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 Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move
Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Udon Thani hospital staff beaten by patient over queue number (video)
A disturbing video surfaced online this week showing a hospital worker being brutally attacked by a patient at Nam Som Hospital in Udon Thani. The shocking footage, shared by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Thanakrit Chit-arirat, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, has sparked outrage and calls for tougher security in hospitals. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 5 at 8.56am,…
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Israeli tourists and transwomen clash in Phuket street brawl (video)
Two Israeli tourists found themselves embroiled in a street skirmish with a group of transgender women on the bustling Bangla Road in Phuket, leaving both parties nursing injuries. The brawl erupted in the island’s notorious nightlife district on Wednesday, March 5, sparking a dramatic scene captured on video and widely shared across social media. Drama unfolded in the vibrant hub…
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Paetongtarn pushes Malaysia to act fast on floods and trade routes
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made an urgent call to Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, while in Berlin for the ITB 2025, pressing for swift action on flood relief in the Golok River basin and a key border infrastructure project that could boost trade between the two nations. Speaking at 9am local time yesterday, March 6 (six hours behind Thailand), PM…
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Thailand video news | Foreign tourist found dead on Kata beach in Phuket, Vietnam sees tourism surge but still lags behind Thailand
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest headlines from across Thailand and Asia. A foreign tourist was tragically found dead on Phuket’s Kata Beach, while an MP has exposed illegal condo rentals and prostitution in Bangkok’s Nana district. Meanwhile, the court has blocked the travel request of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra due to ongoing…
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Thailand halts airport transfer plan due to financial concerns
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has abruptly scrapped plans to transfer Krabi, Udon Thani, and Buriram airports to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), citing financial and operational concerns. Instead, officials are shifting focus towards developing state-run airports to generate more income and reduce reliance on government funding. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, March 6, that the transfer, initially approved by…
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Koh Larn mystery: Tourist’s body leaves police puzzled
Thai police have been left scratching their heads after discovering the dead body of a tourist in a forest on the picturesque island of Koh Larn. A photograph of an elderly woman was found at the chilling scene, yesterday, March 6. Police Lieutenant Anan Mahakit Asawakun from Pattaya City Police Station’s Koh Larn branch today shared news of the unfolding…
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Laundrette looter! Foreign thief caught airing dirty laundry in Phuket
CCTV footage from a 24-hour laundrette in Phuket this week captured a man, believed to be a foreigner, stealing clothes belonging to the shop’s customers. A Thai man shared footage of the theft, at around 11pm on Monday, March 3, on social media to warn others who use the laundry shop in the Kathu neighbourhood of Phuket. He believed that…
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Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates
Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…
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Thailand’s new law to tackle online sexual harassment
Thailand is taking a bold step towards protecting victims of sexual harassment and privacy violations with a groundbreaking new bill that grants victims direct access to the courts—bypassing the slow bureaucratic process that has long delayed justice. Patcharin Samsiripong, Vice Chairwoman of the House Committee on the Draft Act to Amend the Criminal Code, announced that the committee had carefully…
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Military drill blunder leaves 4 Thais injured in South Korea
Two fighter planes mistakenly dropped eight bombs in a residential area in South Korea during a military drill between the country and the United States, resulting in 15 injuries. Four of the injured victims are Thai nationals. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Nikorndate Palangkul, reported that the ministry received notification of the bombing in Pocheon,…
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Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill
Angry protesters stormed the Finance Ministry yesterday, demanding the government scrap its controversial plan to legalise casinos. The demonstration, led by three hardline groups, accused Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of backing a bill that, they claim, will open the floodgates for Thai gamblers rather than targeting foreign tourists. The Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Dharma…
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Thai farmers urged to go bananas for ripe returns
The Government of Thailand is urging beleaguered Thai farmers to pivot to bananas from rice as a strategy to bolster their earnings amidst plummeting rice prices. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan dropped the fruity bombshell while addressing People’s Party MP Narongdech Ularnkul’s concerns about rice price stabilisation. “A rice oversupply is crushing prices, and bananas could be the alternative farmers need.…
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Thai motorcyclist praised for his kindness to disabled man in Bangkok
Thai TikTok users praised a Thai motorcyclist for helping a disabled man in a wheelchair cross a steep bridge in Bangkok. The female TikToker, @aileen_eenn, shared a video of the incident on Tuesday, March 4 to highlight the generosity of the motorcyclist. She added a caption to the video stating, “Others may not notice your good deeds, but I do.”…
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Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued its sixth warning for a summer storm expected to hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Issued at 5pm yesterday, March 6, the announcement details that northern, northeastern, central Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the…
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Splish splash splendour: Pattaya preps for a Wan Lai soaking (video)
Pattaya City is gearing up for a splash-tastic 2025 with its iconic Wan Lai Naklua and Wan Lai Pattaya festivals. Known for their thrilling water-pouring ceremonies, dazzling cultural performances, and energetic parades, these events promise a spectacle like no other. The vibrant preparations were discussed in a meeting led by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn at Pattaya City Hall. The festivals…
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Seoul searching! Tourist Police nab fake South Korean tour guide
A South Korean man found himself in hot water with the Tourist Police after allegedly masquerading as a tour guide without the necessary paperwork. Police clocked him on Wednesday, March 5, shepherding a group of international holidaymakers through a bustling local market, where he was seen snapping up tickets and handing out local information. But there was a catch: he…
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Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street
A luxury Mini Cooper was destroyed after bursting into flames near Soi Thonglor 20 in Bangkok’s Watthana district this morning. The shocking fire erupted in front of Kasikorn Bank’s Sukhumvit 55 branch, leaving bystanders scrambling to contain the blaze. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Jumprom of Thonglor Police Station received a report of the fire at 10.40am, today, March 6, and rushed…
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Illegal Chinese workers busted in Phuket construction raid
Thalang police arrested four Chinese nationals caught working illegally at a construction site in Thepkrasattri, Phuket, after a dramatic raid on the premises. Acting on a tip-off received on Monday, March 3, officers stormed a warehouse in Village 9, Thepkrasattri, yesterday morning, March 5. Upon arrival, they found the warehouse door open, with the sounds of construction echoing from inside.…
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Court blocks Thaksin’s request to leave Thailand for Indonesia
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a legal setback today after the Criminal Court denied his request to travel abroad. The court ruled that there was not sufficient reason to allow him to leave the country, blocking his planned trip to Indonesia for the upcoming ASEAN meeting. This morning, Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in his…
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Toxic air crisis: Dangerous PM2.5 levels choke 28 Thai provinces
Thailand’s air pollution crisis has intensified, with PM2.5 levels in 28 provinces, mostly in the north and northeast, exceeding the country’s safety standard, the government’s Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) confirmed this afternoon. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk…
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Thai lottery seller’s ‘magic’ massage leaves elderly woman with broken leg
Police arrested a Thai lottery vendor in the northern province of Chiang Rai for providing a magic massage to an 70 year old client, which resulted in a broken leg. The 70 year old Thai woman, Kham, filed a complaint with officers at Phrayamengrai Police Station after spending 20 days in hospital. She reported that the lottery vendor, later identified…
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Name baby giraffe to win one-year pass to Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its newest and cutest resident—a baby giraffe born just one month ago. To mark the occasion, the zoo is inviting the public to help choose the perfect name for the little calf through an online vote. The female giraffe, born on February 7, is the offspring of Ton Khun, a seven year…
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Grandmother finds grandson dead in Udon Thani kitchen
A shocking discovery unfolded when a grandmother found her grandson dead in the kitchen of their home, prompting suspicions of sudden death or heart failure. At around 1.40pm yesterday, March 5, Police Lieutenant Neeranuch Buttakhiao, deputy investigator of Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, received a report of an unexplained death in a residence in Ban Non Phu Thong, Moo 11,…
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Man saved from bridge after wedding fund dispute in Samut Prakan
A desperate young man in Samut Prakan was saved from a near-tragic leap after a heated argument with his mother over wedding funds left him feeling hopeless. The 20 year old Thai man was spotted yesterday, March 5, sobbing and gripping the railing of a bridge over the Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit Canal in Bang Bo district, seemingly ready to…
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Two firms sued after crane collapse kills 6 on Rama II Road
Two companies face legal action after a construction crane collapsed on Rama II Road, Bangkok, resulting in six fatalities and nine injuries. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and responsibility, with experts being consulted for insights. A meeting was held at the conference room of the Provincial Police Region 7 headquarters yesterday, March 5 at 2.30pm to discuss the…
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Teen girl assaulted in Samut Prakan, legal action pursued
A distressing incident has unfolded in Samut Prakan province, where a 14 year old girl was reportedly assaulted by four male peers, aged between 13 and 15, after being left alone by a female friend she trusted. The friend and her boyfriend left the scene, claiming parental summons, leaving the girl vulnerable. Upon discovering the ordeal, the girl’s mother confronted…
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New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary
The Ministry of Finance announced the release of a commemorative 100 baht banknote to mark its 150th anniversary. The note, which can legally be used for transactions, will be issued on April 14. The announcement was published on the Royal Gazette’s website, detailing the characteristics, colour, and size of the commemorative note. Signed by Pichai Chunhavajira, the finance minister, the…
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Mother bravely defies gun threat by drug addict son in Udon Thani
A mother faced a terrifying moment when her drug-addict son threatened her with a gun after she refused to give him money. Yesterday, March 5, police intervened and arrested the son in Udon Thani province, bringing the situation under control. The incident took place in Ban Huai Nong Yang, Mueang district, Udon Thani, on March 4. Police Colonel Ratapolchai Pensongkram, head…
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Tragic end for British backpacker in Thailand waters (video)
A British backpacker met a heartbreaking fate after a kayaking mishap in Thailand, an inquest heard in Swansea. Shanghaman Gowribalan went missing on February 11, 2024, while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 24 year old drowned after his kayak overflowed, leading him to…
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Motorcyclist mob brutally attacks Thai teen seeking refuge in store
A group of over 10 motorcyclists attacked a 17 year old seeking refuge in a convenience store. The incident occurred around 12.30am yesterday, March 5, with the victim sustaining severe injuries to the forehead, arms, and back. Reporters met with the victim, Tae, who had seven stitches on his forehead, a swollen right eye, a split lip, and cuts on…
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