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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Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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Thai MPs set to jump ship as PM Srettha prepares major reshuffle
Two Members of Parliament from the ruling Pheu Thai Party are on the brink of securing seats in the Cabinet, according to insider sources. Paopoom Rojanasakul, a party-list MP, and Jiraporn Sindhuprai, representing Roi Et, were reportedly spotted at Government House on Tuesday, fuelling speculation of their imminent ascent. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, despite dismissing rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle…
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Children rescued after father forces them to trade sex for his drugs
Officers from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women yesterday rescued a seven year old boy and nine year old girl from a drug dealer on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Their drug-addicted father confessed to sending his children to work as sex slaves for the dealer in exchange for free drugs. A local…
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Study exposes widespread microplastics in food
Recent research has revealed a silent hazard in our diets: microplastic contamination in various foods, some of which are consumed frequently. A study published in February found that 90% of plant and animal protein samples contained microplastics, substances linked to serious health issues including breast and prostate cancer, as well as genetic abnormalities in cells. The study, conducted by a…
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Thai police dismantle 700 million baht online gambling ring
Thai police dismantled a substantial online gambling operation, discovering that three residential properties were used to facilitate the illegal activity. The raid led to the apprehension of the site’s owner and several administrators, revealing a vast network that had been operational for seven years with financial transactions exceeding 700 million baht. Today, April 25, a combined force of high-ranking police…
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Transport minister sets off for China for high-speed rail talks
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit will jet off to China next month for a meeting to discuss Thailand’s ambitious high-speed railway project and ignite the engines on the Land Bridge megaproject, worth a staggering 1 trillion baht. Suriya declared yesterday his forthcoming leadership at the 31st Thailand-China joint ministerial committee meeting scheduled for May 7 to 9. Topics on the agender…
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US carrier strike group returns to Thailand after three-year hiatus
After a three-year gap, the US carrier strike group marked its return to Thailand yesterday, as it anchored at Laem Chabang for a routine port visit. The group, led by its flagship, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, last visited the Southeast Asian nation in 2018. Along with the flagship, Carrier Air Wing 11 also made its appearance. Accompanying the flagship and Carrier…
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Thai Airways takes off on an Airbus A380 farewell flight
Amidst a pandemic–induced slump, Thai Airways decided to bid farewell to its Airbus A380 fleet, spelling the end of an era in the skies. According to a report by Aerotime Hub, the Thai flag carrier is offering its superjumbos to the highest bidder until September 12, marking a conclusion to their service. Remaining grounded since the early days of the…
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Pathum Thani police seize 5.3 million Yaba pills in major drug bust
Police in Pathum Thani province seized a colossal haul of 5.3 million methamphetamine pills, commonly known as Yaba, in a dramatic operation that saw a suspect escape into a canal. The drug bust unfolded today, April 25, when police and military intelligence units descended upon a nondescript residence in the Nong Suea district. Led by a coalition of law enforcement…
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Myanmar man tasered after threatening Thai police following crash
A Myanmar national, following a motorcycle collision on the Bang Tao Beach Road, threatened police officers with a knife, leading to the use of a taser to subdue him, according to Cherng Talay Police Chief, Police Colonel Weeraphong Rakkhito. The incident unfolded at midday on Tuesday, April 23, when two motorcycles collided. The Myanmar man, who remains unnamed in police…
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Japan’s hotspots for Golden Week getaways
As Japan gears up for its Golden Week, holidaymakers hunt for the perfect getaway destination. The latest data from travel giant Agoda unveils an intriguing trend: Thailand is stealing the spotlight. Amidst the anticipation for Golden Week, which stretches from April 29 to May 6 this year, Japanese wanderlusts are setting their sights on Thailand like never before, making it…
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Thai man sexually assaults child in shopping mall bathroom (video)
A 12 year old Thai boy took to social media to expose the shameless behaviour of a pedophile who sexually assaulted him in a shopping mall bathroom in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on Tuesday. The teenage victim, Thirayu Chaichana, shared his story on a Facebook group to warn others to beware of the pervert. Thirayu revealed that the incident…
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Cable theft plunges Phuket Airport underpass into darkness
A daring act of cable theft at the Phuket International Airport underpass plunged the area into darkness, leading to system failures and heightened safety concerns. The busy junction at Phuket Airport on Thepkrasattri Road, where the underpass is located, is now a challenging commute for both residents and tourists. The incident has caused considerable disruption, with the underpass’s lighting system…
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Thai Airways bids farewell to iconic Boeing 747 ‘Queen of the Skies’
Thai Airways (THAI) officially bid a fond farewell to the legendary Boeing 747 ‘Queen of the Skies’ amidst a gathering of aviation aficionados and tearful staff in Thailand. Prompted by the recent retirement of Air India’s remaining four Boeing 747-400s, THAI rolled out a majestic carpet, creating a grand stage to honour the original superjumbo jet that had graced their…
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Myanmar’s 275th infantry battalion reclaims Pha Song Camp base
Nestled in the quaint township of Myawaddy, Myanmar, Pha Song Camp witnessed a significant event today as the soldiers from the 275th Infantry Battalion, who were previously scattered near the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, made a collective retreat back to their base. The retreat followed the withdrawal of the ethnic Karen resistance fighters, who had seized control of the base…
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Government promises relief from Rama II Road traffic nightmare
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke assured the public that the torment of perpetual gridlock on Rama II Road would soon become a distant memory, with all construction projects scheduled for completion next year. Chai’s declaration came hot on the heels of a heated exchange on social media with Bangkok’s Move Forward MP, Rukchanok Srinork, who had raised concerns about the dire…
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Phuket crackdown on organised crime seizes over 500 million baht
Phuket became the centre of a significant crackdown on organised crime, as a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Special Operations Team seized more than 500 million baht (US$13.5 million) worth of illegal goods yesterday. The confiscated items included untaxed cigarettes, alcohol, and prohibited electronic cigarettes. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat unveiled the results of the operation at a press conference held…
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Chiang Mai massage parlour busted for underage employment
Chiang Mai police, along with affiliated agencies, raided a massage parlour suspected of employing minors on Tuesday, all under 18 years old, for providing illicit sexual services to customers. The owner of the massage parlour, identified as 21 year old Natthanaree Puangmala, was allegedly facilitating the provision of these services secretly to customers who engaged with the massage facilities. The cost…
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Truck’s brake breakdown turns car care into car scare in Phuket
A catastrophic brake failure led to a 10-wheeled truck crashing into a car care shop in Ratsada, Phuket, yesterday. The truck, which was on its usual route, first knocked down a traffic light pole before finally stopping its destructive path at the shop. The unfortunate incident was reported to the police at 11.27am. On arrival, officers discovered the scene of…
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Thailand gears up for stricter AI regulations, eyeing legal framework
The need for stricter artificial intelligence (AI) regulations has been highlighted, as countries, including Thailand, prepare to develop comprehensive AI legal frameworks. This follows the approval of the world’s first comprehensive AI law, the AI Act, by the European Parliament. Putchapong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission, revealed that the commission already has AI ethics guidelines…
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Chiang Rai province battles wildfire
The lush province of Chiang Rai was at the mercy of a raging wildfire on Tuesday which incinerated over 400 rai (640,000 square metres) in the vicinity of the Golden Triangle, a renowned region in the district of Chiang Saen. The incident demanded the immediate action of the Chiang Saen District Administration and other responsible officers. The wildfire initially reared…
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Cross-border manhunt: Thai police search for 2 Japanese killers
Thai police officers are collaborating with the Japanese authorities to hunt for two killers involved in the murder and dismemberment of a Japanese man in Nonthaburi province. Officers also discovered that the two Japanese nationals were operating a call centre scam in Thailand. The body parts of the 47 year old Japanese man, Kabashima Ryosuke, were abandoned in a roadside…
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Heroic off-duty Pattaya worker douses cable flames
The bustling streets of Pattaya bore witness to a heroic act on Monday when a vigilant city worker prevented a potential catastrophe. The worker, holding a part-time job as a motorcycle taxi driver, sprang into action when he saw flames engulfing overhead cables in Central Pattaya’s Soi 16. The hero of the hour, Chalatorn Moryathai, was alerted to the danger…
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Charter change up for a vote: Referendum needed, House speaker
A referendum is required to get voters’ approval before the charter amendment proposals can be considered, according to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker. He was responding to questions about a possible special House session for the first reading of the 2025 fiscal year’s budget bill. He added that it remains undetermined if other significant legislation will be discussed…
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Bank of Thailand warns government against digital wallet plan
Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, dismissed concerns about a confidential Bank of Thailand (BoT) document warning the government against the proposed digital wallet handout initiative. Phumtham, a prominent figure in the Cabinet, stated he was unaware of the document’s contents and questioned its credibility, insisting that if it were a real warning, it would have been officially…
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Thailand proposes ASEAN Troika to mediate Myanmar crisis
Thailand has proposed a collaboration between three or more ASEAN member nations to engage with Myanmar’s military junta, to mitigate the crisis and restore peace in the conflict-stricken country. The nation maintained its commitment to extend humanitarian assistance and foster peace amid the turmoil. Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, announced yesterday that Thailand, through Laos, the current…
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Man on drug-fuelled spree injures several in Samut Prakan
A violent rampage involving a man wielding a knife and damaging vehicles ended in multiple injuries and a police arrest under a motorway in Samut Prakan province yesterday, April 24. The incident began with the man attacking his family and colleagues, subsequently stealing a pickup truck, and eventually being subdued by police after a confrontation that left officers and a…
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Minnie network’s luck runs out as AMLO confiscates 68 million baht
The high-profile online gambling network, known as the Minnie network and associated with Suchanun Sucharitchinsri, faced another blow recently when the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) confiscated additional assets worth around 68 million baht (US$1.8 million). The seizure took place under a court order and is the latest in a series of actions against the network. AMLO Secretary-General Thepsu Bowornchotedara announced…
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Thailand issues alert for 43C heatwave and severe summer storms
As Thailand grapples with a scorching heatwave, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued an alert for extreme temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius, accompanied by summer storms, strong winds, and hail in some areas. The warning covers 45 provinces and advises the public to brace for potentially hazardous weather conditions. The entire upper part of Thailand is experiencing…
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Thai minister to push for Land Bridge megaproject in China visit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Thai Transport Minister, is set to lead a delegation to China to explore further developments concerning the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project and advocate for the 1 trillion baht (US$27 billion) Land Bridge megaproject. The visit, which is scheduled for next month, will involve participation in the 31st Thailand-China joint ministerial committee meeting. A key agenda item is…
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Prachinburi firefighters battle stubborn landfill blaze
A relentless blaze has been challenging firefighters in Prachinburi as they work tirelessly to extinguish a landfill fire that has been burning throughout the night. The sprawling fire, spanning over an area exceeding 17 rai with mounds of garbage more than 4 metres high, has caused significant distress to locals due to the smoke and foul odour affecting three subdistricts.…
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