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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Chiang Mai summer storm topples gateway arch, damages car
The northern city of Chiang Mai witnessed the aftermath of a summer storm when a significant gateway arch collapsed at the intersection of Bo Sang traffic lights, causing damage to a red sedan and nearby structures. In the wake of the incident, local officials and emergency services worked through the night to clear the debris and restore normalcy to the…
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Man found dead in Greater Manchester home
British police took to social media to reach out to the Thai family of a Manchester man found dead in his own home in Denton, Greater Manchester, in the United Kingdom. The deceased, 48 year old Lee McDonough’s untimely demise has left authorities scrambling for answers as they seek to connect with his family, believed to be in Thailand. Tameside…
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Stagnant trade and closed doors shake Bangkok’s New Chinatown
Dubbed the “New Chinatown of Bangkok,” Pracharat Bamphen Road, once teeming with Chinese hot pot restaurants and bustling shops, is now shrouded in a veil of uncertainty. Several Chinese eateries have succumbed to the fierce battleground of competition, exacerbated by a decline in Chinese tourist footfall since the Covid-19 pandemic. While there’s been a slight uptick in numbers, it’s a…
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UK: Princess Catherine’s cancer confession (video)
In a video statement, Princess Catherine of the United Kingdom disclosed her battle with cancer, describing it as a “huge shock” after enduring what she called “an incredibly tough couple of months.” Despite the adversity, she maintains a positive outlook. “I am well and getting stronger every day.” The details of her condition remain veiled in secrecy, with Kensington Palace…
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Stabbing attack at Pattaya’s Soi Night Market sparks investigation
Two individuals fell victim to a stabbing attack at Pattaya’s bustling Soi Night Market yesterday. The first casualty, identified as 43 year old Janyawat Homchan, bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining a harrowing stab wound to his left arm inflicted by an unidentified sharp object. Meanwhile, Thongbai Nadee, also 43 years old and employed at a local hotel, suffered…
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Navy officer shoots burglar at Sattahip residence
A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer-turned-homeowner in Sattahip left a suspected burglar nursing wounds after a daring confrontation yesterday. Sattahip police raced to the scene following reports of a break-in at 6.30am yesterday. The scene unfolded at a serene single-family abode nestled along Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. Officers arrived to find 44 year old…
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E-cigarette manufacturers target students with new ‘toy pod’ trend
The rise of a new breed of e-cigarettes, dubbed “toy pods” has sparked growing concern among academics. This new variant, designed to resemble popular cartoon characters or toy miniatures, is targeted explicitly at school and university students. Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), shed light on this alarming trend. According to…
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Songkran festival in Chiang Mai to draw in millions of tourists
Anticipation builds as the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, set to span 10 days, is projected to pull in millions of tourists, raking in an estimated 20 billion baht in revenue. This year’s observance of the festival, scheduled from April 7 to 17, is particularly special as it not only seeks to uphold the local Lanna culture but also marks…
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Malaysian Airlines unveils new routes including to Chiang Mai
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) announced three new routes to the Maldives, Chiang Mai, and Da Nang. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy aimed at capturing the leisure market, MAB, a key player in the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is primed to whisk travellers away to exotic destinations with unparalleled ease. From its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur, MAB is…
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Thai man shoots wife dead in attempted attack on sister-in-law
A Thai man accidentally shot his wife dead in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima while trying to shoot his sister-in-law. Officers from the Pakchong Police Station last night dashed to the shooting scene at a house in Soi Ban Song Thai on the Tetsaban 38 Road in the Pakchong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. Police found the dead body of…
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Teenagers’ pellet gun rampage ends in arrests in East Pattaya
A quiet neighbourhood in East Pattaya erupted into chaos as a gang of 10 teenagers unleashed a pellet gun frenzy, with one resident narrowly escaping serious injury. A group of ten teenagers stormed a residence nestled in Soi S.R., Nong Pla Lai Sub-district, east Pattaya, on March 17, firing a pellet gun indiscriminately. The 22 year old Anuchit Chaijarung had…
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Thai woman escapes human trafficking ordeal in Cambodia
A harrowing account of survival has emerged from a 37 year old Thai woman who fell victim to a human trafficking scheme that led her into the clutches of a call centre scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia. Pai (pseudonym)’s ordeal began when an acquaintance lured her with the promise of a job that purportedly involved contacting Thais to assist with…
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Thailand police arrest woman tied to 50 million baht fraud case
Royal Thai Police swooped to arrest a 55 year old woman implicated in a public fraud case involving over 50 million baht in damages, in Songkhla, a southern province in Thailand. Tawanna Tarawasant is implicated in a public fraud case involving over 50 million baht in damages. The arrest took place in the district of Rattaphum, specifically in the Khuan…
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Thai FDA warns against illegal beauty products
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against six illegal beauty and dental care products, including popular toothpaste and facial masks, urging the public not to purchase or use these items. This alert comes after a raid conducted in partnership with the Consumer Protection Board and the Royal Thai Police on a company in the Bang Na district. The operation…
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Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link faces major maintenance
Bangkok’s bustling Airport Rail Link, a lifeline for commuters to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport, is gearing up for a major overhaul after 14 years in operation. After a recent inspection flagged critical issues, the Department of Rail Transport issued a stark warning: Neglecting maintenance could spell disaster for passengers, Director-General Pichet Kunadhamraks revealed yesterday. “Skipping this important step could jeopardise…
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Thai soldier seriously injured in suicide attempt at military camp
A Thai soldier suffered a serious injury after a suicide attempt at a military camp in the central province of Prachin Buri. His motive was alleged bullying and pressure from senior officers at the camp. A 22 year old Thai woman took to social media to seek justice for her older brother, Prakit, who is now being treated in an…
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Suspected insurgents ignite fires in southern Thailand
Suspected insurgents ignited fires overnight at various locations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat in southern Thailand, according to police reports. In Pattani, four separate convenience stores located in Mueang, Yaring, Yarang, and Khok Pho districts experienced arson. Additionally, car tyres were set on fire at three sites, two in Khok Pho and another in Panare. Pattani’s Mueang district police chief, Police…
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Ground pork contaminated with African swine fever uncovered
The Department of Health disclosed that samples of ground pork seized in a raid on three illicit factories in Nakhon Pathom province have tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus. The unsettling announcement came hot on the heels of a meticulous investigation conducted by local police forces and health authorities in the Mueang district. Department of Health Director-General…
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Chon Buri police nab thief stealing 18,000 baht gold bracelet
A theft at a gold shop in Chon Buri Province was foiled when police apprehended a 21 year old factory worker who posed as a customer to steal a gold bracelet. The suspect, Shinawatra, was arrested and confessed to the crime, prompted by the high gold prices to fund personal expenses. The brazen theft occurred at a gold shop in…
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14 year old pregnant girl rescued after stepfather’s sexual assault
A Thai woman working as a call centre scammer in Cambodia urged a Thai social media influencer to rescue her 14 year old daughter who is now pregnant after being sexually assaulted by her stepfather. The mother asked Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet to visit her house in the Ko Kha district in the northern province of Lampang to check on her…
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Thai man swaps Viagra for lizards to boost sexual performance (video)
Hold the Viagra, Thailand, one Thai man has found an alternative to erectile dysfunction and improving one’s sexual performance – by eating live lizards! The horny Thai man reckons the reptile can improve sexual performance three hours after consumption. The family members of 59 year old Thai man Sommai, reported his shocking behaviour to the media. Sommai lives in the…
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Stink city: Residents hold noses as foul odour fills Bangkok streets
Residents in the capital city were left pinching their noses last night after an unpleasant smell permeated several districts of Bangkok. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) attributed the smell to a sudden weather shift and ensuing chemical reactions with airborne pollutants. The BMA issued the statement in response to numerous reports from citizens who were disturbed by a pungent, burning scent…
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Brake failure leads to serious motorcycle crash in Chachoengsao
A motorcycle crash at a busy intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two people being seriously injured. The incident occurred when 24 year old Nataya and 28 year old Jittima were on their way to work. Due to brake failure, Nataya decided to run a red light, causing a violent crash with another motorbike, driven by 49 year old Yothin…
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Prayut’s 70th birthday sparks lottery number frenzy in Thailand
The 70th birthday of former Prime Minister and Privy Councillor Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday sparked a flurry of activity among lottery enthusiasts eager to jot down lucky numbers associated with Big Tu for the upcoming draw. Prayut, born on March 21, 1954, served as Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister from August 24, 2014, until his term ended on August 22, 2022, totalling…
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Stark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action
The Bangkok South Civil Court ruled in favour of turning the lawsuit against former executives of Stark Corporation into a class action. Accused of duping the public under the Securities Act, the defendants, Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, Chanin Yensudjai, Chinnawat Assavapokee, Sathar Chantrasettalead, and Kittisak Jitprasertngam, now face the wrath of 4,500 shareholders seeking justice. Upon thorough evaluation of the plaintiffs and…
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Playing foul: Thai MPs score controversy with illegal match stream in Parliament
Pheu Thai Party MPs sparked controversy on Thai social media for watching yesterday’s Thailand versus South Korea football match on an illegal website, complete with gambling advertisements, during a parliament meeting. Football fans in Thailand rejoiced as the national team, commonly known as Chang Suek among Thais, managed to secure a 1-1 draw in their latest World Cup qualifying match…
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Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia
In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…
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Toll-free motorway unveiled for Songkran holidays
Motorists are set to enjoy a toll-free journey on the newly announced Intercity Highway Number 81 (M81), disclosed Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachot yesterday. With 97.5% completion, the highway promises to revolutionise travel during the long Songkran break. Surapong highlighted its pivotal role in easing travel woes for residents of Kanchanaburi and neighbouring provinces. “The M81 Highway will be a…
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Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust
In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon at a border patrol police company in Bueng Kan, following a covert operation led by the local law enforcement and border patrol units. The suspects were…
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Rouble trouble: Russian woman fined for assaulting pregnant Thai
The violent Russian woman who blamed her period for assaulting a pregnant Thai woman in Koh Pha Ngan has been fined 500 baht and handed a suspended 15-day jail sentence. Immigration authorities in Surat Thani are deliberating whether to revoke her visa due to the criminal offence. Alena Kupriyanova, the Russian woman in question, confessed to kicking the shop owner,…
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