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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University lecturer arrested for illegal firearm import in Thailand
A prominent university lecturer has been detained in connection with the illegal importation of firearms into Thailand, bypassing customs at ports. The suspect, 41 year old Visut, allegedly acquired up to 24 firearm permits and operated a gun shop within a military camp. Yesterday, May 29, police in Nakhon Si Thammarat intensified their investigation into a network suspected of smuggling…
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Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has decided to dismiss lese majeste charges against a 58 year old American academic due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed nearly two months after his initial detention, which resulted in US national Paul Chambers losing his job, work visa, and the confiscation of his passport. Earlier this week, the OAG issued an…
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Heavy rain forecast for 47 Thai provinces, warns of flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain across 47 provinces, affecting three regions and Bangkok, with the heaviest rainfall covering 70% of the area. Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides on May 30. The TMD predicts that northern and northeastern Thailand will experience particularly severe weather, urging locals in these regions to stay…
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Stretching into serenity: Pattaya Beach starts yoga countdown
Sun, sand, and salutations — Pattaya Beach transformed into a haven of calm as hundreds gathered to launch the countdown to the International Day of Yoga in a spirited celebration of wellness, unity, and global harmony. Marking “25 Days to International Day of Yoga,” Pattaya City joined forces with the Indian Association of Pattaya for a vibrant beachside event that…
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Thai woman rams ex-husband’s car over missing funds for children
A Thai woman rammed her SUV into a sedan carrying her ex-husband and his girlfriend, accusing the couple of swindling 400,000 baht she had been saving for their children. Channel 7 and ThaiRath shared footage of the car crash and physical assault, which took place on a footpath along a road in the Isaan province of Kalasin on May 28.…
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Thalang cops crack down on student bikers in safety blitz
Motorbikes without mirrors, deafening exhausts, and teens riding without licences — Thalang Police are cracking down on underage and unsafe student bikers in a renewed push for road safety. Officers at Thalang Police Station are stepping up efforts to educate and enforce traffic discipline among school-age motorcyclists, especially during term time when many rely on bikes to commute. The latest…
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‘Phone-eating’ TikToker’s cake illusions spark safety fears (video)
A TikToker has set the Internet on fire — and sparked serious parenting panic — after posting a series of jaw-dropping videos where she appears to chow down on everyday household items like smartphones, detergent, and even lipstick. But don’t worry — it’s not as horrifying as it looks. The viral sensation, known online as @mmfuwongg, has amassed a huge following…
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Thailand F-16s deployed as Myanmar jet nears border
Thailand scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a Myanmar military aircraft dropped four bombs near the Thai-Myanmar border in a cross-border conflict that sent over 370 people fleeing into Thai territory. At 1.03pm yesterday, May 28, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) ordered two F-16MLU fighter jets from Wing 4 in Takhli to intercept a Myanmar Yak-130 aircraft detected flying…
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Thai police helicopter crash sparks corruption allegations
A friend of a police officer who died in a helicopter crash in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan claimed that a lack of maintenance caused the incident, while a Facebook page raised suspicions of corruption. The Bell 212 Twin Huey helicopter, operated by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), crashed near Nong Phang Phuai Temple in Koh Lak sub-district,…
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Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset
The battle of the Bangkok backseats has taken a new turn — and the Transport Ministry is stepping in to play referee. After months of mounting tension between traditional taxi drivers and Grab ride-hailing services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, government officials have now unveiled a plan to restore fairness and order. Yesterday, May 28, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote announced a…
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Chao Phraya flood alert sparks evacuation warning
Brace for rising waters — residents in parts of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya have been urgently warned of a potential Chao Phraya River overflow as early as tomorrow morning. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a warning at 11am today, May 29, using mobile phone cell broadcast technology via providers AIS, True, and NT, to notify at-risk…
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Thief strikes again, stealing 27 drain covers in Nakhon Ratchasima
A thief has, for the third time, stolen metal drain covers in the middle of the night in Nakhon Ratchasima. A total of 27 covers from 14 locations in Mueang Thai subdistrict, Chok Chai district, have been taken. Residents are worried about potential hazards and have reported the incidents to the police, but there has been no significant progress. The…
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Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Thai beach had multiple health issues
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, in collaboration with the officers from Laem Son National Park, has released the findings of a post-mortem examination conducted on a Cuvier’s beaked whale found stranded on Bang Ben Beach in Mueang Kluang subdistrict, Kapoe district, Ranong province, on May 27. The whale, identified as a mature female, measured 500 centimetres in length…
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Phuket man dies after slamming into parked tuk tuk
A routine ride ended in tragedy yesterday afternoon when a 61 year old motorcyclist fatally crashed into a parked tuk tuk in Kathu, Phuket. The incident unfolded around 4.40pm, yesterday, May 28, on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, in front of the Khum Nam restaurant in Village 1, Kathu. Emergency services rushed to the scene after police received reports of the…
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Motorcyclist causes chaos in Pathum Thani, damages vehicles
A recent incident involving a motorcyclist causing disruption and damaging vehicles has drawn attention after a social media post went viral. The incident, under the Khlong 13 bridge on the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route in Bueng Nam Rak subdistrict, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, has affected several vehicles. Residents are urging the police to take action. Yesterday, May 28, Pancheewan, a…
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Blaze at Bangkok luxury resort pier torches two boats (video)
Bangkok’s riverside serenity was shattered at dawn today when a fire broke out at the pier of the upscale Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, leaving two boats scorched and emergency crews scrambling. The incident unfolded around 5.50am, today, Mat 29, at the resort’s pier on Charoen Nakhon Road in Thon Buri district, sending thick smoke billowing into the morning sky and…
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Thailand goes full glam for Pride Month with epic nationwide festival
Get ready to strut — Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet! The government has officially launched the Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival, a dazzling, month-long celebration of Pride taking place across the country throughout June. Billed as a tribute to global Pride Month, the campaign not only celebrates love, equality, and identity, but also cements Thailand’s growing reputation as…
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Bangkok Bank’s policy shift: Why the change of heart?
Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest commercial bank and one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent financial institutions, has begun freezing accounts and blocking cards belonging to Russian nationals, triggering confusion and concern among the expat and tourist communities across the country. The drastic move, which reportedly began around May 25, follows a newly enforced policy that limits access to banking services for…
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Thai worker wins lottery 10 times, credits mythical serpent
A construction worker from Surin province has remarkably won the lottery 10 times in a row, attributing his success to the spiritual power of the mythical serpent, Phaya Nak Pu Ong Dam San Siri Chantra Nakarat. During a recent filming for a renowned TV show, an unexpected fire broke out, causing a candle to bend in the shape of a…
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High risk haul lands British woman in deep dope and behind bars
A British woman ended behind bars after she was busted at London Heathrow with suitcases stuffed full of cannabis following a holiday in Thailand. Keira Borrett, from Gorleston, Norfolk, was reportedly arrested at Terminal 4 on May 23 after attempting to breeze through customs with bags packed with herbal cannabis. The shock discovery led to the 43 year old being…
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Chinese ditch Thailand for cheaper, drama-free Cambodia
While Thailand scrambles to revive its struggling tourism sector, neighbouring Cambodia is quietly winning over Chinese holidaymakers — and it’s pulling out all the stops. In a bold push to attract foreign tourists, Cambodian officials declared 2025 the “China-Cambodia Tourism Year,” and it’s already paying off. Just last week, a record-setting group of 1,000 Chinese tourists from Wuxi, near Shanghai,…
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Teen birthday leads to violent altercation in Samut Prakan
Following a birthday celebration, three teenagers encountered an altercation that led to violence in Samut Prakan, resulting in one injury. The incident occurred today, May 29, at 2.30am when 18 year old Warathep was attacked by a mysterious group of men near a shop on Kusang-Pracha Uthit Road in Phra Samut Chedi district. Police Colonel Pojanakorn Ganjina and other officers…
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Flying in style: THAI unveils plush new seats for A321neo jets
Travellers aboard Thai Airways are in for a stylish treat — the airline is getting a luxury cabin makeover with a fresh batch of award-winning R3 Economy Class seats, thanks to a brand-new collaboration with RECARO Aircraft Seating. The partnership, announced this week, sees RECARO deliver 32 shipsets of its long-range R3 seat for Thai Airways’ A321neo fleet. The first delivery…
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Gunfire injures four at Narathiwat anti-drug event (video)
In Narathiwat‘s Tak Bai district, four people, including two teachers and two defence volunteers, sustained injuries during an anti-drug sports event yesterday afternoon due to gunfire from unidentified assailants. The shooting occurred at 2.20pm, yesterday, May 28, at the Kohsathon subdistrict headquarters, where the event aimed to promote healthy living and campaign against drug use. Among the injured were 37…
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Delivery rider attacked near Bangkok taxi stand (video)
A delivery rider was assaulted near a motorcycle taxi stand in Sukhumvit Soi 93 in Bangkok after parking his vehicle to make a delivery. The incident, captured on video and shared by a popular social media page, occurred on May 28 at 11am. A long-serving local motorcycle taxi driver, Somkit, expressed disbelief at the violent incident, citing his 30 years…
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Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace
In a groundbreaking show of royal support, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made history by blessing Thailand’s first-ever royally-sponsored same-sex wedding. On May 19, the royal couple graciously presided over a lavish ceremony at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, honouring the union of Kampol Wongnaree and Nutthabhum Taenseesang. The unprecedented event marks a…
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Police apprehend burglary suspect Mr Nobody in Bangkok
Police officers from Unit 191 apprehended a suspect known as Mr Nobody, who was involved in a series of burglaries at luxury residences. Mr Nobody and his accomplice were caught with drugs and were wanted for fraud. Yesterday, May 28, at 8pm, Police Colonel Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, the commanding officer of Unit 191, instructed Police Lieutenant Natdanai Bamrungsri to arrest 43…
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Flipped and lucky: Pattaya driver cheats death after horror smash
Pattaya’s highways turned into a crash scene yet again when a young driver’s reckless night ended with his car flipped upside down — and his life barely intact. In the early hours of yesterday, May 28, a 27 year old man miraculously survived a high-speed collision that saw his car slam into a streetlight pole and land roof-up, wheels in…
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Deputy minister hits back at Senate vote scandal claims
Thailand’s Senate election scandal just got messier and Deputy Commerce Minister Napinthorn Srisanpang is right in the thick of it. Napinthorn, a key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), showed up at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters yesterday to confront allegations of vote-rigging during the recent Senate elections. Calm and composed, he denied all claims of collusion, calling them “unfounded.”…
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Thai man claims fatal shooting of wife in Sa Kaeo as accident
A Thai man claimed that the fatal shooting of his wife at their home in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo was accidental, occurring during an argument and a struggle over a gun. The victim, 35 year old Wassana “Waew” In-sura, was rushed to a hospital at around 7pm on Tuesday, May 27, with a gunshot wound to the back…
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