Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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Repeat offender rearrested in Bangkok five minutes after release
A repeat offender found himself back behind bars just five minutes after he had been released from prison for theft in Chon Buri. The suspect stole money from numerous donation boxes. Initially from Udon Thani province, 21 year old Saharat Sananthai was apprehended by Banglamung police as he exited Min Buri Central Prison in Bangkok yesterday, July 8. Saharat had finished…
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Thai man missing in national park in northern Thailand
A Thai man went missing four days ago while trekking in Phu Soi Dao National Park in the northern province of Uttaradit. A search mission continues for 27 year old Thanwarit Mateema, who disappeared while walking up to the camping area on Phu Soi Dao Mountain. Thanwarit was the last person to register to stay at the national park office’s…
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Cat-astrophic fire in Bangkok building kills 21 cats, injures five
A devastating fire last night engulfed a four-storey commercial building in Don Mueang, Bangkok, leaving 21 cats dead and five others injured. Within ten minutes, firefighters managed to control the blaze, which erupted. The fire broke out at 10.20pm, yesterday, July 7, in a residential area on Chang Akat Uthit 15 Alley, Don Mueang. Local police coordinated with fire services…
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Outgoing Senate to fulfil duties until new members endorsed by EC
Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai affirmed that the outgoing Senate will continue its duties until the Election Commission (EC) officially endorses the 200 new senators. This statement comes amid questions from political analysts and senators-elect regarding the outgoing Senate’s role in reviewing the budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Concerns have been raised about why the outgoing senators, whose terms…
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Chinese couple remains at large after public sex show in Thailand
Police are searching for a Chinese couple after they were caught having sex in public in a university car park in the city centre of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Photos of the naked Chinese couple were shared in a local Facebook group in Chiang Mai yesterday, July 7. The photos showed two Thai police officers intervening in the…
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Thai student races ahead: Wins design comp for Red Bull F1 car
A Thai student has gained international recognition by winning a design competition for the Red Bull Racing Formula One car to be used in the British Grand Prix. The Public Relations Department Region 3 in Chiang Mai posted on Facebook celebrating the achievement of Chonlath Suwannik, a 16 year old student from The Prince Royal’s College in Chiang Mai. Chonlath,…
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Pathum Thani PAO chairman suspended amid corruption trial
The recently elected Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) Chairman in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, faces suspension from duty due to malfeasance, pending a court decision, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin confirmed that the provincial officers will adhere to the legal advice provided by the Council of State (CoS), which recommends suspension due to Charn’s ongoing trial for malfeasance. While…
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Salaween River reroute raises fishy fears: Ecological impact alarm
Concerns are mounting over the potential ecological impact of diverting water from the Salween River to the Ping River, with experts warning of a possible decline in fish stocks due to invasive species and genetic contamination. Fisheries biologist Apinan Suwannarak from Maejo University revealed that the Nam Yuam Dam project, which aims to redirect up to 1.8 billion cubic metres…
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Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run
Police arrested a Russian DJ at a rented room in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, for crashing an SUV into a motorcyclist last year. A Thai motorcyclist, whose identity was not disclosed, was severely injured in an accident on Koh Pha Ngan on July 30 of last year. A white Toyota Fortuner SUV…
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Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for 45 provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for severe weather, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain across 45 provinces, with Bangkok expected to be significantly impacted. Citizens are advised to take precautions against the potential dangers of severe rain and flooding. Today, July 8, the TMD forecasts that the southwest monsoon will cover the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the…
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Thai woman arrested for drugging, and robbing foreign date
Pattaya police arrested a Thai woman on charges of drugging and robbing her foreign date in Bangkok, making off with a Rolex watch and a gold chain worth over 500,000 baht. The incident, which took place on June 20, came to light after the foreign tourist complained to the Huai Khwang Police Station. The complaint alleged that the tourist was…
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Minibus crash in Surat Thani injures ten foreign tourists
A minibus carrying foreign tourists overturned yesterday, injuring ten passengers. The accident occurred around 6.30am, yesterday, July 7, on Phunphin-Mueang Road in the Tha Lon sub-district, Phunphin district, Surat Thani province. Police and rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene where they found the minibus overturned on the roadside. The ten foreign tourists, who sustained minor injuries, were swiftly transported…
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Bangkok brawl leaves two teens dead, one injured in soi showdown
Two teenagers were found dead yesterday and another 16 year old was severely injured following a fatal brawl involving several teenagers in Soi Udomsuk 26, Bang Na in Bangkok. Bangkok police received a report at 11.30pm, Sunday, July 7, regarding the killing and injuries. Upon arrival, officers and rescuers discovered the bodies of the two victims, one 14 and the…
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Road rage incident in Chiang Mai sparks online debate (video)
A recent incident involving a road rage altercation in Chiang Mai drew significant attention online. The dispute began when a woman driving slowly in the right lane was confronted by an irate driver, who accused her of using her mobile phone while driving. The incident, which occurred yesterday, involved 28 year old Aem, who was driving on Samphoch 700 Pi…
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Bangkok police arrest man with 200 methamphetamine pills
Police apprehended a man after he attempted to flee during a routine check, discovering 200 methamphetamine pills in his possession. The arrest took place outside a supermarket on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. The incident began when officers from Bang Khen Police Station, including Anant Warasat, Sanpich Sirisoonthorn, and Adul Phothakan, received a report of a group of teenagers fighting.…
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Teen brawl in Bangna leaves two dead and several injured
A tragic altercation among teenagers in Bangna escalated, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries. The confrontation, involving youths aged 14 to 16 years old, led to the arrest of seven individuals. The incident occurred late at night outside a residence in the Udomsuk 26 alley. Police responded to a report of a violent brawl involving a group of teenagers,…
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Tourists rescued after speedboat sinks off Surat Thani coast
A speedboat carrying tourists on a fishing trip was hit by large waves, causing it to take on water and eventually sink. Five people were left stranded in the sea before being rescued by local fishing boats and the marine police. At 12.20am today, the marine police received a distress call from relatives of the speedboat’s driver, alerting them that…
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Fatal crash at notorious Panthong bend leaves one dead, several injured
A severe accident occurred at a notorious bend in Panthong, Chon Buri, resulting in the death of one individual and serious injuries to several others. The collision involved an Isuzu SUV and a Toyota pickup truck. At 4.30am today, Kittikul Amatatrakul, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Panthong Police Station, Chon Buri, received a report of a crash at the Christian…
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Thailand proposes 75% foreign ownership in condos, extending leases to 99 years
The government’s proposal to increase foreign ownership quotas for condominiums to 75% and extend land leasehold terms to 99 years has raised concerns, though officials are downplaying potential negative impacts. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke addressed these concerns in a Facebook post, asserting that regulations could be introduced to mitigate any adverse effects on Thai citizens. The proposal aims to raise…
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Chon Buri police raid villa party, seize drugs and arrest man
Police in Chon Buri raided a pool villa party in Najomtien, seizing drugs and arresting a 29 year old man. The police acted on a tip-off regarding loud music and suspicious activities at the property. At around 3.30pm yesterday, officers led by Police Colonel Wattanachai Saengrith, along with Deputy Superintendent Arut Saphanont and an investigation team, stormed the villa located…
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Tourist chaos in Phuket: van theft and crash disrupt traffic
A foreign tourist caused a chaotic scene in Phuket by assaulting a Myanmar worker, escaping from the hospital, stealing a van, and crashing it into another van on Patong Hill, leading to severe traffic congestion. Yesterday, law enforcement officers from Patong Police Station responded to an accident involving two vans near the Por Sue Shrine on Phra Barami Road, Patong…
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Thailand to reclassify cannabis as narcotic from 2025
The Ministry of Public Health has announced a proposal to classify cannabis and hemp as illegal narcotics under Thai law. This decision follows a meeting of the Narcotics Control Board, where the majority agreed on the medical and research benefits of cannabis but opposed its recreational use. A minority expressed concerns that strict regulations might cause public inconvenience. The draft…
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Police raid finds underage patrons at Boston Rangsit in Pathum Thani
Pak Khlong Rangsit police, supported by relevant agencies, conducted a raid at 1am yesterday on an entertainment venue in Mueang Pathum Thani. The establishment, known as Boston Rangsit, was found to be violating several regulations, including serving patrons under 20 years old. During the operation, police performed drug tests and checked ID cards. Over 81 individuals were discovered to be…
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Parcel worker shot dead in Ranong over alleged affair
A shooting incident occurred yesterday evening, July 5, behind a market in Ranong, leaving a private parcel delivery employee dead and his family in mourning. Witnesses reported a physical altercation between the victim and a man in black before shots were fired. Police received the distress call around 6.42pm and immediately dispatched officers and medical personnel to the scene. The…
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Motorcyclist’s leg severed in Nakhon Ratchasima bridge crash
A young man riding a big bike lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a bridge railing, resulting in a severe injury where his leg was severed and he fell 7 metres. He remains in ICU in critical condition. The motorcycle accident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand yesterday, July 5. The incident was reported by local journalists who detailed…
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Thai man sets fire to irrigation house in Pak Kret, wife hospitalised
A man set fire to an irrigation house in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, leaving his wife hospitalised after an assault. The incident occurred at 5pm yesterday, July 5, prompting immediate intervention by local police and fire services. Police responded to a call from residents reporting a man in a frenzied state setting fire to a government-owned house in Bang Talat, Pak…
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Illegal streaming site administrator arrested in Phuket
Police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) have arrested the administrator of the illegal movie streaming website dolphin4k in Phuket for copyright infringement. The suspect, 33 year old Supakrit was apprehended along with various items used in the illicit operation, including 16 Android signal boxes pre-installed with applications for viewing pirated movies, one flash drive, a computer, and a…
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Thai police arrest man for stealing motorcycles to fund drug use
Police officers from Division 5 of the Crime Suppression Division raided a house and arrested a 25 year old Thai man for stealing motorcycles over three consecutive nights. The stolen motorcycles were sold to buy methamphetamine and for leisure activities. On July 5, police officers led by Phattawut Onchuay, Hatthaphon Thongkham, and Kitiphum Sriphaeo executed a warrant issued by the…
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