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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Russian man arrested for 332-day overstay in Phuket
Officers from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Bureau arrested a Russian man yesterday for overstaying his visa by nearly one year. Immigration officials yesterday, April 8, informed Phuket Hotnews that they were conducting a crackdown on foreign criminals in the province from April 7 to 11. The operation is targeting foreigners who are residing in the province illegally, as well as…
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Teens detained in Chiang Mai for Cambodian call centre scam
Three teenagers were detained in Chiang Mai for allegedly operating an office to recruit people for work in a Cambodian call centre scam. They enticed people with promises of lucrative grey-area jobs, free accommodation, and natural border crossing. Yesterday, April 8, Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yisakhon, the commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, revealed a collaborative operation involving several…
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Warning: Deadly mushrooms on the rise this rainy season
Health officials in Thailand have issued an urgent warning about the lethal dangers of wild mushrooms, as the rainy season spurs their rapid growth across the country. With both edible and toxic varieties sprouting, officials urge the public to exercise extreme caution when foraging, as misidentification could result in deadly consequences. Thailand’s recent rainy season has caused an explosion of…
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Why you should always buy Instagram followers
You want more people to see the content you’ve spent days creating? You should buy Instagram followers. You want an Instagram presence that’s large enough to attract paid sponsors for your posts? You should buy Instagram followers. You want to build a social media community of users in your small business’ target audience, or you want to build brand awareness?…
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Fowl play: Bangkok woman ruffled by cyber cops in cockfighting bust
Thai cyber police arrested a 41 year old woman suspected of running an illegal online cockfighting gambling operation with daily transactions reaching hundreds of thousands of baht. The arrest followed an investigation and search at her residence in Sai Mai, Bangkok yesterday, April 8. According to Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphun of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the operation was…
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Major drug dealer captured after dramatic canal chase in Tha Sala
Police in Tha Sala district yesterday arrested a major drug dealer after an intense pursuit. The suspect, identified as a key figure in the local drug trade, attempted to evade capture by attacking officers and fleeing into a canal. Police Colonel Thawatchai Sangkhamitkon of Tha Sala Police Station yesterday, April 8, had received reports of drug trafficking in the area.…
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Contractor claims 3.7 million baht unpaid wages in DSI probe
A construction contractor appeared before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers to discuss his knowledge of those associated with China Railway Number 10 and 9 PK company, major contractors in an ongoing investigation. The meeting occurred at the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road at 9.30am, yesterday, April 8, where Thitiphong Pothiprom was questioned for more than three hours…
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Koh Larn resort worker arrested for trespassing and assault
Police arrested a 40 year old resort employee on Koh Larn following accusations of trespassing and sexual assault made by his former girlfriend. The arrest took place yesterday, April 8, when officers from Mueang Pattaya district executed two warrants against the man, known only as Samarn, at his residence in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The warrants, issued by…
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Malaysian man wanted for 6.9 million baht gold theft in Songkhla
Police are hunting for a Malaysian man who stole gold accessories worth over 6.9 million baht from a shop in the Hat Yai district of the southern province of Songkhla. The thief arrived at the gold shop on Montri 1 Road in Hat Yai district yesterday, April 8, wearing white trousers, a dark blue-grey polo shirt, and a hat. He…
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Ex-Israeli soldier busted for moonlighting as Koh Pha Ngan guide
An ex-Israeli special forces soldier swapped the battlefield for the beaches – but his jungle jaunts with kids have landed him in hot water, after being busted for playing tour guide on Koh Pha Ngan without a permit. Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, yesterday, April 8, ordered a crackdown after receiving a tip-off that…
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Bangkok’s Wat Arun nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status
Thailand’s iconic Wat Arun temple is one step closer to global recognition, as the Cabinet has just approved its nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The move highlights the temple’s rich architectural history and its significance to the Rattanakosin Kingdom. In a pivotal Cabinet meeting yesterday, Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced that the Phra Prang of Wat Arun…
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British man plays Russian roulette after gas, grass binge and loses
A British man is fighting for his life after a shocking game of Russian roulette went horribly wrong in a Pattaya condo, following a heavy session involving cannabis and nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. Police revealed the incident unfolded in the early hours of yesterday, April 8 at a high-rise flat on Soi Chaiyaphruek 1, Pattaya City, where…
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Foreigner killed in high-speed SUV crash in Rayong (video)
A foreigner drove his SUV at high speed and collided with a six-wheel truck and a motorcycle in the eastern province of Rayong. The foreign driver was killed, while the two Thai nationals involved sustained injuries. Dashcam footage from the six-wheel truck, which was shared on a news Facebook page, showed the black Ford Everest SUV travelling at high speed…
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Chinese steel firm delays Bangkok conference over safety
Chinese steel manufacturer Xin Ke Yuan Steel has decided to postpone its much-anticipated press conference on steel quality, opting to await further clarification from Thailand’s Industry Ministry. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the company’s involvement in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district and concerns over the safety of its products. The…
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Thailand and Bhutan sign landmark Free Trade Agreement
Thailand and Bhutan have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), strengthening economic ties and paving the way for closer trade cooperation. The historic deal was signed during Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s visit to Bangkok last week, coinciding with the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Bilateral trade between the two countries has already surpassed 460 million baht, and Tobgay expressed confidence…
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Thai stock market tumbles amid US tariff concerns
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today experienced a significant drop in share prices amid concerns over a potential trade war following tariff increases by the US government. The SET Index fell by 42.30 points or 3.76%, reaching 1,082.91 shortly after opening. The Thai market resumed trading after a three-day break, while other global markets were unsettled yesterday, April 7,…
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Watt’s next: Thailand powers up for electric vehicle revolution
Thailand’s government is committed to transforming the nation into an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, with a policy focused on stimulating demand to encourage consumer adoption. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul emphasised the importance of building a domestic EV supply to meet this demand. The government has shifted from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production to an EV focus through…
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Pattaya thrives as other Thai destinations struggle this Songkran
As Thailand gears up for the Songkran Festival, Pattaya is making waves while other major tourist destinations struggle to keep up. Amidst a national decline in hotel bookings and a challenging economic landscape, Pattaya has emerged as a beacon of success, defying the odds and seeing a surge in tourism activity. While the overall outlook for Thailand’s tourism industry has…
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2 Thai teenagers drown in Suphan Buri canal while washing hair
Two Thai teenagers drowned in a canal in the central province of Suphan Buri after entering the water with a friend to wash their hair following a dyeing session. A seven year old girl ran from the Jorrakay Samphan Canal back to her community yesterday, April 7, to seek help after her two older friends, 15 year old Kate and…
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Thai Airways expands fleet with 45 Boeing dreamliners
Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed that fleet expansion is a key part of its strategy, with the airline set to procure 45 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of a major deal to increase its aircraft numbers and strengthen ties with the United States. In a bold move aimed at both modernising its fleet and supporting Thailand’s trade negotiations with…
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Chiang Mai prepares moat for Songkran with safety upgrades
As the Songkran festival approaches, Chiang Mai is ensuring its historic moat is ready for the annual water splashing fun, with significant upgrades to water quality and safety. The city has taken crucial steps to improve both the environment and the safety of residents and tourists who flock to the moat to celebrate Thailand’s most famous water festival. Since March…
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Whirlwind devastates Chanthaburi orchard, 50 tonnes of durian lost
A whirlwind storm recently devastated a fruit orchard in Chanthaburi‘s Mueang district, causing over 50 tonnes of durian, nearing harvest, to fall to the ground. The destruction resulted in a financial loss exceeding 8 million baht, with remaining sellable durians fetching only 10 baht per kilogramme. Yesterday, April 7, local journalists visited the fruit orchard in Mueang district, Chanthaburi province,…
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American professor denied bail on Section 112 charges
Paul Chambers, a prominent American academic from Naresuan University, has been denied bail by Phitsanulok Court following his arrest on charges under Section 112, the lese majeste law, sparking widespread outrage over academic freedom and human rights. Dr Chambers, an expert in Southeast Asian military-civilian relations, was apprehended after an arrest warrant was issued by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court. Today,…
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Thai doctor accused of encouraging patient to die after suicide attempt
A Thai woman battling depression and bipolar disorder accused a doctor at a hospital in Udon Thani, Isaan province, of urging her to end her life. This shocking claim surfaced after she was admitted following a suicide attempt on April 3. The 24 year old woman, Chompoo, shared her story with ThaiRath, seeking justice and calling for disciplinary action against…
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Locals slam Phuket cops for freeing thug after savage attack on foreign woman
Phuket residents criticised the police for releasing a man just two days after his arrest for an unprovoked, vicious assault on an unnamed foreign woman. The Phuket Times shared a video of the assault on April 4. The incident occurred at around 1pm on Thep Kasattri Road in the Thalang area of Phuket. The video showed the foreign victim standing…
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Thailand and Japan unite for Songkran Warm Water Onsen event
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is collaborating with Japan to celebrate the Songkran Warm Water Onsen event, aiming to link the Songkran festival with international tourism promotion. This initiative is expected to boost foreign visits to Thailand. Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, Governor of TAT, announced that this month, TAT will actively promote Thailand’s Songkran festival. For example, from April 5 to…
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Quake leaves 55 Bangkok buildings unusable, inspections continue
The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning announced the results of building inspections following a recent earthquake. Some 55 buildings have been deemed severely damaged and are prohibited from use. Meanwhile, 6,487 buildings remain operational, and 361 have moderate damage. Yesterday, April 7, the Building Damage Inspection Centre, in collaboration with various engineering bodies including the Council…
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Black leopard wonder: Feline spotted hunting in Kaeng Krachan
Tourists visiting Kaeng Krachan National Park were treated to an extraordinary spectacle when a rare black leopard was spotted preparing to hunt a southern spectacled langur. Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, revealed the stunning image taken along the Khao Phanom Thung route at Kilometre 19. The black leopard, a critically endangered species, was calmly observing its prey…
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Big Joke sends 300 southerners home for Songkran
Former police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has made Songkran celebrations even sweeter for over 300 southerners by sending them back home with free flights and VIP bus rides, easing the financial burden during tough economic times. At Don Mueang International Airport, Big Joke, President of the Southern Association under Royal Patronage, personally waved off 320 people headed back to…
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Teen arrested for fatal stabbing at Ayutthaya traffic light
A 17 year old from Ayutthaya was arrested for fatally stabbing a 19 year old during an altercation at a traffic light. It was later revealed that the deceased was a relative. The incident occurred yesterday, April 7, at 1am, on Rojana Road in Ayutthaya. The suspect, referred to as A, was apprehended by Police Colonel Adirek Bothipan and his…
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