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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Three children in Buriram praised for returning lost gold necklace
Three children in Buriram province are being praised for their honesty after finding a gold necklace weighing 2 baht in front of a village shop and handing it over to the village head to locate its owner. Yesterday, February 2, at 9.33am, 66 year old Suphon Khongsotsap visited the investigating officer to report that he lost a 2 baht gold…
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Peace talks misfire: Pattaya feud ends in bullets and blown tires
In another day of drama in Pattaya, an attempt to settle a feud between two rival groups spectacularly backfired, ending with bullets flying and a vehicle caught in the crossfire. Early yesterday morning, February 2, at precisely 9am, saw the police swoop on 24 year old Aniwat, better known by the street name “Nick,” at his Pattaya home. His crime?…
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Thai police to establish centre to combat Myanmar scam gangs
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is establishing an international coordination centre to collaborate with foreign embassies in preventing foreign nationals from joining call centre scam gangs in Myanmar. The initiative, spearheaded by Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, aims to tackle call centre scams, particularly in the Mae Sot district of Tak, which serves as a significant transit point for individuals joining…
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Forest fire in Phetchabun destroys 180 rai, suspects arrested
National park officials worked overnight to extinguish a forest fire in Huai Rangka, which destroyed approximately 180 rai, yesterday, February 2, in Phetchabun province. The blaze is suspected to have been started by people hunting or foraging. On the same day, several sugarcane field fires were reported along roadsides, resulting in the arrest of two people. Ronnarat Sirimakorn, head of…
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Bud luck: Bold bandit breaks into Pattaya pot shop, swipes stash
Budbox Pattaya was the scene of a daring break-in yesterday morning. The infamous cannabis shop, situated in front of the JA Plus Hotel on Soi Chalermprakiat 3, was targeted by a bold foreign bandit who smashed his way through the glass doors to make off with goods valued at around 10,000 baht. The break-in occurred at approximately 11am, yesterday, February…
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Rayong police probe thief’s death after alleged self-shooting (video)
Police summoned a subdistrict administrative organisation secretary for interrogation following an incident where a thief reportedly shot himself while fleeing. The man is revealed to be the nephew of the secretary’s wife. Police are intensifying their investigation to resolve this complex case. The incident unfolded when a thief broke into the home of Somsak, the secretary of the Pai Yub subdistrict…
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Man arrested after 18 years for assaulting minor in Thailand
A 37 year old man, Apichat, was apprehended after evading arrest for 18 years following a criminal act involving a minor. He was accused of luring a 17 year old girl, Bee, on a trip to Bang Saen Beach, where he later got her drunk before committing sexual assault. Police Colonel Witthaya Sriprasertphap, acting commander of the Crime Suppression Division,…
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Thai Cabinet allocates 3.14 billion baht for new Phuket hospital
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 3.14 billion baht for the establishment of Songklanagarind Hospital Phuket, a significant healthcare endeavour under Prince of Songkla University (PSU). This project, scheduled for execution between 2026 and 2029, is designed to bolster healthcare services across Phuket and the Andaman region. The allocated funds are set to be distributed over four fiscal…
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Thai app Jagat banned for illegal gambling activities
The Jagat application has been deemed illegal by the Department of Provincial Administration, as it falls under gambling activities. Yesterday, February 1, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), announced that the Bureau is coordinating with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) to block the app. Previously, Jagat gained popularity for enabling…
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Deadly crash on Western Ring Road: 2 killed, 3 injured
A collision involving a cement-laden trailer, an unmarked police car, and a steel-carrying trailer resulted in three injuries and two fatalities. The police plan to interview the drivers and injured parties to determine the cause. Today, February 2, at 1am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kritchatha Pratumkaew from Sam Khok Police Station received a report of a car colliding with a trailer…
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Thai police crackdown on border call centre gangs
Operation Aranyaprathet 68 SEAL BORDER aims to dismantle a network of call centre gangs and online fraudsters, rescuing a tortured Chinese interpreter and preventing mule accounts from being smuggled across the border. Yesterday, February 1, Police Lieutenant General Yingyot Thepchamnong, Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 2, unveiled progress in this operation, which has been monitoring the Thai-Cambodian border near…
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Uttaradit fried chicken vendor wins 12 million baht lottery
A fried chicken vendor in Uttaradit province has become the region’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the lottery. The unexpected windfall came from a ticket given as a bonus, which initially seemed unappealing due to its repeated numbers. The Government Lottery Office announced the results for the draw dated yesterday, February 1. The winning number for the…
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Thai hostages freed by Hamas set for repatriation from Israel
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa arrived in Israel yesterday, February 1, to supervise the anticipated repatriation of five Thai nationals who were recently released after being held hostage by Hamas for 15 months. Maris, along with Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday morning local time. They later visited the five Thai nationals at Al-Shamir…
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Civil servant caught filming police officers in Khon Kaen restroom
A civil servant from Udon Thani has been detained for secretly recording two police officers in a restroom in Khon Kaen with plans to share the footage in online groups. Police were alerted to a man exhibiting suspicious behaviour at a petrol station restroom on Mittraphap Road in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen yesterday, February 1, as per…
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Illegal recycling site found with 3,600 tonnes of power lines
An unlicensed recycling facility in Samut Sakhon province has been found with illegally stored power lines, following a fire at a nearby plastics factory. The incident occurred on January 29 in Ban Phaeo district when a fire erupted at a plastics factory, leading to an investigation. Police discovered materials marked for recycling by a Chinese-owned company, including power lines from…
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Tourist bus plunges into ravine in Phuket, injuring nine
In Phuket, officials are investigating a tourist bus accident in Kata that resulted in the vehicle falling into a 15-metre-deep ravine, injuring nine people. The incident took place yesterday, February 1, around 1.15pm near the Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, located south of Patong. Emergency rescue teams from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation and Karon Municipality, along with local police, arrived…
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Thailand sees slight temperature rise with isolated southern storms
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted a slight increase in temperatures due to weakening cold air masses, alongside isolated thunderstorms in parts of the south for February 2. The high-pressure system affecting upper Thailand is diminishing, resulting in a 1 to 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperature and morning fog. Northern and northeastern regions remain cool to cold, while…
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Gas explosion in Nonthaburi townhouse leaves 1 injured
A gas explosion occurred in a two-storey townhouse on Tiwanon Road, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, resulting in one injury. Police and forensic officers, along with a rescue foundation, responded to the incident which occurred yesterday, January 31, leaving the house severely damaged. The explosion caused the front windows to shatter and fall to the ground, while side windows were…
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Debt-ridden woman found dead in car in Ayutthaya
A 47 year old woman was found dead in a luxury car parked on a roadside in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, causing distress to her husband and daughter. The woman, who had been missing since she said she was going to the market the previous day, could not be reached despite numerous attempts to contact her. Police Lieutenant Thongchai Kaewjarun…
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Car rental leads police to massive drug haul in Pathum Thani
A man who rented a car and failed to return it has led police to a significant drug find in Pathum Thani. A Toyota Vios was discovered abandoned yesterday, January 31, with over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) inside. Police Colonel Kiattisak Mitprasat from Khlong Luang Police Station received a report from a car rental company representative about a…
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Swiss tourist reunited with lost Samsung mobile in Pattaya
A Swiss tourist in Pattaya, who had misplaced his Samsung S24, has been reunited with his phone thanks to the efforts of a good Samaritan and the Bang Lamung police. On January 29, Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat, Chief of Bang Lamung Police Station, directed his team to return the device after it was handed over by a helpful man named…
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Fire erupts at Ubon Ratchathani petrol station, blaze contained
A fire broke out at a petrol station in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani province yesterday, January 31 at 6.30pm. This incident occurred on the same day that a molotov cocktail attack was launched at Somdet Phra Yuparat Hospital in Det Udom district. The Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page shared images of the petrol station engulfed in flames, with…
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Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30
Kasikornbank has announced that mobile banking customers need to ensure their registered name matches their mobile SIM card name by April 30. The bank outlined two conditions for this requirement. Customers who have not been contacted need not take any action. Kasikornbank communicated through its Facebook page, KBank Live, regarding a measure to enhance mobile banking security. This initiative requires…
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Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht
In Samut Sakhon, an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation was uncovered by Thai police yesterday, January 31, resulting in significant financial losses due to unauthorised electricity usage over a three-year period. The operation, which led to over 500 million baht in losses, was discovered during a raid conducted by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) following abnormal power consumption reports…
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Thaksin Shinawatra allowed to leave Thailand with 5m baht surety
The Criminal Court has granted Thaksin Shinawatra permission to temporarily leave Thailand, requiring a 5 million baht cash surety to ensure his return. The former prime minister received approval yesterday, January 31 to visit Malaysia on Sunday and Monday. Thaksin named himself and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa as witnesses, supported by documentation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to validate…
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Pattaya tourism surges with Russian and European influx
Pattaya has experienced a notable increase in tourism during the current High Season, with a significant influx of visitors from Russia and Europe, as reported by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association. On January 29, Thanes highlighted that many of these tourists are opting for extended stays in the city, contributing to a vibrant local economy. Thanes…
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Fire devastates home in Phuket, leaves resident in shock
A fire erupted at a two-storey residence in Samkong Park Village, located north of Phuket Town, early yesterday, January 31. The incident left a 53 year old local in shock and resulted in extensive property damage. Phuket City Police received notification of the fire on Pracha Samakkee Road in Ratsada at 12.20am. Firefighters were promptly dispatched and worked for about…
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Geckos’ centipede battle sparks lucky number frenzy (video)
A spine-chilling video of two geckos battling over a centipede has sent netizens into a frenzy—not just for the drama, but for the potential lottery numbers hidden in the showdown. TikTok user @yowtamadai posted the eerie clip on January 30, showing two geckos locked in a fierce tug-of-war over a centipede. The video, captioned “Every day, oh my,” quickly gained…
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Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, February 1, highlighting cold to chilly conditions in the north and northeast, with frost expected on mountain tops. Residents are advised to be cautious of fire hazards due to dry weather, while South Thailand faces monsoon effects with high waves at sea. In the next 24 hours, a…
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Russian man rescued after car crashes into tree, suspected drugs found
A Russian man crashed his sedan into a tree at the side of the road in the southern province of Phetchaburi, sustaining serious injuries. A packet of white powder, suspected to be a drug, was found in his possession. A video shared by Channel 8 shows rescuers, police officers, and residents in Phetchaburi attempting to retrieve the 38 year old…
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