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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
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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Thai woman shares Bolt driver watches porn throughout her ride
A Thai woman took to a Facebook group to issue a warning and seek legal advice after her Bolt motorcycle rider watched porn videos throughout her journey. The 18 year old victim shared her story on the Facebook group คนขับ Bolt drivers Thailand มอเตอร์ไซค์ (เท่านั้น), which translates to Thailand Bolt Motorcycle Riders (Only), yesterday, January 1. She recounted the incident…
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Family disputes suicide claim in security guard’s mysterious death
The family of a missing Thai security guard is seeking justice following his mysterious death at an abandoned house in the central province of Kanchanaburi, which police officers ruled as suicide. The family of the 57 year old security guard, Daeng, reached out to Channel 8, urging a further investigation into his death. Daeng had reportedly been missing for seven…
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Bangkok taxi driver allegedly overcharges for vomit cleaning fee
A taxi driver found himself at the centre of an online controversy when a passenger claimed to have been overcharged after vomiting in his cab. The discussion erupted on social media when a Facebook user alleged that the driver demanded 5,000 baht for cleaning fees after the incident, while the passenger was only willing to pay 500 baht. The story…
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New year tragedy: Burmese man falls to his death at Songkhla waterfall
A Burmese tourist fell to his death from a cliff at a waterfall in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, January 1. Rescue efforts spanned over three hours. Rangers overseeing the waterfall at the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary in Songkhla sought assistance from Mittaphap Samakki Foundation rescuers to retrieve the body of the Burmese man, 31 year old Aung…
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Mentally ill ex-boxer arrested for fatal punch on security guard
Police arrested a mentally ill former Thai boxer after he fatally punched a security guard during a party in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon yesterday, January 1. A video of the fatal incident was shared on Facebook by the account ดอกสะแบง คืนถิ่น, accompanied by the caption, “Where are you from? Why are you such a thug?” The video depicted…
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Woman searches for Cambodian worker’s daughter in Rayong
A 51 year old woman from the Nongtapang community in Ban Khai district, Rayong, expressed deep concern after discovering that a Cambodian worker, whom she had employed for two years, had taken her (the worker’s) four and a half year old daughter and disappeared. The Cambodian worker, who lived with her husband and young daughter in a rented room 600…
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Tour bus rage: Driver slams into SUV over parking row in Pattaya
A jaw-dropping video from Pattaya has gone viral, showing a tour bus intentionally smashing into an orange SUV during a heated parking dispute. The dramatic incident unfolded on Monday, December 30 near a hotel on North Pattaya Road, Naklua, leaving onlookers stunned. The chaos began when 35 year old O, a ride-hailing driver for Bolt and Grab, briefly parked his…
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Tattoo shop owner arrested for shotgun standoff on Koh Phangan
A tattoo shop owner turned new year celebrations into a nightmare on Koh Phangan, as shocking footage reveals him brandishing a shotgun and terrorising tourists in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The perpetrator, 49 year old Denchai from Phatthalung province, was caught on security cameras at 2.56am yesterday, January 1, outside a massage shop in Krung Thai Soi,…
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Police trainee accidentally shoots and kills himself and relative
A police trainee in the northern province of Chiang Mai accidentally shot and killed himself and a relative while drinking alcohol and playing with a firearm on December 29, last year. Officers from Fang Police Station were called to a house in the Mae Ka sub-district, Fang district, Chiang Mai, to investigate the accidental fatal shooting. Upon arrival, officers found…
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Thailand expands 30-baht healthcare scheme nationwide
Thailand has extended its Treatment Anywhere 30-baht universal healthcare scheme to cover the entire nation, with the initiative now active in the remaining 31 provinces. This marks the completion of the scheme’s fourth and final phase since being introduced by the National Health Security Office (NHSO). According to Athaporn Limpanylers, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, the initiative now encompasses all…
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Move over, Alpha: Generation Beta is here to shake things up
A seismic generational shift has just unfolded, ringing in 2025 with the farewell of Generation Alpha and the arrival of the highly anticipated Generation Beta. Generation Alpha, comprising those born between 2010 and 2024, grew up in a whirlwind of technological innovation and societal upheaval. From the global Covid-19 pandemic to the rise of artificial intelligence, this mini-millennial cohort has…
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5 dead and 33 injured in Surat Thani coach bus accident
A coach bus driver crashed into a tree along the Asian Highway 41 in the southern province of Surat Thani, resulting in the deaths of five passengers and injuries to 33 others. Three of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The accident occurred in Chaiya district at approximately 7.30pm yesterday, January 1. The severely damaged green coach…
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6 year old girl’s eye donation brings hope to transplant patients
The selfless act of organ donation continues to save lives, with increasing numbers of people choosing to donate their organs. Recently, a poignant story emerged involving a six year old girl whose family decided to donate her eyes to help patients awaiting transplants. This story was shared by the Thai Red Cross Society, underscoring the message that while one’s physical…
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Phuket ushers in new year with traditional almsgiving ceremony
Phuket officials marked the new year with a traditional almsgiving ceremony, drawing prominent figures and residents from across the province. The event took place yesterday morning outside the Government Savings Bank on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town, setting the tone for a year filled with aspirations for unity and prosperity. The ceremony began at 6am, featuring offerings of food…
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Thailand contains cholera outbreak, minimal new cases reported
A recent cholera outbreak in Thailand has been effectively managed, with a minimal number of patients from both Myanmar and Thailand diagnosed and subsequently cured. Public health and security officials confirmed this progress yesterday, January 1. In Myanmar’s town of Shwe Kokko, the number of cholera patients is also on the decline. Despite Mae Sot and four other districts in…
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Toddler injured by firecracker during new year celebrations in Trang
A one year old toddler named Sky suffered severe injuries after being struck by a firecracker thrown by teenagers during New Year’s Eve celebrations at Pak Meng Beach, Sikao district, Trang province. The incident, which left the child with serious wounds requiring seven stitches and a bruised lung, led to his transfer to Trang Hospital for further treatment. His 25…
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Fortune seekers eye lucky numbers for Thai lottery draw
An intriguing collection of lottery numbers has captured the attention of fortune seekers as they bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. With the Government Lottery Office setting the draw date for today, enthusiasts are eagerly searching for lucky numbers from various sources. These include significant anniversaries, vehicle registrations, and even unusual occurrences, all believed to…
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Thai-foreign couple lose 3 million baht in Phuket home robbery
A Thai woman and her foreign husband in Phuket sought help from the police after losing 3 million baht in cash and gold during a home robbery on New Year’s Eve, December 31. The local news Facebook page Phuket Hotnews reported the robbery yesterday, January 1. The theft reportedly occurred in a village on Soi Nayai in the Chalong sub-district,…
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Phuket horror: Tourist bludgeoned by rider over route dispute (video)
A Norwegian tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare when he was viciously attacked by a ride-hailing driver in Phuket. The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 30, left the tourist battered and bruised, sparking a heated debate about passenger safety. A Thai woman, 44 year old Thanatphon Khongcharoen, accompanied her friend, 57 year old…
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Monk in Buriram caught using drugs after tip-off
A monk was apprehended for drug use and allegedly deceiving a young boy at a temple in Buriram, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The citizen presented video evidence of the monk’s drug use, prompting police to investigate further. The incident occurred yesterday, January 1, when law enforcement, led by Visanu Arpornpong, Chief of Prakhon Chai Police Station, coordinated…
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Teen accidentally shoots himself in Buriram clash
An 18 year old man from Buriram tragically died after accidentally shooting himself on a motorcycle trip to a rival’s village, intending to cause chaos with a homemade gun and a ping pong bomb. This incident occurred as the young man, referred to as A, was on a motorcycle with a friend, heading towards a rival group’s village. As they…
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South Korean man causes chaos, steals pickup, and crashes it in Chon Buri
Police arrested a South Korean man who went on a rampage along the Bypass Road in Chon Buri province yesterday, January 1. The man reportedly damaged several vehicles, stole a Thai man’s car, and subsequently crashed it. The Sawang Borribun Dhammastan Rescue Foundation was alerted to a car accident and fire on Highway 36, also known as the Chon Buri-Rayong…
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Bangkok gridlock: Holidaymakers return with dried goods
The roads leading back to Bangkok have become increasingly crowded as northeastern Thai residents return after celebrating new year festivities with their families in the provinces. Traffic reporters noted heavy congestion throughout the day on the Friendship Highway, which saw a steady stream of cars heading towards the capital. Although some sections of the road experienced smoother traffic flow, minor…
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Six dead in Surat Thani pickup truck collision
Tragedy struck when a pickup truck lost control and collided with a tree, leaving six people dead, including four children, on a highway in Surat Thani. The incident occurred today at 7.11am. Police were notified of a pickup truck crash on Asia Highway 41, near kilometre marker 124/500, opposite the Chaiya Transport Office in the Pa We sub-district of Chaiya…
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Gas stove explosion injures two women in Don Mueang home
A gas stove explosion in a Don Mueang residence sent two women to the hospital with burn injuries. This morning, police and fire officials rushed to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Police Colonel Sukrit Mangkalasawat, head of Don Mueang Police Station, ordered a patrol unit to inspect the fire accident reported at a house located…
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Pattaya horror: Foreigner’s body found wedged in drainpipe
Pattaya police faced a puzzling situation when they were alerted to the discovery of a foreigner’s body near a Naklua resort on December 30. The body was found in an unusual and alarming position, folded and wedged into a drainpipe measuring 50 by 50 centimetres, with the legs pointing upward, sparking immediate concern. Officers quickly secured the area to conduct…
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Thailand tourism earns 1.66 trillion baht from 35 million visitors
Thailand welcomed over 35 million travellers in 2024, with visitors contributing more than 1.6 trillion baht (US$46.8 billion) to the economy, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that from January 1 to December 29, a total of 35.32 million people visited the country, spending 1.66 trillion baht (US$48.5 billion). Chinese tourists led the influx…
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Kamphaeng Phet villagers seek lucky numbers from revered spirit
Villagers gathered at the shrine of the revered spirit, Jao Mae Takhian Nong Haew, in the hopes of obtaining lucky numbers for the new year. The ceremony took place yesterday, New Year’s Day, in the Wang Sai subdistrict, Khlong Khlung district, Kamphaeng Phet province. Participants brought offerings of savoury and sweet foods, fruits, and traditional items to honour the spirit,…
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Japanese man vows to behave after arguing with Thai police over lantern ban
A Japanese man issued an apology after arguing with and attempting to assault a Thai police officer who warned him against floating a lantern in the city centre of Chiang Mai. The attempted assault came to public attention after the Facebook page เจ๊มอย v+ (Jmoi v+) shared footage of the incident yesterday, January 1. The incident reportedly occurred on December 31,…
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Thai woman’s Chinese boyfriend assaulted by Pattaya guards
A Thai woman has come forward with allegations regarding an incident involving her boyfriend at a nightclub on Pattaya’s Walking Street. In the early hours of December 31, she reported that her Chinese boyfriend was allegedly assaulted by security guards at the venue. The incident reportedly took place on December 27. The woman, 27 year old Bee, provided media outlets…
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