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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Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
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Jelly blubbers return to southern Thailand river after 3 years
Jelly blubbers, a kind of jellyfish, have returned to a river in Songkhla province in southern Thailand after disappearing for more than three years. Aerial photos reveal jelly blubbers (Catostylus mosaicus) in their masses floating in the Khlong Bang Rieng River in Bang Riang subdistrict, Khuan Niang district, which locals say is a rare natural phenomenon. Normally, jelly blubbers reside…
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Storm topples trees, causes chaos and flooding in northeastern Thailand
A sudden storm in Chaiyaphum province, in northeastern Thailand, yesterday caused fallen trees to block roads and flooding. Two cars slipped off the road in the darkness, though drivers managed to escape unharmed. Local authorities have been urged to improve lighting in the area to reduce accidents. In various areas of Chaiyaphum province, heavy rain and strong winds led to…
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Thai senator summoned for alleged involvement in attack on monks and residents in Isaan
Police summoned Thai senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha for questioning after it was discovered that he was allegedly involved in an attack on monks and residents in the Isaan province of Phichit last month. On April 6, a group of men wearing all-black came to Bang Klan Temple, also known as Hirunyaram Temple, in the Pho Talay district of Phichit and attacked…
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Thailand on track for 10 million tourists despite low season
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that by the end of this month, Thailand will have welcomed 10 million foreign tourists, with at least 2 million visitors per month expected during the low season. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that Thailand has consistently recorded over 50,000 arrivals daily, indicating that the monthly minimum rate of 2 million visitors during…
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24-hour alcohol ban in key Patong areas during councillor election
A 24-hour alcohol ban is set to take place in key areas of Patong, Phuket, as local residents prepare to vote in a councillor election on June 11. Patong Municipality Election Director Wipa Chanthong confirmed the ban, which will be in effect throughout Patong Municipality Constituency 3 from 6pm on June 10 to 6pm on June 11. Constituency 3 is…
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Rescue workers steal crab sticks from injured car crash victim in Thailand (video)
A video surfaced yesterday of rescue workers stealing a box of crab sticks from the injured victim of a car crash in Samut Prakan province, just south of Bangkok, in central Thailand. In a live Facebook broadcast, rescue workers filmed themselves stopping their ambulance at the scene of a road accident in front of a Shell gas station on the…
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Lottery winner accuses granddaughter of stealing jackpot tickets
A 93 year old lottery winner accused her granddaughter of stealing her winning lottery tickets worth 12 million baht. The accused woman denied all allegations. The alleged lottery winner, Jee Chaowangyen, filed a complaint with Nong Prue Police Station in the central province of Kanchanaburi that her granddaughter, 53 year old Saengthong Sri-atcha, stole two winning lottery tickets worth 12…
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Gold heist foiled: Ex-guard’s fake gun fails to secure glittering loot
A former security guard was arrested for attempting to steal gold worth US$76,600 with a fake gun from a popular gold store in a Bang Khae shopping mall in Bangkok. Police Colonel Ponganun Klaiklueng, together with other officers, arrested the 35 year old suspect, Nitinant, in Nonthaburi. The man was found in possession of 71 baht of gold, valued at approximately US$76,600,…
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Pattaya steps up sterilisation efforts with stray dogs
Thailand’s eastern city of Pattaya is stepping up its sterilisation efforts with stray dogs roaming the city’s streets and beaches. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet deployed teams of veterinarians and environmental health experts from the Department of Public Health and Environment, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday. These teams have been assigned to clean the beaches regularly and implement regular sterilisation programmes within…
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Thai man exposes himself in public and threatens to rape women in Buriram
A local woman filed a complaint with the police after a drunken Thai man exposed himself in public near her house in the northeastern province of Buriram. He also threatened to rape women in the area. The woman in the Baan Bu Rai Oil Community in the Chalerm Prakiat district of Buriram notified Chalerm Prakiat Police Station today that a…
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Man’s body found in canal near abandoned car in central Thailand
A 60 year old man’s body was discovered in a canal next to his car under a flyover in Pathum Thani-Lat Lum Kaeo Road near Lat Lum Kaeo district in central Thailand. The deceased, who had a history of high blood pressure, worked for a company that employed GPS tracking in its vehicles. The incident took place near a silver…
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Mysterious disappearance of Thai monk stirs fears of foul play
A Thai monk disappeared from a temple in the Isaan province of Loei to go on a pilgrimage and hasn’t been seen for over a month. The mother of the 40 year old monk, Sarawut “Yod” Larbpho, believes that her son has been murdered. She is convinced after the soul of her monk son possessed her body to tell the story.…
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Indian fugitive arrested in northeast Thailand
An Indian man wanted by Thai police for five months was arrested at a resort in Maha Sarakham province in northeast Thailand on Sunday. Officers from Wapi Pathum Police Station and Maha Sarakham Immigration held a press conference yesterday to announce the joint arrest of 28 year old Ajit Yadav of Indian nationality. Police apprehended him at a resort in…
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Bangkok blaze damages over 40 homes
A blaze in Bangkok‘s Thon Buri district damaged over 40 homes yesterday morning. The fire broke out in the Talat Phlu sub-district. Talat Phlu Police Station was alerted about the blaze on Soi Wutthakat 18, off Wutthakat Road, at around 5.45am. Firefighters from nearby areas rushed to the scene to find the flames ripping through the area, which has many…
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New Thai PM urged to become ambassador for tourism boost
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) urged the new Prime Minister (PM) to become a tourism ambassador to boost the Thai tourism industry. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) identified the leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limcharoenrat, as an ideal candidate for this role, given his potential to significantly boost the tourism sector. TCT President Chamnarn Sisawat…
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Deceased police officer potentially 16th victim of Thai cyanide serial killer
A shocking revelation has emerged in the case of the notorious Thai cyanide serial killer as a relative of a police officer who passed away three years ago claims that the deceased might be the killer’s 16th victim. This suspicion arises from the fact that the officer had a meeting with the alleged murderer, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, shortly before suffering…
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms threaten 50 provinces, Bangkok braces for downpour
The Thai Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms and strong winds in 50 provinces, including Bangkok, as weather conditions change due to low-pressure systems. From May 27-30, rainfall is expected to increase, and it could be heavy in some areas. Boats have been advised to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Today, the weather forecast for the next 24 hours is…
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Outrage as man masturbates in front of teenage student girls, parents demand justice
A man who exposed himself to teenage female students at a bus stop in Chachoengsao province has caused outrage on social media. Parents are demanding justice for their children. The disturbing events have been the talk of social media in Chachoengsao since the man exposed himself to teenage students waiting for their bus home. A man driving a black car…
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Limited impact expected from new government’s stimulus amid political uncertainty
The impact of the new government‘s stimulus measures on the economy is expected to be minimal, as the stock market has already accounted for risks associated with political issues, according to the SCB Chief Investment Office (SCB CIO). Kampon Adireksombat, first senior vice-president and head of SCB CIO, stated that the formation of a new coalition government is still uncertain…
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Thai King to cover medical costs for victims of Phichit school roof collapse
His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured in a tragic roof collapse at a school in Phichit during a storm on Monday evening. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this decision during a visit to the affected Ban Noen Po School and the local community in Sam Ngam district, following…
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Thailand to implement new law to save blue whales from extinction
In a bid to save endangered blue whales from extinction, Thailand‘s Cabinet yesterday approved in principle a draft royal decree which designates blue whales and leopard sharks as “wildlife reserves,” under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) are already protected wild animals in Thailand, but the current laws have not been effective in stopping…
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MFP leader promises reasonable minimum wage increase without economic damage
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat recently assured that a coalition government under his leadership would not immediately raise the minimum daily wage to 450 baht but would ensure a reasonable increase without causing damage to industry or the economy. Limjaroenrat, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, made this promise during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Thai…
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Thai car production dips 0.13% in April as exports surge 43.53%
Thailand experienced a slight decline of 0.13% in car production in April compared to the previous year, with a total of 117,636 units produced, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This decrease was primarily due to a drop in truck production. However, the country witnessed a significant surge in auto exports during the same month, owing to a…
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Phuket police arrest man with over 5,000 methamphetamine pills
Phuket police have apprehended a man in Ratsada who was found to be in possession of over 5,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as ya bah. The arrest occurred yesterday afternoon as part of an ongoing campaign targeting drug users and dealers, led by Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong and other senior officers on the island. The suspect,…
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Worker fatally electrocuted during rainstorm while retrieving equipment
A 35 year old man died in Ratchaburi after trying to retrieve electrical equipment during heavy rain. Authorities found his lifeless body beside a large electrical box, with his left index finger on an outlet. On May 24, Police Lieutenant Santiphol Nuuchua, an investigative officer at Bang Phae Police Station, in Ratchaburi, received a report about a man who had…
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Pattaya hit by floods as Thailand enters rainy season
Pattaya experienced significant flooding in various areas last night, following the official start of Thailand’s rainy season on Monday. The heavy downpour, which lasted for about an hour and was accompanied by strong winds, affected flood-prone locations such as Sukhumvit Road, South Pattaya Road, Pattaya Beach Road, Third Road near the Paniat Chang intersection, Moom Aroi intersection, and the road…
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Devastating Pattaya motorbike crash claims life of 34 year old Korean bar manager
A tragic accident occurred in Pattaya when a 34 year old Korean man, known locally as a bar manager and expatriate, lost his life in a motorbike crash. The incident took place in front of Pattaya 7 School, where the man collided with a roadwork sign early in the morning. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation arrived at…
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Outrage as Thai rape sentence slashed in half, raising questions about justice system
A Thai woman and her boyfriend questioned the justice system in Thailand after a Bangkok taxi driver’s rape sentence was reduced from six years to only three years. The victim suffered both physical and mental health damage as a consequence of the sexual assault. The victim’s boyfriend shared the story about his girlfriend on Facebook on Thursday, May 11. He…
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Leopard cat struck by car in southern Thailand
A leopard cat is seriously injured after being hit by a car in Phang Nga province in southern Thailand on Monday. A young man named Somchai (pseudonym) from Thung Kha Ngok subdistrict was driving his motorbike along the Phang Nga – Takua Pa route when he saw an animal get hit by a car. He parked his motorbike to check…
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Future Thailand PM at odds with cannabis sellers and government over drug law reform
Cannabis sellers and several governmental departments have clashed with future Prime Minister, Pita Limcharoenrat, and his Move Forward Party (MFP) over the reclassification of cannabis and the reversal of the drug laws. The sellers are demanding clear clarification from the concerned departments on this issue. On Monday, May 22, the MFP, led by Pita, and leaders of the coalition parties…
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