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.

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    Where to travel in Thailand in July [2025]

    This month, I want to invite you to wander through art spaces, misty hills, and garden paths, where the only thing on the itinerary is to linger. Let’s take a slower route, one for the dreamers, the journal keepers, and...

  • Condor jet declares mid-descent alert on Phuket–Frankfurt route

    Condor jet declares mid-descent alert on Phuket–Frankfurt route

    A Condor Airbus A330-900, en route from Thailand’s paradise island of Phuket to Frankfurt, Germany, triggered a high alert after declaring an emergency while descending to its destination. Flight DE2369, operated by the German carrier, set alarm bells ringing as it squawked the 7700 transponder code, signifying a general emergency, just as it passed through 20,000 feet in German airspace.…

  • Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production

    Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production

    A Thai nurse at a hospital in Bangkok allegedly stole umbilical cords and placentas from newborn babies and sold them to a clinic to create growth factors and stem cells, which were then distributed illegally to more than 100 beauty clinics and hospitals in Thailand. The shocking theft and illegal production of stem cells and growth factors came to light…

  • Thailand sends 800 workers to Israel despite conflict

    Thailand sends 800 workers to Israel despite conflict

    The Department of Employment plans to dispatch 800 Thai workers to Israel this month despite the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision comes amidst a strong interest among Thais in pursuing employment opportunities in the country, as stated by Somchai Morakotsriwan, the chief of the DoE. Somchai emphasised that these workers will be stationed only in safe areas, with…

  • Trang Airport terminal to open by late 2025 amid project delays

    Trang Airport terminal to open by late 2025 amid project delays

    The Transport Ministry directed an expedited effort to complete the new passenger terminal at Trang Airport, aiming for its operation by the close of next year. This directive comes from Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, following a petition from a civic group in the southern province urging the government to resume the 1.6-billion-baht project, halted by the contractor about six…

  • Common health concerns for expats in Thailand: Prevention and protection

    Common health concerns for expats in Thailand: Prevention and protection

    Moving to Thailand as an expat offers adventure, vibrant culture, and an excellent lifestyle, but it also brings some health challenges that might not be familiar to you. From tropical diseases to climate-related conditions, understanding common health concerns and knowing how to prevent them can make all the difference for your well-being. Here’s what you should know about staying healthy…

  • Thailand seeks Japanese investment in high-tech sectors

    Thailand seeks Japanese investment in high-tech sectors

    Thailand’s Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with Japanese business leaders on November 1 to encourage increased investment in advanced technology sectors, aiming to restore Japan’s position as Thailand’s primary foreign investor. In his first meeting since taking office, Pichai held discussions with Keita Ishii, president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), alongside executives from major Japanese firms…

  • 3 Thais arrested for assaulting, robbing mute man over jealousy

    3 Thais arrested for assaulting, robbing mute man over jealousy

    Police arrested a woman and two men for physically assaulting and robbing a 70 year old mute Thai man in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on October 29 over jealousy. The mute victim, 70 year old Arunchat Shinnarat, filed a complaint at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station at about 11am on November 1. He reported that two men and…

  • Thailand steps up border monitoring due to palm oil smuggling

    Thailand steps up border monitoring due to palm oil smuggling

    Thailand’s border officials have heightened surveillance along the Malaysian border to combat potential palm oil smuggling, as price differences between the two countries create incentives for illegal trade. Internal Trade Department Director-General Udom Srisomsong directed commerce officials in Songkhla and Satun provinces to strengthen border checkpoint inspections. The Satun Public Relations Office confirmed that officials conducted thorough examinations of palm…

  • Teenager’s egg theft ends with compassion in Trat

    Teenager’s egg theft ends with compassion in Trat

    A teenager’s desperate attempt to steal eggs from a roadside restaurant in Trat province ended in tears but also compassion. The 16 year old boy, caught by a passerby, explained his actions, having not eaten for almost four days. The restaurant owner, a 72 year old woman, decided against pressing charges, choosing instead to give him the food. The incident…

  • Bank of Thailand board chair decision delayed amid controversy

    Bank of Thailand board chair decision delayed amid controversy

    The selection process for a new board chairman at the Bank of Thailand (BoT) has been delayed yet again, as the independent committee overseeing the choice opted to postpone its decision for another week. They indicated the necessity of more time to fully consider the information presented. This marks the second delay in the decision-making process, following an earlier postponement…

  • Gold diggers delight: Prices sink as GTA drops glittering bombshell

    Gold diggers delight: Prices sink as GTA drops glittering bombshell

    The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today dropped a bombshell with the news of a significant plunge in gold prices, making it the talk of Thailand. With a call to action for swift decision-making, the price of gold ornaments has nosedived by 200 baht per baht weight, now glittering enticingly at 44,400 baht. Making waves at 9.02am, today, November 4, the…

  • High-speed airport rail link contract still pending review

    High-speed airport rail link contract still pending review

    Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced today that the amended contract for the high-speed airport rail link connecting three major airports cannot yet be presented to the Cabinet this week, as it awaits thorough review from the State Enterprise Committee. Suriya today, November 4, said he plans to discuss the timeline with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who…

  • PM Paetongtarn leads Suan Dusit’s political-index survey

    PM Paetongtarn leads Suan Dusit’s political-index survey

    A recent survey conducted by Suan Dusit University reveals that the Thai government’s performance ratings have improved in October compared to September, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emerging as the most popular coalition politician. The Suan Dusit Poll, which surveyed 2,136 people across Thailand from October 25 to 30, asked participants to evaluate both government and opposition performance across 25…

  • Pressure’s on: High blood pressure tops Thailand’s health charts

    Pressure’s on: High blood pressure tops Thailand’s health charts

    High blood pressure has muscled its way to the top of the health pile, becoming the most common condition treated under Thailand’s universal healthcare services in 2023. That’s the latest from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), which has revealed the nation’s pulse. NHSO’s top doc, Jadet Thammathataree, spilt the beans on an eye-watering 99.7 billion baht budget allocated for…

  • Property market measures to be discussed in Cabinet meeting

    Property market measures to be discussed in Cabinet meeting

    Ministers are set to review several measures to boost the property market at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced. In a statement released today, November 4, Pichai revealed that the Finance Ministry will ask the Cabinet to approve 55 billion baht for low-interest home loans. These loans would be available for up to 3 million baht per buyer.…

  • Thai man shoots ex-wife and new boyfriend in jealous rage (video)

    Thai man shoots ex-wife and new boyfriend in jealous rage (video)

    A Thai man shot dead his ex-wife and her new boyfriend yesterday at the woman’s rented home in the Thung Song district of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat before he was arrested later that afternoon. Thung Song Police Station officers investigated the deaths of a 33 year old Thai woman, Jariya Tamtoi, at 4.45am yesterday, November 3, at…

  • Crimson crisis: Phuket’s urgent Rh-negative blood donation plea

    Crimson crisis: Phuket’s urgent Rh-negative blood donation plea

    Phuket is in the grips of a crimson crisis as the bustling tourist High Season unleashes a surge of road accidents, putting the squeeze on blood supplies for life-saving emergencies. In response, the Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society and Vachira Phuket Hospital are ramping up their efforts to boost blood reserves, particularly with a call for the desperately…

  • Finance Ministry to sell 50% stake shares for 30 to 40 billion baht

    Finance Ministry to sell 50% stake shares for 30 to 40 billion baht

    The State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO) is set to divest shares held by the Finance Ministry, where stakes are below 50%, over the next four to five years. The sale will utilise a mark-to-market pricing method to ensure fair market value is considered. Tibordee Wattanakul, SEPO Director-General, highlighted the challenges faced in previous attempts to offload these shares. A lack…

  • Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon as mercury plunges to record low

    Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon as mercury plunges to record low

    In a frosty turn of events, Thailand’s towering titan, Doi Inthanon, is giving visitors the cold shoulder, with temperatures diving to a nippy 7°C, the chilliest dawn of the season so far. This icy spectacle has proven irresistibly cool for tourists, drawing in a crowd eager to lap up the brisk mountain vibes. Just yesterday, November 3, the mountain was…

  • Pheu Thai seeks easier referendum rules amid legislative clash

    Pheu Thai seeks easier referendum rules amid legislative clash

    The Pheu Thai Party is making moves to amend the constitutional referendum requirements, aiming to ease the passage of such referendums by reducing the size of the majority needed. Prayut Siripanich, a member of the ruling party and deputy chairman of the joint House-Senate committee on the referendum bill, announced that discussions will take place tomorrow, November 5, to address…

  • Severe flooding in Samut Prakan as seawater rises unexpectedly

    Severe flooding in Samut Prakan as seawater rises unexpectedly

    Rising seawater has inundated several areas in Samut Prakan, causing severe flooding on numerous roads, with some areas submerged nearly a metre deep and extending over 3 kilometres. Residents were caught off guard, scrambling to move their belongings to safety as the tides rose unexpectedly fast. Floodwaters swept across Samut Prakan, particularly affecting the Phra Samut Chedi district. Roads such…

  • Phuket steps up: Old town charm and cultural delights awaits

    Phuket steps up: Old town charm and cultural delights awaits

    Get ready to step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Phuket as the island gears up for the Travel Old Town, Telling Phuket tourism festival. From November 27 to December 1, Queen Sirikit Park on bustling Thalang Road will transform into a cultural hotspot, with the iconic dragon statue standing guard over festivities. Organised by…

  • Truck driver files complaint over alleged 250,000 baht bribe

    Truck driver files complaint over alleged 250,000 baht bribe

    A truck driver and his wife filed a complaint against a group of men who posed as government officials, demanding a bribe of 250,000 baht after alleging the truck was transporting illegal goods. The incident took place in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with the couple reporting the matter to local police. The truck driver, referred to as Kung, and…

  • 3 foreigners arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Europe

    3 foreigners arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Europe

    The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Thai Customs officials arrested three drug smuggling foreigners, two Malaysians and one Singaporean, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Italy and the UK. Officials received a tip-off that certain foreigners intended to use Thailand as a route to traffic cannabis into Italy and the UK,…

  • Jumbo joyride: Tourists swarm Khao Yai for elephant encounters

    Jumbo joyride: Tourists swarm Khao Yai for elephant encounters

    Khao Yai National Park turned into a hotspot of excitement yesterday as throngs of tourists descended to savour the cooler climes and marvel at the elephants and their natural splendours over the weekend. The bustling gates at Nern Hom and Khao Yai Shrine, nestled in the enchanting provinces of Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, welcomed eager visitors in droves. The real…

  • Fishing for trouble: Pathum Thani fishermen dispute turns deadly

    Fishing for trouble: Pathum Thani fishermen dispute turns deadly

    A confrontation over fishing rights escalated into violence, resulting in a man being shot and seriously injured. The incident occurred yesterday, November 3, around 7.20pm in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province. Upon receiving the report, police officers, including Singha Singhachalee, a deputy investigator at Khlong Luang Police Station, and other senior officers arrived at the scene to investigate. The…

  • Lotto lost: Man seeks justice after girlfriend makes off with jackpot

    Lotto lost: Man seeks justice after girlfriend makes off with jackpot

    A Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after his girlfriend scarpered with his 350,000 baht lottery prize, leaving him only 50,000 baht. She justified the theft by saying he never took her on holiday or to a nice restaurant. The man took to social media to search for his girlfriend and appealed to the local…

  • Commerce ministry urges halt on soyabean oil price hikes

    Commerce ministry urges halt on soyabean oil price hikes

    The Commerce Ministry issued a call to edible oil processors, urging them not to increase retail prices, citing no rise in production costs. This follows reports indicating that soyabean oil producers are considering raising the price of bottled soyabean oil. Goranij Nonejuie, Internal Trade Department Deputy Director-General, announced that the department has formally requested the Soyabean and Rice Bran Oil…

  • Trunk trouble: Rampaging elephants stampede through Thai village

    Trunk trouble: Rampaging elephants stampede through Thai village

    A herd of rampaging elephants caused devastation in the village of Ang Suea Dam, Thata Thakiap subdistrict, Chachoengsao province, much to the dismay of locals. Around 30 wild elephants destroyed nearly 1,000 rubber trees that villagers had nurtured for nearly a decade. The community, led by village head Sombun Saeko, expressed their frustration and appealed to the government for assistance…

  • Tragedy strikes after man’s fatal fall from Pattaya hotel

    Tragedy strikes after man’s fatal fall from Pattaya hotel

    A tragic scene unfolded at a hotel on Sukhumvit Road, Na Jomtien when a shocking accident saw a man fatally fall to his death. At precisely 9.50pm on November 2, Police Colonel Watthanachai Saengrit, the head honcho of Na Jomtien Police Station, received the alarming news. Wasting no time, he dashed to the scene, joined by medics from Wat Yan…