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.

  • Sponsored

    What do you need before moving from Australia to Thailand?

    Moving from Australia to Thailand is a big step that brings exciting new experiences, a rich culture, and often a more affordable way of living. To settle in with less stress, you need to plan ahead. This means sorting out...

  • Two longtail boats collide on Prachin Buri River, one missing

    Two longtail boats collide on Prachin Buri River, one missing

    A collision between two longtail boats on the Prachin Buri River resulted in one person missing and another slightly injured. The incident occurred today, July 15, at a river bend near the bridge in front of Wat Wang Bua Thong, Mueang Haad Nang Kaew, Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri province. The missing person, identified as 50 year old Yothin Sarai,…

  • Thailand Video News | Naked American pulled from Bangkok drainpipe after bizarre standoff with rescuers, ex-U.S. soldier arrested after violent episode in Pattaya

    Thailand Video News | Naked American pulled from Bangkok drainpipe after bizarre standoff with rescuers, ex-U.S. soldier arrested after violent episode in Pattaya

    In Phuket, a Thai man pleads for the return of his beloved cat caught on CCTV being taken by foreigners. Meanwhile, an ex-U.S. soldier is arrested in Pattaya after a violent outburst, and Bangkok launches major safety reforms on Sukhumvit Road. As Thailand strengthens its stance on online safety and heritage recognition, regional tensions rise with Cambodia’s announcement of a…

  • Wrong fuel refill on minivan leads to garage fire in Chon Buri

    Wrong fuel refill on minivan leads to garage fire in Chon Buri

    Investigating officers reported that a minivan, refuelled with the wrong type of fuel by a petrol station attendant, was behind the fire at a garage in Chon Buri on Sunday, July 13. Residents living near the garage on Porn Prapa Nimit Road in Bang Lamung district were alarmed when the blaze broke out at around 3pm. Five fire engines rushed to…

  • Bark and spite: Drunk Thai man kicks autistic boy after row with dog

    Bark and spite: Drunk Thai man kicks autistic boy after row with dog

    A drunk Thai man was arrested after kicking a seven-year-old special needs boy and his aunt outside a Chiang Mai shopping mall, claiming a barking dog sent him over the edge. The shocking incident unfolded in the Bo Sang area of San Kamphaeng district at 4am on July 13, and the autistic child’s devastated family filed a complaint the following…

  • 2 Chinese men arrested in murder of fellow countryman in Chiang Mai

    2 Chinese men arrested in murder of fellow countryman in Chiang Mai

    Police yesterday, July 14, arrested two Chinese men in connection with the murder of a fellow countryman in Chiang Mai province. Two other suspects remain at large. A Chinese woman filed a complaint at Chiang Saen Police Station on July 8, stating that her younger brother, Yang, had been kidnapped for ransom. The criminal gang demanded 3 million baht from her,…

  • Locals seek lottery luck from ancient tree in Uthai Thani

    Locals seek lottery luck from ancient tree in Uthai Thani

    Residents flocked to a temple in Uthai Thani province ahead of the lottery draw, seeking lucky numbers from a 200 year old takian tree unearthed in a canal. The wife of the excavator operator reported seeing a beautiful woman in traditional Thai attire on the boat. The vibrant scene unfolded at Wat Pakha in Pradu Yuen subdistrict, Lan Sak district,…

  • Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand

    Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand

    Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed yesterday that he has officially signed off on his nominee to lead the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and submitted the selection to the Cabinet for consideration today. Speaking to reporters, Pichai made it clear he had no reservations about collaborating with whichever candidate ultimately gets the nod. “Whoever is selected, I’ll…

  • Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana

    Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana

    A foreign tourist tried to pay his 2,000-baht taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya with a giant bag of marijuana, leaving the stunned cabbie out of pocket and steaming mad. The bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of today, July 15, when 54 year old veteran driver Prachuap, picked up the man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for a trip…

  • Transgender Thais win free hormone therapy in gold card revolution

    Transgender Thais win free hormone therapy in gold card revolution

    Thailand’s Board of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has approved a sweeping plan to make hormone therapy for gender affirmation an official health benefit under the country’s Universal Health Coverage, known as the Gold Card system. The move, green-lit with a budget exceeding 145 million baht for fiscal year 2025, aims to promote equality and improve the well-being of…

  • Jilted ex drives to Phuket with pistol to settle grudge with wife

    Jilted ex drives to Phuket with pistol to settle grudge with wife

    A jilted ex with a grudge and a gun was busted trying to drive into Phuket, allegedly on a mission to confront his ex-wife over a bitter money dispute. Checkpoint police got more than they bargained for on July 13 when they stopped a vehicle at the Tha Chatchai road entry and discovered a loaded 9mm pistol along with 35…

  • Brollies up as Bangkok and 38 provinces brace for floods

    Brollies up as Bangkok and 38 provinces brace for floods

    Get ready to be drenched, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that Bangkok and 38 provinces are in for a lashing, with heavy rain, flash floods and forest runoffs on the cards. The TMD have sounded the alarm, urging residents, especially those in low-lying areas or near rivers and canals, to stay on high alert as the downpours roll in. The…

  • Helmet-wielding lunatic causes chaos in Pattaya fast food joint

    Helmet-wielding lunatic causes chaos in Pattaya fast food joint

    A helmet-wielding lunatic sparked panic on a busy Pattaya street after attacking innocent bystanders in a bizarre bid to make headlines, so his estranged wife would notice him. Police scrambled to Soi Nern Plab Wan at 11.06pm, yesterday, July 14 after reports of a deranged man lashing out with a safety helmet outside a fast-food joint. The scene was already…

  • CCTV captures foreign men taking Thai man’s cat in Phuket

    CCTV captures foreign men taking Thai man’s cat in Phuket

    A Thai man urged two foreign men to return his pet cat after they were caught on CCTV taking the animal from outside his restaurant in Phuket. The cat’s owner, Win Mungkon, took to social media yesterday, July 13, to search for his missing pet, whose name was not revealed. He asked Newshawk Phuket to help publicise the incident in…

  • Youth clashes in Buriram spark fear with explosive disturbances

    Youth clashes in Buriram spark fear with explosive disturbances

    Youths wielding weapons clashed in a mass brawl in Buriram’s Mueang district, causing alarm among locals due to explosive noises over three consecutive nights. The incident reportedly involved nearly 50 people, some armed with long knives. A viral Facebook video captured the chaos where one group was heard shouting, “Don’t talk to me about the law; it can’t do anything.”…

  • Thief caught sleeping in Udon Thani home but escapes before arrest

    Thief caught sleeping in Udon Thani home but escapes before arrest

    Homeowners in the Isaan province of Udon Thani encountered a thief sleeping inside their house after a burglary, but were unable to catch the suspect due to safety concerns. The homeowner, 50 year old Kiattisak, called officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station to investigate after his two sons, 16 year old Por and 15 year old Per, discovered the…

  • Boot and run: Thug kicks young Thai woman in Pattaya bar assault

    Boot and run: Thug kicks young Thai woman in Pattaya bar assault

    A 21 year old woman was left traumatised and housebound after being viciously kicked in the head by a stranger during a shocking unprovoked attack at a Pattaya bar, all because someone allegedly thought she was “staring.” The victim, known only as Piano, had been enjoying a night out with two friends in the Nong Prue area of the resort…

  • Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade

    Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade

    Phuket raked in nearly 3 billion baht during the four-day religious holiday but tourist numbers have taken a worrying dip, with Chinese arrivals more than halved and Middle Eastern travellers staying away. The Khao Phansa Buddhist holiday on July 10–11 gave locals a golden excuse for a long weekend, sending thousands of Thai tourists flocking to the island. Foreigners, meanwhile,…

  • Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    A naked American man, trapped in a Bangkok sewer, refused assistance from a rescue team and bit one of the rescuers on her wrist. Officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station today, July 14, responded to an incident outside a condominium on Kanlapaphruek Road in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok after the condo manager reported seeing a naked foreign…

  • Ruff justice: Phuket MP bites back over ‘mafia dog’ slur

    Ruff justice: Phuket MP bites back over ‘mafia dog’ slur

    A Phuket MP has filed a police complaint after being branded a “servant dog of the Chinese mafia” in a vicious online smear campaign that he says was designed to destroy his reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, Member of Parliament for Constituency 2 in Phuket, marched into Phuket City Police Station at 10am, yesterday, July 14, with his lawyer in tow, demanding…

  • Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women were arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from an 80 year old monk at his residence. The police apprehended the suspects in a rented room following their confession and are proceeding with legal action. On July 11, Manun, the 29 year old nephew of a monk, Thong Suk, at Bang Mod Sothonaram Temple, sought media assistance to…

  • Truck crash in Lop Buri kills woman at fruit stall

    Truck crash in Lop Buri kills woman at fruit stall

    A six-wheel truck with a trailer lost control and crashed into a roadside fruit stall, leading to the death of a woman yesterday, July 13. Her husband narrowly escaped the incident, which occurred in Lop Buri province, while the driver is suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthapong Wongwang from the Tha Hin Police Station…

  • Eight year old in Pattani diagnosed with tetanus after incomplete vaccinations

    Eight year old in Pattani diagnosed with tetanus after incomplete vaccinations

    An eight year old boy in Pattani was diagnosed with tetanus after experiencing jaw pain, difficulty swallowing, and stiffness for four days. Examination revealed an incomplete vaccination history. Health professionals recommend ensuring children receive all scheduled vaccinations to prevent such serious illnesses. The case was shared by Sulkiflee Saei on Facebook, highlighting a rare incident encountered at Pattani Hospital’s children’s…

  • Phuket up! Aussie teen’s Thai trip nearly ends in coke bust horror

    Phuket up! Aussie teen’s Thai trip nearly ends in coke bust horror

    An Aussie teen has sounded the alarm to fellow young travellers after a boozy night out in Phuket nearly ended in disaster when a couple allegedly tried to lure her and a friend into taking drugs, in a country where that could mean the death penalty. Mia Pacor, now 18, recalled the terrifying brush with trouble in a TikTok video,…

  • Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Police raided a shop called TOM GUN KUP near a university in Bangkok, seizing a large quantity of kratom juice and dangerous drugs. The operation yesterday, July 13, led to the arrest of 26 year old Jirakit and 23 year old sales employee, Nanthanat. Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with his team, including Deputy Superintendent Voraprat Wuttarak and Police Captain…

  • GI dough! Retired American blows a fuse in Pattaya bar brawl

    GI dough! Retired American blows a fuse in Pattaya bar brawl

    A retired American soldier turned English teacher went berserk at a South Pattaya bar last night, frightening staff and sending security into full alert. But, his fury ended up in handcuffs after a full-blown meltdown on Soi 5. The former American GI, James, thought to be around 60, is accused of spitting at bar girls, smashing a pot of incense,…

  • Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    A 34 year old woman reported her motorcycle stolen by her boyfriend, prompting police action in Taling Chan district, Bangkok. The woman later admitted the theft claim was false, driven by anger over alleged domestic abuse. Officers at Taling Chan Police Station were informed of the theft yesterday, July 13. The woman, identified as Kanda, alleged that her motorcycle, registered…

  • Ladies’ night bust-up in Pattaya leaves serial sleaze in cuffs

    Ladies’ night bust-up in Pattaya leaves serial sleaze in cuffs

    Pattaya police have appealed for more witnesses after a suspected serial sleazebag, dubbed the “Boom Khunphaen Rider,” was dramatically restrained by a group of angry women in the heart of Pattaya on Saturday night. He has been accused of blackmail, threats and physical violence. The 26 year old motorbike courier, named as Phonlawat, was reportedly chased down and cornered outside…

  • Thai monk denies affair with foreign man’s wife in Phuket

    Thai monk denies affair with foreign man’s wife in Phuket

    A Thai monk in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat denied having an affair with a foreign man’s wife in Phuket, following an accusation made by the woman’s neighbour. A Thai man living in Phuket, Satsawat, accused his neighbour of allegedly engaging in an affair with a monk identified as Apichart Damjam, from Cha-uat district in Nakhon Si Thammarat.…

  • Worker dies after machinery accident in Samut Prakan

    Worker dies after machinery accident in Samut Prakan

    A maintenance worker succumbed to injuries after a machine fell on his head in Samut Prakan province. Despite attempts by colleagues to rush him to the hospital on a motorbike, he died en route. Yesterday, July 13, at 8.30pm, the Prakarn Rescue Centre was informed of the incident where a worker was crushed by machinery. The worker was being transported…

  • Pae’s the limit: New poll reveals most Thais want PM to quit

    Pae’s the limit: New poll reveals most Thais want PM to quit

    Pressure is piling on currently suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a new poll showing most of the public want her to quit or call fresh elections, just weeks after a leaked audio tape threw her government into crisis. The latest survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA poll), titled “What path should Thai politics take?” found…