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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Drunk Indian tourist climbs taxi roof in Pattaya beach meltdown
In a bizarre pre-dawn spectacle, a heavily intoxicated Indian tourist turned heads in Pattaya after climbing on top of a taxi and refusing to come down, sparking police intervention this morning. At 4.36am today, May 29, Pattaya City Police were alerted to a scene unfolding on Pattaya Beach Road, where a foreign man had scaled the roof of a white…
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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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Phatthalung father shoots son in self-defence amid violent outburst
A domestic altercation in Phatthalung province resulted in a father shooting his son in the legs with a shotgun. The incident occurred yesterday, May 28, at 10pm when police from the Srinakarin Police Station were informed of a shooting at a residence in Chumphon subdistrict. Upon arrival, police found that the injured party had already been transported to hospital by…
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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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Wife grabs cheating husband by the penis to stop cash dash
A Thai woman forcefully grabbed the penis of her cheating husband, a community leader, to prevent him from taking her car and fleeing with his mistress, along with a large sum of community funds. The dramatic altercation unfolded outside the Phibun Rak District Office in the Isaan province of Udon Thani yesterday, May 28 and was captured on video by a resident…
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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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Thai app-based delivery rider steals gemstone rings to buy Yaba
A Thai delivery rider stole four gemstone rings at the weekend after being hired by a store in the central province of Nonthaburi to deliver them to a customer in Bangkok. Police made a swift arrest on the same day. The owner of a jewellery store, 43 year old Sanornit, filed a complaint at Bang Srimueang Police Station in Nonthaburi…
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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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Major e-cigarette dealer in Thailand caught, 50 million baht assets seized
A major online electronic cigarette dealer with a nationwide customer base has been apprehended, with assets worth over 50 million baht seized. The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner General Prajuab Wongsuk and other police officials, uncovered a central distribution office in Bangkok. Yesterday, May 28, police arrested 41 year old Thonnon at a commercial building on Sukhabhiban 2 Road, 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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NBTC seeks detailed analysis on digital TV future in 60 days
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board has instructed its management to deliver a more definitive conclusion within 60 days regarding a study on the future of broadcasting. The board, after discussing the study yesterday, May 28, refrained from reaching a final decision, with NBTC Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck indicating the need for a more comprehensive analysis. The board seeks…
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Thai commerce ministry unveils 10 policies to boost exports
Commerce Minister Phichai Naripthaphan led a policy meeting at the Ministry of Commerce in Bangkok, attended by over 200 participants, including directors from the Department of International Trade Promotion and Thai ambassadors to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The aim was to address challenges in Thai exports and present 10 urgent policies to advance international trade. The meeting saw collaboration…
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Thailand crackdowns on illegal green oil use in fishing industry
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul launched an initiative in Rayong province to tackle the illegal use of green oil, a diesel meant for fishermen. The effort involves utilising technology to monitor shipping routes in real-time through RTS and AIS systems. Paopoom emphasised that his visit to Rayong was focused on overseeing the control and regulation of green oil to prevent…
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Boom to boon: Thailand and US launch elite landmine-clearing hub
From deadly danger zones to safe farmland — Thailand is levelling up its landmine-clearing game with help from the US military. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), in partnership with the United States Department of Defence, has officially opened its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining Missions, marking a major step forward in regional efforts to eliminate landmine threats.…
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Red hair skull found in Chachoengsao linked to missing Pattaya woman
A skull with long red hair, found in the central province of Chachoengsao, may belong to a Thai woman, who disappeared in Pattaya following an argument with her foreign boyfriend. A 15 year old boy, Krittapas, reported his shocking discovery to a community leader at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, May 27. He explained that he had been jogging in preparation…
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Motorcyclist dies in Ayutthaya crash due to rainy conditions
A tragic accident in Ayutthaya province resulted in the death of a 35 year old motorcyclist after his motorcycle collided with the back of a truck in rainy conditions. The incident occurred today, May 29, at 12.30am on Rojana Road. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natdanai Borihan from the Uthai Police Station received a report of the accident, which took place at…
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Crystal-clear police drug raids in Phuket leave dealers on ice
A series of drug raids in Phuket has resulted in five suspects being nicked and over a kilo of crystal meth, also known as ya ice, scooped off the streets in a blitz that’s left local dealers shaking. Phuket City Police launched multiple operations targeting suspected drug dens, netting a haul of hard drugs, digital scales, motorbikes and mobiles, all…
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Thai PM proposes 3.78 trillion baht budget amid opposition criticism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra submitted a 3.78 trillion baht budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026 to the House of Representatives, initiating a four-day debate with the vote set for Saturday, May 31. The People’s Party criticised the proposal for not addressing current economic challenges, indicating their intention to reject it. Paetongtarn explained that the spending plan was crafted based…
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Concrete panels fall from Pattaya condo, injuring Australian man
Concrete panels fell from the 37th floor of a condominium in Pattaya yesterday, injuring an Australian man and damaging multiple parked motorcycles. A Thai tourist observing the view of Pattaya City from the Phra Tamnak Mountain Viewpoint witnessed the incident and captured a video of the panels falling from the condominium. The tourist claimed the building appeared tilted, which may…
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Father fatally shoots son in Lop Buri self-defence incident
A tragic incident unfolded in Lop Buri as a father shot his son with a .38 calibre gun after the son attacked him with a hoe. The altercation began when the father admonished his son for demanding money from his sister. The police received a report of the violent dispute involving weapons at 9.05pm yesterday, May 28, in Mueang subdistrict,…
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Baht off! Bangkok Bank shuts the door on tourist accounts
Tourists and short-term visitors in Thailand are getting the cold shoulder from Bangkok Bank after the banking giant quietly slammed the brakes on opening accounts for foreigners without long-term visas. Expats and digital nomads are reeling after Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest lender, introduced tough new rules barring tourists from opening deposit accounts, applying for credit cards, or using mobile banking…
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