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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Forging chaos: Blacksmith turns village night into tail of terror
A tranquil Thai village turned into a night of horror as a local blacksmith, identified as Adirek, unleashed mayhem in Cha-uat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, by poisoning three loyal dogs and savagely attacking a father and son duo. Police were alerted to the bloody clash late last night, rushing to a home in Moo 2, Tha Samet, only to find pools…
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Drunk motorcyclist crashes into Pattaya repair shop
An allegedly drunk motorcyclist lost control and crashed his motorcycle into a repair shop in Pattaya, resulting in serious injuries. This incident took place early today, October 24, on Pattaya Central Road near Soi 8/1. Pattaya police received reports of the accident at 1.30am. Following this, they coordinated with the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation and a medical team from Bangkok…
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Yaba-dabba do! Cops seize 100 kilos of crystal meth at Thai border
Police uncovered a substantial smuggling operation near the Thai-Malaysian border, seizing 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a tour van’s roof compartment in Songkhla province. Law enforcement arrested the van’s driver and two additional suspects involved in the operation. Officers from the Southern Border Provinces Investigation Division sub-division 2 and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board’s Region 9…
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Big Joke’s on her: Police wife caught in affair and burglary storm
The wife of former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, has surrendered to Phra Kanong Police Station following allegations of an affair and the theft of 5.7 million baht. These allegations, concerning an extramarital affair and the theft of valuables worth approximately 5.7 million baht, surfaced after a complaint was filed with the police on…
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Stamp out the fraud: Uzbek man licked at Phuket Airport
Immigration officers at Phuket International Airport apprehended a 35 year old Uzbek man on allegations of using forged stamps. The arrest occurred at the international arrivals hall around 9pm yesterday, October 23. A team from the Phuket Immigration Bureau, acting on the orders of Police Major General Chengron Rimphidi, Commander of Immigration Bureau 2, carried out the operation, according to an…
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Man arrested for murder and robbery of former village head’s wife
Police in Phetchaburi Province arrested a 41 year old Thai man in connection with the murder and robbery of a former village head’s wife. The family suspected foul play, prompting them to exhume her body for a forensic examination. The tragic incident occurred earlier this month when the former village head’s wife, Pranee, was found dead in her home. Initially,…
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Thai families seek justice against rainbow cult for investment scam
Two Thai families are attempting to take legal action against the leader of a “rainbow cult” in the Isaan province of Sisaket for allegedly promoting explicit behaviour and operating an investment scam. Members of two families visited Prang Ku Police Station yesterday, October 23, to file a complaint against the cult leader, accusing him of tricking their mothers into an…
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Thailand’s 300-baht travel tax takes off with air passengers first
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax could initially target air passengers, with the system needing at least six months to become operational, as stated by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that the ministry is currently revising the details of the programme and plans to submit it for Cabinet approval in January. Despite the…
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Stuck in neutral: Loan rejections stall Thailand’s used car market
Thailand’s used car market is set to experience continued sluggish sales due to frequent loan rejections faced by prospective buyers, according to the Association of Used Cars. Earlier forecasts by the association anticipated an improvement in used car sales in the latter half of 2024, driven by expectations that financial service providers would relax their lending criteria. Nonetheless, financial institutions…
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Lands scam: Woman shocked by 6 million baht ‘official’ con job
A woman was left in shock after losing over 6 million baht to a scam involving people impersonating officials from the Department of Lands. Despite her initial scepticism, the fraudsters managed to deceive her into installing a fake application, leading to the theft. Police recently apprehended 25 year old Waranuch under a warrant issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court…
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Thai man denies rape attempt in Chon Buri, claims erectile dysfunction
A Thai man in Chon Buri admitted to physically assaulting a victim over a 100,000 baht debt but denied attempting to rape the victim’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, claiming he suffers from erectile dysfunction. The Thai victims sought help from news agencies following the brutal attack and alleged attempted rape by a 46 year old vintage shirt vendor…
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Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
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Gold-digging: Ex-cop’s wife accused of affair, burglary in Bangkok
A Thai woman accused the wife of a former police chief of having an adulterous affair with her husband and stealing approximately 5.7 million baht worth of cash and gold accessories from her condominium in Bangkok. The 50 year old woman, Thanattha, filed a complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station on October 20, alleging that the wife of the former…
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Thai deep tech startups generate over 965 million baht
The Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Programme Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) has successfully fostered over 90 Thai deep tech startups, generating an economic value exceeding 965 million baht. PMUC Director Thongchai Suwansichon highlighted the unit’s role in leveraging university research to commercialise products that benefit the national economy. “The PMUC sees the potential of research work in…
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Man ends life at shooting range after renting gun
A man tragically ended his life at a shooting range after renting a gun and firing 30 rounds. His friend revealed that he had inquired at multiple ranges before finding one willing to rent a gun, suspecting debt issues as the motive. Police in Chachoengsao responded to a report from the 191 radio centre about a man who had shot…
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MRT 20-baht bonanza: MRT hits the jackpot for commuters
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has hit the jackpot with its new 20-baht maximum fare policy, hailed as a major triumph in public transport. Launched as part of the Ministry of Transport’s Quick Win programme, Transportation for Public Prosperity, the initiative aims to lighten the commuting costs for everyone. Starting with the MRT Purple Line last week,…
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Grave concerns: Skull thief puts a new spin on black magic
Police are searching for a thief responsible for stealing 27 skulls from a cemetery in Chon Buri. Locals suspect the theft is connected to black magic rituals and the creation of amulets. Prawate Swatsri, a 39 year old rescuer from the Sawang Tung Huiang Foundation, was the first person to discover the shocking theft at a cemetery on Panat Nikhom-Nong…
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Jumping to conclusions: Thai man takes a dive to dodge the law
A Thai man on the run from the law took a reckless plunge from the fifth floor of a building, crashing onto a pickup truck and suffering serious injuries. The audacious escape came just hours after he had stolen a motorcycle and sought refuge in a nearby dormitory. Yesterday, October 23, officers from Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani…
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Beach please: Pattaya tourists tide over by shocking litter crisis
Tourists at Pattaya Beach raised alarm bells over the shocking amount of litter strewn across the holiday resort’s shoreline, sparking questions about where it all came from. Visitors reported seeing a disturbing collection of rubbish both floating in the sea and littering the sands, including cigarette butts, plastic bags, water bottles, foam containers, and Styrofoam boxes. The unsightly mess extends…
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Follower fallout: Thai influencer caught cashing in on gamble posts
Cyber police arrested a popular female influencer with over two million followers for promoting online gambling. The influencer admitted to receiving 2,500 baht per post for sharing gambling links. Police Major General Athip Phongsiwapai, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, directed Police Colonel Chitsanupong Waidee, the Superintendent of Division 3, to take the 26 year old woman, identified only…
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Explosion outside Panare District Office sparks urgent probe
An explosion occurred outside the Panare District Office in Pattani, igniting a horrifying fire and prompting an urgent investigation by police. Yesterday, October 23, the อาสาสมัครกู้ชีพสันติ ปัตตานี Facebook page reported a dramatic incident outside the Panare district office in Pattani province. The post detailed that an explosion had taken place just after midnight, causing a fire to break out at…
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High stakes: Phuket shop owner rolls up on thieves for a taste of revenge
One of the cannabis shop owners in Phuket, who fell victim to two foreign thieves, yesterday tracked down the suspects and physically assaulted them at their accommodation. Several cannabis shop owners in Phuket reached out to other vendors to warn them after losing products to the two foreign thieves, whose identities remain undisclosed. CCTV footage from some of the ganja…
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Chiang Mai condo fraud victims seek justice over 300m baht losses
Frustrated victims of a condominium fraud scandal in Chiang Mai are seeking help from the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice, having seen little progress since they first raised their concerns back in 2022. Ronnarong Kaewpet, the foundation’s chairman and a seasoned lawyer, has received distressing evidence from those affected. Among them is Narumon Simons, who invested in a luxury…
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Ex-boxer arrested for fatal punch of colleague while drinking
A former boxer has been arrested for fatally punching his colleague during a drinking session due to a long-standing grudge. The ex-boxer confessed to the crime while reconstructing the event with the police. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirichai Jaroensiri from Prakhon Chai Police Station in Buriram province, along with the investigation team, escorted 32 year old Krittana for a reenactment of…
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Dessert storm: British man gets burned for smoking at sweet stall (video)
Two Thai dessert vendors in Chiang Mai clashed with an ignorant British man after he smoked outside their stall, despite a no-smoking sign and warnings from the vendors. The altercation between the Thai vendors and the Brit garnered public attention after a witness shared a video of the incident on her TikTok account, @ketar_nk, on October 23. In the caption,…
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Motorcycle repairman fatally shot in Samut Sakhon
A motorcycle repairman was fatally shot in front of his girlfriend in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The attacker unmasked, fired three shots before fleeing the scene. Police are investigating the incident. At around 12.30am today, October 23, Police Colonel Sor Suetrongpanich, the superintendent of Krathum Baen Police Station, was alerted to a shooting on Phetkasem 97 Road, intersecting with the road…
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Police seize 68 motorcycles in Bangkok street racing crackdown
Police in Bangkok apprehended a large group of motorcycle riders racing on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, seizing 68 motorcycles and detaining both racers and their supporters. The operation followed reports on social media about the planned gathering. At 12.30am yesterday, October 23, Phuchong Mae-thung, a traffic control officer from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre, led over 60 traffic police officers in…
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Bangkok launches new measures to combat PM2.5 pollution
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to implement new measures aimed at reducing air pollution, specifically targeting PM2.5 fine dust pollution. BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala revealed that Bangkok’s PM2.5 dust levels often surpass the safe threshold of 50µg/m³ from November to March due to stagnant air conditions. To combat this, the BMA has directed all district offices to start…
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Bangkok drug gang suspect at large after shooting at police
A suspect from a drug gang in Bangkok remains at large after firing five shots at police to facilitate his escape. His accomplice, who was apprehended, was found with 160,000 methamphetamine pills and 1 kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine hidden in the car’s boot. Yesterday, October 22, around 10.30pm, police officers led by Rangsang Sonsingh, along with Sanchai Keerirat and Wutthichai…
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Tragic drownings in Phuket claim lives of boy and British tourist
Two tragic incidents in Phuket resulted in the drowning deaths of a five year old Chinese boy and a 43 year old British tourist, police confirmed yesterday. Karon Police were notified by Chalong Hospital at 6.32pm, yesterday, October 22, about the drowning death of five year old Chinese tourist Zhang Zhiqjanna. Zhang had been swimming with his mother in the…
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