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?...
-
Man found dead in Chachoengsao after breakup
A tragic love story unfolded during the Songkran festival as a man, after being told by his girlfriend that their relationship was over, was found dead with a gunshot wound. The incident, which occurred in the early hours today, has shocked the local community in Chachoengsao province, and police are investigating to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding his death. The…
-
Bangla Road comes alive as Songkran festival kicks off in Phuket
Songkran celebrations kicked off with a bang on Bangla Road, Phuket yesterday and are expected to reach their peak today. Throngs of people, both locals and international tourists, assembled on Thaweewong Road and Soi Bangla, drawn in by the popular water-splashing events. Soi Bangla, famous for its energetic nightlife, became a bustling centre of daytime merriment as individuals from diverse…
-
Songkran festival anticipates 100,000 Malaysian tourists in Hat Yai
Hat Yai district of Songkhla anticipates the arrival of approximately 100,000 Malaysian tourists this weekend during the Songkran Festival. The influx of Malaysian visitors has seen an increase this year due to the festivities aligning with the end of Ramadan, according to Sitthipong Sittipatprapha, the president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association. A special train service named My Sawasdee arrived…
-
Police checkpoint blitz targets helmetless riders in Pattaya
To curb the mayhem on Thailand’s roads during the Songkran Festival, Bang Lamung police have unleashed a blitz on helmetless riders. Setting up shop along Sukhumvit Road in Nong Prue Subdistrict on Thursday, officers aimed to tackle the notorious issue of motorcyclists without helmets, a leading cause of accidents, especially during festive times. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jakrit Chantakham, Traffic Inspector…
-
Thailand suspends TM 6 immigration forms to boost tourism
The Government of Thailand has put a halt to the obligatory TM 6 immigration forms for foreigners arriving in the country via land or sea, effective from April 15 to October 15. This resolution, approved by the Cabinet on April 9, is a response to a suggestion by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. This pause…
-
Bangkok’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 kicks off
Bangkok witnessed the grand opening of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Thursday. The event, which is a highlight of Thai cultural celebrations, was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, alongside other notable agencies. The festival, lasting until Monday, April 15, showcased 20 vibrant parades that marched through Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang,…
-
Chanthaburi ignites night-time Songkran with spirited water fights
Chanthaburi’s Khao Thip Road was awash with festivities as the first night-time Songkran celebration in Thailand commenced at 8pm yesterday. Tens of thousands of tourists flocked to engage in the water-splashing merriments, marking the start of the country’s traditional New Year. The event, taking place along the Tha Chalaeb Road and encircling the public park lake of Somdet Phra Chao…
-
Pattaya mystery substance confirmed as harmless scrap metal
In Pattaya, local authorities recently allayed fears by announcing that the mysterious black substance discovered in bags near an excavation pit was harmless scrap metal, not the feared carcinogenic cadmium waste. Previously reported concerns revolved around multiple white bags found discarded near a pit in Moo 7, Pattaya. Locals grew anxious, suspecting that the bags could be harbouring the lost…
-
Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours
A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party’s Deputy Leader and list MP, Wittaya Kaewparadai, stated that despite talks circulating for over a month, no indications of an imminent reshuffle have been communicated by the prime minister. Wittaya, referring to UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, pointed…
-
Interactive map guides revelers through Songkran festivities
The joyous Songkran festival is in full swing across Thailand, with both locals and visitors eagerly participating in the celebrations. As the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is synonymous with vibrant water fights, and this year’s festivities began on April 11, with the merriment set to continue in many areas. Bangkok, the nation’s capital, is no exception to the excitement.…
-
Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use
Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement. From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme…
-
Man found dead in Khon Kaen, police chase killer
Police are urgently pursuing a suspect in the brutal slaying of a 41 year old man, who was found with his throat slit while returning to his shack in the middle of a field. The murder incident occurred today, April 12, when police from the Ubonrat Police Station in Khon Kaen Province were dispatched to investigate the crime scene in…
-
Chinese teenager escapes suspected smuggling operation in Thailand
A 16 year old Chinese teenager made a daring escape from a moving vehicle in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram, Thailand, in the early hours of this morning. The teenager, known as Sukai, ran towards the local police station seeking help, alleging that he and his friends had been tricked into smuggling by another Chinese national under the pretext of working in…
-
Thai netizens in uproar over celebrity social media feud
The Thai entertainment industry was recently shaken by a heated online dispute. The controversy escalated when a fiery video message was posted in response to a clip featuring a young individual, who made strong references to the respected television host, Noom Kanchai. The exchange has sparked a frenzy of comments and reactions across social media platforms. Prairie Phairwan’s video did…
-
Gold prices hit new record in Thailand amid market volatility
Gold prices in Thailand skyrocketed, setting a new all-time high record, reflecting a sharp increase of 750 baht from the previous day’s closing rate. The surge occurred amidst volatile market conditions, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announcing five price changes within the first 35 minutes of the trading day, starting with an initial hike of 700 baht at 9am.…
-
Interior Ministry official disrupts police at Songkran checkpoint
A high-ranking government official from the Ministry of Interior caused a stir when he confronted and attempted to obstruct police officers at a traffic checkpoint during the Songkran Festival celebrations. The incident, which took place yesterday, April 11 at around 5pm, occurred in the district of Yang Chum Noi, Sisaket Province. The man, identified as a district chief, reacted aggressively…
-
Delayed police response on Thai woman’s brutal murder in London
The brutal stabbing murder of a 27 year old Thai woman, in her residence in Westminster, London, has stirred up public fire against the local police over their delayed response to distress calls from her friends. The unfortunate incident unfolded in a home located on Stanhope Place, near Hyde Park, valued at around US$4 million. The victim Kamonnan Angela Thiamphanit’s…
-
Myanmar national attacks Belgian partner with hammer in Hat Yai
A 32 year old Myanmar national was apprehended in Hat Yai, Songkhla after a violent episode in which he attacked his Belgian partner using a hammer. The incident, incited by jealousy, according to the apprehended, took place in their shared apartment, leaving the 56 year old Belgian man with severe head injuries and the apartment splattered with blood. Upon arriving at…
-
Thailand and Vietnam strategic partnership for mutual growth
Thailand and Vietnam have forged a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a relationship focusing on meeting bilateral trade objectives, implementing sustainable development plans, strengthening political-diplomatic and defence security collaboration, and enhancing benefits in people-to-people areas. The announcement was made during the 5th Joint Commission on Thailand-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation held in Bangkok, co-chaired by Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddhanukara, and Vietnam’s Foreign Minister,…
-
Road safety concerns rise as upcountry travel surges for Songkran
Amid the forthcoming Songkran holiday, a surge in upcountry travel has sparked apprehension among road safety champions, who fear a rise in road mishaps outside the designated seven dangerous days of travelling. The seven dangerous days were initiated today and will conclude on April 17, and it is during these days that the highest incidents of road accidents are expected.…
-
PM Srettha’s blessings for Songkran festival at Government House
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin graced a religious ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, marking Thailand’s Songkran Festival, the nation’s traditional new year. As dawn broke over the capital, the PM led the observance, honouring customs deeply rooted in Thai culture. The ceremony commenced with the Thai PM paying homage to the Brahma shrine at 8.30am, nestled before the majestic Thai…
-
Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributes 3,000 fans during Songkran
The Poh Teck Tung Foundation initiated a heartwarming gesture by distributing 3,000 hand-held fans to the public during the scorching Songkran festival. The foundation, under the leadership of Vichai Techapaibul, has taken this step to alleviate the discomfort of citizens travelling back to their hometowns or embarking on holiday trips during one of the hottest times of the year. The…
-
Family’s holiday nightmare: Luxury villa turns out to be scam
A family’s excitement for their Hua Hin holiday took a turn as they fell victim to a cunning Facebook scam, leaving them high and dry. Amidst the bustling holiday anticipation, a family, with an individual named Kukkai as their representative, eagerly planned their annual retreat, scouring for a pet-friendly haven to accommodate eight to 10 people. Their quest led the…
-
Brothers arrested for illegal online gun trade in Chachoengsao
The Thai authorities arrested a 23 year old man and his 17 year old brother for the alleged manufacture of illegal online guns. The operation was carried out in the Mueang district of Chachoengsao province, leading to the confiscation of 28 home-crafted guns, over 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and additional related items. The arrest occurred during a police operation at…
-
Crypto crackdown: Regulatory bodies unite to reel in P2P fraud
Regulatory bodies are rallying together to develop stringent rules to monitor the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies via peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions. These authorities have observed that fraudsters, seeking to cover their tracks after illicit activities, tend to use cryptocurrencies purchased P2P. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is being urged to revise or create regulations related to digital assets, to…
-
Songkran sparks water wars in Pattaya’s beachfront bars
Water wars erupted on Pattaya’s Soi 7 and Soi 8 as Songkran festivities kicked off, transforming the beachfront bars into battlegrounds of fun and frolic. The spirited water play of Songkran burst into life on April 10, igniting the lively bar areas along Pattaya’s Soi 7 and Soi 8. This marked the eagerly anticipated start of the annual celebration, with…
-
Paetongtarn criticised for holiday plans during Songkran
The holiday plans of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra have ignited a fiery debate as she opts to fly to Hong Kong during the Songkran festival, leaving tongues wagging and eyebrows raised. Amid preparations for a grand celebration of Songkran, Thailand’s New Year and a UNESCO-recognised cultural treasure, questions loom over Paetongtarn’s decision to venture abroad instead of staying put.…
-
PM Srettha pays surprise visit to Bangkok bus terminal
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, along with a team of top officials, descended upon Mo Chit 2, Bangkok’s bus terminal, to ensure a smooth ride for Songkran travellers. As Thailand gears up for its traditional new year celebrations from April 12 to 15, the pressure is on to ensure the safety and comfort of millions hitting the roads…
-
Youth stabbed in violent confrontation at Phuket’s Saphan Hin
A violent confrontation at Saphan Hin in Phuket resulted in a youth being stabbed in the early hours of this morning. The conflict arose between two factions early this morning near the Phuket Extreme Sports Stadium. Phuket City Police were notified and arrived at the scene at 4.13am, today, April 11. The aftermath of the conflict was apparent. A damaged Honda Wave…
-
Thai Vietjet unleashes cheap ‘Songkran’s Splash Deals’
In a sensational offer set to electrify travel enthusiasts, Thai Vietjet launched its Songkran’s Splash Deals, boasting irresistible fares starting at just 67 baht (excluding taxes and fees) across all domestic and international routes. The booking frenzy kicked off yesterday, April 10, and will continue its whirlwind trajectory until the stroke of midnight on April 13. Seize this golden opportunity…
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.