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.

  • Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks | Thaiger

    Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks

    Public health officials issued a stern warning regarding the rising trend of kratom-infused drinks, highlighting that these beverages may contain dangerously high levels of mitragynine, a compound found in the kratom plant. The Department of Medical Sciences, after conducting safety tests across various regions in March, revealed that all 52 samples of kratom-mixed beverages contained mitragynine levels ranging from 22…

  • Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk | Thaiger

    Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk

    Thailand’s Uthai Thani province is grappling with its most severe drought in decades, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius and a prolonged absence of rain. The drought has reached a critical point, affecting several districts and causing a widespread scarcity of water for both consumption and agricultural use. The situation has escalated to the point where it…

  • Thai govt cancels VAT exemption for low-priced imported goods | Thaiger

    Thai govt cancels VAT exemption for low-priced imported goods

    The digital economy’s growth in Thailand led to a surge in trade on foreign online platforms, which has caused considerable disruption for local businesses. The local market has been flooded with cheap Chinese products, putting domestic entrepreneurs at a disadvantage and unable to compete on price. This situation has prompted many to fade away, compelling the government to take action.…

  • Laotian man loses gold necklaces while sleeping drunk in Pattaya (video) | Thaiger

    Laotian man loses gold necklaces while sleeping drunk in Pattaya (video)

    A Laotian man is seeking public help after losing two gold necklaces worth about 80,000 baht while sleeping off the after-effects of drunkenness on a footpath in Pattaya. The 37 year old Laotian man urged Channel 3 to share his story to seek a clue leading to the apprehension of the gold necklace thief. The man also issued a warning to…

  • Pattani shootout ends with two suspects dead, one officer injured | Thaiger

    Pattani shootout ends with two suspects dead, one officer injured

    A deadly confrontation unfolded in Thung Yang Daeng district, Pattani, southern Thailand, where a four-hour gunfight resulted in the deaths of two suspects and left one officer injured. This violent exchange occurred yesterday, May 1, at a rented house under surveillance for harbouring individuals wanted by the law. The incident concluded with the discovery of two deceased, identified as Masobree…

  • Thai renewable energy industry urges govt to revise trade system | Thaiger

    Thai renewable energy industry urges govt to revise trade system

    The Federation of Thai Industries’ Renewable Energy Industry Club urged the government to revise the country’s electricity trade system from the longstanding enhanced single buyer (ESB) model, arguing it hampers the growth of renewable energy. The ESB structure, which designates the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) as the sole entity that sells electricity to the public, is seen as…

  • IBM Thailand Director emphasises AI’s impact on economy | Thaiger

    IBM Thailand Director emphasises AI’s impact on economy

    As Thailand grapples with geopolitical conflicts, economic barriers, and technological disruptions, the newly appointed managing director of IBM Thailand shared his vision for the nation’s future. Anothai Wettayakorn emphasised the critical importance of focusing on controllable factors in a complex world and said that strategic planning and positivity could bring about positive change. Anothai went on to highlight the exceptional convergence…

  • Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields | Thaiger

    Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields

    Wirat Meenchainunt, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Chayada Vipattipumiprates, The First Vice-Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, along with members of the Bangkok Council and relevant government officials paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Kunming City People’s Council and attended the signing ceremony of the revised Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation and Friendly Relations (MOU)…

  • Unidentified foreign woman’s body found on Phuket beach | Thaiger

    Unidentified foreign woman’s body found on Phuket beach

    In Phuket, a foreign woman’s body was discovered floating in the waters off Freedom Beach yesterday. Karon police received word of the grim find around 2.45pm. A subsequent recovery mission was swiftly assembled, with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers utilising a rubber dinghy to retrieve the body and transport it ashore near Nong Harn Lake in Karon. The deceased is thought…

  • Russian man found dead in Bangkok canal with multiple cuts | Thaiger

    Russian man found dead in Bangkok canal with multiple cuts

    Locals discovered the dead body of a Russian man in the Hua Lamphong Canal in Bangkok yesterday. He bore more than 10 cut wounds on his wrists. Officers from the Bangrak Police Station investigated the body of the Russian man at around 8am yesterday. Locals in the area spotted the body in the Hua Lamphong Canal near Soi Santiphap in…

  • Unlock the future with ChatGPT 5: Release date and breakthrough features unveiled | Thaiger

    Unlock the future with ChatGPT 5: Release date and breakthrough features unveiled

    As the AI community and technology enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the release of ChatGPT 5, there is a growing buzz around what OpenAI’s latest iteration will bring to conversational AI. Given OpenAI’s track record of pioneering advancements in this field, it’s understandable why the potential launch has garnered significant attention. Although the exact release date remains undisclosed, insights from industry insiders…

  • Thai tourism industry supports reintroduction of 300 baht tourist fee | Thaiger

    Thai tourism industry supports reintroduction of 300 baht tourist fee

    Tourism industry stakeholders in Thailand voiced their support for the reintroduction of a 300 baht fee for incoming tourists, viewing it as crucial for generating funds for tourism development. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) intends to discuss the project’s necessity with Sermsak Pongpanich, the incoming tourism minister. Surawat Akaraworamat, TCT’s Vice President, said that the Thai Chamber of Commerce…

  • South Africa and Thailand boosts agricultural ties | Thaiger

    South Africa and Thailand boosts agricultural ties

    The agricultural sector has become a significant beneficiary of the thriving bilateral relationship between Thailand and South Africa, revealed South Africa’s Ambassador to Thailand, Darkey Africa in a recent interview. This conversation was held to commemorate three decades of South African democracy and the bilateral relationship between the two nations including a strengthening of agricultural ties. Africa underscored the positive…

  • Northern Thailand braces for severe summer storms | Thaiger

    Northern Thailand braces for severe summer storms

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced severe summer storms are set to strike northern Thailand. The storms are expected to impact the region from tomorrow, May 3 to May 7, bringing heavy rains, hail in some areas, and strong gusts of wind. Residents are urged to be cautious and avoid open spaces, large trees, weak structures, and billboards that may…

  • Thailand’s govt backs AI industry and boosts digital infrastructure | Thaiger

    Thailand’s govt backs AI industry and boosts digital infrastructure

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is ready to support the AI industry and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. The statement was made at the Microsoft Build: AI Day Event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where he welcomed around 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders. “AI has changed many aspects of our lives, workplaces, and business…

  • Phuket tourism industry hit by escalating water shortage | Thaiger

    Phuket tourism industry hit by escalating water shortage

    Phuket‘s tourism sector is grappling with an escalating water shortage crisis, as hotel operators face rising costs due to the scarcity. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, the Phuket Tourist Association President, yesterday, May 1, called on the government for a sustainable solution to the annual water deficits. He cited that the primary reservoirs, Bang Wad, Klong Kata, and Bang Neow Dum, are currently…

  • Impersonator accused of extorting 15,000 baht from migrants | Thaiger

    Impersonator accused of extorting 15,000 baht from migrants

    An alleged highway police impersonator in Chon Buri has been accused of extorting 15,000 baht from three migrant workers for not carrying their passports. The incident, which was captured in a video clip and shared on Facebook, reveals a man dressed like a police officer demanding the sum from the workers, threatening legal action that could result in a fine…

  • Ayutthaya chemical fire leads to Phachi Hospital shutdown | Thaiger

    Ayutthaya chemical fire leads to Phachi Hospital shutdown

    A chemical warehouse fire in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province caused widespread chaos, leading to the temporary closure of Phachi Hospital and the establishment of an emergency field hospital and evacuation centre. The fire, which was brought under control at 10pm yesterday, May 1, forced locals to flee their homes and seek temporary shelter. The fire broke out in a…

  • Chon Buri manhunt for suspects in sexual assault of two sisters | Thaiger

    Chon Buri manhunt for suspects in sexual assault of two sisters

    Two men have been accused of a heinous crime involving a sexual assault on two underage sisters, aged 14 and 16, in Chon Buri province, as reported yesterday, May 1. The 35 year old mother of the victims, identified by the pseudonym A, has lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging that her daughters were lured and subsequently assaulted…

  • Ex-executive kicks police officer’s face during DUI arrest in Thailand | Thaiger

    Ex-executive kicks police officer’s face during DUI arrest in Thailand

    In a highly publicised incident, an intoxicated former female executive was arrested for driving under the influence and assaulting a deputy police commander during her apprehension. This confrontation, involving high-profile individuals and captured on video, has sparked a media frenzy and intense public debate over issues of conduct and law enforcement in Thailand. The former executive, known as Khun Meow,…

  • Beach peace patrol: Police unite to silence the noise after shooting | Thaiger

    Beach peace patrol: Police unite to silence the noise after shooting

    In a collaborative effort to maintain peace and tranquillity, officials from Banglamung and Pattaya police conducted an inspection of Jomtien Beach in the early hours of today. Responding to the residents’ complaints about noise and fireworks, this initiative was also a reaction to a shooting incident that took place on the night of April 25, which stirred panic among tourists.…

  • Family seeks truth over Thai woman’s mysterious death in Malaysia | Thaiger

    Family seeks truth over Thai woman’s mysterious death in Malaysia

    The tragic death of a 26 year old Thai woman in Malaysia has galvanised a family to seek justice amidst mysterious circumstances. The 25 year old deceased’s husband and her 49 year old mother have come forward with concerns over the unclear causes of her untimely demise. On a recent afternoon at the Paweena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women…

  • Thailand shuts down illegal Bitcoin mine worth 70 million baht | Thaiger

    Thailand shuts down illegal Bitcoin mine worth 70 million baht

    A major illegal Bitcoin mining operation was dismantled yesterday when police and the Provincial Electricity Authority raided an abandoned ice factory in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, seizing equipment worth over 70 million baht. A Myanmar national was found guarding the facility, which is believed to have caused the state a loss of 10 million baht per month in electricity. At 11am…

  • Female boxer arrested for assaulting teen in Buriram jealousy | Thaiger

    Female boxer arrested for assaulting teen in Buriram jealousy

    A former female boxer was arrested after assaulting a 15 year old girl whom she suspected of showing interest in her ex-partner during the Songkran festival celebrations. Following a bout of heavy drinking, the 26 year old former boxer unleashed a series of Muay Thai moves on the teenager, leaving her severely injured. The incident occurred on May 1, when…

  • Actress Aom Sakaojai files police complaint against cyberbully | Thaiger

    Actress Aom Sakaojai files police complaint against cyberbully

    Renowned Thai actress Aom Sakaojai reported a case of severe online harassment to the police, triggered by explicit and threatening comments on one of her Facebook posts. Today, May 1, at 10am, Aom approached Deputy Inspector Chalerm Noppakarn of RomKlao Police Station to take legal action against the cyberbully identified by the Facebook name Nui Yabot. The incident began on…

  • Bangkok police bust couple for covert online ammo sales | Thaiger

    Bangkok police bust couple for covert online ammo sales

    In a major crackdown on the illegal arms trade, the Thai police arrested a couple for selling ammunition online. Yesterday, April 30, law enforcement officers apprehended 29 year old Sarawut, and his 19 year old girlfriend Nariporn, for their involvement in an illicit online ammunition business. Operating under the guise of selling film cameras, they cleverly masked their trade on…

  • AoT tee up 3 billion baht compensation swing for RTAF | Thaiger

    AoT tee up 3 billion baht compensation swing for RTAF

    Thailand’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Jirayu Houngsub, revealed yesterday that the Airports of Thailand (AoT) could be liable for a compensation payment of at least 3 billion baht to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). This potential payment is in relation to the Kantarat Golf Course, a property currently owned by the RTAF, which the AoT is considering repurposing. Previously, the…

  • Thai police dismantle major illegal online gambling rings | Thaiger

    Thai police dismantle major illegal online gambling rings

    Thai police delivered a significant blow to the online gambling industry with the dismantling of two major illegal betting websites. The operation, dubbed ZERO BET, saw the seizure of nearly 10 million baht (US$270,000) in cash and luxury assets, including high-end vehicles like Lamborghinis and BMWs, totalling over 60 million baht (US$1.6 million) in value. The investigation revealed an annual…

  • Nakhon Phanom pub bust reveals drugs, minors and indecent acts | Thaiger

    Nakhon Phanom pub bust reveals drugs, minors and indecent acts

    Police in Nakhon Phanom arrested the operators of a well-known pub for a series of legal infractions, including allowing minors on the premises and indecent performances, amid revelations of drug use among patrons. The establishment, known as AEC Nakhon Phanom, was also found to be operating beyond legally allowed hours, causing disturbances to nearby residents. The crackdown, led by Nakhon…

  • Laotian tourist’s 80,000 baht gold necklace stolen in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Laotian tourist’s 80,000 baht gold necklace stolen in Pattaya

    Emerging from the nocturnal charm of Pattaya, an intriguing tale of a Laotian tourist and a vanished 80,000 baht (US$2,150) gold necklace has surfaced. The unfortunate incident unfolded early this morning, May 1, along the bustling Sukhumvit Road in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The victim, Detnakhon Inthakoummane, a 37 year old Laotian national, recounted his ordeal…