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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Monk arrested for fleeing rape charges involving 14 year old
A Buddhist monk was arrested in Surat Thani province after fleeing charges of sexually assaulting a 14 year old girl. Police apprehended the suspect just as he was preparing to relocate to another temple to evade capture. Police Lieutenant General Pornsak Laorujiralai, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered the arrest operation, which was led by Police Colonel Phakapol Suchon.…
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Foreigner’s cash hunting game labelled as harmful among Phuket residents
Phuket residents criticised a foreign TikToker for launching a cash hunting game on the island, fearing it could pose dangers to participants. Some also questioned the motive behind the stunt. The treasure-hunting game in Phuket drew widespread attention after it was reported by the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday, November 9. The game was organised by a TikTok user under…
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Foreign woman caught offering illegal travel packages in Phuket
A Member of Parliament (MP) for Phuket province criticised a foreign woman allegedly offering travel packages illegally to tourists on a beach. Chalermpong Saengdee, an MP from the People’s Party, shared a video of the woman on his Facebook page on Friday, November 7. The nationality of the foreign suspect has not yet been identified. In the footage, the woman…
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Energy minister pushes ahead with hydrogen and nuclear strategy
Thailand’s Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon says he will pursue long-term clean energy projects, including hydrogen and nuclear development, despite the limited time under the current government’s term. Speaking yesterday, November 9, Auttapol said he aims to lay the groundwork for initiatives that may not be completed before the administration steps down. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to dissolve Parliament…
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Narathiwat’s ‘100-Year Stadium’ under scrutiny after 13-year delay
Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork has raised concerns over a long-delayed sports stadium in Narathiwat, which has remained unfinished for 13 years despite a budget of 181 million baht. The project has since earned the nickname “100-Year Stadium” due to its prolonged construction. In a Facebook post yesterday, November 9, Rukchanok criticised the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) for its role…
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Thai man arrested after paying party entertainer with counterfeit banknotes
A Thai man was arrested on Friday, November 7, at a condominium in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district after allegedly using counterfeit banknotes to pay a female party entertainer. The entertainer, Arinrada, filed a complaint with Prachachuen Police Station after a man who hired her to provide services in his condo room paid her with fake banknotes. She received three euro…
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Cambodian senator and daughter hit with asset seizure in scam connection
Police raided 36 locations in Bangkok and the eastern province of Trat, seizing assets worth more than 400 million baht owned by a Cambodian senator and his daughter in connection with a call centre scam and money laundering. In July, cyber police officers raided the luxury home of Cambodian businesswoman Phu Cherlin, daughter of Kok An, owner of the Crown Casino…
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Pathum Thani residents warned of rising Chao Phraya River levels
Residents in Pathum Thani were on alert this week following an official warning about rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River, with authorities reporting the river is now just 20 centimetres below its 2021 flood peak. On November 9, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued an SMS alert stating that the Chao Phraya Dam was discharging…
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Phuket police urged to act after Polish man’s repeated stabbing threats at hotels
A Polish man in Phuket made headlines once again on November 9, just days after he threatened to stab and kill a Thai hotel staff member last week. A Thai woman shared footage of the foreign man’s behaviour with the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday, November 9. She claimed the man was a 41 year old Polish national, the same…
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Chinese man arrested for fatally stabbing friend in Bangkok condo
Police arrested a Chinese man in the northern province of Chiang Rai for fatally stabbing his friend at a condominium in Bangkok on October 29. Officers from Sutthisan Police Station were alerted to the fatal stabbing at a condominium room in Soi Pracharat Bamphen 5, Huai Khwang, at around 3am on October 29. According to the condominium owner, a group…
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Frenchman arrested for series of thefts at Bangkok airport
Police yesterday, November 9, arrested a Frenchman for a series of thefts committed between September and October at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Officers of Don Mueang Airport and Don Mueang Police Station had received multiple reports of theft over recent months, prompting a thorough investigation. Officers reviewed security camera footage and identified a foreign man, later named as…
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Thailand’s new alcohol law fines customers for drinking after hours
Thailand’s updated Alcohol Control Act, which came into force on November 8, came into effect with confusion and criticism from business operators, tourists and the hospitality industry, as the law introduces penalties not only for sellers but also for drinkers consuming alcohol outside permitted hours. Under the revised Alcohol Control Act (No. 2), B.E. 2568, consumers can now be fined…
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Thai police arrest loan shark gang member after assault on disabled woman
Thai police have apprehended a member of a notorious loan shark gang, known as Suea, who assaulted a disabled woman in Udon Thani province. Meanwhile, another gang member, Palm, remains on the run after reportedly using a firearm to threaten locals. Today, on November 9, at the Provincial Police Investigation Unit in Udon Thani, Police Colonel Anusak Sakdawatcharanon, Deputy Commander…
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Man kills brother-in-law over loud music in Surin dispute
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, on November 8, in Buachet district, Surin province, where a 51 year old man shot and killed his brother-in-law following a dispute over loud music. The incident occurred at a residence in Moo 8, Ban Na Klang, Sadao subdistrict. Police Lieutenant Yuttana Jantayung, an investigator at Sadao Police Station, received the report and informed Police…
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Thai push for new airline routes in north to boost tourism
Transport Deputy Minister Mallika Jirapanwanich is advocating for airlines to expand routes in North Thailand to boost tourism and the local economy. The Department of Airports is promoting the ‘New Route – New Airline’ policy to encourage new flight paths. Mallika highlighted yesterday, on November 8 that the northern region has become a popular destination for both Thai and international…
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Chinese national arrested in Sa Kaeo with 1,000 SIM cards
In Sa Kaeo province, Thai border forces have apprehended a Chinese national linked to a call centre scam. Along with him, they found 1,000 mobile SIM cards near the Thai-Cambodian border. The equipment was reportedly intended for delivery to an employer in Myawaddy. This location is a key point for criminal activities. Today, on November 9, the Eastern Border Security…
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Tourist bus overturns in Lampang, injuring over 39 passengers
A tourist bus travelling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok overturned on Khun Tan hill in Lampang province, resulting in injuries to over 39 international tourists, with one individual seriously injured and trapped inside in the bus crash. The incident occurred at around 8.45pm yesterday, on November 8, when Chiang Mai traffic police received a report about an accident involving a…
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Foreign nationals arrested on Koh Phangan for illegal construction work
Two foreigners arrested in Koh Phangan for illegal construction and electrical work without permits, facing legal action after police found evidence. They threatened legal action against the officers but were eventually confronted with evidence of their activities. Yesterday, on November 8 at 2pm, Police Lieutenant General Suksira Phueka-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police, directed officers from the Tourist Police Station…
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Thai Airways recycles Virgin lie-flats as posh economy beds
Thai Airways has launched lie-flat seats as a premium economy option on select regional routes, repurposing business class seats from Virgin Atlantic. The unusual move offers passengers lie-flat comfort without the business-class price tag, advancing the growing trend of “unbundled” premium travel. The new class has debuted on routes from Bangkok to Chennai, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Jakarta, and Kathmandu. Rather than…
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Brit jailed over 19m baht Thailand cannabis run at Dublin airport
A British man was sentenced to three and a half years in prison in Dublin after admitting to importing nearly 500,000 euros (approximately 19 million baht) worth of cannabis from Thailand, destined for sale in Ireland. The man, 22 year old Jamie Kearns from Arley in Coventry, was stopped by customs officers at Terminal One in Dublin Airport while arriving…
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Ang Thong reels as worst flood in decades hits homes and hospital (video)
Flooding in Ang Thong province has reached a critical level, with rising waters from the Chao Phraya River breaching barriers and inundating key areas including Pa Mok Market and local municipalities. Officials are scrambling to contain the damage by reinforcing embankments with clay in multiple locations. In Pa Mok Market, water levels have surged by up to 50 centimetres, forcing…
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Anutin promises to dissolve Parliament within 120 days
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that Parliament will be dissolved within 120 days as part of a political agreement with the opposition party. The PM reaffirmed his commitment to dissolve parliament by January 31, 2026, fulfilling an agreement made with the People’s Party. The decision follows growing speculation about his administration’s stability ahead of the upcoming censure debate. Anutin…
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Thailand’s tourism tax stalled again despite 11 billion baht potential
Thailand’s plan to introduce a tourist tax for foreign visitors remains stalled due to political delays, despite full readiness and strong industry backing. Initially backed by the National Tourism Policy Committee in February 2023, the fee would charge inbound travellers 300 baht by air or 150 baht by land or sea, applying only to overnight visitors. Despite its potential to…
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UK lifts travel warning as Trat tourism gears up for rebound
The United Kingdom has officially lifted its travel advisory against non-essential travel to Trat, a move welcomed by local tourism operators hoping to revive bookings ahead of peak season. Wichit Sukrasuyanon, president of the Trat Tourism Association, confirmed that the change has already led to a noticeable boost in bookings, especially from European markets. He said average hotel occupancy rates…
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Pattaya preps for 5 billion baht Tomorrowland 2026 fest
Officials in Pattaya are preparing for a massive music festival set to attract thousands of visitors and inject 5 billion baht into the local economy. Bang Lamung district is already laying the groundwork for Tomorrowland 2026, the first Southeast Asian edition of the iconic Belgian music festival, with a high-level strategy meeting chaired by District Chief Patcharaphat Srithanyanon. The festival…
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Phuket boat taxi trial hits delay but promises smoother trips
Phuket’s boat taxi project, aimed at easing traffic for tourists and locals, has been delayed, pushing back the start of its much-anticipated trial run. The pilot run of Phuket’s boat taxi service, a project touted as a game-changer for the island’s notorious traffic problems, has been pushed back to mid-December. The trial, originally scheduled to launch earlier, will now take…
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Teen lured and beaten in Pattaya alley after online setup
A teenage boy was brutally attacked in a dark Pattaya alley after being tricked into a meeting by a mystery woman he met online, despite warnings from his mother. A 17 year old boy is recovering in hospital after being ambushed and severely beaten in a dimly lit alley in Pattaya. The incident occurred around 9pm on Thursday, November 6,…
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Bang Saen Beach turns black, vendors fear tourist drop
Seawater at a popular beach in eastern Thailand turned black, raising concerns among visitors and vendors about health risks and a drop in tourism. Seawater along Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri has taken on a strange black hue, believed to be caused by a plankton bloom triggered by recent storms and rainfall. While there’s no unpleasant odour or danger…
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Power outages to hit 33 areas across Greater Bangkok today
Power will be cut in dozens of areas across Bangkok and nearby provinces as electricity officials carry out scheduled maintenance to improve the grid. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced a planned power outage today, November 8, affecting 33 locations across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi. The temporary cut-off is part of routine upgrades to boost the efficiency and…
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Tropical storm Kalmaegi batters Thailand with heavy rain
A powerful tropical storm is sweeping across Thailand, bringing heavy rain and flash flood risks to dozens of provinces as residents brace for worsening weather. From 6pm yesterday, November 7, to 6pm today, November 8, the weather across Thailand is expected to remain unsettled, with widespread thunderstorms and cooler mornings in the north, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD).…
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