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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Sponsored Where to travel in Thailand in July [2025]
This month, I want to invite you to wander through art spaces, misty hills, and garden paths, where the only thing on the itinerary is to linger. Let’s take a slower route, one for the dreamers, the journal keepers, and...
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Busted: Phuket grocery shop doubled as Yaba drug den
A quiet neighbourhood grocery shop in Phuket has been exposed as a brazen front for drug dealing, after stunned officials swooped in on a sting operation that netted hundreds of methamphetamine (meth) pills. The arrest unfolded on Wednesday evening, July 2, at around 6.30pm, in Baan Phru Samphan, Thepkrasattri subdistrict. Phuket Provincial Defence Officer Akkara Suwatthikul led the raid, backed…
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Blanket escape: Buriram prisoner climbs over wall with makeshift rope
The Buriram Provincial Administrative Office in northeastern Thailand is offering a reward of 50,000 baht for any tip-off leading to the capture of an escaped prisoner. Buriram Governor Piya Pijanam reported that 42 year old inmate Kowit escaped from Buriram Provincial Prison at approximately 1pm yesterday, July 3. According to the official, he tied several blankets together to create a…
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Thai exports in firing line as Trump dumps trade talks for tariffs
Donald Trump has fired the starting gun on a global trade showdown, ditching complex negotiations in favour of one-size-fits-all tariffs that could hammer dozens of economies, including Thailand. From today, July 4, the US will begin sending formal letters to countries across the world, listing fixed tariffs on their exports into America. The blanket rates will range from 20% to…
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Siam Piwat and Huawei join forces to woo Chinese tourists
Thailand’s tourism industry is pulling out all the stops to win over high-spending visitors in an increasingly fierce global travel market. Now, a blockbuster partnership between Siam Piwat Group and tech titan Huawei promises to transform the way Chinese tourists experience the Land of Smiles. Siam Piwat, the powerhouse behind retail icons like Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM, has teamed up…
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Grammar gaffe puts Thai deputy education minister in hot seat
Thailand’s freshly appointed deputy education minister has come under fire, not for policy blunders, but for her punctuation. Dr Ying Linthiporn Varinvacharoj, unveiled this week as part of the kingdom’s new Cabinet, found herself facing a grammar grilling after social media users spotted basic Thai language slip-ups in her old Facebook posts. A popular Thai-language Facebook page called her out…
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Sri Lankan man caught smuggling snakes in underwear at Bangkok airport
Officials from the Thailand Wildlife Enforcement Network (Thailand WEN) arrested a Sri Lankan man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for wildlife trafficking after discovering three snakes hidden in his underwear. Phonlawee Buchakiat, Director of the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre, reported the successful operation on the official Facebook page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation yesterday,…
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Red Bull tycoon tops Thailand rich list with US$44.5 billion fortune
Red Bull really does give you wings—especially if your name is Chalerm Yoovidhya. The co-owner of the world-famous energy drink has officially been crowned Thailand’s richest man this year, boasting a staggering net worth of US$44.5 billion (1.4 trillion baht), according to Forbes magazine. Chalerm’s jaw-dropping fortune saw an eye-watering leap of US$8.5 billion, marking a 24% surge from the previous year.…
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Pattaya bar workers fed as tourist drought bites hard
Struggling bar workers in Pattaya were served a dose of comfort this week, in the form of steaming noodles and basic supplies, as tourism dries up and bar owners face mounting bills. Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, yesterday, July 3, led a charitable drive on Walking Street, handing out dry food, eggs, instant noodles, and over…
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Masked burglar robs gran as family dog wags tail at thief in Pattaya
A bold daytime robbery has rocked a quiet Thai village, with a knife-wielding masked burglar stealing gold and jewels worth over 130,000 baht while the victim’s pet dog wagged its tail at him. The shocking heist happened between 10am and 11am on July 3 in Huay Yai, Chon Buri, when 67 year old Siriporn Kerdkum popped out for groceries, only…
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Facebook flirt turns to threats: Thai woman blackmailed for 50,000 baht
A Thai durian vendor in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok filed a police complaint against a man who tricked her into sharing explicit images and later blackmailed her for 50,000 baht. The 36 year old victim, accompanied by her lawyer, visited Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station on Wednesday, July 2, to lodge the complaint. She also shared the details of her ordeal with…
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Norse Atlantic soars with new Thailand routes, slashes US services
Norse Atlantic Airways is ramping up its winter schedule, adding four exciting new routes connecting Europe with Thailand as part of its ongoing expansion into Southeast Asia. Set to launch in October and December, these new flights are designed to tap into the surging demand for travel to Thailand, one of the top destinations for European leisure travellers. The carrier…
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Phuket kicks off health expo to boost wellness tourism
Phuket is on a mission to become the world’s top wellness tourism hub, and the island is off to a strong start with the launch of the Phuket Health Expo 2025. Kicking off yesterday, July 2, the five-day event, held at Central Festival Phuket, aims to position the island as the ultimate destination for health, wellness, and lifestyle tourism. The…
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Thai sapodilla ice cream scoops top prize at Gourmand Awards 2025
The Thai food industry once again proved its potential on the international stage, with a sapodilla ice cream winning a top prize at the Gourmand Awards 2025. The deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, Sasikan Wattanachan, announced today, July 3, that the Thai government would like to extend its congratulations to Watsarapong Radomsitthipat after his sapodilla ice cream brought…
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Pattaya targets Japan: Roadshow in Osaka aims to boost tourism
Pattaya is setting its sights on Japan as a prime tourist market. The city recently hosted the Pattaya Variety Roadshow to Japan 2025 in Osaka, aiming to boost its appeal and showcase its attractions to Japanese travellers. Led by Thitiphan Petchtrakul, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, the event aimed to showcase the city’s tourism offerings and expand its appeal to the…
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Phetchabun temple dismantles building after decade-long dispute
The committee behind a prominent temple in Phetchabun has dismantled a religious building after a decade-long dispute. The founder of the building offered a different perspective, stating the centre was established today, July 3. A Facebook user posted a video showing an excavator demolishing structures at the religious centre within a temple in Na Chaliang subdistrict, Nong Phai district, Phetchabun.…
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Bangkok to dim down blinding billboards with new regulations
Bangkok’s skyline is about to get a little less dazzling, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Council takes action to tackle the growing issue of excessively bright billboards. In a bid to protect residents’ eyes and prevent dangerous distractions for drivers, the council has approved a new regulation to limit light intensity from illuminated advertisements. Yesterday, July 2, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt…
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Karon love triangle turns deadly: 2 men stabbed in brawl
A fatal knife fight between two Myanmar nationals has left both men dead after a violent confrontation over a suspected love affair in Karon. The brutal clash, which took place near the entrance of a hotel staff dormitory, shocked the local community. Police were called to the scene at approximately 10.45pm yesterday, July 2, where they found the two men,…
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Driver crashes into pole on Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road
A white Honda Civic veered off the road and collided with an electricity pole on Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road near the Bang Bua Thong Land Department intersection in Son Loi subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi province. The accident occurred at 4.30am today, July 3, and police from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, along with Ruam Katanyu Foundation emergency services,…
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Cha-am bypass opens key intersection as part of major expansion
The long-awaited opening of a new intersection on the Cha-am bypass is set to revolutionise travel between Cha-am and Hua Hin, with the newly launched overpass marking a significant step in the ongoing development of Highway 37. The overpass, located at the Huai Ta Paet intersection in Sampraya subdistrict, Cha-am district, opened to traffic at the end of last month,…
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Trang police arrest more suspects in 200,000 baht murder case
Police in Trang province apprehended two more suspects in the abduction and murder of 33 year old Taweechai Promsangchan. The investigation reveals links to a drug trafficking gang, with a shocking detail that firearms were handed to minors for the execution. The murder was allegedly commissioned for a fee of 200,000 baht. The case began when Taweechai’s body was discovered…
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Thai man attacks friend’s wife’s lover after catching them in bed
A Thai man beat his friend’s wife’s lover with a broomstick after catching them together on a bed in an abandoned house in Samut Prakan province. He claimed he was seeking revenge on behalf of his friend, though netizens suspected jealousy as the real motive. Officers from Samrong Nuea Police Station were alerted to the assault at the abandoned house…
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Thai man rides naked with dildos strapped to bike in Chiang Mai
A man from Chiang Mai’s San Sai district has stunned villagers after riding naked on his motorbike with three giant dildos strapped to the side. The shocking incident, which was caught on camera, shows a 49 year old man from Lampang, later identified as Kluay, cruising through the village of Chedi Mae Krua while fully naked, with the phallic-shaped prop…
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Pattaya locals capture man pretending to be drunk after theft
A man suspected of motorcycle theft was apprehended by locals in an alleyway after unsuccessfully attempting to evade capture by pretending to be intoxicated in Pattaya. The incident took place at 7.30am today, July 3, at the intersection of Soi Bongkot and Soi Arunothai. The Pattaya City Police Station was alerted following this event. Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya…
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South Thailand lends backdrop to latest ‘Jurassic World’ blockbuster
Today marks a day of excitement for fans of the Jurassic Park franchise as the latest instalment from the blockbuster is released. Jurassic World: Rebirth is out in cinemas across the globe today, July 3. The seventh instalment of the Jurassic Park franchise was filmed across three southern provinces: Krabi, Phang Nga and Trang. Production ran from June 13 to…
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Phang Nga James Bond museum shuts after one day, wastes 40m baht
A grand vision to lure tourists with the allure of James Bond has turned into a spectacular embarrassment, after a 40-million-baht museum in Phang Nga collapsed into decay barely 24 hours after opening. The so-called James Bond Museum, built to celebrate the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun, closed its doors on its very first day and has…
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Police bust counterfeit vehicle tax ring in Ratchada car rental
The Metropolitan Police Bureau searched a car rental tent in the Ratchada area, uncovering counterfeit vehicle tax discs. With a court warrant, police searched four locations yesterday, July 2, following an investigation in June, where two people were arrested for forging official documents. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Police Major General Noppasil Punsawat, and their…
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Fast lane success: South Thailand road project ahead of schedule
Motorists and businesses in Nakhon Si Thammarat, South Thailand, can look forward to smoother journeys sooner than expected, as the Chalermphrakiat Road extension is speeding ahead of schedule. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has announced rapid progress on the massive infrastructure project, which promises to slash traffic congestion and supercharge the local economy. Montri Dechasakulsom, DRR Director General, revealed…
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Police bust Buriram gambling networks handling 1.8 million baht monthly
Police dismantled two online gambling networks in Buriram, arresting their operators who confessed to previously working as administrators before launching their own platforms. These operations reportedly handled over 1.8 million baht monthly. At 9am yesterday, July 2, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphat, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Major General Kritchat Bumrungattano, Police Colonel Tiwa Sophacharoen, and…
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Woman arrested in Buriram for illegal loan scheme
A 34 year old woman was arrested in Nang Rong district, Buriram province, for allegedly operating an illegal high-interest loan scheme. This followed a complaint from a 44 year old assistant village head, who provided evidence of harassment and exorbitant interest demands. Yesterday, July 2, district chief Chokchai Sawangrat tasked officials with investigating the case after the assistant village head,…
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4 of 7 suspects arrested for 3.4 million baht robbery in Bangkok car park
Police arrested four out of seven suspects who robbed three victims of 3.4 million baht in the car park of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area on Monday, June 30. A seven-member criminal gang lured the three victims into exchanging 3.4 million baht in cash for 100,000 USDT in cryptocurrency at the shopping mall. The victims were then…
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