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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Factory shuttle bus crashes into ditch in Ayutthaya injuring many
A factory employee shuttle bus veered off the road, crashing into a roadside ditch in Ayutthaya, leaving a number of passengers seriously injured. Police Lieutenant Thanapat Phongsatit from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station received a report of the accident at 8.20am, today, April 7, on the outbound Asia Highway at kilometre 21, Hantra subdistrict. Several people sustained injuries, prompting…
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Betting on a bust! Former charter crew slam casino complex bill
An open letter from 30 ex-charter drafters has sent shockwaves through Bangkok’s corridors of power, as they warn that backing the casino-entertainment complex bill could breach ethical guidelines and jeopardise Thailand’s national strategy. The bill, which is set for a parliamentary vote on Wednesday’s first reading, has drawn fierce criticism from the group, including prominent experts who helped draft the…
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Buriram domestic dispute leads to fatal stabbing, suicide attempt
A tragic incident unfolded in Buriram as a domestic dispute between a husband and wife over alleged infidelity resulted in a fatal stabbing. The husband, who later attempted to end his own life, was unsuccessful. The event occurred today, April 7. Police Lieutenant Colonel Aphisit Saengdao, an investigator at Pakham District Police Station, received a report of a fatal stabbing…
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Minor tremors hit Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son districts
Sixteen minor tremors, ranging from 1.9 to 3.8 on the Richter scale, were documented in Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai, and Pai district, Mae Hong Son, this morning, April 7. Only a limited number of these were perceptible to residents. According to the Earthquake Observation Division, these seismic activities were recorded between 4.22am and 10.57am. In Chiang Mai’s Wiang Haeng…
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Man admits to injuring police in Ubon Ratchathani brawl
A man confessed to injuring police officers during an altercation in Ubon Ratchathani, claiming it was unintentional. The provincial governor has cancelled remaining festivities after 12 teenagers were arrested for assaulting officers at a local event. Today, April 7, Police Major General Patiyot Singhsomroj, Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Police Commander, along with Police Colonel Pornsak Lueanakh of Phibun Mangsahan Police Station,…
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Asia-Pacific nations scramble to dodge Trump’s trade tariff tantrum
A tariff tsunami unleashed by US President Donald Trump is sending shockwaves across the Asia-Pacific, as countries scramble to dodge his trade tariff tantrum. While the 10% baseline tariffs kicked in on Saturday, April 5, even steeper charges are set to hit some nations from Wednesday and reactions range from furious to fretful. But rather than hitting back, many Asia-Pacific…
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Teen motorcycle crash in Ranong claims two lives
Two 14 year old male students tragically lost their lives in a motorcycle accident in Ranong. The incident occurred when their vehicle lost control and crashed into a concrete pole bearing a speed reduction sign, resulting in their immediate deaths. Police Lieutenant Puriphat Suksawat of Mueang Ranong Police Station received a report of the accident at 4.30pm,yesterday, April 6. The…
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Fatal Phuket car crash claims woman’s life, injures couple
A tragic car crash in Phuket resulted in the death of a 30 year old woman after her car veered across the median and collided with an oncoming pickup truck. The collision also severely injured a married couple in the truck. Earlier today, April 7, Police Lieutenant Somchai Nuboon from Kathu Police Station in Phuket was informed of a car…
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Bangkok high-rise residents shaken by cracks and fear after quake
The recent powerful earthquake in Myanmar has rattled more than just the ground, it’s shaken the confidence of Bangkok’s high-rise residents, who are now questioning whether their sky-high pads are safe havens or ticking time bombs. The 7.7-magnitude quake on Friday, March 28, left buildings swaying and walls cracking in Bangkok, a city unaccustomed to major seismic shocks. Among those…
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Booze cruise: Drunk foreign man rescued from drowning in Pattaya
Locals safely rescued an drunk foreign man from drowning yesterday after he swam out into the sea at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. According to a report by Channel 7, the rescue took place last night, April 6, near the Dong Tarn booth of the Mueang Pattaya Police Station. Locals observed the foreign man walking into the dark waters and appearing…
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Thai airports to boost tighten service for Songkran 2025
The Thai government has instructed the Department of Airports (DOA) to enhance security and efficiency in anticipation of increased passenger traffic during the Songkran festival in 2025. This includes strict measures against overpricing by taxis and airport vendors. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri directed the DOA to ensure readiness for Songkran. The focus is on rigorous safety and security checks.…
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Thai contractor demands payment for collapsed building project
A construction contractor, owed over 3 million baht in unpaid wages, has criticised a subcontracting company involved in the earthquake-hit collapsed building project in Bangkok The contractor revealed structural flaws in the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) building, which collapsed on Friday, March 28, following an earthquake in Myanmar. Yesterday, April 6, a meeting was held between representatives of…
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Thai tomboy rescued from suicide attempt after call centre scam loss
A Thai tomboy attempted suicide in Pattaya after losing nearly 1 million baht to a call centre scam. Her mother claimed the police ignored the case for nearly a year. The mother contacted officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Thammasathan Foundation to assist her 36 year old tomboy daughter, identified only as A, at…
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Locals question Pattaya’s silence on Songkran traffic preparations
Pattaya is bracing for heavy traffic and travel delays as the city gears up for the annual Songkran holiday next week. As visitors flood into the seaside hotspot, both foot and vehicle traffic are expected to surge. But like in previous years, locals remained concerned about the expected gridlock. Last year, one local recalled how officials tried to control traffic…
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Former guard arrested for robbery to fund gambling, Songkran
A former security guard has been apprehended for allegedly robbing a woman on a motorcycle to finance gambling and Songkran festivities. Yesterday, April 6, Police Major General Komsit Rangsai of Metropolitan Police Bureau 9, alongside Deputy Police Colonel Teerachai Detkad and Police Colonel Wichayanon Ektasaeng of Tha Kham Police Station, received a report from Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanakorn Chanrod and…
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Swept into chaos! Bangkok road sweepers battered in bin bust-up
Two Bangkok road sweepers sustained injuries while on duty following a physical assault by a male vendor in the Samphan Thawong district at the weekend in a rubbish collection dispute. The Facebook page Red Skull XXX shared a video of the altercation, which occurred on Saturday, April 5, in the middle of an alley in the Samphan Thawong area. The post…
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Finance Ministry to blacklist rule-breaking contractors
The Finance Ministry is preparing to introduce measures to blacklist contractors that violate government procurement laws. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that in addition to blacklisting, contractors who breach procurement rules but whose offences are not severe enough for blacklisting may face downgrading. Julapun mentioned that discussions will be held with the Interior Ministry to ensure strict and comprehensive…
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Thai motorcyclist dies after crash into cement post and pond
A 25 year old man died when his motorcycle skidded off a curve and crashed into a cement post, propelling him into a pond. Yesterday, April 6, at 11am, officers from Ban Pho Police Station and emergency services in Chachoengsao were alerted to the discovery of a man’s body in a fish pond near a motorcycle at the entrance of…
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Excise crackdown: 2.7 billion baht fines for tax evasion surge
The Excise Department has been directed to swiftly enforce a zero-tolerance policy on excise tax evasion, focusing on breaches of excise regulations. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul emphasised efforts to prevent the smuggling of goods without tax payment, particularly across borders and through online platforms. The department expressed a commitment to prosecuting and taking action against those involved in selling…
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Butt of the bust! Cops stub out 3 million baht cig smuggling racket
Police yesterday intercepted a shipment of illegal cigarettes worth approximately 3 million baht, hidden among parcels on a truck. The driver claimed ignorance of the cargo’s contents, saying warehouse staff loaded the vehicle. Police Lieutenant Colonel Waris Machcha from Highway Police Station 3, Division 7, led the operation yesterday, April 6, that seized 5,480 packs of foreign cigarettes that had…
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13 year old Thai boy fatally shoots friend over Yaba dispute
A 13 year old Thai boy surrendered to police after fatally shooting a 19 year old friend during a drug dispute in the Isaan province of Loei. The fatal shooting occurred yesterday, April 6, in a forest near Ban Saraphae School in Chiang Khan district, Loei province. Officers from Chiang Khan Police Station discovered the lifeless body of the 19…
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Thailand to boost US imports amid 36% tariff on exports
The Government of Thailand has committed to boosting imports of energy, aircraft, and agricultural products from the United States. This decision is part of efforts to counteract the impact of the US’s 36% tariff on Thai exports, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is set to lead a delegation to the US this week to address…
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Elderly woman with Alzheimer’s dies after fall in Prachin Buri pit
A 72 year old woman with Alzheimer’s disease tragically died after falling into a 10 metre deep pit in Prachin Buri province. Her brother, who noticed her absence, discovered her body. The victim lived alone and suffered from Alzheimer’s and heart disease for over two years. At 2.30pm yesterday, April 6, Police Lieutenant Ratthaphon Yodkruea, deputy inspector (investigation) of Mueang…
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Thai bus driver and passenger lose lives in collision with truck
A coach driver and a passenger lost their lives after a bus collided with a six-wheel truck on a road in the central province of Pathum Thani yesterday. Officers from Lat Lum Kaeo Police Station investigated the fatal accident on Road 346 in the Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani at 8.20am, yesterday, April 6. The Por Teck Tung…
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Teenage gang’s bomb plot blown in Phuket
A teenage gang leader has been banged to rights after cops uncovered homemade bombs, a firearm, and ammo in a dramatic raid to stamp out street racing and youth violence in Phuket. The 17 year old ringleader, known only as ‘T’, was arrested by Wichit police as part of a sweeping operation targeting underage biker gangs wreaking havoc on the…
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Families to receive up to 2 million baht after Bangkok building collapse
Families of those who lost their lives in the collapse of the State Audit Office building are set to receive compensation from the Ministry of Labour, amounting up to 2 million baht per family. Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the ministry’s permanent secretary, visited the Coordination and Assistance Centre to assure both migrant and Thai workers of equal treatment. He stated that relatives…
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Songkran event: Fatal shooting, journalist threatened with death (video)
A Songkran Festival event at Tawanna Shopping Centre in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok has been cancelled following a fatal shooting on Saturday night. A Thai journalist team was reportedly threatened with death by one of the event organisers. The Facebook page Jmoi V+ (เจ๊มอย v+) shared a video of the altercation on Saturday, April 5, between two groups…
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Drug gang caught with two million meth pills in Loei
A drug trafficking gang attempted to use the long holiday to smuggle two million methamphetamine pills from a neighbouring country. They were apprehended at a checkpoint after trying to flee. Yesterday, April 6, Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachetphong, Major General Boonsin Phadklang, Loei Provincial Governor Chaiphot Charoonpong, Police Major General Wiradech Lekaworakul, Police Lieutenant Colonel Yutthawat Chokchai, Police Colonel Natthakrit…
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Buriram businesswoman scammed 700,000 baht in call centre fraud
A businesswoman in Buriram’s Prakhon Chai district fell victim to a call centre scam, losing over 700,000 baht. The scam, which involved impersonation of electricity officials, highlights the need for vigilance despite previous caution. The family hopes this case serves as a warning to others. Reporters investigated the incident by visiting Chamras, a 54 year old resident of Prakhon Chai…
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SRT confirms high-speed rail steel meets safety standards
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has confirmed that the steel used in the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project complies with all engineering and quality standards. This assurance follows detailed inspections initiated due to public concerns after an earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, which sent tremors to Bangkok, resulting in the collapse of the State Audit Office building in…
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