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 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?...
-
Tattoo shop owner arrested for shotgun standoff on Koh Phangan
A tattoo shop owner turned new year celebrations into a nightmare on Koh Phangan, as shocking footage reveals him brandishing a shotgun and terrorising tourists in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The perpetrator, 49 year old Denchai from Phatthalung province, was caught on security cameras at 2.56am yesterday, January 1, outside a massage shop in Krung Thai Soi,…
-
Out of luck: Lottery scammer busted at Phuket fair
A brazen fraudster tried her luck at scamming thousands of revellers at Phuket’s new year fair—only to find herself caught red-handed by police in the early hours of the morning today, January 2. Phuket City Police swooped in on 45 year old Kritporn Butlo near the central stage of the Saphan Hin Good Things fair around 12.30am. The suspect was…
-
Police trainee accidentally shoots and kills himself and relative
A police trainee in the northern province of Chiang Mai accidentally shot and killed himself and a relative while drinking alcohol and playing with a firearm on December 29, last year. Officers from Fang Police Station were called to a house in the Mae Ka sub-district, Fang district, Chiang Mai, to investigate the accidental fatal shooting. Upon arrival, officers found…
-
Moo Deng: Thailand’s personality of the year
Time magazine’s annual selection for Person of the Year often reflects on the individuals who have captured global attention. While it is usually presidents and influential figures, it is clear here in Thailand who truly deserves the title. Forget the political icons—our beloved Moo Deng, the pint-sized pygmy hippo, has captured hearts, taken over social media, and established herself as…
-
Move over, Alpha: Generation Beta is here to shake things up
A seismic generational shift has just unfolded, ringing in 2025 with the farewell of Generation Alpha and the arrival of the highly anticipated Generation Beta. Generation Alpha, comprising those born between 2010 and 2024, grew up in a whirlwind of technological innovation and societal upheaval. From the global Covid-19 pandemic to the rise of artificial intelligence, this mini-millennial cohort has…
-
5 dead and 33 injured in Surat Thani coach bus accident
A coach bus driver crashed into a tree along the Asian Highway 41 in the southern province of Surat Thani, resulting in the deaths of five passengers and injuries to 33 others. Three of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The accident occurred in Chaiya district at approximately 7.30pm yesterday, January 1. The severely damaged green coach…
-
Bullet fired in celebration narrowly misses woman in Sri Banphot
A shocking incident unfolded when a bullet fired into the sky during new year celebrations came crashing through the roof, narrowly missing a woman’s head in Sri Banphot, Phatthalung. A 36 year old woman reported the incident to the Sri Banphot Police Station, presenting the bullet as evidence. The event occurred just minutes after midnight, during the new year countdown,…
-
Toddler injured by firecracker during new year celebrations in Trang
A one year old toddler named Sky suffered severe injuries after being struck by a firecracker thrown by teenagers during New Year’s Eve celebrations at Pak Meng Beach, Sikao district, Trang province. The incident, which left the child with serious wounds requiring seven stitches and a bruised lung, led to his transfer to Trang Hospital for further treatment. His 25…
-
Thai-foreign couple lose 3 million baht in Phuket home robbery
A Thai woman and her foreign husband in Phuket sought help from the police after losing 3 million baht in cash and gold during a home robbery on New Year’s Eve, December 31. The local news Facebook page Phuket Hotnews reported the robbery yesterday, January 1. The theft reportedly occurred in a village on Soi Nayai in the Chalong sub-district,…
-
Phuket horror: Tourist bludgeoned by rider over route dispute (video)
A Norwegian tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare when he was viciously attacked by a ride-hailing driver in Phuket. The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 30, left the tourist battered and bruised, sparking a heated debate about passenger safety. A Thai woman, 44 year old Thanatphon Khongcharoen, accompanied her friend, 57 year old…
-
Monk in Buriram caught using drugs after tip-off
A monk was apprehended for drug use and allegedly deceiving a young boy at a temple in Buriram, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen. The citizen presented video evidence of the monk’s drug use, prompting police to investigate further. The incident occurred yesterday, January 1, when law enforcement, led by Visanu Arpornpong, Chief of Prakhon Chai Police Station, coordinated…
-
Teen accidentally shoots himself in Buriram clash
An 18 year old man from Buriram tragically died after accidentally shooting himself on a motorcycle trip to a rival’s village, intending to cause chaos with a homemade gun and a ping pong bomb. This incident occurred as the young man, referred to as A, was on a motorcycle with a friend, heading towards a rival group’s village. As they…
-
Bangkok gridlock: Holidaymakers return with dried goods
The roads leading back to Bangkok have become increasingly crowded as northeastern Thai residents return after celebrating new year festivities with their families in the provinces. Traffic reporters noted heavy congestion throughout the day on the Friendship Highway, which saw a steady stream of cars heading towards the capital. Although some sections of the road experienced smoother traffic flow, minor…
-
Six dead in Surat Thani pickup truck collision
Tragedy struck when a pickup truck lost control and collided with a tree, leaving six people dead, including four children, on a highway in Surat Thani. The incident occurred today at 7.11am. Police were notified of a pickup truck crash on Asia Highway 41, near kilometre marker 124/500, opposite the Chaiya Transport Office in the Pa We sub-district of Chaiya…
-
Pattaya horror: Foreigner’s body found wedged in drainpipe
Pattaya police faced a puzzling situation when they were alerted to the discovery of a foreigner’s body near a Naklua resort on December 30. The body was found in an unusual and alarming position, folded and wedged into a drainpipe measuring 50 by 50 centimetres, with the legs pointing upward, sparking immediate concern. Officers quickly secured the area to conduct…
-
Thailand tourism earns 1.66 trillion baht from 35 million visitors
Thailand welcomed over 35 million travellers in 2024, with visitors contributing more than 1.6 trillion baht (US$46.8 billion) to the economy, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that from January 1 to December 29, a total of 35.32 million people visited the country, spending 1.66 trillion baht (US$48.5 billion). Chinese tourists led the influx…
-
Thai woman’s Chinese boyfriend assaulted by Pattaya guards
A Thai woman has come forward with allegations regarding an incident involving her boyfriend at a nightclub on Pattaya’s Walking Street. In the early hours of December 31, she reported that her Chinese boyfriend was allegedly assaulted by security guards at the venue. The incident reportedly took place on December 27. The woman, 27 year old Bee, provided media outlets…
-
Driver dies as emergency vehicle overturns in Prachuap Khiri Khan
An emergency response vehicle from Pak Phraek Subdistrict Administrative Organisation overturned after losing control on a curve, resulting in the tragic death of the driver. The incident occurred early yesterday morning following New Year’s Eve celebrations. The accident took place around 5am on a road in Bang Saphan Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, near kilometre marker 9, in front of Bhan…
-
Deadly inmate brawl disrupts new year at Pattani Prison
Chaos erupted at Pattani Prison as a brawl among inmates left one dead and 12 injured. The altercation, involving sharp metal weapons, followed a heated dispute during an internal football match yesterday. Pattani’s police force quickly responded to the incident that marred the new year celebrations. Upon receiving reports of a violent clash at the central prison in Pattani, police…
-
Road danger: Thailand’s new year accidents claim 215 lives
Over the new year holiday in Thailand, traffic accidents resulted in the tragic loss of 215 lives and injured 1,354 people. This data, covering the period from December 27 to 31, highlights the dangers of road travel during festive seasons. Somsak Thepsutin, Thailand’s Public Health Minister, reported that these casualties stemmed from 1,398 accidents over the five days. Both Bangkok…
-
Stray bullet injures woman during New Year’s Eve in Ang Thong
A New Year’s Eve celebration turned harrowing for a woman in Ang Thong province when a stray bullet pierced her home’s roof and struck her in the stomach. The incident happened as she lay sleeping, trying to calm her frightened cats amidst the noise of fireworks. Yesterday, January 1, local journalists reported that on the night of December 31, a…
-
Young man’s mysterious death after new year promise in Samut Songkhram
A tragic incident unfolded when a young man was discovered dead after promising his mother he would return home to celebrate the new year. His body was found at a friend’s house in Samut Songkhram, with police now investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. This morning, January 1, local police received a report of a deceased individual at a…
-
Tourist halted from releasing sky lantern in Chiang Mai (video)
A Japanese tourist caused a commotion after being stopped from releasing a sky lantern in Chiang Mai. The incident, which occurred yesterday, December 31, at 9.40am, saw the tourist grabbing the collar of a police officer after being prevented from releasing the lantern during new year celebrations. Despite the altercation, the officer, a member of Chiang Mai’s patrol unit, remained…
-
Phuket family returns home to theft of 1 million baht safe
A family in Phuket faced an unexpected start to the new year when they returned home from celebrations to discover their house had been burglarised. A safe containing 1 million baht, gold bars, gold necklaces, and passports had been stolen. Police are actively pursuing the case, aiming to recover the stolen items and apprehend the culprits. The incident was reported…
-
Military officer killed in Narathiwat shooting and vehicle fire
A shocking and violent incident unfolded yesterday, December 31 in Narathiwat, when armed assailants opened fire on a military officer’s pickup truck, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The incident took place within a palm plantation in the Paluru subdistrict of Su-ngai Padi, leaving the vehicle engulfed in flames. The attack occurred at 6pm when individuals armed with firearms…
-
Teenagers arrested for throwing bombs at hospital in Thailand
Two teenagers have been apprehended after they threw ping pong bombs at Khuan Khanun Hospital, causing panic among staff and patients. They admitted to the act, stating it was done on a whim after purchasing the explosives on their way to a friend’s house. The incident occurred at 12.15am yesterday, December 31, when the teenagers, riding a Honda Scoopy i motorcycle,…
-
Teenager fatally stabbed in Bangkok new year’s tragedy
A tragic incident marred the New Year’s Eve celebrations when a 17 year old man was fatally stabbed by a group of teenagers. The young victim succumbed to his injuries on the stairs of an apartment building in the Charansanitwong 45 area, while four of his friends were injured. Police are actively reviewing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. The…
-
Cold weather grips Thailand, thunderstorms hit the south
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather advisory indicating that a cold air mass has enveloped upper Thailand, resulting in very cold conditions in mountainous areas. Meanwhile, the southern region is experiencing thunderstorms due to monsoons, with sea waves exceeding 2 metres. Upper Thailand, including the northeastern and northern regions, is experiencing cold to very cold weather due…
-
Pregnant woman found dead in Chon Buri amid drug mystery
A tragic discovery unfolded when a 20 year old woman, seven months pregnant, was found lifeless in her accommodation under mysterious circumstances. Scattered drug packets were found in the room. The caretaker revealed that the woman’s mother had called earlier, unable to reach her daughter, prompting an investigation. Police from Chon Buri’s Mueang Chon Buri Police Station were alerted to…
-
Gold shop owner stabbed during heist in Phra Pradaeng Market
A daring heist unfolded today, December 31, at a gold shop within Phra Pradaeng Market, Samut Prakan, when a suspect armed with a fake gun executed a robbery, stabbing the shop owner amid morning shoppers. Police are now in pursuit of the culprit. Early today, an alarming incident took place in a gold shop located within the bustling Phra Pradaeng…
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.