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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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AC unit blamed for fire scare at Karon hotel spa
A fire broke out last night at the Karon Phunaka Resort & Spa in Phuket, sending staff into emergency mode just before guests were due to arrive. The blaze, which erupted in the spa lounge’s reception area, is believed to have been sparked by a faulty air conditioning unit. Police were alerted to the incident around 6.30pm yesterday, July 23,…
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Bangkok police raid warehouse seizing 7,000 illegal e-cigarettes
Police in Bangkok raided a warehouse storing illegal e-cigarettes allegedly intended for sale to minors. The operation resulted in the seizure of 7,000 units valued at over 3 million baht, with the arrest of 29 year old Chayut. Police yesterday, July 23, received intelligence that the rented property, located in the Nong Bon subdistrict of Prawet district, was being used to…
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King Power closes outlets amid cost-cutting drive
Thailand’s duty-free giant King Power is closing three of its downtown branches in a sweeping cost-cutting move that includes a voluntary redundancy programme for staff across the company. The Srivaree, Pattaya, and Mahanakhon locations—once magnets for big-spending tour groups—will cease operations in September. The closures come as the retailer overhauls its business model amid sluggish post-pandemic sales and shifting consumer…
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Thai national caught smuggling 3 tonnes of clams from Myanmar
Thai military forces apprehended a Thai national for allegedly smuggling 3 tonnes of clams from Myanmar into Thailand via the Kra Buri River, causing significant tax losses for the country. The arrest occurred during a border patrol operation in Ranong province. Colonel Apichai Rueangrit, commanding officer of Task Force Infantry Regiment 25, confirmed receiving intelligence from the 2521st Infantry Company,…
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2 Thai men assaulted after asking about lost wallet from attackers
Two Thai men searching for a lost wallet at a public park in the central province of Chanthaburi ended up being assaulted by a group of men. The older brother of one of the victims, 32 year old Oh, provided details of the gang attack, which occurred at a public park near Sirikarn Pond in the Tha Chang sub-district of…
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Pattaya expats rattled by driving licence clampdown
A new rule quietly rolled out by Land Transportation offices in Bang Lamung (Pattaya) and Rayong has triggered widespread confusion and anxiety among the foreign community. As of July 17, foreigners holding visas valid for less than one year will only be granted two-year driving licences—whether applying for the first time or renewing. The rule, which is not yet a…
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Up in smoke: Vape vendor’s online hustle snuffed out in Thailand
Police arrested an online seller of e-cigarettes and vape liquids at her residence, seizing over 1,000 items. The suspect admitted today, July 24, to selling products to up to 10 customers daily, earning around 4,000 baht per day. She was taken to Din Daeng Police Station for formal charges. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau,…
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Agriculture minister visits flood-hit Nan and Sukhothai provinces
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Atthakorn Sirilattayakorn will visit Nan and Sukhothai provinces tomorrow and Saturday to assess the flood situation following the impact of Tropical Storm Wipha. The minister emphasised the importance of supporting affected farmers and ensuring they are not left to face the disaster alone. Today, July 24, Atthakorn stated that Tropical Storm Wipha had caused heavy rainfall,…
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Paws of glory: Hero rider saves cat from blaze in Bangkok condo
A dramatic TikTok video is melting hearts online after capturing the moment a heroic delivery rider charged into a burning Bangkok condominium to rescue a trapped cat—emerging moments later covered in soot and cradling the lifeless feline in his arms. The video, posted on July 23 by user @pluem_sora, shows the rider—who is also a volunteer firefighter—bravely climbing through the…
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Thai mother rejects suicide ruling in son’s mysterious death
A Thai mother is calling for a deeper investigation into the mysterious death of her son, whose body was discovered by the roadside forest in the eastern province of Rayong on July 19. A local motorist came across an abandoned motorcycle with a storage compartment and numerous parcels along Pluak Daeng–Nong Yai Road in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong. The tyres…
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Ratchaburi shooting: 73 year old man found dead at home
In Ratchaburi, a 73 year old man named Prasan Numthuek was found dead in his home, with gunshot wounds suggestive of a close-range attack. Police investigations are focusing on personal and familial conflicts, with efforts underway to locate the assailant. Today, July 24, Police Major Surachai Boonin of Baan Pong Police Station in Ratchaburi province was notified of a fatal…
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Thailand to sell water monitor lizards for breeding at 500 baht each
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) in Thailand plans to sell water monitor lizards as breeding stock, highlighting their attractive skin patterns. Business interest has surged, particularly from international markets, positioning these creatures as a new economic asset for locals to breed and sell. During a meeting on July 2, the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Committee…
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2 year old Thai girl loses life in motorcycle accident in Phuket
A two year old Thai girl tragically lost her life in a motorcycle accident on a mountain road in the Thalang district of Phuket. Three other victims sustained injuries in the incident. The accident was reported to Thalang Police Station at approximately 12pm yesterday, July 23. It occurred on a steep section of Khao Lad Mountain in Thalang. The four…
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Deadly clash erupts between Thailand and Cambodia (video)
A cross-border clash between Thailand and Cambodia erupted near the Phra Viharn mountain area in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, today, July 24. The confrontation, which began at 9am, resulted in a tragic loss of two lives and several injuries as artillery fire struck a PTT petrol station. The exchange of gunfire lasted over two hours, with various weapons discharged continuously.…
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Smile high club! Thailand ranked world’s No.3 for fun and frolics
Thailand’s not just the Land of Smiles, it’s now officially one of the most fun places on the planet, with Gen Z leading the charge from temples to techno. Thailand has landed a top-three spot in the global fun league, coming in third in the US News & World Report’s 2024 rankings, and it’s not just about full moon parties…
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Paetongtarn faces sedition heat over leaked call scandal
An explosive investigation into suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been escalated to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), following allegations of sedition linked to a leaked phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. According to a source within the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), a team led by CIB Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Suwat Saennoom has completed its investigation…
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Senate backs amnesty for impulsive youth in political offences
A Senate committee expressed support for an amnesty aimed at young people who may have committed political offences due to recklessness or impulsivity. The Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection convened on Tuesday, July 22, to assess four amnesty bills, three of which are also being reviewed by a House committee. On July…
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Floods in Nan force urgent patient relocation from hospital
Floodwaters have inundated the economic zone of Nan province, prompting an urgent relocation of critical patients from Nan Hospital to nearby facilities. Water levels have risen over 9 metres above the flood barrier due to prolonged heavy rains from Tropical Storm Vipa. As of July 24, the flooding crisis in Nan province has escalated after continuous heavy rainfall over 48…
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Nok Air rebounds with freebies and fresh routes
Budget airline Nok Air is soaring back into profitability and promises even bigger things on the horizon—including free flights for foreign tourists. The embattled carrier, once drowning in debt, now expects to complete its rehabilitation programme by mid-2028, with outstanding debt trimmed to under 400 million baht from a staggering 5.4 billion. The airline’s resurgence comes after two consecutive profitable…
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Thai woman and pet dog die in Bangkok house fire
A 72 year old Thai woman and her pet dog died in a fire at her Bangkok home, which is believed to have been caused by a mosquito coil. Officers from Bang Khun Non Police Station were called to investigate the fire at a house in Soi Charan Sanitwong 31, in the Bangkok Noi district, at around 6am yesterday, July 23.…
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Phuket police crackdown: 18 teens arrested, 14 bikes seized in raid
In the early hours of this morning, police in Phuket apprehended 18 underage people and confiscated 14 modified motorbikes during a crackdown on street racing and activities causing public disturbances in the Laem Dinso area of Wichit. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Wichit Police Station, directed by Police Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, beginning at 1.30am, today, July…
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Pheu Thai power play to crown Bangkok’s first female council chief
Bangkok Metropolitan Council President Surachit Phongsinghvitaya is reportedly stepping down on July 29, paving the way for a political shake-up that could see the capital get its first-ever female council president. Insiders say Surachit’s resignation has been quietly orchestrated by senior figures within the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which is pushing to elevate Kanoknuch Klinsung, a councillor from Don Mueang…
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Buffalo bust as Yaba duo in Chon Buri caught in the act
A drug crackdown in rural Chon Buri left two suspected dealers out of luck, one of them nabbed hiding in a buffalo shed with a pocketful of Yaba. Police in Koh Chan district, Chon Buri, swooped on two alleged drug traffickers in a targeted operation yesterday, July 23, part of the Ministry of Interior’s hardline No Drugs – No Dealers…
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Thai troops defend against Cambodian gunfire near Ta Muean Thom
Cambodian soldiers initiated gunfire near the eastern side of the Thai base Moo Pa, approximately 200 metres from Ta Muean Thom Temple, prompting a defensive response from Thai troops. The clash took place today, July 24, following an order by Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, commander of the Second Army Region, to close border crossings and local tourist attractions to safeguard…
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Thais get lucky with new retirement lottery scheme
The House of Representatives has given the green light to a game-changing amendment that could turn every lottery ticket into a retirement win. Yesterday, July 23, MPs voted overwhelmingly to approve changes to the National Savings Fund Act, introducing a brand-new weekly retirement lottery aimed at helping Thais build long-term savings while still enjoying their favourite national pastime. The new…
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Thailand plays its cards right with poker punt
Thailand has gambled on a bold new strategy, officially recognising poker as a sport in a move that’s sent shockwaves through the international sporting and gaming communities. Furthermore, American football was also handed official sport status. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) made a game-changing call this week, confirming that poker is now an officially recognised sport, a decision expected…
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Illegal kratom juice factory dismantled in Nakhon Ratchasima
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima province have dismantled an illegal kratom juice factory that was mixing the juice with illicit cough syrup, posing a risk of acute kidney failure. A 39 year old man, Trakarn Chuankratok, who rented the premises, admitted to hiring workers to produce the concoction for the past two weeks. Yesterday, July 23, at Chokchai Police Station, Police…
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Another Thai soldier loses leg in fresh landmine blast on Thai-Cambodian border
Loading… The incident occurred at approximately 4.55pm yesterday, July 23, while soldiers from the 14th Infantry Battalion were patrolling an area along the border known as Chong Anma, located in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani. One of the soldiers, later identified as Sergeant Major First Class Pichitchai Boonchula, stepped on the landmine and suffered severe injuries. The blast…
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Interior Minister denies interference in Khao Kradong land probe
Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai responded to accusations of meddling in a high-stakes investigation into the Department of Lands (DoL), insisting that he had no intention of influencing or intimidating officials. The probe centres on a 5,083-rai land plot in Khao Kradong, Buriram, which has long been mired in legal battles and political ties. The Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the land belongs…
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Phuket heartbreak as young Aussie tourist found dead in hotel
A 21 year old Australian man has been found dead in a Phuket hotel room, just five days after an accused rapist from Down Under was also discovered lifeless on the same Thai island. Police in Thalang, northern Phuket, are investigating the sudden death of a young Aussie traveller who was found dead in his hotel room yesterday, July 23,…
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