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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Bangkok taxi driver slashes passenger on face in fare dispute (video)
A Thai taxi driver claimed self-defence after slashing a male passenger’s face on the roadside in the Silom neighbourhood of Bangkok on Friday, January 10. A witness shared a video of the incident near Silom Soi 6 in Bangkok at about 1am on Friday on his Up Dol Facebook account. The video showed the witness intervening in the argument between…
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Swimming, tourist boats banned at Phi Phi Island due to rough seas
Officials have temporarily banned swimming and tourist boats at Phi Phi Island due to strong winds and rough seas. Officials have placed red flags along the beaches in Koh Phai, Ao Nang subdistrict, Mueang Krabi district, and other marine tourist areas to ensure safety. This decision was made yesterday, January 12, following continuous strong winds in the afternoon. Emergency personnel,…
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Belgian kite surfer’s final flight: Tragedy strikes in Khao Kalok
A Belgian kite surfer lost his life after being swept away by a massive wave and trapped headfirst in a rocky crevice at Khao Kalok near Pran Buri. Despite valiant rescue efforts, his life was tragically cut short as he remained pinned 4 metres deep amidst the unforgiving rocks. Pak Nam Pran Police Radio Centre today, January 13, received an…
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Bangkok man arrested for motorcycle theft after licence plate swap
A patrol unit from Phetkasem apprehended a 37 year old man for motorcycle theft, catching him in the act as he attempted to swap out the licence plate of the stolen motorcycle. The arrest occurred yesterday, January 12 at 3pm, in the Lak Song subdistrict, Bang Khae district, Bangkok. The suspect, 37 year old Chaiyot “Boy” Boonyawong, confessed to stealing…
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Thai man smears faeces on rescuer after toilet request denied
A Thai man smeared faeces on a rescuer’s face after the latter refused to let him use his motorcycle to go to the toilet because the man had just crashed his pickup on a road in the central province of Chachoengsao while reportedly rushing home to use the bathroom. The local news Facebook page, Bang Paking News (คนข่าวบางปะกง), reported the…
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Police intercept over 200 motorbikes in Kanchanaburi for violations
Over 200 motorbikes from the Nam Mai Arb gang were intercepted by police in Kanchanaburi for various legal violations. The gang, travelling from Nong Khao Police Station in Tha Mueang district towards Kanchanaburi City, was stopped by police at 7.10am yesterday, January 12, after receiving reports from locals about their noisy presence on Highway 324. Upon receiving the report, Police…
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Nakhon Pathom police seize 79 kg of meth in drug bust
Police in Nakhon Pathom arrested two suspects and seized over 70 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a secret room beneath a staircase. The drugs were intended for distribution, with one suspect denying all charges. Yesterday, January 12, at 11pm, senior police officers, including Police Major General Chomchawin Purathananon and Police Colonel Phongsakorn Uppapong, along with other local officials, conducted…
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Thailand video news | Taxi driver slashes passenger in Bangkok, Japan’s ‘Cuddle Cafes’ combat loneliness
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex delivers a comprehensive roundup of stories from across Thailand and Asia. From a shocking altercation in Bangkok’s Silom district to a human skeleton discovery in Chon Buri, the coverage highlights key incidents making headlines. Other stories include an update on Thailand’s weather warnings, the lifting of Phuket’s building restrictions, and a lawsuit by Leicester…
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Russian man remains free after jet ski theft attempt in Phuket
Police are searching for a Russian man who stole a jet ski from a Thai operator on Bang Thao Beach in Phuket on Friday, January 10. Fortunately, the victim managed to retrieve the stolen vehicle. The Thai jet ski rental operator filed a complaint against the Russian man, identified as Mikhail Kolodnyi, at around 3pm on Friday at Choeng Thale…
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Thailand and China unite to tackle call centre scams and trafficking
Thailand and China have joined forces to combat call centre scams, human trafficking, and transnational crime, with a focus on locating missing individuals who have been deceived into travelling to neighbouring countries. A meeting was held yesterday, January 12 at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok, attended by senior officials from both nations. Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, the National…
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Royal Thai Air Force selects Gripen jets in 19 billion baht deal
The Defence Ministry is backing the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) decision to select Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the American F-16 aircraft, as announced by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, provided insights into the 19 billion baht (US$547 million) plan for acquiring four new fighter jets. The RTAF has opted for Gripen…
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Phuket scam busted: Con artist’s mule accounts hit a dead end
Phuket police slammed the brakes on a staggering 22 million baht scam operation, ensnaring a suspect accused of creating mule accounts for a crafty con gang, with one even masquerading as a top politician The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) revealed that the devious group duped unsuspecting victims by impersonating a well-known political figure, luring them into investing in a…
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Man escapes as car with LPG system catches fire
A man escaped unharmed when his car, a Honda Accord, equipped with an LPG system, caught fire shortly after he started the engine. The incident occurred at 7pm yesterday, January 12 at a parking lot behind Thammasat University Examination Centre in Rangsit, Pathum Thani province. An LPG system in a car is a fuel system that allows the vehicle to…
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Clearing the air: Bangkok takes a breather with work-from-home push
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today is rolling out a novel work-from-home initiative alongside a push to expand the clean air shelter project in more schools, all in a bid to tackle the city’s relentless PM2.5 pollution problem. The 58 year old city chief noted a breath of fresh air yesterday, January 12, with improved air quality in Bangkok, as PM2.5 levels…
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Thai transwoman caught with crystal meth while filing police report
A Thai transwoman went from being a victim of theft to a drug suspect after unexpectedly presenting crystal methamphetamine to officers at Bang Lamung Police Station in Chon Buri. The 31 year old transwoman, Nattaphon, arrived at the police station at around 9.30pm on Friday, January 10, to report that a Thai man named Porramate had stolen the key to…
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Myanmar driver hits pedestrian on Vibhavadi Rangsit, fatal accident
A Myanmar national driving a black Chevrolet pickup truck reportedly struck a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Pathum Thani, yesterday, January 12. The incident occurred near a previous bus fire tragedy that claimed 23 lives. Police and medical personnel responded promptly to the scene. The accident took place on the inbound express lane of Vibhavadi Rangsit…
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Motorcycle accident in Buriram caused by blanket entanglement
A young couple was involved in an unexpected accident after a blanket they were using for warmth became entangled with their motorcycle’s chain, causing it to crash in the middle of the road. The unfortunate incident, which occurred yesterday, January 12, left the man with a chipped tooth and the woman with a cut lip. Fortunately, a 10-wheel truck following…
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15 year old British-Thai girl rescued after years of rape by mother’s lover
The Be One organisation rescued a 15 year old half-Thai, half-British girl in the Isaan province of Udon Thani, after her Thai mother’s lover had raped her for four years since she was 11. Be One’s founder, Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart, accompanied the 15 year old British-Thai girl and her 41 year old aunt to file a complaint against the girl’s…
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Two men arrested for cable theft in Bangkok’s Si Phraya area
Two men were arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing communication cables in the Si Phraya area in Bangkok. The suspects were apprehended by police after suspicious behaviour was observed, including inconsistent explanations for their presence at the scene. The arrest was conducted by a team led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and several other senior officers, including Police Major General…
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Pattaya on pause: Plan ahead or lose the booze
Local officials in Pattaya issued a gentle reminder to plan carefully for upcoming events in the city including the Chon Buri local elections and the booze bans. Locals, visitors and tourists in Pattaya should mark their calendars as the region is likely to go dry from 5pm on January 31 to 5pm on February 1. While the exact date hasn’t…
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Drunk foreign tourist injured in Pattaya motorbike collision
Chaos erupted in the early hours of today on Pattaya Third Road as a foreign tourist, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, was mowed down by a motorcyclist, leaving him with head injuries. At precisely 12.10am, today, January 13, Pattaya police were alerted to the scene, swiftly co-ordinating with the dedicated Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue team to attend…
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Tying the Thai: Same-sex love wins big in the Land of Smiles
Love takes centre stage in the Land of Smiles as same-sex couples across Thailand can legally say “I do” at any district office nationwide and even at Thai embassies abroad starting from January 23. This monumental shift comes thanks to the groundbreaking tying the Thai: love wins big in the Land of Smiles, granting same-sex couples the same legal rights…
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Photographer arrested for obscene content on OnlyFans, earns over 2 million baht
A well-known photographer, 46 year old Thanakrit, was apprehended by the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau for distributing obscene images and videos of models on the subscription platform OnlyFans, reportedly earning over 2 million baht (US$57,590). The photographer, known by the nickname Ohm, has previously faced charges of obscenity. The arrest followed a complaint from a model, who alleged that the photographer…
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Man found dead in garden believed to succumb to cold weather
A 53 year old man was found deceased in his garden in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, after reportedly stepping outside to urinate. Identified as Prawet from Ban Kok, the man was discovered by his stepson, who had gone out for a cigarette on the morning of today, January 12. Upon finding Prawet, the stepson alerted the village head and…
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Kanchanaburi student faints after cannabis use at school event
A 15 year old student from Dan Makham Tia district in Kanchanaburi province became unconscious after allegedly smoking cannabis at school. The provincial governor has ordered an investigation into the incident, which was initially reported by the local news page Kan News Agency, alleging that a senior student coerced a junior student into using cannabis during a National Children’s Day…
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Driver shoots woman, takes own life in tragic Pattaya incident
A man working as a driver through an application shot and severely injured a woman before taking his own life in a condominium. Police suspect he was stressed after the woman ended their relationship upon discovering he was already married. Yesterday, January 11, Police Lieutenant Sanan Kotanon, deputy investigator at Mueang Pattaya Police Station (Dong Tan Curve branch), responded to…
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Human skeleton found in Chon Buri suitcase sparks investigation
The discovery of a human skeleton inside a suitcase in Chon Buri has prompted police investigations. No traces of blood or bodily fluids were detected, leading to suspicions about the circumstances of the bones’ presence. The suitcase was found yesterday, January 11, at 7pm, near Huai Yai road, approximately 1 kilometre before the intersection with road 331 in Bang Lamung…
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Tragic crash in Kamphaeng Phet claims two lives, child critical
A tragic accident occurred today, January 12, when a Honda Civic collided with a 10-wheel truck in Kamphaeng Phet province, resulting in the deaths of two individuals from the same family. The accident took place on Phahonyothin Road, where emergency services worked tirelessly to rescue the victims trapped inside the wreckage. The collision, which happened at the median of the…
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Thailand braces for temperature drop and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its ninth announcement, warning of a temperature drop between January 12 and 13 in northern and northeastern Thailand, with the mercury expected to fall by 3 degrees Celsius. Bangkok is also anticipated to experience a 2 degree Celsius decrease, accompanied by heavy rain in some areas and high sea waves. The announcement, made…
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Tragic fire claims life of Thai councillor and family
A tragic fire erupted yesterday, January 11, in a three-storey commercial building in Suphan Buri Municipality, resulting in the death of Phusit Rungronchaiporn, a 52 year old candidate for District 1 Provincial Councillor, along with his family members. Phusit’s wife, Kanokwan, their 26 year old son Teerawat, and their 24 year old daughter Warasiri also perished in the incident. The…
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