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 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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Thai fireworks depot owners surrender following fatal explosion investigation
The owners of a recently annihilated fireworks depo in Narathiwat yesterday handed themselves over to the police. This revelation was announced by an on-scene informant who wished to remain unnamed. The owners, Sompong Napol and Piyanuch Puengwirawat, both 42, made their way back into Thai territory through the Sadao checkpoint connecting Thailand and Malaysia. This development came on the heels of…
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A young boy’s plea to King for rooftop repairs gets heartwarming response
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, a young boy from a destitute family has successfully received aid to restore the dilapidated rooftop of his home after his plea to His Majesty the King was met with a positive response. Nine-year-old, Thirat Thongphet lives in a modest village within Khuntalay, a section of the Lan Saka district. The youngster penned a plea on…
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Student abandons newborn after giving birth in petrol station during field trip
A seventh grade student from Narathiwat gave birth in a petrol station toilet during a school outing in the southern province of Pattalung and abandoned her newborn baby girl. Officials were alerted to the case at around 9.30am today. Investigation of CCTV footage from the station led to the student being identified and located. The incident took place at a…
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Juicy bust: Thai police squeeze illicit kratom factory
A substantial operation by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday, culminated in the seizure of an illicit factory manufacturing kratom leaf juice. The raid led to the confiscation of around 3000 bottles of cough syrup, three guns, and the arrest of one suspect. The RTP stormed into the clandestine factory situated along Khlong Toei-Khlong Ple Road nearby the Kho Hong…
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Undercover officer fatally shot in Pattani: Potential drug trafficking link being investigated
A 29 year old undercover law enforcement officer was fatally shot last night following his return from investigating drug trafficking in Mayor district, Pattani Province. Currently, police are conducting an urgent probe into the incident to discern the motive and the assailants. After receiving a report of a fatal shooting incident involving a police officer on Chonlatarn Road in Mayor,…
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Full Moon Party faces Buddha Days, water shortages this month
Local party and event organisers have scrambled to host the infamous Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Beach in Koh Pha Ngan this week while facing a number of setbacks. The country is seeing a surge in tourism due to the super-extended six-day holiday weekend, but that brings a downside for the partygoers on the island. Normally the week of…
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Koh Tao sees record-breaking one-day tourist influx
The island of Koh Tao has seen a record-breaking number of tourists reported to have landed on July 28. The Surat Thani Provincial Governor, Wichuwat Jinto, shared the good news earlier today. Koh Tao, the smallest of the three main southern gulf islands, welcomed a staggering 3,106 visitors, all of whom arrived via boat on the same day. This influx…
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Firework warehouse explosion kills 12, damages 292 homes
In the Sungai Kolok district of the Deep South province of Narathiwat, a devastating explosion in a firework warehouse claimed 12 lives and injured another 121 injuries yesterday. The explosion also resulted in significant damage to the surrounding area with 292 houses reported to be damaged or entirely obliterated, as announced by the provincial public relations office on their Facebook…
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Ancient mysteries unearthed: Skeletal remains found under South Thailand sports stadium
Three sets of skeletal remains have been discovered underneath Nakhon Si Thammarat’s central sports stadium, believed to be from an ancient cemetery over a century old. The archaeological find was made during construction work for a drainage pipe behind two football fields. An evening inspection, following the report of the discovery, was led by Police Captain Thanathorn Panchu, Investigation Officer…
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Ex-Hat Yai mayor handed 9-year prison sentence and heft fine over monument funds misuse
In a long-standing case spanning over 18 years, the former mayor of Hat Yai City in Songkhla province has been handed a nine-year prison sentence and a fine of 12.4 million baht by the Supreme Court. The verdict came yesterday, related to accusations dating back to between February 1 and February 4, 2005. Prai Pattano was accused of misspending funds…
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Herb collector saved in 16-hour daring mountain rescue operation in southern Thailand
A high-intensity rescue operation managed to save the life of a 55 year old man from a precarious mountain fall in the Chao Pra Mountain, located in Trang province in southern Thailand. This formidable rescue mission, which spanned 16 hours, was carried out by more than 30 expert rescue workers who found the injured man within a crevice on the…
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Massive Hat Yai raid seizes 5,000+ illicit cigarette packs, 2 arrested
A major raid took place today in southern Thailand, where police, Songkhla administrative officials, and officers from the Excise Office raided a large illicit cigarette shop. The officials seized a considerable amount of contraband alongside a hefty sum of cash. The incident took place in the city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province. The operation was headed by Chavakij Suwankiri,…
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Bhumjaithai Party proposes bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims stranded abroad
A groundbreaking solution is on the horizon as the Bhumjaithai Party‘s Southern working committee strategises a preventative measure; proposing a bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims from potential misery abroad brought about by issues back home. Astoundingly, above 500 pilgrims hailing from Yala, Thailand found themselves in an unfortunate entanglement, trapped and unsupervised on arrival in Saudi Arabia during the…
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Southern Thailand calamity: Lorry crash kills retired school director, triggers village blackout
A lorry plunged into a house and hit a retired school director who was out for a walk, causing fatal injuries, in a village in southern Thailand. The mishap also caused damage to a residence and a high-voltage power pole and left three motorcycles damaged. Lieutenant Bundit Prasert, deputy investigator of Betong Police Station, today rushed to the scene at…
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Thai woman detained over fraudulent number plates and illegal cigarettes haul
The Highway Police detained a Thai woman over fraudulent number plates attached to her vehicle. This follows a report from a man who received a speeding ticket, despite never having driven in the area where the offence was allegedly committed. After an investigation by the police, the suspect was tracked down. The search also revealed an additional case with numerous…
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Storm hits Trang, uprooted tree traps bedridden woman in her home
As storms lashed the district of Kantang in the southern Trang province last night, emergency services were called to rescue a 78 year old bedridden woman and her family. The disastrous weather resulted in a 100 year old banyan tree falling on their residence and trapping them inside. The rescue operation was coordinated with local authorities under the leadership of…
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Quadruple murder suspect arrested in southern Thailand
The man believed to be responsible for the brutal shooting and killing of four people, including a 60 year old local man and three Burmese workers, has been apprehended in southern Thailand. The 44 year old suspect was also responsible for the killing of a dog in the same area. The murders, believed to be fuelled by existing disputes, ensued…
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Ex-military man turns himself in for fatal case of mistaken identity in milk trailer shoot-out
In a shocking turn of events, a woman who drove a milk transport trailer was brutally gunned down in a tragic case of mistaken identity. An ex-military personnel, assigned to the Thung Song area in Nakhon Si Thammarat, turned himself in and confessed to being the gunman, in lieu of a mercenary fee. However, he had targeted the wrong person. The…
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Songkhla temple encourages solar cell donations, not traditional wax candles, for Lent
A temple in Songkhla province put up a clear sign requesting that instead of offering traditional wax candles for the upcoming Buddhist Lent, supporters should donate solar cells. The use of local language on the signage has added a touch of levity and sparked conversation amongst the community. Lieb Temple has grabbed attention with its unique request showcased on banners…
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12-day mystery unfolds as missing Thai woman’s body found near coconut plantation
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the disfigured and naked body of a Thai woman discovered near a coconut plantation in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The Thai woman, whose body had been mutilated by animals, had been missing from home for 12 days. The shocking discovery was made close to a creak near the plantation, on the road to a sand…
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Pattani conflict escalates: Negotiator killed
An escalation in the conflict between armed militia and security forces in Pattani province yesterday saw two fatalities and one arrest. In a coordinated operation, government forces succeeded in fatally shooting an armed militant and detaining a woman. The unfortunate loss of a local official, who was involved in peaceful negotiations, also transpired amidst the crossfire. The incident took place…
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20 illegal Myanmar migrants captured in Thailand on way to Malaysia
In a new development on Thailand’s immigration issues, 20 illegal migrants from Myanmar were captured in their pursuit of work in Malaysia. The migrants were hiding at an abandoned property in Sadao, a district forming part of the southern border province Songkhla. Acting on collected intelligence yesterday suggesting the house was sheltering those travelling unlawfully to Malaysia, Immigration and local…
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Trang unveils Nang Fa Waterfall, capturing the hearts of tourists
Trang province boasts a brilliant new tourist attraction that has already grabbed the attention of foreign visitors. Named Nang Fa Waterfall, also known as the slider, offers shimmering water amid a backdrop of stunning nature and enthralling activities. The local community plays a part in preserving and promoting this tourist spot. Residents of Tambon Chong in Trang’s Na Yong district…
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Roadside rescue turns into drug bust as police uncover meth pills and firearms
A potential roadside rescue incident today remarkably turned into a drug bust. Highway police in Surat Thani province initially responded to what appeared to be a broken-down vehicle but unexpectedly stumbled upon a sizeable drug haul hidden in the car’s compartment. The suspicious behaviour of the driver, a 31 year old man, led the police to undertake a search of…
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Viral harvest: Durian’s captivating dance on TikTok leaves viewers in awe
A captivating TikTok video boasting over 13.9 million views within a mere day showcases impressive skill and accuracy in the harrowing task of durian harvesting. The durian trees, found in a farm in Chumphon province, tower as high as 5 to 9 metres, setting an imposing stage for the intriguing footage. Captured from the vantage point of a brave individual…
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Taking the insurgency by storm: Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing
The forthcoming military withdrawal in the southern region of Thailand, which has seen 19 years of insurgent unrest, is currently in its initial phase, according to Fourth Region Army commander, Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak. The four-year plan aims to gradually decrease military presence and remove the state of emergency that has been prevalent in the area. Since 2004, Yala, Narathiwat,…
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Sichon set to champion tranquil tourism in Southern Thailand as destination emerges as new travel hot spot
Seafront enclave in Nakhon Si Thammarat to start welcoming international flights Travellers are able to explore the authentic cultural and natural heritage of the region Former Laguna Phuket CEO, Ravi Chandran, heralds the huge potential of the destination Southern Thailand never fails to wow the world’s travellers with its sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and rich cultural heritage. Now, a new…
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Pattalung school teacher investigated for alleged child abuse
A female teacher is under investigation for alleged child abuse at a school in Pattalung‘s Pa Phayom district. The investigations follow reports that the teacher hit the back of a five year old boy, leaving visible bruises, after he accidentally scratched her car. The incident came to light when the boy’s parents lodged a formal complaint at the local police…
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Volcano durian: South Thailand farmer introduces unique breed to nationwide praise
In South Thailand a farmer has successfully grown a unique variety of durian, calling it a ‘volcano durian.’ Harvesting started a couple of days ago and the fruits, selling for 200 baht per kilogram, have already attracted numerous customers from across the country. Sixty-year-old Sai Yud Chansawang owns a durian orchard located in the Na Yung district, Trang province. With more…
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Teen brutally attacked by former friend at Surat Thani school
A school experience turned traumatic for a 16 year old secondary school girl in Surat Thani province when a former close female friend scarred her face and stabbed her in the stomach with a knife in the middle of school premises. The assault landed her with severe injuries. The school’s principal dismissed the idea that the news was suppressed after…
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