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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Thief steals valuables worth over 10,000 baht in Pattaya apartment
A thief targeted an apartment building in Pattaya and made off with valuables worth over 10,000 baht. This incident unfolded at a two-story apartment on Soi Khao Talo 9, in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station arrived at the scene following a theft report at 2.06am yesterday, September 5. On…
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Chiang Mai restaurant gas explosion leaves one seriously injured
A gas explosion at a cook-to-order restaurant in Chiang Mai’s Chang Phueak area resulted in a devastating fire, leaving one person seriously injured. Emergency services are investigating the incident that caused significant property damage. Yesterday, September 5, at 1.45pm, a fire broke out at a restaurant in the Santitham neighbourhood, located in Soi Ratchaphruek, Chang Phueak subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang…
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New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors
Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea. Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for…
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Thai police arrest two for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants
Police in Mukdahan province arrested two Thai nationals for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants into the country. The suspects drove a pickup truck, packed with the immigrants in the back, through a police checkpoint, damaging the barrier. A search of the driver revealed a 9mm firearm and two bullets. Yesterday, September 5, under the directive of Police Major General Chatchai Wongsuna,…
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Thailand mandates foreign e-commerce offices under new law
Thailand will soon require foreign e-commerce operators to establish registered offices within the country, as stipulated by the new digital platform service law. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced this move following consultations with the Department of Trade Negotiations to ensure compliance with international trade agreements, according to executive director Chaichana Mitrpant. The initiative is part of broader efforts…
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Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht confirmed for October 1
Pheu Thai Party’s labour policy, particularly the plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, remains firm, confirmed caretaker Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat assured that the wage hike, targeting specific professions and regions, is set to take effect on October 1, with further details to be announced shortly. The national wage committee, led by the permanent…
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Brothers arrested in Trang for illegal loan sharking with 30% interest
Police arrested two brothers, nicknamed Jao Tossakan Loan Sharks, in Trang for charging exorbitant interest rates of 30% per month, with a loan turnover exceeding 2 million baht. The investigation revealed over 100 victims. Yesterday, September 5, police, led by Phumipat Phattarasriwongchai and Theera Chuersuwan, directed Kritthaphop Kaewrod and his team, in collaboration with local officers, to execute a search…
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Thai woman scammed in fake modelling job for 6,000 baht (video)
A young woman was scammed into a modelling job for 6,000 baht but was later asked to transfer 700 baht, raising suspicions of fraud. The incident, shared on TikTok, garnered significant online attention. The 22 year old woman, Fah, revealed to Khaosod Online yesterday that two months ago, she was contacted via the LINE application by someone claiming to be…
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Thailand drivers’ licences now display organ donor status
Driver’s licences in Thailand will now prominently display whether the holder is an organ donor, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced. This update, effective from August 7, aims to make the organ donation status of drivers more visible. The new licence design includes a larger Red Cross emblem with the words “organ donor” at the top right if the holder…
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Rainfall hits 33 provinces: Southern Thailand in deep water
Heavy rainfall is expected in 33 provinces today, with the eastern and Andaman coast regions of southern Thailand experiencing particularly intense downpours. Other regions will continue to see rain, while Typhoon Yagi has made landfall in Vietnam and is expected to weaken. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours and heavy rain…
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Pattaya City approves 11km monorail project for 2027
Pattaya City has given the green light to an 11-kilometre monorail project, set to connect the Thap Phraya intersection on the western side to Nong Mai Kaen in the east. During the final public hearing for the proposed Purple Line monorail system on Wednesday, attendees approved the format, blueprint, and environmental impact study for the project’s second phase. Phutthaset Charoenphat,…
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Woman’s temple ‘donation’ sparks 9.2 million baht-tling dispute
A Thai woman demanded the repayment of 9.2 million baht from the abbot of Phuet Udon Temple in Pathum Thani Province. However, the monk has maintained that the woman had donated the money to the temple voluntarily. The 57 year old woman, Kritsana, sought the assistance of non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to explore her legal options regarding the possibility of…
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Northeast Thailand: Duo nabbed smuggling 10 Chinese migrants
In a dramatic late-night pursuit, immigration officers, together with Pa Rai police, intercepted a pickup truck smuggling 10 illegal Chinese migrants in the Don Tan district in the northeastern province of Mukdahan yesterday, September 4. Acting on a tip-off, officers were ready and waiting when the truck appeared. Officers spotted the suspicious vehicle at around 11pm and signalled for it…
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38 flights cancelled as Hong Kong braces for super storm Yagi
Hong Kong’s skies are set for turbulence as super typhoon Yagi approaches, forcing 38 flight cancellations today, September 5, with more disruptions expected. The city’s airport is bracing for impact, and authorities are pulling out all the stops to manage the chaos. Chapman Fong, the airport authority’s deputy director for operations, warned that the weather is expected to worsen towards…
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Thai woman denied entry to South Korea over bizarre questions
A Thai woman’s trip to South Korea took an unexpected turn when she was shockingly denied entry due to failing to answer bizarre questions about her hotel. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, September 3, has since sparked heated discussions online. Posting in the Facebook group Travelling to Korea by Yourself, the woman revealed her peculiar encounter with immigration…
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Crackdown on foreign flower scammers exploiting kids in Pattaya
Pattaya City officials are cracking down hard on foreign nationals using children to hawk flowers and hassle tourists in the city’s famed Walking Street. After a surge of complaints from locals and visitors, Pattaya City officially requested help from Chon Buri Immigration to tackle the issue head-on. Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet stated that this type of behaviour, particularly involving…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Thai PM urged to probe environment minister’s state land claims
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the qualifications of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed minister of natural resources and environment, due to allegations surrounding his possession of 120 rai of state land. The foundation emphasised that officials responsible for natural resources must be free from any involvement in the holding of state land. Chalermchai, leader…
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Flood of generosity: Good deed goes awry in Phayao crisis
Residents of Phayao province faced significant flooding, impacting homes, roads, and temples in the Ban Fang Min and Ban Mae Tam Muang Chum areas. Amidst the chaos, a well-meaning individual delivered 400 food and water packages, only to trigger a controversy due to miscommunication. Yesterday, September 4, the flood-stricken communities of Ban Fang Min, Moo 4, Dok Kham Tai subdistrict,…
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£230k from Jersey bank returned to Thailand after corruption probe
More than £230,000 (about 10 million baht) seized from a Jersey bank account is being returned to Thailand following a high-profile investigation spearheaded by US police. The funds were linked to a major corruption scandal allegedly involving Gerald and Patricia Martha Green, who were found guilty of bribing former Thai Tourism Authority Governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter, Jittisopa. The…
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Woman injured after 40-metre cliff fall while foraging in Kanchanaburi
A 50 year old woman sustained serious injuries after falling from a 40-metre cliff while foraging for bamboo shoots on a mountain in Kanchanaburi. Rescue teams took over 30 minutes to reach and airlift her to the hospital. At 2.30pm yesterday, September 4, rescue officials from the Phithak Kan Foundation received a report of a severe injury due to a…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Aussie buyers lose millions in Phuket condo scam
Two Australian men have filed a fraud complaint against the company behind The Peaks Residences project in Phuket after shelling out over 5 million baht for a dream condo that never materialised. Despite winning a civil court case, they are yet to see a single baht in compensation, sparking outrage and calls for justice. On September 4, the Central Investigation…
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Elderly woman loses 600,000 baht in northern Thailand land scam
A gang of scammers defrauded an elderly woman of her entire life savings, amounting to 600,000 baht, by convincing her to invest in a fictitious land deal in northern Thailand. Despite filing a police report four months ago, there has been no progress in the case. Upon arriving at the victim’s home in Isaan district, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram, the…
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Swede deal gone wrong: Man loses 300k baht to ‘married’ scammer
A Swedish man is seeking justice after losing over 300,000 baht to a Thai woman who promised to marry him. He later discovered she was already married, and her husband, a soldier, threatened to harm him. The 42 year old Swedish victim, Ahmet, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from Si Samrong Police Station in the northern…
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Son kills mother days after drug rehab return in Nakhon Pathom
A tragic incident in Nakhon Pathom resulted in the death of a mother at the hands of her son, who had just returned from a drug rehabilitation programme three days earlier. The 32 year old son was apprehended by police while riding a motorcycle to buy methamphetamine. Police Lieutenant Sata Porn Duangsi of the Nakhon Pathom City Police Station received…
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Thailand mandates VAT registration for online sales platforms
The Ministry of Finance is set to integrate online sales platforms into Thailand’s tax system, following a Cabinet decision mandating these platforms to register for value-added tax (VAT). An anonymous ministry source confirmed that the Revenue Department will amend the Revenue Code in line with the Cabinet’s resolution. Online sales platforms will now be required to register for VAT in…
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Tree falls on school van in Krabi, injures 14
A school van carrying students home in Krabi was struck by a falling tree during a severe storm, injuring 14 people, with the driver sustaining the worst injuries. Fortunately, none of the students lost their lives. Rescue officials from the Pracharuamjai Foundation in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, received a report at 4.30pm yesterday, September 4, of an accident involving…
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Man stabs ex-girlfriend in Trat, crashes motorcycle while fleeing
A man was apprehended in Trat province after stabbing his ex-girlfriend and attempting to flee on a motorcycle, only to crash 20 kilometres away. He claimed he intended to end his life to escape his wrongdoing. While receiving medical treatment, the injured woman confronted him. The incident occurred at 7.50pm yesterday, September 4, when a 41 year old man named…
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Thailand levels up: Set to be Southeast Asia’s e-sports epicentre
Thailand is poised to become a leading e-sports hub in Southeast Asia, according to Riot Games, a US-based game developer. Riot Games Thailand Manager Jon Lor emphasised the strong foundation already present in the Thai gaming community. “From my perspective, it’s about building on the strong foundation we already have. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from the Thai gaming community, and…
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