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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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Solar flare-up! US tariffs scorch Thai imports in fiery trade row

    Solar flare-up! US tariffs scorch Thai imports in fiery trade row

    A blistering tariff bombshell from Washington has lit a fire under Southeast Asia’s solar imports, with Thailand among the hardest hit, as the United States slaps sky-high duties of up to 3,521% on imports, claiming unfair competition from Asian suppliers. The US has launched a full-scale trade crackdown on solar imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, slapping colossal new…

  • Making waves: Illegal jet ski operators sunk in Phuket crackdown

    Making waves: Illegal jet ski operators sunk in Phuket crackdown

    Five jet ski operators have been arrested in a significant operation to clamp down on illegal rentals in Phuket. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Marine Police Division arrested the suspects, who were caught operating unregistered jet skis at Kamala Beach and a pier in Koh Kaew. The arrests highlighted ongoing concerns over unregulated tourist services in…

  • Australian caught with loaded gun on Patong’s Bangla Road

    Australian caught with loaded gun on Patong’s Bangla Road

    An Australian man has been arrested in Patong after being caught with an illegal, loaded firearm in the early hours of yesterday morning. Lachlan James McGahey, 31, was detained by police during a routine patrol on Bangla Road at around 3.40am, yesterday, April 21. Officers discovered that McGahey was carrying a Thai-made .38-calibre handgun, which was loaded with eight rounds…

  • Robbery attempt at Yasothon gold shop thwarted by brave owner

    Robbery attempt at Yasothon gold shop thwarted by brave owner

    A gold shop in Yasothon province was the target of a robbery attempt yesterday, April 21. The suspect, armed with an unloaded gun, demanded gold but was thwarted by the alert shop owner and her nephew. The suspect fled the scene, and police are currently pursuing him. Police Lieutenant Colonel Worawut Thanmook, Deputy Superintendent of Mueang Yasothon Police Station, received…

  • Rolling the dice: Pheu Thai MPs bet on casino and amnesty bills

    Rolling the dice: Pheu Thai MPs bet on casino and amnesty bills

    Pheu Thai lawmakers have been directed to advocate for the casino-entertainment complex and political amnesty bills within their constituencies during the Parliamentary recess. This effort aims to facilitate the smooth passage of these bills. Pheu Thai spokesperson and Member of Parliament Danuporn Punnakanta stated that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra advised party MPs to assess public opinion on several issues, including…

  • Monk-y business! Thugs bash holy man over debt in Nonthaburi

    Monk-y business! Thugs bash holy man over debt in Nonthaburi

    A violent debt collection incident occurred involving a monk residing at a temple in Mueang district, Nonthaburi. Two men attacked the monk, Phra Phromphong, in his living quarters yesterday, April 21, causing severe injuries, before leaving him by the roadside in the Pak Kret area. A 26 year old woman, Jutatip, and Boontipat Charoenliha, a 48 year old representative of…

  • Thai royals to enhance ties with Bhutan in April state visit

    Thai royals to enhance ties with Bhutan in April state visit

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will embark on a state visit to Bhutan from April 25 to 28, as announced by the Royal Household Bureau. The journey follows an invitation from King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and aims to enhance the friendship and cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan, which are rooted in shared cultural…

  • Taiwanese man attacked by Pattaya homeless with no prior conflict

    Taiwanese man attacked by Pattaya homeless with no prior conflict

    A Taiwanese man issued a warning to others after he was attacked with a wooden stick by a homeless man outside a restaurant in southern Pattaya last weekend. A reward is being offered for anyone with useful information leading to the arrest of the attacker. The Taiwanese victim and his Thai girlfriend reported the incident to the public yesterday, April 21.…

  • Bang Khen police arrest brothers for motorcycle theft

    Bang Khen police arrest brothers for motorcycle theft

    Bang Khen police successfully apprehended two brothers who had been involved in motorcycle theft and dismantling parts for sale. The operation yesterday, April 21, was led by Police Colonel Anan Warasart, with assistance from Deputy Investigation Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Kosolpiya Sima, Investigation Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Pornchai Wongprasertkan, and Investigation Inspector Police Captain Yuranan Phetmanee. The suspects, 37 year…

  • Thailand video news | Thailand faces hot weather and storms as 28 provinces warned, South Korea finds companies labelled products ‘Made in Korea’ to dodge Trump-Era US tariffs

    Thailand video news | Thailand faces hot weather and storms as 28 provinces warned, South Korea finds companies labelled products ‘Made in Korea’ to dodge Trump-Era US tariffs

    In today’s Thailand video news, Jay brings viewers the latest headlines from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. From scorching temperatures and summer storms affecting 28 provinces, to a growing online debate over the use of the word “farang,” the region is facing intense social and environmental shifts. Meanwhile, controversy surrounds Thai police after a fatal shooting at a checkpoint, an…

  • Thailand’s sarus cranes arrive in Vietnam for conservation

    Thailand’s sarus cranes arrive in Vietnam for conservation

    In a monumental step for wildlife conservation, six sarus cranes have arrived in Vietnam as part of an ambitious project to save the endangered species. The cranes, flown in from Thailand, were welcomed at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, on Sunday, April 20, marking the beginning of a significant reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the species…

  • 9 month old baby boy survives accident that kills family in Thailand

    9 month old baby boy survives accident that kills family in Thailand

    A nine month old baby boy was the sole survivor of a deadly car accident on Phetchakasem Road in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, which claimed the lives of his parents and grandmother. A Thai doctor shared the tragic story of the infant on his clinic’s Facebook page, Yingyos Orthopaedic Clinic, yesterday, April 21. He explained that he…

  • Pregnant woman fatally attacks mistress at Bangkok love hotel

    Pregnant woman fatally attacks mistress at Bangkok love hotel

    An eight-month pregnant woman yesterday fatally attacked her husband’s mistress at a love hotel in the Min Buri district of Bangkok. The man later confessed that he was scared of his wife and did not dare to intervene during the assault. Officers from Min Buri Police Station launched an investigation at the resort and interviewed staff who witnessed the incident. The…

  • Single mother and children flee harassment by tenant in Nonthaburi

    Single mother and children flee harassment by tenant in Nonthaburi

    A single mother and her three children faced threats, harassment, and assault from a tenant in their Nonthaburi home, prompting them to flee and relocate for their safety. The incident, shared on social media, occurred on April 18 at 10.24pm near the dormitory in Soi Liang Mueang Nonthaburi 10, Bang Kraso, Mueang Nonthaburi district. The victim, 34 year old Khwanchanok,…

  • Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears

    Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears

    A major corruption case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya reaches its climax today, April 22. The court will deliver a verdict on allegations of evidence tampering in the 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer. The case, number 131/2024, sees former Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, and Net Naksuk, the former Deputy Public…

  • Pattaya cop scales new heights to daring rescue helpless child

    Pattaya cop scales new heights to daring rescue helpless child

    A courageous Pattaya cop yesterday pulled off a daring rescue mission straight out of an action film, scaling a fourth-floor balcony to save a terrified seven year old girl trapped alone in a locked flat. The brave police officer has been showered with praise after risking life and limb to rescue the young girl stranded in a condo unit in…

  • Nude photos at Hat Yai Buddha statue spark outrage

    Nude photos at Hat Yai Buddha statue spark outrage

    A shocking nude photo scandal has emerged in Hat Yai, with a group of men posting explicit outdoor shots at sacred sites. The photos, which were shared on the popular social media platform X, have caused outrage among locals. The group, known as OutdoorHDY, staged their daring photoshoots in public spaces across Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla province. One of the…

  • Thailand braces for extreme heat and thunderstorms

    Thailand braces for extreme heat and thunderstorms

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) predicts exceptionally hot weather throughout Thailand, with thunderstorms anticipated in 34 provinces today, April 22. Northern regions may see temperatures reaching up to 40°C. Residents across the country are advised to take precautions against the intense heat and potential storms. The TMD highlights that low pressure due to heat is affecting the upper part of…

  • Russian teacher urges Thais to drop ‘Farang’ if ‘Ni Hao’ is deemed racist

    Russian teacher urges Thais to drop ‘Farang’ if ‘Ni Hao’ is deemed racist

    A Russian language teacher urged Thai people to stop using the word “farang” to refer to foreigners if they view the term “Ni Hao” as racist. The controversy surrounding the phrase “Ni Hao” erupted on Thai social media after a former Thai-Scottish park ranger, Siranudh “Sai” Scott, shared a video about the issue last week. In the video, Sai explained that…

  • Thailand rejects US loan terms for F-16 jets

    Thailand rejects US loan terms for F-16 jets

    Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed today that Thailand will not move forward with the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States, citing the unfeasibility of meeting the stringent loan conditions attached to the deal. Phumtham explained that the US required Thailand to take out a loan from a US-based bank to cover the entire cost of the fleet…

  • Executives sought in Thailand building collapse probe

    Executives sought in Thailand building collapse probe

    Three executives from China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co. are being sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok during an earthquake on Friday, March 28, which resulted in the deaths of numerous workers. The DSI revealed the search following the arrest of Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese executive…

  • Police hunt suspect in fatal Phuket stabbing

    Police hunt suspect in fatal Phuket stabbing

    Police are in pursuit of a suspect involved in a stabbing in Phuket, where a 59 year old man was fatally wounded. The incident occurred yesterday, April 20 at 1.30pm in Soi Hon Sai Thong, Mueang Phuket district, Phuket province. The victim had been stabbed under the right rib cage and was discovered seriously injured in the middle of a…

  • Thai military intercepts drug traffickers on Thai-Myanmar border

    Thai military intercepts drug traffickers on Thai-Myanmar border

    In Chiang Mai, Thai military forces engaged in two operations against drug traffickers along the Thai-Myanmar border, resulting in the deaths of two suspects and the seizure of narcotics. The operations took place yesterday, April 20, as part of a government and army directive aimed at intensifying anti-drug efforts in the region. The military received intelligence about an international drug…

  • Thai PM’s visit to Cambodia sparks criticism

    Thai PM’s visit to Cambodia sparks criticism

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled for an official visit to Cambodia on April 23 and 24. The visit will include bilateral discussions and a ceremony to unveil the logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia, as announced by government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. During the visit, significant agreements will be signed and courtesy visits will…

  • NARIT invites public to witness Venus at its brightest

    NARIT invites public to witness Venus at its brightest

    NARIT is inviting the public to observe Venus, the brightest celestial body visible to the naked eye in the morning sky in the east. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, encourages stargazing enthusiasts to witness the phenomenon from early morning until sunrise on Thursday, April 24. Supharerk Krihanon,…

  • Paetongtarn urges stronger regional ties to tackle shared troubles

    Paetongtarn urges stronger regional ties to tackle shared troubles

    Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for urgent cross-border cooperation to tackle the world’s shared challenges, from climate change to geopolitical tensions, during the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Speaking in the capital today, April 21, the Bangkok-born PM addressed ministers from across Asia and the Pacific, stressing that regional unity…

  • Phuket sting operation: man arrested with meth in rubber plantation

    Phuket sting operation: man arrested with meth in rubber plantation

    A coordinated sting operation led by the Thalang District Administrative Special Operations Unit resulted in the arrest of a man in Thalang, Phuket. Thousands of methamphetamine pills and a significant amount of crystal meth were discovered hidden in a rubber plantation. The arrest was announced during a press conference on April 18. Among those present were Phuket Vice Governor Adul…

  • Excessive force: Thai man shot dead after running police checkpoint

    Excessive force: Thai man shot dead after running police checkpoint

    A family accused Thai police officers of misusing their power after they shot and killed a Thai man who allegedly ran a checkpoint in the central province of Nakhon Nayok. The 29 year old Thai man, Arnon “Beer” Ngamroop, was shot and transported to a hospital by officers from Pak Pli Police Station. When Beer’s family arrived at the hospital, they…

  • Pope Francis dies at 88 after divine decade at the top

    Pope Francis dies at 88 after divine decade at the top

    Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff in history, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. The beloved leader died at 7.35am, today, April 21, sending shockwaves through the Catholic world and triggering the official process to choose his successor. “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of…

  • Two nighttime attacks in Narathiwat injures 17

    Two nighttime attacks in Narathiwat injures 17

    Seventeen people were injured in two separate attacks in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat last night, April 20. One involved a motorcycle bomb, the other a gun and grenade assault on a dinner gathering. The first attack took place as Police Colonel Weerayut Taseepan, from the Koke Kian Police Station, reported a loud explosion beside the wall of the police…