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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
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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Police confiscate illegal sexual enhancers worth 1.5 million baht
Police have seized and confiscated a range of sexual enhancement products branded as “Nam Phueng Pueng Pang” containing the active ingredient in Viagra, posing a potential danger to users. The operation, conducted yesterday, February 14, successfully seized items valued at over 1.5 million baht. Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), led the operation…
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Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…
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Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans
Phuket is on the radar for deeper ties with Azerbaijan. Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, February 13, for Ambassador Elchin Rakub Ogul Bashirov of Azerbaijan at the Phuket Provincial Hall, where the two discussed ramping up diplomatic and tourism cooperation. With Phuket’s tourism boom in full swing: 13.1 million visitors raking in over 497 billion…
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Lottery fans turn to popular Facebook page for winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts are paying close attention to the popular Facebook page Petchkla Dekchai Nam Chok for this week’s lottery guidance. The numbers for the draw tomorrow, February 16, have been revealed by the page, which has gained fame for its accurate predictions over multiple draws. For the upcoming lottery, Petchkla Dekchai Nam Chok has shared its favoured numbers for the…
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Most watched sports in Thailand
While Thailand may be best known for the likes of its rich cultural heritage, stunning views, and warm hospitality, it also has a thriving sports scene. There is a deep passion for traditional sports, such as Muay Thai, but there is increasing interest in international sports which are now gaining a strong following. Sports fans are now watching, and engaging,…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing
A long-standing rivalry between two motorcycle taxi drivers erupted into a brutal knife fight outside Vachira Phuket Hospital last night, leaving one man seriously injured. The violent altercation, which unfolded at around 9pm yesterday, February 13, saw the men stab each other in a heated dispute over passengers. Phuket City Police, led by Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Captain Pawinut…
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Over 100 couples tie the knot in Phuket on Valentine’s Day
Romance filled the air in Phuket Town today as more than 100 couples gathered at the Mueang District Office to register their marriages in a joyful Valentine’s Day celebration. The event, which embraced love in all forms, saw couples from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ partners, formalising their unions in a special ceremony. The festivities were led by Phuket District Chief…
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Thailand rolls out new tollway speed limits to enhance safety
Thailand’s transport ministry has introduced new speed limits for tollways, aiming to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. The regulation, issued under the Highway Act 1992, applies specifically to concession highways, marking the first time such roads have been subject to speed restrictions. Under the new rule, different vehicle categories must adhere to strict speed limits: Trucks over 2.2 tonnes…
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Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts
Thailand, long celebrated as the birthplace of Muay Thai, is experiencing a dynamic shift in its combat sports landscape. In 2025, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), signalling a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the fighting arts. Historically, Muay Thai has been the cornerstone of Thailand’s martial arts identity.…
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Myanmar woman arrested for illegal e-cigarette sales in Chumphon
Cyber police in collaboration with local police in Chumphon arrested a 20 year old Myanmar national yesterday for allegedly selling illegal e-cigarettes near a prominent school. She was reportedly hired by a local politician’s child and had previously faced similar charges last year. The arrest involved multiple agencies, including Chumphon Provincial Investigation, Sawi Police Station, and other local bodies. The…
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Drunken tourist brawl erupts in Phuket, sparks online outrage (video)
A wild street brawl involving foreign tourists outside Cafe del Mar in Kamala has set social media ablaze, reigniting debates over the type of visitors Phuket is attracting. The 1-minute, 37-second clip, shared by the โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต Facebook page today, February 14, captures the chaotic fight, with drunk tourists trading punches as stunned onlookers watched. The altercation began outside the…
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Volt-face: Volvo shifts gears with new EV offerings in Thailand
Volvo Car Thailand is gearing up for modest growth in car sales, capped at 5% this year, by revving up its appeal with fresh electric vehicle models and an innovative battery repair service. This bold strategy aims to keep long-term maintenance costs low for drivers and attract more eco-conscious consumers. Chris Wailes, managing director of Volvo Car Thailand and Malaysia,…
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Thai woman found dead under tree after online gambling debts
A 22 year old woman was found dead beneath a mango tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, reportedly overwhelmed by debt after extensive online slot gambling. Her husband discovered her absence from their home around midday and later found her lifeless body yesterday, February 13. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Rungrueng from the Thap Sakae Police Station received a report of…
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Net gains: Fishing ban to boost marine life in Thailand
In a sweeping move to rejuvenate dwindling fish stocks, the Department of Fishery rolled out a crucial fishing ban spanning the coasts from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Surat Thani. Effective in two phases, from tomorrow, February 15 to May 15, and May 16 to June 14, the initiative targets different maritime zones, aiming to give marine life a much-needed break.…
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Meth haul over 50 million baht seized in Nonthaburi drug bust
A drug trafficking network was dismantled in Nonthaburi yesterday, February 13 at 3pm. The police seized a substantial haul, including 560,000 methamphetamine pills, 218 kilogrammes of crystal meth, and 3,163 ecstasy pills, valued at over 50 million baht. The arrest took place at a dormitory in the Bang Kraso subdistrict of Mueang Nonthaburi district on February 12 at 8pm. The…
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Foreign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama
In a bid to untangle a complex web of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, Bangkok embassies have been summoned to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters for a crucial meeting. The agenda: sorting out who among the over 260 foreigners recently rescued from neighbouring countries are genuine victims and who might be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Under the spotlight are…
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Dust to dust: Toxic haze blankets Bangkok and beyond
A thick shroud of ultrafine dust pollution has descended upon Bangkok and 53 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, leaving the air quality in a perilous state, according to the latest findings from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the east bore the brunt of this hazardous haze. GISTDA’s report, released at 8am, today, February 14,…
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AirAsia soars to new heights with record passenger growth in 2024
AirAsia is flying high after recording a surge in passenger numbers throughout 2024, as the budget airline group expanded its fleet to meet booming travel demand. The carrier welcomed over 63 million passengers last year, an 11% increase from 2023, while its load factor climbed to 89%. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong, with 16.2 million passengers flying…
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Crêpe caper: Thai vendor attacked in street stick-up
A crêpe seller found himself the victim of a vicious street attack by two helmeted teenagers on a motorbike, leaving him with 17 stitches. The brazen assault on crêpe seller Chamnan Ponyiam unfolded on the night of February 12 in the Ban Suan subdistrict of Mueang district, Chon Buri. Chamnan, a long-standing vendor in the community, was on his way…
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Phuket forest fire sparks panic before firefighters contain blaze
A raging forest fire in Thepkrasattri subdistrict, Phuket, sent firefighters and locals scrambling to contain the fast-spreading blaze yesterday, February 13. The fire engulfed over 6 rai of land in Khao Kluay, Baan Pak Pli, before emergency crews managed to bring it under control after a tense four-hour battle. The Thepkrasattri Subdistrict Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) first reported the incident, which…
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Temple turmoil: Thai teens attack as fair turns into a video nasty
A temple fair in Pathum Thani turned into a scene straight out of a violent video nasty when a group of teenagers launched a brutal attack on a rival, leaving chaos in their wake. The violent altercation, which erupted around 10pm, yesterday, February 13, saw gunfire and knife violence break out before the culprits sped off on motorcycles. Police and…
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Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase
A high-speed rampage through Thalang district has left Phuket residents in shock after a pickup-driving mother smashed into multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene, leaving behind her terrified three year old son. The dramatic series of crashes began in front of a fresh market in Thepkrasattri, where municipal officers witnessed a pickup truck colliding with several vehicles and motorcycles. The…
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Monk-ey business: Selfie scandal forces Thai monk to step down
A senior monk from Khon Kaen province has resigned after a scandalous selfie with a woman surfaced, bringing shame on the religious community. The monk, whose photo authenticity was confirmed, has been compelled to leave the monkhood within a week’s time. The drama unfolded in a meeting at Wat Ban Lan in Ban Phai district, where the monastic committee, including…
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Lao-American man arrested for stealing iPhone at Bangkok airport
A 58 year old man of Lao-American nationality was apprehended for allegedly stealing an iPhone 16 from a Japanese tourist at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Initially denying the accusation, he was confronted with evidence leading to his arrest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksanti Thiraruangrat and Police Lieutenant Colonel Papassorn Maituk, along with a team from the tourist police at Suvarnabhumi Airport, detained…
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Ex-legal officer caught for embezzling 10 million baht in Bangkok
Police apprehended a former legal officer of the Social Security Office accused of embezzling 10 million baht from the social security fund. The suspect, who had been on the run, was captured while working at a shop in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok yesterday, February 13. Poomwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with Ekachai…
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Whale of a tale: Chilean kayaker swallowed by humpback (video)
In a heart-stopping incident off Chilean Patagonia, a kayaker found himself briefly swallowed by a humpback whale before being miraculously released unharmed. The jaw-dropping event was caught on camera and rapidly swept through social media, captivating viewers worldwide. Last Saturday, adventurer Adrian Simancas was enjoying a day of kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Aguila, near the San…
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Nigerian man arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine to tourists
Phuket Immigration officers detained a 37 year old Nigerian man in the Thepkrasattri subdistrict for possessing cocaine with the intention to sell. The individual, identified as John Paul, was arrested at a rented residence in Village 11, Thepkrasattri yesterday morning, February 13. The operation was a joint effort by Phuket Immigration and officers from Thalang Police Station. During the arrest,…
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Thailand video news | Thai PM considers easing alcohol sales rules to boost tourism, Cambodia warns tourists about aggressive monkeys at Angkor Wat
In the Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand and Asia region. The stories include a rise in in-flight thefts, the weakening Thai Baht and a rise in the cost of hotels, and a little later the increasingly aggressive behaviour of monkeys in Angkor Wat. Thai PM Considers Easing Alcohol Sales Rules to Boost Tourism Prime Minister…
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Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high
In Chai Nat, the demand for roses during Valentine’s Day has led to a significant increase in retail prices, reaching a two-decade high, according to local vendors. Rose sales have surged in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, resulting in higher prices at the Chai Nat municipal market. Prices nearly doubled overnight, rising from 10 to 15 baht per flower yesterday, February…
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Golden rescue: Student saved from call centre scam in Bangkok
Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped in to save 21 year old student from the clutches of a call centre scam in Bangkok. The young woman, Jidapha, was deceived into surrendering her valuable gold and instructed to hide out in a hotel under mysterious threats, leaving her parents anxiously hanging on every second. On Wednesday, February 12, at precisely 11.45pm, Jidapha’s…
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