Thailand News

Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.

  • Sponsored

    The 5 best luxury villa rentals in Koh Samui by The Luxury Signature

    Koh Samui has long been known as one of the world’s finest luxury travel destinations. Its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and crystal-clear waters create an idyllic setting that attracts travellers seeking an escape from the everyday grind. And opting to...

  • Thai police arrest man for selling protected langurs on Facebook

    Thai police arrest man for selling protected langurs on Facebook

    Thai authorities apprehended a 31 year old man in Narathiwat for illegal wildlife trade involving two protected langurs. Basam Saleh, who was caught following an online sting operation, confessed to purchasing the animals from a local and attempting to sell them through a Facebook group. In a significant crackdown on wildlife trafficking, Thai police successfully nabbed Saleh for the possession…

  • Chiang Mai summer storm topples gateway arch, damages car

    Chiang Mai summer storm topples gateway arch, damages car

    The northern city of Chiang Mai witnessed the aftermath of a summer storm when a significant gateway arch collapsed at the intersection of Bo Sang traffic lights, causing damage to a red sedan and nearby structures. In the wake of the incident, local officials and emergency services worked through the night to clear the debris and restore normalcy to the…

  • Man found dead in Greater Manchester home

    Man found dead in Greater Manchester home

    British police took to social media to reach out to the Thai family of a Manchester man found dead in his own home in Denton, Greater Manchester, in the United Kingdom. The deceased, 48 year old Lee McDonough’s untimely demise has left authorities scrambling for answers as they seek to connect with his family, believed to be in Thailand. Tameside…

  • Stagnant trade and closed doors shake Bangkok’s New Chinatown

    Stagnant trade and closed doors shake Bangkok’s New Chinatown

    Dubbed the “New Chinatown of Bangkok,” Pracharat Bamphen Road, once teeming with Chinese hot pot restaurants and bustling shops, is now shrouded in a veil of uncertainty. Several Chinese eateries have succumbed to the fierce battleground of competition, exacerbated by a decline in Chinese tourist footfall since the Covid-19 pandemic. While there’s been a slight uptick in numbers, it’s a…

  • Deputy police chief Big Joke evades charges

    Deputy police chief Big Joke evades charges

    A fresh summons notice is plastered on the door of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke’s residence. The embattled deputy finds himself at the centre of a money-laundering storm, with authorities hot on his trail. Big Joke’s former abode in a plush Bangkok neighbourhood became the scene of drama as officers from Thung Song Hong Police Station…

  • Stabbing attack at Pattaya’s Soi Night Market sparks investigation

    Stabbing attack at Pattaya’s Soi Night Market sparks investigation

    Two individuals fell victim to a stabbing attack at Pattaya’s bustling Soi Night Market yesterday. The first casualty, identified as 43 year old Janyawat Homchan, bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining a harrowing stab wound to his left arm inflicted by an unidentified sharp object. Meanwhile, Thongbai Nadee, also 43 years old and employed at a local hotel, suffered…

  • Navy officer shoots burglar at Sattahip residence

    Navy officer shoots burglar at Sattahip residence

    A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer-turned-homeowner in Sattahip left a suspected burglar nursing wounds after a daring confrontation yesterday. Sattahip police raced to the scene following reports of a break-in at 6.30am yesterday. The scene unfolded at a serene single-family abode nestled along Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. Officers arrived to find 44 year old…

  • E-cigarette manufacturers target students with new ‘toy pod’ trend

    E-cigarette manufacturers target students with new ‘toy pod’ trend

    The rise of a new breed of e-cigarettes, dubbed “toy pods” has sparked growing concern among academics. This new variant, designed to resemble popular cartoon characters or toy miniatures, is targeted explicitly at school and university students. Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), shed light on this alarming trend. According to…

  • Chao Phraya Princess enhances cruise services to boost tourism

    Chao Phraya Princess enhances cruise services to boost tourism

    Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing a revival, with operators enhancing their services to attract the global inflow of tourists. A sought-after experience for many first-time visitors in Bangkok is a scenic cruise along the Chao Phraya River, the country’s main thoroughfare. Chao Phraya Princess, among the largest river cruise operators, has weathered several crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic. To survive…

  • Malaysian Airlines unveils new routes including to Chiang Mai

    Malaysian Airlines unveils new routes including to Chiang Mai

    Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) announced three new routes to the Maldives, Chiang Mai, and Da Nang. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy aimed at capturing the leisure market, MAB, a key player in the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is primed to whisk travellers away to exotic destinations with unparalleled ease. From its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur, MAB is…

  • Thai man shoots wife dead in attempted attack on sister-in-law

    Thai man shoots wife dead in attempted attack on sister-in-law

    A Thai man accidentally shot his wife dead in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima while trying to shoot his sister-in-law. Officers from the Pakchong Police Station last night dashed to the shooting scene at a house in Soi Ban Song Thai on the Tetsaban 38 Road in the Pakchong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. Police found the dead body of…

  • Teenagers’ pellet gun rampage ends in arrests in East Pattaya

    Teenagers’ pellet gun rampage ends in arrests in East Pattaya

    A quiet neighbourhood in East Pattaya erupted into chaos as a gang of 10 teenagers unleashed a pellet gun frenzy, with one resident narrowly escaping serious injury. A group of ten teenagers stormed a residence nestled in Soi S.R., Nong Pla Lai Sub-district, east Pattaya, on March 17, firing a pellet gun indiscriminately. The 22 year old Anuchit Chaijarung had…

  • Power down for the planet: Bangkok joins global Earth Hour

    Power down for the planet: Bangkok joins global Earth Hour

    To combat climate change, Bangkokians are urged to power off their lights and unused appliances from 8.30pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, aligning with the annual Earth Hour tradition observed internationally on the penultimate Saturday of March. Spearheaded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other partners since 2008, this symbolic gesture…

  • Thailand police arrest woman tied to 50 million baht fraud case

    Thailand police arrest woman tied to 50 million baht fraud case

    Royal Thai Police swooped to arrest a 55 year old woman implicated in a public fraud case involving over 50 million baht in damages, in Songkhla, a southern province in Thailand. Tawanna Tarawasant is implicated in a public fraud case involving over 50 million baht in damages. The arrest took place in the district of Rattaphum, specifically in the Khuan…

  • Thai FDA warns against illegal beauty products

    Thai FDA warns against illegal beauty products

    Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against six illegal beauty and dental care products, including popular toothpaste and facial masks, urging the public not to purchase or use these items. This alert comes after a raid conducted in partnership with the Consumer Protection Board and the Royal Thai Police on a company in the Bang Na district. The operation…

  • Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link faces major maintenance

    Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link faces major maintenance

    Bangkok’s bustling Airport Rail Link, a lifeline for commuters to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport, is gearing up for a major overhaul after 14 years in operation. After a recent inspection flagged critical issues, the Department of Rail Transport issued a stark warning: Neglecting maintenance could spell disaster for passengers, Director-General Pichet Kunadhamraks revealed yesterday. “Skipping this important step could jeopardise…

  • Scorching heat and thunderstorms ahead for Thailand, warns TMD

    Scorching heat and thunderstorms ahead for Thailand, warns TMD

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts a mix of scorching heat and thunderstorms over the next seven days, warning of potential heavy downpours affecting 30% of the area. The forecast, spanning from today until March 27, indicates that a westerly wind from Myanmar will pass through the northern and northeastern regions as well as upper Laos from today, March…

  • Suspected insurgents ignite fires in southern Thailand

    Suspected insurgents ignite fires in southern Thailand

    Suspected insurgents ignited fires overnight at various locations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat in southern Thailand, according to police reports. In Pattani, four separate convenience stores located in Mueang, Yaring, Yarang, and Khok Pho districts experienced arson. Additionally, car tyres were set on fire at three sites, two in Khok Pho and another in Panare. Pattani’s Mueang district police chief, Police…

  • Ground pork contaminated with African swine fever uncovered

    Ground pork contaminated with African swine fever uncovered

    The Department of Health disclosed that samples of ground pork seized in a raid on three illicit factories in Nakhon Pathom province have tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus. The unsettling announcement came hot on the heels of a meticulous investigation conducted by local police forces and health authorities in the Mueang district. Department of Health Director-General…

  • Chon Buri police nab thief stealing 18,000 baht gold bracelet

    Chon Buri police nab thief stealing 18,000 baht gold bracelet

    A theft at a gold shop in Chon Buri Province was foiled when police apprehended a 21 year old factory worker who posed as a customer to steal a gold bracelet. The suspect, Shinawatra, was arrested and confessed to the crime, prompted by the high gold prices to fund personal expenses. The brazen theft occurred at a gold shop in…

  • Kidnap ringleader caught after seven-year hunt in Khon Kaen

    Kidnap ringleader caught after seven-year hunt in Khon Kaen

    The Thai authorities have arrested the alleged ringleader of a drug gang in Khon Kaen, who is accused of kidnapping a 13 year old girl to extort 30,000 baht from her father to settle a methamphetamine debt. The 30 year old suspect, identified as Kamonchai, was apprehended after he reportedly went into hiding following media coverage of the incident on…

  • Thai man swaps Viagra for lizards to boost sexual performance (video)

    Thai man swaps Viagra for lizards to boost sexual performance (video)

    Hold the Viagra, Thailand, one Thai man has found an alternative to erectile dysfunction and improving one’s sexual performance – by eating live lizards! The horny Thai man reckons the reptile can improve sexual performance three hours after consumption. The family members of 59 year old Thai man Sommai, reported his shocking behaviour to the media. Sommai lives in the…

  • Stink city: Residents hold noses as foul odour fills Bangkok streets

    Stink city: Residents hold noses as foul odour fills Bangkok streets

    Residents in the capital city were left pinching their noses last night after an unpleasant smell permeated several districts of Bangkok. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) attributed the smell to a sudden weather shift and ensuing chemical reactions with airborne pollutants. The BMA issued the statement in response to numerous reports from citizens who were disturbed by a pungent, burning scent…

  • Brake failure leads to serious motorcycle crash in Chachoengsao

    Brake failure leads to serious motorcycle crash in Chachoengsao

    A motorcycle crash at a busy intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two people being seriously injured. The incident occurred when 24 year old Nataya and 28 year old Jittima were on their way to work. Due to brake failure, Nataya decided to run a red light, causing a violent crash with another motorbike, driven by 49 year old Yothin…

  • Thailand’s bid to join OECD gains momentum

    Thailand’s bid to join OECD gains momentum

    Thailand’s quest for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership gains momentum as insiders reveal surprising support from top diplomats. Thailand’s aspiration to kick-start the accession process for OECD membership has garnered significant backing from the organisation’s members, reports a diplomatic insider. The revelation came to light during the inaugural OECD Council meeting held in Paris on Tuesday,…

  • Stark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action

    Stark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action

    The Bangkok South Civil Court ruled in favour of turning the lawsuit against former executives of Stark Corporation into a class action. Accused of duping the public under the Securities Act, the defendants, Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, Chanin Yensudjai, Chinnawat Assavapokee, Sathar Chantrasettalead, and Kittisak Jitprasertngam, now face the wrath of 4,500 shareholders seeking justice. Upon thorough evaluation of the plaintiffs and…

  • Playing foul: Thai MPs score controversy with illegal match stream in Parliament

    Playing foul: Thai MPs score controversy with illegal match stream in Parliament

    Pheu Thai Party MPs sparked controversy on Thai social media for watching yesterday’s Thailand versus South Korea football match on an illegal website, complete with gambling advertisements, during a parliament meeting. Football fans in Thailand rejoiced as the national team, commonly known as Chang Suek among Thais, managed to secure a 1-1 draw in their latest World Cup qualifying match…

  • Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia

    Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia

    In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…

  • State Railway of Thailand’s renovation project for accessibility

    State Railway of Thailand’s renovation project for accessibility

    In a significant move towards inclusivity, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has embarked on a renovation project for 10 of its passenger carriages. The initiative is aimed at making the carriages more accessible for individuals with disabilities, according to Aekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor’s office. The carriages undergoing renovation are second-class vehicles put into service in 2012.…

  • Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust

    Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust

    In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon at a border patrol police company in Bueng Kan, following a covert operation led by the local law enforcement and border patrol units. The suspects were…