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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Myanmar rape-murder suspect deported as victim’s daughter demands justice
A Thai woman has sought public intervention after discovering that the Myanmar national accused of raping and murdering her mother was deported from Thailand despite the case still being under investigation. The complaint was submitted on Friday, January 2 to the Facebook page ‘Survive – Sai Mai Tong Rod,’ where the victim’s daughter claimed that immigration authorities released the suspect…
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Young man with three arrest warrants arrested while hiding in closed-box pickup at highway checkpoint
A 20-year-old man linked to multiple online fraud cases was arrested at a highway checkpoint in Kanchanaburi after police discovered him hiding inside the enclosed cargo area of a closed-box pickup truck. Officers later confirmed the suspect had three outstanding arrest warrants, in addition to five previous cases that had already entered the judicial process. The arrest followed an order…
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2026 SAFF Futsal Championship to debut in Bangkok as South Asia launches new tournament
The South Asian Football Federation will stage the first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, from 13 to 26 January 2026, marking a major step in the development of futsal across South Asia. The biennial men’s national team tournament will feature all seven SAFF member associations, each making their debut in the competition. The participating teams are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,…
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Royal Thai Navy detains 67 Cambodian migrants attempting illegal border crossing into Thailand
The Royal Thai Navy has detained 67 Cambodian migrant workers who attempted to illegally cross the Thai border in Chanthaburi province, authorities confirmed on January 3, 2026. The group included men, women, and children who officials said were fleeing severe economic hardship, unemployment, and food insecurity in their home communities. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy,…
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Second Army Area releases footage alleging Cambodian military activity near Preah Vihear
The Second Army Area on Saturday released video footage it claims shows Cambodian forces using areas near the Preah Vihear temple complex as an active military position, raising fresh security concerns along the Thai–Cambodian border. The footage was made public on January 3, 2026, at around 3.10pm, as Thai authorities continued close monitoring of border conditions. According to the Second…
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Will Thailand’s 2026 election reshape tourism, foreign investment, and transport policy?
As Thailand moves toward its 2026 general election, the future of the country’s tourism industry has become a central issue for investors, operators, and local communities. With tourism accounting for a significant share of national income, the policies adopted by the next government are expected to influence foreign direct investment, public safety, and long-term infrastructure planning, particularly in rail transport.…
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Thailand’s new year holiday 2026 sees over eight million travelers, fewer accidents and smooth nationwide transport
Thailand’s New Year holiday 2026 concluded with more than eight million people traveling across the country, while road accidents and transport disruptions declined compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport. From December 30 2025 to January 1 2026, a total of more than 8.2 million passengers used public transport nationwide. Although this figure represents a 3.9…
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Fire destroys monk’s living quarters at Nimit Mai temple, investigation underway
A fire completely destroyed a monk’s living quarters at a well-known temple in the Nimit Mai area of Bangkok on the morning of January 3, 2026, prompting an urgent response from firefighters and an ongoing investigation into the cause of the blaze. The incident was reported at 8.27am through the 199 emergency hotline. Firefighters from the Bang Chan Fire and…
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Van carrying passenger crashes after tire blowout, one killed and eight injured
A fatal road accident in Udon Thani province left one person dead and eight others injured after a passenger van carrying pilgrims suffered a tire blowout and slammed into a roadside tree on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. The incident occurred at about 1.50pm on January 2, 2026, on the Nong Han–Phibun Rak road between Ban Nai Yom and Ban Don…
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Sea of Trash: Garbage covers Patong beach after New Year countdown
PHUKET — The morning sun on the first day of the year revealed a grim scene at Patong Beach, one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations. Instead of pristine white sands, a mountain of garbage buried the shoreline following the previous night’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Images shared by the local news page “แรงจัง ภูเก็ต” exposed the extent of…
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Patong restaurant fires staff after telling customer to “Wash the pot yourself”
PHUKET — A heated online controversy involving a popular restaurant in Patong has concluded with the immediate termination of a staff member. The employee had sparked outrage after challenging a customer to “wash the pot yourself” if she wished to be served. The incident, which went viral on TikTok, occurred at the “Sam Chor Chern Chuan Chim” restaurant (Patong Branch),…
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Explosion at Swiss Bar in Crans-Montana Kills at Least 40
Swiss Ski Resort Tragedy Explosion at Crans-Montana Bar Kills ‘Dozens,’ Italy Reports 40 Dead CRANS-MONTANA — A devastating explosion followed by a massive fire at a popular bar in the renowned Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has resulted in a “mass casualty” event, sending shockwaves across Europe. Swiss police confirmed “dozens” of fatalities, while Italian authorities report the death toll…
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Bangkok fireworks blast injures 7 at New Year party
New Year Chaos: Unauthorized Fireworks Blast Injures 7 in Bangkok’s Wattana District BANGKOK — A New Year celebration in Soi Pridi Banomyong 26 on Sukhumvit 71 Road turned dangerous early this morning (January 1), leaving seven people injured after a fireworks display went wrong. Police are preparing to summon the group responsible, while the Wattana District Office plans to file…
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Cold spell returns: Temps to drop across Thailand from Jan 2-6
Thailand Weather Update: Foggy Mornings to Start the Year, Fresh Cold Spell Arriving Jan 2-6 BANGKOK — The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather outlook for the first week of 2026, advising the public to prepare for fluctuating temperatures. While the current cold front is weakening, a new high-pressure system is set to bring cooler weather back starting…
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King and Queen Grant Royal Greeting Card for 2026
Their Majesties the King and Queen Grant New Year 2026 Greeting Card to Thai People BANGKOK — On December 31, 2025, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Suthida graciously granted a royal New Year greeting card for the Buddhist Era 2569 (2026) to the people of Thailand. The front of the card features the emblem of the Chakri…
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M6 jammed for kilometers as crowds rush back to Bangkok Before New Year
M6 Motorway Heavily Congested as Holidaymakers Return to Bangkok. NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Traffic on the special highway, M6 Motorway, has ground to a slow crawl stretching several kilometers as citizens begin their return journey to the capital. Reporters observing the traffic flow at Kilometer 114, near Ban Pin Thong in Khanong Phra Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, noted a significant increase…
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Jealous gunman Kills ex-girlfriend and self, critically wounds new partner
New Year’s Eve Tragedy: Jealous Gunman Kills Ex-Girlfriend and Self, Critically Wounds New Partner CHON BURI — At 1:30 AM, Pol. Capt. Pichamon Sata, Deputy Inspector of Bo Thong Police Station, received reports of a shooting at a local gas station. Police arrived at the scene alongside medical personnel from Bo Thong Hospital and rescue volunteers. Officers found the body…
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Body of Missing 19-Year-Old Texas Teen Found After Christmas Eve Disappearance
Tragic End: Body of Missing 19-Year-Old Texas Teen Found After Christmas Eve Disappearance SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The desperate search for Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, who vanished on Christmas Eve, has concluded with a heartbreaking discovery. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that search teams located a lifeless body in a field near the residential area where…
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Arrests 8 foreign sex workers for soliciting tourists on Pattaya beach road
Pattaya Cleanup: Immigration Arrests 8 Foreign Women for Soliciting Tourists on Beach Road. fine of 1,000 baht on each individual. PATTAYA — Chon Buri Immigration officers launched a crackdown on foreign sex workers along Pattaya Beach Road on New Year’s Eve, arresting eight women for soliciting tourists and damaging the city’s tourism image. Acting on orders from Pol. Col. Naphatpong…
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Thai maid detained live on TV after allegedly poisoning toddler with disinfectant
Police detained a Thai housemaid during a live television interview today, December 30, after she was accused of attempting to poison her employer’s young child by mixing disinfectant into his milk. The case came to light after a Thai mother issued a warning to the online community, saying her two year old Thai son Kirin narrowly escaped serious harm. She…
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Naval officer rapes woman and allegedly leaves her naked on back of car
A naval officer paid 180,000 baht to a Thai woman after he raped her and allegedly left her naked on the trunk of his mini bus while driving her home along a road in Chon Buri. The 23 year old Thai woman filed a complaint with Sattahip Police Station today, December 30. She told police that she was sexually assaulted…
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New year 2026: BTS-MRT last train schedule & free parking locations revealed
As the countdown to New Year 2026 approaches, revellers planning to celebrate at Bangkok’s major landmarks can enjoy a smoother New Year commute and travel with peace of mind. The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with mass transit operators, is gifting the public extended service hours under the ‘H.N.Y 2569’ campaign to ensure safe and convenient journeys home. All Trains…
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Thai politician’s daughter sues actor in first case under new sex crime law
Thai actor and singer Pakorn Lam, better known as Dome, is facing a lawsuit after his sexual harassing comment under the picture of the daughter of a leading Thai politician, making the case the first legal action brought under Thailand’s newly enforced sex crime laws. The victim is Yossuda “Jinny” Leelapanyalert, the daughter of prominent female politician Sudarat Keyuraphan. Jinny…
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FDA raids illegal factory reviving banned ‘old man forgets walking stick’ tonic
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided an illegal manufacturing facility today, December 30, after consumers reported the resurgence of a banned herbal tonic known as ‘Old Man Forgets Walking Stick’ (Kon Tao Leum Mai Tao). Officials warned that the counterfeit product contains dangerous chemicals and undeclared modern drugs, posing a severe health risk to consumers. The investigation began…
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CIB raids illegal factory in hua hin, seizes over 13,000 items including expired milk sold online
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPB), has dismantled an illegal food production operation disguised as a residential home in Hua Hin. The raid uncovered a scheme involving the alteration of expiration dates on expired branded milk, the production of unregulated instant coffee, and the repacking of MSG for sale on online platforms. Officers…
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From 20 baht keychains to viral success, couple’s cat business wins hearts online
A touching story has emerged as a New Year gift to the online community, featuring a resilient couple, two cats, and handmade keychains priced at just 20 baht. What started as a quiet struggle to make a living has transformed into a wave of generosity, thanks to the power of social media. TikTok user @axmmmm.k ignited the wave of support…
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Thailand video news | Thai and Cambodian envoys hold talks in China, British bystander stops necklace snatch attempt on Bangkok street
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories include Thailand and Cambodia’s latest rounds of peace talks and nearly immediate violations, the People’s Party’s latest hopefuls found in familiar faces, one last round of wacky stories from around the Kingdom to send you off into your New Year’s Celebration, as…
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2 Phuket men pose as police and extort foreigners with fake donation
Police arrested two Thai men for allegedly posing as police and extorting foreigners in Phuket through a fake donation campaign claiming to support police and soldiers stationed at the Thailand–Cambodia border. Officers from Chalong Police Station announced the arrests on their official Facebook page yesterday, December 29. The suspects, identified as Pariphat and Suriya, targeted foreign residents and tourists in the Rawai…
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Boat taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong tested again in congestion relief plan
Phuket launched another trial run of a boat taxi service linking Phuket International Airport and Patong Beach yesterday, December 29, as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion across the province. The boat taxi project has been discussed by Phuket officials for years. Officials believe the service could significantly reduce travel time between the airport and Patong Beach, cutting journeys…
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Mother files police report after housekeeper spikes toddler’s milk with antiseptic
A 35 year old university professor has filed a formal police complaint against a newly hired housekeeper who allegedly mixed antiseptic liquid (Dettol) into a milk bottle intended for her two year old son. Metropolitan Police are currently gathering evidence to apprehend the suspect. Today, on December 30, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, alongside…
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