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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Former traffic officer survives horrific crash thanks to amulet
A former traffic officer narrowly survived a severe road accident involving a pickup truck on the Udon Thani-Sakon Nakhon Road in the Mueang Nong Han district of Udon Thani province. The vehicle overturned multiple times, causing extensive damage, but the driver emerged with only minor injuries, attributing his survival to a protective amulet. The incident occurred at 8pm yesterday, August…
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Massive drug haul found floating in Samut Songkhram canal
Police in Samut Songkhram province were alerted by locals to a large cache of crystal methamphetamine, nearly 100 kilogrammes, found floating in a canal. The discovery has prompted an extensive investigation into the drug network involved. On August 18, Police Lieutenant Chananthip Ongkhlueab, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of narcotics in the Lampradong canal…
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Drunken blunder: Pattaya waitress’s bike stolen outside bar
A bar waitress in Pattaya lost more than just her buzz after a staff birthday party—she lost her motorbike too. At around 5.06am yesterday, August 18, 25 year old Sumitra Saengarun reported that her black GPX motorcycle had been stolen from outside the Red Cat Bar on Pattaya Beach Road, just metres from Pattaya City Police Station. Sumitra, who works…
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Man arrested after gold theft attempt at Lotus Mall in Tak
A 28 year old man was apprehended after attempting to steal gold from Wang Tokang Gold Shop in Tak Province’s Lotus Mall yesterday, August 18. The suspect, who hails from Mueang district, allegedly feigned interest in buying gold but aroused suspicion, prompting the staff to alert security. As he attempted to flee with a gold necklace, the police present in the…
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Massive blaze reduces Pattaya recycling plant to ashes
A fierce blaze ripped through a recycling factory in Pattaya yesterday, leaving nothing but twisted metal and charred debris. The inferno erupted at the Banjong Recycling Factory in Village 4, Takhian Tia subdistrict, Bang Lamung district yesterday, August 18, with fireballs lighting up the sky and smoke billowing for kilometres. The cause? A suspected electrical short circuit—though forensic teams are…
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Thai army accuses Cambodia of placing new landmines at border
The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that recent landmines discovered along the Thai-Cambodian border were newly placed by Cambodian soldiers for tactical purposes, not remnants from past conflicts. Major General Winthai Suvaree, the army’s spokesperson, highlighted this distinction during a discussion on August 18 following accusations from Cambodian officials. Yesterday, August 18, senior Cambodian minister Dr Lee Thuch and Heng…
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Heavy rain warning for 25 Thai provinces amid monsoon changes
Today, August 19, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast warning for 25 provinces in Thailand, predicting heavy rainfall in the north and northeastern regions. Residents are advised to remain vigilant against potential dangers, including flash floods and forest runoff, especially in areas near slopes, waterways, and low-lying regions. The monsoon trough is moving across northern Thailand and…
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Stray dog in Songkhla melts hearts begging for toy from claw machine
A stray dog in the southern province of Songkhla has gone viral on Thai TikTok after being filmed begging for a toy from a claw machine. The TikToker who captured the moment was praised by netizens for giving the dog his first-ever toy. The videos were shared by 23 year old Kannika “View” Eabsamrong, on her TikTok account, @i.view12, on…
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Foreigners filmed chasing and beating Thai man in Phuket
Another viral video circulated on Thai social media yesterday, August 17, showing a group of foreigners attacking a Thai man outside a restaurant in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The Phuket Times Facebook page reported, “Phuket, again! A swaggering gang of foreigners beat up a Thai national until the victim had to hide under a table. They then chased after…
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Thai flying trainer dies after Phuket glider crash with Russian student
A Thai flying trainer died in hospital today, August 18, after he and his Russian student crashed a glider on the side of a road in the Thalang district of Phuket yesterday, August 17. The accident occurred at around 4.30pm along the Mueang Mai–Paklok Road near Phuket Airpark in the Paklok sub-district. Two people were injured, 40 year old Thai…
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Thai cancer patient faces scrutiny over 1.6 million baht donation
The public demanded that a female cancer patient clarify her treatment costs after she launched a donation campaign and raised 1.6 million baht, yet only around 587,000 baht appeared to remain in her bank account. A Thai woman, identified only as Bew, took to her Facebook account, CarBew Donlaya, to share with her followers that she is battling stage three…
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Thai and Cambodian officials clash over legitimacy of landmines
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the director of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) engaged in a disagreement over the legitimacy of Cambodian PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines displayed during an inspection event in Sisaket province on August 16. CMAC director Heng Ratana questioned the authenticity of the mines, noting they were still fitted with safety pins, which raised doubts about…
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Australian arrested with meth in soap at Bangkok airport
A 68 year old Australian was detained at Suvarnabhumi airport after officials discovered 4.26 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed within soap bars in his luggage. He was about to board a flight to Western Australia. The arrest was conducted by the narcotics and Airport Interdiction Task Force police, following a tip-off, as reported by Customs Department spokesperson Panthong Loykulnan. The man,…
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Dutch man and Thai wife recount escape from border clashes to ambassador
A Dutch man, who has a Thai wife, recounted the moment when he and his family escaped border clashes and claimed Cambodia initiated the violent attack during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Netherlands. Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiamphongsa and Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suwaree led ambassadors and representatives from 33 countries and international organisations to survey…
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Thai uncle with history of drug use beats niece to death in Trang
Police yesterday, August 17, arrested a Thai man for beating his niece to death at a house in the southern province of Trang on Saturday, August 16. The Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Rescue Foundation was alerted to the incident at 10.36am on Saturday and rushed to the scene, a house in the Huay Yod district of Trang, to transport the victim,…
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Thailand video news | Thailand forces closure of over 1,000 cannabis shops in major sweep, Alcohol-Free movement picks up among Thai teens
In Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand. The stories include Thailand faces sweeping changes this week, from a nationwide cannabis crackdown and tightened retiree visa rules to border tensions with Cambodia and a senator’s corruption probe. Other headlines include a fake “White House journalist” scandal in Cambodia, a stranded Australian pensioner in Udon Thani, a Pattaya…
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Thai woman dies after collision with British motorcyclist in Pattaya
A Thai woman tragically died in hospital in Pattaya after a British man crashed his electric off-road motorcycle into her motorbike on Thursday, August 14. The accident occurred in Soi Bonkot 8 in Bang Lamung district at around 11pm on Thursday. The British national, whose name has not been released, reportedly collided with the motorbike of 49 year old Churairat…
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Thai trainer and Russian student injured in plane crash in Phuket
A small plane crashed into roadside woodland in the Paklok sub-district of Phuket yesterday, August 17, leaving two men injured, a Thai trainer and a Russian flying student. The plane, reportedly belonging to a private company, went down beside a road near a runway at around 4.30pm. The victims were identified as 40 year old Thai trainer Surasak Chana and…
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Phuket drug raids: Suspects arrested, meth seized in major crackdown
Officials from the Special Operations Unit of the Phuket Provincial Defense Office have apprehended suspected drug dealers and confiscated methamphetamine (ya bah) and crystal meth (ya ice) in coordinated operations across all three districts of the island. The raids, which took place from August 14 to August 17 as part of the No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, were spearheaded by…
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Thailand cancels invite for US national over false journalist claims
The Thai government has withdrawn an invitation to American national Michael B Alfaro after confirming he is not a recognised White House correspondent, despite his assertions. Jirayu Houngsub, a member of the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand–Cambodia Border Situation, stated the government’s initial plan was to host Alfaro to allow him to witness the damage caused by Cambodian heavy weapons,…
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11-car crash on Udon Ratthaya Expressway sparks street racing fears
A collision involving 11 vehicles, including luxury cars, occurred on the outbound lane of the Udon Ratthaya Expressway near the Muang Thong Thani entrance in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province. The incident took place late on August 16, sparking widespread social media discussion about possible street racing leading to the crash. A victim involved in the crash described…
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Buriram man arrested for attempted murder and firearm offences
Yesterday, August 17, the Crime Suppression Division apprehended 24 year old man in Non Dindaeng district, Buriram province, under a warrant issued by Nang Rong Provincial Court. He is charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Pitak, along with accomplices, allegedly pursued an old rival on a motorcycle and fired six shots in 2024, seriously injuring…
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Family dispute leads to stabbing tragedy in Amnat Charoen
A family dispute turned tragic in Amnat Charoen province after a brother allegedly stabbed his elder sibling. The incident occurred yesterday, August 17 at 8.30pm, when Police Lieutenant Theerachutha Hongsa, an investigator at Mueang Amnat Charoen District Police Station, received reports of the stabbing. The victim, 47 year old Amorntep, succumbed to his injuries at Amnat Charoen Hospital after being…
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Laotian man survives horrific motorcycle accident in Chachoengsao
A 30 year old Laotian man narrowly escaped death after a motorcycle accident left him severely injured. The incident occurred at 7pm yesterday, August 17, when police from Bang Pakong Police Station in Chachoengsao province were notified of a motorcycle accident on Bang Na-Trat Road, kilometre marker 46, heading towards Bangkok. The accident site was located in the parallel lane in…
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Khon Kaen locals find newborn’s remains in sugarcane field kiln
Residents in Khon Kaen province discovered the charred remains of a newborn in a coal kiln situated in a sugarcane field on August 17. The police are actively searching for the mother, while the infant’s body has been sent for a detailed medical examination. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthawat Kaewhan, deputy investigator at Baan Fang Police Station, was alerted by locals…
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Severe weather alert: heavy rain and flash flood risk in 32 Thai provinces
On August 18, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for 32 provinces, highlighting the risk of heavy rainfall in the northeast, covering approximately 70% of the area. Residents are cautioned about potential flash floods and overflow from mountain streams due to prevailing monsoon conditions. Over the next 24 hours, rainfall across Thailand is expected to decrease,…
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Man shot dead in Trang over personal conflict
A 24 year old man was fatally shot after leaving a popular entertainment venue in Mueang Trang district, Trang province. Following the initial attack, the perpetrator returned to fire three more shots at the victim in front of his girlfriend. Police have identified a suspect, believed to be motivated by a personal conflict. Today, August 17, Police Lieutenant Nusil Timsil,…
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Giant python captured in Phuket garden by British volunteer
In Chalong, Phuket, a 4.5-metre reticulated python was captured from a garden yesterday night, August 16. Residents had discovered the large snake concealed beneath a pallet. The incident occurred around 9pm, prompting a call for assistance to British volunteer first responder, 32 year old Vincent “Vinnie” Modell of the Kusoldharm Foundation’s Patong branch. Known locally as the Snake Guy in…
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Phuket boosts support for autistic and intellectually disabled residents
Phuket City Municipality is set to enhance support for autistic people and those with intellectual disabilities, focusing on equal opportunities and community integration. This initiative aligns with the Leaving No One Behind policy recently developed. Phuket Town mayor, Suphot La-ongphet, revealed that the plan follows the establishment of a comprehensive database identifying residents with autism or intellectual disabilities. “Everyone is…
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VietJet Thailand launches Phuket-Mumbai flights at 1,400 baht
VietJet Thailand has launched its inaugural flight connecting Phuket and Mumbai, expanding its network to India. Pinyot Phiboolsongkram, vice president of commerce and customer relations at VietJet Thailand, announced the new route on August 14, enhancing travel options between Thailand’s popular tourist destination and India’s largest city. The inaugural flight from Phuket to Mumbai was celebrated at Phuket International Airport,…
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