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

    What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?

    The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...

  • 3 Indian men arrested for jealous attack on fellow countryman in Pattaya | Thaiger

    3 Indian men arrested for jealous attack on fellow countryman in Pattaya

    Police arrested three Indian men at a rented room in Pattaya on Saturday, October 18, following a gang attack on a fellow countryman over jealousy. Another suspect remains at large. The victim, Narendra Tamta, filed a complaint with the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Bureau on October 17 after suffering a serious head injury during the assault by four suspects. The…

  • Chinese man stabs Pattaya officer with pen during roadside rampage | Thaiger

    Chinese man stabs Pattaya officer with pen during roadside rampage

    A Chinese man stabbed an officer from the Pattaya City Law Enforcement with a pen on a roadside on Saturday, October 18, when officials attempted to calm him down following his rampage. Pattaya City Law Enforcement officials responded to a complaint from locals and approached the suspect, a Chinese man aged between 35 and 40, in order to take him…

  • Pattaya woman slashes her own throat after argument with foreign boyfriend | Thaiger

    Pattaya woman slashes her own throat after argument with foreign boyfriend

    A Thai woman slashed her own throat at a bar in Pattaya yesterday, October 19, following an argument with her foreign boyfriend. The self-harm incident was reported to rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Dhammastan Foundation at 1.36am, prompting the team to rush to a bar on Soi Pattaya Beach 13/2, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Upon arrival,…

  • Thailand video news | Phuket moves to rein in cannabis use, Israeli man caught stealing temple donation envelope | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Phuket moves to rein in cannabis use, Israeli man caught stealing temple donation envelope

    In this episode of Thailand Video News, Alex and Jay cover the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia — from tighter cannabis regulations in Phuket and upcoming rush-hour taxi surcharges set for December, to foreigners making headlines for their drunken and bizarre behaviour. Phuket Moves to Rein in Cannabis Use to Safeguard Tourist Appeal Officials in the resort…

  • Body of Thai hostage killed in Israel-Hamas conflict identified and returned | Thaiger

    Body of Thai hostage killed in Israel-Hamas conflict identified and returned

    Israeli officials confirmed that one of the bodies returned by Hamas on Saturday, October 18, is that of a Thai hostage who was abducted and killed last year. Israel’s local media outlet, i24News, reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced yesterday, October 19, that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas the previous night was identified as a…

  • Nakhon Ratchasima landlord seeks tenant after rental mess | Thaiger

    Nakhon Ratchasima landlord seeks tenant after rental mess

    A Facebook user recently shared images online to caution landlords about a tenant who left a rental property in a deplorable state. The tenant, a 42 year old woman, rented the house in a housing project in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, for approximately one year. The photos reveal a shocking mess of rotting garbage scattered throughout the house, emitting…

  • Illegal gambling and e-cigarette URLs surge in 2025 | Thaiger

    Illegal gambling and e-cigarette URLs surge in 2025

    Over 400,000 URLs associated with illegal gambling, e-cigarettes, and alcohol advertisements have been detected this year, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Chomparee Chompurat, inspector-general of the DES, stated that a survey was conducted on websites potentially breaching the law from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2025. The findings revealed a significant increase in illegal…

  • Police seize 4.4 million meth pills at Thailand-Myanmar border | Thaiger

    Police seize 4.4 million meth pills at Thailand-Myanmar border

    Police have confiscated 4.4 million methamphetamine pills and detained two individuals suspected of smuggling the drugs near the border between Chiang Rai and Myanmar. According to officials on Saturday, the suspects 41 year old Sira and 34 year old Seri are residents of Mae Fah Luang district in Chiang Rai province. Authorities revealed that the arrest followed intelligence reports indicating that…

  • Tragic delay: blocked ambulance leads to patient’s death in Krabi | Thaiger

    Tragic delay: blocked ambulance leads to patient’s death in Krabi

    A hospital in Plai Phraya, Krabi, issued a statement addressing an incident where a pickup truck obstructed an ambulance, preventing the transfer of a critically ill patient who later died yesterday, on October 18. The hospital expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, who suffered from acute myocardial infarction and respiratory failure. The patient was admitted to the…

  • Boy with ADHD taken to police after toy gun incident | Thaiger

    Boy with ADHD taken to police after toy gun incident

    An 11 year old boy, who aimed a toy gun at a shop owner, was taken to Hat Yai police by his mother, who revealed that he suffers from severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has short-term memory loss. The mother has decided to stop allowing him to sell boiled peanuts. This incident gained attention after a Facebook user…

  • Monk killed in pet dispute at Nakhon Pathom temple | Thaiger

    Monk killed in pet dispute at Nakhon Pathom temple

    A 70 year old man attacked a monk with a knife, leading to the monk’s death at a temple. The incident, believed to be linked to a dispute over pets, occurred at 6.30pm yesterday, on October 18. Police Lieutenant Veeralak Khornchom of Pho Kaew Police Station received a report of the assault on a monk at Wat Om Yai in…

  • Taiwanese trio busted at Bangkok airport with rare wildlife | Thaiger

    Taiwanese trio busted at Bangkok airport with rare wildlife

    Three Taiwanese nationals were arrested at Don Mueang Airport after officials uncovered a bizarre and cruel attempt to smuggle dozens of protected animals out of Thailand by hiding them under clothing. The suspects, identified as 53 year old Hsu Ching Chung, 40 year old Hong Zhi-Xian, and 36 year old Yang Tsung-Ju, were stopped by police from the Natural Resources…

  • Thailand rolls out free dialysis as kidney disease cases soar | Thaiger

    Thailand rolls out free dialysis as kidney disease cases soar

    Thailand’s public health ministry has launched a free dialysis campaign to tackle rising chronic kidney disease cases and promote early prevention nationwide. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced a nationwide campaign to provide free dialysis and promote early screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The campaign aims to raise awareness, expand access to treatment and encourage lifestyle changes to prevent…

  • Monk saves debt-ridden couple in South Thailand bridge rescue | Thaiger

    Monk saves debt-ridden couple in South Thailand bridge rescue

    A monk in South Thailand helped rescue a couple who attempted to jump from a bridge in a joint suicide bid after struggling with heavy debt. A couple in Songkhla province narrowly escaped death after attempting to end their lives by jumping from a bridge while tied together with a traditional Thai cloth. The shocking incident, reportedly driven by crushing…

  • Thailand tourists face 100k fine for toxic sunscreen on reefs | Thaiger

    Thailand tourists face 100k fine for toxic sunscreen on reefs

    Thailand has warned tourists that using banned sunscreens in marine parks could lead to fines, as officials crack down on products harmful to coral reefs. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has issued a strict warning to tourists: using certain sunscreens in Thailand’s marine parks could see you slapped with a fine of up to 100,000…

  • Water woes: Phuket MP calls for urgent fix as crisis worsens | Thaiger

    Water woes: Phuket MP calls for urgent fix as crisis worsens

    Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee has called on the government to urgently tackle the island’s chronic water shortage, warning that the issue could spiral out of control during the upcoming High Season if action isn’t taken immediately. Speaking in Parliament, Chalermpong, who represents Phuket District 2, said water demand has surged due to a booming tourism industry and a population now…

  • Southern drug kingpin arrested hiding out in Bangkok condo | Thaiger

    Southern drug kingpin arrested hiding out in Bangkok condo

    A southern drug leader was arrested in Bangkok after police tracked him to a luxury condo, ending his months-long escape. The 37 year old suspect, identified as Suriya “Phueak Sraphleng,” was detained at a luxury condominium by officers from the Crime Suppression Division following a series of warrants issued earlier this year. Suriya, a key figure in one of southern…

  • Stoned shopkeeper arrested after knife rampage in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Stoned shopkeeper arrested after knife rampage in Chon Buri

    A grocery shop owner in Chon Buri was arrested after allegedly using cannabis and threatening residents with a knife while wearing a belt of ammunition. The bizarre incident unfolded around 9pm on Thursday, October 16, in Soi Thung Klon Tal Man 14, Nong Prue subdistrict. Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon was alerted after panicked residents called in reports of…

  • Late-night blaze guts Phuket home in suspected power fault | Thaiger

    Late-night blaze guts Phuket home in suspected power fault

    A fire tore through a two-storey home in Kathu, Phuket, late on Thursday night, causing extensive damage but fortunately no injuries, as three residents managed to escape just in time. The blaze broke out around 11.45pm on Thursday, October 16, at a property in Soi 8, Anuphas Golf Ville, Kathu subdistrict. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthaya Suphanphong from Kathu Police Station…

  • Storm topples giant tree, crushes police cars in Ayutthaya | Thaiger

    Storm topples giant tree, crushes police cars in Ayutthaya

    A powerful storm in Ayutthaya brought down a giant tree onto a police car park, damaging several vehicles and triggering a major emergency response. A fierce storm swept through Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, toppling a massive rain tree over 50 years old onto a police car park, damaging 12 vehicles and sparking chaos in the Wang Noi district. The…

  • Thai senator faces death threats over border sound row | Thaiger

    Thai senator faces death threats over border sound row

    A Thai senator received death threats after criticising tactics used at the border, prompting concern from police and international human rights advocates. Thai Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit is facing a wave of death threats against herself and her family after publicly criticising controversial tactics used along the Thai-Cambodian border. The human rights advocate revealed the threats in a Facebook post, sharing…

  • Israeli tourist caught stealing donation envelope in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Israeli tourist caught stealing donation envelope in Pattaya

    An Israeli tourist was arrested after allegedly stealing a donation envelope from a massage parlour near Pattaya Beach. The incident occurred around 2am yesterday, October 17, at a traditional Thai massage parlour in Soi 5, near Pattaya Beach Road. The suspect, who initially identified himself as Bar Bigger, reportedly gave police and reporters a false name. He is believed to…

  • Storm alert: Thundershowers and rough seas hit Thailand | Thaiger

    Storm alert: Thundershowers and rough seas hit Thailand

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned that southeasterly and easterly winds continue to prevail across Thailand, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, fuelling widespread thundershowers and the threat of isolated heavy rain, particularly in the South. The northern and central provinces, along with the northeast, are expected to experience scattered thunderstorms. While these are not forecast to…

  • Bike taxi rider damages passenger’s phone after secret camera dispute | Thaiger

    Bike taxi rider damages passenger’s phone after secret camera dispute

    An app-based motorcycle taxi rider damaged his passenger’s mobile phone after she questioned a camera on his helmet, fearing he was secretly recording her. The female passenger, identified only as Plammy, shared CCTV footage of the incident on her TikTok account, @plammyyaa_, in an attempt to seek compensation. The video was later removed due to community restrictions. Plammy’s story quickly…

  • Rare moon moth spotted at Kaeng Krachan National Park | Thaiger

    Rare moon moth spotted at Kaeng Krachan National Park

    A rarely seen species of moth was discovered by a park officer at a popular campsite in a national park in Phetchaburi, drawing interest from conservationists. The moth was discovered near the campsite area of Panoen Thung in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi province. Park officer Nattaphon Ritnoi reported the sighting, which was confirmed by park chief Atthapong Pao-on, who said…

  • Pakistani man arrested at Bangkok airport for assaulting Phuket transwoman | Thaiger

    Pakistani man arrested at Bangkok airport for assaulting Phuket transwoman

    Police today, October 17, arrested a Pakistani man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for assaulting a Thai transwoman in Phuket and stealing 10,000 baht. The transgender victim, identified only as Barbie, took to social media to share photos of herself with bloodstains on her face and chest in a plea for information about the attacker. She initially identified the suspect as…

  • Pattaya’s 24/7 hotline gets 250k calls in service revamp | Thaiger

    Pattaya’s 24/7 hotline gets 250k calls in service revamp

    Pattaya City is stepping up efforts to improve public services and quality of life with its 24-hour Pattaya Contact Centre 1337, a hotline designed to address complaints, share updates, and offer emergency support for both locals and tourists. The city has handled 257,869 calls through the centre in fiscal year 2024 alone, a figure city officials say reflects growing public…

  • Thai man deceived by online girlfriend into debt and coerced sex | Thaiger

    Thai man deceived by online girlfriend into debt and coerced sex

    A Thai man in Maha Sarakham province fell into debt of over 200,000 baht and was forced into sex after being scammed by a woman he met on a dating application. The 25 year old victim sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, urging the team to pursue the case and bring the female suspect to justice. He said…

  • Airlines boost Thailand flights under TAT tourism drive | Thaiger

    Airlines boost Thailand flights under TAT tourism drive

    International airlines are ramping up flights to Thailand to meet growing travel demand, following tourism initiatives led by Thai officials. Thailand is poised to see a significant tourism surge as international airlines increase flight routes, frequencies, and seat capacity to the kingdom in the fourth quarter. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed that carriers from East Asia, South Asia,…

  • Thai father joins son in jail after carrying ketamine to police station | Thaiger

    Thai father joins son in jail after carrying ketamine to police station

    A Thai father found himself under arrest after visiting his detained son at a police station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok with ketamine in his possession. Officers at Rattanathibet Police Station arrested the 35 year old man, identified only as Wuttichai, outside a detention room on the second floor of the station yesterday, October 16, after finding 0.54 grammes of…