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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Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Mother arrested for assaulting children in drunken frenzy
A heavily intoxicated mother was reported by neighbours after an assault on her eight year old son which created a chaotic scene at their residence. Her husband revealed that she had previously poured hot water on their six month old daughter. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station reported receiving a call around 8.30pm yesterday, October 20, regarding a mother in a state…
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Armed gang extorts 4 million baht, kidnaps two in Bangkok heist
Five armed men stormed a prominent company on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, extorted over 4 million baht, and kidnapped two Chinese nationals before abandoning them on Nawamin Road. Police are currently investigating the incident. Yesterday, October 20, two Chinese nationals reported to Suthisan Police Station that they had been victims of an armed robbery and kidnapping at their workplace on…
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Tragic blaze claims lives of grandmother, granddaughter in Samut Prakan slum
A Thai woman and her 11 year old granddaughter died in a devastating fire at their home in a slum community in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The fierce fire broke out in the slum community on Soi Bang Prong 4, Samut Prakan, at about 1.45am yesterday, October 20. The blaze reportedly started at house number 192 and spread to…
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Unholy muddle: Monks caught in naughty habits in defrock shock
Police officers and a village head raided a monk’s quarters, resulting in the defrocking of two monks for engaging in drug use, drinking alcohol, and having an illicit affair with a local man’s wife. The raid occurred after receiving complaints and evidence of inappropriate behaviour. The search took place at a temple in Lahan Sai district, Buriram province yesterday, October…
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Heavy rain expected in 32 provinces with 70% of Bangkok affected
Today’s weather forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicts heavy rain across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience downpours over 70% of its area. Citizens are advised to stay alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff. The TMD issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in central, eastern, and…
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Phew! Thai party faces petition peril over Thaksin ties
A dramatic political twist erupted as a petition emerged demanding the dissolution of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, with claims of undue influence from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The party itself has made the explosive allegations. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed it is merging four petitions against Pheu Thai, alleging that the party is under Thaksin’s sway, despite him not…
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Norwegian tragedy: Expat’s final Fjorday in Pattaya ends in horror
A Norwegian expatriate was discovered dead in harrowing circumstances in the early hours of yesterday morning in his Pattaya hotel room after allegedly inflicting horrific injuries upon himself. Shortly after 4am, yesterday, October 20, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received a frantic alert about a foreigner’s disturbing behaviour and self-harm in a second-floor room on Soi 14. Upon arrival, local…
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Young teacher tragically killed by ex-boyfriend in Chachoengsao
A young teacher, Namfon, was tragically shot dead by her ex-boyfriend, 25 year old Atitwat, inside her car. The incident unfolded in the Bang Nam Priao district, Chachoengsao province, and ended with Atitwat taking his own life. Namfon’s mother, 44 year old Pannee, shared her grief while on her way to retrieve her daughter’s body from the Department of Forensic…
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Flash flood hits Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, stranding tourists and campers
A night of heavy rain led to a flash flood that caught tourists and campers off guard in Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani, yesterday, October 19. The central plain province was one of five affected by the flooding yesterday. The flash flood struck the mountainous region of Ban Rai around 8pm, just hours after the downpour began. The water levels…
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Monk kills village headman in Khon Kaen temple dispute
A monk’s anger over being warned about drinking alcohol led to a fatal incident at a temple in Khon Kaen. The tragic event unfolded when a village headman was attacked with an axe, resulting in his death. Police in Khon Kaen, led by Theerathat Phongsuwan and Surachet Matnok, detained 66 year old Phra Ken following the incident. The attack occurred…
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Thai man arrested for blackmailing boy with nude photos
Thai police arrested a man accused of coercing a 12 year old boy into sending nude photos and subsequently blackmailing him for money. The boy’s father reported the incident after noticing his son’s distress. Yesterday, October 19, police officials in Chiang Mai apprehended 32 year old Pitsanu Jongjitklang, on charges of extortion and fraudulent use of a computer system to…
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Thailand braces for heavy rainfall and strong winds tomorrow
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall for tomorrow, affecting 41 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience severe conditions with 80% of the area impacted by strong winds. Thailand is bracing for a significant weather event as TMD warns of thunderstorms and strong winds nationwide. Heavy rains are anticipated in the central region, including Bangkok and its…
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Demand for new N3 lottery tickets remains high despite outlet scarcity
Consumer demand for the government’s three-digit lottery tickets remains strong, despite difficulties in locating lottery stores, according to the Finance Ministry. Plans are underway to open additional lottery shops to better serve the public. The popularity of the N3 lottery continues to grow, as observed yesterday, October 19, in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Several lottery shops saw a steady stream…
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State banks to register 10,000-baht handout for non-smartphone users in November
The government will soon allow individuals without smartphones to register for the 10,000-baht handout scheme at state banks, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced. Julapun noted yesterday, October 19, that the initial phase of the cash handout scheme, targeting 14.5 million vulnerable people, has effectively boosted economic activity and money circulation nationwide. For those in vulnerable groups lacking smartphones, registration…
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Nearly 20% of Thai teens at risk of self-harm, warns DMH
Almost 20% of Thai teenagers face the risk of self-harm, according to the Department of Mental Health (DMH). This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to prioritise mental health issues among the youth, experts suggest. DMH director Kittisak Aksornwong revealed on October 18 that 503,884 teenagers aged 18 and under have registered on the Department’s Mental Health Check-in application from…
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Bangkok proposes congestion fee to fund flat 20-baht train fare
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt expressed support for the Transport Ministry’s proposal to introduce a congestion fee for vehicles entering the central parts of Bangkok. The revenue generated from this fee would be used to subsidise a flat 20-baht fare across all electric train lines in the city. Congestion charges are not a novel idea, having been successfully implemented in cities…
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Burmese worker found murdered near Phetchabun monastery
The body of a Burmese worker was found with severe injuries, including a slashed throat, facial skin removed, an ear cut off, and burn marks around the mouth, dumped by the roadside near a monastery in Phetchabun province. Police are investigating coworkers after the man went missing yesterday. Police officers and medical examiners arrived at the scene near the construction…
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State workers lose 18 million baht in iCon Group scam
Two state enterprise employees have come forward as victims of The iCon Group scam, having lost a total of 18 million baht. The state workers, along with 102 others, have filed complaints with the police. The workers, 49 year old Pitipat and 32 year old Piromna presented evidence of money transfers and related documents to the investigators. Their ordeal began…
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Two students injured in Samut Songkhram ice truck wheel accident
Two female students were injured when the rear wheel of a 10-wheel ice truck detached and collided with their motorcycle, causing them to fall and sustain bruises. CCTV footage captured the incident, which occurred yesterday, October 18, on Ekachai Road in front of Samut Songkhram Technical College. The accident was reported to the police by Niphat Kosakul, Deputy Inspector of…
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Drowsy driver crashes into motorcycle in Chachoengsao
A driver, drowsy and caught off guard by a sudden call from his girlfriend, caused a severe accident in Chachoengsao province when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a motorcycle, leaving two young women critically injured. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, October 18, when police officer Theerawat Pornprasit of the Chachoengsao City Police Station received a…
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New king cobra species discovered in Thailand (video)
New research has revealed four distinct species of king cobra, including a new variant found in Thailand. Nirut Chamngam, the head of the Herpetology Group, shared this discovery on social media, explaining the differences and implications of these findings. Nirut Chamngam, an expert in snakes and reptiles, posted on Facebook about a new species of king cobra. He clarified that…
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Thailand’s Koh Chang is world’s second-best tropical destination
Thailand celebrates as Koh Chang is named second-best tropical holiday destination in the world by Travel + Leisure. The announcement was made by Neramit Songsang, head of the Mu Ko Chang National Park in Trat province. Koh Chang, often referred to as the Gem of the Gulf of Thailand, achieved this prestigious ranking alongside other notable destinations in Southeast Asia,…
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GHB to launch loan app offering 8,000 to 1 million baht loans
The Government Housing Bank (GHB) is set to launch an application-based loan service aimed at small businesses, offering loans ranging from 8,000 to 1 million baht, with interest rates as determined by the Bank of Thailand (BoT). The Director of GHB, Withai Rattanakorn, announced that by next year, the bank targets to accelerate plans to enhance social support and long-term…
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Human trafficking in Chumphon leads to three Burmese deaths
Police in Lang Suan district, Chumphon province, responded to a distress call from monks at Wat Sek Tharam at 11.30am on October 17, leading them to a tragic scene involving Burmese migrants. Found in a forest approximately 2 kilometres from Phetkasem Road, 12 Burmese migrants were discovered in dire conditions, covered in dirt and visibly weakened. Two men, aged between…
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Rare Malayan tapir spotted near Thai-Malaysian border
A rare sighting of a Malayan tapir near the Thai-Malaysian border in Narathiwat province has caught the attention of Thai officials from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. Local villagers alerted officials yesterday, October 18, after spotting the tapir on October 16 at around 7pm, feeding on fallen rambutans for about an hour before retreating towards the border. Residents in the Waeng…
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Australian driver crashes into Nong Prue drugstore after drinking
An Australian man driving a pickup truck crashed into a drugstore at 4.30am this morning in Nong Prue, near Pattaya, resulting in significant damage. Police Lieutenant Apinan Srithongrungthip, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of the Bang Lamung Police Station, reported that the incident took place in front of the Sukun Piem drugstore on Soi Khao Talo. Officers arrived at the scene to…
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EC investigates Pheu Thai Party, dissolution probable
The Election Commission (EC) has commenced an investigation into the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which could potentially lead to its dissolution, as reported by multiple local media outlets yesterday, October 18. The EC has formed a committee to examine complaints alleging that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been exerting influence or directing party activities. This information was shared by…
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Phuket beach scare: Grenade-like object turns out to be lighter
Tension gripped a Phuket beach when locals reported spotting a grenade-like object in the backseat of a taxi, only to discover it was a lighter resembling an explosive device. Patong Police Station received a call at 1.30pm yesterday, October 18, from a concerned citizen about a suspicious object inside a taxi near Kalim Beach on Phra Barami Road, Patong subdistrict,…
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Ex-police chief accuses lawyer and dead cop of extortion
A former chief of police in the southern province of Songkhla filed a lawsuit against a lawyer and a dead cop for extorting more than 10 million baht from him and another police officer in August 2018 and April 2019. The former superintendent of a local police station in Songkhla, Police Colonel Surapong Kittithirangkul, complained to the lawyer, identified as Ch.,…
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Knife-wielding man shot during Kathu standoff
A violent confrontation in Kathu escalated dramatically last night, October 17, when police were forced to shoot a 28 year old Thai man after a taser failed to stop his knife-wielding rampage. Naruphan Sosaphan, reportedly in a delirious state, charged at officers with a blade after they responded to calls about his erratic behaviour. The chaotic scene unfolded around 10pm…
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