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

    Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand

    Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...

  • Thailand Book Expo closes chapter with record-breaking 1.4 million visitors

    Thailand Book Expo closes chapter with record-breaking 1.4 million visitors

    The 29th Annual Thailand Book Expo in Bangkok concluded yesterday, October 20, with resounding acclaim, having drawn an unprecedented 1.4 million visitors and amassed over 438 million baht in sales during its fortnight-long run. This spectacular turnout in Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre shattered previous records, showcasing the Thai populace’s enduring love affair with literature. This year’s expo exceeded all…

  • Police seek 2 suspects for dumping woman’s body near cassava farm

    Police seek 2 suspects for dumping woman’s body near cassava farm

    Police are searching for two suspects, one women and one man, who dumped the corpse of an unidentified woman near a cassava farm in the central province of Uthai Thani yesterday. Officers from Lansak Police Station were alerted to the discovery of the dead body at around 3pm yesterday, October 20. The body was found on the side of the…

  • Travel subsidy scheme said to boost post-flood tourism in the north

    Travel subsidy scheme said to boost post-flood tourism in the north

    The Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering increasing the budget for its tourism subsidy scheme to help tourism firms in the northern region recover from recent flood damage. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced the plans following a meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss economic and tourism stimulus measures. The meeting followed Sorawong’s visit to flood-hit Chiang…

  • Bangkok gets a taste of Seoul: Korean food fest stirs up a culinary coup

    Bangkok gets a taste of Seoul: Korean food fest stirs up a culinary coup

    In a culinary coup, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy teamed up with Kotra to dish out Seoul Food in Bangkok 2024, in the nation’s biggest food extravaganza yet. This mouth-watering event isn’t just about savouring the flavours, it’s a powerhouse meeting for food bigwigs eager to cook up new business deals, starting with Bangkok before taking the…

  • Thai woman surrenders to police after slitting debtor’s throat

    Thai woman surrenders to police after slitting debtor’s throat

    A Thai woman turned herself in after slitting the throat of a female debtor during a funeral at a temple in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday. The shocking attack occurred in front of many locals attending the funeral at Jating Phra Temple in the Sathing Phra district of Songkhla at about 12.15am on Sunday, October 20. The victim was…

  • Thai Finance Ministry to tighten state welfare card criteria

    Thai Finance Ministry to tighten state welfare card criteria

    Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is set to review the criteria for the State Welfare Card registration, aiming to exclude ineligible individuals after finding some recipients receiving as much as 10,000 baht per month in benefits. Deputy Finance Minister Chulapan Amornvivat announced a forthcoming meeting to discuss the progress of the new round of State Welfare Card registration. This comes following…

  • Time’s up: House Speaker warns of ticking tensions in Tak Bai turmoil

    Time’s up: House Speaker warns of ticking tensions in Tak Bai turmoil

    House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha sounded the alarm over the simmering unrest in Thailand’s volatile Deep South. With the clock ticking down to the looming deadline for the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case, police are under pressure to seize suspects or risk letting them slip away forever. Wan Muhamad has thrown down the gauntlet, insisting security forces must snag…

  • Royal Forest Department investigates land nibbling in Chiang Rai

    Royal Forest Department investigates land nibbling in Chiang Rai

    The Royal Forest Department zeroed in on the Cherntawan International Meditation Centre, amidst claims that they’ve illegally nibbled away at prime forest land in Chiang Rai’s Mueang district. The centre, helmed by the famed Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, is under scrutiny for reportedly occupying more land than legally allowed. The Royal Forest boss, Surachai Achalaboon, stormed into action, directing the…

  • Knife-wielding gamer turns arsonist, torches cars, attacks cop in Bangkok

    Knife-wielding gamer turns arsonist, torches cars, attacks cop in Bangkok

    Police captured a knife-welding gamer, turned arsonist, after he caused chaos by setting fire to three vehicles and injuring a police officer. The 44 year old suspect, Panthap, whose full name is withheld, was apprehended at his residence in Bangkok following a dramatic police operation in which he blamed his actions on a mobile game addiction. The incident that led to…

  • Autopsy seeks to unravel mysterious death of Chinese man

    Autopsy seeks to unravel mysterious death of Chinese man

    The lifeless body of a Chinese man remains under autopsy after he died mysteriously at his home in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Saturday. Thai national Jiraphap Saewang discovered the body of his Chinese neighbour, 54 year old Fong, at around 11pm on Saturday, October 19. Fong was found lying on a wooden sofa, hugging a pillow, in…

  • Tour bus brake failure injures 38 in multi-vehicle crash

    Tour bus brake failure injures 38 in multi-vehicle crash

    A tour bus carrying passengers from a religious event crashed into four vehicles yesterday due to brake failure, injuring 38 people, with two in critical condition. The incident occurred on Mittraphap Road near Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. The crash happened at approximately 1.30am, yesterday, October 20, and police and emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene. The yellow and…

  • Scam cable: Mukdahan officials cut off illegal Internet link to Laos

    Scam cable: Mukdahan officials cut off illegal Internet link to Laos

    Mukdahan officials have blown the lid off a daring cross-border scam operation, dismantling illegal Internet cables stretching from Thailand into Laos across the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. In a move straight out of a thriller, these covert cables, buried around 5 kilometres deep into Laos, were reportedly fuelling deceitful scam rings, making Thai victims believe they were dealing with local…

  • Drug-addict fatally assaults wife in front of daughter

    Drug-addict fatally assaults wife in front of daughter

    A drug-addict fatally assaulted his wife in front of their 13 year old child at their home in the central province of Ang Thong yesterday, October 20. The murderer cited jealousy as his motive, claiming his wife had an affair with their neighbour. Officers from Mueang Ang Thong Police Station investigated a house in Talat Kruad sub-district, Mueang district, Ang…

  • Leveling up: Thailand gears up to boost esports with global gaming giants

    Leveling up: Thailand gears up to boost esports with global gaming giants

    The Government of Thailand is set to bolster the esports industry through collaboration with major global gaming companies, aiming to enhance manpower skills in this rapidly expanding field as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. Prasert, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), visited the Thailand Game Show 2024 at Queen Sirikit National Convention…

  • Netizens take aim at foreign woman’s slingshot antics in Chon Buri zoo

    Netizens take aim at foreign woman’s slingshot antics in Chon Buri zoo

    Thai netizens called for legal action against a foreign woman who was seen using a slingshot inside Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province. A Thai TikTok user, @patcharida_36, shared a video of the incident on the platform yesterday, October 20. In the video caption, she wrote, “That’s not nice! #KhaoKheow.” The footage shows the foreign woman, dressed in…

  • Cat-astrophic bill: Cat bite leads to 410,000 baht infection

    Cat-astrophic bill: Cat bite leads to 410,000 baht infection

    A young woman from Ayutthaya nearly lost her hand after a cat bite, resulting in a severe bacterial infection and medical expenses amounting to 410,000 baht. She now warns others to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by pets. The woman, 29 year old Sansanee from Wang Noi district revealed that on September 21, she attempted to trim the nails…

  • Family feud turns fatal: Phuket man killed with pick axe handle

    Family feud turns fatal: Phuket man killed with pick axe handle

    A man in Phuket was fatally attacked with a pick axe handle by a relative, leaving him dead at the scene. The attacker claimed the assault was in self-defence and awaited police to turn himself in. At 2pm yesterday, October 20, Weerayut Tanyasirisunwornkul, an investigator from Phuket City Police Station, received a report of a man being assaulted and killed…

  • Thailand video news | Heavy rain and strong winds warning to affect 41 provinces in Thailand, Cambodian princess Jenna denies K-pop stardom rumours

    Thailand video news | Heavy rain and strong winds warning to affect 41 provinces in Thailand, Cambodian princess Jenna denies K-pop stardom rumours

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers heavy rain hitting 41 Thai provinces, a French tourist’s arrest for reckless riding in Chiang Mai, and Pattaya police detaining foreign beggars. A truck tyre accident in Samut Songkhram injured two schoolgirls, while a British tourist was hurt by a boat propeller in the Similan Islands. Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia’s…

  • Temple abbot found dead after 650,000 baht fraud in Ayutthaya

    Temple abbot found dead after 650,000 baht fraud in Ayutthaya

    A tragic case has emerged involving the abbot of a temple in Sena district, Ayutthaya province, who was found dead in his quarters. A handwritten note left by the 68 year old abbot revealed deep distress over financial betrayal. Police in Ayutthaya issued a summons for a man who allegedly deceived the abbot into lending him 650,000 baht. If found guilty,…

  • International victims sue iCon Group after losing over 20 million baht

    International victims sue iCon Group after losing over 20 million baht

    Representatives of Thai and foreign victims living abroad arrived in Thailand to file complaints against the iCon Group company after they did not receive the products they had ordered. The total losses amount to over 20 million baht. Channel 7 reported that more than 5,600 people across Thailand filed complaints against the iCon Group company for allegedly operating a Ponzi…

  • Mother arrested for assaulting children in drunken frenzy

    Mother arrested for assaulting children in drunken frenzy

    A heavily intoxicated mother was reported by neighbours after an assault on her eight year old son which created a chaotic scene at their residence. Her husband revealed that she had previously poured hot water on their six month old daughter. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station reported receiving a call around 8.30pm yesterday, October 20, regarding a mother in a state…

  • Armed gang extorts 4 million baht, kidnaps two in Bangkok heist

    Armed gang extorts 4 million baht, kidnaps two in Bangkok heist

    Five armed men stormed a prominent company on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, extorted over 4 million baht, and kidnapped two Chinese nationals before abandoning them on Nawamin Road. Police are currently investigating the incident. Yesterday, October 20, two Chinese nationals reported to Suthisan Police Station that they had been victims of an armed robbery and kidnapping at their workplace on…

  • Tragic blaze claims lives of grandmother, granddaughter in Samut Prakan slum

    Tragic blaze claims lives of grandmother, granddaughter in Samut Prakan slum

    A Thai woman and her 11 year old granddaughter died in a devastating fire at their home in a slum community in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The fierce fire broke out in the slum community on Soi Bang Prong 4, Samut Prakan, at about 1.45am yesterday, October 20. The blaze reportedly started at house number 192 and spread to…

  • Unholy muddle: Monks caught in naughty habits in defrock shock

    Unholy muddle: Monks caught in naughty habits in defrock shock

    Police officers and a village head raided a monk’s quarters, resulting in the defrocking of two monks for engaging in drug use, drinking alcohol, and having an illicit affair with a local man’s wife. The raid occurred after receiving complaints and evidence of inappropriate behaviour. The search took place at a temple in Lahan Sai district, Buriram province yesterday, October…

  • Heavy rain expected in 32 provinces with 70% of Bangkok affected

    Heavy rain expected in 32 provinces with 70% of Bangkok affected

    Today’s weather forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicts heavy rain across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience downpours over 70% of its area. Citizens are advised to stay alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff. The TMD issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in central, eastern, and…

  • Phew! Thai party faces petition peril over Thaksin ties

    Phew! Thai party faces petition peril over Thaksin ties

    A dramatic political twist erupted as a petition emerged demanding the dissolution of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, with claims of undue influence from former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The party itself has made the explosive allegations. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed it is merging four petitions against Pheu Thai, alleging that the party is under Thaksin’s sway, despite him not…

  • Norwegian tragedy: Expat’s final Fjorday in Pattaya ends in horror

    Norwegian tragedy: Expat’s final Fjorday in Pattaya ends in horror

    A Norwegian expatriate was discovered dead in harrowing circumstances in the early hours of yesterday morning in his Pattaya hotel room after allegedly inflicting horrific injuries upon himself. Shortly after 4am, yesterday, October 20, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received a frantic alert about a foreigner’s disturbing behaviour and self-harm in a second-floor room on Soi 14. Upon arrival, local…

  • Young teacher tragically killed by ex-boyfriend in Chachoengsao

    Young teacher tragically killed by ex-boyfriend in Chachoengsao

    A young teacher, Namfon, was tragically shot dead by her ex-boyfriend, 25 year old Atitwat, inside her car. The incident unfolded in the Bang Nam Priao district, Chachoengsao province, and ended with Atitwat taking his own life. Namfon’s mother, 44 year old Pannee, shared her grief while on her way to retrieve her daughter’s body from the Department of Forensic…

  • Flash flood hits Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, stranding tourists and campers

    Flash flood hits Ban Rai, Uthai Thani, stranding tourists and campers

    A night of heavy rain led to a flash flood that caught tourists and campers off guard in Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani, yesterday, October 19. The central plain province was one of five affected by the flooding yesterday. The flash flood struck the mountainous region of Ban Rai around 8pm, just hours after the downpour began. The water levels…

  • Monk kills village headman in Khon Kaen temple dispute

    Monk kills village headman in Khon Kaen temple dispute

    A monk’s anger over being warned about drinking alcohol led to a fatal incident at a temple in Khon Kaen. The tragic event unfolded when a village headman was attacked with an axe, resulting in his death. Police in Khon Kaen, led by Theerathat Phongsuwan and Surachet Matnok, detained 66 year old Phra Ken following the incident. The attack occurred…