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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
-
Bangkok beats the heat: A top summer destination
Bangkok clinched a spot among the world’s top 10 summer destinations, according to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report. The MEI’s Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries reveals that Bangkok is set to see a surge in tourist demand over the next three months, ranking 7th globally. David Mann, Mastercard’s chief economist for Asia Pacific (APAC), highlighted that Thailand’s tourism…
-
Patong: Intoxicated tourist causes chaos on Thaweewong Road
Authorities in Patong had to intervene when a foreign tourist, heavily intoxicated, caused a disturbance on Thaweewong Road early Tuesday morning, May 14. Despite the incident occurring four days prior, details were released today, underscoring that officers adhered to standard police protocols. At approximately 2.30am on Tuesday, Patong Police Station received multiple alerts from concerned citizens and tourists about a…
-
E-cigarette drug ring busted in Bangkok: Meth-infused vapes
Thai authorities announced the capture of an international drug ring after a dramatic raid on several Bangkok condominiums on Thursday. The Thai Special Service Division (SSD) and other agencies revealed their findings in a high-profile press conference. According to the SSD, the operation targeted a criminal network distributing modified e-cigarettes laced with methamphetamine and other dangerous substances. The investigation began…
-
Southern Thailand: Locals unite to halt Land Bridge project
People’s networks from Ranong and Chumphon provinces rallied yesterday in front of the Lang Suan district office, vehemently opposing the controversial multi-billion baht Land Bridge project planned for their region. Protesters issued a powerful statement demanding the immediate cancellation of the project, arguing it would deplete vital resources better preserved for future generations. “Our children and grandchildren deserve a sustainable…
-
Thailand unveils Phuket monorail plan to improve transport
The government unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance Phuket’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a new monorail system linking the airport and Phuket Town. This initiative arises from the island’s robust economic performance, with over 300 billion baht in circulation last year. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recognised Phuket’s potential, aligning with the government’s strategy to…
-
Flash flood warning issued for 26 provinces due to heavy rain
Residents in 26 provinces have been alerted to the risk of flash floods starting today until May 25 as heavy rainfall is anticipated across various regions, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to intensify efforts to clear the city’s drainage system and install water pumps. Deputy government spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang announced that heavy rain is forecasted for 26 provinces, including…
-
Thailand and Italy to strengthen ties in renewable energy
Thailand and Italy will intensify cooperation in renewable energy, sports tourism, medical science, pharmaceuticals, and defence, according to Deputy Government Spokeswoman Radklao Intawong Suwankiri. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni will discuss these topics to bolster bilateral ties during the premier’s official five-day visit to Italy which started yesterday. Celebrating the 156th anniversary of diplomatic relations,…
-
Thai mother-in-law admits to fatal stabbing in Nonthaburi
A mother-in-law confessed to fatally stabbing her son-in-law after a heated argument between him and her daughter over a video call with another woman. The incident occurred in a village in Maha Sawat, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province. The victim, 38 year old Warakorn, was found dead in his home with stab wounds. Following the incident, the mother in law,…
-
From smog to serenity: Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park breathes new life
Bangkok, former home to a sprawling industrial estate, where Thailand’s state-owned tobacco monopoly churned out millions of cigarettes for over half a century, emerges from the smog. Benjakitti Park, an urban oasis, has rapidly become a beloved haven for Bangkok’s 11 million residents. Officially opened in August 2022 to honour Queen Sirikit’s 90th birthday, the now 40-hectare Benjakitti Park boasts…
-
Bangkok authorities crack down on vapes, raiding stores
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya authorities cracked down on the sale of vapes near schools, seizing 1.6 million baht worth of products. Led by the Consumer Protection Committee, the operation aims to protect public health, particularly children, from the dangers of nicotine addiction The Secretary-General of the Consumer Protection Committee Thosarat Thanitiphan assigned a special operation centre led by the Director…
-
27 mischievous macaques relocated to new high-security habitat
To curb the rising menace of aggressive macaques terrorising Lopburi, officials unveiled a new sanctuary at the Pho Khao Ton Monkey Garden. The first 27 macaques were ceremoniously released into their luxurious new home yesterday, May 16, complete with a pool and swinging vines fashioned from motorcycle tyres. This relocation is the province’s strategic response to the escalating conflicts between…
-
Jealous durian vendor’s ex-partner opens fire, injuring two
The serene atmosphere of the Thung Kok Police Station was shattered yesterday evening as a durian vendor raced to the station, revealing the gunshot wounds he received from his jealous ex-wife. The incident transpired at a Suphan Buri residence, approximately 5 kilometres away from the police station. The driver, 55 year old Aphichot was shot, and sustained injuries to his…
-
Thailand’s unemployment crisis soars despite tourism boom
Thailand’s unemployment rate continues to climb, with a staggering 410,000 people out of work in the first quarter of this year, according to the National Statistical Office. The hardest-hit group is those with higher education degrees. Office director Piyanuch Wuttisorn revealed that of the total, around 79,000 people have been unemployed for more than a year.” The statistics paint a…
-
Thai man allegedly fakes doctor identity to swindle woman
A Thai woman accused a man of impersonating a skilled doctor from the United States and swindling her of over 500,000 baht. She claims he deceived her by alleging that the funds were required for his mother’s cancer treatment. The victim, identified only as Pei Pei, told Channel 3 that her ex-boyfriend, named Golf, deceived her into giving him over…
-
Israeli girl dies in tuk tuk accident on Patong Beach Road
A tragic accident claimed the life of a young Israeli girl on Patong Beach Road last night. Patong police received a report at 10.40pm that a five year old girl, Nbaa Bahnasi from Jerusalem, had fallen from a tuk tuk while travelling with her family on Thaweewong Road. The tuk tuk driver, 51 year old Bunyang Kaewaksorn, explained to the…
-
Heavy rainfall warnings for Thailand’s 54 provinces
Thailand is braced for heavy rainfall today as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings for 54 provinces, including Bangkok, which faces a 60% chance of storms. The southern region is expected to be hit the hardest, with 70% of the area affected. The TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, indicating that high-pressure systems or cold air…
-
Red carpet rollout: Thaksin spotted at ex-redshirt’s new restaurant
In a surprising public appearance today, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surfaced to congratulate an ex-redshirt leader on the grand opening of his second southern Thai cuisine restaurant in Bangkok. The 74 year old ex PM was warmly welcomed at Yeam Tai on Chaiyaphruk Road by a cadre of influential political figures. Among them were Bhumjaithai Party leader and Deputy…
-
Simple advice for World Hypertension Day: Reduce dietary sodium to prevent or treat high blood pressure
Reduce salt, reduce blood pressure Reducing dietary sodium, including salt intake, is one of the most effective strategies for lowering blood pressure. This advice is particularly significant on World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure and promote healthy habits. Reducing salt intake is a proven strategy to lower…
-
Motorbike rider fatally crushed by trailer truck in Srisoonthorn
A tragic accident occurred in Srisoonthorn, Phuket last night when a motorcycle rider was fatally crushed by a trailer truck on the Khao Lan-Bang Jo road. The truck driver claimed he did not see the motorcycle rider. Thalang Police received the accident report at 5.20pm. Upon arrival at the scene, opposite Soi Ban Kluai in Moo 1, Srisoonthorn, police and a…
-
Mango mania: Thailand’s sweet export boom
Thailand’s mango exports soared by a staggering 130% in the first quarter of this year, reaching an impressive 1.6 billion baht, compared to the same period last year. Not to be outdone, exports of sticky rice saw a notable increase of 13%, totalling about 1 billion baht. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, the Director-General of the Trade Negotiations Department, attributed this surge to…
-
Thai government cracks down on illegal loans
Illegal lenders have been given a final ultimatum: Register with the Thai government’s debt settlement programme by May 31 or face severe consequences. Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised announced this stern warning yesterday, emphasising that this crackdown on illicit lending is a top priority for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration. Despite the Interior Ministry’s success in bringing over 100,000 illegal…
-
Worker shortage hits Pattaya as Myanmar junta blocks emigration
Dismayed Pattaya employers are raising the alarm over a sudden surge in job vacancies following the Myanmar junta’s recent move to restrict young people, especially men, from leaving the country. The junta’s spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, justified the enforcement of Myanmar’s long-standing conscription laws, stating it was crucial for now due to the mass exodus of citizens to neighbouring countries,…
-
Mother-in-law’s intervention in family dispute ends in fatal stabbing
A domestic dispute turned deadly when a mother-in-law intervened in an argument between her daughter and son-in-law, leading to a fatal stabbing in a Bang Kruai residence. The incident occurred in the early hours of today. Police Lieutenant Thanawat Chiwitsophon from Bang Kruai Police Station received a report at 12.20am about a fatal stabbing at a house in Maha Sawat…
-
Pattaya man victim of robbery after date meetup gone wrong
A member of the LGBTQ+ community reportedly fell victim to the robbery of his motorbike during a date arranged online in Pattaya. The incident unfolded in yesterday’s early hours on Soi Phaniat Chang, close to a prominent school in the area. Upon receiving a report of the robbery, Police Lieutenant Sonthaya Khansap, Deputy Investigator of the Pattaya Police Station, promptly headed…
-
Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…
-
Chiang Mai police invoke 10pm curfew after samurai gang rampage
Chiang Mai Provincial Police officers imposed a 10pm curfew on locals under 18 years old following a deadly rampage by a criminal gang armed with samurai swords. The commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, Krittapon Yi-sakhon, revealed to the MumKhao news platform that a group of men, mostly teenage Burmese nationals, repeatedly caused chaos, committed theft, fatally attacked, and…
-
Thailand’s solar panel tax cut scheme to save households on bills
A new tax reduction scheme aimed at encouraging households to install rooftop solar panels is expected to be finalised by mid-year, announced the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE). The initiative seeks to lower electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Households that purchase solar panels with a power generation capacity of less than 10 kilowatts, costing under…
-
Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law
Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives.…
-
What to do in Bangkok in May 2024
It’s already mid-May, and the heat wave is still going strong. Despite this, there are plenty of exciting activities to enjoy and beat the heat. Make the most of this month by trying Italian food, sipping glasses of vino, participating in a fashion show, or dancing all night—the choice is yours! If you don’t know where to go, here’s a…
-
Sibling bludgeoned to death by older brother over vegetable dispute
A shocking case of sibling rivalry unfolded today after an argument over littering in a vegetable garden had escalated to brutal levels in Bangkok, culminating with the older brother bludgeoning the younger brother to death with a table leg. Earlier today, Police Captain Jirannathin Klinniran of the Samre Police Department received a report of physical assault with casualties inside an…
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.