South Thailand News
Stay updated with the latest Southern Thailand news at The Thaiger, your ultimate source for regional information. Keep informed on local events, business developments, and lifestyle stories in popular locations beyond Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi. We’ve got reports of the latest goings on in Trang, Songkhla, Yala, and more.
Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, The Thaiger’s Southern Thailand news page is your essential guide to exploring this stunning tropical region. Dive into the vibrant community and rich culture with our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.
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Sponsored Promoting sustainable tourism at Blue Tree Phuket: Initiatives and impact
Blue Tree Phuket has been offering experiences that are both fun and environmentally conscious for many years. The comprehensive entertainment hub and waterpark has implemented numerous programs to enhance the sustainability of its practices, with its most recent endeavour being...
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Moroccan arrested for murder of Austrian DJ on Koh Pha-ngan
A Moroccan national was arrested for the murder of an Austrian DJ on Koh Pha-ngan yesterday. The suspect, 37 year old Anas Rakib stands accused in connection with the brutal murder of Austrian DJ Max Hartl in Surat Thani province. Hartl’s lifeless body was discovered on Thursday, February 22, a grim sight beside a quiet roadside, his features marred by…
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Universal Health Coverage expands to eight more provinces
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme is set to empower members with unprecedented healthcare options across eight additional provinces. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, heading the National Health Security Board, announced the green light for expanding the UHC digital health platform. This expansion encompasses provinces such as Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Phang Nga, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen,…
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Thailand’s state railway to construct three new double-track routes
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is advancing with plans to construct three double-track railroad routes that will span a total of 634 kilometres. The project, which will require a combined investment of 113.14 billion baht, has been approved by the SRT board and is due to be submitted to the Transport Ministry later this month. SRT governor Nirut Maneepan…
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Thai man arrested for selling rare macaques on Facebook
A Thai man was apprehended in the Na Yong district of Trang yesterday for allegedly peddling macaques on Facebook. The operation, led by officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, uncovered a live macaque stashed inside 26 year old Wutthichai Tunrat’s pickup truck. Wutthichai faces serious charges including trading protected wildlife without permission and illegal possession of wild…
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Thai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13
A Thai man addicted to drugs crashed his pickup into a roadside pavilion in the Sadao district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to 13 other pupils. Officers from Sadao Police Station were alerted to the fatal car accident at about 11am yesterday, February 21. The accident took place when…
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Southern Thailand sees room revenue surge due to European visitors
Southern provinces of Thailand are experiencing a boost in room revenue in the first quarter, thanks to extended stays by European visitors. This increase has occurred despite the lesser number of tourists from China. Room rates have reached a new high, setting a record. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, the ex-president of the Tourism Council of Phangnga predicted the surge. “The first quarter…
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Krabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop
A Chinese woman went on a rampage in the southern province of Krabi after breaking up with her boyfriend. She blocked the road, attempted to undress, and bit a police officer on the arm. Mueang Krabi Police Station and Tourist Police officers tried to calm the 34 year old Chinese woman, Zhang Yanxin, after she startled motorists. Witnesses reported that…
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World’s second-worst deep-fried delight a blessing?
In the bustling Saturday night market of Phiman subdistrict, Satun’s Mueang district, a fried silkworm vendor stands proudly behind her sizzling cauldron of the world’s second-worst dish. The vendor, Patcharee Thongprasom, revealed that since the TasteAtlas verdict hit the headlines, it’s been raining customers. “Before, I’d shift around 2 kilogrammes a night. Now? Doubled to a whopping 4 kilos!” For…
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DSI seizes 10 million baht in uncertified goods in southern Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid today in the warehouse of a renowned online merchant in Yala province, seizing over 10 million baht worth of uncertified goods. The operation was led by Chayaphon Saitawee, the director of the Special Case Operations Center in the Southern Border Provinces. The DSI, alongside the administrative officials of Mueang Yala District…
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Songkhla sings new tune: Lifting bus restrictions could drive cross-border travel
Songkhla province is considering lifting restrictions on foreign-registered buses, potentially allowing them to cross provincial boundaries. The move aims to attract more visitors, predominantly from Malaysia, to explore other scenic destinations in southern Thailand, reveals a local tourism authority. President of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, Charoon Kaewwaveesub, disclosed today that Songkhla, in collaboration with the local land transport office, has…
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Thailand’s newest UNESCO learning cities revealed, Bangkok on the list
Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Yala have clinched spots in UNESCO’s 2024 Global Network for Learning Cities (GNLC), heralding a new era of lifelong learning across Thailand. Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob unveiled the exciting news, showcasing Thailand’s commitment to fostering continuous education and development. Joining the ranks of previously listed cities such as Chiang Rai (2019), Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chachoengsao…
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Trang single mother of nine faces dire straits on 200 baht a day
Battling against overwhelming odds, a 30 year old single mother, identified only by her nickname Dam, shoulders the responsibility of caring for nine lives in a cramped rental home in Trang province. Her household includes her five children, two siblings with support needs, and a nephew. The family’s struggle is compounded by a meagre income, making their daily survival a…
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Valentine’s veteran: Krabi man seals 14th marriage, aiming for happy ever after
A 69 year old Thai man in the southern province of Krabi signed a marriage certificate for the 14th time this Valentine’s Day and hoped his current wife would be the final chapter of his love saga after 13 unlucky attempts. Mueang Krabi District Office held a special Valentine’s Day event at the province’s popular tourist attraction Klonh Root, also…
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British tourist’s body found in Cheow Lan Dam after intense search
A British tourist’s body surfaced at Cheow Lan Dam three days after the individual went missing, prompting expressions of gratitude from the British Embassy for the search efforts. The 24 year old, along with friends, had embarked on a kayaking trip from their accommodation at the Kraisorn Resort in Khao Sok National Park‘s protection Unit 7 (Kraisorn) area near the…
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Village leader fatally shot in Surat Thani, community mourns
Tragedy struck a local community in Surat Thani province when a 35 year old village leader was fatally shot in an appalling act of violence. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9pm yesterday, February 13, has left the village in shock and mourning. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon Sukpradit, the investigative officer from Kanjanadit Police Station, the emergency call came…
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Valentine trend: Banknote bouquets outsell roses in Trang
Valentine’s Day in Trang witnessed an innovative gifting trend that has captured the hearts of many: beautifully crafted bouquets made not only with traditional roses but also with chocolate and banknotes. At Ari Flower Shop on Jermpanya Road, in the Thap Thiang district of Trang, the owner and her team are busy preparing these unique bouquets for the season of…
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Search continues for British man missing in southern Thailand
A 24 year old British man went missing yesterday while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. Supot Juinark, the director of Khao Sok National Park, reported to officers at Ban Ta Khun Police Station around 12:30pm yesterday, February 11, that 24 year old Englishman…
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Royal Thai Navy busts illegal oil smuggling ring in South Thailand
The Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a report about a boat allegedly involved in illicit oil smuggling to fishing vessels near Songkhla yesterday, February 8. In response, the RTN launched an investigation which uncovered a vessel specifically adapted for clandestine oil transportation, carrying an astonishing 10,000 litres of illicit oil intended for local fishermen…
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Bristol backpacker in bar brawl bloodbath: Brit stabbed in neck in Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
A horrifying incident unfolded at Bamboo Bar on Koh Pha Ngan, where a British backpacker from Bristol was attacked, leaving him gushing blood after being stabbed in the neck in a Thai bar brawl. Hugo Mooney found himself sprawled on the floor of Bamboo Bar on the infamous Full Moon Party island of Koh Pha Ngan, his life hanging by…
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Thailand’s iconic Maya Bay: From Hollywood glamour to environmental struggle
Maya Bay, nestled in Thailand’s Phang-Nga province, clinched third place in the world’s beaches, according to the Lonely Planet travel guide. Dubbed “a slip of a beach hidden by limestone cliffs,” Maya Bay skyrocketed to international fame when acclaimed director Danny Boyle handpicked it as the backdrop for his blockbuster hit The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite its cinematic allure,…
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Thai airports set to soar with billion-baht boost
The AOT, eagerly awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), is on the cusp of obtaining public airport certification for Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports. According to Police General Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of the board, the AOT will begin the development of its airports as planned once the certifications have been received.…
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Dugongs’ dinner dilemma: Seagrass vanishing act sparks fears for marine giants
The disappearance of vital seagrass in the southern province of Trang has marine scientists and conservationists on high alert. The dwindling seagrass, a key food source for dugongs, has raised concerns over the fate of these gentle sea mammals. Seagrass, the culinary delight of dugongs, is vanishing at an alarming rate from the pristine seas off Thailand’s southern province of…
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Thai cow-napper foiled: Sedan heist leads to moo-ving mishap
A Thai thief was apprehended by police after he attempted to steal a cow in his sedan. The animal managed to free itself and caused an accident in the southern province of Narathiwas. Su-ngai Padi Police Station officers were alerted to the car accident on the Ban Pawai-Ban Igubu Road in the Su-ngai Padi district of Narathiwas on February 2.…
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Aussie Muay Thai boxer’s career on the ropes after Koh Samui road knockout
The promising career of a talented Aussie Muay Thai boxer is on the ropes after a devastating knockout by a man driving on the wrong side of the road while riding his scooter on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. In keeping with the trend, his insurance company declared that the aspiring martial arts fighter was not covered for…
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Southern Thailand to acquire new Andaman Airport
Envisioned as a direct long-haul flight hub, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is fast-tracking the construction of the much-anticipated Andaman International Airport. In a recent visit, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit inspected the airport’s progress in Phang Nga province, initiating transformative steps to bolster local transport infrastructure. The Andaman International Airport, currently in its second stage of development, is strategically crafted to…
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Thai food vendor sparks debate after giving free food to foreign backpacker (video)
A Thai food vendor sparked a debate on social media after giving free food to a foreign backpacker in the southern province of Surat Thani. Many netizens hailed the vendor’s gesture while others said the foreign woman just took advantage of Thais’ kindness. The food vendor shared a video of the foreign backpacker eating food at her restaurant on her…
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Songkhla community faces steep rent hike from temple land
Residents of the community surrounding Wat Khuan Mit in Songkhla raised concerns as the temple, which owns the land they reside on, dramatically increased the rent by twelvefold. The escalation in rental fees has led to severe hardship for the locals, many of whom have lived there since their ancestors’ time. Negotiations with the temple’s caretakers have not yielded any…
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Thai police apprehend call centre scam gang in Sungai Kolok district
A call centre scam gang was apprehended by the police in the district of Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat province yesterday, January 27. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Chief, Jirabhop Bhuridej, disclosed that the operation was executed in collaboration with the Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 6 and local police. They raided a house located in the border district with Malaysia. The arrested…
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Thai father attacks suspect who sexually assaulted his daughter
A Thai father in the southern province of Chumphon tied up and brutally attacked an alleged pedophile who reportedly sexually assaulted his 11 year old daughter. Police said they could not arrest the pervert until they got results from the victim’s medical examination. The physical assault against the 42 year old Thai man was reported to the Phutta Phratheep Lang…
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Tourists survive speedboat crash in Trat
A tourist speedboat crashed into a reef 16 miles off the Laem Thian area on Koh Kut, Trat on January 24. The Trat Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center (CARDC) dispatched three marine rescue speedboats at 2.30pm to the island with the aid of 12 tourists and three crew members who were stranded. However, at one point the rescue teams…
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