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 What to do in a medical emergency as an expat in Thailand
Handling a medical emergency in Thailand as an expat can be difficult without the right information. This guide explains what to do in a medical emergency, including important contact numbers, the differences between public and private hospitals, how to deal...
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Phuket ramps up efforts to prevent norovirus amid regional outbreaks
Phuket officials are intensifying efforts to prevent a norovirus outbreak, particularly after a significant rise in cases in China and a recent outbreak in Rayong with over 1,400 infections. In response to these threats, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), along with the Department of Disease Control and the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, conducted a workshop titled Phuket is…
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Koh Pha Ngan drug bust: Italian, French, Russian men arrested
Immigration Bureau officers yesterday launched a major operation into foreign drug traffickers on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, resulting in the arrest of Italian, French, and Russian suspects. Officers from the Immigration Bureau yesterday, December 19 arrested Koh Pha Ngan’s leading drug dealer, reported to be a 36 year old Italian man named…
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Sting in the tale: Teen’s bee-lievable bike ride ends with swollen lip
A 17 year old student suffered injuries after being stung by bees, causing a swollen lip, and subsequently taking antihistamines before riding his motorcycle home. This led to drowsiness, resulting in a crash into a streetlight post, exacerbating his injuries. At approximately 4.40pm yesterday, December 19, the Sawang Rojanathamsathan Rescue Foundation radio centre received a report of a motorcycle accident…
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Jealousy-driven shooting leaves two dead in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A shooting incident occurred in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where an ex-husband allegedly ambushed and killed his ex-wife’s new partner and friend, leaving another injured. The attack was reportedly motivated by jealousy and unfolded on a rural road in Ao Noi, a subdistrict in the Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. Police were alerted to the scene at 12.30am today, December 19,…
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Pattaya bar girl scams 10 million baht from South Korean man
A South Korean man lost more than 10 million baht to a Thai woman he met in Pattaya. The woman even claimed that she died of cancer to scam the foreigner out of his money. The South Korean victim, identified only as Danny, appeared on the Thai news programme ถกไม่เถียง (translated as Discussing, Not Arguing) on Channel 7 yesterday, December…
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Transwoman drama leaves Pattaya taxi driver with egg on his face
A confrontation unfolded on Pattaya Beach early yesterday between a motorcycle taxi driver and a transgender woman, resulting in injuries for the driver and egg on his face. Pattaya police received reports of a violent altercation at around 3.06am, yesterday, December 19, prompting immediate response to the scene. On arrival, they encountered Chayut, a 34 year old motorcycle taxi driver,…
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Motorcyclist dies in collision with ten-wheel truck in Ayutthaya
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a young man, riding his motorcycle home from work, collided with a ten-wheel truck and died instantly. His grieving parents fainted upon seeing his body, while the truck driver was left in shock. The incident took place on the Uthai-Phachi road in the Uthai district of Ayutthaya province. Police Lieutenant Phusit Pradapet revealed that…
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Flight fright: Passenger tries to open exit on THAI flight from Taiwan (video)
A tense incident unfolded on a Thai Airways flight when a Thai worker returning from Taiwan experienced hallucinations and attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight. Quick-thinking passengers managed to subdue and restrain him, averting potential disaster. A TikTok user, @yao1926.new who was on the flight, shared a video capturing the dramatic event. The user recounted that on the flight…
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Expensive seafood in Thailand sparks online debate
A customer’s disappointment over an expensive seafood purchase has sparked a heated online debate. After ordering fresh salmon for 200 baht and steamed blue crabs for 120 baht, a woman found her portions to be smaller than expected. The woman’s complaint was met with the vendor’s unapologetic response that this was their standard practice, igniting further criticism from social media…
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Bueng kan gunman kills two before turning weapon on himself
In a harrowing event that has shaken the tranquil province of Bueng Kan, a local man shot and killed two innocent bystanders before committing suicide. The shocking sequence of events began in the usually quiet hamlet of Nong Hua Chang, Phon Charoen district, at precisely 12.50pm, yesterday, December 19, when officers received distressing reports of gunfire. When police scrambled to…
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74 year old Thai man shot for having affair with neighbour’s wife
A 54 year old Thai man yesterday shot his 74 year old neighbour for having an affair with his wife in the Manchakhiri district of the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The victim is in a serious condition in hospital. The 54 year old gunman, Pongjit, shot his neighbour, 74 year old Thaksin, three times in the body and once…
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Drunken drama: Russian hospitalised after Bangla brawl
A night of partying on Bangla Road turned into chaos when a drunken Russian tourist was hospitalised after a violent altercation with security guards. The incident unfolded at Oscar Bar, Patong, late last night, December 18. Police were called to the scene at 11.50pm, where they found 31 year old Russian national Evgenii Kozlov seriously injured after a scuffle with…
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Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo
Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…
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Thai woman accepts laced drink at Pattaya nightclub, hospitalised
A night out in Pattaya took a dangerous turn for a woman after accepting a drink from a Chinese tourist, leading to severe health issues. The incident occurred when the Thai woman was celebrating her sibling’s birthday at a club on Walking Street, Pattaya, Chon Buri. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, recounted her ordeal, which included passing out…
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Thai tailor falls unconsious and dies at sewing machine (video)
A disturbing incident unfolded when a woman returned to collect fabric from a local tailor, only to find him slumped over his sewing machine, unresponsive. Despite the efforts of nearby residents to assist, he tragically passed away before reaching the hospital. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, when a TikTok user, known by the handle @single__mom_35, shared a heart-wrenching video…
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Fraudsters target Thai schools with fake dining table sales
A new scam targeting schools by offering stainless steel dining tables has emerged, causing significant financial losses to unsuspecting victims. The scam involves setting up fake stores and using counterfeit documents to deceive businesses into transferring large sums of money, believing they are purchasing these tables for schools. Reports of the scam began surfacing when a Facebook user, Pupe Chiquita,…
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Thai party entertainer assault for allegedly sitting on client’s lap
A Thai party entertainer in the southern province of Surat Thani is seeking justice and compensation from a client’s girlfriend who physically assaulted her for allegedly sitting on her boyfriend’s lap. The female party entertainer, Namphung Sumaporn, shared details of the assault on Facebook to seek justice for her colleague, identified only as 27 year old Bee. The incident occurred…
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Thai farmers receive 20 billion baht in government aid
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has disbursed 20 billion baht over the past three days to 2.6 million farmers as part of a government initiative aimed at supporting rice producers. The goal is to benefit 4.6 million households with a total budget of 37.4 billion baht. Chatchai Sirilai, Manager of BAAC, announced the progress of the financial…
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Thailand health ministry warns of new year disease risks
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about diseases to watch out for during the new year, particularly influenza and sudden hearing loss. They urged travellers to monitor their health upon returning from trips abroad. With the weather cooling down and many people travelling internationally, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has updated its list of diseases with potential…
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Revenue department sees 2.1% rise in revenue collection
Collection by the Revenue Department has shown a notable increase in the first two months of fiscal 2025, with a 2.1% year-on-year growth. The surge is largely credited to initiatives aimed at integrating individuals outside the tax system into compliance, along with intensified measures against tax evasion. Director General Pinsai Suraswadi reported that in October, the department successfully collected 146…
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Butt out: Phatthalung police snuff out illegal cigarette ring
Police in Phatthalung launched a major operation yesterday dismantling a significant illicit cigarette network with raids at seven locations. This operation, the largest of its kind in southern Thailand, resulted in the seizure of over 400 boxes of untaxed cigarettes and the arrest of seven individuals. Under the leadership of Ruanglak Ruengyungmee, Isara Charoenchasri, and Sakchai Rojarat, more than 50…
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Meth-induced man defacates, wields knife in police standoff
Police officers in Samut Songkhram successfully subdued a 50 year old local man wielding a long knife in a pomelo orchard. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, behind Wat Worapoom Health Promotion Hospital, with officers employing negotiation tactics to defuse the situation. The Samut Songkhram Police Station received reports of a man, identified only as Yod, brandishing a 2-foot-long sword…
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Cambodian call centre scammer nabbed after raping victim’s girlfriend
Police delivered justice to a Thai man tricked by a call centre scam gang in Cambodia after the leader also raped the victim’s girlfriend. The Thai couple was reunited after being separated after falling victim to a call centre scam and human trafficking gang. Together, they sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to ensure all relevant suspects were brought…
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French Bulldog missing in Uthai Thani, reward offered (video)
A search is underway for a four year old male French Bulldog called Peter, who has been missing since yesterday. His owner, from Uthai Thani province, is offering a reward of 2 salungs (7.5 grammes) of gold for Peter’s safe return. Wachirawit shared that Peter went missing after an unexpected visit from a monk on a walking pilgrimage. It was an…
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Sacks found in Phatthalung canal are decomposed pork, not bodies
The mysterious discovery of two bloated sacks floating in a canal triggered a rapid response from the rescue services in Phatthalung province. Residents reported a strong stench emanating from the canal near Apai Borirak Road, leading to fears that the sacks might contain bodies. Rescue personnel arrived swiftly to investigate, only to find a surprising revelation. “The smell was unbearable,…
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Police officer cites Buddhism in rejecting promotion
A police officer from Lamae Police Station in Chumphon province caused a stir by formally requesting not to be considered for a higher-ranking position. The officer, Pisan, provided a philosophical reasoning drawn from Buddhist teachings to support this unusual decision. Pisan, who serves as an inspector at Lamae Police Station, officially sent his request to the Chumphon Provincial Police Commander.…
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Thai woman exposes employer’s lewd advances, explicit messages
A Thai woman took to social media to expose her employer, a restaurant owner in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen, for sexually harassing her by sending lewd messages and pictures, including an image of his penis. The 30 year old victim, Nat, resigned from the restaurant and filed a complaint against the owner at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station.…
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Illegal foreign tour guides threaten Thailand’s tourism industry
The growing issue of illegal foreign tour guides in Thailand, exacerbated by extended visa-free stays and lax enforcement, is concerning industry experts. The Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand has raised alarms about foreigners illegally managing both tour companies and guide services in major tourist destinations. Recent social media reports highlighted an incident involving an unauthorised Russian guide leading a…
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Thailand targets US$308bn exports by 2025 amid trade optimism
The Commerce Ministry has ambitious plans to boost Thailand’s export sector, setting a target of 2% to 3% growth for 2025. The goal, projected to bring in US$305 to US$308 billion, follows a robust performance in 2024, where export growth is expected to reach 5%, generating a record US$300 billion. These figures reflect optimism driven by the electronics, agricultural, and…
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Chiang Mai fraud suspect arrested for bamboo blind scam
A significant fraud case involving over 50 victims duped into paying for bamboo blinds they never received has culminated in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. Since 2018, numerous complaints have been filed, with victims coming forward to report being scammed by a Facebook page with a misleading name. The accused, who had been evading the police, was finally apprehended…
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