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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Bangkok Bank’s policy shift: Why the change of heart?
Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest commercial bank and one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent financial institutions, has begun freezing accounts and blocking cards belonging to Russian nationals, triggering confusion and concern among the expat and tourist communities across the country. The drastic move, which reportedly began around May 25, follows a newly enforced policy that limits access to banking services for…
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Thai worker wins lottery 10 times, credits mythical serpent
A construction worker from Surin province has remarkably won the lottery 10 times in a row, attributing his success to the spiritual power of the mythical serpent, Phaya Nak Pu Ong Dam San Siri Chantra Nakarat. During a recent filming for a renowned TV show, an unexpected fire broke out, causing a candle to bend in the shape of a…
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High risk haul lands British woman in deep dope and behind bars
A British woman ended behind bars after she was busted at London Heathrow with suitcases stuffed full of cannabis following a holiday in Thailand. Keira Borrett, from Gorleston, Norfolk, was reportedly arrested at Terminal 4 on May 23 after attempting to breeze through customs with bags packed with herbal cannabis. The shock discovery led to the 43 year old being…
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Wife grabs cheating husband by the penis to stop cash dash
A Thai woman forcefully grabbed the penis of her cheating husband, a community leader, to prevent him from taking her car and fleeing with his mistress, along with a large sum of community funds. The dramatic altercation unfolded outside the Phibun Rak District Office in the Isaan province of Udon Thani yesterday, May 28 and was captured on video by a resident…
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Teen birthday leads to violent altercation in Samut Prakan
Following a birthday celebration, three teenagers encountered an altercation that led to violence in Samut Prakan, resulting in one injury. The incident occurred today, May 29, at 2.30am when 18 year old Warathep was attacked by a mysterious group of men near a shop on Kusang-Pracha Uthit Road in Phra Samut Chedi district. Police Colonel Pojanakorn Ganjina and other officers…
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Flying in style: THAI unveils plush new seats for A321neo jets
Travellers aboard Thai Airways are in for a stylish treat — the airline is getting a luxury cabin makeover with a fresh batch of award-winning R3 Economy Class seats, thanks to a brand-new collaboration with RECARO Aircraft Seating. The partnership, announced this week, sees RECARO deliver 32 shipsets of its long-range R3 seat for Thai Airways’ A321neo fleet. The first delivery…
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Gunfire injures four at Narathiwat anti-drug event (video)
In Narathiwat‘s Tak Bai district, four people, including two teachers and two defence volunteers, sustained injuries during an anti-drug sports event yesterday afternoon due to gunfire from unidentified assailants. The shooting occurred at 2.20pm, yesterday, May 28, at the Kohsathon subdistrict headquarters, where the event aimed to promote healthy living and campaign against drug use. Among the injured were 37…
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Thai app-based delivery rider steals gemstone rings to buy Yaba
A Thai delivery rider stole four gemstone rings at the weekend after being hired by a store in the central province of Nonthaburi to deliver them to a customer in Bangkok. Police made a swift arrest on the same day. The owner of a jewellery store, 43 year old Sanornit, filed a complaint at Bang Srimueang Police Station in Nonthaburi…
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Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace
In a groundbreaking show of royal support, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made history by blessing Thailand’s first-ever royally-sponsored same-sex wedding. On May 19, the royal couple graciously presided over a lavish ceremony at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, honouring the union of Kampol Wongnaree and Nutthabhum Taenseesang. The unprecedented event marks a…
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Police apprehend burglary suspect Mr Nobody in Bangkok
Police officers from Unit 191 apprehended a suspect known as Mr Nobody, who was involved in a series of burglaries at luxury residences. Mr Nobody and his accomplice were caught with drugs and were wanted for fraud. Yesterday, May 28, at 8pm, Police Colonel Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, the commanding officer of Unit 191, instructed Police Lieutenant Natdanai Bamrungsri to arrest 43…
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Flipped and lucky: Pattaya driver cheats death after horror smash
Pattaya’s highways turned into a crash scene yet again when a young driver’s reckless night ended with his car flipped upside down — and his life barely intact. In the early hours of yesterday, May 28, a 27 year old man miraculously survived a high-speed collision that saw his car slam into a streetlight pole and land roof-up, wheels in…
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Major e-cigarette dealer in Thailand caught, 50 million baht assets seized
A major online electronic cigarette dealer with a nationwide customer base has been apprehended, with assets worth over 50 million baht seized. The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner General Prajuab Wongsuk and other police officials, uncovered a central distribution office in Bangkok. Yesterday, May 28, police arrested 41 year old Thonnon at a commercial building on Sukhabhiban 2 Road, in…
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Thai man claims fatal shooting of wife in Sa Kaeo as accident
A Thai man claimed that the fatal shooting of his wife at their home in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo was accidental, occurring during an argument and a struggle over a gun. The victim, 35 year old Wassana “Waew” In-sura, was rushed to a hospital at around 7pm on Tuesday, May 27, with a gunshot wound to the back…
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NBTC seeks detailed analysis on digital TV future in 60 days
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board has instructed its management to deliver a more definitive conclusion within 60 days regarding a study on the future of broadcasting. The board, after discussing the study yesterday, May 28, refrained from reaching a final decision, with NBTC Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck indicating the need for a more comprehensive analysis. The board seeks…
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Fifteen women arrested in Bangkok raid on prostitution charges
Fifteen women from four different nationalities were detained on suspicion of engaging in prostitution following a police raid in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok’s Klong Toey district late at night. The operation, conducted around 10.30pm yesterday, May 28, involved officers from Lumpini Police Station, Immigration Division 1, and Metropolitan Police Division 5. The raid focused on addressing prostitution and human…
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Thai commerce ministry unveils 10 policies to boost exports
Commerce Minister Phichai Naripthaphan led a policy meeting at the Ministry of Commerce in Bangkok, attended by over 200 participants, including directors from the Department of International Trade Promotion and Thai ambassadors to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The aim was to address challenges in Thai exports and present 10 urgent policies to advance international trade. The meeting saw collaboration…
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Boom to boon: Thailand and US launch elite landmine-clearing hub
From deadly danger zones to safe farmland — Thailand is levelling up its landmine-clearing game with help from the US military. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), in partnership with the United States Department of Defence, has officially opened its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining Missions, marking a major step forward in regional efforts to eliminate landmine threats.…
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Red hair skull found in Chachoengsao linked to missing Pattaya woman
A skull with long red hair, found in the central province of Chachoengsao, may belong to a Thai woman, who disappeared in Pattaya following an argument with her foreign boyfriend. A 15 year old boy, Krittapas, reported his shocking discovery to a community leader at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, May 27. He explained that he had been jogging in preparation…
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Class dismissed? Refugee children face hunger as aid dries up
More than 28,000 refugee children are returning to school along Thailand’s border with Myanmar but as food rations are slashed and funding dries up, many face a harsh lesson in survival before they even crack open a book. In Mae La, the largest of nine refugee camps hugging the Thai-Myanmar border, families say food aid cuts are making it harder…
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Motorcyclist dies in Ayutthaya crash due to rainy conditions
A tragic accident in Ayutthaya province resulted in the death of a 35 year old motorcyclist after his motorcycle collided with the back of a truck in rainy conditions. The incident occurred today, May 29, at 12.30am on Rojana Road. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natdanai Borihan from the Uthai Police Station received a report of the accident, which took place at…
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Thai PM proposes 3.78 trillion baht budget amid opposition criticism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra submitted a 3.78 trillion baht budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026 to the House of Representatives, initiating a four-day debate with the vote set for Saturday, May 31. The People’s Party criticised the proposal for not addressing current economic challenges, indicating their intention to reject it. Paetongtarn explained that the spending plan was crafted based…
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Concrete panels fall from Pattaya condo, injuring Australian man
Concrete panels fell from the 37th floor of a condominium in Pattaya yesterday, injuring an Australian man and damaging multiple parked motorcycles. A Thai tourist observing the view of Pattaya City from the Phra Tamnak Mountain Viewpoint witnessed the incident and captured a video of the panels falling from the condominium. The tourist claimed the building appeared tilted, which may…
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Bangkok gets a 10-lane monster road to crush traffic chaos
Commuters in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Chaiyaphruek Road just got a serious glow-up. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) officially opened the expanded 10-lane Chaiyaphruek Road, a major upgrade from its original six lanes. The mega-project aims to ease traffic congestion and prepare for surging commuter numbers in the years to…
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Father fatally shoots son in Lop Buri self-defence incident
A tragic incident unfolded in Lop Buri as a father shot his son with a .38 calibre gun after the son attacked him with a hoe. The altercation began when the father admonished his son for demanding money from his sister. The police received a report of the violent dispute involving weapons at 9.05pm yesterday, May 28, in Mueang subdistrict,…
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Fire sparks chaos at Pattaya condo in dead of night
Holidaymakers were left scrambling for safety after a fire erupted in a high-rise condominium in Jomtien during the early hours of yesterday. The drama unfolded at around 1.06am yesterday, May 28, when emergency services were alerted to a blaze on the 27th floor of a condo in Soi Chaiyaphruek 1, Pattaya. The Pattaya City Disaster Relief Centre swiftly dispatched a…
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Thai and cry: Missing Dane dies in Bangkok police cell after meltdown
A Dane who vanished in Thailand has been confirmed dead, two months after his baffling disappearance sparked a desperate search led by his family and expats. The body of Jakob Jensen has been found in Bangkok, bringing a heartbreaking end to a mystery that gripped both Thailand and Denmark. The 41 year old, who went missing in March 2025, was…
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Foreign thieves steal cannabis in Phuket while friends distract staff
A Phuket cannabis shop owner is hunting for foreign thieves who were caught on CCTV stealing products from his store. The theft did not cause much loss, but the owner wanted to teach the thieves a lesson. The owner of the Shweed Panwa store in the Wichit area of Phuket, Chatchai Tanamas, shared details of the incident on his Facebook…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and storms across 42 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast warning for today, May 29, predicting heavy rainfall in 42 provinces across Thailand, with thunderstorms expected in 70% of Bangkok. Residents are urged to be cautious of potential flash floods and landslides. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates significant rainfall in the north and northeast regions. Residents in…
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British family’s £4,000 Phuket villa holiday turns nightmare
A family’s dream Christmas holiday in Phuket turned into a nightmare after discovering their £4,000 (around 176,000 baht) villa booking was a scam, leaving them stranded and scrambling for last-minute accommodation. After a gruelling 30-hour journey, Judy and Richard Loader arrived in Phuket only to discover the villa they booked through Booking.com for over £4,000 simply didn’t exist — turning…
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Phayao’s Thao Wessuwan statue draws lottery hopefuls
As the lottery draw approached, hundreds flocked to Wat Analayo Thipyaram in Phayao province yesterday, eager to seek blessings and uncover lucky numbers from the revered Thao Wessuwan — a mysterious black statue believed to grant fortune to devoted worshippers. Situated prominently at the temple entrance in San Pa Muang subdistrict, the statue has become a magnet for lottery enthusiasts…
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