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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Pattaya gang attacks security guards over loud music in Jomtien
A violent encounter in Na Jomtien has left two security guards injured after they tried to intervene in a heated dispute between youths. Armed with knives and sticks, a gang of teenagers launched a brutal attack, leaving the guards with destroyed property and serious concerns over the lawlessness in the area. Yesterday, May 2, two security guards from Na Jomtien…
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No plans to quit: Roi Et man wins 12 million baht, keeps working
In the northeastern province of Roi Et, a 45 year old department store employee experienced a significant change in fortune after winning 12 million baht from two first-prize lottery tickets. Despite his newfound wealth, he plans to continue working. Yesterday, May 2, Vilai Phakacherd visited Roi Et Police Station to register his lottery win as evidence before claiming his prize…
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Patong brawl: Ladyboys wreak havoc again on Soi Bangla (video)
A video of a ladyboy brawl in Patong’s Soi Bangla has gone viral, sparking heated online discussions. Netizens expressed concern over the incident damaging Phuket’s image as a tourist destination. Calls for stricter law enforcement have emerged, while others stress the importance of addressing the behaviour without targeting a community. The โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต Facebook page shared a disturbing video of a…
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Dealers resist arrest in violent drug bust in Pattaya’s Jomtien
A chaotic scene unfolded in Jomtien in Pattaya as police raided a drug operation after reports of a man attacking civilians and claiming his father was a police officer. The arrest quickly turned violent, with one dealer injuring an officer, but both suspects were captured, revealing a major meth operation in the area. Yesterday, May 2 at 4.36pm, Lieutenant Colonel…
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Pattaya driver vanishes after brutal crash, leaving car wrecked
Villagers in Soi 1, South Pattaya, were jolted awake in the middle of the night by the deafening screech of brakes, followed by a loud crash as a car ploughed into an electric pole. Rushing out of their homes to investigate, they were met with a bewildering scene. The sedan, its front end completely wrecked and the bumper lying in…
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Concrete chaos: Maniac hurls slab from Bangkok’s Bang Na bridge
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has confirmed that a chunk of concrete that shattered a car’s windscreen earlier this week was deliberately thrown from a pedestrian overpass – and not a result of any structural failure. The shocking incident unfolded on Tuesday, April 29, on Bang Na-Trat Road, prompting immediate fears that debris had fallen from the Burapha Withi…
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Heavy rain lashes 43 provinces, Bangkok braces for floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts heavy rain across 43 provinces today, with significant impact expected in the South and 60% of Bangkok. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and forest run-off, particularly in areas near water flows or low-lying regions. The forecast for today, May 3, indicates that the South will experience increased rainfall with…
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Thai engineer loses over 8 million baht to call centre scam
A Thai engineer lost more than 8 million baht to call centre scammers after being deceived into speaking with them on the phone for seven consecutive days. The 32 year old victim, Siwat, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive yesterday, May 1, after going bankrupt and being forced to close his restaurant in the Khlong Sam neighbourhood of…
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Trat Discovery campaign offers island perks and free flight prizes
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Bangkok Airways and local tourism operators, has kicked off the Trat Discovery: Island and Beyond campaign – a bold push to supercharge tourism in Thailand’s eastern region with discounts, rewards, and premium travel experiences. Running from May 1 (yesterday) to August 20, the campaign offers exclusive perks for Bangkok Airways passengers…
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Thailand ranked 7th happiest country in the world
The Thai government is inviting the public to celebrate after Thailand was ranked the seventh happiest country in the world, according to global market research and public opinion specialist Ipsos. The Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Anukool Pruksanusak, shared the good news during a press conference yesterday, May 1. Anukool stated that Thailand placed seventh in the 2025 Global…
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Lottery luck heats up Thailand with hot picks for May 2 draw
Fortune hunters, get ready – May’s lottery buzz is here and Thailand’s favourite number whisperers have spoken. With the Thai Government Lottery draw set for today, May 2, lottery hopefuls across the country are once again diving deep into predictions, calendars, and social media gurus to hunt down those elusive lucky numbers. And leading the charge this month? The much-anticipated…
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Phuket scammer busted after conning restaurants for drug cash
A 29 year old con artist in Phuket who posed as a food delivery customer to trick restaurant owners out of their cash has been arrested after weeks on the run. The man, known only by his nickname “Knot,” rode around Phuket on a black M-Slash motorcycle, preying on small eateries with a scam that left at least 10 victims…
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Giant monitor lizard statue draws crowds to Bangkok park
It slinks, it swims, and now it poses — Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizard just got a supersized tribute in the city’s most famous park. Tourists and locals heading to Lumphini Park can now snap selfies with a massive foam monitor lizard statue — a new temporary installation celebrating one of Bangkok’s most misunderstood but iconic residents. Sanon Wangsangboon, Deputy Governor…
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US tariffs force Thailand to cut growth forecast to 2.1%
The Ministry of Finance has revised its forecast for Thailand’s economic growth this year to 2.1%, down from the previous 3%, citing the impact of US tariffs and a global economic slowdown on Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, indicated that if the US imposes a 10% tariff on Thai imports instead of the…
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Multiple affairs discovered after woman’s murder in Chon Buri
A Thai man fatally stabbed a woman in a rented house in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri on April 29 before attempting a failed suicide. The suspected motive was jealousy as the woman was reportedly involved in affairs with seven men. The 50 year old Thai man, Sanya, was shocked to discover the lifeless body of his girlfriend, 51…
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Thai police detain Chinese nationals over 2 billion baht land deal
Thai police have detained a group led by Chinese nationals suspected of acquiring land valued at 2 billion baht for a luxury condominium project in Rayong province. The group secured 72 rai of land for a project intended to be managed entirely by Chinese foreigners, from management to construction, as stated by Police Major General Thatphum Jaruprat, chief of the…
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Bangkok overhaul plan could hand governor more power
Should Bangkok be run more like a country than a city? Politicians think so — and big changes could be coming. Yesterday, May 1, at Bangkok City Hall’s Nopparat Room near the Giant Swing, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed Members of Parliament to discuss sweeping proposals to overhaul the city’s outdated administration system. The meeting brought together top Bangkok executives and…
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Thailand video news | Polish couple fined for public nudity on Koh Phangan, Drunk Thai hospital director injures TV crew in car crash
From shocking tourist behaviour to growing political tensions, today’s regional news captures a complex mix of public disorder, diplomatic shifts, and national milestones. In Thailand, controversial incidents involving foreigners—from nudity and drunken antics to visa fraud—spark concern over cultural respect and tourism policy. Meanwhile, stories from Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, and Indonesia spotlight national pride, political transitions, and press freedom…
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Bangkok SAO death toll hits 68 after 5 more bodies found
Five more bodies have been recovered from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building, bringing the death toll to 68. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the bodies were discovered in Zone D between 10pm on Wednesday, April 30, and 9am yesterday, May 1. The search for the missing continues, with heavy machinery operating…
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Israeli man nabbed for Phuket motorcycle theft after week-long hunt
An Israeli man was finally apprehended on April 30 after stealing a motorcycle from the car park of a hospital in Phuket on April 21 and evading arrest for over a week. The Thai victim, whose identity was not disclosed, filed a complaint at Wichit Police Station on April 24, reporting that his white Honda Click motorcycle was stolen from…
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Phuket honours real-life heroes for lifesaving acts
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has honoured eight everyday heroes with certificates of recognition for their bravery, kindness and unwavering service to others throughout 2024. The awards were presented during a ceremony held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, April 28, alongside the 4th meeting of the Phuket Provincial Committee and Department Heads for 2025. Governor Sophon, who presided over the…
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Filipino man stays at Bangkok hotels and vanishes without paying
Police arrested a Filipino university student for staying at several five-star hotels in Bangkok without paying, causing losses of several hundred thousand baht. Officers from Immigration Division 1 received multiple complaints from hotel staff in Bangkok regarding fraudulent activities involving a Filipino national. The man reportedly deceived hotel employees to obtain free stays and meals at luxury hotels across the…
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Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claims that it does not engage in online military-style information-influencing operations but instead provides factual corrections to misleading social media information. During a House Committee on National Security meeting, the army spokesperson discussed the state’s use of social media. The session included representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, and…
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Pattaya rolls out posh loos to keep tourists cool and comfortable
Pattaya City is taking public convenience to the next level with the launch of high-end mobile toilets equipped with air conditioning, designed to serve residents and tourists, and it’s free of charge. The first of these deluxe loo units is now stationed outside Walking Street, near the South Pattaya Pumping Station. The air-conditioned facility, which caters to both men and…
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Australian man dies after falling from staircase at Phuket hotel
An Australian man fell to his death from a staircase at a hotel in Phuket on May 1, allegedly due to intoxication, in full view of his wife. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kusontham Foundation rushed to a hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in the Kathu district of Phuket after being alerted to an…
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Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy
The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…
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Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
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Thailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network
Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking operation involving Thai and Malaysian nationals. The operation, carried out in Songkhla, a southern province, led to the arrest of two Thai suspects and the seizure of 261 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice). Prin Mekanandha, the ONCB’s Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement, confirmed the operation…
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Pattaya urges public to avoid posting on public property
Pattaya City officials are urging residents and visitors to refrain from attaching signs or writing on public property, including electrical poles and other city infrastructure. The campaign is part of an effort to maintain the city’s cleanliness, order, and visual appeal. Authorities have made it clear that anyone found in violation of these rules will face legal consequences. The announcement…
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Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
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