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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Thailand video news Tourism Downslide: Sky-High Costs Drive Fewer Visitors to Thailand, “Primate Panic in Lopburi: Hundreds of Monkeys Break Free and Run Wild”
Thailand faces a week of contrasting headlines — from pushback against a BBC documentary and a dip in tourist arrivals to renewed political maneuvering by Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thaksin’s prison transfer. At the same time, the country makes strides in science with its first ISS experiment, grapples with chaos in Lopburi’s streets as monkeys run wild, and braces for…
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Trang Airport opens new terminal after 4-year delay
Trang Airport has opened a new domestic terminal after years of construction delays, boosting capacity and marking a major step in regional air travel. The 1.07-billion-baht project finally saw a soft opening on September 5, when the terminal welcomed its first travellers. The launch followed extensive testing, including a simulation with 50 trial passengers to assess service procedures and identify…
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Japanese teens caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand to Japan
Two Japanese teenagers were arrested at Fukuoka Airport after flying in from Thailand with 14 kilogrammes of cannabis extract disguised inside instant curry packets. The 17 year old high school student from Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture, along with his 16 year old friend, was stopped by police after officers discovered 14kg of liquid containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their luggage.…
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Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot (video)
A resident of Khon Kaen has become Thailand’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the government lottery draw. The man struck gold with two first-prize tickets in a moment that has sent his entire village into celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The winning number in the draw yesterday,…
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Monsoon mayhem: TMD warns of floods and dangerous seas
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of thunderstorms, flash floods and rough seas as the monsoon brings heavy rain across several regions. The monsoon trough lies across the lower Central, upper South and the East into an active low-pressure cell over the South China Sea, while a moderate southwesterly wind prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf…
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Phuket airport skips memorial for deadly One-Two-Go crash
Eighteen years after the One-Two-Go crash killed 90 people in Phuket, no memorial was held again, as Phuket International Airport instead staged dance shows. The crash of One-Two-Go flight OG269 on September 16, 2007, claimed 90 lives, yet Airports of Thailand (AoT) and its staff at Phuket airport have never held a memorial. No service was held in the days…
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Pattaya gamer flees with bag in brazen all-night shop theft
Police in Pattaya are searching for a thief who spent 10 hours in a gaming shop before fleeing with a bag packed with valuables, all caught on CCTV. A gaming shop in Soi Kor Phai, Pattaya, has released CCTV footage of a theft that took place in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, calling on the public to help…
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Thai lottery results announced, rituals fuel lucky number craze
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) released the latest national lottery results, with winners confirmed as fortune seekers turn to rituals and events for lucky numbers. The winning numbers are as follows: 2-digit straight prize: 58 3-digit straight prize: 646 3-digit swap prize: 466, 664 Special prize: 646 000 000 732 Officials reminded players that the three-digit straight and swap prizes…
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Thailand to test seaplane routes to boost island tourism
Thailand is launching a pilot project with seaplane routes in Trang, aiming to boost tourism by linking remote islands with major travel destinations. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has confirmed plans for a pilot seaplane tourism project that could revolutionise the country’s travel industry. The initiative, developed in partnership with private operators Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, will begin test…
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Buddhist council bans monks from acting as lottery seers
Thailand’s Sangha Council has reiterated its ban on monks acting as lottery fortune tellers, warning that the practice breaks religious discipline and the law. The reminder comes amid growing concern over monks engaging in inappropriate activities, with recent cases involving even senior clergy members. Officials said these actions not only undermine Buddhist principles but also erode the faith of devotees.…
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Chao Phraya Dam surge floods Ayutthaya and displaces thousands
Heavy water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam has triggered flooding across Ayutthaya, affecting thousands of households and prompting urgent safety warnings. Floodwaters have swept through large parts of Ayutthaya after water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam was increased by 2,000 to 2,500 cubic metres per second. The National Water Resources Committee approved the release to handle surging inflows…
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Monkey madness: Hundreds escape cages and run riot in Lopburi
Chaos erupted in Lopburi when hundreds of monkeys broke free from a shelter, invading homes, ransacking cars, and even storming a police station. Residents of Lopburi faced a wild spectacle today, September 16, as more than 100 monkeys escaped from the Pho Kao Ton Monkey Shelter in Mueang district. The mass breakout sparked panic in the area, with troops of…
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NACC pushed to rule on digital wallet fund misuse claims
Thailand’s anti-graft body is under pressure to wrap up its probe into claims that two governments misused state loan funds for a flagship handout scheme. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been urged to finalise its investigation into allegations that the administrations of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra breached the constitution by diverting state loan repayment funds to…
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Phuket hotel mystery: Young woman found dead in room
A 26 year old woman was found dead in her hotel room in Phuket, prompting police and forensic teams to investigate the cause of her unexplained death. Police in Cherng Talay are investigating the death of a young woman who was found lifeless in her hotel room within a resort complex yesterday afternoon. Cherng Talay Police received notification of the…
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Thailand video news Thai PM Anutin Demands Measures to Check Sky-High Baht, Thailand Increases Airline Compensation for Delays and Cancellations
Thailand is rolling out a mix of reforms and upgrades — from tougher rules on nightlife and cannabis in Pattaya to higher airline compensation, currency-stabilisation efforts, and faster action on frozen bank accounts — while also pushing drought-relief cloud seeding and a major facelift for Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Abroad, Britain’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally has underscored deep political…
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Pattaya teens terrorise street in explosive gang showdown
Two rival youth gangs clashed in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area, where weapons and explosives were used in a late-night street fight that alarmed nearby residents. A violent clash between two rival youth gangs erupted in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area in the early hours of yesterday, September 15, leaving locals shaken and demanding answers. The altercation broke out around 2am on…
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Phuket shines a light on Islamic roots with weekend festival
A cultural event in Phuket celebrated Islamic heritage, bringing residents and officials together to promote unity, awareness, and community engagement. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) hosted a vibrant two-day event aimed at celebrating the island’s Islamic roots and promoting unity across communities. Titled Retracing the History of Islam in Phuket Province, the event took place on Saturday and Sunday,…
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Bangkok gran blasts cops for blocking 5 million baht transfer
An elderly woman nearly handed over 5 million baht to scammers, then turned on the real police who tried to stop her, claiming they were the fraudsters. The 83 year old granny had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, believing she was following instructions from a suppsed high-ranking officer. When real police showed up at her Bangkok home to stop…
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Ginger cat ‘Som Bangchak’ brings lottery buzz to Pattaya (video)
A stray cat at a Pattaya petrol station has become a local sensation, drawing crowds with a lottery-themed display that blends fun, charm, and social media fame. As lottery fever grips Thailand, a furry local in South Pattaya is bringing smiles, selfies, and a touch of superstition to a Bangchak petrol station. Som Bangchak, a charming ginger stray cat, has…
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Chaos on Chao Phraya: 3 boats go up in flames, no injuries (video)
Three passenger boats caught fire on a major river in Bangkok on Sunday evening, prompting a swift emergency response and warnings for the public to stay clear. Chaos erupted on the Chao Phraya River on Sunday evening, September 14, when three passenger boats were engulfed in flames near Wat Ratcha Singkhon Pier in Bangkok’s Bang Kholaem district. The fire reportedly…
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AI surveillance helps bust truck with 3.7m meth pills in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai police have seized over 3.7 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kilograms of crystal meth hidden in a cabbage truck, following a high-speed chase aided by artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance. The suspect, 24 year old Anusorn “Sanook” Masuk from Ratchaburi, was arrested early yesterday morning, September 14, in Chiang Mai’s San Sai district. Police tracked him using an AI-powered…
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Drunk ex-officer jailed for crash that killed cop and 4 year old boy
A former provincial agriculture officer has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension after a drunk driving crash that killed a police officer and a kindergarten student in Nakhon Ratchasima in December 2024. The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court handed down the ruling today, September 15, in a case involving 75 year old Somsak Asaraijao, who was found guilty…
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Ministry sets up ‘war room’ to tackle frozen bank account issues
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has launched a dedicated “war room” to handle complaints from people whose bank accounts were suddenly frozen over suspected links to mule account scams. The move follows a surge in cases involving online sellers and everyday users finding their accounts suspended temporarily, while authorities investigate possible fraud links. The measure was agreed on…
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Man found dead after Bangkok shophouse fire sparked by refrigerated truck
A man died in a fire that broke out early this morning, September 15, at a four-storey shophouse in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district. Authorities believe the blaze began in a refrigerated truck parked in front of the building. The incident occurred at 5.05am when Thung Maha Mek Police Station received reports of a fire near the Nang Linchi intersection on Ratchadaphisek…
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Thaksin not seeking special prison transfer, says lawyer
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is not currently seeking detention outside prison, according to his lawyer, who said any such request would only be made in line with Department of Corrections criteria. Winyat Chartmontree, the former premier’s legal counsel, gave the update after visiting Thaksin at Klong Prem Central Prison on Ngamwongwan Road today, September 15. It was the first…
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Thailand raises compensation for flight delays and cancellations
Passengers flying in Thailand will soon receive higher flight compensation for long delays and cancellations, under new regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Committee. Regulation No. 101, which outlines measures to protect passenger rights on both domestic and international scheduled flights, will take effect on November 20, 2025. For domestic flights, passengers affected by delays of more than five hours…
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Uncertainty over new alcohol act leaves Thai operators in limbo
Uncertainty looms over how Thailand’s revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act will be enforced, as businesses await further details on new advertising restrictions set to take effect later this year. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) of 2025 is scheduled for enactment on November 8, according to the Department of Disease Control under the Public Health Ministry. However, operators in…
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Buri Ram police seize nearly 100 modified motorcycles from convoy
Nearly 100 modified motorcycles were seized by police in Buri Ram province on Sunday, September 14, as part of a crackdown on illegal street convoys and unregistered vehicles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The group, known as the Phor Piang motorcycle group (roughly translating to sufficient), was intercepted while travelling through…
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IKEA Thailand cuts prices, targets hotels and SMEs
IKEA Thailand, part of the Swedish home furnishing company, is addressing economic difficulties by reducing prices and launching the IKEA for Business programme. This initiative targets growing demand from hotels, offices, property developers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Leonie Hoskin, retail manager for IKEA Thailand and Vietnam, noted that fiscal 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025) was challenging due…
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Phatthalung work camp attacked in midnight shooting
A construction camp in Phatthalung province was attacked earlier today, with gunmen opening fire using what appeared to be military-grade weapons. The incident occurred at around 1am on September 15, leaving workers shaken but unharmed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Police Colonel Suphat Khunnui from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station arrived at…
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