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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Travelling in Thailand is peak during April if you are looking for a real taste of summer. With high temperatures, amazing beaches, and exciting events, April is an amazing time to visit the country as a whole. Due to the...
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Court sentences ex-police officer to death for fatal Trang shooting
Initially acquitted, an ex-police gunman faces the death penalty for the fatal shooting of a couple in Trang. The couple were buying materials for their rubber latex business at the time, before being violently gunned down. The tragic event occurred on September 9, 2021, in front of the Khuan Mao Cockfighting Stadium in Trang Province. The victims, 39 year old…
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American man with depression commits suicide at Phuket hotel
A Thai maid discovered the dead body of a 63 year old American man in his Phuket hotel room after he committed suicide yesterday, May 29. His Thai ex-girlfriend reported that the foreign man suffered from depression but did not seek treatment. Hotel staff reported the death of the 63 year old foreign man, Michael Thomas, to Thalang Police Station…
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Ex-con Brit arrested for fatal punch to Russian in Thailand
The British man who punched a Russian businessman, resulting in his death, over sexual advances on his teenage daughter had been previously imprisoned for drug offences. He has recently been arrested for the fatal assault. The businessman allegedly propositioned the Welshman’s 15 year old daughter during a pool party in Pattaya. The 34 year old Welshman, known locally as Flash…
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DSI shifts gears, catches Thai man for swerving luxury car taxes
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers arrested a Thai man yesterday for evading 42 million baht in taxes on the import of nine luxury cars. The DSI arrested the suspect, Chettha, at his accommodation, Uthong Mansion, in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok yesterday, May 29. Chettha is charged under Section 243 of the Customs Act for importing goods to…
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Thailand’s smartphone market set to grow 3% to 5% in 2024
Thailand’s smartphone market contracted by 2% in the first quarter due to slow economic recovery, a research paper revealed. However, the government’s digital wallet scheme is projected to stimulate industry growth by 3% to 5% in 2024, according to Counterpoint Technology Market Research’s Thailand Smartphone Tracker report. 5G smartphone shipments accounted for 52% of total smartphone sales in the first…
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TikTok user’s burn mark sparks lottery speculation (video)
A TikTok user sparked significant online interest after sharing a clip showing mysterious numbers appearing on her leg following an accidental burn from a gas stove. The incident, which was posted by TikTok user @papatsornthaweechot, has led many netizens to speculate about its implications for upcoming lottery draws. In the video, the user reveals a burn mark on her leg…
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Chiang Mai lottery predictions spark excitement ahead of draw
Chiang Mai‘s latest lottery predictions are out, with Kraisorn offering his insights ahead of an important date. Fans of the late singer Phumphuang Duangchan are eagerly hoping for a big win. Several significant numbers have been revealed by the lottery expert, promising hopefuls a chance at substantial financial gains. Yesterday at 8.40am, reports emerged about the bustling atmosphere in Chiang…
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Drunk driver crashes into streetlight and overturns in Pattaya
A drunk driver lost control of his pickup truck, causing it to veer off the road and crash into a streetlight before overturning into a median ditch. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to assist. At approximately 2.20am today, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya received a report of an overturned pickup truck near a wood…
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Bullying brother stabbed 11 times in Chon Buri family altercation
A violent altercation between siblings in Chon Buri erupted when a brother stabbed his older sibling 11 times, leaving the latter severely injured. The younger brother claims his brother, in an intoxicated state had instigated the incident, bearing his own weapons. Police Colonel Komsan Kamtunkaew received a report of a stabbing in Sattahip. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found…
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Exotic pet trainer attacks South Korean in Pattaya ‘coin-troversy’
An exotic pet trainer attacked a South Korean man at a night market in Pattaya, accusing the victim of insulting him by throwing money at him during a performance. The South Korean victim, 38 year old Munsu Park, along with his Thai girlfriend and older brother, filed a complaint at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at 2am today, May 30. The…
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Manhunt for fugitive Brit suspected to have fled to Thailand
British Police have launched an international manhunt for a fugitive Brit from Warrington, UK, believed to be hiding out in Thailand. The Brit, 36 year old Luke Atkin from Lower Walton, is on the run after failing to appear in court on serious drug charges. Atkin, previously of York, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine but failed to attend…
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Fugitive passport kingpin captured in Bangkok hideout
A fugitive passport forgery mastermind who had been on the run from Chinese authorities has been apprehended in Bangkok’s upscale Sathorn district. Police revealed the arrest of the suspect, known only as Chun, in a late-night raid at a condominium on Suan Phlu Road. Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Police Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, disclosed the details yesterday, confirming…
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Murder suspect spends victim’s valuables and flees to Pattaya
A Thai man suspected of killing his boyfriend in a condominium in the central province of Nonthaburi hid himself in Pattaya and narrowly escaped arrest yesterday, May 29. The murder of the 54 year old man, Paisarn Thong-on, came to light on May 26 after residents reported an unpleasant smell coming from his room, leading to the discovery of his…
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Weather alert: 44 Thai provinces warned of heavy rain and storms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, alerting 44 provinces to expect heavy rainfall. Bangkok is advised to brace for storms from afternoon to evening, with rain expected to cover 40% of the area. The southern region’s seas are also predicted to experience high waves. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates that the southwest monsoon is…
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Student assaulted at Sisaket school sparks outrage
A disturbing incident involving a young student being assaulted at a school in Sisaket has come to light. A post by a popular social media page featured images of a 12 year old boy, identified as A, covered in blood after being attacked by older students. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, May 28, saw teachers bringing the injured…
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La Niña to bring heavy rains but overall 26% below average
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) issued a warning about heavy rainfall from August to September due to the impact of the La Niña phenomenon, while also noting that this year’s total rainfall is expected to be 26% below average. ONWR Deputy Secretary-General Paitoon Kengkarnchang confirmed that the weather pattern will shift to a typical La Niña form starting in…
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Malaysia offers gene-ius solution for displaced Thais in Kota Bharu
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Justice Ministry in Malaysia have collaborated to provide genetic testing for displaced Thai nationals in Kota Bharu. Supported by the Royal Thai Consulate-General of Kota Bharu, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), the project aims to confirm Thai nationality for those whose citizenship status was previously…
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Cabinet’s coastal crusade: 3 notifications to protect Andaman Sea
The Cabinet approved three ministerial notifications aimed at protecting the environment in Phang Nga, Krabi, and Ranong, three coastal provinces along the Andaman Sea. Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, announced yesterday, May 29, that two notifications from his ministry had received approval during a meeting held yesterday. The approved notifications focus on…
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Supporters urge Thai PM to prevent Cannabis reclassification
Wisarat Phanprasat, head of the Western Herbal Community Business Network in Kanchanaburi, led a significant demonstration alongside over 1,000 cannabis supporters, submitting a draft of the People’s Cannabis Act and a petition to the prime minister. This event took place in front of the United Nations in Bangkok. The primary demand was to oppose the classification of cannabis as a…
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British man found dead in Sattahip condo, suspected suicide
A 58 year old British man was found dead in his condo bathroom in Sattahip, Chon Buri on May 27. Sattahip police responded to a report of a suspected suicide at a luxury condominium behind Bang Saray Market. Upon entering the third-floor room, police discovered the man, identified by police as Michael Devalle, dead in the bathroom. He appeared to…
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Land and building tax revenue to hit 43 billion baht this year
The Finance Ministry anticipates the land and building tax collection to reach 43 billion baht this year, marking an increase of 8 billion from the previous year due to the discontinuation of the tax discount. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, speaking at a property seminar on the fifth anniversary of the tax’s implementation, revealed that the ministry is currently reviewing…
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PM Srettha to announce huge tech investment at AWS Summit
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will grace the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit in Bangkok tomorrow. The highly anticipated event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre will see AWS, Amazon’s cloud computing powerhouse, unveil its grand vision for Thailand. “Thailand is poised for a digital transformation.” Prime Minister Srettha will co-chair the summit’s opening ceremony, according to government spokesman…
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Myanmar couple makes history at Thai Pride parade
Denied the chance to celebrate their union in their homeland, where LGBTQ individuals face persecution and imprisonment, a Burmese same-sex couple sought peace and happiness in the more tolerant kingdom next door. The couple, Nyan and Mae, tied the knot in front of thousands at the annual Pride parade in Chiang Mai. The late-night ceremony on Sunday was only symbolic…
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Outrage as Chinese tourists let child urinate near sacred Thai site
A photograph of two Chinese tourists allowing their child to urinate on a path near Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in Bangkok has ignited a heated online debate. The Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, nestled within the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, is a symbol of national pride and a key venue for state ceremonies. Formerly a royal residence, it…
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Thai authorities seize one million meth pills near Chiang Rai Airport
Authorities intercepted a major drug bust involving one million methamphetamine pills in the parking lot of a well-known shopping mall near Chiang Rai Airport. The suspects, a man and a woman, were caught preparing to transport the drugs into the interior of the country. Colonel Kidakorn Chantra, Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, examined the seized drugs and…
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Ring rage: Brawl erupts at Phuket boxing stadium
A viral video capturing foreign boxers and their cornermen brawling in the ring sparked widespread criticism online. The explosive incident occurred at the Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, Phuket, during the main event on May 26. The showdown featured an Irish boxer in the red corner and a Russian boxer in the blue corner. As the ring announcer prepared to…
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Woman arrested for 2.8 million baht fraud and nude clip scheme
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) arrested a woman for her alleged involvement in a nude clip scheme and a 2.8 million baht investment scam impersonating a well-known platform where she reportedly coerced victims into sending nude clips in exchange for withdrawing their investment money. Police Major General Teeradech Thammasuthee, today, alongside an investigative team, apprehended 29 year old Arisa under…
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Thai halal boom targets 84 trillion baht market
In a move to capture a share of the burgeoning US$2.3 trillion (approximately 84 trillion baht) global halal market, the Ministry of Industry has launched the Thai Halal Industry Centre. This strategic initiative aims to position Thailand as the regional hub for halal products and services, with the market value expected to soar to US$2.8 trillion by 2025, driven by…
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Thaksin’s shadow over Pheu Thai and election scandal rejected
The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a high-profile petition accusing the Pheu Thai Party of being dominated by paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The petition alleged that Thaksin’s influence and the controversial digital wallet scheme used in their election campaign violated section 49 of the Constitution. Decha Chairat, the petitioner, didn’t stop there. He also accused Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin…
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Disease Control warns of mpox surge after Songkran festival
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control issued a warning about a significant rise in mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, cases following the Songkran festival, with the majority of cases reported in Bangkok. The Thai authorities are urging vigilance and advising the public to monitor for symptoms. Since the first detection in July 2022, Thailand has recorded a total of 787 mpox…
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