Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
-
Sponsored Travel vs international health insurance: Which coverage do you need overseas?
The Thaiger key takeaways Travel insurance is ideal for short-term trips, covering emergencies, cancellations, and lost luggage, but not routine care. International health insurance suits expats and long-term residents, offering full medical coverage, including checkups, maternity, and chronic care. Choosing...
-
Former police arrested over 2021 Taiwanese kidnap and extortion case
A former Thai police officer accused government officials and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) of betraying him after he was arrested today, November 13, over the alleged kidnapping and extortion of a Taiwanese businessman in 2021. Officers from Thong Lo Police Station arrested the former Special Branch Bureau officer, Santhana Prayoonrat, at his accommodation in Bangkok this afternoon. The arrest…
-
Central Thailand vendor offers red drinks after lottery windfall
A local vendor in central Thailand fulfilled a vow at a famed temple after winning the lottery’s second prize, offering red drinks and seeking fresh fortune. Somkid, a 55 year old merchant from Uthai Thani, visited Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom province, to make an offering of 100 red drinks to Kumarn Chuk Dam, a…
-
Thai transwoman watches TikTok videos at clinic for hours to avoid payment
A Bangkok beauty clinic owner took to social media to share her experience with a transgender client who refused to pay for breast augmentation surgery and lay on the operating table for hours watching TikTok videos until police arrived. The clinic owner, Supassara Tweesan, posted footage of the incident on her Facebook page on Monday, November 10. The video showed…
-
Grab and LINE MAN orders soar under state co-pay scheme
Two major food delivery platforms reported millions of orders after the launch of a co-payment scheme aimed at boosting consumer spending nationwide. Grab and LINE MAN Wongnai reported a surge in activity under the Khon La Khrueng Plus initiative, which began allowing online food delivery orders from November 7. According to the Finance Ministry, nearly 20 million users had joined…
-
Bangkok underpass shut after flooding chaos and cable theft
Flooding caused by cable theft and torrential rain forced officials in Bangkok to close a major underpass while nearby provinces battled widespread inundation. Officials in Bang Sue confirmed that the underpass along the railway road had to be shut down due to waterlogging, which was compounded by the theft of electrical cables powering the drainage system. Without operational pumps, water…
-
3 Burmese suspects arrested for stealing 10 million baht from colleague
Police yesterday, November 12, arrested three Burmese nationals accused of stealing 10 million baht in cash and assets from the condominium of a Burmese colleague in the Phra Khanong area of Bangkok. The 33 year old Burmese victim, who works for a recruitment agency in Thailand, filed a complaint with Phra Khanong Police Station on November 9 at around 10.30pm…
-
Thai woman claims sister killed by Cambodia scam gang
Police in southern Thailand are probing a woman’s claim that her sister was killed by a scam gang in Cambodia, though no evidence has confirmed the report. Police in Takua Thung district, Phang Nga, have launched an investigation after a local woman reported that her sister was killed by a scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia. Malee Na Cholkhet, a resident…
-
Nonthaburi shrine draws crowds with lucky numbers
Worshippers gathered at a historic shrine in Nonthaburi during a traditional ceremony where lucky numbers appeared, with a stern warning against pork offerings. Locals flocked to the revered Goddess Tubtim Thong shrine for its annual merit-making ceremony, hoping for blessings, protection, and perhaps a little lottery luck. The event, held today, November 13, at Wat Bang Krai Nok in Bang…
-
Thailand tightens visa rules to curb abuse by repeat visitors
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has launched a nationwide crackdown on foreigners repeatedly entering Thailand under visa-free exemptions, aiming to shut down “visa runs” being used as cover for illegal activity, including cybercrime and human trafficking. The directive, announced by Phuket Immigration yesterday, November 12, follows an urgent meeting chaired by Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, Commissioner-General of the Immigration Bureau, acting…
-
Lightning strike blasts Chon Buri restaurant during storm
A restaurant in Chon Buri was damaged when lightning struck during a thunderstorm, splitting a tree, damaging property, and causing a brief power outage. A violent thunderstorm in Takhian Tia, Chon Buri, caused chaos yesterday, November 12, after lightning struck the rooftop toilet of a well-known restaurant, Krua Tee Lek Khao Pa. The strike caused significant property damage, but luckily,…
-
Thai woman steals valuables worth 150,000 baht from Pattaya restaurant owner
A Thai woman sneaked into a bedroom above a noodle shop in Pattaya and stole valuables worth more than 150,000 baht yesterday, November 12. The victim, 40 year old noodle shop owner Anchana Rattanapisankun, filed a complaint with Bang Lamung Police Station in the evening yesterday. She also submitted CCTV footage that showed the thief’s identity. In an interview with…
-
Phuket drug dealer arrested in late-night narcotics crackdown
Officers in Phuket arrested a suspected drug dealer during a late-night raid as part of a new 120-day crackdown on narcotics and organised crime. Phuket has launched a hardline law enforcement campaign dubbed Phuket 120 Days Nonstop, aimed at stamping out crime, drugs, and vice across the province. The operation, part of a wider Ministry of Interior policy, is focused…
-
South Korea eases visa rules for young Thai job seekers
South Korea has eased visa rules for young Thai nationals who speak Korean, allowing them to apply for longer stays and job opportunities with fewer restrictions. The South Korean Embassy in Bangkok has announced a major visa policy shake-up, easing the path for young Thai nationals fluent in Korean to live and work in the country. Effective this month, the…
-
German tourist loses 140,000 baht in ‘miracle oil’ scam in Pattaya
A German man lost over 140,000 baht yesterday, November 12, after being tricked by a scammer into buying five bottles of so-called “miracle herbal oil” for hair care. The German victim, 52 year old Nadir Altaf, filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 10pm. He told police that the scammer was a foreign man, believed to be Middle…
-
Late-night earthquake rattles Koh Samui, no damage reported
A minor earthquake struck Koh Samui overnight, shaking homes and alarming residents across several areas, with reports of loud noises and repeated tremors. The quake, measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale, struck Koh Samui in Surat Thani province early today, November 13, sending tremors across the island and waking startled residents. The quake occurred at 12.47am at a shallow depth…
-
Thailand video news | Thai mother wanted for allegedly trafficking daughter to Tokyo, Phuket leads Thailand’s tourism recovery
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia — from a shocking human trafficking case involving a Thai woman in Tokyo to severe flooding impacting several provinces. They also share some uplifting updates, including positive developments in Bangkok’s housing market and Phuket’s thriving tourism industry. Thai Mother Wanted for Allegedly Trafficking…
-
Bangkok road swamped as flash floods bring traffic chaos
Bangkok police shut a key inbound route after flash floods led to severe waterlogging, triggering safety warnings and widespread traffic disruption. Flash flooding brought Bangkok traffic to a standstill today, November 13, as water levels surged on key roads, prompting police to close a major inbound stretch of Ratchadaphisek Road. The sudden early-morning downpour overwhelmed drainage systems across the capital,…
-
‘Big Joke’ sued for calling Thai police a criminal gang
A former deputy police chief is being sued by senior officials after accusing Thailand’s national police force of being a criminal organisation in an interview. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the former deputy national police chief, is facing a defamation lawsuit after reportedly branding the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as “the largest criminal organisation” during a recent media interview. Assistant National…
-
Sa Kaeo border blast triggers panic and cross-border blame
An explosion near Sa Kaeo province’s Nong Ya Kaeo checkpoint triggered chaos and evacuations on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border last night, with Thai authorities firmly denying involvement in the incident. According to a source from the Burapha Task Force, a loud blast was heard at approximately 7.30pm yesterday, November 12, opposite Checkpoint 34 at Ban Nong Ya Kaew…
-
Thai cyber police recover 14 million baht in crypto from foreign hacker
Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) of Thailand seized cryptocurrency worth 14 million baht from a foreign hacker and plan to return the funds to six Thai victims. Yesterday, November 12, CCIB officers held a press conference to report their successful crackdown on the foreign hacker under the name Operation 293. The investigation began after Thai victims filed…
-
Foreign hacker wanted by FBI arrested in Phuket hotel
Police arrested a foreign hacker, wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at a hotel in the Thalang district of Phuket yesterday, November 12. The Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), Police Lieutenant General Suraphon Prembut, announced the successful cooperation between Thai officials and the FBI. Suraphon explained that Thai police had been notified about…
-
Thailand gives illegal migrant workers a year-long lifeline
Thailand has approved a one-year extension allowing undocumented migrant workers from neighbouring countries to stay and work legally in the country. Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong announced the measure this week, confirming that it applies to Laotian, Myanmar, and Vietnamese workers who are either overstaying their residence or work permits or entered the country illegally but wish to become part of…
-
Blackout behind the wheel kills Bangkok taxi driver in crash
A taxi driver in Bangkok died after blacking out while driving, causing his vehicle to crash into trees and overturn during the early hours of the morning. A 38 year old taxi driver, identified only as Chayanan, was killed in a horrific accident after losing consciousness while driving, causing his vehicle to veer off the road, smash into two large…
-
Thailand braces for cold snap, heavy rain and strong winds
A powerful cold front sweeping into Thailand is bringing strong winds, falling temperatures and storms, affecting several regions across the country today. From 6am today, November 13, to 6am tomorrow, November 14, the northeastern region will feel the brunt of this weather change, with temperatures falling by 1 to 3°C. Residents can expect morning chills and a stiff breeze, as…
-
Indian woman with severe injuries denied boarding in Chiang Mai
An Indian tourist was denied boarding at Chiang Mai airport after airline staff discovered her severe injuries from a motorbike crash in northern Thailand. Tourist police in Chiang Mai stepped in to assist an Indian woman after she was denied boarding on her flight home due to serious injuries sustained in a motorbike accident. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 11,…
-
Warrant issued for mum who sold Thai girl in Tokyo trafficking case
A Thai woman faces arrest for allegedly trafficking her daughter into sex work at a Tokyo massage parlour, where the child’s earnings were sent to the woman. Japanese police have issued an arrest warrant for a Thai woman in her twenties who allegedly trafficked her 12 year old daughter into sex work at a Tokyo establishment, according to investigative sources…
-
Thai vendor fined 2,000 baht after allegedly overcharging South Korean YouTubers
The Ratchaburi Provincial Commercial Affairs Office fined a vendor at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market 2,000 baht for allegedly overcharging two South Korean YouTubers. Thai fans of the South Korean YouTubers, Cullen and Jung, raised concerns after seeing the pair pay inflated prices for clothes at the famous floating market in Ratchaburi province in a recent travel vlog on their YouTube…
-
Phuket bus loses power, slams into car and shop on steep hill
A passenger bus on a steep Phuket road lost power and rolled backwards, crashing into parked vehicles and a shop, causing damage and minor injuries. The incident occurred around 12.30pm today, November 12, at the Tom Yum Kung intersection on Khok Tonod–Rawai Road. According to Karon Police, the EV passenger bus, travelling the Airport–Rawai route and bearing the registration number…
-
People’s Party urges tough diplomacy after border mine blast
The People’s Party has called on the government to adopt urgent diplomatic measures after a mine explosion left soldiers injured near the Cambodian border. On Monday, November 10, a mine explosion near Huai Ta Maria in Sisaket’s Kantharalak district left one Thai soldier severely injured, resulting in the amputation of his right ankle. In the aftermath, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul…
-
Thai rapist arrested after Burmese victim tricks him into revealing identity
A Burmese woman tricked her Thai rapist into sharing his Facebook account with her, allowing police to easily identify and arrest the suspect yesterday, November 11. The 20 year old Burmese woman filed a complaint at Nong Chok Police Station at 10am yesterday, following the sexual assault that occurred at around 1.30am the same day. The victim told officers she…
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.