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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Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Pet cat shot with airsoft gun by neighbour amid noise dispute
A Thai woman is seeking justice for her pet cat after a neighbour nearly killed the animal by shooting it with an airsoft gun, allegedly in anger over her loud motorcycle engine. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station visited a house in the Sam Phrao sub-district, Mueang district, Udon Thani province, in the Isaan region, following a report of…
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Thai cops injured chasing rogue bike in Pattaya
A routine patrol turned into a street-side disaster in Pattaya after two police officers were injured during a high-speed chase of a suspicious motorcycle. The drama unfolded around sunset on Monday, May 5, in Soi Nern Plub Wan, when officers from Nong Prue Police Station attempted to stop a modified motorbike drawing attention with its blaring exhaust and missing licence…
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Troops foil vehicle smuggling at Tak province border
Troops from the Ratchamanu Task Force detained a vehicle smuggling operation at Tak province, as the suspects attempted to drive a stolen vehicle across the Moei River yesterday, May 6. Soldiers from the 433rd Company, part of the Ratchamanu Task Force, were conducting patrols and monitoring natural routes in Baan Muen Rue Chai, Phop Phra district, Tak province, when they…
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Brazilian duo caught with 22 million baht cocaine at Bangkok airport
Thai Customs officials apprehended a Brazilian couple for attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at over 22 million baht. Between October 1 last year and yesterday, May 6, customs has handled 140 cases, seizing drugs worth a total of approximately 800 million baht. Yesterday, Pantong Loykulnanta, advisor on development and tax collection and Government spokesperson for the Customs Department, highlighted the…
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Thai man fatally stabs wife after discovering she was a prostitute
A Thai man fatally stabbed his wife on a road in the central province of Chai Nat, after discovering that she was offering sex services. Rescuers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation rushed to assist the 39 year old Thai woman, Phatcharin, after receiving a report of the stabbing at around 8.30am today, May 7. She was found lying on the…
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Man shoots nephew over debt dispute in Thailand tragedy
A 65 year old man shot and killed his nephew following a long-standing dispute over a debt of several hundred thousand baht. The conflict escalated when the nephew allegedly insulted him over loud motorcycle noise outside his home. Yesterday, May 6, Police Colonel Teerapat Piyataworat from Sikao Police Station received a report from Police Major Sataphon Chongko, an investigator at…
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Transport Ministry plans mixed-use development at Bangkok port
The Ministry of Transport will embark on a development project for the Khlong Toei port area, with plans for a mixed-use development on a 520-rai plot. The initiative, discussed in a meeting chaired by Deputy Transport Minister Monporn Charoensri yesterday, May 6, aims to maximise the utility of the Bangkok port area. Four subcommittees have made progress in various areas,…
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Fire devastates solar battery storage in Ayutthaya home
A fire engulfed a battery storage room for solar panels, with the cause yet to be determined. The homeowner’s son reported hearing several explosions. Emergency services promptly extinguished the flames, preventing the spread to nearby homes. At 5.30pm yesterday, May 6, the 191 emergency centre of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Police received a report of a fire at a…
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Thai man wanted for rape of stepdaughter in Bangkok
A debauched Thai man is on the run after raping his stepdaughter and physically assaulting the girl when she refused to engage in a threesome with him and her biological mother. The 19 year old victim and her mother met social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday, May 6, to seek assistance. The woman stated that her daughter had been…
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Paetongtarn hits back over Thaksin hospital scandal
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came out swinging yesterday, defending her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, amid growing backlash over his controversial hospital stay. Thaksin, now 75, was sentenced to eight years in prison (later reduced to one via royal pardon) after returning from 15 years in self-imposed exile, but instead of doing time behind bars, he was transferred directly to a…
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Drunk driver leaves Phetchabun woman bedridden and bankrupt
A 40 year old woman in Phetchabun has been bedridden for four months following a car accident caused by a drunk driver, with no progress in her legal case. She has exhausted her savings on medical expenses and now faces financial hardships. The incident occurred on January 18 in Bueng Sam Phan district, Phetchabun province, when 40 year old Namphueng…
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Don’t panic: Blaring phone alerts hit Thailand in disaster drill
Don’t panic if your phone blares out an emergency alert this week—it’s not the end of the world, just a test. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is stepping up its game in disaster preparedness with a nationwide trial of its Cell Broadcast warning system. The tests, rolled out in three phases across May, aim to ensure the…
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Shell shock: Aussie man caught with a grenade at Phuket Airport
An Aussie man has landed himself in hot water after allegedly trying to board a domestic flight in Thailand with grenade launcher ammo and bomb parts stuffed in his suitcase. The Thai police swooped on 61 year old Peter Davison at Phuket International Airport after stunned baggage staff uncovered a suspicious stash of military-grade weapon components hidden in his luggage.…
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Drunk officer crashes police pickup into woman and flees scene
An alleged drunk officer crashed a police pickup into a woman and her sidecar motorcycle in the central province of Chachoengsao on Monday, May 5, and failed to stop and assist the victim. CCTV footage of the incident circulated widely on Thai social media platforms, drawing criticism of the officer responsible for the collision. The crash occurred on the Ban…
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Chumphon highway crash leaves many injured amid roadwork confusion
A collision between a pickup truck and a passenger van on Asia Highway 41 in Chumphon resulted in significant damage and multiple injuries. The incident, which occurred due to a lack of warning lights during road repairs, is the latest in a series of accidents at this site. At 2am today, May 7, Police Lieutenant Vimol Kaewchu, deputy inspector of…
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Bangkok trials smart traffic system at 72 city intersections
Bangkok’s notorious traffic nightmare could finally be easing, thanks to a new ‘smart’ system that promises to slash waiting times and get drivers moving faster. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rolled out its high-tech Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 72 key intersections in a bold bid to revolutionise the capital’s congested roads. The trial initiative aims to replace outdated…
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Bangkok drug gang busted: Major arrest and drug seizure
A significant drug gang member has been apprehended following months of investigation. Police seized nearly 500,000 methamphetamine pills, 1 kilogramme of ice, and 1 kg of ketamine. The arrest of the suspect, nicknamed Boonyaraksa, took place at 6am today, May 7, in the Khlong Sam Wa district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Major General Nopasilp Punsawat, and Major General…
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Fourth anthrax case confirmed in northeast Thailand outbreak
The Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office announced yesterday a new case of anthrax, raising the total number of cases in the current outbreak to four, with one resulting in death. According to a source, three are currently hospitalised; two at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital. Of the 636 deemed at risk, 538 have completed a seven-day observation…
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Australian man jailed for 15 days for motorcycle wheelie in Phuket
Thai police sentenced an Australian man to 15 days in prison for performing a motorcycle wheelie on a road in Phuket on April 27, in an apparent effort to demonstrate that no special treatment is given to foreign nationals in Thailand. The 32 year old Australian, Daherwalid, went viral on Thai social media in April after images and videos of…
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Rescue teams race to save trapped whale shark off Thai coast (video)
A massive whale shark’s dive turned into a near-death entanglement drama after it was spotted trailing ropes and fishing junk off Thailand’s Richelieu Rock, sparking a race-against-time rescue mission. The search and rescue operation is underway in the Andaman Sea after the whale shark was seen with its tail trapped in what appears to be discarded fishing gear near the…
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Drunk massage girl’s nap turns into mobile snatch horror
A young massage girl’s boozy kip turned into a nightmare after a cunning thief made off with her mobile, all while she dozed on the pavement outside her Pattaya parlour. Suphassara Somsuay, from Sisaket province, shared CCTV footage in a desperate bid to track down a mobile phone thief who struck while she was fast asleep outside her massage shop…
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Thai boy abused by parents on Chon Buri road, no legal action taken
A Thai woman rescued an 11 year old boy from physical abuse by his parents in the middle of a road in Chon Buri yesterday, May 4. Unfortunately, no charges were filed against the parents. ThaiRath reshared a video of the incident, showing the woman intervening to protect the boy. The event occurred along the road by Bang Saray Beach…
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Phuket fights erosion as turtles and dugongs make a comeback
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on has announced an urgent expansion of erosion control efforts at Sai Kaew Beach in Sirinat National Park near Phuket, following severe shoreline damage and disruption to local communities caused by last year’s monsoon season. During an inspection on May 3, Chalermchai revealed that erosion had severely disrupted transport routes and threatened nearby…
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Innocent man shot in head by friend’s rivals, his parents asasulted
A 19 year old innocent man sustained a serious gunshot wound to the head after his friend’s rivals opened fire at his home in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district on the night of May 5. The shooting and physical assault took place at a house in Soi Prasert Manukit 27. A neighbour managed to record part of the physical assault, which…
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Thailand video news | Pattaya street brawl leaves three foreigners injured, Belgian man deported over repeated drunken behaviour
Today’s top regional headlines cover a spate of incidents across Southeast Asia, from violent brawls and drug-linked border clashes to diplomatic developments and natural disruptions. Thailand sees rising scrutiny over police response to stalking, a tourist’s arrest for ADHD medication, and the deportation of a repeat offender. Elsewhere, Indonesia halts a controversial crypto project, while tensions flare along the Thai-Lao…
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Thai celeb couple slams breast pump ad misuse
A Thai celebrity power couple has taken legal action after discovering their faces plastered on breast pump ads, without permission. The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon, May 5, when the stars and their lawyer stormed into Thong Lo Police Station to file a complaint against a well-known baby brand accused of hijacking their images to peddle discount coupons at a children’s…
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Inflation tops concerns as Thai citizens urge government action
Consumer price inflation has emerged as the foremost concern among citizens, according to a survey by the National Statistical Office. The poll, which included families with members aged over 18, revealed a strong demand for government action on rising consumer costs as the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration approached its six-month mark on March 12. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub reported that 86%…
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DSI uncovers 30 forged signatures in SAO building collapse probe
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has uncovered 30 forged signatures of engineers on documents related to the State Audit Office (SAO) building collapse, as part of an investigation into alleged nominee practices by China Railway No.10 (Thailand). In a meeting held yesterday, May 5, the DSI reviewed the progress of its ongoing investigation into the nominee case involving China…
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Vietnam surpasses Thailand in attracting Chinese, Russian tourists
The decline in Chinese and Russian tourists visiting Thailand, in favour of Vietnam, is impacting the Thai tourism industry. With cheaper accommodation and 24-hour food service, alongside diverse attractions beyond natural sights, Vietnam is drawing twice as many tourists compared to Thailand. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, President of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, highlighted that Thailand’s tourism image has been suffering for…
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Southern Thai watermelon gets GI boost in sweet victory
The Ministry of Commerce has officially designated the Koh Sukorn watermelon as Thailand’s first GI-certified watermelon variety, marking a significant milestone for the small island in Trang province. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang announced the news, calling it a victory for local identity and agricultural pride. “This sweet, sea-grown watermelon is a standout. Its flavour, fine texture, and colourful flesh make it unique not…
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