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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Former police officer accused of laundering 1.7 million baht
The Office of Anti-Money Laundering (AMLO) lodged a complaint against a former senior police officer, accusing him of money laundering. This follows an investigation by Thung Maha Mek Metropolitan Police Station into a group involved in illegal online gambling, which revealed financial connections implicating certain individuals. Police Major General Nopasilp Poolsawat, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and spokesperson,…
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Boy suffers electric shock from claw machine in Thai mall
A six year old boy suffered an electric shock from a claw machine at a shopping mall, with initial claims attributing it to static electricity. However, further investigation revealed the issue to be an electrical leak. The incident occurred on January 13, when the boy’s mother, a member of the Facebook group We Are Consumers, posted a warning about the…
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Tuk tuk crashes into timber truck in Surat Thani, driver dies
A tragic accident occurred involving a tuk tuk and a parked timber truck yesterday in Mueang Surat Thani district. The collision resulted in the death of the tuk tuk driver and injuries to seven passengers, six of whom were seriously hurt. Police Lieutenant Thanongsilp Kayannoi from the Mueang Surat Thani Police Station received the report of the accident yesterday, January 13…
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Tragedy in Isaan: Century-old tree kills teen, injures another
A 100 year old sugar palm tree fell during recent strong winds and fell onto a passing motorcycle, killing a 15 year old Thai girl and leaving another with an amputated leg, on a road in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham on Saturday, January 11. The incident occurred on a rural road in a community within the Kantharawichai district…
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Thailand video news | Thailand approves casino legalisation to boost tourism and economy, Malaysia PM denies concealing document on Najib’s home detention
In Thailand video news today, Alex and Jay bring you a roundup of significant stories from Thailand and beyond. From a dramatic catamaran rescue near Phuket to Thailand’s groundbreaking casino legalisation, the headlines cover critical developments and human-interest tales. Other stories include a tragic dental surgery incident in Chiang Rai, a viral pickpocketing case in Bangkok, and heartfelt tributes for…
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Lottery hopefuls flock to Nakhon Pathom temple for lucky numbers
As the lottery draw date nears, a bustling scene unfolded at Sawang Arom Temple in Nakhon Pathom, where locals and lottery enthusiasts flocked in search of lucky numbers. The temple has gained a reputation for bringing wealth to many, encouraging visitors to seek fortune from the sacred water basin of Ta Thong Ngiew Rai. There is a lively atmosphere at…
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Pattaya panic: Turkish tourist tied, robbed in condo heist drama
A Turkish tourist was discovered bound and robbed in his Pattaya condo, sparking a major police investigation. In the early hours of today, January 14, the quiet corridors of the upscale condominium were disrupted as security staff stumbled upon 36 year old Masis Erkol, a Turkish national, in a dire state. Tethered with handcuffs and cable ties by a trio…
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Isaan tamarind vendor fined for nude model marketing tactics
Police fined a sweet tamarind vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani 2,500 baht for using explicit photos of scantily clad and nude models to promote his shop. A medical professional from Ban Phue Hospital in Udon Thani urged officers from Ban Phue Police Station to take action against the vendor, who advertised his shop with explicit images. The…
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Thailand tackles plastic waste imports crisis head-on (video)
In a decisive move to clean up its act, Thailand slammed the brakes on plastic waste imports, turning from a dumping ground into a leader in the global battle against pollution. From January 1, this year, the country has shut its doors to overseas plastic refuse, sending ripples through the world of waste. It’s a bold step forward for Thailand,…
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NBTC suspends OPPO and realme sales over data privacy breach
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) have ordered the suspension of mobile phone sales by OPPO and realme due to the installation of loan applications without user consent. Both companies have until January 16 to explain, failing which they face fines of up to 3 million baht. Yesterday, January…
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Elderly man found dead on Pattaya roadside due to hypothermia
An elderly man was found unconscious on a roadside in Pattaya and later died, potentially due to the cold weather conditions. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre was alerted to the incident in Soi Khao Talo on Sunday, January 12. Local police and rescue volunteers were dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival, a large gathering of people was present…
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2 missing Chinese women rescued safely from Myanmar scam gang
Thai police officers safely rescued two missing Chinese women from a call centre scam gang in Myanmar and transported them back to China after the father of one of the victims travelled to Thailand to seek help. The 21 year old Chinese woman, Wu Jia Xi, and her friend, later identified as Liu Luying, arrived in Thailand via Suvarnabhumi International…
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Pattaya man left homeless by mosquito coil fire (video)
A fire erupted at a makeshift residence in Pattaya due to a resident inadvertently leaving a mosquito coil burning. The same resident had previously caused a fire at the same location last year while smoking and handling gasoline. Pattaya police were alerted to a blaze at an unnumbered dwelling opposite the Pattaya Provincial Court on Thapphraya Road yesterday, January 13…
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Belgian man scammed out of 8 million baht by female Thai soldier
A Belgian man lost 2 million baht and his condominium room in Pattaya, worth 6 million baht, to a female Thai soldier who posed as a real estate agent. The suspect’s relative claimed the Belgian man and the soldier were previously in a relationship. The 55 year old Belgian policeman, Ronald, and his Thai wife sought assistance from the non-profit organisation…
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Motorcyclist dies in crash on Rojana Road in Ayutthaya
A 23 year old man tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident today, January 14, at 5am. The incident occurred on Rojana Road in the outbound direction, near kilometre marker 10 in Sam Ruean subdistrict, Bang Pa-in district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaworn Saengsai from Bang Pa-in Police Station was notified and arrived at the…
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Something’s fishy: Farmers demand answers over blackchin tilapia spread
Approximately 150 farmers from 19 provinces assembled outside the Government House yesterday, January 13, to submit a letter to the government. They demanded the identification of those responsible for the spread of blackchin tilapia fish and requested support for the affected farmers. The letter, delivered by the group’s leader Panya Toktong to Pansak Charoen, a specialist at the Prime Minister’s…
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Monk on knife and axe rampage wreaks havoc in Surin temple
Police in Buachet district, Surin province, responded to a report yesterday, January 13, of a monk wielding a knife and an axe, threatening locals at a temple in Ban Srae, Aphon subdistrict. The monk, 42 year old Kanatsak, was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. Upon arriving at the scene, police, along with the Aphon subdistrict emergency services and Buachet…
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Cold snap in Thailand: Bangkok dips to 16 degrees Celsius
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecast that Thailand, particularly the northern and northeastern regions, will experience cold to very cold weather, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas seeing temperatures drop to as low as 16 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the south is facing rough sea conditions with waves exceeding 3 metres. As of today, January 14, the strong high-pressure system…
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Former Thai inmate jailed for rape arrested for repeated assault
Police arrested a 64 year old former Thai inmate for the rape of a 70 year old woman in the southern province of Trang on Monday, January 6. The victim, 70 year old lady called Iad, filed a complaint with the Bang Khlong Teng Police Station following the assault, which occurred at 2pm on January 6 while she was on…
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Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost
According to insiders at Krungthai Compass, man-made hotspots, from sports hubs to spectacular events, are set to propel Thailand to the brink of a tourism revolution thanks to a bold new strategy. Thailand is banking on an artificial allure to supercharge its tourism engine, with Krungthai Compass, a top research centre under Krungthai Bank, revealing that new, man-made tourist attractions…
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Thailand greenlights legal casinos to boost tourism and economy
In a game-changing move, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a draft bill that would legalise gambling and casinos, aiming to turbocharge tourism, job creation, and investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the bold move today, January 13, heralding a new era for the country’s economy. Under the government’s ambitious plan, the legislation, soon to be debated in…
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Foreign man pickpocketed at Bangkok shopping mall entrance (video)
Three thieves, reportedly foreign nationals, pickpocketed a foreign man at the entrance of a shopping mall in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok this afternoon. Several news pages on Facebook shared a video showing the foreign victim searching for his stolen valuables in a black backpack outside the shopping mall, today, January 13. The mall is believed to be EmQuartier, located near…
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Noodle no more: Ramen shops fold under rising costs (video)
In an unprecedented wave of financial distress, a record number of ramen noodle eateries in Japan went belly up in 2024, unable to stomach the soaring ingredient and utility costs without raising their own prices. Research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd has revealed that insolvencies with liabilities of at least 10 million yen (approximately 2.2 million baht) surged by more than…
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Taxing tunes: Music giant pitches cut to boost Thailand’s soft power
Thailand’s largest music company made a bold appeal to the government for a corporate tax reduction in the entertainment sector, arguing it could supercharge the industry and bolster the nation’s soft power ambitions. GMM Music Plc CEO Phawit Chitrakorn paints a picture of an industry that thrives on slim profit margins, clocking in at a modest average of 10%. Phawit…
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Golden opportunity: NHSO extends care to new Thai citizens
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to expand its groundbreaking universal healthcare initiative through its gold card scheme to at least 480,000 ethnic individuals poised to receive Thai citizenship from the government. NHSO Deputy Secretary Yuphadee Sirisinsuk revealed that the ambitious plan is designed to extend healthcare benefits to all Thai citizens, including those in the process of…
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Alcohol misuse linked to death of Buriram man
A 54 year old man was found dead in his home in the Chaloem Phra Kiat district of Buriram yesterday, January 12. The man, known as Vinai, had been drinking alcohol regularly from morning until night, according to his sister. Local police and emergency services responded to the scene. The deceased was discovered in a single-room concrete house, lying on…
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South Korea to upgrade airport structures after Jeju Air crash
South Korea is set to enhance the structures housing the antennas that facilitate landings at its airports, following the December incident where a Jeju Air aeroplane crashed after skidding off the runway. The Boeing 737-800 hit one such structure at Muan Airport, leading to a fire. The Transport Ministry has been assessing safety at airlines and airports since the crash…
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Catamaran catastrophe avoided: Foreign tourists saved off Phuket
Disaster was narrowly averted today as a catamaran carrying 38 foreign tourists capsized off the coast of Phuket, prompting a panicked scramble before nearby speedboats rushed to the rescue. At around 1pm today, January 13, the catamaran Emiray 888 found itself in deep trouble. As it set sail from Chalong Pier in Phuket’s Mueang district for a day trip to…
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Thailand’s new housing project targets lower income families
Lower-income Thai citizens will soon have access to an affordable housing project through the Homes for Thais initiative, which offers accommodation on state-owned land without requiring down payments. The programme instead implements a monthly rental system. The Transport Ministry will present the project details to Cabinet today, January 13. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will launch the initiative on Friday, January…
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DoE warns against illegal job agencies after 10 million baht scam
The Department of Employment (DoE) has advised those seeking overseas employment to verify agencies with the DoE to prevent falling prey to illegal operators. This caution comes after 50 individuals from Nakhon Ratchasima reported to the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (ATPD) that they were swindled out of 10 million baht by agents promising jobs in South Korea. Yesterday, January 12, DoE…
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