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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Rama II roadwork delay: Commuters stuck in traffic jam of frustration
In a move that’s sure to infuriate commuters, the much-anticipated completion of the Rama II elevated road in Samut Sakhon has been pushed back from June to November next year, according to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT). The delay comes down to technical headaches while building the tricky ascending segments in the Bang Khunthian area. Transport Permanent Secretary Chayatan…
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Mother outraged after seeing son bullied at Thai school
A mother intervened after witnessing her child being bullied at school, eventually deciding to transfer the child to a different class. Despite seeking help from teachers, the situation did not improve, highlighting ongoing concerns about bullying in educational settings. Children, especially those in kindergarten, require vigilant supervision from parents and teachers. Lacking self-defence skills, young children can often become targets…
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Bangkok’s big truck crackdown: Clearing the air one gear at a time
City Hall is gearing up for a major move to clean up Bangkok’s air quality, and the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is calling on all operators of six-wheeled trucks and larger vehicles to gear up for action. The city plans to roll out a groundbreaking Low Emission Zone initiative next year, targeting those notorious medium- and large-sized trucks to…
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Southern Thailand is drowning in Mother Nature’s flooding fury
The southern Thai provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat are reeling under the wrath of Mother Nature as heavy rain and severe flooding bring daily life to a grinding halt. Schools have been forced to shut their doors, and once-bustling roads lie underwater, leaving communities stranded as they battle the relentless downpour. The heavens have opened with a vengeance,…
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RTN to the rescue: Fishing boat capsizes in Songkhla
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) leapt into action on Sunday after a fishing boat capsized in the treacherous Gulf of Thailand, leaving its five crew members stranded. The alarm was raised by the Pattani Port Control Centre, alerting the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 2 (MECC) to the disaster, which occurred roughly 128 kilometres east of the Songkhla Channel.…
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Loan clouds gather: Thailand’s tourism faces a credit crunch storm
Thailand’s domestic tourism scene is facing stormy weather as concerns mount over rising consumer loans and mortgage defaults, industry insiders reveal. These financial headaches are casting doubts on whether short-term festival and event promos can still work their magic. The latest report from the National Economic and Social Development Council waved a red flag, revealing a troubling uptick in personal…
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Thai police ignore hit-and-run case linked to stolen vehicle (video)
A Thai couple urged police officers in the central province of Pathum Thani to take their hit-and-run case more seriously, as they also suspect the perpetrator of being involved in stolen vehicle trafficking. Following police inaction, the couple, Suthat Naenchoo and Nongluck Chansook, sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to seek justice. The organisation held a press conference yesterday,…
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Drunk and dozy: Woman found napping in car on Pattaya road
In a scene straight out of a comedy sketch, an intoxicated Thai woman caused chaos on South Pattaya Road when she was found asleep in her car, parked squarely in the middle of traffic during yesterday’s morning rush hour. Traffic police and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene at 9.30am yesterday, November 26, after…
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Boozy blunder: Tipsy pedestrian struck by British biker in Pattaya
A tipsy walk turned into a harrowing accident in Pattaya when a 53 year old British biker collided with a drunk pedestrian, leaving the latter injured and sprawled on Jomtien Second Road. The incident unfolded at 9.40pm yesterday, November 26 near the bustling Rompho Market. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre promptly dispatched a team to the scene alongside reporters from The…
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True triumphs: EPL loss won’t sideline broadcast giants
In a surprise twist, True Corporation’s loss of the prized English Premier League (EPL) broadcasting rights won’t spell doom for its fortunes, assures the company’s chief executive, Manat Manavutiveth. Firmly entrenched in the sports content arena, True holds its ground, boasting a vast repertoire of both local and international programmes despite this glancing blow, Manat reassures fans and stakeholders alike. “Losing…
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Thai coffee lovers ditch pricey cups amid economic squeeze
Thai coffee drinkers are cutting back on their caffeine budgets as the economic crunch hits hard, with pricey cups over 100 baht losing their flavour. Korn Sanguankeaw, Vice President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Thailand, revealed yesterday, November 26, that cafés offering cheaper brews have seen explosive growth of 60 to 100%. “Consumers prefer coffee priced at 60 to…
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AV content or real? Bangkok police deny public sex after explicit video goes viral
Bangkok officers denied allegations of public sex outside a police station after a video allegedly showing a food delivery rider performing oral sex on a policeman was shared widely on Thai social media. The video was posted on the X account พระจันทร์ ลายกระต่าย (meaning “Rabbit Moon”) yesterday, November 26, with a caption reading, “Very disgusting! Where is this police officer…
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Land of smart: Thailand’s AI ambitions set to smile on the future
Hold the front page! Thailand is making some serious waves in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). The Land of Smiles is rolling up its sleeves to become a key regional centre for AI training, partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This clever move is all about leading the charge in helping developing countries tackle…
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Phatthalung: Grandmother missing after saving boy from drowning
A grandmother saved her four year old grandson as he was about to drown in a canal in Phatthalung province but the heroic act tragically cost her own life. This incident occurred when both fell into a canal after inspecting floodwaters near their home. Police in Phatthalung received a report yesterday, November 26 at 5pm about a person missing in…
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Teenager severely injured after awning collapse in Chon Buri
An 18 year old convenience store employee was seriously injured when a house awning fell on him as he rode his motorcycle. The incident occurred yesterday, November 26, on an old city road near the Tong Toei Bridge in Phanat Nikhom, Chon Buri. Rescue volunteers from Sawang Het Baan Tung Hiang Phanat Nikhom were alerted to the accident at 5pm…
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Thai man swindles 1.1 million baht from Chinese man
Police arrested a 26 year old Thai man for defrauding a Chinese national of 1.1 million baht. He claimed to have close connections with a senior police officer and offered to secure the release of the Chinese national’s friend from detention. The Chinese national filed a complaint against the 26 year old Thai man named Thanajit in March last year over…
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Dangerous elephant traps found in Khao Yai National Park
Numerous dangerous elephant traps have been unearthed in Khao Yai National Park, prompting immediate action from park officials. Reports indicate that these traps, designed to injure wild elephants, were strategically placed by locals in areas frequented by the animals. Chaiya Huaihongthong, head of Khao Yai National Park, received a tip-off from the community leader of Ban Mai Samakki in Village…
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Billionaire’s heir shuns US$5bn fortune for life as forest monk
In a tale that sounds straight out of a spiritual bestseller, Ajahn Siripanyo, the only son of Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, turned his back on a US$5 billion inheritance to pursue the humble life of a Buddhist monk. Ananda, one of Malaysia’s richest tycoons, oversees a sprawling empire that includes telecom, satellites, oil, real estate, and media. Yet his son,…
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Pattaya shoppers flock to market for cold-weather bargains
As a cool breeze swept through South Pattaya, the Grand Hall Market became the city’s ultimate winter shopping hotspot. Thai locals and tourists descended on the bustling marketplace yesterday, November 26, hunting for budget-friendly winter gear as the region braced for the season’s chillier days. With the winter season officially announced by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), a strengthening northeastern…
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Thai transwomen fight over foreign client on Phuket’s Bangla Road
Another physical fight broke out between Thai transwomen on Soi Bangla in Phuket last night, reportedly over a dispute to win the heart, and wallet, of a foreign client. Local news outlet Phuket Times reported on the incident, which occurred on the yesterday, November 26. “Ladyboys! Violent altercation! Bangla Road, Patong. Fighting over a foreign client. Ignoring repeated warnings. Locals…
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Thai teens set to bend it like the Real Madrid Galácticos in Thailand
The football dreams of Thai youngsters wanting to join the Galácticos are about to get a massive kick upfield as the Patrick Group teams up with the Real Madrid Foundation to launch the Real Madrid Foundation Clinics Thailand. In a dazzling first for the country, young, aspiring Thai footballers will get the chance to train at an elite level under…
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Senate chiefs praise Phuket’s visionary anti-corruption strategy
Phuket took centre stage yesterday as the Senate Committee on Independent Organisations visited the island to evaluate its anti-corruption drive and roadmap for sustainable growth. The high-profile meeting yesterday, November 26, at Phuket Provincial Hall, led by Police Major General Chatchawan Saengphet, highlighted the province’s ambitious efforts to clean up its act and secure a greener future. Phuket Vice Governor…
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Thai man urged by police to retrieve lost wallet containing drugs
Bangkok police officers yesterday took to social media to search for a Thai man who accidentally dropped his wallet containing drugs at a shopping mall in the Prawet district. Officers from Prawet Police Station shared a picture of the wallet on their Facebook page yesterday, November 26, accompanied by a caption that read: “Nong Nat… You lost your wallet at…
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Thai PM and Energy Minister clash over clean energy vision
Tensions have erupted in Thailand’s government as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga lock horns over the nation’s clean energy future. A disagreement, which has reportedly been simmering for weeks, boiled over yesterday, November 26, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a joint press conference following a National Energy Policy Board meeting. While PM Paetongtarn addressed the…
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Thai woman wards off ‘black cat spirit’ with knife in Nakhon Sawan
A 52 year old Thai woman in Nakhon Sawan claims that the spirit of a black cat has been causing disturbances by climbing through her window day and night. This has led her to brandish a knife to ward off the alleged spirit, causing significant concern among her children and neighbours. This incident has unfolded in Village 7, Wang Makar, Tha…
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Netflix star smuggles her way out of jail despite £150k cannabis bust (video)
In a sensational twist right out of a crime thriller, Netflix star Olga Bednarska incredibly escaped a long prison sentence despite being nabbed at Manchester Airport smuggling cannabis worth £150,000 (6.75 million baht) through customs. The star of Netflix’s hit reality show Too Hot to Handle, found herself entangled in a scandalous drug-smuggling affair after Manchester Airport customs officers intercepted…
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Torrential rain causes severe flooding in Songkhla, roads closed
Torrential rain in Songkhla has wreaked havoc as roads have been inundated with water, leading to significant disruptions. The incessant downpour has caused flooding in several key areas, with water levels reaching up to 70 centimetres. Local officials have been forced to close certain routes, including the critical Kanjanavanich Road, which connects the Hat Yai district to the Mueang Songkhla…
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Young delivery rider found fatally stabbed in Nonthaburi alley
A tragic stabbing incident occurred in Nonthaburi, where a young delivery rider was found dead in an alley, clutching hair in both hands. The rider’s 19 year old girlfriend mourned over his body at the scene. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station were alerted to the scene shortly after midnight today, November 27, discovering the body of a male, believed…
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Fire breaks out at Patong hotel sauna, no injuries reported
A fire erupted in the sauna room of the Patong Yorkshire Hotel & Spa, situated on Soi Taipan in Patong yesterday morning. Quick action by emergency services ensured that the blaze was contained without causing injuries or widespread damage. The Patong Police received notification about the fire at 11.39am yesterday, November 26. Responding promptly, police officers and firefighters from the…
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Thailand to attract over 40 million sun-seeking tourists (video)
Thailand is pulling out all the stops with the daring Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025 campaign, setting its sights on luring over 40 million globe-trotters to its sun-kissed shores. This tourism boom is forecasted to pump a staggering 3.4 trillion baht into the economy, promising a hefty windfall for the nation’s coffers. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the…
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