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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform
Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…
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Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
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US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet
Yesterday, April 30, the Court of Appeal Region 6 granted permission for Doctor Paul Chambers to remove his electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. This decision follows his appeal against a previous court order, though he must adhere to other bail conditions. Yesterday, the Human Rights Lawyers Centre announced on their social media page that Chambers is now allowed to remove his…
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Thai cuisine goes global with new Orchid Star programme
Thai commerce minister, Phichai Naripthaphan, has announced enhancements to the Thai SELECT programme, aiming to elevate Thai cuisine to a global level by introducing a new Orchid Star symbol. This initiative, which began in 1998, continues to promote Thai food and restaurants worldwide, assuring consumers of authentic flavours and high-quality standards. There are currently over 18,852 Thai restaurants worldwide, with…
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Residents seek lucky incense numbers at Phetchabun ceremony
Residents gathered to observe auspicious incense numbers during a significant religious ceremony at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Phetchabun province, where a Buddha statue named Luang Pho Prasop Chok was being cast. During the offering rituals, dark clouds ominously formed but eventually drifted to a nearby subdistrict yesterday, April 30. The ceremony, held at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Ban…
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People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals
The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…
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Mother and son killed in Chon Buri truck collision
A tragic accident on the 344 road in Chon Buri’s Nong Yai district resulted in the deaths of a 27 year old mother, Ploywarin Noenklang, and her six year old son, Thanawat Saothong. CCTV footage captured the moment when a six-wheeled truck lost control and crashed into a parked trailer truck at 4am today, May 1. Police from Nong Yai…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree
Yesterday, April 30, police apprehended 32 year old Koraphak or Oak, known as the ninja thief, in Pathum Thani province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court on April 29 for fraud. The suspect admitted to committing thefts to support his online gambling habit and buy food for his cats. According to Police Colonel…
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Police officer injured in Yala checkpoint shooting
A police officer was injured in a shooting incident while setting up a checkpoint in Mueang district, Yala province, at 8.15pm yesterday, April 30. The Yala Mueang Police Station’s radio centre reported that an ambush took place near the operational base in Baan Chanan, Phorn subdistrict, resulting in one border patrol officer being wounded. Following the incident, emergency services promptly…
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Six million meth pills seized near Thai border by KNLA
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) intercepted over six million methamphetamine pills destined for Thailand, revealing a continuous smuggling operation. The seizure occurred yesterday, April 30, in Hpa-An province, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thai border opposite Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son. Two suspects were detained. A KNLA source disclosed that around April 27, the 7th Brigade of the…
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Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai
Yesterday, April 30, immigration police in Chiang Mai apprehended a Chinese national who had overstayed his tourist visa in Thailand. The arrest took place on Thipanet Road, Mueang district in Chiang Mai province, following a coordinated operation between the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Bureau and Immigration Division 5. The man was charged with remaining in the kingdom after the expiration…
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Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries
A six-wheel water truck experienced brake failure and collided with an electric pole in Chon Buri, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident took place at 2.56pm yesterday, April 30, with the driver taking decisive action to avoid harm. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya were alerted about the accident involving a six-wheel Isuzu water…
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Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims
The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications. In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final…
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Autistic children rescued from storm drain in Chon Buri district
Two autistic children were rescued after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district yesterday, April 30. Their cries for help were heard by locals, who guided rescuers to the scene. At 4.50pm, Amata Khraikhruan, the head of the Plutaluang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, was informed by residents that two children were stuck inside a storm drain on…
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Police arrest suspect in Yasothon tattoo shop shooting
Police have arrested 30 year old Apisit Hoolob following a shooting incident at a tattoo shop in Yasothon city. The arrest was made in a rented house in Pathum Ratchawongsa district, Amnat Charoen province, based on an arrest warrant issued by Yasothon Provincial Court on April 29. Apisit faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a…
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Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…
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Lottery number frenzy empties stalls at Kham Chanod
A surge of interest in specific lottery numbers has left the stalls at Kham Chanod nearly empty as people search for lucky digits. Yesterday, April 30, reporters at the Naga King Palace on Kham Chanod Island in Baan Muang subdistrict, Baan Dung district, Udon Thani province, observed the scene at this spiritual site, dedicated to the revered Phaya Naga, Father…
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Fire at Rong Kluea Market damages warehouse and shops
A fire at the Rong Kluea Market in Nakhon Nayok resulted in the destruction of a shoe warehouse and damage to five shops. The blaze was contained before it could spread to other areas, with an electrical short circuit suspected as the cause. At 10pm yesterday, April 30, police from Mueang Nakhon Nayok district received reports of a fire at…
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Phuket police crack down on teen gang with guns and bombs
A dangerous teen gang armed with guns and explosives was swiftly taken down by Phuket police in a high-stakes operation, preventing what could have been a major incident in the city. Yesterday, April 29, at 6pm, Chalong Police Station launched a bold crackdown on a group of teens suspected of disturbing the peace and planning an attack. Under the direction…
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Cock-up confession: Heartbroken drug addict begs to go to jail
A lovesick drug addict handed himself over to police in a tearful plea to be locked up, claiming life had lost all meaning after his marriage collapsed and his bedroom antics dried up because he couldn’t get erect. The 48 year old man, devastated by the breakdown of his relationship, said prison seemed better than facing the daily heartache on…
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Thai police crackdown on human smuggling network
Police announced the arrest of a network smuggling Chinese and foreign nationals through Thailand to third countries. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau confirmed that an engineer at a construction project holds a valid temporary work visa, not a student visa as previously reported. Yesterday, April 29, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai, an assistant to the…
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Bangkok Bank speeds up yuan transfers to boost China trade
Bangkok Bank has launched an expedited yuan transfer service aimed at reducing costs and enhancing trade with China. Pipat Assawamongkol, assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, announced that the bank now offers faster yuan transfers after receiving approval from China’s central bank to use the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System). The system allows direct transfers to CIPS member…
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Woman killed by ex-husband in Chon Buri knife attack
A 51 year old woman was killed after her ex-husband stabbed her eight times in a fit of rage at her rental home in Bo Win, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province. The suspect, 50 year old Den, who was also injured after attempting to take his own life, was rushed to Laem Chabang Hospital for treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanoknan…
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Police hunt for suspect in child sexual assault case in Surat Thani
Police are actively pursuing a 52 year old man wanted for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a nine year old girl. The incident occurred on April 25 in Surat Thani province, and a warrant for his arrest was issued on April 26. Police Colonel Narong Rakprathum and Deputy Superintendent Manop Marotrakul from the Khiri Rat Nikhom Police Station, along with…
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Ukrainian woman vanishes after trashing Phuket condo
A Ukrainian woman disappeared after causing extensive damage to a condominium unit in Phuket, resulting in losses exceeding 350,000 baht for the owner. The Thai owner of the unit, Praphaphan Meesomboon, shared images of the devastation on Facebook today, April 30. She posted several photos of the wrecked room along with a caption that read… “A lesson learned for all…
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Man arrested in Songkhla after 11 years evading life sentence
A 43 year old man was arrested in Songkhla at a hospital in Kho Hong subdistrict, Hat Yai district, after evading a life sentence for over 11 years. The arrest was made following a warrant issued by Thung Song Provincial Court on December 17, 2014, for a crime committed on January 6, 2005, in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The incident…
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Child’s play turns to ash: Toy factory fire sparks 10 million baht loss
A fire erupted at a children’s toy warehouse shortly after the owner left, causing damage estimated at over 10 million baht, though fortunately, the blaze did not spread to adjacent warehouses. The incident occurred at approximately 6.30pm yesterday, April 29, at Tiny Lion Co., Ltd., located in Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province. The company specialises in distributing children’s…
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Myanmar woman admits to burying newborn in Songkhla
A 20 year old woman from Myanmar admitted to burying her newborn after secretly giving birth at her residence in Songkhla province. Hospital staff were alerted to her condition when she arrived at a local hospital exhausted, with vaginal bleeding and milk discharge, prompting an investigation. Yesterday, April 29, a social worker from Hat Yai Hospital reported the incident to…
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How to hack Thailand’s May holidays for a 10-day break
Get ready to pack your bags—May is shaping up to be a jackpot month for long holidays, and if you play your cards right, you could be lounging for 10 days straight. Hot on the heels of April’s Songkran break, May brings another wave of public holidays that offer golden opportunities for extended rest, road trips or relaxing staycations. Whether…
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