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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Pilot trainer dies in plane crash, family mourns loss
A grieving mother received the body of her son, a pilot trainer who tragically died in a small plane crash. Although devastated, she expressed immense pride in her son, who passed away doing what he loved. Phudit Supawatnakul, a 33 year old flight instructor, perished when his small aircraft crashed into a house within a golf course in Samut Sakhon.…
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Pygmy killer whales rescued in Phuket mangrove forest (video)
A group of pygmy killer whales stranded in Phuket’s mangrove forest prompted urgent action from marine officials. Five whales were rescued, while one tragically died. Pacharawat Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, shared that reports from Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, came in early yesterday, August 3, about six…
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PM Srettha orders Temu to comply with Thai tax laws
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to ensure the new Chinese online retailer Temu adheres to Thai regulations and meets tax obligations. The directive aims to address concerns from local industries about the potential influx of inexpensive Chinese products affecting Thai manufacturers. The introduction of Temu, a Chinese e-commerce…
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Unlicensed beauty doctor arrested in Bangkok hotel raid
Police arrested a woman posing as a beauty doctor at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area. She was caught administering fillers and Botox, making up to 40,000 baht per month by arranging appointments through Facebook. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, acting on orders from Police Colonel Weerapong Klaiyong, led the arrest of 39 year old Jetiya, seizing five items, including…
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Tourist injured in Chumphon resort balcony collapse
A man sustained serious injuries after the balcony he was on collapsed at a resort in Chumphon, leading to concerns about unlicensed accommodation and unresponsive local police. Only the local tourist police offered effective help. On July 27, Yanisa, a 46 year old woman from Phetchaburi, and her husband, 44 year old Piyapol, along with friends, were staying at a…
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Foreign fortune-teller harasses Thai women for money
A foreign fortune-teller has been making a nuisance of himself, persistently approaching Thai women to offer dubious fortune-telling services in exchange for money. The incidents have been reported around Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat in Bang Si Mueang, Nonthaburi. Panjarat Limthongcharoen, the 30 year old owner of the Kumati smoothie shop, shared her unsettling experience. Yesterday, August 3, while she was…
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Heavy rain warning for 55 Thai provinces including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for severe rainfall across 55 provinces, particularly affecting the eastern, northern, and northeastern regions, as well as Bangkok. The public has been advised to stay vigilant for potential flash floods and landslides. The TMD forecasts heavy rain due to a moderate southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the upper…
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Multi-vehicle crash in Chiang Rai after truck runs red light
A sand-laden trailer ran a red light, causing a devastating collision involving five vehicles at an intersection. The driver alleged he saw a yellow light and attempted to brake but couldn’t stop in time. At 4pm today, police officers from the Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai, along with rescue teams, responded to a multi-vehicle accident at a red-light…
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Police seize 45,000 bottles in counterfeit cough syrup raid
Police raided a major counterfeit cough syrup factory, seizing over 45,000 bottles valued at more than 50 million baht (US$ 1.4 million). The factory, producing up to 20,000 bottles daily, distributed the fake medication popular among youths seeking intoxication. Police Major General Wittaya Sriprasertphap, along with Deputy Commander Anuwat Raksacharoen and Colonel Weerapong Klaitong from the Consumer Protection Police Division…
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Bangkok seizes 1,878 items from Chinese supermarkets
Police in Bangkok seized 1,878 food items from 12 Chinese supermarkets due to non-compliance with Thai language labelling regulations. The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) led the inspections following numerous public complaints. The inspection, which took place yesterday, revealed that 73 categories of food items lacked the mandatory Thai language labels, raising public…
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Ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport injures two foreign children
A ceiling collapse at Chiang Mai Airport‘s security checkpoint injured two foreign children yesterday at 7.55am. Medical staff at the airport quickly administered first aid to the injured children. The first child, from the Netherlands, sustained minor injuries to the back of his hand, while the second, from China, suffered a head injury. The Dutch child and his family decided…
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Prachin Buri: Three injured in car crash due to broken streetlights
A serious car crash involving a mother and her two daughters occurred on a darkened road in Prachin Buri due to broken streetlights that had been unrepaired for months. The collision with a military vehicle left all three severely injured. Emergency responders from the Sajjaputtadham Foundation were alerted to the accident at 8.30pm yesterday, August 2, and quickly arrived at the…
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Police seize six million crystal meth pills in Pathum Thani bust
Police apprehended a significant drug haul of six million methamphetamine (meth) pills and 365 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) in Pathum Thani after the traffickers stopped for a meal. The operation was led by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Samran Nuanma, Assistant Commissioner-General. Following a tip-off, police tracked a drug smuggling gang transporting a large…
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Former Thai singer urges peaceful talks amidst fraud claims
Thai singer-turned-businessman Aerk Lederer has responded to accusations from model Lily Nguyen and other fraud victims, urging them to stop making threats and to communicate peacefully. Lederer insists he has never tried to escape and blames the lack of a resolution on their inability to agree. During a recent episode of the popular talk show Noon Krasae, hosted by renowned…
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Trucks run out of fuel, causing major traffic on Rama IX overpass
Three trucks ran out of fuel, causing significant traffic congestion on the Rama IX overpass during peak evening hours. This incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked a flurry of criticism on social media. Reports from FM91Trafficpro stated that at 4.15pm yesterday, August 2, three trucks were found parked end-to-end on the Rama IX overpass heading towards Din Daeng. Initially, there was…
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Government officer drives recklessly in Phetchabun: Sleeping pills
A local government officer caused multiple vehicle accidents while driving what appeared to be a government vehicle in Phetchabun, leading to speculation about his sobriety. The officer claimed drowsiness due to sleeping pills as the reason for his erratic driving. A local news page in Phetchabun posted about a man, seemingly intoxicated, driving a four-door pickup truck marked “For Official…
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Sinkhole in Lak Si district disrupts traffic near Ministry of Justice
A sinkhole on Chaeng Watthana Road near the Ministry of Justice in Lak Si district has caused significant traffic disruptions. Temporary steel plates have been placed to cover the affected area, and permanent repairs were scheduled at 10pm last night. The JS100 Radio Facebook page posted images and a report detailing the sinkhole situation yesterday at 5.50pm. The incident occurred…
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Diver’s body found near Samut Prakan estuary
A fishing boat discovered a body wearing diving gear and an oxygen tank floating in the sea near the mouth of the Samut Prakan estuary. Rescue teams coordinated with the marine police, who retrieved the body and brought it ashore. The deceased was identified as Suttana, an employee who had been diving with his colleagues in rough seas. Authorities from…
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Storm topples inflatable house, children tumble out safely (video)
A sudden storm toppled an inflatable house, sending children tumbling as onlookers rushed to help. TikTok user @bawputhai101 posted a video clip yesterday showing the incident. The video captured the inflatable house set up with children playing inside while adults supervise. The atmosphere appears overcast, hinting at an impending rainstorm. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind hits from behind, flipping…
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Nakhon Pathom petrol station armed robbery suspect at large
A petrol station employee on his first day at work encountered an armed robbery. The incident occurred at an LPG station on Thong Phon Road, Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom. The assailant, armed with a gun, ransacked a cash drawer and fled with 13,000 baht. Police received a report of the robbery at 7.50pm yesterday, August 2. Officers from the Nakhon…
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329 scam phone numbers from Chinese call centre gang released
Police have released a list of 329 phone numbers used by a Chinese call centre gang to scam victims. Police urge the public to report any contact from these numbers immediately. Police from the Provincial Police Region 2 Investigation Division revealed these 329 phone numbers connected to call centre scams yesterday, August 2. The gang was known for installing SIM…
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Toddler found 3km from Udon Thani home after wandering off
A three year old toddler wandered 3 kilometres from home in Udon Thani on Wednesday, July 31, while following a dog after their mother fell asleep from taking allergy medication. The child was found playing in a rice field, narrowly avoiding a fall into a nearby water pit. This incident took place in the Khuea Nam subdistrict, Ban Phue district,…
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Bangkok waste disposal crisis: Garbage trucks queue for kilometres (video)
A long line of garbage trucks has formed across Bangkok, with drivers waiting from morning until afternoon yesterday, August 2, to dispose of waste. Authorities are being urged to address the issue promptly. A video clip shared on social media yesterday shows a queue of numerous garbage trucks waiting to offload their waste. The social media page “อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part…
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Phuket immigration volunteers trained to boost efficiency
A training session aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Phuket Immigration volunteers was conducted yesterday at the Royal Phuket City Hotel. The event took place in the Bon Mai Thon Meeting Room and was overseen by the Commander of Immigration Bureau 6. Police Major General Songprot Sirisukha. The Superintendent of Phuket Immigration, Police Colonel Kriangkrai Ariyaying, along with various Phuket…
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Korean tourist vanishes with free rent and cash in Pattaya
A Pattaya rental room operator was left high and dry by a cunning Korean tourist. A 49 year old owner of a rental room on Soi Chaloem Phra Kiat 11, Pattaya 3 Road, shared his experience yesterday, August 1, to caution other rental operators. Arinthat provided CCTV footage showing the face of the elusive Korean man who swindled him. Arinthat…
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Pattaya minivan owner in despair after drain cover damages vehicle
A 39 year old minivan owner has been left in dire straits after a dislodged drain cover severely damaged his vehicle in Pattaya. On the evening of July 13, near the entrance of Soi Phothisarn on Sukhumvit Road, Kosol’s white Toyota van encountered the rogue cover, which flew up and wreaked havoc on the undercarriage, damaging the fuel tank and power…
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TikTok user lists Thailand’s top five rare coins
A TikTok user known as xnakhonprathom, commonly referred to as X Nakhon Pathom, shared a clip ranking five of Thailand’s most legendary and rare coins, valued from hundreds of thousands to a million baht. The video categorises the five rare coins into one type of 1 baht coin, three types of 5 baht coins, and one type of 10 baht…
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Teen dies in Udon Thani train-motorcycle collision
A tragic accident occurred when a train collided with a motorcycle at a prohibited crossing, resulting in the death of a 19 year old woman. Despite warning signs, locals frequently use the shortcut between two communities in Udon Thani. Police officers from Mueang Udon Thani Station received a report of a fatal collision involving a train and a motorcycle. The…
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Phuket Immigration arrests seven foreigners for visa overstays
Phuket Immigration officers apprehended seven foreigners for overstaying their visas as part of a focused initiative to identify and remove individuals illegally residing in Thailand. The targeted operation, conducted from last Tuesday, July 23 to yesterday, August 1, led to the arrests of seven individuals. These individuals were charged under the Immigration Act 1979 for being an alien who has…
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Thai army introduces 10 baht meals for conscripts after criticism
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) introduced a meal plan priced at 10 baht per meal, offering high-quality dishes that include both savoury and sweet options. This initiative follows social media criticism regarding the quality of food provided to conscripts in Bangkok, where a video showed inadequate meals. The video, which quickly gained attention online, featured two breakfast dishes: cucumber soup…
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