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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Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Pattaya demolishes illegal structures in drug-prone area
Pattaya officials have taken decisive action to demolish illegal structures on Soi Jomtien 3, which had become a hotspot for drug-related activities. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet yesterday, February 17, inspected the building demolition site, accompanied by Pattaya Police Chief Police Colonel Navin Teerawit. The operation comes in the wake of recent efforts aimed at tackling drug issues in the area.…
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Pai in the sky: Thai PM denies Israeli takeover in Thailand (video)
Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra dismissed claims Israelis have taken over the idyllic Pai district, in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. The Thai premier was faced to answer allegations that claimed the district was now home to thousands of Israelis with signs forbidding Thai locals. Longing for clarity, concerned citizens found themselves caught in a whirlwind of misinformation, fearing this might inflame…
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Modelling agency operator arrested over death of party entertainer
Police arrested an 18 year old modelling agency operator involved in the death of a female party entertainer, who was allegedly forced by a Chinese man to take drugs. The 22 year old party entertainer, Irada, was found dead on the bed of a hotel in the Bang Kapi neighbourhood of Bangkok on February 10. She had visited the hotel…
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Chumphon rubber plantation owner arrested for shooting worker
The arrest of a rubber plantation owner accused of fatally shooting an employee has been confirmed. He allegedly sought assistance to influence his case but received no help. Rumours of his surrender circulated, yet he continued to deny the charges. The case involves 51 year old rubber tapping employee, Daeng Khan-on, who was found dead after being shot in a…
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AIS bolsters border security by adjusting signal towers
AIS is taking proactive measures to support the government’s efforts to manage and regulate mobile signal towers near border areas at risk of cross-border criminal activity by call centre gangs. Regional executives and engineers from AIS, along with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and cyber police, visited the border area in Sadao district, Songkhla province yesterday, February 17.…
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Van in collision with elephant on Highway 344 in Chon Buri
A van travelling downhill on Highway 344 collided with an elephant crossing the road, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle and injuries to two passengers. The elephant subsequently wandered off and was later found dead in the early yesterday morning, February 17. The incident occurred at kilometre marker 44, between Baan Bueng and Klaeng, in the Hang Sung subdistrict,…
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Foreign musicians and bar owner deported after immigration raid in Pai
Immigration Bureau officials recently deported four foreigners in Pai district, located in the northern province of Mae Hong Son, for working and operating a bar without the proper permits. In light of the increasing number of Israeli nationals and the disruptive behaviour of some, locals in the Pai district voiced concerns about their presence. Some restaurants even banned Israeli tourists,…
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Man arrested in Buriram for stealing concrete blocks
A 30 year old man has been apprehended in Buriram’s Satuek district after being caught stealing two lightweight concrete blocks worth a total of 34 baht. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred at 9pm on Sunday, February 16. Following the arrest, police discovered two methamphetamine tablets in his motorcycle, and a urine test showed positive results for drugs. Upon questioning…
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Teenager killed after being struck by car in Lopburi
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 15 year old boy who was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross a road in Lopburi yesterday, February 17. The incident occurred on Phahon Yothin Road, near Wat Khao Wong Phra Chan in the Mueang subdistrict of Khok Samrong district. Police Major Piyap Rung Huaphai, an investigator at Khok Samrong…
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Hungry man caught stealing roasted pork from Udon Thani shop
A man was apprehended after attempting to steal roasted pork from a noodle shop in Udon Thani, claiming hunger drove him to theft. Employees managed to detain him before handing him over to the police. The incident unfolded yesterday, February 17, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Thirayothin Sapsin received a report of a theft at Tee Hi Noodle Shop in the…
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Throttle down: Patong police clamp down on reckless riders
In a bid to curb chaos on the streets of Phuket, Patong police launched a major crackdown on reckless driving by foreign tourists, resulting in over ten motorbike rental operators facing fines. The operation, which swung into action on Saturday, February 15, saw the capture of numerous vehicles, with operators penalised for renting bikes to tourists without checking for valid…
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Bangkok woman suffers excessive blood loss after dimple surgery
A Thai woman sought assistance from the Ministry of Public Health after she recently lost consciousness due to severe blood loss following dimple surgery at a beauty clinic in Bangkok’s Prawet district. The 41 year old victim, Laila, urged the Be One organisation to bring her case to the Ministry of Public Health and help her receive proper medical treatment.…
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Body of student linked to gambling debt found in Prachin Buri river
The body of an 18 year old vocational student connected to gambling debt has been discovered in a river in Prachin Buri province. Before his disappearance, the young man reportedly appeared in a dream to his mother, revealing his body was in the river. At 11.30am yesterday, February 17, Police Lieutenant Pattheera Phetthongkliang was informed of a body found near…
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Boatload of change: Phuket makes waves with water transport plan
Phuket is set to make a splash with an innovative plan to tackle its notorious traffic woes—by taking to the water. In a bid to ease the island’s increasing congestion, local officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall’s Smart Operations Center yesterday, February 17, to explore the integration of water transport systems, with a focus on a pioneering ‘Boat Taxi’ project.…
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Tragic Phuket crash: Man killed as car overturns
A 30 year old man lost his life in a horrific late-night crash after his car flipped and smashed into a roadside barrier in Wichit, Phuket, early yesterday morning. Wichit Police were alerted to the accident at around 2.30am, yesterday, February 17, near the Bangchak petrol station on Mueang Chaofa Road, a key route linking Prince of Songkla University’s Phuket campus…
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Young man in Buriram hospitalised after auditory hallucinations
A 21 year old man in Buriram province attempted to take his own life after being haunted by mysterious voices. Following a rescue by police, he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The young man had recently been ordained as a summer monk but requested to leave early due to these auditory hallucinations. When questioned, Natthawut revealed that during…
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Thai man slaps nurse in Rayong over child entry dispute (video)
A Thai man slapped a nurse at a hospital in the eastern province of Rayong after the nurse stopped his young child from entering the hospital ward for the child’s safety. The incident came to light after a Thai nurse, who uses the Facebook account Prang Tewika, posted about the event yesterday, February 17, seeking justice for her younger sister, who…
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Road warriors: Speeding towards a smooth ride on Rama II Road
Motorists can get in gear for a smoother journey by the end of the year as major construction projects along Rama II Road, aka Highway 35, speed towards completion. According to the Transport Ministry, the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Outer Ring Road expressway is nearly done, with 87% finished so far. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed on Monday that the project…
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Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has expressed confidence that Thai durians will continue to be the preferred choice in China, following enhancements to food safety and contamination screenings. Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, after her recent visit to China, reported discussions with Sun Meijun, Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, concerning Thai fruit imports. Thailand is the leading…
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Thailand considers lifting train alcohol ban to boost tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) intends to propose lifting the current ban on alcohol sales on trains at the upcoming meeting of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee scheduled for Friday, February 21. Previously, the committee, under the Public Health Ministry, had rejected a similar proposal due to concerns it could prove more detrimental than beneficial. Public Health Minister Somsak…
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Severe storms forecast for 33 provinces in Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts significant storms with strong winds and potential lightning across 33 provinces in Thailand. Bangkok is expected to experience the most severe weather, with cool mornings and hot afternoons. The upper northeastern region will see a slight drop in temperature. For the next 24 hours, moderate high-pressure systems from the northeast and South China Sea…
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American man arrested in Phuket for violating foreign business act
Police arrested an American man wanted on multiple warrants at a restaurant in Phuket Old Town on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Officers from the Phuket Immigration Bureau and Mueang Phuket Police Station sought a court-issued arrest warrant for the 67 year old American man, Ronald Ray, mainly for violating Section 8 of the Foreign Business Act: operating a business in…
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NCSA watchdog warns delivery firms after major data breach
Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) sounded the alarm for logistics firms, urging them to step up customer data protection after a cyberattack exposed a major security flaw in one operator’s system. The warning comes as the Personal Data Protection Commission launches an investigation into the breach. Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary General of the NCSA, stressed that delivery…
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Thailand’s economic growth hits a snag but hope remains
Thailand’s financial fortunes took a slight dip as the latest economic figures failed to meet the lofty heights analysts had anticipated. Official data reveals a respectable 3.2% growth in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, which, while promising, didn’t quite hit the 3.9% growth mark predicted by a Reuters poll of analysts. The National Economic and…
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Sex sales: China’s sex doll revolution with an AI-morous embrace
In a bold leap forward, China’s WMDoll is shaking up the sex toys industry with its cutting-edge, AI-enhanced creations, promising heightened interactivity and a surge in sex doll sales. With state-of-the-art technology behind the scenes, these sophisticated companions are transforming the market. It’s no secret that life’s little pleasures often come with a twist, and China’s WMDoll is adding quite…
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Krabi police criticised for failing to arrest Turkish man who damages locals’ cars
Police officers in the southern province of Krabi allegedly allowed a Turkish man to remain at large, despite the foreigner damaging two locals’ cars in the area. A Thai scuba diving trainer sought assistance from Channel 7 after her complaint, filed at Ao Nang Police Station, was ignored. Police reportedly told her that they could not arrest the foreign suspect…
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Pane and gain: Thai Airways lands safely amid cracked cockpit drama
In a high-flying drama with a smooth landing, Thai Airways ensured passenger safety remained sky-high after a Bangkok to Singapore flight returned due to a cracked cockpit window, forcing a swift aircraft swap and ensuring passengers reached their destination safe and sound. In an unexpected twist, travellers aboard Thai Airways’ flight TG401 experienced an unscheduled return to Bangkok after a…
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Man attacks wife and relatives with knife in Kalasin, Thailand
A man attacked his wife and her relatives with a knife at a home in Hua Tum village, Kalasin province, leaving four people injured. The suspect fled the scene on a stolen motorcycle, prompting a police manhunt. Police were alerted to the violent incident at 9.30pm, yesterday, February 16. Police Lieutenant Pimpchanok Inthasan from Mueang Kalasin Police Station reported to…
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Thailand faces worsening air pollution crisis in northern regions
The air pollution crisis in northern and northeastern Thailand has been exacerbated by hazardous PM2.5 levels, exceeding safety standards in 42 provinces. Forecasts for February 18 to February 24 predict worsening conditions in the north, with a potential increase on February 18. The Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre reported today, February 17 that numerous provinces, including Pathum Thani, Bangkok, Nakhon…
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Big bovine: Thailand’s King Kong crowned tallest buffalo (video)
There’s a new towering titan in town, Thailand’s own King Kong, a colossal water buffalo, has stomped its way into the Guinness World Records, casting a bewitching shadow over Nakhon Ratchasima as the globe’s tallest buffalo. In the tranquil fields of Nakhon Ratchasima, a giant walks, or rather, ambles. Enter King Kong, the towering water buffalo who’s just muscled his…
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