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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Pattaya lifts out of order after Wan Lai water chaos
The aftermath of Pattaya’s wild Wan Lai water festival has left more than just soaked streets, some public elevators are out of order, causing frustration and major accessibility issues across the city. As the celebrations fade, the Cleanliness Control Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has launched a deep-cleaning operation, targeting lifts in public areas hit hardest…
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Phuket seafront restaurant busted for land grab
A popular Phuket restaurant with stunning sea views is under fire after police swooped in and seized over 4 rai of land, citing illegal forest encroachment and unlicensed construction. The high-profile raid has rocked the east side of Phuket Town, exposing serious environmental violations hidden behind a picturesque dining experience. Yesterday, April 24, officials from the Phuket Provincial Forestry Office,…
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Drunk Thai driver pretends to be foreigner after crashing 2 cars
A heavily drunk Thai driver pretended to be a foreigner in an attempt to avoid legal consequences after crashing her car into two vehicles in Bangkok. Two TikTok users shared videos of the incident yesterday, on April 24, which reportedly took place in Soi Mahad Thai in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok. The driver of the white hatchback, who caused…
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Baht slump could boost Pattaya tourism in low season
As Pattaya gears up for its traditional low season, a silver lining has emerged, Thailand’s weakening baht could bring a welcome surge in foreign visitors. With the Thai currency slipping to 33.57 baht per US dollar yesterday, April 24, down from 33.39 the day before, analysts suggest the trend may continue, offering tourists more bang for their buck. “Foreign travellers…
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Pattaya woman saved seconds before suicide attempt
In a dramatic late-night rescue, a young woman was pulled from the brink of tragedy after attempting to jump off a pedestrian overpass on Sukhumvit Road in Central Pattaya. The heart-stopping incident unfolded just after midnight at 12.16am yesterday, April 24, when the Pattaya Rescue Centre received a frantic call from a concerned passerby. A distressed woman, believed to be…
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Blade runner: Thai man sparks hospital horror in Chiang Mai
Panic gripped a Chiang Mai hospital this morning after a knife-wielding Thai man stormed the outpatient ward, threatening to slash his own throat in front of terrified staff and patients. The dramatic standoff unfolded around 11.30am, today, April 25, when the unhinged man burst into McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai, clutching a knife and pressing it to his own neck…
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Phuket earthquake sinking rumour slammed as fake news
Rumours that Phuket could vanish beneath the waves after a major earthquake sent shockwaves across social media but officials say it’s all nonsense. The Anti-Fake News Centre stepped in yesterday, April 24, to squash a viral claim suggesting that the popular Thai island could sink into the sea following a massive tremor. The panic-inducing posts also alleged a catastrophic death…
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Thai sub-district chief allegedly asks for sex from married woman
A married Thai woman accused a sub-district chief in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima of sexually harassing her by openly asking for sex in front of others while dining at a restaurant last year. The 37 year old woman, identified only as Tuk, is seeking justice after the accused official remains in his position despite her complaint. She revealed…
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Deadly tropical sandfly behind fatal fever cases in Thailand
A rare but potentially deadly disease spread by a common sandfly has claimed two lives in Thailand this year, as health chiefs warn locals and travellers to slap on the bug spray and stay alert. Thailand has recorded over 40 cases of Leishmaniasis, a tropical disease transmitted by sandflies, with two deaths confirmed so far in 2025 – one in…
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Down with fever: PM Paetongtarn hospitalised after Cambodia trip
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was rushed to the hospital last night after returning from an official trip to Cambodia, according to Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap. “Paetongtarn had a packed schedule in Cambodia from Wednesday to Thursday, meeting with officials and discussing important issues,” Jirayu explained. After departing Cambodia around 2pm yesterday, April 24, she arrived back in Thailand at approximately…
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Thai transwoman commits suicide after losing 7 million baht in scam
A Thai transwoman committed suicide in her parked car outside her barbecue restaurant in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, after reportedly losing over 7 million baht in an investment scam. A worker at the restaurant in Bang Kruai district noticed the vehicle belonging to his transgender employer, Sarut, parked outside unusually early on the morning of April 24. He became suspicious,…
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Pattaya poker faces dealt losing hand in underground bust (video)
A major crackdown on illegal gambling in Pattaya led to the arrest of 19 people, including 10 foreigners, after police raided an underground poker club. The raid on Wednesday, April 23, uncovered more than 5 million baht in gambling circulation, and the police are now pressing charges. “On Tuesday afternoon, Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, led…
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20 test positive for meth in surprise Phuket drug screening
Thalang district officials uncovered a disturbing 20 cases of methamphetamine (meth) use during a surprise drug screening operation in Pa Khlok. The operation on Wednesday, April 23, part of a wider crackdown on drug abuse, involved a special operations team from the Thalang district administration, village headmen, public health volunteers, and Thalang Police. “Officers set up checkpoints in three key…
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Foreign man to face charges for drifting car on mountain road
Police plan to summon a foreign man for drifting his luxury car on Phu Thap Buek mountain in the northern province of Phetchabun after a video of the dangerous driving went viral on the TikTok application. The Thai TikToker, @lolono.re, shared the video of the car drifting yesterday, April 24, with a caption that read, “Brilliant! #Phetchabun #PhuThapBuek.” The video…
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Thai police defend probe into Chulalongkorn exam leak scandal
Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) defended its involvement in the investigation of a 2023 exam paper leak at Chulalongkorn University. The case allegedly implicates a former senior police officer who was then enrolled in a special undergraduate law programme. On Wednesday, April 23, the TCSD commissioner, Police Major General Siriwat Dipho, stressed that the investigation is being conducted impartially…
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5 dead in Cham-am plane crash tragedy after engine failure
Royal Thai Police (RTP) confirmed five passengers died in the plane crash in Cha-am this morning, with one fighting for his life in hospital. A RTP spokesperson added that the right engine failed during a test flight and revealed more details about the aircraft model, shedding light on the tragic incident. The RTP is reeling after a fatal crash involving one…
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Thailand video news | Brit Arrested for Drugs and Overstaying in Koh Samui, Indians Caught Smuggling Hydroponic Weed from Bangkok to Mumbai
In today’s regional news update by Jay and Alex, law enforcement across Southeast Asia remains active, from drug busts in Thailand and India to visa crackdowns and safety investigations. Meanwhile, political shifts are underway in Singapore ahead of the general election, and new public health regulations are rolling out in Malaysia. Tensions surrounding foreign influence in the Philippines and infrastructure…
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Homeless man causes car crash after crossing road near Bangkok
A Thai couple demanded action regarding homeless people residing on a traffic island, after one of them suddenly crossed in front of their car in Nonthaburi near Bangkok, causing the vehicle to crash into a traffic barrier. The Thai woman shared dashcam footage of the incident on her TikTok account, @ppalaploy.y, yesterday, April 24. She explained that her car was…
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Audit office blames thin elevator shafts for Bangkok collapse
The State Audit Office (SAO) released a statement addressing the decision to reduce the wall thickness of the elevator shafts in its new 30-storey building, which allegedly contributed to its collapse during an earthquake. The statement clarified that the adjustment in wall thickness was made to comply with appropriate building standards for interior architecture. The construction contract was awarded to…
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Twin tremors hit Pai as Thailand’s earthquake saga continues​
Northern Thailand was rocked late last night by a pair of earthquakes in Mae Hong Son’s picturesque Pai district, sending tremors across two provinces and adding to a growing list of seismic shocks unsettling the region in recent weeks.​ At 10.27pm, yesterday, April 24, a 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck Wiang Nuea subdistrict in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, at a…
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Talk not tariffs: ASEAN plays it cool as trade war heats up
As Washington rattles the tariff sabre, ASEAN isn’t taking the bait, instead doubling down on diplomacy and pledging to keep trade ties intact with the US, its second-biggest partner. ASEAN has made it crystal clear: it’s sticking with multilateralism and won’t retaliate against US tariff hikes. That’s the message from Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan after a special virtual summit of…
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Crypto raids in Cherng Talay linked to drug trafficking and scams
Two cryptocurrency exchanges in Cherng Talay have been raided in a high-profile crackdown, with police alleging links to drug trafficking and scam operations. The exchanges, Ex24.pro and Cryptopida, were among eight locations hit by a coordinated operation led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on April 18, as part of Operation Crypto Phantom. This nationwide campaign is aimed at dismantling…
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SUV crushed between 2 trucks causes 8 deaths, 3 injuries
In a heart-wrenching accident, eight lives, including those of young children, were tragically cut short when a colossal 22-wheel truck slammed into a parked SUV and another lorry in an emergency parling area. The crash, which left three others injured, occurred on a motorway heading towards Chon Buri province. Officials from the Phranakhon Radio Centre were alerted to the fatal…
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Thai Vietjet launches summer fares from 799 baht
Thai Vietjet is turning up the heat this summer with an unbeatable promotion, offering domestic flights from just 799 baht, including taxes and fees! Whether you’re dreaming of a beach getaway to Phuket, a city escape to Chiang Mai, or a cultural trip to Hat Yai, there’s a deal waiting for you. But that’s not all – international routes are…
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Second storm warning for upper Thailand this summer
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a second warning regarding summer storms expected to affect upper Thailand from tomorrow, April 26 to Thursday, May 1. This announcement highlights the potential for thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and heavy rainfall in some areas. The storms are anticipated due to a moderate high-pressure system from China moving over Vietnam and the South China…
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Skyfall at Cha-am: Four dead as police plane plunges into sea
A routine morning turned tragic at Cha-am Beach today as a small aircraft, believed to be a police plane, crashed into the sea, leaving four dead and one injured. The incident adds to a growing list of aviation tragedies in Thailand in recent years. At approximately 8.15am, today, April 25, emergency services in Phetchaburi province received reports of a plane…
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Thai and mighty: Exports soar to 3-year high despite tariff troubles
Thai exports are firing on all cylinders, with shipments rocketing to their highest level in three years, defying fears over punishing US tariffs and giving the economy a hefty shot in the arm. Thai exports surged for the ninth straight month in March, jumping 17.8% year-on-year to a record-breaking US$29.5 billion, or around 1 trillion baht, according to the Commerce Ministry.…
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Thailand snuffs out 80% of e-cigarettes in teen vape clampdown
Vaping in Thailand has taken a sharp nosedive, with an eye-watering 80% drop in sales and usage in just two months, as the government lights a fire under its anti-e-cigarette campaign. Deputy Government Spokesman Anukool Pruksanusak announced the dramatic plunge, crediting a no-nonsense crackdown ordered by the Prime Minister amid mounting concern over teen vaping. “The number of young users…
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Star voyager cruise docks in Pattaya for the first time
Thailand just got a massive upgrade on the luxury travel map — and it’s coming by sea. For the first time ever, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) teamed up with StarDream Cruises to welcome the Star Voyager to Thai shores, marking a milestone moment in the kingdom’s cruise tourism ambitions. The sleek, high-end cruise ship officially launched operations from…
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4 Indians caught smuggling hydroponic weed from Bangkok
It was anything but a smooth landing for four passengers flying in from Bangkok, as Indian Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport uncovered a staggering 20 Indian crores (around 78.4 million baht) worth of hydroponic weed in a series of busts that spanned three separate cases. Acting on specific intelligence, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs…
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