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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Earthquake devastates Myanmar and shakes Bangkok to its core (video)
A monster 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar yesterday, March 28, unleashing a wave of destruction across the conflict-ravaged nation and sending deadly tremors as far as Bangkok, where a high-rise collapsed in a cloud of dust. At least 144 people were killed and over 730 injured in Myanmar, but military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing warned, “The death toll and…
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Retired officer surrenders after Phrae shooting over gamecock dispute
In Phrae province, a retired police officer allegedly shot and injured three people, including his relatives and a neighbour, following an argument over poisoned gamecocks. The 66 year old suspect later surrendered to the police after a prolonged negotiation. Today, March 28, Police Colonel Sutthipote Thananchai, deputy inspector from the Mueang Police Station in Phrae, was informed by Paveena Choksakulthaveesap,…
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Police dismantle online gambling mule account network in Thailand
Police operations yesterday led by Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, in collaboration with Police Colonel Suriyasak Jirawat, resulted in the raid of 10 locations in Khon Kaen and Samut Sakhon provinces. The operation targeted a syndicate involved in supplying mule bank accounts for online gambling networks. Twelve suspects were arrested under warrants issued by the Khon Kaen Provincial Court on…
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Bangkok raid leads to 58 arrests for illegal employment
Immigration officials conducted a comprehensive inspection of 10 entertainment venues in Bangkok, resulting in the arrest of 58 people for illegal employment practices. The operation, yesterday, March 27, led by Police Major General Prasat Khemmaprasit, targeted karaoke bars and host bars in areas like Bang Bon, Bang Khun Thian, Khlong Toei, and Rom Klao. The inspection revealed that only two…
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Thailand faces critical air pollution levels in 51 provinces
Air pollution levels in Thailand reached critical levels with PM2.5 dust particles exceeding safety standards in 51 provinces. The Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre reported that the northern and northeastern regions were severely affected, prompting a 60-day alert to manage forest fires and heightened heat spots in five key provinces. Across Thailand, PM2.5 levels surpassed safety limits in several areas,…
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Body found in Phetchaburi forest ends week-long search for missing man
A body has been discovered in a deep forest in Phetchaburi province, ending a week-long search for the 65 year old father of a local assistant village headman. The discovery was made yesterday, March 27, by a search operation team from the Sawang Sanphet Thammasathan Foundation. The deceased, identified as Thongjuea Kaewkong, was found in the forest of Ban Thung…
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Sisaket police seize illegal firearms cache in major raid
In Sisaket province, police raided a weapons cache and illegal firearms production site used for criminal activities, seizing 18 firearms and various ammunition. Yesterday, March 27, Khun Han district chief Pawit Rattawan and Colonel Anek Promta, commander of the 3rd Special Task Force of the Suranaree Force, along with investigative police from Khun Han Police Station, arrested Ekaphon Namwan. They…
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Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
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Pattaya: Foreign women nabbed in illegal bar raid
Pattaya’s notorious nightlife took a hit in the early hours of today when police stormed The Wild 69, an entertainment venue in Central Pattaya, uncovering a group of foreign women working without legal permits. Acting on a late-night tip-off from a concerned citizen, a special task force from Pattaya City Police Station descended on the Bang Lamung-based venue at around…
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Malaysian tourist overcharged by motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai
A Malaysian tourist recently shared an experience on Facebook about being overcharged by a motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai, Thailand. The tourist reported paying a 1,000 baht (US$30) fine for parking in a restricted area and an additional 300 baht (US$9) for a short motorcycle taxi ride. This sparked widespread discussion regarding the excessive fare. Police Major Sittichai Pradap from…
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Phuket splashes 4 million baht on motorcycle safety blitz
Phuket is gearing up for a major road safety push after receiving more than 4 million baht in funding to combat its deadly traffic problem, with motorcycles firmly in the crosshairs. On March 26, Transport Officer Atcha Buachan chaired a high-level meeting at the Phuket Provincial Transport Office to outline the province’s road safety strategy for the fiscal year 2025.…
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Royal Forest Department probes illegal land sales in Chiang Mai
The Royal Forest Department is currently investigating land allocated under the National Land Policy Programme (KTC) in Chiang Mai after reports of sales being advertised on social media. This programme, aimed at assisting the underprivileged, prohibits the sale or transfer of these lands. Yesterday, March 27, Surachai Achalaboon, Director General of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Natural Resources…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Suspect arrested after fatal monk stabbing in Phrae temple
A man was apprehended following the fatal stabbing of a monk at a temple in Phrae province. Before this, he had injured his brother-in-law, who raised him from childhood, with a wooden stick, resulting in 12 stitches to the head and face. The incident occurred on March 26 at 7pm when Police Lieutenant Krittamet Thamkham, an investigator from Wang Chin…
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Thai MP blows whistle on 20m baht vote-buying scandal
A firestorm has erupted in Thai politics after opposition MP Krit Silapachai claimed he was offered up to 20 million baht and a cushy job in exchange for voting in favour of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during a recent no-confidence debate. The explosive revelation, made in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, March 26, sparked outrage and triggered an internal…
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Shirt storm: Bangkok shop owner defends right to sell Putin and Hitler shirts
The owner of a second-hand clothing store in Bangkok urged foreigners to respect her rights after repeatedly being asked to stop selling shirts featuring images of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former German leader Adolf Hitler. The shop owner, Chonticha Nawathong, took to social media to criticise the behaviour of certain foreigners, claiming they interfered with her right to operate her…
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Thailand video news | Pattaya expands CCTV network for smart city development, Phnom Penh tops global air pollution rankings
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest headlines from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering key developments in security, economy, and politics. In Thailand, Pattaya expands its CCTV network as part of a smart city initiative, while the country’s overcrowded prisons spark renewed calls for reform. The government moves forward with an Entertainment Complex Bill, placing limits on…
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Gunman surrenders after fatal shooting in Thai forest
A gunman has surrendered following the fatal shooting of a 31 year old man, who was hunting in a dense forest on March 26. Police suspect the gunman mistook the victim, Chaiwat, for wildlife. The incident occurred near the border between Mueang Paeng subdistrict, Pai district, and Huai Poo Ling subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Chaiwat’s body was taken…
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Transgender thief busted by Bolt riders in dramatic Pattaya chase
A gang of Bolt motorcycle drivers turned vigilantes in the early hours of this morning, capturing a transgender woman accused of stealing a teenager’s Vespa in Pattaya. At around 2.30am today, March 28, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sai Jai Khamjulla, the Investigation Chief at Pattaya City Police Station, received an unusual call — a group of Bolt riders had detained a…
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2.1 million Yaba pills, 210kg of crystal meth found in crashed car
Police discovered 2.1 million tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, and 210 kilogrammes of crystal meth in a car involved in an accident on a road in the southern province of Phatthalung. Four suspects who were in the car successfully fled the scene. A motorist and residents near the accident site called officers from Nakhayat Police Station to investigate…
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Bringing home the bacon: Korat businesses struggle as pork prices soar
Rising pork prices have left business owners in Nakhon Ratchasima facing daily losses, with some considering closure. They urge the government to fulfill economic promises and address the needs of smaller businesses rather than focusing solely on the wealthy. At a gathering at Rabieng Kiang Nam restaurant in Hua Thale subdistrict, Mueang district, representatives from pork stalls and restaurants discussed…
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Chinese man sparks panic after abandoning bag at Bangkok BTS office
Police accused a Chinese man of intentionally spreading panic among the public after he left his bag at the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) headquarters in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok and quickly fled from the scene. Officers from Bang Sue Police Station were called to investigate a suspicious bag placed in front of a Brahma shrine outside the BTS…
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ATTA boss calls for boost to Chinese tourism market
The newly appointed president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is urging the government to ramp up support for marketing initiatives and development to revive the lagging Chinese tourism market. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, elected for a two-year term, welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of the draft entertainment complex bill but emphasised the need for strict casino regulations and meaningful employment…
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Fuel prices slashed to ease Songkran travel costs
Motorists across Thailand are in for a welcome surprise as fuel prices are set to drop just in time for the Songkran holiday rush. PTT Station announced a 0.50 baht per litre cut in retail prices for both petrol and diesel, effective from 5am today, March 28. The reduction is part of a wider initiative by the Oil Fuel Fund…
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Thai police seize assets worth 50 million baht in money laundering bust
Police seized assets worth 50 million baht and arrested Ekachart Miprom, a high-level executive involved in money laundering, along with his wife and mother. The operation took place on March 27 at two locations in Chanthaburi province and one in Rayong province. Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phueapan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, ordered Police Major General Sarayuth Junawath…
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Thai Cabinet approves tax breaks for big EV investments
The Cabinet has approved a draft decree to offer tax incentives for companies investing in large commercial electric vehicles (EVs). This measure allows companies to claim double the expense for locally produced EVs and 1.5 times for imported ones. Deputy Government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan stated that the decree aims to encourage the use of large commercial EVs, such as electric…
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Singaporean man hides in Myanmar after death of Thai girlfriend
The Singaporean man suspected of murdering his Thai girlfriend in a Bangkok condominium reportedly fled Thailand to hide in the Tachileik area o.f Myanmar. The 30 year old Thai woman, Proudphilas Paladon, was found lying lifeless and naked in the bathroom of her accommodation on the 22nd floor of a condominium in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 25. Her body was…
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Phuket crackdown: Officials fish for illegal workers, net nothing
In a rigorous two-day operation, Phuket officials targeted communities and camps housing Myanmar workers, aiming to clamp down on illegal immigration and unlawful activities. Despite the intense scrutiny, not a single infraction was found. Phuket officials, including immigration personnel, focused their efforts on a community in front of the bustling Phuket Fishing Pier on Sri Suthat Road. Situated opposite the…
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Thai heatwave on the horizon: It’s a storm in a hot cup
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for Thailand, predicting hot to very hot weather and cautioning against potential dangers from summer storms, including thunderstorms and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and take precautions from today, March 28. A moderate high-pressure system from China is currently affecting southern China and is expected to extend…
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British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
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