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 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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Thailand tourism China-ing bright with visitor boom
Hold onto your tuk tuks, folks, Thailand’s tourism scene is making a triumphant comeback, with Chinese travellers leading the charge of foreign visitors. Thanks to more lenient visa rules, and especially to Thailand’s Chinese friends, the Land of Smiles is grinning wider than ever. The South China Morning Post reported that an impressive 35.5 million international jet-setters flocked to Thailand…
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Cambodian-French ex-MP assassinated in Bangkok, Thai gunman at large
A former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament was assassinated in Bangkok yesterday, January 7. The gunman, identified as a former soldier in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), remains at large. Officers from Chana Songkhram Police Station were alerted to a shooting on a traffic island opposite the popular tourist attraction Bowonniwet Vihara Temple in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district at around…
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Thailand’s N3 lottery might be scrapped due to poor sales
The Finance Ministry is evaluating the future of the N3 lottery due to its lacklustre public response since its introduction last November. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced yesterday, January 7, that the three-digit lottery (N3), designed to rival illegal lotteries and expensive six-digit tickets (L6), has not met expectations during its trial phase. Introduced on November 1 as part…
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Cyber police dismantle major Bangkok gambling network
Cyber police swooped on the Bangkok 198 online gambling network, arresting its financial executive and seizing luxury cars, along with over 9 million baht in cash, and uncovering a monthly turnover exceeding 10 million baht. Yesterday, January 7, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phivphan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Colonel Surapong Thaiprasert and Police Colonel Apirak Champasri,…
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No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme
Yingluck Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, will not qualify for release under the forthcoming alternative prison detention programme if she returns to Thailand, as she does not meet the new eligibility criteria, stated Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Yingluck was sentenced to five years imprisonment in August 2017. New regulations by the Department of Corrections (DoC) allow only those with…
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Policy scam-dal: Broker swindles 1 million baht from Alzheimer’s victim
A female insurance broker allegedly swindled 1 million baht from her client, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, leaving the victim in a critical condition. Relatives of the victim, 62 year old Marasri, sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after discovering the loss. The family reported that 1 million baht was stolen, and the suspect, Waewta, only returned 300,000 baht…
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Thailand faces cold weather, frost and southern thunderstorms
Thailand is experiencing cool to cold weather, with frost reported in mountainous regions and thunderstorms anticipated in five southern provinces. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts temperature changes and advises caution for high waves at sea as of January 8. In the coming 24 hours, temperatures in northern and northeastern Thailand are expected to rise by 1 to 2 degrees…
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PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy
Stepping out from a Cabinet lunch today, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched into a defence of her father, Thaksin, after he was caught in making controversial racist comments during a rally speech. Thaksin’s remarks yesterday, January 6, criticised as discriminatory, sparked a backlash and calls from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit for Paetongtarn to reprimand him. Initially caught off-guard by the journalists’ pressing…
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Cock-a-doodle-don’t: Man’s heart can’t take noisy neighbour’s roosters
A 72 year old man in Ang Thong province contacted the police regarding a noise complaint about his neighbour’s roosters. Suffering from a heart condition, he reported that the noise kept him awake. The rooster owner, a 65 year old man, argued that roosters do not crow continuously and questioned how he could stop them from doing so. At 2pm…
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Bangkok: Iranians nabbed in Yaowarat robbery drama
Two Iranian nationals were arrested after allegedly robbing a Vietnamese tourist of 150,000 baht in a brazen street-side theft in Bangkok’s bustling Yaowarat district. The drama unfolded yesterday evening, January 6, when a 27 year old Vietnamese tourist approached police near the Hotel Royal Bangkok, claiming she had been attacked and robbed. According to her account, she had just withdrawn…
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Search for missing dog turns into scandal as cheque reward valid only in 2125
A dramatic turn of events unfolded when a cheque reward offered to someone for locating a missing dog and returning it to its owner was discovered to be invalid for 100 years, with a date of maturity set for 2125. The Thai woman, Kluay, took to social media to share a missing poster of her pet dog, Thong Dee. The…
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Transport Ministry plans 319 billion baht rail upgrades
The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…
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Trapped tots: Three year old rescued from car drama in Uthai Thani
A distressing incident occurred yesterday in Uthai Thani province when a three year old boy became trapped inside a car at Lan Sak market. The police from Lan Sak Police Station received a call from a grilled chicken vendor yesterday, January 6, alerting them to the situation. Police responded to the scene to assist. Upon arrival, they discovered a black sedan parked…
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Elderly cash windfall: Thai govt handouts confirmed by January 29
The Thai government has officially confirmed that elderly citizens will receive their long-awaited 10,000 baht stimulus payments before January 29. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, spilled the beans during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance today, January 7. “We assure you, the 10,000-baht payments will hit accounts before the deadline. The exact transfer date hinges on a final…
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Chinese actor’s real-life drama ends on Thai-Myanmar border
A Chinese actor has been found after mysteriously vanishing without a trace yesterday on the Thai-Myanmar border in a real-life plot twist befitting a film. The disappearance of Wang Xing, famously known as Xingxing, sent shockwaves across social media, lighting up concerns about safety in Southeast Asia. Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed today, January 7, that Wang was discovered…
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Rusty’s journey: Rescued Thai dog experiences snow for the first time in UK
Niall Harbison, the founder of the Happy Doggo sanctuary in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, rescued a stray dog that had been chained in a shack in a forest and found him a new home in the UK, where he now enjoys a life surrounded by fluffy snow. Harbison, originally from Ireland, established his…
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Fire unleashed: Blaze engulfs pet store in Chiang Rai
A fire broke out at a large pet and pet supply store in Mueang Phaya, Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, yesterday, January 6, at approximately 9pm. The blaze engulfed Ploy Fish Tanks & Pet Mart, a wholesale and retail business for pet food and supplies. The fire spread rapidly due to the abundance of flammable materials inside the store,…
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CNY spending boom: Thailand poised for festive cash splash
Thailand’s economy is set to light up like a firecracker this Chinese New Year, with spending forecast to rise by over 3%, according to the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Buoyed by a recovering economy, government cash injections, and a surge of Chinese tourists, the festival promises to spark a celebratory…
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Playground stabbing in Samut Prakan after drunken argument
An altercation between two friends at a playground in Praeksa Mai subdistrict, Mueang Samut Prakan district, led to a stabbing incident. Yesterday, January 6, at 7pm, Bang Pu police in Samut Prakan responded to a report of a man being stabbed during an argument. At the scene, they found 38 year old Aui with a severe stab wound to his…
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Thailand steals the spotlight at China’s Harbin Ice Festival (video)
Thailand has taken the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival by storm, dazzling visitors with a spectacular cultural display and an enchanting photo exhibition. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Nihao! China: China Ice and Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2025, making waves with its Thai Charm showcase. The festival, which kicked off…
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Thai AirAsia crowned Thailand’s punctuality king – again
Thai AirAsia has soared above the competition once more, retaining its title as Thailand’s most on-time airline and securing fifth place in Cirium’s prestigious list of top 10 on-time airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. With a punctuality rate of 77.46%, it’s the only Thai carrier to earn a spot in the rankings. CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya hailed the achievement as a…
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Thai mother condemns restaurant after hot soup spills on 4 year old son
A Thai mother condemned workers at a restaurant in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok after a worker accidentally spilled hot soup on her four year old son’s arm on Saturday. The 44 year old veterinarian, Chorphet, shared her family’s story with the public, hoping that the restaurant would take appropriate action regarding the incident. The accident occurred at the Shabu-Shabu restaurant…
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Couple killed in Phatthalung collision returning from flood relief
A tragic accident occurred yesterday in Phatthalung province, when a couple, returning from filing for flood relief funds, were killed in a collision with a truck. Police Lieutenant Colonel Arkhom Panjan, deputy inspector of Pak Phayun District Police Station, yesterday, January 6, received a report of a fatal accident involving a truck and a motorcycle at the Ban Kai intersection,…
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Rare black leopard struts its stuff in Kaeng Krachan park
Visitors to Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province were left awestruck when a rare black leopard made a rare and regal appearance, strutting along the roadside for more than half an hour. This extraordinary encounter, which occurred yesterday morning, January 6, was revealed by Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, the park’s chief. The elusive feline was spotted at kilometre markers 20 to…
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Lifesaving heroine: Student performs CPR on elderly man in Phuket
A female high school student was praised for her quick response in assisting an elderly man whose heart had stopped while riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. The incident took place yesterday, January 6 at 2pm near the Cherng Talay Shrine on Srisoonthon Road in Cherng Talay subdistrict, Thalang district, Phuket province. Upon receiving a report of an unconscious person…
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Thai drug addict arrested for sexually assaulting ex-mother-in-law
Police yesterday arrested a Thai drug-addict for sexually assaulting his 80 year old former mother-in-law in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive rescued the 80 year old woman, Jai, who was found sleeping on a thin mat by the roadside in the Nong Sarai sub-district, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Jai told the organisation…
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Family receives ashes of Thai woman killed in South Korea crash
The family of a Thai woman who died in a plane crash in South Korea gathered at Udon Thani International Airport to receive her ashes. The South Korean ambassador expressed his condolences and accompanied the ashes to the family home. A Jeju Air flight, Boeing 737-800, carrying 175 passengers from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Muan International Airport in Southwest South…
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Spotless honesty: Pattaya street cleaner returns lost wallet
A Pattaya street cleaner has stolen the spotlight with a simple yet extraordinary act of honesty, earning admiration far and wide. The cleaner, whose identity remains unknown, stumbled upon a wallet while working on the bustling South Pattaya Walking Street and went above and beyond to ensure its safe return to its rightful owner. Eyewitnesses and online commenters hailed the cleaner’s…
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Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will open the Government House on Saturday, January 11, for children and their families in celebration of National Children’s Day. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced that the 38 year old Thai premier will participate in the festivities, which include various activities hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office. One highlight will allow children to sit in the…
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Arrest warrant issued after fatal petrol station shooting in Songkhla
An arrest warrant has been issued for the gunman who fatally shot a former petrol station employee in Songkhla province. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 5 at 5am, was captured by CCTV cameras at a petrol station on Kanjanavanich Road in the Prik subdistrict, Sadao district. The victim, 23 year old Nadon, rode his motorcycle into the station…
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