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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Wat Arun photographers warned for exploiting public space for personal gain
Thai Tourist Police moved to regulate the activities of local photographers at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan in Bangkok following complaints that some photographers were exploiting the popular tourist attraction and public space for personal gain. The issue gained widespread attention after Krisda “Pond” Witthayakhajorndet, founder of the entertainment company Be On Cloud, shared his experience on X on January 2.…
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New evidence ties ‘Big Joke’ to alleged gold bribe
New evidence has emerged in Bangkok today, January 6, in a bribery investigation involving a former Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, also known as Big Joke. The material reportedly supports allegations of interference in an ongoing anti-corruption case. The case involves allegations that one of his former subordinates delivered the gold to a commissioner of the National…
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Phuket entertainment venue operators demand probe into alleged bribery
A group of entertainment venue operators in Phuket called for an investigation into government officials after rumours circulated online alleging that some officials sought bribes from business operators. The vice president of the Patong Beach Entertainment Venue Association, Apichet Phulsong, together with around 30 association members, met the Phuket governor to submit an official petition requesting an investigation into the…
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Thai Army warns Cambodia after mortar lands in Ubon Ratchathani
Thailand’s army issued a warning to Cambodian authorities today, January 6, after a mortar round landed inside Thai territory in Ubon Ratchathani province, injuring a soldier and raising concerns over a potential ceasefire breach. According to Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, the incident occurred at around 7.40am on Hill 469 in Nam Yuen district, close to the Thai-Cambodian border.…
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Over 7,000 cannabis shops close as Thailand overhauls regulations
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed yesterday, January 5, that more than 7,000 cannabis shops closed nationwide in 2025, following a sharp drop in licence renewals under a new regulatory framework approved by the Cabinet. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the ministry had been briefed on progress surrounding a draft ministerial regulation covering permits to study, research, export, sell,…
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Thailand video news | Belgian tourist says hospital withheld care over massive unpaid bill, Thailand faces another cold spell With plummeting temperatures forecast
In Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes fresh developments in the long-running Red Bull heir case, a Belgian tourist alleging withheld care after a motorbike crash and unpaid bills, and later, a strange claim involving an allegedly haunted hotel room. Ferrari Evidence Dispute Reignites in Long-Running Boss Yoovidhya…
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Chiang Mai pigeon feed sellers back at Tha Phae Gate after arrests
A group of pigeon feed sellers has returned to Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai today, January 5, after previously being arrested, reigniting concerns over hygiene and the impact on the city’s tourism image. The issue centres on the open plaza at Tha Phae Gate in Mueang district, where the same group of individuals was seen once again selling pigeon…
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Swedish man drowns in Chon Buri while swimming after drinking beer
A Swedish tourist drowned in the sea off Somprasong Beach in the Na Jomtien sub-district of Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, on Sunday, January 4, despite efforts by rescuers and bystanders to revive him. Officers from Na Jomtien Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 1.30pm and rushed to the beach along with rescue workers from the Sawang…
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French tourist dies after slipping from fifth tier of Koh Samui waterfall
A French tourist died after slipping and falling from the fifth tier of a waterfall on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province while taking selfies with his girlfriend. The woman narrowly escaped the fatal accident. Officers from Koh Samui Police Station rushed to Na Muang 2 Waterfall yesterday, January 5, after receiving a report of the fall. The victim was…
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Thai ex-inmate says prison friend betrays and robs him after release
A Thai ex-inmate expressed his disappointment after a friend he met in prison, and was released alongside, robbed him and fled with 3,000 baht in cash. The 44 year old Thai man Sarayut filed a complaint with Rattanathibet Police Station on Friday, January 2. He told police that his friend, identified as Chai, along with two other men, robbed him…
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Search continues for injured elephant in Khao Yai park
Khao Yai officials are still searching for a wild elephant injured in a collision yesterday, January 4, with a closed-box van, as public concern grows over road safety in wildlife zones. The elephant, reported to be “Phlai Chom View”, also known as “Phlai Biang Yai Moosi”, was reportedly struck while crossing the road near the Mun River Headwater Research Station…
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Pregnant Thai woman seeks removal of teacher over affair with her soldier husband
An eight-month pregnant Thai woman accused a female teacher of having an affair with her soldier husband and called for her removal from the school, saying the stress from the alleged relationship nearly caused her to lose her unborn child. The woman, identified only as Tarn, appeared on the Hone Krasae programme on Channel 3 today, January 5, to publicly…
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Malaysian woman shares eerie hotel experience in Thailand
A Malaysian woman recently took to Facebook to share a chilling experience during her 10-day stay at a popular hotel in Thailand, where she claimed to have encountered strange and unexplained events nearly every night. She said the first sign of trouble came right after check-in, when the bathroom light began flickering nonstop. Although the light was fixed, more unexplained…
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Suspects flee sugarcane field near border, abandon 600,000 pills
Authorities have seized a major shipment of methamphetamine after suspects fled into a sugarcane field and abandoned approximately 600,000 pills during an overnight interception operation in Udon Thani province. The operation was carried out by the Surasakmontri Task Force, working through its interdiction units in the upper northeastern region, in coordination with ranger forces and local police. The drugs were…
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Foreign motorcyclist slammed for revving engine, causing smoke in Phuket
Thai netizens condemned a foreign motorcyclist after a video showed him repeatedly revving his motorcycle engine on a road in Phuket on Saturday night, January 3. The incident came to light after a Thai witness filmed the foreigner’s actions and shared the footage online. The video was later reposted by several local news outlets. The exact time and location of…
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Cold air returns, Tak chills to 10°C, stronger monsoon ahead
Thailand Weather Update: Temperatures dip further as new cold wave arrives January 6 to 11 The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a fresh weather outlook as another wave of cold air sweeps over upper Thailand, causing temperatures to drop, especially in northern provinces. Meanwhile, strong monsoonal winds are expected to affect the South and coastal areas starting this weekend.…
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Border farmers rush sugarcane harvest amid renewed clash tensions
Farmers living along the Thai-Cambodian border are racing against time to cut and replant sugarcane after repeated evacuations, as fears grow over a possible third military clash that could again force them from their land. In several border villages, agricultural work has resumed only partially, with many farmers returning to fields they were forced to abandon during earlier tensions. While…
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Gunman surrenders after shooting teen in street dispute
A man who shot and injured a teenager in Chonburi province has surrendered to police, admitting he acted out of anger after being insulted during a street confrontation. The shooting occurred at around 6.00pm on January 4 in Ban Suan subdistrict, Mueang Chonburi district. CCTV footage shows the suspect riding a red motorcycle before following the victim, identified as Mr.…
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Drug-addicted Thai man beheads mother, abandons head in rice field
A drug-addicted Thai man beheaded his mother and abandoned her head in a rice field in Amnat Charoen province yesterday, January 4, before being arrested shortly afterwards. The brutal incident occurred at around 8.30am in Ban Non Sung community, Na Wiang sub-district, Senangkhanikhom district. Police identified the suspect as 42 year old Thai man Mongkhon, while the victim was his 71…
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Elderly woman escapes house fire in Samut Sakhon with nine dogs
An 80 year old woman was forced to flee her burning home in Samut Sakhon last night, January 4, while trying to rescue nine dogs she kept inside the property. The fire broke out around 9.30 pm at a house in Soi Pattana 4, located in the Bang Ya Phraek subdistrict of Mueang district. Firefighters from Bang Ya Phraek Municipality,…
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Charity run backs youth education across Bangkok
A large-scale charity walk and run in Bangkok has raised funds to support learning opportunities for Thai youth, as Chevron partnered with the Saturday School Foundation for the third consecutive year. The event, titled Saturday School Run 2025: Running together for the dreams of children, was held at Wachirabenjathat Park, also known as Railway Park. It brought together more than…
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Woman offering misleading tourist deals detained in Sri Racha
A woman was detained at a pier in Sri Racha district, Chon Buri, on January 3, following complaints that she was offering overpriced and misleading tourism services to visitors heading to Koh Si Chang island. The operation took place at Koh Loi Pier, a ferry terminal popular among tourists travelling to Koh Si Chang, an island destination off the Chon…
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Outrage after Burmese rape-murder suspects deported without prosecution
A Thai woman sought justice after the Tak Provincial Immigration Office deported two Burmese men accused of raping and killing her mother, allowing them to return to their home country without facing punishment. The daughter of the victim contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on Friday, January 2, to request assistance. Her mother, a 57 year old Thai woman, was…
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Passenger fee hike set for Thailand’s international flights from Feb 2026
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) will raise the passenger service fee for all inbound and outbound flights to 25 baht per person, effective February 1, 2026. The increase from the current 15 baht is aimed at stabilising the agency’s finances, which have been running at a deficit for years. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of CAAT, said the fee…
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Three Chinese nationals arrested with 8,600 SIM cards after illegal entry
Thai authorities have arrested three Chinese nationals for illegally entering Thailand after discovering nearly 10,000 international SIM cards in their possession during a border security operation in Sa Kaeo province. The arrests were made on the morning of January 5 following a joint operation by officers from Khlong Nam Sai Police Station, border patrol police, and immigration officials operating along…
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Belgian man alleges lack of treatment in Thai hospital due to unpaid bill
A Belgian man complained that he was detained in Thai hospital without proper care after he was unable to pay nearly 2 million baht in medical bills following a motorcycle accident that he claims was not his fault. The case was revealed through a fundraising campaign launched on Steunactie by 16 year old Belgian girl Julie, who is seeking financial help…
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Drunk motorcyclist crashes into trailer truck in Pattaya
A man was injured in the early hours of yesterday, January 4, after crashing his motorcycle into a trailer truck at an intersection in Pattaya. The incident took place around 2.30am, near the motorway junction in Nong Prue, northern Pattaya. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation were called to the scene. Rescuers found a 51 year old man…
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Thai woman denied entry to South Korea despite valid documents
What was meant to be a New Year holiday in South Korea ended before it started for a Thai woman, after immigration officers at Incheon Airport denied her entry despite meeting all entry requirements. The incident occurred at Incheon International Airport, where the 37 year old woman, a government employee from Loei province, claimed she was stopped and turned away…
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Fire destroys secondhand shop, vehicles damaged, police investigate
A fire that broke out before sunrise completely destroyed a secondhand goods shop and its attached warehouse in Chonburi province, damaging several vehicles and causing extensive property loss. No injuries were reported, but authorities say the full extent of the damage is still being assessed as forensic teams prepare to determine the cause. The blaze was reported at about 4.30am…
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Tourists filmed in public lewd act in Phuket renew visa-free concerns
Two foreign tourists were caught on camera engaging in a lewd act on a public street in Patong, Phuket, prompting online criticism and renewed debate over Thailand’s visa-free entry policy. The incident occurred in a nightlife area near Bangla Road. According to initial reports from the Phuket Times, the individuals, identified by the page and eyewitnesses as men of Middle…
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