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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    Is expat health insurance in Thailand actually worth it?

    The Thaiger key takeaways Foreigners aren’t covered by public healthcare, making private hospital costs a major concern. Insurance offers financial protection and access to better medical care. Whether it’s worth it depends on your stay length, health, lifestyle, and budget....

  • Thai boy attacked with tennis ball by classmate, sustains serious eye injury | Thaiger

    Thai boy attacked with tennis ball by classmate, sustains serious eye injury

    A Thai mother condemned an international school in Bangkok for their lack of action after a foreign classmate allegedly threw a tennis ball at her 12 year old son’s eye, leaving him at risk of developing glaucoma. The mother, identified as Sai, filed a complaint with Wang Thonglang Police Station on Wednesday, October 29, accompanied by her lawyer. She accused the…

  • Lucky numbers draw crowds to Ayutthaya’s sacred basin | Thaiger

    Lucky numbers draw crowds to Ayutthaya’s sacred basin

    Crowds gathered at a renowned hermitage in Ayutthaya after lucky numbers were spotted floating in a holy basin during a traditional candle ceremony. Today, October 31, worshippers and tourists gathered at the hermitage of the revered hermit Rishi Naen That Phutthakun, in Pho Taeng subdistrict, Bang Sai district, where they sought blessings, fulfilled vows, and captured photographs of auspicious numbers…

  • Phuket gambling kingpin arrested in 60 million baht cybercrime raid | Thaiger

    Phuket gambling kingpin arrested in 60 million baht cybercrime raid

    Police in Phuket arrested three suspects during a raid on a luxury home linked to an illegal online gambling site with over 60 million baht in transactions. Region 8 Police, led by senior commanders, swooped on a two-storey property on Chao Fa East Road in Wichit yesterday, October 30, uncovering a major cybercrime operation with cash flows topping 60 million…

  • Julapun takes Pheu Thai reins after Paetongtarn steps down | Thaiger

    Julapun takes Pheu Thai reins after Paetongtarn steps down

    The Pheu Thai Party has elected Julapun Amornvivat as its new leader, signalling a fresh chapter for Thailand’s largest political party after Paetongtarn Shinawatra stepped down to avoid ethical scrutiny. Julapun, a five-time Chiang Mai MP and former deputy finance minister, secured 354 out of 369 votes in an extraordinary general assembly held at the party’s headquarters today, October 31.…

  • Tree and power pole fall cuts traffic on Patong Hill road | Thaiger

    Tree and power pole fall cuts traffic on Patong Hill road

    Traffic on Patong Hill was reduced to one lane after a tree and a power pole fell onto a main road during the early hours, prompting an emergency response. The incident occurred at approximately 4.18am today, October 31, when a motorist alerted Patong Police to the fallen debris on Phra Barami Road, near the notorious landslide curve on Patong Hill.…

  • Towed van bursts into flames near Sri Racha District Office | Thaiger

    Towed van bursts into flames near Sri Racha District Office

    A van caught fire while being towed near a district office in Sri Racha, prompting a swift response from firefighters to contain the early morning blaze. The fiery incident occurred around 1.10am yesterday, October 30, near the Sri Racha District Office in Chon Buri. Emergency crews from the Sri Racha Municipal Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre were alerted to the…

  • Thai boy hospitalised after buffalo attack at Buriram home | Thaiger

    Thai boy hospitalised after buffalo attack at Buriram home

    A seven year old Thai boy was rushed to the hospital after a buffalo attacked him at a pen outside his family home in the Isaan province of Buriram yesterday, October 30. The boy’s grandfather, 60 year old Somphong, took his grandson, Stamp, to the hospital at around 6am. The boy reportedly sustained injuries to his face and head after…

  • Phuket city faces water cut tomorrow, November 1 for pipe repairs | Thaiger

    Phuket city faces water cut tomorrow, November 1 for pipe repairs

    Water supply in parts of Phuket will be temporarily shut off as city officials carry out essential pipe works to improve infrastructure and service reliability. Phuket City Municipality has announced that water supply will be suspended tomorrow, November 1, from 10am to 3pm, while engineers carry out essential pipe connection works at the Khao Rang Intersection. The shutdown is expected…

  • Suvarnabhumi warns against lanterns and lasers this Loy Krathong | Thaiger

    Suvarnabhumi warns against lanterns and lasers this Loy Krathong

    With the Loy Krathong Festival just days away, Suvarnabhumi Airport has issued a firm warning: no sky lanterns, fireworks, balloons, sparklers, or laser beams near the airport, or risk jeopardising aviation safety. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is calling on government agencies, businesses, and residents in surrounding areas to refrain from festive activities that could pose dangers to aircraft operations…

  • Thailand video news | Ladyboy brawl erupts in Pattaya over bar host man, Halloween in Bangkok – top-pick events & spooky fun | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Ladyboy brawl erupts in Pattaya over bar host man, Halloween in Bangkok – top-pick events & spooky fun

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a major crackdown on drug dealers in Pattaya, a brawl between trans women allegedly sparked by a bar host, and a round-up of things to do this Halloween weekend. Nigerian dealers caught in Pattaya with cocaine & meth Police…

  • Woman plunges from Pattaya building after lovers’ row | Thaiger

    Woman plunges from Pattaya building after lovers’ row

    A young woman was seriously injured after falling from a fifth-floor balcony in Pattaya following an argument with her partner at a construction site. The incident occurred late yesterday, October 30, at a shophouse along Pattaya South Road. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre were called to the scene following reports of a woman falling from height.…

  • Chon Buri clinic closed temporarily after hot water treatment on 3 year old boy | Thaiger

    Chon Buri clinic closed temporarily after hot water treatment on 3 year old boy

    The Medical Council of Thailand temporarily closed a clinic in Chon Buri for a thorough investigation after a doctor allegedly poured hot water over a three year old Laotian boy who had been admitted with a high fever. The boy’s parents brought the matter to public attention after their son was left with severe burns on his body. The Be…

  • Chon Buri zoo architect recalls fond memory of Queen Sirikit | Thaiger

    Chon Buri zoo architect recalls fond memory of Queen Sirikit

    The architect behind a beloved Chon Buri zoo landmark shared his story of designing it for the Queen Mother, as the nation mourns her passing. Chai na Kwangkaeo, the 78 year old architect of the iconic Giant Bird Cage at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has opened up about his emotional journey building the walk-through aviary and the unforgettable day he…

  • Thai minister scraps Patong tunnel plan in shock U-turn | Thaiger

    Thai minister scraps Patong tunnel plan in shock U-turn

    Thailand’s transport ministry has overhauled a long-delayed tunnel project in Phuket, slashing its size, scrapping tolls, and shifting control. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, revealed a dramatic overhaul of the long-awaited project, cutting the tunnel’s width from 17 metres to just 10 and removing the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) from the equation altogether. The Department…

  • Thai woman accuses foreign ex-husband of kidnapping their son in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Thai woman accuses foreign ex-husband of kidnapping their son in Pattaya

    A Thai woman in Pattaya appealed to an online community for help in finding her son, accusing her foreign ex-husband of kidnapping the young boy. The woman and her female friend shared photos of the boy and the ex-husband in the Facebook group Pattaya Talk (พัทยาทอล์ค) yesterday, October 30, with a caption that read: “#Searching Has anyone seen this foreign…

  • Thai woman claims losing 30 million baht in 3-year relationship scam | Thaiger

    Thai woman claims losing 30 million baht in 3-year relationship scam

    A Thai woman claimed she lost more than 30 million baht to her ex-boyfriend during their three years of relationship and demanded that the man pay her back. She also accused him of gaining unusual wealth from illegal businesses. A 41 year old Thai woman, identified as A, brought her case to the non-profit organisation Sai Mai Survive yesterday, October…

  • Wet and wild: Heavy rain, cool mornings sweep across Thailand | Thaiger

    Wet and wild: Heavy rain, cool mornings sweep across Thailand

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of widespread rain and cool mornings across several regions, urging farmers and residents to prepare for changing conditions. An active low-pressure cell over Cambodia and the Gulf is pulling moist air into upper Thailand, while a weakening high-pressure system continues to cover the area. A collision of easterly and southeasterly winds across the north…

  • Phayao temple sparks lotto frenzy after 7 jackpot wins | Thaiger

    Phayao temple sparks lotto frenzy after 7 jackpot wins

    Locals and tourists in a northern Thai province flocked to a revered temple after reports emerged that multiple lottery winners had prayed there for luck. Today, October 30, crowds packed Wat Pa Phutthachinwongsaram in Phu Kam Yao district, Phayao province, after locals claimed to have struck the first-prize lottery jackpot seven times following visits to a revered temple statue. Now,…

  • 12 Thai and foreign nationals arrested at 2 illegal hotels on Koh Pha Ngan | Thaiger

    12 Thai and foreign nationals arrested at 2 illegal hotels on Koh Pha Ngan

    Police arrested 12 Thai and foreign nationals for illegally running hotels and working without permits on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Koh Phangan District Chief, Suriya Bunpan, led a joint operation with Immigration Police and Tourist Police to raid two hostels on the island after receiving a report about illegal activities involving foreigners.…

  • Thai daughter begs police to act after mother loses 10 million baht to romance scam | Thaiger

    Thai daughter begs police to act after mother loses 10 million baht to romance scam

    A woman pleaded with police to take action after her 74 year old mother lost nearly 10 million baht in a romance scam and ignored all her warnings. The 41 year old daughter, Mint, brought the case to the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after failing to get help from both the bank and police. Bank staff told her they could…

  • Thailand sets sights on sky-high role as aviation powerhouse | Thaiger

    Thailand sets sights on sky-high role as aviation powerhouse

    Thailand’s transport officials are collaborating with aviation leaders to transform the country into a regional hub for aircraft maintenance and connectivity. The Transport Ministry sets plans in motion to transform the nation into a premier aviation hub for Southeast Asia. The strategy focuses heavily on boosting its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector while redirecting air traffic to ease congestion…

  • Thai woman linked to missing 18 million baht found dead in Cambodia | Thaiger

    Thai woman linked to missing 18 million baht found dead in Cambodia

    A family suspects foul play after a Thai woman allegedly fell to her death from the third floor of a building in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia. The woman was reportedly linked to the disappearance of 18 million baht from an illegal business. A member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Thailand reported the death of the Thai woman,…

  • Pheu Thai veteran Viroj Pao-in dies at 91 after illness | Thaiger

    Pheu Thai veteran Viroj Pao-in dies at 91 after illness

    A former Pheu Thai Party leader passed away at a hospital in Pathum Thani after battling an infection, prompting tributes from political allies and MPs. Thailand’s political landscape bid farewell to a long-serving figure this week as Viroj Pao-in, former caretaker leader of the Pheu Thai Party, passed away at the age of 91. He died from an infection at…

  • Thailand welcomes new Norse Air route from London to Bangkok | Thaiger

    Thailand welcomes new Norse Air route from London to Bangkok

    Thailand welcomed the first Norse Atlantic Airways flight from London-Gatwick to Bangkok, marking a new route aimed at boosting British tourism during the winter season. The inaugural flight touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 27, where it was greeted with a warm Thai-style welcome ceremony. Executives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Airports of Thailand joined the…

  • Patong villa thief caught after CCTV exposes cash heist | Thaiger

    Patong villa thief caught after CCTV exposes cash heist

    A Vietnamese man has been arrested in connection with a brazen cash theft from a private pool villa in Patong, after police traced him through CCTV footage and a distinctive motorbike. Patong Police, led by Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat and his investigation team, swooped in on a hotel on Phra Metta Road at around 4pm yesterday, October 29, where the…

  • Missing American girl with autism found safe on Pattaya streets | Thaiger

    Missing American girl with autism found safe on Pattaya streets

    A 12 year old American girl with autism was found safe in Pattaya after she wandered from her accommodation, prompting a late-night police search. The incident occurred around 3am yesterday, October 29, when the girl, identified as Jazmyn, reportedly wandered away from her accommodation without direction. Her mother, Courtney Michelle Young, a US national, quickly alerted police after discovering her…

  • Family of 6 walks 600 kilometres to pay tribute to Queen Mother Sirikit | Thaiger

    Family of 6 walks 600 kilometres to pay tribute to Queen Mother Sirikit

    A family of six began their 600-kilometre journey on foot from the southern province of Surat Thani to Bangkok to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at the Grand Palace. To express their loyalty and gratitude, 27 year old Thai man Sitthichai Thongsuwan, together with his family members, set out from Chaiya district in Surat…

  • 74 year old tuk tuk driver swings knife at official’s pickup in Phuket | Thaiger

    74 year old tuk tuk driver swings knife at official’s pickup in Phuket

    A 74 year old Thai tuk tuk driver smashed a window of a welfare vehicle belonging to the Phuket Provincial Office of the Attorney General following an accident yesterday, October 29. Phuket Hotnews reported that the elderly tuk tuk driver, identified only as Kit, displayed violent behaviour at an intersection on Saphan Hin Road in Khlong Yai district. Officers from…

  • Taiwanese men caught with ketamine, gas stash in Pattaya raid | Thaiger

    Taiwanese men caught with ketamine, gas stash in Pattaya raid

    Two Taiwanese men were arrested after police raided a luxury home in Pattaya, where they found ketamine, laughing gas, and drug-related equipment. The arrest took place in Huay Yai following a tip-off from concerned residents who suspected illegal storage of narcotics and nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. A joint task force of over a dozen officers from Pattaya…

  • Chinese man arrested at airport for house robbery spree in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Chinese man arrested at airport for house robbery spree in Bangkok

    Police arrested a Chinese man at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok who was allegedly behind two house robberies in Min Buri and Bang Chan areas. Immigration police officers at Don Mueang Airport apprehended the 55 year old Chinese national, Huang Qingqing, on October 29, after discovering that he was the leader of a criminal gang targeting luxury residences in…