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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Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Holy scandal! Monks caught with robes down in Miss Golf romp
A saucy scandal involving 11 randy monks and a mystery woman known only as Miss Golf has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s Buddhist community and now the country’s top clerics are scrambling to clean up the mess. Thailand’s Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) is forming a special committee to review monastic regulations in the wake of a sex scandal that’s left the…
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Soaked and furious! 39 Thailand provinces braced for drenching
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for today, July 14, indicating that 39 provinces in Thailand will experience heavy rainfall, covering 60% of the area. Seven provinces, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Nong Khai, and Bueng Kan, are advised to prepare for potential hazards such as flash floods and runoff. The weather…
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Man’s failed gold heist thwarted by brave staff in Ranong
A man, identified as 35 year old Sumet from Trang province, attempted a daring theft at a renowned gold shop in Ranong. He managed to seize gold necklaces valued at approximately 500,000 baht before being captured by a quick-thinking employee and good Samaritans. The incident occurred at 7.29pm yesterday, July 12, when local police were alerted to a robbery at…
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Buriram man caught with stolen motorcycle and drugs
A 22 year old man has been apprehended for stealing a motorcycle from residents in Buriram, intending to impress a girlfriend. The police, upon investigation, discovered drugs and stolen money with him. The suspect is now in custody. Today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapong Phonarin, an investigator at Baan Dan Police Station in Baan Dan district, Buriram province, received…
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Thai soldiers intercept illegal entrants from Cambodia
Yesterday, July 12, Thai military personnel discovered two people, a man and a woman, entering Thailand from Cambodia through an illicit route. They were found without passports and had reportedly been working in Poipet, Cambodia, under false pretenses. The pair, who were suspected of illegal entry, were intercepted by soldiers from the Burapha Force and the 1201st Ranger Company along…
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Thai man attempts self-poisoning at border over 10000 baht fine
A Thai man, having spent a year in Cambodia, attempted to poison himself at the Poipet immigration checkpoint due to an inability to pay the border crossing fine. The incident occurred on July 11, when 40 year old Thanawat from Pathum Thani drank bathroom cleaner at the Poipet immigration office. The Cambodian official immediately coordinated his return to Thailand for…
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Motorcyclist’s body found in canal after Bangkok accident
A motorcyclist’s tragic accident resulted in his body being found in a drainage canal, prompting police to examine CCTV footage for a clearer understanding of the incident. Witnesses questioned whether a public transport vehicle was involved. At 1.30am today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Kanarat from Bukkhalo Police Station received a report of a fatal motorcycle accident at the entrance…
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Luxury watch worth 5.65 million baht stolen in Bangkok scam
A high-end luxury watch valued at 5.65 million baht was reportedly stolen after a man expressed interest in purchasing it but failed to transfer the payment. The incident was reported today, July 13, at a renowned parcel delivery service located in Soi Lat Phrao 101, Bangkok, where the seller had placed the watch for pickup. Police Major Ekpote Manee from…
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Cyclist saved by locals after seizure collapse in Lop Buri
Locals promptly administered CPR to a cyclist around 50 years old after he lost consciousness from a seizure while riding in Lop Buri province yesterday morning, July 12. He has since been reported as stable at Phra Narai Maharaj Hospital. The incident took place at 8.53am on Lop Buri-Wang Muang Road in tambon Nikhom Sang Ton Eng, Mueang district. Hospital rescue workers and…
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Lifeguard rescues French children from rip current at Kata Beach (video)
A lifeguard at Kata Beach in Phuket rescued two French children using a surfboard after they were carried out to sea by a strong rip current and were unable to swim back to the shore. Despite red flags being present to alert tourists to avoid entering the water due to rough conditions, the incident still took place. The rescue, occurring…
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Pattaya police detain four over Chinese man’s abduction, robbery
Police in Pattaya have detained four people, comprising two Chinese nationals and two Thais, in relation to the abduction and robbery of a Chinese national by people impersonating police officers earlier this week. The incident unfolded at approximately 5.30am on July 10 outside a noodle shop located on North Pattaya Road. Lin Yifan, a 52 year old man, was reportedly…
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Heavy rainfall warning issued for 32 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its sixth warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across 32 provinces in Thailand, urging caution against potential flash floods and forest runoff. Today, July 13, the TMD forecasts heavy rain in parts of the north, northeast, central, east, and south regions of the country. Residents, especially in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai,…
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Ayutthaya abbot scammed, loses 120k baht to call centre gang
A prominent abbot from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province admitted to being deceived by a call centre gang, leading to a personal indiscretion which he later regretted. At Wat Chang Lek in Bang Sai district, locals gathered to support the abbot, Prakhru Pratheep Watcharaporn, who is also the district head monk of Ban Klueng. Prakhru Suwat Bunyoophas, the district head…
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UNESCO: Thailand primed to lead ASEAN AI revolution
Computing capabilities, data interoperability, and policy harmonisation are essential elements of ASEAN regional collaboration in developing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, according to UNESCO. The organisation emphasises Thailand’s potential to position itself as a strategic hub for AI capacity building, strengthening its leadership in Southeast Asia’s digital future. Thailand recently hosted the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, marking…
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Guard nabbed with meth stash on duty in Wichit, Phuket
Wichit Police have arrested a 28 year old security guard after discovering methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia stashed inside his workplace. The suspect, identified only as Nattawat, also known by the nickname “Big”, was detained on Thursday, July 10 at a guard post within a luxury condominium construction site off Mueang Naka Road in Village 4, Wichit. Officers reported finding 17…
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Thailand launches first local cancer therapy pill
Thailand has introduced its first domestically created targeted therapy pill for cancer treatment, named Imcranib 100. This development is attributed to the scientific vision and leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana. Targeted therapy represents a modern approach to cancer treatment, concentrating on attacking specific cancer cells while preserving healthy cells. This method helps to minimise the…
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Thai Airways taps ECS group for Swiss cargo takeover
Thai Airways is gearing up for a major cargo push in Europe, handing the reins of its Swiss freight operations to Globe Air Cargo in a move set to shake up the market. Globe Air Cargo Switzerland, a subsidiary of the logistics heavyweight ECS Group, has secured an exclusive deal to become the general sales and service agent (GSSA) for…
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Thai student numbers plummet in Korea as foreign arrivals surge
In a surprising twist to South Korea’s booming foreign arrivals, the number of Thai students and trainees has nosedived—raising eyebrows as other nationalities flock in record numbers. New figures from Statistics Korea have revealed that in 2024, only 21,000 Thai nationals entered South Korea on student and training visas, a steep 40% drop from the previous year. This decline bucks…
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Wild Pattaya club busted: Drugs, violence and shutdown threat (video)
A notorious Pattaya nightclub was stormed at dawn after authorities finally lost patience with its cocktail of drug use, violent brawls, and brazen disregard for the law. Yesterday, July 11 at 4am, a large team of officers swooped on 86 Club, a hotspot on Soi Bongkot, following a wave of complaints and a shocking street brawl that left locals terrified.…
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Runaway pig sparks traffic chaos on Rama II road (video)
Motorists on one of Bangkok’s busiest highways were left gobsmacked when a pig decided to take a leisurely stroll across multiple lanes—sparking a traffic jam worthy of a comedy sketch. Rama II Road turned into an unlikely pig pen yesterday, July 11, after a fully grown pig was spotted calmly wandering among fast-moving vehicles. The surreal spectacle was caught on…
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Teen motorcyclist dies in crash with truck near Bangkok University
A 17 year old motorcyclist collided with a 10-wheel truck, resulting in his death on Phahonyothin Road’s inbound express lane near Bangkok University, Pathum Thani province. The incident, which occurred at 2am today, July 12, also left four others injured, including two good Samaritans. Police Lieutenant Anusorn Wiangsima, deputy inspector of Khlong Luang Police Station, responded to the multi-vehicle collision.…
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Teen biker caught with homemade gun in Pattaya gang bust
A late-night gathering turned into a high-stakes bust when Pattaya police swooped on a park full of youths—only to discover one teenager armed to the teeth and ready for a gang clash. At around 3am today, July 12, Pattaya City Police received urgent reports from worried residents about a large group of young people causing a commotion near the Meteorological…
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Woman caught red-handed with 600 meth pills in Phang Nga
Police in Phang Nga have arrested a 33 year old woman who tried to hide a huge haul of methamphetamine pills along a quiet road in Takua Thung district. The bust unfolded at 1.50pm on Wednesday, July 9, when officers from the Special Operations Division of Provincial Police Region 8 swooped in as the suspect attempted to conceal the drugs.…
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms trigger flood warning in Thailand
The Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain across 48 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok. Residents in 15 provinces are cautioned about potential flash floods and runoff due to the inclement weather. These warnings stem from a monsoon trough affecting the upper northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, as well as parts…
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Long-lost ‘Forest sea star’ plant stuns scientists in Thailand
A rare plant thought to have vanished from the face of the Earth has emerged like a botanical ghost, shocking scientists with its return after more than a century in hiding deep within Thailand’s rainforests. Botanists worldwide are celebrating the extraordinary rediscovery of Heterostemma brownii Hayata, also known as the Forest Sea Star. Part of the milkweed family (Apocynaceae), this…
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Home lottery bonanza: 5,000 cheap Thai homes up for grabs
The Ministry of Transport has announced plans to launch a lottery system to allocate the first phase of 5,000 affordable housing units under the ambitious Home for Thais scheme. If approved, the project will see residents moving into their new homes by late 2026. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote revealed that following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding…
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Thai retiree scammed of 50k baht in fake luxury watch auction
A 65 year old retiree fell victim to a scam after participating in an online auction for a luxury watch, resulting in a loss of nearly 50,000 baht. Police are now preparing to summon the account holder involved for questioning. Nitikarn reported the incident to the Pak Kret District Police Station in Nonthaburi province yesterday, July 10. He recounted being…
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Thai mother fatally struck by son’s car while making merit
A Thai man fatally struck his mother with his car in the Isaan province of Udon Thani, claiming he accidentally stepped on the accelerator while she was waiting to offer food to monks. Officers from Nonsung Police Station were alerted to the fatal accident on this morning, July 11, and arrived at the scene with rescuers from the Udon Sawang…
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Rail deal steams ahead: China’s bullet trains go full Belt and Road (video)
China is hitting top speed with its global bullet train rail ambitions and Thailand is firmly on track to play a key part. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing vowed this week to ramp up international high-speed rail links as part of Beijing’s sprawling Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promising “hard connectivity” through mega-projects and “soft connectivity” via shared standards and rules.…
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Thai woman injured after turning on modified radio in Roi Et
A Thai woman nearly lost her left hand after switching on a radio that was abandoned in a small hut in a rice field in the northeastern province of Roi Et, after the device exploded when she switched it on. Similar incidents were previously reported in Lop Buri province in central Thailand. Local police officers and administrative officials rushed to…
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