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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Tragic elephant attack claims man’s life in Uthai Thani
A tragic incident unfolded today, May 18, when a 59 year old man was found dead in a drainage ditch in the Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani province. The man, named Chalo (surname withheld), was reportedly attacked by a wild elephant while returning home from frog hunting. Police Colonel Phonpaisan Kladfueng and other officials were notified and arrived at…
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Police arrest teenagers in Bangkok hotel sex trafficking sting
Police apprehended two 18 year olds at a well-known hotel in Bangkok’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district on May 17 at 9.30pm. The suspects were accused of engaging in sex trafficking activities, receiving a commission of 1,000 baht for each transaction. The arrest followed a sting operation coordinated by the police. The suspects, identified as A and B, were caught…
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Navy intercepts meth smuggling, seizes over 1 million pills in Bueng Kan
Navy forces in Bueng Kan pursued and apprehended a suspect attempting to smuggle one million methamphetamine pills across the Mekong River. This operation ended in a collision, injuring both the police and the suspect. The incident occurred yesterday, May 17, at the Mekong Riverine Unit in Bueng Kan district, Nong Khai province. Captain Suchart Udomnak, deputy commander of the unit,…
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Chon Buri village in fear after pit bull attacks
Residents of a Chon Buri village are alarmed and have filed a complaint after a foreign national allegedly released two pit bulls that attacked and killed local dogs. Yesterday, May 17, reporters visited the Areeya Village in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, following multiple reports from locals who are living in fear due to the actions of…
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Insurgents attack Yala security unit, injuring two officers
Violence erupted in Yala as unidentified insurgents opened fire with M-16 rifles and shotguns, targeting a security protection unit and injuring two officers during a shift change. Emergency services rushed the injured to the hospital, where they were stabilised. Yesterday, May 17, the radio centre in Lam Mai district, Mueang Yala, reported the shooting incident involving a security protection unit…
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Trang child allegedly kicked by parent during school incident (video)
A six year old child was allegedly kicked by an angry parent at a kindergarten in Trang province, following a playground incident. The child’s injuries require a week of medical care, while the accused parent denies the charges. The incident took place on May 15 at around 2.30pm, when a mother arrived at the school to pick up her injured…
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Chumphon residents protest illegal palm oil harvesting in protected forest
In Chumphon province, an organised group involving investors, influential figures, and state officials is profiting from palm oil harvesting in a protected forest spanning over 20,000 rai. Locals plan to petition the prime minister to allocate land for community use in line with government policy. Residents and former veterans have been gathering for more than a month at a community…
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Nonthaburi crackdown on unlicensed bars leads to fines
In Nonthaburi, a rigorous crackdown has been initiated by the provincial excise department targeting unlicensed bars and entertainment venues. Over 100 establishments across the province’s six districts were found operating without proper excise registration, leading to immediate penalties. Yesterday, May 17, Decha Boon-in, the Nonthaburi Excise Department’s director, dispatched a team led by Molichan Chaisaa and Thanawat Anupap, both experienced…
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Pickup truck driver arrested after Bangkok police chase
A pickup truck collided with multiple vehicles during an attempted escape from police in Bangkok, resulting in the driver being detained. Yesterday, May 17, a viral video showed the truck speeding and emitting thick black smoke as it tried to evade capture but was eventually stopped by police. The incident occurred at 1pm on Theparak Road, inbound, near a PTT…
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Five Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal work in Bangkok market
On May 17, five Myanmar nationals were arrested for illegal entry and working without permits at a popular street food market in the RCA area. Immigration officials are expanding investigations to prosecute their employers. Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, instructed Police Major General Prasath Khemprasert, head of Immigration Division 1, along with Police Colonel Pholasit…
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Police seize 5 million meth pills en route to Bangkok
More than 5 million methamphetamine pills en route to Bangkok from Prachin Buri province were seized by police, revealing that the driver was recently wed. Yesterday, May 17, the Metropolitan Police announced the arrest of a significant northeastern narcotics gang member. The man was caught attempting to transport a substantial quantity of meth pills from Amnat Charoen to a waypoint…
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Thailand braces for severe weather with thunderstorms in 51 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for May 18, predicting thunderstorms across Thailand, with heavy rain expected in 51 provinces, including Bangkok. Residents should be cautious of potential flash floods and forest runoff, especially in regions near mountain slopes and water flow paths. The forecast attributes these conditions to southeasterly and southerly winds covering the lower…
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Thai women’s early morning fight rocks Pattaya’s Walking Street (video)
A brutal street fight between rival groups of Thai women erupted on Pattaya’s famous Walking Street, stunning foreign tourists and sparking social media frenzy. Today, May 17, at around 5am, six women were caught on camera violently clashing amid light rain in South Pattaya’s bustling nightlife district. The 42-second viral video shows the women punching, kicking, and grappling fiercely in the…
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Phu Kradueng cable car sparks sustainability fears
The proposed cable car project in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with questions being raised about its compliance with sustainable development objectives. Opponents argue that the project exemplifies a trend of government-supported large-scale initiatives that could exploit natural resources under the guise of tourism growth. The issue re-emerged late last month…
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Viral coffin crash spurs lottery frenzy as number brings big wins (video)
A coffin falls onto the road, but it’s the vehicle’s registration number that’s causing a stir — and a lucky TikTok user says it made her a winner! A TikTok video capturing a shocking moment went viral after a coffin unexpectedly fell from a moving vehicle and landed in the middle of a road. The clip was shared by user…
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Chalong wire thieves nabbed in Phuket raid
Phuket’s Chalong area has been plagued by a string of bold electrical wire thefts — until police launched a daring night operation that ended with thieves crashing into a squad car and landing behind bars. Earlier this month, police intensified efforts to combat a rising wave of electrical wire thefts in Chalong, tracking suspects and gathering crucial evidence. Their persistence…
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Lotto Plus hits big: 4 winners share 60 million baht jackpot
Lotto Plus revealed four new lottery winners across four provinces, with a total of 10 first-prize tickets, amounting to 60 million baht. A particularly fortunate woman from the northern province of Phichit secured 30 million baht by purchasing five tickets, all of which were winning numbers. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the results for yesterday, May 16, with the…
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Thailand and Vietnam target US$25bn trade boost
Thailand and Vietnam have committed to strengthening economic ties and aim to increase bilateral trade to US$25 billion (833 billion baht) annually in the near future, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. During a media briefing following the 4th Thailand–Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR), co-chaired with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during her official two-day visit which ended yesterday,…
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Phuket reclaims Surin Beach from illegal occupiers
Phuket’s popular Surin Beach is finally being reclaimed after days of tense confrontations as officials crack down on illegal occupants blocking public access. On Thursday, May 15, Phuket officials worked tirelessly from 9am to 2pm to remove buildings, belongings, and items from intruders who had illegally occupied public areas at Surin Beach, Village No. 3, Cherng Talay subdistrict. The clearance operation…
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Bangkok’s Bang Na gridlocked by floods and traffic (video)
Bangkok’s roads turned into rivers yesterday evening, sparking one of the worst traffic nightmares in recent memory, with queues stretching over 31 kilometres and motorists stuck for hours in waist-deep floodwaters. Heavy rainfall yesterday, May 16, caused severe flooding on key routes in Bang Na and surrounding areas, leading to massive traffic congestion that brought parts of the city to a…
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Phuket gears up with sandbags ahead of rainy season
Phuket is bracing for the rainy season with a full-scale flood battle plan ready to roll out, as officials warn locals to stay alert and keep canals clear of rubbish. Yesterday, May 16, Chalermporn Piyanarongroj, Permanent Secretary of Phuket City Municipality, acting as Mayor, announced preparations following the Meteorological Department (TMD)’s declaration that Thailand’s rainy season officially began on May…
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Lottery luck: Rayong restaurateur wins 12 million baht jackpot
Luck struck in the most unexpected way for a Rayong restaurateur who scooped 12 million baht in the lottery — all thanks to a broken durian delivery wheel that flew onto a neighbour’s roof. Yesterday, May 16, the usually quiet village of Ban Yang En in Mueang Thap Mon, Khao Chamao district, erupted with joy after the announcement of the…
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British man knifed and dumped near courthouse in Pattaya
A British man was left fighting for his life in a pool of blood outside a Pattaya courthouse after a brutal knife attack involving three foreigners, sparking a police manhunt and a flurry of questions over what led to the violent ambush. At around 5pm yesterday, May 16, Lieutenant Pakan Pobnan, Deputy Investigation Officer at Pattaya City Police Station, received a…
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Thailand deluge: Heavy rain and flash flood to hit 12 provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in 12 provinces, urging caution against landslides and forest runoffs. The Department of Mineral Resources is closely monitoring these risks, particularly in North Thailand, the central region, the northeast, and the South. Yesterday, May 16, the Geohazard Operations Centre of the Department of Mineral Resources,…
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Drug addict arrested for sex attempts with cow and dog
Police in the Isaan province of Buriram arrested a drug addict after he attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with a cow and a dog. The 70 year old homeowner, Chaiyasak, called a community leader and officers from Mueang Buriram Police Station to facilitate the arrest of a 37 year old man, Ittiporn, for his disturbing actions yesterday, May 15.…
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Trapped in Thailand: US professor caught in royal law limbo
An American academic is stranded in Thailand despite prosecutors dropping serious royal defamation charges, sparking diplomatic concerns and fears of legal limbo. Paul Chambers, a 58 year old political science lecturer, was arrested last month under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law—a rarely enforced statute against foreigners that carries up to 15 years in prison. Though the state prosecutor recently dropped…
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Man chooses to defecate on public road despite nearby bathroom
A diamond store owner in the central province of Saraburi is searching for a man who defecated outside his premises and humiliated him by sharing a video of the incident on social media. The owner, 50 year old Thanongsak, posted the footage and images in the Facebook group Saraburi on Tuesday, May 13. His store is located on Sud Banthat…
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Thai government’s G-token gamble sparks legal, public backlash
The government’s plan to introduce the digital Government Token (G-Token) as a new fundraising strategy has been met with criticism from economic experts. They caution that this move could breach existing legislation and mislead the public. The Cabinet approved the digital token initiative on Tuesday, May 13, aiming to provide an alternative to traditional bonds for retail investors. G-Tokens are…
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Phuket driver forces wife into boot to make room for tourists
Netizens and taxi drivers in Phuket criticised a hatchback driver for illegally offering transport services to foreign tourists and for carrying his wife while on duty, resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning Phuket is so brutal) shared a video of the overloaded grey hatchback on May 15, with a caption reading “I appreciated the…
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Tycoon, engineers face arrest in Bangkok building collapse scandal
A high-stakes manhunt is underway after Thai police issued arrest warrants for 17 people linked to the fatal collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok—a disaster that has rocked the nation’s construction industry and could land several top executives behind bars. At the centre of the storm is prominent businessman Premchai Karnasuta, chairman of Italian-Thai Development, who…
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