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.
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Lions rescued from Thai border undergo urgent medical treatment
Two white lions rescued near the Thai-Cambodian border were given medical treatment yesterday, January 8, in Ratchaburi, after wildlife officials discovered the animals were suffering from digestive problems. The animals, a male and a female, were found in poor health after being transferred to the Khao Zon Wildlife Breeding Station in Ratchaburi late last year. Veterinary teams say the lions…
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Suspicion raised in Chiang Mai house fire that kills family of 5
Police launched a deeper investigation into a deadly house fire in Chiang Mai province that claimed the lives of five family members, after officials raised concerns that the blaze may not be an accident. The fire broke out at around midnight yesterday, January 8, at a two-storey house in the Pa Dad sub-district of Chiang Mai. All five occupants were…
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What’s happening in Iran? How hunger protests turned into a fight to topple the Islamic Republic.
Iran is currently cut off from the outside world. The government has severed internet and telephone lines nationwide, hoping to blind and deafen the international community to the brutality of its crackdown. Yet, the screams of frustration from the streets echo far beyond the digital blackout. This nationwide uprising is a clear signal: the 40-year-old theocratic regime is facing its…
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Thailand video news | Mutated flu strain fuels spike in Thailand cases, Thai students win top prize at international snow sculpture event
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include rising flu cases linked to new mutations, a series of incidents involving misbehaving foreign visitors, and—ending on a feel-good Friday note—Thai students winning the top prize at a snow-sculpting contest in China. Mutated Flu Strain Fuels Spike in Thailand…
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Bangkok pushes back pet microchipping law to 2027
Bangkok authorities have postponed enforcement of an ordinance requiring pet microchipping and household pet limits, following concern from residents and animal welfare groups. Originally set to take effect on January 10, 2026, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on the Control of Keeping or Releasing Animals will now be enforced from January 10, 2027. The Bangkok Metropolitan Council approved the…
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Khon Kaen power bank fire wrecks molam group accommodation
A fire broke out at the staff accommodation of a well-known molam group in Khon Kaen yesterday, January 8, reportedly caused by an overheated power bank. The blaze occurred in a building used by the “Nuphan Wisetsin” molam group, located in Nong Tum subdistrict of Khon Kaen province. A video of the incident was posted online by a Facebook user…
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Missing Nonthaburi woman contacts father, says she flees abuse and double life
A Thai woman, who was reported missing after boarding a pink taxi in Nonthaburi, contacted her father, saying she fled her home to escape domestic abuse and her husband’s double life. The case first drew public attention after 44 year old Thai man Kosin Chatlertchai appealed to the online community for help in locating his wife, 30 year old Thai…
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Smoke covers Pattaya as suspected arson fire scorches grassland
A fire broke out in Pattaya‘s Bang Lamung district yesterday afternoon, January 8, sending thick smoke over the city. The massive fire is suspected to have been deliberately set. The blaze started around 1.30pm near a community office on Moo 11 in Khao Talo. Firefighters from Nong Prue Municipality and Pattaya City quickly responded with several engines as the flames…
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Rival students open fire on Bangkok road, injuring 2 teens and innocent woman
A shooting broke out on a Bangkok road yesterday, January 8, following a conflict between two groups of college students, leaving two teenagers and an innocent woman injured. The incident occurred at around 5.30pm at the Nida-Seri Thai Intersection in Bueng Kum district. Gunfire erupted while vehicles were stopped at a red light, triggering panic among motorists and causing heavy…
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South Korean woman caught smuggling cannabis in Chiang Rai
A South Korean woman was arrested yesterday at Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport after she attempted to smuggle more than 23 kilogrammes of cannabis out of Thailand, claiming she was unaware it was illegal. The incident took place around 5pm yesterday, January 8, when officers from Ban Du Police Station, Chiang Rai Immigration, airport security, and customs collaborated in…
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Thai students claim top prize at Harbin snow sculpture contest
Thai vocational students from Bangkok and Chiang Rai won the 2026 International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest in Harbin, China, with a sculpture inspired by the Siamese fighting fish and goddess of water. The annual snow sculpture contest, organised by Harbin Engineering University, returned for its 18th edition this year. The competition was held from January 4 to 7 in Harbin,…
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Top virologist warns of mutated influenza strain spread in Thailand
A leading virologist has warned the public today, January 8, that a mutated strain of influenza is spreading across Thailand, as reduced vaccine effectiveness contributes to rising case numbers. Professor Yong Poovorawan, a member of the Royal Institute and director of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, issued the warning on his Facebook…
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Colourful fiddler crabs amaze tourists at Trang mangrove site
Tourists visiting a mangrove eco-tourism site in Trang yesterday, January 7, were treated to a vivid natural sight, as swarms of colourful fiddler crabs emerged from the mudflats in large numbers. The crabs were spotted at Ban Rai Yong Star in Palian district, where visitors watched them scuttle through the mudflats beside the mangroves, feeding and interacting along the edge…
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Wat Arun issues apology, tightens rules for photographers after complaints
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan issued an official apology following public backlash over the behaviour of some local photographers accused of disturbing visitors for personal gain. Wearing Thai traditional costumes while visiting temples has become increasingly popular among both Thai and foreign tourists. Wat Arun is one of the most favoured locations for photo sessions, thanks to its iconic prang tower…
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Cambodia denies Thai claims of harsh airport screening
A Cambodian aviation official yesterday, January 7, dismissed Thai media claims that Thai travellers faced harsh screening at Phnom Penh’s Techo Airport, calling the reports false and unreflective of the country’s hospitality. Sin Chanserivutha, spokesperson for Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, clarified that Thai nationals leaving Cambodia with verified travel histories would not face additional questioning. He said only…
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Wild elephant found safe after collision with box truck in Khao Yai
A wild elephant that vanished into the forest after being hit by a closed-box truck in Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima, last week has been found early this morning, January 8, alive and in stable condition, according to officials. Today, Yosawat Thiansawat, director of Protected Areas Regional Office 1 (Prachin Buri), confirmed that rangers and volunteer teams had located…
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Abhisit campaigns in Nakhon Si Thammarat with policy pitch
Abhisit Vejjajiva hit the campaign trail in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday, urging voters to back the Democrat Party as it fights to win back support in one of its long‑standing strongholds. The Democrat Party campaign team visited the Thewada fresh market in Sichon district, where Abhisit was joined by party executives and local figures to rally support for Chanwatthana…
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Nonthaburi man searches for wife missing after boarding pink taxi
A Thai man is appealing for public help to locate his wife, who has been missing for more than two weeks after being last seen boarding a pink taxi in Nonthaburi province. The 44 year old Thai man Kosin Chatlertchai shared photos and CCTV evidence on social media in the hope of reuniting with his wife, 30 year old Thai…
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British teen held in Qatar for alleged cannabis trafficking from Thailand
A British teenager remains in custody in Qatar after being accused of trafficking cannabis while transiting through Doha on his return from Thailand. Lino Neil, 18, was detained at Hamad International Airport on November 21 during a layover on his way back to Scotland. Qatari authorities allege he attempted to bring cannabis into the country. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and…
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Cute or contaminated? Woman finds pink egg white after boiling
A Thai woman yesterday, January 7, shared a photo of a boiled egg she had prepared, which appeared to have pink egg white, leaving netizens questioning what had happened and whether it was safe to consume. The incident came to light after a Facebook user shared photos of the boiled egg in the group พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (we are the…
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Referee injured as Pattaya football match spirals into all-out brawl
A football match in southern Pattaya turned violent on Tuesday, January 6, when players and supporters from two local teams clashed during a community-level 8-a-side game in Nong Prue. Footage of the brawl was posted on Facebook by user Chokchip Wat Tham, showing dozens of people exchanging blows on the artificial grass field. The post was captioned with sarcasm,…
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Thailand video news | Vietnam set to outpace Thai economy by 2026, Blaze ravages more than a dozen boats at Phuket’s Chalong bay
In Thailand video news, Alex covers key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Today’s lineup includes Thailand’s regional neighbours expected to outpace it economically in 2026, Phuket taxi drivers threatening a strike over competition from ride-hailing apps, and a viral case involving “Colonel Sanders” after a peculiar police encounter. Vietnam Set to Outpace Thai Economy by 2026 Analysts project…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket for illegally working as tour guide
Thai police arrested a Russian man illegally working as a tour guide at a pier in Phuket yesterday, January 7, just moments before escorting tourists on an Andaman Sea excursion. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said officers from the Phuket Marine Police arrested 33 year old Lapa at a pier in Phuket province and charged him with working without a…
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Opinions divided after foreigners sunbathe in bikinis near Chiang Mai temple
Opinions among Thai netizens were divided after images of four foreign women in bikinis sunbathing near a temple in Chiang Mai province circulated widely on social media. The Facebook page แฉเชียงใหม่ V2 shared the photos on Monday, January 5. The images showed four foreign women wearing bikinis and sitting on the grass beside the city moat in central Chiang Mai.…
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Rayong man forces wife into sex with his father and pimps her out
A 20 year old Thai woman sought help from local journalists in Rayong province after her husband forced her to have sex with his father, sold explicit videos of her online, and pimped her out for money. The victim contacted the local news Facebook page ZOOM Rayong to seek assistance. The outlet later arranged to meet her discreetly, listened to…
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Cambodia accused of covering up Angkor Wat YouTuber assault
A travel YouTuber, known as The Country Collectors, who was assaulted at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, posted a statement yesterday, January 7, that the Cambodian government has now attempted to cover up the story. In his statement posted on social media, the YouTuber said the APSARA National Authority, responsible for overseeing Angkor Archaeological Park, released an official response to the story.…
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Family of five, including twin girls, killed in Chiang Mai house fire
A family of five died in a house fire that broke out around midnight today, January 8, in Chiang Mai province. Local authorities believe an electrical short circuit may have caused the blaze. Firefighters and rescuers from several foundations rushed to a two-storey house in Soi Ruean Kham 17, Pa Dad sub-district, after receiving a fire report shortly after midnight. The…
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January 8 weather update: Temps drop 1-2°C as cold spell persists
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued reports of a strong high-pressure system from China that continues to cover Upper Thailand, causing temperatures to drop further by 1 to 2 degrees Celcius (°C) today, January 8. The TMD forecasts cool to cold weather across the country for the next few days. Strong winds will accompany the temperature drop. North &…
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Thai police shifts blame to foreigner after car crash and obstructs investigation
A police officer caused a road accident, blaming a foreign motorist, and refusing to cooperate with legal procedures, leading to a heated confrontation with a traffic police officer in Chon Buri. The incident came to light after a traffic officer shared bodycam footage on January 1. The officer identified himself as Police Sergeant Saeb from Phanat Nikhom Police Station in…
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BTS accused of bias in Rabbit Card seizure from Myanmar man
A Myanmar man said his Rabbit Card was confiscated at a BTS station in Bangkok after staff saw his passport, resulting in online criticism over what he called a discriminatory policy targeting people from high-risk countries. On December 30, Zaw Htun Lat, who has used the Rabbit Card for years to commute in the Thai capital, shared the incident on…
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