Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, January 5th, to January 11th, 2025.
They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
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In a coordinated operation targeting illegal migrant labor, Pattaya police joined forces with immigration and tourist police units to raid the bustling Ratnakorn Market on Thepprasit Road, a well-known shopping hub in Jomtien.
Pattaya Police Crack Down on Illegal Foreign Workers in Popular City Market
2. A group of Russian tourists turned a late-night alcohol run into a chaotic fistfight outside a convenience store in Pattaya’s Jomtien area, leaving one member of their party unconscious after a misaimed punch caused him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
3. In the days following our January 8th, 2026, article discussing growing demands for a crackdown on noisy motorbikes disrupting residential peace, we have been inundated with letters, emails, and social media messages from concerned locals and expatriates, to the extent that unfortunately with our limited resources we cannot respond to everyone individually but instead opted for a follow-up article and wanted to thank everyone for their feedback.
4. Phuket has secured the highest number of road accidents and injuries nationwide during the New Year holiday period in the seven days road safety campaign (December 30th, 2025 to January 5th, 2026).
Phuket Secures Top National New Year Seven Dangerous Days Road Record For Accidents and Injuries
5. A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday (January 7th) at Chalong Pier in Phuket, destroying at least 23 speedboats and causing widespread alarm among local residents.
Major Blaze Destroys At Least 23 Speedboats in Chalong – VIDEOS
The blaze damaged 24 speedboats, with estimated losses of around 40 million baht, but officials say the coordinated response helped avert far greater destruction.
6. A young Thai-Australian male suspect was arrested in Phuket with 120,000 of methamphetamine Pills and six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Young Thai-Australian Man Arrested in Phuket with 120,000 Meth Pills and 6 Kg of Crystal Meth
7. A French tourist was killed and nine vehicles damaged in a violent drunk-driving crash in central Phuket on Saturday afternoon (January 10th), raising fresh concerns over road safety in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations.
French Tourist Walking on Sidewalk Dies, Nine Vehicles Damaged in Phuket Drunk-Driving Crash – VIDEO
8. An 18 year-old female Russian teen has been pronounced dead while 18 foreigners have sustained various injuries after a speedboat collided with a local fishing vessel near the Phi Phi Island in Krabi on Sunday morning (January 11th).
9. Thailand’s annual New Year holiday has once again been marred by tragic road accidents. The total of the “Seven dangerous days” of travel (December 30, 2025 – January 5th, 2026), authorities recorded 1,511 accidents nationwide, leaving 1,464 people injured and 272 dead.
10. Unknown assailants carried out a series of coordinated bombings and arson attacks on 11 gas stations across Thailand’s three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat late on January 10th, Thai authorities confirmed on Sunday morning.
Coordinated Bombings Target 11 Gas Stations in Thailands Southern Border Provinces
That’s all for this week, as always thanks for your support.
