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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Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Fourth anthrax case confirmed in northeast Thailand outbreak
The Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office announced yesterday a new case of anthrax, raising the total number of cases in the current outbreak to four, with one resulting in death. According to a source, three are currently hospitalised; two at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital. Of the 636 deemed at risk, 538 have completed a seven-day observation…
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Australian man jailed for 15 days for motorcycle wheelie in Phuket
Thai police sentenced an Australian man to 15 days in prison for performing a motorcycle wheelie on a road in Phuket on April 27, in an apparent effort to demonstrate that no special treatment is given to foreign nationals in Thailand. The 32 year old Australian, Daherwalid, went viral on Thai social media in April after images and videos of…
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Rescue teams race to save trapped whale shark off Thai coast (video)
A massive whale shark’s dive turned into a near-death entanglement drama after it was spotted trailing ropes and fishing junk off Thailand’s Richelieu Rock, sparking a race-against-time rescue mission. The search and rescue operation is underway in the Andaman Sea after the whale shark was seen with its tail trapped in what appears to be discarded fishing gear near the…
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Heavy rain and extreme heat hit 38 Thai provinces
Residents in 38 provinces across Thailand are advised to prepare for heavy rainfall, particularly in the south, where 60 to 70% of the area is expected to experience severe weather. Meanwhile, the overall temperature across the nation remains extremely hot, especially in the northern region. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that in the next 24 hours, the south will…
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Thai boy abused by parents on Chon Buri road, no legal action taken
A Thai woman rescued an 11 year old boy from physical abuse by his parents in the middle of a road in Chon Buri yesterday, May 4. Unfortunately, no charges were filed against the parents. ThaiRath reshared a video of the incident, showing the woman intervening to protect the boy. The event occurred along the road by Bang Saray Beach…
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Phuket fights erosion as turtles and dugongs make a comeback
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on has announced an urgent expansion of erosion control efforts at Sai Kaew Beach in Sirinat National Park near Phuket, following severe shoreline damage and disruption to local communities caused by last year’s monsoon season. During an inspection on May 3, Chalermchai revealed that erosion had severely disrupted transport routes and threatened nearby…
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Innocent man shot in head by friend’s rivals, his parents asasulted
A 19 year old innocent man sustained a serious gunshot wound to the head after his friend’s rivals opened fire at his home in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district on the night of May 5. The shooting and physical assault took place at a house in Soi Prasert Manukit 27. A neighbour managed to record part of the physical assault, which…
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Pet Expo 2025 goes wild with stars, snakes and shopping galore (video)
Thailand’s largest pet trade event, Pet Expo Thailand 2025, kicked off in style on May 1, celebrating its 25th anniversary with a four-day spectacle which drew over 200,000 visitors. Held at Halls 5 to 8 of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the event brought together more than 300 companies across 850 booths, offering products, services and cutting-edge innovations for…
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Thai celeb couple slams breast pump ad misuse
A Thai celebrity power couple has taken legal action after discovering their faces plastered on breast pump ads, without permission. The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon, May 5, when the stars and their lawyer stormed into Thong Lo Police Station to file a complaint against a well-known baby brand accused of hijacking their images to peddle discount coupons at a children’s…
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Inflation tops concerns as Thai citizens urge government action
Consumer price inflation has emerged as the foremost concern among citizens, according to a survey by the National Statistical Office. The poll, which included families with members aged over 18, revealed a strong demand for government action on rising consumer costs as the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration approached its six-month mark on March 12. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub reported that 86%…
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DSI uncovers 30 forged signatures in SAO building collapse probe
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has uncovered 30 forged signatures of engineers on documents related to the State Audit Office (SAO) building collapse, as part of an investigation into alleged nominee practices by China Railway No.10 (Thailand). In a meeting held yesterday, May 5, the DSI reviewed the progress of its ongoing investigation into the nominee case involving China…
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BLACKPINK’s Lalisa steals the Met Gala spotlight in LV ensemble
All eyes were on Lalisa from the girl group BLACKPINK at the 2025 Met Gala, as the global K-pop sensation made her hotly anticipated debut in a jaw-dropping Louis Vuitton ensemble that has fans, and fashion critics, buzzing. Fresh off her acting debut in The White Lotus season three and a solo Coachella set that lit up the desert, the BLACKPINK megastar…
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Southern Thai watermelon gets GI boost in sweet victory
The Ministry of Commerce has officially designated the Koh Sukorn watermelon as Thailand’s first GI-certified watermelon variety, marking a significant milestone for the small island in Trang province. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang announced the news, calling it a victory for local identity and agricultural pride. “This sweet, sea-grown watermelon is a standout. Its flavour, fine texture, and colourful flesh make it unique not…
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Out of tune: Thai man punches singer after his football team loses
A Thai man repeatedly punched a singer at a bar in the northern province of Lampang, allegedly out of anger after his favourite football team lost. The 34 year old singer, Bas, filed a complaint at Mueang Lampang Police Station following the assault, which occurred while he was working at the bar on Sunday, May 4, around midnight. The incident…
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Two teens arrested for fatal shooting in Bangkok
Two suspects were apprehended following the fatal shooting of a 34 year old man in Soi Nuanchan 22 in Bangkok. The incident took place on May 3 when the suspects, riding a red PCX motorcycle without a license plate, fired approximately 15 shots before fleeing. Today, May 6, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom directed the arrest of 19 year old…
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Phuket tragedies: 2 found dead in separate suicide cases
Phuket was rocked by two heartbreaking discoveries just hours apart, as police responded to separate scenes involving men found hanged: one a foreigner in a hotel under renovation, the other a Thai man struggling with stress. Yesterday morning, May 5, two suicides unfolded in Phuket, leaving local police and residents shaken. At around 8.45am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Surachat Thongyai, Investigation…
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Thai parents turn to pawn shops for school expenses
Parents across Thailand are increasingly turning to pawn shops to secure funds for their children’s uniforms and other essentials for the upcoming school term. With the new school calendar set to begin on May 16, these establishments are preparing for a surge in business. Pawn shops nationwide are bolstering their cash reserves in anticipation of the increased demand. In Nakhon…
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Thai father tries to cash in on disabled daughter’s funeral fund
A Thai father in the eastern province of Rayong attempted to claim 4.8 million baht from a donation campaign for his disabled daughter, who died of cancer, despite not caring for her while she was alive. The 34 year old woman, Pan, suffered from oral cancer and was unable to afford medical treatment, which eventually left her disabled. Her tragic life…
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Thailand state welfare card benefits updated for May
The Department of Comptroller General has announced the updated benefit schedule for state welfare cardholders in May, with key entitlements rolling out in two stages. Deputy Director General Tiwaporn Phasuk confirmed the details, urging recipients to check their eligibility and use the benefits promptly. On May 1, cardholders automatically received: A 300 baht monthly spending allowance, redeemable for essential goods…
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Minor earthquake shakes Nong Bua Lamphu, causes local concern
An earthquake measuring 3.0 magnitude was reported at 1.36am today, May 6, in Nong Bua Lamphu province, originating at a depth of 4 kilometres in Boon Than subdistrict, Suwannakhuha district. The tremors were felt in Boon Than and Saeng Arun villages, causing concern among residents. The earthquake was attributed to the Loei Suture, a geological fault line. Historically, this region…
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‘Hello, Ni Hao’ campaign woos Chinese tourists back to Thailand
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has unveiled the Hello, Ni Hao campaign, a bold new move aimed at rebuilding confidence in Thai tourism among Chinese travellers. The initiative, which kicks off this month, will see more than 300 Chinese media professionals and influencers invited to Thailand to showcase the country’s attractions through social media and press coverage. “This is…
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Fake DSI agents target ex-Senate candidates in Amnat Charoen
A confidential letter was urgently sent by the governor of Amnat Charoen, Narong Thepsena, to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior. In it, he detailed a disturbing incident in which three individuals claiming to be from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) allegedly forced two former Senate candidates to confess to electoral fraud, all while disabling the security…
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Thailand rattled by tremors as 10 mini quakes rock region
Residents in northern and northeastern Thailand woke up to a shaky surprise this morning after a swarm of small earthquakes hit the region, sending tremors through three provinces and sparking concern online. Ten mild earthquakes were recorded today, May 6, in parts of Myanmar and across northern and northeastern Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division. The…
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Transgender fortune teller denies defrauding, sexually assaulting boy
A transgender fortune teller in Bangkok denied scamming a 16 year old boy out of 500,000 baht and also rejected claims of sexually assaulting him. She insisted the teen voluntarily gave her around 200,000 baht and nothing more. A Thai mother accompanied her teenage son to meet the well-known lawyer, Ronnarong Kaewphet, to spread a warning to the public. The…
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Tragic accident in Kanchanaburi claims lives after tyre blowout
A family returning from a birthday celebration met with a tragic accident when their pickup truck suffered a tyre blowout and crashed into an electricity pole. Police Lieutenant Aumnaj Chanbutr, Deputy Inspector at Nong Khao Police Station in Kanchanaburi province, yesterday, May 5, at 9.34pm, received a report of a serious accident on U Thong-Kanchanaburi Road, opposite the entrance to…
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Chinese tourists vanish, Pattaya cruise sinks into crisis
A luxury Pattaya dinner cruise once packed with Chinese tourists is now struggling to stay afloat, after a dramatic drop in visitors forced mass layoffs and desperate reinvention. Ocean Sky Pattaya, a once-thriving restaurant cruise catering largely to Chinese travellers, has laid off 30% of its staff in a drastic move to slash costs as Chinese arrivals dry up. Buncha…
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Tragic accident: Woman falls into septic tank in Phitsanulok
A 65 year old woman tragically died after falling into a septic tank at her home in Phitsanulok province. Her granddaughter discovered her body, leading to a police investigation into the accident. Police Colonel Chanasak Phueanghuengkaew from Wang Thong Police Station received a report at 6.25pm, Yesterday, May 5, about a dead woman in a septic tank at a house…
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UK roadshow rocks South Thailand with fair, farms and flair
The British Embassy in Bangkok wrapped up a whirlwind three-day roadshow across southern Thailand, marking a major milestone in the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand. Running from April 28 to 30, the outreach tour made stops in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani, showcasing a blend of serious diplomacy and lively community engagement.…
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Israeli tourist kicks up a stink over shoe rule, plays victim (video)
A rude foreigner caught on camera insulting Thais over a simple “shoes off” rule has backpedalled furiously, claiming she was misunderstood, mistreated, and maligned simply for being Israeli, as fury mounts over a string of bad behaviour by her fellow countrymen in the Kingdom of Thailand. The drama unfolded yesterday, May 5, when the Koh Pha Ngan Conscious Community Facebook…
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Thai man commits suicide after alleged betrayal by ex-boyfriend
A gay man committed suicide in a car parked outside a farm and café he had reportedly invested in with his former boyfriend, following alleged betrayal by the ex, his family, and his new partner. The owner of Subprayun Farm and Cafe in the central province of Lop Buri, Yo, contacted officers from Phattana Nikhom Police Station to investigate the…
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