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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Truck overturns and ignites on Mittraphap Road, injuring two
A truck carrying straw overturned and caught fire on Mittraphap Road’s central reservation at the Ton Krathin curve in Sikhio district, resulting in two injuries. The incident occurred at 6am yesterday, March 10, when officers from Khlong Phai Police Station were notified of the accident at kilometre marker 88+500. The location is on Highway 2, near Lam Takhong Reservoir, heading…
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Swiss tourist in a high-profile jam! Phuket drug bust goes viral
A Swiss tourist found himself in hot water after an alleged roadside drug scandal in Kamala, Phuket, spread across social media like wildfire. Locals were left stunned as the Swiss man, Sascha, was reportedly spotted brazenly indulging in drug taking in a motorbike parking area along the bustling Kamala-Patong road last Thursday, March 6. Eyewitnesses couldn’t believe their eyes as…
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Thailand charges ahead with tax breaks for hybrid vehicles
Tax incentives for the manufacturing of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Thailand are being proposed, with implementation anticipated from 2026 pending approval, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. The proposal, which aims to link tax rates to a vehicle’s battery charge travel range, will be presented to the Cabinet by April. To boost PHEV adoption, the government is…
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Police in Bangkok nab suspect in gold necklace theft
Police in Tha Kham successfully apprehended a 28 year old man suspected of snatching a gold necklace from a Myanmar national in the Rama 2 area. The incident occurred yesterday, March 10, around 7.38pm, and was quickly resolved with the help of vigilant officers. The arrest took place after the police, conducting routine patrols, were alerted by the Tha Kham Police…
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Thai ministers seize illegal e-cigarettes worth 33 million baht
Three ministers announced the seizure of over 200,000 illegally imported e-cigarette items from China, valued at 33 million baht. The confiscated goods included disposable e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and vape pods. Yesterday, March 10, Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, the Justice Minister, Jiraphon Sinthuprai, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, and Chulaphan Amornwiwat, Deputy Finance Minister, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Woman to sue taxi driver for sexual harassment in Bangkok (video)
A woman has vowed to take legal action against a hands on taxi driver who allegedly sexually harassed her by touching her leg and smelling her arm. The incident reportedly occurred yesterday, March 10, when the driver also locked the car doors on his taxi cab, refusing to let her leave. Police are aware of the driver’s identity and are…
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China crisis or Golden Week wonder? Tourism hopes take flight in May
In the midst of a 12% year-on-year plunge in Chinese tourist numbers during the first two months of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding its breath for a revival come May, perfectly timed with China’s Labour Day holiday. TAT Deputy Governor Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, handling international marketing across Asia and the South Pacific, highlighted that safety…
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Cha-am police arrest four women for drug use at Thai pool villa
Police arrested four women suspected of drug use at a pool villa following a tip-off from a concerned resident iIn Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district. The suspects tested positive for drug use, resulting in legal action. Police from Cha-am Police Station received a report today, March 11, about a group allegedly using drugs at a residence in the Tri Pool Villa area,…
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TMD reigns it in: Heavy showers set to pour over 11 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast warning of heavy rainfall affecting 11 provinces, with downpours expected to cover 40% of these areas. The upper regions of Thailand are experiencing hot weather, with temperatures reaching up to 39°C today, March 11. Over the next 24 hours, the upper part of Thailand will remain hot during the day, with…
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Extra 25,000 seats on Thailand flights for Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled plans to launch an aerial bonanza this Songkran, pledging to add a whopping 25,000 seats on domestic flights while slashing airfares on select routes by a tantalising 30%. With the festival fervour set to peak between April 11 to 17, Suriya held an emergency summit yesterday, March 10. Flanked by state agency moguls and industry…
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Busted bud: British man nabbed with cannabis at Krabi Airport
A British man was arrested at Krabi International Airport after officials discovered a massive haul of more than 34 kilogrammes of cannabis stashed in suitcases. The late-night bust has set tongues wagging amidst continuing concerns over drug trafficking in Thailand. According to Krabi Provincial Police, the drama unfolded around 11.50pm on Saturday, March 8, when vigilant airport staff found a…
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Monk arrested in Ayutthaya for 2 million baht robbery case
A Buddhist monk, previously involved in a high-profile robbery case, was apprehended by police at a temple in Ayutthaya. The 59 year old, known as Chalad (surname withheld), had been living as a monk for nearly a decade. The arrest was made today, March 10, following a directive from Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, with Police Colonel Suriyasak Jirawat and…
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Phuket generates most revenue for Thailand, but locals question budget use
Phuket ranks at the top among the 77 provinces that generated the most revenue for Thailand’s tourism industry in 2024 but locals are questioning where the money went. The spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Sasikarn Wattanachan, revealed the Thai tourism revenue generated by each province during a press conference, today, March 10. She shared the rankings of the top 10…
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Busted buds: Indian men nabbed in Bangkok airport cannabis scam
Two Indian men were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport for attempting to smuggle a staggering 22 kilogrammes of cannabis disguised as snack bags. The duo’s audacious plan to slip the marijuana past customs was thwarted in a dramatic operation today, March 10. The masterminds behind the daring plot, Kamarudheen and Shibin, both 34 years of age, were apprehended at…
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Man arrested for fatal stabbing over estranged wife’s new partner
A 37 year old man from Samut Prakan has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a man to death in Nakhon Ratchasima. The suspect, identified as Piti, reportedly travelled over 200 kilometres by motorcycle to find his estranged wife, only to discover her with a new partner. Police Colonel Charin Chintapala, along with Deputy Superintendent Wichan Klinbupha and Investigator Sirisarn Chanthaphakdee…
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Foreign beachgoers, Thai lifeguard return caught ray to Phuket sea (video)
A viral video shared on Thai social media today showed a group of foreign beachgoers and a Thai lifeguard rescuing a ray and returning the animal to the sea. The Phuket Hotnews, along with other media outlets such as PPTV HD and MGR Online, shared the video of the ray’s rescue mission today, March 10. The animal was seen lying…
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Buriram man dismantles home, village lives in fear after assault
A 31 year old man dismantled his two-storey house in Buriram’s Ku Mueang district and resorted to living in a tent. Residents, including his parents, are in fear of being harmed after a serious assault on a local woman. The incident was reported yesterday, March 9, by 51 year old Jindarat from Chik Noi village. Her son suffered severe injuries, including…
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Phuket motorcyclist praised for helping rain-soacked tourist reach hotel
A foreign tourist took to TikTok to praise a Thai motorcyclist for his kindness after he gave her a free ride to her hotel in Phuket upon seeing her standing soaked in the rain. The foreign TikTok user, @one_way_ticket, shared a video of the Thai motorcyclist, who introduced himself in the clip as Assan, on Saturday, March 8. “This Thai…
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Chinese tourists dine and dash across Chon Buri restaurants
A growing number of restaurant owners in Chon Buri have reported incidents of Chinese tourists leaving without paying for meals. The latest case involved a group of four Chinese men who racked up a bill of 1,205 baht at a local eatery before walking out without settling the amount. One restaurant owner, 42 year old Seree Chanchaiyaphum recalled an incident…
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Fire at Ubon Ratchathani hotel after wedding celebration
Firefighters tackled a blaze on the eighth floor of a prominent four-star hotel in Ubon Ratchathani, where newlyweds had hosted their wedding the previous night. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, March 9. Police Lieutenant Teerajet Tornoi from Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station received a report about the fire at a hotel located on Chayangkul Road in Nai Mueang subdistrict,…
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Digital wallet phase three targets Thais aged 16 to 20
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira today announced that the third phase of the digital wallet programme will be limited to people aged 16 to 20. Efforts are being made to distribute the funds by the second quarter, with a potential fourth phase under consideration. Today, at 8.50am, March 10, at Government House, Pichai discussed the first…
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Laotian man arrested for sexually assaulting daughter in Thailand
A 32 year old woman took her 13 year old niece to Nakhon Phanom Hospital yesterday following repeated assaults by the girl’s biological father. The girl’s father, a 41 year old Laotian construction contractor named Varin from Savannakhet, was arrested yesterday, March 9, at a construction site opposite Ratchanakharin Psychiatric Hospital in Mueang district, Nakhon Phanom province. The case was…
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Thai car exports threatened by Trump’s 25% US tariff plan
The Thai automotive industry faces potential challenges if US President Donald Trump proceeds with his plan to impose tariffs on car imports, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Last month, Trump revealed plans to implement a 25% tariff on autos starting April 2, though tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico have been delayed for a month following…
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Tragic death of man picking mangoes in Ayutthaya canal
A 37 year old man from Bang Pahan district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, tragically died after falling into a canal while attempting to pick ripe mangoes. His relatives raised the alarm when he did not return home overnight. His body was found floating in the water yesterday, March 9. Police Lieutenant Piyapong Sirijanyatharm, an investigator at Bang Pahan Police…
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Russian ruffian busted: Koh Pha Ngan’s wannabe mafia gets cuffed
Surat Thani Tourist Police arrested a Russian man accused of terrorising tourists and demanding protection money on the sun-drenched island of Koh Pha Ngan. Dubbed a “Russian mafia” operative, the 27 year old alleged thug was putting on a front worthy of a Hollywood villain, complete with fake police gear and brazen threats. The operation unfolded after the Tourist Police…
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Eighteen teens arrested after Thonburi shooting near hospital
Eighteen teenagers have been arrested following a shooting involving rival groups near a hospital in Thonburi. The confrontation reportedly began when the groups exchanged words, and one group, outnumbered, used a shotgun as retaliation. An 18 year old vocational student sustained serious injuries from the altercation and was taken to Kasemrad Hospital in Bang Khae. The incident occurred yesterday, March…
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Pathum Thani police seize crystal meth worth over 104 million baht
Police in Pathum Thani seized a major haul of crystal methamphetamine, weighing 520 kilogrammes and valued at over 104 million baht. The drugs were concealed in large freezers within a warehouse in Lam Luk Ka and were intended for distribution to the south. The operation took place at 3pm yesterday, March 9, led by Police Major General Yuthana Jonkhun, Provincial…
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3 Thai men allegedly stage fatal accident for 14 million baht payout
Police arrested three Thai men for allegedly killing a man and staging a fatal car accident in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon to claim over 14 million baht in insurance money. Another suspect is currently on the run. Representatives from several insurance companies requested a further investigation from Sakon Nakhon Provincial Police officers into the accident that claimed the…
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Revved up: Phuket police clamp down on noisy motorcyclists
Phuket City police swooped in during the early hours of Saturday morning in a high-octane operation to apprehend a group of young motorcyclists causing a ruckus with their customised, noisy rides. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchaphas Buakaew and Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Chuaphong were behind the crackdown that revved into action at 4am on Saturday, March 8 on the bustling bypass road.…
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Belgian cyclist killed in Chon Buri truck collision
An accident occurred yesterday when a pickup truck collided with a 68 year old Belgian cyclist in Sattahip district, Chon Buri. The Belgian, Jean Antoine Linda Hellemans, who was cycling for exercise, unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The incident took place at 10.20am, yesterday, March 9, on Road 332, near the J-Kasemphol intersection, opposite a PTT gas station in Bang Sare,…
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