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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Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Lightning strike kills four cows in Nakhon Ratchasima storm
During a storm, four cows from a herd seeking shelter under a tree were killed by a lightning strike, while two others were knocked unconscious but later recovered. The owner was in shock as she was herding them back to avoid the rain around 2pm yesterday, May 5. The incident occurred at Pranee Songsawat’s cattle pen in Baan Takud Rang,…
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Missing catamaran found off Phuket, Canadian sailor safe
A solo sailor vanished, a luxury catamaran went silent, and fears of a maritime disaster gripped Phuket, until a dramatic twist yesterday saw the missing boat found bobbing near Koh Racha Noi, with the Canadian sailor alive and well. The search for the catamaran Liliput, which sparked a marine alert across southern Thailand, ended on a high note yesterday, May 5,…
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Bar humbug! Foreign tourist brawls bruise Pattaya’s party scene
Punches flew, tempers flared and yet another black eye was dealt to Pattaya’s party scene today after a boozy bar bust-up between foreign tourists left three injured and police scrambling to track down the culprits behind the chaos. A full-blown street scrap erupted outside a bar on Soi Chalermprakiat 25 in Nongprue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, today, May 6,…
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Kok River contamination sparks fears in northern Thailand
The Kok River, winding through the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai before joining the Mekong River, has become a source of concern for residents who once depended on it for agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. High concentrations of arsenic, a hazardous heavy metal, have been discovered, generating fear and uncertainty among those who rely on the river for…
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Thai gunman arrested after opening fire at Tak petrol station
Police launched a swift response and arrested a Thai man who fired random shots outside a petrol station in Mae Sot district, in the northern province of Tak, this morning. The official Facebook page of Mae Sot Police Station issued a warning to the public at 7.29am, today, May 6. In the post, officers stated: “Maniac man with a gun.…
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License to grill: Corrupt cop shakes down 79-baht diner for bribes
A fed-up restaurant manager has blown the whistle on a corrupt cop who allegedly demanded a monthly bribe to stop police raids, turning a humble 79-baht-a-dish diner into the target of relentless inspections that have scared off customers and slashed sales. Reporters were called to the Chop Charoen restaurant in Soi Mu Ban Chang Ayothaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, after…
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People’s Party urges peace talks after deadly southern attacks
A wave of violence in Thailand’s Deep South has sparked a fierce call to action from the People’s Party, which is demanding the government restart peace talks and urging insurgents to stop slaughtering innocent civilians. The opposition People’s Party has issued an open letter calling on the Thai government to urgently resume stalled peace talks with insurgent groups, while also…
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Young woman in Soi Ratchada 13 assaulted, suspects charged
Police are actively assisting a victim assaulted in Soi Ratchada 13, who, after being discovered with drugs, has developed mental health issues. The person is currently receiving treatment, while police have charged four suspects and are searching for another. At 6pm yesterday, May 5 at Sutthisan Police Station, Doctor Thanakrit Jittareerat, assistant to the minister of public health, and Kanthas…
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Ice and menace: Pattaya methamphetamine bust causes mayhem
A tip-off from fed-up locals led to a major methamphetamine bust in Pattaya this week but things turned truly wild when a raving suspect attacked civilians, claimed to be a cop’s son, and sparked a full-blown panic in the streets. Pattaya City police yesterday May 5, swooped on a known drug hotspot in Jomtien Soi 3 after residents provided photos…
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7 Russian nationals hospitalised after eating unidentified wild fruit
Rescuers rushed seven Russian nationals to hospitals after they consumed wild fruit while visiting Khao Na Nai Luang National Park in the southern province of Surat Thani. Ta Khun Prom Foundation rescuers were called to assist the group, who suffered from dizziness and vomiting in the park area in Phanom district at 1.33pm yesterday, May 5. Five of the victims…
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Confused foreign tourist sparks shoplifting scare in Pattaya
A department store in South Pattaya was thrown into chaos after an outburst by a foreign tourist sparked a theft scare. Pattaya City Police rushed to the scene yesterday, May 5, after alarmed staff and shoppers reported a suspected shoplifter behaving erratically. But when officers arrived, they found the man, a foreign tourist, wasn’t stealing, just struggling with a mental health…
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Northeast Thailand’s billion-baht cable car gets green light
A long-proposed cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in northeast Thailand is officially shifting into gear after a 25.7 million baht budget was approved for its design. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), confirmed the scheme would see a 3-kilometre route constructed, potentially beginning at the Pha Mak Dook…
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Thai police apologise after ignoring influencer’s stalking complaint
Thai police issued an apology to a female social media influencer for acting inappropriately and initially ignoring her complaints of being stalked and threatened by a Burmese man. The influencer, 28 year old Linrada “Lin” Warakornsittichai, posted on her Facebook account, Sanella Linvar, to seek help after officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station failed to provide any updates on…
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Lightning strikes rocket festival in Prachinburi, injuring two women
Lightning struck during a rocket festival at Wat Rattanettaram today, May 5, in Nadi district, Prachinburi, injuring two women who collapsed unconscious. Strong winds and rain accompanied the incident, prompting quick action from emergency services to assist the injured. The public relations department of the Sajja Buddha Dharma Foundation of Thailand in Kabin Buri district reported receiving a notification about…
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Thai man on the run after raping disabled neighbour in Lop Buri
A Thai man evaded arrest after allegedly raping a disabled female neighbour in the central province of Lop Buri. The victim reportedly appeared visibly distressed whenever she passed the rapist’s house. Residents of the Ban Bang Li community in Tha Wung district expressed sympathy for the victim and sought help from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet. Gun, along with…
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Gunfire near Thai border kills 2 Lao soldiers, bullet hits Thai home
At least two Lao soldiers were killed in a clash with an armed group near the Thai border in Chiang Rai, with a stray bullet piercing the roof of a Thai home, officials confirmed. The gunfire erupted in Laos’ Paktha district, Bokeo province, opposite Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai. The incident, believed to be connected to a recent drug…
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PM defends casino complex plan amid public outcry
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has criticised opponents of the planned casino entertainment complex, accusing political adversaries of creating confusion and fuelling opposition. During the NBT programme, Empowering Thais with PM Paetongtarn, she defended the project, asserting it could attract significant foreign investment and economic benefits without relying on taxpayer funds. Paetongtarn clarified that the investment would come from private and…
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Unlicensed healer under scrutiny after brain tumour patient’s death
A Thai woman blamed an unlicensed healer in the central province of Prachin Buri for the death of her mother, who suffered from brain tumours. The woman died two weeks after consuming a herbal drink and receiving an injection of an unidentified drug. The woman shared the story of her late mother, 61 year old Nit, on social media platforms. She…
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Raw pork fever claims two lives in Thailand outbreak
Two fatalities were recorded due to a recent raw pork fever outbreak, prompting public health officials to caution against consuming raw meat. Symptoms include high fever and muscle aches, especially in those with a history of eating raw pork. Immediate medical consultation is advised. Today, May 5, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reported that there are three confirmed cases of…
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Thai tomboy hospitalised after sedan driver rams and assaults her
A Thai tomboy is seeking justice after a man crashed his sedan into her motorcycle and physically assaulted her on a road in the central province of Pathum Thani on Saturday, April 3. The 25 year old victim, Thipchanok, was hospitalised at Bangpakok Hospital 2 in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, following the incident. She turned to her university Facebook group for…
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Police crackdown on major gambling network in Isaan
A significant crackdown on an online gambling network in southern Isaan resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, including the website’s owner and his wife, today, May 5. The operation involved over 80 officers from Police Division 3, targeting 14 locations across Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Nakhon Nayok, and Chon Buri provinces. The operation led to the…
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Krabi national park vows to punish foreign tourist feeding monkeys
National park rangers are searching for a foreign tourist who was captured on a viral video feeding monkeys at Monkey Bay in the southern province of Krabi. The Thai freelance tour guide, Pokpong “Patrick” Suwannasith, shared the video on his Facebook account yesterday, May 4. In the footage, a foreign man can be seen holding a bag of crisps and…
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Foreign man slaps Phuket taxi driver and rams van in separate incidents
Local news agencies and residents in Phuket are demanding police action against a foreign man who was caught on a viral video slapping a Thai taxi driver in the face in the middle of the road. A Thai motorist shared dashcam footage of the incident with the Facebook news page Phuket Times, yesterday, May 4. The assault reportedly occurred on…
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Former village head arrested for fatal shooting in Samut Prakan
A former village head in Samut Prakan was apprehended following an incident where he shot his nephew and niece-in-law. The shooting took place in Samut Prakan, and the gunman was detained in Chon Buri. The incident occurred at the couple’s residence on Soi Boonthanom, Samrong subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng district, where a dispute over a planned modification of a shared wall…
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Thai parliament’s renovation plan criticised amid economic strain
Thai Parliament faces criticism after requesting an additional budget of hundreds of millions of baht for renovations amidst economic challenges for many Thais. The budget would fund a 4D cinema and refurbish the seldom-used Sala Kaeo pavilion, a proposal widely condemned as frivolous by critics, including MPs from the People’s Party. The plan allocates 113 million baht to refurbish Sala…
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Thai motocross rider dies in cliff fall after fleeing wasps
A Thai motocross rider lost his life after falling from a cliff in the central province of Saraburi while fleeing a swarm of wasps on Friday, May 2. A group of more than 10 motocross riders sought help from the Ruam Katanyu Rescue Foundation after one of their friends, 38 year old Noppadon Nakyot, went missing in the forest on…
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Bangkok police seize 34,000 counterfeit perfumes worth 4.3m
The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) carried out a recent operation in Bangkok, leading to the seizure of over 34,000 counterfeit branded perfumes smuggled from China, valued at 4.3 million baht. Commander Pattanasak Bupphasuwan of the CPPD announced that the May 3 raids focused on suspected storage hubs in Rat Burana and Bukkhalo districts. During these coordinated searches, 34,806 fake…
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Man detained for throwing concrete at vehicles on Bang Na-Trat Road
Police from Bang Na station detained a man accused of hurling concrete debris at vehicles in the Bang Na-Trat area, staging a reconstruction of the incident. The suspect, who has a history of similar actions, vowed to cease his behaviour. Yesterday, May 3, Police Colonel Surapong Sukyaem and his team from Bang Na Police Station arrested 32 year old Chalad…
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Surat Thani arrests: youth-targeted online gambling busted
In the southern province of Surat Thani, three people in their 20s were apprehended on allegations of hosting online football gambling activities that particularly attracted young participants. The arrests, which took place in Mueang district, were carried out by police and administrative officials. Surat Thani governor, Theeroot Supawibulpol, revealed that the arrests occurred yesterday, May 3, following the discovery of…
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Police dismantle online prostitution ring, arrest 10 in Thailand
Police have dismantled an online prostitution ring operating through a prominent platform, arresting 10 women involved in the operation. The raid took place at two locations, a condominium and an apartment, situated in the Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani districts. Legal action is being pursued against the platform administrators. Yesterday, May 3, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpan, alongside Police Major General…
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