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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5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Cannes craze: Thai films poised for global stardom
In a dazzling showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Thai films have captured the interest of international buyers, offering a promising boost for Thailand’s film and tourism industries. The government heralds this as a new era of global recognition and economic expansion. Yupa Taweewattanakitbovorn, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Culture, announced that the films The Undertaker, Death Whisperer, and…
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Thai govt showcases Thai art and culture to FIFA members
The Thai government, serving as the host of the 74th FIFA Congress, welcomed Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) member nations with a grand reception at the Government House. The event featured mesmerising cultural performances that elevated the arts of Thailand directly to the global football community. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday, May 15, presided over a gala dinner at…
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Durian scam: Street vendor gets seven years for scale trickery
A woman in Chumphon province has been caught red-handed and faces severe consequences after duping customers with a rigged scale at her roadside durian stall. The scandal unravelled when a suspicious customer, who purchased two durians weighing 16 kilogrammes for 1,640 baht, discovered a significant discrepancy upon shipping the fruits to their mother. The actual weight turned out to be…
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Shell-abrate: Phuket releases baby leatherback turtles into Indian Ocean
Eleven baby leatherback sea turtles have been released into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. Marine conservationists are hopeful these turtles will thrive in the wild and return to lay eggs in approximately two decades. These young turtles, each around the size of a rugby ball and a year old, are the result of an intensive conservation…
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Thai father surrenders after abducting and assaulting 7 year old son
A Thai man surrendered at Krathumbaen Police Station in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok after physically assaulting and abducting his seven year old son. The boy’s mother, a 34 year old Thai woman, sought help from a social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Phongpaiboonwet, and Krathumbaen Police Station officers yesterday, May 15. She explained that her ex-husband, 33 year old Naweesak…
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Phuket Airport: Swedish-Russian man nabbed for extortion
In a dramatic twist at Phuket International Airport, immigration officers apprehended a 25 year old Swedish-Russian man, just as he was about to flee to Kuala Lumpur. The arrest follows a disturbing incident of robbery and extortion that left a young Russian woman traumatised. Police Lieutenant General Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, the commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, disclosed the details of the…
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Foreigners detained for illegal daycare services on Koh Pha Ngan
Police in Surat Thani detained several foreigners suspected of illegally running a daycare and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Pha Ngan. Tourist Police apprehended a 26 year old Russian woman and an 18 year old Myanmar woman at a residence where they were taking care of foreign children. The Russian woman confessed to the police that she had been…
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Phuket: International gang nabbed for selling illicit drugs
In a crackdown on an international drug ring, Phuket police have arrested one Russian and three Nigerian men for allegedly selling a cocktail of illicit drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth. Police Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, Deputy Chief of the Immigration Bureau, detailed the dramatic arrests to reporters yesterday. “Three suspects were found distributing cocaine last weekend.” The suspects,…
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Rats on the rampage: Infestations hit Pattaya beaches
The shores of Pattaya and Jomtien are under siege by a horde of unwelcome guests – rats. This alarming infestation is not just an eyesore but a significant health hazard, leaving locals and tourists in a frenzy. The burgeoning rat population, thriving on nocturnal scavenging, is wreaking havoc, threatening the area’s cleanliness and charm. The Pattaya City Surveillance and Rapid…
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Ladyboy duo nabbed for stealing gold necklace from Indian tourist
Police arrested two Thai ladyboy thieves for gold necklace theft in Pattaya after one of them was caught pretending to hug an Indian tourist and stealing his necklace worth about 60,000 baht. The 50 year old victim, Subhash Petloj, reported the incident, which occurred around 10.50pm on May 9 to Mueang Pattaya Police Station. Petloj explained that he was relaxing…
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Thailand’s cannabis crackdown: High hopes hang in the balance
Thailand’s cannabis industry faces an uncertain future as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheads a controversial meeting to reconsider the legal status of cannabis. The high-stakes discussion, involving Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, aims to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic. This move would restrict its…
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Buckle up, Bangkok: Thai official floats capital relocation amid rising sea
A senior Thai official yesterday raised the alarming possibility that Thailand may need to consider relocating its capital city Bangkok due to the threat posed by rising sea levels caused by climate change. The bustling metropolis of the capital already grapples with severe flooding during the rainy season each year. Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment…
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Chinese woman found dead at poolside in Pattaya
A 68 year old Chinese woman tragically drowned in the swimming pool of her residence near Pattaya on Tuesday, May 14. The unsettling discovery has left the local community reeling as authorities scramble to uncover the details. Police Lieutenant Siriyaporn Kongphetsak, Deputy Investigator of the Nongprue Police Station, received the distressing call and swiftly dispatched a team of rescue workers…
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Rayong residents demand action after fire raises safety fears
A demand for immediate action echoed from Rayong residents following a factory fire last month that has heightened concerns over chemical safety. Community members, deeply troubled by the incident, mobilised a protest to present their case to provincial governor Traiphop Wongtrairat. The villagers convened at Wat Nong Phawa in the Ban Khai district to voice their concerns before proceeding to…
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Thai man cursed by black magic has insects crawling out his skin
In a scene more fitting for a horror movie, a bizarre tale of supposed black magic and swarms of insects allegedly emerging from a man’s skin gripped the local community in Udon Thani. The afflicted individual, 43 year old Ad claimed that for over two months, he has been tormented by insects crawling out of his skin, a condition he…
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Thailand Video News | Government unveils 10-year visa to attract top global talent, Trans-tussle video captures fight between Pattaya and Phuket Trans Women
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay unfold diverse events across Thailand, authorities conducted a significant raid on a mall, seizing uncertified art toys and sparking a heated debate. Concurrently, Thai police intercepted a major drug shipment, confiscating 14.8 kilograms of heroin destined for Taiwan. A viral video captured a violent altercation between transwomen from Pattaya and Phuket, adding…
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Thai man shoots dead best friend over alleged affair with girlfriend
A Thai man shot dead his best friend over an alleged affair with his teenage girlfriend. He immediately turned himself in at Bang Phli Police Station in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The 18 year old murderer, Phichate, yesterday, May 15, arrived at the police station with a gun in hand and confessed to murdering his 22 year old friend,…
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Police captures over 100 fake Labubu dolls, valued 100,000 baht
In a coordinated raid in Nonthaburi province, authorities seized over 100 unlicensed Labubu dolls and Art toys, collectively valued at over 100,000 baht. The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) conducted the operation following complaints about fraudulent sales and counterfeit products causing public distress. The CPPD received numerous complaints from citizens about the rampant…
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Surin temple’s Buddha statue event sparks lottery buzz
A revered wooden Buddha statue’s head-raising ceremony at Nong Khu Pattana Temple in Surin province has become the talk of the town, as the auspicious numbers divined in the ritual matched the age of the temple’s abbot. The event yesterday drew a large crowd of devotees and lottery enthusiasts eager to witness the traditional ceremony and perhaps gain insight into…
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Dead body with stab and gunshot wounds identified as Indian man
Police successfully identified the nationality of a foreign man found dead in the southern province of Phang Nga as an Indian clothes seller. The identity of the murderer remains unknown. A Thai resident found the dead body of a foreign man on the side of Ban Na Road yesterday, May 15 and reported the discovery to Khok Kloi Police Station.…
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Midnight mayhem: Tiger on prowl in West Thailand, alarms locals
A community in West Thailand was thrown into a state of alarm after a tiger emerged in the dead of night, apparently attacking residents. The incident took place in the early hours of today, May 16, when a tiger cub was spotted within a residential area of Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao, causing chaos and prompting an urgent response from local authorities…
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Kalasin ceremony wax numbers spark lottery fever in community
At a housewarming ceremony in Kalasin province, the mystical numbers generated from candle wax droplets have captivated the local community, with many lottery enthusiasts eager to see if the digits will bring them luck in the upcoming draw. In the district of Mueang, Kalasin, at the residence marked number 182 in village number 7, a significant Buddhist ceremony was held…
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Thai teen admits ownership of heroin in hospital scandal
A 14 year old boy became the centre of a legal turnabout when he admitted that the heroin found in a ziplock bag belonged to him, claiming it was for a first-time sniffing. His confession came after an incident involving the boy being physically assaulted by the director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, Doctor Rianthong Nanna, who had also stripped him of…
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Thailand faces hot spells and storms, north hits 41°C
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning as the country braces for a day of scorching temperatures and thunderstorms. The northern region is expected to experience the highest temperatures, soaring up to 41 degrees Celsius, while the southern provinces face rough seas with waves exceeding 2 metres. In Bangkok and the surrounding areas, residents can expect hot weather…
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South Korean national murdered, encased in concrete in Pattaya
The perpetrators of a chilling murder in Chon Buri have been partially apprehended, with one suspect confessing to the killing of a fellow South Korean national. The 34 year old victim, Roh Eui-jong, met his demise after being strangled and entombed in concrete inside a barrel by the suspects during a journey to Pattaya. South Korean authorities detailed the confession…
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Tripartite committee rejects uniform 400-baht minimum wage hike
The tripartite wage committee has chosen to uphold the autonomy of provincial wage panels in setting minimum wages, rejecting the Thai government’s uniform 400-baht minimum wage hike. During a tense session on May 14, the 15-member committee, representing the Ministry of Labour, employers, and employees, did not endorse the proposed nationwide increase. This decision followed closely on the heels of…
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Chinese calendar lottery numbers prediction for May 16 draw
Lottery enthusiasts are in a frenzy as the much-anticipated Chinese calendar lottery numbers have surfaced, promising potential wealth in the upcoming draw tomorrow. The Chinese calendar, an often-referenced guide for those seeking lucky numbers, has released four editions worth scrutinising for the next big win. The Chinese calendar, historically a source of lucky lottery numbers, has once again captured the…
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Durian diva: Thai woman sells durian in bikini, ignoring online drama
A Thai woman is creating a buzz on social media after posting videos and pictures of herself selling durian in a bikini on a roadside in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. The sexy 22 year old durian vendor, Aranya, also known as Aum, sparked controversy on Thai social media two years ago for wearing a bikini while selling the…
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Tantawan moved to hospital after activist’s death sparks stress
Political activist Tantawan Tuatulanon was transferred to Thammasat University Hospital due to severe stress after learning of the death of fellow inmate Netiporn Sansomsak, known as Bung. The transfer was recommended by medical professionals, and the prison authorities stated that there was no emergency condition prompting the move. Tantawan, who was being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison, was reportedly…
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Sky-high costs: Why flying in Vietnam is becoming a luxury
Flying to Vietnam has become increasingly costly for tourists, with airfares reaching unprecedented heights. But what’s driving these price hikes, and why are neighbouring countries like Thailand offering cheaper alternatives? Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy highlighted the factors propelling Vietnam’s flight costs to stratospheric levels during a recent session of the National Assembly. According to Huy, Vietnam Airlines has…
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