Nong Wua So Police Station on Tuesday, August 12, after…
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Phuket district chief addresses viral altercation over rental motorcycle dispute
A district chief in Phuket clarified details about a physical altercation involving nearly 20 foreigners and two Thai men in a dispute over a rental motorcycle, promising to ensure justice for both parties. Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Sutthirak, yesterday, August 14, addressed the viral incident between a group of foreigners and two Thai men, one of whom was the owner of…
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AirAsia flight lands at wrong airport in South Korea, passengers confused
An AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur landed at the wrong airport in South Korea on Wednesday, August 13, leaving passengers and even flight attendants confused. AirAsia Flight D7 506 to South Korea was scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 7.50pm, but instead touched down at Gimpo International Airport, around 40 kilometres away, at 8.08pm. South Korea’s JoongAng Daily…
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Thai soldier allegedly commits suicide after shooting 2 civilians in Surin
A Thai soldier in the Isaan province of Surin allegedly took his own life after shooting two civilians with an M16 rifle last night. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) reported this morning, August 15, that the gunfire broke out near Ban Khuean Kaeo Temple at around 12.45am. Ten shots were initially fired, followed by two more shots nine minutes later.…
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MPs question 41 million baht budget for Phayao agricultural market
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed concerns over the budget allocation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, focusing on a 41 million baht investment for a central agricultural market in Phayao. These concerns were raised during a special session of the House dedicated to the second reading of the 2026 fiscal budget bill, which totals 3.78 trillion baht.…
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Thailand tourism faces slowdown amid Vietnam, South Korea competition
As travellers are shifting their sights to Vietnam and South Korea, intensified competition in Asia’s tourism market may lead to a slowdown in Thailand’s tourism sector for the rest of 2025. According to industry experts, the expansion of visa exemptions from the two nations will most likely siphon tourists away from the Kingdom. Additionally, the domestic co-payment subsidy initiative has…
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British motorcyclist attacked after wheelie crash injures Thai woman
A British man last night, August 14, performed wheelies along a road in Pattaya before crashing into the motorcycle of a Thai woman, leaving her in a serious condition. The foreign suspect was reportedly attacked by angry locals after the collision. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Thammasathan Foundation were alerted to the accident at around 11pm. The incident occurred in…
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Thai man commits suicide on girlfriend’s video call after being rejected by ex-wife
A Thai man commit suicide at a condominium in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, August 14, during a video call with his girlfriend, after failing to reunite with his ex-wife. The 34 year old woman, Janejira, contacted officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station, reporting that her boyfriend committed suicide in his room on the fourth floor of a…
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Phuket seeks special status to tackle infrastructure woes
Phuket is seeking a transformation into a special administrative area to address its significant infrastructure and environmental challenges, according to Governor Sophon Suwannarat. At a recent press conference, Sophon highlighted the province’s pressing issues, such as clean water shortages, inadequate wastewater management, waste disposal concerns, and road safety problems. Budget constraints are hampering large-scale improvements, with the administration’s current budget…
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Senate proposes aid reduction for Cambodian students
A proposal by a Senate education committee to reduce funding for undocumented Cambodian students in Thailand has faced criticism from a fellow senator and human rights advocate, who claims it could breach international humanitarian laws and children’s rights. Kamol Rodklai, Chair of the Senate committee on Education, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, urged the government on Wednesday, August 13,…
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Thief in delivery uniform escapes with over 8 million baht in gold
A male thief in a delivery rider’s uniform remains at large after stealing gold accessories worth over 8 million baht from a shop inside a shopping mall in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The manager of the Yaowarat Krung Thep gold shop reported the heist to Bang Bo Police Station at 3.50pm yesterday, August 14. According to the manager, the…
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Heavy rains and floods predicted for 36 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across 36 provinces today, August 15, including Bangkok, with the potential for flash floods, strong winds, and rough seas. Today’s weather forecast indicates that the eastern and western southern regions will experience very heavy rain in some areas. Northern, northeastern, central, and eastern southern regions are expected to see heavy rain in…
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Thai transwoman says nightclub guard assaulted her over mismatched ID photo
A Thai transwoman is seeking justice, accusing a nightclub security guard in the northern province of Chiang Rai of physically assaulting her for looking different from the photograph on her identification card. The 19 year old transgender victim, identified only as Weerapong, told ThaiRath that the incident occurred outside a nightclub in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, on the night…
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Border clash victims complain over extra costs for document copies in Buriram
Locals in the Isaan province of Buriram are demanding an investigation after a community leader collected an extra cost of 20 baht from residents who claimed compensation following recent border clashes. A resident from the border community in Nong Wang sub-district, Lahan Sai district, told reporters she was unhappy about the fee. She claimed the community leader collected 20 baht from…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket over illegal possession of firearms
Police arrested a Russian man today, August 14, for illegally possessing firearms after he fled from an arrest in Bangkok and hid in Phuket. Officers from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Bureau apprehended the 27 year old Russian national, whose identity was withheld, following an arrest warrant issued by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court in Bangkok. The warrant, issued on July…
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Thai woman arrested for luring women into illegal surrogacy for foreigners
Police arrested a Thai woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, yesterday, August 13, for recruiting women for illegal surrogacy services. Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Immigration Division 2 arrested the woman, identified as Urairisa, who allegedly offered surrogacy services to foreigners illegally. She was detained at the departure terminal on the…
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Thai man escapes with 51 lottery tickets using fake transfer slip
A Thai lottery vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani lost 51 tickets to a man who used a fake money transfer slip to pay for the tickets yesterday, August 13. The female owner of a lottery stall outside a fresh food market in Udon Thani filed a theft complaint at Nong Wua So Police Station yesterday afternoon. She…
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Drunk man at Chumphon station arrested for Krabi assault charge
A man causing a disturbance at Chumphon railway station due to intoxication was apprehended by police, revealing he was wanted for assault leading to death in Krabi. The incident occurred at 3.30pm yesterday, August 13, when a public report led the Chumphon Provincial Police to intervene. Upon arrival, Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphon Chatpoom from the Mueang Chumphon Police Station and…
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Burglaries in Samut Prakan homes during high tides, losses over 4 million baht
A series of burglaries took place in Samut Prakan province, targeting homes during high tides, where thieves stole valuables worth over 4 million baht. The incidents occurred in the Baan Sakhla community of Phra Samut Chedi district yesterday, August 13, with investigations led by Police Lieutenant Sarawut Soemklin. The first burglary involved a 38 year old antique dealer, Sarayuth. His…
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Suicide at Sarasin Bridge in Phuket allegedly linked to private photo leak
A Thai man, believed to be a former Studio 7 employee involved in a private photo leak case, committed suicide at Sarasin Bridge in Phuket yesterday, August 13. The Phuket Times Facebook page reported that the man was seen jumping from Sarasin Bridge at around 5.30pm. The Kuson Dham Phuket Rescue Foundation arrived at the scene about ten minutes later…
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GrabFood rider dies in collision with parked truck in Bangkok
A collision occurred on Rama 2 Road when a motorcycle driven by a GrabFood rider collided with the back of a parked 10-wheel truck, resulting in the rider’s death today, August 14, at 2.15am. Police Captain Prasert Phunkaew from Samae Dam Police Station reported the accident took place near an oil station at the entrance of Soi Rama 2, 94,…
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Thailand urges UN probe into Cambodia’s Ottawa Convention breaches
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has directly contacted the United Nations secretary-general and Japan’s foreign minister, advocating for an international investigation into Cambodia’s alleged breaches of the Ottawa Convention. This follows a recent landmine incident that severely injured a military ranger on August 12. A military ranger lost his foot when he stepped on a landmine while patrolling with six…
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Thailand video news | Nearly 20 foreigners assault Thai shop owner over rental dispute, British man vandalising a woman’s Pattaya home
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you a mix of crime, conflict, and controversy from across the country. From a violent rental dispute in Phuket involving nearly 20 foreigners, to rising border tensions with Cambodia over landmine blasts, the stories also spotlight assaults, reckless road behaviour, and cross-border arrests. Other reports include vandalism in Pattaya, harassment in…
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Thailand’s new submarine to use Chinese engines, completed in three years
The Royal Thai Navy‘s new submarine is expected to be completed within three years, following the recent Cabinet approval of engines manufactured in China, according to 57 year old Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, commander of the Royal Thai Navy, yesterday, August 13. This announcement follows the Cabinet’s decision to amend the submarine procurement plan, transitioning from German-made engines to Chinese alternatives.…
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Police seize 5 million meth pills in Sakon Nakhon warehouse raid
In Sakon Nakhon, police have confiscated five million methamphetamine pills from a pickup truck parked in a rented, closed warehouse in the Kham Ta Kla district of this northeastern province. Provincial Police Region 4 investigators executed a search warrant at a warehouse in Moo 16 village, tambon Kham Ta Kla, around 2pm yesterday, August 13. Inside a four-door Chevrolet pickup…
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Court jails ‘Uncle Phol’ for 26 years over his toddler niece’s mysterious death
The Court of Appeal Region 4 yesterday, August 13, sentenced Uncle Phol, the uncle of a young Thai girl who mysteriously died on a mountain in the Isaan province of Mukdahan five years ago, to 26 years in prison, while dismissing the case against his wife. One of the most publicised cases in Thailand in recent years was the death…
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Thailand expands foreign worker nationalities to address shortages
The Ministry of Labour is set to widen the range of foreign workers to eight different nationalities to tackle labour shortages linked to unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit announced yesterday, August 13, that the ministry had brought together the Committee on Foreign Worker Management Policy to permit additional workers from nations such as Sri Lanka, Nepal,…
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Khon Kaen man arrested for fatal stabbing over divorce claims
A 56 year old psychiatric patient was arrested after allegedly stabbing and killing his neighbour in Baan Nong Chad, Mueang subdistrict, Baan Fang district, Khon Kaen province. Sawang claimed the victim contributed to his divorce. Hospital records indicate that Sawang had not been taking his medication as prescribed. Police from Baan Fang Police Station received a report from the 191 hotline…
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Narathiwat police seize 40kg of kratom brew in drug bust
Yesterday, August 13, police and provincial administrative officials apprehended two significant drug dealers in Narathiwat, seizing over 40 kilogrammes of kratom brew intended for local youths. The operation took place at 2.30pm under the leadership of Tra-Koon Thotham, the provincial governor of Narathiwat, along with Police Major General Krisada Kaewjandi and Police Colonel Niyom Suwankhong. Police investigators from Narathiwat province…
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