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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Glam and grace: Chinese pageant stars dazzle in Pattaya
Pattaya welcomed dozens of beauty pageant contestants for a cultural event aimed at promoting Chinese heritage and boosting local tourism exposure. On Wednesday, October 1, at the Thappraya Meeting Room inside Pattaya City Hall, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet officially welcomed the contestants, who are in town for a string of promotional and cultural activities. The event forms part of the lead-up…
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Thai man found dead with leg chained to tree in Nakhon Pathom
A Thai man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in an abandoned field in the central province of Nakhon Pathom, with his left leg chained to a tree. A cattle herder yesterday, October 2, alerted officers from Sam Kwai Puak Police Station after discovering the body in an overgrown plot of land in Marb Kae sub-district, Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom.…
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Anutin heads to conflict-hit border to boost morale and aid (video)
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit two eastern provinces to inspect security operations and meet residents affected by recent border unrest. The PM, who also serves as Interior Minister, will visit Surin and Buriram provinces from today, October 3, to tomorrow, October 4, to monitor security operations, assess rehabilitation efforts, and provide moral support to military personnel and civilians…
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British actor flies in to boost morale at Trat border post
A British actor travelled from overseas to Thailand’s eastern border to donate solar panels and supplies to boost morale among local border patrol police. Actor Mark Shelley and his Thai wife, Naphatwarun Sirirattanasap, travelled from the UK to Trat province, making a patriotic stop at a Border Patrol Police base to donate vital equipment to officers stationed along the Cambodian…
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Chanthaburi monk arrested for distributing child pornography
Police arrested a monk in the central province of Chanthaburi on charges of distributing child pornography depicting the sexual abuse of young boys, mostly novices at the temple. Chanthaburi Provincial Police were alerted by the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (TICAC) that child pornography was being circulated through Telegram and X accounts linked to the Pong Nam Ron district…
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Thaksin’s royal pardon bid under review by justice panel
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be one step closer to freedom as the Justice Ministry confirms a panel has been formed to review his royal pardon request. Justice Minister Police Lieutenant General Rutthapon Naowarat announced yesterday, October 2, that the committee will assess Thaksin’s petition and is expected to decide within three days. The move follows a formal submission…
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Bangkok kids hit hardest as flu and HFMD cases skyrocket
Bangkok is battling a worrying surge in flu and hand, foot, mouth disease (HFMD), with thousands of new infections reported and children worst affected. Health officials are urging parents to be vigilant as cases continue to rise with the arrival of the rainy season, which has created ideal conditions for disease transmission in schools and crowded communities. According to the…
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Bangkok woman caught in 5 billion baht global laundering scheme
A Bangkok woman was arrested for allegedly operating bank accounts linked to a transnational money laundering network worth over 5 billion baht. Nicknamed the “Bangkok granny banker” by online sleuths, the suspect was nabbed by Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) officers while walking along Ngam Wong Wan Road in the city’s Chatuchak district. Police identified her as Wimol, who was…
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Thai man’s psychotic episode scares condo residents in Sri Racha
A man believed to be suffering from a drug-induced psychotic episode caused panic at a condominium complex in Chon Buri’s Sri Racha district, prompting police intervention and calls for urgent mental health care. The drama unfolded at 10am yesterday, October 2, in Bowin subdistrict, when alarmed residents reported an individual behaving erratically near their building. Locals feared for their safety…
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China denies fuelling Thai-Cambodian border tensions with arms
China has denied claims that its weapons were used by Cambodia in recent border clashes with Thailand, insisting it had no part in escalating the conflict. The denial comes after speculation in regional media that Chinese-made rockets were deployed by Cambodian forces during violent exchanges between July 24 and 28, reigniting scrutiny over Beijing’s growing military and economic influence in…
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Thailand video news Bridge electrocution victim vanishes in Nan River, Massive plastic factory fire forces evacuation in Bangkok
Thailand’s headlines this week capture a mix of tragedy, public safety concerns, and cultural milestones. From a fatal electrocution accident in Uttaradit and violent clashes in Pattaya and Phuket to a factory fire in Bangkok and quake devastation in the Philippines, safety and disaster response took center stage. Meanwhile, Thailand’s progress on climate goals drew both praise and criticism,…
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Portuguese crypto scammer arrested in Bangkok mall sting
A Portuguese man was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly running a massive cryptocurrency and credit card scam across Europe and Asia, police confirmed. The Portuguese national 39 year old Carlos Laposo, dubbed the “crypto kingpin” in Portuguese media, was apprehended at a luxury shopping mall on Rama I Road after Thai immigration officers tracked him down following a tip-off from…
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Laotian woman survives brutal attack in Pattaya room raid
A young woman from Laos was attacked during a robbery at her Pattaya residence, where a man broke in, assaulted her, and fled with her phone. The young woman, 19 year old Da (pseudonym), was alone in her room around 4am yesterday, October 2, when an unidentified man forced his way inside under the pretence of needing to use the…
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Stoned son knocks mum out cold in Thai family meltdown
A Thai man high on cannabis has been accused of viciously attacking his mother, leaving her battered and unconscious in a brutal outburst at their rural home. The incident unfolded earlier this week in a village in Thailand, where the suspect, the woman’s biological son, allegedly assaulted her following a heated argument. The young man has since surrendered himself to…
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Dutch man and Thai woman arrested in Pattaya child prostitution crackdown
Police arrested a Dutch man and a Thai woman in Pattaya for procuring children for prostitution after teenage victims were taken to a hotel to provide sexual services to foreigners. Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) received a tip-off from the Destiny Rescue and Free a Girl foundations about a child prostitution ring in Pattaya, allegedly operated by…
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Russian man found dead in Phuket pool villa
A Russian man was found dead at a villa in Phuket after being pulled from a pool, prompting police to launch an investigation into the circumstances. The 58 year old tourist was discovered lying face-up and wet on a bed inside his private accommodation in a housing estate in Rawai. Police were alerted to the scene at 11am yesterday, October…
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Storm brews near Thailand as rain and rough seas roll in
Thailand is bracing for scattered rain, strong winds, and choppy seas as shifting monsoon patterns and a tropical storm nearby stir up regional weather conditions. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a nationwide weather advisory as an easterly wind system continues to influence the Northeast, the East, and the Gulf of Thailand, while the southwest monsoon remains weak over…
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Thailand climbs climate ranks but flunks on clean energy
Thailand was ranked 24th in a global climate index, receiving praise for emissions control but criticism for its weak renewable energy efforts and policies. The ranking highlights a high score for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, a medium score for energy use, but a disappointing low score for renewable energy adoption and a low score for climate policy. To further align…
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Man vanishes after fatal electric shock on Nan River bridge (video)
A man died after being electrocuted by a hanging cable while trying to secure a drifting raft to a bridge over the Nan River in Uttaradit province. The incident occurred yesterday morning, October 1, in Ban Dong village, Pichai district, when the man attempted to stop the fast-moving raft from being swept away by strong currents in the Nan River.…
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Mayor’s grandson wanted after jealous stabbing at Phuket pub
Police in Phuket are searching for a man accused of stabbing a rival inside a popular pub during a violent altercation believed to be motivated by jealousy. Police are on the trail of a suspect wanted for a vicious stabbing at a pub in Phuket Town, with the attacker identified as the grandson of a prominent southern politician. The attack,…
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Bangkok plastic factory blaze forces workers to flee
A fire erupted at a plastic factory in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district, forcing over 10 workers to flee as explosions and thick smoke filled the air. The fire erupted at 2.12am today, October 2, at a facility located in Soi Bang Kradi 24, off Bang Kradi Road. Police Lieutenant Picheth Rodyang, Deputy Inspector at Samae Dam Police Station, was…
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Baht holds steady as US shutdown spooks global markets
Thailand’s central bank reassured the public that no irregularities have been seen in local markets after the US shutdown triggered global financial jitters. The shutdown, which began after the US Senate failed to approve a temporary spending bill, has unsettled international markets and raised concerns over delayed economic data critical to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. Yesterday, October 1,…
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Thailand and Mexico celebrate 50 years of friendship in Phuket
Diplomats, officials and guests gathered in Phuket to celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mexico at a gala dinner event. Hosted at the elegant Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort & Villas in Kamala, the event was organised by Natthakanya Sangpho, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Phuket. The evening welcomed an illustrious gathering of guests, including dignitaries, diplomats,…
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Miracle escape: Myanmar couple plunge off Sri Racha bridge
A Myanmar couple survived a 10-metre fall after crashing their motorcycle off a Sri Racha overpass while en route to work, prompting a swift rescue response. The crash took place yesterday, October 1, at around 3pm near the Bo Yang overpass on the inbound lane to Chon Buri. Rescue teams from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Unit, ambulance staff from…
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Thai govt brings back co-pay scheme with more baht in your pocket
The Thai government will reopen registration for its co-payment scheme, offering increased daily subsidies to support consumers and small businesses. A fresh round of registration will open from October 20 to 26. The scheme aims to support both consumers and small businesses, with increased daily spending power and broader financial benefits for those within the tax system. Deputy Prime Minister…
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Chinese tourist missing after being swept away in Phuket surf
A Chinese tourist went missing while swimming in rough waters at a Phuket beach, prompting a coordinated search by police, rescue teams, and local officials. The tourist was swept away by strong waves while swimming at Nai Harn Beach. The incident occurred yesterday, October 1, at around 2.48pm, prompting an urgent response from local police and rescue teams. Officers from…
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Humble garland vendor in central Thailand wins 12 million baht
A garland vendor from Prachin Buri won the top lottery prize but surprised locals by continuing her work at a roadside stall the very next day. The winner, a 55 year old woman named Kinaree, discovered she held two first-prize tickets with the winning number 876978, announced in the Government Lottery Office’s October 1 draw. The two-digit number for the…
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Pattaya patrol heroes return lost wallet to Chinese tourist
Pattaya officers returned a lost wallet to a tourist during a routine patrol, earning praise for their honesty in safeguarding visitors to the city. The incident unfolded around 8pm during a routine patrol by municipal officers from Pattaya City Administration’s Peacekeeping Division along the bustling Walking Street. Officers Natthaphum Singhseng, Nophakhun Songcharoen and Rungrueang Boonprakob were making their rounds when…
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Phuket’s new governor vows to fix traffic and boost tourism
Phuket’s newly appointed governor took office, pledging to tackle traffic, infrastructure and sustainable development to improve life for residents and tourists. Phuket officially welcomed its new governor, Saransak Srikruanetra, who took office yesterday, October 1, with a promise to tackle the island’s most pressing problems head-on. The 57 year old Udon Thani native pledged to focus on infrastructure, traffic congestion,…
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Thailand maintains Tier 2 spot in US trafficking report
Thailand has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the United States’ 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking the fourth year in a row the kingdom has remained in the category. The ranking reflects efforts to combat human trafficking but also highlights persistent shortcomings, according to officials. The TIP Report, released by the US Department of State on Monday, September…
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