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

    Where to travel in Thailand in April [2025]

    Travelling in Thailand is peak during April if you are looking for a real taste of summer. With high temperatures, amazing beaches, and exciting events, April is an amazing time to visit the country as a whole. Due to the...

  • Buriram man wins 6 million baht lottery with nephew’s help

    Buriram man wins 6 million baht lottery with nephew’s help

    A 56 year old local government official from Buriram province has become an overnight millionaire after his infant nephew picked a winning lottery ticket. Kanthar Sirisamran, from Mueang subdistrict in Krasang district, Surin province, claimed a massive 6 million baht prize following the lottery draw yesterday, April 1. The lucky number, 669687, was announced by the Government Lottery Office, sparking…

  • Thai rescuer hospitalised after 4-metre python wraps around neck

    Thai rescuer hospitalised after 4-metre python wraps around neck

    A Thai rescuer attempted to remove a 4-metre long python from a house in Bangkok but blundered, allowing the snake to wrap around his neck until he lost consciousness. A local homeowner, Oh, called the Por Teck Tung Foundation rescuers to her home at 10.12pm yesterday, April 1, to help a rescuer who had lost consciousness inside her house in…

  • Beach town bust: Pattaya cops net Hong Kong murder suspect

    Beach town bust: Pattaya cops net Hong Kong murder suspect

    Thai police apprehended a Hong Kong national linked to a drug-fuelled murder in a dramatic seaside sting, right in the heart of bustling Pattaya. The arrest is set against a backdrop of rising crime in the region, with Pattaya already recording five murders this year. The high-stakes operation unfolded on Monday, March 31, as immigration officers closed in on the…

  • Thailand video news | Substandard steel blamed for Bangkok tower collapse, Pregnant woman rescued from Myanmar quake rubble

    Thailand video news | Substandard steel blamed for Bangkok tower collapse, Pregnant woman rescued from Myanmar quake rubble

    In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay report on major developments across the region. Investigations into the Bangkok tower collapse reveal substandard steel from a Chinese-owned factory, raising safety concerns. Meanwhile, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassures the public that the incident was isolated, with authorities conducting thousands of building inspections. In Phuket, a speedboat explosion injures six, sparking calls for stricter…

  • Optimus Prime statue brings a lotto luck to Nonthaburi cafe patrons

    Optimus Prime statue brings a lotto luck to Nonthaburi cafe patrons

    Following the announcement of the lottery results for yesterday, April 1, the winning lottery number was 669687. The three-digit front numbers were 635 and 760, while the three-digit end numbers were 180 and 666. The two-digit end number was 36. In a recent viral social media post, a metal robot resembling Optimus Prime in Nonthaburi was adorned with a garland,…

  • 4 year old Thai girl accidentally shoots herself with pen gun

    4 year old Thai girl accidentally shoots herself with pen gun

    A four year old girl accidentally shot herself in the right leg with her father’s pen gun at a house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The child’s 16 year old cousin, Parinya Sittijun, called Phra Samut Chedi Police Station, and Por Teck Tung Foundation rescuers, for help at about 11am yesterday, April 1. Officers arrived at the scene and found…

  • Mae Hong Son battles wildfires and hazardous smoke levels

    Mae Hong Son battles wildfires and hazardous smoke levels

    In Mae Hong Son, ongoing wildfires continue to affect the area as provincial efforts intensify to combat the smoke and haze. Yesterday, April 1, the governor took a helicopter to survey and identify hotspots for ground teams to extinguish while efforts were made to reduce pollution levels. At 9am yesterday, April 1, at the helipad of the Natural Resources and…

  • All aboard: Songkhla sets sail for cruise boom with new port plan

    All aboard: Songkhla sets sail for cruise boom with new port plan

    In a bold bid to transform Songkhla into a cruise hotspot, the local Chamber of Commerce has proposed the development of a dedicated cruise port to woo affluent Western tourists, while still charming traditional visitors from Malaysia and Singapore. During an eventful visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in February, Songphon Changsiriwattanathamrong, president of the Chamber of Commerce, pitched the…

  • Thai man physically assaults mother over inheritance dispute

    Thai man physically assaults mother over inheritance dispute

    A Thai man physically assaulted his mother over an inheritance dispute, accusing her of squandering the family’s assets with her new husband following their father’s death. A Thai mother took to social media to share videos showing her son attacking her outside her home in the southern province of Surat Thani. “I have been caring for my children for 34 years,…

  • Stripe a pose: Tigress and cubs’ rare jungle photoshoot steals the show

    Stripe a pose: Tigress and cubs’ rare jungle photoshoot steals the show

    In a thrilling leap forward for wildlife conservation, a tigress known as F22 and her adorable cubs have been snapped in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, boosting hopes for Thailand’s endangered big cats. This magical moment, captured by automatic camera traps, shines a spotlight on the nation’s roaring commitment to safeguarding these majestic creatures. Porayut Waiwong, director of the Protected Area…

  • Phuket set for alcohol-free Songkran festival to boost tourism

    Phuket set for alcohol-free Songkran festival to boost tourism

    Phuket will host its annual alcohol-free Songkran festival next Sunday, April 13, featuring traditional activities, cultural performances, live music, and a family-friendly environment. This event celebrates Songkran’s cultural significance while promoting tourism and local business. Phuket Deputy Governor Samawit Suphanphai recently shared details of the 11th annual Songkran No Alcohol Festival Phuket 2025. The festival involves the Phuket Provincial Administrative…

  • Storm warning: April showers bring flood horrors to Thailand

    Storm warning: April showers bring flood horrors to Thailand

    Thailand’s weather chiefs have issued a dire warning as a monster storm threatens to drench the nation. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) sounded the alarm today, April 2, forecasting torrential downpours and fierce winds across 30 provinces, including Bangkok. The deluge could trigger flash floods and deadly forest runoff, turning roads into rivers and homes into waterlogged disaster zones. Residents…

  • Fake videos of Myanmar earthquake rack up millions of views

    Fake videos of Myanmar earthquake rack up millions of views

    In the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand, fake videos purporting to show the devastation have been spreading like wildfire across social media, racking up millions of views. But these clips are far from real, they’re generated using artificial intelligence (AI), and they’re fooling unsuspecting users worldwide. A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar…

  • Pattaya beach brawl: Drunk guard assaults transwoman

    Pattaya beach brawl: Drunk guard assaults transwoman

    A night out on Pattaya Beach turned violent when an off-duty, drunken security guard, still wearing his uniform, allegedly smashed a beer bottle over a transgender woman’s head, leaving her bloodied and hospitalised. The shocking incident unfolded at 10.36pm yesterday, March 31, prompting an immediate response from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit and Pattaya police. Tourists watched in horror…

  • Thai government reassures safety after Bangkok building collapse

    Thai government reassures safety after Bangkok building collapse

    The Thai government is ramping up efforts to bolster international confidence in the country following March 28 earthquake, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. During her remarks at the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Centre opening ceremony in One Bangkok, the Thai premier addressed concerns about the collapse of the newly constructed State Audit Office building. The 38 year old…

  • No boots for blisters: Thai military service exemptions updated

    No boots for blisters: Thai military service exemptions updated

    In a move that’s shaking up the conscription rules, Thailand’s Defence Ministry added three more medical conditions to the list of diseases that exempt young men from compulsory military service — and they’re anything but ordinary. A directive signed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was published in the Royal Gazette on March 25 and took…

  • Pregnant woman saved from quake rubble in Myanmar

    Pregnant woman saved from quake rubble in Myanmar

    A story of hope for the family and friends of those trapped beneath the rubble of a Bangkok building emerged today from Myanmar’s capital, when a 63 year old woman was rescued 91 hours after she became trapped beneath the wreckage of her building. Emergency workers carefully extracted her after tirelessly digging through debris, marking one of the most extraordinary…

  • Blood and sweat: Phuket red cross urges life-saving donations this Songkran

    Blood and sweat: Phuket red cross urges life-saving donations this Songkran

    The Phuket Red Cross and the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital are urging locals to consider blood donation as a life-saving gesture this April, coinciding with the Songkran holiday. Special blood donation events are being held to meet the demand for Rh-negative blood, predominantly donated by foreigners due to its rarity among Thai donors. The increase in tourism and…

  • TV blackout fears rise over NBTC frequency plan

    TV blackout fears rise over NBTC frequency plan

    A storm is brewing in Thailand’s media industry as leading digital TV broadcasters warn that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) latest move could trigger mass TV blackouts and potentially collapse the nation’s digital television industry. The controversy erupted after the NBTC held a public hearing on its proposal to auction off the 3500 MHz frequency band, a spectrum…

  • OBEC reschedules exams after earthquake, safety checks underway

    OBEC reschedules exams after earthquake, safety checks underway

    The Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is working to establish new dates for the entrance exams for Matthayom 1 and 4 (equivalent to Years 7 and 10) admissions, following a postponement due to an earthquake. Originally planned for April 5 at schools affiliated with the OBEC for the 2025 academic year, the nationwide exams have been delayed. OBEC’s Secretary…

  • 3 Chinese nationals in Pattaya arrested for selling zombie e-cigarettes

    3 Chinese nationals in Pattaya arrested for selling zombie e-cigarettes

    Police arrested three Chinese nationals in Pattaya for selling zombie e-cigarettes via the Telegram application. The suspects reportedly earned over 2 million baht per day. Police officers posed as customers and ordered e-cigarette juice containing etomidate from the three Chinese nationals after receiving a tip-off about their criminal activity. E-cigarettes containing etomidate are referred to as Pod K or zombie e-cigarettes.…

  • King Charles sends condolences after deadly quake in Myanmar

    King Charles sends condolences after deadly quake in Myanmar

    King Charles III of England has sent a message of condolence to the people of Thailand following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28 and was felt across the region, particularly Bangkok. In a royal message released by the British Embassy in Thailand, the monarch expressed his “heartfelt sympathy” to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and…

  • Thai cyber cops bust illegal gun man in Bangkok condo raid

    Thai cyber cops bust illegal gun man in Bangkok condo raid

    Cyber police apprehended a man involved in illegal gun trading on Facebook, found assembling firearms in a condominium. Upon their arrival, the suspect attempted to dispose of evidence but was unsuccessful. Police seized three firearms and various components. Yesterday, March 31, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Major General Suphakorn Phiwon, commander…

  • Hero dogs sniff for life after Bangkok skyscraper collapse (videos)

    Hero dogs sniff for life after Bangkok skyscraper collapse (videos)

    Amid the twisted wreckage of a collapsed 33-storey skyscraper in quake-struck Bangkok, a brave dogged team of four-legged heroes is stealing hearts and saving lives. As rescue workers race against time to find survivors, Thailand’s K9 USAR rescue dogs are tirelessly sniffing through the rubble, bringing hope to a city gripped by tragedy. At least 13 people have been confirmed…

  • Thai tomboy allegedly raped and left lying naked in Lampang

    Thai tomboy allegedly raped and left lying naked in Lampang

    A Thai mother was shocked to discover her tomboy daughter lying naked near the railway in the northern province of Lampang and suspected that a man, who was found half-naked at the scene, raped her. The 53 year old Thai mother filed a complaint against a Thai man, whose identity remains undisclosed, at Mueang Lampang Police Station at 3am yesterday,…

  • Crafty draft: Stunning transgender woman joins Thai military draft

    Crafty draft: Stunning transgender woman joins Thai military draft

    The first day of Thailand’s 2025 military draft saw two eager young men fulfil their childhood dream of becoming soldiers, while a beautifully dressed transgender woman turned heads as she stepped forward to take part in the conscription process. The annual draft today, April 1, held at the Nong Kha Yang District Office Hall in Uthai Thani Province, was overseen…

  • Briefs encounter: Thief knicks knickers driven by ‘brief’ madness

    Briefs encounter: Thief knicks knickers driven by ‘brief’ madness

    A kinky underwear thief reportedly driven by a psychological disorder stole an entire collection of a restaurant PR worker’s underwear. The incident occurred in Mueang district, Samut Songkhram province, and was captured on CCTV. The footage shows a man circling the victim’s house on a motorcycle before committing the theft. On Sunday, 30 year old Jariya, a PR worker at a…

  • Phuket mayoral election sees fierce competition

    Phuket mayoral election sees fierce competition

    Registration for mayoral and municipal council candidates in Phuket opened yesterday with an energetic and competitive atmosphere as multiple teams vied for leadership positions. The registration period will continue until April 4, with many candidates eager to secure their place on the ballot. Two prominent teams arrived at the Phuket City Municipality before the official opening at 8.30am, yesterday, March…

  • Tourism sector urges Thai government to ensure hotel safety

    Tourism sector urges Thai government to ensure hotel safety

    Private sector organisations are urging the government to issue safety certifications for hotels and lift the disaster area declaration to restore confidence in tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Suwang Theinthong discussed the impact of recent earthquakes on tourism with various stakeholders, expressing concern over potential declines in tourist numbers. Efforts are underway to communicate that Bangkok is the only truly…

  • Thai police suspect foul play in death of missing Austrian man

    Thai police suspect foul play in death of missing Austrian man

    An Austrian man died in a canal in the northern province of Phitsanulok under mysterious circumstances after disappearing from his home for 11 days. Police suspect murder. Officers from Wang Thong Police Station were called to investigate a foreign man’s body in a canal in the middle of a rice field in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok at 2pm…