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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Pattaya’s tourism takes a hit after Chinese abduction (video)
Thailand’s tourism industry has been rocked by the recent abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, leaving popular hotspots like Pattaya eerily quiet. The star was allegedly lured to Thailand under false pretences before being trafficked across the border and held captive in Myawaddy, Myanmar. While Thai police scrambled to rescue the actor, the fallout was swift. News of the terrifying…
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Fires linked to Chinese New Year incense in Samut Songkhram
A fire engulfed three houses during Chinese New Year celebrations in Samut Songkhram province when incense and candles were left unattended. In a separate incident in Nakhon Pathom, a similar fire destroyed a house entirely. Yesterday, January 28, Police Lieutenant Pisin Nupinit, deputy inspector of Bang Khonthi police station, received a report of a fire in Moo 5, Bang Krabue…
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Mother of newborn twins falls to her death in hospital tragedy
A tragic incident occurred at Pathum Thani Hospital when a 31 year old mother of newborn twins fell to her death from the 18th floor. The hospital has issued a heartfelt statement, expressing deep condolences to the family and pledging full cooperation with police investigations. The woman, known as Bee for anonymity, had given birth to premature twins on January…
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Phuket gets ready for provincial elections this Saturday
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has officially launched the final preparations for the upcoming election of members and the president of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), set to take place on February 1. The event, the Election Big Day, was organised by the Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) and the PPAO. During the ceremony, Akarawat…
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Thailand braces for final cold weather alert with strong winds
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a final warning about cold weather, heavy rain, and strong winds affecting Thailand. Forecasts indicate a further temperature drop, with thunderstorm warnings for select provinces yesterday, January 28. A high-pressure system is expected to maintain cold conditions in upper Thailand. Residents in the affected areas are advised to take care of their health…
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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi leads Southeast Asia aviation industry
Southeast Asia’s aviation industry is taking off this year, with major airports and emerging destinations recording impressive growth in seat capacity. Fuelled by surging travel demand, expanded airline networks, and strategic connectivity upgrades, the region is cementing its position as a global aviation powerhouse. Leading the charge is Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, adding a staggering 407,000 seats in January—a 16% increase…
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Bangkok prison scrutinised for bribes and Chinese inmate privilege
A Thai political activist and former inmate accused officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of accepting bribes from a Chinese inmate and granting them privileges. The activist, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, took to Facebook on Tuesday, January 21, to share his experiences in Bangkok Remand Prison between 2022 and 2023. His post highlighted the comfortable lives of Chinese call centre scam suspects and alleged…
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Chinese New Year spending in Thailand hits 51 billion baht
Public expenditure during the Chinese New Year is projected to reach 51.78 billion baht, marking the highest level in five years, according to recent government estimates. Sasikan Wattanachan, deputy government spokesperson, noted that this figure signifies a 4.5% rise compared to the previous year. It is also the first occasion since the Covid-19 pandemic that spending for Chinese New Year…
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No promises on 400 baht minumum wage: Labour chief
The long-awaited nationwide implementation of the 400-baht daily minimum wage remains uncertain, according to Labour Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth. While some major tourism provinces like Phuket and Chon Buri began offering the increased rate from January 1, Boonsong admitted there is no guarantee the wage hike will extend to all provinces anytime soon. Speaking during the first meeting of the…
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Drowsy truck driver crashes into parked pickup, injuring woman and killing dog
A drowsy truck driver crashed into a parked pickup outside a tyre shop in the Isaan province of Roi Et, injuring a Thai woman standing near the pickup and killing her dog. The 20 year old victim, Siriporn, shared CCTV footage of the accident on her TikTok account, @siriporn_mos, last week. In the caption, she wrote… “A lesson learned. Even if…
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Chiang Mai to join UNESCO’s World Heritage list
Chiang Mai, the jewel of northern Thailand and the former capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, is inching closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Officials from the Culture Ministry, the Fine Arts Department, and Chiang Mai Province are finalising a nomination dossier to submit to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris—a move that could cement the city’s…
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Thailand to launch digital TM6 for tourists, delays 300-baht fee
Starting May 1, all foreign visitors to Thailand will need to complete a mandatory digital version of the TM6 immigration form, replacing the old paper-based system. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed the move, which aims to streamline immigration procedures and boost safety confidence among tourists. Natthriya Thaweevong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, explained that the online form will help…
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Bangkok taxi driver denies raping victim despite her fleeing in underwear
A Thai taxi driver denied raping his intoxicated passenger this past Sunday, January 26, despite the victim fleeing his home in Bangkok wearing only underwear to seek help. The victim filed a complaint with officers at Taling Chan Police Station on Sunday. The 60 year old taxi driver, Thanawat, turned himself in but denied all allegations. However, he could not…
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Worker electrocuted in shocking Pattaya restaurant accident
Chaos erupted on Pattaya Beach Road as a restaurant worker suffered an electric shock while renovating a popular venue near Soi 13/3. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where a crowd of locals and tourists had gathered around the injured man, identified as 34 year old Chatmongkol. He sustained severe electrical burns on both palms and was bleeding heavily. First…
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Chinese nationals deny dine and dash, citing a misunderstanding
Chinese nationals accused of a dine and dash claimed they did not intentionally evade a bill of 9,480 baht at a restaurant in the Isaan province of Udon Thani, but instead cited a misunderstanding. The 27 year old manager of a South Korean restaurant filed a complaint at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, January 27, stating that 12 Chinese…
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3 poachers caught with wildlife carcasses in Kanchanaburi
Three Karen poachers were apprehended in the Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi province following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The suspects were caught with homemade firearms and numerous wildlife carcasses. Yutthaphong Damsrisuk, the head of Thong Pha Phum National Park, reported that Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, along with senior officials, have implemented…
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Thailand seeks parliamentary consent for Cambodia maritime dispute talks
A Joint Technical Committee (JTC) has yet to be established to address the maritime dispute with Cambodia, as the Thai government requires parliamentary consent to proceed, according to Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. During a Senate session chaired by deputy Senate speaker Kriangkrai Srirak, Maris addressed a query from Senator Yukol Chanawatpanya concerning the 26,000-square-kilometre overlapping claim area in the Gulf…
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Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership…
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Elephants wreak havoc on Prachin Buri sugarcane farms
Farmers in Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district face significant challenges as wild elephants from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao province have invaded their sugarcane fields. Over 50 sugarcane farmers from the subdistricts of Khao Mai Kaew and Wang Tha Chang gathered at the district office yesterday, January 27 to submit a letter to District Chief Thammarat…
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Malaysian tourists die in motorcycle crash on Thai road
A motorcycle skidded off a curve on a rain-soaked road in Prachuap Khiri Khan province yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two Malaysian tourists. The incident took place between kilometre markers 415 and 416 on the southbound Phetkasem Road in Bang Saphan Noi district. Police Lieutenant Pawarit Siriwat, the deputy inspector of Bang Saphan Noi Police Station, reported the accident.…
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Phuket’s burning ban: Violators face 20 years amid smog crisis
Phuket has joined the nationwide crackdown on burning as the country battles severe smog and PM2.5 pollution. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul ordered all provinces to implement burning bans, prompting Phuket officials to issue their strict measures last week. Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong announced the ban last Friday, January 24, which prohibits all agricultural burning…
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Thai motorcyclist hits South Korean man on zebra crossing
A Thai motorcyclist struck a South Korean pedestrian at a zebra crossing on a Bangkok road on Thursday, 23 January. The incident occurred at the same location as a case in 2022 when a Thai ophthalmologist was fatally struck by a motorcycle. The Facebook page เรารักด่านตรวจ (translating to “We Love Police Checkpoints”) shared dashcam footage of the accident on Phaya…
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Major drug bust: 10,000 meth tablets found in fuel tank
A significant drug bust occurred when law enforcement intercepted a vehicle carrying 10,000 methamphetamine tablets hidden in the fuel tank. The vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province yesterday, January 27. The drugs were reportedly being transported from Sangkhla Buri to a dealer in Kanchanaburi city. General Atsadawut Punyarachun, commander of the 9th Infantry Division and head of…
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Rare algae bloom turns Laem Bali Hai shoreline green
A rare natural phenomenon transformed the rocky shoreline of Laem Bali Hai into a vibrant green landscape, attracting numerous visitors. Reporters noted that the area was covered with green algae, creating a visually stunning scene as it glistened under the sunlight. This remarkable sight drew a considerable number of tourists, as well as locals and students eager to capture the…
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Khon Kaen police arrest two men with millions of meth pills
Police in Khon Kaen have arrested two men attempting to transport four million methamphetamine pills, believed to be linked to the network of Xaysana, a major drug dealer from a neighbouring country. The arrests occurred yesterday, January 27, at Ban Phai Police Station. According to Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachetpong, the commander of Region 4, the arrest was part of…
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Critics slam 140m baht quick fix for Bangkok haze crisis
Critics have blasted the government for allocating 140 million baht to fund free public transport in Bangkok for one week, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money that fails to tackle the root cause of the city’s haze pollution crisis. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra introduced the measure, which began last Saturday, January 25, to combat surging levels of hazardous PM2.5…
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British woman jailed after collecting debt from Thai millionaire
A British woman accused a Thai millionaire of bribing police to have her jailed after she travelled from the UK to Thailand to collect an unpaid service fee of £30,000 (approximately 1.25 million baht) for her company. Rachel Stallard, a British private estate consultant, shared her distressing experience in a Thai jail on her LinkedIn account but later deleted the post after being…
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Fatal shooting at Nan land reform office leaves two dead
In the office of the Nan Provincial Land Reform, a shooting incident resulted in one fatality and one critical injury. The event unfolded yesterday, January 27, when a disagreement escalated. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanatpong Santiphongsathorn and Police Major Danuwat Kittiyos led a team to the scene after being notified. The tragedy occurred on the second floor of the Nan Provincial…
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Tourist brawl in Phuket sparks debate on visa policy (video)
A video depicting an altercation between Italian and Indian tourists in Phuket’s Patong area has sparked significant social media discussion. The incident, captured in a 1.04-minute clip shared by the Facebook page Speednews Phuket, occurred yesterday, January 27, at the end of Bangla Road, Kathu district, Phuket. The video shows the tourists engaged in a fierce brawl, surrounded by onlookers…
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Chulalongkorn University boosts AI collaboration with Cambodia
Chulalongkorn University (CU) is seeking to enhance its academic collaboration with Cambodia, focusing on a future driven by artificial intelligence (AI). A delegation led by university president Wilert Puriwat recently met with Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hang Chuon Naron, in Phnom Penh. Minister Naron, a CU alumnus, was accompanied by 10 other CU alumni from Cambodia and expressed…
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