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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Bangkok housing projects plummet, campus condos rise this year
LWS, a subsidiary of L.P.N. Development, reported a significant decline in new housing projects in Bangkok and its surrounding areas during the first quarter of 2025. The number of new projects and their value dropped by more than 50%. In contrast, campus condominiums have seen growth. The company hopes government measures to reduce fees will stimulate the market in the…
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Thai man wanted for rape of stepdaughter in Bangkok
A debauched Thai man is on the run after raping his stepdaughter and physically assaulting the girl when she refused to engage in a threesome with him and her biological mother. The 19 year old victim and her mother met social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday, May 6, to seek assistance. The woman stated that her daughter had been…
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Paetongtarn hits back over Thaksin hospital scandal
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came out swinging yesterday, defending her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, amid growing backlash over his controversial hospital stay. Thaksin, now 75, was sentenced to eight years in prison (later reduced to one via royal pardon) after returning from 15 years in self-imposed exile, but instead of doing time behind bars, he was transferred directly to a…
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Drunk driver leaves Phetchabun woman bedridden and bankrupt
A 40 year old woman in Phetchabun has been bedridden for four months following a car accident caused by a drunk driver, with no progress in her legal case. She has exhausted her savings on medical expenses and now faces financial hardships. The incident occurred on January 18 in Bueng Sam Phan district, Phetchabun province, when 40 year old Namphueng…
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Leaky billion-baht Thai Parliament building sparks repair scandal
Thailand’s glitzy new Parliament building may be one of the most expensive in the country’s history but five years after opening, it’s already falling apart, and taxpayers are footing the bill – again. The Thai Parliament Complex, officially named Sappaya-Saphasathan, has cost an eye-watering 22.987 billion baht so far but the spending spree isn’t over. Repair budgets totalling nearly 2 billion…
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Shell shock: Aussie man caught with a grenade at Phuket Airport
An Aussie man has landed himself in hot water after allegedly trying to board a domestic flight in Thailand with grenade launcher ammo and bomb parts stuffed in his suitcase. The Thai police swooped on 61 year old Peter Davison at Phuket International Airport after stunned baggage staff uncovered a suspicious stash of military-grade weapon components hidden in his luggage.…
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Drunk officer crashes police pickup into woman and flees scene
An alleged drunk officer crashed a police pickup into a woman and her sidecar motorcycle in the central province of Chachoengsao on Monday, May 5, and failed to stop and assist the victim. CCTV footage of the incident circulated widely on Thai social media platforms, drawing criticism of the officer responsible for the collision. The crash occurred on the Ban…
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Chumphon highway crash leaves many injured amid roadwork confusion
A collision between a pickup truck and a passenger van on Asia Highway 41 in Chumphon resulted in significant damage and multiple injuries. The incident, which occurred due to a lack of warning lights during road repairs, is the latest in a series of accidents at this site. At 2am today, May 7, Police Lieutenant Vimol Kaewchu, deputy inspector of…
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Major deception: Ex-British Army officer nicked over wife’s death
A retired British Army major has been sensationally charged with murdering his wife during a kayaking trip in Australia, four years after her shock death was initially ruled a tragic accident. Graeme Davidson was arrested this week in Brisbane while visiting from Thailand, where he relocated months after his wife Jacqueline, drowned in Lake Samsonvale, north of Brisbane, in November…
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Bangkok drug gang busted: Major arrest and drug seizure
A significant drug gang member has been apprehended following months of investigation. Police seized nearly 500,000 methamphetamine pills, 1 kilogramme of ice, and 1 kg of ketamine. The arrest of the suspect, nicknamed Boonyaraksa, took place at 6am today, May 7, in the Khlong Sam Wa district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Major General Nopasilp Punsawat, and Major General…
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Fourth anthrax case confirmed in northeast Thailand outbreak
The Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office announced yesterday a new case of anthrax, raising the total number of cases in the current outbreak to four, with one resulting in death. According to a source, three are currently hospitalised; two at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital. Of the 636 deemed at risk, 538 have completed a seven-day observation…
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Australian man jailed for 15 days for motorcycle wheelie in Phuket
Thai police sentenced an Australian man to 15 days in prison for performing a motorcycle wheelie on a road in Phuket on April 27, in an apparent effort to demonstrate that no special treatment is given to foreign nationals in Thailand. The 32 year old Australian, Daherwalid, went viral on Thai social media in April after images and videos of…
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Heavy rain and extreme heat hit 38 Thai provinces
Residents in 38 provinces across Thailand are advised to prepare for heavy rainfall, particularly in the south, where 60 to 70% of the area is expected to experience severe weather. Meanwhile, the overall temperature across the nation remains extremely hot, especially in the northern region. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that in the next 24 hours, the south will…
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Drunk massage girl’s nap turns into mobile snatch horror
A young massage girl’s boozy kip turned into a nightmare after a cunning thief made off with her mobile, all while she dozed on the pavement outside her Pattaya parlour. Suphassara Somsuay, from Sisaket province, shared CCTV footage in a desperate bid to track down a mobile phone thief who struck while she was fast asleep outside her massage shop…
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Thai boy abused by parents on Chon Buri road, no legal action taken
A Thai woman rescued an 11 year old boy from physical abuse by his parents in the middle of a road in Chon Buri yesterday, May 4. Unfortunately, no charges were filed against the parents. ThaiRath reshared a video of the incident, showing the woman intervening to protect the boy. The event occurred along the road by Bang Saray Beach…
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Phuket fights erosion as turtles and dugongs make a comeback
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on has announced an urgent expansion of erosion control efforts at Sai Kaew Beach in Sirinat National Park near Phuket, following severe shoreline damage and disruption to local communities caused by last year’s monsoon season. During an inspection on May 3, Chalermchai revealed that erosion had severely disrupted transport routes and threatened nearby…
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Pet Expo 2025 goes wild with stars, snakes and shopping galore (video)
Thailand’s largest pet trade event, Pet Expo Thailand 2025, kicked off in style on May 1, celebrating its 25th anniversary with a four-day spectacle which drew over 200,000 visitors. Held at Halls 5 to 8 of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the event brought together more than 300 companies across 850 booths, offering products, services and cutting-edge innovations for…
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Thailand video news | Pattaya street brawl leaves three foreigners injured, Belgian man deported over repeated drunken behaviour
Today’s top regional headlines cover a spate of incidents across Southeast Asia, from violent brawls and drug-linked border clashes to diplomatic developments and natural disruptions. Thailand sees rising scrutiny over police response to stalking, a tourist’s arrest for ADHD medication, and the deportation of a repeat offender. Elsewhere, Indonesia halts a controversial crypto project, while tensions flare along the Thai-Lao…
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Thai celeb couple slams breast pump ad misuse
A Thai celebrity power couple has taken legal action after discovering their faces plastered on breast pump ads, without permission. The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon, May 5, when the stars and their lawyer stormed into Thong Lo Police Station to file a complaint against a well-known baby brand accused of hijacking their images to peddle discount coupons at a children’s…
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Inflation tops concerns as Thai citizens urge government action
Consumer price inflation has emerged as the foremost concern among citizens, according to a survey by the National Statistical Office. The poll, which included families with members aged over 18, revealed a strong demand for government action on rising consumer costs as the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration approached its six-month mark on March 12. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub reported that 86%…
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BLACKPINK’s Lalisa steals the Met Gala spotlight in LV ensemble
All eyes were on Lalisa from the girl group BLACKPINK at the 2025 Met Gala, as the global K-pop sensation made her hotly anticipated debut in a jaw-dropping Louis Vuitton ensemble that has fans, and fashion critics, buzzing. Fresh off her acting debut in The White Lotus season three and a solo Coachella set that lit up the desert, the BLACKPINK megastar…
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Vietnam surpasses Thailand in attracting Chinese, Russian tourists
The decline in Chinese and Russian tourists visiting Thailand, in favour of Vietnam, is impacting the Thai tourism industry. With cheaper accommodation and 24-hour food service, alongside diverse attractions beyond natural sights, Vietnam is drawing twice as many tourists compared to Thailand. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, President of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, highlighted that Thailand’s tourism image has been suffering for…
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Southern Thai watermelon gets GI boost in sweet victory
The Ministry of Commerce has officially designated the Koh Sukorn watermelon as Thailand’s first GI-certified watermelon variety, marking a significant milestone for the small island in Trang province. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang announced the news, calling it a victory for local identity and agricultural pride. “This sweet, sea-grown watermelon is a standout. Its flavour, fine texture, and colourful flesh make it unique not…
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Out of tune: Thai man punches singer after his football team loses
A Thai man repeatedly punched a singer at a bar in the northern province of Lampang, allegedly out of anger after his favourite football team lost. The 34 year old singer, Bas, filed a complaint at Mueang Lampang Police Station following the assault, which occurred while he was working at the bar on Sunday, May 4, around midnight. The incident…
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Phuket tragedies: 2 found dead in separate suicide cases
Phuket was rocked by two heartbreaking discoveries just hours apart, as police responded to separate scenes involving men found hanged: one a foreigner in a hotel under renovation, the other a Thai man struggling with stress. Yesterday morning, May 5, two suicides unfolded in Phuket, leaving local police and residents shaken. At around 8.45am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Surachat Thongyai, Investigation…
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Sweet deceit: Thai dessert seller left out of pocket in pudding fraud
A Thai dessert vendor has accused a market vendor of fraud, claiming she ordered desserts worth 3,800 baht but failed to pay. Anusara, a 31 year old homemaker and dessert maker, reported the issue to the police yesterday, May 5. She invested several thousand baht in making 470 boxes of Thai desserts for Phornchanok, a 25 year old vendor at…
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Thai parents turn to pawn shops for school expenses
Parents across Thailand are increasingly turning to pawn shops to secure funds for their children’s uniforms and other essentials for the upcoming school term. With the new school calendar set to begin on May 16, these establishments are preparing for a surge in business. Pawn shops nationwide are bolstering their cash reserves in anticipation of the increased demand. In Nakhon…
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Thai father tries to cash in on disabled daughter’s funeral fund
A Thai father in the eastern province of Rayong attempted to claim 4.8 million baht from a donation campaign for his disabled daughter, who died of cancer, despite not caring for her while she was alive. The 34 year old woman, Pan, suffered from oral cancer and was unable to afford medical treatment, which eventually left her disabled. Her tragic life…
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Minor earthquake shakes Nong Bua Lamphu, causes local concern
An earthquake measuring 3.0 magnitude was reported at 1.36am today, May 6, in Nong Bua Lamphu province, originating at a depth of 4 kilometres in Boon Than subdistrict, Suwannakhuha district. The tremors were felt in Boon Than and Saeng Arun villages, causing concern among residents. The earthquake was attributed to the Loei Suture, a geological fault line. Historically, this region…
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Gang members arrested in Bangkok assault investigation
Police apprehended several members of a gang involved in assaults on fellow nationals, with ongoing investigations focusing on two areas in central Bangkok. The incident stemmed from conflicts dated May 5, when Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom led a team to arrest three men linked to the attacks. Those arrested include 18 year old Chakraphat (surname withheld), a Thai Yai…
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