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 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...
-
Thailand targets US$308bn exports by 2025 amid trade optimism
The Commerce Ministry has ambitious plans to boost Thailand’s export sector, setting a target of 2% to 3% growth for 2025. The goal, projected to bring in US$305 to US$308 billion, follows a robust performance in 2024, where export growth is expected to reach 5%, generating a record US$300 billion. These figures reflect optimism driven by the electronics, agricultural, and…
-
Chiang Mai fraud suspect arrested for bamboo blind scam
A significant fraud case involving over 50 victims duped into paying for bamboo blinds they never received has culminated in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. Since 2018, numerous complaints have been filed, with victims coming forward to report being scammed by a Facebook page with a misleading name. The accused, who had been evading the police, was finally apprehended…
-
Thailand seeks family of woman found in Germany 35 years ago
The Mirror Foundation of Thailand are looking for the family of a Thai woman found dead in Germany 35 years ago so they can identify her. The foundation posted the details on its official Facebook page yesterday, December 18, along with an artist’s simulation of her appearance and an image of the clothing she was wearing when discovered. The details…
-
2 million baht in valuables stolen from secure apartment in Pattaya
A shocking burglary took place yesterday at an apartment in Pattaya, leaving a woman stunned as thieves managed to infiltrate her room and break into a safe hidden within a storage cabinet. The thieves made off with nearly 2 million baht worth of valuables, including gold jewellery and cash. There were no signs of forced entry into the room, leading…
-
Thailand’s power plan may see revisions for climate goals
Thailand’s 2024 power development plan (PDP) may undergo significant revisions to enhance the management of the nation’s long-term energy supply and bolster efforts against global warming. This was suggested by Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasertas after he highlighted the need for adaptation in response to evolving energy concerns. The Energy Policy and Planning Office is currently evaluating the PDP. Once…
-
Tragic accident on Lopburi site as truck hits worker
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a truck driver failed to notice a colleague standing in front of the vehicle, resulting in a fatal incident on a construction site in Lopburi. The victim was struck and run over by the large truck, leading to his death. Officer Pariya Saengwarach, from Khok Tum Police Station, was alerted to the tragic event…
-
Phuket plans major disaster drill for flood preparedness
Phuket is set to enhance its disaster preparedness with an integrated exercise aimed at tackling potential floods and mudslides. Scheduled for January 16, 2025, the event is designed to boost the island’s readiness and response capabilities in the face of such emergencies. A significant planning session took place recently at the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket).…
-
Chinese man arrested in 70 million baht heroin bust in Nong Khai
Police in Nong Khai apprehended a Chinese national involved in a transnational drug trafficking operation. The suspect allegedly concealed 120 kilogrammes of heroin within car batteries, claiming he was merely hired to manage logistics and inspect the parcels. Yesterday, December 18, Police officials, including Piratch Udompisutikun, Yutthana Ngamchat, Rattasart Chidchu, and Suchart Thonmanee, collaborated with various police and military units…
-
3 Thai girls fake forest blackout after resort stay with man
Three Thai girls, initially reported missing, confessed to going to a resort with a man they met on a dating app after lying to their parents that they fainted in an abandoned house in a deep forest for a night. Three families filed missing persons reports to Thamenchai Police Station officers in the Isaan province of Buriram after three girls,…
-
Leopard sighting amazes tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park
A rare sighting of a leopard calmly sitting on a road in Kaeng Krachan National Park left tourists in awe as the big cat appeared unbothered and at ease. The encounter, which occurred yesterday, December 19 at around 6.50am, was recounted by Mongkol Chaiphakdee, head of the national park located in Phetchaburi province. Kritsiphong Ngamjing, a tourist, was fortunate enough…
-
Landslides devastate Huai Kaeo, isolating communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Landslides have ravaged the Huai Kaeo community in Si Chon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, leaving homes in ruins and cutting off communication. Local officials urgently seek help as 23 districts report damage, with 10 fatalities confirmed. Heavy rain has caused severe landslides across Nakhon Si Thammarat, particularly affecting the Huai Kaeo village in the Si Chon district. The village, located in…
-
Thailand video news | Thailand’s new E-Visa simplifies travel, U.S. repatriates Guantanamo detainees to Malaysia
In today’s Southeast Asia news roundup, Alex highlights major developments across the region. From Thailand’s groundbreaking E-Visa launch and its renewed focus on attracting foreign filmmakers to a British mother’s heartfelt warning about drug dangers, these stories reveal the country’s evolving travel, legal, and social landscape. Additional updates include Bangkok’s ambitious plans to host its first Formula One race, Gordon…
-
Young man arrested after fatal knife attack in Samut Prakan
A 21 year old man was taken into custody following a fatal altercation with a 16 year old. The incident, which involved a knife attack, occurred after a confrontation over perceived hostility. The suspect expressed remorse and apologised to the victim’s family. The tragic event unfolded yesterday, December 18, at 9.46pm when police in Samut Prakan received a report of…
-
Highway rescue worker killed in Prachuap Khiri Khan lorry collision
A tragic accident occurred when a car collided with a lorry in Prachuap Khiri Khan, resulting in the death of a 39 year old municipal worker from Thap Sakae. The crash, taking place at a U-turn on Phetkasem Road, raised questions about visibility issues due to the sun’s glare. The accident unfolded around 2pm yesterday, December 18. Supalak Wanwacha, a…
-
Love struck Thai teen ignores injuries to save girlfriend’s sandals
In a heart-stopping dramatic scene that unfolded yesterday afternoon, a love struck teen ignored his own well-being and injuries following a violent collision with a pickup truck to save a treasured gift from his girlfriend. The 17 year old motorcyclist, affectionately known as Off, had a brush with disaster yesterday, December 18, in front of a school on Road 3371…
-
2 foreigners caught pulling police-seized motorcycle in Phuket (video)
A viral video surfaced yesterday showing two foreigners ignoring a Thai police wheel clamp and legal consequences, as they pulled a police-seized motorcycle along a road in Phuket. The video, shared on Facebook by a Thai man named Somsak Lerchai, quickly gained attention. In his caption, Somsak sarcastically remarked, “Wheel lock doesn’t work with Grade A tourists. #OneDayButThousandsSituations.” In the…
-
Khlong Toei residents unite to control fire in Bangkok village
A fire erupted in the Khlong Toei community in Bangkok, specifically in the 70 Rai Village, where residents joined forces to extinguish the flames. The fire was brought under control by 10.41pm yesterday, December 18 after a quick response from local firefighters. The Rama Radio Centre received a report via hotline 199 about a blaze affecting residential homes in the…
-
12 year old girl freed from sexual assaults by uncle, grandfather
The non-profit organisation Be One rescued a 12 year old Thai girl in the central province of Kanchanaburi who had been a victim of sexual assaults by her uncle and grandfather. Her father claimed he was too embarrassed to take legal action. Be One President Wanna “Ton Or” Palamart and her team members visited a school in the Tha Mueang…
-
Chumphon businessman dies from electrocution amid flooding
A tragic incident unfolded in Chumphon, as a prominent local businessman succumbed to electrocution while attempting to pump water out of his flooded home. The entrepreneur, who owned multiple petrol stations, was deeply mourned by his employees, who regarded him as a father figure. Yesterday, December 18, police and emergency services received reports of an unconscious man at a residence adjacent…
-
Thailand faces pressure over trafficking in Myanmar
Thailand is at the centre of an international appeal for assistance, as two House committees engage in discussions prompted by 14 countries seeking help to rescue their citizens trafficked into Myanmar by scam centre gangs. Hundreds of foreigners find themselves ensnared by these online scamming and human trafficking networks, which operate just across the Moei River from Mae Sot in…
-
Myanmar babies in Thai hospitals not eligible for free healthcare
Babies born to Myanmar parents in Thailand’s border hospitals are not eligible for free healthcare benefits like Thai nationals, despite receiving a 13-digit identification number. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) clarified this policy yesterday, December 18, highlighting that these ID cards specifically categorise the newborns as migrants born in Thailand, not as Thai citizens. Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, NHSO Secretary…
-
Australian father mourns ‘perfect’ daughter lost to methanol tragedy
The devastated father of an Australian teenager who died from methanol poisoning last month in Laos has opened up about the heart-wrenching loss of his “perfect” daughter. Shaun Bowles, father of 19 year old Holly Bowles, confessed his shock when he realised she wouldn’t survive. Shaun described Holly as “everything you’d want your daughter to be.” The Aussie teenager was…
-
2 Vietnamese men arrested for thefts at love hotel, over 500 evidence seized
Police arrested two Vietnamese men at a love hotel in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok yesterday, December 18, following a spate of thefts in the area. Over 500 pieces of evidence were seized. Officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station received multiple complaints regarding thefts in the Bang Bua Thong, Bang Kruai, Bang Si Mueang, and Chaiyaphruek areas of the province. A covert…
-
Thailand prepares for chill, temperature drop and strong winds
Thailand braces for a cold snap as a mass of cool air spreads across the country, bringing a drop in temperatures and strong winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a temperature decrease of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius, with frost expected in some mountainous areas. The latest weather forecast from the TMD reveals that a moderate high-pressure system from…
-
CCTV footage leads to arrest of caretaker for abuse of old woman
Police arrested a Thai caretaker for brutally abusing an 85 year old bedridden woman during her employment at the victim’s home in Bangkok. The victim’s son sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after viewing the CCTV footage of the brutal abuse of his mother. He filed a complaint against the suspect, later identified as 49 year old Napasorn, with…
-
Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand? Yes, you do get access to some healthcare for free only if you have a work permit and contribute to…
-
Apply for international driving licences via Paotang app in Thailand
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank launched a new service allowing people to apply for international driving licences through the Paotang app, offering convenience and speed with 24-hour accessibility. This collaboration aims to enhance public services through digital technology. The initiative was announced by Suparpong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, alongside Jirut Wisanjit, DLT Director General, and…
-
Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel
Thailand is taking a leap into the digital age with the launch of its revolutionary Thai E-Visa system, simplifying life for globe-trotters everywhere. From January 1, 2025, international travellers can kiss goodbye to cumbersome paperwork and apply for their visas online with ease. This slick new development promises to make the visa process faster, safer, and more convenient, ensuring the…
-
Hair today, gone tomorrow: Bangkok cops snip illegal Myanmar barbers
Police in Bang Khun Thian district arrested four Myanmar nationals working as barbers, allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. This incident unfolded yesterday, December 17, at the ANGEL-20 hair salon located at the end of Nai Riang Market, Bang Bon, Bangkok. The arrest followed a tip-off received by Kittisak Bunsermsak, a police inspector at Bang Khun Thian Police Station. He…
-
Thailand rolls out red carpet with bigger rebates for filmmakers
The Thail Cabinet approved an increase in the rebate offered to foreign film productions, raising it to a range of 15 to 30% to attract more international filmmakers to shoot in the country. This decision, announced by Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, is part of a revised strategy to bolster Thailand’s appeal as a filming destination. The…
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.