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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Indian nightclub brawl in Pattaya heads to court
An Indian tourist and a nightclub manager are heading to court after a dispute at a Pattaya venue allegedly turned violent over an unpaid bill and threats. The incident reportedly took place at 4am on Friday, September 26, when 33 year old Rohit alleged that he was dragged behind the venue, beaten, and threatened with a firearm by the club’s…
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Bangkok plastic factory blaze forces workers to flee
A fire erupted at a plastic factory in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district, forcing over 10 workers to flee as explosions and thick smoke filled the air. The fire erupted at 2.12am today, October 2, at a facility located in Soi Bang Kradi 24, off Bang Kradi Road. Police Lieutenant Picheth Rodyang, Deputy Inspector at Samae Dam Police Station, was…
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Baht holds steady as US shutdown spooks global markets
Thailand’s central bank reassured the public that no irregularities have been seen in local markets after the US shutdown triggered global financial jitters. The shutdown, which began after the US Senate failed to approve a temporary spending bill, has unsettled international markets and raised concerns over delayed economic data critical to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. Yesterday, October 1,…
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Thailand and Mexico celebrate 50 years of friendship in Phuket
Diplomats, officials and guests gathered in Phuket to celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mexico at a gala dinner event. Hosted at the elegant Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort & Villas in Kamala, the event was organised by Natthakanya Sangpho, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Phuket. The evening welcomed an illustrious gathering of guests, including dignitaries, diplomats,…
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Bangkok saver strikes it rich with 30 million baht lottery jackpot
A Bangkok resident won 30 million baht in a Government Savings Bank (GSB) lottery draw, becoming the latest millionaire in this special two-year savings scheme. The winner, a customer of GSB’s CentralWorld branch in the Thai capital, struck gold with the first-prize ticket in the popular long-term savings lottery. The bank officially announced the results yesterday, October 1, via its…
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Thai govt brings back co-pay scheme with more baht in your pocket
The Thai government will reopen registration for its co-payment scheme, offering increased daily subsidies to support consumers and small businesses. A fresh round of registration will open from October 20 to 26. The scheme aims to support both consumers and small businesses, with increased daily spending power and broader financial benefits for those within the tax system. Deputy Prime Minister…
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Chinese tourist missing after being swept away in Phuket surf
A Chinese tourist went missing while swimming in rough waters at a Phuket beach, prompting a coordinated search by police, rescue teams, and local officials. The tourist was swept away by strong waves while swimming at Nai Harn Beach. The incident occurred yesterday, October 1, at around 2.48pm, prompting an urgent response from local police and rescue teams. Officers from…
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Humble garland vendor in central Thailand wins 12 million baht
A garland vendor from Prachin Buri won the top lottery prize but surprised locals by continuing her work at a roadside stall the very next day. The winner, a 55 year old woman named Kinaree, discovered she held two first-prize tickets with the winning number 876978, announced in the Government Lottery Office’s October 1 draw. The two-digit number for the…
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Thailand video news Phetchabun Woman Wins 6 Million Baht in Lottery, PM Anutin Says US Shutdown Won’t Harm Thailand’s Economy
Thailand’s week brought a mix of political debate, infrastructure woes, crime busts, and human drama. A Phuket MP called for tighter visa rules to curb unruly tourists, while another Bangkok road collapse reignited concerns over aging infrastructure. PM Anutin downplayed fears of U.S. shutdown impacts on the economy, as police nabbed an Interpol fugitive in Bangkok with drugs…
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Phuket’s new governor vows to fix traffic and boost tourism
Phuket’s newly appointed governor took office, pledging to tackle traffic, infrastructure and sustainable development to improve life for residents and tourists. Phuket officially welcomed its new governor, Saransak Srikruanetra, who took office yesterday, October 1, with a promise to tackle the island’s most pressing problems head-on. The 57 year old Udon Thani native pledged to focus on infrastructure, traffic congestion,…
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Thailand maintains Tier 2 spot in US trafficking report
Thailand has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the United States’ 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking the fourth year in a row the kingdom has remained in the category. The ranking reflects efforts to combat human trafficking but also highlights persistent shortcomings, according to officials. The TIP Report, released by the US Department of State on Monday, September…
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Ayutthaya worker hits jackpot with 12 million baht lottery win
A worker in Ayutthaya became an instant millionaire after winning the top prize in the national lottery, sparking celebration in their hometown community. The lucky winner held two tickets that matched the first-prize number in the October 1 draw yesterday, announced by the Government Lottery Office. The winning ticket number, 876978, was revealed alongside the two-digit prize number 77. The…
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Rayong house fire kills 7 as family trapped in blaze (video)
A deadly fire broke out in a residential area of Rayong, killing seven people and injuring three others in the early hours, prompting an urgent investigation. The blaze broke out at around 4.30am today, October 2, near the entrance to Pai 2, Soi 7, in Tha Pradu subdistrict. Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames engulfed the property. Firefighters…
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Thailand prepares for flooding as offshore weather worsens
Thailand is bracing for widespread thunderstorms and flood risks as a tropical storm develops offshore, bringing unstable weather to several regions nationwide. Thailand is set for more scattered downpours as a tropical depression forming over the Pacific Ocean gears up to cross into the South China Sea between tomorrow, October 3, and Saturday, October 4. The storm is forecast to…
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Lottery luck: Phetchabun woman scoops 6 million baht jackpot (video)
A woman from Phetchabun won the national lottery’s first prize, sparking cheers as her neighbours gathered to celebrate her 6 million baht jackpot. The winner, known as Jeab from Ban Ang Padu, became the centre of attention when the results of today’s (October 1) government lottery draw were announced. The winning number, 876978, secured her the life-changing payout, sparking cheers…
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Thai father attacks daughter with saw in Samut Prakan house
A Thai father attacked his 15 year old daughter with a saw at a house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok today, October 1, after she refused to help him with his work. Officers from Bang Kaew Police Station rushed to a house in the Bang Pli district of Samut Prakan this afternoon following reports of child abuse. Rescuers from…
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New minister reveals scam gang bribe offer in Parliament
The newly appointed Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) from Bhumjaithai Party, Chaichanok Chidchob, claimed that call centre scam gangs offered him a monthly bribe of 40 million baht in exchange for halting crackdowns on illegal businesses. Speaking during a Parliamentary session on September 30, Chaichanok explained that this was his first appearance as a minister since being appointed to…
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Turkish restaurant hits back at claims it threw out Israeli tourists
A restaurant on Koh Samui has spoken out to deny claims that it removed Israeli tourists, saying staff were not involved in the incident. The drama kicked off after a now-viral post circulated online accusing the venue of ejecting a group of Israeli diners in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The post, shared via social media channels including Instagram…
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Thai massage shop owner accuses police of rape and extortion
A massage shop owner in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan accused police officers of raping one of her Laotian employees and extorting money from her. The shop owner, 40 year old Aom, appeared on Channel 3’s Hone Krasae news programme on September 30, following her corruption allegations against a deputy superintendent and his subordinates. Aom explained that she…
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Pattaya teen badly hurt after firecracker explodes on beach
A 14 year old boy was seriously injured when a firecracker exploded in his hand on Pattaya Beach, shocking crowds of locals and tourists nearby. The incident unfolded at around 9.30pm yesterday, September 30, near Soi 9, where crowds of Thai residents and foreign tourists had gathered. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene…
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Anutin dismisses US shutdown fears, says Thailand secure
Thailand’s prime minister has assured the public that the US government shutdown will not affect the country, stressing that trade agreements with Washington remain secure. At a press briefing today, October 1, at Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the fallout from the US Senate’s rejection of a budget bill, which triggered America’s first shutdown in…
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Russian driver injures Thai woman and 8 year old boy in Phuket car crash
A Russian man in Phuket crashed his sedan into the motorcycle of a Thai woman and her eight year old grandson on September 25, leaving both victims in critical condition. The boy reportedly remains in intensive care. The assistant to a Phuket Member of Parliament, Udomsak Samran, took to an online community to seek clues about the foreign driver involved…
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Phuket MP blasts visa-free policy over ‘bad tourist’ surge
A Phuket MP has urged the government to review Thailand’s visa-free policy, warning it fuels unruly tourist behaviour and harms the nation’s reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, MP for Phuket, submitted a formal request urging the government to review the policy, which currently allows travellers from several countries to enter Thailand without a visa. While the measure has boosted arrivals and revenue,…
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Bangkok traffic snarled as Charoen Krung road caves in (video)
After last week’s sinkhole outside Vajira Hospital, another road collapse hit Bangkok’s Charoen Krung area, closing lanes as officials moved to investigate and control severe traffic disruption. The incident was first reported by the Volunteer Foundation of Ruamkatanyu Facebook page linked to Bang Phong Phang Police Station, which shared a video clip showing a large section of tarmac collapsing near…
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Thailand confirms 33 cases of new global Covid strain XFG
Thailand has reported 33 cases of the new Covid-19 strain XFG, most of them in Bangkok, with health officials stressing it causes only mild symptoms. The Department of Medical Sciences announced yesterday, September 30, that XFG has now become the dominant Covid-19 strain worldwide, although there is no evidence to suggest it causes more severe symptoms than previous variants. Thailand’s…
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PM Anutin flies mission to deliver organs and save 7 lives
Thailand’s prime minister piloted his own plane to Loei to collect donated organs, which were flown to Bangkok to help save the lives of seven patients. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul touched down in Loei province yesterday, September 30, in what was his first volunteer flight since taking office. The Public Relations Department confirmed he landed at Loei Airport at 12.15pm…
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Court grants bail to drunk BMW driver in Nonthaburi wrong-way collision
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court granted bail to a drunk BMW driver who drove against the flow of traffic on a Nonthaburi road, causing a pile-up on Monday, September 29. The driver, 37 year old Paphatsarin, travelled the wrong way for over five kilometres along Ratchaphruek Road at around 9pm on Monday. She collided with a pickup truck, leaving its driver…
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British man arrested in Bangkok hotel with 1 kilogramme of crystal meth
Police yesterday, September 30, arrested a British man at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok after finding one kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine in his possession. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Officers from the Metropolitan Police Division 5 and Lumpini Police Station received a tip-off about a foreign drug trafficker.…
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Thailand video news Bangkok scrambles to refill sinkhole ahead of reopening, Bangkok shock as man sets himself ablaze in public
Thailand’s headlines this week ranged from shocking public drama to tough crackdowns and urban challenges. A Koh Samui restaurant drew fire for allegedly refusing service to Israeli tourists, sparking debate over politics in hospitality, while Bangkok commuters were stunned as a young man set himself ablaze in public. Authorities intensified anti-corruption measures against traffic police, seized massive drug hauls from…
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Bangkok cracks down with new fees for unsorted household waste
Bangkok has introduced higher waste collection fees, penalising households that fail to sort rubbish while rewarding those who properly separate their trash. From today, October 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will increase the waste collection fee from 20 baht to 60 baht per month. However, households that join the This House Doesn’t Mix waste separation scheme will still pay…
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