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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Thai govt plans cheaper fares and 60 billion baht stimulus boost
The government announced a two-phase transport plan aimed at cutting travel costs and easing living expenses, with fare and subsidy details expected soon. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced a short-term, four-month initiative to cut public transport costs, covering electric rail fares, bus services, and expressway fees. Specific details are expected within a week, while long-term strategies…
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Hi-So activist arrested after assaulting U Drink I Drive driver in Chon Buri
Police arrested a political activist and businessman who physically assaulted a U Drink I Drive driver in Chon Buri on July 5, after he failed to respond to three summonses issued by officers. U Drink I Drive is a platform offering professional chauffeur services to customers who own cars and wish to travel safely, particularly after consuming alcohol. The platform’s…
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German man arrested for illegal e-bike tours on Koh Pha Ngan
A German man and a Myanmar national were arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for illegally operating a tour business using electric motorbikes to guide tourists. Tourist police swooped in at midday on Monday, September 22, following complaints that high-speed electric motorcycles, reportedly rented out by the pair, were causing safety concerns among locals and visitors. The suspects were identified as…
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2 Ugandan women arrested in Pattaya prostitution crackdown
Police arrested two Ugandan women at a hotel in Pattaya yesterday, 23 September, on charges of prostitution following multiple complaints from foreign visitors irritated by persistent service offers. The Director of the Tourist Police Bureau, Saksira Pueak-am, reported that officers had received repeated complaints from tourists visiting Pattaya Beach that groups of foreign sex workers were causing a nuisance. The…
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Meth-crazed man threatens mum in Chon Buri cash rampage
A man under the influence of drugs threatened his mother at their Chon Buri home, prompting police intervention after he demanded money for more narcotics. The incident unfolded around 5pm yesterday, September 23, in Village 3 of the Bo Win subdistrict, where police were called to a private residence following reports of domestic violence. The suspect, identified as 26 year…
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Lightning strike kills caddy during stormy round in Bangkok
A caddy died after being struck by lightning while working during a rainstorm at a Bangkok golf course, as players continued their game despite the weather. The fatal incident occurred during a storm last Thursday, September 18, as four golfers and four caddies played through heavy weather at The Legacy Golf Club on Panya Indra Road in Khlong Sam Wa…
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Burst water pipe creates 50 metre deep collapse on Bangkok road
A section of Samsen Road in front of Vajira Hospital in the Dusit district of Bangkok collapsed at around 7am today, 24 September, following the bursting of an underground water pipe. The Praram Radio Centre 199 reported the road collapse early this morning. The incident occurred within the construction zone of the MRT Purple Line extension, which runs from Tao…
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Chon Buri hit-and-run driver dumps pickup and flees on foot
A high-speed hit-and-run in Chon Buri left one vehicle damaged and led to a dramatic chase after the driver fled the scene and abandoned their truck in a field. The collision occurred at 9.36pm on Monday, September 22, along Chaipornwithee Road near Tham Pratun Temple in the Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict. Police Lieutenant Yuttana Phosidi, Deputy Inspector at Huay Yai…
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Miss Grand Thailand boss hints at restoring crown amid past scandal
The head of Miss Grand Thailand is considering reinstating the crown to a former beauty queen who was stripped of her title on Sunday, September 21, over explicit videos and images from her past. The Miss Grand Thailand 2026 competition announced the removal of 27 year old Suphannee “Baby” Noinonthong, the representative from Prachuap Khiri Khan province, on Sunday. Her…
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Anutin pulls out of UN visit over policy statement clash
Thailand’s prime minister confirmed he will not attend the UN General Assembly (UNGA), citing the need to present his new government’s policy to Parliament first. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today, September 23, that attending the UNGA could disrupt plans to present his administration’s agenda to lawmakers. “I do not want the trip to interfere with my duty to deliver…
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Young Thais drive fashion and beauty boom in local market
A nationwide survey found Thai consumers still favour local food and drink, while younger shoppers are driving growth in beauty and fashion products. The nationwide poll, carried out in August by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), gathered responses from more than 5,400 people across income groups and regions. It found that food and beverages remain the most popular…
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Row erupts on Bangkok BTS train over boy’s unruly behaviour
Two Thai women clashed on the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok yesterday, September 22, over a young boy’s unruly behaviour during the ride. A passenger who witnessed the incident shared a short video of the argument on her TikTok account, @mimsaowarod, with the caption, “I feel pity for the boy. Loving to a fault. #YourChildIsNotAlwaysCuteForOthers #BTSTrains #Drama #TikTokNews.” In the video,…
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Rubber worker injured in elephant attack in central Thailand
A man working in a Chachoengsao rubber plantation was hospitalised after being attacked by a wild elephant during the night, prompting safety warnings. Emergency services were called to the plantation near the border of Ban Thung Hiang and Ban Nangam villages in Sanam Chai Khet district today, September 23. The scene, cloaked in darkness, was fraught with danger as rescuers…
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Bhumjaithai Party members accused of secret ties to casinos in Cambodia
A former police officer accused four executives of the Bhumjaithai Party of accepting bribes from nine casinos in Cambodia. The party leader and Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, has reportedly denied meeting the ex-officer. The former Special Branch Bureau officer, Santana Prayoonrat, visited the Bhumjaithai Party’s head office on September 22 to submit 50 pages of evidence in support…
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Korean scam gang in Pattaya busted for 478 million baht fraud haul
South Korean police dismantled a syndicate based in Pattaya, accused of running online scams that defrauded victims of millions through fake schemes. The group allegedly scammed nearly 900 victims out of 21 billion Korean won (US$15 million or 478 million baht). South Korean police confirmed yesterday, September 22, that 25 suspects from the group, known as the Longge Company, have…
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Ranong police stabbed during motorcycle theft arrest, suspect dies
A motorcycle thief died, and a police officer sustained serious injuries during an arrest yesterday, September 22, in the southern province of Ranong. The owner of the stolen motorcycle, Kannika Paeng-on, filed a complaint with Mueang Ranong Police Station after the thief rode her motorcycle out of her home in front of her and her husband. Kannika reported that she,…
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TAT woos Chinese tourists with stars and shopping perks
Thailand has launched a tourism campaign to attract more Chinese visitors, enlisting popular actors and offering perks as part of cultural celebrations. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officially launched the Nihao Month initiative this month, running until the Chinese New Year in 2026. The campaign marks the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese relations and is timed to capture visitor traffic…
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Malaysian tourists complain after hours-long wait at Thai border checkpoint
Malaysian tourists complained after officials at the Sadao Customs Checkpoint in the southern province of Songkhla made them wait two to three hours to enter Thailand due to delayed document processing. Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakun planned to raise the issue of delays at the border checkpoint in Parliament. He revealed that he had received numerous complaints from Malaysian tourists travelling to Thailand…
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Anutin plans UN trip to defend Thailand over border row
Thailand’s prime minister is preparing to attend the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to address border tensions with Cambodia and hold key talks. Speaking yesterday, September 22, Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed discussions are underway with the Council of State and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess the appropriateness of his attendance. “This is a valuable opportunity to engage with…
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Fugitive gunman caught in central Thailand after years on run
Highway police in central Thailand arrested a fugitive wanted for murder, shootings and theft after years on the run, following a routine checkpoint stop. The Central Investigation Bureau confirmed that highway police arrested the suspect, a Thai national named Harris, at a traffic checkpoint on Rama II Road in Pak Tho District. Officers discovered he was wanted under an arrest…
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Injured baby elephant rescued from cassava plantation in Kanchanaburi
Locals rescued an injured baby elephant found in a cassava plantation in Kanchanaburi province on Saturday, September 20. The animal was successfully moved to the Wildlife Conservation Office in Suphan Buri for further care. The community leader, Wiparat Sawatsai, told ThaiRath that residents had reported the elephant in their cassava plantation in Cha Lae sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district, on…
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People’s Party slams backroom deal rumours on lese majeste case
The People’s Party leader denied claims his party struck a secret deal with Bhumjaithai to protect MPs under investigation over lese majeste. The controversy centres on 44 lawmakers who were previously members of the dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP) before joining the People’s Party. They are currently under investigation for allegedly pushing to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code,…
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Chicken vendor horrified by pervert on scooter in Pattaya
A young vendor in Pattaya reported being harassed when a male customer on a scooter exposed himself while ordering food at her roadside chicken stall. The disturbing encounter occurred on Sunday, September 21, at around 5pm, when the 23 year old woman, referred to as Nan for privacy, was working at her “shaken chicken” stall along the road between Rong…
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Thai Airways cancels Hong Kong flights as super typhoon hits
Thai Airways cancelled several flights between Bangkok and Hong Kong after a super typhoon forced airlines to adjust schedules for safety. The flag carrier had earlier warned passengers heading to Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Hong Kong to closely monitor flight updates as the massive storm advanced. By yesterday evening, September 22, the airline confirmed cancellations for services scheduled today and…
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Thailand video news Pattaya Bar Brawl Breaks Out Over Unpaid Bill, Bangkok’s Nightlife Shines with Gin Cocktails and Jazz Vibes
Thailand’s week was marked by a surge in flu and RSV cases with at least 61 deaths, alongside a series of high-profile incidents — bar fights in Pattaya and Chon Buri, a Bangkok activist assaulting a driver, and a gunman alleging a murder-for-hire plot. Meanwhile, tourist safety came under scrutiny after a Frenchman was knocked out in a…
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Dealers caught hiding drugs in pants and shoes in Bangkok
Police in Bangkok arrested three suspected dealers during a late-night raid after finding drugs hidden in underwear and shoes at a dormitory. At 1am today, September 23, police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Crime Suppression Division swooped on a dormitory in Lat Phrao, following a tip-off about suspicious food delivery riders. The bust netted three suspects, identified as 29 year…
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Thai airlines warn of looming pilot shortage crisis
Thailand’s aviation sector faces a looming pilot shortage as airlines expand fleets while many licensed pilots remain unable to return to duty. Vietjet Thailand CEO Woranate Laprabang said more than half of Thai pilots cannot return to work because they are unable to renew their licences. Pilots are required to regularly fly to maintain type ratings and must also undergo…
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Woman harasses Udon Thani man with repeated marriage proposals
A Thai woman repeatedly harassed a man in the Isaan province of Udon Thani in an attempt to marry him, saying “I’ve never seen anyone this handsome in my life.” The man insisted he did not know her personally and had never given her any hope of a romantic relationship. The 44 year old Thai man, Tar, called officers from…
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Bhumjaithai bets big on Phuket with 3 fresh candidates
The Bhumjaithai Party has announced three candidates who will contest Phuket constituencies in the next general election as it targets seats in the South. The move is part of the party’s ambitious drive to capture 30 seats across South Thailand. At a press conference yesterday, September 22, senior party figure Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn joined Supachai Jaisamut, Bhumjaithai’s legal team leader, to…
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Naked foreign man causes chaos in Phuket and attacks police
A foreign man walked naked through the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday, September 22, and allegedly attacked a police officer who intervened in his indecent behaviour. A viral video shared on the Phuket Times Facebook page showed the man walking unclothed along a busy road in Patong. The street was crowded with vehicles and tourists, both Thai and international, and lined…
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