Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Macron hosts Anutin as Thailand courts French investment
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for a dinner meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris yesterday, May 25, where both sides discussed trade, cybersecurity, and regional security issues. The meeting took place at 8.30pm local time in France. Both leaders agreed to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in high-value industries including…
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Chinese woman reunited with lost cash with help from Thai locals
A Thai rescuer and several locals in Chachoengsao helped a Chinese woman recover 20,000 baht in cash after she accidentally dropped her bag while riding a motorcycle on Bangna-Trat Road on Sunday, May 24. The rescuer, Mongkon Khiaosa-ad, said he was driving home at about 7.30pm when he noticed a woman sitting beside a black Honda SuperCub motorcycle registered in…
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Gunmen dressed as Muslim women open fire on officer’s car in Pattani
A shooting in Pattani left a police officer injured and his wife dead yesterday, May 25, after four suspected insurgents opened fire on their sedan near a school in Phong Sata, Yarang, Pattani. Police were alerted at 3.30pm to the shooting, which left one person injured and one dead. Officers found the sedan with multiple bullet marks on the windscreen…
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Thai man arrested for bag snatching in Pattaya that leaves Belgian victim injured
Police arrested a Thai man on May 15 after he snatched a bag from a Belgian woman in Pattaya, leaving the victim injured and requiring hospital treatment. The Pattaya bag snatching took place in Soi Na Kluea 12 in the evening of May 15. The victim, identified as 59 year old Belgian national Evens Micheline Joseph, was reportedly approached by…
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Singha heir expands allegations against family, regarding forced drug use
Thai environmental activist Siranudh “Psi” Scott revealed additional allegations against Singha family yesterday, May 25, claiming he was forced to use drugs in addition to being sexually assaulted. He also announced a surname change to signal his complete departure from the family. The dispute involving members of the Bhirombhakdi family, owners of Boon Rawd Brewery, became public after Psi released…
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Mika Salo found at Bangkok hotel after stabbing reports
Police have located former Formula One driver Mika Salo at a hotel after reports emerged that he suffered a leg injury while crossing a pedestrian crossing near a hotel in Bangkok on May 19. At 12.20pm today, May 26, Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Siam Boonsom assigned officers from the investigation division and Lumpini Police Station to examine the case and…
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Pattaya transwoman left with neck wound after alleged stabbing by boyfriend
A transgender woman was seriously injured in a Pattaya stabbing case after being found with a neck wound inside a rented room in Pattaya early today, May 26. Police are searching for her boyfriend as a suspect. Pattaya police were alerted to the assault at 12.36am at a room in Soi Krom Theedin 3. Police and rescue volunteers went to…
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7 mine workers remain trapped in flooded Laos cave
Thai volunteer rescue teams joined a cave rescue mission in Laos after seven mine workers became trapped in a flooded cave since May 19 while searching for gold. Ten mine workers entered a cave in Longchaeng district of Xaisomboun province, but only three managed to escape. Seven others remain trapped inside the cave after heavy rain flooded the entrance and exit…
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Repeat drug users in Thailand to face imprisonment instead of rehabilitation
House of Representatives President Sophon Saram said Thailand’s drug laws should be revised to impose stricter penalties on repeat drug users, including imprisonment instead of rehabilitation. Thailand previously required all suspects found in possession of illegal drugs to face prosecution and imprisonment based on the quantity of drugs involved and the severity of the offence. In recent years, however, the…
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Chinese suspect vanishes after violent attack on transwoman in Pattaya
A Chinese man has fled Thailand after allegedly assaulting a transgender woman in a Pattaya hotel room, leaving her with injuries that required 30 stitches. The victim posted a video on Facebook yesterday, May 25, showing the alleged assault and said she would pursue the case. She said she suffered facial injuries requiring 18 stitches, while her wrist required eight…
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Thai man kills 12 year old stepdaughter and attacks wife with knife
Police arrested an ex-convict in Nong Bua Lamphu province, yesterday, May 25, after he allegedly sexually assaulted and killed his 12 year old stepdaughter and attacked his wife with a knife. Officers from Sri Boon Rueang Police Station were called to investigate the death of the girl, identified as Amy, at a house in the Sri Bonn Rueang district. She…
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May 26 weather forecast warns of heavy rain in South Thailand
Thailand’s weather forecast today, May 26, warns of thunderstorms across the country, with heavy rain expected in parts of South Thailand’s west coast, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The department said a moderate southwest monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. People in affected areas were urged to remain cautious of heavy rain and…
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Chinese-directed Tasteful Thailand documentary wins Gold at Telly Awards
The food documentary Tasteful Thailand, directed by Chinese producer and filmmaker Chen Xiaoqing, won a Gold award at this year’s Telly Awards. The Telly Awards, held for the 47th time this year, received more than 14,000 entries reviewed by the Telly Awards Judging Council. The competition recognises productions across multiple formats, including television, YouTube, social media, animation, vertical video and…
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251 live wild animals found hidden in Malaysian man’s suitcase
Thai authorities arrested a Malaysian national at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday, May 24, after attempting to smuggle hundreds of live wild animals out of Thailand. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) Director Attapon Charoenchansa announced details of the operation, describing it as part of intensified inspections targeting international wildlife trafficking networks using Thailand as a transit route.…
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Danish jogger injured by falling tree branch on Rayong Beach
A Danish tourist was injured while jogging along a beach in Rayong after a falling pine branch pierced his leg on Saturday, May 23. The incident occurred at roughly 3.30pm on the walkway beside Phala Beach in Ban Chang district. The area is lined with pine trees, some of which appear to be dead or deteriorated. The victim, identified as…
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Mum walks out of Phuket restaurant without fully paying tab
A foreign woman was criticised online after refusing to fully pay a bill at a restaurant in Phuket after saying a drink she ordered was not up to standard. The incident occurred at New Break Taek restaurant in the Chalong area of Phuket on Saturday, May 23, and was later shared on Thai social media. According to footage circulating online,…
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Thailand video news | Facebook livestream scandal spreads across Thailand, Intoxicated monk defrocked after disturbance in Udon Thani
In Thailand video news, Jay covers news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories include Thailand being rocked by a viral Facebook sex livestream scandal under police investigation, an intoxicated monk being defrocked after causing chaos in Udon Thani, and a deadly train and bus collision that leaves eight dead and raises serious safety concerns. Meanwhile, China pushes…
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Brit arrested for hit-and-run in Koh Pha Ngan, victim in coma
Police arrested a British motorcyclist for a hit-and-run incident on Koh Pha Ngan on Saturday, May 23, that left a Thai doctor in a coma. Colleagues of the injured doctor, Theerasuk “Ton” Kawamatawong, contacted several media outlets seeking justice after the crash, which occurred at about 8.40pm on a road behind the Koh Pha Ngan District Office. CCTV footage shared…
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Govt department seen on Facebook sex livestream, issues explaination
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a clarification after its official Facebook page was seen appearing in the viewer list of a viral sex livestream circulated online on Saturday, May 23. The explicit livestream attracted widespread attention on Thai social media over the weekend, with users sharing screenshots showing several verified pages and celebrity accounts appearing among the viewers.…
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May 25: Heavy rain, strong winds forecast across Thailand
The Meteorological Department has issued a Thailand weather forecast for today, May 25, warning of thundershowers and isolated heavy rain across much of the country as the southwest monsoon strengthens over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, and inland areas. The moderate southwest monsoon is driving scattered to fairly widespread thundershowers nationwide. Residents and travellers are advised to be…
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Viral Facebook sex livestream scandal spreads across Thai social media
Thai cyber police are investigating Facebook sex livestreams showing uncensored sexual intercourse after the broadcasts circulated widely last night, May 23, prompting responses from users and public pages, including the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Several anonymous Facebook pages reportedly shared sexually explicit livestreams at around the same time, reportedly leading many users to click into the broadcasts out of…
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Chiang Mai karaoke bar raided, 12 illegal workers detained
Chiang Mai police raided a covert karaoke bar in the city centre on May 23 after residents complained about noise, detaining 12 Myanmar nationals found working without properly registered employers. The operation was led by Police Major General Olan Iampraphat of Tourist Police Division 2 and Police Colonel Phisanu Triamdee, with Police Lieutenant Colonel Avirut Sookyaem conducting the inspection alongside…
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Turkish man found dead after swallowing drug capsules to avoid detection
A Turkish man was found dead in a hotel room in Samut Prakan yesterday, May 23, after allegedly swallowing more than 50 capsules suspected to contain illegal drugs to avoid detection. Police and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers were called to the hotel in Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, after receiving reports of a foreign man found dead inside a room.…
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Woman killed by train at ungated railway crossing in Bangkok
A 21 year old woman was hit by a freight train while riding her motorcycle and killed at an ungated railway crossing in Lat Krabang, Bangkok, shortly after midnight today, May 24. Lat Krabang police were notified of the accident at about 12.30am near Sangkaracha Temple along the motorway frontage road in Lat Krabang district. Police and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers…
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Chiang Mai police arrest 19 year old illegal loan tout for fourth time
Chiang Mai police have arrested a 19 year old man linked to the ‘Instant Cash’ illegal loan network for the fourth time in a year, after residents complained about loan flyers flooding their neighbourhood. The suspect, Pakin, was apprehended on May 23 on a road in the Chomphu village area of Saraphi district, Chiang Mai. The operation was led by…
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Gun videos lead police to Indian man with drugs on Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested an Indian man on Koh Pha Ngan yesterday, May 23, after videos showed a foreigner posing with guns and practising shooting, with officers later finding drugs and drug price lists on his phone. The suspect, identified as 33 year old Shabeelkunnon Valappil, was arrested at a residence in Koh Pha Ngan district, Surat Thani. Police charged him with…
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School van driver fined 2000 baht for railway crossing violation
A school van driver handed himself over to Lop Buri police after footage emerged showing his vehicle crossing railway tracks as a train approached. The driver, 55 year old Sangwan, said it was his first day on the route and he was unfamiliar with the area. The incident occurred on May 23, when the school van, driven by 55 year…
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Foreign tourist accused of theft runs from brawl outside Pattaya shop
A foreign tourist accused of stealing two energy drinks fled a convenience store near Jomtien Beach in Pattaya after getting into a brawl with multiple Thai men outside the shop. A video shared on social media showed the incident inside and outside a convenience store near Jomtien Beach. The post claimed that a foreigner had stolen items and refused to…
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Chinese suspect Mingchen linked to 815 million baht crime losses
Police have expanded their investigation into Chinese weapon suspect Sun Mingchen after finding alleged links to a Cambodia-based crime network and more than 815 million baht in losses. Royal Thai Police spokesperson Trairong Phiwpan said yesterday, May 21, that the case had been divided into seven areas, covering weapons, explosives, immigration offences, customs offences, transnational crime, and money laundering through…
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Phuket and Pattaya back 30-day visa-free stays to boost tourism
Tourism businesses in Phuket and Pattaya have backed the government’s decision to reinstate 30-day visa-free stays, saying the move will deter illegal operations and attract long-stay tourists. The Department of Consular Affairs, under the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the policy shift is part of a broader restructuring of Thailand’s visa system to cut confusion, tighten immigration controls, and align stays…
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