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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Thai Army Nurse Honoured with Royal Cremation in Kalasin
A royal cremation ceremony was held for 33 year old Army Nurse Sergeant Apisit ‘Tee’ Bunnak at Wat Pa Phutthaphawan, Ban Somsak Village, Mueang subdistrict, Kuchinarai district, Kalasin province yesterday, on December 20, at 4pm. Apisit, a member of the 2nd Army Region’s combat unit and a nurse at Infantry Regiment 11, succumbed to injuries sustained during a Thai-Cambodian border…
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Man shot dead in Chon Buri love triangle dispute
Police are hunting for a suspect. This comes after a man was shot dead during a confrontation in Chon Buri’s Phanat Nikhom district. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nanthaphon Nanainboon, an investigator from Phanat Nikhom Police Station, said officers were alerted to the shooting at Chum Saeng Village, Moo 10, Mon Nang subdistrict. At the scene, police found a man, identified only…
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Ex-minister Prasert to be questioned over Singapore MoU with money launderer
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) plans to call in former Digital Economy and Society Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong. They are concerned about his involvement in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Singapore. Alleged money launderer, Ben Smith, was reportedly present during this event. The MoU has since been brought under investigation by authorities. This decision comes after testimony from…
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Bhumjaithai Party gains momentum as key player in Thai elections
The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) is currently gaining significant traction in Thai politics, emerging as a pivotal force amid a tide of politicians joining its ranks from other parties. With substantial financial backing and strategic advantages following a key reshuffle before the House dissolution, the party’s long-standing relationships with influential local political families, known as ‘baan yai’, have strengthened its position…
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Thai music icon Manas Pitisant passes away at age 98
National Artist in Performing Arts, Manas Pitisant, known for his contributions to Thai music, passed away peacefully at 98 years old yesterday, on December 20. The Department of Cultural Promotion received confirmation from his family that Manas Pitisant, the composer of renowned songs such as ‘Sanaeha’ and ‘Muean Khon La Fak Fah,’ died at 4.16am on December 20. The previous…
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Thai and Cambodian Airport Passenger Numbers Drop Despite Open Flights
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have spilled into the aviation sector, with airport authorities in both countries trading accusations even as flight connections remain open and operational. At the center of the dispute are allegations from Cambodian officials that passengers transiting through Bangkok face repeated delays and baggage problems, claims Thai authorities strongly deny. This week, Airports of Thailand rejected…
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Southern Thailand Flooding Update: Travel Conditions Stabilize Across the Region
Travel conditions across Southern Thailand have largely returned to normal following recent flooding, with steady improvements reported in all affected provinces, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. As of December 8 at 10.00am local time, authorities say transport access has stabilized, tourism services have resumed, and most destinations are fully operational. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said it continues…
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Widespread Power Outages on December 21st in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced scheduled power outages across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi on Sunday, December 21, affecting a total of 41 locations as part of routine maintenance and system improvement work. According to the MEA, the outages are necessary to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of the electricity distribution system. Power will be temporarily suspended…
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SEA Games 2025: Thailand tops final medal table
The 33rd Southeast Asian Games concluded on December 20 in Thailand, closing nearly two weeks of competition that brought together the region’s top athletes in Bangkok and Chonburi. The 2025 edition marked a symbolic return to Thailand, where the SEA Games were first held in 1959, and reinforced the country’s position as a regional sporting hub. From December 9 to…
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Thai Troops Recapture Hill 350 Near Ta Kwai Temple as Bodies of Fallen Soldiers Recovered
Thai soldiers have secured Hill 350 near Ta Kwai Temple in Surin province and recovered the bodies of two fallen troops, the commander of the 2nd Army Region confirmed on December 20, marking a critical moment in continued fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border. Lieutenant General Veerayut Rakasilp, commander of the 2nd Army Region, said Thai forces regained full control of…
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Thai Air Force Bombs Casino Near Trat Border Amid Escalating Clashes
The Royal Thai Air Force carried out an airstrike near the Thai-Cambodian border on Friday, deploying two F-16 fighter jets to bomb a casino compound where Cambodian soldiers were believed to be sheltering, according to military sources. The strike marks a significant escalation in ongoing clashes near Trat province. At around 11 a.m. on December 20, the air force launched…
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Thai Navy Fires Warning Shots After Cambodian Vessel Enters Thai Waters
A Royal Thai Navy warship fired warning shots on Thursday evening after detecting a Cambodian vessel entering Thai territorial waters near the eastern border, prompting panic among residents of Hat Lek village in Trat province before the situation quickly de-escalated. The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on December 19 off the coast of Ban Hat Lek in Hat Lek…
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Fire Destroys Shops at Rong Kluea Market on Thai-Cambodian Border
A major fire tore through Rong Kluea Market in Aranyaprathet district early Friday morning, destroying multiple shops at one of Thailand’s busiest border trading hubs. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it spread further, but significant damage was reported. The fire broke out at around 1:20 a.m. on December 20 at Building B5 of Rong Kluea Market, located in…
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Foreign man cheats eating challenge in Bangkok for 20,000-baht prize
A well-known curry restaurant in Bangkok exposed a foreign customer for cheating in an eating challenge to claim a cash reward of 20,000 baht. Gold Curry, is a popular restaurant which is famous for its Japanese-style rice curry served in large portions and also its eating challenges. The restaurant offers free meals, vouchers, and cash prizes for customers who can finish…
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Soldiers feed animals left behind after evacuations in Sa Kaeo
Officers from the Burapa Task Force were deployed to feed and care for animals left behind in Sa Kaeo province today, December 19, following evacuations caused by ongoing clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. The unit’s operations were reportedly carried out by the Ta Phraya Special Task Force in Ta Phraya district. Their mission focused on providing humanitarian support by supplying…
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Thai woman jailed 4 years for fatal assault on husband’s alleged mistress
A Thai woman, who fatally assaulted her husband’s alleged mistress while eight months pregnant, was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay 850,000 baht in compensation to the victim’s family. The legal outcome was shared by well-known Thai lawyer Nitikorn Kaewto on his Facebook account on Tuesday, December 16. The ruling was issued around seven months after…
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19 Indian nationals arrested in Pattaya for illegally selling sex products online
Police arrested 19 Indian nationals at a rented luxury house in Pattaya for allegedly running an illegal online business selling sexual enhancement drugs and sex toys. The Immigration Bureau announced the arrests during a press conference held at its headquarters in the Mueang Thong Thani area of Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The operation followed an investigation into suspicious foreign-run…
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Impostor monk busted in Ang Thong for drugs and donation scam
A man posing as a monk was arrested in Ang Thong yesterday, December 18, after police discovered him without monkhood credentials and attempting to fake a urine test. Police from Wiset Chai Chan Police Station were alerted to the suspicious activity near Rong Thong Shrine Market in Moo 6, Sala Chao Rong Thong subdistrict. Responding officers found a man in…
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Bangkok crowned world’s most visited city in 2025
Bangkok has been ranked the most-visited city in the world in 2025, according to a leading international survey, highlighting Thailand’s tourism rebound and reinforcing the capital’s global reputation as a top destination. Deputy Government Spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit confirmed the news, citing the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025 by Euromonitor International, a global market research firm. The index places Bangkok…
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Uzbek woman wanted for human trafficking arrested in Pattaya
Police arrested an Uzbek woman wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for human trafficking in Pattaya on Wednesday, December 17. Officers from Chon Buri Immigration Police conducted background checks on foreign nationals who had recently applied for visa-related services and detected irregularities involving a 22 year old Uzbek national, Khurshida Urmanova. They found that she had overstayed her visa by…
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Dutch man denies trafficking tiger handed to his foundation from Myanmar
The Dutch founder of the the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) denied animal trafficking accusation after the Karen National Liberation Army (KNU) handed over a tiger, which was seized from a scam gang in Myanmar, to the foundation in Kanchanaburi province on Wednesday, December 17. The allegation was raised by retired national park official Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, who shared details of…
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Thailand video news | Deadly pedestrian bridge collapse in Samut Prakan, Rare leopard and black panther footage revisited in Khlong Lan National Park
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a deadly bridge collapse, ASEAN observers heading to the Thai–Cambodian border, and later, we’ll wrap things up with some feel-good Friday news to ease you into the weekend. Deadly Pedestrian Bridge Collapse in Samut Prakan Disrupts Traffic A section of a pedestrian…
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Phuket van driver strikes foreign woman with bottle over rubbish dispute
A Thai van driver struck a foreign woman on the head with a plastic bottle outside Phuket International Airport yesterday, December 18, following a dispute over rubbish allegedly left inside his vehicle. Footage of the incident quickly spread across Thai social media after it occurred at around 9pm last night. The confrontation took place near Entrance 2 of the passenger…
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139 arrested in year-end immigration sweep in Nakhon Pathom
Immigration officers in Nakhon Pathom carried out a sweeping year-end crackdown yesterday, December 18, arresting 139 foreign nationals and fining landlords who failed to report their tenants as required by law. Immigration Division 3, acting under orders from the Royal Thai Police, began intensified operations targeting areas with migrant workers in Kamphaeng Saen district yesterday. The raids, led by Nakhon…
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New alcohol rule: vendors banned from serving intoxicated customers
Thailand introduced a new regulation under the Alcohol Control Act, banning alcohol vendors from selling alcoholic beverages to customers who are already intoxicated. Following several revisions to the Alcohol Control Act over the past few months, the Craft Beer Trade Association used its official Facebook page yesterday, December 18, to explain the updated rules in simple terms to help business…
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Thailand 50-year home gold record shattered by Vietnam
Thailand suffered a historic loss on home soil last night, December 18, as the men’s national football team was defeated by Vietnam 3-2 in the SEA Games 2025 final, marking the first time in 50 years that Thailand has failed to win gold as host. The clash at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium saw Thailand take a confident 2-0 lead in…
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Phuket Tourist Police help British woman in mental health crisis
Phuket Tourist Police officers shared their successful operation in which they helped calm and support a British woman who was suffering from stress and mental health issues at a hotel in the Patong area. The officers shared photos of the incident on the official Phuket Tourist Police Facebook page on Tuesday, December 16. In the post, they included the message…
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Thai karate coach dies in crash hours after SEA Games success
Thailand’s sporting community suffered a loss yesterday, December 17, after national karate coach Kanokporn Donsamran, widely known as Kru Gift, was killed in a road accident in Loei province just hours after helping the Thai karate team secure an impressive medal haul at the 2025 SEA Games. A native of Loei, 38 year old Kanokporn was travelling home after completing…
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Rare big cats return to spotlight in Thai national park
In a nod to Thailand’s biodiversity, Office of Conservation Area Management 12 has reintroduced footage of a pair of elusive wild cats, a leopard and a black panther, captured roaming together in the forested terrain of Khlong Lan National Park in Kamphaeng Phet. The footage was first recorded in June 2020 by camera traps set up by the World Wide…
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Dutch motorcyclist killed after crashing into parked pickup in Chon Buri
A Dutch man lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Chon Buri province in the early hours of today, December 18, after he allegedly crashed into a parked pickup truck with a trailer. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station, together with rescue workers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation, rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a serious…
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