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.

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    12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers

    For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...

  • Thai healthcare tycoon Boon Vanasin flees as fraud charges mount

    Thai healthcare tycoon Boon Vanasin flees as fraud charges mount

    Boon Vanasin, the founder of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), is currently at large in China while his wife and daughter have surrendered to the police in Thailand. Faced with charges of public fraud, 79 year old Jaruwan Vanasin, and her daughter, 51 year old Nalin, turned themselves in to the police and have denied all allegations against them. The two…

  • Thailand braces for weather changes amid rising temperatures

    Thailand braces for weather changes amid rising temperatures

    Thailand is experiencing significant weather changes, with the Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of rising temperatures in the north and severe monsoon conditions in the south. Heavy rainfall is expected in eight provinces, leading to potential flash floods and landslides. TMD has forecasted weather conditions for the next 24 hours indicating that the high-pressure system and moderate cold air mass covering…

  • East Thailand: Exhausted driver crashes pickup into street light

    East Thailand: Exhausted driver crashes pickup into street light

    A factory owner experienced a serious accident after falling asleep at the wheel due to exhaustion. The accident occurred when his black Ford Ranger pickup truck veered off the road, crossed the median, and crashed into a street light, before flipping over into a forested area in Chanthaburi province, East Thailand. The incident took place yesterday, November 22, and police…

  • Caterpillar outbreak devastates Songkhla’s coconut plantations

    Caterpillar outbreak devastates Songkhla’s coconut plantations

    A significant outbreak of black-headed caterpillars has severely impacted coconut plantations across four districts in Songkhla, causing extensive damage to the crops. Local agricultural officials are responding by deploying parasitic wasps and chemical agents to combat the infestation. Agricultural experts have reported that the black-headed caterpillar infestation is affecting coconut trees in the Sathing Phra Peninsula and other areas of…

  • Phatthalung declared disaster zone amid severe flooding

    Phatthalung declared disaster zone amid severe flooding

    Severe flooding has hit several areas in the southern province of Phatthalung, prompting officials to declare disaster zones across four districts, affecting 15 subdistricts, 57 villages, and 12 communities. The heavy rainfall has led to both flood and wind disaster declarations, with urgent evacuations underway to move residents to safer areas. Kongsakul Jantrach, acting governor of Phatthalung, convened a meeting…

  • Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp

    Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp

    A vibrant field of sunn hemp, spread across 5 rai in front of the Phayao Agricultural and Technology College, has become a popular photography spot for tourists, coinciding with the winter season. This picturesque site, located in Mae Na Ruea subdistrict, Mueang district, Phayao province, is drawing attention with its radiant yellow hues. Prasert Phrompa, the Director of Phayao Agricultural…

  • Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos

    Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos

    A foreign national was arrested after making a fake bomb threat on a flight bound for Hat Yai, causing chaos for passengers and staff. The individual claimed stress from family issues as his motivation, leading to significant disruption. Security at Don Mueang Airport was alerted when a call was received, warning of a bomb on a flight to Hat Yai.…

  • Arrest warrants issued for false reports against Big Joke’s wife

    Arrest warrants issued for false reports against Big Joke’s wife

    The Bangkok South Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for three individuals, charged with filing false reports against Big Joke’s wife. The incident involves allegations made by 50 year old Sirinadda Hakhapan, the wife of former Deputy Police Chief Police General Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, who reported the matter to Phra Khanong Police Station. The accused include 50 year…

  • Bangkok allocates 14.54 billion baht to settle BTS Skytrain debt

    Bangkok allocates 14.54 billion baht to settle BTS Skytrain debt

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has sanctioned a substantial budget of 14.54 billion baht for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to address its debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator of the city’s BTS Skytrain. This decision follows a proposal submitted by Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, during a BMC meeting. Chadchart presented a draft ordinance requesting the…

  • Man busted in UK smuggling cannabis from Thailand to clear debt

    Man busted in UK smuggling cannabis from Thailand to clear debt

    A down-and-out drug mule took a gamble to clear his debt to his own mother – and lost big-time at Manchester Airport. Dean Pharoah, who owed cash to his mum, tried to smuggle over £200,000 (approximately 8 million baht) worth of cannabis into the UK after a holiday in Thailand. But UK Border Force officers had their suspicions and swooped…

  • Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes

    Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes

    Phuket’s water crisis may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a fresh action plan unveiled during Deputy Minister of Interior Sabida Thaiseth’s recent visit. Arriving in Phuket for a two-day official tour, Sabida dove into long-term strategies to secure the island’s water supply, a critical issue that has plagued the region for years. The briefing took place…

  • Nissan Thailand denies complete shutdown, only partially

    Nissan Thailand denies complete shutdown, only partially

    Nissan Motors is slashing jobs and scaling down operations in Thailand as it grapples with declining market share and increased competition from Chinese automakers. In a dramatic twist to its global restructuring plan, unconfirmed local reports suggest the Japanese car giant is planning to cut around 1,000 jobs in Thailand—part of a worldwide layoff affecting 9,000 employees announced earlier this…

  • Electrician fatally electrocuted while fixing fan in Pattaya bar

    Electrician fatally electrocuted while fixing fan in Pattaya bar

    A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening, November 21 on Pattaya Walking Street when an electrician was fatally electrocuted while working on a ceiling fan in an agogo bar. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received an urgent call at 7.06pm regarding the incident at the newly opened bar, the name of which has been withheld upon request. Emergency teams…

  • Thai monk attacked outside Channel 8 TV station in Bangkok (video)

    Thai monk attacked outside Channel 8 TV station in Bangkok (video)

    A shocking incident unfolded when a prominent monk known as Phra Teera was assaulted outside a television station. The attack occurred yesterday, November 22, after he appeared on a show at Channel 8, leaving him injured. Phra Teera had just exited the RS building, preparing to take a taxi, when a man suddenly approached and jumped, kicking him forcefully in…

  • Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani

    Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani

    A teenage girl attempted to abduct a three year old boy from a local temple in Udon Thani province, causing panic among residents. Concerned that she might harm the child due to her apparent drug-induced state, villagers promptly alerted the police. Upon receiving the call, officers from the local police station quickly arrived at the scene in Ban Pornsawan, Soi…

  • Pattaya teens return wallet with cash, win public praise

    Pattaya teens return wallet with cash, win public praise

    Two Pattaya teens won widespread praise for their remarkable honesty after finding, and returning, a wallet full of cash. In a moment that highlights integrity over temptation, 14 year olds Noppadol Phuphiphat and Phattraraphol Ngao-ngam stumbled upon a wallet with cash and identification in an ice bucket outside a bustling shopping mall in Pattaya late yesterday, November 21. The boys,…

  • Thailand’s cash handout scheme faces scrutiny before elections

    Thailand’s cash handout scheme faces scrutiny before elections

    The second phase of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme is under scrutiny for potentially breaching legal boundaries, as the government plans to distribute the funds to four million elderly citizens during the Chinese New Year, just days before the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) elections. This timing has sparked concerns about its potential influence on the upcoming election outcomes. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn,…

  • Thai welfare cardholders must verify eligibility by December 26

    Thai welfare cardholders must verify eligibility by December 26

    Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is urging 1 million holders of the state welfare card to verify their eligibility and confirm their identity by December 26 to secure their benefits. These individuals, part of the 14.5 million registered cardholders, have not yet confirmed their identity, leaving their welfare benefits unclaimed. Julaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, announced this following a meeting…

  • Love bites: Rayong to heal Cambodian woman’s heartbreak

    Love bites: Rayong to heal Cambodian woman’s heartbreak

    In a touching display of community spirit, locals and rescuers in Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong rallied to assist a bedridden Cambodian woman. She was in a dire state, suffering from severe wounds and a distressing worm infestation, purportedly brought on by heartbreak and jealousy after her husband left for work in another province. Residents in Bang Chang district alerted…

  • Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani

    Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani

    A man in a state of distress wielded a knife and threw objects at passing vehicles, causing alarm among locals. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21 in Uthai Thani province, as police were alerted to a chaotic scene involving a 40 year old Thai man. Upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about a man throwing knives and objects at vehicles…

  • Pickup driver killed in lorry crash on M6 in Nakhon Ratchasima

    Pickup driver killed in lorry crash on M6 in Nakhon Ratchasima

    A tragic accident occurred when a pickup truck collided with the rear of a lorry on the M6 motorway, resulting in the pickup losing control and crashing into the central ditch. The driver was killed instantly. The incident unfolded in the early hours, with police receiving reports of the collision at approximately 5.44am today, November 22. Officer Jakrin Sitthipru from…

  • Overloaded truck in Phuket sparks road safety concern (video)

    Overloaded truck in Phuket sparks road safety concern (video)

    A pickup truck in Phuket overloaded with what appeared to be water tanks caught the attention of many when a video showcasing its precarious state was posted online. The clip sparked a discussion about road safety and law enforcement on social media. A Facebook user shared a 33-second video on the เหตุด่วนเหตุร้าย ร่วมด้วยช่วยกัน ภูเก็ต V.2 (Emergency Incidents, Help Together Phuket…

  • Chon Buri woman narrowly escapes GPS misdirection into ditch

    Chon Buri woman narrowly escapes GPS misdirection into ditch

    A young woman narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation after her GPS directed her into a water-filled ditch while she was trying to visit a friend’s home. The incident occurred yesterday, November 21, at approximately 7pm in Ban Choet, Phanat Nikhom District, Chon Buri province. Rescue volunteers from Sawang Het Thung Hiang were called to help extract a motorcycle from a…

  • Minor earthquake rattles Lamphun, Chiang Mai with no damage

    Minor earthquake rattles Lamphun, Chiang Mai with no damage

    An earthquake measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale struck Lamphun, with tremors felt in two districts across two provinces. Occurring at a shallow depth of 1 kilometre, this seismic activity was triggered by the Mae Tha fault line. Residents reported no damage. The Department of Mineral Resources, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, issued a warning regarding the…

  • Trang monk defrocked after alcohol-fueled disturbance

    Trang monk defrocked after alcohol-fueled disturbance

    A monk, involved in a public disturbance while allegedly drunk, insisted on his innocence, claiming he only consumed alcohol and did not use any illegal substances. The incident unfolded near a child development centre in Trang province, raising concerns among the local community. Law enforcement received a report about a monk and a layperson causing a commotion. Upon arrival, officers…

  • Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion

    Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion

    A Thai man travelled from the northern province of Lamphun to Bangkok to seek help after 11 police officers allegedly illegally raided his home and attempted to extort 3,000 baht per month from him. The 47 year old man, identified as Wongsaphat, sought assistance from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Bangkok because he no longer trusted local police in…

  • Hat Yai water meter thief falls through roof during police chase

    Hat Yai water meter thief falls through roof during police chase

    A man responsible for stealing water meters in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, found himself in a sticky situation when he attempted to flee from the police. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 21 in the bustling area of Hat Yai, where residents had been repeatedly victimised by the theft of water meters from their homes. Local police, led by Anuwat Rittichai,…

  • Fire in Samut Sakhon causes over 50 million baht damage (video)

    Fire in Samut Sakhon causes over 50 million baht damage (video)

    A massive fire engulfed two major fan manufacturing companies in Samut Sakhon, causing damages exceeding 50 million baht. The incident began with an explosion-like sound near a security booth shortly after midnight yesterday, November 21. The blaze erupted at the TKT fan manufacturing facilities, located in Nadee, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon. Both companies affected are situated in the same area…

  • Thai worker abandoned in Israel after hospital discharge (video)

    Thai worker abandoned in Israel after hospital discharge (video)

    A Thai worker in Israel who, after being discharged from the hospital, found himself abandoned by his employer at a workers’ camp. The man, unable to recall any personal details, has since disappeared from his accommodation, leaving both his family and fellow workers anxious for his wellbeing. A TikTok user, identified as @jacaky2538, who is also a Thai worker in…

  • Thailand’s 10,000 baht handout: Cashing in to support elderly

    Thailand’s 10,000 baht handout: Cashing in to support elderly

    The Government of Thailand is moving forward with its plans to distribute financial aid worth 10,000 baht, both in cash and digital form, to specific groups in need. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Comptroller General’s Department, aims to support elderly citizens aged 60 and above as well as those who have registered through…