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.
-
Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Bangkok’s traffic gridlock gets a tech-tock fix
Bangkok’s notorious traffic mayhem is finally seeing a breakthrough, thanks to a two-year tech overhaul that’s got commuters breathing a sigh of relief. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology has slashed journey times in the city’s busiest areas by a remarkable 25%. This traffic-taming triumph comes courtesy of the ATC system,…
-
Bitcoin hits the beach: Thailand’s sizzling crypto coup in Phuket
Phuket is set to become a crypto paradise as Thailand trials a new payment system using cryptocurrencies, all in a bid to make it easier than ever for tourists to splash their cash. The architect behind this brainwave reckon it’ll not only put a smile on the face of tech-savvy travellers but will also give the nation’s tourism sector a…
-
From heiress to hero: Thai FA Madam Pang’s journey
Madam Pang, a fifth-generation heiress from Thailand’s billionaire Lamsam family, has transformed Thai football with her passion, leadership, and jaw-dropping generosity. Born Nualphan Lamsam, the 58 year old business mogul comes from one of Thailand’s wealthiest families, with an estimated net worth of US$890 million (approximately 30.82 billion baht). As CEO of Mueang Thai Insurance and a pioneer in introducing…
-
Bangkok traffic speeds up 25% thanks to smart solutions
Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams are easing, with efforts by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and traffic police delivering a 25% increase in traffic flow speeds over the past two years. The achievement was announced by BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, citing a report from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The report identified 127 congestion hotspots in…
-
Thai border police seize meth and Happy Water worth millions
The Border Patrol Police Company 237 in Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom province, yesterday seized 240,000 methamphetamine tablets and Happy Water. The drugs were smuggled across the Mekong River and intended for distribution within the region. On Tuesday, January 7, anti-narcotics officers from Border Patrol Police Company 237 received a tip-off from a local informant about a large quantity of…
-
Panic at Pattaya pet hospital: Firefighters launch balcony rescue
A fire broke out early this morning at Doctor Ja Animal Hospital in Pattaya, triggering a frantic rescue effort to save trapped residents and animals. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received reports of a fire at the three-storey building in Soi Phonpraphanimit at 7.30am today, January 9. Smoke billowed from the structure, and six terrified residents, including children, were stranded…
-
Khon Kaen delivery rider fined 2,000 baht for littering
A 40 year old female delivery rider in Khon Kaen, known for discarding waste throughout the city, has been detained by police and fined. Her partner claims she suffers from mental health issues. Yesterday, January 8, footage from a local restaurant’s security camera showed the woman, wearing a distinctive cat-ear helmet, dumping rubbish and liquid substances in front of an…
-
Bangkok PM2.5 lands Democrat leader’s father in hospital
Suchatvee Suwansawat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, shared a personal account of the impact of PM2.5 air pollution on his family, highlighting the severity of the issue. Suchatvee revealed that his father had to be rushed to the emergency room due to severe coughing and chest pain. Medical professionals diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to the polluted air,…
-
Dream homes for less: Thai govt rolls out affordable housing project
Thais earning under 50,000 baht per month are being offered a golden opportunity to own a home in the city through the government’s “Baan Pheu Khon Thai” (Homes for Thais) initiative, with registration set to open on January 20. The project, announced by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, aims to provide affordable, fully furnished housing near urban centres, leveraging land owned…
-
Parents mourn sudden loss of daughter to viral heart infection
The parents of a three year old girl have shared their heartache following her sudden death due to a viral infection that caused acute myocarditis. Doctor Anu Thongdaeng from Chumphon’s public health office explained that the virus is commonly found in the environment. The young girl, Diana, who showed no prior warning signs, experienced mild fever and then severe convulsions.…
-
Phuket’s healthcare crisis: PM pushes for cancer centre
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spotlighted healthcare as a critical issue for Phuket, amid public outcry and fundraising efforts to improve cancer treatment facilities on the island. At a high-level meeting held at Phuket International Airport this morning, the 38 year old Thai PM addressed the urgent need to upgrade state hospitals like Vachira Phuket Hospital to better handle diseases such…
-
Isaan hero steps in to rescue abused 7 year old boy living alone
A benevolent Thai man in the Isaan province of Kalasin came to the aid of a seven year old Thai boy who was living alone and suffered physical abuse by an unidentified drug addict in the area. The man, Thanachat Chaiyasart, shared heartbreaking pictures of the boy named Ice yesterday, January 8, on Facebook. The images showed wounds and bruises…
-
Miracle healer in Mueang Phayao offers relief for ailments
Excitement is spreading throughout Mueang Phayao as news emerges of a healer, known locally as the miracle doctor, providing relief for various ailments. Yesterday, January 8, numerous patients reported recovery from conditions such as partial paralysis after receiving treatment from Ton Khampa, also referred to as Ajarn Ton, at Ban San Pu Ya in Phan district, Chiang Rai province. Employing…
-
Thai woman chants to ward off evil spirits in front of man’s house (video)
A man recounted his unexpected nighttime encounter with a woman chanting in front of his house. The incident occurred at 2am on Monday, January 6, when the man received a call from his family asking him to return home as a mysterious woman had been reciting prayers outside their home for about 30 minutes, causing alarm among the household members.…
-
Thai man assaulted in gang attack orchestrated by friend
An 18 year old Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after three attackers, including his friend, attacked him and stole his shoes without a prior conflict. The teenage victim, Thanaphon, shared details of the attack with a leading Thai lawyer, Paisarn Ruengrit, hoping his case would be processed quickly. He told the lawyer that the…
-
Police thwart Thai woman’s suicide attempt in Pattaya
Tense drama unfolded in Pattaya on Tuesday as police were alerted to a young woman’s suicide attempt after she tried to leap from a five-storey building near the bustling Walking Street. Responding with urgency, the Pattaya police, along with the Sawang Boriboon Foundation’s rescue teams and emergency services, raced to the scene on Tuesday, January 7, swiftly inflating an air…
-
Drunk driver crashes at Chachoengsao intersection, injures 2
A crash involving three vehicles at a red light intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two injuries, with emergency services swiftly transporting the injured to Bang Pakong Hospital. The incident occurred early this morning, January 9, at the Tha Sa-an intersection, Mueang Bang Pakong district. Upon arriving at the scene, Police Lieutenant Narongsak Linthong from Bang Pakong Police Station found…
-
Gay Thai man steals valuables after being ignored by sleeping date
Police arrested a gay Thai man for stealing valuables worth more than 100,000 baht from a dating application match allegedly due to anger after the victim fell into a deep sleep and failed to answer the door. Police apprehended the 38 year old Thai man, Jiradate, yesterday, January 8, at his home in the Taling Chan district of Bangkok. His arrest…
-
Attorney general drops charges against actors in iCon Group case
The Office of the Attorney General has decided not to prosecute actors Pechaya “Min” Wattanamontri and Yuranunt “Sam” Pamornmontri in connection with allegations related to The iCon Group. The case involves 17 others who have been charged, with clear evidence against Kan Kanthathavorn, known as Boss Kan, indicating his involvement from the company’s inception. The Office of Special Litigation has charged…
-
Thailand’s wild elephant population surges: Human conflict concern
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) released a report estimating Thailand’s wild elephant population to be between 4,013 and 4,422. These elephants are dispersed across 91 forests. The report highlights increasing conflicts between wild elephants and communities, particularly severe in the eastern forests, with an annual population growth rate of 8.2%, affecting 257 villages across six…
-
Police officer shoots himself in Ang Thong, dies in hospital
A police officer died after using a firearm to harm himself near his residence in Ang Thong province. Police Colonel Kantapon Thanathippinsakul stated that personal issues and depression were likely factors while emphasising consistent support for his team. The incident occurred at noon yesterday, January 8, when Police Colonel Kantapon from Samko Police Station received a report about the officer,…
-
British drug dealer arrested after his suspicious behaviour in Phuket
Police arrested a British drug dealer in Phuket after observing him behaving suspiciously while meeting traffic officers on a road. Traffic officers from Kamala Police Station stopped the British man, whose identity remains undisclosed, in the Kamala area of Phuket yesterday, January 8. The officers reported that they were conducting routine patrols when they noticed the man, who appeared nervous…
-
Doc sniffs out men with big noses have large penises (video)
A doctor claims that she can tell the size of a man’s penis by looking at his nose, dismissing age-old myths surrounding hand and foot dimensions. Dr Rena Malik, a urologist from California, made waves during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast. She discussed compelling evidence that, contrary to popular belief, men’s noses might hold the secret…
-
Thailand’s household debt reaches 104% of GDP, raising economic concerns
Thailand’s household debt, encompassing informal loans, has risen to 104% of GDP, potentially impacting future economic growth, as revealed by a private sector panel report. Research conducted by Chulalongkorn University for the Joint Standing Committee for Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) shows the country’s household debt-to-GDP ratio reached 104% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with informal loans included in…
-
Chinese parents searchs for missing daughter amid call centre scam fear
Chinese parents are searching for their missing daughter, with whom they lost contact after she arrived in Thailand on January 6. The family was concerned that their daughter might have fallen victim to a call centre scam. The Chinese father, Wu Wei Tong, filed a complaint at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station and later submitted further complaints at the Royal Thai…
-
Thai tourism faces 20% drop in Chinese visitors amid safety fears
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) anticipates a potential 10 to 20% decline in Chinese tourists during the upcoming Lunar New Year, attributed to reduced safety confidence. This follows an incident involving a Chinese actor who fell victim to a human trafficking gang using Thailand as a gateway. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn indicated that the impact could be minimal…
-
Bolt drives change: Thai ride-hailing gets major boost with initiative
Ride-hailing giant Bolt is shaking up Thailand’s mobility industry with bold initiatives aimed at empowering drivers and modernising the regulatory landscape. Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, is doubling down on its commitment to raising industry standards in Thailand. In line with the nation’s e-hailing laws and guidelines set by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Bolt is providing hands-on…
-
Tragic collision kills Myanmar migrant in Thai smuggling attempt
Thai police on Tuesday responded to a tragic accident involving two pickup trucks on the Sangkhla Buri-Three Pagodas Pass road in Kanchanaburi. At the scene, a silver pickup truck with side railings was discovered with damage along its right side, while the driver had reportedly escaped under the cover of night. Approximately 10 metres away, a black pickup truck had…
-
Foul play: Krabi cops rescue footballers from scam agent’s offside trap
Krabi Provincial Tourist Police officers swooped to help an Egyptian and a Yemeni football player after they were deceived by a scam agent who lured them to Thailand and defrauded them of 45,000 baht. The victims, 26 year old Yemeni Majid and 25 year old Egyptian Ali, sought help from the Tourist Police after their mobile phone was stolen while…
-
Thailand video news | Thai hostages held by Hamas remain unaccounted, Rescuers race against time after Tibet earthquake
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring updates on six Thai hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza and Yingluck Shinawatra’s legal challenges if she returns to Thailand. Other stories include a speedboat crash involving British tourists, a Krabi snake catcher’s survival after a cobra bite, and Thailand’s new hippo mascot promoting elections. They also cover Lisa of Blackpink’s…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.