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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The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a great option for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers who want to stay in Thailand for a long time. This multiple-entry visa is valid for five years, allowing stays of up to 180...
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Cyber police dismantle major Bangkok gambling network
Cyber police swooped on the Bangkok 198 online gambling network, arresting its financial executive and seizing luxury cars, along with over 9 million baht in cash, and uncovering a monthly turnover exceeding 10 million baht. Yesterday, January 7, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phivphan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Colonel Surapong Thaiprasert and Police Colonel Apirak Champasri,…
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Thai police rescue missing Chinese actor from trafficking gang
Missing Chinese actor Wang Xing was dramatically rescued by Thai police yesterday after being abducted by a human trafficking gang while on the Thai-Myanmar border. Wang Xing, known to fans as Xingxing, vanished on January 3 after departing Shanghai Pudong Airport for Thailand in what he believed was an acting gig along the border. Last seen in Mae Sot, the…
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No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme
Yingluck Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, will not qualify for release under the forthcoming alternative prison detention programme if she returns to Thailand, as she does not meet the new eligibility criteria, stated Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Yingluck was sentenced to five years imprisonment in August 2017. New regulations by the Department of Corrections (DoC) allow only those with…
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Policy scam-dal: Broker swindles 1 million baht from Alzheimer’s victim
A female insurance broker allegedly swindled 1 million baht from her client, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, leaving the victim in a critical condition. Relatives of the victim, 62 year old Marasri, sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after discovering the loss. The family reported that 1 million baht was stolen, and the suspect, Waewta, only returned 300,000 baht…
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PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy
Stepping out from a Cabinet lunch today, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched into a defence of her father, Thaksin, after he was caught in making controversial racist comments during a rally speech. Thaksin’s remarks yesterday, January 6, criticised as discriminatory, sparked a backlash and calls from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit for Paetongtarn to reprimand him. Initially caught off-guard by the journalists’ pressing…
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300 same-sex couples to wed in Bangkok as new law takes effect
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) anticipates that approximately 300 same-sex couples will get married in Bangkok on January 23 when the Marriage Equality Law comes into effect. Preparations for the event are underway, with Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon visiting district offices to oversee arrangements for marriage registrations. District officials have received training to guide couples through the necessary steps…
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Cock-a-doodle-don’t: Man’s heart can’t take noisy neighbour’s roosters
A 72 year old man in Ang Thong province contacted the police regarding a noise complaint about his neighbour’s roosters. Suffering from a heart condition, he reported that the noise kept him awake. The rooster owner, a 65 year old man, argued that roosters do not crow continuously and questioned how he could stop them from doing so. At 2pm…
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Bangkok: Iranians nabbed in Yaowarat robbery drama
Two Iranian nationals were arrested after allegedly robbing a Vietnamese tourist of 150,000 baht in a brazen street-side theft in Bangkok’s bustling Yaowarat district. The drama unfolded yesterday evening, January 6, when a 27 year old Vietnamese tourist approached police near the Hotel Royal Bangkok, claiming she had been attacked and robbed. According to her account, she had just withdrawn…
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Transport Ministry plans 319 billion baht rail upgrades
The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…
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Senior moment: Helpful young man taxis off with granny’s goods (video)
A young man assisted an elderly woman carrying numerous items onto a shared taxi but accidentally forgot to return her belongings after holding on to them. Realising his oversight only after the vehicle had departed, he ran after the taxi to return them to her. The incident was shared by TikTok user @yutthana696, who posted a clip of the event.…
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Trapped tots: Three year old rescued from car drama in Uthai Thani
A distressing incident occurred yesterday in Uthai Thani province when a three year old boy became trapped inside a car at Lan Sak market. The police from Lan Sak Police Station received a call from a grilled chicken vendor yesterday, January 6, alerting them to the situation. Police responded to the scene to assist. Upon arrival, they discovered a black sedan parked…
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Elderly cash windfall: Thai govt handouts confirmed by January 29
The Thai government has officially confirmed that elderly citizens will receive their long-awaited 10,000 baht stimulus payments before January 29. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, spilled the beans during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance today, January 7. “We assure you, the 10,000-baht payments will hit accounts before the deadline. The exact transfer date hinges on a final…
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Rusty’s journey: Rescued Thai dog experiences snow for the first time in UK
Niall Harbison, the founder of the Happy Doggo sanctuary in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, rescued a stray dog that had been chained in a shack in a forest and found him a new home in the UK, where he now enjoys a life surrounded by fluffy snow. Harbison, originally from Ireland, established his…
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Thai health minister reassures public over hMPV concerns
Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin addressed concerns about the spread of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China yesterday, January 6 at the Department of Health Service Support. The minister explained that hMPV is a seasonal virus that occurs annually and is self-limiting, often resolving without medical intervention. In previous years, such common illnesses were not highlighted, as they typically…
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Fire unleashed: Blaze engulfs pet store in Chiang Rai
A fire broke out at a large pet and pet supply store in Mueang Phaya, Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, yesterday, January 6, at approximately 9pm. The blaze engulfed Ploy Fish Tanks & Pet Mart, a wholesale and retail business for pet food and supplies. The fire spread rapidly due to the abundance of flammable materials inside the store,…
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CNY spending boom: Thailand poised for festive cash splash
Thailand’s economy is set to light up like a firecracker this Chinese New Year, with spending forecast to rise by over 3%, according to the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Buoyed by a recovering economy, government cash injections, and a surge of Chinese tourists, the festival promises to spark a celebratory…
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Thailand steals the spotlight at China’s Harbin Ice Festival (video)
Thailand has taken the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival by storm, dazzling visitors with a spectacular cultural display and an enchanting photo exhibition. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Nihao! China: China Ice and Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2025, making waves with its Thai Charm showcase. The festival, which kicked off…
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BRN operative arrested in Yala for planned January attack
Police apprehended a Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) operative involved in a 2017 bombing incident while he was hiding in Than To district, Yala province. The suspect confessed to entering the village with plans to attack yesterday, January 6. Police received reports from locals about a suspicious man blending in with residents in the Mueang 6 Santi 2 village, Mae Wat…
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Thai AirAsia crowned Thailand’s punctuality king – again
Thai AirAsia has soared above the competition once more, retaining its title as Thailand’s most on-time airline and securing fifth place in Cirium’s prestigious list of top 10 on-time airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. With a punctuality rate of 77.46%, it’s the only Thai carrier to earn a spot in the rankings. CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya hailed the achievement as a…
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Thai mother condemns restaurant after hot soup spills on 4 year old son
A Thai mother condemned workers at a restaurant in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok after a worker accidentally spilled hot soup on her four year old son’s arm on Saturday. The 44 year old veterinarian, Chorphet, shared her family’s story with the public, hoping that the restaurant would take appropriate action regarding the incident. The accident occurred at the Shabu-Shabu restaurant…
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Rare black leopard struts its stuff in Kaeng Krachan park
Visitors to Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province were left awestruck when a rare black leopard made a rare and regal appearance, strutting along the roadside for more than half an hour. This extraordinary encounter, which occurred yesterday morning, January 6, was revealed by Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, the park’s chief. The elusive feline was spotted at kilometre markers 20 to…
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Ex-wife seeks justice over corrupt ex-cyber cop threats
Athiwat Sirikangwalsong, the founder of the Dare to Step Forward page, yesterday accompanied the ex-wife of a former cyber police officer to file a plea for justice at the Technology Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Mueang Thong Thani, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. They submitted evidence to Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan, requesting protection after the woman exposed corrupt practices…
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Lifesaving heroine: Student performs CPR on elderly man in Phuket
A female high school student was praised for her quick response in assisting an elderly man whose heart had stopped while riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. The incident took place yesterday, January 6 at 2pm near the Cherng Talay Shrine on Srisoonthon Road in Cherng Talay subdistrict, Thalang district, Phuket province. Upon receiving a report of an unconscious person…
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Thai drug addict arrested for sexually assaulting ex-mother-in-law
Police yesterday arrested a Thai drug-addict for sexually assaulting his 80 year old former mother-in-law in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive rescued the 80 year old woman, Jai, who was found sleeping on a thin mat by the roadside in the Nong Sarai sub-district, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Jai told the organisation…
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Spotless honesty: Pattaya street cleaner returns lost wallet
A Pattaya street cleaner has stolen the spotlight with a simple yet extraordinary act of honesty, earning admiration far and wide. The cleaner, whose identity remains unknown, stumbled upon a wallet while working on the bustling South Pattaya Walking Street and went above and beyond to ensure its safe return to its rightful owner. Eyewitnesses and online commenters hailed the cleaner’s…
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Japanese man pickpocketed on Bangkok MRT, credit cards used in Isaan
A Japanese man became another victim of credit card fraud in Bangkok while travelling on the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) train. This incident comes hot on the heels of another credit card fraud victim yesterday. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared details of a Thai woman who lost her credit cards after visiting an onsen in Bangkok yesterday, January 6. Her…
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Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will open the Government House on Saturday, January 11, for children and their families in celebration of National Children’s Day. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced that the 38 year old Thai premier will participate in the festivities, which include various activities hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office. One highlight will allow children to sit in the…
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Arrest warrant issued after fatal petrol station shooting in Songkhla
An arrest warrant has been issued for the gunman who fatally shot a former petrol station employee in Songkhla province. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 5 at 5am, was captured by CCTV cameras at a petrol station on Kanjanavanich Road in the Prik subdistrict, Sadao district. The victim, 23 year old Nadon, rode his motorcycle into the station…
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DDC issues raw pork warning as infection cases surge
People are strongly urged to avoid consuming raw or undercooked pork to safeguard against infection from streptococcus suis, also known as hearing loss fever, which can be life-threatening. This advisory comes in response to reports of a rise in cases during the recent extended holiday period in certain provinces. Doctor Taweechai Visanuyothin, Department of Disease Control (DDC) director of Regional…
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Jealous gunman arrested for shooting over woman in Udon Thani
A gunman has been arrested for shooting a 26 year old man twice in the back in a dispute over a woman. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 4 in the Mueang district of Udon Thani province. The victim, Apisit, was shot on the road beneath the Huai Luang Dam but managed to seek help from the dam’s security guard,…
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