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 How to travel around Thailand for under US$30 a day
The Thaiger key takeaways Staying in budget hostels or guesthouses and eating street food keeps daily expenses low. Mixing buses, trains, and budget flights allows affordable travel between cities and islands. Free or cheap activities, such as temples, markets, parks,...
-
Oops! Cardi B rips hotpants onstage while twerking in Pattaya
It turns out, even American celebrities have wild nights in Pattaya. A twerking session in Pattaya went massively wrong for music sensation Cardi B after her hotpants ripped onstage, news outlets reported yesterday. This was at the event Rolling Loud Thailand 2023. The event began in Pattaya on Thursday and lasts until today (Saturday). Footage from Daily Mail shows the 30 year…
-
Prime minister’s unexpected trip to Khao San Road
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a surprising appearance at Khao San Road on Friday, taking part in a lively water fight with enthusiastic locals and tourists. Gen. Prayut, the United Thai Nation Party’s prime ministerial candidate, arrived at the well-known location for Songkran festivities on Friday afternoon, accompanied by key party members. Upon arrival, he engaged in a discussion about…
-
Mum of British backpacker who died in Thailand warns of signs of dengue fever
The mum of a British backpacker who died in Thailand in 2016 is warning others to spot the signs of dengue fever that her son experienced before his tragic death. Her son, 21 year old Bob Toulson-Burke, died just two weeks after developing flu-like symptoms while travelling. Bob’s mother, Jayne, told Evening Standard yesterday that his symptoms included headaches, nausea,…
-
Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider threatens to kill 2 foreigners over fare dispute
Pattaya Police yesterday arrested a Thai motorcycle taxi rider after he turned into a knife-wielding thug after a row with two foreign passengers over fare prices. According to reports, the taxi driver threatened to kill both foreigners during the altercation. The incident kicked off on Pattaya Second Road near Soi 6/1 early yesterday evening. Pattaya Police received a call about…
-
EC justifies Songkran trips to monitor early voting
The Election Commission (EC) in Thailand has come under scrutiny after all six of its members travelled abroad during the Songkran holiday on taxpayer-funded inspection visits. Former election commissioner and current MP candidate for the Seri Ruam Thai Party, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, criticized the move, questioning the purpose and timing of the trips, given that the General Election has not yet…
-
Limited access to Khao San Road due to overcrowding
Police temporarily blocked access to the renowned backpacker haven of Khao San Road last night, as the Songkran event attracted an overwhelming number of participants. Police are urging new visitors to await the departure of those already at the venue before entering the 400-metre-long road in Phra Nakhon district. Songkran festivities kicked off yesterday and are expected to continue well…
-
Elderly in Thailand expect their children to look after them
A recent survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that the majority of elderly people in Thailand expect to receive care from their families, specifically their daughters. This survey aimed to identify who the Thai elderly believe should be responsible for their care, questioning a sample of 1,310 individuals aged 60 and above. The study…
-
PM Prayut to join 10 UTN rallies in push for election victory
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to attend at least 10 campaign rallies across Thailand, hosted by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party in preparation for the May 14 General Election. As the UTN’s chief strategist, the 69 year old Gen. Prayut will start his campaign tour in Bangkok, and will put on festival attire to participate in Songkran festivities…
-
Reunited mother and daughter share tears of joy after 32 years apart in northeast Thailand (video)
Tears of joy flowed when a mother and daughter in northeastern Thailand reunited after 32 years thanks to the power of social media. The heart-rendering story was reported from Ban Si Liam, Khao Khok sub-district, Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, only three days ago, on April 11. Emotions were high and tears flowed as the mother and daughter hugged each other…
-
Beware of passport scam targetting British nationals in Thailand warns UK Foreign Office
The British Foreign Office issued a warning to both UK residents and expats in Thailand about a passport scam that is currently targetting British nationals in the kingdom. Fraudsters are attempting to capitalize on the recent strikes by government workers in the UK, which have caused delays in passport renewals, by promising to bypass the three-month waiting period for a…
-
Speed demon down: Former world motorcycle champ crashes near Phuket
A former world motorcycle racing champion, who holds multiple speed records, has been involved in an accident near Phuket. Eric Teboul, better known in the motorcycle community as “Rocketman” after breaking the world quarter mile record on a bike just months ago, collided with another Honda ridden by Oleg Afanasenko, a Russian holidaymaker, on a bend near the scenic viewpoint…
-
EC reports 2.3 million people register for advance voting
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday announced that 2,350,969 people have registered for advance voting ahead of the May 14 General Election. Registration was open between March 25 and April 9, and the EC reports that this year’s figures were similar to those of 2019, when 2.63 million people registered for advance voting, including 119,000 overseas voters, reported Bangkok Post. Of…
-
K-pop dance by Thai soldiers sparks controversy and admiration among netizens
Thai soldiers came under fire from Thai netizens after they danced to K-pop music in the Siam neighbourhood of Bangkok last weekend. The soldiers also had a few admirers and many praised the soldier group for their talent. A Smile Army Facebook page posted a video of the soldiers dancing to K-pop music on Sunday, April 9. In the video,…
-
Thai woman arrested for surrogacy fraud, identity theft, and human trafficking (video)
Police arrested a Thai woman for her involvement in illegal surrogacy, identity theft, and colluding with Chinese citizens in human trafficking. The Thai woman, Nawaporn Pakiatsakun, who was originally Chinese, married a Thai man to gain Thai citizenship and facilitate her crimes. It was later revealed that several government officials from Thailand were also involved in the corrupt scheme. The…
-
Thai govt warns drivers to keep a brake on road mishaps during ‘Seven Deadly Days’ of Songkran Festival
The Thai government has issued a warning to drivers who are travelling during the Songkran Festival, urging them to be careful on the road. This warning comes after the Thailand Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) reported 74 fatalities and 2,322 injuries on the first day of the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran Festival. As of…
-
Speedboat explosion in southern Thailand kills 1, injures 1
An explosion on a tourist speedboat docked at a pier in Phang Nga province in southern Thailand injured two people yesterday, one of whom later passed away in the hospital. At around 8pm, the Phang Nga Harbour Office was informed of a loud noise similar to an explosion on a speedboat at Ban Thap Lamu Pier in Lam Kaen subdistrict,…
-
Latest Thai social media craze, sweet soy sauce soda, poses serious health risk, says health dept
The Department of Health issued a warning to the public regarding the consumption of a trendy Thai social media beverage called sweet soy sauce soda. According to the department, the drink has unhealthy quantities of sodium and sugar, which surpass the recommended daily intake and can pose a health hazard. The drink is trending after a famous Thai sauce company,…
-
Sergeant major-turned-cyberpunk surrenders after allegedly hacking 55 million Thais’ data
UPDATE: The sergeant major turned cyberpunk accused of hacking the personal data of 55 million Thais surrendered to police this morning. The alleged hacker, Sgt. Maj. Khemarat Boonchuay, arrived at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) this morning with his wife for questioning. Police said the suspect remained silent and did not respond to any questions. Sgt. Maj. Khemarat was suspended…
-
Pepsi Thailand introduces bottles made from 100% recycled plastic
Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) will switch to 100% recycled plastic for its 550ml Pepsi bottles, expected to enter the market later this month, under the campaign “Appreciate Fizz: Dare to Change the World.” PepsiCo joined forces with Chulalongkorn University and ENVICCO Co., Ltd. to launch the project, “Pepsi Recycled PET Bottle Campaign.” Pepsi will be the first carbonated drink brand to…
-
Phuket Island: A Destination for Fitness, Health, and Wellness
Phuket island in southern Thailand is quickly becoming one of the world’s top destinations for fitness, health, and wellness. Athletes from around the globe are flocking to this tropical paradise to take advantage of its world-class training facilities, stunning natural landscapes, and warm climate. The Thaiger team recently had the opportunity to explore some of the top fitness, health, and…
-
Fruitless: Tourists they face jail time for bringing fruits to Thailand, govt warns
The Thai government issued a warning to tourists that it would be fruitless to bring fruits into Thailand unless they wanted to go to jail. The Department of Agriculture specifically stated that transporting fresh fruit into Thailand without a phytosanitary certificate could result in a fine of 20,000 baht or a jail sentence of one year. The director-general of the…
-
Porsche driver caught using fake registration plate to avoid tollway fees
A 69 year old Porsche driver who has a history of repeated traffic offences was charged by the police. The driver had been using a fake license plate to evade tollway fees on 22 separate occasions. The police took action after receiving a complaint from the legitimate owner of the license plate. Last year, Thailand introduced a new payment system…
-
Thai woman fined 5,000 baht for getting boobs out at erotic pre-Songkran party
Police fined a nightclub owner 20,000 baht and a sexy Thai woman 5,000 baht after she got her boobs out and danced erotically at a Songkran party in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok last week. Several entertainment venues in Bangkok have warmed up for the Thai New Year by hosting pre-Songkran events and parties before the official festival gets underway.…
-
Thailand seeks extradition of 3 men suspected of murdering Chinese student
Thailand‘s Deputy Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn wants to see the three Chinese nationals suspected of abducting and murdering a Chinese student in Nonthaburi province, before fleeing to China, to be extradited to Thailand to face prosecution. On April 1, the body of 22 year old Thonburi University Student Jin Can was found dumped in a swampy ditch at a…
-
Tourists or illegal workers? Police raid Pattaya host club and arrest six
Police raided a host club in Pattaya in the early hours of yesterday morning and arrested the manager and five Lao men following a complaint about the employment of illegal workers. Four of the accused Lao men denied they were working at the bar and insisted that they were tourists. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station raided the host club,…
-
Bangkok backpacker haven Khao San Road to close from noon to 8pm for Songkran
Khao San Business Association today announced that the Bangkok backpacker haven will be closed for business between noon and 8pm every day so revellers can enjoy the Songkran celebrations. Businesses, bars and restaurants will reopen as usual straight after the 8pm cut off. Khao San Business Association President Sanga Ruangwattanakul revealed that the closure of Khao San Road, for the…
-
Thai man’s Emerald Buddha Songkran office party outfit is ‘inappropriate,’ monk says
A Thai man won 5000 baht for ‘best outfit’ at his office’s Songkran party in Udon Thani province yesterday, but a senior Buddhist monk says that dressing like the Emerald Buddha is “inappropriate.” The Emerald Buddha is a statue of the historical Buddha in a meditative pose, made out of the semi-precious stone jasper and considered the “sacred palladium of…
-
Man sets fire to wife’s house and threatens to kill her family
A Thai man driven by jealousy, set fire to the house of his wife in Nakhon Pathom province near Bangkok after she left him and travelled to another province with her family. The man also allegedly threatened to kill his family and carried a gun with him at all times. The wife’s brother, a 35 year old man named Wanlop…
-
Repeat offender arrested in Bangkok after drugging woman, swindling over 1 million baht
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau arrested a Thai man at a shopping mall in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok yesterday after he allegedly drugged and swindled over 1 million baht from a woman. He was twice arrested on the same charge last year. The scammer, 32 year old Phachara Ninjiasakun, was arrested inside the shopping mall following a complaint made…
-
Unveiling the dark side of sex doll collecting: Thai man’s spooky encounters with his new doll
A Thai sex doll collector took to Facebook to share some spooky stories that would not look out of place in a horror movie after he bought a new doll from a stranger online. The man, who runs a Facebook page called the Imaginary Diary of a Drink Vendor (ไดอารี่สุดกาวของพ่อค้าร้านน้ำ), believes the sex doll he bought is haunted by a…
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.