South Thailand News
Southern Thailand news, Phuket news, Koh Samui news, and Krabi updates—stay informed on business, tourism, and local events from Trang, Songkhla, Yala, and beyond. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Southern Thailand news source.
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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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Teen shot dead in Yala amid rising gang violence
Yala witnessed a tragic incident when two teenagers on a motorcycle shot at another group of youths, resulting in one fatality and one severe injury. The police have been struggling to control frequent gang-related violence in the area. Yala City Police Station yesterday, August 8, received a report of a shooting at the entrance of Banogo Tuen Ngor Alley in…
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Thai cops trim crime: Israeli drug dealer & Russian barber snipped
Pha Ngan Tourist Police in the southern province of Surat Thani reported the successful arrest of an Israeli drug dealer and a Russian man illegally operating a barbershop on the island. Pha Ngan Tourist Police launched an operation to arrest foreigners working illegally and committing crimes on the island following multiple complaints from locals in the area. The investigation into…
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Khao Sok National Park to sue travel agency after fatal cave death
Khao Sok National Park in the southern province of Surat Thani plans to sue a travel agency after two Thai tour guides violated safety rules and took 22 foreign tourists to Nam Talu Cave during its closure, resulting in the death of one guide in the flash flood on Tuesday, August 6. National park rangers and rescuers saved the other…
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Laotian man arrested for secret filming in public restrooms
A Laotian man has been arrested for secretly filming women, particularly young girls, in public restrooms and selling the footage to private groups. The suspect, identified as a 31 year old man confessed to the crime, which generated hundreds of thousands of baht. Yesterday, August 7, law enforcement officials, including Pattarawit Keetamotaneeyakul, the Trang Provincial Police Commissioner, along with Rattakhon…
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Nam Talu Cave flash flood: Thai guide dead, 22 foreigners saved
Khao Sok National Park rangers and rescuers saved a Thai tour guide and 22 foreign tourists from a flash flood while they were exploring Nam Talu Cave in the southern province of Surat Thani. Another Thai tour guide was initially reported missing but was later found dead in the cave. National park rangers were alerted to the flash flood on…
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Phatthalung police bust Honda Wave motorcycle theft ring
Police in the Bang Kaeo district of Phatthalung province successfully dismantled a motorcycle theft ring that targeted Honda Wave motorcycles for resale in neighbouring countries. This operation was led by Adirek Thongkamkaew, the superintendent of Bang Kaew Police Station, along with officers Wasan Wongruang and Danai Kaewnarn. Four individuals were arrested during the operation. The suspects include 46 year old…
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Wild elephant found dead from electrocution in Ranong sanctuary
A wild elephant was found dead from electrocution at the radar hill in the Thungraya-Nasak Wildlife Sanctuary in Ranong province. The elephant, believed to have pulled down a tree that fell on high-voltage power lines, was discovered by local government officials who are now working to protect the remaining five elephants in the area. Chawakun Sithisak, deputy inspector of Muang…
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Thai man attacked and threatened with M16 rifle after road row
A Thai man sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after an influential person in the southern province of Phang Nga after being physically assaulted and threatened with an M16 rifle following a row on the road. The 23 year old victim, Kiattiphum, shared with Saimai Survive that his rival attempted to kill him. The row between them began after…
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Thai woman arrested in Hat Yai for online fraud
Police in Songkhla apprehended a Thai woman linked to an online fraud network, where victims were conned into transferring money for goods they never received. The suspect, already facing four arrest warrants, was detained in Hat Yai. Police teams from three units collaborated to arrest 31 year old Wichuda, the owner of a mule account, in the Suthiphatra alley within…
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New facilitator boosts Thai-BRN peace talk optimism
Peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement are expected to yield positive outcomes with the appointment of a new talks facilitator. This optimism stems from the recent designation of Datuk Mohd Rabin Bin Basir, former Director-General of Malaysia’s National Security Council, as the new mediator by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He replaces…
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Community chief ends life after shooting ex-girlfriend in Phetchaburi
A Thai community chief in the southern province of Phetchaburi committed suicide after shooting his ex-girlfriend at her beauty salon. Fortunately, the woman survived the shooting but remains in a critical condition. A Thai man, Luechai, rushed to his girlfriend’s beauty salon in the Banlat district of Phetchaburi after hearing two gunshots while talking to her on the phone. Upon…
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Belgian thief’s key to crime: Unlocking 200,000 baht (video)
Songkhla Provincial Immigration Police yesterday arrested a Belgian man after he stole hotel key cards from Thai and Malaysian victims and robbed them of 200,000 baht. Police arrested the 26 year old Belgian thief, Abdelali, at a hotel in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province yesterday, August 1, after the Thai and Malaysian victims filed a theft complaint with…
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Hapless Thai thieves arrested after showing off ill-gotten wealth
Two hapless Thai thieves were arrested after showing off their ill-gotten wealth to neighbours in the southern province of Songkhla. A 67 year old homeowner and victim, Itsaree, filed a complaint with Mueang Songkhla Police Station after a long list of valuables disappeared from her home on Saiburi Road in Songkhla. The theft took place at about 8pm on July…
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Thai travel agency workers fight to win customers at Krabi Airport
Residents expressed concern about Thailand’s tourism image after witnessing two Thai travel agency workers fight each other to win customers at Krabi International Airport in southern Thailand. A 37 year old woman named Su shared pictures of herself with injuries to Channel 7 to seek justice after her rival, Oil, attacked her on Sunday, July 28. Su said the attack…
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Thai woman killed by stray bullet after neighbours’ dog dispute
Two Thai men engaged in a heated argument over a dog which led to the shooting and death of a 61 year old neighbour at a rented room in the southern province of Trang. A 64 year old Thai man, Samran, was charged with intentional murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a gun after the death of a 61…
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Neighbours come together for peace in Myanmar conflict
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa called on Myanmar’s neighbouring countries to strengthen their cooperation in encouraging all parties involved in Myanmar’s civil war to halt the ongoing conflict since the 2021 military coup. Maris spoke to Kyodo News and Thai media in Vientiane yesterday, July 29, noting that he had informal discussions with his counterparts from Myanmar and India concerning the…
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Prime minister fears for Trat amid worsening floods
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced serious concern about the ongoing flooding in Trat, which has persisted since it was first reported last week. The government is closely monitoring the situation in the eastern province, according to a Facebook post by the Thai premier yesterday, July 29. The 62 year old Thai prime minister expressed gratitude to the Royal Thai Armed…
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Sergeant killed in Pattani clash as two officers injured
A recent clash in Pattani tragically resulted in the death of an officer during a law enforcement mission. Two other officers are currently receiving medical care following the incident. The incident occurred yesterday when security forces conducted a coordinated operation to apprehend insurgents in Na Ket, Khok Pho District, Pattani. During the operation, insurgents threw a grenade at the officers,…
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Bomb and gunfire injures four officers in Pattani
Khok Pho district in Pattani was thrown into chaos yesterday as negotiations failed, leading to an assailant throwing a bomb and opening fire on officials. Initial reports indicate four officers were injured in the incident. Officials arrived at Ban Khlong Chang in Na Ket subdistrict, Khok Pho district, Pattani province at 7.30am yesterday, July 26 following a tip-off from local…
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Efforts intensify to protect rare marine species in Andaman Sea
Efforts to protect rare marine species along the Andaman Sea have intensified, with new aerial surveys revealing the presence of dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins, highlighting a thriving marine ecosystem. The initiative, spearheaded by senior officials, aims to conserve these precious resources. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pachara Wongsoonsawat has shown significant concern for the…
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Yala durian farmers struggle with low prices after export rejection
Durian farmers in Yala are facing severe financial hardship due to plummeting prices, with farm-gate prices ranging from 55 to 80 baht per kilogramme. Farmers are appealing for assistance to raise the prices to at least 100 baht per kilogramme. The issue arose after China rejected four shipments of durians, totalling approximately 17,000 kilogrammes, citing the presence of caterpillars. Investigations…
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Thai man steals masseuse’s phone after failing to rape her
Police arrested a Thai man yesterday in the southern province of Songkhla for attempting to rape a masseuse before changing his mind and stealing her mobile phone instead because she was on her period. The 28 year old masseuse escaped from the attempted rape and sought help from motorists on a road in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla. She…
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TB outbreak looming on Thailand-Myanmar border
Mae Sot Hospital, on the edge of the Thailand-Myanmar border in Tak province, issued a stark warning about a looming tuberculosis (TB) outbreak. Mae Sot Hospital Director Dr Rames Wongwilairat urged health and immigration officials in Mae Sot to stay vigilant. He emphasised the need for personnel in close contact with Myanmar migrants to wear face masks as a preventive…
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Cult blamed for deadly killing rampage in Surat Thani
Police reported that a strange cult allegedly led a Thai man to go on a killing rampage yesterday, taking the life of his niece and injuring her daughter at a palm plantation in the southern province. The violent rampage was reported at approximately 2pm yesterday, July 25, at a palm plantation in the Phrasaeng district of Surat Thani. Officers from…
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Ex-police officer foiled in Phatthalung gold shop robbery attempt
A former police officer, dismissed from service, attempted to rob a gold shop in Phatthalung’s central market. Armed with a gun and a hammer, the suspect was thwarted by the shop owner who noticed the gun was fake and managed to apprehend him. Phatthalung City Police Station received a report at around 11.30am from a concerned citizen about a robbery…
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Thai woman accuses ex-husband’s wife of killing him for fortune
A Thai woman in the southern province of Krabi accused her ex-husband’s wife of killing him for his 10 million baht fortune. The wife admitted to killing her husband but did not mention her husband’s assets. Officers from Khao Phanom Police Station were alerted to the death of 52 year old Thai man Preecha at 9pm on July 22. He…
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Highways Department’s tree-mendous tribute for king’s birthday
The Department of Highways, District 16, recently launched a tree-planting initiative in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday. The event took place at Highway 44, between the kilometre markers 132+700, in Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani. The event saw the participation of over 700 individuals, including executives, highway department officials, employees, and contractors. Led by Paijit Saengthong, Director…
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Phuket leads in dengue crisis: Kids worst hit in southern Thailand
Phuket has emerged as the hotspot for dengue fever in upper southern Thailand, with the highest infection rates among seven provinces, according to the Department of Disease Control’s regional office. Dr Darinda Rosa, acting Director of Health Region 11’s Disease Control Office, highlighted a significant surge in dengue cases from January 1 to yesterday, totalling 5,853. Children aged 10-14 are…
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Koh Panyi vendors slammed for fleecing South Korean YouTubers
Thai netizens condemned local vendors on Koh Panyi, an island in the southern province of Phang Nga, for overcharging two South Korean YouTubers. Some netizens claimed that the island locals also overcharged domestic tourists. The drama emerged after the YouTube channel Cullen HateBerry released a video in which Paek Ki Deuk, better known as Cullen, and his friend Jung visited…
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Thai man rides tricycle 5 days in rain to aid family in Sukhothai
A 60 year old Thai man embarked on a perilous journey, riding his motorised tricycle from Trang to Sukhothai through heavy rain for four nights and five days, despite having no money. His mission was to reunite with and support his struggling daughter and five grandchildren. Sithidon, originally from Wang Thong Daeng, Mueang district, Sukhothai, had been working in Trang…
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