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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Raging forest fires force closure of Thai-Cambodian Border park
Forest fires ablaze along the Thai-Cambodian border have ignited chaos, choking Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province with clouds of thick smoke and dust particles, forcing a three-day shutdown. The infernos, wreaking havoc on the region’s flora and fauna, including monkeys, bats, and birds, have sparked concerns for both tourism and wildlife preservation. Sisaket Governor Anuphong Suksomnit, undertook…
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Surging Pattaya hotel occupancy shows post-pandemic recovery
Pattaya is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with hotels bursting at the seams, boasting over 90% room occupancy. Sanphet Supabawornsathien, Eastern Thai Hotel Association President, reveals that Pattaya’s hotel industry is booming, with room occupancy rates soaring above 90% as tourists from China, Russia, and India flood the city alongside a surge in domestic travel. This remarkable trend is fuelled by…
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Dine-and-dash: Fake cop shirks 1,500 baht bill from Michelin-starred Jay Fai
Bangkok’s culinary Michelin-starred hotspot, Jay Fai, fell victim to a brazen food theft, leaving locals and tourists stunned as a fake cop vanished after downing a delectable 1,500-baht feast. The Samranrat Police Station is hot on the trail of the impostor but with no affiliation to their force. Colonel Tossapon Ampaipipatkul, the superintendent leading the investigation, reassured that the police…
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Government lottery draw unveils six million baht prize in Songkhla
The latest draw of the Thai government lottery, held today, March 1 has been announced by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) with the results just released in Songkhla province. Participants can now check if their tickets have won prizes, including the coveted first prize, three-digit, and two-digit numbers, as well as numerous other rewards. The first prize, a staggering 6…
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2 Chinese men arrested at Bangkok airport for fake Canadian passports
Officers from the Immigration Bureau arrested two Chinese men at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to travel to Taiwan on fake Canadian passports. EVA Air check-in staff reported to the immigration police that two Chinese nationals presented their Canadian passports at the counter for the flights to Taipei in Taiwan. According to the flight schedule, the two were…
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Surin police spirit house ritual sparks lottery fever
A buzz of excitement swept through the police housing complex in Surin Province yesterday as officers and the local community gathered for a ritual ceremony. The ceremonial relocation of a spirit house at the police flats, adjacent to the main road number 226 from Sikhoraphum to Surin, became the focal point for lottery enthusiasts seeking auspicious numbers to bet on…
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Bangkok’s expressway toll fees skyrocket starting today
Toll fees along Bangkok’s Chalong Rat and Burapha Withi expressways are seeing a steep increase starting from today, March 1. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) dropped this bombshell earlier this month, announcing a hefty hike in toll charges. For four-wheel vehicles traversing the Chalong Rat Expressway, be prepared to shell out an extra 5 baht, pushing the toll to…
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Thailand announces extra holiday to boost Songkran economy
Thailand’s financial sector is set to benefit from an additional public holiday, as declared by the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The special holiday is part of a government initiative to facilitate travel flexibility and stimulate the tourism, service sectors, and the overall economy during the Songkran festival. This move aligns with the Cabinet’s decision from February 13, and marks a…
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Pattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn
In a bid to stem the tide of tragic accidents, the Pattaya Tourist Police have joined forces with multiple agencies to spearhead a campaign aimed at curbing tourist fatalities during water activities in Koh Larn. The curtain rose on this vital initiative on the shores of Tawaen Beach, Koh Larn, with Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Manot Nongyai taking the helm…
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Journalist found dead in car after aiding Thai accident rescue
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when a 44 year old journalist, identified only by his first name, Pairin, was found dead in his vehicle, which was parked in the middle of a road in Pathum Thani Province. The cause of death remains undetermined, but no signs of violence were apparent on the body. The journalist had recently been involved in…
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Bolt taxi driver killed, another injured in Pattaya shooting incident
A shooting incident claimed the life of a Bolt driver and left another individual injured in Pattaya on Wednesday. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattiphong Jiampuak, leading the investigation from Nong Prue Police Station, was alerted to the crime scene at 9.36pm. As officers descended upon the unnumbered house within Soi Mab Yai Lia 24, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri…
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Rolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network
Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday seized 329 million baht in assets and arrested four suspects in a crackdown on online gambling. Following the crusade to shut down illegal online gambling in Thailand, police investigated a website, Fullplays 39, and discovered it offered online gambling games and had over 200,000 users. The amount of money circulating on the…
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Thai skies to sparkle: 30 aircraft to blitz pollution and sizzle summer heat
In a move to combat air pollution and beat back the scorching summer heat, Thailand is unleashing a squadron of 30 aircraft across the nation. These aerial warriors aren’t armed with missiles but with the power to summon rain itself, in a bid to douse the flames of pollution and ease the parched lands. Artificial rain, also known as cloud…
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Property tycoon in KCUC embezzlement case to be charged
Property magnate Anant Asavabhokhin is to be charged with money laundering linked to the notorious Khlongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement case. This development comes from a source within the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG). The money laundering charge, recently approved by Attorney-General Amnat Jedcharoenruk, is predicted to be enacted by the OAG’s special litigation office on April 2. Anant, former…
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Chinese man faces 2-year jail for stealing identity of Thai citizen
Pattaya Provincial Court sentenced a Chinese man to two years of imprisonment for stealing the identity of a Thai citizen and concealing it for more than 30 years. The 45 year old Chinese suspect is recognised by Thai locals as Iao but also adopts the Thai alias Nitiphat Chokchaitanaporn. The case of identity theft came to light following a raid…
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Newborn found mutilated near Mae Hong Son camp
A tragic discovery was made outside a worker’s camp in Mae Hong Son province, where the body of a newborn baby, suspected to have been abandoned post-birth, was found mutilated and partially burnt. Authorities are investigating this harrowing incident, which has shocked the local community and prompted a search for the person responsible. Police were alerted to the gruesome scene…
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Thailand Video News | Recreational Cannabis to be banned by year end?, Tuk Tuks and Taxis overcharging foreigners fix
Stay up-to-date for the latest news in Thailand: Thai prosecutors plan to indict key figures aiding Red Bull heir’s evasion of justice. Recreational marijuana ban imminent in Thailand amidst industry growth. Chemical warehouse fire prompts evacuations. Bangkok tackles tourist overcharging issue. Human-elephant conflict persists in Thailand. Another arrest has been made in the case of the absconding Red Bull heir…
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Off-duty officer causes multiple collision in Samut Prakan
A police officer driving under the influence of alcohol caused a multi-vehicle collision in Samut Prakan province, claiming a gearbox issue led to the crash. The officer, who was driving a Toyota Vios, collided with a bus and then reversed into two parked pickup trucks. The incident, which occurred near Soi Nakhon Khuean Khan 8 in the Phra Pradaeng district,…
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Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes
An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1. This mandate is part of the Transport Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience at the nation’s largest low-carrier hub, an imperative necessity as the Songkran holiday period is expected…
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TikTok shopping: The new trend in Thai e-commerce
TikTok has usurped traditional e-commerce giants to claim the throne as Thailand’s premier shopping platform for millennials, a survey by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) discloses. With 4,699 respondents nationwide, the survey unveiled TikTok’s meteoric rise as an online shopping hub, particularly among the youth demographic. Renowned for its fusion of joyous content and retail therapy, TikTok pioneers…
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Chem-mess: Essex man and Thai girlfriend nabbed for flat folly
An Essex man and his Thai girlfriend have been arrested for running a nefarious chemsex operation from her West London flat. The 29 year old toy boy, Kane Duncan, hailing from Bracken Close, Loughton, found himself behind bars alongside his partner-in-crime, 42 year old Jurairat Suttabut, following revelations of their sordid dealings unveiled at Southwark Crown Court last Friday, February 23.…
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Thai govt’s plan to transform southern provinces into tourist hub
The Thai government has committed to transforming the country’s three southernmost provinces into global tourist attractions and increasing investment in this region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave this assurance during a three-day visit to Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala which concluded yesterday. According to the 62 year old Thai prime minister, the southernmost provinces possess the potential to rise as the…
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British man completes 2,100km charity run for Thai children
A British man triumphantly completed his charity run designed to raise funds for orphanages and underprivileged children in Thailand. He achieved this by running from the northernmost to the southernmost district of the country. The Englishman, Chris Russell, launched his charity project, Run Thailand 2,100 KM, in January this year in a bid to donate money to Thai orphanages and…
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Thailand PM unveils plan to become global cargo distribution hub
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin envisions the country as a regional aviation centre and one of the world’s top five cargo distribution hubs. During a live broadcast scheduled for Friday at 9.30am, the premier will elaborate on this ambitious plan on the government’s NBT television channel and various online and social media platforms. The news of this upcoming discourse was…
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Phachi chemical warehouse fire triggers emergency evacuation
A chemical warehouse fire in Phachi, Ayutthaya, prompted a swift evacuation as toxic fumes spread. Yesterday, February 29, at around 10.30pm, a blaze broke out in a warehouse illegally storing chemicals, necessitating an urgent response from fire services due to ongoing explosions and noxious odours. The Phachi Municipality Facebook page advised residents within a 5-kilometre radius to evacuate immediately, wear…
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Ayutthaya meth bust nets 10 million pills worth 500 million baht
A major drug bust involving 10 million methamphetamine pills, valued at 500 million baht (US$13.9 million), was thwarted by authorities in Ayutthaya province. The capture was made possible after a meticulous tracking operation, leading to the arrest of two suspects who attempted to disguise the illicit cargo amidst vegetables on a six-wheeled truck. Late yesterday night, at around 11pm, law…
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Boxing camp owner arrested for assaulting young female boxers
Police arrested a 54 year old boxing camp owner for allegedly using a firearm to intimidate and sexually assault two 12 year old female boxers at his facility. The arrest followed the mother of one of the victims reporting the incident, which led to the shutdown of the camp and the suspect fleeing to Bangkok to hide. Despite his attempt…
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Thai police arrest duo after violent mugging in Bangkok Noi
Bangkok police apprehended two young men following a violent assault and robbery in Bangkok Noi district. The suspects, identified as 23 year old Pongpattan from Kalasin, and 29 year old Somjai from Bangkok allegedly demanded money from a pedestrian and subsequently attacked and robbed the individual when the request was denied. The incident occurred yesterday when the victim was walking…
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Thai woman plunges to death from 23rd floor of condo in Malaysia
A 32 year old Thai woman met her untimely demise after being allegedly pushed by her boyfriend from the 23rd floor to the seventh floor of a condominium in Setia Alam, Malaysia. Shah Alam OCPD Assistant Commander Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim disclosed that the authorities received a distressing report regarding the incident precisely at 10.02pm local time (9.02pm Thailand time) last…
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Swiss man denies assaulting Thai woman, attributing incident as accident (video)
A Swiss man denied physically assaulting a Thai female doctor for sitting on the steps of his luxury villa in Phuket, saying it was an accident when he stumbled on the stairs, causing his foot to accidentally kick the doctor’s back. The 26 year old female doctor, Tarndao Chandam, took to social to share that a Swiss man, later identified…
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