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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Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Pattaya wrong-way driver damages car, claims police ties
A Thai man took to social media to seek justice after police failed to arrest a suspect who damaged his car because he did not let him drive against the traffic flow on a Pattaya road. The victim, Nawakorn Thongpha, shared a video of the incident on his Facebook account on April 30, along with a description of the events. The…
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Giant monitor lizard statue draws crowds to Bangkok park
It slinks, it swims, and now it poses — Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizard just got a supersized tribute in the city’s most famous park. Tourists and locals heading to Lumphini Park can now snap selfies with a massive foam monitor lizard statue — a new temporary installation celebrating one of Bangkok’s most misunderstood but iconic residents. Sanon Wangsangboon, Deputy Governor…
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US tariffs force Thailand to cut growth forecast to 2.1%
The Ministry of Finance has revised its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth this year to 2.1%, down from the previous 3%, citing the impact of US tariffs and a global economic slowdown on Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, indicated that if the US imposes a 10% tariff on Thai imports instead of the…
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Multiple affairs discovered after woman’s murder in Chon Buri
A Thai man fatally stabbed a woman in a rented house in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri on April 29 before attempting a failed suicide. The suspected motive was jealousy as the woman was reportedly involved in affairs with seven men. The 50 year old Thai man, Sanya, was shocked to discover the lifeless body of his girlfriend, 51…
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Pattaya’s long-delayed stadium finally back on track
Once dubbed a never-ending construction nightmare, Pattaya’s 20,000-seat stadium is finally rising — and could open early. After years of delays, controversies, and abandoned construction, Pattaya’s Eastern Sports Stadium is finally back in the spotlight — for the right reasons. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has revealed that the long-stalled project is now around 53% complete and 51 days ahead of schedule.…
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Bangkok overhaul plan could hand governor more power
Should Bangkok be run more like a country than a city? Politicians think so — and big changes could be coming. Yesterday, May 1, at Bangkok City Hall’s Nopparat Room near the Giant Swing, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed Members of Parliament to discuss sweeping proposals to overhaul the city’s outdated administration system. The meeting brought together top Bangkok executives and…
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Thailand video news | Polish couple fined for public nudity on Koh Phangan, Drunk Thai hospital director injures TV crew in car crash
From shocking tourist behaviour to growing political tensions, today’s regional news captures a complex mix of public disorder, diplomatic shifts, and national milestones. In Thailand, controversial incidents involving foreigners—from nudity and drunken antics to visa fraud—spark concern over cultural respect and tourism policy. Meanwhile, stories from Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, and Indonesia spotlight national pride, political transitions, and press freedom…
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Bangkok SAO death toll hits 68 after 5 more bodies found
Five more bodies have been recovered from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building, bringing the death toll to 68. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the bodies were discovered in Zone D between 10pm on Wednesday, April 30, and 9am yesterday, May 1. The search for the missing continues, with heavy machinery operating…
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450kg of crystal meth seized in northeast Thailand chase
A high-speed police chase in Thailand’s northeast ended with a massive drug haul and three traffickers in cuffs. Police in Nong Khai province have arrested three men and seized a staggering 450 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, known as “Ice”, following a dramatic pursuit through Tha Bo district. The suspects, 23 year old Prasobsuk, 28 year old Thongthawat, and 20 year…
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Phuket honours real-life heroes for lifesaving acts
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has honoured eight everyday heroes with certificates of recognition for their bravery, kindness and unwavering service to others throughout 2024. The awards were presented during a ceremony held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, April 28, alongside the 4th meeting of the Phuket Provincial Committee and Department Heads for 2025. Governor Sophon, who presided over the…
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Filipino man stays at Bangkok hotels and vanishes without paying
Police arrested a Filipino university student for staying at several five-star hotels in Bangkok without paying, causing losses of several hundred thousand baht. Officers from Immigration Division 1 received multiple complaints from hotel staff in Bangkok regarding fraudulent activities involving a Filipino national. The man reportedly deceived hotel employees to obtain free stays and meals at luxury hotels across the…
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Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claims that it does not engage in online military-style information-influencing operations but instead provides factual corrections to misleading social media information. During a House Committee on National Security meeting, the army spokesperson discussed the state’s use of social media. The session included representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, and…
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Phuket Red Cross pleads for rare blood as tourist demand surges
The Phuket Red Cross (PRBC) and the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital are calling on locals to roll up their sleeves this May and donate blood—particularly the rare Rh-negative type. With tourism booming again across Phuket and the surrounding regions, accidents and emergency hospital visits are on the rise—especially among foreign visitors. And that means a higher demand for…
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Australian man dies after falling from staircase at Phuket hotel
An Australian man fell to his death from a staircase at a hotel in Phuket on May 1, allegedly due to intoxication, in full view of his wife. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kusontham Foundation rushed to a hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in the Kathu district of Phuket after being alerted to an…
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Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy
The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…
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Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
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Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform
Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…
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Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
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US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet
Yesterday, April 30, the Court of Appeal Region 6 granted permission for Doctor Paul Chambers to remove his electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. This decision follows his appeal against a previous court order, though he must adhere to other bail conditions. Yesterday, the Human Rights Lawyers Centre announced on their social media page that Chambers is now allowed to remove his…
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Thai cuisine goes global with new Orchid Star programme
Thai commerce minister, Phichai Naripthaphan, has announced enhancements to the Thai SELECT programme, aiming to elevate Thai cuisine to a global level by introducing a new Orchid Star symbol. This initiative, which began in 1998, continues to promote Thai food and restaurants worldwide, assuring consumers of authentic flavours and high-quality standards. There are currently over 18,852 Thai restaurants worldwide, with…
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Residents seek lucky incense numbers at Phetchabun ceremony
Residents gathered to observe auspicious incense numbers during a significant religious ceremony at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Phetchabun province, where a Buddha statue named Luang Pho Prasop Chok was being cast. During the offering rituals, dark clouds ominously formed but eventually drifted to a nearby subdistrict yesterday, April 30. The ceremony, held at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Ban…
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People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals
The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…
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Mother and son killed in Chon Buri truck collision
A tragic accident on the 344 road in Chon Buri’s Nong Yai district resulted in the deaths of a 27 year old mother, Ploywarin Noenklang, and her six year old son, Thanawat Saothong. CCTV footage captured the moment when a six-wheeled truck lost control and crashed into a parked trailer truck at 4am today, May 1. Police from Nong Yai…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree
Yesterday, April 30, police apprehended 32 year old Koraphak or Oak, known as the ninja thief, in Pathum Thani province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court on April 29 for fraud. The suspect admitted to committing thefts to support his online gambling habit and buy food for his cats. According to Police Colonel…
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Police officer injured in Yala checkpoint shooting
A police officer was injured in a shooting incident while setting up a checkpoint in Mueang district, Yala province, at 8.15pm yesterday, April 30. The Yala Mueang Police Station’s radio centre reported that an ambush took place near the operational base in Baan Chanan, Phorn subdistrict, resulting in one border patrol officer being wounded. Following the incident, emergency services promptly…
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Six million meth pills seized near Thai border by KNLA
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) intercepted over six million methamphetamine pills destined for Thailand, revealing a continuous smuggling operation. The seizure occurred yesterday, April 30, in Hpa-An province, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thai border opposite Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son. Two suspects were detained. A KNLA source disclosed that around April 27, the 7th Brigade of the…
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Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai
Yesterday, April 30, immigration police in Chiang Mai apprehended a Chinese national who had overstayed his tourist visa in Thailand. The arrest took place on Thipanet Road, Mueang district in Chiang Mai province, following a coordinated operation between the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Bureau and Immigration Division 5. The man was charged with remaining in the kingdom after the expiration…
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Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries
A six-wheel water truck experienced brake failure and collided with an electric pole in Chon Buri, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident took place at 2.56pm yesterday, April 30, with the driver taking decisive action to avoid harm. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya were alerted about the accident involving a six-wheel Isuzu water…
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Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims
The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications. In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final…
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