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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Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Drunk police officer kills woman in fatal crash in southern Thailand
A drunk police officer is facing four charges after crashing his vehicle and killing a 62 year old woman in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Sunday, June 15. Officers from Thung Song Police Station were called to arrest the driver of a grey sedan, Police Senior Sergeant Major Wicharn, on Sai Serm Chart Road in the Thung…
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100,000 jellyfish stingers swarm Pattaya Beach in freak invasion
Holidaymakers got more than they bargained for on Pattaya Beach after a tidal wave of jellyfish, over 100,000 of them, was dumped along the sand in a slimy seaside shocker. Stunned tourists and locals yesterday, June 16, looked on as a 3-kilometre stretch of Pattaya Beach, from north to south, was smothered in jellyfish of all shapes and sizes, some…
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Warehouse pair caught with 1,200 meth pills in parcel mix-up
A warehouse manager and her partner, an employee at the same delivery company, were apprehended for allegedly inserting methamphetamine into a parcel. The arrest occurred today, June 17, when Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, alongside senior officers, instructed the Min Buri police investigation team to expand a probe into a drug trafficking network using parcels. This led to the capture…
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Covid cases surge with 70,000+ new infections in Thailand
Over the past week, a significant increase in Covid-19 cases has been observed nationwide, with 76,161 new infections and 40 additional deaths, raising concerns about the ongoing outbreak. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported that the data spans from May 24 to June 14, bringing the total number of infections since January 1 to 476,584. Of these new cases,…
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Street patrol cracks down on Pattaya Walking Street sleaze
Cops, immigration, and anti-trafficking teams swooped on Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street in a no-nonsense blitz to stamp out sleaze, snare traffickers, and school nightlife bosses on the law. At 9.36pm, yesterday, June 16, a massive joint task force led by Thailand’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) swept through Walking Street, targeting illegal activity and warning venue owners to clean up their…
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Thai king supports troops at Thai-Cambodian border with gifts
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua showed his support for the troops guarding the Cambodian frontier, sending royal gifts and a personal message of encouragement in a rare public expression of concern for their welfare. The morale-boosting gesture took place yesterday, June 16, during a formal ceremony at the Ta Muen Thom Temple outpost in the Chong Bok border…
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Meth-ed up! Panic, pipes and punters in Pattaya drugs den bust
A dodgy den full of drugs, a surprise visit from an eager buyer, and a stashed bag of meth dumped in a panic, Pattaya’s latest narcotics crackdown has left a trail of busted users, fleeing suspects and flustered dealers. Thai police struck hard in two separate raids this week as part of a no-nonsense campaign to clean up Pattaya’s seedy…
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Rain of terror! 31 provinces braced as storms pour in from north
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for 31 provinces, highlighting heavy rainfall, particularly in the north, where 60% of the area is expected to be affected. Residents are advised to stay informed about the impacted areas. Today, June 17, the TMD forecast for the upcoming 24 hours indicates heavy rain in certain parts of north Thailand, while…
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Rampage in Chiang Khan: drunk foreigner arrested with knife and stick
Police yesterday, June 15, arrested an intoxicated foreigner for assaulting locals and damaging their vehicles in a popular tourist destination, Chiang Khan, in the Isaan province of Loei. Residents reported the foreigner’s violent behaviour to Chiang Khan Police Station, stating he had been riding a motorcycle and using a wooden stick to strike passersby and hit vehicles. Motorists also took…
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Ayutthaya man guns down neighbour in decade-long feud
An Ayutthaya man shot and killed his neighbour today, June 16, after a heated argument reportedly stemming from a long-standing dispute that had lasted over 10 years. The incident occurred outside an electrical appliance repair shop in Uthai district. Police were alerted to a shooting following a violent altercation and arrived at the scene with hospital staff and rescue workers.…
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Thai actor slammed over pregnancy scandal and unprotected sex
An entertainment agency terminated its contract with a Thai actor after he was accused of engaging in unprotected sex with multiple women and forcing a pregnant woman into having an abortion. He allegedly told the woman that he refused to use condoms because “it wastes plastic.” The allegations came to light after a user on X (formerly Twitter) publicly exposed…
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Land dispute leads to double murder-suicide in Phetchabun
In Phetchabun province yesterday, June 15, a 64 year old man allegedly murdered two individuals before taking his own life. The tragedy is believed to have been sparked by a land dispute occurring near the Luang Pu Lamai Herbal Forest. Police Colonel Thiansin Chaidejkul, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Phetchabun Police Station, was notified of the incident. Upon arrival with medical personnel…
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Foreign man caught on viral video kissing Naga statue in Phuket
A foreign man went viral on Thai social media after locals witnessed him making a wish and kissing a Naga statue in Phuket. Photos and videos of the incident were widely shared online. The Phuket Times Facebook page posted images and a video of the man today, June 16, with a caption reading, “Kissing a Naga statue. He’s so into…
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Labour Ministry cracks down on illegal expatriate employment
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has directed a crackdown on expats working illegally in occupations reserved for Thai nationals. This decision follows over 4,400 arrests for such offences over the past nine months. Labour Ministry spokesperson Phumphat Muanchan stated that Phiphat instructed agencies to collaborate in safeguarding domestic jobs, stressing that illegal employment should not be normalised despite its widespread occurrence.…
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Thai ice cream vendor arrested after shooting rival over selling spot
Police arrested a Thai ice cream vendor for shooting a rival while she was riding her motorcycle in Prachin Buri province on Saturday, June 14. Officers from Kabin Buri Police Station reported that the victim, a 47 year old woman named Phattanarin, was shot near the Sam Thahan Intersection in Kabin Buri district at around 8.30pm. She sustained a gunshot…
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Thailand and US to begin trade tariff talks
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has announced that Thailand and the United States are currently in talks, set to initiate technical-level discussions regarding the US tariff regime. Both countries have been actively preparing for these discussions, with the Thai Cabinet approving a negotiation framework last on June 10. On June 7, the US expressed its willingness to engage in talks, a…
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Thai PM won’t dissolve House for political gain, says Anutin
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced yesterday, June 15, that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not dissolve the House of Representatives merely for political gain. However, he acknowledged that dissolving the House towards the end of a government’s term is a common practice that might enhance administrative efficiency. Regarding recent reports of shifting alliances within the coalition, Anutin, who also…
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King cobra devours snake in Thai plantation, alarming workers
A large king cobra was discovered devouring a rat snake at the base of a rubber tree in a plantation in Songkhla province, causing alarm among plantation workers. This incident took place at 65 year old Timao’s residence, number 29, in village 7 of Ban Samong, Plak Nu subdistrict, Nathawi district. The workers, too frightened to continue their work, promptly…
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Warehouse worker dies after fall from mezzanine in Samut Prakan
A 54 year old warehouse worker was discovered deceased after falling from a mezzanine floor approximately 3 metres high. The incident occurred in a warehouse in Bang Chak, Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province. Police Lieutenant Issarath Tansuk, an investigator from Phra Pradaeng Police Station, was informed of the accident around 8am today, June 16 and proceeded to the scene…
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Man found dead on bus in Lampang, no foul play suspected
A 38 year old man was found dead on a bus at the bus terminal in Lampang province. The man, a resident of Phichai subdistrict, Mueang district, Lampang, showed no signs of assault but had bruises on his left leg with blood seeping out. Police were alerted today, June 16, after the bus travelling from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai…
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Retired Thai nurse loses 12 million baht in romance scam
A retired Thai nurse lost nearly 12 million baht in a romance scam after being contacted by a scammer via the TikTok application last year. The 65 year old victim sought assistance from the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice yesterday, June 15. She said she had no knowledge of the law and did not know where to begin taking legal…
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Thai man drowns while trying to save pet bird in Chiang Mai reservoir
A Thai man drowned in the Nong Khiao Reservoir in the northern province of Chiang Mai yesterday, June 15, after attempting to save his pet bird from drowning. The bird reportedly died in the incident. Rescue workers from the Kuson Songkhro Chiang Mai Foundation, Phra Kru Odd Chedi Luang Temple Foundation, and Phetchakasem Foundation rushed to the reservoir in Chai…
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Bangkok police seize 600,000 meth pills in Nonthaburi raid
Police in Bangkok apprehended a couple in Nonthaburi with 600,000 methamphetamine pills hidden in a rented room. Police also found a firearm and ammunition. The couple admitted they were paid 2,000 baht per sack for transportation. Yesterday, June 15, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with senior officers including Police Major General Napasil Poolsaard, Police Major General Pallop Aremlaa, Police…
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Man arrested in Kalasin for abusing stepdaughter
A 34 year old man, Anon, has been arrested for allegedly abusing his 4 year old stepdaughter in front of her mother, who was too afraid of him to intervene. This distressing incident came to light when the child’s grandmother noticed signs of abuse and reported it to the police yesterday, June 15. Police Colonel Kukong Disawat, along with other…
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New guidelines allow vehicle seizure for drunk drivers, expert supports
The Office of the Attorney-General’s recent guidelines on drunk driving, allowing courts to seize offenders’ vehicles, have gained support from an academic, aiming to deter repeated violations. Pokpong Srisanit, dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University, endorsed the guidelines, highlighting that drunk driving demonstrates a blatant disregard for public safety, warranting potential asset forfeiture. He explained that in…
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Thailand and Cambodia make conflicting announcements after boundary meeting
Thailand and Cambodia made conflicting announcements following the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, yesterday, June 15. Tensions between the two nations flared on May 28 in the disputed border area known as Chon Bok in Thailand and the Emerald Triangle in Cambodia. Military forces from both sides briefly clashed, with the confrontation lasting around half…
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Fire destroys monk’s residence at Wat Had Poo Dai, Lampang
A fire devastated the monk’s residence at Wat Had Poo Dai in Lampang province, with locals unable to control the blaze. The incident, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit, occurred at 6.15pm yesterday, June 15. Police at the Ko Kha district station in Lampang province received a report of the fire at Wat Had Poo Dai and…
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Surin motel scandal: infidelity leads to chaotic confrontation
In Surin province, a dramatic confrontation unfolded at a motel involving a local administrative organisation leader, his wife, and the husband of a woman he was allegedly having an affair with. The two spouses collaborated to track down their partners after suspecting infidelity. The altercation, captured in a video, escalated when the wife of the local administrative organisation leader used…
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Over 100 fall ill after eating red pork rice at funeral in Phayao
Over 100 residents from Mueang Dok Khamtai district in Phayao province were hospitalised with severe symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming red pork rice distributed at a local funeral yesterday, June 15. Emergency services were called for some people as their conditions worsened. The affected people reported that the red pork rice was part of approximately 700 meal boxes…
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Thailand’s 157 billion baht stimulus budget pending approval
The government’s economic stimulus budget of 157 billion baht is pending final approval this month, while funding requests from various ministries have exceeded 400 billion baht. There is concern over transparency and the economic impact of these proposals, with fears that some projects might serve electoral or specific group interests. The Commerce Ministry requested a budget of 3 billion baht,…
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