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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Kind foreign man praised for assisting Thai rescue team in traffic jam
A Thai rescue team expressed their gratitude towards a kind foreign man who assisted their operation by clearing a path for their emergency van on Phahurat Road in Bangkok on Saturday, January 4. A member of the rescue team, Chaiyapon Chanchua, shared a video of the foreigner on social media to commend his support. In the footage, the foreigner, dressed…
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Thailand battles unsafe PM2.5 dust levels in 67 provinces
Bangkok and 66 out of 76 provinces in Thailand grappled with hazardous levels of ultrafine dust particles today, with Sing Buri facing the most severe pollution. The alarming situation was highlighted by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) at 9am today, January 5, noting that particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and smaller (PM2.5) had reached harmful levels in five…
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Liberian duo arrested in Bangkok for US$90,000 gold scam
Two Liberian nationals have been detained in connection with a gold-selling scam in Bangkok that resulted in the theft of US$90,000, equivalent to around 3 million baht, from a Thai businessman. The scam involved swapping counterfeit banknotes for genuine ones. Police Colonel Pansa Amarapitak, the chief of Thong Lor Police Station, announced the arrest of 32 year old Solomon Varney…
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University dean dives back into Tangmo mystery with re-enactment
Rangsit University’s College of Oriental Medicine dean reignited interest in the renowned case of late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong with plans for a groundbreaking re-enactment. Despite numerous media simulations and government efforts, doubts persist about the accuracy of previous attempts to mimic the actress’s tragic fall from a speedboat. To unlock the truth, the dean, Panthep Puapongpan, is calling for…
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Hygiene concerns after foreigner films dishwashing in Thai canal (video)
Restaurants at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the central province of Ratchaburi have come under criticism after a foreigner filmed staff washing dishes in a canal filled with murky, greyish water. Esor News reposted the video on January 3, showing the foreign woman, whose nationality was not disclosed. The page administrator wrote in the caption: “A foreigner visited a floating…
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Yacht crew member suffers severe burns in Pattaya engine fire
A distressing incident unfolded on Saturday when a yacht crew member from Laos sustained severe burns while conducting engine repairs near Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya. On January 4, at 5.36pm, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received an urgent call regarding an individual suffering from burns at the pier. Rescue teams, accompanied by local reporters, promptly arrived at the scene…
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Thailand to develop cyber fraud insurance framework
Efforts to bolster Thailand’s cybersecurity are underway as the Office of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is working on developing a cyber fraud insurance framework. This initiative aims to aid organisations in mitigating the risk associated with cyber-attacks and data breaches, a growing concern in the digital age. NCSA Secretary General Amorn Chomchoey explained that the framework could reinforce…
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Thai police arrest woman in Facebook job scam
Police in Thailand successfully apprehended a woman involved in a Facebook job scam, enticing victims to pay fees for a non-existent soap-packing job. The 23 year old suspect was arrested yesterday, January 5, in Nakhon Ratchasima after being implicated in fraudulent activities under a warrant issued in October of the previous year. The arrest was orchestrated by high-ranking officials, including…
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Drunk tourist clashes with Phuket bikers over massage ride
A drunken tourist attacked three Thai app-based motorcycle taxi riders in Phuket, allegedly because he wanted a lift to a massage parlour. However, the riders declined to serve him, citing that they were fully booked. Several news agencies shared a video of the foreign man attacking three Thai men on a footpath yesterday, 5 January. In the video, the foreigner, wearing…
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Deputy PM rolls dice on Thaksin’s bold online gambling bet
Prasert Chantrawongthong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has weighed in on ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s bold proposal to legalise online gambling. The 74 year old former prime minister recently sparked controversy by suggesting that bringing online betting into the open could help tackle the widespread social issues associated with the industry. Known to be…
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Shell shock: Coconut factory fire sparks highway pileup
Smoke billowing from a fire at a coconut fibre factory led to a series of rear-end collisions on a major highway, causing a traffic jam stretching several kilometres. Firefighters took over four hours to control the blaze. Yesterday, January 5, police in Prachuap Khiri Khan received reports of a fire at a coconut fibre production facility located along the southbound…
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Bitcoin soars as ETFs and halving spark a crypto frenzy
Bitcoin soared to dizzying heights last year, propelled by a swarm of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) introduced in January and April’s dramatic supply-halving event. These triggers, combined with a surge of interest from institutional investors, catapulted Bitcoin into the limelight, transforming it into a mainstream asset category. The crypto kingpin shattered records, peaking at an astounding US$100,000 in early…
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Cold front, hot topic: Thailand braces for a temperature tumble
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning about a significant drop in temperature across Thailand due to a cold air mass, leading to cooler weather across various regions. Affected areas include the northern, northeastern, and central parts of the country, with particularly frigid conditions on mountaintops. The TMD reported a northeast monsoon sweeping across the Gulf of Thailand,…
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Young man killed over debt dispute in Sisaket village
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday in the village of Ban Na, Khun Han district, Sisaket province, when a 25 year old man, Natthaphon, was fatally stabbed. This occurred following an altercation over an unsettled debt, leading to a chaotic confrontation and ending in his death. The suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle, prompting a police investigation. The early hours…
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Thaksin sparks outrage with racist remarks in Chiang Rai
The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, delivered a controversial speech containing racist remarks about international models from Africa while supporting his daughter and Pheu Thai Party members in the Provincial Administrative Organisation chief election campaign in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Thaksin has taken a prominent role in the local election campaign in Chiang Rai as his…
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Bangkok fire leaves elderly man injured, son suspected of arson
A devastating fire engulfed a community in the heart of Bangkok, leaving a 73 year old man trapped and injured. Eyewitnesses suspect the homeowner’s son, who was seen watching the blaze, of starting the fire. Police later detained him. The blaze broke out yesterday, January 5, at 8.20pm in a residential area within Soi Bang Khae 14, on Bang Khae-Bang…
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Waste not, want rot: Cops bust illegal e-waste ring in Samut Sakhon
Police uncovered an extensive illegal operation where electronic waste was being unlawfully transported and stored in Samut Sakhon. The discovery is linked to previous activities involving closed factories. Yesterday, January 5, Ekanat Promphan, Minister of Industry, revealed that a team led by Thitiphat Chotedechachainan and Ekaniti Ramyanont, along with local industry officials and the Department of Industrial Works, conducted a…
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Purr-fect comeback: Tiger spotted in Kui Buri after a decade
A significant milestone in wildlife conservation has been achieved at Kui Buri National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan, as a tiger has been captured on camera returning to the area for the first time in over 10 years. Park officials successfully captured images of the tiger using wildlife camera traps set up near Khao Khan Hok and Khao Sam Chan, close…
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Spanish tourist’s dream trip turns deadly at Thai elephant care centre
In a heart-wrenching incident, a 22 year old Spanish tourist tragically lost her life after being attacked by an elephant she was bathing in Thailand. The shocking event unfolded at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in the picturesque Phang Nga province’s Koh Yao district. During what was supposed to be a serene bathing session, things took a horrific turn…
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Blue Suzuki Swift’s shocking turn leaves Bangkok in the dark
Bangkok was thrown into chaos yesterday after a blue Suzuki Swift crash led to a major power outage. The scene of destruction unfolded early yesterday morning, as 12 power poles came crashing down like dominoes. The spectacle began at around 8am, January 5, at the notorious Wee Liam bend on Kanchanaphisek Road, right in the heart of the Bang Khae…
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Young man shot dead at Songkhla petrol station, police search for suspects
A 23 year old man was fatally shot in a petrol station, sparking a police manhunt for three suspects. The incident, which involved a confrontation over a mobile phone display, left the victim dead with several gunshot wounds to his body and head. The tragic event occurred at approximately 5.10am today, January 5, in a petrol station located on Kanchanavanich…
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Pattaya nightclub raid finds drug use, breaks curfew
Police in Pattaya conducted a significant raid on a nightclub located on the bustling Walking Street early this morning, January 5. The operation targeted Club Panda, which was operating beyond its legal hours, revealing traces of drug abuse among patrons. At approximately 3.30am, a contingent of 100 police and administrative officials descended upon the club, discovering over 300 patrons, both…
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Police fatally shoot patient wielding axe at Surin Hospital
A tragic incident unfolded at Surin Hospital where a 27 year old patient, recovering from surgery, was shot and killed by police after brandishing a weapon. Local police reported the unfortunate event took place within a patient ward on the hospital’s fourth floor. The patient, identified only as Apichai, had recently undergone an appendectomy. During his recovery, he inexplicably armed…
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Bang Yai nightclub accused of misusing patron ID card photos
A significant controversy has emerged around a popular nightclub in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, after reports surfaced about the venue allegedly taking photographs of patrons’ identification cards, sparking concerns over data misuse linked to online gambling invitations. The issue came to light when a prominent social media page revealed that the nightclub was operating until 4am and allegedly distributing customer ID…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and cold weather warning
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings for 10 provinces in Thailand to prepare for heavy rainfall due to a monsoon. Northern Thailand is experiencing a drop in temperature by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, along with strong winds. A high-pressure system, accompanied by a relatively strong cold air mass, is currently affecting upper Thailand, the upper southern region,…
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Thailand police seize 121 cars linked to illegal gambling network
Police officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) have seized 121 vehicles linked to a significant online gambling network dismantled two years ago. This operation, which took place yesterday, January 4. Officers, equipped with warrants from the Nonthaburi provincial court, conducted searches at a residence and a car showroom in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district. Their investigation led to the…
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Thailand abolishes public school uniform hairstyle rules
The Ministry of Education in Thailand has officially abolished the uniform hairstyle regulation for students in public schools. This change allows individual schools to determine their guidelines for student hairstyles as they see fit. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, speaking on behalf of the ministry, stated that the revocation was announced in the Royal Gazette last year. Schools across the country have since…
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Four Thai fishermen still held in Myanmar after mass prisoner release
Four Thai fishing vessel crew members remain detained in Myanmar, despite the release of 151 Thai prisoners. These individuals were apprehended in late November by Myanmar soldiers, accused of trespassing into Myanmar waters. The group of 151 Thai nationals, repatriated yesterday, January 4, via the second Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge in Chiang Rai, were part of a larger amnesty granted by…
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Thai police officers reassigned over Chinese volunteer training probe
Two high-ranking Thai police officers have been reassigned to inactive roles following their involvement in a contentious volunteer police training programme aimed at Chinese nationals. The programme, which charged each participant 38,000 baht (US$1,100), has come under scrutiny, prompting the transfer of the officers to the operations centre of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) as investigations continue. The officers involved…
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Thai man finds brother dead in Chai Nat, suspected murder
A shocking discovery unfolded when a man found his brother dead under suspicious circumstances in Chai Nat province, leading him to believe that his brother was murdered. The deceased, 62 year old Sukasem, was found in a single-storey concrete house in Sapphaya district, Chai Nat province. Police were alerted to the scene following reports of a suicide, but evidence at…
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