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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Thai monk caught stealing second-hand laptop in Nakhon Sawan
A Thai couple shared CCTV footage online to expose a monk who stole a second-hand laptop from their shop in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan on Sunday, August 24. The couple, Oak and Nat, revealed details of the theft, which occurred at their shop on Sri Thep Road in Takhli district, during an interview with Workpoint News. They said…
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Thai army blasts sound cannons at Cambodian border clash
Thai security forces have turned to sound cannons to drive back Cambodians accused of storming a Thai border village, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in Sa Kaeo province. Deputy Defence Minister General Natthaphon Nakphanich said the 1st Army Region deployed long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) to prevent dozens of Cambodians from illegally entering Baan Nong Chan in Khok Sung district.…
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Prisoners and soldiers eyed to fix Thailand labour crisis
Thailand’s labour minister has unveiled a drastic plan to plug crippling worker shortages: by deploying prisoners, soldiers, and even youth offenders into the country’s struggling workforce. Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit said urgent action was needed to tackle a labour crisis gripping the agriculture and production sectors. He confirmed he would propose measures to the Cabinet this week to get more…
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Zimbabwean romance scammer escapes arrest from Phuket to Bangkok
Police arrested a Zimbabwean man at an apartment in Bangkok on Thursday, August 21, for operating a romance scam in Phuket and overstaying his visa. Multiple Thai women filed complaints against a Zimbabwean teacher, later identified as 37 year old Valentive Tandier, at Katu Police Station, saying they had been scammed out of valuables while in a relationship with the…
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Indian cooks busted for illegal work on Phuket luxury boat
A Phuket luxury boat outing turned sour when police swooped on Chalong Pier and arrested three Indian nationals caught illegally working as cooks on board. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) confirmed that officers from the Marine Police Division carried out the sting as part of a crackdown on illegal employment around the pier. The suspects, identified by police only as…
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Psychiatric patient causes chaos with machete rampage
At 9am today, 26 August, Lieutenant Yongyut Payungyat, Deputy Inspector for Crime Prevention at Mueang Ang Thong Police Station, was notified of a man wielding a machete on the side of Khlong Chonprathan Road, Village 7, Pang Ngiu Subdistrict, Mueang District, Ang Thong Province. Police rushed to the scene fully equipped with batons, a stun gun, and protective shields. …
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Thais hooked on AI holidays as 98% trust tech to plan trips
Thais are embracing artificial intelligence like no other, with almost everyone wanting AI to plan their next trip, according to a global survey by Booking.com. The Global AI Sentiment Report, which polled more than 37,000 people across 33 countries, shows Thailand topping the charts for enthusiasm, with 98% of respondents excited about AI and 96% saying they would use it…
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Thai man claims no intent after his dog dies hanging from truck
A Thai man claimed he did not intend to abuse his pet dog after a viral video showed the animal hanging from his pickup truck while travelling on a road in Udon Thani province. A motorist told the Hone Krasae news programme that he spotted a brown dog hanging from the right side of a pickup truck at around 7pm…
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Filipino crewman found hanged on gas tanker off Phuket
Police in Phuket are investigating the death of a Filipino crewman who was found hanged aboard a Singapore-flagged gas tanker anchored off Ao Makham. The body of 28 year old John Bernice Tio Brioso was discovered at around 5pm yesterday, August 25, aboard the Hoegh Gandria, which was moored off Wichit. The vessel’s captain, Nikolic Drasco, immediately alerted Thai police.…
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Thailand eyes 5 million Malaysian tourists amid China competition
Malaysia’s tourist target for this year has been adjusted to 5 million, mirroring the figures from 2024, yet this market might achieve a similar number of arrivals as China, remaining unaffected by the border province conditions. Patsee Permvongsenee, the executive director for the ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific region at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), noted optimism for…
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Scottish drug mule with cannabis haul from Thailand dodges jail
A Scottish woman sobbed in court as she avoided jail despite being caught with more than 30 kilogrammes of cannabis stuffed into two suitcases after flying back from Thailand. The woman, 22 year old Kiala Wyles, was promised £10,000 (approximately 450,000 baht) to act as a courier but was intercepted by Border Force officials when she landed at Manchester Airport…
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Ex-abbot and spiritual medium arrested in AIDS donation embezzlement scandal
Police arrested a former abbot of Phra Bat Nampu Temple and a spiritual medium close to him earlier today, August 26, following the donation embezzlement. The ex-abbot, identified as Alongkot, and the spiritual medium, Sakesan “Bee” Subsuebsakun, had been under investigation over allegations of embezzling donations intended for AIDS patients. Both were suspected of misappropriating funds for personal gain. Alongkot…
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Bloody mess: British man slashes neck and wrists at Pattaya hotel
Pattaya police are investigating a shocking incident after a British man slashed his neck and wrists inside a busy hotel, leaving staff scrambling to save his life. Emergency services raced to the scene on Second Road on August 23, following reports that a foreign man was seriously harming himself. Rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation arrived with Pattaya City…
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Man attacks ex-girlfriend, leaps from seventh floor in Samut Prakan
A violent incident occurred in Samut Prakan, where a 24 year old man, Somschai, attacked his ex-girlfriend and her friend with a knife before jumping from the seventh floor of an apartment building. The police received the report at 4.30pm yesterday, August 25, responding promptly alongside emergency services to the scene at a residence in Bang Sao Thong district. Upon…
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Khao Kheow Zoo probes late-night intruder drama
Mystery trespassers who sneaked into Khao Kheow Open Zoo at night have triggered a police investigation and a sweeping safety review at one of Chon Buri’s most popular tourist attractions. Zoo officials confirmed today, August 26, that police had been called in after the unauthorised entry earlier this month. The incident, they warned, posed a potential risk not only to…
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Opposition MPs hit with 300 million baht energy defamation suit
Three senior members of the opposition People’s Party (PP) are facing a massive defamation lawsuit from one of Thailand’s energy giants, accused of smearing its reputation in a row over electricity pricing. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and list MPs Woraphob Wiriyaroj and Supachot Chaiyasat appeared at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road yesterday, August 25, for a preliminary hearing in…
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Phetchaburi considers alcohol sales on Buddhist days to boost tourism
Phetchaburi is considering permitting the sale of alcoholic beverages on Cha-am beach and surrounding areas during five significant Buddhist days to enhance tourism and boost the local economy. Deputy provincial governor Wanpen Mungsri announced yesterday, August 25, that the proposal suggests allowing alcohol sales on Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, Makha Bucha, Buddhist Lent, and the end of Buddhist Lent days.…
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Fitness trainer in Bangkok severely injured in fall from building
A 35 year old fitness trainer fell from a three-storey building within Soi Suksawat 62, sustaining severe injuries. The exact cause remains unclear, pending an interview with the injured party. The incident occurred at 10.30pm on August 25, when officers from Rat Burana Police Station and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation responded to the scene in Bang Mod,…
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20-baht flat fare on Bangkok trains postponed to November
The Transport Minister postponed the launch of Bangkok’s 20-baht flat train fare scheme from October to November, admitting that two relevant bills cannot be approved in time. The registration for the 20-baht train fare policy was announced yesterday, August 25, allowing Thai citizens to travel on the BTS and MRT networks for a flat fee. The initiative is aimed at…
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Unlicensed tourists hit with fines in Phuket road blitz
Phuket’s tourist roads are under the spotlight after police revealed more than 17,000 foreigners have already been fined this year for driving without a licence. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Major General Sinlert Sukhum confirmed the staggering figure at a provincial meeting yesterday, August 25, chaired by Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall. Between August 1 and 22 alone, police…
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Thai car production slumps as debt and tariffs bite
The Thai automotive sector continues to face challenges this year, with total car production declining by 5.73% year-on-year in the first seven months, impacting employment in car manufacturing plants. Between January and July, 835,331 units were produced. In July alone, manufacturing reached 110,616 units, marking an 11% decrease compared with the previous year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries…
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Thailand video news British Couple’s Thai Retirement Dream Shatters in Legal and Financial Crisis,Bangkok Launches 20-Baht Train Fare Registration Despite Legislative Hurdles
Thailand faces a week of contrasts, from tense border disputes and diplomatic appeals to sweeping policy shifts and cultural milestones. The army’s shoot-to-kill directive against Cambodian troops underscores rising regional frictions, while protests in Phnom Penh spotlight the fallout of recent clashes. Domestically, a legal crackdown on drunk driving, storm alerts, and Bangkok’s push for a 20-baht train…
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Thai actress faces 2 years in jail for drunk driving but sentence suspended
A Thai actress faces two months’ imprisonment after confessing to drunk driving and refusing an alcohol test at a checkpoint in Bangkok on Sunday, August 24. Her sentence was suspended for two years. The 33 year old actress, Marie Broenner, and her alleged boyfriend, businessman Asakon “Boss” Singsikornkun, were caught on a viral video arguing heatedly with police officers at…
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Thai goods smuggling thwarted at Cambodia border (video)
In the district of Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province, Thai officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle Thai goods into Cambodia. While patrolling at Ban Nong Prue, Moo 7, Phan Suek subdistrict, the Burapha Task Force and the 1204th Ranger Company identified two suspicious people pushing carts loaded with large sacks. Upon noticing the officials, the suspects abandoned the carts and quickly…
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Missing teen found dazed on Udon Thani bridge, parents relieved
A missing 14 year old boy, locally known as Nong Bank, was found in a dazed state sitting on a bridge in Udon Thani province. He had disappeared from his home in Nong Han district with his motorcycle, prompting his parents to seek assistance through social media. Nong Bank was discovered by Wasan Pathumchai, village head of Ban Chan, Moo…
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British expat’s £1.5 million Thai dream ends in jail nightmare
What began as a dream retirement in Thailand for a British expat spiralled into a nightmare of prison cells, financial ruin, and heartbreak. Martin Savage, a 65 year old retired engineer, says a bitter boundary row with a neighbour over a driveway ultimately cost him everything: his £1.5 million (around 67.5 million baht) property portfolio, his retirement fund, and his…
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100 Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal entry into Thailand
Yesterday, August 25, at 1.30pm, 100 Myanmar nationals were apprehended for illegally entering Thailand through natural routes. The group, comprising 62 men and 38 women, navigated their way through forests and waterways over four days, eventually being captured in Kanchanaburi province. The operation was initiated by Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intra, Major General Atsadawut Panyarachun, commander of the 9th Infantry Division,…
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Phuket tourists ignore beach red flags, attacks lifeguards
Foreign tourists spat on and assaulted Thai lifeguards on Nai Han Beach in Phuket yesterday, August 25, after the guards warned them not to swim in the sea for their own safety. Witnesses filmed the attack and shared the video with the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page to expose the tourists’ violent behaviour and demand action from local police and relevant…
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Passenger plunges from bridge after Bangkok taxi driver falls asleep
An app-based motorcycle taxi rider fell asleep and crashed into a bridge railing in Bangkok, causing his female passenger to plunge onto the road below. The moment was captured on video and shared on TikTok by user @rnatpakan, showing the woman falling from the bridge at the Ratchayothin Intersection in the Chatuchak district at about 7am yesterday, August 25. She…
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Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 3.5 million meth tablets
Police, military, and administrative officials collaborated in Chiang Rai to dismantle a major drug trafficking gang, seizing 3.5 million methamphetamine tablets and 60 kilogrammes of crystal meth at a petrol station. The operation led to further asset seizures, including cash and properties. On August 24, law enforcement agencies, including the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and regional police, conducted…
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