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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Scorching summer ahead: Thailand braces for 43°C heatwave
Thailand is set to officially enter its sizzling summer season at the end of February, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 43°C, the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) announced today. The scorching season will last until May, driven by hot southerly winds sweeping across the country. However, the north and northeast will continue to see cool mornings throughout March…
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Secret door at Don Mueang Airport sparks investigation
A former MP accused a transport minister and officials of corruption, alleging that they allowed people to enter and exit Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok via a secret door without passing through immigration and customs. Watchara Phetthong, a former MP from the Democrat Party, submitted a complaint to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (ONACC) regarding a secret…
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Gold prices hit record high amid Trump’s tariff threats
Gold prices reached a new record after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, creating further uncertainty in global financial markets. The price of bullion surged beyond US$2,895 an ounce following a 2.2% increase last week, driven by heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid the president’s trade threats. Trump indicated on February 9…
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Black water crisis: Pollution hits Kamala Beach again
Phuket’s paradise image is once again under threat as black wastewater was seen gushing onto Kamala Beach, where unsuspecting tourists and locals swim. Despite repeated promises of urgent action, pollution continues to plague the island’s beaches, raising serious health concerns. Following public outrage, Pollution Control Department (PCD) Director General Preeyaporn Suwannaket ordered an urgent investigation into the foul-smelling wastewater contaminating…
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Canadian man found dead in car near Phuket beach
Police have launched an investigation after a Canadian man was found dead inside a parked car near Nui Beach in Karon yesterday morning, leaving officers puzzled over the circumstances of his death. Karon Police were alerted to the scene at approximately 9.15am yesterday, February 10, where they found the man’s body inside a Mitsubishi Xpander with Phuket registration. His lifeless…
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High-stakes hiss: 4 metre king cobra captured after tense showdown
A highly aggressive king cobra measuring 4 metres in length was safely captured after it raised its hood over 1 metre high and threatened to strike. The incident occurred on Sunday, February 9, when 62 year old Sunthon Chumanuan, residing at 98/1, Village 1, Sathon subdistrict, Nathawi district, Songkhla province, alerted police to the presence of a large and fierce…
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Vietjet’s Valentine’s surprise: Fly with fares from just 690 baht
Vietjet Thailand is celebrating the season of love with an irresistible Valentine’s – Fly for Love promotion, offering special fares starting at just 690 baht for domestic routes and 1,690 baht for international flights. Lovebirds and travel enthusiasts can book their dream getaway between February 10 to 14, with travel available from March 16 to October 25 (excluding public holidays, terms apply).…
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Thai actress suspended, beauty queen removed over soup attack
A production company suspended a Thai actress and the organiser of a beauty pageant cancelled a transgender beauty queen’s title following their alleged involvement with two suspects in the hot soup attack on an LGBTQIA+ university student in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. Officers from Khlong Luang Police Station arrested two LGBTQIA+ university students from Bangkok University, 22 year old…
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Monkey shelters in Phetchaburi to be ready by March
The Government of Thailand is overseeing the construction of monkey shelters in Phetchaburi, which are expected to be completed by March. These facilities aim to accommodate troublesome monkeys from Phetchaburi city, addressing the issue of overpopulation. Yesterday, February 10, at the Huai Sai Wildlife Breeding Station in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province, Yutthaphon Angkinan, a former advisor to the minister of natural…
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PM mulls lifting alcohol restrictions for tourists on Buddhist holidays
Thailand’s strict alcohol sales restrictions could soon be scrapped as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra orders a review of outdated laws limiting alcohol sales on Buddhist holidays and between 2pm and 5pm. The move aims to boost tourism, with concerns that foreign visitors are unaware of these restrictions and find them inconvenient. Following a Cabinet meeting, the 38 year old prime…
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Seabed drilling starts for Koh Samui bridge project
Seabed drilling started yesterday, February 10, as part of a geographical survey for a proposed bridge linking Koh Samui to mainland Surat Thani, according to Koh Samui’s Marine Office branch. The office, under acting director Adul Ralukemul, issued an announcement to caution vessels navigating in the vicinity. The advisory specifies the area between latitude 09°19’15.19″N and longitude 009°49’05.59″E to latitude…
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Pattaya tourists fuming as Makha Bucha shuts down nightlife
Pattaya’s famous nightlife is set to go silent as officials enforce a strict alcohol ban in observance of Makha Bucha Day, leaving frustrated tourists scrambling for alternative plans. From 12.01am to 11.59pm tomorrow, February 12, all businesses—including shops, pubs, and bars—are strictly prohibited from selling alcohol. The Pattaya Police Department issued a stern warning, urging establishments to comply or risk…
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Elderly driver crashes Honda HR-V into pole in Bangkok
A 72 year old man drove a Honda HR-V into a utility pole, splitting it in half, as the vehicle spun to the opposite side of the road. Witnesses reported seeing the car approach at high speed without braking. The incident occurred at 3.30pm yesterday, February 10, opposite Rama 6 Soi 11, Rong Mueang subdistrict, Pathum Wan district, Bangkok. Volunteers…
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From bars to blooms: Phuket’s old prison set for a green makeover
Phuket’s infamous Twilight Zone is getting a green makeover! The historic Phuket Prison, one of Thailand’s oldest correctional facilities, is being transformed into a sprawling public park in the heart of Phuket Town. The ambitious project, led by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), will turn the 33-rai site into a vibrant recreational space featuring an observation tower, a multipurpose…
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Police dial in on call centre scams at Thai-Cambodian border
Police recently conducted an inspection of Internet and mobile phone signals near the Thai-Cambodian border, specifically targeting call centre gangs in Poipet. Yesterday, February 10, at 4pm, Police Lieutenant General Yingyos Thepchamnong and Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting Secretary General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), visited the area to inspect mobile phone base stations and international connection points, collaborating…
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Firefighters contain forest fire threat near Pattaya homes
A forest fire near Pattaya was successfully contained by firefighters after it posed a threat to nearby homes. At 3.06pm on Sunday, February 9, the Nong Prue Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation team, in conjunction with the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre, was alerted to a forest fire at Soi Boon Samphan 14, near Pattaya. Emergency services responded promptly to…
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Thailand govt eases spending rules for 10000 baht digital wallet
The Thai government plans to relax conditions for spending under the third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet programme, ensuring access for those without smartphones. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the funds would be disbursed in the second quarter of this year. The Economic Stimulus Subcommittee has shown readiness and confidence in the blockchain system, with banks…
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Police in Lampang seize six million meth pills, arrest two
Police in Lampang province successfully apprehended two Hmong men involved in transporting a large quantity of methamphetamine amounting to six million pills. Residents assisted in the capture after a high-speed chase. The suspects revealed they were paid 500,000 baht (US$14,680) to drive the vehicle, and police are seeking three more people connected to the operation. Yesterday, February 10, at 11am,…
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Bangkok battles coastal erosion with new wave barrier initiative
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is collaborating with various organisations to combat the persistent erosion of Bangkok’s coastline in the Bang Khun Thian district. Jessada Chandraprabha, the director of the BMA’s Drainage and Sewerage Department, recently updated on the ongoing initiatives to tackle this issue affecting the capital’s shoreline. He explained that the department is working closely with related agencies…
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Burmese man jailed 15 days for throwing dog into sea
A Burmese national has been sentenced to 15 days in prison without probation after a shocking video emerged showing the man repeatedly throwing a helpless puppy into the sea off Koh Samui. The disturbing footage, which went viral on February 7, captured the man forcefully hurling the terrified stray dog into the water. Each time the puppy desperately swam back…
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Thai soldier dies in Bangkok public park in suspected suicide
A Thai soldier reportedly took his own life at a public volleyball court in Wachirabenchathat Park, also known as Rot Fai Park, in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok last night. A group of people playing volleyball fled the court after hearing a gunshot close to them at around 8pm, yesterday, February 10. Once the situation calmed, they returned to the…
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Worker dies in tragic accident at Nakhon Ratchasima waste centre
A tragic accident occurred at a municipal waste sorting centre in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday when a 20 year old worker was killed after falling into a rotating trash compactor. Police Lieutenant Ketsadawut Meephon from the Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station received the report at 4.30pm, yesterday, February 10, and proceeded to the scene at the waste management facility in Mueang district,…
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Construction barrier collision in Pattaya leaves motorcyclist dead
A 29 year old Thai man tragically lost his life after his motorcycle collided with a construction barrier in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre was alerted to the accident on Pattaya Third Road at 1.36am on Sunday, February 9. Upon receiving the report, they coordinated with Pattaya police and dispatched rescue volunteers. Reporters from The Pattaya News also arrived…
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Russian woman arrested for smoking in Phuket shopping mall
Phuket police officers arrested a Russian woman who fled without paying for a haircut and smoked a cigarette inside a shopping mall despite a warning from security guards. The news Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (which translates to Phuket is so brutal) shared the video of the foreign woman yesterday, February 10, with a caption that read… “What drugs are you high…
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Last call for change: Businesses push to end 2-5pm booze ban
Hotels and businesses selling alcohol have urged the government to abolish the restriction on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. They argue that this regulation is outdated and no longer relevant. This request coincides with the progression of a bill amending the alcohol beverages control law, which is poised to advance to its second and third readings in the House…
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Sleeping Indian tourists in viral Pattaya video were migrants
A viral video that took social media by storm last week, allegedly showing Indian tourists snoozing on Pattaya Beach, has been debunked. The supposed tourists were, in fact, migrants. The controversial video, widely shared online, drew heavy criticism after it appeared to capture over 100 Indian tourists taking over a tract of Pattaya Beach. They were filmed setting up impromptu…
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Foreign woman rescued after six hours floating off Krabi coast
Thai fishermen rescued a foreign woman who had been floating in the middle of the sea for six hours in the southern province of Krabi yesterday, February 10. A Thai woman, Arun, reported to the community leader in Krabi’s Khlong Thom district that one of her employees found a foreign woman floating in the sea about 6 kilometres from Koh…
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Aeroflot flight makes emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport
A Moscow-bound Aeroflot flight turned into a mid-air ordeal after a landing gear malfunction forced the aircraft to circle over the Andaman Sea for hours before making an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Aeroflot Flight SU277, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 346 people, took off from Phuket Airport at 3.20pm yesterday, February 10. Shortly after departure, the nose gear…
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Naomi Campbell discusses Thai fashion industry boost with PM
Former supermodel Naomi Campbell engaged in discussions with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, February 10, aiming to elevate Thailand’s presence in the global fashion industry by fostering the development of supermodels and fashion. Campbell’s meeting with the prime minister at the Government House focused on strategies to position Thailand as a leading nation for supermodels and a hub for…
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4 foreign hackers behind 560 million baht malware scam arrested in Phuket
Royal Thai Police (RTP) arrested four foreign hackers who fled Switzerland to evade arrest warrants to hide in Phuket after operating a malware scam that defrauded more than 1,000 victims, causing total losses of over US$16 million, or approximately 560 million baht. Swiss officials sought cooperation from the RTP to extradite the four malware scammers back to Switzerland for further legal…
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