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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Phuket mayoral election sees fierce competition
Registration for mayoral and municipal council candidates in Phuket opened yesterday with an energetic and competitive atmosphere as multiple teams vied for leadership positions. The registration period will continue until April 4, with many candidates eager to secure their place on the ballot. Two prominent teams arrived at the Phuket City Municipality before the official opening at 8.30am, yesterday, March…
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Tragic hotel incident in Uthai Thani leaves two dead
A tragic incident occurred yesterday resulting in the deaths of two people at a hotel in Uthai Thani province. The altercation, involving a stabbing, ended with a man ingesting pills to end his life. Upon receiving the report, yesterday, March 31, at 4.10pm, Police Lieutenant Phuwanate Suphawut, deputy inspector of Sawang Arom Police Station, along with other police personnel, a…
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Tourism sector urges Thai government to ensure hotel safety
Private sector organisations are urging the government to issue safety certifications for hotels and lift the disaster area declaration to restore confidence in tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Suwang Theinthong discussed the impact of recent earthquakes on tourism with various stakeholders, expressing concern over potential declines in tourist numbers. Efforts are underway to communicate that Bangkok is the only truly…
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Thai police suspect foul play in death of missing Austrian man
An Austrian man died in a canal in the northern province of Phitsanulok under mysterious circumstances after disappearing from his home for 11 days. Police suspect murder. Officers from Wang Thong Police Station were called to investigate a foreign man’s body in a canal in the middle of a rice field in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok at 2pm…
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Holiday horror: Speedboat explosion off Phuket injures tourists
Holidaymakers were left terrified and injured when a speedboat burst into flames and exploded near Koh Mai Thon off the coast of Phuket this morning, April 1, turning a tropical escape into a scene of chaos and panic. The explosion injured six people, including three foreign tourists, a tour guide, and two crew members, one of them the boat’s captain.…
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22-wheel truck crash in Buriram leaves six injured
A 22-wheel truck carrying a load of stones experienced brake failure and collided with seven stationary vehicles at a red light, resulting in numerous injuries. The driver suggested the incident could have been more severe if he hadn’t swerved. Yesterday, March 31, at approximately 8.20am, Police Lieutenant Porachat Raksawong, a deputy inspector at Mueang Buriram Police Station, was informed of…
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Casino bill faces backlash over rushed approval without study
Opponents of the casino-entertainment complex have raised concerns about the government’s approach to advancing the project, suggesting it is being expedited without adequate public examination or a comprehensive feasibility study. Their comments yesterday followed remarks by chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, who indicated that the entertainment complex bill, which received Cabinet approval on March 27, is expected to be reviewed…
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4 Chinese nationals suspiciously remove documents from Bangkok collapsed building
Police summoned four Chinese nationals to acknowledge legal offences after they suspiciously removed documents from the collapsed building in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok without permission on March 29. The impact of the earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, shook multiple buildings and residences in Thailand and continues to spread panic among people in the country. The most affected…
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Rented and dented: Thai cops put brakes on cross-border car scam
A devious car-rental scam has been brought to a screeching halt after police arrested two suspects accused of stealing a vehicle and smuggling it across the border for sale. In a dramatic takedown, officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Crime Suppression Division (CSD) nabbed Sakthanan in front of a house in Soi Khlong Thanon, Nonthaburi, and Khemanan at…
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Thai police inspector arrested for trafficking two million meth pills
Officers in northeast Thailand arrested a police inspector involved in a drug trafficking operation transporting two million methamphetamine pills. The inspector claimed it was his first offence. He attempted to negotiate his release upon arrest, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Yesterday, March 31, police investigators from Region 3 pursued a drug trafficking gang along Route 24 in Nong Bunnak district, Nakhon…
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Biker clears road for ambulance during Thailand earthquake (video)
In the middle of earthquake chaos and gridlocked traffic, a lone cyclist became an unexpected hero – risking his life to guide a private ambulance through congested streets and potentially saving the life of a critically ill patient. The remarkable act of kindness was shared on Facebook by 23 year old ambulance driver Phasawit Karated, who posted a heartfelt message…
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Pee-hole panic: Thai theme park’s two-way mirror toilet flushed
A bizarre two-way mirror in the men’s toilets at a theme park in Thailand has sparked outrage online, with social media users branding it “gross,” misogynistic,” and “a lawsuit waiting to happen.” The controversial installation at Dream World theme park in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, allows men using the urinals to see out while unsuspecting women and children on the…
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Pavement pirates spark outrage in Pattaya as officials fail to act
Fed-up locals are fuming as Pattaya’s pavements vanish beneath a sea of parked cars and motorbikes, with lawbreakers treating footpaths like private driveways and officials doing little to stop it. Residents across the city are slamming the lack of enforcement over illegal parking, which has turned once-walkable pavements into motorbike showrooms and car parks. From zebra crossings to pedestrian walkways, no…
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Udon Thani residents seek lucky numbers at Kham Chanod
Residents of Udon Thani are eagerly eyeing the last-minute lucky numbers from Kham Chanod, with numbers appearing prominently on the golden Bodhi tree trunk, the Naga statue, and the holy water bowl. Locals are hoping for a lucky draw today, potentially bringing prosperity. Yesterday, March 31, reporters noted that at Wat Pa Nong Chao Khao in Kon Sai subdistrict, Ku…
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Steel samples fail tests after building collapse in Thailand
The investigation into the collapsed State Audit Office building revealed that two steel samples did not meet the required standards, leading to discrepancies in other measurements. Thitiphats Chotidechachainan, head of the working group, yesterday, March 31, announced that the examination of steel samples from the collapsed building identified two non-compliant samples. The first was a 32-millimetre deformed bar from one…
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British boxer dies after first Muay Thai fight on Koh Samui
A British boxer died last week after his first Muay Thai fight on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Bor Phut Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the British man, 30 year old Joseph Itai Rinomhota, at 12.03pm on March 29. Rinomhota died at Thai International Hospital on Koh Samui after being…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s digital arrival card sparks confusion, Myanmar groups warn of military aid misuse
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest updates from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering major developments that impact travellers, residents, and businesses. This week’s top stories include confusion over Thailand’s new digital arrival card, the fallout from a powerful earthquake shaking Thai tourism, and new claims surrounding Shane Warne’s death. In other news, a British man tragically…
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Death toll rises to 14 in Bangkok building collapse
The grim scene continues to unfold in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district as rescue workers recover more bodies from the rubble of a collapsed government office building, three days after a deadly earthquake triggered the disaster. What began as a desperate race against time has now become a painstaking recovery operation, as the death toll climbed to 14 following Friday’s structural collapse of…
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Thai life: British expat swears she’s never going back to Blighty
A British expat who swapped the dreary UK for Thailand swears she’s never looking back, insisting life in paradise is just too good to leave. Claudia, originally from the UK, packed her bags for the sun-drenched shores of Koh Samui in 2023, and now she’s telling her thousands of TikTok followers why she’ll never return. The social media strategist, who…
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Man arrested for false claim of wife trapped in building collapse
Police apprehended a 50 year old man at Mo Chit Bus Terminal after he fabricated a story about his supposed pregnant wife being trapped under the collapsed State Audit Office building. Somnitch Duangnet had previously claimed that his 23 year old wife, Korwipha Sonbubpha, who was four months pregnant and working as a clerk on the fourth floor, was unreachable…
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Teen loses finger in Pattaya crash with foreign biker
A late-night joyride turned into a nightmare when a foreign biker allegedly cut off a teenager’s scooter, resulting in a violent crash in East Pattaya that left both riders seriously injured, and one boy missing a finger. The accident unfolded on Sunday, March 30 in Soi Khao Noi (Boon Samphan), just outside Chokchai Village 7. Emergency responders arrived to find two…
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Thailand advises on managing ‘earthquake drunk’ symptoms
The Ministry of Public Health has swung into into action with top tips for those battling a bout of the “earthquake drunk” symptoms. Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak unveiled guidelines for those left swaying and staggering by the seismic shock. Scores of Thai residents have reported feeling off-kilter, thanks to a disruption in their balance systems. While symptoms are usually…
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Russian man’s body severed in Phuket motorcycle crash
A Russian man died after crashing his motorcycle into an electricity pole on a road in Phuket in the early hours of this morning. His body was tragically cut in half due to the severe impact of the accident. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station investigated the fatal accident on Chaloem Phrakiat Rama 9 Road, also known as Bypass Road,…
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Phuket forum seeks input on draft national policy map
The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning hosted a public forum in Phuket to gather feedback on the draft national policy map. The event engaged over 600 stakeholders from various sectors across southern Thailand. Held at The Pago Design Hotel in Ratsada, participants included government officials, representatives from local administrative organisations, NGOs, private sector leaders, experts, and…
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Families receive bodies of three from Bangkok building collapse
The shattered remains of three victims, tragically caught in the devastating collapse of the State Audit Office in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, were returned to grieving relatives in Nong Khai. The horrific incident occurred last Friday, reducing the site to rubble. The victims have been identified as 47 year old Khamsaen Matra, her 26 year old son Natdanai Namburi, and 23…
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Soldier dies in Lop Buri car crash after collision
A tragic car accident occurred today involving a 32 year old soldier, Nattdanai, from the Army Aviation Centre. His pickup truck today, March 31, at 5am, veered off the road, hitting a guardrail and plummeting into a 5-metre-deep dry irrigation canal in Mueang district, Lop Buri province. Rescuers attempted to save him, but he succumbed to his injuries before reaching…
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Thailand fast-tracks factory rooftop solar panel revolution
Thailand’s solar industry is set to shine brighter as the government launches a one-stop service centre aimed at slashing red tape and supercharging solar panel sales, according to suppliers. With the Cabinet greenlighting the initiative on March 27, the Energy, Interior, and Industry ministries will team up to streamline the approval process for factory rooftop solar installations, eliminating the frustrating…
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Man dies after convulsions during police restraint in Nonthaburi
A tattooed man unexpectedly passed away after experiencing convulsions when police attempted to restrain him. The incident, which occurred in Nonthaburi province, prompted emergency services to conduct resuscitation efforts, ultimately proving unsuccessful. The body has been sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. In the early hours of today, March 31, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police…
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Minor Myanmar aftershock causes evacuations in Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today confirmed that a minor aftershock from an earthquake in Myanmar will not affect Thailand. Today, March 31, at 11.08am, tremors were felt in several tall buildings across Bangkok, causing temporary evacuations. The TMD reported that the aftershock was minor and would not impact Thailand. Earlier that day, residents in various parts of Bangkok experienced…
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Thai me down: Bangkok opens new visa expat and investor hub
Thailand is making moves to woo foreign investors and expats, rolling out a brand-new one-stop shop for investment and visa services in the heart of Bangkok. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut the ribbon on Monday at the grand opening of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Centre (TIESC), housed in the sleek One Bangkok building in Pathum Wan. Located on…
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