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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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Thai man gets ants in his pants in penis enlargement attempt (video)

    Thai man gets ants in his pants in penis enlargement attempt (video)

    A Thai man with ants in his pants managed to make a prick of himself while resorting to a penis enlargement home remedy experiment. Two videos went viral on Thai social media of the man penetrating an ants’ nest with his organ in a bid to make his penis bigger. The videos show the Thai man withdrawing his penis from…

  • Serial scammer uses dating apps to defraud women of over 50 million baht in car rental scam

    Serial scammer uses dating apps to defraud women of over 50 million baht in car rental scam

    Three women reported a scammer who fraudulently lured them into investing in cars for rental purposes and then disappeared, leaving them with massive debts. The unidentified man used online dating platforms to identify his victims, leaving almost 20 people defrauded and causing damages exceeding 50 million baht. Ronnarong Kaewpetch, the Chairperson of the organization for justice, and the three victims met…

  • Fake monk arrested after he swindled 180,000 baht from elder abbot to fund wife’s business

    Fake monk arrested after he swindled 180,000 baht from elder abbot to fund wife’s business

    Police apprehended a 53 year old resident of the Buriram province, who had been disguising himself as a monk to deceive local temple heads. Phanuphong, also known as ‘Oat,’ used his clever ruse to swindle more than 180,000 baht (US$5,112) from Monhkol Jatsanlo, an 82 year old abbot from Buriram, last June. Now in the custody of the police, Phanuphon…

  • Dead body of Austrian man found in Andaman Sea, Krabi

    Dead body of Austrian man found in Andaman Sea, Krabi

    Locals discovered the dead body of an Austrian man in the Andaman Sea, in the southern province of Krabi, near the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Locals today at 10.30am reported the grim discovery at Ao Nang Police Station, the national park, and with the marine police. The lifeless body of the Austrian man was found a kilometre…

  • Reign of terror ends: Police nab notorious serial rapist in Chon Buri

    Reign of terror ends: Police nab notorious serial rapist in Chon Buri

    A notorious serial rapist with a longstanding criminal history has been apprehended by police in Chon Buri. Police Major General Teeradej Thumsutee, investigation chief at the Metropolitan Police Bureau, informed the press that a man known as Wattana Srikhaney, also recognisable under the alias Tum Chonburi, was taken into custody following his assault on a woman in the Ko Chan…

  • Mini bus driver caught on viral video threatening to hit foreigner with iron bar in Phuket

    Mini bus driver caught on viral video threatening to hit foreigner with iron bar in Phuket

    A video has gone viral of a Thai minibus driver threatening to strike a foreigner with an iron bar in Phuket. The case is under investigation by the police. In the video shared yesterday, July 2, a white minivan is seen parked on a roadside in front of a coffee shop on Ratsada Road in Phuket. The driver, dressed in…

  • Girlfriend of Bangkok MFP MP withdraws physical assault claim following public apology

    Girlfriend of Bangkok MFP MP withdraws physical assault claim following public apology

    The former girlfriend of a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, representing Thawi Watthana-Taling Chan district in Bangkok, spoke about being on the receiving end of physical assault by the politician. She made known the physical assault occurred during a meeting at a golf course in Bo Win, Si Racha County, Chon Buri province. The ex girlfriend of MFP MP Sirin Sanguansin…

  • Divine intervention: Sacred amulet turns tragedy into a miraculous escape from roadside accident

    Divine intervention: Sacred amulet turns tragedy into a miraculous escape from roadside accident

    In a remarkable twist of fate, a family is convinced that their son miraculously cheated death in a tragic roadside accident. The incident occurred when a pickup driver lost control of his vehicle, causing it to flip upside down on a treacherous bend. However, the family attributes their son’s survival to a sacred amulet he wore, which they believe bestowed…

  • Topless man with a Thai tiger tattoo escapes knife attack, turning quiet neighbourhood into chaos

    Topless man with a Thai tiger tattoo escapes knife attack, turning quiet neighbourhood into chaos

    A bare-chested 60 year old man, sporting a traditional Thai tiger tattoo, yesterday survived a knife attack after becoming embroiled in a domestic argument with a friend and his wife, causing chaos in the quiet Samut Prakan neighbourhood. Officers from Samrong Police Station in Samut Prakan province rushed to the spot upon receiving news of a violent dispute that resulted…

  • Incoming monsoon triggers warnings for torrential rainfalls in 33 Thai provinces, including Bangkok

    Incoming monsoon triggers warnings for torrential rainfalls in 33 Thai provinces, including Bangkok

    The Meteorological Department today warns of relentless storms resulting in heavy rainfall mainly affecting northern Thailand. Thirty-three provinces, including Bangkok, where 60% of the area has been heavily afflicted calls for residents to be cautious in these areas. The phenomenon could result in flash floods and outlandish forest water flows. The monsoon winds blowing heavily from the southwest continue to…

  • Game over for Thailand? Political interference penalty puts FIFA ban in play

    Game over for Thailand? Political interference penalty puts FIFA ban in play

    A Move Forward Party (MFP) MP raised concerns about a potential ban on Thailand by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) due to political interference. This comes after Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan allegedly exerted pressure on the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) to resign. The official Facebook page of FA Thailand announced on July…

  • Fit, healthy man hospitalised with dengue fever as Thailand braces for rainy season outbreaks

    Fit, healthy man hospitalised with dengue fever as Thailand braces for rainy season outbreaks

    Renowned doctor Monun Leechawengwong posted an update on a 39 year old patient suffering from a serious case of dengue fever. The man, generally fit and healthy, began to exhibit symptoms, including persistent high fever and a rash. The public has been urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites as the country steps into the rainy season, heightening the risk…

  • Viral harvest: Durian’s captivating dance on TikTok leaves viewers in awe

    Viral harvest: Durian’s captivating dance on TikTok leaves viewers in awe

    A captivating TikTok video boasting over 13.9 million views within a mere day showcases impressive skill and accuracy in the harrowing task of durian harvesting. The durian trees, found in a farm in Chumphon province, tower as high as 5 to 9 metres, setting an imposing stage for the intriguing footage. Captured from the vantage point of a brave individual…

  • LGBTQ+ tourism revenue boom fuels drive for legalised same-sex marriage in Thailand

    LGBTQ+ tourism revenue boom fuels drive for legalised same-sex marriage in Thailand

    Thailand is witnessing a surge in the burgeoning LGBTQ+ community, as diversity takes centre stage worldwide, boosting LGBTQ+ tourism in the country. As per estimates by LGBT Capital, an asset management company serving the LGBTQ community, 5 to 10% of the world’s population identifies as LGBTQ+. This demographic represented around 3.6 million residents in Thailand in 2019. During Pride Month…

  • Thai dentist saves patient’s life discovering lethal blood condition pre-tooth extraction

    Thai dentist saves patient’s life discovering lethal blood condition pre-tooth extraction

    A Thai dentist recently shared a patient’s near-fatal experience on Facebook after spotting abnormal blood spots on the patient’s arm before a scheduled tooth extraction. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, a disruption in blood coagulation that can lead to uncontrolled bleeding that could potentially be lethal if not promptly treated. Shared on the Facebook page of Doctor Kluay,…

  • Thai industries adjust strategies amid export downturn, eyes new markets

    Thai industries adjust strategies amid export downturn, eyes new markets

    A recent downturn in exports has provoked 25 industry sectors to rethink their production strategies, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has revealed. Key industries affected and readjusting include steel, machinery, construction materials and furniture, all of which significantly cater to the markets in Asia, the European Union and the United States. The FTI recently unveiled the results of a…

  • Thai tourism surge: 25 million visitors forecasted, boosting economy

    Thai tourism surge: 25 million visitors forecasted, boosting economy

    In a recent announcement, the Thailand is on track to welcome a staggering 25 million tourists by the year end, offering a much-needed booster to the economy. This follows a significant surge in Thai tourism, exceeding 12 million arrivals recorded late last month, as relayed by deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul. Between January and June 25 of this year, the…

  • Thai healthcare crisis: Overworked medics spark reform debate as state hospitals struggle

    Thai healthcare crisis: Overworked medics spark reform debate as state hospitals struggle

    In a stark representation of the nationwide Thai healthcare concern regarding overburdened medical staff in Thailand’s public hospitals, a doctor-turned-actress recently utilised her social media platform to highlight her struggle with the strenuous work environment. Ultimately, she found the situation so unmanageable that she felt compelled to leave her public service role. Amidst this, the National Public Health Ministry faces…

  • Customs facilitation reform urged by Thailand’s finance minister to boost automotive sector

    Customs facilitation reform urged by Thailand’s finance minister to boost automotive sector

    Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith recently issued an appeal to the Customs Department of Thailand to streamline the customs facilitation formalities for both exports and imports. His appeal is aimed especially at boosting the activity of the automotive field. Following a discussion held with a group of investors from Japan in the core of June, Arkhom instructed the department to better…

  • Thai elephant Sak Surin safely repatriated after 22 years in Sri Lanka

    Thai elephant Sak Surin safely repatriated after 22 years in Sri Lanka

    The enduring odyssey of Sak Surin, an elephant initially gifted by Thailand to Sri Lanka, took a homeward trajectory as the elephant touched down in Chiang Mai yesterday, ending a 22 year long overseas sojourn. Sak Surin’s journey back to Chiang Mai was an elaborate endeavour. Encased within a specially designed cage that was placed in the cargo hold of…

  • Bangkok utilises AI-assisted cameras for traffic control, pedestrian safety

    Bangkok utilises AI-assisted cameras for traffic control, pedestrian safety

    An intrusive blare rings out as a vehicle pulls up to the traffic lights at the Wong Sawang intersection. A Thai message reverberates in the air, courteously requesting, “Please don’t obstruct the zebra crossing. Thank you.” The alarm and its accompanying reminder will persist relentlessly until all drivers awaiting the signal’s shift from red to green have relocated their vehicles…

  • Monkeypox outbreak: Thailand witnesses spike in cases within the LGBTQ+ community

    Monkeypox outbreak: Thailand witnesses spike in cases within the LGBTQ+ community

    A significant rise in monkeypox cases within Thailand was reported by health officials this week, issuing a stern warning for men within the gay community, who seemed to be at an increased risk, to exercise necessary precautions amidst the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, heading the Department of Disease Control, disclosed in today’s press conference that, following the occurrence…

  • Dating app crimes: Bangkok police warn against predator with extensive criminal record

    Dating app crimes: Bangkok police warn against predator with extensive criminal record

    A public alert regarding an increase in dating app crimes has been issued by the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Vigilance has been urged due to a man capitalising on a dating application to lure in, rape, and subsequently rob women. The individual has a criminal record spanning 15 years. The man, known under the pseudonym “Tum Chonburi,” but legally named Wattana…

  • Phuket infrastructure projects face potential delays after expo bid loss

    Phuket infrastructure projects face potential delays after expo bid loss

    Delays are predicted for the initiation of several significant infrastructure projects in Phuket, including the much-anticipated Patong Tunnel. Local authorities concede that these plans may not manifest as swiftly as planned following the province’s failure to secure hosting rights for the Specialised Expo 2027/28. Governor Narong Woonciew voiced this concern, despite Phuket demonstrating strong prospects during the bidding process. Governor…

  • Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades

    Airport capacity at Suvarnabhumi to increase with new terminal and tech upgrades

    Influential airport operator, Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to inaugurate a new satellite passenger terminal at the famed Suvarnabhumi Airport come this September. This addition is expected to bolster the airport’s passenger handling capacity significantly, managing an impressive 15 million extra passengers annually, which effectively raises the total capacity to a staggering 60 million per annum, revealed AoT’s president.…

  • Plant-based immunotherapy: Thai scientists derive anti cancer antibodies from tobacco

    Plant-based immunotherapy: Thai scientists derive anti cancer antibodies from tobacco

    In a groundbreaking plant-based immunotherapy development in the field of oncology, a start-up pharmaceutical firm in Thailand, Baiya Phytopharm, proclaimed the successful creation of anti-cancer antibodies derived from tobacco plants. The company announced these results in the wake of effectively conducting experiential trials on lab animals. Operating under the umbrella of Chulalongkorn University, Baiya Phytopharm is recognised for its accomplishments…

  • SRT relocation: Thai railway plans 200km move amid billion baht overhaul

    SRT relocation: Thai railway plans 200km move amid billion baht overhaul

    The Thai State Railway (SRT) is shifting gears, planning to relocate its locomotive maintenance and production facilities closer to Bangkok, within a distance of 200 kilometres. The SRT relocation move is sparked by the forthcoming transformation of their current premises in Makkasan into a bustling, mixed-use space which will host a public park, an SRT historical exhibit, and a city…

  • Blind ex-Thai embassy employee alleges neglect, seeks compensation

    Blind ex-Thai embassy employee alleges neglect, seeks compensation

    Countering accusations made by a former member of staff at the Thai embassy in Paris, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has refuted claims of embassy neglect following the irreversible loss of her eyesight. Previously employed as part of the embassy service team from 2009 until 2012, Rattanaporn Saeng-on, aged 45, was found by authorities trying to deliberately endanger herself in moving…

  • Experienced consultant analyses dramatic shift in Thai online shopping trends

    Experienced consultant analyses dramatic shift in Thai online shopping trends

    In Thailand, online shopping appears to have become the desired norm, with a proportionate increase in consumer expectations, per a survey by advertising consultancy Wunderman Thompson. The data suggest that Thai patrons are willing to increase their online spending provided their experience includes faster delivery schedules among other factors, according to digital and customer relationship management director at Wunderman Thompson, Puvadon…

  • Thailand’s Interior Ministry rolls out digital ID app in drive towards Thailand 4.0

    Thailand’s Interior Ministry rolls out digital ID app in drive towards Thailand 4.0

    In an effort to digitise various government-provided services and increase their accessibility, Thailand’s Interior Ministry officially rolled out a novel mobile application as part of its digital ID programme on Friday. The launch event was graced by none other than caretaker Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who wholeheartedly endorsed the newly unveiled ‘ThaID’ mobile application. Prayut outlined the primary motive behind…