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.
-
University student caught with loaded gun on campus in Bangkok
A routine campus sweep took a turn when Bangkok police arrested a first-year university student for allegedly carrying a loaded revolver. The arrest took place on the evening of December 9, at approximately 9pm. The 19 year old male student was found under a university building with a .38-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, six rounds of ammunition, and a leather holster.…
-
Vietnam protests after Thailand shows wrong flag again at SEA Games
Vietnam reportedly lodged a formal complaint today, December 11, after Thailand once again displayed the wrong national flag during a 2025 SEA Games event, marking the third flag error since the competition began. The first mistake surfaced when the official SEA Games Facebook page posted graphics for football and futsal fixtures, showing Laos’ flag in place of Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s…
-
Indian brothers arrested in Phuket over Goa nightclub fire that kills 25
Two Indian brothers who fled their home country after a deadly nightclub fire in Goa, India, were arrested in Thailand after days on the run. The fire, which broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub on Saturday, December 6, claimed the lives of 25 people, most of whom were employees. Five tourists were also among the victims, though…
-
Tourism operators calls for clarity on new Thai immigration rules
Tourism operators want Thai authorities to clearly publicise new immigration rules after a rise in the number of tourists being denied entry. The concerns follow new measures introduced by the Immigration Bureau to crack down on multiple visa runs and prevent the misuse of visa-free entry. The updated rules aim to stop foreigners from entering the country while engaging in…
-
Lisa joins Met Gala 2026 host committee alongside global stars
Thai K-pop superstar Lalisa Manoban, or Lisa Blackpink, has been named to the host committee for one of the world’s most prestigious fashion events at the Met Gala 2026. The announcement was made ahead of the year’s end and confirmed Lisa’s involvement in shaping the direction of next year’s gala as part of the host committee, alongside several international artists…
-
Thai netizens demand probe after Chinese tourist catches fish in Phuket for fun
Thai netizens are questioning authorities after a viral video showed a Chinese tourist catching vibrant fish in the Phuket sea for fun, with many voicing concerns over animal abuse and suspicions that she may have travelled with an illegal Chinese-run tour operator. A Thai woman spotted the video on Douyin and forwarded it to well-known blogger Luijeen, who shared screenshots…
-
Russian tourist severely injured in Pattaya ferry accident
An accident at Laem Bali Hai pier in Pattaya on Wednesday, December 10, left a Russian tourist with a severe leg injury. The Russian woman, identified as 60 year old Albina Bogdanova, was stepping off a ferry that had just returned from Koh Larn around midday when the incident occurred. According to witnesses, the boat swayed when it was approaching…
-
Stray bullet hits 7-Eleven worker in Pattaya shootout
A 7-Eleven employee caught a stray bullet, and several vehicles were damaged after a teenage gang opened fire in Pattaya yesterday night, December 10. The shooting happened around 11.30pm in Soi Nongprue 4, Nongprue sub-district. Police and rescue workers arrived to find 18 year old 7-Eleven employee, Natthaphat, with a gunshot wound to his right arm. He said he was…
-
Wild macaque captured after fatal attack in Yala
After three days, park officials in Yala have captured a wild macaque that attacked and killed a man inside his home in a remote fruit orchard. The male macaque was caught yesterday, December 10, in a trap set by Bang Lang National Park officials in Betong district, near a fruit orchard close to the home where the attack occurred. The…
-
Thailand video news | Cambodia pulls out of SEA Games, Government considers Disneyland-style attraction
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes updates on how rising Thai–Cambodian tensions are impacting the Southeast Asian Games, a remarkable six incidents involving foreigners behaving badly, and finally, a look at whether the Kingdom of Thailand could soon become the Magic Kingdom of Thailand. Disney fans, you’ll want…
-
Thai man killed by falling rock after entering stone mill zone for video content
A falling rock from a stone mill operation killed a Thai man who had climbed a mountain in Phatthalung with a friend to film social media content on Tuesday, December 9. The victim, 29 year old Ritthikiat, suffered a severe head injury after rocks rained down during a routine explosion at the Run Mountain stone mill site in the Khuan…
-
Foreigner allegedly poisons pet dogs and birds in Chon Buri
Locals in Sattahip, Chon Buri, are furious after a foreign man allegedly poisoned dogs and birds in a quiet alley and left their bodies scattered across the street. In Sattahip district, security camera footage captured a foreign man tossing a chunk of meat, which landed near a drain cover. The man then kicked it toward the roadside, and not long…
-
Bangkok police bust bizarre AI QR code drug operation
Two Russian nationals have been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly using AI-powered QR codes to sell illegal drugs, turning the operation into a high-tech treasure hunt. According to Police Major General Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police, online investigators discovered, through Facebook, last month that QR code stickers were appearing across the city. These stickers, mainly slapped on…
-
2 more Thai soldiers killed in border clashes, Sa Kaeo imposes curfew
Two more Thai soldiers lost their lives in the escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia yesterday, December 10, bringing the total number of Thai casualties to seven. Sa Kaeo province imposes a nighttime curfew for public safety. The renewed fighting since Sunday, December 7, has spread across four border provinces, Buriram, Si Saket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani, with fatalities…
-
Russian man arrested in Phuket with hundreds of illegal hookah products
Phuket police arrested a Russian man for possessing a large quantity of hookah products, known locally as baraku, during a raid in the Cherng Talay area yesterday, December 9. Officers from the Region 8 Special Operations Unit conducted the operation at a rented room in Soi Hua Tiew in the Choeng Thale sub-district of Thalang district. The suspect, identified as…
-
Trump to intervene in renewed Thailand-Cambodia conflict
Following a successful brokering of a ceasefire in July, which ended a five-day conflict between the two countries, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to intervene by phone call after fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued into its third day today, December 10. In an interview yesterday, December 9, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said he doubts…
-
Bangkok raid uncovers illegal group sex party promoted on social media
A late-night police raid uncovered a group sex party at a hotel in Bangkok’s Ratchada area and led to an arrest. Officers discovered the event was being filmed and shared on social media. Last night, on December 9, Bangkok officers raided a hotel room in the Ratchada area, arresting a 36 year old man, referred to as A. Police seized…
-
Reward posted as tourist who feeds wristband to sea turtle remains at large
Marine officials expect a sea turtle that swallowed a tourist’s wristband to pass the object naturally within 30 to 40 days, while the suspect responsible remains at large. A video showing an unidentified tourist feeding a yellow wristband to a sea turtle went viral last month. The incident reportedly took place during a diving trip in Mu Ko Similan National…
-
Over 100 Chinese detainees riot and demand repatriation at Tak
Chaos erupted at a detention facility in Tak province as more than 100 Chinese detainees rioted and spiralled out of control in the early hours of today, December 10, demanding to be sent back to China. Officials had to use forceful measures to regain control. The riot broke out at a detention facility operated by Tak Immigration, located in Tha…
-
Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games over safety concerns amid border clashes
Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand today, December 10, citing safety concerns from parents and guardians of athletes following the escalating clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. A small group of Cambodian athletes attended the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok yesterday, December 9. Cambodia had earlier confirmed it would send athletes to…
-
Thai government studies Disneyland project instead of casino complex
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed a new plan to bring Disneyland to Thailand, replacing the previously proposed entertainment complex. The earlier proposal introduced by the Pheu Thai Party aimed to create a large entertainment complex to boost tourism and the national economy. The project was expected to include theme parks, water parks, sports stadiums, concert…
-
Jamaican beauty queen in critical condition after stage fall in Thailand
The Miss Universe contestant from Jamaica is reportedly in critical condition after falling off the stage during the final round of the competition in Thailand last month. Gabrielle Henry, an ophthalmologist and Jamaica’s representative at Miss Universe 2025, suffered the fall while presenting her evening gown at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi during the finals in November. A viral…
-
Thailand video news | Trump calls for cease-fire respect, SEA Games begin under heavy security, Phuket taxi stunt draws backlash.
Today we’ll be talking about pressure from the White House for Thailand and Cambodia to honor their cease-fire deal, The kicking off of the Southeast Asian Games, and a little later some dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. Trump urges Thailand and Cambodia to respect cease-fire deal US President Donald Trump called on Thailand and Cambodia to honour the cease-fire agreement…
-
‘Gigachad’ Thai taxi driver saves tourist from missing flight
A foreign traveller has shared his appreciation for a Bangkok taxi driver who went above and beyond to help him reach the correct airport in time for his international flight. The traveller, @QuintenFrancois on X, explained that he mistakenly went to Don Mueang Airport instead of Suvarnabhumi Airport, where his flight to Tokyo was scheduled to depart. With just over…
-
Thailand releases four leopard sharks in first rewilding effort
Conservationists released four Indo-Pacific leopard sharks off Koh Maiton on Monday, December 8, in Thailand’s first endangered shark rewilding project. The release took place near Maiton Resort, around nine kilometres from Cape Panwa, and aquarists at Aquaria Phuket bred the sharks, named Maiton, Hope, Spot, and Toty, who are all nearly two years old. Each shark, measuring between 100 and…
-
Wrong flag, incorrect medal tally, and lip-sync error disrupt SEA Games opener
The opening ceremony of the 2025 SEA Games at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium last night, December 9, sparked widespread criticism after a series of errors, including a wrong national flag, incorrect medal numbers, and a lip-sync mishap. Public scrutiny over this year’s SEA Games, Thailand’s seventh time hosting, began long before the ceremony. Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton”…
-
Teen shot and seriously injured in Pattaya gang clash
On December 9, yesterday, a confrontation between two rival youth gangs in Pattaya led to gunshots and ping pong bombs, in which one teenager suffered serious injuries. Police Captain Sonthaya Khonsap was on patrol when a group of teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, asked for help in front of a shopping mall on Sukhumvit Road, and they said someone…
-
Tourist clarifies her story on flying into Don Mueang and being denied entry into Thailand
Following the recent article about a woman denied entry to Thailand over a lack of sufficient funds, our team talked to @kaotickaya for further clarification, and she provided additional context about what really happened at immigration. “Hi, thank you for getting back to me. Yes, here are the specific inaccuracies that need to be corrected:” “1. The caption currently states…
-
Drunk driver escapes tragedy after driving onto Pattaya railway track
A Thai man narrowly escaped tragedy after accidentally driving along a railway track in Pattaya while under the influence of alcohol late last night, December 8. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasathan Pattaya Foundation were alerted to the incident on the railway track in the Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, at around 12.30am. When they arrived, they found…
-
Vietnamese nationals arrested in Bangkok for planned thefts
Bangkok police arrested two Vietnamese nationals who illegally entered Thailand after previously being involved in a pickpocketing gang. On December 6, officers from Phra Ratchawang Police Station arrested 56 year old Duong Thi Ngoc Thao and 31 year old Huynh Hoa Loc. Police found them in Soi Prachasongkroh, an area known to have a large Vietnamese population. The investigation began…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.