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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Man in Chon Buri arrested for killing puppy in shocking incident
Today, April 13, in Chon Buri’s Mueang district, a distressing incident occurred involving a man who reportedly placed a puppy into a fertiliser sack and smashed it to the ground, resulting in the animal’s death. A concerned citizen captured the act on video, showing the man entering an alley with a group of barking dogs before committing the act. Nirat…
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Tourists protest inflated water prices at Hat Yai Songkran festival
Tourists at the Hat Yai Midnight Songkran festival in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, today raised concerns over the inflated prices of water sold for the event, with costs reaching 1,000 baht for 200 litres. Many Malaysian tourists participated in the festival, attracting vendors who charged significantly higher prices for water, claiming it included ice. The Songkhla governor, Chotinrin Kerdsom,…
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Photographer surrenders after fatal Suphan Buri shooting
A fatal shooting occurred at a schoolteacher’s residence in Suphan Buri, leaving a senior police officer dead. The suspect, a photographer from a well-known TV channel, has surrendered to the police. Investigations into the motive are ongoing. Yesterday, April 12, Police Lieutenant Colonel Panya Yupitak, Deputy Superintendent (Investigation) at Thung Khok Police Station in Suphan Buri province, was alerted to…
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Bangkok man charged with murder after shooting pregnant wife
At noon yesterday, April 12, a tragic incident occurred in the Thung Khru district of Bangkok, when a 35 year old pregnant woman was shot dead in her home by her husband. The suspect confessed to the police that a heated argument led to the fatal shooting, with charges of intentional murder and firearm violations filed against him. The incident…
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Vietnamese woman arrested in Bangkok for Songkran thefts
A 42 year old Vietnamese woman was apprehended in Bangkok for allegedly cutting open bags of people praying during Songkran festivities. The arrest, made today, April 13, at 2.30am, followed surveillance footage capturing the act. The operation involved multiple high-ranking police officers, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom. Nguyen, charged with theft and disguising herself to avoid detection, was arrested in…
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Thailand to curb illegal rentals with new booking regulations
State agencies are being encouraged to collaborate with online accommodation booking platforms to create a system ensuring that only legally registered hotels and accommodation providers can accept online reservations. This initiative is driven by the House Committee on Consumer Protection, following discussions with state agencies and online travel companies regarding the illegal rental of condominium units in violation of the…
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Songkran 2025 triggers travel surge across Thailand
Songkran 2025 kicked off yesterday, April 12, marked by extensive travel as thousands journeyed to their home provinces or holiday destinations across Thailand. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor, Veeris Ammarapala, reported that Krungthep Apiwat Station was bustling with activity. The passenger count was anticipated to exceed 117,000 on the first day, with over 81,000 departures. To manage the…
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Chinese YouTuber mugged in Pattaya by fellow nationals
A Chinese YouTuber was discovered with severe injuries in Pattaya in the early hours of yesterday, April 12, after reportedly being tricked into a mugging by two fellow Chinese nationals. Police in Chon Buri’s resort town were notified by a resident at 5.10am about a man who had been assaulted and left on the roadside in Soi Thep Prasit 6/1,…
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Thailand’s flower power: a splash of life and tradition
Thailand’s a place that grabs you—steamy air, spicy street food, and then there’s the flowers. Walk through any market, and you’ll see orchids spilling over tables, lotus buds bobbing in water, jasmine tucked into garlands. They’re not just there to look nice; they’re part of what makes Thailand tick. I’ve watched vendors weave them into offerings and kids hawk them…
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Maha Songkran World Water Festival splashes on Bangkok
The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 kicked off with a vibrant atmosphere at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, drawing large crowds to enjoy the festivities. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event will run until Tuesday, April 15, 3pm to 11.30pm daily. The festival features various highlight zones, including the Giant Maha Songkran zone, where visitors can capture…
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Canadian’s US$3,000 necklace stolen by transgenders in Pattaya
A Canadian tourist has reported a shocking theft on Pattaya Beach Road, alleging that a group of transgenders stole his gold necklace in the early hours of yesterday, April 11. At 1.06am, 57 year old Canadian national Nirbjit filed a complaint with Pattaya Police, recounting a bizarre and unsettling encounter. According to Nirbjit, as he was walking past a McDonald’s…
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Bangkok building collapse death toll rises to 32
The ongoing rescue operation at the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok revealed five additional fatalities, raising the death toll to 32. Suriyachai Raviwan, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reported that emergency services have been working tirelessly to locate the missing. Information indicated that the area with flashing light signals was under a beam tilted…
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Thailand to negotiate US trade policies, avoid pork imports
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Pichet Choonhavan, outlined five strategies to address the issue of the so-called Trump tariffs, emphasising that Thailand will not import pork due to concerns about the impact on domestic producers. Following a meeting on Thailand’s approach to US trade policies, Pichet revealed that while no specific date has been set for negotiations with the…
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Truck crash causes major disruption on Phuket road
Motorists are being warned to steer clear of Patak Road over Kata Hill, following a dramatic accident involving a 10-wheel truck. The truck skidded on the wet, rain-slicked road and crashed into three power poles, bringing down live cables and causing major disruptions. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12.15pm yesterday, April 11, has led to a temporary road closure…
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Engineering student stabbed to death in central Thailand
A 26 year old engineering student from Rajamangala University was fatally stabbed by a group of approximately 10 people. The incident occurred while he was on his way home after his internship. Although his personal belongings remained intact, his student jacket was missing. The incident involved Thanat, a fourth-year engineering student, who was attacked with a sharp object, sustaining injuries…
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Tourist police raid Pattaya salon, arrest foreigners without permits
A beauty salon in central Pattaya was the scene of a shocking bust yesterday, April 11, when Tourist Police apprehended a group of foreigners working illegally without the proper permits. The raid, conducted by an investigation team from the Tourist Police Bureau, revealed several individuals, believed to be Chinese nationals, providing beauty services to customers without the necessary work authorisations.…
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Tourist boat fire injures two near Koh Kut, southeast Thailand
A tourist boat carrying a family of four caught fire near Koh Kut in Trat province, injuring at least two people yesterday, April 11. Provincial officials were notified to assist at approximately 11.40am, as the Aor Subpiti was engulfed in flames, with initial reports mentioning one injured person on board. The boat held a family of four tourists and a…
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Thaksin hospitalisation ethics probe to conclude by May
An ethics investigation into the doctors involved in the hospitalisation of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital is progressing on schedule, according to the Medical Council of Thailand. Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa, Vice President of the Medical Council, addressed the media yesterday, April 11, clarifying that there has been no delay in the proceedings. He noted that a subcommittee is…
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Water spouts create spectacle in Chalong Bay, not a tornado
Water spouts moving through Chalong Bay’s anchorage sparked online discussions yesterday, April 11, with many referring to the event as a “tornado.” However, Brent McInnes from the Phuket Cruising Yacht Club, who witnessed the event, clarified that this was not the case. Several videos of the water spouts were shared online by onlookers, including staff at the Phuket Tourist Assistance…
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Lost in the woods: Italian tourists rescued on Koh Pha Ngan
Police on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province successfully located two Italian tourists lost in the forest for over three hours yesterday, April 11. The incident was reported by Police Lieutenant Vinij Bunchit after coordination with the Italian embassy, leading to the activation of local search and rescue teams. The two tourists, Maria Florencia Abaca and Linda Rattero, found…
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Thailand issues summer storm alert amid severe weather
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its sixth warning about an impending summer storm affecting 45 provinces today, April 12, with severe weather expected in the North and Northeast regions. The public should be cautious of strong winds, hail, and potential lightning strikes from April 12 to 14. The summer storm warning highlights that the upper areas of Thailand…
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Thai tourists flock to China for Songkran deals, beating Japan
The Thai Travel Agents Association (ATTA) revealed that China has surged to the top of the list for Thai travellers heading abroad during this year’s Songkran holiday, from April 12 to 16. According to TTAA advisor Thanapol Chewarattanaporn, the shift is being driven by airlines slashing airfares to China amid a slump in incoming Chinese tourists. “China has become the…
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Pattaya mayor vows transparency in stadium project
During a recent site inspection, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet assured residents that the city is working closely with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to ensure transparency and accountability in government-led projects. At the centre of this renewed focus is the long-delayed Eastern Sports Stadium, which has faced criticism for missed deadlines and management hiccups. Mayor Poramet explained that delays in…
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Chinese steel factory raided over Bangkok building collapse
The factory at the centre of Thailand’s latest construction scandal was raided today as investigators ramped up scrutiny into the supplier linked to the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The Department of Industrial Works’ “Sud Soi” team, under the Industry Ministry, stormed the Xin Ke Yuan (SKY) Steel Ltd facility in Rayong’s…
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Thai man sits on moving car bonnet after argument with wife
A furious Thai man sparked chaos on the roads near Bangkok after a blazing row with his Burmese wife — by leaping onto the bonnet of her moving car in a desperate bid to stop her leaving their home in Nonthaburi. The domestic bust-up reportedly erupted over her son from a previous marriage, leaving stunned drivers watching the drama unfold…
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Bangkok unites in mass prayer for quake victims
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt led a solemn Buddhist chanting ceremony today in memory of the victims of the devastating building collapse in Chatuchak district, which was triggered by the powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28. The collapse of the under-construction SAO building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road has left the city shaken. As of today, April 11,…
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American in Thailand admits threatening US senator
A 53 year old American living in Thailand is facing up to 10 years in prison after reportedly admitting to threatening to murder a US senator and his staff, all because of too many political emails. Eric Charles Welton, an American expat residing in Thailand, allegedly pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 9, to making death threats against US Senator Thom…
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Trash for cash: Bangkok offers bin discount for food waste sorting
Throwing out your leftovers could now save you money! Bangkok’s new sort and save scheme is giving households a reason to separate their scraps, with discounts on the horizon and rubbish fees on the rise. Bangkok residents in six districts are being offered a financial incentive to sort their waste as part of a new food scrap recycling initiative launching…
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Thai girl left blind and disabled after overdose at Bangkok hospital
A nine year old Thai girl visited a hospital in Bangkok for treatment of diarrhoea but disaster struck when the medical team allegedly administered an overdose of medication, resulting in blindness and cerebral palsy (CP). Renowned lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadej shared details of the case on his Facebook account on April 9. He began his post by stating, “#WrongMedicineChangeLife. A doctor…
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Late-night transgender fight shocks tourists on Pattaya Beach (video)
A dramatic altercation between two transgender women broke out on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of yesterday morning drawing the attention of stunned tourists and quickly going viral online. At 2.36am yesterday, April 10, Pattaya Police were alerted to the scene of the fight. Officers rushed to the popular beachfront location but, by the time they arrived, the pair…
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