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 New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
-
Thai market trader extorted by fake officers for 20,000 baht
Four men, posing as officers from the Crime Suppression Division, extorted a 39 year old market trader, known as Ta, of 20,000 baht. The incident occurred on January 9 when the man, without showing any legal identification or paperwork, confiscated about 20 fashion bags from his stall at a local flea market. Ta explained that the men proceeded to lead…
-
Tragic motorcycle sidecar accident claims life of Thai child
A tragic accident occurred just a day after Children’s Day when five related children were driving a motorcycle sidecar home and crashed into an electricity pole. The oldest of the children, a ten year old girl, lost her life. The unfortunate incident took place around 9.30pm yesterday, January 14, when Thai Buddhist Charity Foundation volunteers in Kabin Buri were notified…
-
Thai homeowner demands responsibility from marathon runner pooping outside house (video)
A homeowner in Thailand is requesting accountability from both a marathon runner and event organisers after a CCTV camera captured a female runner pooping outside her home in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The 47 year old homeowner, Walaikorn, took to social media to demand responsibility from the relevant authorities. She shared footage of the incident with the public,…
-
Shana E-Sport’s daring tune-up turns Ranger Raptor into a trucking masterpiece (video)
In the realm of Thai automotive enthusiasm, pickup trucks reign supreme, with the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux dominating sales charts. Not to be left in the dust, the Ford Ranger claims its stake in this truck-loving nation, and thanks to one daring tuner, Shana E-Sport from Chon Buri, it just underwent a jaw-dropping transformation. This Thai tuning maestro recently…
-
Thai Prime Minister to woo global giants at World Economic Forum
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to meet with several leading global private companies, confident that these interactions will attract further trade and investment from abroad. These meetings will take place during the World Economic Forum (WEF) of 2024 and are expected to significantly benefit the Thai economy. Chai Watcharong, Prime Minister Office spokesperson, revealed that during the WEF…
-
Concerns after two foreign women sunbathe in Chiang Mai temple
A Thai tourist called on the authorities to put up warning signs after spotting two foreign women sunbathing inside Chiang Man Temple in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The Thai tourist who witnessed the foreigners’ action took a picture and sent it to Channel 3 around 1.30pm yesterday, January 14. The picture showed two foreign women in shorts and…
-
Hells Angels chief’s wings clipped in Bangkok bust: Fleeing Australia on fake wings
The Thailand Immigration Bureau (IB) swooped to arrest Hells Angels chief Rodrigo Elices who fled Australia on a false passport on charges of drug trafficking, smuggling and firearms at a luxury apartment in Bangkok. Thai officials revealed that Elices entered the country last month using an Italian passport with a suspected false identity. Fingerprints associated with the Italian passport were…
-
Thailand introduces 90-day visa for foreigners training in Muay Thai
Thailand has introduced a special visa scheme for foreigners visiting the country for Muay Thai training, allowing them to extend their stay from 60 to 90 days. The government set up the National Soft Power Strategy Committee to promote Thailand’s soft power, with Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Vice Chairman of the Board. The committee aims to promote soft power in 11…
-
Thai government’s plan to open drug rehab centres in army barracks raises concerns
Civil society groups are expressing apprehension regarding the Thai government’s decision to establish drug rehabilitation centres, known as Rakjai centres, in 52 army barracks across the country. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin highlighted the nation’s drug issues on social media and outlined the government’s plan to utilise military premises for drug rehabilitation programmes. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has since been involved…
-
PM Srettha to pitch Land Bridge megaproject at WEF
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to entice foreign investors towards the 1 trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject during the World Economic Forum (WEF) which starts on Monday and concludes on Friday in Davos, Switzerland. PM Srettha will be accompanied by a team of cabinet ministers including Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, following an invitation…
-
Prehistoric animal footprints discovered at Thai waterfall mark country’s oldest find
A groundbreaking discovery of prehistoric animal footprints, estimated to be 225 million years old, has been made at the Tat Yai waterfalls located on the border between Phetchabun’s Nam Nao district and Khon Kaen’s Phu Pha Man district. The revelation came from the Department of Mineral Resources, which stated that a team from the Mineral Resources Office Region 2 (Khon…
-
Fatal accident in Samut Prakan as truck falls on worker during repair
A tragic accident occurred in Samut Prakan province, where a heavy-set man was killed after a six-wheel truck fell on him while he was conducting repairs on it. The incident happened at a Ta Sai located along Khlong Khud Road, Bang Phli District yesterday, January 14. The man, a 57 year old worker from Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani province, was…
-
Children’s Day ceremony in Satun turns tragic with rescue vehicle malfunction
Satun witnessed an unfortunate turn of events yesterday, as a Children’s Day ceremony in the Kuan Don Subdistrict took a tragic turn. A rescue vehicle, intended to demonstrate natural disaster operations, malfunctioned during the show, resulting in injuries to 44 children. Local media outlets reported that the incident occurred when a steel sling on the bridge vehicle, used for natural…
-
Koh Samui set for tourism boost with influx of cruise liner visits
Surat Thani province’s popular resort island Koh Samui is expecting a significant boost in tourism this year, with 47 cruise liners set to dock and unload around 25,000 international travellers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). As stated by Kanokkittika Kritwuthikorn, TAT’s director for Koh Samui, the majority of these tourists will be hailing from the United States, Europe,…
-
Rubber trees in Rayong bestow lottery luck according to local Thai folklore
A legendary tale of fortune has emerged from the Ban Chang-Pla road in Rayong province, where three intertwined rubber trees have become the subject of a lottery luck charm. Locals believe that the spirits residing beneath these trees, which are estimated to be over 100 years old, have bestowed lottery luck upon numerous individuals. On January 8, around 3.30pm, a…
-
Thailand’s tourism authority to boost Chiang Mai visits with year-round campaigns
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to initiate year-round campaigns aimed at elevating tourism in Chiang Mai. The news was delivered by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, who reported a surge in tourism in the region following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. From January to November of last year, Chiang Mai saw around 9.4 million tourists grace its attractions,…
-
Youth gang wreaks havoc in Buriram, Thailand: Teen seriously hurt
A gang of reckless youths caused havoc on the streets of Buriram, Thailand. A 13 year old boy was injured after the group pursued and attacked him amidst moving traffic. The incident was followed by the gang posting a taunt on Facebook, ridiculing their victim. Following the incident last night, police are now urgently hunting down the culprits. Upon arrival…
-
Thailand courts Hungary for investment to boost global influence
Hungary has been courted by Thailand for potential investment opportunities in a bid to broaden the Southeast Asian nation’s global influence or soft power. This strategic call for investment was made by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, in a recent conversation with Sandor Sipos, the Hungarian Ambassador to Thailand. The dialogue, which took place yesterday, comes ahead…
-
Chon Buri forest mystery solved: Charred body on forest tyres identified
The identity of a man whose charred body was found sitting on tyres in a forest has been ascertained. Chon Buri authorities discovered his national identity card in his trouser pocket and have asked for time to investigate the incident. They have also accelerated their efforts to track down the ruthless killer. The body was found in a forest on…
-
Small aircraft crash in Chon Buri leaves one dead and another severely injured
Authorities are urgently investigating the cause of a small aircraft crash that resulted in the death of one German-Austrian pilot and the severe injury of another. The accident occurred a mere 20 minutes after takeoff. The small aircraft, an X-AIR or Rotax912 Ultra Light model, crashed in a cow pasture behind a tyre store in Huay Yai, Bang Lamung, Chon…
-
Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to increase airport slots for summer season
A surge in foreign arrivals expected for the summer season has prompted the Transport Ministry to direct the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to expand the number of available airport slots. These slots, which denote the time-bound authorisation for airlines to take off and land, are set to be increased at key transport hubs, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang…
-
Land dispute turns violent in Buriram: Man injured in car and harpoon attack
In a violent dispute over land ownership, a 50 year old man was injured when a mechanic allegedly rammed him with his vehicle and stabbed him with a harpoon. The incident occurred yesterday in a lane opposite Buriram prison. The victim, Nopporn Thianwan, suffered a punctured wound to his back and several bruises. The argument was reported to stem from a…
-
Thailand’s new 30-baht plus healthcare scheme takes off
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew expressed satisfaction with the new 30-baht plus healthcare scheme in Thailand, which was launched last Sunday in Roi Et province. The programme, operating under the One Card for All concept, allows members of the universal healthcare card scheme, also known as the gold card scheme, to access medical services from any hospital in Roi Et,…
-
Shooting at Ratchaburi power plant leaves three dead
An unexpected shooting incident left three dead and one injured at a power plant in Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi today. The victims were identified as Phichet Luamlalai, 55 year old manager of HSR Pro Company, Chanrop Phadee, the 50 year old deputy manager of the same company, and Chakrit Nakpradit, the company’s 52 year old training instructor. The injured party was…
-
Thai lithium deposits outmatch global counterparts boosting EV production
A Thai geochemistry specialist recently confirmed that two primary lithium deposits located in Phang Nga hold an elevated concentration of lithium, surpassing many other significant deposits worldwide. This discovery reinforces the Thai government’s ambitious strategy to establish Thailand as a key producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and their components. The lithium sites in this southern province have been identified by…
-
Former labour minister seeks legal advice over alleged Thailand-Finland trafficking scandal
Former Labour Minister of Thailand Suchart Chomklin is seeking legal advice following allegations of involvement in a human trafficking and bribery scandal. The case in question pertains to the deployment of Thai workers to Finland for berry picking. Suchart vehemently denied receiving payments or engaging in any human trafficking activities related to this employment scheme. An ongoing investigation into the case…
-
Fatal crash on Motorway M6 claims life of young Thai motorcyclist
A 29 year old motorcyclist was killed in a severe collision with a car on the Motorway M6. The incident occurred yesterday, at around 9.30pm near kilometre marker 189, linking Simum and Phongkrang districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The motorcyclist was reportedly riding against traffic when he collided with an oncoming car. Emergency medical teams from rescue service Huk 31…
-
Four MFP MPs resign over 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject
A quartet of MPs from the Move Forward Party (MFP) resigned from a House committee that was examining the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject. Their reason for stepping down was their refusal to passively approve a venture they fundamentally disagreed with. MFP MP Julapong Yukate reported that the committee’s final meeting was held yesterday, where they were supposed to endorse a…
-
Songwriter faces backlash for liking cover of his own song on Facebook
A songwriter known as Pratchaya Chitra, nicknamed Beer, found himself at the receiving end of a bullying incident after simply liking a video clip of his song being covered by a woman. The woman, feeling affronted, launched into a tirade against Beer, questioning his motives and mocking his appearance. It all began when Beer showed appreciation for the cover of…
-
Democrat Party leader denies ties with billion-baht pork smuggling suspect
Democrat Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on yesterday refuted whispers of familial connections with the primary suspect in a billion-baht pork smuggling saga. Li Sheng Jiao, also known as Hia Kao (Brother Kao), is among four individuals sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on multiple charges including money laundering, customs act infringements and tax evasion. Earlier this week, arrest warrants were…
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.