News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Nakhon Phanom ritual sparks lottery hope with lucky number
A religious ceremony was recently held at the Phaya Nak landmark along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in search of a lucky number for the upcoming lottery draw. A group of devotees from Bangkok recently conducted a significant ritual in honour of Phaya Srisattanakharat, or Grandfather Phaya Nak, aiming to invoke prosperity, fortune, and success in careers and…
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Woman with 12 warrants caught after chase in Roi Et
A woman with 12 arrest warrants, primarily for embezzlement and fraud, was apprehended by police after a chase through a wooded area in Roi Et province, Thailand. Despite the charges, she continues to deny any wrongdoing. Police officers, under the direction of Montri Tetsan, ordered the arrest of 41 year old Jirachaya, in response to a warrant issued by Khon…
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Pattaya flower seller boosts sales in Santa suit
A flower garland seller in Pattaya has been spotted donning a Santa Claus outfit, capturing the curiosity and admiration of both tourists and locals. At around 12.30pm yesterday, December 12, the festive figure was seen under the motorway overpass on Sukhumvit Road, engaging with drivers who paused at the traffic lights. The flower vendor, 37 year old Kritsada Boonsopa, shared…
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Thai police seize chemicals for illegal Etomidate e-cigarette mix
Bangkok police yesterday seized chemicals used to produce the drug Etomidate, which is being illegally mixed with e-cigarettes. This operation uncovered enough materials to create 600,000 units of the dangerous substance, capable of causing respiratory failure. The pursuit of four Chinese nationals involved is currently underway. At 1.30pm yesterday, December 12 a press conference was held at the Office of…
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Portuguese man missing in Koh Pha Ngan, wife fears suicide
The wife of a Portuguese man, missing from his home in Koh Pha Ngan since November 17, fears he may have taken his own life. The 38 year old half-Thai, half-American woman, Avalon Oneita Juliana, sought help from local police and the Portuguese Embassy in Thailand after her husband, 51 year old Daniel Joao D’Costa Ferreira Dos Santos, disappeared. Santos…
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Grandmother faces arrest over mysterious death of baby Pang
Police are preparing to issue an arrest warrant for the grandmother of one month old baby Pang, who died under mysterious circumstances after being in her care for only five days. The autopsy revealed subdural hematomas on both sides of the brain and bruising on the leg. The tragic death of baby Pang has left her parents in deep sorrow…
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Mother and daughter hurt in Honda Jazz crash on Ratchaphruek Road
A mother and her daughter were involved in a serious car accident after their Honda Jazz collided with a truck, causing their vehicle to veer off course and crash into a barrier. The incident, which led to their car overturning and blocking the road, occurred late yesterday evening. Following the initial crash, a subsequent collision took place when a pickup…
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PM Paetongtarn’s absence sparks debate over invasive fish issue
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s decision to skip the opening of the new House of Representatives session yesterday, December 12, sparked a contentious debate between the opposition and the ruling Pheu Thai Party. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok representative from the opposition People’s Party (PP), voiced his frustration, expressing a desire for the prime minister to address the public on efforts…
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Thai-German rail partnership renewed for sustainable transport
Thailand and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing rail transport systems, with a focus on efficiency and environmental sustainability. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the renewal of the agreement in Bangkok, extending their collaboration for an additional two years. The bilateral agreement, initially signed on November 23, 2016, has been renewed twice, reflecting both nations’ dedication to advancing rail technology…
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Illegal jet ski crackdown in Phuket sees 17 more rentals shut down
Phuket’s relentless battle against illegal jet skis has made another big splash. A daring raid led by marine officials uncovered 17 unlicensed jet skis being used for illegal tourist rentals in the popular tourist spot of Laem Nga, Ratsada. The operation also extended to the picturesque islands of Koh Mali and Koh Pae, off Phuket’s east coast. Senior officials including…
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Thai man shares footage of woman jumping into his car at red light
A Thai man issued a warning to motorists in Chon Buri after an unknown woman entered his car while he was parked at a red light and urged him to continue driving without providing a clear destination. The Thai man shared dashcam footage of the woman entering his car with Channel 7. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, December 10,…
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Thai woman glued to phone hit by electric motorcycle in Pattaya
A dramatic accident unfolded on Pattaya Beach Road in the early hours of today, leaving three people injured after a woman, distracted by her phone, was struck by an electric motorcycle. Pattaya police responded to a call about the incident at 12.10am today, December 12, quickly coordinating with rescue volunteers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan. Upon arriving at the scene, officers…
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Thai woman caught smuggling 6 million baht of cocaine into Japan
A Thai woman was arrested at Kansai International Airport in Osaka after she smuggled 6 million baht worth of cocaine into Japan. Local news agencies in Japan recently reported that the 23 year old Thai woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested at Kansai Airport after 760 grammes of cocaine were found in her possession. The drugs were worth approximately…
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Sizzling drama: Fire sparks chaos at Pattaya spa
A fiery drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday morning when a blaze broke out in a popular spa on Pattaya Third Road. Thankfully, quick action by firefighters ensured no injuries occurred but the incident left staff and volunteers shaken. Pattaya’s Disaster Prevention officials, joined by local police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation volunteers, raced to the scene at the…
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Labour Ministry steps up protection for migrant workers in Thailand
The Labour Ministry is taking decisive steps to safeguard the welfare of migrant workers while ensuring they do not occupy jobs designated for Thai nationals. A workshop was conducted to train a specialised team tasked with overseeing the employment conditions of migrant workers and ensuring adherence to labour laws. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn presided over the workshop, which took place…
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Pad Kaprao strikes back: Thailand’s favourite dishes revealed
Pad Kaprao is back on top! Foodpanda’s 2024 year-end statistics unveiled the nation’s culinary obsessions, and the spicy basil stir-fry has reclaimed its throne as Thailand’s most-ordered dish with over 800,000 orders. After losing the crown to fried rice in 2023, Pad Kaprao has made a fiery comeback, even earning international accolades as the world’s best stir-fried dish, according to…
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Motorcyclist attacks public bus with rocks, bottles in Nonthaburi
An unidentified man driving a white motorcycle chased and attacked a public bus with rocks and bottles in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The event occurred yesterday, December 11, when 37 year old Kwanchai was driving the public bus on route 32 between Wat Pho and Wat Bo in Pak Kret. Alongside him was 36 year old Nattiporn who managed the…
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Thai official sacked after exposing 500-million-baht inheritance fraud
A government official is seeking justice after being dismissed for exposing alleged corruption and document fraud linked to a 500-million-baht inheritance. The victim, Thanyarot, sought assistance from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after being sacked from her workplace of 10 years for exposing the truth. She stated that some colleagues accused her of unethical behaviour, which ultimately led to her dismissal.…
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Pattaya karaoke raid uncovers illegal workers and minors
Police raided a Pattaya karaoke venue, uncovering illegal employment of foreign women and detaining eight tourists who tested positive for drugs. The operation also revealed four minors, under 14 years old, inside the venue, leading to serious charges. Early today, December 12, Thai law enforcement led a significant raid on a karaoke establishment in Pattaya, Thailand. The operation was spearheaded…
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Phu Kradueng National Park shuts down after elephant attack
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has been closed indefinitely after a wild elephant attacked and killed a female tourist. The Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Atthaphon Charoenchansa, has vowed swift action to ensure safety. In a chilling revelation, the same elephant has returned to the area where the attack occurred,…
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Australian expat donates van to Pattaya children’s home (video)
A generous act of kindness took place in Pattaya as an Australian expat donated a 2024 Toyota Commuter 15-passenger van to Baan Jing Jai, a local children’s home. The vehicle, valued at 1.3 million baht, was gifted in memory of the Australian, Daryl Evans’ late wife, Tuanjai Naksale, and is intended to support the welfare of children in need. This…
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Seven arrested in Songkhla for 2 million baht scam and gun trade
Seven young adults were arrested in Songkhla’s Mueang district for orchestrating a complex scam that defrauded victims of nearly 2 million baht (US$59,170) and subsequently funding the illegal production of firearms for sale. The arrests took place following an investigation into fraudulent activities conducted by a gang that targeted individuals through random calls, convincing them to invest in a scheme…
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Tragedy on Phuket bridge: Motorcyclist killed in late-night crash
A tragic late-night collision on Phuket’s notorious Kojan Bridge claimed the life of a motorcyclist just before midnight yesterday, December 11. The crash occurred on Rattanakosin 200 Pi Road in Phuket Town, prompting police to rush to the scene at 11.54pm. Arriving officers found a white Toyota Hilux Vigo, registered locally, stopped in the middle of the road. The driver,…
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Paws and order: Thai man abuses 3 cats after row with boyfriend
Police charged a Thai man in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon with physically abusing three pet cats after videos and pictures of the abuse were shared in a Facebook group of animal lovers. A man shared the videos and pictures of his ex-boyfriend strangling their pet cats and throwing them against the wall of a condominium room in a…
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Cold front takes Thailand by storm: Brace for a chilling forecast
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, predicting cold to very cold conditions due to a strong cold air mass. Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit 14 provinces, including Bangkok. In the latest forecast, the TMD indicated that a relatively strong high-pressure system or cold air mass from China has now extended to northern Vietnam…
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Enthusiasts eye past winning numbers for December 16 lottery luck
The anticipation for the upcoming Thai government lottery draw scheduled for December 16 has prompted a compilation of past winning numbers from December 16 over the last decade. Sanook News has drawn up a list of the record of winning lottery numbers. Over the past 10 years, the Thai Government Lottery has seen a variety of winning numbers on December…
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Van tyre blowout injures 14 Lao workers on Thai highway
A terrifying accident unfolded when a van carrying Lao workers experienced a tyre blowout, nearly resulting in a tragic outcome. The incident, which occurred early today, December 12, left numerous individuals injured. The driver revealed the left rear tyre had issues just before they were en-route to the Nong Khai immigration checkpoint. Around 12.15am today, Preecha Suebrat, an inspector at…
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Bangla Road brawl: Taxi driver and tourist clash in viral showdown (video)
A shocking street brawl between a tourist and a Patong taxi driver has sent social media into overdrive, leaving Bangla Road’s infamous nightlife under scrutiny once again. The 18-second video, shared by the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต captures a chaotic scene of men punching and grappling at the bustling end of Bangla Road. Titled Fighting hard #BanglaRoad, Patong, the clip…
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Drink driver finally on trial after arrest and assault of innocent man
Police arrested a drink driver who ran a traffic checkpoint on Prasert-Manukritch Road in Bangkok on December 4, after officers mistakenly arrested an innocent man and allegedly assaulted him on the same day. The conflict between a 33 year old Thai man, Thananop Kirddri, and seven officers from the Traffic Police Division came to light after his family called for…
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Thai crew’s release from Myanmar expected post-new year
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that the four Thai crew members detained in Myanmar are anticipated to be released shortly after the new year. The crew, held following a maritime incident, are awaiting the conclusion of Myanmar’s legal processes, though their safety remains uncompromised. The Thai foreign minister and his Myanmar counterpart are scheduled to meet on December 19. As…
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