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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Israeli defecates in Pattaya taxi, tries to resolve it with 300 baht
An Israeli man in Thailand once again brought shame on his nation by defecating in a taxi and refusing to compensate the Thai driver involved in Pattaya. Police intervened in the matter, which was eventually resolved with 1,500 baht in compensation. The Thai taxi driver, 32 year old Norraphat, called officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station yesterday, March 19, to…
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Digital boom: Thailand’s tech economy set for electrifying growth
Thailand’s digital economy is poised to skyrocket this year, with GDP expected to rise by a staggering 7.3% to hit 4.85 trillion baht, according to the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry. This digital surge far exceeds the national GDP growth rate, sitting at 2.8%, totalling 19.2 trillion baht. Digital investment is also on a meteoric rise, predicted to grow…
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Student brawl in Nonthaburi leaves female injured, vehicles damaged
A violent altercation occurred between rival student groups from the same university in Nonthaburi, resulting in injuries to a female student and severe damage to parked vehicles. The incident took place yesterday, March 19, at 8pm outside a convenience store on Nonthaburi 14 Road, Bang Kraso subdistrict, Mueang district. Officers from Rattanathibet Police Station were alerted to the brawl involving…
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Alcohol act revamp: Thailand raises the bar on booze ads
The Thai Cabinet agreed to revise the Alcohol Beverage Control Act, allowing businesses to advertise their alcohol products and enabling the public to share pictures and videos of alcoholic beverages without legal punishment. The draft of the revised Alcohol Beverage Control Act was discussed during the Cabinet meeting yesterday, March 19. At the end of the meeting, 365 Parliament members…
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Power out: Phuket prepares for outage today
The Phuket branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has issued a notice about a scheduled power outage today, March 20, due to electrical system improvements. The power cut will take place between 9am and 4.30pm, impacting several key areas across the island. Residents and businesses near the intersection in front of D Condo Kuku, along one side of Ratsadanusorn…
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Indian national found dead in Bangkok townhouse
A housekeeper discovered the unusual death of a 38 year old Indian national, who had rented a townhouse in Thon Buri district, Bangkok, for about two months. His relatives lost contact with him, prompting the house owner to request an inspection. At 2pm yesterday, March 19, Police Lieutenant Satha Duang-Iad, Deputy Inspector at Samre Police Station, responded to a report…
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MG shifts gears as Thai pickup production hits the brakes amid slowdown
SAIC Motor-CP has hit the brakes on its Thai pickup truck production. The pause by the Chinese-Thai collaboration producing MG vehicles, comes as the domestic car market takes a downturn, although there’s hope for a reboot once conditions steady. While MG Sales (Thailand) hasn’t disclosed specific production figures for diesel pickups, company Vice-President Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong reassures consumers. “Pickups aren’t our…
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Bangkok chills as the north blows in, while the south stays soaked
Bangkok is experiencing strong winds and a drop in temperature, which mirrors the cooler conditions in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, heavy rain persists in parts of the south. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that a high-pressure system or cool air mass is affecting upper Thailand, leading to cooler temperatures and strong winds, with some thunderstorms expected in the…
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Man arrested for using fake licence plate in Phang Nga
A man has been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Highway Police after being caught with a fake licence plate in a bizarre case of forgery in Phang Nga. The suspect, identified as Nattawut, was taken into custody for the offence of forgery and use of forged official documents after a swift police operation. The case began in…
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Thai food takes Tokyo: Commerce Ministry serves up 2 billion baht export success
The Ministry of Commerce successfully facilitated Thai food exports exceeding 2 billion baht during the FOODEX Japan 2025 event in Tokyo. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Director General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, stated that the department collaborated with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Commercial Affairs in Tokyo to present 59 Thai companies at the event. Held…
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Severe storm in Chiang Rai causes major damage and injuries
A severe summer storm struck Chiang Rai, affecting five subdistricts with intense winds causing significant damage to temples, schools, and hospitals. Four people sustained injuries, with two in critical condition. The governor has ordered immediate assistance and damage assessments. The storm affected several areas in Chiang Rai province yesterday, March 18. According to the Chiang Rai Department of Disaster Prevention…
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Cambodian monks disrobed in Pattaya for breaching Buddhist rules
Three Cambodian monks were stripped of their saffron robes in Pattaya after locals complained they had broken traditional Buddhist rules. The incident unfolded when the trio was spotted on the notorious Walking Street, a vibrant nightlife hub, late at night, begging for food – a clear violation of Buddhist practice. Buddhist monks are traditionally permitted to ask for food only…
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PM Paetongtarn asks Thais to don elephant pants for Songkran
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is encouraging all Thais to wear elephant pants from their respective provinces during the upcoming Songkran water festival to promote Thai culture and local identity. The prime minister made the call before chairing the first meeting of the National Soft Power Strategies Committee at Government House. Wearing a pair of blue elephant pants from Kanchanaburi, which featured…
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Mountain B pub owner sentenced to 5 years for deadly fire (video)
The owner of the renowned Mountain B nightclub, faces five years’ imprisonment following the fire in 2022 which claimed 26 lives and injured multiple partygoers and workers. The Mountain B fire was one of the most widely reported incidents of 2022, garnering significant public attention. The incident took place at around 12.45am on August 5 of that year. The blaze…
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Dutch tourists fined for provocative dancing on Bangla Road, Phuket
Two Dutch tourists have been slapped with a fine after being caught dancing provocatively in the middle of Patong’s infamous Bangla Road, Phuket, late last night, in a display that left many onlookers stunned. At around 10.20pm yesterday, March 18, the two women were filmed dancing near Soi Sea Dragon, with the video quickly circulating on the LINE application. The…
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Cheers: Thailand national parks uncork plan for booze zones
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has raised a glass to permit tipples of alcohol in the great outdoors, but only in specific areas, and with a permit from the park’s head honcho. DNP chief Attapol Charoenchansa revealed that after several public hearings, the potential green light for booze has been unveiled as part of revamped…
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Thailand Post boosts fruit delivery with EMS service
Thailand Post is offering an EMS express delivery service for summer fruits to support farmers and entrepreneurs across the country. Thailand Post Managing Director Danan Suphattrapan stated that the service aims to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses, particularly by assisting agricultural producers in distributing their products more efficiently to the market. The EMS express service boasts an…
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Up in smoke: Nakhon Pathom paper factory fire burns 10m baht
A fire engulfed a paper manufacturing factory today in Nakhon Pathom’s Don Tum district, causing an estimated 10 million baht (US$297,315) in damage. The fire, which started at 3.30am, today, March 19, took more than three hours to control due to the factory’s complex structure and limited access. Police Lieutenant Pratheuang Lueangararm, an investigator at Don Tum Police Station, received…
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Zero baht, zero excuses: VietJet Thailand unveils sky-high savings
Budget travellers, get ready! VietJet Thailand is rolling out a jaw-dropping promotion with flight tickets starting from 0 baht (excluding taxes and fees), giving passengers the chance to travel across Thailand and beyond for next to nothing. But act fast—the deal is only available for bookings from March 18 to 22, covering travel between April 20 and October 25 (excluding…
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Tomboy twins flee Pathum Thani after fatally stabbing Burmese man
Police are searching for Burmese tomboy twins who fatally stabbed a Burmese man outside an apartment in the central province of Pathum Thani on Sunday. The motive for the murder remains unknown. Officers from Lam Luk Ka Police Station investigated the fatal stabbing outside an apartment in the Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani at around 7pm on Sunday,…
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Ex-security guard found dead in abandoned Nonthaburi building
The body of a former security guard was discovered in a dilapidated building amidst piles of rubbish. A friend, unable to reach him by phone, found the decomposed body after detecting a foul odour. Officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi, along with staff from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, responded to a report at 10.30am yesterday, March 18, of a…
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Lop Buri’s got a monkey on its back: Officials’ primate crackdown
Lop Buri officials are targeting the capture of 500 to 800 monkeys around Phra Prang Sam Yot, following last year’s rounding up of over 2,400 monkeys. The initiative aims to manage the monkey population, which has caused disturbances in the area. Yesterday, March 18, officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), along with Lop Buri municipal…
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Love at first swipe: Thai man loses motorcycle in dating app scam
Another dating application scam occurred in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok at the weekend when a Thai man lost his motorcycle to a woman he met online. The victim, 24 year old Phitchakorn Khamtan, sought help from his followers on Facebook after his red Yamaha Grand Filano went missing on Saturday, March 15. He shared pictures and a video of his…
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Bangkok man arrested for alleged harassment of teen in park
A 28 year old man from Ubon Ratchathani was arrested for allegedly harassing a 17 year old girl in a public park. The incident, which took place at 10pm on March 17, involved the suspect, Max also known as Nantawat, diverting the teenager off her intended route and attempting to assault her in a secluded area. The arrest was made…
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Nan’s worst: Thai man arrested for lewd video call blackmail
A 26 year old man from Nan province has been arrested for allegedly luring a young girl into a lewd video call and subsequently blackmailing her. The incident, which occurred in 2024, led to the alleged pervert’s arrest yesterday, March 18, by senior officers including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and Police Lieutenant General Napasilp Phulsawat. The suspect, Chanoknan, was…
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No vacation panic: Phuket hoteliers stay cool on visa cut fears
Phuket hoteliers are not overly concerned by the government’s potential move to shorten visa-free stays for tourists, despite concerns that it might impact the local tourism industry. According to Suksit Suvunditkul, Thai Hotels Association’s southern chapter chief, the average length of stay for European guests is only around two weeks, while those seeking longer stays typically opt for condominiums. “If…
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Thai officer transferred for hitting the stage instead of the beat
A Thai police officer is under scrutiny for singing on stage while on duty at an entertainment venue in the central province of Ayutthaya. Thai netizens’ opinions are divided. Several partygoers shared videos last week of a policeman singing in his uniform on stage with the house band. He performed the song 191 by the Thai pop rock trio Labanoon,…
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Smoke scare at sea: Pattaya tourist boat evacuates 35 passengers
A tourist boat carrying 35 Russian passengers yesterday narrowly avoided disaster after a massive cloud of black smoke engulfed the vessel near Sak Island. Fortunately, quick-thinking by the captain and emergency services ensured a safe outcome for everyone on board. The Marine Disaster Prevention Radio Center (Marine Rescue) in Pattaya received an urgent report at 10am yesterday, March 18, of…
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Fire at Mae Sot customs warehouse destroys over 50 vehicles
A raging fire has torn through a customs warehouse in Mae Sot, Tak province, destroying more than 50 confiscated vehicles. The fire, which broke out yesterday, March 18, around 8pm, remains uncontrollable despite the tireless efforts of local fire services. The blaze started behind the new customs checkpoint, near the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae…
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Tourist, not monk: Thai man surrenders after dangerous snake ride
A Thai man dressed in a monk robe surrendered to the police after a video of his dangerous ride on a Pattaya road with a snake draped over his shoulder went viral. He insisted that he was a tourist, not a monk. The 40 year old witness, Bang-on Chom-ngam, shared the video of the motorcyclist riding recklessly with a snake on…
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