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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thailand to boost US imports amid 36% tariff on exports
The Government of Thailand has committed to boosting imports of energy, aircraft, and agricultural products from the United States. This decision is part of efforts to counteract the impact of the US’s 36% tariff on Thai exports, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is set to lead a delegation to the US this week to address…
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Elderly woman with Alzheimer’s dies after fall in Prachin Buri pit
A 72 year old woman with Alzheimer’s disease tragically died after falling into a 10 metre deep pit in Prachin Buri province. Her brother, who noticed her absence, discovered her body. The victim lived alone and suffered from Alzheimer’s and heart disease for over two years. At 2.30pm yesterday, April 6, Police Lieutenant Ratthaphon Yodkruea, deputy inspector (investigation) of Mueang…
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Thai bus driver and passenger lose lives in collision with truck
A coach driver and a passenger lost their lives after a bus collided with a six-wheel truck on a road in the central province of Pathum Thani yesterday. Officers from Lat Lum Kaeo Police Station investigated the fatal accident on Road 346 in the Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani at 8.20am, yesterday, April 6. The Por Teck Tung…
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Tragic accident in Chon Buri claims life of lottery winner
A 55 year old lottery winner tragically lost his life after being run over by a truck in Chon Buri yesterday. The man, identified as Praphan from Ubon Ratchathani, was found with a winning lottery ticket in his possession that he had not yet cashed. At approximately 4.30pm, yesterday, April 6, police from Mueang Chon Buri received reports of an…
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Families to receive up to 2 million baht after Bangkok building collapse
Families of those who lost their lives in the collapse of the State Audit Office building are set to receive compensation from the Ministry of Labour, amounting up to 2 million baht per family. Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the ministry’s permanent secretary, visited the Coordination and Assistance Centre to assure both migrant and Thai workers of equal treatment. He stated that relatives…
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Songkran event: Fatal shooting, journalist threatened with death (video)
A Songkran Festival event at Tawanna Shopping Centre in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok has been cancelled following a fatal shooting on Saturday night. A Thai journalist team was reportedly threatened with death by one of the event organisers. The Facebook page Jmoi V+ (เจ๊มอย v+) shared a video of the altercation on Saturday, April 5, between two groups…
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Drug gang caught with two million meth pills in Loei
A drug trafficking gang attempted to use the long holiday to smuggle two million methamphetamine pills from a neighbouring country. They were apprehended at a checkpoint after trying to flee. Yesterday, April 6, Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachetphong, Major General Boonsin Phadklang, Loei Provincial Governor Chaiphot Charoonpong, Police Major General Wiradech Lekaworakul, Police Lieutenant Colonel Yutthawat Chokchai, Police Colonel Natthakrit…
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American nurse recovers after cheating death in Krabi moped crash
An American nurse went from ziplining with elephants to clinging to life in a Thai hospital but now she is thrilled to be back home after a moped crash in Krabi left her face shattered and her future uncertain. Sierra Fairhurst, an intensive care nurse at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts, was on holiday in Thailand with friends when disaster struck.…
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SRT confirms high-speed rail steel meets safety standards
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has confirmed that the steel used in the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project complies with all engineering and quality standards. This assurance follows detailed inspections initiated due to public concerns after an earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, which sent tremors to Bangkok, resulting in the collapse of the State Audit Office building in…
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Summer storm set to batter Thailand with wild weather
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning for today, April 7, forecasting a summer storm set to sweep across northern and northeastern Thailand, bringing with it strong winds and hailstones in some unlucky spots. Meanwhile, Bangkok and surrounding areas aren’t off the hook either, with thunderstorms expected to lash 30% of the capital, commuters could be in for a…
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Busted: ‘Pilot’ grounded in Bang Lamung drug operation
In a dramatic late-night raid, Bang Lamung police swooped on a major drug operation, arresting two suspects, including a deliveryman dubbed the “pilot” of the trade. The suspects were cornered at 10.36pm yesterday, April 6, in a rented Laem Chabang room, as police swooped in. Led by Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart, the operation unveiled a shocking haul of 5,411 Yaba…
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Flaming fury: Unpaid worker sets Pattaya resort ablaze in protest
In a blaze of fury, an unpaid building worker unleashed havoc by setting fire to a luxury resort home in Na Jomtien. The dramatic showdown ended as the arsonist handed himself over to the police. At 9.30am on April 5, Na Jomtien Police sprang into action after receiving reports of a roaring fire at a plush three-storey residence. Firefighters dashed…
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German tourist arrested in Phuket for assault and theft spree
A 20 year old German tourist has been apprehended in Phuket, accused of assaulting a Thai man to steal his motorcycle and subsequently stealing a mobile phone from a department store, as confirmed by local police. Ryan Leo Akam was detained by officers from Chalong Police Station following two incidents that were reported on April 4. The first incident took…
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Scottish tourist arrested after allegedly attacking teen, vandalising motorcycle in Phuket (video)
A 40 year old Scottish tourist was arrested in Phuket after allegedly attacking a teenage boy in front of his mother and a shopkeeper. George Paterson, from Glasgow, reportedly went on a rampage in the early hours of the morning on April 4, first vandalising a motorcycle outside a local store before turning violent. CCTV footage showed Paterson attempting to…
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Kok River pollution triggers health alert in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
The discovery of arsenic and lead contamination in the Kok River, particularly in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai province, has prompted health warnings for residents in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Levels of arsenic and lead were found to exceed the standard limits, with arsenic measured at 0.026 mg/litre and lead at 0.076 mg/litre. The acceptable levels…
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Chinese fugitive arrested in Bangkok after two decades on the run
Thai police have apprehended a 52 year old Chinese national, owner of a popular mala restaurant in Bangkok, for allegedly shooting a compatriot in 2003. The suspect, Zhang Lao Er, had been evading police for over two decades before being captured. Yesterday, April 5, Police Major General Witaya Sriprasertphap directed the arrest of Zhang in connection with an outstanding warrant…
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Woman claims doctor urged her to die in Udon Thani hospital
A 24 year old woman, from Nong Han district in Udon Thani province, reported a distressing encounter with a doctor at a local hospital’s emergency room. Chompoo claims the doctor used harsh language, telling her to die, which left her in tears. The incident occurred on April 3, when she sought medical attention for depression and bipolar disorder. Chompoo explained…
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Thai man brandishes knife over pad Thai order blunder
A 32 year old man became agitated and wielded a knife at a convenience store in Chon Buri after ordering pad Thai without Chinese chives, only to find them included. The incident occurred yesterday, April 5. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station received a report of the man, Thakorn, entering a convenience store at Mueang district’s Na Pa subdistrict, with…
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Fatal crash on Bangkok expressway leaves woman dead, man injured
A collision occurred on the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway in Klong Toei, Bangkok, when a car crashed into the rear of a parked six-wheel truck. The female driver died at the scene, while a male passenger in the front seat sustained severe injuries. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phakamart Kamonsan from the Expressway Police Station 1 and her team, along with rescue…
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Woman arrested after cutting painter’s rope in high-rise incident
A woman charged with cutting a rope used by a painter in a high-profile 2021 incident has been apprehended. She had evaded a court summons after being convicted of attempted murder and property damage. Known for her reclusive behaviour, she was finally captured by police. In 2021, a painter working on a 32-storey building in Pak Kret was forced to…
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Tragedy in Bangkok: Fatalities rise in building collapse
A spokesperson from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration confirmed an increase in fatalities within Zone B, beneath the rubble of the collapsed State Audit Office building. Efforts to penetrate Zone C continue, as it is believed more people may be trapped there, a location where many fled during the incident. At 5pm yesterday, April 5, T the new State Audit Office…
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ASEAN nations swiftly react to US tariffs, Thailand faces criticism
Several ASEAN and Asian countries swiftly responded to US tariff challenges, drawing criticism of aloofness and confusion from a government critic. Sirikanya Tansakun, a member of the opposition People’s Party, yesterday, April 5, highlighted how nations within the ASEAN bloc and Asia, affected by varying tariff rates, have reacted. Vietnam has initiated dialogue with Washington to address trade imbalances, gaining…
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Chinese tourist found dead on Pattaya beach with unexplained injuries
A 40 year old Chinese tourist, holding a Thailand Privilege Card visa, was discovered dead on Yin Yom Beach in South Pattaya yesterday morning, April 5. The man, who had bruises on his forehead and neck, was found face down behind a hotel. Police Lieutenant Colonel Saijai Khamjulla of the Pattaya City Police Station was informed of the incident at…
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51 Thai provinces brace for storms and severe heat
Weather forecasts indicate that 51 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok, are experiencing thunderstorms, strong winds, and some hail. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of severe heat in parts of the region, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms in Bangkok as of today, April 6. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours reveals that a moderate high-pressure system from…
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Steel firm faces axe over Bangkok quake collapse
A steel manufacturer under fire for producing substandard materials linked to the collapse of a Bangkok government building is now facing the axe—Industry Minister Akanat Promphan demands that their investment privileges be revoked. In a fiery Facebook post yesterday, April 4, Akanat announced he had signed a letter seeking the removal of benefits granted to Xin Ke Yuan Steel, accusing…
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Earthquake fears rattle Songkran hotel bookings by 25%
Thailand’s most festive time of year is shaping up to be a major letdown—hotel bookings for Songkran have taken a nosedive, thanks to shaky nerves over last month’s earthquake. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) revealed on Thursday, April 3 that reservations across seven major tourist destinations have dropped by 25% compared to last year’s festival, spelling bad news for the…
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Teen racers busted in Phuket midnight police crackdown
Reckless teen bikers got a rude awakening this week as Wichit Police swooped in on a notorious Phuket racing hotspot, hauling in 17 underage riders and seizing 10 souped-up motorbikes in a late-night sting. The crackdown, carried out in the early hours of yesterday, April 4 in the Laem Dinso area, was part of an intensified campaign to tackle illegal…
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Retiree surrenders after fatal shooting over dog dispute in Lamphun
A 62 year old retiree surrendered to the police after fatally shooting the owner of a dog that allegedly caused him to suffer an accident. The incident occurred yesterday, April 4 in a field located in Mueang Lamphun district, Lamphun province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanupong Songsuwan, from Ban Thi Police Station, reported a shooting at Ban Chae Son, Village 1,…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai as Myanmar tremors surge nearby
Tourists in Thailand’s popular northern getaway Pai woke up to an unexpected jolt after a mild earthquake struck the area early this morning, April 5—part of a cluster of tremors shaking nearby Myanmar. At around 6am, a 2.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, at a shallow depth of just 1 kilometre. While the quake was…
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Mo Chit 2 gets flashy facelift ahead of Songkran holiday rush
Travellers heading out of Bangkok this Songkran are in for a big surprise—Mo Chit 2 just got a multimillion-baht makeover, and it’s looking slicker than ever. Chatchawan Prommoratham, Acting President of Transport Company Limited (BorKorSor), announced a major renovation to the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), popularly known as Mo Chit 2, aimed at improving passenger convenience, safety, and service speed.…
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