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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Chinese woman arrested in Phuket for illegally housing lion cub
Phuket police apprehended a Chinese woman on the accusation of illegally housing a lion cub in her hotel room. She came under scrutiny following allegations of her showcasing the juvenile lion daily at her coffee shop. Authorities from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NRECD), along with local police and wildlife officials, inspected the coffee shop located in the…
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Bangkok police apprehend man for assaulting niece over years
A major arrest has shaken a community in Thailand as police captured a man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl for over four years. The 40 year old suspect was apprehended after a meticulous operation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, following a mother’s report that her 11 year old daughter had been repeatedly abused by her uncle. Today, the…
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Thai man injures wife after meeting two alleged lovers in Chon Buri
A Thai man threw a glass picture frame at his wife, causing a severe injury to her legs, after he found her sharing an intimate moment with two alleged lovers at their home in Chon Buri province. Officers from the Don Hua Lor Police Station were alerted to the physical assault yesterday, February 13, and rushed to the scene. The…
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Devotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht
Thousands of devotees flocked to pay homage to the revered teacher Suriyant yesterday as he generously distributed 2 million baht (US$55,447) in donations, also sparking excitement for lottery enthusiasts with lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on Friday, February 16. Mahasarakham’s Wat Phutthavanaram, also known as Wat Wang Nam Yen, was teeming with devotees who came to celebrate the 45th…
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Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit issued a warning to Thai Airways International (THAI) following a series of complaints about subpar ground services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Speaking after a pivotal meeting with airport service operators, Suriya unveiled a roadmap for dramatic improvements or contractual consequences. “The ministry has been inundated with grievances regarding the dismal quality of ground services provided by…
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Shocking discovery: Electricity meter scandal rocks Pattaya project
An investigation conducted on Monday at the Government Housing Project in Pattaya revealed an electricity meter tampering scandal. Led by the project manager, in collaboration with Na Jomtien police investigators and representatives from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Jomtien branch, the inspection was prompted by irregularities in electricity consumption patterns within Building 12. Despite residents receiving inflated electricity bills, a…
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Drunken taxi driver causes fatal Valentine’s Day crash in Pathum Thani
Valentine’s Day turned tragic for a couple in Pathum Thani when a drunken taxi driver struck them with full force, leading to their deaths. The incident occurred at 7.30am today, February 14. Police Lieutenant Prachanan Korkhun, an investigative officer at the Khlong Luang police station, was alerted to a collision between a taxi and a motorcycle along a canal road…
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Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River
A Thai woman took to social media to look for a foreign couple who saved her mother from drowning in the Chao Phraya River in the central province of Ayutthaya. The woman, Kornwipha Thongnoom, is searching for a foreign man and woman who helped her mother on February 8 wishing to extend her gratitude to the couple. Kornwipha shared the…
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Village leader fatally shot in Surat Thani, community mourns
Tragedy struck a local community in Surat Thani province when a 35 year old village leader was fatally shot in an appalling act of violence. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9pm yesterday, February 13, has left the village in shock and mourning. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon Sukpradit, the investigative officer from Kanjanadit Police Station, the emergency call came…
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Thai shop owner’s lottery win ignites Ayutthaya blessing frenzy
A Thai mag wheel shop owner struck it lucky with a lottery win worth hundreds of thousands of baht after requesting blessings online and vowed to make a merit offering to a revered child spirit known as Kumarn Thong Jao Sua Heng. This event sparked a surge of lottery enthusiasts flocking to the Rasi Salai Hermitage in Ayutthaya Province, seeking…
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Ceramic doll statues conceal 20 million baht heroin haul in Thailand
Mueang Nong Khai police uncover a stash of heroin bars worth over 20 million baht hidden within innocuous Chinese ceramic doll statues. At a press conference held on Monday, February 12, authorities revealed the seizure made at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai. According to police reports, the alarming find unfolded when two Lao nationals arrived at the checkpoint…
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Bangkok grapples with hazardous PM2.5 pollution levels
Bangkok and 38 other provinces in Thailand are currently experiencing dangerous levels of PM2.5 pollution, prompting health warnings and recommendations for the public to wear masks at all times when outdoors. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), together with the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are closely monitoring…
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Roses lead, condoms surge: Grab reveals 5 best-selling products on Valentine’s Day
Grab Thailand unveiled its top five best-selling products during the Valentine’s Day festival with roses remaining the champion while condoms, although not in the top five, saw a 30% surge in sales. One of Thailand’s most popular superapps, Grab, gathered statistics from GrabMart users starting from February 1 before releasing a list of Thailand’s best-selling products on its application. The five…
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Surat Thani police launch safety sweep for holidays
Surat Thani Provincial Police mobilised a security sweep to ensure public and tourist safety during the Valentine’s Day and Makha Bucha Day holidays in 2024. The operation, fronted by high-ranking officers, aims to prevent sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and crime in vulnerable areas. In a proactive measure to ensure public safety, Surat Thani Provincial Police launched a comprehensive crime sweep…
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Nong Prue authorities rush to quell massive garbage pond blaze
A fire tore through a vast garbage pond in Soi Thung Klom-Tan Man near Pattaya on Monday evening. The Nong Prue Municipal Disaster Mitigation Center sprang into action following reports of the inferno around 10pm, Monday, February 12, prompting a swift response from municipal officials across the region. Stretching across an expanse of over 10 rais and owned by Nong…
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Thailand PM drives tourism growth, targets 35 million visitors
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently underscored the significance of tourism collaboration to elevate Thailand’s travel industry. The announcement comes on the heels of Maya Bay in Krabi province being named the third-best beach in the world by Lonely Planet, a testament to the country’s natural beauty. Prime Minister Office Spokesperson Chai Wacharongkakul revealed that the prime minister, who also serves…
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2 foreign men caught stealing 1,500 baht cannabis in Pattaya
The owner of a cannabis shop in Pattaya yesterday filed a complaint against two foreign men who stole 1,500 baht worth of ganja from her shop. The Thai shop owner, 48 year old Sakun, told Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers yesterday, February 13, that her cannabis outlet is located in Soi Pattaya Klang 12, and she was in the shop…
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Thailand News Today | Cannabis bill paused for public discourse, Ex-PM Thaksin to be released from jail early
Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister is set to be released from prison early Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a pivotal figure in the country’s political landscape, is set to be released from prison following parole approval, just six months after ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. His return and subsequent sentencing to eight years for charges including corruption, which was…
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Phuket’s property pandemonium: Foreign buyers drive real estate prices sky high
Phuket’s property market has been catapulted to unprecedented heights, with foreign interest igniting a buying spree sending prices soaring. Phattarachai Taweewong, director of Research and Communications at Colliers International (Thailand), revealed that the allure of owning a slice of paradise in Phuket has pushed land prices to astronomical levels, hitting as high as 25 to 100 million baht per rai.…
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Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…
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Myanmar businessman killed over black money deal in Bangkok
A violent altercation in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area led to the death of a 53 year old Myanmar businessman in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurred at 1.30am today, February 14, in a room in a Sukhumvit Soi 4 mansion, where the victim, Kayo Seya, was found with multiple injuries and significant blood loss. The businessman was reportedly…
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Bail granted to reporter and photographer accused of supporting political activist
The Criminal Court yesterday granted bail to a Thai news reporter from the Prachathai News Agency and a freelance photographer who were charged with covering the story of a political activist last year. Prachathai news agency reporter Nuttaphol Meksobhon and freelance photographer Nuttaphol Phanpongsanon were arrested on February 12. They were accused of supporting an action to damage the country’s…
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Thai stepfather denies abusing 14 year old boy
A Thai man accused his ex-wife’s husband of physically abusing his 14 year old son. The accused stepfather defended himself, saying the boy suffers from a mental illness and often hurt himself to get attention. The boy’s biological father, identified only as A, on February 12, sought help from a social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, accusing the stepfather of…
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Khon Kaen Buddhism director scammed of 1.19 million baht
The director of the Office of Buddhism in Khon Kaen has fallen victim to a scam, resulting in a loss of over 1.19 million baht (US$32,973), leaving a mere 87 satang (US$0.024) in their bank account. The director, who had unknowingly sent their phone number—which was not linked to any bank—to what appeared to be a legitimate airline’s line account,…
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Thunderstorm alert for Thai provinces with rising temps
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for thunderstorms across ten provinces, signalling a rise in temperatures for the upper parts of the country. Despite the warmer climate, mornings will continue to be shrouded in fog, retaining the chill, particularly in the northeastern regions. This forecast, released at 5am today, February 14, also highlights an ongoing concern…
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Thailand braces for record-breaking summer heat in five provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a stark warning that this year’s summer season could bring even more intense heat than the previous year to five provinces, already topping the charts as the hottest in the country. The forecast, released on February 13, suggests a sweltering summer ahead with temperatures that could soar to a scorching 44.5 degrees Celsius. The five…
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Thai Cannabis decriminalisation paused for further dialogue
The push for cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand faced a hiccup as the Ministry of Public Health yesterday announced a pause in proceedings. The deferral was called for a dialogue with the public, and pro-cannabis interest groups, and to gather more views on the matter. The initial intention behind cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand was always medical, not recreational use. However, the…
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Thai police boost security for Valentine’s Day to protect minors
Valentine’s Day in Thailand will see heightened security measures at motels and nightlife venues, as announced by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). This action comes as a bid to protect minors from potential risks. RTP Deputy Spokesperson Police Colonel Chanchai Rattanapanich revealed on Tuesday that national police chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol prioritised the safety of the youth on Valentine’s…
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Ed Sheeran concert uproar prompts Paetongtarn to deny VIP noise
Concertgoers at Ed Sheeran’s recent performance in Bangkok were met with an unexpected disturbance emanating from the VIP section, leading to a heated debate across social media platforms. Amidst the furore, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, addressed the issue today, staunchly denying involvement in the disruptive noise that prompted some audience members to leave the venue.…
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Valentine trend: Banknote bouquets outsell roses in Trang
Valentine’s Day in Trang witnessed an innovative gifting trend that has captured the hearts of many: beautifully crafted bouquets made not only with traditional roses but also with chocolate and banknotes. At Ari Flower Shop on Jermpanya Road, in the Thap Thiang district of Trang, the owner and her team are busy preparing these unique bouquets for the season of…
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