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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3 Chinese nationals in Pattaya arrested for selling zombie e-cigarettes
Police arrested three Chinese nationals in Pattaya for selling zombie e-cigarettes via the Telegram application. The suspects reportedly earned over 2 million baht per day. Police officers posed as customers and ordered e-cigarette juice containing etomidate from the three Chinese nationals after receiving a tip-off about their criminal activity. E-cigarettes containing etomidate are referred to as Pod K or zombie e-cigarettes.…
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King Charles sends condolences after deadly quake in Myanmar
King Charles III of England has sent a message of condolence to the people of Thailand following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28 and was felt across the region, particularly Bangkok. In a royal message released by the British Embassy in Thailand, the monarch expressed his “heartfelt sympathy” to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and…
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Thai cyber cops bust illegal gun man in Bangkok condo raid
Cyber police apprehended a man involved in illegal gun trading on Facebook, found assembling firearms in a condominium. Upon their arrival, the suspect attempted to dispose of evidence but was unsuccessful. Police seized three firearms and various components. Yesterday, March 31, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Major General Suphakorn Phiwon, commander…
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Hero dogs sniff for life after Bangkok skyscraper collapse (videos)
Amid the twisted wreckage of a collapsed 33-storey skyscraper in quake-struck Bangkok, a brave dogged team of four-legged heroes is stealing hearts and saving lives. As rescue workers race against time to find survivors, Thailand’s K9 USAR rescue dogs are tirelessly sniffing through the rubble, bringing hope to a city gripped by tragedy. At least 13 people have been confirmed…
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Thai tomboy allegedly raped and left lying naked in Lampang
A Thai mother was shocked to discover her tomboy daughter lying naked near the railway in the northern province of Lampang and suspected that a man, who was found half-naked at the scene, raped her. The 53 year old Thai mother filed a complaint against a Thai man, whose identity remains undisclosed, at Mueang Lampang Police Station at 3am yesterday,…
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Crafty draft: Stunning transgender woman joins Thai military draft
The first day of Thailand’s 2025 military draft saw two eager young men fulfil their childhood dream of becoming soldiers, while a beautifully dressed transgender woman turned heads as she stepped forward to take part in the conscription process. The annual draft today, April 1, held at the Nong Kha Yang District Office Hall in Uthai Thani Province, was overseen…
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Briefs encounter: Thief knicks knickers driven by ‘brief’ madness
A kinky underwear thief reportedly driven by a psychological disorder stole an entire collection of a restaurant PR worker’s underwear. The incident occurred in Mueang district, Samut Songkhram province, and was captured on CCTV. The footage shows a man circling the victim’s house on a motorcycle before committing the theft. On Sunday, 30 year old Jariya, a PR worker at a…
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Phuket mayoral election sees fierce competition
Registration for mayoral and municipal council candidates in Phuket opened yesterday with an energetic and competitive atmosphere as multiple teams vied for leadership positions. The registration period will continue until April 4, with many candidates eager to secure their place on the ballot. Two prominent teams arrived at the Phuket City Municipality before the official opening at 8.30am, yesterday, March…
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Tourism sector urges Thai government to ensure hotel safety
Private sector organisations are urging the government to issue safety certifications for hotels and lift the disaster area declaration to restore confidence in tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Suwang Theinthong discussed the impact of recent earthquakes on tourism with various stakeholders, expressing concern over potential declines in tourist numbers. Efforts are underway to communicate that Bangkok is the only truly…
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Thai police suspect foul play in death of missing Austrian man
An Austrian man died in a canal in the northern province of Phitsanulok under mysterious circumstances after disappearing from his home for 11 days. Police suspect murder. Officers from Wang Thong Police Station were called to investigate a foreign man’s body in a canal in the middle of a rice field in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok at 2pm…
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Khon Kaen man accused of fatal assault at village event
A 53 year old man from Khon Kaen province has been accused of assaulting a fellow villager, resulting in the latter’s death. The incident occurred at Wat Pho Ngam on March 30, where Thanin Saenbut allegedly attacked 50 year old Thewa, his neighbour, causing serious injuries that led to his death in hospital. Thida, the daughter of Thewa, recounted that…
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Holiday horror: Speedboat explosion off Phuket injures tourists
Holidaymakers were left terrified and injured when a speedboat burst into flames and exploded near Koh Mai Thon off the coast of Phuket this morning, April 1, turning a tropical escape into a scene of chaos and panic. The explosion injured six people, including three foreign tourists, a tour guide, and two crew members, one of them the boat’s captain.…
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Casino bill faces backlash over rushed approval without study
Opponents of the casino-entertainment complex have raised concerns about the government’s approach to advancing the project, suggesting it is being expedited without adequate public examination or a comprehensive feasibility study. Their comments yesterday followed remarks by chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, who indicated that the entertainment complex bill, which received Cabinet approval on March 27, is expected to be reviewed…
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4 Chinese nationals suspiciously remove documents from Bangkok collapsed building
Police summoned four Chinese nationals to acknowledge legal offences after they suspiciously removed documents from the collapsed building in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok without permission on March 29. The impact of the earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, shook multiple buildings and residences in Thailand and continues to spread panic among people in the country. The most affected…
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Street vendor loses bag with 100,000 baht near Mo Chit, Bangkok
A street vendor reported a theft after forgetting a bag containing over 100,000 baht at her shop. Upon realising and returning, the bag was gone. The incident occurred yesterday, March 31, at 3pm, according to 29 year old Jeeranan (surname withheld), who sells fried pork rice. She reported the theft to Police Lieutenant Suphat Hemachinda, an investigator at Bang Sue…
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Rented and dented: Thai cops put brakes on cross-border car scam
A devious car-rental scam has been brought to a screeching halt after police arrested two suspects accused of stealing a vehicle and smuggling it across the border for sale. In a dramatic takedown, officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Crime Suppression Division (CSD) nabbed Sakthanan in front of a house in Soi Khlong Thanon, Nonthaburi, and Khemanan at…
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Biker clears road for ambulance during Thailand earthquake (video)
In the middle of earthquake chaos and gridlocked traffic, a lone cyclist became an unexpected hero – risking his life to guide a private ambulance through congested streets and potentially saving the life of a critically ill patient. The remarkable act of kindness was shared on Facebook by 23 year old ambulance driver Phasawit Karated, who posted a heartfelt message…
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Pee-hole panic: Thai theme park’s two-way mirror toilet flushed
A bizarre two-way mirror in the men’s toilets at a theme park in Thailand has sparked outrage online, with social media users branding it “gross,” misogynistic,” and “a lawsuit waiting to happen.” The controversial installation at Dream World theme park in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, allows men using the urinals to see out while unsuspecting women and children on the…
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Bangkok governor lifts disaster status after quake chaos eases
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has officially called off the city’s disaster zone status following last Friday’s quake scare, declaring the situation “back to normal” just days after panic swept through the capital. Yesterday, March 31, the 58 year old city chief signed an order cancelling the March 28 declaration by the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre, which had…
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Pavement pirates spark outrage in Pattaya as officials fail to act
Fed-up locals are fuming as Pattaya’s pavements vanish beneath a sea of parked cars and motorbikes, with lawbreakers treating footpaths like private driveways and officials doing little to stop it. Residents across the city are slamming the lack of enforcement over illegal parking, which has turned once-walkable pavements into motorbike showrooms and car parks. From zebra crossings to pedestrian walkways, no…
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Steel samples fail tests after building collapse in Thailand
The investigation into the collapsed State Audit Office building revealed that two steel samples did not meet the required standards, leading to discrepancies in other measurements. Thitiphats Chotidechachainan, head of the working group, yesterday, March 31, announced that the examination of steel samples from the collapsed building identified two non-compliant samples. The first was a 32-millimetre deformed bar from one…
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British boxer dies after first Muay Thai fight on Koh Samui
A British boxer died last week after his first Muay Thai fight on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Bor Phut Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the British man, 30 year old Joseph Itai Rinomhota, at 12.03pm on March 29. Rinomhota died at Thai International Hospital on Koh Samui after being…
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Four Thai government buildings closed after earthquake damage
The use of four governmental buildings has been suspended due to dangerous cracks found, following the earthquake that sent tremors through Thailand last week, awaiting expert engineering inspection and repair before reopening. Yesterday, March 31, Pongnara Yenying, Director General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, provided updates on the inspection of buildings impacted by the…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s digital arrival card sparks confusion, Myanmar groups warn of military aid misuse
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest updates from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering major developments that impact travellers, residents, and businesses. This week’s top stories include confusion over Thailand’s new digital arrival card, the fallout from a powerful earthquake shaking Thai tourism, and new claims surrounding Shane Warne’s death. In other news, a British man tragically…
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Thai life: British expat swears she’s never going back to Blighty
A British expat who swapped the dreary UK for Thailand swears she’s never looking back, insisting life in paradise is just too good to leave. Claudia, originally from the UK, packed her bags for the sun-drenched shores of Koh Samui in 2023, and now she’s telling her thousands of TikTok followers why she’ll never return. The social media strategist, who…
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Man arrested for false claim of wife trapped in building collapse
Police apprehended a 50 year old man at Mo Chit Bus Terminal after he fabricated a story about his supposed pregnant wife being trapped under the collapsed State Audit Office building. Somnitch Duangnet had previously claimed that his 23 year old wife, Korwipha Sonbubpha, who was four months pregnant and working as a clerk on the fourth floor, was unreachable…
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Israeli man arrested at Phuket Airport for alleged rape on Koh Samui
Police arrested an Israeli man at Phuket International Airport for allegedly committing rape on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Officers from the Surat Thani Provincial Immigration Bureau sought the cooperation of the Phuket Provincial Immigration Bureau to apprehend the Israeli suspect, a 37 year old man named David. He was accused of raping a…
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Teen loses finger in Pattaya crash with foreign biker
A late-night joyride turned into a nightmare when a foreign biker allegedly cut off a teenager’s scooter, resulting in a violent crash in East Pattaya that left both riders seriously injured, and one boy missing a finger. The accident unfolded on Sunday, March 30 in Soi Khao Noi (Boon Samphan), just outside Chokchai Village 7. Emergency responders arrived to find two…
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Russian man’s body severed in Phuket motorcycle crash
A Russian man died after crashing his motorcycle into an electricity pole on a road in Phuket in the early hours of this morning. His body was tragically cut in half due to the severe impact of the accident. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station investigated the fatal accident on Chaloem Phrakiat Rama 9 Road, also known as Bypass Road,…
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Phuket forum seeks input on draft national policy map
The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning hosted a public forum in Phuket to gather feedback on the draft national policy map. The event engaged over 600 stakeholders from various sectors across southern Thailand. Held at The Pago Design Hotel in Ratsada, participants included government officials, representatives from local administrative organisations, NGOs, private sector leaders, experts, and…
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