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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See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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20th anniversary: Phuket looks back on Boxing Day tsunami
Two decades after the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami, communities along Thailand’s Andaman coast, including Phuket, gathered today, Boxing Day, to honour the lives lost and reflect on the lessons learned from that fateful day in 2004. The disaster claimed an estimated 230,000 to 280,000 lives across multiple countries, with Thailand designating December 26 as National Disaster Prevention Day in its…
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South Thailand: Schoolgirl attacks senior with knife at tourist spot
A shocking incident unfolded recently at a popular tourist spot in Nakhon Si Thammarat province when a third-year secondary school girl attacked a fifth-year student with a folding knife. The incident took place at Ban Wang Yao, Thon Hong subdistrict, Phrom Khiri district, on Christmas Eve, leaving the older student injured and raising concerns about youth violence. The head of…
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Phayao: Teen loses his life as motorbike slams into power pole
A tragic accident marked the beginning of the Seven Dangerous Days in the northern province of Phayao, as a 19 year old lost his life after crashing his motorcycle into a roadside power pole. The accident occurred yesterday, December 25 on the first day of the safety campaign, aimed at reducing road accidents during the new year period. Police were…
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Pattaya mobilises over 400 officers to ensure festive safety
A substantial force of over 420 officers and volunteers took to the streets of Pattaya on Christmas Eve, ensuring the safety and security of tourists during the festive period. The initiative, which took place at precisely 6.36pm on December 24, was spearheaded by Yingyot Thepchamnong, Commander of Police Region 2, who orchestrated a comprehensive safety operation for the Christmas and…
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Aussie father fights to survive and heal after losing son to tsunami
Boxing Day 2004 started as a serene tropical morning for an Australian father, his wife, and their 16 year old son in a beachfront hotel in Phuket. But in moments, tranquillity gave way to catastrophe. “We were admiring the view, and all of a sudden, the water disappeared.” What seemed like an intriguing phenomenon – fish floundering on the exposed…
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Thai cyber police locate call centre gang in Cambodia
Cyber police in Thailand have confirmed the location of a call centre gang on the 25th floor of a building in Poipet, Cambodia, as highlighted in a recent statement by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This revelation aligns with ongoing investigations and confessions from numerous suspects involved in related cases. At a briefing held yesterday, December 25, at the Technology…
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Rescue mission underway for lost students in Kanchanaburi forest
Rescue teams are working to assist a group of Mahidol University students and lecturers who became lost in the forest in Kanchanaburi during a geology field operation. While initial reports mentioned injuries among the group, all members are now confirmed to be safe. The incident came to light after a Facebook user, Persia Jongtawon, posted an urgent message accompanied by…
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Thai Parliament to debate amendment bills on 2017 constitution
The Thai Parliament is gearing up to examine a series of charter amendment bills aimed at revising the 2017 constitution, with discussions set to take place in mid-January. Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha confirmed this development, highlighting a total of 17 proposals for section-by-section amendments. Additionally, there is a significant bill sponsored by the opposition People’s Party (PP), aiming…
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Krabi ferry operators found drug positive suspended
Police in Krabi conducted a random drug test on ferry operators and crew members at Koh Lanta, resulting in several individuals testing positive for drugs. The operators, found with purple urine, have been suspended and will undergo rehabilitation. The joint operation involved local administrative officers from Koh Lanta district and regional marine department officials. They carried out these surprise urine…
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Thai raid exposes gorilla smuggling attempt via Turkish airport
Thai police took decisive action yesterday, December 25, raiding a trading company in Nakhon Pathom linked to an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle a gorilla into the country. The Nakhon Pathom Provincial Court authorised a search warrant for TK Farm International Trading, located in Mueang district after Turkish customs intercepted the infant gorilla at Istanbul Airport. Customs officials at Istanbul Airport…
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Thailand video news | Belgian man attacked by teens in Pattaya, British tourist dies after taking magic mushrooms in Thailand
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest stories from Thailand and across Asia. From a Belgian man attacked by teens in Pattaya and a tragic tourist death linked to magic mushrooms in Chiang Mai, to Thailand’s heightened border precautions amid a cholera outbreak in Myanmar, the updates highlight safety concerns and proactive measures in the…
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Australian survivor retells harrowing 2004 tsunami ordeal
The morning of December 26, 2004 began like any other for tourists and locals across the Indian Ocean. But by evening, the world had witnessed one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Sumatra unleashed a tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives, including 26 Australians. For central Victorian Melinda Kennedy, a last-minute decision to board a ferry…
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Unemployed engineer arrested for theft spree in Hat Yai
Police in Hat Yai have apprehended a 26 year old unemployed engineer involved in a series of thefts across resorts, hotels, and hospital patient rooms. The arrest took place yesterday, December 25, when police raided a rented room in a nondescript building in Soi Chok Saman 4, Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla. The suspect, identified only as Muach, originally from Narathiwat,…
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Online gambling operation busted in Hat Yai condo
Police have raided an online gambling operation, LIGAZ88, located in a luxury condominium in Hat Yai, uncovering a business with a monthly turnover of 50 million baht. The operation led to the arrest of three individuals, including a retired teacher. A crackdown by the Technology Crime Suppression Division of the Songkhla Provincial Police led to the arrest of three suspects…
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Fool’s gold: Chinese conman nabbed in Pattaya pawn shop scam
A daring con artist met his match in Pattaya, where Tourist Police arrested a 29 year old Chinese national for duping pawn shops with counterfeit gold jewellery. The dramatic bust unfolded yesterday, Christmas Day, along Pattaya Third Road in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district. Officers swooped in after the Chinese suspect, Deng Huanyou allegedly pawned a fake gold bracelet weighing 3.5…
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Motorcycle crash in Pathum Thani kills one
A tragic incident unfolded when two young employees, returning from a company party, collided their motorcycle into a parked six-wheeler truck, resulting in one death and another injury. The accident occurred at 3.30am today in Pathum Thani. The crash took place on the outbound side of the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road in the Lam Phak Kut area of Thanyaburi. Police Lieutenant…
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Chiang Mai council chairman accused of assaulting local resident
A significant altercation involving a prominent local council chairman in Chiang Mai has left a resident severely injured, sparking outrage among the community. The incident took place when the chairman allegedly insulted and physically assaulted a local during a campaign event at the home of a former Chiang Mai provincial council member. Reports from residents in a municipality area of…
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Chinese teen arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam
A significant breakthrough in the battle against call centre scams in Thailand occurred with the arrest of a Chinese teenager in Bangkok. Police conducted raids on two locations, which led to the capture of a 19 year old Chinese national suspected of involvement in a sophisticated scam operation. Metropolitan and immigration police, armed with a warrant from the Criminal Court,…
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Thai influencer dies after alcohol stunt for 30,000 baht
Bank Leicester, a well-known Thai influencer, has tragically died after being hired to consume an excessive amount of alcohol in exchange for 30,000 baht (US$880). Known for his unique approach of rapping while selling garlands to support his grandmother, Bank had gained significant popularity online. His untimely death occurred at approximately 3.40am, reportedly due to the drinking challenge. Bank, whose…
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Suspect’s escape leads to soldier’s death in Pattani crash
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, December 25, when a suspect involved in a security case seized control of a vehicle’s steering wheel, causing it to veer off the road into a fruit orchard. This action resulted in one soldier’s death and injuries to three others. The suspect managed to escape during the ensuing chaos. Police had been conducting a coordinated…
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Thai serial rapist who targets elderly women remains on the run
Two elderly Thai women sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women after a rapist who sexually assaulted them in a paddy field in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima remains at large for months. The two senior victims, who are cousins, met the foundation’s founder, Pavena Hongsakul, at the foundation office in the central province of Pathum Thani…
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Boundary fence dispute in Phitsanulok leads to two deaths
A tragic altercation over a boundary fence dispute between neighbours resulted in a deadly incident involving a family in Phitsanulok province. The conflict escalated, leading to the deaths of two individuals and leaving one person seriously injured. Police Lieutenant Phongsiri Ampripis of Bang Rakam Police Station received reports of the violent confrontation which occurred yesterday, December 25, at 4pm. The…
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Fuel fraud: Pump attendant fired for pressing the wrong buttons
A petrol station attendant was caught red-handed cheating a customer by not dispensing the full amount of fuel paid for. The customer, who had requested 200 baht worth of fuel, noticed that only 100 baht was dispensed. Despite attempts by the attendant to rectify the situation by adding more fuel, the customer confronted them before any further action could be…
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Koh Phi Phi tragedy: Brit pays tribute to brother in tsunami tale
On the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami which devasted six provinces in Thailand including Phuket and Phang Nga, a British tourist remembers the tragic death of his brother whilst the duo were on a Christmas break on Koh Phi Phi in 2004. Just a day after celebrating Christmas together on the beach and sharing a heartfelt “I love you,” brothers…
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Decomposing body found in Udon Thani forest prompts investigation
A decomposing body of a woman was discovered in a forest opposite the Department of Forestry in Sri That, Udon Thani, sparking an investigation to determine the cause of death and locate her relatives. Police believe she died approximately five days ago. Yesterday, December 25, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chinphan Sungkaew, Deputy Superintendent of the Sri That Police Station, disclosed that…
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Thai bus ticket collector assaulted by passenger for rejecting his advances
A female public bus ticket collector sought justice after being physically assaulted by a male passenger for rejecting his advances. However, the Department of Land Transport allegedly blamed her for the incident, citing her impatience. The ticket collector, 24 year old Pichobon Yadee, shared details of the assault, which occurred on December 2 at around 4pm on a public bus…
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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 without issue, others avoid it completely. Here’s a guide on what’s safe, what’s not. How clean is Bangkok’s tap water…
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Thailand brings out its elephants to add Christmas cheer
Thailand’s holiday celebrations are giving Lapland a run for its money with elephants donning Santa suits, flower-studded gardens, and dazzling star parades lighting up the nation. At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Christmas cheer came with a floral twist as tens of thousands of blossoms transformed the space into a vibrant winter wonderland. Sacred figures like Ganesha and Guan…
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Knives out in Pattaya: Aussie tourist threatened by moto-taxi rider
A Christmas Eve motorcycle mishap turned menacing in Pattaya, leaving a 60 year old Australian tourist terrified after a motorbike taxi driver allegedly threatened him with a knife. Ivica, an Australian holidaymaker, filed a formal complaint with Pattaya police yesterday, December 24 at 11.46pm, claiming he had been menaced by a knife-wielding motorbike taxi driver following a minor collision. The…
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Thai restaurant sales to soar 15% over new year period
Central Restaurants Group (CRG) anticipates a significant increase in sales within the Thai restaurant industry during the new year festive season, driven by a boost in dining out and a rise in foreign tourist numbers. This optimism comes as Thailand records approximately 33.5 million foreign visitors from January to mid-December. Leading the arrivals are Chinese tourists, numbering 6.4 million, followed…
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