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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Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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Floods paralyse Phuket roads, flights delayed and diverted
Many parts of Phuket were underwater last night (June 26) after a two-hour spurt of heavy rain early in the evening. A number of roads in Phuket Town, around Samkong, as well as on Thepkrasattri Road in front of the main SuperCheap, and in Thalang, were also flooded by the short but heavy deluge. Many flights were unable to land…
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Chiang Rai: HM The King calls for crowd control in the cave search
By Jakrawan Salaytoo The Thai Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda has told reporters at Government House in Bangkok that the King shares the public’s concern for the missing party. His Majesty the King has instructed officials to ensure that the crowd gathered outside a Chiang Rai cave does not impede the continuing search for 12 youngsters and their football coach…
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Dengue fever alert in Rassada
Rassada Municipality is warning residents about the high potential for Dengue Fever this wet season following a recent spike in cases and discussions with relevant health officials. Officers of Rassada Municipality say, “There are many ways to prevent dengue fever by getting rid of their breeding grounds – close water containers and clear up any areas where water has pooled.…
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Former American police officer found dead
A body of a former American policeman has been found dead at a house in Koh Kaew yesterday (June 26). Phuket City Police were notified of the situation at a house in Koh Kaew at 2.30pm. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of 58 year old Ronald Lee Barfield, an American national from Florida, on…
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Nakhon Phanom: Up in smoke
Nakhon Phanom’s provincial administration has destroyed 8,700 kilograms of seized marijuana to mark the “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”. The drugs were destroyed in a massive fire in a local field. Provincial Governor Somchai Witdamrong chaired the ceremony, held at 9am on the field in front of the Nakhon Phanom rangers’ command. Somchai said the marijuana had…
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Chiang Mai: Mission ‘Rabies’
In response to the increased number of human deaths from rabies in Thailand this year, Mission Rabies was keen to work with the government to protect the communities of Chiang Mai. Upon the kind invitation of Chiang Mai Municipality, San Pong municipality and Khi Lek municipality, Mission Rabies, in combination with WVS Thailand (locally known as WVS Care for Dogs),…
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Into Day Five: Rescuers battle rising water
Rescuers are considering tunnelling through the roof of the Chiang Rai cave as a last resort. Dead end caves and heavy rain is blocking efforts to find the 12 teenage footballers and their football coach. The group has been missing since Saturday afternoon in the flooded Chiang Rai caves. In Tham Luang cave, a team of divers led by Navy SEALs…
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Chiang Mai: Axe-wielding monk attacks abbot and nun at temple
A small quarrel has led to an abbot being attacked by a monk with an axe in Mae Rim, north-west of Chiang Mai city. Chiang Mai City news reports that the assault took place at Huay Pha Pu in Pong Yaeng, Mae Rim, after a quarrel broke out between an 58 year old monk and a newly appointed acting abbot,…
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Pattaya: Chinese and Vietnamese tourists dotting Pattaya landmark with stickers
Pattaya Update News is reporting that they’ve received numerous complaints from angry locals who are furious with Chinese and Vietnamese tourists for defacing a famous Pattaya landmark. They report that the Asian tourists have been pasting stickers, used to identify tour members and tour groups at the temple of Wat Nong Yai in Bang Lamung. Trees, pillars, walls, vegetation and…
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Chiang Rai: Search area becomes crowded with media and onlookers
The ongoing search in Chiang Rai, where 13 members of a football team are trapped inside by rising floodwaters, is starting to suffer from too much media and local interest. The search of Luang Cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park is being led by Navy SEAL personnel, who have been joined by teams of experts from universities…
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Phuket locals protest against pork processing factory
Locals in Mai Khao are protesting against a company who is planning to construct a pork processing factory. Locals at Baan Dan Yid and Baan Dan Yut are protesting against the private company’s plans after a notice was placed on June 8 at the area to build the processing plant. Prawat Pimanprom says, “The company has submitted a construction license with…
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Chiang Mai: Gas tank explosion kills man, destroys half the house
A faulty gas tank has exploded in the home of a man in Saraphi, south-west of Chiang Mai’s city centre, killing him instantly. The explosion also destroyed half the man’s home. This incident happened over the weekend. Police rushed to the scene at a house in Nong Pheung, Saraphi. Police entered the home and discovered a man who had been…
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Myanmar: Sacked – Top general accused of involvement in Rohingya crackdown
PHOTO: Major General Maung Maung Soe amd defacto Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi Myanmar is accused of a crackdown in Rakhine state that has, so far, forced 700,000 Rohingya to flee. The UN and major western powers describe the crackdown as “ethnic cleansing”. In response, Myanmar’s military now says it’s sacked a top general who was named in fresh EU…
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Phichit: Hundreds affected by Dengue
All 12 districts in the province of Phichit in central Thailand will soon be declared dengue outbreak control zones with 652 cases of dengue fever now reported in the province so far this year. A committee in charge of disease control made the call this week in a bid to integrate efforts by all pertinent government agencies. The committee was…
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Chiang Rai: Search continues for missing teenagers in flooded cave
The desperate search continues today for 12 children and their coach from a local football team who went missing in a Chiang Rai flooded cave on Saturday afternoon. Rescue teams will search to the end of the limestone cave that is believed to be the fourth longest cave in Thailand. So far, searchers have found children’s slippers, footprints and palm…
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Motorbike driver dies after collision with power pole
A man has died following an accident in Koh Kaew last night (June 25). The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 10.30pm near Bansapam Mongkolwittaya School in Koh Kaew. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a Honda motorbike at the base of the power pole. Police found traces of the collision on the…
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Woman dies in Phuket Town road smash
A woman is reported dead following an accident in Phuket Town this morning (June 26). The Phuket City Police were notified of the incident at 5.30am at an intersection in front of Phuketthaihua Asean Wittaya School on Wichit Songkram Road in Phuket Town. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a damaged motorbike, a car, a van…
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Chaiyaphum: 35 year old man stabbed 30 times
A 35 year old Chaiyaphum man has stabbed to death in his bedroom in the Chaturas district, north-east of Bangkok, early today (Tuesday). Police said there appear to have been signs of fighting in Wutthichai Wamin’s room and that he had been hit on the head with a blunt object and stabbed more than 30 times. Chaturas police station was…
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Chiang Rai: The search continues this morning
Department of Defence personnel have arrived at the Chiang Rai cave since last evening and brought along high-capacity water pumps to assist with the removal of water from the caves. Emergency responders and officials still have high hopes of finding the team and their coach alive and well. The media have been gathering at the Cave complex visitor centre and…
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Phuket airport’s domestic terminal officially launched
Phuket airport’s domestic terminal renovation was officially launched yesterday (June 25). The opening ceremony was held at the Phuket International Airport and hosted by the Airport of Thailand (AOT) president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn. Khun Nitinai says, “The Phuket International Domestic Terminal upgrade project is now complete with new facilities and world standard security services. The airport is now available to service up to…
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Deputy PM Prawit calls the Time Magazine article ‘factually innacurate’
It hasn’t even landed on the magazine stands yet and already the Time magazine article is causing controversy. Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan is denying that the government or the NCPO has banned the distribution and sale of Time magazine’s Asia edition for July 2 issue. Read our story about the Time Prayut feature HERE. Prawit is reported by Thai PBS…
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‘Clean.’ Overcrowded Krabi prison declared drug-free
A random inspection at Krabi prison has turned up no drugs. Officers, led by Phang Nga Prison Chief Soonthorn Detrak and Krabi Prison Chief Yingpinyo Morapan, began the search at 4:30pm last Friday. Chief Soontorn says, “This is a special raid by the Region 8 Prison. Areas searched included personal lockers of all inmates as well as sleeping quarters, the…
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Khon Kaen: Playtime turns into horror with 9 yearly girl shot
PHOTO: File Photo By Kritmet Loho The shooting took place while the girl was playing with two boys, ages 10 and 11, at a house in Tambon Moung Wan. A Khon Kaen physician is pleading with parents to keep weapons away from children after a 10 year old boy accidentally shot and seriously wounded a nine year old yesterday (Sunday).…
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UPDATE: Today’s Chiang Rai cave search timetable – 12 missing
A rescue team, which now includes a Navy SEAL unit, are continuing search for the missing 12 young footballers and their coach. The 13 have been trapped inside a cave in Tham Luang Khunnam Nang Non Forest Park in Mae Sai district since Saturday. A flash flood that hit the area prevented the missing group from leaving the cave after…
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Krabi student killed outside school
VIDEO. A student in Krabi has died after driving on a motorbike and colliding with a parked SUV in front of a school in Krabi. The accident happened in front of Khlong Thom Ratrangsan School in Krabi at 4pm on Friday (June 22). The driver was 17 year old Pichai Phusit Songguea, a student of a college in Krabi. Pichai…
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Bangkok: Abhisit urges NCPO to lift ban on political gatherings
PHOTO: The Nation Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is urging the NCPO to lift their ban on political activities and gatherings. He notes that the junta shouldn’t be worried that national security could be compromised as a result of the lifting of the ban as it has all the powers to deal effectively with anything deemed a security threat. Abhisit points out…
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Two arrested in Phuket drug crackdown
The Phuket City Police have arrested two suspects found with kratom on Saturday (June 25). Police arrested 51 year old Watcharin ‘Gor’ Saeiw at a house in Phuket Town. He was found with many small bags of kratom weighing about 3 kilograms. Watcharin was taken to the Phuket City Police Station where he has been charged with illegal possession of Category 5…
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Update: Rescue in Chiang Mai – 11 teenagers and their coach missing in cave.
The 11 missing teenagers and their football coach are still believed to be still alive but remain trapped inside the innermost sections of the cave where they’re believed to be safe but separated by flooding waters. Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn headed to the Thamluang-Khunnam Nang non park in Mae Sai district to supervise the continuation of the search and…
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Krabi: Erosion threatens fossils on Andaman coast
By Sitthichai Sikhawat Known as ‘The 75 million-year-old shell cemetery’, the mollusk fossil-filled beach at the Andaman coastal province of Krabi is now facing erosion after being damaged by strong currents over the past two years, a senior official at the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park said on Sunday. Conserving the 40 centimetre thick fossil layer on…
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Search continues for 12 teenagers and their football coach
A post-football training visit to a Chiang Rai cave by a group of 12 teenagers and their football coach has turned into a nightmare with all of them still missing. As the search operation continued into Sunday for the 12 youths and their 25-year-old football coach, who are missing after visiting a cave in the Tham Luang-Khunnam Nang Non Forest…
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