News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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Police pursue leads in Trang oil palm plantation triple murder
Police have uncovered a significant lead in the case of four people found murdered and burnt in an oil palm plantation in Si Kao district, Trang province. Initial investigations suggest the crime, believed to be committed by a group of four to five people familiar with the victims, stems from a conflict over oil palm collection. The victims, 69 year…
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Thailand and Bangladesh to advance free trade agreement talks
Previously, on May 8, Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met Bangladeshi Ambassador Fayaz Murshid Kazi to discuss advancing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two nations. Following a joint declaration of intent, senior officials will engage in online discussions to outline expectations and scope, aiming to formally initiate negotiations this year. Thailand has expressed its support for Bangladesh, the…
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Phitsanulok man arrested for girlfriend’s murder after Koh Chang trip
A 30 year old man was apprehended in Phitsanulok on May 10 for allegedly strangling his 28 year old girlfriend shortly after they returned from a five-day trip to Koh Chang island. Police Colonel Watcharapong Sitthiroongrote, chief of the Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, reported yesterday, May 11, that Surasak Khamtanode was detained around 7pm on May 10, accused of the…
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Bhumjaithai Party backs 2026 budget amid coalition tensions
Members of the Bhumjaithai Party have affirmed they will support the upcoming 2026 fiscal year budget bill, expected to be presented to the Cabinet and the House of Representatives later this month. Bhumjaithai, a government coalition member with significant ministry positions in the budget drafting process, sees no reason for its MPs to oppose the bill, according to party spokesperson…
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Indian tourists caught at illegal pool party in Pattaya
Over 200 Indian tourists were caught at an illegal pool party in Pattaya previously on May 8 after locals filed complaints about loud music. The Banglamung District Chief received the complaint around 8pm and ordered officials to inspect a mansion in the Pong subdistrict of Banglamung, Chon Buri. Undercover officers discovered a lively pool party taking place without proper authorisation.…
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Bangkok Pride 2025: Right to Love Celebrations Announced
Organisers are preparing for the Bangkok Pride Festival 2025, themed The Celebration: Right to Love, scheduled from May 30 to June 30. The highlight will be the Pride Parade on June 1. A press conference held on May 6 introduced the event’s co-organisers, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Bangkok…
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Thailand ranks fifth for Chinese tourists, boosting cultural ties
Thailand continues to be one of the top five destinations for Chinese tourists, as the government intensifies efforts to improve the travel experiences of its visitors. According to data from Alipay and its network, Thailand ranks as the fifth most popular destination for Chinese travellers during extended holidays. It follows Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, and South Korea, as stated by…
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Woman killed, man injured in Phuket pickup truck crash
A woman lost her life and a man sustained injuries following an accident involving a pickup truck that veered off the road and collided with a streetlight in Thalang, Phuket, on the morning of yesterday, May 11. Police were informed of the incident at approximately 7am and promptly arrived at the site on Don Chom Tao Road in Thepkrasattri. The…
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Two men arrested in Phuket after high-speed meth pursuit
Two men were apprehended in Phuket following a high-speed pursuit with police, resulting in the confiscation of 65 grammes of crystal meth. The incident occurred previously at approximately 2.15pm on May 10, when officers from Phuket City Police Station responded to a report of a suspicious grey Toyota parked on Sri Suthat Road, Ratsada. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver…
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Tragic collision in Kanchanaburi claims lives of two Myanmar women
A collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle riding against traffic tragically resulted in the deaths of two Myanmar women and left another seriously injured. The incident occurred at approximately 4.30pm yesterday, May 11, in Kanchanaburi province, near the entrance of Thai Food Chicken Factory in Mueang Si Muang subdistrict, Tha Maka district. At the scene, the bodies of…
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SRT investigates train accident after barrier error injures young woman
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has expressed regret over a severe accident involving a train and a young woman, which occurred after a railway crossing barrier was prematurely opened. The incident prompted the SRT to launch an investigation and dispatch officials to visit the injured party. The accident took place at a railway crossing in Soi Keerinakorn, Moo 7,…
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Manhunt in Bangkok for suspect in fatal shooting of gym owner
A 23 year old man from Myanmar is being pursued by police following the fatal shooting of a 70 year old fitness centre owner in Bangkok. The incident occurred after the suspect allegedly seized the victim’s firearm. The suspect then fled in the victim’s car towards Rangsit, prompting an intensive manhunt by law enforcement. The incident came to light on…
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Bangkok police pursue suspects in Soi Pattanakarn shootings
Police officials in Bangkok are investigating two shooting incidents that occurred in Soi Pattanakarn 32, with efforts underway to secure arrest warrants for suspects believed to number between 10 and 15. Yesterday, May 11, the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s chief, Siam Boonsom, alongside deputy chief Nopasil Poolasawat and other senior police officers, held a meeting to discuss the progress of these…
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Teen’s test drive ends in tragedy at Suvarnabhumi Airport
An 18 year old man’s attempt at testing a vehicle resulted in a tragic accident on Suvarnabhumi Airport’s runway road in Samut Prakan, leading to two fatalities and injuring his girlfriend. Despite warnings, the driver proceeded, leading to the accident today, May 12. Police from Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station in Samut Prakan received a report about the late-night accident on…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s Qatar travel request denied
The Appeal Court has confirmed the Criminal Court’s decision to deny former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s request to travel to Qatar, as reported by former senator Somchai Swangkarn. Somchai, referencing a justice system source, shared on Facebook that Thaksin’s appeal was rejected for two reasons outlined by the lower court. Firstly, there was no confirmed meeting between Thaksin and US…
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Lao woman caught smuggling 137,000 ecstasy pills across Thai border
A 23 year old Lao woman was apprehended for attempting to smuggle 137,000 ecstasy pills, valued at over 55 million baht, across the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. She was allegedly promised 10,000 baht for the delivery. Yesterday, May 11, Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region and Head of the Drug Suppression and Prevention Command, reported that…
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Mother of nine accused of explicit video scandal in Thailand
A social media page has exposed a shocking case involving a 34 year old mother with nine children allegedly making explicit videos involving the entire family, including her youngest, a 10 year old. Attempts to warn the family have reportedly been met with insults and threats of legal action, prompting calls for police to investigate further. The page, named ท่านเปา…
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Bangkok drug network dismantled in major police bust
On May 11, police arrested four people at a condominium in Bangkok for drug-related offences, seizing various illicit substances including methamphetamine and ecstasy. This operation led to the dismantling of a major distribution network selling drugs in nightclubs. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and other senior officers supervised the arrest of 37 year old Wongsakorn, 32 year old Atcharaphat, 21…
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Ten voters in van accident en route to Sisaket
Ten people, travelling in a rented van from Bangkok to Sisaket to vote, were involved in an accident when the vehicle crashed into a streetlight and fell into a road median. The incident occurred at 7am today, May 11, when Police Lieutenant Chaloemchai Nerntharanee, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Nang Rong Police Station, Buriram province, received a report of the…
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Teen brawl at Bun Bang Fai festival prompts legal action calls (video)
A video capturing an altercation at a Bun Bang Fai festival in Khamcha-i district, Mukdahan province, has sparked online calls for legal action. The footage, posted by the I Am Mukdahan page, shows a fierce brawl involving a group of teenagers and a lottery vendor, who ends up with facial injuries. The video, lasting 2 minutes and 43 seconds, depicts…
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Nonthaburi police arrest campaign leader for vote-buying in election
Police in Nonthaburi apprehended a 25 year old campaign leader accused of vote-buying during the municipal mayoral election. Found with voter lists, he admitted to distributing cash to voters, keeping a portion for personal expenses. Yesterday, May 11, police, alongside the Nonthaburi Election Commission, arrested Chakrit. He was caught driving a red Toyota Yaris and was found in possession of…
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Family of three perish in tragic Phuket motorcycle crash
Three family members, including a father, daughter, and mother-in-law, tragically died in a motorcycle accident in Phuket. The incident occurred yesterday, May 10, at 5pm when a motorcycle lost control and crashed into a streetlight on Sakdidet Road in the district of Mueang, Phuket province. Police Major Chonlathit Kheaw-on from the Wichit Police Station received the report, leading officers and…
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Ukrainian woman arrested at Phuket airport for condo vandalism
A Ukrainian woman was apprehended by police at Phuket International Airport while attempting to flee the country after allegedly causing significant damage to a luxury condominium in Phuket. The damage was estimated at over 350,000 baht (US$10,630). This arrest was conducted by police from Wichit district in Phuket, in collaboration with immigration officers, under the guidance of Police Colonel Somsak…
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Severe storm in Bangkok claims life as tree crushes shelter
A severe storm with strong winds and heavy rain resulted in a tree falling and crushing a shelter in Bangkok, leading to the death of 51 year old Buala. The incident was reported yesterday, May 11 and investigated by Police Lieutenant Colonel Pipatchai Panphim, deputy inspector at Thammasala Police Station. The tragedy occurred in the early hours within Soi Phutthamonthon…
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Government forms task force to tackle illegal tour operators nationwide
A nationwide joint task force has been established by the government to address the issue of illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides, according to deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan. The task force comprises officials from five agencies: the Tourism Ministry, the Business Development Department, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourism Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau. Their efforts…
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Bangkok building collapse rescue ends; probe into malpractice begins
Efforts to retrieve bodies following the collapse of the 2.1 billion baht State Audit Office building in Bangkok, instigated by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, have been concluded, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s announcement yesterday, May 10. Suriyachai Rawiwon, director of the BMA’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the final areas, including a lift…
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Missing Thai teen found dead; family seeks answers
The search for missing 17 year old Napassorn, known as Nong Namtan, concluded tragically with her family confirming her death yesterday, May 10. Napassorn, from Udon Thani, left her apartment in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area on May 1. Her family lost contact with her at midnight, prompting her father to file a missing person report with Pathum Thani police the…
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Severe weather alert: Summer storms hit 69 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings for severe weather, including summer storms, across 69 provinces. Expect heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, and possible thunderstorms. Southern Thailand will see increased rainfall, while Bangkok faces an 80% chance of precipitation. According to the TMD’s 24-hour forecast from today, May 11, upper Thailand is set to experience summer storms characterised by…
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Thai stock market rebounds despite US tariffs and global volatility
Last month, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) experienced volatility during the long holiday period. Before the Songkran festival, the SET was significantly impacted by US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, reaching a low of 1,056.41 points early in the month. The tariff news affected global stock markets; however, the gold price rose to over US$3,300 (approximately 113,190 baht) per…
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Phuket cops nab meth dealers after traffic stop tip-off
Phuket police arrested four men for drug dealing in the Wichit area in an operation on Wednesday. On May 7, police set up a traffic discipline checkpoint at the Darasamutr Intersection underpass in Wichit, as part of an ongoing crime crackdown spearheaded by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum. It was here that officers pulled over 39…
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