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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Thai father arrested for assaulting daughter with bamboo stick
A Thai father in Chachoengsao province has been taken into custody for allegedly assaulting his young daughter with a bamboo stick. The incident occurred after the daughter, a primary school student, was too scared to use the bathroom at night due to a fear of ghosts. The situation came to light when a teacher visited the family’s home and reported…
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High alert: Phuket to zone out cannabis amid tourist backlash
Phuket officials are cracking down on the island’s cannabis free-for-all, announcing plans to restrict where weed can be sold and smoked after a flood of complaints from locals and tourists. Governor Sophon Suwannarat revealed on Tuesday, June 17, that local officials are pushing to create designated “green zones” for cannabis sales and consumption. The move aims to control the island’s…
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Man in Prachuap Khiri Khan arrested for drug possession
Following suspicions from neighbours about a man who seemed to own luxury motorcycles without a visible job, police arrested a man known as Ball in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Officers discovered over 700 methamphetamine pills and drug paraphernalia, also seizing three vehicles. Today, June 19, Police Colonel Phaitoon Promkhian, together with Pol. Col. Khranchit Khawattachai, and other local police officials, conducted…
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Thailand drought relief cash halted amid graft claims
A massive 51 billion baht drought relief fund has been frozen amid explosive claims of political meddling and potential budget abuse, sparking fears over delayed aid for struggling communities. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong confirmed this week that the Budget Bureau has issued a formal notice halting the disbursement of funds earmarked under the 2025 fiscal mid-year budget for water…
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Police arrest 33 migrants in Kanchanaburi smuggling bust
Police and administrative officials in Kanchanaburi successfully apprehended a group involved in smuggling migrant workers. The operation yesterday, June 18, resulted in the arrest of 33 undocumented migrants who were found hiding at a meditation centre in Mueang district. During a routine surveillance operation, Kanchanaburi Highway Police identified two suspicious vehicles on Highway 323, heading towards the city. The vehicles,…
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Ex-Bangkok MP jailed after Supreme Court slams defamation plea
A disgraced ex-Bangkok MP has been marched off to jail after Thailand’s Supreme Court upheld a defamation conviction linked to a fiery hospital confrontation. Sira Jenjaka, once a high-profile figure for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), was sentenced yesterday, June 18, to six months and 20 days in prison without suspension, following a long-running feud with Mongkutwattana Hospital director Majoe…
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54 arrested in Bang Yai raid on illegal gambling den
Police and administrative officials conducted a raid on a dragon-tiger gambling den in Bang Yai, arresting 54 gamblers and seizing 218,340 baht. This is the second such raid in the area within a fortnight. Yesterday, June 18, at 3pm, Kiattisak Trongsiri, Governor of Nonthaburi, along with Police Major General Kittithane Thananantawisin, Commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, and other officials led…
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Chinese grey businesses under fire in Thailand over steel scam
A wave of shady Chinese-owned factories is wreaking havoc on Thailand’s economy — and the environment — as the government launches a crackdown on so-called “grey businesses” operating illegally under the radar for years. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan declared war on unlawful foreign-owned industrial operations, particularly in the steel and recycling sectors. Under his “Sud Soi” campaign — meaning “all…
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Paet’s all, folks! Thai PM’s Instagram post sparks political meltdown
Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing the worst political crisis of her short premiership, after an emotional Instagram post backfired spectacularly and her ruling coalition began to collapse around her. PM Paetongtarn posted a cryptic message to her Instagram story at 8am, today, June 19: “People are not pretending to be sad, but pretending to be okay.” Less…
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Car fire in Nonthaburi spreads to four homes causing major damage
A fire that began with a car blaze spread to four homes in Nonthaburi, causing significant damage. Yesterday, June 18, police from Bang Sri Muang district were alerted to the fire in a housing estate on Bang Lane Soi 21, Mueang district. Upon receiving the report, they coordinated with fire engines from Bang Krang municipality, Tha Phra municipality, and nearby…
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High-ranking cop medic linked to ghost patient drug fraud
A senior police psychiatrist has landed in hot water after police uncovered a twisted drug racket involving the identities of hundreds of dead patients. Police Colonel Anchulee Theerawongpaisal, a psychiatrist at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, was arrested last week after alprazolam, a powerful anti-anxiety drug, worth millions of baht was found stashed inside her police accommodation. The bombshell case…
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Bhumjaithai Party exits from govt over PM phone call scandal
The Bhumjaithai Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,, announced its withdrawal from the governing coalition yesterday, June 18, in the wake of the leaked phone call scandal involving Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. PM Paetongtarn admitted that she had held a private phone conversation with former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. The call, a portion of which…
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Woman found dead after fall from building in Pathum Thani
A 54 year old woman was found dead after falling from a building at a dormitory on Sawai Pracharat Road, Lat Sawai subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province. The incident occurred around 2am, today, June 19, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Montri Rattanaphan of Khu Khot Police Station received the report. The police, along with forensic doctors from Bhumibol…
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Cambodian workers defy Hun Sen’s call amid border crisis
A fierce diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia is putting hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers in the spotlight — but many are refusing to budge. Tensions flared this month after Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen made an extraordinary plea, urging his countrymen working in Thailand to return home, promising jobs and vocational training. The former prime minister’s appeal…
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Severe blaze in Udon Thani destroys house and van
A severe fire broke out in Udon Thani, damaging a single-storey house and a van parked outside. Four residents narrowly escaped, while firefighters took an hour to control the blaze, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit at a car charging point. Today, June 19, Police Lieutenant Narasak Nonthabutr, deputy inspector at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, received…
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Brazilian busted at Phuket Airport over traffic crimes
A holiday escape turned sour for one Brazilian man after he was nabbed by immigration cops at Phuket International Airport – wanted over traffic offences and caught just before takeoff. Phuket Airport Immigration confirmed the arrest of the 35 year old suspect on Sunday, June 15, at around 10.30am. The man, whose name was not released by police, was taken…
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Kiddie-begging gang smashed in Pattaya child trafficking sting
A gang of heartless traffickers has been busted in Pattaya for exploiting children as young as 15 to beg and flog trinkets on the city’s infamous Walking Street, with cops rescuing nine kids and arresting seven Cambodians in a major crackdown. Tourist Police bosses announced the sting yesterday, June 18, hailing it as a huge blow to a sickening child…
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Thai boy dies of starvation, parents rushed to hospital in weak condition
A 14 year old Thai boy died of starvation at his family home in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok after he and his parents reportedly lived without food for nearly a month. The Por Tek Tung Rescue Foundation was called to a house in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi at around 7am yesterday, June 18, to transport the lifeless body of…
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Earthquake tremors hit Mae Hong Son, 5 quakes strike Myanmar
A series of tremors rocked Mae Hong Son yesterday morning, as a 1.9-magnitude earthquake hit the region, while neighbouring Myanmar experienced five separate quakes, including one minor tremor and four microquakes. The Meteorological Department of Thailand reported that the quake in Mae Hong Son occurred at 10.53am yesterday, June 18, with its epicentre located in Mae Na Toeng subdistrict, Pai district.…
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Great wall of shame! Chinese tourists nabbed in Pattaya jobs
Pattaya police smashed two major illegal foreign worker rackets, busting 23 Chinese posing as tourists on building sites and another 50 foreigners running a sleazy gambling and sex empire out of a swanky Pattaya block. Under orders from National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet to crack down on dodgy foreign labour, Thailand’s Tourist Police swooped on two sites yesterday, June…
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VietJet launches Bangkok-Seoul flights with 0 baht fares
Get ready to pack your bags for Seoul, as VietJet Thailand announces its first-ever direct flight route from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Seoul (Incheon), set to take off on October 1. This exciting new connection marks a major milestone for the airline, expanding its network across Asia and offering passengers a convenient, budget-friendly travel option between two of the region’s most…
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King Power seeks duty-free contract renegotiation after setbacks
Thailand’s leading duty-free giant King Power is in talks with Airports of Thailand (AOT) to renegotiate its contracts across five major airports, after claiming external factors severely impacted business performance. The duty-free giant, known for its extensive presence in airports across the country, raised concerns about an increasingly challenging market and the financial burden of maintaining its original commitments. In response, King Power is…
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JAS secures Premier League and FA Cup rights for Thailand
Football fans in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, rejoice! The rights to broadcast the Premier League and FA Cup have officially changed hands, with Jasmine International Public Company Limited (JAS) securing the exclusive deal for up to six seasons. Yes, you heard that right — the same JAS behind the popular streaming service MONOMAX. While you might not be familiar with the name Jasmine International, the streaming platform…
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Thai woman suffers alleged electric shock at Bangkok mall’s ticket machine
A Thai woman took to Facebook to share her experience of an unexpected electric shock from a car park ticket machine at a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Bang Na area. The victim shared on her Facebook post that the incident occurred on June 10. In her post, the woman wrote… “I was electrocuted by a car park ticket machine at…
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Cabinet approves 5.175 billion baht for sugarcane harvest support
The Cabinet has approved a budget of 5.175 billion baht to support sugarcane farmers in harvesting fresh sugarcane, aiming to reduce PM2.5 pollution. This initiative is set for the 2024/2025 production season. According to government spokesperson Karam Phonpornklang, the Ministry of Industry is tasked with implementing the measures, focusing specifically on motivating farmers to harvest 100% quality fresh sugarcane. Initially,…
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Bangkok Expo 2032: Student’s bold vision could transform the city
What if Thailand finally hosted a World Expo — and it happened right in the heart of Bangkok? That’s the bold vision behind Bangkok World Expo 2032, the graduation thesis of Thanakrit Kanchanaram, a student from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture. His plan transforms Makkasan Station into a cutting-edge exhibition hub, making Bangkok the epicentre of innovation, culture, and urban revival. “Thailand…
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Thai military helicopter makes emergency landing in Ubon Ratchathani
A military helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing while conducting a supply mission to a base in Ubon Ratchathani. No fatalities occurred, with minor injuries reported. Yesterday, June 17, the Royal Thai Army’s Facebook page announced that the Second Army Region confirmed the incident during an operation in the province. The report indicated that yesterday afternoon, the Royal…
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Thailand urged to unlock US$2 billion for green city investment
Thailand could unlock a flood of green investment — up to US$2 billion (approximately 65 billion baht) a year — by transforming its cities into eco-smart powerhouses, a top World Bank official told a major climate forum in Bangkok. Melinda Good, the World Bank’s Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, delivered the bold message at the Road to Net Zero…
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‘Don’t be afraid:’ Thai soldier’s final words before sniper shot
A 22 year old Thai soldier who told his family “don’t be afraid” the night before he was gunned down by a sniper has been laid to rest in a solemn ceremony in Phuket. Private First Class (PFC) Pakom Suden was shot and killed yesterday, June 17, during a security patrol in Ban Wang Hin, Bannang Sata district, Yala. The…
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Cargo ship grounding in Mu Koh Surin causes coral reef damage
Efforts are underway to refloat a Myanmar-flagged cargo ship that ran aground on a coral reef in Mu Koh Surin National Park, Phang Nga earlier this month, resulting in notable ecological harm. Kriangkrai Pohcharoen, the national park’s head, reported yesterday, June 17, that teams have been actively working since June 1, when the MV Ayar Linn became stranded on the…
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