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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Thai forces disrupt cross-border motorcycle smuggling operation
Military personnel, alongside paramilitary forces, disrupted a motorcycle smuggling operation along the Thai-Cambodia border, arresting one person while seven others evaded capture. Eight motorcycles, popular in Cambodia, were seized yesterday, July 8. Police had received intelligence regarding the smuggling of stolen and untaxed motorcycles destined for Cambodia. Security forces lie in wait along agricultural routes in the risky border area…
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Thailand’s short-haul bookings dip, long-haul travel remains strong
Airlines reported that forward bookings for short-haul markets for the remainder of the year are weak, contrasting with the long-haul segment, while some carriers have shown interest in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) stimulus campaign. Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, said that tourism in the second half of the…
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3 thieves arrested for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht
Police arrested three suspects for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht from a house in Bangkok and attempting to sell them. The victim filed a complaint at Phetchakasem Police Station after the theft occurred at a residence in Soi Phetchakasem 67, Bang Kae district, between 4.30am and 5am on July 4. Eleven luxury brand handbags were stolen from…
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Thailand flexes soft power with food and film frenzy
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Thailand’s creative soft power the key to global influence at a major Bangkok forum. Speaking yesterday, July 8, at the second annual SPLASH – Soft Power Forum 2025, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Paetongtarn pulled no punches about the government’s ambitions to elevate Thailand’s soft power to dazzling new heights. “Creative culture…
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Thailand Video News | Trump targets Thai imports with 36% tariff in escalating trade push, Thailand bans monkey labour in coconut industry amid global backlash
Tensions are flaring across Southeast Asia and beyond, with new U.S. tariffs on Thai and Cambodian goods reigniting global trade battles, a leading Thai human rights lawyer sentenced to 29 years sparking international concern, and major crackdowns on crime and policy shifts sweeping the region. From animal welfare reforms and storm disasters to shifting diplomatic dynamics. Phuket Bars Permitted to…
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Teen stabs 12 year old in Pattaya over social media feud
A 16 year old boy engaged in a physical altercation with a 12 year old student in Pattaya, Chon Buri, resulting in the younger boy being stabbed. The incident, which took place at 5pm on July 5 at an old market parking lot, was reportedly triggered by a social media post about a girl. The victim, 12 year old Chef,…
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Activist calls for sex ban to those under-22 to curb HIV crisis in Thailand
A political activist urged the government to introduce legislation banning people under the age of 22 from having sex, in an effort to reduce the number of HIV cases in Thailand. During a parliamentary session, Deputy Minister of Public Health Chaichana Daecho admitted that HIV infection rates among young people had increased. He emphasised that the ministry was aware of…
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Cambodian monk arrested for illegal stay in Thailand
Immigration police in Sisaket province apprehended a Cambodian monk residing illegally in Thailand after locals became suspicious of his unusually fluent Thai but a lack of a passport. The arrest, which took place yesterday, July 8, was directed by Police Major General Waritsiri Leelasiri, commander of Immigration Division 4, and Police Colonel Manuwat Kosanan, deputy commander of the same division.…
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Disaster at sea: RTN drills for shipwreck chaos off Phuket
Phuket is gearing up to tackle maritime catastrophes head-on, staging an elaborate simulation of a passenger ship disaster that could save lives when real tragedy strikes. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3), based at the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa, spearheaded the operation yesterday, July 8, in Phuket Town as…
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Man caught with 2.75 million meth pills in Bangkok
A man was apprehended with 2.75 million methamphetamine pills in the back of a black Mitsubishi Pajero, intended for distribution in Bangkok. The suspect, a 36 year old named Samrit, claimed it was only his second time transporting drugs, earning 30,000 baht per trip. Yesterday, July 8, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, alongside several…
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Fatal curve: Landlord’s life ends in horror smash on pattaya bend
A Pattaya landlord was killed in the early hours of yesterday morning after losing control of his car on a notorious bend and ploughing into a house wall. The 61 year old, Bang-oen Wiang, who managed rental row houses in the area, died at the scene despite frantic efforts by emergency crews to revive him. The crash occurred at 1.36am,…
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Former drug dealer shot dead at Nakhon Si Thammarat fruit shop
Two gunmen escaped after fatally shooting a former drug dealer in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. A torn gold necklace was found in the victim’s hand, allegedly placed there to mislead police about the true motive for the murder. Officers from Tha Sala Police Station were called to a house in Mokhalan sub-district, Tha Sala district, at around…
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Building collapse in Chiang Rai traps people, rescue underway
A building collapse in the Wiang Pa Pao district has left people trapped beneath the debris, prompting an urgent rescue operation. The incident, involving a structure approximately two stories high, occurred at 4.14pm yesterday, July 8. Initial reports came through emergency hotline 1669, indicating that around three people were trapped and others were injured, though the exact number of injuries…
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Rare Asiatic golden cat filmed in South Thailand national park (video)
A camera trap hidden deep in Khao Luang National Park in Nakhon Si Thammarat captured rare footage of the endangered Asiatic golden cat striding through its natural habitat. Park Chief Haritchai Ritchooay revealed yesterday, July 8, that the scientific team and Patrol Unit 2 were behind the remarkable discovery. The image offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity thriving in…
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South Korean man causes pile-up on Pattaya road, 8 cars damaged
A South Korean man caused a pile-up involving eight vehicles on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya at approximately 11.30pm yesterday, July 8. The Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation was called to administer first aid to a victim of the crash, which occurred in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya. The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, fortunately sustained only minor injuries.…
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Singaporean drug kingpin busted in Bangkok hideout
A suspected Singaporean drug kingpin facing the death penalty in his home country has been busted in Bangkok, along with an Indonesian couple believed to be part of his international narcotics network. The 50 year old alleged drug trafficker, Tan Leng Chong, was busted on Saturday, July 5, along with an Indonesian couple believed to be part of a cross-border…
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Rain check: 32 provinces braced for a soaking as storms roll in
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a weather warning, forecasting heavy rain across 32 provinces in Thailand, with 60% of the areas expected to experience significant rainfall. Residents in Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Chanthaburi, and Trat are advised to remain cautious of the potential hazards from heavy rain, including flash floods and forest run-off, especially in…
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Hair today, conned tomorrow: Bald man scammed in Pattaya
A bald man was left fuming after coughing up more than a grand for soap and coconut juice sold as a miracle hair tonic in a herbal remedy shop in Pattaya. Pattaya Tourist Police swooped on a herbal huckster’s shop on July 7 after a furious Indian holidaymaker said he’d been duped into shelling out 51,000 baht (£1,100) for bogus…
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Thailand’s blind elephant becomes loving sanctuary grandma (video)
A once-reclusive elephant who spent years shunning contact has undergone a heart-melting transformation, capturing hearts around the world. Jokia, a blind elephant who survived Thailand’s brutal logging trade, had long preferred her own company, traumatised by a past she couldn’t forget. Rescued by the Save Elephant Foundation, she spent years wandering alone, too wary to bond with her kind. “She…
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Bangkok unveils 47km canal walkway for safer commuting
Bangkok is stepping up its game with an ambitious plan to reinvent urban commuting—a sprawling 47.5-kilometre walkway and cycle path project that promises to make getting around safer, greener, and more enjoyable than ever before. Yesterday, July 7, Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon showcased the Saen Saeb Canal footpath and bike lane extension during a media tour, underlining the city’s drive…
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Ratchaburi residents slam officials over 32 inconvenient speed bumps
Locals in the central province of Ratchaburi questioned provincial officials about the purpose of 32 speed bumps that caused significant inconvenience to motorists rather than improving safety. Residents of Nakhon Chum sub-district in Ban Pong district shared video footage of a main road dotted with speed bumps to the Social Hunter 2022 Facebook page. The page then published the footage…
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Monkey business banned: Thai coconuts go cruelty-free
Thailand’s coconut industry is finally cracking down on a controversial practice that has tarnished its reputation worldwide: using monkeys to harvest coconuts. In a landmark move to rescue its image and secure farmers’ livelihoods, the Thai Coconut Industry Group has joined forces with the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) to ban monkey labour once and for all. The country’s coconut…
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Thai human rights lawyer hit with 29 years for lese majeste
Thailand’s most prominent human rights lawyer has been slapped with yet another prison sentence, adding to his already staggering time behind bars for challenging the monarchy. Today, July 8, Bangkok’s Criminal Court sentenced Arnon Nampa to an additional two years and four months for royal defamation and sedition over a fiery speech he delivered at a protest in November 2020.…
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Udon Thani students injured in accidental dormitory shooting
Two vocational students in Udon Thani sought medical assistance after sustaining gunshot wounds, leading to a police investigation. Initially, they reported being ambushed by an acquaintance known as Zen but later admitted to accidentally discharging a firearm while in a dormitory room. Yesterday, July 7, at 11.30am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanaowat Suangsiri, Deputy Inspector of the Mueang Udon Thani Police…
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Arsenic contamination in Chiang Mai children linked to river fish
An alarming discovery was made in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, where arsenic levels in two young children were found to exceed normal standards. This was believed to be linked to fish consumption from the Kok River, which flows from Shan State, Myanmar, into Thailand. The Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office conducted tests yesterday, July 7, on four…
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Nature’s surprise: Rare panda crab spotted in Thai national park
A rare panda crab, known locally as the Sirindhorn Crab, has been spotted crawling across a remote waterfall in the Panoen Thung area at Kaeng Krachan National Park, showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity thriving in Thailand’s western forests. The discovery, shared on the park’s Facebook page on Sunday, July 6, delighted conservationists and nature lovers. The park’s post featured stunning photos…
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Thai netizens back kidnapped Chinese influencer’s emotional hunt for real family
Thai netizens are expressing their support for a Chinese influencer after she shared her heartbreaking story of being kidnapped as a child and her ongoing search for her biological family. The 20 year old influencer, Auyoya Yich, is widely known among Thai netizens as Aurora or Tao Hoo (meaning tofu). She is currently an exchange student at Rangsit University in…
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Thailand plans ‘Buddhist bank’ as temple scandals explode
Thailand’s temples are facing their biggest credibility crisis in decades, with lurid scandals and financial misconduct battering public faith. Now, a senior minister has unveiled a bold plan to clean up the mess — by setting up a Buddhist bank to keep temples’ money in check. Speaking on his first day in office yesterday, July 7, Suchart Tancharoen, minister attached…
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Casino chaos: Thailand scraps gambling bill amid turmoil
Thailand’s rollercoaster ride to legalise casinos has come to a screeching halt, as the government announced it will withdraw the hotly debated Entertainment Complex Bill following fierce public backlash and a fresh wave of political upheaval. Yesterday, July 7, Chief Government Whip Visuth Chainaroon confirmed that a motion to pull the bill from the current parliamentary session will be raised…
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Tragic collision claims lives of porridge vendor and cyclist
A tragic accident occurred when a 19 year old porridge vendor was riding his motorcycle back home and collided with a bicycle ridden by a 72 year old man. Both people died in the incident. This unfortunate event took place at 7pm yesterday, July 7, in Bang Kon Tee district, Samut Songkhram province. Police Lieutenant Ruengwut Imm-em, Deputy Inspector of Bang…
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