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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Studio7 Phuket staff fired over photo privacy scandal
An Apple retailer in Phuket has landed in hot water after a shocking breach of customer privacy ended with a private photo appearing on Tinder. Studio7, an official Apple distributor in Thailand, issued a public apology and confirmed it has fired six employees and launched legal proceedings after one of them allegedly stole a customer’s intimate photo from their phone…
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9 victims killed in Suphan Buri firecracker factory explosion
An explosion at a small firecracker factory in the central province of Suphan Buri today, July 30, killed nine people. The total number of victims is still under investigation. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers are examining two houses in Ban Pho sub-district, Mueang district, Suphan Buri province, following a report of the explosion at around 11am. The two houses was…
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CCTV busts trash dumpers in Pattaya green zone sting
Caught on camera and forced to clean up their mess. That’s the fate that met four litterbugs after Pattaya’s expanding CCTV network spotted them dumping garbage in a forest zone just hours after it had been cleaned. On Sunday, July 27, Pattaya City workers completed a public cleaning and trimming of a green zone. But the next day, officials were…
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Late-night raids in Kamala and Patong net drug suspects
Phuket’s nightlife came under fire this week as authorities launched surprise raids in Kamala and Patong, arresting suspected drug users and pushing deeper into local trafficking networks. As part of the national No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, officials from the Kathu District Office carried out surprise inspections at nightlife venues in Village 3, Kamala, near Soi Pa Jak, on Monday,…
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Thailand enforces no-fly zones for drones in military areas
Fourteen areas across Thailand have been declared no-fly zones for drones, particularly in military regions. The Thai military is equipped with anti-drone systems along the Thai border, ready to intercept any unauthorised aerial devices. Today, July 30, Jirayu Huangsub, Government spokesperson, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has prohibited drone flights in areas that could impact national…
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Thai airport fees set to soar, passengers brace for hike
Travellers flying out of Thailand could soon be hit with higher airport fees, as officials move to raise Passenger Service Charges (PSC) for the first time in years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirmed it expects to decide on the proposed hike by October, with a potential increase of up to 100 baht per international passenger. If approved,…
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Pattaya fights back with bold new city health charter
Pattaya is rewriting the rules as it prepares to launch a bold new health charter aimed at cleaning up the city’s image and improving the quality of life for its residents. At the heart of the plan is the use of constitutional authority to drive sweeping reforms across three key sectors: tattoo safety, nighttime worker welfare, and protecting children from…
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Activist urges dissolution of 7 Thai parties over Thaksin influence
A complaint was filed with the Election Commission (EC) by a political activist yesterday, July 29, seeking the dissolution of seven political parties. The activist alleged that these parties permitted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to interfere in their internal operations, potentially breaching the organic law on political parties. Nopparuj Vorachitwutthikun, previously involved with the Phirap Khao (White Dove) 2006…
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Fire at Nakhon Ratchasima bicycle store causes 3 million baht damages
A significant fire engulfed a major bicycle sales and repair centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, trapping the shop owners, a couple, on an upper floor. Police expect damages to exceed 3 million baht (US$92,570). The incident occurred at 4.55am today, July 30, when Police Colonel Nathee Sukuna received a report about a fire at Wandi Bicycle Store in Ban Nong Phiman,…
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3 Chinese men arrested for filming restricted army zones in Surin
Thai officials yesterday, July 29, arrested three Chinese men who claimed to be journalists, after they were caught taking photographs of Thai military bases in the Isaan province of Surin. Several news Facebook pages reported that the three men were detained in the Kap Choeng district, near the contested Chong Chom border area. They were found taking photographs and recording…
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Aeroflot flight drama: Phuket return sparks hacker rumours
An Aeroflot flight bound for Novosibirsk was forced to return to Phuket International Airport yesterday morning just minutes after takeoff, following what was reported as a technical malfunction, but speculation is swirling after the airline confirmed a cyberattack just one day earlier. The Airbus A330, operating as flight SU637, took off at 9.53am local time, around 30 minutes behind schedule. But…
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Nonthaburi suit shop owner injured in row with ex-wife
A confrontation unfolded in Nonthaburi’s Mueang district when an 88 year old suit shop owner, Sombat or Pa Den, faced his ex-wife, who accused him of preventing her from retrieving personal belongings post-separation. The altercation occurred yesterday, July 29, at 6pm, prompting police intervention. Police received reports of an altercation within a lane in Bang Kraso subdistrict. Upon arrival, they…
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Furious farangs slam Pattaya over ‘Thai price’ double standard
As domestic tourism campaigns roll out across Pattaya, many foreign travellers are left feeling short-changed. While Thai nationals enjoy government-backed discounts and co-pay perks, expats and tourists say they’re being charged more for the same experiences, from hotel rooms to national park entries. “Should I get a local to book my hotel for October?” one frustrated tourist posted on a…
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Pathum Thani abbot removed over 30 million baht embezzlement scandal
The chief monk of Pathum Thani province has ordered the removal of the abbot of a local temple following embezzlement allegations of nearly 30 million baht of temple funds. This action comes after residents of Bueng Kham Phroi subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, filed a complaint with Lam Luk Ka Police Station, prompting an investigation into the…
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Thai army detains 18 Cambodian soldiers after border clash
The 2nd Army Area detained 18 Cambodian prisoners of war (POWs) following a clash in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. Two other Cambodian soldiers were found dead at the scene. The spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), Winthai Suwaree, reported yesterday, July 29, that a clash had erupted in Sam Tae after…
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Chiang Rai residents brace for floods as Kok River rises
Residents along the Kok River in Chiang Rai are being urged to prepare for potential flooding as water levels rise. Warnings have been issued for areas such as Huai Chomphu, Mae Yao, Doi Hang, Wiang, Rim Kok, and the Chiang Rai City Municipality to move belongings to higher ground. Eight temporary shelters have been established by the city municipality. Yesterday,…
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Major drug bust in Sakon Nakhon seizes 500kg crystal meth
Under the government’s Seal Stop Safe border drug prevention policy and the No Drugs No Dealers operation led by Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, a major anti-drug operation took place yesterday, July 29, in Sakon Nakhon province. Key officials, including Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Police Lieutenant General Nitinai Langyen, and Police Lieutenant General Boonsin Phatklang, executed an intense crackdown at the…
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Cambodian artillery damages Thai hospitals, costs exceed 285 million baht
Thai health minister Somsak Thepsuthin has revealed that Cambodian artillery has caused damage to medical facilities exceeding 285 million baht, with Panom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province suffering the most. Restoration is expected to take years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has yet to respond to a letter sent yesterday, July 29. Somsak, speaking about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border…
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‘Flying Giant’ A380 becomes a costly nightmare for airlines
Two decades after its maiden flight, the Airbus A380 is back in demand as international travel roars back to life post-Covid. But while passengers may love its spacious cabins, airlines are groaning under the weight of its soaring maintenance costs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued 95 airworthiness directives for the aircraft since 2020, more than double…
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Cambodia denies second ceasefire breach, Thailand shows evidence
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) Deputy Spokesperson alleged that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement again last night, July 29, by attacking Thai military positions at Phu Makhuea and Chong Anma. Ritcha Suksuwanon, Deputy Spokesperson for the RTA, told the media this morning that the army received a report from military units stationed at Phu Makhuea in Si Sa Ket province…
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Monk dies in Bangkok motorcycle taxi accident
A 70 year old monk, identified as Vichai Wachayo, passed away following an accident involving a motorcycle taxi in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district. The incident occurred yesterday morning, July 29, as he was returning to Wat Son temple. At 9.30am, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Thasri, an investigator at Rat Burana Police Station, received a report from Rat Burana Hospital regarding the…
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Mystery as human skull found in Samut Songkhram coconut grove
A human skull, along with other scattered remains, was discovered yesterday, July 29, in a Samut Songkhram garden slated to become a coconut plantation, prompting an immediate and significant police investigation. Police Major Chutima Banjongpru of Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station was alerted to the disturbing find on a 20-rai plot in Tai Had subdistrict by village head Phongphan Chommai.…
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Bangkok couple arrested for motorcycle theft caught on CCTV
A couple riding a motorcycle in Bangkok were arrested after being caught stealing a parked motorcycle. Allegedly, this was not their first offence. CCTV footage captured the incident, revealing the pair’s criminal history, with one having a record of 13 previous arrests. The police apprehended them shortly after the crime. At 12.50am today, July 30, Police Major General Samart Promchat,…
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2 suspected drug dealers nabbed in Bangla Road raids
Tourists out for a wild night on Patong’s Bangla Road were unknowingly partying alongside drug dealers, until a swift crackdown by local officials brought the party to a halt. Two suspected dealers were arrested in separate sting operations on Monday, July 28, as part of Phuket’s aggressive No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, a sweeping initiative aimed at clearing narcotics from nightlife…
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Heavy rainfall warning for 32 Thai provinces, flash floods possible
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast highlighting heavy rainfall across 32 provinces in Thailand, with a significant downpour expected in 60% of Bangkok. Residents in seven provinces are cautioned about potential flash floods and overflowing banks on July 30. Upper northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions are predicted to experience heavy rain in isolated areas, particularly…
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Suspected Cambodian spy denies allegation, claiming to be orchard worker
A Cambodian man arrested on suspicion of being a spy in the central province of Chanthaburi denied the accusation, claiming he was merely a worker at a fruit orchard in Thailand. Officers from the Marine Corps Special Operations Unit in Chanthaburi apprehended the Cambodian national, 43 year old Oeun Khoem, at around 7pm yesterday, July 28, after he was seen…
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Malaysian woman reunited with lost cash thanks to New Zealand tourists
Two New Zealand tourists found a bundle of Malaysian ringgit in Phuket and sought assistance from local police officers to return it to the rightful Malaysian owner. The tourists discovered several 100-ringgit banknotes at the Chartered Bank Intersection yesterday, July 28, and brought the cash to the Phuket Tourist Police office. The exact amount was not disclosed in the official…
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Woman’s skeleton found in Udon Thani forest during mushroom hunt
Locals in the Isaan province of Udon Thani stumbled upon human skeletons while searching for mushrooms in the forest, prompting an investigation to identify the deceased. Residents in the Kut Chap district of Udon Thani province discovered the skeleton in a forested area near the Ban Dong Keng community yesterday, July 28, and reported their find to the community leader…
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Thai-Cambodian clashes claim lives of 15 civilians and 15 soldiers
Thai officials revealed that 15 civilians and 15 soldiers lost their lives in the ongoing border clashes, with 20 hospitals in the affected area disrupted by the violence. The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand reported today, July 29, that 15 civilians were killed during the military clashes at multiple locations along the Thai-Cambodian border. Twelve people were seriously injured, and…
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Heavy rain warning for 9 provinces, rough seas ahead
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts widespread rain across Thailand today, July 29, warning of heavy rainfall in nine provinces with risks of flash floods. Meanwhile, the upper Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will experience waves around 2 metres high. According to the TMD, the upper northern and northeastern regions, along with areas facing the southwest monsoon winds, will…
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