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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored The hidden costs of ignoring pre-existing conditions in Thailand
The Thaiger key takeaways Not declaring pre-existing conditions can result in denied claims, high costs, or visa problems. Cigna provides coverage for common chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis with high limits and direct billing. Honest disclosure ensures proper coverage,...
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Pattaya: Foreign women nabbed in illegal bar raid
Pattaya’s notorious nightlife took a hit in the early hours of today when police stormed The Wild 69, an entertainment venue in Central Pattaya, uncovering a group of foreign women working without legal permits. Acting on a late-night tip-off from a concerned citizen, a special task force from Pattaya City Police Station descended on the Bang Lamung-based venue at around…
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Malaysian tourist overcharged by motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai
A Malaysian tourist recently shared an experience on Facebook about being overcharged by a motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai, Thailand. The tourist reported paying a 1,000 baht (US$30) fine for parking in a restricted area and an additional 300 baht (US$9) for a short motorcycle taxi ride. This sparked widespread discussion regarding the excessive fare. Police Major Sittichai Pradap from…
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Phuket splashes 4 million baht on motorcycle safety blitz
Phuket is gearing up for a major road safety push after receiving more than 4 million baht in funding to combat its deadly traffic problem, with motorcycles firmly in the crosshairs. On March 26, Transport Officer Atcha Buachan chaired a high-level meeting at the Phuket Provincial Transport Office to outline the province’s road safety strategy for the fiscal year 2025.…
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Royal Forest Department probes illegal land sales in Chiang Mai
The Royal Forest Department is currently investigating land allocated under the National Land Policy Programme (KTC) in Chiang Mai after reports of sales being advertised on social media. This programme, aimed at assisting the underprivileged, prohibits the sale or transfer of these lands. Yesterday, March 27, Surachai Achalaboon, Director General of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Natural Resources…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Suspect arrested after fatal monk stabbing in Phrae temple
A man was apprehended following the fatal stabbing of a monk at a temple in Phrae province. Before this, he had injured his brother-in-law, who raised him from childhood, with a wooden stick, resulting in 12 stitches to the head and face. The incident occurred on March 26 at 7pm when Police Lieutenant Krittamet Thamkham, an investigator from Wang Chin…
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Thai MP blows whistle on 20m baht vote-buying scandal
A firestorm has erupted in Thai politics after opposition MP Krit Silapachai claimed he was offered up to 20 million baht and a cushy job in exchange for voting in favour of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during a recent no-confidence debate. The explosive revelation, made in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, March 26, sparked outrage and triggered an internal…
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Shirt storm: Bangkok shop owner defends right to sell Putin and Hitler shirts
The owner of a second-hand clothing store in Bangkok urged foreigners to respect her rights after repeatedly being asked to stop selling shirts featuring images of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former German leader Adolf Hitler. The shop owner, Chonticha Nawathong, took to social media to criticise the behaviour of certain foreigners, claiming they interfered with her right to operate her…
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Thailand video news | Pattaya expands CCTV network for smart city development, Phnom Penh tops global air pollution rankings
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest headlines from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering key developments in security, economy, and politics. In Thailand, Pattaya expands its CCTV network as part of a smart city initiative, while the country’s overcrowded prisons spark renewed calls for reform. The government moves forward with an Entertainment Complex Bill, placing limits on…
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Gunman surrenders after fatal shooting in Thai forest
A gunman has surrendered following the fatal shooting of a 31 year old man, who was hunting in a dense forest on March 26. Police suspect the gunman mistook the victim, Chaiwat, for wildlife. The incident occurred near the border between Mueang Paeng subdistrict, Pai district, and Huai Poo Ling subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Chaiwat’s body was taken…
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Transgender thief busted by Bolt riders in dramatic Pattaya chase
A gang of Bolt motorcycle drivers turned vigilantes in the early hours of this morning, capturing a transgender woman accused of stealing a teenager’s Vespa in Pattaya. At around 2.30am today, March 28, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sai Jai Khamjulla, the Investigation Chief at Pattaya City Police Station, received an unusual call — a group of Bolt riders had detained a…
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2.1 million Yaba pills, 210kg of crystal meth found in crashed car
Police discovered 2.1 million tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, and 210 kilogrammes of crystal meth in a car involved in an accident on a road in the southern province of Phatthalung. Four suspects who were in the car successfully fled the scene. A motorist and residents near the accident site called officers from Nakhayat Police Station to investigate…
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Bringing home the bacon: Korat businesses struggle as pork prices soar
Rising pork prices have left business owners in Nakhon Ratchasima facing daily losses, with some considering closure. They urge the government to fulfill economic promises and address the needs of smaller businesses rather than focusing solely on the wealthy. At a gathering at Rabieng Kiang Nam restaurant in Hua Thale subdistrict, Mueang district, representatives from pork stalls and restaurants discussed…
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Chinese man sparks panic after abandoning bag at Bangkok BTS office
Police accused a Chinese man of intentionally spreading panic among the public after he left his bag at the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) headquarters in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok and quickly fled from the scene. Officers from Bang Sue Police Station were called to investigate a suspicious bag placed in front of a Brahma shrine outside the BTS…
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ATTA boss calls for boost to Chinese tourism market
The newly appointed president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is urging the government to ramp up support for marketing initiatives and development to revive the lagging Chinese tourism market. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, elected for a two-year term, welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of the draft entertainment complex bill but emphasised the need for strict casino regulations and meaningful employment…
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Fuel prices slashed to ease Songkran travel costs
Motorists across Thailand are in for a welcome surprise as fuel prices are set to drop just in time for the Songkran holiday rush. PTT Station announced a 0.50 baht per litre cut in retail prices for both petrol and diesel, effective from 5am today, March 28. The reduction is part of a wider initiative by the Oil Fuel Fund…
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Trade storm brewing: Uyghur deportations threaten EU deal
Thailand’s potential deportation of Uyghurs could throw a spanner into delicate free trade talks with the European Union (EU), sparking fears of an international trade storm. Concerns are mounting over how these actions might jeopardise Thailand’s economic relationships and its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A high-stakes meeting convened by the Committee on Economic…
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Thai police seize assets worth 50 million baht in money laundering bust
Police seized assets worth 50 million baht and arrested Ekachart Miprom, a high-level executive involved in money laundering, along with his wife and mother. The operation took place on March 27 at two locations in Chanthaburi province and one in Rayong province. Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phueapan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, ordered Police Major General Sarayuth Junawath…
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Thai Cabinet approves tax breaks for big EV investments
The Cabinet has approved a draft decree to offer tax incentives for companies investing in large commercial electric vehicles (EVs). This measure allows companies to claim double the expense for locally produced EVs and 1.5 times for imported ones. Deputy Government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan stated that the decree aims to encourage the use of large commercial EVs, such as electric…
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Singaporean man hides in Myanmar after death of Thai girlfriend
The Singaporean man suspected of murdering his Thai girlfriend in a Bangkok condominium reportedly fled Thailand to hide in the Tachileik area o.f Myanmar. The 30 year old Thai woman, Proudphilas Paladon, was found lying lifeless and naked in the bathroom of her accommodation on the 22nd floor of a condominium in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 25. Her body was…
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Pattaya hotel thief targets expat and transwoman
A brazen thief with a taste for unlocked doors and dating apps is on the run in Pattaya after targeting two victims in separate hotel-room heists — including a 63 year old Swedish tourist and a transgender woman he met online. At around 12.30am today, March 28, a hotel receptionist and a Swedish guest marched into Pattaya City Police Station…
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Thai heatwave on the horizon: It’s a storm in a hot cup
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for Thailand, predicting hot to very hot weather and cautioning against potential dangers from summer storms, including thunderstorms and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and take precautions from today, March 28. A moderate high-pressure system from China is currently affecting southern China and is expected to extend…
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British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
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Thailand’s new gambling bill: What it could mean for the country
The conversation around legalising gambling in Thailand has been simmering for years. Now, it’s starting to reach crunch time. On March 27, cabinet members approved the highly debated Entertainment Complex Bill. It could pave the way for casino resorts to operate legally across the country. For a nation where gambling has been mostly outlawed for decades, this bill could represent…
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Bangkok’s new archways to boost Charoen Krung’s cultural growth
The Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand (FBPW), under the Royal Patronage, officially handed over the 72nd Birthday Anniversary Archways to Bangkok, anticipating their contribution to the sustainable economic, cultural, social, and tourism growth in the Charoen Krung area. This grand project was initiated to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the 72nd birthday anniversary of His Majesty…
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Digital money registration opens for those sans smartphones
The latest update on the economic stimulus programme reveals that those without smartphones can register for the 10,000 baht digital money initiative. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavachira stated that the Ministry of Finance is tasked with determining a suitable registration period for these citizens. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat highlighted that the registration process for those without…
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Accident or foul play? Thai woman killed by husband’s pickup
A Thai woman lost her life at her home in Bangkok today after her husband crashed his pickup into her. The husband insisted it was an accident. A 61 year old Thai man, Thianchai, today, March 27, called officers from Bang Sue Police Station and rescue workers to investigate the death of his wife, 61 year old Phummaree, at around…
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Phuket goes high-tech with new heart care innovations
Phuket is stepping up as a global medical hub, this time with a focus on matters of the heart. On Tuesday, March 25, Bangkok Hospital Phuket officially launched a suite of high-tech innovations aimed at transforming cardiac care in Thailand, positioning itself as a leader in the advanced diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The launch event, held at the…
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Big Brother boost: Pattaya invests 2.1 million baht in CCTV
Pattaya is getting serious about surveillance—with a multi-million-baht tech upgrade designed to keep a closer eye on streets, storms, and suspicious activity. To bolster public safety and modernise city management, the Pattaya City Council has approved a 2.1 million baht budget to enhance its real-time CCTV system. The decision was made during a recent council meeting at Taksin Hall, where…
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Thai labour minister pledges 400 baht wage hike by May 1
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has committed to a 400 baht wage increase by May 1, alongside support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). During a censure debate on March 25, People’s Party MP Sirikanya Tansakul criticised the government for not implementing the 400 baht (US$11) wage policy earlier, as promised by the prime minister. She argued that the promise was…
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