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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
-
Bet on busted: International gambling ring crumbles in Chiang Mai
An opulent online gambling racket has been busted in the heart of Chiang Mai, as Thai police swooped in on a Taiwanese-led operation pulling in over 10 million baht a month. The syndicate, which targeted gamblers from Thailand, China, and Taiwan, had set up shop in luxury properties across the city, living it up large while running the illegal network.…
-
Thailand’s economy rebounds but experts warn of growth risks
Thailand’s economy is showing signs of recovery, yet economists warn of ongoing risks that could hinder its growth potential. Key challenges include elevated household debt, slow income recovery for vulnerable groups, and Thailand’s economic interdependence with China. Despite these issues, the Thai economy reported a growth of 1.9% in 2023, although this was below expectations. The economy is gaining strength,…
-
Cathay Pacific HK airline slammed over 5-hour Bangkok delay
Hundreds of Cathay Pacific passengers endured a travel nightmare in Bangkok when a flight cancellation left them stranded for hours with no answers, no food, and no passports. Passengers of flight CX630, scheduled to leave Bangkok for Hong Kong at 4.55pm on Monday, November 25, found themselves stuck on the plane for over five hours before being shuttled to a…
-
Laotian influencer commits suicide over allegedly VIP patron loss
A Laotian woman tragically committed suicide during a livestream yesterday allegedly because she lost a VIP patron who paid her over 100,000 baht per month. Officers from Hua Mark Police Station last night, November 27, were alerted that a woman died from a gunshot wound at a house in Soi Krungthep Kritha 7, Section 4, on Rama 9 Road in the Bangkapi…
-
AOT confirms facial recognition for international flights
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) yesterday announced that the state-owned enterprise will implement facial recognition services at six major airports for international flights starting December 1. The biometrics-based system will be deployed at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. AOT anticipates the new technology will significantly streamline the passenger experience, reducing checkpoint processing time…
-
Anchors away: RTN leads eco-mission to save Maya Bay
Maya Bay, the jewel of Thailand’s Andaman Sea, is getting a new lease of life thanks to a bold conservation push led by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). In a grand event on Monday, November 25, Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul of the RTN Third Area Command spearheaded the installation of mooring and fish egg buoys, alongside a deep-sea garbage collection…
-
Naked and afraid: Thai man confronts thief with desperate plea
A Thai man shared a video of his plea to a thief on social media and sought help from local police officers in the northern province of Chiang Rai after his condominium room was a victim of two robberies. The victim shared the video, in which he begged the thief not to break into his room, on the news Facebook…
-
Sink or swim: Thai submarine deal stuck in murky waters
Thailand’s long-delayed submarine deal with China remains in troubled waters as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai admits he’s yet to make a call on the contentious project. “The project’s fate is still not clear because I have not yet studied it. I’ll decide after studying it.” The 13.5 billion baht procurement of an S26T Yuan-class submarine has been stalled amid political…
-
Phuket’s tourism extravaganza: Andaman festival set to dazzle
Phuket is gearing up for a tourism extravaganza like no other. Governor Sophon Suwannarat has thrown open the doors to the Andaman Tourism Networking 2024, a dazzling showcase of six Andaman provinces under the banner, Happening Andaman. Mark your calendars for December 6 to 8 at Saphan Hin, because this three-day event promises to be unforgettable. Speaking at a press conference…
-
Thailand’s manufacturing index poised for growth after 2024 dip
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) is set to see a turnaround next year, with expectations of a 1.5 to 2.5% growth. This forecast comes as a recovery from the anticipated 1.6% contraction in 2024, largely attributed to weak consumer purchasing power and high household debt, as reported by the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). OIE Director General Passakorn Chairat expressed…
-
New Mumbai-Bangkok flights ready for take-off in late December
Thailand’s friendly skies just got friendlier! Vietjet Thailand is set to connect two vibrant hubs, Mumbai and Bangkok, with its inaugural direct service starting December 23. This new route promises seamless travel for tourists and business passengers alike, sparking a boost in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two bustling cities. Initially, the service will operate daily. Flight VZ761…
-
Thai mother ignores after new husband sexually assaults daughter
A Thai father is taking legal action against his ex-wife’s new husband after the man sexually assaulted his 16 year old daughter while the mother allegedly turned a blind eye for financial reasons. The 16 year old girl from Pattaya turned to Channel 7 after her biological mother refused to help and did not believe her account of the sexual assault…
-
Phuket cracks down on human trafficking in fisheries
Phuket officials are doubling down on the fight against human trafficking in the island’s bustling marine fisheries sector. At a meeting held yesterday, November 27, leaders stressed the urgency of safeguarding workers from exploitation and aligning with global anti-trafficking standards. The high-level talks, chaired by Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri, gathered agency heavyweights at the Provincial Welfare and Labour Protection Office.…
-
Three referendums required for 2017 constitution rewrite
Three referendums are deemed necessary for a complete rewrite of the 2017 constitution, according to Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the joint House-Senate panel on the referendum bill. This statement directly counters the claim made by People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who suggested that only two referendums would be needed, a point he believed was backed by Parliament President…
-
RTA denies tensions with UWSA in Mae Hong Son
Tensions between Thai military forces and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district have been dismissed by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), contradicting recent media claims. Colonel Thirat Sombatsiri, the RTA spokesperson, firmly denied reports circulating on social media, asserting that the border remains tranquil without any confirmed incidents of violence. “The overall border situation…
-
Family suspect black magic in deaths of Thai man and daughter
A Thai man and his daughter died under mysterious circumstances in their home in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Relatives suspect their deaths may be linked to the woman’s belief in black magic. A relative visited the home of 87 year old Samreng and his 57 year old daughter, Katechada, in the Pak Phun sub-district of Mueang Nakhon…
-
Thailand to safeguard Buddhism from exploitation
The Government of Thailand announced a commitment to taking a proactive approach to safeguarding Buddhism, aiming to address issues before they escalate into public controversies or complaints. This marks a shift from previous strategies, where the National Office of Buddhism typically responded to problems only after they surfaced. Chousak Sirinil, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for overseeing…
-
Thai police banned from collecting fees for red checkpoint boxes
Thai police issued an urgent directive prohibiting officers from collecting monthly fees for red checkpoint boxes following a corruption ruling by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). An official notification was acknowledged by Phumithat Khositwanichpong, Deputy Commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, acting on behalf of the Provincial Police Commander. The directive, marked as the most urgent under number 0016.413/8182 and dated…
-
Nong Bua Lamphu gunman surrenders amid hunger, exhaustion
The Thai gunman who murdered three people in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu surrendered to the police today, claiming exhaustion and hunger. The 58 year old gunman, Samart, hid in the Na Klang district of Nong Bua Lamphu forest after he shot dead three victims in the Si Bun Rueng district yesterday, November 27. The three victims were…
-
Father and daughter found dead in house in Nakhon Si Thammarat (video)
Two lifeless bodies were discovered in a remote house in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, leaving relatives and police shocked. The deceased, a father and daughter, were found in the same home, surrounded by mysterious artefacts, raising suspicions about the daughter’s beliefs in the supernatural. Police Lieutenant Colonel Montri Wannakhong from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police Station…
-
Five year old boy with special needs missing in Chiang Mai
A five year old boy, described as having special needs, has mysteriously gone missing from his school in Chiang Mai, sparking an extensive search operation involving rescue teams and locals. Despite the efforts, which include land and water searches and the use of drones, the child remains unaccounted for. The incident was reported yesterday afternoon, November 27 when rescue teams…
-
Jealous Thai man stabbed to death after physically assaulting lover
A jealous Thai man physically assaulted his lover today at a rented room in the central province of Prachin Buri and ended up being stabbed to death by her. The 22 year old Thai woman, Thitinan, called officers from the Si Maha Pho Police Station to the scene of the incident at around 12.45am today, November 28, after she stabbed…
-
Girl, 11, rescued after abduction, abuse by teenage kidnapper
An 11 year old girl was reportedly abducted and assaulted by a 16 year old male acquaintance she met on Facebook, sparking a desperate search by her mother and police. The girl was eventually rescued, safe but shaken, after enduring five days of captivity. The distressing incident began when the girl’s mother reported her daughter missing to the Pavena Hongsakul…
-
Pattaya City plans intersection expansion to ease traffic congestion
Pattaya City is taking action to alleviate traffic congestion at the Sawang Fah–Naklua intersection. City Council President Banlue Kulawanit, accompanied by council members and officials, recently inspected the site following numerous complaints from locals. These complaints highlighted the difficulties large buses face when navigating the narrow corners, causing significant traffic jams during peak hours. Residents have been vocal about the…
-
Thailand video news | Drunk woman causes Pattaya traffic jam, Malaysia drops 1MDB charges against Najib Razak
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex highlights key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. These include a fight between trans women on Phuket’s Bangla Road, chaos at a Maha Sarakham hospital caused by a meth-intoxicated patient, and a Pathum Thani couple seeking justice after a hit-and-run. Other updates feature fraud arrests, viral controversies, and regional developments like Vietnam’s anti-corruption crackdown…
-
5.4 million meth pills seized in Central and northeast Thailand
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers intercepted two illicit drug trafficking networks, seizing a staggering 5.4 million methamphetamine (meth) pills valued at over 150 million baht. The events unfolded yesterday, November 27, with the arrest of two suspects involved in separate but related drug cases. Jiraphop Puridet, Police Lieutenant General, and Sopon Sarapat, Montree Teskhan, Charungsak Jamroon, and Phattawut Onchoay, announced…
-
Thai airlines offer 30% discounts on 50,000 seats for new year
The Thai Ministry of Transport announced a new year’s gift for travellers, addressing the issue of expensive flight tickets by collaborating with airlines to offer a 30% discount on 50,000 seats during the new year holiday period. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday, November 27, disclosed that a meeting was convened with the Thai Airline Association.…
-
Colombian gang arrested in Bangkok for 3.2m baht assets theft
Police from the Metropolitan Investigation Division 6 and the Phlapphla Chai 2 Station apprehended a Colombian gang involved in a high-profile theft case. The gang is accused of breaking into a luxury vehicle and stealing assets worth over 3.2 million baht, including 900,000 baht in cash and 50 baht weight of gold bars. The incident involved a businessperson in the…
-
Phuket police arrest ‘Red Hat Robber’ chef in phone shop heist
Police in Phuket have apprehended a suspect, known as the “Red Hat Robber,” involved in a robbery at a mobile phone shop. The suspect, a 29 year old chef named Ranjatharit Ngamtharanakit, allegedly committed the crime to repay his car loan. The incident took place at a mobile phone shop in Ban Ao Makham, near the oil depot in Wichit…
-
Thai racer alleges deception, loses 3.5 million baht
A renowned Thai lawyer has taken up the case of a female national motorcycle racer, who claims to have been deceived by senior figures in the sports industry, leading to a loss of nearly 3.5 million baht. Lawyer Kriengsak Pintusornsi joined forces with actress Sitang Buathong and Ratchada Nakkachareonsri yesterday, November 27, Thailand’s first female competitor at the World Superbike…
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.