Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
-
Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
NHRC urges Thailand to rethink Southern Land Bridge project
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reconsider the Southern Land Bridge megaproject, highlighting concerns about its environmental impact and implications for local communities. The NHRC supports its call with findings from various studies conducted by state agencies. Council member Sayamol Kaiyoorawongs stated that the prime minister should direct the Office of Transport and…
-
Heavy rain and flash floods expected across Bangkok and regions
Heavy rain is expected in Bangkok and several other regions warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods, especially in hilly and low-lying areas, due to intense rainfall and accumulated precipitation. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that an easterly wind wave will cover the lower northern region, lower northeastern…
-
Recipients can use 10,000-baht handout to clear debts: Deputy PM
Recipients of the 10,000-baht handout are free to use the money as they see fit, including paying off debts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham addressed reports that many eligible individuals in the first phase of the scheme, which began yesterday, September 26, plan to use the funds to clear their debts. “They can use the money [to…
-
Flight fright: Polish woman grounded after bomb threat in Bangkok
Police arrested a Polish woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok yesterday after sparking chaos mid-flight by making a bomb threat aboard a Thai Vietjet flight from Vietnam. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Security Centre received a notification at 2.18pm, yesterday, September 26, from the Air Traffic Control Centre that the Polish woman, later identified as Myrcik Malgoezata Ewelina, claimed she was carrying…
-
Roadside bomb injures eight soldiers in Narathiwat
Eight soldiers sustained injuries in a roadside explosion in Rangae district, Narathiwat, believed to be orchestrated by insurgents. The incident took place when an improvised bomb, tied to a power pole along a local road in Ban Hulu Pare, tambon Tanyongmat, was detonated as a military pickup truck carrying the soldiers drove past. The blast’s impact toppled the power pole…
-
Thailand aims to eradicate poverty in two years
Thailand aims to eradicate poverty and build a prosperous economy within the remainder of its term, an adviser to PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed. With just over two years left in office, the 38 year old prime minister is determined to ensure that Thais can rise above poverty, stated Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy chairman of the five-member advisory panel appointed by PM Paetongtarn.…
-
Sky’s the limit: CIB nabs Starlink scammer in Bangkok condo bust
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a Chinese man at a condominium in Bangkok. They seized 10 Starlink satellite Internet devices, allegedly intended for a call centre scam gang operating from the condo. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are actively investigating and monitoring the import and export of equipment used by call centre scam gangs, such as Starlink…
-
Ex-mayor of Kathu embroiled in corruption scandal
The former Mayor of Kathu Subdistrict Municipality has been indicted on corruption charges, with accusations of paying a road contractor before work was completed. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8 dropped the bombshell at a press conference yesterday, September 25 in Krabi, revealing widespread corruption across southern Thailand. Suchart Kruaykittanon, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC, confirmed the charges. “The…
-
Residents demand mayor fix Pattaya’s crumbling dirt road
Fed-up locals in East Pattaya are demanding action as a deteriorating dirt road behind Maryvit School left them stranded in the rainy season. The road, which serves as the main access route for 20 households in Moo 8, Nong Pla Lai, turns into a mudslide during heavy rains, prompting residents to call for an upgrade to a concrete road with…
-
Sticky situation: Glue-sniffing drifter wreaks havoc in Pattaya
A glue-sniffing drifter caused a chaotic scene for stunned residents of Soi Nern Plub Wan in Pattaya on Tuesday, September 24. The man, identified as 44 year old Prasit, was detained by locals after his erratic behaviour spiralled into what witnesses described as a full-blown hallucination. “He was talking nonsense, claiming ghosts were ordering him around,” said one resident. “He…
-
Bangkok airport runway gears up for November opening
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is gearing up for a major boost, with a brand-new runway set to open on November 1. The shiny new runway is expected to revolutionise the airport’s flight capacity, helping it soar to new heights. Kirati Kijmanawat, the Director of Airports of Thailand (AOT), confirmed the exciting news, stating that the third runway is now complete.…
-
Thailand’s top hotels get the Michelin treatment
The Michelin Guide has just upped the ante in Thailand’s luxury hotel game, unveiling the first-ever “Key” ratings for 58 of the country’s most outstanding hotels. If you thought Michelin was all about fine dining, think again. Now, the world-renowned guide is here to tell you where to stay too. After four years of revamping its hotel selection process, Michelin…
-
Chiang Mai woman’s flood photo goes viral after 19 years
A photo of a young woman from Chiang Mai pushing her motorcycle through floodwaters 19 years ago has resurfaced and gone viral, as the province experiences severe flooding once again. The image, originally posted on the Facebook page เชียงใหม่ที่คุณไม่เคยเห็น (Chiang Mai unseen), dates back to 2005. It shows a woman in a white top and red shorts wading through waist-deep…
-
Japan urged to boost Thai investments, focus on semiconductors
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on Japanese businesses to boost their investments in Thailand, particularly in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors. This appeal comes as the Thai government aims to recover from a significant drop in Japanese investments following the 2014 coup. Investment from Japan plummeted by up to 90% after the coup and has yet to return to previous…
-
Drunken ex-official assaults child in Sing Buri restaurant brawl
A former local government official, visibly drunk, caused a scene at a Sing Buri restaurant in central Thailand by assaulting a four year old boy, leading to a brawl with the child’s father. The incident occurred around 10.20pm yesterday, September 25, at a restaurant in Sing Buri City. The restaurant had two occupied tables: one with a family of four,…
-
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS to dazzle the night sky next month
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth next month, visible to the naked eye, before its return in 80,660 years. Suphareuk Karuehanon, the manager of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), revealed that comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently a celestial body of significant interest. Discovered in early 2023 by astronomers from the Tsuchinshan…
-
Adventure trip turns perilous as ATV overturns in fast stream
A group of employees narrowly escaped a life-threatening incident when their ATV overturned in a fast-flowing stream, leading to a rescue operation with no help from staff. The event has raised questions about the safety and licensing of adventure activity providers. On Tuesday, September 24, at a vehicle rental company in Sai Noi, Nonthaburi, Athiwat Sirikarnwanwong, the founder of the…
-
Bangkok police catch man with handmade gun at bus terminal
Police swiftly apprehended a young man carrying a handmade gun and .38 calibre bullets at a Bangkok bus terminal. The suspect, who admitted purchasing the weapon from a friend, was immediately taken into custody. At around 4pm yesterday, September 25, Phuwadol Unphon, the Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent Woraphat Sukthai and Inspector Wuttidet Phokha, led…
-
Poncho peril: Boy’s rainy day ride ends in mishap on Friendship Highway
A young Thai boy’s loose rain poncho became caught in a motorcycle wheel, leading to an accident on the Friendship Highway in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, which left him with a broken arm. Members of the Hook 31 Rescue Foundation rushed to the accident scene on the Friendship Highway at about 8am yesterday, September 25. Upon arrival, rescuers found…
-
Thai gold prices poised to break past record amid global surge
Gold prices in Thailand are poised to break past the previous high of 42,150 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grams) as international gold prices hover near record levels, nearing US$2,700 per ounce, according to local traders. Yesterday, September 25, domestic gold prices rose by 200 baht, reaching 41,100 baht for gold bars, as the price of bullion increased by 0.3% to…
-
Mum’s the word: Thai mother slaps pregnant teacher in bullying row
A furious Thai mother accused a pregnant teacher of bullying and humiliating her daughter before slapping the teacher at a school in Nonthaburi province. Both parties are now pursuing legal action against each other. A video showing the Thai woman, 41 year old Phakaporn, physically assaulting the pregnant teacher was shared by several news agencies and on Facebook. In the…
-
Drug-fuelled family clash in Phatthalung leads to police intervention
A drug-addicted son clashed with his mother over a broken motorcycle and locked his father in a chokehold, leading to police intervention in Phatthalung yesterday. He was not under the influence of drugs but was merely enraged. Thawatchai, a 24 year old man, residing in Village 11, Mae Khri subdistrict, Tamot district, Phatthalung province, had a heated argument with his mother…
-
Phuket water supply halted for essential repairs
Phuket residents face a water supply disruption in central areas from 9am to 5pm today, September 26 due to essential repairs, the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) announced. The disruption is necessary to address reduced water pressure caused by a malfunctioning water pump raft. Affected areas include Srisoonthorn, Cherng Talay, Pa Khlok, Kamala, and Ratsada. Residents in these regions may…
-
Golden weak: Chinese tourists to Thailand dip as baht bites
Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation President, highlighted concerns about the appreciating baht’s adverse…
-
Thai teacher denies stealing 15,000 baht from senior official’s wife
A Thai teacher in the Isaan province of Buriram surrendered to the police today after being accused of stealing 15,000 baht in cash from the wife of the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Tuesday, September 24. The wife of the Deputy Permanent Secretary, 56 year old Nipha Darasaen, filed a complaint with Phutthaisong Police…
-
Second body found in Lampang’s Wang River amid strong currents
Police in Lampang discovered a second body floating in the Wang River yesterday, September 25. Despite efforts to retrieve the body, strong currents carried it away. The deceased is believed to be a 60 year old woman who went missing on September 20. Police in Ko Kha were alerted to the discovery of a body in the Wang River near…
-
Flying foreign: Thai aviation industry in a tailspin over pilot proposal
The Thai aviation industry has been stirred by the proposal to allow foreign pilots to operate domestic routes, a move considered unusual as such roles are traditionally reserved for Thai nationals. Thai Vietjet’s request, though temporary, aimed to address an aircraft shortage during peak travel seasons, has met with significant resistance from the Thai Pilots Association. A global shortage of…
-
Weight loss campaign in Thailand fails to pay 100,000 baht reward (video)
A Thai woman, disappointed after participating in a weight loss campaign in Thailand by well-known online seller Tak Kornkanok, has revealed that she successfully lost the required weight but received no reward. The campaign, promising 100,000 baht for losing 10 kilogrammes in one month, failed to deliver on its promise. The Thai woman, 32 year old Krintorn Phakdeewittayakul, shared her…
-
Bangkok delists more than 10,000 inactive companies
The Department of Business Development (DBD), under the Ministry of Commerce, announced the removal of 11,515 companies from the Bangkok business registry. The announcement, dated September 2 and 16, cited two primary reasons for this action. The first reason involves 8,420 companies that have not submitted their financial statements for three consecutive years, leading to the assumption that these companies…
-
Lampang dams overflow, residents urged to evacuate valuables
Two major dams in Lampang, Thailand have burst their banks following relentless rainfall, leaving officials scrambling to warn residents in low-lying areas to move their belongings to higher ground immediately. The torrential downpour, which started yesterday, September 25, and continued fiercely through the night, has sent water levels skyrocketing, creating a dangerously precarious situation for those living nearby. Local government…
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.