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 April [2025]

    Travelling in Thailand is peak during April if you are looking for a real taste of summer. With high temperatures, amazing beaches, and exciting events, April is an amazing time to visit the country as a whole. Due to the...

  • Lufthansa execs partner with Thai child welfare centre

    Lufthansa execs partner with Thai child welfare centre

    A high-profile delegation from the Lufthansa Group embarked on a special mission to the Child Protection and Welfare Centre in Huay Yai, near Pattaya, on Tuesday, March 12. Led by Frank Naeve, Senior Vice President of Global Markets & Stations, the assembly of over 200 top-tier executives from various countries across the Asia Pacific region, including Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Taiwan, and…

  • Jetstar flight fiasco: Passengers grounded as 24 hour delays soar

    Jetstar flight fiasco: Passengers grounded as 24 hour delays soar

    Jetstar Airways faced criticism from passengers when a flight from Bangkok to Singapore was delayed by more than 24 hours. The low-budget airline came under fire after 161 passengers found themselves stranded at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday, March 13. Passengers were scheduled to board Jetstar Asia flight 3K516 for a 1.35pm departure, Singapore time, with an arrival at Changi…

  • US asks TikTok to cut ties with China or face ban

    US asks TikTok to cut ties with China or face ban

    In a landmark decision, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that could force TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to cut all ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the United States. With United States President Joe Biden signalling his readiness to sign off on the legislation pending Senate approval, fears over Beijing’s sway on…

  • Man physically assaulted by teens after Korat festival

    Man physically assaulted by teens after Korat festival

    A 55 year old man was physically assaulted by a group of teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima, sparking outrage from his daughter who demanded justice and called for witnesses. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 13 at approximately 3.30am, during the final night of the Thao Suranari victory celebration in the Korat region. The man fell victim to a brutal attack…

  • Heartbreak heist: Thai man accuses lover swindling 38 million baht, stealing data

    Heartbreak heist: Thai man accuses lover swindling 38 million baht, stealing data

    A Thai businessman filed a complaint against his lover, accusing her of stealing confidential data from a hospital and swindling him out of 38 million baht. The 63 year old Wasit visited Pak Kret Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok yesterday, March 14, to file a complaint against his lover, Teeranan, who used to work as a nurse at…

  • Decade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh

    Decade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh

    Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai conducted a rice inspection following an invitation from the Association of Thai Agricultural Product Surveyors. The association, keen to dispel allegations regarding the quality of rice held under the contentious rice-pledging scheme, orchestrated an eventful visit to warehouses owned by Poonpon Trading Ltd and Kittichai Ltd in different districts of the northeastern…

  • Deputy spokesperson exposes deadly truth about colon cancer

    Deputy spokesperson exposes deadly truth about colon cancer

    Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri warned against the silent killer, colon cancer. Radklao brought the grim reality of colon cancer to the forefront, shedding light on its menacing rise globally. She highlighted how changing lifestyles have propelled its prevalence, transforming it into a leading cause of death and a pressing public health crisis each passing year. In Thailand alone,…

  • Tasty travels: Thai SELECT campaign spices up tourism

    Tasty travels: Thai SELECT campaign spices up tourism

    The Travel, Taste, Eat Thai SELECT campaign, a collaboration between the Commerce Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has been unveiled. This initiative is part of a soft power strategy aimed at promoting and bolstering Thai businesses, particularly certified Thai SELECT restaurants. The Deputy Commerce Minister, Napintorn Srisunpang, emphasised that the campaign is designed to ensure these establishments meet…

  • RTAF to procure either Gripen E-series or F-16 Block 70 jets

    RTAF to procure either Gripen E-series or F-16 Block 70 jets

    The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to procure either Swedish-produced Gripen E-series or American F-16 Block 70 fighter jets later this year. The information came to light during an address by RTAF chief Phanpakdee Pattanakul to senior air force officials at the RTAF headquarters. Phanpakdee noted that the original plan to purchase American F-35 fighter jets was no…

  • MSDHS holds workshop to find solutions for family stability

    MSDHS holds workshop to find solutions for family stability

    In a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Chulalongkorn University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, the Chula Art Project, and the World Bank, the workshop produced a white paper titled Family Stability on Top, Stop Demographic Crises. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, spearheading the initiative, declared that the comprehensive white paper encapsulates pivotal solutions derived…

  • UN official urges stronger action for sustainable development goals

    UN official urges stronger action for sustainable development goals

    The Chief of Outreach & Engagement at the UN Global Compact highlighted a pressing need for stronger collective action from all stakeholders to reach the United Nation’s sustainable development goals by 2030. During a media interaction in Thailand, Sue Allchurch expressed concerns about the sluggish progress towards these goals, despite global recognition of their importance. Allchurch outlined various obstacles that…

  • Sole searching: Thai man hits Buddha with flipflop after ex-wife return wish fails

    Sole searching: Thai man hits Buddha with flipflop after ex-wife return wish fails

    CCTV footage at a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat showed a Thai man hitting a Buddha statue with a flipflop after a wish for the return of his ex-wife was unfulfilled. A local in the Ron Phibun district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Piyapong Sutthiphakdee, took to social media to condemn the Thai man for his disrespectful…

  • Centara sets on becoming Top 100 global hotel operator by 2027

    Centara sets on becoming Top 100 global hotel operator by 2027

    2024 is set to be a momentous year for Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator. The company is rolling out an ambitious plan to open new properties, refresh its brands, and introduce exciting experiences for guests, aiming to become a top destination for travellers and one of the world’s leading hotel operators by 2027. Centara laid solid foundations…

  • US pledges boost in semiconductor investment for Thailand

    US pledges boost in semiconductor investment for Thailand

    To ramp up global semiconductor production, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo promised investment in Thailand’s manufacturing sector. Raimondo, speaking at an event in Bangkok hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, asserted that Thailand stood to benefit significantly from increased US investment in semiconductor production, stating that American firms were poised to supercharge their investments in the nation. Highlighting the…

  • Thailand seeks OECD membership with Germany’s support

    Thailand seeks OECD membership with Germany’s support

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the country’s ambition to gain membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He sought Germany’s support for this endeavour during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke outlined the meeting’s details, indicating that Chancellor Scholz expressed Germany’s interest in bolstering relations, especially…

  • Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens

    Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens

    Chiang Mai recently ascended to an undesirable top spot on the global stage as it experiences severe air pollution, making it the most polluted city in the world. The air quality in this northern Thai city has reached levels that pose significant health risks due to the pervasive spread of PM2.5 particles. At 3am today, March 15, the air quality…

  • MFP warned of legal implications ahead of general debate

    MFP warned of legal implications ahead of general debate

    A general debate has been scheduled for April 3 and 4, with a cautionary note to the opposition that they may face legal consequences if issues related to the ex-premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, are raised. This debate doesn’t require a censure vote under Section 152 of the constitution and will span over two days, revealed Wisut Chainarun, the chief government whip.…

  • Bank of Thailand likely to cut policy rate in April, predicts SCB EIC

    Bank of Thailand likely to cut policy rate in April, predicts SCB EIC

    Siam Commercial Bank’s research centre, SCB EIC, anticipates that the Bank of Thailand is likely to initiate a decrease in the policy rate in April due to structural economic issues. The research centre predicts that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will slash the policy rate by 50 basis points in the first half of this year. The initial rate cut…

  • Illegal workers in South Korea: Amnesty for Thai nationals

    Illegal workers in South Korea: Amnesty for Thai nationals

    The Labour Ministry of Thailand has approached the South Korean government to consider granting amnesty to around 150,000 Thai workers currently residing and working unlawfully in South Korea. The plea was made yesterday by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jeong-sik, in Seoul on Wednesday, March 13, to examine the predicament. According to Phiphat,…

  • Visa-free policies boost international travel and economies

    Visa-free policies boost international travel and economies

    The international travel industry experienced a significant rebound last year, following the implementation of visa-free policies by various governments. These policies aimed to rejuvenate their ailing economies through the influx of spending by foreign tourists. Thailand, for instance, witnessed 28 million arrivals in 2023 largely due to the strong performance in the last quarter. This surge was precipitated by visa…

  • Thailand Video News | Bangkok Cops probe groping incident by foreigners on Khaosan Road, Authorities thwart terror plot

    Thailand Video News | Bangkok Cops probe groping incident by foreigners on Khaosan Road, Authorities thwart terror plot

    In this video, Alex and Jay capture the news across the nation. In southern Thailand, authorities thwarted a potential terrorist operation, while allegations of groping on Khaosan Road prompt investigations. Another significant sentence has been handed down under Thailand’s lese majesty laws. Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Chiang Mai after 17 years marks a notable political event. Meanwhile, a…

  • Bangkok rescue team pulls off penis ring after Thai man makes prick of himself

    Bangkok rescue team pulls off penis ring after Thai man makes prick of himself

    A rescue team in the Klong Toey district of Bangkok successfully removed 11 steel rings from a Thai man’s penis after he made a prick of himself trying to enlarge his todger. Channel 7 reported that a 30 year old man was admitted to the hospital unconscious yesterday, March 14. According to media sources, he encountered difficulty urinating following a…

  • Update: Female police corporal gets 13-year sentence for torture

    Update: Female police corporal gets 13-year sentence for torture

    After a harrowing ordeal that lasted over two years, the court has sentenced a female police corporal to 13 years and five months imprisonment for the brutal treatment of a former female soldier who served under her. The close male friend of the corporal was also convicted, receiving a four-year and one-month jail term. The case came to light when…

  • Thai woman defends husband for shooting her with harpoon

    Thai woman defends husband for shooting her with harpoon

    A Thai woman in the Isaan province of Buriram defended her husband, who shot her with a harpoon, to prevent him from being arrested, saying the shooting was an accident. Her husband said otherwise. Rescuers from the Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Foundation in the Nang Rong district of Buriram province hurried to assist a 46 year old woman named Phan who…

  • Young Indochina tiger undergoes eye surgery in Uthai Thani

    Young Indochina tiger undergoes eye surgery in Uthai Thani

    A semi-blind male Indochina tiger, believed to be approximately two years old, underwent successful surgery this week to remove an intensely inflamed eye. The tiger, known as Balago, was discovered wandering around Kamphaeng Phet around a month ago and was brought to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani. Senior veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol, along with a team of specialists…

  • Mo Chit 2 drivers demand fare increase and illegal taxis crackdown

    Mo Chit 2 drivers demand fare increase and illegal taxis crackdown

    A demand for an increase in the starting taxi fare at Mo Chit 2 to 50 Thai baht (US$1.40) was presented to the Transport Ministry by the Professional Association of Public Taxi Motorists on Thursday. The association simultaneously appealed for the resolution of the persistent issue of illegal taxi operations in the area. Khanesuan Gamkhuntod, the President of the association,…

  • Illegal immigration spikes in Thong Pha Phum as Myanmar nationals seek refuge

    Illegal immigration spikes in Thong Pha Phum as Myanmar nationals seek refuge

    A recent surge in illegal immigration was witnessed in Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi, as 22 Myanmar nationals attempted to cross the border into Thailand on March 13. The Thong Pha Phum police, along with other authorities, responded swiftly to a tip-off about the unlawful activity. Upon reaching the specified location, the officers discovered a vacant pickup truck parked close to…

  • Horrific murder at Lampao Dam: Husband arrested for killing wife

    Horrific murder at Lampao Dam: Husband arrested for killing wife

    The tranquillity of Lampao Dam in Kalasin was shattered on March 13, when at 11am, a horrific discovery was made. A female body was found, cruelly tied around the neck to a tree. The local police and emergency services were promptly notified and rushed to the scene. The body was quickly identified as that of Somphit Senakit, a 53 year…

  • Former Thai PM Thaksin returns to Chiang Mai after 17 years

    Former Thai PM Thaksin returns to Chiang Mai after 17 years

    A remarkable event unfolded in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his hometown. Accompanied by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also leads the Pheu Thai party, and other family members, Thaksin arrived via private jet at precisely 9.28am on March 14. On his arrival, the Deputy National Police Chief, Surachet Hakparn,…

  • Transgender woman faces 25 years behind bars for lese majeste

    Transgender woman faces 25 years behind bars for lese majeste

    A transgender woman has been slammed with a hefty 25-year prison sentence for lese majeste and computer crimes. In a swift ruling from the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, the 26 year old defendant, Maggie, faced the grim reality of her fate today. Lawyers from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) disclosed details of the verdict, shedding light on a case fraught…