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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Thai couple alleges peeping incident at Koh Lipe resort
A Thai couple warned others on TikTok after a woman said an alleged resort worker spied on her while she was changing inside a bungalow on Koh Lipe in Satun province. The woman, identified only as Anna, shared details on her TikTok account @arnabarbie on Saturday, March 28. She said the incident happened at a resort on Koh Lipe where…
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American man convicted in Thai man’s death released
A court in the United States ordered the release on probation of an African-American man convicted over the death of the 84 year old Thai man Vicha Ratanaphakdee in San Francisco in 2021. The remaining three years of his eight-year sentence would be suspended. The victim, Vicha, was walking for exercise near his home in San Francisco, California, on the morning…
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Thai victim loses 25,000 baht after falling for Saddam fortune scam
A Thai man lost 25,000 baht after a scammer persuaded him to pay a tax to secure US$1.5 million, or about 49 million baht, allegedly taken from the vault of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The victim filed a complaint with officers at Phetchakasem Police Station, saying he transferred the money to a woman on March 20. He told police…
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Italian man proposes to his girlfriend with Moo Deng as witness
An Italian man proposed to his girlfriend at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri on March 27, choosing the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng as a witness because his partner is a fan of the animal. The Italian chef and his girlfriend said they visited the zoo specifically to see Moo Deng. They also prepared a fresh vegetable cake…
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Thailand clinches deal with Iran for safe oil route via Hormuz
Thailand has reached a Strait of Hormuz oil deal with Iran to allow Thai oil tankers to transit the waterway safely, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday, March 28, as the government adjusts its response to energy market volatility. Anutin announced the agreement during a press briefing titled “One month of global crisis: Thailand’s plan for a changed world”…
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Finnish tourist loses Rolex watch and cash to Pattaya bar workers
A Finnish tourist reported the theft of a Rolex watch worth more than 700,000 baht and 5,000 baht in cash after bringing two Thai bar workers back to his hotel in the Jomtien area of Pattaya in the early hours of today, March 30. The victim, 30 year old Kenneth Mikael Konttinen, filed a complaint at Mueng Pattaya Police Station…
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Kanchanaburi sting nets two Myanmar suspects in prostitution case
Police in Kanchanaburi arrested two Myanmar men on March 27, after an undercover sting targeting a prostitution arrangement network in a border area, with a 15 year old identified as a human trafficking victim. The investigation began after police received information that a group of Myanmar youths were allegedly bringing women across the border for prostitution in Nong Lu, Sangkhla…
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Bridge linking Lumpini and Benchakitti park set to open on May 1
Bangkok runners and walkers will soon be able to travel between Lumpini Park and Benchakitti Park via the Lumpini Green Bridge. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials are expecting an informal opening on May 1. Deputy Bangkok governor Chakkapan Phewngam visited the project site in Pathum Wan district to follow up on work overseen by the Environment Department. He was…
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Songkran festival to boost Thailand’s economy with 30 billion baht
Thailand’s Songkran Festival Expected to Generate Over 30 Billion Baht This April Thailand’s Songkran festival is set to draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and generate over 30 billion baht in economic circulation this April, with celebrations running from April 11 to 15. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects a 6% increase in revenue compared to last year. Despite…
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Long queues at Phuket Airport raise ‘special paid lane’ questions
Claims of a “special paid lane” at outbound immigration in Phuket have circulated online after photos showed long queues at Phuket International Airport over the weekend, according to reports yesterday, March 28. Images shared from the Phuket Info Centre page showed large numbers of tourists queuing at the Immigration Bureau checkpoint on the international departures side. The images prompted widespread…
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Thai authorities target fake local businesses in Krabi tourism sector
Thailand’s Department of Business Development has stepped up its crackdown on nominee businesses in Koh Lanta, Krabi, deploying a multi-agency team to investigate foreign-owned operations disguised as local companies. On March 26 and 27, investigators from the department were joined by the Department of Tourism, Krabi’s Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourist Police Bureau, Immigration Bureau, and Krabi’s Commerce Office.…
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Chinese expat faces uncertainty over visa rules in Thailand
A 34 year old Chinese national living in Pattaya is facing an uncertain future in Thailand after his visa application was rejected and the country weighs tighter entry rules for long-term foreign residents. Cui Heng arrived in Thailand in July 2023 on a tourist visa, initially exploring whether the country could become a long-term home rather than a temporary escape.…
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Cicada Covid variant prompts caution as cases rise abroad
A Thai health official has warned the public to monitor the new Covid-19 variant known as Cicada, which has been detected in several countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Jessada Boonyawongwiwat, deputy director of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, said the World Health Organisation has urged caution over the variant due to its potential to spread rapidly and…
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Man found dead in Udon Thani field after headshot
A man was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in a field in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani, on March 27. His wife disclosed his alleged involvement with drug dealers, while police are also investigating a land sale dispute and a missing relative as part of the case. Police Colonel Phongphan Nakwa, along with officers from Ban…
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Teen’s tragic death sparks call for school safety investigation
A 14 year old girl died following a motorcycle accident after her school allowed her to leave campus without notifying her guardian, raising concerns about student safety protocols and prompting calls for a formal investigation. On March 27, the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women received a complaint from a 43 year old aunt, who travelled from Saraburi province carrying…
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Fake dollar bills distributed in Pattaya by tourists
Foreign tourists in Pattaya were caught distributing counterfeit US$100 bills while filming content on Thursday, March 27, prompting a public warning after some vendors nearly faced legal trouble for attempting to exchange the fake notes. A Facebook user raised the alarm after witnessing well-dressed tourists, described as resembling affluent Arabs, handing out money to members of the public, particularly children,…
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Bangkok Airways hikes ticket prices amid rising oil costs
Bangkok Airways is raising ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges from April 1 as oil prices climb to between US$170 and US$180 per barrel. The airline is hedging 30% of its fuel costs and is keeping a close watch on the situation, warning that its annual plan could need revising if prices stay elevated. CEO Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said domestic fares…
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Italian drug user arrested on Kon Chang after argument with Thai wife
Koh Chang police arrested an Italian man for drug use today, March 27, after a caretaker at his rented house called officers to intervene in a violent argument between him and his Thai wife. Koh Chang Police Station officers were called to the couple’s home at about 9.50am and found them arguing outside the accommodation. Police identified the Italian man…
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British mother seeks woman seen with son before his death in Bangkok hotel
A British mother is trying to identify and contact a foreign woman who was seen with her son, Joshua Kershaw, shortly before he was found dead at a hotel in Sukhumvit area of Bangkok in January. The family of 21 year old British man Joshua began searching for him on social media after losing contact on January 12. Joshua spoke…
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Bangkok warehouse raid uncovers thousands of smuggled drones
Cyber police and relevant officials raided two locations in Bangkok yesterday, March 26, as part of an operation dubbed “Crack down Drone outlaws”, seizing more than 2,500 drones smuggled into Thailand and sold online. According to police, the searches were carried out under a Min Buri Criminal Court warrant linked to the suspected illegal sale of drones, or unmanned aircraft,…
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Tourist says they fear dogs, not humans, when walking on Thai streets
A foreign tourist has shared a video comparing walking safety in California and Thailand, saying she felt less concerned about people in Thailand but stayed alert for dogs that might chase her on the street. In the clip, the tourist described what she called the “main differences between California and Thailand” when walking outdoors. She said that in the United…
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DSI ends proceedings against ex-abbot of Phra Dhammakaya Temple
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced the terminated legal proceedings against the former abbot of Phra Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani and the owner of the Victoria’s Secret massage parlour in Bangkok. The former abbot, Chaiyabun Suddhipol, better known as Luang Por Dhammajayo, was accused of money laundering and receiving stolen goods after funds described as illegal were found…
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Screams heard during hunt for woman carried uphill, no trace found
Rescue workers and police launched a search for a missing woman at Khao Song Phi Nong in Chon Buri after a resident reported seeing two men carrying an unconscious woman uphill and returning without her on March 26. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya team said locals reported the incident over concerns the woman may have been harmed. Volunteers coordinated with…
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British and Irish riders arrested in Phuket after viral wheelie video
Police arrested an Irish and a British motorcyclist after they were filmed performing wheelies on a public road in Phuket on March 25. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต posted a video showing a foreign man in a blue shirt riding along Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road in Chalong subdistrict. The post included the caption: “Do you think that this is a…
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Thailand News | Thailand to begin tougher nationwide traffic crackdown, Thailand freezes prices on essential goods amid regional tensions
Today we’ll be talking about a new nationwide crackdown on traffic violations set to begin April 1st, a half a million baht Rolex theft from a Porsche in Phuket, and a little later just how effective has Thailand’s vaping ban been? New numbers show that habit is on the rise despite stricter policies. Thailand to Begin Tougher Nationwide Traffic Crackdown…
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Family of 3 killed in crash on roadworks in Nakhon Pathom
A family of three were killed in a crash on Phetchakasem Road in Nakhon Pathom early yesterday, March 26, with relatives alleging the road was under repair without sufficient warning lights. Officers from Sam Phran Police Station were alerted to the incident at about 3am and went to the scene with rescuers from the Ala Nukroh Nakhon Pathom Foundation. Police…
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Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan ferry fares increase after fuel price jump
Travellers heading to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan now face higher ferry fares after a sharp hike in fuel prices across Thailand prompted a ferry operator in Surat Thani province to raise ticket prices. Seatran Ferry, which operates services between Don Sak Pier in the mainland of Surat Thani and the two islands, first announced a fare adjustment on…
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Bangkok joins Earth Hour 2026 with one-hour lights-out on March 28
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has invited residents and organisations across the capital to switch off non-essential lights for one hour tomorrow, March 28, as part of the “60+ Earth Hour 2026” campaign to cut energy use and help tackle global warming. Speaking today, March 27, at Bangkok City Hall, Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working with network…
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Saraburi illegal fuel storage sites found with 29,000 litres in DSI raids
Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) found three illegal fuel storage sites in Saraburi province, seizing more than 29,000 litres of suspected smuggled diesel and gasoline during a nationwide crackdown. DSI announced the results of the operation carried out between March 24 and 25 in 16 provinces covering 35 main targets to the public yesterday, March 26. The…
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Rights holder accuses Thai publisher of unlicensed comics sales
Tong Li Publishing Co., Ltd issued a Thai-language statement today, March 26, alleging that Thailand-based publisher BURAPAT COMICS has been printing, distributing and selling the comic Hongsa Chom Rachan without legal authorisation. Hongsa Chom Rachan is the Thai release of The Ravages of Time, a Chinese-language historical comic series from Hong Kong set in the Three Kingdoms era that has…
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