Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Bangkok police seize 190,000 meth pills, 1.3 million baht
Bangkok police have successfully dismantled a major drug operation following the arrest of two individuals caught with an extensive haul of methamphetamine pills and a considerable sum of cash. The operation, which took place late at night in the capital, led to the seizure of 190,000 methamphetamine pills, approximately 400 grams of ketamine, and over 1.3 million baht (US$ 36,000)…
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Two navy conscripts die in early morning Chachoengsao road crash
A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two people early this morning when a van carrying navy conscripts collided with an 18-wheeler in Chachoengsao province. The van, which was hired by navy personnel returning to their homes for the Songkran holiday break, veered off course when the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The incident occurred at 4.30am,…
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DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) dismissed allegations that it plans to transfer macaques from Lop Buri to Khao Yai National Park. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the Director-General of DNP, clarified this during a media briefing yesterday, April 3. The director general discussed an action plan intended to manage the monkeys causing disturbances to Lop Buri residents and…
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Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors
The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists. This initiative is led by the acting chief justice of the Phuket Provincial Court, Kriangsak Rodpunshoo. He disclosed that the influx of both local and international tourists in Phuket has led to a spike in both criminal and…
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MFP vows bold defence against dissolution threat
Move Forward Party (MFP) chief Chaithawat Tulathon declared the party’s unwavering resolve to counter the looming spectre of dissolution, revealing plans to submit a comprehensive rebuttal to the Constitutional Court following the upcoming Songkran festivities. The 45 year old Chaithawat affirmed that the MFP would not simply lodge its defence with the court but would also make it accessible to…
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Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht
A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume. The discovery has sparked excitement among residents, and experts are being called upon to confirm the authenticity of the find. The…
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Thai economy forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3%
The Thai economy, driven primarily by exports, forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3% for this year, as reported by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). The committee, representing diverse sectors, has retained its initial forecast, projecting a 2.0% to 3.0% increase in exports. Following a 1.9% expansion in the previous year, Thailand’s economic growth is projected…
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Thai man runs naked after Buddha statue grants conscription exemption
A Thai man honoured his vow to a Buddha statue at a shrine in the central province of Ang Thong by running naked after the statue granted conscription exemption. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) summons Thai men aged over 21 years old for military conscription every year. Failure to attend the conscription draw can result in imprisonment for up to three…
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Local beauty queen stuns at Chaiyaphum military draft
The annual military draft in Chaiyaphum province witnessed an extraordinary event yesterday as a local beauty queen, known as Gantong, reported for service, stunning the crowd with her striking appearance. Gantong, who has a history of pageantry success, including recent titles such as Miss Teen GOSOCIAL Queen Thailand 2021 and the Nong Khai’s Daughter of the Mekong River 2022, took…
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Bangkok man arrested for flaunting gun while intoxicated
Bangkok police arrested a 60 year old man following reports of him brandishing a firearm while intoxicated at a rental room. The arrest was a coordinated effort by senior law enforcement officers, including Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, the Metropolitan Police Chief, and his deputies, along with investigative officers from the fourth subdivision. The man, Prasobchok, also known as Chok…
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Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand
In a significant public announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul voiced his stance on the ongoing cannabis debate in Thailand, declaring he supports regulated use. This followed an interview with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on France 24, in which the leader suggested the reclassification of marijuana as an illicit substance due to its deemed harmful effects on Thai society.…
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Thai health pushes for alcohol-free Songkran celebrations
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, StopDrink Network (SDN), and other relevant agencies conducted a press conference on Monday to deliberate on the celebration of Songkran in a manner that prioritised enjoyment, safety, and the absence of violence. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of Thai Health, emerged as one of the prominent speakers at the event. Pairoj ardently advocated for the celebration…
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Ratchaburi highway police arrest wanted criminals
Highway police officers made a significant arrest yesterday after pulling over a vehicle with an expired registration plate. During a routine check near kilometre marker 83 to 84 on Rama 2 Road in Wang Manao, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, the officers uncovered connections to a high-profile criminal case. The vehicle, driven by 49 year old Samart (surname withheld) and…
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Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket
A video of a foreign man attacking a Thai taxi driver on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket this morning went viral on Thai social media. The physical assault was reportedly sparked after the driver asked the foreigner to stop smoking in the cab. The Facebook page, Newshawk Phuket, shared a video of the incident at about 9.40am…
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Fatal Bangkok motorcycle collision leaves unknown foreigner dead
A fatal collision in Bangkok on Monday resulted in the death of an unknown foreigner and the severe injury of a Thai man. The incident took place on Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong San, Bangkok at 2.50pm on April 1, and involved a large motorcycle colliding with a smaller one. Officers from Samre Police Station and emergency services were alerted to the…
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Big Joke denies money laundering charges
Deputy National Police Chief Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn made a high-profile visit to the Taopoon Police Station yesterday afternoon, where he officially acknowledged the money laundering charges levied against him. After enduring four hours of intense questioning, he was eventually granted bail. Speaking to reporters as he exited the police station at around 8pm, Big Joke vehemently denied…
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Bangkok man arrested for filming under women’s skirts
Bangkok police officers recently apprehended a 50 year old suspect for his involvement in a string of perverse incidents, where he covertly filmed under women’s skirts. The arrest in the Lam Hin area followed a detailed investigation sparked by numerous reports of such violations. The suspect, known for his disturbing behaviour, was detained at his residence yesterday, April 2, after…
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Surge in smog levels exceeds safe limits in northern Thailand
A surge in smog levels was experienced this morning, with PM2.5 dust readings surpassing 200 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in three northern provinces, including Chiang Mai. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) disclosed at 9am that 20 provinces registered red (significantly harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and below in diameter (PM2.5). The readings fluctuated…
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Family fraud: Thai woman’s stolen identity crisis sparks media plea
A Thai woman is seeking help from the media after a distant relative impersonated her and committed multiple crimes under her name for more than three years. The victim appealed to Channel 7 to shed light on her story with the public to clarify that she has never engaged in any illegal activities. She aims to clarify that it was…
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British man dies after bathroom fall at Chon Buri residence
A British businessman met a fatal end today at 7.10am after slipping and falling onto a glass sliding door in the bathroom at his Chon Buri residence, resulting in glass impaling his chest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Surasingh Sukmak, the deputy investigator, was notified of the incident which involved 54 year old British national, Gareth John Wilson. The accident took place…
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Thailand gold prices hit record, surpass 40,000 baht
Gold prices in Thailand soared to a new high today, breaking the 40,000 baht barrier, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The market opened with a significant increase from the previous day’s closing rates, with gold ornaments now priced at 40,100 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement). Gold experienced a sharp climb of 350 baht…
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Thailand plans to extend minimum wage increases to more regions
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that the government intends to extend minimum wage increases to additional regions and business sectors. This follows the wage increase approved for specific parts of 10 provinces set to take effect from April 13. The 62 year old Thai prime minister further commented that regular Cabinet meetings will be conducted to ascertain which regions…
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Thais receive emergency contacts after earthquake rocks Taiwan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan today, prompting the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue emergency contact numbers for Thai nationals in the region. The quake, which occurred at 7.58am local time, was centred near the city of Hualien, approximately 100 miles from Taipei, and had a depth of 20 kilometres. The…
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Filipina rescued after robbery and attempted rape in Chon Buri
A Thai man successfully saved a Filipina woman after theft and attempted rape near Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province. The 37 year old Thai man, Uthit, rescued a 37 year old Filipina woman on an isolated road near the Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in Chon Buri yesterday, April 2, at around 8.30am.…
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Airlines urge Thailand to take flight with airport upgrades
Several international airlines have urged Thailand to enhance its key airport facilities and improve transport links between airports and cities, to meet its ambition of becoming a regional aviation hub. The Thai government has laid out a goal of handling 150 million passengers annually by 2030. Egaluk Ngiwprom, Southeast Asia marketing manager of Spring Airlines, believes this is a challenging…
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Former teacher arrested on forgery and trespassing charges
An 81 year old former teacher from a renowned school was apprehended yesterday at 6pm in Bangkok under multiple arrest warrants for document forgery and nighttime trespassing. The arrest, led by the Child and Women Welfare Division, culminated in the detainee being handed over to the investigative officers at Thung Song Hong Police Station for legal proceedings. The police operation…
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Man falls to death from Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain station
A tragic incident occurred yesterday at the Bang Kapi station of Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain, where an unidentified man fell to his death. Witnesses described the heart-wrenching scene as the man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, climbed over the station’s second-floor barrier before plummeting to the footpath below. Emergency services, including forensic doctors from the Police…
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Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May
The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Currently, goods sold for less than 1,500 baht (US$40) per parcel and imported into Thailand are exempt from VAT. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced these plans after…
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Laotian monks harassed by Thai ladyboy during pilgrimage (video)
A Thai ladyboy is facing a backlash after she persistently offered sex to two Laotian monks and one of their male followers on a pilgrimage in the central province of Nakhon Sawan. The Laotian monk, Lin Sujitto, was visiting a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat to speak to Thai Buddhists before the unfortunate approach. Lin and…
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Thailand’s Lampang province hits 42 degrees Celsius
The scorching heat has engulfed Thailand’s northern Lampang province, with temperatures peaking at 42 degrees Celsius in the Thoen district on Monday and yesterday, April 2, recording the highest temperatures of this year’s summer. The Mueang district also experienced soaring temperatures, with the mercury touching 41.8 Celsius, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). This heatwave in Lampang, which began…
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