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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Sponsored Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...
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Misunderstanding over alleged child abduction in Saraburi clarified
A misunderstanding involving an alleged child abduction gang in Saraburi surfaced after CCTV footage captured the incident. The people involved claimed it was merely playful behaviour. A shop owner supported their statement, and they plan to meet the police yesterday, April 27. The incident began when a Facebook user shared a video showing three men in a white box truck.…
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Fugitive ferry fiend finally caught after 15-year hunt
After evading capture for over 15 years, a former ferry conductor from Khlong Saen Saep has been apprehended for luring and assaulting a 13 year old regular passenger. The incident occurred in a hotel room where the victim was later threatened into silence. Today, April 28, Police Major General Songklot Krikkritaya, commander of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, ordered the arrest…
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Thailand targets nominee accountants to curb illegal foreign businesses
The Ministry of Commerce is set to introduce regulations preventing people acting as nominees from serving as accountants in a bid to curb foreigners from illegally operating businesses in Thailand. Oramon Sapthaweetham, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, revealed that Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisanpang, who chairs the Subcommittee on Preventing and Suppressing Nominee Activities, is prioritising the issue…
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Three Uyghurs relocated to Canada after decade-long detention in Thailand
Three Uyghurs, formerly held at Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, have been relocated to a third country, finally putting an end to an extended diplomatic situation lasting over ten years. As confirmed by government and diplomatic sources, the Uyghurs have been transferred to Canada, following an agreement between Thai and Canadian officials. These individuals had been detained since 2014. This…
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Gunman arrested after killing 17 year old girl over glance exchange
Lam Luk Ka Police Station officers arrested a Thai gunman who killed a 17 year old girl at the weekend following an exchange of glances at a barbecue restaurant in the central province of Pathum Thani on April 20. The 17 year old victim, Wanwisa, also known as Tangmo, lost her life after a fatal shooting on a road in…
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Jailhouse rocks: Thai police go viral for cheeky prison check-in
Wang Noi Provincial Police Station’s Facebook page today shared a humorous post showcasing their prison cell facilities. The post featured two police officers standing inside a jail cell and playfully described the cell’s features and conditions for a check-in. The post invited readers to consider a stay in a loft-style bare concrete room, measuring 31 square metres, complete with a…
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Death dash: Thai man killed after running into traffic in Chon Buri
A 35 year old Thai man met a tragic end on Ban Huai Khai Nao Road, Bang Lamung, when he deliberately darted into oncoming traffic. While one quick-thinking driver narrowly swerved to avoid him, a second vehicle was unable to stop in time, resulting in a fatal collision. Police Lieutenant Monthathip Thongsai from the Huai Yai Police Station received a…
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Foreign Instagrammer slammed for climbing Bangkok’s ghost tower
Both Thai and international netizens criticised a foreign Instagrammer and his friend for breaking into and climbing the renowned ghost tower in Bangkok. The Instagram user, @ryan_rrobertson, shared a video of himself and his friend climbing multiple skyscrapers in various countries. His most recent video showed them at the top of the famous Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok. The property…
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Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans
Pattaya is seeing a noticeable decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, a shift met with mixed feelings by locals and long-term visitors. Business owners reliant on mass tourism have voiced concern, while many European tourists and residents are quietly welcoming the change. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that daily Chinese arrivals in Pattaya have fallen to around 5,000, compared…
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Toyota Vios driver shoots truck driver in Prachuap Khiri Khan
In a shocking early morning showdown, a Toyota Vios driver unleashed six bullets at a truck driver, leaving him critically injured. The dramatic incident unfolded yesterday, April 27, on Phetkasem Road’s southbound stretch near kilometre marker 315 + 600 in the heart of Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. The gunman later handed himself over to the police. The car involved,…
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Grim search as death toll hits 62 at SAO tower collapse in Bangkok
Rescue crews are still battling through mountains of concrete to reach the first floor of the collapsed 30-storey State Audit Office tower in Bangkok, with hopes fading for the dozens still missing after the deadly disaster. Demolition workers are expected to reach the first floor of the devastated skyscraper today, April 28, City Hall confirmed, as the official death toll…
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PP urges govt to drop charges against US academic for tariff talks
The People’s Party (PP), currently in opposition, is advocating for the government to drop charges against American academic Paul Chambers, highlighting its potential impact on tariff negotiations with the United States. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has associated the delay in tariff discussions with US national security concerns. He also referred to legal cases involving Americans, possibly alluding to the…
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2 British men fined after clash with group of Thai men in Pattaya
Two British men clashed with a group of Thai men at a convenience store in Pattaya and were ordered to pay 15,000 baht in compensation. The news Facebook page เจ๊มอย v+ (Jamoi v+) reported the incident yesterday, April 27, and attached a video of the altercation to the post. The initial cause of the confrontation was a road dispute between…
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Crane accident in Bangkok injures two construction workers
Two construction workers sustained injuries when a crane basket cable snapped, causing them to fall onto Pracharat Bamphen Road in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok. The incident yesterday, April 27, occurred near the Huai Khwang intersection. Police Colonel Prasopchok Iampinit, chief of Huai Khwang Police Station, along with Deputy Police Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekachai Malawanno, instructed Police Lieutenant Chaiya Weluwanarak…
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Thailand PM pushes major transport projects in northeast region
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is advocating for major transport development projects in northeast Thailand, aligning with an upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting agenda in Nakhon Phanom tomorrow, April 29. This initiative precedes the PM’s scheduled visit to the area today, where the government is considering transport projects in Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan provinces. The aim is to transform the…
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Pickup truck crash in Chiang Mai injures eight tourists and locals
A pickup truck carrying foreign tourists lost control on a downhill road, crashing into houses and injuring eight people, including six with minor injuries and two seriously. The incident occurred yesterday, April 27, near Mae Win Waterfall in Mae Win subdistrict, Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province. The police at Mae Wang station received reports of the accident and responded…
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Purr-fect excuse: British driver blames cat for crashing BMW into Phuket restaurant
A British man yesterday claimed that he swerved to avoid hitting a cat, causing him to crash his BMW into a house and a restaurant on Kwang Road in Phuket. A Thai owner of a som tum stall on the Kwang Road in the Wichit sub-district of Phuket called officers from Wichit Police Station and rescuers from the Ruam Jai…
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Boy shot dead by cousin after psychic’s chilling prediction
Police in Udon Thani are investigating the heartbreaking death of a 10 year old boy who was accidentally shot by his cousin, also aged 10, while playing with their grandfather’s antique gun. In a chilling twist, a fortune teller had reportedly predicted the youngster’s death, warning of danger after the boy survived several near-misses in the months leading up to…
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Russian man stabbed outside Pattaya condo in jealous rage
A Russian man stabbed a fellow countryman in a jealous rage after seeing the victim speaking with his girlfriend outside a condominium in Pattaya. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to investigate the stabbing at the Sunset Boulevard 2 condominium on Soi Khao Phra Tamnak 4 in Pattaya at about 6pm on Saturday, April 26. Upon arrival, officers…
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Mall brawl: Shoppers pile on gold thief after getaway fail (video)
A bungling gold thief thought he had struck it rich after grabbing a tray of necklaces in a packed shopping mall but his getaway flopped spectacularly when he tried to escape up a down escalator and was tackled by a heroic shopper. At 7pm, yesterday April 27, police were called to the dramatic robbery at Tamnak Thong 5 gold shop,…
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Curry on thief: Pattaya market vendor fleeced by motorbike bandit
A crafty crook made off with a Thai food vendor’s cash after pulling a sneaky stunt at a bustling Pattaya market. The police fear it’s just the latest in a growing trend of brazen street thefts. At 8.06am, yesterday, April 27, officers at Huai Yai Police Station were alerted to a snatch theft at Khao Mai Kaew Market, Pattaya. Patrol…
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Brace yourselves: Thai-thunderstorm warning across 61 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, April 28, forecasting severe thunderstorms across 61 provinces, with the northeastern region particularly affected. Residents are advised to exercise caution, avoid open areas, and beware of strong winds and possible hail. The TMD predicts that upper Thailand will experience summer storms, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and occasional…
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Thai-hard life: Brit’s retirement dream sours over frozen pension
A British expat who dreamed of living out his golden years under the Thai sun says he’s been left counting every baht after his UK state pension was frozen and he reckons it’s “immoral” he’s been abandoned by his own country. Christopher Lee swapped Wrexham for Thailand back in 2010, lured by sizzling sunshine, spicy street food and a slower…
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Phuket seeks special local government organisation status
Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, who leads the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, has submitted a proposal urging for Phuket to be designated as a special local government organisation. This occurred during a visit from a Senate subcommittee. The Senate Subcommittee on Decentralisation, Transfer of Missions and Governance for Local Administrative Organisations and Special Forms of Local Administration visited Phuket on April 23 to…
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Thailand launches digital arrival card to replace paper system
Thailand is set to introduce its Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on May 1, replacing the previous paper-based system for international arrivals. This initiative aims to streamline the arrival process and enhance the screening of transnational criminals, according to immigration officials. The TDAC will be implemented for all international entries via sea, air, or land, as stated by Police Major General…
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Road rage shooting leaves man injured in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A recent road rage incident on Phetkasem Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan province resulted in a 29 year old man being seriously injured after an altercation between two drivers led to gunshots being fired. Police Lieutenant Panom Hongthong from the Khlong Wan Police Station was notified of the shooting at approximately 3am, today, April 27. The incident took place in…
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Former village headman killed at monk ceremony in Ratchaburi
A former village headman was attacked and killed by four youths after attending a monk ordination ceremony in Ratchaburi province. The incident occurred around 12.10am today, April 27, with one additional person seriously injured. Police are currently investigating the case. Police Colonel Saifon Lakpetch was alerted to the incident at the entrance of Soi 6, Moo 3, Ban Rai subdistrict,…
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Smoke on the water: Tour boss caught out in Phi Phi national park
A business operator was fined 10,000 baht for taking foreign tourists to drink beer and smoke cigarettes at sea in the Phi Phi Islands. This incident, captured in a video on social media, showed inappropriate behaviour within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province yesterday, April 26. The post was captioned with a scathing message…
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Thaksin refutes coalition reshuffle rumours in Thailand
In Chiang Mai, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed speculation that the Bhumjaithai Party might be removed from the coalition, amidst reports of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Speaking to the media, Thaksin, father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, emphasised that decisions regarding the Cabinet rest solely with the PM. He further indicated that any Cabinet changes would be comprehensive,…
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SRT extends Thai-Chinese rail project by 201 days
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Board has approved a 201-day extension for the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project between Saraburi and Kaeng Khoi due to structural constraints, including land-use permissions from the Royal Irrigation Department. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala announced the board’s approval for the extension of the contract for the high-speed rail system connecting Bangkok and Nong Khai, a…
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