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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Elderly Swiss man busted with gun at Phuket Airport
An 82 year old Swiss man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after security found a handgun tucked away in his luggage. The Swiss national, Kurt Fritz Loliger, a seemingly unassuming pensioner, was stopped at Gate 81 of the International Passenger Terminal last night, October 7. The drama unfolded around 8.30pm when Ainah Pango, an X-ray image officer, spotted something…
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Smogged in: Bangkok wakes up to a PM2.5 breath of fresh despair
Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces awoke today to find themselves enveloped in a thick blanket of smog, as pollution levels reached dangerously high levels. The stagnant air trapped hazardous levels of PM2.5, leaving the city gasping for breath. According to the Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 (tiny particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter) breached the safe threshold of 35 microgrammes per…
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Thai man receives death threats from cheating, bed-hopping wife
A Thai man pleaded for help after receiving death threats after seeking a divorce from his unfaithful bed-hopping wife, who cheated on him five times to his knowledge. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive assisted the desperate Thai man, identified only as 45 year old A, and held a press conference today, October 8, for him to share his story with the…
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No more slack: Thailand tightens the noose on illegal workers
The Government of Thailand is tightening the noose on illegal foreign workers in a sweeping crackdown, with over 2,000 arrests in recent weeks. While the bulk of those detained are undocumented migrants from neighbouring Myanmar, the hunt is expanding to include Western foreigners working illegally in jobs reserved for Thai nationals. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment…
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PM Paetongtarn urges swift update of laws to boost road safety
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has directed officials to expedite the amendment of outdated laws to enhance road safety. At a road safety meeting yesterday, the 38 year old prime minister highlighted the tragic accident on October 1, which has led the government to reassess existing frameworks and regulations concerning vehicle safety for passengers. Paetongtarn emphasised the necessity for stricter…
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Thai national returns from Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes
A Thai national has safely returned from Lebanon to Thailand, while five others await evacuation amidst Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, noted that approximately 100 Thais residing in Lebanon prefer to stay and monitor the situation. The spokesperson held an online press conference on October 6 addressing Israel’s attack…
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Vaping a chance: Thailand aims to clear the air for 20,000 youths
The Public Health Ministry plans to rehabilitate 20,000 young e-cigarette users as part of its efforts to curb the spread of e-cigarettes, according to Minister Somsak Thepsutin. vaping a chance: health ministry aims to clear the air for 20,000 youths! Somsak’s announcement came in response to concerns raised by Senator Premsak Piayura during a Senate meeting about the increasing use…
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Thai pervert leaves woman shaken after knicker-sniffing antics
A woman is living in fear after a Thai pervert grabbed her underwear hung outside her rented room in Chon Buri and sniffed it right in front of her on Sunday night. The 25 year old victim filed a complaint with Bang Lamung Police Station yesterday, October 7, and later recounted the shocking experience on Sunday, October 6, to Channel…
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Food fight: Delivery rider and motorcyclist clash in petrol station
A heated altercation occurred between a food delivery rider and a motorcyclist, leading to a physical fight, causing both men to sustain facial injuries. CCTV footage captured the incident at a petrol station on Sri Sothorn New Road in Chachoengsao province yesterday. The altercation began when a delivery rider, riding his motorcycle against traffic, exited the petrol station. At the…
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Teen fatally shot in Pathum Thani after Facebook watch deal
A tragic incident unfolded in Pathum Thani province where a teenager was shot dead after arranging to buy a watch via Facebook. The young man met with the sellers in a secluded alley, only to be ambushed and fatally shot. Police are now in a race to apprehend the culprits. Police Lieutenant Waranchai Sookying of Khlong Luang Police Station received…
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Thai man rapes woman, thinking she’s wealthy
A Thai man attempted to rape a woman in Udon Thani’s Isaan province, allegedly targeting her for money, believing she was wealthy thanks to her foreign husband. The 62 year old mother of the victim took to social media, seeking help from influencer Phanumart “Piak” Jitwasinkul after the 46 year old attacker denied the accusations and evaded arrest. Now, the…
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Rayong councillor arrested for siphoning diesel from fishing boats
Police in Rayong, Thailand, arrested a prominent municipal councillor and his workers for allegedly siphoning diesel fuel from fishing boats at a local port. The councillor denied all charges and requested bail to fight the case. Special operations units in Rayong, in collaboration with local police, took action following complaints about illegal fuel sales to fishing boats. The incident happened…
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Police seize 87 million baht ketamine haul from abandoned truck
Police intercepted a six-wheel truck belonging to a drug trafficking gang, seizing over 291 kilogrammes of ketamine worth 87 million baht (US$2.6 million). The suspects abandoned the vehicle and escaped, prompting a forensic investigation to identify the culprits. Yesterday, October 7, police officers, led by Attapon Itthayophasakul from Huai Yai Police Station, coordinated with Thatchakorn Chaisit from the Chon Buri…
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Thailand video news | Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, Johor state to revert to Saturday-Sunday weekend in 2025
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest news from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories include a Thai family’s emotional plea for the safe return of their son held captive by Hamas in Gaza, a defence of Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s use of an iPad for speeches at international forums, and an investigation into a luxury…
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Food delivery rider braves Chiang Mai floods for customer’s order (video)
A determined food delivery rider braved floodwaters nearly 1 metre deep in central Chiang Mai to deliver an order, sparking widespread discussion on social media about the worth of his efforts compared to potential repair costs for his motorcycle. A video widely shared online captures the moment a food delivery rider navigated through floodwaters almost 1 metre deep to deliver…
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Former Thai soldier arrested after attacking 4 police with knife
A former Thai soldier suffering from a mental illness went on a rampage, attacking four police officers with a knife outside his home in the central province of Ang Thong yesterday, October 7. Officers from Wiset Chaicharn Police Station were called to subdue the rampaging former Thai soldier, 62 year old Prateep. This man previously served in the army in the central…
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Khon Kaen MP accused of 431 million baht embezzlement
The court of Thailand has postponed the verdict hearing for an MP of Khon Kaen province, who is facing charges of embezzling 431 million baht from the Khon Kaen Teachers’ Savings Cooperative. Ekkarat claims the case has been politically manipulated and made a statement at 2.30pm yesterday, October 7. The Khon Kaen Provincial Court initially scheduled the verdict for Ekkarat…
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Big Tai appointed as new police commissioner with unanimous vote
The former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), 58 year old Kittirat Phanphet, also known as Big Tai, became the new commissioner yesterday, October 7, receiving unanimous votes from the committee. Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra attended a meeting with the Office of the Police Commission yesterday. The key item on the agenda was the selection of the…
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Flooding in Chiang Mai leaves 90 year old stranded
A 90 year old grandmother yesterday was left stranded and in need of rescue in Chiang Mai after floodwaters surrounded her home. Her worried family coordinated with emergency services, who safely evacuated her, navigating dangerous conditions. Flooding continued in several areas of Mueang district, Chiang Mai, due to the overflow from the Ping River. Despite the challenging conditions, rescue teams persevered,…
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Fire at Big Moose bar near Pattaya Beach traps six residents
A fire at the Big Moose beer bar and rental rooms near Pattaya Beach Road trapped six residents early yesterday morning. The blaze erupted around 7.30am, yesterday, October 7, originating on the ground floor and blocking all exits, which left the residents unable to escape unaided. Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and began dousing the flames with water. They…
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Thief steals motorcycle from hotel in Chachoengsao, still at large
A brazen theft occurred at the Rajapruek 24 Hotel in Chachoengsao province when a thief stole a motorcycle and evaded capture by misleading the hotel caretaker. The incident, caught on CCTV, highlights a well-coordinated plan executed in the early hours of yesterday, October 7. CCTV footage from the Rajapruek 24 Hotel on Suwinthawong Road in Chachoengsao captured the event around…
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Dig up the dirt: Bangkok bones baffle as police probe plot twist
The police are investigating unidentified human skeletons found on an abandoned plot of land in Bangkok. Locals reported no suspicious activity. Officers from Lat Phrao Police Station, along with rescuers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, examined the skeletons yesterday, October 7, on the overgrown plot located in Soi Lat Phrao 101, intersection 42, in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok. Some locals…
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Toyota Fortuner falls from Chalong Rat Expressway, driver killed
A tragic accident occurred when a Toyota Fortuner fell from the Chalong Rat Expressway onto the road below, resulting in the death of the driver. The incident took place on Nong Rahang Road in the Sam Wa Tawan Tok subdistrict of Khlong Sam Wa district, Bangkok. JS100 Radio shared the news on their Facebook page, providing images and details of…
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Tuk tuk parking in Patong’s red and white zones sparks outrage (video)
A viral video showing tuk tuks parked along the red and white kerbside in Patong, Phuket sparked outrage on social media. The clip, shared on the โหดจัง-จังหวัดภูเก็ต Facebook page, questions whether tuk tuks are permitted to park in these restricted areas, leading to a flurry of comments from netizens. The footage, lasting one minute and one second, was posted with…
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Heavy monsoon rains and thunderstorms to hit Thailand regions
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm for the eastern and southern regions, warning that heavy monsoons are on the horizon. With a staggering 60% to 70% chance of thunderstorms, locals are being advised to prepare for potential flash floods. While Bangkok braces for its own thunderous downpours, those in the northern and northeastern regions can expect a…
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Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles
What would you do if the dream of owning your home seemed to be slipping away? For one Aussie mum, the solution was packing up her family and heading for exotic shores, trading Oz for the Land of Smiles. Natalie Coulson, a 45 year old mother of one, had enough of Sydney’s spiralling property market. The fear of a lifetime…
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Kitrat Phanphet named Thailand’s new national police chief
Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet has been appointed Thailand’s 15th national police chief following a unanimous vote by the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Kitrat secured eight votes in his favour, emerging as the top candidate among three contenders. He is set to serve until his retirement at the age of 60 in 2026. The other…
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Fishing for solutions: Thailand turns invasive tilapia into tasty sauce
Thailand’s Department of Fisheries has unveiled an innovative approach to combat the invasive blackchin tilapia by converting them into fermented fish sauce. To tackle the spread of this species, which endangers commercially valuable fish stocks in nine provinces, the department will collaborate with local communities to process the blackchin tilapia into the popular condiment, according to department chief Bancha Sukkaew.…
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Making waves: Boxwall Flood Barrier leaves sandbags high and dry
Say farewell to drudgery with sandbags, there’s a new player in town, and it’s making quite the splash. The innovative Boxwall Flood Barrier is swiftly outshining traditional sandbags as the ultimate flood defence, particularly highlighted during the recent northern deluge. In a shining example of preparedness, the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai flaunted its forward-thinking approach by lining up these…
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Investigation launched into police supercar escort on M6 motorway
The head of the Central Investigation Bureau called for an inquiry into motorway police impeding regular traffic to expedite the journey of a billion-baht convoy of luxury vehicles and supercars along an inter-city motorway. Today, October 7, Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej announced that he had instructed Motorway Police to look into grievances from motorists. These complaints alleged that police…
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