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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Thailand faces student enrolment drop, small schools struggle
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is expressing concern over a decline in student enrolment across Thailand, which may exacerbate the challenges faced by small schools under the current per-head funding system. Efforts are also underway to tackle the long-standing problem of excessive teacher workloads. A strategic proposal aimed at alleviating these burdens is to be presented to…
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Legal battle intensifies over Paetongtarn’s audio scandal
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s temporary suspension from duties as prime minister following a decision by the Constitutional Court, could have significant political consequences in the future. The court yesterday, July 1, voted 7-2 to accept a petition filed by senators seeking her removal, based on an audio clip allegedly featuring a conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The…
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Attack on Mae Tuen wildlife sanctuary sparks urgent police hunt
An attack occurred when armed assailants opened fire on the Pha Lado Forest Protection Unit office in Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak province. The natural resources and environment minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, has instructed police to apprehend the suspects, believed to be illegal loggers of rosewood. This incident is seen as a direct challenge to law enforcement and a threat to…
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Austrian tourist dies after falling down stairs in Koh Samui hotel
A tragic incident unfolded in Koh Samui early this morning, leaving a 45 year old Austrian tourist dead after falling down stairs in a hotel. The fatal accident occurred today, July 2, when Bo Phut Police Station, Surat Thani province, received an urgent report from the 191 centre at around 5am. The foreigner was found lifeless at the scene of…
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Thai woman allegedly engages in romantic relationships with 3 senior monks
A Thai woman, who reportedly caused a respected abbot to leave the monkhood, allegedly had romantic relationships with three other senior monks. Officers from the Anti-Corruption Division of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) confirmed that the sudden departure of Arch, the abbot of Bangkok’s Tri Thotsathep Temple, was linked to a love scandal involving a Thai woman identified only as…
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Student survives bus collision at Bangkok pedestrian crossing (video)
A university student in Bangkok is lucky to be alive after being run down by a bus while crossing the road via a zebra crossing. The horrifying incident, captured on a nearby surveillance camera, quickly went viral after being shared online. Despite being hurled several metres from the point of impact, the young woman survived the crash and is now…
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Cannabis cargo: British teen’s ‘snake-like’ scar tale in Georgia
A British teenager accused of smuggling a £250,000 (11.2 million baht) haul of cannabis into Georgia broke down in tears in court, and showed a snake-like scar she says proves she was tortured and forced into the crime. Bella Culley, from Billingham, County Durham, in the North-East of England, could face life behind bars if found guilty of trafficking nearly…
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Pattaya’s tourist shift: Indian influx sparks debate on future
As July rolls in, Pattaya’s tourism officials are pinning their hopes on the co-payment programme, also known as the Half-Half travel scheme, focusing on the domestic market as international travel slows during the low season. With fewer long-haul visitors expected, Thai families on school break, along with an increasing influx of regional travellers, particularly from the Indian subcontinent, are being…
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Durian variety draws Malaysia, Singapore tourists to Yala’s Betong
The Musang King durian, renowned for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavour, has begun to bear fruit in Betong, Yala, attracting hordes of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists eager to indulge in this prized variety. The durian season is in full swing, with many visitors organising tours to the plantations in Ban Bon Nam Ron, Tanae Marae subdistrict, Betong district,…
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4 Rottweilers rescued after being left to die in Chiang Mai forest
An animal welfare foundation rescued four Rottweilers abandoned in a forest in Chiang Mai province. One of the dogs was found with two gunshot wounds. On July 1, locals from Mae Kam Pong Village, a well-known tourist destination, sought help from Odd, the abbot of Chedi Luang Temple, after discovering the dogs in the forest while foraging for food. The…
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Thai workers arrested for risky border escape after Cambodia job scam
Ten Thai construction workers were arrested near the Thai-Cambodian border while attempting to return home after being deceived by employers in Cambodia. The incident occurred today, July 2, near the permanent checkpoint at Ban Khlong Luek in Sa Kaeo province. The Burapha Task Force, along with the Aranyaprathet Special Task Force, apprehended the group as they climbed the roof of…
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Spanish family rescued after boat capsizes off Koh Samui
A terrifying incident unfolded off the coast of Koh Samui as a tourist boat carrying a Spanish family of four capsized and sank in the middle of the sea. Fortunately, quick-thinking rescuers saved the family after they were left floating helplessly in the water. The incident occurred yesterday, July 1 at around 11.30am, as a long-tailed boat carrying a group…
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Thai police seize 10.6 million meth pills in major drug bust
Police in the far north of Thailand conducted two significant drug seizures, uncovering a total of 10 million methamphetamine pills hidden in a shipment of speaker boxes and an additional 600,000 pills in parcels at an express delivery service. The incidents occurred in Phrae and Chiang Rai provinces, as revealed by Police Region 5 yesterday, July 1. In Phrae, officers…
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Thai woman accuses ex-MP and businessman of extorting 9 million baht
A Thai woman accused an ex-Member of Parliament (MP) and a prominent businessman of extorting 9 million baht from her by promising to help her avoid legal punishment. Despite paying the amount, she was imprisoned. The woman, identified as Punim, shared her ordeal on her Facebook account on June 26, asking her followers whether she should reveal the identities of…
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Police bust Chinese call centre scam in Chiang Mai luxury home
In Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong district, police apprehended 15 Chinese nationals implicated in a call centre scam. The operation took place in a luxury house in tambon Ban Waen, where Provincial Region 5 police searched yesterday, July 1. Following a tip-off, police discovered that the property was purchased by Chinese people through Thai nominees and was being used as a…
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Temple raid: Monks busted for meth use in central Thailand
Two young monks in Phetchaburi province have been arrested for consuming methamphetamine inside a temple’s monk quarters. The incident, which has left the local community stunned, occurred yesterday, July 1, when police in Khao Yoi district, in collaboration with local officials, raided the temple after receiving intelligence reports about the monks’ involvement in drug use. The operation was led by Police…
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Chiang Mai woman hits 60 million baht lottery jackpot
A woman from the Tai Yai community in Chiang Mai has become an instant millionaire, winning a staggering 60 million baht after securing 10 first-prize lottery tickets with the number 949246. The life-changing win came during the lottery draw yesterday, July 1, and the lucky winner celebrated her newfound wealth with friends in the Wiang Haeng district. The lucky woman,…
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Hairy surprise: Thai woman finds pubic hair on ‘brand-new’ shaver
A Thai woman in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan took to social media to share her shocking online shopping experience after discovering what she suspected was pubic hair from an unidentified person on what was supposed to be a brand-new shaver. The 44 year old woman, Chompoonuch Wanchana, posted a video of the disturbing unboxing on her Facebook…
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Thalang thief caught red-handed with stolen bike hidden in room
A man has been arrested in Thalang after being caught hiding a stolen motorbike inside his room just hours after it was reported missing. The theft unfolded yesterday, July 1, when police swooped in on 38 year old Supachai Kaewplod at his residence in the Keha U-Athorn housing estate in Srisoonthorn. The arrest was led by Police Colonel Nikorn Chuthong,…
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Thai teenager arrested for blackmailing girlfriend with explicit clips
The Thai Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force arrested a 17 year old man for blackmailing his 13 year old girlfriend by posting explicit clips on social media following a quarrel. The arrest took place at 7.30am yesterday, July 1, in the Bangkok Noi district. The Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children-TICAC Task Force coordinated with law enforcement to apprehend…
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Taxi horror: Thai tourist harassed by cab driver in South Korea
A South Korean taxi driver sparked outrage online after harassing a female tourist from Thailand with inappropriate comments during a ride. The incident, which has since gone viral, has drawn anger from both Thai and South Korean netizens, calling for justice and better protections for women. On June 19, a woman posted a disturbing video on social media, capturing her…
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Thailand Video News | Thai PM Paetongtarn suspended amid leaked audio scandal involving Cambodia, Thailand introduces prescription form to regulate medical cannabis use
In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended amid a leaked audio scandal, while new cannabis prescription rules tighten control over medical use. The country also saw a daring restaurant scam in Pattaya, a major heroin smuggling arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and a rare bear encounter in Khao Yai National Park. Across the region, a Batik Air flight narrowly…
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PlayStation teams up with BLACKPINK’s Lisa for epic teaser (video)
Hold onto your controllers, gamers! PlayStation has just dropped a teaser clip featuring none other than the world-renowned Thai artist Lisa Manobal from BLACKPINK, and fans are buzzing with excitement. The collaboration is leaving many wondering if this is just the beginning of a thrilling partnership between the gaming giant and the global music icon. The teaser, which showcases Lisa’s…
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Bomb scare patrol: Phuket orders crackdown on abandoned motors
Local government officials in Phuket have been ordered to hunt down abandoned cars and motorbikes, over fears they could be used to hide bombs. The sweeping directive came during a high-level security briefing yesterday, July 1, chaired by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the Provincial Hall. “All agencies must take this seriously,” the governor warned. “We need to ensure the…
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Missing woman’s body found in car in Kanchanaburi canal
The body of a woman missing for over a month was discovered in a submerged car in a canal in Kanchanaburi province. Her husband had previously sought help through social media to locate her. Police are now examining CCTV footage for more details. At noon yesterday, July 1, Police Lieutenant Wanchai Phutthiek, Deputy Inspector of Samrong Police Station, received a…
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Thai Cabinet expands eligibility for ‘You Fight, We Help’ debt relief
Thailand is extending a lifeline to millions of debtors, expanding the eligibility for the popular “You Fight, We Help” debt relief initiative. The crucial change will allow debtors with arrears ranging from just one day to those overdue by more than a year to access vital assistance. To provide broader support, the Cabinet approved a revised framework that now includes…
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Thailand Post senior employees get first salary rise in 18 years
The Thai Cabinet yesterday, July 1, approved a long-awaited increase in the maximum salary cap for senior employees at Thailand Post, marking the first such adjustment in 18 years. The decision follows recommendations from the State Enterprise Labour Relations Committee (SELRC) and will come into effect immediately. Thailand Post, a state enterprise providing nationwide mail, logistics, financial, and agency services,…
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Elderly motorcycle taxi driver attacked in Chon Buri dispute
A 69 year old motorcycle taxi driver was assaulted by a colleague from the same service after being accused of stealing customers. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred yesterday, July 1, at the Chan Chao motorcycle stand on Bang Saen Beach Road, Saen Suk, Mueang district, Chon Buri province. The footage shows the elderly woman being slapped and kicked to…
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Noodle-icious win: Saraburi vendor hits jackpot, shares the flavour
A well-known noodle vendor in Saraburi celebrated winning the first prize in the government lottery draw on July 1 by giving away free noodles for two days. Locals gathered to congratulate the lucky winner, Aunt Pao, on her newfound fortune. Yesterday, July 1, the results of the government lottery draw were announced, revealing the winning first prize number as 949246.…
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Phuket boosts security with 98 million baht ‘Phuket Eye’ expansion
Phuket is about to get a major security upgrade as local officials unveil plans to expand the “Phuket Eye” initiative, a groundbreaking security model aimed at making the island safer. With crime suppression, tourist safety, and traffic management as top priorities, the initiative promises to bring peace of mind to both residents and visitors. Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, a…
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