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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How to travel around Thailand for under US$30 a day
The Thaiger key takeaways Staying in budget hostels or guesthouses and eating street food keeps daily expenses low. Mixing buses, trains, and budget flights allows affordable travel between cities and islands. Free or cheap activities, such as temples, markets, parks,...
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Fire erupts in Bangkok hotel room, guests evacuated safely (video)
A fire broke out in a hotel room on the 11th floor of a high-rise in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district, prompting a swift emergency response and evacuation. The incident occurred at around 3pm yesterday, October 10, when smoke was spotted billowing from a window on one of the middle floors of the 29-storey hotel. Khlong Toei fire crews arrived promptly…
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Pattaya eyes extreme sports fame to woo global thrill-seekers
Pattaya officials held a meeting with extreme sports leaders to discuss hosting international events aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. In a recent high-level meeting, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, City Secretary Phumpipat Kamolnath, and Acting Director of the Tourism and Sports Bureau Wipawadee Wongsuwan met with Apichat Rutnin, President of the Asian Extreme Sports Federation, and Pascal Filippi, Managing…
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Foreigner escapes blazing car inferno on Phuket roadside
A foreign man was hospitalised after his car caught fire on a roadside in Phuket, prompting a late-night emergency response from local firefighters. The incident unfolded around 10.50pm on Thursday, October 9, on Wiset Road in Rawai, when residents spotted a Ford sedan engulfed in flames along the roadside and quickly alerted emergency services. Rawai Municipality firefighters dispatched two water…
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Raids expose illegal migrant schools in Samut Sakhon
Police, education, and administrative officials raided two illegal schools in Samut Sakhon where hundreds of migrant children were being taught by unqualified staff without permission. Over 900 migrant students and dozens of unauthorised teachers were discovered during a major raid on two illegal schools in Samut Sakhon province on Thursday, October 9. The operation targeted two buildings in Krathum Baen…
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Thunderstorms loom as monsoon lashes central Thailand
Heavy rain and storms are forecast across central and southern Thailand as the monsoon intensifies, prompting warnings for residents and travellers nationwide. The monsoon trough continues to stretch across the lower central region, the upper South, and the East of Thailand, while the southwest monsoon maintains its grip over the Andaman Sea, the southern region, and the Gulf of Thailand.…
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Baby turtles make a break for it on Koh Thalu Beach
Over 100 endangered hawksbill sea turtles hatched on a beach at Koh Thalu Beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan Noi district, marking a significant win for marine conservation efforts. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) confirmed that 101 hatchlings were born, following 65 days of careful monitoring by rangers and marine conservation teams. The eggs…
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Drunk driver kills boy, 13, in wrong-way crash in Sattahip
A fatal collision occurred when a drunk driver travelling the wrong way on a main road crashed into a motorbike ridden by a teenage boy, killing him instantly. A 13 year old schoolboy lost his life in a devastating crash on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip after a drunk driver sped the wrong way into oncoming traffic. The accident occurred at…
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Bangkok beauty shop sacks worker who kicked cat on video
A company dismissed an employee who was filmed kicking a cat, after a video sparked outrage online. The man is due to appear in court to face charges. A male employee of a beauty company in Don Mueang has been dismissed after a video surfaced of him violently kicking a cat. The clip, which shows the man setting up a…
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Teen gunmen shoot 13-year-old in back in Hat Yai revenge raid
A teenage gang attacked a rival’s home in Hat Yai, shooting a 13 year old boy in the back when they failed to find their intended target during the raid. Police from Thung Lung Police Station were alerted at 11.20pm yesterday, October 9, and rushed to the scene near a railroad crossing on Kanchanawanit Road in the Ban Phru subdistrict.…
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Chinese factory in Chon Buri defies court order, told to halt work
Officials in Chon Buri held a high-level meeting to address a dispute over a Chinese-backed factory allegedly built without permits and in defiance of a court order. The tense situation unfolded during a multi-agency meeting on Wednesday, October 8, at the Bo Kwang Thong Subdistrict Municipality Office in Bo Thong District. The meeting aimed to resolve the growing conflict over the…
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Thailand’s biggest book fair hits the right note in Bangkok (video)
Thailand’s biggest book expo has opened in Bangkok, inviting readers of all ages to explore literature, music, and creativity through free daily events. Book lovers across Thailand are invited to immerse themselves in a world of literature, music, and creativity at the 30th Book Expo Thailand, now open daily from 10am to 9pm until October 19. The event is being…
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British biker killed in horror crash on Chiang Mai highway
A British man died in a road accident in Chiang Mai after falling off his motorbike and being struck by multiple vehicles during a late-night ride. Craig Davies, who was just days away from celebrating his 51st birthday, was killed instantly in the early hours of yesterday, October 9, following a high-speed crash in Chiang Mai. Originally from Wakefield, West…
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American tourist knocked out in late-night Pattaya clash
An American tourist was assaulted by a motorcyclist while walking with family near a popular nightlife area in Pattaya, prompting a police investigation. The attack took place on the evening of Wednesday, October 8, while 50 year old Quincy Nguyen Tran was walking back to his accommodation with family after dining along Pattaya South Beach Road. As they passed Soi…
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Phuket seaplane plan aims to jet-set luxury tourism sky-high
Officials and private stakeholders met in Phuket to discuss a proposed seaplane project aimed at boosting luxury tourism and improving regional connectivity. A bold proposal by Thai Seaplane Co Ltd aims to introduce seaplane operations in Phuket Bay to boost the island’s luxury tourism sector while meeting strict environmental standards. The public forum, held yesterday, October 9, at a multipurpose…
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Bangkok cracks down on smoking to clear the air for all
Bangkok officials announced stricter enforcement of public smoking laws to protect residents and tourists from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Health advocate Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, a member of the National Tobacco Products Control Committee, revealed that he and Chayanan Sithibusaya, Director of the Tobacco Products Control Office, met with Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss urgent measures to address indoor…
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Anutin tells Cambodia: Pull out weapons, civilians first
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined key demands in response to a letter from the US president, insisting that Cambodia withdraw weapons and put civilians first. Anutin has laid out Thailand’s firm stance on the ongoing border tensions with Cambodia, insisting that the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and civilians from contested zones is non-negotiable. The announcement came during Anutin’s visit…
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PM Anutin blasts NHSO as hospitals buckle under Gold Card debt
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that hospitals nationwide are owed large sums under the Gold Card scheme, prompting urgent talks on government action. His comments came after Mongkutwattana Hospital in Bangkok announced the suspension of outpatient services for Gold Card patients due to unpaid medical bills exceeding 110 million baht. “The NHSO owes nearly every hospital in the country.…
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Thaksin stays upbeat in jail as political heat builds outside
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains in good spirits after completing the first month of his prison sentence, as family visits and legal scrutiny continue. Thaksin’s daughter, Pintongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong, visited the 76 year old veteran politician along with her husband, Nuttaphong Kunakornwong and Pidok Sooksawas, husband of former PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The family spent over an hour with Thaksin,…
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Phuket police race donated eyes to airport for transplant
Traffic police in Phuket escorted donated eyes from a local hospital to the airport for an emergency transplant operation in Bangkok, ensuring timely delivery. Phuket City Traffic Police carried out a high-speed medical escort yesterday, October 9, to ensure the safe and urgent delivery of donated eyes from Vachira Phuket Hospital to Phuket International Airport. The life-changing operation was part…
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Mariah Carey dazzles Bangkok with ‘Mimi’ world tour arrival
American diva Mariah Carey has arrived in Bangkok ahead of a major concert, thrilling fans at the airport as she kicked off the latest leg of her world tour, Mariah Carey Live in Bangkok 2025 – The Celebration of Mimi World Tour concert tomorrow, October 11. Touching down at Don Mueang Airport, the chart-topping diva was greeted by a warm…
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American tourist jumps off Pattaya boat, dodges rescue attempts
A tourist shocked fellow passengers when he suddenly jumped off a moving boat near Pattaya, swimming away as rescue teams struggled to bring him back. A 36 year old American tourist caused alarm among passengers when he suddenly jumped off a moving boat and swam away, waving “goodbye” to those on board. The incident unfolded yesterday morning, October 9, as…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain as monsoon pushes south
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of widespread rain and storms affecting several regions, urging the public to remain cautious due to possible hazards. The monsoon trough has shifted down to lie across the lower central region and the East, while the southwest monsoon continues to affect the Andaman Sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand. This weather…
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Thai man loses fingers after neighbour plants bomb on his motorcycle
Police today, October 9, arrested a Thai man for planting a homemade bomb on a neighbour’s motorcycle after the neighbour parked in his usual parking space at an apartment building in Bangkok, causing the victim to lose three fingers. The explosion occurred on the morning of Tuesday, October 7, at an apartment in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 65, Hua Mak sub-district, Bang…
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Thailand bets big on solar to fast-track net-zero goal
The Energy Ministry has unveiled an ambitious 720-billion-baht investment drive to accelerate Thailand’s transition to clean energy, aiming to hit net-zero emissions by 2050, 15 years ahead of its previous target. Part of the government’s Quick Big Win campaign, the initiative prioritises solar power, carbon capture storage (CCS), and economic revitalisation. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon said that the campaign will…
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Vendors plead for peace as border tensions crush Surin trade (video)
A meat vendor in the northeast province of Surin has called for military help as ongoing border unrest with Cambodia causes business losses and keeps tourists and buyers away. The area, famous for its fresh and sun-dried meat market near the Hin Khon intersection along the Thai-Cambodian border, has been paralysed by tensions for more than three months. Supansa, owner…
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Thai transwoman caught on CCTV stealing from drunk man sleeping in car
CCTV footage outside an entertainment venue in Ayutthaya province captured a Thai transwoman stealing from an intoxicated man who had fallen asleep in his car. The suspect was reportedly well known among locals for her history of theft. The theft victim, Sitti Wechadet, filed a complaint with the police on behalf of his older brother, who reported having his cash,…
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Tourist rescued from Ratsada boat mishap, unlicensed captain held
A foreign tourist was rescued by marine police after falling off a tour boat in Phuket, prompting the arrest of the unlicensed captain operating the vessel. Officers from the Phuket Marine Police sprang into action on Tuesday, October 7, after a foreign female tourist fell off a tour speedboat in Ratsada, on the island’s east coast, narrowly avoiding serious injury. The incident occurred at around 10.30am while…
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Sky Angkor cancellations disrupt Bangkok-Phnom Penh travel
Travellers flying between Bangkok and Phnom Penh were hit by unexpected cancellations and delays from Sky Angkor Airlines, disrupting plans and itineraries. The disruption stemmed from the airline’s operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh. According to data from FlightAware, three flights: SWM672, SWM673, and SWM675 were cancelled, and three others experienced significant delays, impacting…
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Tourists face fines for defacing Kanchanaburi road sign
Officials in Kanchanaburi are warning tourists not to place stickers or climb a popular road sign along a scenic highway, citing safety and legal concerns. Tourists heading to the remote village of Ban E-Tong in Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi, are being warned not to place stickers on a popular road sign or attempt to climb it, with officials stressing…
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Pattaya family faces eviction after paying 1 million baht for home
A young man in East Pattaya is seeking justice after his family was ordered to leave a home they had partly paid for, following a surprise legal auction. A 24 year old man in East Pattaya is calling on local officials to step in after his family was told to leave their home, despite having paid more than 1 million…
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