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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Transgender scammer causes distress in Thai massage deception
A 39 year old transgender, identified as Luk, was brought in for questioning by the Bang Yai police in Nonthaburi over allegations of impersonating a Thai massage housekeeper to scam men into paying deposits for services. The incident caused significant distress to the real housekeeper, 53 year old Thanida, who had strangers regularly knocking on her door due to the…
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Chiang Mai loan shark arrested for illegal high-interest lending
A 33 year old man known as Oat has been apprehended for leading an illegal loan operation in Chiang Mai, involving high interest rates and intimidation tactics. This follows reports of aggressive debt collection methods in the Chai Sathan subdistrict of Saraphi district. Yesterday, February 21, the loan shark gang reportedly threatened debtors at their homes. Social media posts revealed…
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Fake doctor arrested at Samut Prakan clinic for illegal practice
A fake doctor was apprehended at a clinic in Phra Samut Chedi while administering injections to a patient. This occurred around 3pm yesterday, February 21. Nuttanaporn Wongboonkeokul, a 32 year old pharmacist and head of the consumer protection and pharmaceutical health group in Samut Prakan province, alongside Police Lieutenant Colonel Prayoon Pattanuli, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Phra Samut Chedi…
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Police dismantle illegal Cambodian settlement in Sa Kaeo
Police in Sa Kaeo province dismantled a Cambodian settlement illegally established on Thai soil for over a year, following orders from the regional police chief. Yesterday, February 21, officers discovered the settlement and arrested several illegal immigrants. Under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Yingyot Thepchamnong, the region’s police chief, strict enforcement against illegal immigration was emphasised. This operation aligns…
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Chanthaburi destroys confiscated e-cigarettes worth 20 million baht
In Chanthaburi province, a massive police operation led to the destruction of nearly 245,058 items of confiscated goods, including e-cigarettes and illegal tobacco products valued at nearly 20 million baht. This action was taken following the conclusion of 67 cases. Yesterday, February 21, at 11am, police gathered at a public area in Mueang Chanthaburi district, far removed from residential areas,…
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Bangkok faces severe air pollution as PM2.5 levels rise
The Pollution Control Department has issued a warning concerning high PM2.5 levels across 32 provinces in Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing the most severe pollution. Predictions indicate that PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and its vicinity are likely to rise in the upcoming week. Yesterday, February 21, the Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre of the Pollution Control Department released a report on…
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Man arrested for distributing child pornography on social media
Police apprehended a 44 year old man, Pattanakorn (surname withheld), for allegedly distributing child pornography on social media under account X. He is accused of creating and sharing content featuring people in school and various professional uniforms to lure victims into secret groups with a membership fee. The arrest took place at his residence in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province…
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Freedom Beach reclassified for business and ecotourism operations
Businesses and small vendors have been granted permission to operate on over 41 rai of Freedom Beach, following its reclassification by the Royal Forest Department as Recreational Forest. Deputy Director-General Bannarak Sermthong confirmed that the reclassification was publicly announced on January 31 and took effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette on February 19. Bannarak explained that the new designation…
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Thailand’s biometric data lapse leaves borders vulnerable
The Immigration Bureau did not collect biometric data from approximately 17 million travellers entering and leaving Thailand last year due to the system reaching its capacity, as stated by People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome. Rangsiman highlighted on his Facebook page yesterday, February 21, that Thailand’s current lack of biometric data collection for border security presents a significant risk, as…
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White Lotus season 3 boosts Koh Samui tourism by 88%
The third season of the HBO series The White Lotus has led to an 88% increase in Internet searches for Koh Samui and a 44% rise in hotel bookings on the island, according to tourism executives. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicts that Koh Samui may not experience a low season this year due to the popularity of the…
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Phuket police arrest 13 Chinese tourists in illegal gambling raid
Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 Chinese tourists involved in an illegal gambling operation in Phuket Town, supported by locals. The raid, led by Police Colonel Ekkalak Boonsangcharoen, occurred at the Phuket Poker Sports Club in Soi Poonphol at 11pm on February 20. The gambling venue, managed by a Thai national, was secretly catering to Chinese gamblers. During the operation, police…
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Thailand braces for thunderstorms and high waves in 37 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning about unstable weather conditions affecting 37 provinces in Thailand, with thunderstorms expected. Bangkok is also forecasted to experience the same conditions, while waves exceeding 3 metres are predicted in the sea. Today, February 22, the TMD provided a 24-hour weather forecast. Easterly and southeasterly winds are bringing moisture from the South…
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Third time’s the harm: Bangkok gambling den busted yet again
A major gambling den in Don Mueang, Bangkok was raided and dismantled yesterday, February 20 at 3pm. This recent raid marks the third time the establishment has been raided since 2024. Officers, led by Police Major General Jesada Suaysom and Police Major General Chotiwat Lueangwilai, executed a search warrant at a property located in Soi Songprapha 1, Don Mueang district,…
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Thailand and Laos to boost trade and security ties by 2027
Thailand and Laos agreed to a commitment to enhance collaboration across several sectors, including bolstering border security, addressing haze problems, and setting a joint trade target of US$11 billion (369.9 billion baht) by 2027. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a meeting yesterday, February 20, with her Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone at Government House in Bangkok. During the meeting, the two…
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Maid to misbehave: Cleaner caught red-handed in CCTV sting
In a crooked web of betrayal within the private confines of a family home, a Thai housemaid was arrested by police after her secret life of crime was laid bare by unforgiving lens of CCTV. Naphonthip “Kan” a 46 year old housemaid from Phitsanulok, faces charges of theft after swiping a fortune in gold and jewellery from her employer to…
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New allowance system for seniors in the works
The Government of Thailand plans the introduction of a 1,000 baht monthly allowance for senior citizens, replacing the current age-based payment system. The proposal follows discussions on senior welfare improvements and budget constraints. A new flat-rate monthly allowance of 1,000 baht for citizens over 60 will replace the current tiered system, as announced by Secretary to the Prime Minister Somkid…
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Temple abbot arrested for child pornography possession
Police arrested a temple abbot in Suphan Buri on charges of possessing and distributing exploitative materials of minors. The suspect also faces additional charges related to the abuse of a temple assistant. Today, February 21, Police Colonel Peera Assawapiboonphol, Superintendent of Suphan Buri Provincial Police Investigation Division, ordered an operation at Nong Chaeng temple in Dan Chang district, Suphan Buri…
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Scorchio alert: Thailand heats up as summer season arrives
Get ready to sizzle, because the Director-General of the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) declared that the kingdom will step straight into the scorching summer season on February 28. This marks the start of a few sweltering months ahead, promising a mix of high temperatures and occasional summer storms. TMD chief Sukanya Yawincharn made the announcement today, February 21, based…
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Thai man shares ex-girlfriend’s explicit images online after car dispute
A Thai woman urged netizens to help her report a post as spam after her ex-boyfriend shared her explicit images on X (formerly Twitter) following a dispute over car payments. The victim shared her story yesterday, February 20, with the news Facebook page เจ๊มà¸à¸¢ v+ (Jmoi v+). She revealed that her ex-boyfriend, identified as Boy, blackmailed her by threatening to share…
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Dengue cases projected to drop this year despite five recent deaths
The Department of Disease Control (DCC) announced it will continue to monitor dengue fever closely throughout the rainy season, with five fatalities reported in the past month. Hospitals are urged to expedite patient diagnosis, with projections suggesting a reduction in cases by 2025. Doctor Phanumart Yanawetsakul, DCC Director General under the Ministry of Public Health, highlighted the cyclical nature of…
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Khon Kaen man offers prison after dogs cause bike accident (video)
A Khon Kaen resident has offered to go to prison in place of two dogs that caused a motorcycle accident. The incident, which occurred on February 16 in Mueang Nong Ko subdistrict, involved two dogs chasing a 14 year old boy on a motorcycle, resulting in a car collision. The event was captured on CCTV and shared online, attracting numerous…
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Foreign tourist jumps from moving tuk tuk in Phuket (video)
A foreign tourist jumped out of a moving tuk tuk on a road in the Patong area of Phuket yesterday, February 20. Details of his injuries and the reason behind his actions have not been reported. Phuket Hotnews shared dashcam footage of the unexpected jump yesterday. The incident occurred as a red tuk tuk travelled from the Patong area towards…
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Bangkok delivery rider knifes security guard over order row
A delivery rider last night stabbed a university security guard to death in a frenzied attack in the Phatthanakan 37 area of Bangkok, all because of a cancelled food order. In the late-night hours of yesterday, February 20, reports began circulating about a brutal knife attack at a university. The notorious Facebook page Want to be famous, I’ll arrange it,…
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Wheel of misfortune: Truck tyre crashes into repair shop, injures 2
A large truck tyre mysteriously fell and rolled into a motorcycle repair shop in Samut Prakan, injuring two people. Atchara, a 29 year old customer from Chanthaburi, sustained a head injury, while the shop owner suffered minor shoulder bruises. Police from Bang Kaeo Police Station responded to the incident at 9.30pm yesterday, February 20. The incident occurred at a motorcycle…
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Caught in the act: Khon Kaen cops bust hotel prostitution racket
Khon Kaen police smashed an alleged prostitution ring operating brazenly in a well-known hotel, in a sensational sting operation. A Khon Kaen police spokesperson called the operation a “masterstroke in undercover policing,” cornering the suspect right in the heart of the city’s hospitality scene. The drama unfolded in the early hours of this morning, February 21, as Khon Kaen’s Provincial…
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Foul play: Thai rubber plantation cockfight ruffled by police raid
Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday swooped on an illicit cockfighting ring hidden in the heart of a rubber plantation in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The brazen operation unfolded yesterday, February 20 at 4.30pm, catching both gamblers and organisers off guard. The ringmaster had audaciously chosen to stage these brutal battles only on Buddhist holy days but his cunning plan unravelled spectacularly.…
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Thai woman missing in Oman after abuse by Bangladeshi boyfriend
A Thai woman has been missing for three months her parents revealed, adding that they fear for her life after friends made known she was a victim of abuse by her Bangladeshi boyfriend in Oman. Before her disappearance, she informed a friend about suffering physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. The local Facebook news page, Lampang Variety, shared a missing…
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Little thieves in big trouble: Teenagers nabbed for stealing motorcycles
Chachoengsao province was rocked by a cheeky two-wheeled crime spree as local police uncovered a shocking twist: the culprits behind the stolen motorcycles were none other than a trio of audacious teenagers aged just 13 to 15. Leading the pint-sized pilferers was a 15 year old ringleader with a foot already in legal trouble, having been out on bail for a…
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Peeping Tom busted: Ex-brother-in-law’s 3-year peep show horror
In a perverted tale of betrayal and invasion of privacy, an ex-brother-in-law has been arrested for being a Peeping Tom after waging a sinister three-year campaign of secret filming, threats, and harassment against his own sister-in-law. The sordid saga unfolded with the arrest of 30 year old Kaweedech (surname withheld) yesterday, February 20, after his relentless torment of his former…
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No dice: Thai casino entry plan unlikely to get Cabinet approval
A new proposal by the Council of State for Thai nationals to enter casinos is unlikely to receive Cabinet approval, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The proposal requires Thais to maintain a minimum of 50 million baht in fixed deposit accounts for six months before accessing a casino entertainment complex. Anutin, who also serves as a Deputy Prime Minister…
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