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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AOT pushes for new global flight routes at Hong Kong forum
The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) engaged global airlines at a major aviation forum in Hong Kong to expand flight routes and boost international travel. The AOT ramped up efforts to transform Thailand into a leading aviation hub by participating in the 30th World Route Development Forum, or Routes World 2025, held from September 24 to 26 at…
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Lotto hopefuls flock to Ang Thong’s 200 year old ‘lucky tree’
Locals in Ang Thong province, central Thailand, gathered at a revered temple tree, hoping to uncover lucky numbers as the next lottery draw approaches, continuing a long-held tradition. As lottery fever grips Thailand once again, residents of Pho Thong district in Ang Thong are heading to Chulamuni Temple, hoping to uncover lucky numbers from the famed Mae Ya Sroi Thong…
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Thais urged to check credit yearly and escape debt traps
With debt hanging over many Thai households, financial experts are urging citizens to take control, starting with a yearly credit check and smart planning. The National Credit Bureau (NCB) is encouraging Thai citizens to review their credit reports annually to monitor their debt and prevent financial fraud. The advice comes amid rising concerns over Thailand’s high household debt, which now…
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Teen futsal player dies in motorbike crash on Bangkok bridge
A teenage futsal player died and his friend was injured when their motorbike crashed into a truck on a Bangkok bridge during the early morning hours. The incident occurred around 1am today, September 27, on Bang Khun Si Bridge, a four-lane bridge heading towards Ratchaphruek Road. The grey Yamaha NMAX, registered in Bangkok, was found overturned at the scene with…
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Chinese man caught posing as tour guide at Pattaya pier
A Chinese national was arrested in Pattaya after being caught guiding tourists without a licence, prompting legal action by tourism officials and police. The man was apprehended at Laem Bali Hai Pier. The operation was led by Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director-General of the Department of Tourism, and Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau. The crackdown focused…
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More Thai women opting out of motherhood, survey shows
A nationwide survey conducted by the Thai Health Department has revealed that only 63% of Thai women aged 19 to 49 wish to have children, raising concerns about future birth rates and the need for stronger state support around reproductive health. The study, which included 404 women with an average age of 34.2, also found that just 53% possessed sufficient…
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Patong’s promenade revamp drags on with no end in sight
A major promenade upgrade in Patong has fallen behind schedule, with only partial progress made and no confirmed completion date. The long-awaited redevelopment of the Thaweewong Road promenade in Patong has hit a major snag, with only 30% of the work completed, well past its deadline and with no firm end date in sight. Kittisak Morasilp, Director of Patong Municipality’s…
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Bangkok hosts ASEAN’s biggest sustainability expo
Southeast Asia’s largest sustainability expo kicked off in Bangkok, bringing together global changemakers to tackle health, food, and housing challenges. The Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025), the largest sustainability event in Southeast Asia, opened its doors yesterday, September 26, at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The 10-day event, running until October 5, serves as a regional platform for innovation, inspiration,…
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Thailand braces for Bualoy storm chaos with heavy floods ahead
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued the second warning regarding Tropical Storm Bualoy, forecasting heavy rainfall across regions in Thailand, including Bangkok, with an 80% chance of precipitation. Affected today, September 27, are 47 provinces, with intense rain expected in the northeast and eastern regions, particularly in provinces such as Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon…
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‘Eel of fortune’ has locals hooked on lucky lottery numbers (video)
A rare albino eel with golden markings was discovered by a villager in Phetchabun, central Thailand, sparking a local lottery frenzy as residents sought lucky numbers. The fishy phenomenon emerged yesterday, September 25, after a video clip showing the striking eel went viral on social media. Filmed by Amnat Phonok, a resident of Phu Toei village in Wichian Buri district,…
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Russian pickup driver surrenders over viral sex video in Phuket
A Russian man surrendered to police today, September 26, admitting that he was the driver of the black pickup truck featured in the viral sex video in Phuket. The explicit footage, showing 23 year old Russian national Georgii and a 42 year old Thai woman engaging in sexual activity on the moving vehicle along Phuket Bypass Road, to the ire…
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AI crackdown launched to lure 2 million Chinese tourists to Thailand
Thailand has launched a major security upgrade using advanced technology to boost tourist safety and attract two million Chinese visitors in the coming months. The initiative was unveiled during an inter-agency meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Captain Thammanat Prompao at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The plan aims to restore Chinese tourist…
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Nearly 10 million smuggled cigarettes seized in Phuket sting
Phuket Airport Customs have intercepted a massive haul of illegal cigarettes worth more than 71 million baht in what is being hailed as one of the island’s largest-ever anti-smuggling operations. The seizure, confirmed by customs officials, involved a total of 9.57 million contraband cigarettes and was made as part of a national crackdown targeting violations of customs and intellectual property…
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Old woman saved after being left to scavenge for food in Bangkok condo
A non-profit organisation, Be One, rescued an elderly woman who had been abandoned to live alone in a Bangkok condominium and was forced to search for scraps of food in rubbish bins. A 35 year old resident of the same condominium, identified only as A, reported the matter to Be One in the hope of finding a solution. A explained…
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Apple Watch saves kayaker stranded at sea off Pattaya coast
A young kayaker was rescued off the coast of Pattaya after rough sea conditions capsized his vessel, prompting him to send an SOS alert via his Apple Watch. The man, identified as 24 year old Santiphong, was paddling from Krating Lai Beach to Koh Larn last night, September 25, when strong waves overwhelmed his kayak, flipping it and leaving him…
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100000 baht missing following suspicious house fire in Phrae
A Thai man is suspected of theft after a fire broke out in his room in Phrae province, and 100,000 baht in cash he had hidden behind a picture disappeared. Officers from Phra That Cho Hae Police Station received an alert about the fire at 9.10am yesterday, September 25, and rushed to the scene, a house in the Bang Pa…
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Body of Myanmar man found floating off Pattaya Beach
A Burmese man’s body was found floating near a popular beachside area in Pattaya late at night, prompting police to investigate the circumstances of his death. A 34 year old Myanmar national was discovered dead off the shores of Pattaya Beach late yesterday, September 25, in a case that has left police piecing together the final hours before his death.…
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Hungry elephant raids Korat BBQ shop in midnight rampage
A wild elephant from Khao Yai wandered into a barbecue restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima during the night, causing damage while searching for food. The elephant, named Plai Biang Lek, was caught on CCTV casually wandering into a pork barbecue restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima province during the early hours of yesterday, September 25, rummaging through the kitchen in search of a…
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Chiang Mai police caught extorting money from foreign tourist
A viral video emerged showing a police officer in Chiang Mai extorting money from a foreign motorcyclist, prompting an investigation into alleged corruption. The Facebook page Guru Guroo Chiang Mai shared the video yesterday, September 25, with the caption, “Another viral video! Thai police asked for ‘something’ from a foreign tourist. What’s that thing? The incident occurred near Chiang Mai…
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Bangkok house fire triggers traffic chaos on Soi Bearing 16 (video)
A large fire broke out in a residential area off Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, causing heavy traffic and prompting an emergency response from fire crews in two districts. The fire erupted off Sukhumvit Road Soi 107 (Soi Bearing 16) yesterday, September 25, causing traffic chaos and prompting an urgent response from fire crews across two provinces. The blaze was reported at…
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Rabies alert: Cat sparks animal epidemic zone in Bangkok
A rabid cat found in a Bangkok suburb has prompted officials to declare multiple areas epidemic zones to stop the spread of the deadly virus. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has declared multiple areas in and around the capital as temporary animal epidemic zones after a cat tested positive for rabies in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani. The announcement, made…
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Thailand video news | Russian man arrested amid outcry over viral Phuket pickup “sex” video, Thai actor accuses police of lax response after major home theft
Thailand saw a turbulent week of headlines spanning crime, public safety, and politics. Authorities arrested two Russian nationals in separate high-profile cases — one linked to a viral Phuket “pickup sex” video and another for running an illegal motorbike rental on Koh Pha Ngan — while Bangkok officials scrambled to fix a leaking pipe near Samsen Road amid public fears.…
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Drug addict found dead in Chon Buri police station cell
A drug suspect was found dead in a Chon Buri police cell after being arrested following his mother’s plea for help over his increasingly violent behaviour. The 26 year old suspect, Thorntep Kaewsee, allegedly took his own life using a T-shirt, hanging himself from the iron bars inside his solitary confinement cell at Bowin Police Station. His mother, 61 year…
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Thai woman sues police for shooting and killing her mentally ill father
A Thai woman is suing police in Ratchaburi province for abusing their authority after officers fatally shot her mentally ill father. Police defended their actions, citing the man’s repeated violent behaviour in the community. On September 24, officers from Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station responded to complaints from residents in Tha Rarb sub-district. Locals reported that 60 year old Suraphon, who…
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Naked tourist dances on Soi Bangla, sparks online backlash
A foreign tourist shocked partygoers after stripping naked and dancing on a busy Phuket nightlife street, drawing criticism and concern from netizens. A video, lasting just 21 seconds, was shared on Facebook and quickly went viral. It shows a man undressing and dancing to loud music, completely oblivious to the stunned onlookers around him. He is later seen picking up…
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Chinese woman accuses Phuket taxi driver of sexual assault attempt
A Chinese woman sought help from locals on a roadside in Phuket after accusing a Thai app-based taxi driver of attempting to sexually assault her yesterday, September 25. Residents who assisted the woman shared details of the incident on the Phuket Times Facebook page yesterday. The incident reportedly occurred at around 2am in the Patong area of Phuket. According to…
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Giant monitor lizard crashes dinner plans at Thai restaurant
A large monitor lizard wandered into a restaurant in Thailand, prompting staff to call rescue workers as startled customers fled the unexpected visitor. A large monitor lizard caused a stir at a restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday, September 24, after it unexpectedly scaled a wall and entered the premises, prompting panic among early diners and staff. The reptile was spotted…
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Unidentified foreigner drowns at sunset off Karon Beach
A foreign man drowned while swimming off a Phuket beach at sunset, prompting police to investigate his identity and the circumstances surrounding his death. A foreign man, believed to be around 60 years old, was pronounced dead last night after being pulled from the water off Karon Beach. His identity and nationality remain unknown. The incident occurred around sunset yesterday,…
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Phuket pickup truck sex: Russian man banned and Thai woman arrested
Police yesterday, September 25, arrested a Thai woman who was caught having sex with a Russian man in the back of a moving pickup truck on a road in Phuket. She claimed the foreign man threatened her into making the video and paid her 1,000 baht. An explicit video of the Russian national, 23 year old Georgii, and the 42…
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Pattaya bike thief found asleep next to stolen motorcycle
A man was caught sleeping next to a stolen motorcycle in Pattaya after it was taken from a repair shop, prompting the owner to alert local police. A brazen motorcycle theft in Pattaya ended with the suspect being found fast asleep next to the stolen vehicle, still clutching the keys. Bunsit Chinnawattraprapha, a 30 year old motorcycle repair shop owner,…
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