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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Fifteen arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for land burning amid forest fire
A total of 15 people have been apprehended in Nakhon Ratchasima for burning agricultural land, contributing to a forest fire that destroyed 6,016 rai. This has led to PM2.5 dust levels exceeding safety standards. Yesterday, January 27, a meeting at the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall was chaired by Suraphan Silpasuwan, the province’s deputy governor. The discussion focused on tackling forest…
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Thai hotel owner returns wedding ring lost 5 years ago to Norwegian guest
A Thai hotel owner kept her promise and returned a wedding ring to a Norwegian guest who had forgotten it at her hotel in the southern province of Krabi five years ago. The Thai Facebook account สมศักดิ์ เตบบุตร (Somsak Tebboot) shared the story of his family member, Warunee Khundee, owner of Bliss Resort on Koh Wang Beach in Krabi, on Sunday,…
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New haze directives to combat deadly pollution in Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will provide additional directives at a Cabinet meeting today to address the ongoing haze issue, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. The meeting will prioritise PM2.5 pollution, following the prime minister’s return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, over the weekend. She emphasised that the worsening pollution crisis extends beyond national boundaries. The 38…
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Thai singer arrested for promoting online gambling
Yesterday, January 27, cyber police apprehended a well-known singer with 200 million YouTube views for promoting online gambling. The 27 year old singer admitted to enticing others to engage in online gambling for monetary gain. The cyber police, led by Police Colonel Apirak Champarsi, contacted Chatatorn, who is known by his stage name Oil Saengsarn, following an investigation. The police…
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Bangkok exercise equipment probe clears officials of corruption
An investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of exercise equipment for seven recreation and sports centres in Bangkok has concluded with no evidence of misconduct. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday, January 27, that the inquiry, initiated in June last year, found no grounds for graft allegations involving 29 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials in the 77.22 million baht project.…
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Cold weather and strong winds hit northern Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has reported colder weather with strong winds across northern Thailand, forecasting a temperature drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, a monsoon is causing thunderstorms and high waves of 2 to 3 metres in the Gulf of Thailand and the south, advising small boats to remain ashore. The weather forecast, announced today, January 28,…
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Foul play suspected in death of Thai intern in Japan
The family of a missing Thai student intern is calling for further investigation into his death, suspecting foul play after his body was discovered in a Thai restaurant in Japan. The student’s aunt, Nannaphat Tanming, urged Thai news agencies to report the death of her 25 year old nephew, Kornnaphat “Nat” Promsung, to attract the attention of the Ministry of…
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Dutchman offers help for Thai cat injured by harpoon in Buriram
A Dutch man expressed concern over a Thai cat in the Isaan province of Buriram that was severely injured with a harpoon. He also attempted to provide financial support to the animal and its owner. The female cat, Kuay Tiew, was shot with a harpoon last week. Her owner, 68 year old Narong Sookprasert, sought help from the Wang Kood…
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2 suspects at large after assaulting Thai doctor outside Bangkok clinic
Police are searching for two suspects who physically assaulted a doctor outside his beauty clinic in Silom, Bangkok on Saturday, January 25. The 37 year old Thai doctor, Chanesd Srisukho, filed a complaint at Tung Mahamek Police Station after the incident, which occurred at 7.36am on Saturday. The physical assault took place outside Chanesd’s clinic, Mali Clinic, located in Silom…
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Bangkok governor urged to enforce demolition of illegal condo
Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator, is urging the Bangkok governor to enforce a 10 year old court order for the demolition of the Aetas condominium in Pathumwan district due to a breach of the Building Control Act. Through a Facebook post yesterday, January 26, Rosana called on Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to act on the Supreme Administrative Court’s directive to dismantle…
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Thai Air Force chooses Swedish Gripen jets over US F-16s
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has opted for Swedish Gripen jets over the US-made F-16 aircraft, citing greater benefits to the government. This decision was announced by Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul amid ongoing discussions about the rationale behind this choice. The Gripen jets are set to replace the ageing F-16 jets currently stationed in Wing 1, located in…
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New Hotel Act targets 500 unlicensed Thai hotels
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to propose a new Hotel Act specifically for small and medium-sized hotels, with the aim of registering over 500 unlicensed accommodations that currently cannot participate in the existing system. Tourism Vice-Minister Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham reported that more than 90,000 small and medium-sized accommodations in Thailand do not qualify as hotel businesses under the current…
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Three suspects killed in Krong Pinang security operation
Today, January 27, a confrontation in Krong Pinang resulted in the deaths of three suspects following a security operation. At 4am, security personnel, in collaboration with the Yala provincial police, surrounded a house in the village of Jarae Kadong, Huai Krathing subdistrict, where three men were hiding. The suspects attempted to flee, opening fire on the officers, which led to…
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South Korean man allegedly tricked into smuggling drugs from Phuket to France
A South Korean man narrowly avoided arrest after being tricked by a foreign man in Phuket into smuggling drugs from Thailand to France. He sought help from the Thai police just in time. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea contacted officers from Thalang Police Station to investigate the luggage of 65 year old South Korean man, Park Sukhee, at…
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PM2.5 pollution targetted with urgent health measures
Thailand is grappling with severe PM2.5 air pollution, prompting the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to issue an urgent directive to local administrative organisations and Bangkok. The directive encourages the use of local health security funds to combat the pollution, including purchasing masks for vulnerable groups. Yesterday, January 26, Doctor Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the NHSO, highlighted the worsening PM2.5…
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Pickup truck crash in Ayutthaya leaves driver dead in canal
A pickup truck lost control on a curve, crossing lanes and colliding with a trailer truck before plunging into an irrigation canal, resulting in the driver’s death. The incident occurred today, January 27, on Highway 3043 in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchit Sirisawang from Uthai Police Station received the report and coordinated with the…
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Thailand video news | British man arrested in Thailand for 2004 UK murder, Vietnam busts massive TikTok scam network
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include the arrest of a British man in Thailand for a 2004 UK murder, six Britons detained in Phuket on drug charges, and a Swiss national sparking controversy by defying a dog ban on a Thai beach. Other stories cover a teacher’s…
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Bangkok taxi driver flees after attempted assault on passenger
A woman found herself in an unknown room after taking a taxi ride home, where the driver allegedly attempted to assault her. The incident occurred on January 26, when the woman, who had been drinking with friends in the Ratchaprasong area, took a Toyota taxi to return to her condominium. Waking up in an unfamiliar room with the driver, the…
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Thailand allocates 145.63 million baht for transgender hormone therapy
The Public Health Ministry has allocated 145.63 million baht to the National Health Security Office to supply hormone medication to 200,000 transgender citizens. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak, the ministry’s support aligns with the government’s marriage equality policy, focusing on both physical and mental health for sexually diverse people. He noted the increasing acceptance of various gender identities…
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Foreign motorcyclist leaves 4,000 baht for injured Phuket man, then flees
A Thai mother is calling for justice after a foreign motorcyclist collided with her son’s motorcycle on a road in Phuket and fled the scene, leaving only 4,000 baht in compensation. The Thai victim sustained injuries, and his motorcycle was damaged in the incident. The mother reached out to the Facebook news page Phuket Times to seek justice for her…
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Fatal shooting in Samut Prakan after ex-partner confrontation
A confrontation between a former husband and his ex-wife’s new partner resulted in a fatal shooting incident in Samut Prakan yesterday, January 26. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Wut Puttiphanon, the altercation occurred at 10.30pm in front of a house in Phraeksa Mai subdistrict, Mueang district, after the former husband attempted to shoot his ex-wife’s new partner but was shot…
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Thailand’s game industry act set for Cabinet review in February
The draft of the Game Industry Act is scheduled for Cabinet review next month following the conclusion of public hearings. The legislation is anticipated to be implemented by the end of 2025. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President and Chief Executive of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), stated that the law aims to address the development of the computer game industry, valued…
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Woman’s repeated lottery luck linked to Buddha statue offerings
A woman from Uttaradit visited Wat Mai Samakkhi in Mueang district, Phetchabun province, to offer 99 trays of eggs and 99 bunches of bananas to the sacred Buddha statue, Luang Pho Ham Chon. This gesture of gratitude follows her good fortune derived from the statue over three consecutive lottery draws. Yesterday, January 26, numerous residents gathered at the temple to…
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Lady of the hills: British man arrested for 20 year old death of Thai wife
Police arrested a British man in the central province of Kanchanaburi for allegedly killing his Thai wife 20 years ago. The case is known among people in the UK as the Lady of the Hills case. A group of tourists discovered the lifeless body of an Asian woman in a stream near Pen-y-ghent Mountain in the Yorkshire Dales National Park,…
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Thai school director faces licence revocation over drug charges
The Secretary-General of the Teachers Council of Thailand has announced plans to revoke the professional licence of a school director arrested for drug trafficking. The arrest occurred in Nong Song Hong district, Khon Kaen province, where police seized 369 methamphetamine tablets. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of educational institutions. Asst. Prof. Doctor Amonwan Veerathammo, Secretary-General of…
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Tourist bus accident in Laos injures 25 foreigners, no Thais involved
Yesterday, January 26, a tourist bus accident in Salavan province, Laos, left 25 foreign tourists injured. The governor of Ubon Ratchathani assured that no Thai nationals were involved, and emergency services were dispatched to the Chong Mek border to assist the injured. Adisak Noisuwan, the governor of Ubon Ratchathani, along with more than 20 volunteers, donated blood at Sappasitthiprasong Hospital…
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Man denies identity after alleged misconduct in Nonthaburi shop
A man accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a 12 year old girl and her friend in a convenience store in Nonthaburi has refused to provide personal details or fingerprints. The incident occurred on January 25 on Chaeng Watthana Road in Pak Kret district, leading to police intervention after good samaritans detained the suspect. Yesterday, January 26, the mothers of the…
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Gender recognition bill considered for identity self-determination
The recently implemented Marriage Equality Bill is a significant step towards equal marriage rights for all, but many who registered their marriages last week are concerned that their gender title does not align with their gender identity, and are now advocating for a Gender Recognition Bill. The bill, if passed, would allow individuals to select their gender title and offer…
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Bangkok braces for temperature drop as Chinese cold air mass hits
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a new cold air mass from China will affect Bangkok and cause temperatures to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius (°C). The dust and haze levels remain high but are expected to decrease. A high-pressure or cold air mass from China is spreading across northeastern Thailand and the upper South China Sea, resulting…
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Forest fire devastates over 2,000 rai on Phu Lam Yai Mountain
Aerial footage reveals extensive damage from a forest fire on Phu Lam Yai Mountain, with over 2,000 rai of land affected. The fire left trees charred across the region. Officials are clearing the area and monitoring to prevent any resurgence of the fire. Yesterday, January 26, Vichit Kitwirat, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, who also serves as the commander of…
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