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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Sponsored What to do in a medical emergency as an expat in Thailand
Handling a medical emergency in Thailand as an expat can be difficult without the right information. This guide explains what to do in a medical emergency, including important contact numbers, the differences between public and private hospitals, how to deal...
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Gunman kills teacher Nak in Ayutthaya highway shooting
A gunman fatally shot a 60 year old teacher, identified as Nak, inside his Honda Accord yesterday, January 18. The incident occurred on Highway 3011 in the Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya province, resulting in the car veering off the road. Police Sub-Lieutenant Aisawan Pathomsanti from Bang Pa-In Police Station, along with investigative officers, forensic teams, and emergency services, arrived at…
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Bangkok warehouse fire causes millions in damages
A fire engulfed a timber warehouse in the Bang Po area, causing millions in damages, with the Bang Sue district preparing a temporary shelter for affected residents. The fire broke out on January 18 at a timber facility on Pracharat Sai 1 Soi 23 in the Bang Sue district, Bangkok. Fire and rescue teams from Bang Po deployed over 10…
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Thailand tourism surges with 1.3 million visitors in early 2025
Thailand experienced a significant influx of international tourists in the first 12 days of 2025, with over 1.3 million visitors, marking a 19.89% increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Government reports attribute this surge to tourism revenue amounting to 66.089 billion baht (US$1.9 billion). Key visitor origins included China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, with…
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Thai police seize 100 kilogrammes of meth worth 200 million baht
Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan discovered a significant drug haul on January 17, seizing more than 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. The street value of the drugs is estimated to surpass 200 million baht (US$5.8 million). The illicit substances were concealed in foam boxes and white fertiliser sacks, left outside the train station for two days, awaiting transit to Hat…
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Forum debates contraceptive vaccines for wild elephant control
The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) convened a forum on January 17 to discuss the use of contraceptive vaccines as a means to manage the population of wild elephants and address their movement beyond designated conservation areas. The forum attracted around 300 participants, including community representatives, academics, elephant conservation groups, and members of Parliament. Opinions were…
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Gorilla smuggling plot uncovered after Istanbul Airport seizure
A wildlife official has acknowledged the challenges in pursuing legal action against those involved in the attempted trafficking of a baby gorilla, initially seized in Turkey and allegedly destined for Thailand. The gorilla, named Zeytin, meaning olive in Turkish, is now at a zoo in Turkey and reportedly in good health, according to Sadudee Punpugdee, director of the Wild Fauna…
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Missing Chinese model found safe in Thailand, returns home
A 25 year old Chinese model who was missing for nearly a month has been found and safely returned to China, according to Thai police. Yang Zeqi’s return was confirmed by the Chinese embassy, as stated by Police General Chatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police Office, who was in Mae Sot district, Tak, on January 17. Yang’s father…
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Monk charged with rape at Buriram meditation retreat
Rape charges have been filed against a 59 year old monk, Wichai, following allegations of sexual assault on a woman attending a meditation retreat at his monastery in Buriram. The charges were lodged yesterday, January 18, at the Nong Song Hong police station by Chalida Palamat, chair of the Be One Foundation, who accompanied the 38 year old foreign woman,…
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Thai lottery dream leads to 24 million baht jackpot win
A new multimillionaire has emerged through Lottery Plus, with a 24 million baht jackpot win linked to a dream. The winning number for the first prize was 807779, announced at 4pm yesterday, January 17, following the Government Lottery Office (GLO)’s draw. The prize also included two sets of three-digit numbers, 961 and 699, and two sets of three-digit numbers, 448…
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Luxury watches worth 100 million baht stolen in Chon Buri heist
A luxury residence in Huai Yai, Chon Buri, owned by a Chinese businessman, was burgled, with thieves reportedly making off with luxury watches valued at over 100 million baht. The incident was reported to Huai Yai police at 1.30am on Thursday, January 16. Police officers, accompanied by forensic experts from Chon Buri Forensic Division 2, arrived at the scene, a…
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Krabi park e-ticketing system struggles to curb cash handling risks
A special task force from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conducted an inspection yesterday, January 17, at Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi to evaluate anti-corruption measures. The inspection followed the introduction of an e-ticketing system intended to prevent fraud in park entry fee management. Officials examined the fee collection processes at popular tourist sites such…
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Nakhon Ratchasima to launch electric rail transit after 7-year wait
The government has given the green light to a long-anticipated electric rail mass transit initiative in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. After a seven-year wait, the northeastern province is eagerly anticipating its own mass transit system, as noted by Sarawut Choedchai, a former city mayor and member of the traffic management committee in Thailand’s third-largest city after Bangkok and Chiang…
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Thai singer demands revenue from falsely claimed song rights (video)
Min Kuntaphat, a renowned Thai singer and independent artist from Maha Sarakham province, has accused a popular influencer with nearly 3 million followers of falsely claiming ownership of his song Soi Dao. According to Min, who legally owns the song’s rights, the influencer has been collecting revenue from the song on various online platforms for almost a year, despite Min’s…
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Thai actress Tangmo’s brother questions reenactment accuracy
Daisak Dechjob, the brother of late actress Tangmo Nida, recently expressed his frustrations as he attended a reenactment of his sister’s accident. The reenactment, held at the Pibulsongkram Pier, attempted to portray the events leading to Tangmo’s fall from a boat into the Chao Phraya River on February 24, 2022, which resulted in her untimely death. The event featured contestants…
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Ex-police officer and restaurant owner win 12 million baht lottery
A former police officer sharing a lottery ticket with a restaurant owner led to an unexpected windfall as the pair won the first prize in the Thai government lottery, securing 12 million baht. The joyous occasion took place at a restaurant by the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province, where the lucky ticket was shared. The winning lottery number 807779…
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Pollution battle: Flights fight PM2.5 pollution in Thailand
Thailand is taking its fight against air pollution to the skies, deploying special flight operations to tackle the dangerous PM2.5 dust particles. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that the innovative operations have already improved air quality in key regions, including Bangkok, the central region, and the upper north. Launched by Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI), the mission began…
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Strategic partnership: Thailand and UK celebrate 170 years
The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, has announced plans to enhance bilateral relations through a series of events and activities celebrating the Thailand-UK strategic partnership. These initiatives mark the 170th anniversary of the establishment of ties between the two nations. Gooding shared this information at the 170th Anniversary Launch Party held on Thursday evening, January 16, at the Postal…
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Tourist turmoil on Koh Larn: Rough seas spark safety warnings
A dramatic video capturing tourists struggling to board boats amid powerful waves on Koh Larn, Pattaya, has gone viral, showing the island’s rough seas during the monsoon season. The footage, taken on Thursday, January 16, highlights the dangerous conditions as local staff braved the waves to assist tourists and ensure their safety. The island faced particularly strong winds and waves…
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Close call: Thai deputy PM reveals scammer encounter
Even Thailand’s top officials aren’t immune to scammer schemes. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared on Thursday, January 16, that he had been targeted by a call centre scam, vowing to take decisive action against these criminal operations. Speaking to reporters, Anutin recounted receiving a suspicious call claiming his credit card had maxed out. “As she had…
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Phuket honours teachers with National Teacher’s Day celebration
Phuket officials commemorated the 69th Teachers’ Day, also known as Wai Khru Day, with an event at Phuket Wittayalai School on Thursday, January 16, honouring educators for their vital role in shaping Thai education. Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai led the event, which was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education Region 6 Office, the Culture Office of Phuket,…
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Bangkok crowned second best city globally in 2025 rankings
If you’re dreaming of your next urban escape, look no further than Cape Town, crowned the world’s best city for 2025 by Time Out! From breathtaking nature to buzzing nightlife, this South African gem offers it all. “Where else can you visit a colony of African penguins, sip world-class wines, stroll pristine Blue Flag beaches, and enjoy views from one of the…
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BREAKING: Foreign man robs car at gunpoint with kids onboard
An urgent manhunt is underway in Chumphon after a foreign man brazenly stole a car at gunpoint, with a terrified Thai mother and her two children inside. Royal Thai Police (RTP) are calling on the public to be on high alert and assist in locating the suspect and vehicle. Facebook user Kraiwich Chanthra, also known as Oat Rescue Lang Suan,…
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Umbrella-clad thief climbs from ceiling to steal but only gets 100 baht
Police are searching for a thief who descended from the third floor to the ground floor of a bakeware and bakery ingredient shop in Rayong province, using an umbrella to conceal his identity before stealing from the cash register. However, he left with a minimal loot of around 100 baht. The store manager, Komprakorn, filed a complaint at Mueang Rayong…
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VietJet named one of world’s safest airlines in 2025
VietJet has been recognised as one of the world’s safest airlines for 2025 by AirlineRatings, a global safety and product rating website. The news was confirmed yesterday, January 16 that VietJet ranked alongside leading low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Frontier Airlines, which have consistently been rated among the top airlines. This achievement highlights VietJet’s commitment to maintaining high…
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CNY rush: Thai airports brace for over 4 million passengers
Thailand’s airports are gearing up for a passenger surge as the Chinese New Year festival approaches, with an expected 4.03 million foreign arrivals between January 24 and February 2. The Transport Ministry has ordered Airports of Thailand (AoT) to ensure smooth operations and safety during this 10-day travel boom. Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that Bangkok’s airports would bear the brunt…
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Pride and peril: Thai man caught ‘lion’ about cub safety rules
A Thai man is under investigation by the Department of National Parks (DPN) for transporting a lion cub without proper safety measures, a clear breach of wildlife transport laws. The man’s legal lion lapse could cost him dearly, with penalties including up to a year in prison and a hefty 100,000 baht fine. The situation roared into the spotlight after…
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Drug-addicted Thai man steals pickup to impress teen crush
A drug-addicted Thai man stole a welfare pickup from an officer of the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department in the southern province of Chum Phon to impress a woman he had a crush on. The official, Prasart Kraiwilat, filed a complaint at Mueang Chumphon Police Station after losing the car, which belonged to his workplace, the Department…
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Train station construction closes Ratchathewi flyover for 3 years
Bangkok officials announced the closure of the Ratchathewi intersection flyover for three years to facilitate the construction of the Ratchathewi underground electric train station. The closure, starting today, January 17 at 10pm and lasting until April 30, 2028, is expected to cause significant traffic congestion. City officials are recommending alternative routes to mitigate the impact and are emphasising efforts to…
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Father fatally stabs son in Samut Prakan after money dispute
Police officer Tosapol Yasriyai received a report of a fatal stabbing at a residential property in Phraeksa Mai, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province in the early hours of this morning. Upon arrival, officers, including Police Colonel Watchara Thepsen and forensic officers, found the body of the victim, 42 year old Parinya, at the entrance of a two-storey townhouse. He had…
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‘Stay away’ leaflets target PM’s visit in Yala slammed as fake news
Reports of ominous warning leaflets telling citizens to stay away from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her visit to Thailand’s southern border provinces have been branded misinformation by local officials. The alleged leaflets were said to have been distributed at key locations in Yala City, including the Yala Central Mosque, Old Market’s Soi 5, and the Jaru Community near Dhamma…
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