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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Ayutthaya buffalo trader’s home attacked with grenades, no injuries
A buffalo trader in Ayutthaya was left in shock after unidentified persons threw grenades at his home, causing significant damage. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, in Phra Ya Ban Lue subdistrict, Lat Bua Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The attack resulted in three damaged vehicles and frightened livestock, though fortunately, no one…
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New Zealand man caught smuggling cocaine to Phuket in passport
Police arrested a New Zealand man at Phuket International Airport for smuggling cocaine into the country by concealing it inside a passport. Officers at the international arrivals terminal of Phuket Airport yesterday, April 10, discovered a packet of cocaine in the possession of the 24 year old New Zealander, whose identity was not disclosed in the report. According to a…
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Drunken fight on Pattaya Beach Road leaves two injured
Chaos erupted along Pattaya Beach Road when a drunken domestic dispute spiralled into a full-blown physical fight, drawing police and rescue crews to the scene. The altercation, which occurred at 8.06pm on Wednesday, April 9, near North Pattaya, left a 49 year old man and a 42 year old woman injured and incoherent after reportedly drinking excessive amounts of white…
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Byte-sized bounce: Thai digital sector plugs back into confidence
Thailand’s digital sector has shown signs of life, climbing out of the red and back into confidence territory this year, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) hype, economic boosters, and a softer policy rate. But insiders warn the rebound could short-circuit if skills shortages and wage hikes aren’t tackled fast. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) revealed that its Digital Industry…
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IMF urges Thailand to give baht-up households a helping hand
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Thailand to boost protections for struggling families or risk keeping millions trapped in a cycle of crushing debt, much of it borrowed just to put food on the table. In a hard-hitting Country Focus report released on April 9, the global financial watchdog highlighted that more than half of Thai workers lack formal…
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Cop killer on the run: Drug suspect flees after deadly shootout
Police are searching for a drug suspect who fatally shot a police officer during an attempted arrest at a rubber plantation in the northeastern province of Loei yesterday. Police Sub-Lieutenant Pairoj Prom-in, along with the drug suppression unit of Mueang Loei Police Station, swooped on the plantation in the Kokdu subdistrict, Mueang district, Loei, at around 12pm yesterday, April 10,…
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Thailand EC launches voter turnout campaign for May 11 elections
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) kicked off a nationwide campaign to rally voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for May 11. The elections will determine new mayors and councillors across 2,121 municipalities, except Bangkok. EC chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong announced yesterday, April 10, that the commission expects a voter turnout of 70%, up from February’s 66%. Some provinces have already…
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Bangkok State Audit Office to be rebuilt but not on the deadly ruins
The Deputy Auditor General has confirmed plans to push ahead with building a new State Audit Office but it will be moved away from the exact spot where tragedy struck when an unfinished government complex came crashing down during a powerful earthquake last month, killing 23 workers and trapping dozens more beneath the rubble. The Auditor General’s Office, still under…
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Thailand braces for summer storms during Songkran festival
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has warned about summer storms during the Songkran festival. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail are expected, especially in the upper northeastern and northern regions. From April 10 to 12, increased rainfall is anticipated in the South. Yesterday, April 10, Suchada Sang Thaensap, the secretary to the Minister of the…
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Thailand urged to address rising zero-dollar exports from China
Thailand’s economy is being short-changed by a flood of so-called “zero-dollar” investments and exports from China, with experts warning the government must clamp down, or risk a new wave of growth that benefits everyone but the Thais. Amonthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank’s Economic Centre, said America’s latest tariff moves, both those aimed broadly and those specifically targeting…
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Thai travellers offered 50% off flights to China for Songkran
Chinese travel agents are pulling out all the stops to fill planes over the Songkran holiday, offering Thai tourists cut-price tickets to the mainland in a desperate bid to claw back losses after a dramatic drop in Chinese visitors to Thailand. Some tour operators are slashing fares by up to 50%, flogging unsold flight tickets at bargain rates rather than…
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Chiang Mai aims for fingernail dance world record
In celebration of tradition and unity, Chiang Mai is preparing to break a Guinness World Record next Friday, April 19, with over 20,000 traditional fingernail dancers performing together at the historic Three Kings Monument. The event marks the ancient northern city’s 729th anniversary and promises to be one of the most spectacular cultural displays ever staged in Thailand. Organisers say…
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23 dead, 71 missing in Bangkok high-rise collapse
A heartbreaking vigil continues in Bangkok, where the father of a 17 year old girl has stood outside a collapsed high-rise for nearly two weeks — still hoping for a miracle. The death toll from the catastrophic collapse of a 30-storey building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district has climbed to 23, with 71 people still unaccounted for, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration…
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Thai veterinarian sues fake PM advisor after losing 10 million baht
A Thai veterinarian sued a serial liar posing as an advisor to the prime minister after she lost nearly 10 million baht throughout their four-year relationship. The deceptive behaviour of 32 year old Thunyathep “Hot” or “Pond” Sirisubdaechakun came to light after 33 year old Thai actress Rinyarat “Kana” Watchararojsiri publicly shared her experience and took legal action against him. Kana…
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Thai youths warned over racy Songkran selfies and booze pics
Songkran might be a time for splashing fun and festive selfies but young Thais are being warned: post the wrong pic, and you could end up in serious legal trouble. As Thailand gears up for its world-famous water festival, the government has issued a stern warning to young revellers about posting inappropriate content online. From skimpy outfits to alcohol-fuelled parties,…
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SAO secretary in Lop Buri attacked, fears for safety
In Lop Buri province, a 55 year old subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) secretary was assaulted by two people while returning to his vehicle. The attack left him injured, and he was subsequently treated at Somdet Phra Narai Maharat Hospital. Currently, Panapot is considering relocating his workplace due to fear of further attacks after previously receiving threats urging him to leave…
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Snake handler rescues Satun family from giant king cobras
A renowned snake handler was called to assist a rubber plantation family in Satun province after discovering a pair of giant king cobras had made a nest and laid 29 eggs near their plantation. The presence of these snakes had halted rubber tapping activities for the family residing in Ban Phang Palm 7, Palm Pattana subdistrict, Manang district, since March.…
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Fire torches bikes, damages Burger King sign in Phuket
Early morning flames turned a quiet Phuket street into a fiery scene as a suspected electrical fault sent two motorbikes up in smoke and scorched the sign of a popular Burger King branch. A dramatic blaze believed to have started from a short circuit on a power pole erupted outside the Burger King on Kata Road in Karon at around…
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Motorcycle taxi driver dies in Pathum Thani collision
A motorcycle taxi driver tragically died after being thrown 50 metres when losing control and colliding with a 57 year old pedestrian, who was severely injured. The accident occurred at 9.30pm yesterday, April 9, near the U-turn under the Kaew Bridge, Phahonyothin 121, in Pathum Thani province. Police Lieutenant Phairat Wannee from Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station received the report of…
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Thailand ramps up Songkran travel safety efforts
As millions prepare to hit the road for Songkran, the Thai government is pulling out all the stops to stop the carnage, launching a national safety centre, mobilising volunteers and rolling out checkpoints across the country. Thailand has officially launched a national road safety centre to monitor and manage traffic accidents from April 11 to 18, overlapping the Songkran holiday.…
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Thailand tops global cheating chart with 51% infidelity rate
Thailand has been named the most adulterous country on the planet, according to a recent report by the financial news platform Insider Monkey. The eyebrow-raising title places Thailand at the top of the global infidelity rankings, with a jaw-dropping cheating rate of 51%. The figures are linked to the longstanding cultural phenomenon of Mia Noi — meaning “little wife” — where men…
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Thai transwoman dies mysteriously after being found coma in truck
A Thai transwoman in the central province of Saraburi died mysteriously after being found coma in the cabin of a 10-wheel truck. Her family suspects the truck driver may have been involved in her death. The transwoman, identified only as A, was rushed to hospital on March 27 and passed away at 12.45am on March 30. She was discovered in…
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Thai police arrest foreigners with illegal cannabis and ketamine
Thai police successfully apprehended three foreign nationals accused of selling illegal processed cannabis and ketamine, seizing over 300 kilogrammes of evidence. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Police Major General Noppasil Poolasawat, Deputy Commander, yesterday, April 9, instructed Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and the crime suppression officers to carry out the arrest. The suspects,…
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American man found dead in Phuket gas suicide
Neighbours were left horrified after discovering a 73 year old American man dead in his Phuket home in what appears to be a disturbing suicide involving cooking gas and a plastic bag. Police are investigating the bizarre death of a foreigner found lifeless in his Patong residence yesterday, April 9, with evidence pointing to intentional inhalation of gas as the…
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Pattaya unveils smart app for public complaints
Pattaya is embracing digital innovation in a bid to transform how locals report and track city issues. Deputy Mayor Wutthisak Rermkijakarn this week welcomed representatives from CTC Managed Services Co., Ltd., who pitched a cutting-edge online complaint management system aimed at revolutionising the way the city interacts with its residents. The proposed platform will allow citizens to submit complaints online,…
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Phuket Airport security questioned after sign hacked
A digital sign inside Phuket International Airport was hacked with a political message condemning Israel’s genocide in Palestine just days before Thailand’s busiest travel period. The incident occurred yesterday, April 9 and was reported to the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Phuket, but officials have yet to provide any response. The compromised sign, located near the baggage scan area, flashed the…
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Thai man fined 10,000 baht for dragging dog with motorcycle
The Sikhio Provincial Court in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima fined a Thai man 10,000 baht for abusing his dog by dragging the animal along the road with his motorcycle on Tuesday, April 8. The abuse came to light after a female witness, Charuwan Phuangkham, shared the incident on her Facebook account. She revealed that the dog’s owner tied…
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Uttaradit man charged for setting stepfather on fire after dispute
A serious incident occurred in Lap Lae district, Uttaradit province, where a 43 year old man named Kittisak allegedly attempted to kill his stepfather by pouring petrol and setting him on fire. The police found evidence of drug use in Kittisak’s system, leading to charges of attempted murder. At approximately 7.20pm, yesterday, April 9, Police Lieutenant Prasit Sudasud, deputy inspector…
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Nestlé challenges Thai court ban on Nescafé production
Nestlé has expressed concern for small business owners following a court order prohibiting the production and sale of Nescafé in Thailand. The company is preparing to file an appeal after Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, a shareholder in Quality Coffee Products Co., Ltd. (QCP), sought a temporary injunction. Yesterday, April 9, a report detailed that Chalermchai initiated legal proceedings at the Min Buri…
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Chiang Rai theft suspect escapes police vehicle through roof
A Thai suspect arrested for theft in the northern province of Chiang Rai escaped from a police transport vehicle by damaging its roof. Officers from Mae Yao Police Station are searching for the 25 year old suspect, Armo Chermue, who fled custody yesterday, April 9, while being escorted to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Police revealed they had…
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