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Thailand hot news, breaking stories, crime, politics, tourism, and business—stay updated with in-depth reports and exclusive interviews on the latest events across the country. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Thailand news source.

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    Where to travel in Thailand in August [2025]

    There’s no better way to experience Thailand than through its cuisine. In the rainy season, flavours bloom alongside the landscape, steam rises from market pots, the snap of chilli echoes through alleyways, and rain makes every bite more vivid. “I...

  • Thailand’s democracy index ranking drops due to unelected govt | Thaiger

    Thailand’s democracy index ranking drops due to unelected govt

    The yearly Democracy Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has seen Thailand’s ranking fall by eight places, a change largely ascribed to the latest government formation by unelected senators rather than voters. The EIU placed Thailand in the 63rd position among 167 countries and territories in 2023, a drop from its 55th position in 2022. The country’s score…

  • Kanchanaburi to benefit from 12 billion baht water diversion project | Thaiger

    Kanchanaburi to benefit from 12 billion baht water diversion project

    Kanchanaburi’s five districts are set to benefit from a water diversion tunnel project that aims to alleviate drought problems. The project, which is valued at 12 billion baht (US$335,746,080), seeks to transfer 378 million cubic metres of water from the Srinagarind Dam, the largest dam in the western region, to an area of 200,000 rai in the Huay Krachao, Lao…

  • Thai security academic calls for transparency in government assets | Thaiger

    Thai security academic calls for transparency in government assets

    An independent security academic, Panitan Wattanayagorn, recently suggested a closer examination of the assets of military and government agencies in Thailand. His proposal aims to enhance transparency through regulated financial accounts and the disclosure of expenditures. Panitan, who specialises in security and foreign affairs, expressed his concerns, highlighting the ministries of Education, Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, and Finance…

  • Joint Thai-US operation to salvage sunken HTMS Sukhothai begins | Thaiger

    Joint Thai-US operation to salvage sunken HTMS Sukhothai begins

    A joint operation to salvage HTMS Sukhothai, which tragically sank approximately 35 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on December 18, 2022, will kick off this Thursday, as announced by the Thai and US navies. The vessel was victim to a fierce storm that led to its sinking. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) spokesperson, Rear Admiral Veerudom Muangjin,…

  • OpenAI breaks barriers with ‘Sora’ project | Thaiger

    OpenAI breaks barriers with ‘Sora’ project

    Artificial intelligence (AI) juggernaut OpenAI unveiled its groundbreaking project dubbed Sora, a text-to-video model set to democratise video creation as we know it. Gone are the days of pricey equipment and inaccessible know-how. With Sora, all you need is a prompt and a dream. Sora operates much like its predecessors, ChatGPT and DALL·E, responding to written cues by conjuring up 60…

  • Surrogacy to be covered by health insurance in Thailand | Thaiger

    Surrogacy to be covered by health insurance in Thailand

    The Health Service Support Department is joining forces with the Office of Insurance Commission and insurance providers to integrate surrogacy into the health insurance scheme. This move comes in response to Thailand’s plummeting birth rates and the looming spectre of an ageing population. According to Dr Sura Wisedsak, the department’s director-general, a whopping 114 hospitals and clinics across Thailand are…

  • Thailand tourism council study reveals surprising spending trends | Thaiger

    Thailand tourism council study reveals surprising spending trends

    In an investigation undertaken by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), it has emerged that a significant portion of the Thai populace has adopted a more frugal approach to their expenditure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The TCT’s exhaustive survey, spanning from last year up to now, canvassed the travel inclinations of 418 Thai individuals earning over 10,000…

  • Update: Srettha confirms Thaksin’s release tomorrow | Thaiger

    Update: Srettha confirms Thaksin’s release tomorrow

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s release from hospital detention, confirmed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, marks the end of a dramatic chapter in Thai politics. Thaksin, who returned to Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile, will step out of confinement on Sunday, according to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. The 74 year old ex-PM, serving a commuted one-year sentence for…

  • Thailand considers lowering age for criminal responsibility to 14 | Thaiger

    Thailand considers lowering age for criminal responsibility to 14

    In response to a disturbing surge in juvenile offences, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is considering a radical proposal to lower the age threshold for criminal punishment exemption from 15 to 14 years old. This unprecedented move follows a string of harrowing incidents that have rocked the nation and left authorities grappling for solutions. RTP spokesman, Police Lieutenant General Achayon…

  • Chon Buri: Teenage girl sexually assaulted by motorcycle taxi driver | Thaiger

    Chon Buri: Teenage girl sexually assaulted by motorcycle taxi driver

    A teenage girl became the victim of a sexual assault after being abducted by a motorcycle taxi driver she had hailed through a popular ride app. The perpetrator, 39 year old Pramual was arrested at a lodging house in Na Jomtien Soi 2, Chon Buri province, following the victim’s report of the assault at his residence. The 16 year old…

  • Central Thailand: Stepfather fatally shoots stepson then kills himself | Thaiger

    Central Thailand: Stepfather fatally shoots stepson then kills himself

    A family dispute culminated in a fatal shooting last night at around 9.30pm in the community of Ban Saeng, Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya province, when a stepfather shot his stepson before turning the gun on himself. Bang Pa-in Police Station received an emergency call reporting a serious gun-related injury within the Eua Arthorn housing village. Led by Police Lieutenant Colonel…

  • Taxpayers perplexed by mysterious income entries | Thaiger

    Taxpayers perplexed by mysterious income entries

    A prominent company named Infofed clarified unusual income sources that surfaced when taxpayers submitted their tax forms online, urging explanations from the Revenue Department. The ease of digital tax filing has been marred by these mysterious entries, sparking widespread concern. The Facebook page Drama-addict raised the alarm yesterday, February 16, about a peculiar issue encountered by taxpayers who ventured online…

  • DSI seizes 10 million baht in uncertified goods in southern Thailand | Thaiger

    DSI seizes 10 million baht in uncertified goods in southern Thailand

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid today in the warehouse of a renowned online merchant in Yala province, seizing over 10 million baht worth of uncertified goods. The operation was led by Chayaphon Saitawee, the director of the Special Case Operations Center in the Southern Border Provinces. The DSI, alongside the administrative officials of Mueang Yala District…

  • Phuket tour boat operators arrested for safety breaches | Thaiger

    Phuket tour boat operators arrested for safety breaches

    Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Marine Police Region 8 yesterday arrested two tour boat operators in Phuket for a series of breaches. The authorities detailed their infractions in an online post, including operating boats with expired registrations, failing to provide adequate life rafts and overloading their vessels with passengers. The routine check-up led to the arrests on Klong Tha Jeen,…

  • Udon Thani youth wreak havoc in neighbouring village | Thaiger

    Udon Thani youth wreak havoc in neighbouring village

    A violent clash between youth groups from neighbouring villages in Udon Thani province escalated into a full-blown conflict, leading to a series of disturbing incidents that have left residents living in fear. The feud, which has intensified over the past month, has seen teenagers armed with guns, explosives, and knives from the village of Ban Muang in Sakon Nakhon province,…

  • Japanese pet shop owner arrested for smuggling fowl and fruit from Thailand | Thaiger

    Japanese pet shop owner arrested for smuggling fowl and fruit from Thailand

    A Japanese pet shop owner has been apprehended by local authorities in Tokyo for his alleged involvement in smuggling birds and mangosteen fruits into Japan from Thailand. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) disclosed that the shop owner, Masayuki Sekiguchi, stands accused of violating both the infectious diseases control law and the plant quarantine law. His arrest on Wednesday left many…

  • High stakes: Phuket police weed out illegal marijuana trade | Thaiger

    High stakes: Phuket police weed out illegal marijuana trade

    Phuket Provincial Police is intensifying its efforts to halt the illegal marijuana trade on the tropical paradise island. The move arrives in response to public grievances about foreigners unlawfully importing cannabis flowers and hosting impromptu gatherings. Heading the charge is Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, who recently convened with the Phuket Cannabis Association to strategise methods…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (February 16 – 18) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (February 16 – 18)

    Planning for a fun-filled weekend in Bangkok can be quite overwhelming, as the city is constantly buzzing with thrilling activities and events. This weekend is no different, offering a plethora of options to choose from. You can still find Valentine’s Day events if you missed it on D-Day, but there are also a range of dance parties, delectable food, and…

  • Thai military chief disclaims use of Thailand arsenals in Myanmar | Thaiger

    Thai military chief disclaims use of Thailand arsenals in Myanmar

    Thailand’s military chief denied that the Thai military arsenal was supplied to Myanmar rebel forces. In a bid to clarify the situation, General Jaroenchai Hintao firmly refutes allegations tying Thailand’s military to the arsenal fuelling rebel fighters across the Myanmar border. Insisting on the integrity of Thailand’s defence, General Jaroenchai outlines rigorous measures in place to safeguard against illicit weapon…

  • Thai police target major film piracy site causing 1 billion baht loss | Thaiger

    Thai police target major film piracy site causing 1 billion baht loss

    A major pirated film broadcasting website, causing an estimated loss of 1 billion baht to movie agents, has been targeted by police in a series of raids across Bangkok and two other provinces. The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) spearheaded the operation, conducting raids on four locations linked to siambit.com, a website notorious for streaming pirated films. The raids were…

  • Thailand plans visa-free travel expansion to stimulate tourism | Thaiger

    Thailand plans visa-free travel expansion to stimulate tourism

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed the government’s intent to extend visa-free travel to citizens of several additional countries. This development follows Thailand’s recent decision to waive visas for Chinese and Indian citizens, an attempt to stimulate the tourism sector, a vital component of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. During Wednesday’s meeting at Government House, PM Srettha and Australia’s Governor-General, David…

  • Jon ‘Bones’ Jones the GOAT of MMA is coming to Bangkok | Thaiger

    Jon ‘Bones’ Jones the GOAT of MMA is coming to Bangkok

    High Life Management, established only a few years ago has been delivering some of the world’s biggest stars to Thailand, including Tyson Fury, Ricky Hatton, Paul Gascoigne, and now the baddest man on the planet, Jon Jones. Jon Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever. He is not only the current UFC Heavyweight Champion…

  • British man killed in triple vehicle collision in Rawai, Phuket | Thaiger

    British man killed in triple vehicle collision in Rawai, Phuket

    Tragedy struck in Rawai, Phuket, when a fatal collision involving three vehicles claimed the life of a British man in the early morning hours yesterday, February 15. The incident occurred outside the Patak Road branch of a local 7-Eleven store, according to local police sources. The scene was first attended by Police Lieutenant Colonel Retired Somrak from Chalong Police Station…

  • Thailand’s newest UNESCO learning cities revealed, Bangkok on the list | Thaiger

    Thailand’s newest UNESCO learning cities revealed, Bangkok on the list

    Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Yala have clinched spots in UNESCO’s 2024 Global Network for Learning Cities (GNLC), heralding a new era of lifelong learning across Thailand. Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob unveiled the exciting news, showcasing Thailand’s commitment to fostering continuous education and development. Joining the ranks of previously listed cities such as Chiang Rai (2019), Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chachoengsao…

  • Royal purple wave: Officials rally behind Princess Sirindhorn after motorcade incident | Thaiger

    Royal purple wave: Officials rally behind Princess Sirindhorn after motorcade incident

    In a display of solidarity, officials from various ministries donned vibrant purple T-shirts yesterday, standing united in support of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The gesture came in response to a recent alarming incident on a bustling Bangkok expressway, where two individuals from the Taluwang group recklessly honked and attempted to chase the princess’s motorcade. Leading the charge at the…

  • Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand | Thaiger

    Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand

    Prepare to witness the power and prowess of Thailand’s strongest individuals. An exciting strongman competition, hosted by Bench Fitness Equipment and Thai Strength Club, is set to take place tomorrow, February 17, by the picturesque Mapprachan Lake in Pattaya. This thrilling event will showcase the strength and endurance of 55 robust competitors hailing from 14 different countries, all vying for…

  • Hua Hin Hospital issues urgent warning as air quality worsens | Thaiger

    Hua Hin Hospital issues urgent warning as air quality worsens

    Hua Hin Hospital issued a warning over the deteriorating air quality gripping the district. Hua Hin Hospital’s Facebook announcement revealed alarming statistics regarding the current air pollution levels plaguing the area. The Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to a staggering 196 by 8am, nearly doubling the safety threshold. Health experts stress that AQI values above 100 pose severe health risks.…

  • Thai processed sugar exports to China surge due to ACFTA | Thaiger

    Thai processed sugar exports to China surge due to ACFTA

    Thai exports to China, particularly those of processed sugar items including syrup, artificial honey, and various sweeteners, have seen a significant surge, courtesy of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Over the past decade, Thailand has witnessed a yearly growth of 145% in processed sugar exports to China, as reported by the Foreign Trade Department. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, the director-general of…

  • NBTC crackdowns on unregistered SIM cards in Thailand | Thaiger

    NBTC crackdowns on unregistered SIM cards in Thailand

    Statistics disclosed to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) revealed that over half of those owning over 100 SIM cards in Thailand have reportedly registered themselves with operator AIS. Amid a crackdown initiated by the NBTC in December to curb potential misuse, February 14 marked the deadline for individuals holding more than six SIM cards to authenticate their identities…

  • Bangkok on alert for thunderstorms, hot days ahead in Thailand | Thaiger

    Bangkok on alert for thunderstorms, hot days ahead in Thailand

    Thirteen provinces across Thailand, including the capital city of Bangkok, are on high alert for thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall predicted to affect 10% of the area. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today, signalling that a weakening high-pressure system over the upper part of the country is causing a slight temperature rise, with foggy mornings and hot daytime…