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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Make Belgium and the Netherlands your next destination with the right visa in hand. Explore the iconic tulip fields, cruise through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, or stroll through the historic streets of Bruges. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic Belgian chocolate...
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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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Explosives found near election unit in Chumphon oil palm plantation
Three grenades and nearly 100 machine gun rounds were discovered just 50 metres from a local election unit in Chumphon province. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, February 1, when a worker inadvertently kicked a suspicious bag while working. Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Yamee of Pathio District Police Station received a report from Sunthorn Thamniam, the village head of Mueang…
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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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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’s air quality crisis: 64 provinces hit by severe dust pollution
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust pollution affected 64 out of 77 provinces in Thailand, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) this morning. At 7am, today, February 2,17 provinces were experiencing hazardous red levels of PM2.5 particles. Sing Buri recorded the highest PM2.5 level at 95.5 microgrammes per cubic metre. It was closely followed by Sisaket…
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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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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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Phichit candidate reportedly abducted in Nakhon Sawan
A candidate for the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) in Phichit, Witya Mala, along with his wife, was reportedly abducted in Nakhon Sawan just before the election. Witya informed his father via phone that he was being held by an unidentified group, who claimed they would release him the following day. Reports reached journalists yesterday, January 31 at 5.30pm that independent…
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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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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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Bangkok campaign targets rice field burning to combat air pollution
Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, has announced a campaign to eliminate burning in rice fields to tackle air pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The initiative, launched yesterday in Nong Chok district, aims to address the issue across 80,000 rai of rice paddies and 4,000 farming households in 10 districts, including Nong Chok, Khlong Sam Wa, and Lat Krabang. Over…
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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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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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British dad mysteriously vanishes in Bangkok
A British dad has vanished in Thailand after failing to board his flight home—sparking fears from his distraught family. The 33 year old Brit, James Sangwine, from Epping, Essex, jetted off to Bangkok on January 18 to visit a friend but hasn’t been heard from since he left for a night out on January 20. His partner, 38 year old…
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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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Thailand lottery players seek Chinese calendar for lucky numbers
Lottery enthusiasts in Thailand continue their quest for winning numbers for the February 1 draw, tomorrow. The search includes popular numbers from celebrities, social media, and well-known advisors, along with the widely-followed Chinese calendar numbers, which remain a significant interest among lottery players. For the lottery draw tomorrow, numbers from the Chinese calendar have gained traction. A TikTok user with…
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5 Chinese nationals arrested crossing illegally into Thailand
Thai police arrested five Chinese men last night as they attempted an illegal border crossing from Myanmar into Thailand’s Tak province, raising further concerns about the region’s notorious scam operations. Border patrol officers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce discovered the group at 8.30pm, yesterday, January 30, wading through the Moei River from Myawaddy to Mae Sot district. The men—29 year old…
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Phumtham dismisses refugee employment proposal as impractical
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed disapproval of Fair Party list MP Kannavee Suebsang‘s proposal to offer employment to refugees. Phumtham considers it impractical. Phumtham addressed concerns over the United States’ decision to reduce funding for hospitals in nine refugee camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border. He noted that the Thai government is also impacted by this decision,…
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Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a passionate last-minute appeal to his supporters, urging them to turn their loyalty into votes as Chiang Mai gears up for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections tomorrow, February 1. Returning to his home province on Thursday, the 75 year old political titan took the stage in a high-energy rally to back Pichai Lertpongadisorn,…
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Hot sting: Thai child scalded by soup at Chon Buri restaurant
A restaurant owner pledged to take responsibility and provide compensation after a five year old girl was scalded by hot soup at a popular eatery in Chon Buri. The incident took place yesterday, January 30 at the Khrua Pla Too Thit Auan restaurant, located on Hat Wonnapha Beach, Mueang district, Chon Buri. The child’s mother posted about the incident online,…
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Sky’s the limit: AIS takes off with HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone
In a daring leap into the skies, Advanced Info Service (AIS) has launched its first drone, the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max, setting its sights on the lucrative drone market. The high-flying gadget is now ready for takeoff at AIS service shops, promising to boost revenue from retail outlets and capture the imaginations of tech enthusiasts and adventurers alike. In a…
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Sacred tattoo event in Nakhon Pathom draws blessings
A sacred tattooing event at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom’s Khun Kaeo subdistrict featured a woman receiving a talisman on her hand from Luang Phor Pae. The event, part of the 9 Temples, 99 Luknimit ceremony, runs from January 25 to February 23. The ceremony’s highlight is the world’s largest Luknimit, available for public gilding. Taking place during the…
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Smoke signals: Thailand cracks down on PM2.5 cross-border pollution
In a sizzling new move to tackle the smoggy skies, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) sets its sights on cracking down on PM2.5 pollution stemming from cross-border agricultural antics. Their bold plan? To roll out strict measures that target corn imports, demanding ironclad proof that the golden kernels come from non-burning cultivation zones. In a hard-hitting proposal slated for…
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Thai senator’s death penalty drama stirs up capital debate
A Thai senator sparked controversy after proposing a more severe punishment for drug offenders in a parliamentary session that drug suspects must face the death penalty, and their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels. During a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 29, Senator Amat Ayuken spoke about what he perceived as lenient punishments for suspects in drug-related cases.…
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Taking the piss: Tourist pees at Phuket Airport
A video showing a foreign tourist urinating openly at Phuket International Airport, in Mai Khao subdistrict, Thalang district, sparked outrage both online and offline, with many demanding decisive action. The 13-second clip, shared yesterday, January 30, shows the tourist urinating without concern for onlookers, despite being warned by airport staff. The video was circulated widely on social media, particularly on…
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