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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
-
Serial rapist posing as transgender model recruiter arrested in Bangkok
Police in Bangkok apprehended a 60 year old man who allegedly impersonated a transgender to lure young women into fake modelling opportunities, where he would sexually assault them. He allegedly confessed to raping around 100 women. The Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigative head, Theeradet Thumsuthee, yesterday confirmed the arrest of Sonthichai Yusuparp in a room within a slum community located in Bangkok’s…
-
Thailand’s PM set to review Pink Line urban rail project progress
In a move to accelerate urban transport development, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, is scheduled to examine the Pink Line urban rail project‘s ongoing progress tomorrow before it is set to commence its trial operations. This announcement came from Anucha Burapachaisri, the acting government representative. This inspection visit is centred on the Pink Line, a massive elevated monorail…
-
Triumphant strides: Thai mother amputee defies odds, on road to recovery (video)
The son of the Thai mother who lost her leg in a faulty airport escalator believes she will be running faster than him in no time as she took her first steps on the road to recovery. Suphannee Kittirattana yesterday took her first tentative steps since her leg was amputated after it got tangled in a dodgy travelator at Don…
-
Real estate tycoon disappears in Pattaya under mysterious circumstances
Police in Pattaya were called to examine a vehicle suspected to belong to missing real estate tycoon Hans Peter Mack, who has been reported missing. The German businessman’s family is offering a generous reward of 3 million baht for any information leading to his safe return, as well as a 100,000-baht reward for locating his car. The car, a bronze/grey…
-
Thailand aims to boost economy with health tourism campaign
The Thai government has launched an ambitious campaign, “Discover the New You” to entice international visitors to spend upwards of 18 million baht (US$510,000) by September of this year. This initiative is a concerted effort by the government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and over 130 healthcare, wellness businesses and service providers including hotels, spas, health resorts, hospitals, and clinics.…
-
Phuket launches pilot reforestation project for combating climate change
A unique pilot project bolstering reforestation efforts was initiated in Phuket yesterday. This initiative marks a concentrated effort towards environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Spearheaded by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Rowing Association of Thailand, the project saw its launch at the Nai Harn public park in Rawai. The event was strategically selected based on a…
-
Thai police ban book critiquing monarchy, citing national security threat
Royal Thai Police have prohibited the circulation of an upcoming book that scrutinises the nation’s monarchy. The prohibition was issued in response to the book’s perceived slander towards the royal institution, according to a police statement in the Royal Gazette. The contentious publication, ‘Rama X: The Thai Monarchy under King Vajiralongkorn,’ both in its content and cover, is considered to express…
-
TTB to tackle household debt and promote ESG standards
Piti Tantakasem, Chief Executive of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), insists that tackling high levels of household debt should be a priority on the national agenda. Piti made known that he is poised to tackle the issue, given his leading role within the household debt resolution team set up by the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA). Alongside the central bank and other pertinent…
-
Russian tourist dies in tragic fall from a pagoda in Phuket
Phuket, an exhilarating hub of Thai culture and heritage, yesterday turned into a scene of panic and concern. An unidentified Russian male tourist tragically lost his life after falling from the roof of a pagoda at the notable Wat Chaithararam, commonly known as Wat Chalong, situated in the Mueang district of the island. The police were alerted around 5.30pm when…
-
Thailand’s potential as international events hub questioned amidst Taylor Swift tour snub
The exclusion of Thailand from the itinerary of Taylor Swift‘s world tour has prompted the denizens to reconsider the nation’s global standing as a viable hub for international exhibitions and events. Bringing the country’s potential into question, it was revealed that the total revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry for the final quarter of last year was…
-
Only one firm bids for Central Terminal transformation project
Contrary to the anticipation of a competitive bidding process for the commercial development of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revealed that only one company has stepped forward with a bid. Three firms, reportedly interested, had initially procured invitations to tender. The disclosure surfaced yesterday after the bidding process culminated earlier this week. Ekkarat…
-
Phuket governor takes action to solve out of school children crisis
In a decisive step towards ensuring all children in Phuket receive a formal education, Narong Woonciew, the Governor of Phuket, convened a meeting at the Phuket Provincial Hall. The gathering focused squarely on the thousands of children on the island who are not currently registered at any educational institution. Also in attendance were Vice Governor, Amnuay Pinsuwan, MP Thitikan Thitipruethikul,…
-
GAC Aion to invest 6 billion baht in Thai EV market expansion
China‘s third-largest electric vehicle (EV) producer, GAC Aion, is gearing up to expand its operations in the Thai market. In an ambitious plan, the automaker pledged to pour over 6 billion baht into the establishment of manufacturing and sales facilities in Thailand. This noteworthy market penetration comes as the result of the Board of Investment’s (BoI) careful arrangement involving seven…
-
Thai engineer confirms the safety of Phra Nang Klao bridge
In response to buzzing speculation concerning the slim pillars of Phra Nang Klao Bridge, a key project engineer confirmed that the bridge is indeed designed to global engineering standards. The suspicion arose last Thursday when a Japanese holidaymaker posted a photo of the bridge on Twitter, voicing fears about the slender columns. The post sent ripples through the online community,…
-
Beachside serenity shattered: Police probe possible foul play in Jomtien Beach death
The tranquillity of Jomtien Beach in Sattahip, Pattaya was disrupted abruptly this morning when police discovered a dead body, suspected to be a victim of possible foul play. The alarm was promptly raised, sending Na Jomtien officers and Sattahip rescue workers rushing to the scene, in response to the chilling report of a body. Wearing a pink T-shirt and brown…
-
From jailbird to jailbreaker: Former inmate’s knife attack shocks Chiang Mai district
Thai police arrested a former jailbird after he attacked a 66 year old neighbour with a knife in the Mea Pong district in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The habitual criminal’s younger sister expressed pride in her brother before he left for jail. In the early hours of Saturday, July 1, the 66 year old victim, Prachan Khameye, was…
-
Khon Kaen shop owners targeted by clever thief employing overpayment scam
Disturbing incidents have been reported in Khon Kaen, where several local shop owners fell victim to a scam by a short-haired woman masquerading as a male shopper. She would claim she had no cash, ask to transfer more than the purchase price, and then request the difference in cash. The woman disappeared without confirming the transfer, leaving the shopkeepers at a…
-
Caught on the fly: Thai police nab Uzbek fleeing prostitution charges in Pattaya
Thai police arrested an Uzbek man at Suvarnabhumi Airport just as he was about to flee the country due to his involvement in illegal prostitution in Pattaya. Police officers from the Anti Trafficking In Person Division and the Consul of the Consulate-General of Uzbekistan, Nuriddin Mamatkulov, held a press conference today, July 7, to reveal the arrest details of the…
-
School minibus crash: Vehicle flips in horror on Thai highway, multiple injuries
A school minibus crashed today into the back of a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle flipping over onto its side and injuring several male and female students. The school minibus crash occurred on Jarod Withi Thong Road, National Highway 12, between Tak-Sukhothai markers 102 and 101, in the Num Reum sub-district of Tak province. Officers from Tak Municipal Police…
-
Thai teacher’s social media post divides opinion: Humour or grossly inappropriate?
The social media community is reeling following the discovery of a Thai schoolteacher who posted a photo of a kindergarten student with a teasing caption stating… “Why was my soulmate born so late?” After the post was shared yesterday, the incident sparked a significant online response and raised eyebrows about the type of people allowed to teach. The now-viral photo…
-
Miracle on wheels: Pregnant nurse escapes motorbike collision with car at Thai petrol station
A pregnant nurse riding a pillion on a motorbike narrowly survived with her life after a collision with a car at a petrol station in south central Thailand. Two people were injured as the motorbike reportedly counter-flowed and subsequently could not avoid the car turning into the station. Deputy Inspector Warayuth Jenwichumet of Chachoengsao‘s rescue unit today investigated the incident…
-
High hopes: Phuket Cannabis Association rolls towards streamlined weed trade on the island
The Phuket Cannabis Association, in a recent display of solidarity and commitment towards refined weed business practices, expressed its intention to streamline the cannabis trade across the island. This pledge, it believes, will enhance overall consumer safety as well as the quality standards of cannabis goods. An official meeting took place yesterday at the Andaman Conference Room, the strategic hub…
-
Starbucks Thailand advances expansion, eyes 800 outlets by 2030
Starbucks Thailand unveiled a bold expansion plan for the 2023 to 2030 period. The plan aims to increase the current number of Starbucks outlets in the country from 465 to a whopping total of 800 by the end of 2030. As per this agenda, the addition of 335 stores is projected across Thailand over the specified span. Nednapa Srisamai, the…
-
Golf dreams dashed: Thailand’s rising star disqualified from US Women’s Open after 5-hole fiasco
Thailand‘s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap endured a brief appearance at the US Women’s Open after the precocious golf star was disqualified after completing just five holes. The disqualification yesterday came as a result of her caddie using a rangefinder, which violated the local golf rule implemented for the championship, prohibiting the use of distance-measuring devices. While a single breach would have incurred…
-
Spiritual medium scams four Thais out of 600,000 baht
In a tale of deception, four residents reported to police their loss of 600,000 baht (US$17,015) due to a scam involving a woman claiming to be a spiritual medium. The culprit convinced her victims to perform an expensive ritual, warning that without it, their lives could be at risk. To add to the losses, the fraudster promised to provide cheap…
-
Elderly man and young woman severely injured in Phuket accident
A tragic biking accident occurred yesterday on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket involving an elderly man and a young woman. Seventy-three year old Anek Amnuaychokchai was eagerly boarding a songthaew when he was struck by a motorbike riding at high speed. The 25 year old woman operating the motorbike, identified as Acting Sub Lieutenant Fadiya Munoh, was hurled into the back…
-
Foreign felons fall: Immigration Bureau’s busts net 25 international suspects in Thailand’s crime crackdown
Immigration Bureau officers yesterday announced a number of successful operations against foreign criminals in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau managed to arrest 25 foreign suspects in five major cases. The first case was the arrest of a 31 year old Swiss man named Jonathan who managed to evade a drug charge in Switzerland and sought refuge in Thailand. The authorities apprehended…
-
Chon Buri van collision leaves 5 injured in early morning accident
In the early hours of this morning, a collision between two vans in Chon Buri province led to five people being injured. Police and emergency services from Samed Police Station were alerted to the crash at a red light intersection in Samed, Mueang Chon Buri, at around 5am. En route to pick up employees, the driver of a Toyota van…
-
Warehouse fire in Nonthaburi draws over 50 fire engines, suspicion points to electrical short circuit
Over 50 fire engines and some 100 firefighters, last night dashed to extinguish a raging warehouse inferno in Nonthaburi, taking 90 minutes to bravely overcome the fierce fire. The preliminary investigation suggests that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the outbreak of the fire in the warehouse. At approximately 9.20pm yesterday, local authorities in the district of Bang Sri…
-
Marketing 6.0: MAT reveals trends shaping customer behaviour and tech influence
Changes in customer expectations prompted by digital disruption and evolving consumer behaviour indicate that the world is entering a new marketing era. Postmodern methodologies such as multiverse marketing – which fuses the physical and digital realms into a seamless buying experience – are at the forefront of Marketing 6.0, declared the Marketing Association of Thailand (MAT). According to the association’s…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.