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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9 students and 2 teachers injured in Surat Thani van accident
A van carrying 11 passengers, including nine students and two teachers, overturned in Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani province, following a camping trip. The accident occurred yesterday afternoon, November 15, on Highway 44, along the Krabi-Surat Thani route in Thung Rang subdistrict. Police Captain Thaweewit Kaewroy of Khunthale Police Station detailed the incident, which was reported at 2.10pm. Upon arrival, police…
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Pathum Thani police officer with health issue dies in car crash
A car crash involving a police officer who lost control and collided with a shop and utility pole resulted in his death. The incident occurred yesterday, November 14, near a residential area in Pathum Thani province. The tragic accident unfolded when police officer Settapong Songkrod, who held the position of Deputy Inspector, experienced a sudden health issue while in his…
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Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong
Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Koh…
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Thai police officer who died pursuing suspect in Phrae honoured
A 22 year old police officer with a promising future, tragically died in the line of duty. He has been posthumously promoted and awarded special recognition following his brave actions while pursuing a suspect. Yesterday, November 14, National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet revealed details surrounding the death of Sittiphong Kanta, a police officer from Sa-iab Police Station in Song district,…
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Wild elephants raid Nakhon Ratchasima farms, officials intervene
A herd of over 80 wild elephants from the Thap Lan National Park invaded local farmland in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, feasting on crops and prompting a night-long operation by officials and volunteers to drive them back into the forest. Wild elephants have been causing a stir in Nakhon Ratchasima as they forage beyond their natural habitat. Using thermal imaging drones,…
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Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock
In a shocking twist, an alleged animal welfare scandal has erupted in Chiang Rai province, where a man who posed as a compassionate dog adopter is now accused of sending his “rescued” pets to an illegal slaughterhouse. Local animal welfare advocates and the Livestock Department are calling for immediate police action to bring the man, from the Akha ethnic group,…
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‘Keep your krathongs on land,’ says Patong Mayor in eco-plea
As Loy Krathong celebrations light up Patong Beach tonight, Patong Municipality is urging revellers to keep their lanterns (krathongs) out of the sea. Every year, thousands descend on the beach, offering decorated krathongs to the water goddess to cast away bad luck and ask for blessings. Yet, while the gestures float away, the krathongs often come back, with the tide…
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Thai police capture fugitive ex-husband after fatal stabbing in Phang Nga
A 38 year old man has been apprehended by Thai police after a manhunt following the fatal stabbing of his ex-wife in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district. Police discovered Ekkarat yesterday, hiding in a forest in Chana district, Songkhla province, after he had been on the run since early this month. Ekkarat Priappan’s arrest follows a concerted effort by the…
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Frenchman faces legal action for unlawful macaque possession in Bangkok
A French national has found himself facing legal action for allegedly keeping four young macaques unlawfully after showcasing them on social media. This incident unfolded when officials from the Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, along with police from the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division, executed a search at the individual’s residence in Bangkok. Department representative, Naruphon Thipmontha,…
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Feline faux-paw: Empress of Ayodhaya cat drugged by amateur
In a shocking twist worthy of its own drama, fresh revelations have emerged from the set of the Thai historical series, The Empress of Ayodhaya. It’s been discovered that the mysterious black cat, who was anaesthetised during filming, was knocked out by someone with zero veterinarian credentials. The Department of Livestock Development released a bombshell report today, November 15,revealing the…
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High ambitions: Suvarnabhumi aims to triple transit traffic by 2030
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s busiest international gateway, is gearing up for a major transformation to become Southeast Asia’s ultimate transit hub. Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the airport’s transit flights from a mere 4% to a soaring 20% as part of an ambitious master plan to rank among the world’s top 20 airports by 2030. This bold goal is…
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Thailand celebrates return of ancient artefacts from US
Thailand welcomed back four ancient Ban Chiang artefacts yesterday, repatriated from the United States, in a gesture marking the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property. The return ceremony, held at the Issara Vinijchai Throne Hall within Bangkok’s National Museum, underscored the commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The US Ambassador, Robert Godec, revealed that these artefacts had been gifted…
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Russian man confirmed dead after fatal fall in Phuket hotel
A tragic incident unfolded in Phuket as police have confirmed the identity of a 37 year old Russian man who is believed to have fatally jumped from a hotel in Soi Paradise, Patong. The event took place on November 13 night, leaving police and locals in shock. Police received a call to the hotel early yesterday, November 14, at approximately…
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Thai singer’s fake goods hit a sour note with socialite
A prominent Thai country singer has been accused of running a fraudulent business scheme and selling counterfeit luxury goods, resulting in a loss of 8 million baht for a well-known socialite. The allegations have sparked widespread interest on social media, with many speculating about the singer’s identity and the extent of their activities. Ken Do, a public figure known for…
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Mitsubishi Pajero crash in Prachinburi leaves one dead, one injured
A tragic accident unfolded when a Mitsubishi Pajero lost control, hitting a utility pole before spinning across lanes and violently colliding with a pink taxi. The crash resulted in a fatality and a serious injury, leaving bystanders and those involved in shock. The incident occurred early today, November 15, at 12.30am, on the 304 Road near the U-turn at Ban…
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Bangkok braces for rising pollution as air quality worsens
Bangkok’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 28 areas submerged in PM2.5 dust particles. Officials issued warnings, anticipating a spike in pollution levels between this Sunday, November 17 and next Tuesday, November 19. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect their health. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported on the air quality status in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Police in Thailand to receive increased allowances this year
Police officers across Thailand are set to receive increased allowances this year, following a directive signed by Kittirat Phanpetch, the National Police Chief. The directive, dated Tuesday, November 12, emphasises the need for efficient budget management and cautions against any misallocation of funds. Kittirat issued the directive to various police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions…
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Cement mixer truck collision kills rider, injures passenger in Nonthaburi
A tragic accident occurred when a cement mixer truck collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a 59 year old rider and injuries to a female student passenger. The truck driver claimed he did not see the motorcycle but CCTV footage captured the entire incident. Police officers from Bang Kruai Police Station and Ruamkatanyu Foundation personnel responded to…
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Udon Thani: Image of revered monk in the sky sparks lottery frenzy
A miraculous event unfolded yesterday, November 14, at Wat Mai Burapharam in Udon Thani, captivating locals during a religious ceremony. Clouds formed into the likeness of the seated monk, prompting a fervent rush for lottery tickets bearing the number 652. During the ceremony, led by the well-known monk Phra Achan Pornsak, the sky offered a mystical spectacle. As he chanted…
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Police ‘sidecar’ into bust: Drug suspect nabbed in undercover sting
Police officers in disguise successfully apprehended a major drug suspect by blending seamlessly into the local community. Disguised as locals, they rode a sidecar motorcycle to the suspect’s home, where they arrested him without raising suspicion. Officers from the Elephant Warriors unit of the 434th Border Patrol Police Company in Phatthalung, led by Yothaphon Rungsawat, orchestrated the arrest. The team…
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Tragic road accident claims two lives in Rayong
A tragic accident resulted in the deaths of two people on a road in Pluak Daeng, Rayong when a black saloon car veered across lanes and collided with a pickup truck. The crash left the saloon car torn into two parts, with the driver ejected and killed instantly. The incident, which also involved a white delivery pickup, has raised questions…
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Phuket guesthouse owner reclaims heirlooms stolen by employee
The owner of a Phuket guesthouse breathed a sigh of relief after police tracked down and recovered nearly 1 million baht worth of stolen jewellery and luxury items, taken by none other than her restaurant manager, who had been drowning in online gambling debt. The shocking betrayal left 33 year old Sophia Brussaard both heartbroken and relieved when justice finally…
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British expats uncovered in Thailand as UK probes pension fraud
In a fresh twist for British expats soaking up the sun abroad, the cloak of UK banking secrecy is about to be lifted if there’s a whiff of state pension fraud. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, currently being dissected in the House of Lords, is pegged to hit the legal books in early 2025. This new legislation will…
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Thai police ‘tweet’ out arrests in illegal bird trade bust
Thai police have swooped on a major illegal bird trade operation in southern Thailand, arresting two people involved in selling protected Bulbul birds via Facebook. The suspects admitted to selling thousands of birds over the past year. Police officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division conducted raids on the homes of two individuals, known by their Facebook…
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Motorbike bomb attack injures five police officers in Pattani
An explosive attack targeted a police truck in Pattani yesterday, injuring five officers when a bomb planted on a motorcycle was detonated remotely. The incident occurred at 2.40pm, yesterday, November 14, near the Tanyong Dalo Bridge in Yaring district. Police Colonel Teerapot Yindi, head of Yaring Police Station in Pattani, was alerted to the attack, which left the police truck…
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Pattaya City councillor ‘paves’ the way for safer roads
In a proactive move to address complaints over potentially dangerous road conditions, Pattaya City Council member Wutthithorn Saengurai inspected an ongoing road project on Sukhumvit Road near the South Pattaya intersection yesterday, November 14. Accompanied by top officials from the Drainage System Maintenance Division, Sanitary Engineering Division, and the Pattaya City Administration’s Complaint Reception Department, Wutthithorn responded to residents’ concerns…
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Chon Buri police arrest three for trafficking 10 year old Burmese girl
Police in Chon Buri apprehended two Thai individuals and a Myanmar citizen, accusing them of trafficking a young girl from Myanmar to work under exploitative conditions. The arrests, executed by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) and the local office of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), followed court-issued warrants. The Thai nationals involved were identified as…
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Villagers find beheaded dugong in Phuket, sparking marine safety concerns
A grim discovery unfolded when villagers found a beheaded dugong floating near the shores of Baan Bang Rong, Phuket. Officials were promptly called to investigate the incident, which has sparked concerns about marine life safety and illegal poaching activities. The report of the gruesome find reached the local police station yesterday, November 14. Nopadol Tonmanee, an investigator at Thalang Police…
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Constitutional amendment: PP proposes Senate removal in process
The People’s Party (PP) yesterday submitted a proposal aiming to remove the Senate from the constitutional amendment process, according to the House of Representatives’ secretariat. This is one of the 17 proposals put forth by the PP, targeting specific sections of the constitution for amendment. A central focus of these proposals is Section 256, which requires that any charter amendment…
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Suicidal Thai man goes ghost hunting to seek advice on afterlife
A suicidal Thai man with a death wish embarked on a ghost hunt, hoping for some heavenly advice on whether the spiritual world is more comfortable than living in the material world. The 55 year old ghost hunter rode his motorbike from Chon Buri to the eerily famous Bang Pakong River Bridge in Chachoengsao province, determined to find out if…
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