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 Why 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making
Phuket’s residential real estate market is no longer defined only by beachfront villas and short-stay resort condominiums. The island is now seeing sustained interest from international investors targeting long-term yields, capital stability, and access to full-scale lifestyle infrastructure. Looking at...
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Thailand ramps up flights as border unrest worsens
Thailand’s government is scrambling to evacuate its citizens from Cambodia as tensions escalate along the border, triggering fears of potential conflict. On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit ordered the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to work urgently with seven Thai airlines to boost seating capacity for Thai nationals wishing to…
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Flashing zebra crossing turns heads in Pattaya
Pattaya has rolled out a new traffic safety innovation that’s turning heads and slowing traffic. On Wednesday, July 23, the city launched a high-tech pedestrian crossing system on Second Road near Soi 6 in North Pattaya, designed to make road crossings significantly safer. The crossing features a push-button system that activates flashing lights, alerting oncoming vehicles to slow down or…
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Bangkok battered as deadly monsoon lashes Thailand
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, forecasting torrential rain, flash floods, and stormy seas across 24 provinces, with Bangkok expected to bear the most severe impact. The latest 24-hour forecast indicates heavy rainfall will drench the northern, upper northeastern, central, and eastern regions. Areas most at risk include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, and…
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Thai ex-boxer slammed for slapping Cambodian man amid border clash
Thai netizens condemned a ex-boxer for slapping a Cambodian worker in Thailand following a deadly clash between Thai and Cambodian forces today, July 24. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported earlier today that 12 Thai nationals were killed in attacks carried out by the Cambodian military. Among the victims was a Thai soldier, while the majority were innocent civilians, including…
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Joint venture: British woman caught with cannabis stash walks free
A British woman has narrowly escaped jail after being busted smuggling nearly 50 kilogrammes of cannabis into the UK following a trip to Thailand, prompting a judge to ask, “What possessed you?” Lauren Martin, from Liverpool, was stopped by Border Force officers at Manchester Airport on April 5 this year after arriving on a flight from Thailand. When questioned about…
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Scamera action: Snap-happy KL hustler fleeces Thai tourists (video)
A picture-perfect holiday in Kuala Lumpur almost turned into a financial nightmare for a group of Thai tourists after an unlicensed street photographer tried to fleece them out of 860 Malaysian ringgits (approximately 6,800 baht) for a few holiday snaps. According to a viral post on Threads, the group had been enjoying the sights around Kuala Lumpur City Centre when…
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Vodka vroom: Drunk Russian wrecks Thai woman’s car in Phuket
A Thai woman is seeking accountability from a Russian man who crashed his car into her two parked vehicles while driving under the influence in Phuket on Tuesday, July 22. The victim, Atiya Sharon, took to social media to request assistance from netizens in locating the Russian suspect. She posted details of the drink-driving incident along with CCTV footage showing…
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Thailand urged to tap booming halal tourism market
At the Mega Halal 2025 trade show in Bangkok, tourism insiders sounded the alarm on Thailand’s missed opportunities in the lucrative halal travel market. From prayer signage to proper certification, they argued, the country is just a few small tweaks away from becoming a top destination for Muslim travellers. “Today, it’s no longer just Muslims promoting to Muslims,” said Aida…
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TAT bets on value to reboot Thai tourism
Thailand is flipping the script on tourism. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed a sweeping 2026 strategy under the theme Value is the New Volume, marking a major shift toward sustainable, quality-driven travel experiences aimed at redefining the kingdom’s global image. At the official launch, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, top government officials, including Minister…
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Still standing: Brave Thai soldier loses leg, not pride
A Thai soldier who lost his right leg in a landmine explosion during a border patrol is now in stable condition. He stated that he has no regrets and remains proud to serve the kingdom. Sergeant Major First Class Pichitchai Boonchula stepped on the landmine while patrolling with four other soldiers in the Chong Anma area of Nam Yuen district,…
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Rain pain: Phayao floods spark chaos as rivers overflow
Heavy overnight rain on Tuesday triggered widespread flooding across Phayao province, leaving multiple districts inundated, roads impassable, and farmlands underwater. The hardest-hit area, Chiang Kham district, has seen severe disruption, with floodwaters engulfing streets near Phayao Hospital. Emergency crews rushed to deploy sandbags and tarpaulins around hospital buildings to hold back the advancing water. Small vehicles struggled through the submerged…
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Thai hotels face crisis as Chinese tourists drop by 41.94%
The Thai hotel industry is facing its toughest period, with a significant drop in tourist numbers. Chinese tourists alone decreased by 41.94% in June. The Thai Hotels Association is urging the government to enhance the country’s image, enforce safety measures, and tackle overcharging of foreign tourists. Tianprasert Chaipattaranan, President of the Thai Hotels Association, yesterday, July 23, expressed concern over…
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Tweet deal: Thailand considers delisting bulbul bird to boost green gains
The government has highlighted the perceived advantages of removing the red-whiskered bulbul, or nok krong hua juk, from the list of protected wildlife species to bolster both conservation efforts and economic growth, according to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on. A working group established by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is tasked with examining…
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AC unit blamed for fire scare at Karon hotel spa
A fire broke out last night at the Karon Phunaka Resort & Spa in Phuket, sending staff into emergency mode just before guests were due to arrive. The blaze, which erupted in the spa lounge’s reception area, is believed to have been sparked by a faulty air conditioning unit. Police were alerted to the incident around 6.30pm yesterday, July 23,…
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Bangkok police raid warehouse seizing 7,000 illegal e-cigarettes
Police in Bangkok raided a warehouse storing illegal e-cigarettes allegedly intended for sale to minors. The operation resulted in the seizure of 7,000 units valued at over 3 million baht, with the arrest of 29 year old Chayut. Police yesterday, July 23, received intelligence that the rented property, located in the Nong Bon subdistrict of Prawet district, was being used to…
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King Power closes outlets amid cost-cutting drive
Thailand’s duty-free giant King Power is closing three of its downtown branches in a sweeping cost-cutting move that includes a voluntary redundancy programme for staff across the company. The Srivaree, Pattaya, and Mahanakhon locations—once magnets for big-spending tour groups—will cease operations in September. The closures come as the retailer overhauls its business model amid sluggish post-pandemic sales and shifting consumer…
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Thailand blasts Cambodia for deadly border shelling
Thailand issued a scathing rebuke of Cambodia, calling on the international community to condemn what it describes as a “war-thirsty” and “inhumane” act of aggression following a series of deadly artillery strikes near the Thai-Cambodian border. At a press conference held at Government House at 12.30pm today, July 24, Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap confirmed that Cambodia had fired first, using…
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2 Thai men assaulted after asking about lost wallet from attackers
Two Thai men searching for a lost wallet at a public park in the central province of Chanthaburi ended up being assaulted by a group of men. The older brother of one of the victims, 32 year old Oh, provided details of the gang attack, which occurred at a public park near Sirikarn Pond in the Tha Chang sub-district of…
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Pattaya expats rattled by driving licence clampdown
A new rule quietly rolled out by Land Transportation offices in Bang Lamung (Pattaya) and Rayong has triggered widespread confusion and anxiety among the foreign community. As of July 17, foreigners holding visas valid for less than one year will only be granted two-year driving licences—whether applying for the first time or renewing. The rule, which is not yet a…
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Up in smoke: Vape vendor’s online hustle snuffed out in Thailand
Police arrested an online seller of e-cigarettes and vape liquids at her residence, seizing over 1,000 items. The suspect admitted today, July 24, to selling products to up to 10 customers daily, earning around 4,000 baht per day. She was taken to Din Daeng Police Station for formal charges. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau,…
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Caught red-handed: Copper crook’s Phuket crime spree ends
A 25 year old man has been apprehended in connection with a series of copper wire thefts that have disrupted Phuket Town over the past two months. The repeated incidents have caused significant inconvenience and frustration among the public. Officers from the Phuket City Police apprehended Pipatson “Nok” Thongwicha at a rental room on Surin Road in Phuket Town around 4pm…
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Paws of glory: Hero rider saves cat from blaze in Bangkok condo
A dramatic TikTok video is melting hearts online after capturing the moment a heroic delivery rider charged into a burning Bangkok condominium to rescue a trapped cat—emerging moments later covered in soot and cradling the lifeless feline in his arms. The video, posted on July 23 by user @pluem_sora, shows the rider—who is also a volunteer firefighter—bravely climbing through the…
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Thai mother rejects suicide ruling in son’s mysterious death
A Thai mother is calling for a deeper investigation into the mysterious death of her son, whose body was discovered by the roadside forest in the eastern province of Rayong on July 19. A local motorist came across an abandoned motorcycle with a storage compartment and numerous parcels along Pluak Daeng–Nong Yai Road in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong. The tyres…
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Ratchaburi shooting: 73 year old man found dead at home
In Ratchaburi, a 73 year old man named Prasan Numthuek was found dead in his home, with gunshot wounds suggestive of a close-range attack. Police investigations are focusing on personal and familial conflicts, with efforts underway to locate the assailant. Today, July 24, Police Major Surachai Boonin of Baan Pong Police Station in Ratchaburi province was notified of a fatal…
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Mayor tackles illegal waste dumping by Chinese firm in Chon Buri
In Chon Buri, the mayor of the Nong Chak subdistrict is taking firm action against a Chinese company caught illegally dumping waste in a prohibited area. The waste was returned to the factory’s entrance, and legal proceedings are underway. Today, July 24, Doctor Chawinkraiwit Singthotong, Mayor of Nong Chak subdistrict municipality, inspected a large amount of waste after reports indicated…
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2 year old Thai girl loses life in motorcycle accident in Phuket
A two year old Thai girl tragically lost her life in a motorcycle accident on a mountain road in the Thalang district of Phuket. Three other victims sustained injuries in the incident. The accident was reported to Thalang Police Station at approximately 12pm yesterday, July 23. It occurred on a steep section of Khao Lad Mountain in Thalang. The four…
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Deadly clash erupts between Thailand and Cambodia (video)
A cross-border clash between Thailand and Cambodia erupted near the Phra Viharn mountain area in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, today, July 24. The confrontation, which began at 9am, resulted in a tragic loss of two lives and several injuries as artillery fire struck a PTT petrol station. The exchange of gunfire lasted over two hours, with various weapons discharged continuously.…
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Smile high club! Thailand ranked world’s No.3 for fun and frolics
Thailand’s not just the Land of Smiles, it’s now officially one of the most fun places on the planet, with Gen Z leading the charge from temples to techno. Thailand has landed a top-three spot in the global fun league, coming in third in the US News & World Report’s 2024 rankings, and it’s not just about full moon parties…
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Thai teacher suspended for striking 8 year old boy with broomstick
A Thai teacher in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat struck an eight year old schoolboy with a broomstick after he accidentally dropped a bead on the classroom floor. The boy’s parents shared CCTV footage of the violent punishment with news agencies, claiming the school ignored the incident. They said the assault occurred on July 18, shortly before the…
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Senate backs amnesty for impulsive youth in political offences
A Senate committee expressed support for an amnesty aimed at young people who may have committed political offences due to recklessness or impulsivity. The Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection convened on Tuesday, July 22, to assess four amnesty bills, three of which are also being reviewed by a House committee. On July…
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