Hot News

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.

  • Sponsored

    What do you need before moving from Australia to Thailand?

    Moving from Australia to Thailand is a big step that brings exciting new experiences, a rich culture, and often a more affordable way of living. To settle in with less stress, you need to plan ahead. This means sorting out...

  • Boozy brawl: Drunk lovers trash Pattaya flat and attack cops

    Boozy brawl: Drunk lovers trash Pattaya flat and attack cops

    A wild late-night brawl between a pair of drunken lovers erupted into chaos in Pattaya, leaving shattered glass, bloody floors and even bruised police in its wake. At 1.39am yesterday, July 8, Pattaya City Police Radio Centre received a frantic call about a violent altercation inside an apartment building on Soi Kopai 4 in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Patrol…

  • Khon Kaen council member accused of assaulting two young girls

    Khon Kaen council member accused of assaulting two young girls

    A recently elected municipal council member in Khon Kaen has been accused of sexually assaulting two eight year old girls in a local village. The incident, which occurred on July 6, has caused significant concern in the community. According to reports, the two victims, referred to as Girl A and Girl B, went to play at a friend’s house in…

  • Tangmo’s mother greenlights Netflix documentary on mysterious death

    Tangmo’s mother greenlights Netflix documentary on mysterious death

    The mother of the late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong expressed her approval for Netflix to produce a documentary about her daughter’s case. The cause of Tangmo’s death remains a subject of controversy, and her mother, Panida Siriyudthayothin, continues to pursue justice. The legal action was brought against the friends who were present during the fatal boat trip, including: Idsarin “Gatick”…

  • Upcoming music festivals in Thailand you won’t want to miss (July to December 2025)

    Upcoming music festivals in Thailand you won’t want to miss (July to December 2025)

    The best festivals in Thailand have a bit of everything, from big-name bands and DJs to full-on weekends with art, wellness, and even barefoot island raves. And this year, the lineup looks better than ever, with old favourites returning and new names to get excited about. Sure, we love catching dedicated artist performances (and there are so many great concerts…

  • Thai forces disrupt cross-border motorcycle smuggling operation

    Thai forces disrupt cross-border motorcycle smuggling operation

    Military personnel, alongside paramilitary forces, disrupted a motorcycle smuggling operation along the Thai-Cambodia border, arresting one person while seven others evaded capture. Eight motorcycles, popular in Cambodia, were seized yesterday, July 8. Police had received intelligence regarding the smuggling of stolen and untaxed motorcycles destined for Cambodia. Security forces lie in wait along agricultural routes in the risky border area…

  • Thailand’s short-haul bookings dip, long-haul travel remains strong

    Thailand’s short-haul bookings dip, long-haul travel remains strong

    Airlines reported that forward bookings for short-haul markets for the remainder of the year are weak, contrasting with the long-haul segment, while some carriers have shown interest in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) stimulus campaign. Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, said that tourism in the second half of the…

  • 3 thieves arrested for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht

    3 thieves arrested for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht

    Police arrested three suspects for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht from a house in Bangkok and attempting to sell them. The victim filed a complaint at Phetchakasem Police Station after the theft occurred at a residence in Soi Phetchakasem 67, Bang Kae district, between 4.30am and 5am on July 4. Eleven luxury brand handbags were stolen from…

  • Thailand flexes soft power with food and film frenzy

    Thailand flexes soft power with food and film frenzy

    Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Thailand’s creative soft power the key to global influence at a major Bangkok forum. Speaking yesterday, July 8, at the second annual SPLASH – Soft Power Forum 2025, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Paetongtarn pulled no punches about the government’s ambitions to elevate Thailand’s soft power to dazzling new heights. “Creative culture…

  • Teen stabs 12 year old in Pattaya over social media feud

    Teen stabs 12 year old in Pattaya over social media feud

    A 16 year old boy engaged in a physical altercation with a 12 year old student in Pattaya, Chon Buri, resulting in the younger boy being stabbed. The incident, which took place at 5pm on July 5 at an old market parking lot, was reportedly triggered by a social media post about a girl. The victim, 12 year old Chef,…

  • Cambodian monk arrested for illegal stay in Thailand

    Cambodian monk arrested for illegal stay in Thailand

    Immigration police in Sisaket province apprehended a Cambodian monk residing illegally in Thailand after locals became suspicious of his unusually fluent Thai but a lack of a passport. The arrest, which took place yesterday, July 8, was directed by Police Major General Waritsiri Leelasiri, commander of Immigration Division 4, and Police Colonel Manuwat Kosanan, deputy commander of the same division.…

  • Disaster at sea: RTN drills for shipwreck chaos off Phuket

    Disaster at sea: RTN drills for shipwreck chaos off Phuket

    Phuket is gearing up to tackle maritime catastrophes head-on, staging an elaborate simulation of a passenger ship disaster that could save lives when real tragedy strikes. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3), based at the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa, spearheaded the operation yesterday, July 8, in Phuket Town as…

  • Man caught with 2.75 million meth pills in Bangkok

    Man caught with 2.75 million meth pills in Bangkok

    A man was apprehended with 2.75 million methamphetamine pills in the back of a black Mitsubishi Pajero, intended for distribution in Bangkok. The suspect, a 36 year old named Samrit, claimed it was only his second time transporting drugs, earning 30,000 baht per trip. Yesterday, July 8, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, alongside several…

  • Former drug dealer shot dead at Nakhon Si Thammarat fruit shop

    Former drug dealer shot dead at Nakhon Si Thammarat fruit shop

    Two gunmen escaped after fatally shooting a former drug dealer in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. A torn gold necklace was found in the victim’s hand, allegedly placed there to mislead police about the true motive for the murder. Officers from Tha Sala Police Station were called to a house in Mokhalan sub-district, Tha Sala district, at around…

  • Thailand nominates traditional dress for UNESCO heritage status

    Thailand nominates traditional dress for UNESCO heritage status

    The Ministry of Culture has formally proposed the traditional Thai costume, Chud Thai, as an intangible cultural heritage item for consideration by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The proposal is set to be reviewed in 2026. The ministry has dismissed as “baseless” the social media rumours suggesting that Cambodia‘s nomination for its traditional weddings would include…

  • RISE 2025 to empower women in hospitality with full-day learning event in Phuket

    RISE 2025 to empower women in hospitality with full-day learning event in Phuket

    A powerful new initiative to elevate and empower women in hospitality is set to launch in Phuket this August. RISE 2025 – Reshaping Hospitality by Empowering Women is a full-day learning experience focused on career growth, skill-building, and inclusive leadership. The event is co-organised by C9 Hotelworks, Mrs B Group, and Delivering Asia. Created especially for professionals across the hospitality,…

  • Rare Asiatic golden cat filmed in South Thailand national park (video)

    Rare Asiatic golden cat filmed in South Thailand national park (video)

    A camera trap hidden deep in Khao Luang National Park in Nakhon Si Thammarat captured rare footage of the endangered Asiatic golden cat striding through its natural habitat. Park Chief Haritchai Ritchooay revealed yesterday, July 8, that the scientific team and Patrol Unit 2 were behind the remarkable discovery. The image offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity thriving in…

  • Singaporean drug kingpin busted in Bangkok hideout

    Singaporean drug kingpin busted in Bangkok hideout

    A suspected Singaporean drug kingpin facing the death penalty in his home country has been busted in Bangkok, along with an Indonesian couple believed to be part of his international narcotics network. The 50 year old alleged drug trafficker, Tan Leng Chong, was busted on Saturday, July 5, along with an Indonesian couple believed to be part of a cross-border…

  • Chinese man busted for flaunting guns in Pattaya mansion

    Chinese man busted for flaunting guns in Pattaya mansion

    A Chinese man’s craving for social media fame has landed him in hot water after he brazenly posed with firearms in a luxury Pattaya mansion, triggering a full-scale police raid. Officers from the Tourist Police Division swooped on the high-end residence on Thepprasit Road early yesterday morning, July 8, armed with a court warrant. The operation followed reports that 47…

  • Rain check: 32 provinces braced for a soaking as storms roll in

    Rain check: 32 provinces braced for a soaking as storms roll in

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a weather warning, forecasting heavy rain across 32 provinces in Thailand, with 60% of the areas expected to experience significant rainfall. Residents in Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Chanthaburi, and Trat are advised to remain cautious of the potential hazards from heavy rain, including flash floods and forest run-off, especially in…

  • Thailand’s blind elephant becomes loving sanctuary grandma (video)

    Thailand’s blind elephant becomes loving sanctuary grandma (video)

    A once-reclusive elephant who spent years shunning contact has undergone a heart-melting transformation, capturing hearts around the world. Jokia, a blind elephant who survived Thailand’s brutal logging trade, had long preferred her own company, traumatised by a past she couldn’t forget. Rescued by the Save Elephant Foundation, she spent years wandering alone, too wary to bond with her kind. “She…

  • Chinese scammer busted in Bangkok credit card hacking spree

    Chinese scammer busted in Bangkok credit card hacking spree

    Thailand’s cyber cops have smashed a slick Chinese-led scam that tricked unsuspecting victims into handing over their credit card details and OTPs—fuelling a shopping spree that funded a shadowy cryptocurrency operation. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced that their Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) had arrested Ma, a 35 year old Chinese national, who masterminded the scheme from a hotel…

  • Monkey business banned: Thai coconuts go cruelty-free

    Monkey business banned: Thai coconuts go cruelty-free

    Thailand’s coconut industry is finally cracking down on a controversial practice that has tarnished its reputation worldwide: using monkeys to harvest coconuts. In a landmark move to rescue its image and secure farmers’ livelihoods, the Thai Coconut Industry Group has joined forces with the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) to ban monkey labour once and for all. The country’s coconut…

  • Thai human rights lawyer hit with 29 years for lese majeste

    Thai human rights lawyer hit with 29 years for lese majeste

    Thailand’s most prominent human rights lawyer has been slapped with yet another prison sentence, adding to his already staggering time behind bars for challenging the monarchy. Today, July 8, Bangkok’s Criminal Court sentenced Arnon Nampa to an additional two years and four months for royal defamation and sedition over a fiery speech he delivered at a protest in November 2020.…

  • Udon Thani students injured in accidental dormitory shooting

    Udon Thani students injured in accidental dormitory shooting

    Two vocational students in Udon Thani sought medical assistance after sustaining gunshot wounds, leading to a police investigation. Initially, they reported being ambushed by an acquaintance known as Zen but later admitted to accidentally discharging a firearm while in a dormitory room. Yesterday, July 7, at 11.30am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanaowat Suangsiri, Deputy Inspector of the Mueang Udon Thani Police…

  • Nature’s surprise: Rare panda crab spotted in Thai national park

    Nature’s surprise: Rare panda crab spotted in Thai national park

    A rare panda crab, known locally as the Sirindhorn Crab, has been spotted crawling across a remote waterfall in the Panoen Thung area at Kaeng Krachan National Park, showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity thriving in Thailand’s western forests. The discovery, shared on the park’s Facebook page on Sunday, July 6, delighted conservationists and nature lovers. The park’s post featured stunning photos…

  • Thai netizens back kidnapped Chinese influencer’s emotional hunt for real family

    Thai netizens back kidnapped Chinese influencer’s emotional hunt for real family

    Thai netizens are expressing their support for a Chinese influencer after she shared her heartbreaking story of being kidnapped as a child and her ongoing search for her biological family. The 20 year old influencer, Auyoya Yich, is widely known among Thai netizens as Aurora or Tao Hoo (meaning tofu). She is currently an exchange student at Rangsit University in…

  • Thailand plans ‘Buddhist bank’ as temple scandals explode

    Thailand plans ‘Buddhist bank’ as temple scandals explode

    Thailand’s temples are facing their biggest credibility crisis in decades, with lurid scandals and financial misconduct battering public faith. Now, a senior minister has unveiled a bold plan to clean up the mess — by setting up a Buddhist bank to keep temples’ money in check. Speaking on his first day in office yesterday, July 7, Suchart Tancharoen, minister attached…

  • Nong Suea man arrested for temple donation box theft

    Nong Suea man arrested for temple donation box theft

    Police in Nong Suea arrested a 42 year old man for allegedly breaking into donation boxes at a local temple and stealing more than 5,000 baht. The incident was captured on CCTV. Yesterday, July 7, at 6pm, Police Colonel Worayut Pongtan, along with several other officers, conducted a raid and apprehended the alleged suspect, Piyaphan, at his residence in Mueang…

  • Tragic collision claims lives of porridge vendor and cyclist

    Tragic collision claims lives of porridge vendor and cyclist

    A tragic accident occurred when a 19 year old porridge vendor was riding his motorcycle back home and collided with a bicycle ridden by a 72 year old man. Both people died in the incident. This unfortunate event took place at 7pm yesterday, July 7, in Bang Kon Tee district, Samut Songkhram province. Police Lieutenant Ruengwut Imm-em, Deputy Inspector of Bang…

  • Surat Thani train station horror: Guards beat man over nap

    Surat Thani train station horror: Guards beat man over nap

    A family dinner ended in shocking violence for one Surat Thani man, who was brutally beaten by security guards at a train station simply for lying down to rest as he waited for his train home. The 57 year old man, identified only as Yutthaphon, was left with severe bruising across his face and body and a gaping head wound…