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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Temple turmoil: Thai teens attack as fair turns into a video nasty
A temple fair in Pathum Thani turned into a scene straight out of a violent video nasty when a group of teenagers launched a brutal attack on a rival, leaving chaos in their wake. The violent altercation, which erupted around 10pm, yesterday, February 13, saw gunfire and knife violence break out before the culprits sped off on motorcycles. Police and…
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Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase
A high-speed rampage through Thalang district has left Phuket residents in shock after a pickup-driving mother smashed into multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene, leaving behind her terrified three year old son. The dramatic series of crashes began in front of a fresh market in Thepkrasattri, where municipal officers witnessed a pickup truck colliding with several vehicles and motorcycles. The…
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Monk-ey business: Selfie scandal forces Thai monk to step down
A senior monk from Khon Kaen province has resigned after a scandalous selfie with a woman surfaced, bringing shame on the religious community. The monk, whose photo authenticity was confirmed, has been compelled to leave the monkhood within a week’s time. The drama unfolded in a meeting at Wat Ban Lan in Ban Phai district, where the monastic committee, including…
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Lao-American man arrested for stealing iPhone at Bangkok airport
A 58 year old man of Lao-American nationality was apprehended for allegedly stealing an iPhone 16 from a Japanese tourist at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Initially denying the accusation, he was confronted with evidence leading to his arrest. Police Lieutenant Colonel Seksanti Thiraruangrat and Police Lieutenant Colonel Papassorn Maituk, along with a team from the tourist police at Suvarnabhumi Airport, detained…
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Ex-legal officer caught for embezzling 10 million baht in Bangkok
Police apprehended a former legal officer of the Social Security Office accused of embezzling 10 million baht from the social security fund. The suspect, who had been on the run, was captured while working at a shop in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok yesterday, February 13. Poomwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with Ekachai…
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Whale of a tale: Chilean kayaker swallowed by humpback (video)
In a heart-stopping incident off Chilean Patagonia, a kayaker found himself briefly swallowed by a humpback whale before being miraculously released unharmed. The jaw-dropping event was caught on camera and rapidly swept through social media, captivating viewers worldwide. Last Saturday, adventurer Adrian Simancas was enjoying a day of kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Aguila, near the San…
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Nigerian man arrested in Phuket for selling cocaine to tourists
Phuket Immigration officers detained a 37 year old Nigerian man in the Thepkrasattri subdistrict for possessing cocaine with the intention to sell. The individual, identified as John Paul, was arrested at a rented residence in Village 11, Thepkrasattri yesterday morning, February 13. The operation was a joint effort by Phuket Immigration and officers from Thalang Police Station. During the arrest,…
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Thailand video news | Thai PM considers easing alcohol sales rules to boost tourism, Cambodia warns tourists about aggressive monkeys at Angkor Wat
In the Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand and Asia region. The stories include a rise in in-flight thefts, the weakening Thai Baht and a rise in the cost of hotels, and a little later the increasingly aggressive behaviour of monkeys in Angkor Wat. Thai PM Considers Easing Alcohol Sales Rules to Boost Tourism Prime Minister…
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Valentine’s rose prices in Chai Nat hit two-decade high
In Chai Nat, the demand for roses during Valentine’s Day has led to a significant increase in retail prices, reaching a two-decade high, according to local vendors. Rose sales have surged in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, resulting in higher prices at the Chai Nat municipal market. Prices nearly doubled overnight, rising from 10 to 15 baht per flower yesterday, February…
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Golden rescue: Student saved from call centre scam in Bangkok
Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped in to save 21 year old student from the clutches of a call centre scam in Bangkok. The young woman, Jidapha, was deceived into surrendering her valuable gold and instructed to hide out in a hotel under mysterious threats, leaving her parents anxiously hanging on every second. On Wednesday, February 12, at precisely 11.45pm, Jidapha’s…
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DASTA backs Phu Kradueng cable car feasibility study
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has expressed support for the government’s proposal to conduct a feasibility study on a cable car project within Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. DASTA director Thitipong Khiawpaisan stated that Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong instructed the agency to undertake the study of this contentious project. The study will encompass…
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English lessons needed: Thailand flunks language test
In a humbling revelation, Thailand has found itself lagging at 106th place out of 116 countries in global English proficiency, according to a recent survey. The EF English Proficiency Index, unveiled yesterday, February 13, paints a dire picture as Thailand struggles with a “very low proficiency” rating, stumbling behind regional neighbours like Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The…
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Baht to the future: Thailand exports ready for Trump change
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand is bullish about the country’s export growth this year, buoyed by ripple effects from US President Donald Trump’s trade policies. According to Exim Bank President Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, several global regions, including the EU, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, are ramping up imports in anticipation of Trump’s next moves, especially with uncertainty looming over US imports…
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Thunderstorms and cool foggy mornings hit Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast cautioning residents in South Thailand of thunderstorms and high seas, while the upper regions of Thailand will experience cool mornings with fog and hot afternoons. The forecast predicts a weak high-pressure system will cover the northeastern areas and the South China Sea, causing the upper regions to be cool in the…
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High drama: Cannabis inferno leaves Pattaya in fits of giggles
Chaos and laughter erupted in Pattaya last night after a serious blaze at a cannabis cultivation centre left residents and tourists feeling a little dazed. Yesterday, February 13, the Land Disaster Relief Radio Centre was alerted to a fire tearing through a residential building on Soi Welcome Jomtien, Nongprue. Quick as a flash, Pattaya City police, Jomtien Disaster Relief officers,…
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Valentine’s Day sees surge in LGBTQ+ marriage registrations
The government anticipates a significant number of LGBTQ+ couples will register their marriages today in celebration of Valentine’s Day, according to deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan. Sasikarn mentioned that numerous events are planned to support same-sex marriages across district offices nationwide on Valentine’s Day. In Bangkok’s Bang Rak district, renowned for Valentine’s marriage registrations, the district office will provide services…
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Bangkok passenger caught smuggling ‘space oil’ at HK airport
A brazen drug smuggler’s trip from Bangkok to Hong Kong ended in disaster when customs officers uncovered a shocking stash of illicit “space oil” hidden in fruit-flavoured drink powder. The 22 year old suspect was stopped at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday, February 13, where officials discovered approximately 8 kilogrammes of the substance, containing the controlled drug etomidate, inside his…
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Gun’s the word: Thailand aims to shoot down violence with new ban
In a bold move to combat rising gun crimes, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have pulled the trigger on a one-year freeze on gun carry permits, starting today, February 14. This decisive order, unveiled by Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul and published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, February 13, comes into force immediately. The suspension…
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Pattaya police kick the habit: Drug raids clean up city streets
Over 500 officers from Pattaya City police, Chon Buri Immigration, and other agencies swooped on the underbelly of Pattaya in a sweeping anti-drug crackdown. Revellers and residents alike were left reeling as the government’s ambitious campaign zeroed in on two notorious hotspots, leaving no stone unturned. The first target, a bustling commercial building on Soi Pattaya Klang 16, saw six…
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French tourist’s trip to Koh Tao turns into cabbage truck chaos
A French tourist’s dream trip to Koh Tao in Surat Thani took an unexpected turn when he ended up stranded in Doi Tao, Chiang Mai, due to a miscommunication. His misadventure didn’t end there, while hitchhiking south he lost his wallet in Suphan Buri. But thanks to kind locals and police, he was able to recover it and continue his…
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Deadly mystery: Three bodies found hidden in abandoned pickup
In a chilling twist worthy of a crime novel, an abandoned pickup truck shrouded in mystery was discovered behind a white cloth with three dead bodies inside, leaving a trail of questions for both locals and Thai police. What began as a simple report of a foul odour has unravelled into a dark tale that has rattled the quiet community…
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Political chaos: Charter debate stalls as Pheu Thai blocks vote
Thailand’s charter amendment debate descended into chaos as the joint sitting of MPs and senators was abruptly adjourned due to a lack of quorum. The Pheu Thai Party strategically withheld participation to prevent the bill’s rejection, while a senator pushed for a Constitutional Court ruling on the process. The session began at 9.30am today, February 13, but was called off…
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Gold prices soar as traders sparkle after latest hike
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a fresh hike in gold prices today, following a flurry of adjustments yesterday. As of today, February 13, the price of gold jewellery climbed to 47,250 baht per baht weight, marking a 100 baht rise since the closing figures of the previous day. According to the GTA’s latest update at 9.03am, gold bars in…
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Thailand hotel room rates soar by 15% amid travel demand surge
Hotel room rates in Thailand increased by an average of 15% from 2023, as reported by SiteMinder, an e-commerce platform assisting hotels with direct and third-party bookings. This growth distinguishes Thailand as the only country with double-digit expansion. The Hotel Booking Trends report from SiteMinder, which analysed over 125 million reservations, indicates that the average daily rate (ADR) in Thailand…
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Disabled man dies in fire caused by cigarette in Samut Prakan
A 47 year old bed-bound man died in a fire suspected to have been caused by a cigarette at his rented room in Samut Prakan. His brother, who returned from work, discovered smoke billowing from the room and attempted to extinguish the flames with the help of neighbours. Police Colonel Somchai Sakorn from Khlong Dan Police Station reported receiving notification…
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Fuelling the future: PTT Oil shifts gears for a brighter 2025
PTT Oil and Retail Plc (OR) is revving up for a sunnier financial forecast this year, aiming to bounce back after last year’s revenue slip. The secret sauce? A Thailand infused with tourism and investment buzz, according to OR chief Peekthong Thongyai. Thanks to a tourism surge, Thailand’s economic prospects are looking rosier than ever. Back in 2019, the country…
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Helmet heist: Elderly man caught on CCTV stealing in Pattaya
An elderly man wearing a motorcycle taxi vest was caught on CCTV brazenly stealing a helmet outside a company on Soi Naklua 16, Wong Amat in Pattaya on Tuesday, February 11 at around 11.25am. The incident has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many questioning whether the suspect is a legitimate motorbike taxi driver. Online commenters pointed out that…
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Full steam ahead: SRT fast-tracks freight boost to cut costs
In a bid to slash transport costs for import and export businesses, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is all set to turbocharge freight services between Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri and Bangkok. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala and his team, yesterday, February 12, descended on the deep-sea port and the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district,…
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Comeback call: Thailand’s smartphone market dials up growth
Thailand’s smartphone market powered back to life last year after two years in the doldrums, defying a sluggish economy. Global research giants IDC and Canalys both report an upward swing in sales: from IDC’s impressive 17.1% growth, with 16.9 million units shipped, to Canalys’s solid 7.1% increase, marking 16.4 million units sold. IDC predicts this growth spurt will carry on…
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Pattaya cracks down on homelessness amid public safety concerns
Pattaya is stepping up efforts to tackle homelessness and improve public safety along Sukhumvit Road and the beach, responding to growing concerns about crime and disorder. Local officials are rolling out new measures to clean up the streets, provide support for the homeless, and clamp down on illegal activities. Residents have voiced strong opinions on the issue, with many calling…
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