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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Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...
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Crappy cabbie: Taxi driver flings faeces in parking row meltdown
A Thai woman took to social media to expose the disgusting and psychotic behaviour of a taxi driver who threw bags of faeces at her and other people’s cars over a parking dispute in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The woman, 40 year old Thitima, shared a picture of her car with a dirty windscreen, as well as a picture of…
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Teen rescued from call centre gang demanding 500,000 ransom
A 17 year old girl was rescued by police after being forced into hiding by a call centre gang that attempted to extort 500,000 baht from her grandmother in exchange for her freedom. They threatened to sell the girl at the border if the money was not paid. On April 1, Banjong (surname withheld) reported that her granddaughter, Chompoo, had…
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Thailand to train 20,000 masseurs as medicine assistants
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine announced an initiative to train 20,000 traditional Thai masseurs as certified Thai traditional doctors’ assistants. This will enable them to address seven specific muscle-related conditions. Doctor Somruek Chungsaman, the department’s chief, highlighted yesterday, April 2, the effectiveness of traditional Thai massage in treating various muscle-related conditions. The upskilling programmes will focus on…
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Poachers kill two wild gaurs in Nakhon Ratchasima
Two wild gaur were found shot dead in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district, suspected to have been killed by poachers for their meat. Local police are intensifying efforts to track down the perpetrators. Yesterday, April 2, after locals discovered the carcasses of male gaurs at the rear of Yub E Pun village, Wang Mee subdistrict, Som Sak Jotklang, the…
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Trump’s tariff tantrum: US slaps huge levies on world as trade war erupts
Donald Trump has thrown the world into economic turmoil, launching a full-scale trade war by slapping sweeping new tariffs on imports, including crippling levies on key allies. Thailand has been caught in the tariff crossfire too, with officials claiming the nation could suffer an US$8 billion hit if the US were to even up levies between the two countries. Semiconductor…
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9 year old Thai boy killed after picking up bomb on Phichit road
A nine year old Thai boy lost his life after picking up a bomb on a road in the Isaan province of Phichit. More bombs were later found in the area. The fatal explosion occurred on March 23 but only gained public attention yesterday, April 2, after a post from the Facebook page ตลาดล่างอัพเกรด. The page shared a picture of…
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Young woman dies in Chon Buri motorcycle accident after night out
In the early hours of this morning, a tragic accident occurred involving a young woman who had recently returned from working abroad. After a night out at an entertainment venue, she lost control of her motorcycle and collided with a utility pole, resulting in her death. Police from Don Hua Lo Police Station responded to the incident today, April 3,…
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American nurse’s face shattered in moped crash in Krabi, Thailand
An American woman has become the latest in a long line of road victims after a horrific moped crash while on holiday in Thailand. The crash has left the Massachusetts ICU nurse with severe facial injuries Sierra Fairhurst was enjoying a trip with friends in March when the accident happened. One moment, she was riding a rented moped, then everything…
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Wet and wild: Heavy rain set to drench Thailand
Weather woes are on the horizon as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues an urgent heavy rain warning for April 3. With a deluge expected to sweep across 28 provinces, a staggering 80% of these areas are bracing for severe rainfall. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as strong winds threaten to whip up chaos, alongside the looming danger of…
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Holiday horror: Australian teen killed in Thai motorbike crash
In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, an Australian teenager’s Thai getaway has ended in tragedy. Known for his “beautiful soul,” Carlos Guirguis, of Melbourne, tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash on the holiday hotspot of Koh Samui. The apprentice plumber was riding without a helmet when he attempted to overtake a local motorist in the early hours of…
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Bangkok motor show sees 29% rise in car reservations
The 46th Bangkok International Motor Show has revved up excitement, attracting a wave of car enthusiasts and driving a major spike in vehicle reservations, especially for new xEV (electric) models. With the show now at its midway point, organisers are reporting impressive results, particularly from eco-conscious consumers keen on the future of electric vehicles (EVs). Jaturon Komolmit, deputy chairman and…
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Shaky ground: Thailand in world’s top 60 earthquake-hit countries
Thailand ranks 59th among the top 100 countries with the most earthquakes, recording 59 quakes so far this year, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 4.9. While the country may not be in the top 10, it still experiences a noticeable number of seismic events. According to earthquakelist.org, which uses data from the US Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean…
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Thailand’s tourism strategy to restore confidence after earthquake
In the wake of the recent earthquake, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has called a crucial meeting with government officials and private sector leaders to tackle the impact on the country’s tourism industry. The primary focus? Restoring both domestic and international tourist confidence while ensuring the continued safety of visitors. The meeting, chaired by Minister of Tourism and Sports…
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Taps off: Phuket prepares for water supply disruptions tomorrow
Phuket residents, take note: water supply disruptions are set to affect parts of the island tomorrow, April 3, as the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA Phuket) carries out vital maintenance work. Two separate outages will hit areas in Srisoonthorn and Kathu, with residents urged to prepare for the disruption. The first outage will affect the Botanica Modern Loft housing estate in…
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Dog chooses nap over escape during Bangkok earthquake (video)
While many animals are believed to have a sixth sense for impending natural disasters, one dog in Thailand hilariously defied that notion during the recent Bangkok earthquake. As her owner frantically attempted to evacuate during the quake, Echo, a fluffy Samoyed, had different plans — choosing to nap peacefully instead of fleeing to safety. A TikTok video of the comical…
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Thailand waives toll fees on major roads for Songkran travel
Thailand is easing the burden on travellers this Songkran, with the government announcing that tolls on two major motorways and two expressways will be waived, allowing motorists to travel for free during the long holiday. The toll exemption is part of a plan to reduce congestion as millions of Thais head home to celebrate the Thai New Year with family.…
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More than 3,000 Thai govt buildings damaged in earthquake
The powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28 has left a trail of destruction across Thailand, with over 3,000 government buildings affected, according to the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT). As of today, April 2, the DPT reported that 3,375 government buildings had been inspected following the quake, with 34 deemed severely damaged…
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Protesters rally against entertainment complex and gambling bills
Demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister’s residence yesterday to protest against the government’s proposed entertainment complex bill and the online gambling bill, which was under Cabinet review the same day. A few hundred people converged at the Phitsanulok Mansion residence yesterday, April 1, intensifying their opposition to the draft bills, which they argued would destroy the country by undermining societal…
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Crime doesn’t pray: American nabbed nicking from Pattaya donation box
A shocking robbery unfolded early this morning in Pattaya, when a 62 year old American man was caught stealing from a donation box outside the local police station. The bizarre crime was driven by the man’s claim of desperation after losing his ATM card and being unable to buy food. At around 2.30am today, April 2, Pattaya police received an…
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Thailand to refurbish Japanese diesel trains for suburban services
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to introduce 20 second-hand Japanese KiHa diesel trains for suburban passenger services. A systems test is set for June, before the refurbishment of the KiHa 40 and KiHa 48 trains, with six trains expected to be operational by the end of the year. SRT chief Veeris Ammarapala mentioned that these diesel trains were…
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Chiang Mai struggles with severe air pollution from wildfires
Chiang Mai is currently grappling with severe air pollution due to ongoing wildfires across various districts, with over 150 hotspots identified. Yesterday, April 1, wildfires persisted in mountainous regions of the northern province, with 150 active hotspots reported in 15 districts. The most affected areas include Hot with 34 hotspots, Chiang Dao with 26, and Phrao with 23. Thick smoke…
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Chinese embassy pledges cooperation in SAO building probe
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement addressing media concerns regarding the involvement of China Railway No.10 Engineering Group in the construction of the Office of the Auditor-General (SAO) building, which tragically collapsed during the March 28 earthquake. In a statement released late yesterday, April 1, the embassy expressed its commitment to fully cooperate with the Thai authorities and…
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Thai man found dead after leaving home to work in Taiwan
A Thai man told his mother he was going to work in Taiwan but committed suicide instead in the middle of a rice field in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The deceased’s mother was shocked after a relative informed her of the death of her 30 year old son, Pongsakorn Saenkla, yesterday, April 1. Pongsakorn was found hanging from…
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Truck collision on Kanchanaphisek Expressway causes fatality, traffic chaos
A collision between two trucks on the Kanchanaphisek Expressway in Bangkok led to a 10-kilometre traffic jam, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The incident occurred at 5.20am today, April 2, when a trailer truck crashed into the back of a 10-wheel truck, causing severe damage and scattering soybean waste across the road. Officers from Phra Pradaeng Police Station…
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Trailer and pickup clash sparks heated dispute in Nonthaburi
A heated argument erupted following a collision between a trailer and a pickup truck in Nonthaburi, resulting in both parties filing complaints with the police. The incident occurred yesterday, April 1, and has led to accusations and physical altercations between the involved parties. Today, it was reported that Chaowarat, a 58 year old bamboo shop owner, filed a complaint with…
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Baiyoke Tower heir drops legal action over false claim on Facebook
The heir of Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok has decided to resolve a false Facebook post claiming that the Baiyoke Tower was tilting and cracking following an earthquake. The post, which was misinformation, caused public concern, prompting the heir, Beer Baiyoke, also know as Piyalert Baiyoke, to reach out to the poster to discuss the false claims. However, the poster responded…
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Not in Pattaya: Police deny viral video of dangerous motorcycle riding
Police insisted that the viral video of a couple riding a motorcycle dangerously on a public road did not take place in Pattaya, contrary to rumours. The viral video, which surfaced on Thai social media platforms this week, garnered attention and drew criticism towards officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station. In the footage, a man, reported to be a Thai…
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Laotian man arrested for illegal motorcycle taxi work in Bangkok
Thai police apprehended a 32 year old Laotian man for illegally working as a motorcycle taxi driver in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. The suspect, Leklai, was caught after police devised a plan to have him take them to a police station, where he was then arrested. The arrest followed a tip-off from an informant who reported seeing a foreign-looking…
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Unexpected flooding hits Phatthalung despite no rain
In Phatthalung province, 13 families were astounded when there were awoken during the middle of the night with water flooding through their homes despite no rain in the area. The incident took place today, April 2, when locals were caught off guard by rising waters in Mueang 6, Makok Nuea subdistrict, Khuan Khanun district, prompting a hurried evacuation of belongings…
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Miracle escape: Electrician survives Khon Kaen earthquake
A young man has shared his terrifying experience of narrowly escaping a collapsed building during a deadly earthquake, recounting how he fled from the 27th floor with his employer’s daughter. The dramatic escape involved breaking through a corrugated iron fence to safety. Yesterday, April 1, reporters visited the home of 62 year old Seng Mo Wiang and 56 year old…
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