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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King cobras mate roadside in Krabi ahead of Valentine’s Day
Locals in Krabi were left stunned yesterday, February 5, after spotting two massive king cobras mating by the roadside in Khlong Thom district just days before Valentine’s Day. The rare encounter occurred in Khlong Thom Nuea subdistrict, where two king cobras, each measuring an estimated three to four metres long, were seen engaging in mating behaviour along Khlong Chamuang Road…
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Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist
Police arrested a Swedish man at a hotel in Phuket for the alleged rape of a woman from the same country, following a complaint filed earlier this week. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, after officers from Patong Police Station tracked down the suspect at a hotel on Na Nai 8 Road in Kathu district, Phuket. The 32…
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Wild elephants alarm locals and campers in Nakhon Nayok and Tak
Officials in Nakhon Nayok and Tak provinces were called into action today, February 5, after wild elephants emerged from nearby forests and startled both residents and tourists in two separate incidents. In Nakhon Nayok, residents of Moo 8 in Nong Saeng subdistrict, Pak Phli district, alerted wildlife officials after a large male elephant known locally as “Phlai Thongkham”, roughly translated…
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Thai TikToker claims followers can visit Mars and Japan through meditation
A Thai man sparked widespread online controversy after claiming he possesses supernatural abilities and trains children to perform spiritual practices for “out-of-body travel“. The man shared multiple videos on his TikTok account @ongdum, where he presented himself and his followers practising meditation techniques for out-of-body experiences. In each clip, he claimed participants were able to leave their physical bodies and…
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Filipina woman arrested at Phuket over theft and forged documents
Police arrested a Filipina woman at the Phuket Immigration Office after discovering that she was wanted under an arrest warrant for theft and the use of forged documents while she was attempting to renew her visa. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, when the woman visited the Phuket Immigration Office to apply for a visa renewal and extend her…
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Rare dugongs observed in Trang marine habitat survey
Marine researchers in Trang province teamed up with wildlife defenders yesterday, February 4, to survey dugong populations near Libong Island, using drone technology and direct observation to assess the condition of these rare sea mammals. The survey was led by staff from the Marine National Park Research Centre 3 (Trang) in collaboration with the Dugong Conservation Group, and it was…
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Construction site manager claims gun accident in worker’s death
A construction site manager fatally shot a worker in Ubon Ratchathani and claimed the shooting was accidental, saying the gun discharged when he tried to slap the victim with the firearm. Officers from Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station were called to investigate the fatal shooting at a construction site on Tuesday, February 4, after receiving a report from workers at the…
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Thai action star Tony Jaa battling stage 3 gallbladder cancer
A close friend has revealed that Thai action star Tony Jaa is undergoing treatment for stage 3 gallbladder cancer after being diagnosed in 2024 and is currently continuing chemotherapy. The update came from a source close to both the actor and his wife, who shared the information with Thairath. According to the source, the condition was first discovered in June…
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German man arrested for political graffiti on Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested a German man known locally as “Mr Spray” after he spray-painted political graffiti across multiple locations on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province. The suspect was arrested at a hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 4. Residents and business operators on Koh Pha Ngan turned to social media to seek help identifying the foreign man, after numerous…
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American man speaks out after Pattaya security guards attack
Pattaya police have summoned three security guards for questioning following a viral video showing an American tourist being assaulted on Pattaya Soi 6. The incident, which took place on the evening of February 2, has drawn mixed opinions online. Footage shared on social media captured multiple men repeatedly kicking and punching the foreigner on the roadside. At the time, little…
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Thai teen shoots neighbour dead over alleged affair with mother
A 17 year old Thai boy fatally shot his neighbour in Pathum Thani province, blaming the victim for having an affair with his mother and causing ongoing conflict within his family. Police from Thanyaburi Police Station were alerted to the shooting at around 1pm yesterday, February 4, by a local community leader, Thanee Suekui. The incident occurred in the Thanyaburi…
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Thailand News | Thailand’s economy branded “Asia’s Sick Man” as growth slows, Thai taxi driver praised after sharing traditional desserts with Australian tourists
Today we’ll be talking about Thailand’s newly dubbed status as being the ‘Sick Man of Asia,’ allegations of election tampering and vote buying ahead of this weekend’s vote, and a little later, Thai influencers weigh in on the prospect of Disney in the land of smiles. Thailand’s Economy Branded “Asia’s Sick Man” as Growth Slows Analysts are labelling Thailand the…
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Bangkok taxi driver confesses to raping intoxicated passenger
A Thai taxi driver confessed to raping a female passenger, who was intoxicated and unable to defend herself, at a love hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 3, saying, “I don’t know what an evil spirit possessed me that night”. The victim, a university student studying in Bangkok, filed a formal complaint with police after waking up naked inside a…
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Indian man’s langur smuggling attempt busted at Suvarnabhumi
An Indian passenger was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport late on February 3 after allegedly attempting to smuggle live wildlife out of Thailand. Two endangered langurs were reportedly discovered hidden inside a suitcase bound for Mumbai. The passenger, identified as 28 year old Karthick, was intercepted during a joint operation involving wildlife checkpoint officers, customs officials, animal quarantine staff, airport security,…
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15 year old boy arrested over 2.4 million baht gold theft in Hat Yai
Police arrested a 15 year old boy for a gold shop robbery at a supermarket in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, in which gold accessories worth more than 2.4 million baht were stolen. The robbery occurred at around 6.30pm inside a gold shop located within Lotus’s supermarket in Hat Yai. CCTV footage showed the suspect dressed entirely in black and…
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Wild elephant’s cause of death revealed, public demands justice
Public anger is mounting after a wild elephant named Phlai Sidor Hoo Phap died during a relocation attempt in northeastern Thailand on February 3. The animal collapsed en route from Khon Kaen to Loei, and the public is calling for accountability from officials. Around 10 kilometres into the journey, Phlai Sidor Hoo Phap collapsed, shortly after being sedated by a team…
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Thai man caught smuggling exotic animals from Philippines
A Thai man was arrested on the evening of February 2 after arriving in Thailand from Manila, when customs and wildlife officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport discovered a live Bengal monitor lizard and an opossum hidden inside his suitcase. The arrest took place at 7.40pm near Customs Exit B in the international arrivals terminal. The suspect, identified as 35 year old…
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Thai businesswoman and influencer questions Disneyland Thailand plan
A well-known Thai businesswoman and social media influencer publicly questioned the possibility of bringing Disneyland to Thailand, accusing the Bhumjaithai Party of using an uncertain proposal as part of its election campaign and selling dreams to Disney fans. Amid the uncertain and faded hope on an entertainment complex and legal casino from Pheu Thai Party, the present Transport Minister from…
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Thai taxi driver wins hearts after sharing desserts with Australian tourists
An Australian couple shared a video of a friendly service from a Thai taxi driver, who warmly welcomed them despite a language barrier and treated them to traditional Thai desserts during their journey. The video was shared on January 9 via the couple’s TikTok account, TikTok user @whatamidoing.retired. In the caption, the couple wrote… “We met the kindest taxi driver,…
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Bangkok traffic police deliver two hearts in one night for transplant
Bangkok traffic police carried out two high-stakes organ transport missions last night, February 3, rushing donated hearts to hospitals for transplants and giving two critically ill patients a renewed chance at life. The missions were carried out by officers from the Royal Traffic Police, who coordinated with medical teams and other agencies to clear expressways and city roads to ensure…
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German man rips down 8 election campaign banners in Nonthaburi
A German man was detained today, February 4, after he was caught destroying political campaign banners in Nonthaburi over two consecutive days, prompting a formal complaint from a Parliamentary candidate. The incident took place in front of a housing estate along Khlong Thanon Road in Bang Yai district. On February 1, two election posters belonging to the People’s Party and…
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School pressure drives young boy to run away in Samut Prakan
A young boy was found walking alone along a roadside in Samut Prakan this week after he reportedly ran away from home due to overwhelming pressure from school. The incident came to public attention after it was shared by the Facebook page เจ๊ม้อย v+ today, February 4. Officers from Ban Khlong Suan Police Station responded swiftly after receiving reports. Upon arrival,…
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3 Mongolians arrested in Bangkok for smuggling crystal meth using capacitors
Police arrested three Mongolian nationals at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area for smuggling crystal methamphetamine from Thailand to their home country by concealing the drugs inside electronic components (capacitors). Officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau began the investigation after discovering a suspicious parcel at a logistics company office on New Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok on January 9. The parcel…
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Japanese man clashes with vendor over birdcage in Udon Thani
A Japanese man caused a scene at Udon Thani’s city pillar shrine yesterday afternoon, February 3, after a misunderstanding with a flower vendor escalated during a merit-making ritual involving the release of birds. Police were called to the shrine on Athipbodi Road at around 4pm after reports of an argument between the man, later identified as 37 year old Yamaguchi,…
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Thai student hospitalised after 800 squat punishment at school
A student in Thailand was hospitalised earlier this week after a teacher allegedly ordered him to perform 800 squats as punishment for failing to hand in his homework. The incident was brought to light today, February 4, by the Facebook page เจ๊ม้อย v+, where the boy’s father shared his son’s experience. According to the father, the student began to suffer…
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Gunmen unleash over 20 shotgun rounds on Phatthalung home
Two armed assailants opened fire on a family home in Phaya Khan subdistrict, Phatthalung province, early today, February 4, damaging property and terrifying a family. Police investigators led by Police Lieutenant Wicha Nupeannoi from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station arrived at the scene shortly after 1.30am, accompanied by a forensics team. At the scene, officers recovered eight spent shotgun shells and…
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Thai suspect arrested after neck slashing and motorcycle theft in Chon Buri
Police arrested a Thai man for slashing a vocational student on the neck and stealing his motorcycle in Chon Buri province. Investigators found that the suspect has a history of mental illness and had been without proper treatment for more than six months. The victim, an 18 year old vocational student Siraphat Artthaisong, was found seriously injured near his home…
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Thailand News | Pattaya bar guards assault tourist — video goes viral, Thai family welcomes foreigners who mistook funeral feast for restaurant
Today, we’ll look at a viral assault involving bar guards in Pattaya, a disturbing alleged sexual attack in Chon Buri, police action against illegal exhausts in Koh Samui, and a dramatic road confrontation in Phuket. We’ll also look beyond Thailand as Bali faces mounting waste problems, before ending on a lighter note with a heartwarming cultural mix-up at a rural…
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Anutin honours fallen troops, promises jobs and care for veterans
Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday, February 3, that disabled soldiers should receive proper employment opportunities and stronger welfare support, as he led a ceremony to honour fallen service members at Bangkok’s Victory Monument. The occasion, held in observance of Thai Veterans Day, included the enshrinement of the remains of 42 soldiers who lost their lives in armed conflicts…
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Wild elephant dies during relocation operation in Khon Kaen
A wild elephant that previously killed two locals in a Khon Kaen community died early this morning, February 4, during a government relocation effort involving over 200 officials. The elephant, a 15 to 20 year old male known as “Phlai Sidor Hoo Phap”, roughly translated to “folded ear”, had been roaming farmlands and national park areas near Muang Kao Pattana…
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