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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Police bust gang smuggling Chinese nationals into Bangkok
Police yesterday apprehended a gang involved in smuggling Chinese nationals into Bangkok for work. The group was intercepted yesterday, March 12, at the border in Tak province, with the driver receiving a fee of 6,500 baht for his services. Police Major General Khongkrich Loetsitthikul instructed Police Colonel That Phosuwan, Police Lieutenant Colonel Supakorn Tangkaprasert, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkarawut Chanchareon…
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2 Phuket police spark debate after using force against foreign tourist
A viral video showing two Thai police officers using force to restrain a foreign man, who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket, has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. The video was shared yesterday, March 12, by a foreign Facebook user named Brenin DeOliveira, with a caption that read… “Thai cops don’t play! Allegedly, he punched a woman in the face.…
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Suspects arrested after shooting two Myanmar nationals in Thailand
Three suspects have been apprehended following the shooting of two Myanmar nationals in Thong Pha Phum district. The incident occurred before they fled south to hide in Ranong province. Bang Mhat, a 72 year old, confessed to retaliating under threat of imminent harm. Police Colonel Nathapob Pongsapan, the investigative chief of Ranong province, with Police Lieutenant Somsak Khamee and Captain…
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Irishwoman nabbed in Norway with £1 million worth of Thai cannabis
The sensational arrest of an Irishwoman in Norway with a £1 million (44 million baht) haul of cannabis, allegedly trafficked from Thailand, has unearthed a much larger drug trafficking ring. The 32 year old was apprehended by Norwegian police at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Thursday, January 9. She is suspected of attempting to smuggle 41.7kg of cannabis. Upon her arrest,…
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Teen stabs peer in marijuana-fueled paranoia at Rangsit condo
A 19 year old marketing student at a well-known university in Rangsit reportedly attacked a fellow student due to marijuana-induced paranoia at a luxury condominium. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of today, March 13, in Pathum Thani, left the victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim, referred to as Korn, was found at the entrance of the…
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Tattoo studio warns of couple using discarded needles in Thailand
A tattoo studio has raised concerns about a couple allegedly scavenging for used tattoo needles from its rubbish to use on their clients. The couple, who offer low-cost tattoo services without a storefront, were captured on CCTV rummaging through the trash outside the shop in Mueang district, Chachoengsao province. CCTV footage released yesterday, March 12, by 40 year old Thanupong,…
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Police bust Chinese-led online gambling ring in Bangkok
Police raided a well-known condominium in the Lat Phrao area, arresting a Chinese-led gang operating an online gambling site for two months. The operation seized numerous items and uncovered cash flow amounting to millions of baht. The suspects confessed to working as website administrators, earning a monthly salary of 50,000 baht. Today, March 13, Police Major General Jesada Suaysom, Commander…
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Thailand video news | Phuket hit-and-run: police hunt knife-wielding foreigners, Cambodian PM defends Angkor Sangkranta event amid criticism
In Thailand video news, Alex brings the latest news from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Phuket police hunt three foreigners after a hit-and-run, while reporters visit the prison cell where ex-police chief “Joe Ferrari” died. A man in Nan faces jail for dropping a Yaba pill, and a foreign tourist dines and dashes in Krabi. In Pattaya, police bust a rental…
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Thai man throws girlfriend from Bangkok condo before jumping
A Thai man consumed by jealousy reportedly strangled his girlfriend until she lost consciousness before hurling her from the rooftop of a Bangkok condominium at the weekend, subsequently jumping off himself. Both are now in critical condition. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet shared yesterday, March 11, that the girl’s 43 year old Thai mother urged him to help her…
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Manhunt after husband kills wife in Samut Prakan tragedy
A tragic incident unfolded in Samut Prakan province when a 43 year old man shot and killed his 34 year old wife in front of their children and mother-in-law. The suspect fled with his 15 year old stepdaughter, prompting a police manhunt. Today, March 13, at 1am, officers from Phra Samut Chedi Police Station were alerted to a shooting at…
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Casket lid numbers bring lottery luck to Ang Thong
It has been noted that residents frequently win lotteries using numbers from casket lids, specifically two and three-digit numbers. These numbers originate from the date and time when the casket is completed, such as those finished yesterday, March 12. The story delves into the origin of these casket lid numbers at a funeral service shop located at house number 173,…
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Violent altercation in Chon Buri: Man attacks ex-wife and partner
In the early hours of today, police in Saen Suk district were alerted to a violent altercation at a dormitory in Mueang district, Chon Buri province. The incident today, March 13, involved a confrontation where a man attacked his ex-wife and her new partner. The new partner managed to escape by breaking a bathroom window and is currently missing. The…
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Thai-tanic turmoil: British retirees escape Thailand prison drama
In an astonishing twist of fate, an elderly British couple have narrowly avoided what had seemed an inevitable prison sentence in Thailand. Instead, they’ve been handed 9,000 baht fines (£200), allowing them to plan their much-anticipated return to the UK. Their ordeal began in 2020 when Des and Mary Byrne retired to Thailand’s picturesque Thai Riviera, envisioning a peaceful, sun-soaked…
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Thai monk expelled after attacking nurse in Lop Buri hospital
A Thai monk with epilepsy and a history of mental illness attacked an assistant nurse at a hospital in Lop Buri province, striking the victim twice in the back and neck. A video showing a group of Thai men attempting to restrain the monk by pinning him to the ground was shared on Thai social media platforms and went viral.…
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400 baht minimum wage adjustment in Thailand still unconfirmed
Progress on the proposed nationwide 400 baht minimum wage adjustment remains uncertain, as confirmed by Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the permanent secretary of the Labour Ministry. Boonsong stated that the matter is not on the current meeting agenda but assured efforts to meet the May 1 deadline set by the labour minister. The current wage board’s term will end today, March 13.…
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Thai health initiative nears target with 18 million educated on carbs
The Ministry of Public Health announced that its initiative encouraging Thai citizens to monitor their carbohydrate intake has achieved notable success. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin revealed that over 18 million people have been educated on carbohydrate counting, nearing the project’s target of 20 million by March 20. With assistance from village health volunteers across the country, 445,791 individuals monitored…
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Labour Ministry under scrutiny for 7 billion baht office purchase
The Ministry of Labour confirmed its willingness to cooperate with a panel investigating claims that the Social Security Office (SSO) spent an excessive 7 billion baht on acquiring the SKYY9 Centre on Rama IX Road, despite its appraised value being 3 billion baht. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stated that the ministry is committed to ensuring transparency throughout the investigation. He…
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All systems go: Bangkok’s new Red Line to be greenlit in April
The eagerly anticipated extension of Thailand’s Red Line from Siriraj Hospital to Salaya is racing towards Cabinet approval this April. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the colossal 15.17 billion baht project has cleared all the necessary bureaucratic hurdles. The Finance Ministry, Budget Bureau, and National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) have all rendered their blessing, sending the proposal…
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Dog alerts owners to 5-metre king cobra under car bonnet
Unusual barking from a dog led to a startling discovery when a large king cobra, nearly 5 metres, was found hiding under a car bonnet. Weighing over 30 kilogrammes, the snake was later captured by rescue officials yesterday, March 12, in Krabi province. The incident occurred when rescue teams from the Pracharuamjai Foundation in Thung Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat…
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Busted! Bangkok officials caught in bogus 2.8m baht bus repair scam
Seven officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been detained for their alleged involvement in a corruption scheme concerning fabricated repairs to five buses, resulting in costs of 2.8 million baht. Their arrest followed an inspection of a repair garage yesterday morning, March 12. This inspection was conducted by senior officials, including Phumwisan Kasemsuk, Secretary General of the Public…
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Police reopen British teacher’s chilling murder case from 2012
West Yorkshire Police detectives are once again on the hunt for clues connected to the brutal murder of a British teacher in Thailand 12 years after the chilling attack that ultimately claimed his life. Adam Pickles, a former head of English at the Regents International School in Pattaya, tragically died in West Yorkshire in January 2021. His demise followed a…
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Drug-fuelled taxi rage: Man arrested with gun and meth in Phuket
A man was arrested after allegedly threatening a taxi driver with a pen gun near Mae Somchit Kata Fresh Market, only for police to discover he was also carrying crystal meth. The dramatic incident unfolded at 6pm on Monday, March 10, when Wichit Police received a report of a man menacing a taxi driver with a concealed weapon on Kata…
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I’ll be right back: Foreign tourist dines and dashes in Krabi
A foreign tourist has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after dining and dashing at a Krabi restaurant, leaving staff and locals furious. The tall, tattooed man reportedly ordered a lavish meal, pretended to visit the restroom, and then vanished without paying. The incident occurred on March 9 at Into the Forest, a popular restaurant in Khao Thong subdistrict,…
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Illegal foreign workers busted in Pattaya villa scam crackdown
Tourist Police in Pattaya arrested 25 foreign nationals working illegally at pool villa construction sites, exposing a growing network of illegal foreign-run property developments. The operation, led by Police Colonel Man Rotthong, targeted Chinese investors suspected of developing villa rentals that function as illegal hotels. Acting on a tip-off about 40 Chinese and Myanmar workers, officers raided four construction sites…
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Luxury v law: Phuket crackdown targets beachfront land grab
Officials in Phuket are ramping up efforts to reclaim Bang Tao Beach from unauthorised developments, with high-end hotels and businesses facing potential demolition after illegally encroaching on public land. Yesterday, March 11, officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Phuket branch, led by Director Suwat Saowarun, launched their second crackdown on beachfront encroachments in Cherng Talay. Joined by Thalang District…
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Thai man faces jail time after dropping Yaba pill in front of officials
A Thai man absent mindedly forgot that he had hidden some methamphetamine, better known in Thailand as Yaba, in his wallet and accidentally dropped six tablets in front of government officials. According to a new law, anyone found in possession of less than five Yaba tablets will be encouraged to attend rehabilitation. After rehab, suspects can waive a jail term…
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Bomb explosion narrowly misses vehicle in Narathiwat
A deadly roadside bomb detonated in Narathiwat, narrowly missing a vehicle carrying territorial defence volunteers, in what police suspect was an insurgent attack. The explosion yesterday, March 11, on the Sungai Kolok-Sungai Padi road caused significant damage but miraculously left no casualties. The blast occurred at 1.59pm at a U-turn in Ban Bango Humo, Mueang subdistrict, Sungai Padi district. Police…
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Ruff justice: Thai neighbour threatens to silence barking dog for good
A woman received a threatening letter from a neighbour, warning that her dog would be killed due to its excessive barking. The neighbour claimed the dog barked all day and night, but the woman refuted this, stating the dog only barked sporadically. Yesterday, March 11, a Facebook user posted a photo of the threatening letter in a group called Adorable…
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Delivery truck overturns onto pickup, injuring driver in Chumphon
A six-wheel delivery truck veered off its lane and overturned onto a pickup truck, severely injuring its driver, who was trapped inside. The truck driver admitted to dozing off after leaving Chon Buri late at night to deliver parcels to Surat Thani, despite taking several rest breaks. At 11.30am yesterday, March 11, Police Lieutenant Kriengchai Choomkaew, deputy inspector of Sawi…
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Rent, steal, sell: Couple busted in Pattaya car theft scam
A couple accused of running an elaborate car theft scam were arrested in Pattaya after allegedly renting vehicles, disabling GPS trackers, and selling them on the black market. The operation spanned multiple provinces, with victims reporting losses in Chon Buri, Pattaya, Nonthaburi, and Kanchanaburi. On March 9, Chon Buri Highway Police arrested 48 year old Thanakrit and 29 year old…
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