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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thai student attacked at school prompts investigation
A video clip posted on Facebook, showing a 13 year old student being kicked in the neck and knocked unconscious by a fellow student in Ubon Ratchathani province, has prompted officials to investigate. The incident, which occurred at a school, has been identified as a disciplinary issue that can be addressed under the Ministry of Education‘s regulations. Meanwhile, mediation efforts…
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Police probe death of unidentified man in Ayutthaya canal
Ayutthaya police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found in the Raphiphat Canal in Phachi district yesterday. The inquiry is focusing on migrant worker communities in the vicinity. The deceased, estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old, had grey hair and was approximately 160 to 170 centimetres tall. A floral-patterned cloth was wrapped around his torso,…
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Totes tragic: Luxury handbag hire scene left holding the purse
Thailand’s luxury handbag hire scene has lost its sparkle, thanks to tighter wallets, fewer holidays and a growing trend for subtle spending over flashy splurges. Siam Borrow Bag Co Ltd, once riding high on the rise of rented luxury, is now facing a serious slump. Founder and owner Chadasa Panomyant says the high-end accessory rental business has struggled to bounce…
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Thai man arrested minutes after stealing 1.3 million baht gold from Songkhla mall
A security guard and patrol police officers swiftly arrested a Thai man who stole five gold necklaces worth approximately 1.3 million baht from a shop inside a shopping mall in Hat Yai district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, June 24. The security guard pursued the thief from the mall on Phetchakasem Road to Soi Phetchakasem 41, around 300…
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Class action: Thai schoolkids fight fire with fryer power
Thai schoolkids in Sriracha have been swapping textbooks for fire extinguishers in a fiery crash course to fight fire and stop blazes before they burn out of control, just weeks after a spate of high-rise infernos rocked nearby Pattaya. Disaster chiefs from Sriracha yesterday, June 24, joined forces with fire safety officers from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital to deliver a scorching…
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Rain and shine: Thailand braced for torrential takeover
Get your brollies out, folks, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is sounding the alarm today, predicting relentless downpours across 29 provinces. Yes, that includes Bangkok! Brace yourselves, as about 40% of the city could face a serious soaking. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods, forest runoffs, and landslides, especially in mountainous regions and low-lying areas. The…
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Heartfelt project: Thai photographer offers portraits and snacks to border soldiers
A Thai photographer offered free portraits and snacks to soldiers stationed at Prasat Ta Muean Thom, a tourist attraction located near the Thailand-Cambodia border and associated with territorial tensions, as a gesture of encouragement and appreciation for their hard work. The photographer, Jirasak “G” Charoenwong, shared a video on his TikTok account, @photoharvest_g_lee, on Sunday, June 22. The caption read: “The…
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Vietnamese passport dreams are made of this, leaving Thailand behind
Vietnam has torn up the red tape for foreigners with local family, making it easier than ever to bag a Vietnamese passport, no lingo, no money, and no five-year wait required, leaving Thailand behind. Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens, or with family roots in the country, can now apply for citizenship without needing to speak the language, prove they can…
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Pattaya Beach gets a major cleanup as locals unite for safer shore
Pattaya Beach was alive with energy yesterday as over 500 enthusiastic participants, led by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, gathered for a large-scale beach cleanup. The event, supported by city executives, municipal officials, local community networks, and tourism stakeholders, aimed to restore the iconic shoreline, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. The cleanup saw active involvement from Deputy…
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UN urges Thailand to tackle cross-border trafficking linked to scams
The United Nations issued a stark letter to the Thai government, demanding answers on its role in combating cross-border human trafficking connected to online scam operations across Southeast Asia. The communication, sent on March 10, calls for urgent clarification on 10 critical points, highlighting serious concerns over human trafficking and forced labour in scam centres, which are reportedly operating in…
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Pattaya to fine businesses blocking roads and footpaths
Pattaya City officials have launched a crackdown on hotels and businesses that continue to block public roads and footpaths with signs, barriers, or parked vehicles. In a bold move aimed at restoring accessibility for locals and tourists, officials warned of fines and enforcement actions for those who obstruct public spaces. The crackdown comes as frustration grows among residents and visitors,…
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Tourism slump in Thailand as political instability sparks concerns
Thailand’s foreign tourism numbers have taken a hit, with arrivals from January 1 to June 22 falling by 4.24% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Some 16.04 million foreign visitors came to the country during this period, but the dip in numbers has raised concerns among tourism operators…
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Cambodia blasts Thailand’s Buriram temple for copying Angkor Wat
A cultural storm is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia, with latter’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts strongly condemning the construction of Wat Phu Man Fa in Buriram province, northeast Thailand. The Cambodian government accuses the temple of copying the design of Angkor Wat, a world-renowned UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of Khmer culture. The accusations are not new,…
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Thai scammer caught before monkhood escape attempt
Thai police apprehended 43 year old man in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and charged with fraud and providing false information to a computer system. The suspect, Patcharat, linked to a call centre gang in Poipet, was preparing to enter the monkhood to evade legal consequences. The arrest yesterday, June 23, followed an investigation triggered by a complaint…
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Pattaya hit by torrential rain: Flash floods and storm warnings
Pattaya was hit hard by torrential rain late Sunday night into yesterday morning, as the beachside city grappled with heavy downpours that left streets flooded and traffic snarled. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for Pattaya and surrounding areas, predicting more heavy rain and advising residents and tourists to stay vigilant. According to the TMD, very…
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DSI appeals to Frenchman for unsolved 2007 murder of Japanese woman
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is seeking the cooperation of a foreign national, believed to be a Frenchman, who may hold key information in the unsolved murder case of a Japanese woman in Sukhothai, which occurred 18 years ago. The victim, 27 year old Tomoko Kawashita, was found dead at the historic Saphan Hin Temple in Sukhothai on November…
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Fire engulfs Chon Buri shop, owner leaps from second floor
A fire engulfed a fresh produce shop in Chon Buri‘s Bang Lamung district early today prompting the owner to leap from the second floor in panic. Residents helped extinguish the flames, fearing they might spread to a nearby stockpile of fireworks. The Nong Prue subdistrict’s municipal emergency radio centre received reports of the fire at 4.06am, today, June 24, with…
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2026 World Cup stripped from ‘Must-Have’ TV broadcast list
The Royal Gazette published a new announcement from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), removing the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup from the list of “Must-Have” sports for free TV broadcasting. The update signals a shift in television regulations that will impact how key events, including major international sports, are accessible to Thai viewers. The decision, detailed in the…
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Thailand evacuates 3,000 workers amid Israel-Iran conflict
Thailand plans to evacuate around 3,000 Thai construction workers from Israel, along with 73 people from Iran, due to the conflict between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). MFA spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura announced yesterday that the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, along with other Thai embassies in the Middle East, successfully evacuated the first group…
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Thai exports at risk as Strait of Hormuz closes
Thai National Shippers’ Council chairperson Tanakorn Kasetsuwan yesterday discussed potential impacts following Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle Eastern tensions. Tanakorn yesterday, June 23, outlined six strategies to mitigate the effects on the oil, fertiliser, and agriculture sectors, urging the Thai government to ensure energy security and minimise long-term risks. The closure of the Strait…
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Pattaya’s crackdown: Vendors face fines as traffic chaos intensifies
Pattaya’s traffic police have launched a major crackdown on roadside vendors, especially the three-wheeled food and merchandise carts that frequently block busy streets, including the popular Pattaya Beach Road and various side alleys. Officers are stepping up enforcement efforts, aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians. On Sunday, June 22 at 11.30pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Tragic drowning of man in Udon Thani pond
A 51 year old man has been found dead in a pond in Baan Khok Phatthana, Phon Ngam subdistrict, Nong Han district, Udon Thani province. The discovery was made yesterday, June 23, at approximately 4.50pm when a family member found his shoes by the pond’s edge. Despite attempts to rescue him, he had already succumbed to drowning due to a…
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Phuket governor’s China trip boosts cancer care and green tech
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanarat recently led a high-profile delegation to Guangdong province, China, on a fact-finding mission to explore cutting-edge cancer treatment, modern urban development, and green technology. The visit, which aimed at boosting Phuket’s public health services and advancing its vision of becoming a smart, low-carbon city, is set to provide invaluable insights for the island’s future. On Saturday,…
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Thai man kills sister-in-law for allegedly serving his mother omelettes
A Thai man fatally shot his sister-in-law at the weekend at a house in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet, allegedly because she served inadequate food to his elderly mother. Officers from Khlong Lan Police Station arrested the 42 year old suspect, identified as Arsia, on Sunday, June 22, at the scene in the Pong Namron sub-district of Khlong Lan…
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Israel’s attack on Iran threatens Thailand’s tourism recovery
Thailand’s tourism sector, already struggling from global uncertainties, is facing another blow as Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran threatens key international markets. The United States, Europe, and the Middle East, which were once seen as “hope markets” for Thai tourism in 2023, may see a significant dip in tourist arrivals. According to Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association…
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Krabi Airport soars as 5 airlines request landing slots
Krabi Airport is rapidly becoming one of Thailand’s most exciting aviation hubs, with five international airlines applying for landing slots. The surge in interest signals a growing global confidence in the airport’s capabilities and potential as a gateway to the Andaman region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed that the Department of Airports (DoA) participated in the 156th International Air…
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Thai axe man damages car with child inside in Chon Buri road rage
A Thai man threatened and damaged another man’s car with an axe after a road dispute in Chon Buri. The victim condemned the suspect, saying his wife and five year old son were in the car during the violent scene. The 31 year old victim, Withit, filed a complaint with Ban Bueng Police Station after the incident, which occurred at…
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High and dry: Health minister’s war on cannabis shops
The minister of public health declared a dramatic U-turn on cannabis policy but with thousands of shops raking in billions and a booming weed culture now woven into daily life, critics say his war on weed is destined to go up in smoke. Health chief Somsak Thepsuthin sent shockwaves through Thailand’s green economy today, June 24, by signing off on…
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Bangkok’s Green Line future in doubt: Will 20-baht fare survive?
As the Green Line’s concession approaches its expiration in 2029, the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is preparing to release a groundbreaking study to explore four potential operational models that could keep the popular 20-baht flat fare policy alive. This move comes after Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt proposed a transfer of the Green Line project to the Ministry of Transport, believing…
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High stakes on the high life: Phuket drug busts soar
Phuket’s seedy underbelly is under fresh scrutiny after a sharp spike in drug crimes this year, with police battling everything from cut-price meth to cocaine-fuelled parties in tourist hotspots. Government officials revealed the island paradise is facing a rising tide of narcotics offences, with 1,899 drug cases logged between October 2024 and May 2025, a jump of over 10% on…
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