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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6 year old Thai boy kidnapped by teenage girl reunited with family
A 15 year old girl kidnapped a six year old boy in the central province of Pathum Thani. The pair were found near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. The motive of the young girl remains under investigation. The family of the six year old boy, named Kao, took to social media to share his missing poster after he disappeared from…
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Thai stock index jumps as gold hits record high amid Fed rate plans
In a striking turn for the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the index surged for the third consecutive day, momentarily cracking the 1,200-point mark yesterday, as gold prices soared to record highs. This rally followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.50%, as anticipated. Rakpong Charoenpong, Senior Vice President at KGI Securities (Thailand), attributed the buoyant market…
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Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand
An Aussie man is scheduled to appear in court in Australia today, accused of aiding the escape of a notorious organised crime figure to Thailand. The unnamed 57 year old from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, allegedly crewed a vessel alongside another man to pick up a fugitive at a clandestine sea rendezvous. After quietly setting sail from Thursday Island, north of…
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Rama II drama: Crane truck collapse severely injures man
Following the Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapse, Bangkok’s Rama II saw yet another serious accident as a crane truck used for tree pruning collapsed, injuring a 63 year old man. The man suffered a serious forehead injury, requiring immediate medical attention, including a ventilator, at the hospital. The incident occurred yesterday, March 20 on Rama II Road near Soi 44.…
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Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports
Thailand has once again proven its floral dominance, exporting over 5 billion baht worth of orchids in the last two years alone. With demand for Thai orchids flourishing across the globe, the country has cemented its status as the world’s leading exporter of these beautiful blooms. According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai exports of decorative plants from…
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Thailand video news | Nightclub owner jailed over deadly Pattaya fire, Malaysia restarts MH370 search with ‘no find, no fee’ deal
In today’s Thailand video news update, Alex and Jay bring key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. A Pattaya court sentenced nightclub owner Phongsiri and associates to prison over the deadly 2022 fire, while Phuket prepares for a major water outage in Patong. Thailand climbed to 49th in the World Happiness Report, though challenges remain. Meanwhile, PM2.5 pollution surges across…
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Foreign transwoman and man clash in rose row on Bangla Road
A foreign transwoman got into a physical altercation with a foreign man on Bangla Road in Phuket on Wednesday allegedly after the man refused to buy roses from her. The Thai TikTok user @pondcing7 shared a video of the incident yesterday, March 20, with a caption reading, “Again! Every day! Lol #BanglaPatong #Phuket.” The user witnessed the incident and recorded…
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Red card: Thai cops in Liverpool kits bust Toon clad drug dealer
A Thai drug dealer wearing a Newcastle United football jersey was arrested yesterday by Krabi police officers clad in Liverpool replica shirts in an ironic swoop. The symbolic arrest was in revenge for Liverpool’s defeat to Newcastle last week in the Carabao Cup final. United beat the Reds 2-1 thanks to goals by Dan Burn and Alexander Isak to lift…
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Ex-Yakuza boss arrested in Bangkok with 30 million baht
A former Yakuza boss with a web of international crimes was arrested in Bangkok’s Sathorn district after a dramatic raid, revealing over 30 million baht in stolen assets. The arrest follows a request from the Japanese Embassy, which sought to revoke his visa due to serious criminal charges. Thai National Police Inspector General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabut announced the arrest…
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Thai cop collapses on duty after intense livestream confrontation
A Thai police officer in the central province of Sing Buri collapsed on duty allegedly due to intense pressure from a local news Facebook page administrator who livestreamed the officer’s alleged illegal actions. The administrator of the Facebook page à¸à¸¢à¹ˆà¸²à¸«à¸²à¸—ำ (meaning “do not do stupid things”), Waraporn “Jack” Saelor, livestreamed the alleged illegal incident as Police Senior Sergeant Major Suppamit…
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Thai freelancer bottles Indian tourist after payment row
An Indian tourist fell victim to a brutal beer bottle assault in Pattaya by a freelance Thai woman after he allegedly refused to pay for her services. Consequently, the freelancer reportedly hit the Indian man in the head with a beer bottle and robbed him of 10,000 baht, according to the victim. The incident unfolded in the early hours this…
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Car repair shop fire in Bangkok destroys cars and kills two dogs
A devastating fire tore through a car repair shop in Bang Bon district in Bangkok, leaving behind a trail of destruction, including the loss of two beloved dogs. Firefighters acted swiftly to contain the flames, but the damage was extensive. The fire broke out around 10pm, yesterday, March 20, at a car repair shop located on Soi Bang Bon 4,…
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Grand theft auto: Crooked car crew caught in claction
A notorious car theft gang has been brought to justice after raking in over 40 million baht by stealing and reselling at least 50 rental cars. The criminals used fake documents to register the vehicles before selling them online, leading to their eventual downfall. Police Major General Khongkrit Loetsitthikun, commander of the Highway Police Division, triumphantly announced yesterday, March 20,…
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Over 10,000 bottles of cough syrup seized in Phuket drug raid
Police made a shocking discovery in Kathu, Phuket, as a recent investigation into an illegal e-cigarette distribution network has uncovered more than 10,000 bottles of cough syrup, allegedly part of a wider smuggling operation. The raid, which has left many stunned, highlights the alarming rise of unregulated drug trafficking in the region. An ongoing investigation into a local e-cigarette ring…
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Drug-addicted Thai man kills friend’s mother and injures 2 others
A drug-addicted Thai man killed his friend’s mother and injured two other victims at a house in the Isaan province of Loei yesterday. A 55 year old Thai father, Auan, called officers at Nong Hin Police Station to arrest his son, 22 year old Ratchanon, yesterday morning, March 20. Auan revealed that he heard the community leader announce the brutal…
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Thai jail nightmare: British tourist forced to drink urine after arrest
A British tourist revealed he had to drink his own urine in a Thailand jail after being drugged and beaten in a Thai police cell after he was spiked while partying in Hua Hin. Lewis Green was on the final day of his eight-week solo adventure in Thailand when his dream trip turned into a nightmare. Arrested on January 24,…
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Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal
Police are searching for a Thai monk accused of hugging a foreign woman, believed to be a French national, at a bus terminal in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn shared the video of the monk and the foreigner on Wednesday, March 19, along with a caption that read… “The story is, I was travelling…
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Lithuanian man dies in Phuket after tree falls on motorbike
A Lithuanian man’s tropical getaway ended in horror on Phuket’s picturesque Nai Thon Beach Road. Tragedy struck as a towering pine branch plummeted onto the unsuspecting 42 year old Eastern European, killing him instantly as he sped along on his motorbike yesterday morning, March 20. “Shockwaves rippled through the usually serene area,” said Thanapong Keonun, village headman of Moo 4,…
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How Thailand’s famous pigmy hippo became a crypto star
In September of last year, an adorable two-year-old Pigmy Hippo named Moo Deng went viral on social media and quickly developed a global fan base. The hippo, who lives at Khao Kheor Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand, took the world by storm and even inspired an individual to create a new cryptocurrency meme coin in her honour. Understanding…
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Tesla leads in Thai EV market with top satisfaction scores
According to a recent survey by NielsenIQ Thailand, Tesla has emerged as the dominant force in Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market, with the highest satisfaction score of 890. The result comes from the Electric Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction (EVOSS) study, which measures consumer satisfaction with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Manenatta Jirasevijinda, Senior Director of Automotive…
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Ministerial bling: Pichai denies link to 26 million baht necklace rumour
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has stepped forward to address recent rumours surrounding a 26.44 million baht diamond necklace, after reports suggested it was in the possession of a high-ranking government minister with the initial “P”. The necklace, a stunning piece from Lotus Arts De Vivre, is the Zambian Emerald & Diamond Necklace, valued at 26.44 million baht, and was reportedly…
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Delivery riders in Suphan Buri threatened by knife-wielding peer
Over 30 delivery riders reported an alarming incident at the Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station, where a fellow rider threatened them with a knife. The attacks, reportedly without provocation, have left many riders fearful and unwilling to work. On the evening of March 18, A, a rider, recounted how he and his peers were threatened by a seemingly deranged fellow…
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PPRP deputy denies claims of inflated property sale to SSO
Santi Promphat, deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has strongly denied allegations that his son, Patana Promphat, sold a building to the Social Security Office (SSO) at an inflated price, insisting the sale was legitimate and fairly valued. Today, March 20, Santi responded to claims made by opposition MPs Rukchanok Srinork and Sahassawat Kumkong of the People’s Party…
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Pipe bomb attack injures five at Pattani police checkpoint
Two people disguised as Muslim women threw a pipe bomb at a police checkpoint in Pattani province, injuring five residents, including a family of five. The incident occurred at 5.40pm, yesterday, March 19, when officers from the Sai Buri District Police Station were alerted to the attack at the Wat Lieb checkpoint in Taluban subdistrict. The explosion affected passersby, prompting…
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Weight woes: Bangkok tips the scales in obesity rankings
Following a report from the Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok has the highest number of overweight and obese residents in Thailand, including both adults and children. The World Obesity Federation has designated March 4 each year as World Obesity Day to inspire those affected to change their perspectives and lifestyles in order to combat obesity. The event also aims to…
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Koh Samui real estate booms thanks to ‘The White Lotus’
Koh Samui, the popular resort island in Surat Thani province, is set to see a surge in demand for luxury condominiums and villas this year, according to investment management firm Colliers Thailand. The latest season of the hit American TV series The White Lotus was filmed at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with additional scenes shot at Anantara…
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Air pollution crisis: PM2.5 levels soar across Thailand’s provinces
The Air Pollution Solutions Communication Centre reported that PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard in 37 provinces across Thailand, with northern and northeastern regions experiencing the highest levels of air pollution. The situation is expected to worsen over the next seven days. The report today, March 20, highlighted that PM2.5 levels in several provinces, including Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon,…
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Phuket charity schools raided amid migrant education crackdown
Raids on charity schools run by the Good Shepherd Foundation continued this week, with officials from the Thalang District Office targeting the BanYa Literacy Centre in Srisoonthorn. Led by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, officials including Deputy District Chief for Security Chaiporn Yangchin, village leaders, and other officials conducted an inspection at the centre in Village 6, Srisoonthorn on Tuesday,…
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Bangkok chokes its way into world’s top 10 most polluted cities
Bangkok today landed among the world’s most polluted cities, ranking eighth in the latest IQAir report, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 141. The city’s air pollution has once again raised health concerns, especially for vulnerable groups. The AQI scale categorises air quality as follows: 0-50 (Good) 51-100 (Moderate) 101-150 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) 151-200 (Unhealthy) 201-300 (Very unhealthy) 301+…
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Brief encounter: Chon Buri thief caught with stolen underwear
Officers at Koh Chan Provincial Police Station yesterday apprehended a man for stealing women’s underwear from a government official’s residence. The incident involved 36 year old Pornchai, also known as Kob, who was arrested under a Chon Buri provincial court warrant (No. 171/2568) dated March 18. He faces charges of nighttime burglary using a vehicle to facilitate the crime and…
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