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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    12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers

    For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...

  • Explosives found near election unit in Chumphon oil palm plantation

    Explosives found near election unit in Chumphon oil palm plantation

    Three grenades and nearly 100 machine gun rounds were discovered just 50 metres from a local election unit in Chumphon province. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, February 1, when a worker inadvertently kicked a suspicious bag while working. Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Yamee of Pathio District Police Station received a report from Sunthorn Thamniam, the village head of Mueang…

  • Thai hostages freed by Hamas set for repatriation from Israel

    Thai hostages freed by Hamas set for repatriation from Israel

    Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa arrived in Israel yesterday, February 1, to supervise the anticipated repatriation of five Thai nationals who were recently released after being held hostage by Hamas for 15 months. Maris, along with Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday morning local time. They later visited the five Thai nationals at Al-Shamir…

  • Civil servant caught filming police officers in Khon Kaen restroom

    Civil servant caught filming police officers in Khon Kaen restroom

    A civil servant from Udon Thani has been detained for secretly recording two police officers in a restroom in Khon Kaen with plans to share the footage in online groups. Police were alerted to a man exhibiting suspicious behaviour at a petrol station restroom on Mittraphap Road in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen yesterday, February 1, as per…

  • Illegal recycling site found with 3,600 tonnes of power lines

    Illegal recycling site found with 3,600 tonnes of power lines

    An unlicensed recycling facility in Samut Sakhon province has been found with illegally stored power lines, following a fire at a nearby plastics factory. The incident occurred on January 29 in Ban Phaeo district when a fire erupted at a plastics factory, leading to an investigation. Police discovered materials marked for recycling by a Chinese-owned company, including power lines from…

  • Thailand sees slight temperature rise with isolated southern storms

    Thailand sees slight temperature rise with isolated southern storms

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasted a slight increase in temperatures due to weakening cold air masses, alongside isolated thunderstorms in parts of the south for February 2. The high-pressure system affecting upper Thailand is diminishing, resulting in a 1 to 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperature and morning fog. Northern and northeastern regions remain cool to cold, while…

  • Gas explosion in Nonthaburi townhouse leaves 1 injured

    Gas explosion in Nonthaburi townhouse leaves 1 injured

    A gas explosion occurred in a two-storey townhouse on Tiwanon Road, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, resulting in one injury. Police and forensic officers, along with a rescue foundation, responded to the incident which occurred yesterday, January 31, leaving the house severely damaged. The explosion caused the front windows to shatter and fall to the ground, while side windows were…

  • Debt-ridden woman found dead in car in Ayutthaya

    Debt-ridden woman found dead in car in Ayutthaya

    A 47 year old woman was found dead in a luxury car parked on a roadside in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, causing distress to her husband and daughter. The woman, who had been missing since she said she was going to the market the previous day, could not be reached despite numerous attempts to contact her. Police Lieutenant Thongchai Kaewjarun…

  • Car rental leads police to massive drug haul in Pathum Thani

    Car rental leads police to massive drug haul in Pathum Thani

    A man who rented a car and failed to return it has led police to a significant drug find in Pathum Thani. A Toyota Vios was discovered abandoned yesterday, January 31, with over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) inside. Police Colonel Kiattisak Mitprasat from Khlong Luang Police Station received a report from a car rental company representative about a…

  • Swiss tourist reunited with lost Samsung mobile in Pattaya

    Swiss tourist reunited with lost Samsung mobile in Pattaya

    A Swiss tourist in Pattaya, who had misplaced his Samsung S24, has been reunited with his phone thanks to the efforts of a good Samaritan and the Bang Lamung police. On January 29, Police Colonel Navin Sinthurat, Chief of Bang Lamung Police Station, directed his team to return the device after it was handed over by a helpful man named…

  • Fire erupts at Ubon Ratchathani petrol station, blaze contained

    Fire erupts at Ubon Ratchathani petrol station, blaze contained

    A fire broke out at a petrol station in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani province yesterday, January 31 at 6.30pm. This incident occurred on the same day that a molotov cocktail attack was launched at Somdet Phra Yuparat Hospital in Det Udom district. The Fire & Rescue Thailand Facebook page shared images of the petrol station engulfed in flames, with…

  • Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30

    Kasikornbank: Verify SIM card name by April 30

    Kasikornbank has announced that mobile banking customers need to ensure their registered name matches their mobile SIM card name by April 30. The bank outlined two conditions for this requirement. Customers who have not been contacted need not take any action. Kasikornbank communicated through its Facebook page, KBank Live, regarding a measure to enhance mobile banking security. This initiative requires…

  • Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht

    Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht

    In Samut Sakhon, an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation was uncovered by Thai police yesterday, January 31, resulting in significant financial losses due to unauthorised electricity usage over a three-year period. The operation, which led to over 500 million baht in losses, was discovered during a raid conducted by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) following abnormal power consumption reports…

  • Thaksin Shinawatra allowed to leave Thailand with 5m baht surety

    Thaksin Shinawatra allowed to leave Thailand with 5m baht surety

    The Criminal Court has granted Thaksin Shinawatra permission to temporarily leave Thailand, requiring a 5 million baht cash surety to ensure his return. The former prime minister received approval yesterday, January 31 to visit Malaysia on Sunday and Monday. Thaksin named himself and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa as witnesses, supported by documentation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to validate…

  • Pattaya tourism surges with Russian and European influx

    Pattaya tourism surges with Russian and European influx

    Pattaya has experienced a notable increase in tourism during the current High Season, with a significant influx of visitors from Russia and Europe, as reported by Thanes Supharahasrangsi, president of the Chon Buri Tourism Association. On January 29, Thanes highlighted that many of these tourists are opting for extended stays in the city, contributing to a vibrant local economy. Thanes…

  • Fire devastates home in Phuket, leaves resident in shock

    Fire devastates home in Phuket, leaves resident in shock

    A fire erupted at a two-storey residence in Samkong Park Village, located north of Phuket Town, early yesterday, January 31. The incident left a 53 year old local in shock and resulted in extensive property damage. Phuket City Police received notification of the fire on Pracha Samakkee Road in Ratsada at 12.20am. Firefighters were promptly dispatched and worked for about…

  • Geckos’ centipede battle sparks lucky number frenzy (video)

    Geckos’ centipede battle sparks lucky number frenzy (video)

    A spine-chilling video of two geckos battling over a centipede has sent netizens into a frenzy—not just for the drama, but for the potential lottery numbers hidden in the showdown. TikTok user @yowtamadai posted the eerie clip on January 30, showing two geckos locked in a fierce tug-of-war over a centipede. The video, captioned “Every day, oh my,” quickly gained…

  • Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops

    Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, February 1, highlighting cold to chilly conditions in the north and northeast, with frost expected on mountain tops. Residents are advised to be cautious of fire hazards due to dry weather, while South Thailand faces monsoon effects with high waves at sea. In the next 24 hours, a…

  • Russian man rescued after car crashes into tree, suspected drugs found

    Russian man rescued after car crashes into tree, suspected drugs found

    A Russian man crashed his sedan into a tree at the side of the road in the southern province of Phetchaburi, sustaining serious injuries. A packet of white powder, suspected to be a drug, was found in his possession. A video shared by Channel 8 shows rescuers, police officers, and residents in Phetchaburi attempting to retrieve the 38 year old…

  • Thailand lottery players seek Chinese calendar for lucky numbers

    Thailand lottery players seek Chinese calendar for lucky numbers

    Lottery enthusiasts in Thailand continue their quest for winning numbers for the February 1 draw, tomorrow. The search includes popular numbers from celebrities, social media, and well-known advisors, along with the widely-followed Chinese calendar numbers, which remain a significant interest among lottery players. For the lottery draw tomorrow, numbers from the Chinese calendar have gained traction. A TikTok user with…

  • 5 Chinese nationals arrested crossing illegally into Thailand

    5 Chinese nationals arrested crossing illegally into Thailand

    Thai police arrested five Chinese men last night as they attempted an illegal border crossing from Myanmar into Thailand’s Tak province, raising further concerns about the region’s notorious scam operations. Border patrol officers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce discovered the group at 8.30pm, yesterday, January 30, wading through the Moei River from Myawaddy to Mae Sot district. The men—29 year old…

  • Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory

    Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a passionate last-minute appeal to his supporters, urging them to turn their loyalty into votes as Chiang Mai gears up for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections tomorrow, February 1. Returning to his home province on Thursday, the 75 year old political titan took the stage in a high-energy rally to back Pichai Lertpongadisorn,…

  • Thai man allegedly kills 3 snakes before taking his own life

    Thai man allegedly kills 3 snakes before taking his own life

    A Thai man allegedly killed three pet snakes before taking his own life at a condominium in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, due to a conflict with a monk in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom. A security guard at the condominium near Tiwanon Intersection in Nonthaburi province reported the resident’s death to Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station and the Por Teck…

  • Hot sting: Thai child scalded by soup at Chon Buri restaurant

    Hot sting: Thai child scalded by soup at Chon Buri restaurant

    A restaurant owner pledged to take responsibility and provide compensation after a five year old girl was scalded by hot soup at a popular eatery in Chon Buri. The incident took place yesterday, January 30 at the Khrua Pla Too Thit Auan restaurant, located on Hat Wonnapha Beach, Mueang district, Chon Buri. The child’s mother posted about the incident online,…

  • Sky’s the limit: AIS takes off with HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone

    Sky’s the limit: AIS takes off with HOVERAir X1 Pro Max drone

    In a daring leap into the skies, Advanced Info Service (AIS) has launched its first drone, the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max, setting its sights on the lucrative drone market. The high-flying gadget is now ready for takeoff at AIS service shops, promising to boost revenue from retail outlets and capture the imaginations of tech enthusiasts and adventurers alike. In a…

  • Smoke signals: Thailand cracks down on PM2.5 cross-border pollution

    Smoke signals: Thailand cracks down on PM2.5 cross-border pollution

    In a sizzling new move to tackle the smoggy skies, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) sets its sights on cracking down on PM2.5 pollution stemming from cross-border agricultural antics. Their bold plan? To roll out strict measures that target corn imports, demanding ironclad proof that the golden kernels come from non-burning cultivation zones. In a hard-hitting proposal slated for…

  • Disaster in DC: Black boxes recovered after mid-air collision (video)

    Disaster in DC: Black boxes recovered after mid-air collision (video)

    Investigators have recovered the black boxes from a catastrophic mid-air collision between a commercial airliner and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, DC, raising urgent questions about staffing shortages and air traffic control failures. The deadly crash occurred at 9pm on Wednesday, January 29 (2am GMT Thursday) near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people on…

  • Thai senator’s death penalty drama stirs up capital debate

    Thai senator’s death penalty drama stirs up capital debate

    A Thai senator sparked controversy after proposing a more severe punishment for drug offenders in a parliamentary session that drug suspects must face the death penalty, and their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels. During a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 29, Senator Amat Ayuken spoke about what he perceived as lenient punishments for suspects in drug-related cases.…

  • Taking the piss: Tourist pees at Phuket Airport

    Taking the piss: Tourist pees at Phuket Airport

    A video showing a foreign tourist urinating openly at Phuket International Airport, in Mai Khao subdistrict, Thalang district, sparked outrage both online and offline, with many demanding decisive action. The 13-second clip, shared yesterday, January 30, shows the tourist urinating without concern for onlookers, despite being warned by airport staff. The video was circulated widely on social media, particularly on…

  • Thai airline flight makes emergency landing in Phuket

    Thai airline flight makes emergency landing in Phuket

    Passengers on a Thai airline flight endured terrifying, life-threatening moments yesterday when their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport due to engine failure. The flight, carrying 150 passengers and crew, was approaching Phuket yesterday, January 30, when one of its engines malfunctioned, prompting immediate action from the flight crew. Despite the alarming situation, all onboard…

  • Disgraced monk shakes foundations of Buddhist faith in Thailand

    Disgraced monk shakes foundations of Buddhist faith in Thailand

    In a scandal that’s rattled the pious halls of a renowned temple in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, a disgraced monk has brought shame once more to the Buddhist faith of Thailand. The abbot, once a spiritual leader, is now at the centre of a sordid tale involving indecent selfies sent to a laywoman, enveloping the temple in scandal…