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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Dead baby on street: Thai woman claims she mistook labour for urge to urinate
A Thai woman, who gave birth and left her newborn to die on a street in Bangkok during the Songkran festival, claimed she took drugs and mistook the signs of labour for the need to urinate. The 27 year old woman, Piyathida, shocked the public when her newborn daughter’s body was discovered on a street outside a village in Bangkok’s…
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Thailand video news | Parliament investigates collapsed billion-baht building in Bangkok, Thai influencer ‘Uncle Tony’ faces legal heat over pork video
On today’s Thailand video news update, Jay and Alex cover a wide range of critical stories—from a high-profile corruption investigation over a collapsed government building to a legal controversy involving a social media influencer. Other headlines include a temporary Nescafé ban, the debut of AI policing during Songkran, and regional developments involving China, Russia, and ASEAN neighbours. Here’s a…
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Pattaya boosts Songkran safety with drones and freebies
Tourists heading to Koh Larn for Songkran got more than just a splash this year, they were greeted by high-tech patrols, free gifts, and a full force of security personnel as Pattaya rolled out a slick operation to keep visitors safe and smiling. The action unfolded at the Multi-Purpose Hall on Laem Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya, where senior officials…
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Brake-ing news: Officials rebuild trust after German tourist crash
Phang Nga officials are scrambling to restore tourist confidence after a horrific road crash left two German holidaymakers critically injured and their toddler hospitalised. The brutal smash happened around 5pm on Tuesday, April 15, in the Khao Lak area, when a speeding pickup truck slammed into a young family crossing Phetkasem Road at a zebra crossing near the local post…
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Reckless BMW driver shifts blame in viral pickup pile-up crash
The aggressive BMW driver captured in a viral video intentionally ramming into a pickup, arrogantly insisted that both he and the injured pickup driver were at fault, the public disagrees. The incident occurred on the Bangkok Outer Ring Road motorway in Pathum Thani and quickly gained public attention after the Facebook page Here on Board (เฮียขับรถ) shared multiple dashcam videos of…
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Thief poses as monk to steal 300k baht from Ubon temple
A thief disguised as a monk targeted the abbot’s quarters at a temple in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani, stealing 300,000 baht. The incident, captured on CCTV, marks the second such theft, leading to a manhunt by local police. The footage, shared by the Warin Chamrap Ban Hao Facebook page, shows a man dressed like a monk leaving the…
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Meth-ed up: Thai drug dealer gobbles stash, ends up in hospital
A Thai drug dealer in Samut Prakan thought he’d outsmart the cops by wolfing down nearly 100 meth pills but instead of escaping jail, he landed himself in hospital fighting for his life. The 40 year old suspect in Samut Prakan sparked a wild police chase before shoving a stash of meth pills down his throat in a desperate bid…
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Teen girl’s leg trapped in drainage grate during Songkran festival
What started as a fun-filled Songkran celebration quickly turned into a nightmare for one teenage girl in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district, after her leg got stuck in a drainage grate in the middle of the street. The 14 year old, dressed in traditional Songkran clothing, had been enjoying the water fights in Sattahip market yesterday, April 17, when she accidentally…
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Baht to the future: Thai currency eyes 33 mark as dollar dives
The Thai baht is flexing its muscles on the global stage, with experts predicting it may surge past the symbolic 33-per-dollar mark in the second quarter, fuelled by trade tensions, a faltering US economy, and sky-high gold prices. According to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), the baht has climbed to a six-month high, riding the wave of a weakening US dollar…
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Woman shot dead by boyfriend in Yasothon, northeast Thailand
A tragic incident unfolded in Yasothon province yesterday when a 24 year old woman was fatally shot by her boyfriend following an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile. The woman had previously returned to her home in Samakkhi subdistrict, Loeng Nok Tha district, unable to endure his jealousy-fuelled violence. Officers from Loeng Nok Tha Police Station responded to the scene yesterday, on…
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Swedish man’s ‘explosive’ suitcase sparks airport chaos in Thailand
A Swedish man triggered full-blown airport panic in Udon Thani after leaving behind a suitcase laced with what looked like bomb-making materials, only for it to turn out to be stuffed with nothing more than dried herbs and dirty laundry. The 58 year old Swede sparked a major security scare at Udon Thani International Airport after abandoning a suspicious suitcase…
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Ex-councillor wins 90 million baht lottery jackpot in Chumphon
A former local councillor and shrimp farm owner in Chumphon struck lucky this Songkran festival by winning first prize in the lottery, securing a substantial sum of 90 million baht. This remarkable win was publicised by DJ Wongwattana Matchimasatit, a well-known radio host and former secretary to the mayor of Hat Sairee subdistrict. He shared his congratulations on Facebook, celebrating…
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Bangkok and 46 provinces brace for thunderstorms and heavy rain
Weather forecasts indicate that 47 provinces in Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds, with Bangkok likely to see heavy rainfall from the afternoon into the evening. Residents are advised to remain cautious, especially in southern regions where rain is expected to cover 60% of the area. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) predicts that the upper part of the country…
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Tariff and away! Thailand backs ASEAN in showdown with Trump
Thailand is saddling up with its ASEAN friends for a tariff tussle with the US, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vows to stand firm against Washington’s trade muscle-flexing and back a united front in talks with Donald Trump’s White House. Thailand PM Paetongtarn has thrown her weight behind ASEAN’s united stand against a hike in US import tariffs, declaring the…
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Moo-ving madness: Thai farmers in a flap over US beef plan
Thailand’s beef farmers are kicking up a rumpus over government plans to welcome hormone-pumped US meat, branding it a dangerous trade-off that could gut their livelihoods and threaten national food security. The Beef Cattle Association of Thailand, backed by more than 60 allied groups, stormed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives this week to protest a controversial proposal that could…
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Phuket reports zero road deaths during Songkran so far
Phuket is defying the odds this Songkran, with zero road deaths reported during Thailand’s notorious Seven Days of Danger, despite dozens of accidents involving both locals and foreign tourists. As the annual road and marine safety campaign nears its end, officials gathered today, April 17, at Phuket Provincial Hall to review the province’s performance. The meeting, chaired by Phuket Vice…
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Nestlé fights Thai court ban on Nescafé in bitter legal row
Thailand’s coffee kingpin is caught in a legal grind, and your morning cup of Nescafé could be at risk. Nestlé, the global food and beverage giant behind the iconic brand, is fighting back after a Thai court slapped a temporary ban on the production, sale, and importation of Nescafé products in the country. The high-stakes case pits Nestlé against its…
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Thai influencer apologises after wearing Islamic attire to promote pork
A Thai social media influencer issued an apology after sparking criticism for wearing Islamic attire while promoting grilled pork at his restaurant in the northern province of Phetchabun. The 48 year old influencer, Charoensak “Tony” Phosichai, better known online as Uncle Tony, posted a TikTok video promoting his restaurant, ครัวลุงโทนี่ (Krua Lung Tony which translates to Uncle Tony’s Kitchen). In the…
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Phuket airport scrambles to explain cyberattack on digital screen
Travellers at Phuket International Airport got more than just flight updates last week when a digital screen in the departure hall was hijacked in a shocking cyberattack, sparking serious concerns over airport cybersecurity. The incident, which occurred on April 8 around 7.30am, saw unauthorised messages and images suddenly appear on a screen at the international terminal’s departure check-in hall on…
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Sisters in Thailand win 12 million baht lottery prize
Two sisters from Chaloem Phra Kiat district in Nakhon Ratchasima province have won the first prize in the Thai lottery, each securing a lottery ticket worth 6 million baht, amounting to a total of 12 million baht. They plan to use the windfall to pay off debts and support their children while maintaining their current lifestyle. On April 16, the winning…
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Van driver killed in tragic collision with trailer truck in Ayutthaya
In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, a van driver was tragically killed when a trailer truck collided with his vehicle as he checked an unsecured rear door. The impact was fatal and the trailer driver fled the scene. Police are actively pursuing the suspect. Today, April 17, Police Lieutenant Chaiwat Tipyasot from Bang Pahan District Police Station in Phra Nakhon Si…
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Transgender woman alleges unfair dismissal in Samut Prakan
A 27 year old transwoman alleged unfair dismissal from her job due to her gender identity. She claims that her supervisor’s bias against transgender persons led to her having to resign under duress. The incident occurred at a company in Khlong Dan subdistrict, Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan province, where she worked as a heavy lifting equipment operator. Chatchai explained…
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Hunter accidentally kills friend in banana grove mishap
A man mistakenly shot his close friend while hunting in a banana grove, believing the noise he heard was a wild boar. The incident occurred in Mueang district, Uttaradit province, yesterday with police arresting the hunter for legal proceedings. Police Lieutenant Colonel Peerapol Chamnongchit of Mueang Uttaradit Police Station received a report at 10.02pm on April 16 about a death…
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Myanmar teens busted in Prachuap for no ID during Songkran
A group of Myanmar teens hoping to enjoy Thailand’s wild Songkran festivities got more than they bargained for — ending their water fight with a police escort instead of a party. Yesterday, April 16, police in Prachuap Khiri Khan detained 10 Myanmar nationals, all teenagers and young adults, for entering the city to join the Songkran celebrations without any identification…
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Blue by Alain Ducasse: Bangkok’s new casual dining spot at ICONSIAM
Blue by Alain Ducasse stirs the pot with a fresh twist on fine dining, unveiling a laid-back, all-day eatery at ICONSIAM that’s set to serve up style with every bite. This new chapter in Bangkok’s foodie scene is anything but “Blue” plate special—it’s casual, chic, and unmistakably Ducasse. Showcasing an exciting new menu of international favourites across 120 square metres…
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Cha-am–Hua Hin highway upgrade to boost travel and tourism
Thailand is paving the way for a smoother ride, literally, as the government pushes forward with a massive upgrade of Highway 37, better known as the Cha-am Bypass, in a project set to ease traffic woes, enhance road safety, and drive tourism and economic growth along the Gulf coast. Spanning 50 kilometres between Cha-am in Phetchaburi and Pranburi in Prachuap…
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Thief desecrates grave, steals over 3,000 baht in Udon Thani
A thief desecrated a young man’s grave to steal over 3,000 baht, intended for his afterlife, prompting local monks to warn of potential spiritual repercussions. The incident occurred at a cemetery in Udon Thani province after a 20 year old, referred to as A, died in a motorcycle accident on April 14. At Wat Pa Phra Na Hai temple in…
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Songkran road death toll rises to 200 on sixth day
Thailand’s Songkran celebrations have once again been marred by tragedy, with the road death toll rising to 200, with over 1,300 injured in just six days of road mayhem. The Road Safety Centre reported that from April 11 to 16, the bulk of the annual Seven Dangerous Days campaign, a staggering 1,377 road accidents occurred across the country. The leading culprits? Speeding…
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Teen injured in Narathiwat after bomb explodes in hand
An incident involving a young man and a bomb in Narathiwat province has sparked nationwide discussions online. The 18 year old was preparing to throw a ping pong bomb at an adversary during a confrontation in Su-ngai Kolok district on April 15 at 11pm when it exploded, severely injuring his hand. The explosion left his wrist severely damaged, with him…
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AirAsia unveils Phuket–Medan route to spark tourism boom
Thai AirAsia is turning up the heat on regional travel with the launch of a new direct route connecting Phuket to Medan, Indonesia, giving travellers even more reason to escape the ordinary and explore Southeast Asia’s hidden gems. Starting June 27, AirAsia’s new route will operate four times a week, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, offering a seamless connection…
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