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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Wild elephant causes chaos in Thai shop, damages shelves
In Nakhon Ratchasima, a wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park surprised a local shop in Pak Chong district yesterday, June 2, causing chaos as it rummaged around for food, damaging shelves in the process. The shop, located approximately one kilometre from a park entrance in Ban Tha Maprang, tambon Mu Si, witnessed the unexpected visit of the elephant, known…
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Thai Air Force tests gun-mounted drone amid border tensions
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has tested a drone armed with an M4 carbine, aiming to boost surveillance and reduce troop risk along the Thai-Cambodian border. The test flight took place today, June 3, and was part of a joint development between the RTAF and the Defence Technology Institute. The drone is designed to assist ground patrol units during…
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Tourists attacked in Patong after assaulting local woman (video)
Two tourists were rendered unconscious following an altercation with a group of Thai men in Patong, Phuket. The incident reportedly followed an alleged assault on a local woman by the intoxicated tourists. The altercation, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media yesterday night, June 2, took place on Bangla Road, a well-known nightlife district in Patong,…
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Patong police probe suspicious foreign car with hidden plates
Police in Patong are currently investigating a suspicious vehicle left by a foreign national near Paradise Beach, with its license plates intentionally hidden. The situation came to light around 9am today, June 3, when members of the Patong Crime-Free Community Project LINE group reported the incident. They informed the police that a foreign man had parked a sedan opposite an…
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Udon Thani couple resolve engagement dispute with 100,000 baht agreement
A dispute over a postponed engagement ceremony in Udon Thani has been resolved, with both parties agreeing not to pursue financial claims further. The couple will continue residing in the family home, and the bride’s side has agreed not to make additional demands. The incident, involving 43 year old Saengduan, the groom’s mother, and a woman, A, unfolded at Saengduan’s…
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Thailand targets 4.5 billion baht from pride month tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to position Thailand as a top destination for the LGBTQ+ community, with expectations for the pride month celebrations to generate up to 4.5 billion baht in economic activity. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, highlighted that June is celebrated globally as pride month. Thailand continues to hold grand celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community,…
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Baan Khao Din checkpoint stays open amid Cambodia closure rumours
The permanent border checkpoint at Baan Khao Din, Khlong Hat district, Sa Kaeo province, remains open amidst increased security measures by immigration and military personnel. This follows rumours in Cambodia about a potential border closure on June 2. The Thai-Cambodian border trade market, known as Sri Phen Market, continues to operate with Cambodian traders arriving as usual, albeit in fewer…
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Icomos experts to assess Wat Phra Mahathat for World Heritage status
Experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) are set to visit Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat province this week. They will assess the site for potential recognition as a World Heritage Site. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recently received a report from Chayanan Pakdeejit, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and…
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State Audit Office scandal: 25.8m baht contract under scrutiny
Renewed attention has focused on the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building after a recent report highlighted ongoing irregularities in its construction beginning in 2009. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found evidence last year supporting allegations against former Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka and others, concerning a 25.8 million baht design contract related to the project. The building was originally intended…
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Ten injured as bus of Indian students crashes in Bangkok
At least 10 passengers sustained injuries when a tour bus carrying Indian exchange students crashed into a roadside power pole on Phahon Yothin Road near Kor Por Aor Intersection in Bangkok. The accident occurred yesterday, June 2, at 11am on the outbound side of the road in Sai Mai district. Rescuers from Bangkhen Fire and Rescue responded swiftly to the…
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Five arrested in Customs electronic cigarette theft investigation
The investigation into the theft of electronic cigarettes from the Customs Department is progressing, with five people arrested and one suspect still at large. Police Major General Witthawat Chinkham, commander of Division 5, confirmed that there is no police involvement, although it is suspected that insiders may have provided information regarding the stolen goods. The suspects, who all know each…
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Cambodia to escalate Thai border dispute to World Court
Cambodia plans to escalate its border dispute with Thailand to the World Court after a recent exchange of gunfire between the countries’ soldiers. As reported by the Khmer Times, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet informed the National Assembly that the government intends to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to address the persistent issue. “Cambodia would…
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Drug conspiracy arrest: aspiring Ratchaburi village headman detained
A 41 year old man, aspiring to be the village headman in Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province, was arrested at his residence. On June 1 at 3pm, police apprehended Sunan under a warrant issued by Ratchaburi Provincial Court, dated May 15, for his involvement in a drug-related conspiracy. The arrest operation was led by Police Major General Wachiraphong Amornapitak, Ratchaburi…
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Tourism council urges PM to boost sector’s global competitiveness
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is set to submit a letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra this week, advocating for enhancements in the tourism sector to elevate Thailand’s competitiveness on a global scale. Chai Arunanondchai, President of the TCT, emphasised the need for Thailand to evolve into a sustainable and high-quality tourism destination. According to Chai, the sector, responsible…
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Elderly man allegedly stabs wife in Bangkok home after argument
A tragic incident unfolded when an elderly couple’s argument led to a fatal stabbing in their Bangkok home. A 69 year old man, in a fit of anger, allegedly stabbed his 77 year old wife, who suffered from dementia, following a dispute in their residence on Charan Sanitwong 37 in the Bang Khun Si subdistrict. Police Lieutenant Virat Menthakul from…
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Fire at Chanthaburi resort damages fitness building and equipment
A fire broke out at a renowned resort hotel in Chanthaburi, damaging fitness equipment and a fitness building after a golf cart caught fire. The incident occurred at 9.30pm yesterday, June 2, in Mueang district, Chanthaburi province. Police coordinated with the Phatthavee subdistrict municipal fire department and rescue teams to extinguish the blaze. Upon arrival, the fire was rapidly consuming…
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Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines sign joint business agreement
Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines have signed a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) to enhance flight services between Bangkok and Istanbul. The collaboration was formalised during the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, India, marking a significant step in strengthening relations between Thailand’s flagship carrier and Turkey’s national airline. The agreement builds upon Thai Airways’ successful launch of a…
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Police address ceiling collapse at Immigration Bureau
Today, June 3, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police General Kittirat Punpech addressed the collapse of the ceiling at the Immigration Bureau’s training centre. The incident was attributed to a leaking air conditioning system, not structural issues, and a thorough inspection is underway. The ceiling in the third-floor meeting room collapsed due to water accumulation from a condenser leak,…
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37 Thai provinces issued warning for heavy rain and storms
The Meteorological Department has announced that 37 provinces in Thailand are under a weather warning due to a moderate southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rain is expected to impact 60% of Bangkok today, June 3. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain across several regions…
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4.5 magnitude quake hits Chiang Mai, no damage reported
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported a 4.5 magnitude earthquake centred in Mae Pang subdistrict, Chiang Mai province, prompting the director-general, Phasakorn Boonyalak, to instruct four provinces to monitor the situation closely. The DDPM swiftly initiated damage assessments in the affected areas, utilising the Cell Broadcachinst alert system. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) promptly sent out the…
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Man in Khon Kaen confesses to grandmother’s murder after argument
A 49 year old man has confessed to killing his 87 year old grandmother, whom he had been caring for, following an argument. The incident occurred in Khon Kaen province, where the victim had recently adopted him as her son and left him all her property. Today, June 2, Police Colonel Chalit Morakotsriwan, along with his team and Deputy Police…
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Body found in haunted Udon Thani well near railway station
In Udon Thani, the body of a middle-aged man was discovered in an abandoned well near the railway station, believed by some locals to be haunted. A homeless person residing at the railway station reported the sighting, sparking eerie tales of ghostly apparitions at night. Upon receiving the report today, June 2, emergency services coordinated with Police Lieutenant Colonel Wattanapong…
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PM leads Bangkok Pride 2025 as Siam Piwat powers month-long festival
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra opened the Bangkok Pride Parade 2025 yesterday, June 1, marching through the Siam area alongside key Cabinet members, including Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai, and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. They were joined by Bangkok Pride chair Waaddao Ann Chumaporn, Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon, UN…
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Suspect detained after deadly container warehouse theft in Bangkok
A suspect involved in a group theft at a container warehouse under the Port Authority of Thailand has been detained. The incident saw a group of four to five people steal confiscated electronic cigarettes, stored in containers by customs officials. The theft occurred at a stadium warehouse but was interrupted by security guards. In their escape attempt, the thieves’ van…
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Cattle farmer shot dead near ordination event in Phetchaburi
A 32 year old cattle farmer, Sakditat, was fatally shot nine times near a religious ordination celebration in Phetchaburi. Police have identified a suspect and are investigating a personal conflict as a possible motive. The incident occurred yesterday, June 1, along the Nong Bo–Bo Huai road in Don Yang subdistrict, Mueang district, Phetchaburi province. Police Lieutenant Prakit Tonmaithong from the…
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Drivers held for transporting 1,434 boxes of illegal cigarettes
Two delivery drivers employed by a parcel company have been apprehended for allegedly transporting 1,434 boxes of illegal cigarettes. The drivers claimed they were unaware of the contents, as they were simply fulfilling their duties. Police stated that tracking down the perpetrators should not be difficult due to complete sender and recipient documentation. Yesterday, June 1, Police Colonel Parinya Khraikruan,…
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Woman abducted in Trat as police chase white van
A white van blocked a black Mitsubishi car, prompting a woman to flee for help, only to be pursued and assaulted by a man who then dragged her into the van and drove away. Police in Mueang district, Trat province, are urgently tracking the vehicle, but the woman’s fate remains unknown. At 6pm yesterday, June 1, Police Lieutenant Colonel Therdkiat…
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Man tragically shot in Phetchabun mall car park
Surveillance footage captured a tragic shooting incident outside a shopping mall that left a man dead while waiting to pick up his girlfriend from her last day of part-time work. The event, which occurred yesterday, June 1 at 7pm in Phetchabun province’s Bueng Sam Phan district, caused panic among shoppers. Police from Bueng Sam Phan Police Station, along with a…
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Thailand lottery winners scoop 78 million baht jackpot
A lottery draw in Thailand resulted in a significant win for two people, with a combined prize of 78 million baht. Yesterday, June 1, the Government Lottery Office announced the winning numbers for the draw. The first prize number was 559352, with additional prizes for other categories. Notably, a man from Chiang Rai won 54 million baht (US$1.64 million), while…
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Sattahip police crackdown on noisy bikers, seize over 100 illegal motorcycles
Scores of motorcyclists were arrested and hundreds of illegally modified motorcycles impounded by Sattahip police following resident complaints about noise and public disturbances during a long holiday weekend. The bikers had assembled from various regions at Nang Ram Beach in Chon Buri province, prompting a swift police response. At 11am yesterday, June 1, Police Colonel Komsan Kamtunkaew, the chief of…
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