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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Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Russian motorcyclist seriously injured after allegedly running red light
A Russian motorcyclist reportedly ran a red light on a road in Pattaya and collided with a sedan car, resulting in severe injuries. Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation were alerted to the accident near the entrance of an entertainment venue at 5.19am yesterday, March 25. The incident took place on Pattaya Sai Sam Road…
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Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand has reported concerns about the imitation of the Thai coconut drink brand “IF” by a Chinese brand “TF”, widely available on Chinese e-commerce platforms. The imitation products, reportedly identical in packaging and name to the IF brand, are confusing Chinese consumers. Despite their similarities in appearance, the TF brand differs from…
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Hazardous dust levels hit 43 Thai provinces in north and northeast
Over the past 24 hours, hazardous ultrafine dust levels were detected across the north, northeast, and other regions, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). At 7am, today, March 26, GISTDA announced that 43 provinces experienced unsafe levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. Eighteen of these provinces, located in the north…
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Thai Education Council challenges global ranking, cites flaws
Thailand’s education system has found itself at the centre of controversy after being ranked 107th out of 203 countries in a global education survey. The ranking, published by the World Population Review, has raised eyebrows among Thai officials, who argue that the methodology behind the ranking is flawed and misleading. “These rankings are based on subjective opinions, not measurable, concrete…
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Pawsome comeback: Thai woman spends 6m baht to clone pet dog
A Fifty year old animal lover from Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province, invested 6 million baht to clone her beloved dog, and bring it back from the grave. The cloned French Bulldog puppy, named Pha Phang, is five months old and displays a playful and lively temperament. Kanjanrat Sakdigratanasiri, also known as Kai, revealed that Pha Phang is the first genetically…
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Jomtien Beach altercation: Tourist slaps vendor, chaos ensue (video)
A beach mat vendor at Jomtien Beach found himself at the centre of a chaotic altercation with a foreign tourist late yesterday, March 25, after the tourist allegedly slapped him. The incident, which took place near the Pattaya Police Station, Dongtan branch, was captured on video and quickly went viral, raising concerns over the safety of locals and tourists. The…
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Fare fight: Ride-hailing drivers trade blows in brawl at Bangkok airport
A confrontation between drivers of a popular ride-hailing app erupted into a brawl at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s taxi parking area. The incident, shared on social media today, March 26, involved two drivers who had earlier engaged in erratic driving. Video footage captured by a bystander shows drivers from the app’s service attempting to mediate the dispute. The clip ends with…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Phuket’s ‘Pineapple Eyes’ boosts community security efforts
Phuket is stepping up its security game with a new initiative aimed at strengthening community surveillance against modern threats. The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 3 branch held a special training session on March 25 to empower residents, airport security staff, and civilian officers to detect and respond to potential risks. The initiative, Community Pineapple Eyes, aims to create…
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Boy’s mysterious disappearance in Lop Buri sparks supernatural theories
A 12 year old boy mysteriously disappeared while playing hide and seek near his home in Lop Buri, only to be found hours later in a perplexing incident that has residents contemplating supernatural explanations. Yesterday, March 25, emergency services and local police were alerted about the boy’s disappearance from his home in the Mueang district. The search efforts began around…
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American throws drunken fit in the middle of a Pattaya road
Late-night drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday when an American tourist, heavily intoxicated and causing a scene, sprawled himself across a busy road, blocking traffic and annoying passersby. The bizarre incident, which left locals and rescue workers baffled, has sparked a wave of online chatter. At 11.36pm, yesterday, March 25, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit received a call from concerned…
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Thai boys post video when killing 33 year old man on social media
Police arrested two Thai boys after they filmed themselves brutally murdering a 33 year old man in a rubber plantation in Trang and posted the shocking footage on social media. Esor News reported the shocking murder by the young offenders in Trang yesterday, March 25. The page stated that the 14 year old boys took revenge by killing a 33…
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Royal decree boosts allowances for senior Thai police officers
A fresh royal decree has been enacted, bringing significant changes to the allowance structure for police officers in Thailand. Effective from yesterday, March 25, the decree, which was published on the Royal Gazette website, outlines new pay guidelines for senior police positions, all under the authority of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. “The new decree aims to overhaul the position allowances for…
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Woman arrested for stealing valuables worth 600,000 baht
Police apprehended a 38 year old woman after she was caught stealing valuables worth approximately 600,000 baht from a luxury home in Chon Buri. The incident occurred yesterday, March 25, when Police Colonel Somchai Thiwangsa, superintendent of Ban Bueng Police Station, directed Deputy Superintendent Thanongsak Suwannawat to lead an investigative team to arrest Naritsara while she was asleep in a…
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Thailand SSO extends care for stroke and heart disease
The Social Security Board has approved an extension for urgent treatment access for two critical conditions, stroke and heart disease, ensuring care until treatment completion. This initiative begins on April 1 and will run through the end of 2025. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, revealed the decision yesterday, March 25, at the Social Security Office in Nonthaburi…
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Thai teenager stages fake funeral allegedly to extort money from mourners
An 18 year old Thai boy in the Isaan province of Udon Thani held a fake funeral for his mother, allegedly to obtain money from a group of friends and teachers. His grandmother defended him, claiming they were merely performing a ritual to ward off an evil spirit. The fake funeral came to light after the community leader, Sisawat Phodhiwat,…
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Fisherman dies on longtail boat in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A 55 year old fisherman tragically passed away after losing consciousness while on a longtail boat near Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Despite his wife’s efforts to seek help during the incident, the boat was eventually carried ashore by waves. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, March 25. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchai Muaydee, deputy superintendent of the investigation unit…
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Thai tourism fears Chinese decline over casino legalisation
Tourism operators have expressed concerns that the Chinese tourism market may experience a significant decline if Thailand proceeds to legalise casinos and online gambling. This issue was highlighted during a censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The opposition People’s Party argued that the legalisation of casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises. They suggested that…
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Fraudulent drug network busted, two arrested in major operation
A significant operation targeting a fraudulent drug network linked to a veterans’ hospital resulted in the arrest of two key figures today, March 26. The operation, conducted at 6am, involved searches at 18 locations across Bangkok, Lop Buri, Prachin Buri, and Chon Buri. Police Major General Charunkiet Pankhaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Police, alongside Police Major General Prasong Chalermphon and…
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Thailand Industry Ministry probes illegal import of radioactive waste
The Ministry of Industry has launched an investigation into the illegal importation of over 10,000 tonnes of radioactive waste falsely labelled as zinc concentrate. The potentially dangerous material, tainted with radioactive caesium-137, was smuggled into Thailand using fraudulent documentation, sparking alarm over the safety of the country’s waste management practices. Yesterday, March 25, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan revealed the investigation,…
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Transport minister denies secret 100bn baht high-speed rail deals
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit refuted claims from the opposition that the government is covertly negotiating two major deals exceeding 100 billion baht with the concessionaire for the high-speed rail project connecting Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and U-Tapao airports. “The debater attempted to distort facts using his imagination to mislead the public.” Suriya’s response yesterday, March 25, addressed accusations from Surachet Pravinvongvuth,…
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Bangkok thief in food delivery jacket steals 1.5 million baht in gold necklaces
A cunning thief wearing a food delivery rider’s jacket stole gold necklaces worth 1.5 million baht from a gold shop at a supermarket in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district yesterday, March 25, and remains at large. The theft was reported at the Aurora gold shop on the ground floor of the Big C supermarket near Soi Phetchakasem 67 in Bang Khae…
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British tourist beaten to death by bar workers in Bangkok identified
The British tourist who died in Bangkok following a violent altercation with two karaoke bar workers last Sunday, March 23, has been identified. The British man, 28 year old Nick Weir from Salisbury, Wiltshire, South West England, was found lying on a footpath near Soi Pracharat Sai 1, in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok. His body, wearing black shorts…
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Web of crime: Spider-Man thief strikes sacred Thai shrine again
A thief dubbed Spider-Man accessed a revered shrine by abseiling from the roof and stealing valuables. This marks the second time such an incident has occurred, and police are intensifying their efforts to apprehend the suspect. The incident occurred at the Pha Laloeng Wai Shrine in Mueang Phon subdistrict, Phon district, Khon Kaen province, at 3.19am on March 24. Upon…
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Nakhon Si Thammarat man arrested for father’s axe murder
A 25 year old man was arrested after allegedly killing his father with an axe at their home in Mueang Kanab Nak, Pak Phanang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The incident occurred at 12.30pm yesterday, March 25, when the son reportedly reacted violently after being reprimanded for drug involvement. Police Lieutenant Paphonsak Pheeriphas, deputy inspector at Pak Phanang Police Station,…
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Gas tanker grounds at Koh Larn, company admits negligence
An LPG tanker has run aground on Koh Larn, sending locals and tourists into a panic. The company behind the vessel has now issued a statement admitting to negligence while assuring the public that no dangerous leaks occurred. The NP Bangpakong, an LPG tanker operated by SC Group Holding Co. Ltd., ran aground at Laem Wan, near Ta Waen Beach…
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Missing Thai man found dead on Phuket mountain
Officials and rescuers yesterday found the dead body of a Thai man who had gone missing on Ket Nee Mountain in Phuket on Sunday, March 23. The missing man’s wife, 56 year old Tararat Payu, sought help from police officers and rescuers after she and her husband, 61 year old Surin Yadee, became separated while walking down Ket Nee Mountain…
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Robbers steal nearly 1 million baht from Phuket shop
Four robbers targeted a grocery store in a worker’s camp in Phuket, binding the shopkeeper and stealing nearly 1 million baht in cash and gold. The incident was reported to Police Lieutenant Anusat Klinkiew of Thalang Police Station at 12.30pm yesterday, March 25. Upon receiving the alert, Pol. Lt. Anusat informed Pol. Col. Nikorn Chuthong, chief of Thalang Police Station,…
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Storm warning: Thailand set for a wild wet and windy ride
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has warned about heavy rain in 20 provinces, including Bangkok, advising caution due to potential dangers. Upper Thailand is experiencing extreme heat, with preparations needed for the upcoming summer storm, including strong winds and hail expected today, March 26. A 24-hour weather forecast indicates that upper Thailand remains generally hot, with some areas experiencing…
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Trump’s tariff threat stalls Thai car exports
Thailand’s car manufacturers are hitting the brakes on production as US President Donald Trump’s looming auto tariffs send shockwaves through global trade. On March 24, Trump signalled his intent to slap fresh levies on imported vehicles, set to kick in from April 2, leaving Thailand’s key trading partners hesitant to place orders—especially for petrol-powered cars, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman of…
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