News

Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.

  • Sponsored

    Best facial treatments in Bangkok for radiant skin

    If urban life has left your skin feeling as stressed as the Friday evening rush hour, there’s no reason to let it dampen your spirits. The answer to your skin's prayers might just involve less commuting and more pampering. Thankfully,...

  • Si Racha man donates 30 million baht lottery win to temple

    Si Racha man donates 30 million baht lottery win to temple

    A man from Si Racha scooped first prize in the recent lottery draw with five tickets, totalling 30 million baht. He intends to donate 499,999 baht to Khao Mai Daeng temple in Chon Buri for the construction of a new mandapa and a walking monk statue in honour of the revered Luang Phor Yongyuth Thammakosalo. Vorawong (surname withheld) visited Khao…

  • Lotto a trouble: Woman caught betting big on Facebook

    Lotto a trouble: Woman caught betting big on Facebook

    Police apprehended a young woman for posting advertisements for Lao lottery sales on Facebook, with bets reaching 30,000 baht per draw. She forwarded these bets to a major bookie, earning a 20% commission over the past six months. Yesterday, October 2, police officials, led by Phumiphat Phattharasriwongchai, Bancha Srisuk, and Thapakorn Hanumart, executed a search warrant at a residence in…

  • Pattaya officials inspect Walking Street venues for fire safety

    Pattaya officials inspect Walking Street venues for fire safety

    Pattaya officials conducted a thorough inspection of Walking Street venues on Tuesday evening, October 1, to ensure fire safety measures are up to par for the incoming tourist season. The inspection, which took place around 8pm, was spearheaded by Weekit Manarotkit, Bang Lamung District Chief, and Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet. The focus was on several entertainment venues located on Walking…

  • Udon Thani man rescued from roof after drug-induced hallucinations

    Udon Thani man rescued from roof after drug-induced hallucinations

    Police managed to rescue a man experiencing drug-induced hallucinations, who climbed onto his roof and refused to come down. The man, who had been in this state for several days, was eventually taken to a hospital for treatment. At 11.30am yesterday, October 2, Deputy Inspector Wichaneth Suetrong and his team were patrolling their area when they received a report about…

  • 10 essential tips for families moving to Thailand

    10 essential tips for families moving to Thailand

    Moving to Thailand is an exciting adventure, especially when you’re moving with your family. The country is popular for its warm climate, rich culture, and welcoming people, making it a popular destination for expatriates. However, settling in a new country can be challenging. To help make your transition smoother, here are 10 essential tips for families moving to Thailand. 1.…

  • Cat’s out of the bag: Tomboy’s stolen car ride ends in Bangkok arrest (video)

    Cat’s out of the bag: Tomboy’s stolen car ride ends in Bangkok arrest (video)

    Police swooped in yesterday to arrest a Thai tomboy struggling with mental health issues in a car park at an apartment in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok after she stole a car, complete with a pet cat inside, from a shopping mall in the Ratchada area. Footage of security guards desperately trying to stop the black Honda HRV from speeding out of…

  • Phuket outlines five-year sustainability development plan

    Phuket outlines five-year sustainability development plan

    Phuket advances with innovative efforts that integrate community-based tourism, gastronomy, and smart city solutions as part of a five-year development plan for sustainable growth. Suphon Suwannarat, the governor of Phuket Province, highlights the long-term vision. “We have a 20-year development goal for Phuket province, which is Phuket as a city of the new economy based on sustainable development to create…

  • Teen shootout in Samut Prakan leaves one dead, four injured

    Teen shootout in Samut Prakan leaves one dead, four injured

    A violent confrontation between groups of teenagers in Samut Prakan resulted in one death and four injuries after a shootout involving over 30 bullets. The incident unfolded on Sriwaree Noi Road, Bang Sao Thong district. At around 9.30pm yesterday, October 2, police from the Bang Sao Thong Station were alerted to a shootout involving teenagers who had arranged to settle…

  • Thailand is about to be drenched as heavy rain hits 54 provinces

    Thailand is about to be drenched as heavy rain hits 54 provinces

    Thailand is bracing for a deluge today, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) sounding the alarm for a staggering 54 provinces. Heavy rain is set to drench Bangkok and its surrounding areas, while the central region is looking at a whopping 80% chance of rainfall, and the north isn’t far behind with a 70% prediction! The TMD warns that…

  • Bangkok drug bust seizes meth worth 100m baht, three arrested

    Bangkok drug bust seizes meth worth 100m baht, three arrested

    A major drug bust in Bangkok led to the arrest of three alleged members of a substantial drug network, with methamphetamine (meth) pills and crystal meth worth over 100 million baht seized. Police Lieutenant General Samran Nuanma, assistant national police chief, and senior police officials, announced the operation at the Metropolitan Police Bureau office yesterday, October 2. The suspects, identified…

  • Thai’d and tested: Pun-tastic Thai restaurant name breaks Internet (video)

    Thai’d and tested: Pun-tastic Thai restaurant name breaks Internet (video)

    A woman travelling in Sweden was left in stitches after discovering a Thai restaurant with a side-splitting name, sparking curiosity among many who are now desperate to try it out. Ema, a 29 year old traveller who shares her adventures online as @emaonthemove, recently posted a clip of a takeaway in her new hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. The spot? Thai…

  • Phuket scoops top awards in time for Vegetarian Festival

    Phuket scoops top awards in time for Vegetarian Festival

    Phuket is proving it’s not just a holiday hotspot but a global player in events, as it bagged two major honours at the 2024 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards in the US. The Thai island, renowned for its stunning beaches, was crowned World Festival and Event City, and its iconic Vegetarian Festival snatched the prestigious Grand Pinnacle award. These accolades…

  • Thai sex workers rally at Parliament for protection act

    Thai sex workers rally at Parliament for protection act

    Thai sex workers protested outside Parliament today, October 2, to follow up on a protection act proposal in Thailand. This marked the third protest on the matter. Workers from entertainment venues, massage parlours, karaoke venues, go-go bars, as well as freelance sex workers and members of the Empower Foundation, hosted the event called “I come to demand my laws. Sex…

  • Milking it: ThaiBev pours 18 billion baht into dairy, drinks expansion

    Milking it: ThaiBev pours 18 billion baht into dairy, drinks expansion

    ThaiBev Group plans to invest 18 billion baht in 2025, more than doubling its annual investment, focusing on strengthening its non-alcoholic beverage and dairy businesses, including establishing a dairy farm in Malaysia. ThaiBev Group, led by CEO Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, announced a significant investment increase to 18 billion baht for the fiscal year 2025, which spans from October to September 2025.…

  • Thai Airways to issue new shares worth 42 billion baht

    Thai Airways to issue new shares worth 42 billion baht

    Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is set to issue new shares valued at a minimum of 42 billion baht by December, marking a significant move towards concluding its court-monitored debt restructuring and resuming trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The national airline plans to offer 6.81 billion new shares to creditors as part of a debt-to-equity swap, as…

  • Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services

    Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services

    Google committed to a significant investment of 36 billion baht to expand its cloud infrastructure and data centres in Bangkok and Chon Buri, announced on Monday, September 30. Ruth Porat, the President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, highlighted that this expansion aims to meet the growing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia and globally, while also…

  • Thai’s the limit: Thailand nabs third spot in Asia’s foodie rankings

    Thai’s the limit: Thailand nabs third spot in Asia’s foodie rankings

    Travel booking platform Agoda ranked Thailand third among the most popular destinations in Asia for foodies around the globe. Agoda launched a campaign inviting more than 4,000 users from ten countries worldwide to respond to the platform’s survey about the top destinations for food lovers. Participants were asked to complete the survey after finishing their bookings. The platform released the results…

  • Thailand’s ‘Glowing Owl’ flower: A rare botanical spectacle

    Thailand’s ‘Glowing Owl’ flower: A rare botanical spectacle

    Deep in Thailand’s remote wilderness, one of nature’s rarest and strangest blooms is set to emerge from the forest floor, leaving tourists and botanists scrambling for a glimpse. The mysterious Thismia thaithongiana, also known as Phisawong Owl’s Eye, is about to make its annual appearance in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak province on Thailand’s eastern border with Myanmar. Discovered…

  • New Thai bank licences grapple with early profitability challenges

    New Thai bank licences grapple with early profitability challenges

    The winners of the Bank of Thailand’s virtual bank licences are expected to face significant challenges in achieving profitability in the initial years, as the industry typically experiences high cash burn during the first five years, according to KGI Securities. Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is projected to benefit the least from a virtual bank licence compared to other Thai banks…

  • Thai and mighty: Airbnb reveals tourism boom in Thailand

    Thai and mighty: Airbnb reveals tourism boom in Thailand

    Thailand’s tourism industry is making a strong comeback, and Airbnb has just dropped some tantalising data showing just how much travellers are flocking to this Southeast Asian gem. With the high season fast approaching, Thailand is poised for a tourism surge, and it seems everyone – from digital nomads to family groups – wants a slice of the action. In…

  • Thai teacher escapes with minor injuries after car crashes into truck

    Thai teacher escapes with minor injuries after car crashes into truck

    A Thai teacher crashed her sedan into a six-wheel truck on a bypass road in the southern province of Phetchaburi but fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Officers from the Cha-am Police Station were alerted to the accident and injuries on the Cha-am-Pranburi Bypass Road yesterday, October 1, and rushed to the scene with rescuers from the Sawang Sunphet Foundation. Upon…

  • New action plan to tackle global trade shifts and aid Thai industries

    New action plan to tackle global trade shifts and aid Thai industries

    The International Institute for Trade and Development is set to unveil an action plan designed to address shifts in global trade regulations and industry supply chains. The institute aims to present this strategic plan to the Commerce Ministry, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Thai Industries by November. Suphakit Chareonkul, the executive director, highlighted that recent global…

  • Lettuce pray: Market shoppers face steep prices ahead of Pattaya Vegetarian Festival

    Lettuce pray: Market shoppers face steep prices ahead of Pattaya Vegetarian Festival

    The Rai Vanasin Market in East Pattaya was buzzing with anticipation yesterday as eager shoppers scrambled to stock up on fresh produce for the upcoming Pattaya Vegetarian Festival, which kicks off today, October 2 and runs until October 12. However, as the crowds grew, so did the prices – with many vegetables seeing eye-watering surges just days before the festival…

  • Ancient bus and outdated gas tanks blamed in deadly bus blaze

    Ancient bus and outdated gas tanks blamed in deadly bus blaze

    An investigation into the bus blaze that claimed the lives of 23 people in Pathum Thani yesterday revealed that the vehicle was first registered 54 years ago and its NGV gas tanks were 15 years old. A further investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers from…

  • Thailand to develop SME-focused industrial estate in EEC

    Thailand to develop SME-focused industrial estate in EEC

    The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is planning to develop a new industrial estate tailored specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Sumet Thangprasert, the acting governor of IEAT, confirmed that a portion of an IEAT-owned industrial estate in the EEC would be utilised for this project. The EEC, encompassing regions like Chon…

  • BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism

    BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on a comprehensive assessment of historical sites in Thon Buri to promote tourism and bolster the city development plan. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the BMA’s City Planning and Development Department, stated that his team, alongside A-Seven Corporation, a consultancy firm, recently visited numerous communities and landmarks. Their objective is to enhance land use potential…

  • Boost Songkhla tourism with better rail links to Malaysia, says guide

    Boost Songkhla tourism with better rail links to Malaysia, says guide

    Promoting Songkhla province’s cultural attractions and enhancing rail connections with Malaysia could significantly boost tourism, according to the founder of the Songkhla Tour Guide Association. Wittaya Saelim addressed these suggestions in a proposal recently submitted to Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul in the Hat Yai district. The proposal focused on addressing the province’s trade and tourism concerns and identifying ways to increase…

  • Woman admits to 10,000 baht theft from Udon Thani disabled man

    Woman admits to 10,000 baht theft from Udon Thani disabled man

    A 34 year old Thai woman turned herself in at Na Som Police Station in Udon Thani province amidst allegations of withdrawing 10,000 baht from a disabled man’s account. She claimed she intended to share the money with him but he reported the incident first. The man, 63 year old Somdee Plangsee, reported to officers at Na Som Police Station…

  • Thai woman and six year old boy killed in Si Racha car crash

    Thai woman and six year old boy killed in Si Racha car crash

    A tragic car crash in Si Racha, Chon Buri resulted in the deaths of two people, including a six year old boy. The driver, who reportedly passed out while driving, is under investigation. Police in Si Racha were alerted to a severe car crash on Monday, September 30, which led to the fatalities of a 59 year old woman named Liab…

  • Strong baht, flooding impact Thailand’s tourism market deficit with Japan

    Strong baht, flooding impact Thailand’s tourism market deficit with Japan

    The appreciation of the baht and severe flooding have emerged as pivotal factors for Thailand’s tourism industry, particularly with the High Season fast approaching. The final quarter is crucial in determining if Thailand can rebalance its tourism market deficit with Japan, which outperformed Thailand last year. By August, 706,500 Thais had visited Japan, while 668,221 Japanese tourists had travelled to…