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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Khon Kaen fish dispute leads to fatal shooting
A dispute over a fish led to a tragic incident in Khon Kaen, where a 63 year old man fatally shot his 41 year old nephew, following a disagreement about the fish being cooked without permission. The police have charged Sangha with intentional manslaughter. Yesterday, January 27, reports emerged of a shooting incident that occurred the day before at a residence…
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School janitor in Kanchanaburi surrenders after assault accusations
A school janitor in Kanchanaburi province has turned himself in to the police after being accused of sexually assaulting four female students. The incidents occurred on Children’s Day, and the janitor, identified as 50 year old Theerachai or Thong, admitted to the crime, claiming it was his first time and blaming his actions on alcohol consumption. Parents of the students…
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Rogue riders spark outrage as Phuket police face backlash
Kamala Police are feeling the heat after a viral video exposed a group of foreign motorcyclists speeding past a checkpoint without stopping. The 1-minute-and-17-second clip, widely shared on platforms like Phuket Hod Jang’s Facebook page, shows reckless riders blatantly ignoring traffic officers on the Patong-Kamala Road. The video reveals one motorcyclist weaving past officers before accelerating towards Patong. Moments later,…
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Fifteen arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for land burning amid forest fire
A total of 15 people have been apprehended in Nakhon Ratchasima for burning agricultural land, contributing to a forest fire that destroyed 6,016 rai. This has led to PM2.5 dust levels exceeding safety standards. Yesterday, January 27, a meeting at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall was chaired by Suraphan Silpasuwan, the province’s deputy governor. The discussion focused on tackling forest…
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New haze directives to combat deadly pollution in Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will provide additional directives at a Cabinet meeting today to address the ongoing haze issue, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. The meeting will prioritise PM2.5 pollution, following the prime minister’s return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, over the weekend. She emphasised that the worsening pollution crisis extends beyond national boundaries. The 38…
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Thai singer arrested for promoting online gambling
Yesterday, January 27, cyber police apprehended a well-known singer with 200 million YouTube views for promoting online gambling. The 27 year old singer admitted to enticing others to engage in online gambling for monetary gain. The cyber police, led by Police Colonel Apirak Champarsi, contacted Chatatorn, who is known by his stage name Oil Saengsarn, following an investigation. The police…
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Truck collision in Chachoengsao leaves driver severely injured
In Chachoengsao province, a collision involving a 10-wheel truck and an 18-wheel trailer resulted in significant injuries for a 56 year old driver. Emergency services used extraction equipment to free him from the wreckage, amidst claims from locals that accidents are frequent in the area. Police Lieutenant Rewat Abdin of Bang Nam Priao district received an emergency call about a…
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Bangkok exercise equipment probe clears officials of corruption
An investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of exercise equipment for seven recreation and sports centres in Bangkok has concluded with no evidence of misconduct. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday, January 27, that the inquiry, initiated in June last year, found no grounds for graft allegations involving 29 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials in the 77.22 million baht project.…
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Foul play suspected in death of Thai intern in Japan
The family of a missing Thai student intern is calling for further investigation into his death, suspecting foul play after his body was discovered in a Thai restaurant in Japan. The student’s aunt, Nannaphat Tanming, urged Thai news agencies to report the death of her 25 year old nephew, Kornnaphat “Nat” Promsung, to attract the attention of the Ministry of…
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Dutchman offers help for Thai cat injured by harpoon in Buriram
A Dutch man expressed concern over a Thai cat in the Isaan province of Buriram that was severely injured with a harpoon. He also attempted to provide financial support to the animal and its owner. The female cat, Kuay Tiew, was shot with a harpoon last week. Her owner, 68 year old Narong Sookprasert, sought help from the Wang Kood…
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Thai Bolt driver fakes heroic tale for social media fame
A Thai Bolt driver issued an apology after faking and sharing a heartwarming story about himself and an imaginary intoxicated passenger on social media in a bid to gain attention and be seen as a hero. Last week, a Facebook user named Mook Kanokwan posted in a Facebook group called “Bolt Driver Thailand Motorcycle (Only)” to share a touching tale…
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2 suspects at large after assaulting Thai doctor outside Bangkok clinic
Police are searching for two suspects who physically assaulted a doctor outside his beauty clinic in Silom, Bangkok on Saturday, January 25. The 37 year old Thai doctor, Chanesd Srisukho, filed a complaint at Tung Mahamek Police Station after the incident, which occurred at 7.36am on Saturday. The physical assault took place outside Chanesd’s clinic, Mali Clinic, located in Silom…
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Thai Air Force chooses Swedish Gripen jets over US F-16s
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has opted for Swedish Gripen jets over the US-made F-16 aircraft, citing greater benefits to the government. This decision was announced by Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul amid ongoing discussions about the rationale behind this choice. The Gripen jets are set to replace the ageing F-16 jets currently stationed in Wing 1, located in…
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New Hotel Act targets 500 unlicensed Thai hotels
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to propose a new Hotel Act specifically for small and medium-sized hotels, with the aim of registering over 500 unlicensed accommodations that currently cannot participate in the existing system. Tourism Vice-Minister Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham reported that more than 90,000 small and medium-sized accommodations in Thailand do not qualify as hotel businesses under the current…
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4 Thai police and soldiers extort 2 million baht from 7 Chinese men
Four Thai police officers and a soldier extorted 2 million baht from seven Chinese men, leading to their arrests in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday, January 25. A Chinese man residing in Laos contacted Thai police via the Facebook application to seek help for his seven friends. The man explained that his friends were detained by a…
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Three suspects killed in Krong Pinang security operation
Today, January 27, a confrontation in Krong Pinang resulted in the deaths of three suspects following a security operation. At 4am, security personnel, in collaboration with the Yala provincial police, surrounded a house in the village of Jarae Kadong, Huai Krathing subdistrict, where three men were hiding. The suspects attempted to flee, opening fire on the officers, which led to…
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PM2.5 pollution targetted with urgent health measures
Thailand is grappling with severe PM2.5 air pollution, prompting the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to issue an urgent directive to local administrative organisations and Bangkok. The directive encourages the use of local health security funds to combat the pollution, including purchasing masks for vulnerable groups. Yesterday, January 26, Doctor Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the NHSO, highlighted the worsening PM2.5…
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Pickup truck crash in Ayutthaya leaves driver dead in canal
A pickup truck lost control on a curve, crossing lanes and colliding with a trailer truck before plunging into an irrigation canal, resulting in the driver’s death. The incident occurred today, January 27, on Highway 3043 in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchit Sirisawang from Uthai Police Station received the report and coordinated with the…
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Teen tragically shot near Surat Thani health centre
An 18 year old man was shot near a health centre in Surat Thani province, shocking his mother, who had recently spoken with him. Friends reported that the assailant drove a car against traffic, calling out to the victim before shooting him. The incident occurred at 3.39am today, January 27, when Police Lieutenant Chariyawut Thanchoen from Donsak Police Station received…
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Thailand video news | British man arrested in Thailand for 2004 UK murder, Vietnam busts massive TikTok scam network
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include the arrest of a British man in Thailand for a 2004 UK murder, six Britons detained in Phuket on drug charges, and a Swiss national sparking controversy by defying a dog ban on a Thai beach. Other stories cover a teacher’s…
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Thailand allocates 145.63 million baht for transgender hormone therapy
The Public Health Ministry has allocated 145.63 million baht to the National Health Security Office to supply hormone medication to 200,000 transgender citizens. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak, the ministry’s support aligns with the government’s marriage equality policy, focusing on both physical and mental health for sexually diverse people. He noted the increasing acceptance of various gender identities…
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Foreign motorcyclist leaves 4,000 baht for injured Phuket man, then flees
A Thai mother is calling for justice after a foreign motorcyclist collided with her son’s motorcycle on a road in Phuket and fled the scene, leaving only 4,000 baht in compensation. The Thai victim sustained injuries, and his motorcycle was damaged in the incident. The mother reached out to the Facebook news page Phuket Times to seek justice for her…
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Thailand braces for 770,000 Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year
The Thai government anticipates 770,000 Chinese nationals to visit Thailand during Chinese New Year, from January 24 to February 2, marking a 22.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy spokeswoman for the government, stated that various agencies, including the Department of Airports and Airports of Thailand (AoT), have been instructed to prepare for the influx…
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Fatal shooting in Samut Prakan after ex-partner confrontation
A confrontation between a former husband and his ex-wife’s new partner resulted in a fatal shooting incident in Samut Prakan yesterday, January 26. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Wut Puttiphanon, the altercation occurred at 10.30pm in front of a house in Phraeksa Mai subdistrict, Mueang district, after the former husband attempted to shoot his ex-wife’s new partner but was shot…
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Woman’s repeated lottery luck linked to Buddha statue offerings
A woman from Uttaradit visited Wat Mai Samakkhi in Mueang district, Phetchabun province, to offer 99 trays of eggs and 99 bunches of bananas to the sacred Buddha statue, Luang Pho Ham Chon. This gesture of gratitude follows her good fortune derived from the statue over three consecutive lottery draws. Yesterday, January 26, numerous residents gathered at the temple to…
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Lady of the hills: British man arrested for 20 year old death of Thai wife
Police arrested a British man in the central province of Kanchanaburi for allegedly killing his Thai wife 20 years ago. The case is known among people in the UK as the Lady of the Hills case. A group of tourists discovered the lifeless body of an Asian woman in a stream near Pen-y-ghent Mountain in the Yorkshire Dales National Park,…
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Teen arrested for opening fire in a motorcycle sale gone wrong
A teen was arrested for attempted murder and stealing a motorcycle after a sale gone wrong. The incident occurred on January 22 when the suspect, 19 year old Kittinan, and four accomplices orchestrated a motorcycle sale, which ended in violence. Yesterday, January 26, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and other senior officers ordered the arrest of Kittinan, wanted under a…
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Thai school director faces licence revocation over drug charges
The Secretary-General of the Teachers Council of Thailand has announced plans to revoke the professional licence of a school director arrested for drug trafficking. The arrest occurred in Nong Song Hong district, Khon Kaen province, where police seized 369 methamphetamine tablets. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of educational institutions. Asst. Prof. Doctor Amonwan Veerathammo, Secretary-General of…
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Man denies identity after alleged misconduct in Nonthaburi shop
A man accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a 12 year old girl and her friend in a convenience store in Nonthaburi has refused to provide personal details or fingerprints. The incident occurred on January 25 on Chaeng Watthana Road in Pak Kret district, leading to police intervention after good samaritans detained the suspect. Yesterday, January 26, the mothers of the…
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Gender recognition bill considered for identity self-determination
The recently implemented Marriage Equality Bill is a significant step towards equal marriage rights for all, but many who registered their marriages last week are concerned that their gender title does not align with their gender identity, and are now advocating for a Gender Recognition Bill. The bill, if passed, would allow individuals to select their gender title and offer…
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