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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Pattaya police raid pub in 5-Free policy enforcement
Pattaya police swooped on an entertainment venue early yesterday morning as part of a new policy initiative. The raid, which unfolded at 2.36am yesterday, September 5, was led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirichat Nuthet, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Pattaya City Police Station, and Pichananon Thawisuk, Bang Lamung District Chief. They were accompanied by over 50 officers, including those from…
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3 Thais survive, 2 still missing after boat capsizes in Mekong River
A boat carrying five Thai men capsized in the Mekong River in the northern province of Chiang Rai yesterday, leaving two people missing. The other three victims survived and were rescued from the river by a local rescue team. Chiang Khong District Chief Udom Pokpongborwonkun coordinated with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Siam Ruam Jai Rescue Foundation, and Saeng Dhammastan…
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Thief steals valuables worth over 10,000 baht in Pattaya apartment
A thief targeted an apartment building in Pattaya and made off with valuables worth over 10,000 baht. This incident unfolded at a two-story apartment on Soi Khao Talo 9, in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station arrived at the scene following a theft report at 2.06am yesterday, September 5. On…
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Chiang Mai restaurant gas explosion leaves one seriously injured
A gas explosion at a cook-to-order restaurant in Chiang Mai’s Chang Phueak area resulted in a devastating fire, leaving one person seriously injured. Emergency services are investigating the incident that caused significant property damage. Yesterday, September 5, at 1.45pm, a fire broke out at a restaurant in the Santitham neighbourhood, located in Soi Ratchaphruek, Chang Phueak subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang…
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Thai police arrest two for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants
Police in Mukdahan province arrested two Thai nationals for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants into the country. The suspects drove a pickup truck, packed with the immigrants in the back, through a police checkpoint, damaging the barrier. A search of the driver revealed a 9mm firearm and two bullets. Yesterday, September 5, under the directive of Police Major General Chatchai Wongsuna,…
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Suspected electric wire thief’s body found in Bangkok skywalk
Technicians investigating an electrical system failure in the ceiling of a skywalk in Bangkok yesterday discovered the body of a Thai man, who is believed to have died four to five months ago. The technicians from Chong Nonsi BTS Station were called to examine the electrical fault, yesterday, September 5. The control panel and the entire system were located within…
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Thailand mandates foreign e-commerce offices under new law
Thailand will soon require foreign e-commerce operators to establish registered offices within the country, as stipulated by the new digital platform service law. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced this move following consultations with the Department of Trade Negotiations to ensure compliance with international trade agreements, according to executive director Chaichana Mitrpant. The initiative is part of broader efforts…
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Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht confirmed for October 1
Pheu Thai Party’s labour policy, particularly the plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, remains firm, confirmed caretaker Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat assured that the wage hike, targeting specific professions and regions, is set to take effect on October 1, with further details to be announced shortly. The national wage committee, led by the permanent…
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Thai woman scammed in fake modelling job for 6,000 baht (video)
A young woman was scammed into a modelling job for 6,000 baht but was later asked to transfer 700 baht, raising suspicions of fraud. The incident, shared on TikTok, garnered significant online attention. The 22 year old woman, Fah, revealed to Khaosod Online yesterday that two months ago, she was contacted via the LINE application by someone claiming to be…
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Canadian arrested for illegal work, ecstasy possession in Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested a Canadian man after he was found working illegally as a masseur and in possession of ecstasy for sale on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Tourist Police and Immigration Police officers arrested the 48 year old Canadian, Ky Uwe Jablonowski, at a Thai traditional massage shop in Koh Pha Ngan yesterday,…
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Thailand drivers’ licences now display organ donor status
Driver’s licences in Thailand will now prominently display whether the holder is an organ donor, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced. This update, effective from August 7, aims to make the organ donation status of drivers more visible. The new licence design includes a larger Red Cross emblem with the words “organ donor” at the top right if the holder…
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Rainfall hits 33 provinces: Southern Thailand in deep water
Heavy rainfall is expected in 33 provinces today, with the eastern and Andaman coast regions of southern Thailand experiencing particularly intense downpours. Other regions will continue to see rain, while Typhoon Yagi has made landfall in Vietnam and is expected to weaken. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted severe weather conditions over the next 24 hours and heavy rain…
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Woman’s temple ‘donation’ sparks 9.2 million baht-tling dispute
A Thai woman demanded the repayment of 9.2 million baht from the abbot of Phuet Udon Temple in Pathum Thani Province. However, the monk has maintained that the woman had donated the money to the temple voluntarily. The 57 year old woman, Kritsana, sought the assistance of non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to explore her legal options regarding the possibility of…
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Top cops transferred after Hua Hin nightclub shooting
Five senior police officers in Hua Hin have been abruptly transferred following a tragic shooting incident at an unlicensed nightclub. The incident, which resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to three others, has rocked the resort town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Among those reassigned on Monday is Police Colonel Kampanart Na Wichai, the station superintendent. This move,…
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Northeast Thailand: Duo nabbed smuggling 10 Chinese migrants
In a dramatic late-night pursuit, immigration officers, together with Pa Rai police, intercepted a pickup truck smuggling 10 illegal Chinese migrants in the Don Tan district in the northeastern province of Mukdahan yesterday, September 4. Acting on a tip-off, officers were ready and waiting when the truck appeared. Officers spotted the suspicious vehicle at around 11pm and signalled for it…
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38 flights cancelled as Hong Kong braces for super storm Yagi
Hong Kong’s skies are set for turbulence as super typhoon Yagi approaches, forcing 38 flight cancellations today, September 5, with more disruptions expected. The city’s airport is bracing for impact, and authorities are pulling out all the stops to manage the chaos. Chapman Fong, the airport authority’s deputy director for operations, warned that the weather is expected to worsen towards…
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Crackdown on foreign flower scammers exploiting kids in Pattaya
Pattaya City officials are cracking down hard on foreign nationals using children to hawk flowers and hassle tourists in the city’s famed Walking Street. After a surge of complaints from locals and visitors, Pattaya City officially requested help from Chon Buri Immigration to tackle the issue head-on. Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet stated that this type of behaviour, particularly involving…
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Filipino thief’s gem blunder: Nabbed on return to Bangkok airport
A Filipino man who stole a 250,000 baht necklace from a shop in a Bangkok shopping mall in March returned to Thailand today, leading to his arrest at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The 49 year old Filipino thief, Rolly, committed the crime at an accessory store within a shopping mall in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok on March 26. He…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Thai PM urged to probe environment minister’s state land claims
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the qualifications of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed minister of natural resources and environment, due to allegations surrounding his possession of 120 rai of state land. The foundation emphasised that officials responsible for natural resources must be free from any involvement in the holding of state land. Chalermchai, leader…
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£230k from Jersey bank returned to Thailand after corruption probe
More than £230,000 (about 10 million baht) seized from a Jersey bank account is being returned to Thailand following a high-profile investigation spearheaded by US police. The funds were linked to a major corruption scandal allegedly involving Gerald and Patricia Martha Green, who were found guilty of bribing former Thai Tourism Authority Governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter, Jittisopa. The…
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16 year old Thai girl dies of ketamine overdose during sex
A 16 year old girl died of a ketamine overdose while having sex with a 63 year old man in central Thailand. Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the teenage girl, Thanyaluck, at around 9pm yesterday, September 4. Police went to the scene, a two-storey house in the Prae Kasa sub-district, Mueang district, Samut…
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Woman injured after 40-metre cliff fall while foraging in Kanchanaburi
A 50 year old woman sustained serious injuries after falling from a 40-metre cliff while foraging for bamboo shoots on a mountain in Kanchanaburi. Rescue teams took over 30 minutes to reach and airlift her to the hospital. At 2.30pm yesterday, September 4, rescue officials from the Phithak Kan Foundation received a report of a severe injury due to a…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Elderly woman loses 600,000 baht in northern Thailand land scam
A gang of scammers defrauded an elderly woman of her entire life savings, amounting to 600,000 baht, by convincing her to invest in a fictitious land deal in northern Thailand. Despite filing a police report four months ago, there has been no progress in the case. Upon arriving at the victim’s home in Isaan district, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram, the…
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Could Thailand become ASEAN’s first spaceport?
Thailand is setting its sights on the stars, with bold plans to become ASEAN’s first spaceport. Thanapant Raicharoen, a commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), urges the country to seize the opportunity to become a key player in the rapidly growing space industry. Thanapant envisions Thailand playing a vital role not only in satellite development but also…
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Swede deal gone wrong: Man loses 300k baht to ‘married’ scammer
A Swedish man is seeking justice after losing over 300,000 baht to a Thai woman who promised to marry him. He later discovered she was already married, and her husband, a soldier, threatened to harm him. The 42 year old Swedish victim, Ahmet, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from Si Samrong Police Station in the northern…
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Son kills mother days after drug rehab return in Nakhon Pathom
A tragic incident in Nakhon Pathom resulted in the death of a mother at the hands of her son, who had just returned from a drug rehabilitation programme three days earlier. The 32 year old son was apprehended by police while riding a motorcycle to buy methamphetamine. Police Lieutenant Sata Porn Duangsi of the Nakhon Pathom City Police Station received…
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Tree falls on school van in Krabi, injures 14
A school van carrying students home in Krabi was struck by a falling tree during a severe storm, injuring 14 people, with the driver sustaining the worst injuries. Fortunately, none of the students lost their lives. Rescue officials from the Pracharuamjai Foundation in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, received a report at 4.30pm yesterday, September 4, of an accident involving…
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‘Por the Slapper’ strikes store worker for fabricated assault
The owner of a convenience store in the Isaan province of Udon Thani is taking legal action against a mentally ill customer who slapped her employee in the face without reason. The store owner shared CCTV footage on her Facebook account on Monday, September 2, showing the incident, in which the customer, known locally as “Por the Slapper,” struck the…
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