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 Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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Family survives Lampang crash as guardrail impales pickup
A family of three survived a serious accident after their pickup truck collided with a guardrail, impaling the vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 5am today, June 18, in Lampang province. The family, returning home to Lamphun from Bangkok after completing an aluminium glass installation job, was travelling on Phahonyothin Road when the accident occurred near Ban Lampang Klang’s eastern…
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‘Don’t be afraid:’ Thai soldier’s final words before sniper shot
A 22 year old Thai soldier who told his family “don’t be afraid” the night before he was gunned down by a sniper has been laid to rest in a solemn ceremony in Phuket. Private First Class (PFC) Pakom Suden was shot and killed yesterday, June 17, during a security patrol in Ban Wang Hin, Bannang Sata district, Yala. The…
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Cargo ship grounding in Mu Koh Surin causes coral reef damage
Efforts are underway to refloat a Myanmar-flagged cargo ship that ran aground on a coral reef in Mu Koh Surin National Park, Phang Nga earlier this month, resulting in notable ecological harm. Kriangkrai Pohcharoen, the national park’s head, reported yesterday, June 17, that teams have been actively working since June 1, when the MV Ayar Linn became stranded on the…
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Thailand diner: ‘Shrimp paste nearly killed me’
A Thai man with a severe allergy says he nearly died at a popular Bangkok restaurant after being served a dish containing shrimp paste, despite clearly warning the staff he was allergic. Yesterday, June 17, Facebook user Chayutpol Sukkaew shared a harrowing account of his near-death experience at the well-known Bangkok eatery. His post, which has since gone viral, urges…
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Miss World Opal vows to empower Thai women
Thailand’s newly crowned Miss World lit up Government House this week, promising to use her global spotlight to empower women — and sending a message of strength to the nation’s leader. Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, the first Thai woman to ever win the Miss World crown in the pageant’s 72-year history, paid a visit to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, June…
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Krabi monk arrested for drug offences during temple raid
In Krabi, a district chief led a raid that resulted in the arrest of a monk and an accomplice for drug-related offences. The monk was found with methamphetamine pills and a firearm, while further investigations led to the discovery of more drugs with an associate. Today, June 18, local media reported that last night, Preecha Saengthong, the district chief of…
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Phuket police hit the sand in beach safety crackdown
Phuket police swapped squad cars for surf patrols this week, as officers took to Bang Tao Beach to ramp up safety and stop tourists from drowning during the deadly monsoon season. Yesterday, June 17 at 2pm, senior officers from Cherng Talay Police Station launched a proactive beach campaign in line with safety directives from Provincial Police Region 8 and the…
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Man arrested for child pornography distribution via LINE group in Phitsanulok
A 21 year old man was arrested for distributing child pornography videos via a LINE group in Phitsanulok yesterday, June 17 at 8am. The operation was led by Police Colonel Santi Korkasem, with Police Lieutenant Colonel Woraprach Wuthirak, Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyarach Wessagosol, Police Lieutenant Colonel Marod Khwanmueang, along with Police Captain Yoschanin Prasertsopa and the second operative team. They…
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Police crackdown on illegal street racing with strict penalties
The head of the Traffic Police Image Enhancement Working Group, Police Lieutenant General Nithithorn Jintakanon, highlighted the serious consequences of illegal street racing by youths. The activities not only breach the law but also pose significant safety risks and disturbances to the public. The national police force has reinforced efforts to prevent and penalise such offences. Strict legal action will…
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Thai princess takes to the skies with Sweden’s top fighter jet
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya turned heads in Sweden this week as she got hands-on with one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets — and showed unwavering support for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). During a private visit to Linköping, the Thai royal observed a live demonstration of the Gripen D aircraft’s capabilities and took a closer look at…
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Man detained after machete attack in Sisaket province
A 39 year old man was detained after allegedly attacking residents with a machete in Khun Han district, Sisaket province. The incident occurred around 12.10pm yesterday, June 17, when local police received reports of a violent attack at Ban Huay, Moo 8, Krawan subdistrict. The attack left Natnicha, a 27 year old bank employee, critically injured with head wounds. She was…
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Thailand SEC cracks down on margin loan misuse
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will initiate a second round of public hearings regarding tighter regulations on margin loans. This comes amid concerns that certain brokerages have allowed margin credit to be utilised for non-investment purposes. Surasak Ritthongpitak, the Assistant Secretary General of the SEC, indicated that forthcoming regulatory amendments will likely prevent securities firms from granting margin loans…
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Bangkok police arrest man for abducting, assaulting young girl
Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau officials, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and colleagues, ordered the arrest of 21 year old man for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl. The arrest yesterday, June 17, took place outside a condominium in Bang Na, Bangkok, following incidents on August 12 last year. Kongkai reportedly engaged with the young girl…
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Dutchman busted in Phuket over 350k baht fraud rap
A Dutch expat accused of swindling a German woman out of hundreds of thousands of baht has been arrested in Phuket during a nationwide crime crackdown ordered by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The 65 year old man, wanted under a Phuket Provincial Court arrest warrant for fraud, was tracked down and apprehended by Tourist Police following a tip-off that…
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Thai truck driver turns himself in after fatal road rage incident
A 61 year old truck driver turned himself in to police at Thanyaburi Police Station after being involved in a fatal altercation with a 39 year old six-wheel truck driver at the entrance of Kaset Phantharam Temple, in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon province. The older man, Vasan, reportedly stabbed the younger man, Narongsak Homchan, resulting in his death. The incident…
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Thailand’s 157 billion baht stimulus scramble begins
Time is running out for government agencies to grab their slice of a massive 157 billion baht stimulus budget — and if they don’t move fast, the money disappears for good. Today, June 18, Thailand’s Economic Stimulus Committee will review a long list of proposals from ministries scrambling to secure funding before the clock runs out on September 30. If…
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Man arrested for selling e-cigarette pods with anaesthetic in Bangkok
The Metropolitan Police Division 3 recently apprehended a man at a condominium in the Ram Inthra area for allegedly selling modified e-cigarette pods containing anaesthetic substances. Over 500 items, worth approximately 700,000 baht, were seized. Today, June 18, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Bangkok Metropolitan Police Commissioner, along with Police Major General Pallop Aromla, Deputy Commissioner overseeing narcotics, Police Colonel…
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Bangkok workers score 400-baht payday in wage shake-up
Workers in Bangkok are about to get a pay bump — and it’s not just the capital cashing in. From July 1, the minimum daily wage in Bangkok will jump to 400 baht, up from the current 372 baht, according to the national wage committee. The hike will also apply to thousands of hotel and entertainment venue staff across the…
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Thailand video news | Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, sends ash 11km high, Thailand urges employers to offer menstrual leave and period products
Tourists misbehaving, jellyfish invading, and tuk-tuk drivers filming it all—Thailand’s top stories are making waves today. Meanwhile, Cambodia bans Thai produce, Malaysia climbs in global rankings, and Indonesia’s volcano sends ash 11km high. Thailand Urges Employers to Offer Menstrual Leave and Period Products Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has asked employers to offer paid menstrual leave and free period products following…
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50 foreigners arrested at illegal entertainment complex in Pattaya
More than 50 police officers raided an illegal entertainment complex in Pattaya, arresting 50 foreigners involved in gambling, call centre scam operation, and prostitution. Officers from Chon Buri Immigration Bureau, Mueang Pattaya Police Station, and Pattaya Administrative Office gathered at 12.30am, yesterday, June 17, to raid the entertainment complex, which was operated in a luxury apartment block known as Holiday,…
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Drugged-up Pattaya thief steals mum’s motorbike from next door
A trusting mum was left heartbroken after her neighbour stole her beloved motorbike but police cracked the case within hours, exposing a drug-fuelled betrayal just doors away from her home. Sudaphon Sungnoen, from Phitsanulok, woke up early yesterday, June 17, ready to take her child to school, only to find her red-and-black Honda Wave missing from outside her house in…
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Soldier killed by sniper in Yala raises security concerns
An incident in Bannang Sata district, Yala province, resulted in the death of one soldier, identified as 22 year old Pakom Suden. The soldier was shot in the head by a sniper yesterday, June 17, while on patrol in the village of Wang Hin, revealing the involvement of highly trained perpetrators. Pakom succumbed to his injuries at Bannang Sata Hospital.…
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13 foreign suspects arrested for operating call centre scam (video)
Thai and Australian police officers joined forces to crack down on a call centre scam gang in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, arresting 13 suspects from Australia, the UK, Canada, and South Africa on Monday, June 16. Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) sought cooperation from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau after more than 14,000 Australians fell victim to a…
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Chinese gang busted in Pattaya over illegal online lending racket
Pattaya cops smashed an illegal online loan syndicate run by Chinese nationals, uncovering a shady operation involving 25 suspects holed up in luxury homes, one of whom had overstayed his visa for over five years. Officers led by Police Major General Thawatkiat Jindakawnnaong yesterday, June 17, stormed two upscale properties in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, executing search warrants…
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Bangkok bets big on EV buses in 15 billion baht shake-up
Bangkok’s battered diesel buses are finally getting the boot and they’re being replaced with shiny electric ones in a mega-billion baht revamp. The Cabinet has greenlit a 15.35 billion baht plan to lease electric buses for Bangkok under a new seven-year scheme pitched by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Instead of sticking with outdated natural gas-powered vehicles, the capital…
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Bust-up! Teen gangs’ turf war ends in crash and clash near Pattaya
A violent street brawl between two rival teen gangs turned a quiet Chon Buri village into a battleground on Monday night, ending with busted bikes, bloodied teens, and a trail of weapons left behind. CCTV footage captured the mayhem in Nong Ket Yai at around 8.51pm on Monday, June 16, showing nearly 20 armed teens, many riding motorcycles, squaring off…
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Srettha slams Pride tokenism, demands real equality
Thailand may have just made history by legalising same-sex marriage, but former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says the party can’t stop at rainbow flags and parades. In a hard-hitting interview with the Bangkok Post for Pride Month, Srettha warned that true equality needs to go far beyond symbolism. “The goal should no longer be limited to designated celebrations such as Pride Month.…
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Tragic hit-and-run kills mother in Chon Buri
A tragic hit-and-run incident occurred when a motorcycle was struck by an unidentified vehicle, leaving a 30 year old convenience store worker dead at the scene. The accident happened on the Bypass Road in front of the Phra Phrom Village in Mueang district, Chon Buri, yesterday, June 17, at 11pm. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station and rescue personnel from…
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Silence is golden: Aussie cuffed over stash of illegal gun gear
An Aussie man landed himself in hot water after Thai police uncovered a secret stash of illegal gun silencers, rifles and thousands of bullets during a dramatic house raid in Udon Thani. On June 18, Police Colonel Apirak Champasri, Superintendent of the 1st Division, Technology Crime Suppression Division 3, led officers armed with a search warrant from Udon Thani Provincial…
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Thai air force on standby to rescue citizens from warzone
As the Middle East spirals further into chaos, Thailand has its wings clipped and ready. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is on high alert, poised to swoop in and evacuate tens of thousands of Thai citizens caught in the escalating Israel-Iran attacks. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed yesterday, June 17, that evacuation aircraft are prepped and waiting, pending coordination…
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