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 How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
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Chiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place
Thailand has cemented its status as a tourism heavyweight after Chiang Mai was officially crowned Asia’s best city for 2025, leaving travel-hungry globetrotters buzzing with excitement. The prestigious ranking, released by Travel + Leisure, placed Chiang Mai at the very top of its coveted list, scoring a remarkable 91.94 out of 100. Bangkok wasn’t far behind, clinching third place with…
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Coway defends purifier quality after coliform bacteria claim by Thai celebrity
Renowned water purifier brand Coway reassured customers about the quality of its products after a Thai female celebrity claimed the water from her device contained high levels of coliform bacteria. The celebrity, Chanya Tamada, shared her concerns in a Facebook post on July 8, alleging that the water produced by her Coway purifier did not meet the advertised standards. Chanya…
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Fight for the future: Phuket steps up Muay Thai game with training blitz
Phuket kicked off a major push to raise the bar in Thailand’s most iconic martial art, as dozens of aspiring coaches began intensive training to earn their official Muay Thai credentials. Today, July 16, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) held the opening ceremony for the C-License Muay Thai Coach Training Project at the Bukitta Boutique Hotel in Phuket. The…
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Farm fury erupts as US trade demands threaten Thai agriculture
Thailand is under mounting pressure as trade talks with the United States teeter on the edge of crisis, with farmers warning that Washington’s demands could devastate local agriculture and threaten national food security. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed today, July 16, that negotiations remain deadlocked as the US pushes Thailand to slash tariffs on pork, chicken,…
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Thailand opens bidding for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail 2026
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to open the bidding process for the high-speed railway project between Bangkok and Nong Khai in the third quarter of 2026. SRT chief Veerath Amrapal led a public consultation meeting to introduce the study, review, and analysis of the project’s bidding documents. This initiative, part of the Thai-Chinese collaboration, aims to align…
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Thailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis
Thailand has launched an urgent crackdown on toxic cross-border pollution after dangerous levels of heavy metals were detected flowing into northern rivers from Myanmar, sparking fears of a looming health and environmental disaster. Yesterday, July 15, the Cabinet officially endorsed recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to protect communities along the Kok and Sai rivers, where contamination has…
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Woman captured after 16 years on the run for aunt’s murder
A woman has been apprehended after evading capture for over 16 years in connection with the murder of her aunt, following a family dispute over an inheritance. Yesterday, July 15, police arrested 47 year old Woraporn in Nakhon Pathom province under a warrant issued by Pathum Thani Provincial Court on February 5, 2009, for charges of collaborative murder and concealing…
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20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks
Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…
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Topless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka
A Thai transwoman has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence after strutting topless down a popular Sri Lankan surf strip, sparking outrage among conservative locals. The 26 year old tourist was arrested on Monday, July 14, in Arugam Bay, a laid-back beach resort nearly 400 kilometres from Colombo, after social media videos showed her strolling along the sand bare-chested.…
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Pattaya races to finish mega drainage project before next deluge
Pattaya City officials are scrambling to beat the clock as they push to complete a massive drainage overhaul aimed at finally taming the floods that turn roads into rivers every rainy season. The ambitious project, centred along the railway parallel road, will link a giant new pipeline directly to the Huai Yai municipal canal. Once operational, the system is expected…
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Thai contract teacher caught robbing gold due to gambling debts
A contract teacher was arrested after attempting a solo robbery of 22 baht of gold at a prominent shopping centre. He confessed his teacher’s salary was insufficient, compounded by online gambling debts, leading to his decision to commit the crime. Yesterday, July 15, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wathana Naipromraj, an investigator at Nam Yuen Police Station, received a report of a…
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Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists
Thailand is taking a bold leap to cash in on the crypto craze, with regulators unveiling plans to let foreign tourists spend their digital coins directly on everything from street food to luxury hotels. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), announced a groundbreaking crypto sandbox programme designed to boost tourism and inject…
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Thai clinics exposed in massive gold card fraud scandal
A major healthcare scandal is rocking Thailand as the Ministry of Public Health cracks down on 16 clinics accused of defrauding the country’s universal health scheme out of nearly 30 million baht. Yesterday, July 15, Thanakrit Chitareerat, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, revealed he had personally inspected several clinics in Sakhon Nakhon’s Song Dao district as part of…
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Heavy Udon Thani rainfall causes flooding, electrocution tragedy
Heavy rainfall in Udon Thani led to widespread flooding yesterday resulting in two residents being electrocuted and later passing away at a hospital. The downpour began at 5.30pm, yesterday, July 15, causing severe flooding on nearly every street in the city. Despite municipal efforts to prevent such flooding, it remains a recurring issue. In a shocking incident, two people were electrocuted…
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Bangkok’s ‘Thai Hot Guys’ restaurant to shut doors after 9 years (video)
Bangkok’s most flamboyant seafood joint—famous for its cross-dressing, muscle-bound waiters—will soon sashay off into history. Staneemeehoi, the legendary venue where diners were serenaded by dancing “Thai Hot Guys” in silky pyjamas and crop tops, has announced it will close on July 31 after nearly a decade of saucy performances. The closure comes as the restaurant’s lease at Hua Mum Night…
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Something smells fishy: Locals kick up stink over reservoir pollution fears
Residents of Nong Prue subdistrict in Chon Buri expressed their concerns about the suspected illegal wastewater discharge into Mabprachan Reservoir, an essential water source for locals. The issue emerged yesterday, July 15, near the reservoir’s exercise area, opposite a popular restaurant near the Hot Two Point intersection on Phonpraphanimit Road 34. Upon receiving the complaints, reporters visited the location and…
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Ham-fisted: Cambodian couple busted for illegal pork stall in Bangkok
A Cambodian couple was apprehended by police for illegally operating a pork stall in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The pair, identified as 31 year old Nga Phon and 30 year old Chanty Rav, were found selling fresh pork at a market in the Bang Chan subdistrict on Monday, July 14. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…
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Thailand builds giant bridges to save wild elephants from roads
Thailand has launched two colossal new bridges to stop wild elephants from meeting a grisly end under speeding cars. Yesterday, July 15, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit declared open the towering structures built in Rayong’s Khao Chamao district and Chanthaburi’s Kaeng Hang Maew district—key corridors for elephant herds roaming the east. “These bridges will help wild elephants coexist with humans sustainably,”…
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Thai man at large after brutal knife attack leaves 4 year old girl blind
A Thai man remains at large after brutally attacking a four year old girl in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani, leaving the young victim blind. The attack occurred on June 28, but only recently came to public attention after the girl’s family sought help from a local social media influencer. The influencer, who runs the Facebook page Ban Hia…
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Chinese crew member dies after crane accident on cargo ship
Aa Chinese crew member suffered severe injuries from an accident on a cargo ship and later succumbed to his injuries at 3.15pm, yesterday, July 15. Deputy Director Natthaphon Sinpunpon of the Centre for Maritime Security in Surat Thani, along with officials from the Centre for Maritime Security Region 2, deployed a high-speed vessel, the Maritime Security 4003, to assist the…
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Thai lottery predictions stir excitement with unique sources
Thailand’s lottery enthusiasts eagerly searched for lucky numbers, with social media buzzing with predictions for today’s draw. While the Government Lottery Office did not travel, those interested in the lottery were keen to follow various sources for their lucky picks. One of the popular predictions came from Wat Somwang’s Ai Khai, whose incense stick numbers have previously brought fortunes to…
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Lottery fever grips Kham Chanod as lucky numbers vanish
Hopeful punters have swarmed Udon Thani’s mystical Kham Chanod Island, desperately trying to snag elusive lucky numbers before the lottery draw today. Yesterday, July 15, hundreds of visitors descended on the sacred home of Phaya Naga, where believers flock to seek blessings from Pu Sri Sutho and Mae Ya Sri Pratumma. Despite a noticeable drop in foot traffic this year,…
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Thailand to host 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship
The Thai Cabinet yesterday approved a budget of over 424 million baht to host the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s Volleyball World Championship 2025. Thailand is set to host the tournament from August 22 to September 7 across four provinces: Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. The budget of 424,177,200 baht was approved from the central emergency fund…
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Phuket MP fury as budget crumbs leave paradise island penniless
A furious Phuket MP slammed the Government of Thailand over a shockingly low stimulus handout, calling the move “a betrayal” and “an insult” to one of the country’s top tax-contributing provinces. Chalermpong Saengdee, who represents Constituency 2 for the opposition People’s Party, hit out after Phuket was handed just 267.34 million baht from the 157-billion-baht national stimulus budget, ranking 75th…
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Chiang Mai University warns of deadly brain-eating disease
The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University warns of the silent threat posed by the brain-eating amoeba found in natural water sources, urging caution even with seemingly clean water. Yesterday, July 15, the official page of the Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine published an article highlighting the dangers of Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled parasite that can cause fatal…
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Truck brake failure causes pile-up, four injured near Bangkok
A 10-wheel truck experienced brake failure and collided with eight vehicles, resulting in four injuries, outside a prominent shopping mall in Ngamwongwan. The incident led to severe traffic congestion. The driver faced charges but was released temporarily. Yesterday, July 15, at 8.30pm, officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station received reports of a 10-wheel truck experiencing brake failure and causing a…
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Thai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash
Thailand’s flagship tourism stimulus project has spiralled into disarray, sparking fury among hotel operators and senators alike as delays drag on with no end in sight. The Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports is now demanding answers from Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong over the botched rollout of the much-touted Half-Half Thai Travel scheme. Senate Committee Chairperson Phisut Rattanawong…
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Missing man’s body found in forest after week-long search
A 68 year old woman sought help at the Lan Sak Police Station on July 15, desperate to find her husband who had been missing for seven days. Anuban Sarasuwan, the headman of Rabam subdistrict, Uthai Thani province, accompanied the woman, Janhom, as she searched for her 62 year old husband, Bunliang, who had last been seen riding his motorbike…
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Asia awaits: Turkish Airlines unleashes flight frenzy on Bangkok
Turkish Airlines is poised to significantly expand its presence in Southeast Asia, with Bangkok firmly in its sights. From October 27, the airline will offer an impressive 21 flights per week to the Thai capital from Istanbul, marking a substantial boost in connectivity. This ambitious move underscores Turkish Airlines’ commitment to the region and solidifies Bangkok’s status as a premier global…
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Malaysian caught smuggling drugs worth 90 million baht in Nan
A Malaysian national was apprehended at the Huai Kon border checkpoint in Nan province while attempting to smuggle 72 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, valued at over 90 million baht, into Thailand. The arrest took place on July 14 after customs officials at the Thung Chang checkpoint noticed a suspicious vehicle with black smoke billowing from it. The suspect, Surrenthiran Jayabalan,…
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