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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2 Miss Universe judges resign amid scandal ahead of Bangkok final
Two judges resigned from the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, citing concerns over transparency just days before the winner was set to be crowned. Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French composer, shocked fans on Tuesday, November 18, when he announced via Instagram that he was stepping down from the judging panel of this year’s competition, accusing the organisers of running a “charade”…
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Former shipping company worker arrested for selling client data to scammers
Police in Phuket arrested a former shipping company employee yesterday, November 19, for allegedly stealing customer data and providing it to a scam operator involved in fraudulent parcel deliveries. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station raided a warehouse in the Ratsada sub-district on November 16 and arrested a 31 year old suspect, Khanapa “Mook” Mengsan, for her suspected involvement in…
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Anutin teases early House dissolution amid censure threat
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signalled he may dissolve the House early if the opposition files a no-confidence motion, warning he won’t play into political traps. Speaking at Government House yesterday, November 19, Anutin said his minority government is ready for scrutiny but warned that a formal no-confidence debate under Section 151 would likely lead him to dissolve the House before…
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47 tourists rescued after Koh Kut boat splits at sea
A passenger boat carrying nearly 100 tourists suffered a hull rupture while returning from Koh Kut, prompting an urgent sea rescue by Thai authorities. Dozens of tourists were left fearing for their lives after the hull of a passenger boat ruptured mid-journey while returning from Koh Kut to the mainland in Trat province. The incident unfolded today, November 20, as…
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Foreign man caught stealing shoes and umbrella outside Phuket salon
A foreign man was caught on CCTV footage stealing shoes and an umbrella left outside a salon in Phuket yesterday, November 19. The owner of a salon in the Ratsada sub-district of Phuket shared the security camera footage of the theft with the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page. The salon owner had temporarily closed the shop to run a personal errand…
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Singaporean scam suspect caught hiding in Isaan village
A Singaporean man wanted for his role in a Cambodia-based scam was arrested in northeastern Thailand, where he was found hiding at his Thai wife’s home. The suspect, 32 year old Eng Sie, also known as Brian, was apprehended in Dong Lan subdistrict, Si Chompu district, Khon Kaen province. Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) tracked him down…
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Hong Kong man arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam and drug possession
Police arrested a man from Hong Kong for operating a call centre scam and possessing drugs at his home in Lat Krabang, Bangkok, on Tuesday, November 18. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau raided a house on Soi Lat Krabang 1ก/7, where the Hong Kong suspect, Tsai Chun-Ming, was identified as the homeowner. Tsai was wanted following a complaint by…
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Pattaya performers scammed as organisers vanish with 430k
A comedy troupe and musicians were left high and dry in Pattaya after a fake event organiser disappeared with over 430,000 baht intended for their fees, prompting a police investigation. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, November 18, near the entrance of Soi Khao Talo, where an outdoor concert was due to feature popular comedian Foy Thong Chuen Yim, young singer…
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Thailand crowned world’s best food destination in 2025
Thailand has been crowned the world’s best country for food, after a global survey revealed what travellers really crave: bold flavours and unforgettable dishes. Condé Nast Traveller, a prestigious US-based travel magazine, has named Thailand the No.1 country for food in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. Scoring a near-perfect 98.33 out of 100, Thailand wowed voters with its bold…
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Thailand video news | Teen saved from Ayutthaya bridge jump, Russian suspect arrested in Bangkok over 12-million-baht scam
In Thailand video news, Alex brings updates from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Today’s stories feature a police rescue in Ayutthaya, an on-stage fall involving Miss Universe Jamaica in Thailand, and a light-hearted hitchhiking moment that sent a British TikToker viral. Teen saved from Ayutthaya bridge jump Two Ayutthaya police officers rushed to stop a 15-year-old boy from jumping off…
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Thailand plans to extend civil servants’ retirement age from 60 to 65
The government plans to extend the retirement age for all civil servants from 60 to 65 in response to declining birth rates and the country’s transition to an ageing society. Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, Bowornsak Uwanno, discussed the progress of the study on extending the retirement age for civil servants, as assigned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Bowornsak…
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Second body found in Phuket’s Sarasin bridge suicide identified
A woman from Surat Thani died alongside her partner after their pickup plunged off Sarasin Bridge in Phuket, prompting an urgent recovery and investigation. The woman, identified as 39 year old Kan from Surat Thani province, South Thailand, has become the focus of a heartbreaking case after she and her partner were found dead when their pickup truck plunged off…
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Phuket MP demands action over forestland grab scandal
A Phuket MP has called on officials to investigate the illegal construction of buildings on protected forestland after claims of encroachment surfaced. Phuket’s forestland is under fresh scrutiny as Members of Parliament call for a full investigation into illegal construction encroaching on protected public land and animal pastures at Laem Phromthep. At a press conference held at Parliament yesterday, November…
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American tourist on drugs leaps from Pattaya condo balcony
An American tourist in Pattaya was seriously injured after leaping from a second-floor balcony while allegedly under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. The incident occurred around 8.16am on Tuesday, November 18, at a condominium on Soi Thapphaya 7. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a man falling from the building.…
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Thailand may delay decision on scrapping Cambodia border pacts
A Thai House committee reviewing controversial border MoUs with Cambodia is seeking more time to decide whether to recommend their cancellation. A parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing two controversial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Thailand and Cambodia is requesting a 30-day extension as it struggles to sift through a mountain of evidence. The current deadline is December 3, but committee…
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17 year old Thai student stabs classmate for pulling down trousers as prank
A 17 year old student stabbed his classmate multiple times with a knife at a school in Chachoengsao yesterday, November 19, after he allegedly pulled down his trousers as a prank. Teachers urgently contacted the Tha Kradan District Rescue Foundation for help, and the injured student, 16 year old Wuttipong, was transported to Sanam Chai Khet Hospital for treatment. Wuttipong…
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Chilly blast hits Thailand as monsoon brings storms south
A cold spell is sweeping across Thailand as a powerful high-pressure system brings strong winds, falling temperatures and stormy seas to several regions. A strong high-pressure system from China is extending over upper Thailand, triggering a cold snap across the north, northeast, and parts of the south. Morning temperatures are dipping sharply, particularly in northern regions, where residents woke up…
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Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit
Thailand welcomed a group of Taiwanese travellers with mobility disabilities for a five-day pilot tour, aiming to promote the country as an inclusive destination. The initiative is part of a pilot programme led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the Association of Thai Travel Agents. The group, hailing from FLOW, Inc., a Taiwanese social enterprise that…
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Police investigate death of woman found on beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Police are investigating the death of a Thai woman whose body was discovered on Laem Kum Beach in the Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Monday, November 17. Officers from Thap Sakae Police Station were alerted at around 12.30pm after reports of a body discovered roughly 500 metres from Rocky Point Resort. When police arrived, they found…
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Russian arrested in Bangkok for 12 million baht investment scam
A Russian man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding the elderly owner of a renowned Chinese-Thai herbal medicine company out of over 11 million baht in an elaborate investment scam. The arrest came after cyber police launched a sting operation in response to a complaint filed by the 70 year old victim from Nakhon Pathom province. The victim said she…
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Phuket tattoo artist says Australian client skipped 15,000 baht bill
A tattoo artist in Patong, Phuket, has accused an Australian man of failing to pay for a completed tattoo session worth 15,000 baht, after making an initial deposit. The incident occurred on November 18 at Dragon Ink Patong Phuket tattoo studio. The artist shared photos of the man across multiple Facebook groups to warn other businesses in the area. In…
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Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a new fiscal plan projecting reduced budget deficit and increased spending, aiming to stabilise the economy amid weak growth. Thailand’s government has announced an 8.4% reduction in the national budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, signalling a cautious step towards stabilising public finances amid a sluggish economy. Yesterday, November 18, the Cabinet approved a medium-term fiscal…
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Miss Teen Cambodia contestant accuses Thailand of starting war (video)
A Miss Teen Cambodia contestant sparked controversy when she tearfully accused Thailand of provoking conflict during a speech at a national pageant event. The woman accused Thailand of instigating conflict and demanding the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers. The moment unfolded during the pageant finals and was later uploaded to TikTok by the account @queencambodiaofficial_17. The video, which quickly went…
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Central Thailand woman scammed out of nearly 1m baht online (video)
A woman from central Thailand turned to a well-known TikTok content creator after falling victim to an online scam that cost her nearly one million baht. The woman, an agricultural scholar and longtime follower of TikTok user @Namobanchangtongdaengso0, shared her emotional ordeal during a livestream. She sought Namo’s help in verifying whether her remaining jewellery was real gold after losing…
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Police clarify viral bribe video is from 2019, officer dismissed
The Metropolitan Police Bureau clarified that the viral video showing a police officer demanding a bribe at the Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok was old footage from 2019, and the officer in question had already been dismissed from duty. Recently, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, accused more than 200 police officers of…
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Bangkok Remand Prison chief axed after misconduct scandal
A Bangkok prison director was removed from his post after a raid revealed staff misconduct, prompting the Ministry of Justice to launch an internal investigation. The Ministry of Justice has transferred the director of Bangkok Remand Prison following a surprise inspection that uncovered staff involvement in illegal activities. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and…
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Lampang man filmed abusing dog with compressed air denies wrongdoing
A Thai man, caught on a viral video abusing a dog by inserting compressed air through its mouth or anus, defended himself, claiming he was merely drying its fur and that the footage is from several years ago. The video, shared on Facebook, sparked widespread criticism and calls for harsher legal punishment for animal abusers. The man in the footage…
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Bangkok Bank courts the rich with no-forex travel card
Bangkok Bank (BBL) is targeting high-net-worth clients with a new travel card and a credit card strategy that prioritises assets over income to drive growth. The bank is focusing its credit card strategy on high-net-worth individuals with assets under management (AUM) of at least 10 million baht. BBL, led by executive vice-president Shoke Na Ranong, is now prioritising applicants’ AUM over…
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Customer accuses Michelin-starred Jay Fai of poor service, bias
Jay Fai, a one-Michelin-star restaurant in Bangkok, is facing renewed criticism after a customer alleged she was denied entry and told to “mind her manners” for arriving before her dining companions. A Thai woman shared a video online documenting her experience at the restaurant, which she claimed demonstrated poor customer service. She called on others to stop supporting the venue…
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Key flight routes cancelled in Thailand, including at Suvarnabhumi
Several flights were cancelled at major Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi, causing travel disruption for passengers on domestic and international routes. Travellers across Thailand have been hit by a wave of unexpected flight cancellations, causing widespread disruption at Udon Thani, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. The cancellations, affecting both domestic and international routes, have left passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. At Udon…
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