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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
-
A third of expats may have to leave – Survey on new ‘retirement’ visa extension
Thailand’s farang forum, Thaivisa, has conducted two unofficial polls that indicate that many expats will be calling it quits and leaving the Kingdom. The polls are a response from the affected ThaiVisa audience, not indicative of the total expat population living in Thailand. The polls have been undertaken in the wake of new regulations issued by Thai immigration requiring retirees to lodge…
-
Air pollution in Bangkok improved over the weekend, marathon goes ahead
PHOTO: Thai PBS Air quality around Bangkok had sufficiently improved for the running of a charity marathon in the capital yesterday morning. 16,000 runners took part in the marathon yesterday from the Ratchamangala stadium in Hua Mark, through central Bangkok and to the finish line at the Democracy monument on Rajdamnoen road. The race organisers say they were closely monitoring updates…
-
Krabi officials in Ao Nang gear up for Chinese New Year
More than 100 officers from Krabi Immigration and other local officialdom have put on a show of force to assure locals, tourists and expats that authorities are well prepared for Chinese New Year public safety this year. Krabi Immigration Chief Col Supparueak Pankosol says, “There are many tourists visiting Krabi during this Chinese New Year.” “We are making sure that…
-
At least another 60 days in Thai jail for Hakeem al-Araibi
SCREENSHOT from The Guardian video Australian refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi now has 60 days to prepare a defence against the Bahraini government’s attempt to extradite him from Thailand. Bahrain’s extradition request was formally accepted for consideration last Friday. The 25 year old will have to remain in Thai prison for the two months, on top of the two months he’s already…
-
Limit use of joss sticks and incense – Chinese New Year ‘pollution’
PHOTOS: The Nation by Pratch Rukivanarom Doctors are urging people not to burn joss paper as offerings over Chinese New Year. They’re also recommending to limit incense-burning and fireworks during this year’s celebrations this week to prevent hazardous emissions. (Apparently the ‘hazardous emissions’ have been ok in the past – Ed) The response from Doctors is in reaction to the…
-
Air quality for Thailand – February 4
Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…
-
Fire destroys Moken Village in Phang Nga – VIDEO
A fire has destroyed a Moken Village (sea gypsies village) on Mu Koh Surin in Phang Nga last night. Around 8pm last night a fire started which engulfed the Moken Village on Mu Koh Surain National Park in Phang Nga. Mu Koh Surin National Park officials, Navy officers and locals helped to bring the fire under control. About 67 houses…
-
Weather for February 4
Bangkok Sunshine and a few clouds. High 34C. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High near 35C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Scattered thunderstorms during the morning. Partly…
-
Fears that plantation fire could add to Bangkok pollution woes
A huge plantation fire has destroyed a 400 rai rubber farm in Chacheongsao province with concerns that it could also add to Bangkok’s air pollution and smog woes. Chachongseo is the province immediately east of the city limits. The prevailing winds come from the north-east. The fire in Sanam Chai Khet district began at around 10pm last night (Saturday) and…
-
Elephant Boat Race comes to Bangkok March 29
Anantara Hotels Director of Operational Excellence & Events Tim Boda has announced Thailand’s first “Elephant Boat Race & River Festival” to be held between March 29 – 31, 2019. “The new three-day festival offers a wide range of activities, races and concerts aiming to raise funds to support domestic and wild elephants throughout Thailand.” Located next to Anantara Riverside Bangkok, the…
-
Chinese tourists flock back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019
Chinese tourists are flocking back to Phuket for Chinese New Year 2019 after a six month hiatus following last year’s Phoenix boat tragedy. 47 Chinese tourists drowned in the incident, including many children, after the boat capsized on July 5 in a late afternoon storm as the tour boat was returning to Phuket. In the following months hotels received thousands…
-
Ridley sea turtles return to Phang Nga for breeding
PHOTO: World Wildlife Fund Ridley’s sea turtles, a protected species in Thailand, have returned to Phang Nga beaches to breed, following a 23 year absence from the beach in Thai Muang district. The turtle eggs have been collected and taken to the nursery at a turtle watch centre on Tha Sai beach for incubation. The nest on the beach has been…
-
Krabi officials declare a rabies outbreak zone
A district livestock office in Krabi province has announced a Rabies outbreak zone in the Mueang Krabi district area. Somphon Jantara, chief livestock officer of Mueang Krabi District, announced that the Sai Thai village, Moo 1 is a designated outbreak zone after a male dog tested positive for Rabies on Wednesday. A rabies temporary control zone will now run from January…
-
Leopard cub smuggled on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to India
A one month old leopard has been found in a passenger’s hand luggage after landing in Chennai, India after a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok. The young leopard was weak and dehydrated when it was discovered. The leopard kitten was hidden in a grocery basket hidden put inside his carry on luggage. At this stage officials haven’t reported the nationality…
-
Seven drug busts net 10 million meth pills, 4 kg of heroin
The more drugs police intercept, the more that pours across the borders. The Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau have reported on seven drug busts that netted 10 suspects and the confiscation of 10 million methamphetamine pills and nearly four kilograms of heroin. The NSB also seized other illicit drugs including crystal meth or “ice”, ecstasy pills and cocaine. Separate searches in…
-
Nan blossoms in pink splendour
Tourists are flocking to the far northern province of Nan, on the Laos border, this weekend to witness the beauty of wild Himalayan cherry tree blossoms, widely known as “Thai sakura”, at a research station in Nanoi district. Kanyarat Natebutr, chief of Tonnam Kunsatan research station said that the areas around the station, where cherry trees, green maple and macadamia…
-
Event Round-Up – February 2019
You still have a few days left to enjoy the tail end of Bangkok Design Week which is running from 26 January to 3 February in select areas around Bangkok. Taking inspiration from the city’s rich history as a gathering point for creative minds from all over the world, Bangkok Design Week is held under the theme of “Fusing Forward”,…
-
Criminal Court agrees to consider extradition of Bahraini footballer
The Criminal Court says it has agreed to consider the public prosecutors’ request to extradite former Bahrain national footballer Hakeem al-Araibi to his home country. The footballer currently holds Australian residency. The request was made after Bahrain supplied prosecutors with evidence and documents accusing al-Araibi of arson and possession of weapons. Bahrain had issued an arrest warrant for the footballer…
-
Warning from Pattaya police about bogus charity collectors
Pattaya’s police chief is warning tourists against donating to street charity collectors. He claims many of the so-called charities are bogus and the money is lily going straight into their pockets. Speaking to Pattaya Mail, Pol. Col. Apichai Kroppech says that both Thais and foreigners are roaming the streets acting as charity collectors, hoping to take advantage of people’s good…
-
Immigration officials push back against the new retirement visa guidelines
Days after new rules for the processing for foreign retiree visas were published, immigration officials are reportedly pushing back against them. The report was in Khaosod English citing inside sources. According to the Immigration department, starting March 1, foreign retirees must either show a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai…
-
Students sent to hospital after suffering food poisoning from school lunch
70 secondary students from the Jian Hua School in Nakhon Pathom’s Bang Len district suffered food poisoning after school lunch yesterday. Nakhon Pathom is the province to the west of Bangkok. 25 of the affected students were sent to Supan Buri’s 17th Somdet Phra Sangkharat Hospital suffering from severe diarrhoea, vomiting and seizures. 26 year old Teacher Manasawee Phutthapol says that…
-
400cc Nightclub raided in Bangkok. 92 test positive for drugs.
by Kittipong Maneerit Another Bangkok nightclub has been raided as police crackdown on some clubs on the city’s outer limits. The 400cc nightclub was raided revealing at least 40 patrons under the age of 20. Meanwhile, 92 patrons tested positive for substance abuse and 26 of them under the legal drinking age. Officers of Nong Khang Plu precinct, the Office…
-
Rewards given to Thais who saved Lithuanian woman at Phuket Airport
Rewards from the management of the Phuket International Airport have been made to two quick thinking Thai citizens who saved the a young Lithuania woman from jumping from the international terminal’s upper road way ramp this week. Pilot Officer Thanee Chuangchoo, the General Manager of Phuket International Airport, today gave certificates and rewards to two the Thai people, Aphichart Intaraksa and Amornrat Ankhai.…
-
Thai Immigration clamps down on requirements for Retirement visas
A story in ThaiVisa is providing a lot of concern for people making applications for ‘Retirement’ and ‘Marriage’ visas so they can remain in the Kingdom. The announcement follows several of the embassies last year explaining that they will no longer be issuing a ‘proof of income’ for the purpose of visa applications in Thailand. “Foreigners now need to keep…
-
Bangkok air pollution reduction schemes – FAIL
OPINION Smog, air pollution, air quality, PM2.5 micron particulate. If you live in Bangkok it’s all the same thing. Four water-carrying drones took off from Bangkok City Hall this morning to join three fire engines in the latest assault on health-threatening haze. Bangkok is a city covering some 1,500 square kilometres with a population of over 8 million. The frequent…
-
Send in the drones – Bangkok Governor – Air pollution – VIDEO
Authorities in Bangkok launched 50 drones yesterday in an attempt to combat the ongoing air pollution that has gained international attention. The drones were equipped with sprinklers and water was sprayed to lower the PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere. The water was laced with molasses (a gooey, surgery syrup) help capture the fine particles of pollution and bring them to…
-
Thai authorities decide on Bahrain detainee’s future next week
The Thai Attorney General is set to decide by next week whether to extradite a detained Bahraini footballer or allow him to travel to Australia as a refugee. Prosecutors have now received an official request from the Bahraini government to extradite the footballer, Hakeem Ali Mohamed Ali al-Araibi, and the request is being reviewed to see if it falls within…
-
Conservationists call for the protection of Guitarfish and Electric rays
PHOTOS: จิตอาสา Go-Eco Phuket Phuket conservationists are calling for the protection of Guitarfish and Electric rays from fishermen after many of them have been found dead at Koh Racha Noi. A Facebook user ‘Go-Eco Phuket’, a local conversation Facebook page, yesterday posted pictures and a video with a message reading… “We were notified by our network that 11 metres under the sea…
-
Weather for February 1
Bangkok Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 34C. Winds E at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket A mix of clouds and sun. High 31C. Winds E at 15 to 30 km/h. Chiang Mai Plenty of sunshine. High 33C. Winds light and variable. Pattaya Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 31C. Winds SSW at 10…
-
Monk defrocked and charged with child abuse
by Suriya Patathayo Another Buddhist monk has been arrested and defrocked. The allegations involve sexual violations against boys and posting pornographic content online. Leading the investigation, Pol Lt General Surachate Hakparn, deputy chief of Thailand’s Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression says that the former monk has confessed that he has committed the crimes for more than 10 years.…
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.