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.

  • Transport ministry eyes 40-baht day pass for train lines | Thaiger

    Transport ministry eyes 40-baht day pass for train lines

    The Ministry of Transport is moving forward with a proposal to introduce a 40-baht all-day train pass for Bangkok’s Purple and Red electric lines. Designed to ease commuting costs and encourage regular use, the plan will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval next week. An official source revealed the pass would allow unlimited travel for a flat fee of…

  • Thailand crowned world’s best food destination in 2025 | Thaiger

    Thailand crowned world’s best food destination in 2025

    Thailand has been crowned the world’s best country for food, after a global survey revealed what travellers really crave: bold flavours and unforgettable dishes. Condé Nast Traveller, a prestigious US-based travel magazine, has named Thailand the No.1 country for food in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. Scoring a near-perfect 98.33 out of 100, Thailand wowed voters with its bold…

  • Thailand video news | Teen saved from Ayutthaya bridge jump, Russian suspect arrested in Bangkok over 12-million-baht scam | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Teen saved from Ayutthaya bridge jump, Russian suspect arrested in Bangkok over 12-million-baht scam

    In Thailand video news, Alex brings updates from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Today’s stories feature a police rescue in Ayutthaya, an on-stage fall involving Miss Universe Jamaica in Thailand, and a light-hearted hitchhiking moment that sent a British TikToker viral. Teen saved from Ayutthaya bridge jump Two Ayutthaya police officers rushed to stop a 15-year-old boy from jumping off…

  • Thailand plans to extend civil servants’ retirement age from 60 to 65 | Thaiger

    Thailand plans to extend civil servants’ retirement age from 60 to 65

    The government plans to extend the retirement age for all civil servants from 60 to 65 in response to declining birth rates and the country’s transition to an ageing society. Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, Bowornsak Uwanno, discussed the progress of the study on extending the retirement age for civil servants, as assigned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Bowornsak…

  • Wife arrested for shooting husband over ‘throuple’ relationship request | Thaiger

    Wife arrested for shooting husband over ‘throuple’ relationship request

    A 60 year old woman shot her 35 year old husband in Nakhon Pathom yesterday, November 19, after he returned to his ex-wife and asked her to accept a throuple relationship. Police from Nakhon Chai Si Police Station responded to reports of a shooting at a house in Soi Khun Kaew 10, Khun Kaew sub-district, where they found the injured…

  • Phuket MP demands action over forestland grab scandal | Thaiger

    Phuket MP demands action over forestland grab scandal

    A Phuket MP has called on officials to investigate the illegal construction of buildings on protected forestland after claims of encroachment surfaced. Phuket’s forestland is under fresh scrutiny as Members of Parliament call for a full investigation into illegal construction encroaching on protected public land and animal pastures at Laem Phromthep. At a press conference held at Parliament yesterday, November…

  • American tourist on drugs leaps from Pattaya condo balcony | Thaiger

    American tourist on drugs leaps from Pattaya condo balcony

    An American tourist in Pattaya was seriously injured after leaping from a second-floor balcony while allegedly under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. The incident occurred around 8.16am on Tuesday, November 18, at a condominium on Soi Thapphaya 7. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a man falling from the building.…

  • Thailand may delay decision on scrapping Cambodia border pacts | Thaiger

    Thailand may delay decision on scrapping Cambodia border pacts

    A Thai House committee reviewing controversial border MoUs with Cambodia is seeking more time to decide whether to recommend their cancellation. A parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing two controversial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Thailand and Cambodia is requesting a 30-day extension as it struggles to sift through a mountain of evidence. The current deadline is December 3, but committee…

  • Indian gang arrested in Pattaya online gambling condo sting | Thaiger

    Indian gang arrested in Pattaya online gambling condo sting

    Five Indian men were arrested in Pattaya after police raided a condominium where they were allegedly running an illegal online gambling operation. Immigration police, led by Police Colonel Napaspong Khositsuriyamani and Police Lieutenant Colonel Kawinwat Arayasutirawong, raided the property on Thepprasit Soi 17 in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung district. The bust followed intelligence reports that a group…

  • Chilly blast hits Thailand as monsoon brings storms south | Thaiger

    Chilly blast hits Thailand as monsoon brings storms south

    A cold spell is sweeping across Thailand as a powerful high-pressure system brings strong winds, falling temperatures and stormy seas to several regions. A strong high-pressure system from China is extending over upper Thailand, triggering a cold snap across the north, northeast, and parts of the south. Morning temperatures are dipping sharply, particularly in northern regions, where residents woke up…

  • Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit | Thaiger

    Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit

    Thailand welcomed a group of Taiwanese travellers with mobility disabilities for a five-day pilot tour, aiming to promote the country as an inclusive destination. The initiative is part of a pilot programme led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the Association of Thai Travel Agents. The group, hailing from FLOW, Inc., a Taiwanese social enterprise that…

  • Police investigate death of woman found on beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan | Thaiger

    Police investigate death of woman found on beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    Police are investigating the death of a Thai woman whose body was discovered on Laem Kum Beach in the Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Monday, November 17. Officers from Thap Sakae Police Station were alerted at around 12.30pm after reports of a body discovered roughly 500 metres from Rocky Point Resort. When police arrived, they found…

  • Police rescue teenage boy from suicide attempt on Ayutthaya bridge | Thaiger

    Police rescue teenage boy from suicide attempt on Ayutthaya bridge

    Two police officers stepped in to save a 15 year old boy from a suicide attempt on a bridge in Ayutthaya province yesterday, November 18. Police Senior Sergeant Major Itsara Samakrob and Police Lance Corporal Thanachai Thianthong were dispatched to a bridge in the Pratu Chai district after receiving a report about a suicide attempt. At the scene, officers found…

  • Phuket tattoo artist says Australian client skipped 15,000 baht bill | Thaiger

    Phuket tattoo artist says Australian client skipped 15,000 baht bill

    A tattoo artist in Patong, Phuket, has accused an Australian man of failing to pay for a completed tattoo session worth 15,000 baht, after making an initial deposit. The incident occurred on November 18 at Dragon Ink Patong Phuket tattoo studio. The artist shared photos of the man across multiple Facebook groups to warn other businesses in the area. In…

  • Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on | Thaiger

    Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on

    Thailand’s Cabinet approved a new fiscal plan projecting reduced budget deficit and increased spending, aiming to stabilise the economy amid weak growth. Thailand’s government has announced an 8.4% reduction in the national budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, signalling a cautious step towards stabilising public finances amid a sluggish economy. Yesterday, November 18, the Cabinet approved a medium-term fiscal…

  • Miss Teen Cambodia contestant accuses Thailand of starting war (video) | Thaiger

    Miss Teen Cambodia contestant accuses Thailand of starting war (video)

    A Miss Teen Cambodia contestant sparked controversy when she tearfully accused Thailand of provoking conflict during a speech at a national pageant event. The woman accused Thailand of instigating conflict and demanding the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers. The moment unfolded during the pageant finals and was later uploaded to TikTok by the account @queencambodiaofficial_17. The video, which quickly went…

  • PM Anutin denies bending jail rules to help Thaksin | Thaiger

    PM Anutin denies bending jail rules to help Thaksin

    Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied accusations that his government amended prison regulations to help a former leader avoid jail or aid political allies. Speaking to reporters at Government House today, November 19, Anutin, also leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, defended changes relating to inmate medical transfers, sentence suspensions, and alternative detention arrangements. Critics suggested the revisions were politically…

  • Police clarify viral bribe video is from 2019, officer dismissed | Thaiger

    Police clarify viral bribe video is from 2019, officer dismissed

    The Metropolitan Police Bureau clarified that the viral video showing a police officer demanding a bribe at the Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok was old footage from 2019, and the officer in question had already been dismissed from duty. Recently, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, accused more than 200 police officers of…

  • Bangkok Remand Prison chief axed after misconduct scandal | Thaiger

    Bangkok Remand Prison chief axed after misconduct scandal

    A Bangkok prison director was removed from his post after a raid revealed staff misconduct, prompting the Ministry of Justice to launch an internal investigation. The Ministry of Justice has transferred the director of Bangkok Remand Prison following a surprise inspection that uncovered staff involvement in illegal activities. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and…

  • Lampang man filmed abusing dog with compressed air denies wrongdoing | Thaiger

    Lampang man filmed abusing dog with compressed air denies wrongdoing

    A Thai man, caught on a viral video abusing a dog by inserting compressed air through its mouth or anus, defended himself, claiming he was merely drying its fur and that the footage is from several years ago. The video, shared on Facebook, sparked widespread criticism and calls for harsher legal punishment for animal abusers. The man in the footage…

  • Newborn baby girl’s body found dumped near Bangkok railway | Thaiger

    Newborn baby girl’s body found dumped near Bangkok railway

    A newborn’s body was discovered near a railway in Bangkok, shocking residents and prompting police to launch an urgent investigation to find the person responsible. The discovery was made yesterday, November 18, in a banana grove at the end of Wutthakat Soi 3, close to the railway tracks. Police Lieutenant Sirote Khayankan, deputy inspector of Talat Phlu Police Station, responded…

  • Customer accuses Michelin-starred Jay Fai of poor service, bias | Thaiger

    Customer accuses Michelin-starred Jay Fai of poor service, bias

    Jay Fai, a one-Michelin-star restaurant in Bangkok, is facing renewed criticism after a customer alleged she was denied entry and told to “mind her manners” for arriving before her dining companions. A Thai woman shared a video online documenting her experience at the restaurant, which she claimed demonstrated poor customer service. She called on others to stop supporting the venue…

  • Key flight routes cancelled in Thailand, including at Suvarnabhumi | Thaiger

    Key flight routes cancelled in Thailand, including at Suvarnabhumi

    Several flights were cancelled at major Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi, causing travel disruption for passengers on domestic and international routes. Travellers across Thailand have been hit by a wave of unexpected flight cancellations, causing widespread disruption at Udon Thani, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. The cancellations, affecting both domestic and international routes, have left passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. At Udon…

  • Nigerian man arrested for selling cocaine at Patong Hospital | Thaiger

    Nigerian man arrested for selling cocaine at Patong Hospital

    A Nigerian man was arrested in Patong after undercover police caught him selling cocaine during a sting operation in a hospital car park at night. Patong Police have arrested a 31 year old man following a sting operation that caught him red-handed selling cocaine in the parking lot of Patong Hospital yesterday, November 18. The operation was launched at 6.55pm…

  • Aussie journalist faces Thai trial over Malaysia blog posts | Thaiger

    Aussie journalist faces Thai trial over Malaysia blog posts

    An Australian journalist living in Thailand will face trial after publishing blog posts criticising Malaysia, prompting legal action and international concern. Murray Hunter will stand trial in Thailand on December 22 after being charged with defamation over articles critical of the Malaysian government. The 64 year old Aussie, who resides in Hat Yai, faces prosecution following a complaint lodged by…

  • Flash floods swamp Patong again, traffic brought to standstill | Thaiger

    Flash floods swamp Patong again, traffic brought to standstill

    Patong was flooded again after sudden downpours caused severe traffic disruption, prompting police to respond and issue warnings across the tourist hotspot. Yesterday, November 18 at 4.30pm, Patong Police released a statement warning motorists to steer clear of several waterlogged zones. Officers were dispatched to monitor flood levels and assist in managing traffic as major intersections became submerged. The operation…

  • Chinese, Russian tourists lose cash after showing money to Pattaya scammers | Thaiger

    Chinese, Russian tourists lose cash after showing money to Pattaya scammers

    A Chinese tourist and a Russian couple reported losing cash to suspected foreign scammers in Pattaya on Monday, November 17, after being tricked into showing their money. All three victims filed complaints at Mueang Pattaya Police Station on the same day. Based on their descriptions, the suspects are believed to be foreign nationals, possibly from an Arab country. The first…

  • Hitchhiking tourist gets surprise lift from Thai immigration officers (video) | Thaiger

    Hitchhiking tourist gets surprise lift from Thai immigration officers (video)

    A tourist hitchhiking in Thailand ended up catching a ride with immigration officers, leading to a humorous encounter that was later shared on social media. The video, posted on TikTok, shows the tourist beaming as he gets picked up on the roadside, unaware of the surprise that awaits. As it turns out, the vehicle he flagged down was no ordinary…

  • Motorbike crash leaves man critically injured in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Motorbike crash leaves man critically injured in Pattaya

    A motorbike collision in Pattaya late at night left two riders injured, one critically, after they crashed head-on while travelling along a local soi. A 28 year old man is fighting for his life following a violent motorbike collision on Soi Nern Plub Wan in Pattaya last night. The crash left both riders injured, with one in critical condition. The…

  • Tugboat hits riverside homes in Nonthaburi, causes 10m baht damage | Thaiger

    Tugboat hits riverside homes in Nonthaburi, causes 10m baht damage

    A tugboat carrying more than 5,000 tonnes of gypsum boards crashed into three riverside homes along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi yesterday, November 18, causing over 10 million baht in damage. The incident occurred at around 1am in the Koh Kret area of Pak Kret district. No injuries were reported. Pak Kret Police arrived at the scene around 5am…