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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Motorcycle crash in Pathum Thani kills one
A tragic incident unfolded when two young employees, returning from a company party, collided their motorcycle into a parked six-wheeler truck, resulting in one death and another injury. The accident occurred at 3.30am today in Pathum Thani. The crash took place on the outbound side of the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road in the Lam Phak Kut area of Thanyaburi. Police Lieutenant…
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Phuket duo swipes 600 euros from Belgian with a fake hug
Police yesterday, December 25, arrested a Thai woman and a transwoman for pretending to greet a Belgian man with a hug and stealing 600 euros in cash (approximately 21,000 baht) from him in the Patong area of Phuket. The 58 year old Belgian victim filed a complaint with Patong Police Station officers at around 5am on December 22, reporting that…
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Chiang Mai council chairman accused of assaulting local resident
A significant altercation involving a prominent local council chairman in Chiang Mai has left a resident severely injured, sparking outrage among the community. The incident took place when the chairman allegedly insulted and physically assaulted a local during a campaign event at the home of a former Chiang Mai provincial council member. Reports from residents in a municipality area of…
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Chinese teen arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam
A significant breakthrough in the battle against call centre scams in Thailand occurred with the arrest of a Chinese teenager in Bangkok. Police conducted raids on two locations, which led to the capture of a 19 year old Chinese national suspected of involvement in a sophisticated scam operation. Metropolitan and immigration police, armed with a warrant from the Criminal Court,…
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Suspect’s escape leads to soldier’s death in Pattani crash
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, December 25, when a suspect involved in a security case seized control of a vehicle’s steering wheel, causing it to veer off the road into a fruit orchard. This action resulted in one soldier’s death and injuries to three others. The suspect managed to escape during the ensuing chaos. Police had been conducting a coordinated…
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Fiery disaster: 9 buses damaged at coach park on Bangkok road
A fire broke out at a coach parking area on Kanchanaphisek Road, Bangkok damaging nearly 10 buses but fortunately, no injuries were reported. Firefighters quickly responded to the blaze, which occurred yesterday, December 25, at a facility owned by Siam Transport Company, located along the western ring road of Bangkok in Thawi Watthana district. Police Inspector Senee Kanpawong of Bang…
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Thai serial rapist who targets elderly women remains on the run
Two elderly Thai women sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women after a rapist who sexually assaulted them in a paddy field in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima remains at large for months. The two senior victims, who are cousins, met the foundation’s founder, Pavena Hongsakul, at the foundation office in the central province of Pathum Thani…
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Boundary fence dispute in Phitsanulok leads to two deaths
A tragic altercation over a boundary fence dispute between neighbours resulted in a deadly incident involving a family in Phitsanulok province. The conflict escalated, leading to the deaths of two individuals and leaving one person seriously injured. Police Lieutenant Phongsiri Ampripis of Bang Rakam Police Station received reports of the violent confrontation which occurred yesterday, December 25, at 4pm. The…
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Koh Phi Phi tragedy: Brit pays tribute to brother in tsunami tale
On the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami which devasted six provinces in Thailand including Phuket and Phang Nga, a British tourist remembers the tragic death of his brother whilst the duo were on a Christmas break on Koh Phi Phi in 2004. Just a day after celebrating Christmas together on the beach and sharing a heartfelt “I love you,” brothers…
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Chilly weather and light rain forecast for northern Thailand
Today’s weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) highlights a mix of chilly and frosty conditions across northern Thailand, with light rain anticipated in some areas. The highest peaks may experience severe cold, with frost forming as temperatures drop to single digits. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast shows a moderate high-pressure system currently covering upper Thailand. This results in cool to…
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Decomposing body found in Udon Thani forest prompts investigation
A decomposing body of a woman was discovered in a forest opposite the Department of Forestry in Sri That, Udon Thani, sparking an investigation to determine the cause of death and locate her relatives. Police believe she died approximately five days ago. Yesterday, December 25, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chinphan Sungkaew, Deputy Superintendent of the Sri That Police Station, disclosed that…
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Thai bus ticket collector assaulted by passenger for rejecting his advances
A female public bus ticket collector sought justice after being physically assaulted by a male passenger for rejecting his advances. However, the Department of Land Transport allegedly blamed her for the incident, citing her impatience. The ticket collector, 24 year old Pichobon Yadee, shared details of the assault, which occurred on December 2 at around 4pm on a public bus…
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Thailand brings out its elephants to add Christmas cheer
Thailand’s holiday celebrations are giving Lapland a run for its money with elephants donning Santa suits, flower-studded gardens, and dazzling star parades lighting up the nation. At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Christmas cheer came with a floral twist as tens of thousands of blossoms transformed the space into a vibrant winter wonderland. Sacred figures like Ganesha and Guan…
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Thai woman falls from pedestrian bridge while trying to save dropped phone
A Thai woman sustained severe injuries after falling from a pedestrian bridge in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok while attempting to retrieve her dropped mobile phone. Officers from Phra Samut Jedhi Police Station and rescuers from the Por Tek Tung Foundation responded to the incident, which occurred beneath the pedestrian bridge near Soi Suksawat 48 at 5pm yesterday, December 24.…
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Knives out in Pattaya: Aussie tourist threatened by moto-taxi rider
A Christmas Eve motorcycle mishap turned menacing in Pattaya, leaving a 60 year old Australian tourist terrified after a motorbike taxi driver allegedly threatened him with a knife. Ivica, an Australian holidaymaker, filed a formal complaint with Pattaya police yesterday, December 24 at 11.46pm, claiming he had been menaced by a knife-wielding motorbike taxi driver following a minor collision. The…
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Thai restaurant sales to soar 15% over new year period
Central Restaurants Group (CRG) anticipates a significant increase in sales within the Thai restaurant industry during the new year festive season, driven by a boost in dining out and a rise in foreign tourist numbers. This optimism comes as Thailand records approximately 33.5 million foreign visitors from January to mid-December. Leading the arrivals are Chinese tourists, numbering 6.4 million, followed…
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Stranded on the beach: Foreign driver’s pickup gets stuck in Phuket (video)
A yellow four-door pickup truck driven by a foreign driver became stuck on Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, causing a stir among both locals and online users. The mishap was captured in a 34-second video shared on Facebook which quickly drew attention and comments online. The video shows the vehicle stuck in the sand in front of a hotel, with…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport passengers surprised with teddy bears on baggage carousel
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is celebrating Christmas by sending teddy bears along the baggage carousel as gifts for arriving passengers. The gifts are available for two days, starting yesterday, December 24, said to run through until the end of today. The Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikhajorn, and the spokesperson of the Transport Ministry, Kittiphon Ruayfuphan, joined forces to…
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Elderly woman flees as son sets house on fire in Bangkok (video)
An elderly woman was forced to flee her home after her son, in a state of frenzy, set their house on fire. The incident was captured and shared on TikTok by user @hippopo2875, who expressed sympathy for the woman, revealing he had known her for over 20 years, describing her as kind-hearted. The video depicted firefighters and residents battling the…
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Cyber raid: 8 arrested for online gambling in Chiang Rai
Police from the Cyber Crime Division conducted a raid on three locations connected to the OK2D online gambling network in Chiang Rai, resulting in the arrest of eight administrators. The operation, believed to be linked with three other prominent websites, involves over 200,000 players and a financial turnover exceeding 1 billion baht. High-ranking officials, including Trirong Phiwphan, the Cyber Crime…
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Royal Turf Club unveils AI data centre in Thailand
The Royal Turf Club of Thailand (RTC), under royal patronage, has launched an ambitious project to establish the RTC AI Data Centre, marking a significant step towards global project management. This announcement was made at the Army Club in Vibhavadi, where Jamlong Boonkaphue, RTC chairperson, provided updates on the Sports and Entertainment Complex project and the establishment of the RTC…
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Successful coral restoration boosts tourism at Koh Larn
A team of marine specialists conducted a diving inspection at Koh Larn to ensure the safety of tourists and coral reefs in the Sea Walker area. The inspection revealed the successful restoration of staghorn coral reefs. Dr Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), led a group, including Ukkrit Sataphumin, director of the Marine Resources…
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Elderly couple’s tragic motorcycle accident in Udon Thani
A tragic accident unfolded in Udon Thani, where an elderly couple riding a motorcycle with a sidecar from Nakhon Phanom to Nong Bua Lam Phu was struck by a six-wheeled truck, resulting in one fatality and another person seriously injured. Police are actively searching for the truck driver who fled the scene following the incident. The accident was reported yesterday,…
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Foreign couple’s passionate encounter leads to damage at Pattaya hotel
A foreign couple refused to pay compensation after their sexual activity damaged furniture and Christmas decorations at a hotel in Pattaya last night, December 24. Chaos broke out at a hotel in Pattaya Soi 8 on Christmas Eve as hotel workers and officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were reportedly chasing a foreign woman wearing a white mini-dress. The foreign…
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Experts warn ‘safety first’ as couples get rompy during Christmas
The Christmas holiday season often sees an uptick in certain types of injuries, with experts noting a significant rise in sex-related mishaps, including a dramatic 234% increase in searches for “penile fracture” on Google during this festive period. Research from FeetFinder highlights that the festive spirit might lead to some unexpected outcomes in the bedroom. Data from the British Journal…
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Thailand launches tax rebate scheme with 50,000 baht cap
The Thai government has introduced the easy e-receipts initiative, allowing eligible purchases to be deducted from personal income tax. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed the Cabinet’s approval of the scheme, which is set to roll out from January 16 to February 28 next year. The deductions will be applicable for the 2026 tax filing period. Participants in this programme…
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Belgian man brutally attacked and robbed in Pattaya on Christmas Day
In stark contrast to the festive spirits, a Belgian man suffered serious injuries after a group of six thieves brutally attacked him with a knife and robbed him in Pattaya earlier today, December 25, just as he was returning from a Christmas party. A 38 year old Thai woman named Phonthip alerted officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station to the…
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Young elephant shot dead at Chanthaburi rubber plantation
A tragic discovery was made when the carcass of a young wild elephant, weighing 1.5 tonnes, was found shot dead in a rubber plantation in Chanthaburi province. Veterinarians are urgently conducting an autopsy to gather evidence and identify the perpetrator. The local police in Kaeng Hang Maeo were alerted by residents who stumbled upon the elephant carcass in a rubber…
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Chiang Mai magic mushroom vendor arrested after death of British man
Police arrested a Thai vendor selling magic mushrooms in Chiang Mai following the death of a British man who purchased and consumed the drugs from her shop. Officers from the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 5, in cooperation with the Provincial Public Health Office, raided a cannabis shop on Tha Pae Road in Chiang Mai’s Mueang District on December…
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Young Thai girl dreams of police career amid severe poverty
A heartrending story has emerged about a nine year old girl who dreams of becoming a police officer despite facing extreme poverty, often left hungry while waiting for her grandmother to return from hospital appointments. The situation came to light after a Facebook user named ศรุต ธานินมงคล posted a picture of the girl, Ice, sitting outside her home, clutching her…
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