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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates
Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…
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Fatal nap! Driver falls asleep, kills passenger in highway horror
A devastating accident on Highway 11 in Nakhon Sawan province tragically claimed the life of a young passenger this morning after a driver fell asleep at behind the wheel. At around 2.40am, today, March 7, a Toyota pickup truck slammed into the back of a parked 18-wheeler, resulting in calamitous damage and heartbreak. The scene at kilometre markers 13 and…
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Thailand’s new law to tackle online sexual harassment
Thailand is taking a bold step towards protecting victims of sexual harassment and privacy violations with a groundbreaking new bill that grants victims direct access to the courts—bypassing the slow bureaucratic process that has long delayed justice. Patcharin Samsiripong, Vice Chairwoman of the House Committee on the Draft Act to Amend the Criminal Code, announced that the committee had carefully…
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Military drill blunder leaves 4 Thais injured in South Korea
Two fighter planes mistakenly dropped eight bombs in a residential area in South Korea during a military drill between the country and the United States, resulting in 15 injuries. Four of the injured victims are Thai nationals. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Nikorndate Palangkul, reported that the ministry received notification of the bombing in Pocheon,…
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Thai farmers urged to go bananas for ripe returns
The Government of Thailand is urging beleaguered Thai farmers to pivot to bananas from rice as a strategy to bolster their earnings amidst plummeting rice prices. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan dropped the fruity bombshell while addressing People’s Party MP Narongdech Ularnkul’s concerns about rice price stabilisation. “A rice oversupply is crushing prices, and bananas could be the alternative farmers need.…
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Thailand’s Lawa Yai island wins top beach award
Lawa Yai, an unspoiled tropical retreat in Ao Phang Nga National Park, has just landed a major international honour, securing ISO 13009:2015 certification for top-tier beach management and sustainable tourism. This recognition puts the island on the map as a world-class destination that blends environmental preservation with visitor-friendly services. Phob Toonsang, chief of the national park’s first conservation unit, hailed…
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Thai motorcyclist praised for his kindness to disabled man in Bangkok
Thai TikTok users praised a Thai motorcyclist for helping a disabled man in a wheelchair cross a steep bridge in Bangkok. The female TikToker, @aileen_eenn, shared a video of the incident on Tuesday, March 4 to highlight the generosity of the motorcyclist. She added a caption to the video stating, “Others may not notice your good deeds, but I do.”…
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Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued its sixth warning for a summer storm expected to hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Issued at 5pm yesterday, March 6, the announcement details that northern, northeastern, central Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the…
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Seoul searching! Tourist Police nab fake South Korean tour guide
A South Korean man found himself in hot water with the Tourist Police after allegedly masquerading as a tour guide without the necessary paperwork. Police clocked him on Wednesday, March 5, shepherding a group of international holidaymakers through a bustling local market, where he was seen snapping up tickets and handing out local information. But there was a catch: he…
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Taiwanese man scammed by Thai lover flies to Thailand for justice
A Taiwanese man who thought he had found love with a Thai woman was left devastated after she scammed him out of nearly 10 million baht. Determined to seek justice, he flew to Thailand to file a complaint against her, only to discover she had vanished. Chia Wei Te from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, accompanied by an interpreter and his lawyer, Thiraphong…
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Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street
A luxury Mini Cooper was destroyed after bursting into flames near Soi Thonglor 20 in Bangkok’s Watthana district this morning. The shocking fire erupted in front of Kasikorn Bank’s Sukhumvit 55 branch, leaving bystanders scrambling to contain the blaze. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Jumprom of Thonglor Police Station received a report of the fire at 10.40am, today, March 6, and rushed…
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Illegal Chinese workers busted in Phuket construction raid
Thalang police arrested four Chinese nationals caught working illegally at a construction site in Thepkrasattri, Phuket, after a dramatic raid on the premises. Acting on a tip-off received on Monday, March 3, officers stormed a warehouse in Village 9, Thepkrasattri, yesterday morning, March 5. Upon arrival, they found the warehouse door open, with the sounds of construction echoing from inside.…
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Toxic air crisis: Dangerous PM2.5 levels choke 28 Thai provinces
Thailand’s air pollution crisis has intensified, with PM2.5 levels in 28 provinces, mostly in the north and northeast, exceeding the country’s safety standard, the government’s Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) confirmed this afternoon. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk…
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Lost and afraid: Chinese woman rescued from Pattaya woods
A Chinese woman suffering from mental health issues was found wandering in distress near a wooded area in Jomtien, prompting a swift rescue operation by Pattaya City officials. The alarm was raised when a concerned local spotted the woman looking lost and disoriented near a condominium complex and immediately alerted the police. Responding quickly, officials tracked her down in the…
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Thai lottery seller’s ‘magic’ massage leaves elderly woman with broken leg
Police arrested a Thai lottery vendor in the northern province of Chiang Rai for providing a magic massage to an 70 year old client, which resulted in a broken leg. The 70 year old Thai woman, Kham, filed a complaint with officers at Phrayamengrai Police Station after spending 20 days in hospital. She reported that the lottery vendor, later identified…
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Name baby giraffe to win one-year pass to Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its newest and cutest resident—a baby giraffe born just one month ago. To mark the occasion, the zoo is inviting the public to help choose the perfect name for the little calf through an online vote. The female giraffe, born on February 7, is the offspring of Ton Khun, a seven year…
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Man saved from bridge after wedding fund dispute in Samut Prakan
A desperate young man in Samut Prakan was saved from a near-tragic leap after a heated argument with his mother over wedding funds left him feeling hopeless. The 20 year old Thai man was spotted yesterday, March 5, sobbing and gripping the railing of a bridge over the Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit Canal in Bang Bo district, seemingly ready to…
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Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation
A Thai Optimus Prime creator clashed with a coffee shop and cocktail bar after a refusal to support his donation campaign to build two new figures following the viral and allegedly sacred figure near Bangkok’s Chinatown. The coffee shop and cocktail bar, Hypnotized, made the Optimus Prime figure go viral after sharing videos of offerings, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional…
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Two firms sued after crane collapse kills 6 on Rama II Road
Two companies face legal action after a construction crane collapsed on Rama II Road, Bangkok, resulting in six fatalities and nine injuries. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and responsibility, with experts being consulted for insights. A meeting was held at the conference room of the Provincial Police Region 7 headquarters yesterday, March 5 at 2.30pm to discuss the…
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Teen girl assaulted in Samut Prakan, legal action pursued
A distressing incident has unfolded in Samut Prakan province, where a 14 year old girl was reportedly assaulted by four male peers, aged between 13 and 15, after being left alone by a female friend she trusted. The friend and her boyfriend left the scene, claiming parental summons, leaving the girl vulnerable. Upon discovering the ordeal, the girl’s mother confronted…
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Mother bravely defies gun threat by drug addict son in Udon Thani
A mother faced a terrifying moment when her drug-addict son threatened her with a gun after she refused to give him money. Yesterday, March 5, police intervened and arrested the son in Udon Thani province, bringing the situation under control. The incident took place in Ban Huai Nong Yang, Mueang district, Udon Thani, on March 4. Police Colonel Ratapolchai Pensongkram, head…
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Phuket court jails foreigners for passport forgery
A group of Afghan and Kazakh nationals caught using forged passports in Phuket have been sentenced to prison after a court found them guilty of attempting to deceive Thai immigration officers. The Phuket Provincial Court delivered its verdict yesterday, March 5 at 11am, ruling on six criminal cases, numbered Tor 144/2568 to Tor 149/2568. The Phuket Provincial Public Prosecutor led…
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Tragic end for British backpacker in Thailand waters (video)
A British backpacker met a heartbreaking fate after a kayaking mishap in Thailand, an inquest heard in Swansea. Shanghaman Gowribalan went missing on February 11, 2024, while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 24 year old drowned after his kayak overflowed, leading him to…
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Motorcyclist mob brutally attacks Thai teen seeking refuge in store
A group of over 10 motorcyclists attacked a 17 year old seeking refuge in a convenience store. The incident occurred around 12.30am yesterday, March 5, with the victim sustaining severe injuries to the forehead, arms, and back. Reporters met with the victim, Tae, who had seven stitches on his forehead, a swollen right eye, a split lip, and cuts on…
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Contractor found dead in Thai police cell after truck theft arrest
A 32 year old contractor was found dead today in a holding cell at Phra Samut Chedi Police Station. The victim, identified as Donrathee, was reportedly distressed after facing charges for stealing a pickup truck, leading to his tragic death. His 51 year old mother, Saravee, was seen grieving at the scene. The incident occurred within the male detention area,…
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Bangkok man caught with meth pills during traffic stop
A Bangkok man’s suspicious behaviour at a traffic checkpoint led to his arrest after police found 60 methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden inside a cigarette pack. The operation took place yesterday, March 5 along the inbound Vibhavadi Road in Chatuchak district, where officers from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre were enforcing traffic rules, particularly targeting motorcyclists using the main lanes.…
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Thai man caught on CCTV footage raping daughter of close friend
A Thai mother installed a security camera in her 11 year old daughter’s bedroom and caught her husband’s close friend raping her daughter while she and her husband were away from home at work. The mother, 30 year old Noi, yesterday filed a sexual assault complaint with the Uthai Police Station and subsequently submitted the matter to the Be One…
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Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble
Two Nigerian nationals were apprehended in Bangkok following the implication of their involvement in drug trafficking by a woman caught attempting to smuggle cocaine into Japan. Both men were identified as overstayers and are now facing immediate immigration charges, alongside being investigated for alleged drug-related offences. Immigration and narcotics control police conducted a raid on a condominium on Navamin-Ram Intra…
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Karaoke crackdown: Illegal workers caught off-key in Bangkok raid
The Department of Employment, under the Ministry of Labour, conducted a raid on seven karaoke venues in Khlong San district, uncovering 28 illegal workers. The operation, yesterday, March 5, followed a tip-off about foreign workers lacking proper permits. The investigation identified 52 migrant workers, with 24 possessing valid documents, while 28 were found working illegally. Legal proceedings have been initiated…
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Mother and son confess to murder for inheritance in Chon Buri
A 46 year old woman in Chon Buri has confessed to collaborating with her 30 year old biological son in the murder of her husband, with the intent of seizing his assets. The victim’s body was found in a fertiliser sack in a forested area. The development comes after the body of 52 year old Wachara, a security guard from…
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