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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Car repair shop fire in Bangkok destroys cars and kills two dogs
A devastating fire tore through a car repair shop in Bang Bon district in Bangkok, leaving behind a trail of destruction, including the loss of two beloved dogs. Firefighters acted swiftly to contain the flames, but the damage was extensive. The fire broke out around 10pm, yesterday, March 20, at a car repair shop located on Soi Bang Bon 4,…
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Chinese tourists’ bags handed back by officers in Pattaya
A Bali Hai Pier police officer earned applause for his honesty and dedication after recovering two lost bags filled with cash and crucial documents, returning them to their rightful owners – two Chinese tourists who were left stunned and grateful. On March 18, Thanongsak Chimluang, an officer stationed at Bali Hai Pier, was on duty when he received a tip-off…
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Grand theft auto: Crooked car crew caught in claction
A notorious car theft gang has been brought to justice after raking in over 40 million baht by stealing and reselling at least 50 rental cars. The criminals used fake documents to register the vehicles before selling them online, leading to their eventual downfall. Police Major General Khongkrit Loetsitthikun, commander of the Highway Police Division, triumphantly announced yesterday, March 20,…
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Over 10,000 bottles of cough syrup seized in Phuket drug raid
Police made a shocking discovery in Kathu, Phuket, as a recent investigation into an illegal e-cigarette distribution network has uncovered more than 10,000 bottles of cough syrup, allegedly part of a wider smuggling operation. The raid, which has left many stunned, highlights the alarming rise of unregulated drug trafficking in the region. An ongoing investigation into a local e-cigarette ring…
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Thai jail nightmare: British tourist forced to drink urine after arrest
A British tourist revealed he had to drink his own urine in a Thailand jail after being drugged and beaten in a Thai police cell after he was spiked while partying in Hua Hin. Lewis Green was on the final day of his eight-week solo adventure in Thailand when his dream trip turned into a nightmare. Arrested on January 24,…
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Thailand braces for colder weather, strong winds, and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a significant weather change with colder temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain expected in the coming days. Specific regions, especially in the south, should prepare for severe weather conditions, and residents are advised to take health precautions. Yesterday, March 20, a high-pressure system from China affected the upper regions of Thailand and the South…
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Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal
Police are searching for a Thai monk accused of hugging a foreign woman, believed to be a French national, at a bus terminal in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn shared the video of the monk and the foreigner on Wednesday, March 19, along with a caption that read… “The story is, I was travelling…
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Lithuanian man dies in Phuket after tree falls on motorbike
A Lithuanian man’s tropical getaway ended in horror on Phuket’s picturesque Nai Thon Beach Road. Tragedy struck as a towering pine branch plummeted onto the unsuspecting 42 year old Eastern European, killing him instantly as he sped along on his motorbike yesterday morning, March 20. “Shockwaves rippled through the usually serene area,” said Thanapong Keonun, village headman of Moo 4,…
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Tesla leads in Thai EV market with top satisfaction scores
According to a recent survey by NielsenIQ Thailand, Tesla has emerged as the dominant force in Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market, with the highest satisfaction score of 890. The result comes from the Electric Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction (EVOSS) study, which measures consumer satisfaction with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Manenatta Jirasevijinda, Senior Director of Automotive…
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Taps off: Phuket faces dry spell as new system rolls in tomorrow
The Phuket branch of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has announced a water supply outage for tomorrow, March 21, affecting large parts of Patong. The outage will occur from 10am to 6pm while workers install a new PRV system at DMA14-01-01 in Baan Ton Thai. In its official announcement, the PWA stated, “Therefore it is necessary to stop distributing water…
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Ministerial bling: Pichai denies link to 26 million baht necklace rumour
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has stepped forward to address recent rumours surrounding a 26.44 million baht diamond necklace, after reports suggested it was in the possession of a high-ranking government minister with the initial “P”. The necklace, a stunning piece from Lotus Arts De Vivre, is the Zambian Emerald & Diamond Necklace, valued at 26.44 million baht, and was reportedly…
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Delivery riders in Suphan Buri threatened by knife-wielding peer
Over 30 delivery riders reported an alarming incident at the Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station, where a fellow rider threatened them with a knife. The attacks, reportedly without provocation, have left many riders fearful and unwilling to work. On the evening of March 18, A, a rider, recounted how he and his peers were threatened by a seemingly deranged fellow…
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Pipe bomb attack injures five at Pattani police checkpoint
Two people disguised as Muslim women threw a pipe bomb at a police checkpoint in Pattani province, injuring five residents, including a family of five. The incident occurred at 5.40pm, yesterday, March 19, when officers from the Sai Buri District Police Station were alerted to the attack at the Wat Lieb checkpoint in Taluban subdistrict. The explosion affected passersby, prompting…
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Drunk transwoman driver crashes into Pattaya meatball vendor
A shocking late-night collision on Pattaya Third Road left a street food vendor seriously injured, his cart destroyed and the cart’s meatballs scattered across the footpath. Emergency responders yesterday, March 19, at 4.30am, rushed to the scene, opposite Xzyte Square, after they received reports of a motionless man lying by the roadside. The victim, identified as 39 year old Athipong…
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Weight woes: Bangkok tips the scales in obesity rankings
Following a report from the Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok has the highest number of overweight and obese residents in Thailand, including both adults and children. The World Obesity Federation has designated March 4 each year as World Obesity Day to inspire those affected to change their perspectives and lifestyles in order to combat obesity. The event also aims to…
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Koh Samui real estate booms thanks to ‘The White Lotus’
Koh Samui, the popular resort island in Surat Thani province, is set to see a surge in demand for luxury condominiums and villas this year, according to investment management firm Colliers Thailand. The latest season of the hit American TV series The White Lotus was filmed at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with additional scenes shot at Anantara…
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Phuket charity schools raided amid migrant education crackdown
Raids on charity schools run by the Good Shepherd Foundation continued this week, with officials from the Thalang District Office targeting the BanYa Literacy Centre in Srisoonthorn. Led by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, officials including Deputy District Chief for Security Chaiporn Yangchin, village leaders, and other officials conducted an inspection at the centre in Village 6, Srisoonthorn on Tuesday,…
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Man tragically killed by train in Ayutthaya accident
A tragic accident occurred in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya when a 59 year old man was fatally struck by a train while crossing a railway track after work. The incident, which took place at Phachi Railway Station, left the man with multiple fractures and lacerations across his body. Today, March 20, Police Lieutenant Pallop Intharachet of Phachi District Police Station…
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Bangkok chokes its way into world’s top 10 most polluted cities
Bangkok today landed among the world’s most polluted cities, ranking eighth in the latest IQAir report, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 141. The city’s air pollution has once again raised health concerns, especially for vulnerable groups. The AQI scale categorises air quality as follows: 0-50 (Good) 51-100 (Moderate) 101-150 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) 151-200 (Unhealthy) 201-300 (Very unhealthy) 301+…
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Brief encounter: Chon Buri thief caught with stolen underwear
Officers at Koh Chan Provincial Police Station yesterday apprehended a man for stealing women’s underwear from a government official’s residence. The incident involved 36 year old Pornchai, also known as Kob, who was arrested under a Chon Buri provincial court warrant (No. 171/2568) dated March 18. He faces charges of nighttime burglary using a vehicle to facilitate the crime and…
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Foot the bill: Smelly foreigner limps away from Thai massage tab
A massage shop owner in the northern province of Lampang reported yesterday that a smelly foreigner with a limp leg fled without paying a bill of 700 baht after receiving a two-hour massage. The owner of the Kanthika massage shop, Ann, stated that she was not the first victim, according to information from officers at Mueang Lampang Police Station. Ann…
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Phuket’s alcohol-free Songkran festival returns
Phuket is gearing up for Songkran with a booze-free twist! The Songkran No Alcohol Festival is back for its 11th year, promising cultural charm, live music, and family-friendly fun—without the chaos of drunken revelry. Phuket officials are preparing for another safe and tradition-focused songkran as the island hosts the Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025, organised for the 11th consecutive year,…
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Drug trafficker killed, 300,000 meth pills seized in Chiang Mai
Pha Mueang Task Force yesterday engaged with a group of drug traffickers in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, resulting in one suspect’s death and the seizure of 300,000 methamphetamine pills. The officials remained unharmed. The incident, yesterday, March 19, at 8.30am, occurred when the patrol team spotted and attempted to search three to five suspicious people carrying modified backpacks…
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British jumper’s Pattaya video sparks call to shut down site
A chilling video showing the tragic death of a British base jumper in Pattaya has sparked renewed outrage and calls for a notorious website that hosts gruesome death footage to be shut down. The 33 year old victim, Nathan Odinson, tragically died after his parachute failed to open during a jump from a 29-storey tower last year. A Thai friend…
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Philippine couple busted in Thailand over investment scam
Thai Immigration Police arrested a Philippine couple wanted for a large-scale investment fraud that has seen over 150 arrest warrants issued against them. The couple, identified as 46 year old Cerrone and 47 year old Marve, were apprehended in Cha-am, Phetchaburi, following a request for cooperation from the Philippine Embassy in Thailand. Both suspects were subjects of an Interpol Red…
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Sinful: Abbot defrocked, arrested for assaulting boy in Udon Thani
Police apprehended a 24 year old abbot accused of sexually assaulting a 12 year old boy at a temple in Mueang district, Udon Thani province. The boy’s mother, shocked by the incident, had left her son at the temple due to financial difficulties after separating from her husband. Police Colonel Wichan Suthampeng, superintendent of Kumphawapi Police Station, along with Deputy…
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Park life: Thailand eases alcohol rules for officials, not tourists
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) in Thailand has revised regulations to permit alcohol consumption in designated areas within national parks. However, this relaxation applies only to officials and organised groups who obtain permission, while tourists remain prohibited from consuming alcohol. The department, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), has been gathering public…
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Chinese dating scammer arrested for targeting foreign men in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday arrested a Chinese man at Chiang Mai International Airport for operating scams using a dating app to approach foreign men in the province. Two victims filed complaints with officers at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on Sunday, March 16 and March 19, stating that a Chinese man they had met on a dating application stole their valuables and…
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Thai deputy PM Phumtham visits Uyghur community in Xinjiang
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently visited the Uyghur community in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region after a return to their homeland. Phumtham apologised for their prolonged detention of 11 years, emphasising that the government had acted appropriately by reuniting them with their families. Yesterday, March 19, Phumtham, also the defence minister, along with a media contingent, visited a Uyghur…
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Thailand risks losing its smile as happiness ranking slumps
Thailand’s status as the Land of Smiles is under threat as a new global happiness ranking places the nation far from the top, raising concerns about the country’s well-being. In the latest World Happiness Report, Thailand landed at No. 49 worldwide, an improvement of five places from last year, but still trailing behind Singapore and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. At…
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