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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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2 Thai children rescued from drug-addicted and abusive stepfather
Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday rescued two children, aged seven and one, from their drug-addicted, abusive stepfather in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. The children’s 21 year old Thai mother sought help from Gun after she was unable to protect herself and her children from her abusive husband, 31 year old John. She further revealed that she was…
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Student falls out of moving van in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A terrifying moment was caught on camera when a school child fell out of a moving van in the middle of a busy intersection in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The shocking incident occurred today, February 25, as the back door of the school van suddenly swung open, sending the boy tumbling onto the road. Miraculously, the car behind managed to…
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Smoke and mirrors: Thai duo busted for illegal e-cigarette sales
A police operation in the Huai Khwang district yesterday resulted in the arrest of a man and woman involved in selling electronic cigarettes illegally. Police Colonel Worawit Yanchinda led the operation, yesterday, February 24, resulting in significant seizures of the illicit goods. Police officers, including Police Colonel Phitak Suthikul, Police Colonel Korakot Pochayawanich, and Police Colonel Denla Rattanakit, orchestrated the…
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Ducati and Helmet Heroes unite to protect Thai kids
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Helmet Heroes Thailand and Ducati Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd., have joined forces to tackle one of Thailand’s most pressing safety issues: child road safety. With the help of the Jomtien-Pattaya International Rotary Club and the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, the initiative aims to distribute TISI-approved motorcycle helmets to children across Thailand, ensuring they are protected on…
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Island crackdown: Phuket ups the ante on illegal foreign workers
Phuket officials announced they are getting tough on the wave of illegal foreign workers casting a shadow on the island’s paradise status. A high-stakes meeting unfolded at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February 24, spearheaded by Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri. Power players in attendance included Worawan Waritphuttimeth, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Labour Office, and Phichit Singthongkam, Chief of the Phuket…
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Bribery scandal sparks crackdown at Laem Chabang Port
Thailand’s busiest deep-sea port, Laem Chabang, is under scrutiny as the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) launches an urgent investigation into severe traffic congestion and a bribery scandal involving queue-jumping fees. With over 6 million trucks passing through the port annually, the PAT is racing to implement solutions, including a crackdown on corruption, to restore order and efficiency, said PAT…
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Vape and escape: Bangkok woman nabbed for illegal e-cig sales
Police in Bangkok arrested a 25 year old woman for allegedly selling electronic cigarettes illegally through a LINE group called PAT VAPE. The arrest took place at a commercial building in Phetkasem Soi 63, Bang Khae district, yesterday, February 24, at 5pm. Niphaphon was charged with violating the Consumer Protection Board’s order against the production and sale of electronic cigarettes…
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Thailand cracks down on scrap shops selling stolen goods
Scrap shop owners beware! A tough new law is set to impose prison sentences on those caught buying stolen goods, aiming to crack down on a rising wave of thefts targeting public and private property. The Control of Sale by Auction and Trade of Antiques Act 1931 has been amended by the House Committee on Industry to close legal loopholes…
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200 Myanmar migrants sent home in Thai repatriation drive
In a significant crackdown on illegal immigration, 200 Myanmar migrants were deported from Ranong province yesterday, February 24 as part of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to address the influx of undocumented workers. The group, consisting of 198 men and two women, were repatriated after undergoing legal proceedings and voluntarily joining the government’s repatriation programme. The migrants were transported to the customs…
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Thailand tightens exhaust checks to combat PM2.5 pollution
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has intensified its efforts to inspect exhaust emissions from trucks and buses across Thailand to tackle the PM2.5 air pollution issue. Nearly 1,000 vehicles were banned yesterday, February 24. Jirut Wisalchit, DLT Director General, reported on the progress of the vehicle inspections, which align with the Ministry of Transport’s policy to address and prevent…
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Golden crab in Phayao sparks lottery frenzy with lucky numbers
As the lottery draw approaches, a bizarre discovery in Phayao province has locals buzzing with excitement and hope for good fortune. A golden crab, caught by a local fisherman, is believed to be a sign of luck, with mysterious numbers appearing on its belly. Thet Wongseekaew, a resident of Ban Tam subdistrict, Mueang district, stumbled upon the rare golden crab…
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3 Thais, 1 foreigner arrested for kidnapping 2 Vietnamese men
Police arrested three Thai men and one foreigner after the gang attempted to kidnap two Vietnamese men for ransom on Kho Simbi Road in Phuket at the weekend. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station were alerted to the kidnapping at 11.46pm on Saturday, February 22, by a friend of the Vietnamese victims. The two Vietnamese nationals, 40 year old Van…
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Kothon and 8 charged in murder of PAO member
In a chilling conclusion to a high-profile murder case, the Crime Suppression Division has officially indicted Sunthon Wilawan, known as Kothon, and eight accomplices for the brutal killing of Chaimes Sitthisanitphong, also known as S.J. Tong, a member of the Provincial Administrative Organisation in Prachin Buri. The case files were submitted to prosecutors today, February 25, marking a major development…
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Iranian man arrested at Bangkok airport over indecent act charges
Thai police apprehended a 31 year old Iranian man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as he attempted to flee the country. He is accused of committing an indecent act against a female rider on Sunday, February 23. The incident occurred while she was driving a passenger, prompting her to seek help at a police post. The case progressed when, at 1.47am…
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CCTV captures shocking transgender brawl in Pattaya
Tourists were left stunned as a brutal brawl between two transgender women erupted at a beer bar on Pattaya Central Road Sai 2, shattering the city’s reputation as a world-class family-friendly resort. Caught on CCTV and now viral on Thai social media, the violent altercation unfolded on February 15 at 10.30pm, right in front of passing tourists. The shocking footage…
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Thai car market hits speed bump, FTI urges govt to drive recovery
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is urging a turbocharged response from the government to rev up the nation’s sputtering car market. Demand for motors has hit a roadblock, with a particular skid in pickup truck sales. According to January’s numbers, it’s been a bumpy ride, causing manufacturers to slam the brakes on production by more than 200,000 units over…
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Former teacher found dead in car after mysterious month-long disappearance
A former teacher who had been missing for nearly a month was discovered dead in her car in a hospital parking lot, leaving her grieving family with unanswered questions. The case came to light when 63 year old Urai (surname withheld), reported the disappearance of her 45 year old daughter, Naruemon (surname withheld), also known as Gift. According to Urai,…
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Thaksin skips rumoured meeting with Newin amid political tensions
Political drama unfolded at the Pullman King Power Hotel on Rangnam Road as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra failed to appear for a highly anticipated meeting with Newin Chidchob, the influential figure of the Bhumjaithai Party yesterday, February 24. Despite rumours of a secret dinner to resolve political rifts between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, Thaksin was a no-show, leaving reporters…
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Dialling disaster: Thailand scammed-stiff by high-tech hustlers
A new report stated that Thailand is under siege from a tsunami of scam calls and dodgy SMS messages, with a jaw-dropping 168 million reported in 2024. That’s according to the latest annual report by Gogolook Thailand, the trust-tech titan behind the Whoscall anti-scam app. And it’s a record-breaker, marking the highest in five years! The report reveals crafty con…
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Fraud and gossip blamed for fatal stabbing in Bangkok mall
A Thai man who stabbed his manager to death at a shopping mall in Bangkok on Sunday, February 23, claimed that the victim committed commission fraud and gossiped about him with other colleagues. The fatal stabbing took place in an electronics store on the fifth floor of the shopping mall at closing time, around 10pm. The store manager, 40 year…
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Severe storms hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning as thunderstorms and strong winds are set to hit 46 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok. Heavy rainfall is expected to cover 60% of affected areas, bringing risks of flash floods, lightning, and strong gusts. Northern and northeastern Thailand will face the most intense storms due to the collision of a cold…
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Thailand men’s national ice hockey team: Rising in the world of ice hockey
Ice hockey may not be the first sport that comes to mind when thinking about Thailand, a country known for its tropical climate and love for football and Muay Thai. However, the Thailand men’s national ice hockey team has been making strides in international competitions, proving that the sport has a growing presence in Southeast Asia. 1xBet is a great…
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Hiss-terical escape: King cobra slithers into chaos during Kamala transfer
An encounter with a king cobra swiftly spiralled into chaos when the slithery reptile made a daring escape during its transfer to a new container in Kamala. The incident triggered an urgent and tense effort to recapture the elusive serpent on Saturday, February 22. The king cobra had been captured earlier that day at a hotel in Kamala by Kusoldharm…
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Retired Thai teacher kills 2 in drink driving incident in Chiyaphum
A retired Thai teacher denied being intoxicated after causing a drink driving incident that killed two people on Bamnet-Jaturat Road in Bamnet Narong district, in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, yesterday, February 23. Officers from Bamnet Narong Police Station rushed to intervene as a group of the victims’ relatives attempted to lynch the 67 year old suspect, Prapaisri Kaewkul. ThaiRath…
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Female rider harassed by customer seeks justice in Bangkok
A female rider was allegedly harassed by an Arab customer during a ride, leading her to seek refuge at a police booth, which was unstaffed. She called for help and later filed a complaint at Lumphini Police Station, vowing to pursue the case to its fullest extent. Yesterday, February 23, at Lumphini Police Station, the female rider, identified as Bee,…
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Foreign couple urged to use hotel for sex instead of Pattaya Beach
A Thai man urged foreigners to return to their hotel for sex rather than engage in public indecency after he and four friends caught a foreign couple having sex on Krating Lai Beach in Pattaya. Witnesses shared a video of the explicit act with Thai news agencies on February 22 where it quickly went viral on Thai social media. The…
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Over 1,600 foreigners detained in Pai for traffic, immigration offences
In Pai district, Mae Hong Son, over 1,600 foreigners were apprehended last year, primarily for traffic and immigration offences, with Israeli visitors comprising 13 of the latter group, as reported by the police. Police Major General Songkrit Ontakrai, the Mae Hong Son police commander, addressed recent social media rumours suggesting that locals faced numerous issues with allegedly unruly Israeli visitors.…
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Thai father commits suicide to avoid penalty for daughter’s sexual abuse
A Thai father committed suicide in a durian plantation in the southern province of Chum Phon today, February 24, to escape a legal punishment after his 15 year old daughter came forward to seek justice after years of sexual abuse. The community leader in the Phato district of Chum Phon revealed to MGR Online that the teenage victim’s 15 year…
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Truck falls through damaged bridge in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Three days after warnings were issued about the condition of a bridge in Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, a truck carrying rubber wood fell through a large hole on February 22. Prior to the collapse, a local had posted warnings on February 19 about the deteriorating state of the bridge in a Facebook group. The post alerted residents…
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New coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 identified, no human infections reported
The Ministry of Public Health has verified the identification of a new coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, by a laboratory in China, stating that no human infections have been reported to date. Doctor Opas Karnkawinpong, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, indicated that the virus, discovered by Chinese researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, belongs to the Merbecovirus subgenus.…
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