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 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making
Phuket’s residential real estate market is no longer defined only by beachfront villas and short-stay resort condominiums. The island is now seeing sustained interest from international investors targeting long-term yields, capital stability, and access to full-scale lifestyle infrastructure. Looking at...
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Missing Chinese model found safe in Thailand, returns home
A 25 year old Chinese model who was missing for nearly a month has been found and safely returned to China, according to Thai police. Yang Zeqi’s return was confirmed by the Chinese embassy, as stated by Police General Chatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police Office, who was in Mae Sot district, Tak, on January 17. Yang’s father…
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Monk charged with rape at Buriram meditation retreat
Rape charges have been filed against a 59 year old monk, Wichai, following allegations of sexual assault on a woman attending a meditation retreat at his monastery in Buriram. The charges were lodged yesterday, January 18, at the Nong Song Hong police station by Chalida Palamat, chair of the Be One Foundation, who accompanied the 38 year old foreign woman,…
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Thailand braces for cold snap with frost on mountain tops
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning, predicting cold to very cold conditions, with frost on some mountaintops. Bangkok might experience a low temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, while five provinces are expected to have thunderstorms. Today, January 19, the TMD forecasted that the northern, northeastern, and central regions will continue to experience chilly to cold weather…
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Thai lottery dream leads to 24 million baht jackpot win
A new multimillionaire has emerged through Lottery Plus, with a 24 million baht jackpot win linked to a dream. The winning number for the first prize was 807779, announced at 4pm yesterday, January 17, following the Government Lottery Office (GLO)’s draw. The prize also included two sets of three-digit numbers, 961 and 699, and two sets of three-digit numbers, 448…
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Krabi park e-ticketing system struggles to curb cash handling risks
A special task force from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conducted an inspection yesterday, January 17, at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi to evaluate anti-corruption measures. The inspection followed the introduction of an e-ticketing system intended to prevent fraud in park entry fee management. Officials examined the fee collection processes at popular tourist sites such…
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Nakhon Ratchasima to launch electric rail transit after 7-year wait
The government has given the green light to a long-anticipated electric rail mass transit initiative in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. After a seven-year wait, the northeastern province is eagerly anticipating its own mass transit system, as noted by Sarawut Choedchai, a former city mayor and member of the traffic management committee in Thailand’s third-largest city after Bangkok and Chiang…
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“Barrelled and dumped”: Korean killers get life for Pattaya murder
A South Korean court has sentenced three men to lengthy jail terms for the gruesome murder of a compatriot near Pattaya, Thailand, last year. The Changwon District Court handed life sentences to two of the perpetrators, aged 28 and 40, while a third, aged 27, received 25 years behind bars, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. The chilling crime occurred…
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Thai singer demands revenue from falsely claimed song rights (video)
Min Kuntaphat, a renowned Thai singer and independent artist from Maha Sarakham province, has accused a popular influencer with nearly 3 million followers of falsely claiming ownership of his song Soi Dao. According to Min, who legally owns the song’s rights, the influencer has been collecting revenue from the song on various online platforms for almost a year, despite Min’s…
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Ex-police officer and restaurant owner win 12 million baht lottery
A former police officer sharing a lottery ticket with a restaurant owner led to an unexpected windfall as the pair won the first prize in the Thai government lottery, securing 12 million baht. The joyous occasion took place at a restaurant by the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province, where the lucky ticket was shared. The winning lottery number 807779…
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Pollution battle: Flights fight PM2.5 pollution in Thailand
Thailand is taking its fight against air pollution to the skies, deploying special flight operations to tackle the dangerous PM2.5 dust particles. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that the innovative operations have already improved air quality in key regions, including Bangkok, the central region, and the upper north. Launched by Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI), the mission began…
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Southern Thai temple seeks UNESCO World Heritage status
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on is set to propose that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat receive support to pursue UNESCO World Heritage status. The proposal is expected to be presented to the Cabinet next Tuesday, January 21. Apichat Sakdiset, the Minister’s adviser, revealed that the National Committee on the Convention Concerning the Protection of the…
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Strategic partnership: Thailand and UK celebrate 170 years
The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, has announced plans to enhance bilateral relations through a series of events and activities celebrating the Thailand-UK strategic partnership. These initiatives mark the 170th anniversary of the establishment of ties between the two nations. Gooding shared this information at the 170th Anniversary Launch Party held on Thursday evening, January 16, at the Postal…
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Close call: Thai deputy PM reveals scammer encounter
Even Thailand’s top officials aren’t immune to scammer schemes. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared on Thursday, January 16, that he had been targeted by a call centre scam, vowing to take decisive action against these criminal operations. Speaking to reporters, Anutin recounted receiving a suspicious call claiming his credit card had maxed out. “As she had…
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Phuket honours teachers with National Teacher’s Day celebration
Phuket officials commemorated the 69th Teachers’ Day, also known as Wai Khru Day, with an event at Phuket Wittayalai School on Thursday, January 16, honouring educators for their vital role in shaping Thai education. Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai led the event, which was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education Region 6 Office, the Culture Office of Phuket,…
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Heavy rain warning in Thailand as temperatures drop
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its 8th weather warning for heavy rain, identifying key provinces that will be most affected. Temperatures will drop by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (°C) across many regions. A moderate high-pressure system persists over upper Thailand and the South China Sea, causing cooler temperatures in the northern, northeastern, and central areas of Thailand.…
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Bangkok crowned second best city globally in 2025 rankings
If you’re dreaming of your next urban escape, look no further than Cape Town, crowned the world’s best city for 2025 by Time Out! From breathtaking nature to buzzing nightlife, this South African gem offers it all. “Where else can you visit a colony of African penguins, sip world-class wines, stroll pristine Blue Flag beaches, and enjoy views from one of the…
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Umbrella-clad thief climbs from ceiling to steal but only gets 100 baht
Police are searching for a thief who descended from the third floor to the ground floor of a bakeware and bakery ingredient shop in Rayong province, using an umbrella to conceal his identity before stealing from the cash register. However, he left with a minimal loot of around 100 baht. The store manager, Komprakorn, filed a complaint at Mueang Rayong…
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VietJet named one of world’s safest airlines in 2025
VietJet has been recognised as one of the world’s safest airlines for 2025 by AirlineRatings, a global safety and product rating website. The news was confirmed yesterday, January 16 that VietJet ranked alongside leading low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Frontier Airlines, which have consistently been rated among the top airlines. This achievement highlights VietJet’s commitment to maintaining high…
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Borderline mystery: Chinese model’s vanishing act stuns nation
The mysterious disappearance of Chinese model Yang Zeqi near the Thai-Myanmar border has sent shockwaves throughout his home country of China and prompted his father to make a desperate plea to the Government of Thailand for help in locating his son. Accompanied by lawyer Ratchaphon Sirisakhon, Yang’s father approached Police General Kittharath Punpetch, beseeching him to assist in the search…
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CNY rush: Thai airports brace for over 4 million passengers
Thailand’s airports are gearing up for a passenger surge as the Chinese New Year festival approaches, with an expected 4.03 million foreign arrivals between January 24 and February 2. The Transport Ministry has ordered Airports of Thailand (AoT) to ensure smooth operations and safety during this 10-day travel boom. Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that Bangkok’s airports would bear the brunt…
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Drug-addicted Thai man steals pickup to impress teen crush
A drug-addicted Thai man stole a welfare pickup from an officer of the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department in the southern province of Chum Phon to impress a woman he had a crush on. The official, Prasart Kraiwilat, filed a complaint at Mueang Chumphon Police Station after losing the car, which belonged to his workplace, the Department…
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Train station construction closes Ratchathewi flyover for 3 years
Bangkok officials announced the closure of the Ratchathewi intersection flyover for three years to facilitate the construction of the Ratchathewi underground electric train station. The closure, starting today, January 17 at 10pm and lasting until April 30, 2028, is expected to cause significant traffic congestion. City officials are recommending alternative routes to mitigate the impact and are emphasising efforts to…
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Call it off: Thai telecom giants reject merger offers on the line
Shareholders of Thai telecom mobile carriers, Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Thaicom, have been advised to hang up on acquisition offers from their controlling entities. The boards are urging a firm “no” to the merger plans proposed by Gulf Energy Development and Intouch Holdings. Back in July, Gulf Energy, the powerhouse investor behind Thaicom, and Intouch Holdings, which calls the…
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Father fatally stabs son in Samut Prakan after money dispute
Police officer Tosapol Yasriyai received a report of a fatal stabbing at a residential property in Phraeksa Mai, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province in the early hours of this morning. Upon arrival, officers, including Police Colonel Watchara Thepsen and forensic officers, found the body of the victim, 42 year old Parinya, at the entrance of a two-storey townhouse. He had…
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Senior police officer threatens junior with gun over alleged affair
A high-ranking police officer in the central province of Lopburi threatened to shoot a subordinate after he allegedly exposed an affair with one of his lovers to another mistress. The 24 year old police officer from Khok Salung Police Station, Police Lance Corporal John, sought help from Channel 3 after being threatened at gunpoint by 57 year old Police Captain Peerapong…
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Rising sun eclipses Thailand: Japan now No.1 for Chinese tourists
Japan has dethroned Thailand as the top destination for Chinese tourists in a stunning reversal of fortunes. A remarkable surge in visitors last year sent Thailand scrambling to refocus its tourism strategy across other Asian markets. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, Japan welcomed a whopping 6.98 million Chinese tourists in 2024, a staggering 188% increase. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Tourism…
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Ex-waiter arrested for shabu restaurant theft in Ubon Ratchathani
Police in Ubon Ratchathani arrested a former head waiter accused of breaking into a shabu restaurant and stealing money. The suspect, 20 year old Natthaphon Wongko, reportedly used a stone to smash the glass of the restaurant, including one where he previously worked, to commit the theft. The incident was reported on Monday, January 13, when 30 year old Panupon…
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Thailand banks on foreign investment to power economic surge
Bangkok Bank remains bullish on a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Thailand, anticipating it will turbocharge the nation’s economy in the coming years despite global uncertainties. At the 2025 ASEAN Business Forum helmed by the bank last Thursday, Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich unveiled striking figures: Thailand’s investment applications soared by 35% in 2024, hitting a decade peak…
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Scammer poses as doctor to request explicit images from Thai patient
A scammer posing as a doctor contacted a Thai mother who had recently had a baby for explicit images of her post-birth wounds. Fortunately, the victim refused to share any explicit images. The incident prompted a warning from an obstetrics and gynaecology clinic, Doctor Pemika Clinic, in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima urging patients to beware of impersonators. The clinic…
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French mafia chaos: Phuket residents slam tourists’ alley blockade (video)
A fiery video posted on the popular Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต has ignited outrage, branding a group of foreign tourists as the “French Mafia” for blocking a public alley with their motorcycles in Phuket. The clip, accompanied by a stinging caption, lambasted the tourists for their arrogant behaviour and questioned the local police’s inaction. “Admin would like to question #PatongPolice: are…
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