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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Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Sixth explosive device found at Krabi’s Noppharat Thara Beach
In Krabi, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers have discovered a suspicious object buried beneath a tree in a pine garden at the Noppharat Thara Beach National Park headquarters. This marks the sixth such finding in the area. The operation, conducted yesterday, June 28, by the EOD team and investigative officers from the Krabi provincial police, involved extensive use of metal…
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Three fishermen die from toxic gas on Thai fishing boat
Three fishermen died and another was critically injured after inhaling toxic gas while accessing a fish storage compartment on their vessel. The incident, which occurred yesterday, June 28, at 8.30pm, involved an attempt to rescue a crew member that led to further casualties. The emergency services at the Rak Sinlatham Pak Nam Chumphon Foundation in Mueang district, Chumphon province, were…
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Large pothole on Chok Chai-Det Udom Road causes vehicle damage
A large pothole on Chok Chai-Det Udom Road has caused a dramatic incident involving a black Toyota Alphard carrying six passengers, including a revered monk. The vehicle suffered a tyre burst and a damaged wheel rim. On June 29, Phra Mahanarinthep Narintho, also known as Luang Por Maha Noi, the abbot of Wat Suan Thammavaree in Buriram province, shared his…
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Police uncover prostitution at Lop Buri massage parlour
Police recently conducted a major operation in a renowned traditional massage parlour in Mueang district, Lop Buri, uncovering illegal activities related to prostitution. Officers went undercover as clients, receiving an hour-long oil massage before being offered additional illicit services today, June 29. Police Major General Songkrod Krikkritaya directed Police Colonel Warit Pathumarak, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Supot Thongmaeng and…
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Pattaya man’s motorcycle stolen by coworker, suspected sold for drugs
In Pattaya, Thailand, a 25 year old man named Sarawut Phuthotham has called for assistance in retrieving his stolen motorcycle, which vanished after being borrowed by a former coworker. Sarawut believes the motorcycle may have been sold to finance drug purchases. The incident took place on June 24 when Sarawut’s former coworker, identified as Beer, requested to borrow his red…
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Hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak hits young children
The Department of Disease Control has confirmed that a hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak is currently affecting the country, primarily impacting children below five years old. Deputy government spokesperson Anukul Prueksa-anurak highlighted that the rise in cases aligns with the early onset of this year’s rainy season, which brings cooler temperatures and increased humidity, creating favourable conditions for…
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PM Shinawatra orders swift flood relief for Chiang Rai residents
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Phaya Mengrai district in Chiang Rai yesterday, June 28, instructing immediate relief for residents affected by flooding. Although water levels have decreased by over 80%, many residents still face challenges due to a lack of essential resources. PM Paetongtarn’s visit to Chiang Rai included assessments of the flood-hit areas, accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat…
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Fatal motorcycle crash claims life in Chiang Mai
A motorcycle accident in Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai, claimed the life of 33 year old Kritsada Ketprasatkon yesterday, June 28. He lost control of his motorcycle, crashing into a metal barrier, which resulted in his decapitation and the motorcycle catching fire. The incident happened at 12.43pm on the Chiang Rai-Doi Saket road near Ban Pa Daeng village. Police Lieutenant…
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Wild tiger spotted observing researchers in Thai wildlife sanctuary (video)
In the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a team of researchers from the Department of National Parks had an unusual encounter with a wild tiger that observed them quietly during their field mission. The sanctuary spans across Uthai Thani and Tak provinces. On June 28, the researchers were engaged in a tiger tracking and data collection mission when a tiger…
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Illegal e-cigarette factory raided in Pathum Thani, 29 arrested
In Pathum Thani’s Khu Khot district, police conducted a raid on an illegal e-cigarette manufacturing facility early yesterday morning. The operation led to the seizure of over 21,000 e-cigarette devices and the arrest of 29 people, including foreign nationals. With a court warrant, officers entered a three-storey commercial building on Phahon Yothin Soi 80 in Lam Luk Ka district, which…
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast across Thailand on June 29
Weather forecasts for June 29 predict heavy rain across 40 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok, with rainfall expected to cover 60% of the area. Residents are advised to be cautious of accumulated rainfall, and moderate sea waves are anticipated. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain in the northern and upper northeastern regions.…
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Chinese man nabbed over Thai entertainer’s fatal drug ordeal
A Chinese national has been apprehended after allegedly coercing a young Thai entertainer into drug use, leading to her death in a hotel. Duoyin Wu, who fled to Laos, surrendered under pressure from officials after being charged with drug-related offences. At 3pm yesterday, June 27, Police Major General Nopasin Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with Police…
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Cambodia accused of mislabelling rice as Thai jasmine in China
Cambodia has been accused of falsely labelling its rice as Thai jasmine rice and selling it in China, prompting the Thai Ministry of Commerce to act swiftly. Yesterday, June 27, Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, revealed that reports from Thai nationals in China indicated Cambodian rice was being sold in Chinese supermarkets with packaging displaying…
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Thailand plans AI legislation to boost adoption and governance
Thailand is drafting legislation to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and broaden AI adoption. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) concluded an online public hearing on the draft, intending to present it to the Cabinet by the end of July. The development of Thailand’s AI regulatory framework has been grounded in soft laws and guidelines. Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor…
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Thai Airways takes off for charity in Oslo celebration
Thai Airways stepped up to support a high-profile charity walk-run in Oslo, Norway, combining fitness, friendship, and fundraising in a celebration of diplomatic history. On Sunday, June 22, the streets of Oslo came alive as Thai Airways joined the Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital to mark 120 years of Thai-Norwegian relations with a…
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Giant king cobra invades Trang home, sparks lottery frenzy (video)
A giant king cobra caused panic in Trang province when it entered a home in search of prey, attacking a sizable cobra. Residents were alarmed by the incident and took note of the house number for lottery luck. Yesterday, June 27, Khajornkiat Kongkaew, known as “Nong Mew Bongla Trang” from the Bung Ya Bongla King network, was called to assist…
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Patong Beach bomb scare: Hidden explosives uncovered in sand
Holidaymakers were left rattled as police scoured Phuket’s beaches to unearth a series of hidden explosive devices planted by suspects intent on chaos. Police confirmed yesterday evening, June 27, that the last two devices connected to the suspects’ shocking confession have been safely recovered and neutralised. The first discovery was made at Patong Beach around 3.45pm, just 50 metres from…
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Rush hour inferno: Car fire sparks Vibhavadi traffic chaos (video)
Commuters endured a nightmare journey last night after a car burst into flames on one of Bangkok’s busiest roads, turning rush hour into a gridlocked inferno. At 8.44pm yesteryday, June 27, the Phra Ram Radio Centre received frantic reports that a vehicle was ablaze near Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 22 in the Chom Phon subdistrict of Chatuchak district. Within minutes, fire…
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Drug den blitz: Bang Lamung cops bust bamboo hideout
Bang Lamung officials stormed a notorious bamboo hideout, rounding up suspected drug users in a sweeping crackdown. Yesterday, June 27 at 5pm, Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon led a coordinated operation targeting a known drug hotspot in Village 1, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict. The mission, aimed at choking off local drug networks, was carried out under the supervision of…
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Thai PM promotes peace amid Hun Sen’s provocative claims
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded with a forgiving message following provocative remarks made by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a recent livestream, amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Neither the 38 year old Thai PM nor her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have issued a formal response to Hun Sen’s comments. Instead, Paetongtarn shared a reflective…
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Thailand cannabis crackdown: New prescription rules spark outcry
Thailand’s cannabis free-for-all is coming to an abrupt end, with health chiefs vowing to tighten the rules on who can grow, sell, and smoke the controversial herb. Dr Tewan Thanirat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), announced that stricter controls are on the way. Under the proposed regulations, anyone selling cannabis flower buds will…
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Weekend sees more heavy rain across Thailand in seasonal deluge
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for 57 provinces to prepare for heavy rainfall over the weekend. The northeastern and northern regions, as well as Bangkok and surrounding areas, are expected to experience significant rainfall, covering 60-80% of these areas. In Bangkok and its vicinity, thunderstorms are anticipated across 60% of the area with some places experiencing heavy…
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Pattaya cracks down on illegal ramps to tackle drainage issues
Pattaya is cracking down hard on illegal ramps obstructing public footpaths, with officials warning that unauthorised structures will be removed and could result in legal action. The renewed effort aims to tackle recurring drainage issues caused by the concrete ramps, which have long been a source of frustration for residents. This week, municipal teams from the Office of Public Works,…
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People’s Alliance rallies to protect Koh Kut, oust Thai PM
The People’s Alliance for Democracy has kicked off a movement to protect Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut, rallying against neighbouring Cambodia’s claims on the island. The movement, led by Kanyut Boonloy, a former civil servant and local leader, gathered around 200 people in Trat yesterday, June 26. Residents, civil servants, former civil servants, students, and merchants donned yellow shirts, waving…
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Flash floods devastate Chiang Rai: Homes and farmland destroyed
Chiang Rai province is reeling from catastrophic flooding after continuous heavy rainfall last night and this morning. Flash floods and mountain runoff have wreaked havoc across several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai hit the hardest. The torrential downpours caused rivers of rainwater to cascade rapidly from the mountains, flooding low-lying areas and causing water levels to surge unexpectedly.…
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Thai abbot accuses bank of embezzling over 1.3 billion baht
A Thai abbot in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani is taking legal action against a bank for allegedly embezzling over 1.3 billion baht from a non-profit organisation under his care. Phra Panya Wachiramolee, the abbot of Wat Pa Si Saeng Tham in Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani, shared on social media that over 1.3 billion baht had disappeared from…
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Thai govt urged to scrap casino bill over constitutional concerns
A Senate committee reviewing the controversial casino bill has called on the government to withdraw its draft legislation, warning that it could violate multiple sections of Thailand’s 2017 Constitution. Yesterday, June 26, Senator Veerapun Suvannamai, the chair of the panel, highlighted that the bill may breach Sections 3, 58, 63, and 65 of the Constitution. He explained that the legislation,…
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PAO official escapes rape attempt by colleague at Pathum Thani love hotel
A female official from a Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) narrowly escaped a rape attempt by a colleague at a love hotel in the central province of Pathum Thani on June 19. The victim complained to Kukot Police Station, accusing a member of the Khlong Luang PAO, Noppanan “Tee” Noocharoen, of attempted rape. The victim is reportedly a PAO official from a…
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Black beauty: Rare leopard spotted at Phetchaburi national park
Another rare black leopard has been spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand. The sighting, which took place on Wednesday, June 25 at 5.20pm, sparked excitement among nature enthusiasts and wildlife experts. This breathtaking encounter was captured at the 18-kilometre mark of the park, a popular spot for butterfly-watching, highlighting the park’s rich biodiversity. Park Chief Mongkol Chaiphakdi…
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