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

    Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever

    Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...

  • Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    A house recently sold and cleared of paperwork was destroyed by a fire, leaving the former owner unable to contact the new buyer. The fire, which remains unexplained, occurred yesterday evening, November 21, in the Thung Sawang community, Kanthararom district, Sisaket province. Police investigator Prayoon Boonyok received the fire alert at 7pm, with the incident taking place in a single-storey…

  • 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…

  • Illegal hunter poached in Sri Nakarin Dam National Park

    Illegal hunter poached in Sri Nakarin Dam National Park

    Park officials pursued three hunters in the Sri Nakarin Dam National Park and successfully apprehended one of them, while the other two managed to escape. The operation led to the seizure of two homemade guns and a significant quantity of ammunition. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21, in the forests of Sri Nakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi province, a region currently…

  • 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…

  • Second Australian teen falls victim to Laos poisoning tragedy

    Second Australian teen falls victim to Laos poisoning tragedy

    The unbearable heartache continues for the family of an Australian teen after she tragically died today following a horrific methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Her passing takes the death toll to six. Teenage Holly Bowles passed away in a Thai hospital today, November 22, just a day after her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19 years old, succumbed to the same…

  • 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,…

  • Bangkok students assaulted, stripped, blackmailed by classmates

    Bangkok students assaulted, stripped, blackmailed by classmates

    Two female students from a vocational college in Bangkok are seeking justice after being physically assaulted by three classmates and forced to undress in front of a camera. The victims, identified as 18 year old A and 16 year old B, contacted social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet for assistance, fearing they would not receive justice after filing a complaint…

  • 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…

  • Purring gold: Chiang Mai’s golden tiger sparks a roaring sensation

    Purring gold: Chiang Mai’s golden tiger sparks a roaring sensation

    Recent images of a golden tiger have captured public attention, with the adorable tiger from Chiang Mai Night Safari creating quite a buzz. Known for her glamorous appearance and strikingly soft fur, the tiger, Nong Ava, has become a favourite among animal lovers. The Chiang Mai Night Safari, renowned for its diverse range of wildlife, has unveiled the latest pictures…

  • Timber! Police chase ends in close call on Ping River bridge

    Timber! Police chase ends in close call on Ping River bridge

    A dramatic police chase unfolded when a man driving a pickup truck loaded with illegal timber attempted to evade a checkpoint, ending in a near-tragic collision on a bridge over the Ping River. The pursuit began yesterday, November 21 at 6.20pm when police in Tak province, led by Sitthichai Yimyuan, coordinated with rescue units to intercept a white Toyota truck…

  • Foreign man found dead in Pattaya waters sparks investigation

    Foreign man found dead in Pattaya waters sparks investigation

    Beachgoers at Pattaya’s serene Wong Amat Beach were met with a chilling discovery early this morning – the body of a foreign man, draped in jewellery, floating just metres from the shore. Police Lieutenant Akkarapong Saenputawong, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Pattaya City Police Station, received the call at 7.30am, today, November 22, prompting an immediate response from both police and…

  • Thai woman’s U-turn after ex-husband’s abduction (video)

    Thai woman’s U-turn after ex-husband’s abduction (video)

    A Thai woman survived an abduction by her ex-husband and his friend thanks to the help of motorists on a road in Bangkok. She later decided to withdraw the legal charges against them following a request from her ex-father-in-law. Numerous witnesses and motorists on Pracha Uthit Road in Bangkok successfully rescued the 26 year old woman, identified as Daranee, from…

  • Revving down: Nissan shifts gears with Thai job cuts

    Revving down: Nissan shifts gears with Thai job cuts

    Nissan Motor Corporation is gearing up for a major reshuffle in Thailand, as the automotive giant plans to slash or relocate around 1,000 jobs amidst its sweeping global workforce reduction strategy. This hard-hitting news comes from insider sources who leaked the story to Reuters, albeit under the cloak of anonymity due to their lack of authorisation to go public. The…

  • Malaysian monk arrested for theft at Chiang Mai temple

    Malaysian monk arrested for theft at Chiang Mai temple

    Chiang Saen police officers in northern Thailand, including immigration, apprehended a Malaysian monk suspected of theft at Chiang Mai’s Jed Yod Temple. The suspect, identified as 50 year old Paramasivan, was found near Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai. The investigation kicked off after Chang Phueak police in Chiang Mai were alerted to missing valuables from…

  • Crypto the future: Thailand coins new digital investment arena path

    Crypto the future: Thailand coins new digital investment arena path

    Thailand is making strides to become a regional leader in digital asset investment, with the government pledging to create opportunities and enhance accessibility in this burgeoning market. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat emphasised the importance of collaboration with the private sector to support the growth of digital assets during a keynote speech at a Binance TH event. In his address,…

  • Daring climb: Belarusian tourist seriously injured in Phuket hotel fall

    Daring climb: Belarusian tourist seriously injured in Phuket hotel fall

    Early this morning, a 23 year old Belarusian tourist was rushed to Patong Hospital with two broken legs and other serious injuries after an attempt to climb up to her hotel room ended disastrously. Rescue workers and Patong Police arrived at the hotel on Nanai Road around 4am, today, November 22, to find the tourist conscious but clearly in agony,…

  • Thai investors spook Rayong locals after haunted houses appeal

    Thai investors spook Rayong locals after haunted houses appeal

    A weird real estate sign reading “Find haunted houses to buy” left locals in the eastern province of Rayong shocked and bewildered. Two real estate investors have since claimed responsibility for the sign, explaining that their goal is to renovate old, haunted houses for resale. A 48 year old Thai man named Kai shared a picture of the real estate…

  • Elderly British expat injured in Pattaya scooter crash

    Elderly British expat injured in Pattaya scooter crash

    An elderly British expat sustained serious injuries when his electric scooter collided with wooden pallets in Pattaya. The incident took place in front of the Toe Tae Market on Chaiyaphruek 1 Road. Pattaya police responded quickly to the report, with emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation arriving promptly at the scene. Upon their arrival, they discovered a red…

  • FTI fuels the push for a public-private energy plan in Thailand

    FTI fuels the push for a public-private energy plan in Thailand

    The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) renewed its call for the establishment of a public-private committee on energy management, urging the Thai government to take the proposal seriously in light of potential shifts in America’s energy policy under Donald Trump’s presidency. The FTI’s proposal aims to enhance national energy management and address the complexities arising from global energy dynamics. The…

  • Highway expansion boosts Bangkok-eastern Thailand connection

    Highway expansion boosts Bangkok-eastern Thailand connection

    Highway 3481, a vital route connecting Bangkok to eastern provinces such as Chachoengsao and Prachin Buri, has undergone a significant upgrade. The road has been expanded from two lanes to four, a development aimed at easing transport between the bustling capital and the eastern regions. This expansion, executed by the Department of Highways, is set to enhance travel within the…

  • Thailand cooking up a global food hub by 2026

    Thailand cooking up a global food hub by 2026

    Thailand is gearing up to establish itself as a leading global food hub by 2026, with its food trade value projected to exceed 700 billion baht next year. This ambitious goal is largely driven by the private sector’s initiatives to enhance food-related industries and promote gastronomy tourism. Taniwan Koonmongkon, president of the Thai Restaurant Association (TRA), revealed that Thailand’s food…

  • Life in the fast lane: Heroic rescue revives foreign driver in Pattaya

    Life in the fast lane: Heroic rescue revives foreign driver in Pattaya

    A Thai rescue team yesterday saved a foreign man who lost consciousness while driving on a road in Pattaya, reportedly due to a congenital condition. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and a rescue team were called to the footpath near the Land Department Intersection on Pattaya Sai Sam Road to assist the unconscious driver yesterday afternoon, November 21. The…

  • Thailand braces for hot, stormy weather across regions

    Thailand braces for hot, stormy weather across regions

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, November 22, indicating hot conditions with scattered clouds in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, while the southern regions brace for heavy rainfall. The TMD’s forecast for the next 24 hours reveals a moderate high-pressure system or cool air mass from China affecting the upper regions of Thailand, resulting…