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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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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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Serial dater or serial hater? Thai man denies assaulting woman
A Thai man denied brutally assaulting a woman he met on a dating app and threatened to launch a countersuit against her in protest. The man reportedly assaulted several women in the past. The 27 year old alleged Thai woman sought help from the news programme Hone Krasae on Channel 3 following the alleged assaults and threats from the 37 year…
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Police seize 520 kilogrammes of crystal meth in freezer bust
The Central Investigation Bureau announced the seizure of 520 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in freezers, aimed for distribution in southern Thailand. Police also disrupted a significant e-cigarette trade, arresting numerous suspects and confiscating thousands of products. Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutr, commander of the Provincial Police Region 1, along with Deputy Commander Police Major General Chokchai Ngamwong and other…
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Man shot dead at home in Phatthalung after electricity cut
A 38 year old man was killed at his home in Phatthalung. The gunman, who had been released from prison two years ago for drug charges, cut the electricity before the fatal shooting. At 12.05am today, March 12, Police Lieutenant Athipat Maisuk from Khuan Khanun district station in Phatthalung province received a report of a shooting. The incident resulted in…
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Jomtien Beach revamp nears completion, flooding fix underway
Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach transformation is well underway, with more than 80% of the project completed as the city works to tackle persistent flooding and modernise its landscape. Set for completion by the end of this year, the massive upgrade promises better drainage, improved footpaths, more parking, and enhanced lighting—a game-changer for residents and tourists alike. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently inspected…
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Police allegedly involved in murder plot for 14 million baht payout
One of the four suspects in a murder, carried out for a 14 million baht insurance payout in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon, accused a police officer of being involved in the crime. Representatives from multiple car insurance companies urged police to investigate the death of a 32 year old Thai man, Wichian Jityen, after his relative, 38 year…
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Chon Buri woman found dead, police investigate suspicious circumstances
A 58 year old woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her bedroom. Her husband claims she fell and could not be saved in time. Police are interviewing witnesses to investigate the incident further. Officers from Don Hua Lo Police Station were alerted to a death in a condominium in Don Hua Lo subdistrict, Mueang district, Chon Buri, at 10pm…
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Tragic karaoke bar shooting in Phatthalung leaves woman dead
A 40 year old Laotian woman was tragically shot and killed inside a karaoke bar on Phetkasem Road between Phatthalung and Hat Yai at 9pm yesterday, March 11. Police Colonel Chan Narong Sangsang from Khao Chaison Police Station, Phatthalung province, received the report and promptly arrived at the scene with an investigative team and local rescue volunteers. Inside the karaoke…
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Lottery hiss-teria in Songkhla as king cobra slithers into family car
A routine afternoon turned into a heart-stopping moment for a Songkhla family when a 3-metre-long king cobra slithered into a parked car’s engine, sending locals into a frenzy. While officials rushed to capture the venomous intruder, superstitious residents had their eyes on something else—the car’s registration number for the upcoming lottery draw. The dramatic encounter took place in Ban Khlong…
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Lucky numbers frenzy as lottery tickets sell out near Khamchanod
In the lead-up to the next lottery draw, crowds gathered at a sacred shrine near Khamchanod Island to obtain lucky numbers. Many hope to win big in the March 16 draw but have been met with disappointment as tickets quickly sold out. Yesterday, March 11, at the renowned Khamchanod Island in Udon Thani, the atmosphere was bustling with tourists and…
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Heartbroken Thai woman directs men from dating app to neighbour’s homes
A Thai woman deceived several men she met on a dating application by directing them to her neighbours’ homes in Bangkok, causing chaos in the community. The suspect claimed she carried out the deception as an act of revenge. Three families living in Mueang Pracha Village on Hathairat Road in the Khlong Samwa district of Bangkok filed complaints with Nimitmai…
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Wake-up call: Snoozing Thai driver startled by cop’s ‘wife’ threat
A sleepy driver in Thailand got the shock of his life when police threatened him with a visit from his wife if he didn’t wake up and get a move on. A 40 year old Thai man fell asleep at the wheel, his pickup truck idling at a red light in bustling Nan City, at 12.30am today, March 12. The…
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Luxury car driver apologises after slapping 14 year old motorcyclist
A recent incident involving a luxury car driver and a 14 year old motorcyclist in Phak Hai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, has gained attention. The driver, a 42 year old man known as A, admitted to slapping the teenage motorcyclist after an alleged traffic dispute. Despite the motorcyclist’s apology, the driver proceeded with the assault. The event, captured…
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Fiery stir-fry chaos: Cook’s dish sets floating restaurant ablaze (video)
A peaceful riverside lunch turned into chaos when a fiery wok of stir-fried morning glory set a floating restaurant’s roof ablaze, sending panicked tourists scrambling for safety. The dramatic incident unfolded at 2.10pm yesterday, March 11, at a well-known floating restaurant on the Ping River in Wiang Nong Long district, Lamphun province. Crowds of tourists had gathered to enjoy the…
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Russian wheeler-dealer busted for shady bike rentals in Krabi
Police arrested a Russian man for illegally operating motorcycle rental shops in the southern province of Krabi, using Thai nationals as nominees. Officers from the Krabi Immigration Office, the Revenue Office, and Tourist Police received a tip-off about multiple illegal vehicle rental shops in the province. These shops were reportedly operated by foreign nationals. The officers spent more than three…
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Man found dead in Lop Buri after two-year disappearance
A man found dead with multiple stab wounds near a roadside pavilion in Lop Buri has been identified. The deceased was named as 40 year old Komsan, missing for over two years. Police are investigating his death, while family members are puzzled by his presence in the area. Yesterday, March 11, Police Colonel Chaimit Sitthipoon of the Phatthana Nikhom District…
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Russian woman accuses Phuket taxi driver’s wife of assault
The wife of a taxi driver in Phuket denied assaulting a Russian passenger during a ride. Instead, she turned the tables on the Eastern European and accused the woman of insulting her. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (Phuket is so brutal) shared a video recorded by a 31 year old Russian woman, whose name has not been disclosed, with a caption stating……
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Thailand video news | Swiss tourist arrested in Phuket for drug use, Indonesian Tiktoker jailed for blasphemy over Jesus joke
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jau bring you the latest headlines from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. A Swiss tourist is arrested in Phuket after a viral drug-use video, while Pai police fine foreign tourists for smoking cannabis in public. Meanwhile, a Thai MP faces an ethics probe for vaping inside Parliament. In crime news, Thai police, with…
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Mother seeks justice after daughter bruised by teacher in school
A mother sought media attention after her daughter, a second-grade student, was reportedly pinched on the arm by a teacher, leaving noticeable bruising. The incident took place on March 7, and the child is now afraid to attend school. Nijwaree, the 28 year old mother of Wanmai, a second-grade student at a school in Mueang Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province,…
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Footballer injured in violent match seeks justice in Samut Prakan (video)
A 38 year old football player filed a police report after a match turned violent, leading to a broken arm. He accused his opponent of intentionally targeting him rather than playing the game. The incident took place on March 9 at the Song Singh field in Samut Prakan’s Mueang district. Ritnarong provided a medical certificate and video footage as evidence…
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Tragedy at university: Family fights for justice after fatal crash
A 19 year old Myanmar student is demanding justice after his brother was killed in a horrific motorcycle accident near Assumption University, Bangkok, only to face a nightmare of medical delays, bureaucratic indifference, and shocking university negligence. The tragedy unfolded at noon on November 18 last year when the victim and his 17 year old cousin were riding to university.…
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