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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Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Myanmar repatriates Chinese scam workers through Thailand
Myanmar has begun repatriating hundreds of Chinese nationals forced to work in scam centres, with the first group crossing into Thailand today, February 20. This marks the start of a massive operation expected to free thousands from criminal-run compounds in Myanmar over the coming weeks. The first group of 50 Chinese workers was transported to the Thai border town of…
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Jealous ex pulls gun in Pattaya nightclub chaos
A night of fun turned into panic when a jealous ex-boyfriend pulled a gun inside a Pattaya nightclub, mistaking a waiter for his ex-wife’s new lover. The dramatic incident unfolded at a cocktail lounge in LK Metro, sending patrons into chaos and ending with the man’s swift arrest. The incident occurred at 2.06am today, February 20, when Pattaya police received…
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Thai woman harassed as scammer uses her address for fake sex services
A Thai woman endured months of harassment after her address was used by a scammer to trick men into paying for sex services and arranging fake meetings at her residence. The 53 year old victim, Thanida, sought help from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, prompting Gun and his team to meet her at Bang Yai Police Station in Nonthaburi…
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Thailand’s tourist influx generates over 270 billion baht revenue
Thailand has experienced a significant influx of over 5.5 million international tourists between January 1 and February 16, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports under the leadership of Sorawong Thienthong. This surge in visitors has resulted in the generation of more than 270 billion baht (US$8 billion) in revenue, playing a crucial role in the country’s ongoing…
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Tragic shooting in Buriram: Wife critical, husband dead
A tragic incident unfolded in Buriram yesterday where a 46 year old street vendor named Somsak allegedly shot his 51 year old wife, Nahathai, a school director, before turning the gun on himself. Nahathai remains in critical condition at Buriram Hospital. The incident took place around 9.30am, yesterday, February 19, in the Mueang district of Buriram province. Nahathai was reportedly…
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US searches for Koh Samui soar after The White Lotus premiere
Thailand is basking in the international spotlight following the season premiere of HBO’s hit series The White Lotus, which showcases the stunning island of Koh Samui as its primary filming location. Since the premiere, Agoda has reported a remarkable 12% surge in accommodation searches for Koh Samui, with interest from the United States skyrocketing by 65% compared to last month’s…
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Thai woman exposes police husband’s corruption after cheating and assault
A Thai woman exposed her police husband‘s corruption after he cheated on her and allowed his mistress to physically assault her on December 30 last year. The 39 year old woman, Ae, took legal action against her unfaithful husband and publicly revealed his corrupt behaviour. She decided to do so after he barred her from seeing her children, and his…
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Louis Vuitton’s chic travel guide gives Bangkok the luxury treatment
Thailand’s cultural capital just got a designer makeover with the launch of an ultra-exclusive travel guide that promises to put Bangkok on the opulent itinerary. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton to unveil the much-anticipated Louis Vuitton City Guide Bangkok 2025. The launch event, held on Tuesday, February 18, at the Maison…
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Green gone wrong: Police raid illegal cannabis factory in Bangkok
Police raided a cannabis factory in a well-known market in the Don Mueang districk of Bangkok, arresting three foreign nationals overseeing operations. Legal proceedings are underway for the building owner and employer. Yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, Police Colonel Sukrit Mankalasawat from Don Mueang Police Station directed efforts to investigate the site. Armed with a search warrant from the Criminal…
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British and German sex pests snared in Pattaya sting
A German citizen and a British national face ten years in prison after being arrested in Pattaya on suspicion of horrific sexual offences against minors in Thailand. The pair, arrested yesterday, February 19, face four-to-ten years in jail and a fine from 80,000 baht to 200,000 baht for their predatory pedophile behaviour. The first suspect, 68 year old German national…
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Thai woman scammed out of 440,000 baht by Filipino boyfriend
A Thai woman sought assistance from a non-profit organisation for her Filipino boyfriend, who claimed he was tortured by Thai police, only to later discover that he was a scammer who swindled her out of 440,000 baht. The 61 year old Thai woman, Nathathai, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, reporting that her 58 year old Filipino boyfriend, Mark,…
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Taiwan warns citizens about visiting Thailand over fraud risks
Taiwan issued a stark warning to its citizens, naming Thailand among five Southeast Asian countries considered high-risk destinations due to their association with fraud rings. The advisory also includes Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. According to a Taiwan News report, the Taiwanese Interior Ministry is taking proactive measures to protect its citizens from falling victim to scam operations. Travellers to…
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Suspect in Chai Nat dentist murder arrested after 10 years
A man accused of fatally stabbing a dentist in a Chai Nat pub 10 years ago has been apprehended. After a decade-long search, police arrested the suspect in a rented room, ending a notorious case. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), under the leadership of officers including Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej and Police Major General Sophon Sarapattana, coordinated the arrest.…
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One man’s trash, another’s treasure: Collector strikes gold at landfill
A Thai recyclable garbage collector had been collecting gold accessories found in a landfill for years and this week sold them for 19,595 baht at a gold shop in the central province of Saraburi. The owner of the gold shop, Namo, shared a video of the woman selling the gold on the shop’s Facebook page on Monday, with a caption…
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Elderly woman found dead after gate collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima
An 80 year old woman was found dead after a metal gate collapsed on her, with the discovery made the following morning. A housekeeper became suspicious when the woman, who had previously called to say she would attend a funeral, did not arrive as expected. Yesterday, February 19, Police Lieutenant Colonel (Female) Kornwika Manopsin, a deputy investigator from Phimai Police…
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Thai Airways aims for top 10 global rank by this year
Chansin Treenuchagron, a key figure in Thai Airways, emphasised the airline’s crucial role in national development while aiming to rank among the top 10 airlines globally. The discussion took place yesterday, February 19 at the Matichon Leadership Forum 2025, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. Chansin, a board member and executive planner of Thai Airways International…
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Phang Nga to host mobile lottery draw on March 1
The upcoming lottery draw on March 1 will be a mobile draw held in Phang Nga province. The Government Lottery Office plans to conduct the draw at the Le Erawan Hotel’s Mai Fah Room in Mueang district, Phang Nga. Khaosod Online has compiled a decade’s worth of statistics from March 1 draws. This includes notable repeating numbers and popular numbers…
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Police raid in Bangkok uncovers 100 million baht in fake drugs
Police officers, including Police Major General Noppasilp Poonsawat, yesterday conducted a raid on three houses in Bangkok. The properties had been rented by Chinese nationals to store unregistered drugs and counterfeit medicines, valued over 100 million baht (US$2.97 million). Officials warned of significant dangers if these products entered the market. The raid took place yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, at…
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Thai farmers demand rise in rice price to 10,000 baht per tonne
Farmers congregated at Government House in Bangkok, yesterday, February 19, urging the government to increase rice prices from the current 6,000 baht to 10,000 baht per tonne. Farmers from various provinces, including Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Suphan Buri, sought meetings with the prime minister, the agriculture minister, or the commerce minister to discuss solutions to declining rice prices. Deputy Commerce Minister…
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Police track down gunman who fatally shot pet dog in Koh Samui
Police are searching for a gunman who fatally shot a four year old dog in a community in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, on Monday, February 17. A 35 year old Thai woman, Wiramaya, is seeking justice for her mixed Thai Bangkaew-Labrador dog, Lucky, who was shot dead on Monday. The lifeless dog was…
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Scam horror: Ethiopian men reveal abuse in Myanmar compounds
In Thailand’s Fort Wachiraprakan military camp, four Ethiopian men revealed bruises and scars they acquired during their detention in Myanmar’s infamous scam compounds. Yotor, a 19 year old, spoke about daily electric shocks. These men are among 260 individuals, primarily human trafficking victims, transferred from Myanmar to Thailand as part of an ongoing international effort to dismantle scam centres along…
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Thai man kills ex-wife in Udon Thani after separation dispute
A Thai man attacked and killed his ex-wife at their home in the Mueang district, Udon Thani province, yesterday, February 19, following a dispute over their separation and his struggles with drug addiction and gambling. The incident, which occurred around 12.30pm, was reported to the local police by concerned relatives who had previously been threatened by the assailant. Police Colonel…
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Bangkok’s Pink Line monorail to offer free test rides in June
The Pink Line monorail branch to Muang Thong Thani will offer free rides during its test run in June before starting full services in July. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the 3-kilometre extension from Si Rat Station to Mueang Thong Thani will begin test operations in late June. During this period, rides will be free, leading up to the official…
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Phayao abbot leaves monkhood after photos with partner emerge
A well-known abbot and subdistrict head monk in Mueang district, Phayao province, has left the monkhood following the circulation of photos showing him dining with his male partner. The incident, which took place in Phetchabun province, led to significant public attention. Yesterday morning, February 19, the abbot completed the formal process of leaving the monkhood and departed from the temple,…
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Pattaya police allegedly ignore theft case of Japanese tourist
A Japanese tourist accused Pattaya Police Station officers of inaction after losing cash and belongings on his first day in Pattaya. The officers reportedly asked him to investigate the theft case himself. The victim, 78 year old Yoshiki Matsuura, reached out to Thai news agencies to expose the inaction of the Thai police to the public. He expressed his disappointment and urged…
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Blow and behold: British man’s nose for trouble at Phuket Airport
Drama unfolded at Phuket International Airport as a British man swapped sun, sea, and sand for cuffs at customs for cocaine possession. The 42 year old British man found himself in hot water after allegedly kicking off and creating a scene at Phuket Airport. Following his tumultuous antics, airport officers uncovered 4.11 grammes of cocaine on him, sealed in a…
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Gunmen ambush police in Pattani, killing two officers
Gunfire erupted late last night when a group of assailants ambushed police officers in Yarang district, resulting in the immediate deaths of two officers at the scene. The incident occurred yesterday, February 19, at approximately 11.25pm, prompting an urgent investigation to track down the perpetrators. Residents alerted the police upon hearing gunshots in the middle of the night. The unidentified…
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Thaksin Shinawatra to visit Narathiwat for security talks
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, is set to visit Narathiwat on Sunday, February 23 as an informal adviser to the ASEAN chair, where he will discuss security matters with officials in Thailand’s Deep South. The visit, confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday, marks Thaksin’s first return to the region since his tenure…
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Pattaya fights a shore thing: War declared on stinky seaweed
In a bid to rescue their once-pristine shorelines, Pattaya City officials have declared war on the stinking seaweed invasion that’s left Krating Rai Beach in turmoil. Under Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, a massive clean-up operation was launched yesterday, February 19, as officers from the Cleaning Control Division, Pollution Control Division, and Natural Resources and Environment Department rolled up their sleeves…
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Bangkok plans new central bus terminal for better city connectivity
The Transport Ministry is considering relocating Bangkok’s inter-provincial bus terminals to the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal to enhance connectivity with the city’s mass transit system. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit discussed this proposal with the Policy Monitoring Committee, instructing the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) to explore the feasibility of consolidating all state-operated bus terminals within this new…
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