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 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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Phuket marine life in crisis as biologists save species
Marine biologists in Phuket are working tirelessly to protect the island’s marine life, with two sea turtle rescues and an investigation into the mysterious death of a dolphin. Yesterday, June 5, the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and the Rare Marine Animal Rescue Network sprang into action after receiving reports of two critically endangered species in distress. The first rescue…
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Thai woman left to raise daughters and repay debt after husband comes out
A Thai woman is seeking justice, claiming her gay ex-husband abandoned her with the responsibility of raising their two daughters and repaying a debt of over one million baht after coming out. The single mother, Som (alias), appeared on the Channel 3 talk show Hone Krasae yesterday, June 5, to share her family troubles and to seek advice. She urged…
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Car flips on Pattaya highway; driver, passengers escape injuries
A car crash on Highway 36 in Pattaya left several people injured after a sedan overturned late yesterday. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s rescue centre received a call at 8.10pm yesterday, June 5, reporting the accident, and rescue teams rushed to the scene. The incident occurred near the intersection with Highway 331, heading towards Sattahip, in the Pong subdistrict. When…
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Smuggler killed in Chiang Mai clash, 200k meth pills seized
In Chiang Mai’s Fang district, a confrontation between an army patrol and armed drug traffickers resulted in the death of a smuggler and the seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills and 20 kilogrammes of opium. The incident occurred early yesterday morning in the northern border province. The Chaiyanuparp special unit from the Pha Muang task force encountered four to five armed…
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Thailand launches free alcohol quality tests in 3 provinces
Thailand’s Excise Department is stepping up its efforts to improve the quality and safety of locally produced alcohol by launching a groundbreaking initiative aimed at ensuring community-made liquor meets safety standards. The Community Liquor Lab on Wheels programme, announced yesterday, June 5, by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, will deploy mobile laboratories to Lampang, Sakon Nakhon, and Songkhla—three provinces with…
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Loan officer arrested for embezzling nearly 700,000 baht from client
Police arrested a loan officer for embezzling nearly 700,000 baht from a client in the Isaan province of Buriram by deceiving the victim into applying for a loan. Over ten additional victims came forward after the initial complaint. A 32 year old Thai woman, Phatchara, filed a complaint against the loan officer, Weerayut, at Mueang Buriram Police Station on September…
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Thai healthcare scheme stable with 46 billion baht in reserves
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has assured the public that the 30-baht “gold card” Universal Healthcare Coverage scheme remains financially stable, with hospitals holding reserve funds of 46 billion baht after liabilities. During a meeting of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) board, Somsak addressed concerns regarding hospital budget deficits, which some attribute to the scheme’s compensation mechanism. Critics argue…
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Chiang Mai Univeristy students scammed of millions in single day
Ten students at Chiang Mai University experienced scams in a single day, resulting in losses amounting to several million baht. This has led the university and local police to issue a warning about the scams. The scams intensified during a long holiday from May 31 to June 2, according to Police Colonel Manatchai Inthean, superintendent of Bhubing Rajanives Police Station.…
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Thai man found dead in hammock after suspected accidental strangulation
A Thai man tragically lost his life while sleeping on a hammock outside his relative’s home in the northeastern province of Si Saket. A 64 year old Thai woman, Wilai Sribunruang, reported the death of her 42 year old relative, Phantawut “Keng” Pongsatja, to officers at Uthumphon Phisai Police Station at approximately 5am on Wednesday, June 5. His body was discovered…
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Phuket tackles plastic pollution for World Environment Day
Over 350 participants gathered at Dragon Square in Phuket Town yesterday as the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) launched its World Environment Day campaign. The event, held at Queen Sirikit Park, focused on the urgent need to eliminate single-use plastics, aligning with the United Nations’ 2025 global theme, Beat Plastic Pollution. The event, presided over by PPAO President Rewat Areerob,…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s motorcycle death crisis prompts urgent helmet campaign, abandoned Thai boy given new home after teacher’s viral plea
Today we’ll be talking about Thailand’s motorcycle death crisis, fueling the latest round of helmet enforcement, a US tourist defacing a Chiang Mai temple wall, and a little later, the latest updates on evacuations and military mobilizations on the Thai-Cambodian border. Thailand’s Motorcycle Death Crisis Prompts Urgent Helmet Campaign Thailand’s Department of Disease Control is urging all motorcyclists to wear…
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Wall collapse horror: Pattaya construction mishap injures workers
A construction site in Pattaya turned into a scene of chaos yesterday when a concrete wall collapsed, trapping multiple workers and leaving two Myanmar nationals severely injured. The terrifying incident unfolded at 2.10pm yesterday, June 5, along the railway road in Soi Khao Talo, prompting an immediate response from local rescue teams and medical staff. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre…
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Taiwanese trio busted at Thai airport for smuggling scam phones
Three Taiwanese men were arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport after Thai customs officials discovered mobile phones in their luggage linked to scam cases across the country. The suspects were detained on arrival after officers found bank account data tied to fraudulent activities in Thailand. The men, whose identities have not been revealed, were taken into custody on Tuesday, June 3, when…
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Fraudster mobbed in Pattaya after attempting iPhone scam
A man was caught in the act and mobbed by angry residents in Pattaya after attempting to scam a mobile phone shop with a fake bank transfer slip. The incident unfolded at 3.30am yesterday, June 5, in Soi Rungland Village, South Pattaya, when the suspect was detained by locals after trying to flee with two high-end iPhones. The suspect, identified…
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British man flees after crashing sedan into house in Udon Thani
A British man crashed his saloon car into a local house in the Isaan province of Udon Thani, narrowly missing a young Thai girl, before fleeing the scene. The homeowner, 52 year old Prayoon Saenwian, filed a complaint with officers at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station at around 4pm on Wednesday following the incident. He also submitted CCTV footage from…
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Phuket school flouts rules as education office struggles for action
An unregistered kindergarten in Cherng Talay continues to promote itself as a legitimate school despite lacking formal approval from the Phuket Provincial Education Area Office (PPEAO), raising concerns over education oversight on the island. Despite weeks of questioning, the PPEAO has failed to provide clear answers on the legal status of the school, leaving many concerned about the oversight of…
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Thailand urged to cut interest rates amid economic challenges
Thailand needs to adopt a more assertive approach in reducing interest rates due to its challenging growth outlook and low inflation, according to Somprawin Manprasert, a candidate for the position of Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s new governor. The benchmark interest rate, currently set at 1.75%, could be reduced by 75 to 100 basis points, Somprawin stated during an interview in Bangkok.…
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Thai security guard found dead with e-cigarette and drug paraphernalia
An unpleasant smell at a dormitory in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok led to the discovery of the naked dead body of a Thai security guard yesterday, June 5. A 41 year old man, Chaiwat, contacted officers from Bang Srimueang Police Station and rescuers from the Por Teck Tung Foundation to investigate the death of his neighbour, 48 year old Charnchai,…
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Terror in Chalong: Landlady’s plea after year of harassment
A distressed landlady in Chalong has reached out to the media after more than a year of harassment by her mentally unstable neighbour, claiming police inaction and a lack of mental health support have left her with no choice but to go public. Pranee Boonsawang, 51, known as Som, owns an apartment complex in Soi Palai, Village 2, Chalong, where…
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Escaped Chinese fraud suspect recaptured in East Thailand
A Chinese fraud suspect made a daring escape from a Pattaya police station in the dead of night — by leaping out of a second-floor window. The 38 year old man, identified as Li Jian, was being questioned at Pattaya City Police Station in Soi 9 at around 1.30am yesterday, June 5, when he pulled off a stunt straight out…
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Local legend and lingerie: Thais honour island goddess with bra offerings
A group of Thai people fulfilled their vows to a goddess on Koh Nom Sao, the colloquial term roughly translating to Young Women’s Breasts Island, in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan by offering bras. Sumate Charoensuk, President of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee of Sam Roi Yot Sub-district, shared details of the unique offerings with several news…
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Abandoned boy gets new home after teacher’s plea for help
A heart-wrenching story of a 13 year old boy who was abandoned by his parents as a baby and forced to live in dire conditions has taken a hopeful turn. Thanks to the kindness of a compassionate person and the support of local agencies, the young boy now has a safe, clean home, offering him a chance at a brighter…
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Thai police hold seminar on criminal procedure code amendment
A fiery debate is brewing in Thailand over the People’s Party’s draft bill amending the Criminal Procedure Code, as police officers and legal experts across the country discuss its potential impact. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is organising a series of mobile seminars to gather opinions on the controversial proposal, with the northeastern region being the latest to host a…
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Thai woman attempts to kick fellow passenger off moving train
A Thai woman allegedly attempted to kick another woman off a moving train after a conflict over access to fresh air and a loud phone call. The witness, Nattamon Siripesarat, recorded a video of the physical assault and shared it on her Facebook account on Sunday, June 1. She captioned the post… “Chose a train for a safer trip, but…
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Fugitive Chinese fraudster captured in Thailand after scam
A 55 year old Chinese man wanted for defrauding millions has been arrested in Thailand, where he had been hiding after swindling nearly 1.5 billion baht from investors in China. Dong, whose real name was withheld, was captured following an international manhunt after the Chinese government requested Thailand’s help to extradite him to face charges of illegal fund acquisition. The…
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Missing Dane found safe with new girlfriend in South Thailand
A 59 year old Danish man, who was feared to be a victim of foul play after losing contact with his family and having his Facebook page mysteriously deleted, has been found safe and happy in Nakhon Si Thammarat province in southern Thailand. It turns out, Brian Dilling Pedersen had simply been living it up with his new girlfriend, completely…
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Chiang Mai homestay featured in Thai film destroyed in fire
A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a well-known homestay, which was also used as a filming location, in Chiang Mai, completely destroying the wooden accommodation. The Mae Daet Subdistrict Royal Thai Police (RTP) Cyber Village Facebook page shared a video showing police officers, rescue workers, and firefighters attempting to control the blaze at the popular homestay, Doolaylay. According…
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Fire breaks out on 8th floor of Bangkok construction site
A fire broke out on the 8th floor of a Bangkok building under construction, sending plumes of thick smoke into the air but fortunately causing no injuries. The fire, which started in a pile of leftover construction materials, was quickly brought under control, leaving the building’s structure unaffected. The fire occurred around 12.12pm today, June 5, in the Chatuchak district…
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Chinese suspect leaps from Pattaya Police Station window (video)
A 38 year old Chinese fraud suspect is on the run after performing a dramatic escape from a second-floor window at the Pattaya Police Station. The Chinese national, Li Jian, reportedly managed to break free while being questioned, taking advantage of a brief moment when the officers’ attention was diverted. Li, who had been apprehended by immigration police at Don…
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Man kills aunt after meth-fuelled dispute over money in Thailand
A tragic incident occurred when a 28 year old man, Anupong, reportedly under the influence of meth, strangled his aunt, 47 year old Napathon, after she refused to give him money. The crime took place in a two-storey house in a housing estate in Mueang Nakhon Pathom district yesterday, June 4, with relatives expressing their sorrow over the event. The…
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