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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Muay Thai gym reports suspected poisoning after fighter hospitalised
A Muay Thai gym alleged its boxer was drugged before a bout at Siam Om Noi Boxing Stadium in Samut Sakhon province on March 28, after the fighter fell ill and later sought medical treatment. The official Facebook page of Avatar PK Saenchai gym, posted a photo of its kickboxer Suppachai Sakunwong, also known as Pharuehatnoi S. Sommai, lying in…
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Warning issued after toxic fire jellyfish detected in Phuket waters
Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin warned the public yesterday, March 30, after poisonous fire jellyfish were found in high density around Koh Aeo, Phuket. Suchart said the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported toxic jellyfish dispersed at a relatively high concentration of about 100 per square metre, floating near the surface at…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s shifting visa landscape leaves long-term foreigners in limbo, Chiang Mai air crisis deepens as city tops global pollution list
In Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. This episode covers Thailand securing shipping assurances through the Strait of Hormuz and the potential impact on oil supply, a system malfunction blamed for severe gridlock at Phuket Airport, and Chiang Mai topping a global ranking of the world’s most polluted cities. The update…
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Thai stepfather arrested for fatal assault on 3 year old boy
A Thai stepfather confessed to assaulting his three year old boy by beating him and pressing a cigarette on the child’s body and genitals but claimed that he did not intend to kill the boy. The case came to light after the boy, identified as Phupha, died and his two grandmothers sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and…
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Search finds no trace of missing Thai crew after Mayuree Naree attack
Three Thai crew members from the Mayuree Naree cargo ship remain missing after the ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, with the vessel’s operator saying an extensive search found no trace of them. The Mayuree Naree was attacked by the Iranian military while departing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and travelling to India. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary…
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Foreign man held after alleged rampage on Pattaya Walking Street
Police were called yesterday, March 30, after a foreign man reportedly became aggressive and tried to attack members of the public and tourists on Pattaya Walking Street in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station received the report at 9am and went to the scene with additional personnel. The man, believed to be about…
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Thailand introduces guidelines for intoxication checks before alcohol sales
Thailand’s Royal Gazette published guidelines on how alcohol vendors should assess whether customers are intoxicated before serving further drinks, following a new regulation that bans sales to already drunk people. The regulation was announced in December last year and is set out under Section 29 of the Alcohol Control Act. Under the rule, vendors are prohibited from selling alcohol to…
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Thai stepfather allegedly abuses 3 year old boy to death in Chon Buri
A Thai stepfather allegedly abused a three year old boy to death at an accommodation in Chon Buri on March 26, and remains at large. The Pavena Foundation for Children and Women accompanied two grandmothers, aged 50 and 43, to file a complaint at Nong Kham Police Station yesterday, March 28, against the stepfather of their three year old grandson,…
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American man convicted in Thai man’s death released
A court in the United States ordered the release on probation of an African-American man convicted over the death of the 84 year old Thai man Vicha Ratanaphakdee in San Francisco in 2021. The judge ruled he had already completed the custodial portion of his eight-year sentence after receiving credit for time served and placed him on five years of…
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Thai victim loses 25,000 baht after falling for Saddam fortune scam
A Thai man lost 25,000 baht after a scammer persuaded him to pay a tax to secure US$1.5 million, or about 49 million baht, allegedly taken from the vault of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The victim filed a complaint with officers at Phetchakasem Police Station, saying he transferred the money to a woman on March 20. He told police…
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Italian man proposes to his girlfriend with Moo Deng as witness
An Italian man proposed to his girlfriend at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri on March 27, choosing the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng as a witness because his partner is a fan of the animal. The Italian chef and his girlfriend said they visited the zoo specifically to see Moo Deng. They also prepared a fresh vegetable cake…
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Family seeks answers after 7 year old boy dies after swimming class
The family of a seven year old student criticised teachers at Saint Joseph Yannawa School in Bangkok after the boy drowned during a swimming class on March 25. The boy, identified as Mon, passed away and was found underwater at the school’s swimming pool. His family shared the case with the Facebook page พระราม 3 ต้องรอด (Rama II must survive),…
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Finnish tourist loses Rolex watch and cash to Pattaya bar workers
A Finnish tourist reported the theft of a Rolex watch worth more than 700,000 baht and 5,000 baht in cash after bringing two Thai bar workers back to his hotel in the Jomtien area of Pattaya in the early hours of today, March 30. The victim, 30 year old Kenneth Mikael Konttinen, filed a complaint at Mueng Pattaya Police Station…
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Kanchanaburi sting nets two Myanmar suspects in prostitution case
Police in Kanchanaburi arrested two Myanmar men on March 27, after an undercover sting targeting a prostitution arrangement network in a border area, with a 15 year old identified as a human trafficking victim. The investigation began after police received information that a group of Myanmar youths were allegedly bringing women across the border for prostitution in Nong Lu, Sangkhla…
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Bridge linking Lumpini and Benchakitti park set to open on May 1
Bangkok runners and walkers will soon be able to travel between Lumpini Park and Benchakitti Park via the Lumpini Green Bridge. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials are expecting an informal opening on May 1. Deputy Bangkok governor Chakkapan Phewngam visited the project site in Pathum Wan district to follow up on work overseen by the Environment Department. He was…
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Thailand PM apologises for fuel issues, lifts price caps
Thailand’s prime minister has apologised for the country’s fuel management issues, blaming prolonged disruptions on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Anutin Charnvirakul said the decision to end fuel price caps was taken to curb oil smuggling and ease shortages. Speaking at a press conference at Government House in Bangkok on Saturday, Anutin addressed the situation following a month…
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Long queues at Phuket Airport raise ‘special paid lane’ questions
Claims of a “special paid lane” at outbound immigration in Phuket have circulated online after photos showed long queues at Phuket International Airport over the weekend, according to reports yesterday, March 28. Images shared from the Phuket Info Centre page showed large numbers of tourists queuing at the Immigration Bureau checkpoint on the international departures side. The images prompted widespread…
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Thai authorities target fake local businesses in Krabi tourism sector
Thailand’s Department of Business Development has stepped up its crackdown on nominee businesses in Koh Lanta, Krabi, deploying a multi-agency team to investigate foreign-owned operations disguised as local companies. On March 26 and 27, investigators from the department were joined by the Department of Tourism, Krabi’s Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourist Police Bureau, Immigration Bureau, and Krabi’s Commerce Office.…
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Chinese expat faces uncertainty over visa rules in Thailand
A 34 year old Chinese national living in Pattaya is facing an uncertain future in Thailand after his visa application was rejected and the country weighs tighter entry rules for long-term foreign residents. Cui Heng arrived in Thailand in July 2023 on a tourist visa, initially exploring whether the country could become a long-term home rather than a temporary escape.…
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Transgender women flee after brawl with foreign tourists in Pattaya
A late-night fight involving foreign tourists and a group of transgender women was reported near Walking Street in Pattaya early today, March 29, prompting a response from Pattaya Tourist Police. At 3.30am, Tourist Police stationed at Pattaya Walking Street received a report from members of the public about a brawl near the entrance area by the old South Pattaya pier…
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Man found dead in Udon Thani field after headshot
A man was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in a field in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani, on March 27. His wife disclosed his alleged involvement with drug dealers, while police are also investigating a land sale dispute and a missing relative as part of the case. Police Colonel Phongphan Nakwa, along with officers from Ban…
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Teen’s tragic death sparks call for school safety investigation
A 14 year old girl died following a motorcycle accident after her school allowed her to leave campus without notifying her guardian, raising concerns about student safety protocols and prompting calls for a formal investigation. On March 27, the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women received a complaint from a 43 year old aunt, who travelled from Saraburi province carrying…
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Fake dollar bills distributed in Pattaya by tourists
Foreign tourists in Pattaya were caught distributing counterfeit US$100 bills while filming content on Thursday, March 27, prompting a public warning after some vendors nearly faced legal trouble for attempting to exchange the fake notes. A Facebook user raised the alarm after witnessing well-dressed tourists, described as resembling affluent Arabs, handing out money to members of the public, particularly children,…
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Oil company accused of inflating fuel prices by 10 baht per litre
An Ang Thong oil company has been reported to police for allegedly overcharging on fuel, adding nearly 10 baht per litre above the permitted transport cost of 0.16 baht per litre. On March 27, Sikan Fueangfung, the Ang Thong commerce official and secretary of the provincial committee on prices of goods and services, met with Police Lieutenant Colonel Mongkol Pantaa,…
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Italian drug user arrested on Koh Chang after argument with Thai wife
Koh Chang police arrested an Italian man for drug use today, March 27, after a caretaker at his rented house called officers to intervene in a violent argument between him and his Thai wife. Koh Chang Police Station officers were called to the couple’s home at about 9.50am and found them arguing outside the accommodation. Police identified the Italian man…
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British mother seeks woman seen with son before his death in Bangkok hotel
A British mother is trying to identify and contact a foreign woman who was seen with her son, Joshua Kershaw, shortly before he was found dead at a hotel in Sukhumvit area of Bangkok in January. The family of 21 year old British man Joshua began searching for him on social media after losing contact on January 12. Joshua spoke…
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Bangkok warehouse raid uncovers thousands of smuggled drones
Cyber police and relevant officials raided two locations in Bangkok yesterday, March 26, as part of an operation dubbed “Crack down Drone outlaws”, seizing more than 2,500 drones smuggled into Thailand and sold online. According to police, the searches were carried out under a Min Buri Criminal Court warrant linked to the suspected illegal sale of drones, or unmanned aircraft,…
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Phuket man arrested for groping 4 Thai and foreign women
Police arrested a Thai man for sexually assaulting at least four women in the Chalong area of Phuket throughout March. Chalong Police Station said it received four reports of sexual assault from four victims, including Thai and foreign nationals. Police said the incidents caused fear in the area, and some victims were injured while trying to break free from the suspect.…
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DSI ends proceedings against ex-abbot of Phra Dhammakaya Temple
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced the terminated legal proceedings against the former abbot of Phra Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani and the owner of the Victoria’s Secret massage parlour in Bangkok. The former abbot, Chaiyabun Suddhipol, better known as Luang Por Dhammajayo, was accused of money laundering and receiving stolen goods after funds described as illegal were found…
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Screams heard during hunt for woman carried uphill, no trace found
Rescue workers and police launched a search for a missing woman at Khao Song Phi Nong in Chon Buri after a resident reported seeing two men carrying an unconscious woman uphill and returning without her on March 26. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya team said locals reported the incident over concerns the woman may have been harmed. Volunteers coordinated with…
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