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.
-
Starving lions and bears found in raid on border casino
Thai marines raiding a Chinese-linked casino in Ban Tha Sen, Trat province, discovered lions and bears confined in cages yesterday, December 22, reportedly left without food or water for several days. The discovery was made during a sweep of the Thamoda casino area and surrounding properties by Royal Thai Marine forces. The compound, located in Ban Tha Sen near the…
-
Udon Thani teacher apologises after kneeing 10 year old
A disciplinary incident at a school in Udon Thani left a 10 year old boy injured, leading to a meeting yesterday, December 22, between the teacher, the student’s family, and child welfare officials. The case surfaced when a mother took to social media, on December 21, to report that her son, 10 year old Sushi, a Grade 4 student, was…
-
Cambodia claims Buakaw is a Cambodian citizen
On December 20, the Army Military Force Facebook page claimed a Cambodian-led online campaign used AI to forge a fake passport portraying Thai boxing star Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek as a Cambodian citizen. According to the page, the AI-generated passport image was part of a Cambodian Information Operation (IO) intended to mislead the Thai public about Buakaw’s nationality. The page said…
-
Malaysian woman allegedly lives double life after secret marriage in Songkhla
A Malaysian woman called on religious authorities to take action after discovering that her brother’s wife had secretly married another man in Songkhla province of Thailand and lived a double life for more than a year. The woman, identified as Ekin Derahim, shared details of the alleged affair on her Facebook account on December 11. In her post, she also…
-
Missing woman with Alzheimer’s found dead in Chon Buri
Two weeks after a 55 year old woman with Alzheimer’s disease went missing from her home in Chon Buri, her body was discovered in a forested area near a petrol station in Bang Lamung district yesterday, December 21, bringing an end to a desperate search by her family. Officers from Huay Yai Police Station were alerted around 10.30am to the…
-
Chinese man allegedly steals bag from Thai woman at Bangkok airport
A Chinese national allegedly stole a bag from a Thai woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Tuesday, December 16, according to a report shared on social media by a Thai businessman. The incident was revealed by a Thai entrepreneur known as Big, who shared details of the alleged theft on his TikTok account, @bigceochaaba. He said the incident…
-
Woman gives birth in pickup truck near Ayutthaya roundabout
A woman gave birth in a pickup truck today, December 22, after going into labour unexpectedly while on the way to a hospital in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Rescue officers from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Association were alerted to the emergency after a pickup truck stopped at the Wat Sam Pluem roundabout, also known locally as Chedi Nakleng, on Rojana…
-
Viral sign outlines ID policy for applicants with changed appearance
A sign spotted at a national ID card service point caught attention online after it advised that people whose appearance has changed due to surgery or gender transition need to bring a witness when applying. The notice, which began circulating on social media today, December 22, was posted at an ID card service point, though the exact location was not…
-
CCTV trail points to coordinated hit in killing of Phatthalung village headman
CCTV footage has provided new leads in the fatal shooting of a former village headman in Phatthalung province, with investigators now believing the attack involved a coordinated group of at least six to seven assailants, likely linked to a local political dispute. The victim, Phayom Sangthong, 64, a former village headman and candidate for mayor of the Tha Chamuang Subdistrict…
-
Bangkok fire kills man and over 10 cats in midnight blaze
A man was killed, and over 10 cats died when a fire broke out just after midnight today, December 22, at a two-storey townhouse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Police from Prachachuen Police Station received the fire report at around midnight, with the blaze reported at a residential townhouse in Soi Thetsaban Rang Rak Nuea 14, off Thetsaban Rang Rak Nuea…
-
16 year old app-based rider fatally stabbed after road dispute
Police arrested a Bolt motorcycle taxi rider after he fatally stabbed a 16 year old fellow app-based rider following a motorcycle collision in Bangkok on the night of Saturday, December 20. The suspect was arrested at a house in Samut Prakan province yesterday, December 21. He was later identified as 44 year old Thongchai, who also worked as a motorcycle…
-
Realsmart positions AI at the core of its 2026 growth strategy
RealSmart Public Company Limited has unveiled its business plan for 2026, positioning the company to ride what it sees as a decisive shift in how Thai organizations use artificial intelligence in daily operations and executive decision-making. Speaking this week, Phukit Distharanon, chief executive officer of RealSmart, said 2026 would mark a turning point where AI moves beyond pilot projects and…
-
Thailand’s car production rises 11% in November as domestic sales climb
Thailand’s car production rose sharply in November, climbing 11.06% from a year earlier to 130,222 units, according to data released on Monday by the Federation of Thai Industries. The increase follows another strong month in October, when production rose 14.17% year on year, signalling a steady recovery in the country’s auto manufacturing sector. Thailand is Southeast Asia’s largest vehicle production…
-
Malaysia thanks Thailand for role in repatriation of online scam victims
Malaysia has formally thanked Thailand for its coordination and assistance in the successful repatriation of 31 Malaysian nationals who were victims of an online job scam in Myawaddy, Myanmar. According to reports by Asian News Network and The Straits Times, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all 31 victims were safely repatriated on the evening of December 20 and…
-
Canadian man arrested after stealing car from Krabi police station
A Canadian man was arrested after stealing a car from outside a police station in Krabi, triggering a high-speed chase involving more than 30 officers on Friday, December 19. The Canadian suspect, later identified as 43 year old Michael Jame Parton, stole a car with the registration number กว 5345, which was parked outside Mueang Krabi Police Station, before speeding…
-
Thailand video news | Thailand introduces new rules blocking alcohol sales to drunk customers, Bangkok crowned the world’s most visited city for 2025
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include new rules banning alcohol sales to intoxicated customers, regional earthquake activity felt across Southeast Asia, and foreigners making headlines for inappropriate behaviour — from public incidents to cheating in food challenges — plus where Bangkok ranks among the world’s…
-
ASEAN steps in as Thailand-Cambodia border war tests regional unity
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers will meet in Malaysia on Monday in a renewed attempt to stop escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, as clashes spread across disputed territory and humanitarian pressures intensify. The talks in Kuala Lumpur come after weeks of fighting that have left at least 40 people dead and forced more than 500,000…
-
Phuket van driver faces fine and licence suspension for striking foreigner
A Thai van driver faced a fine of 1,000 baht and had his public transport driving licence suspended after he struck a foreign woman on the head with a plastic bottle outside Phuket International Airport during a dispute over rubbish left in his vehicle. The incident took place last week and quickly went viral on social media. The van driver,…
-
Drones, checkpoints ready for Bangkok New Year period
Bangkok’s roads are expected to experience heavy congestion during the New Year period, and to keep traffic under control, Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) officers are ramping up enforcement and introducing new technological measures, including drones. Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Thawat Wongsanga said police aim to reduce accidents and fatalities between December 30 and January 5, the period known for a…
-
Danish man and Thai woman intervened while having sex off Pattaya beach
Police intervened after a Danish man and a Thai woman were found engaging in sexual activity on a floating pontoon off Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Saturday night, December 20. The incident was reported to Mueang Pattaya Police Station by a 27 year old Thai man identified as Bas. He said he noticed the indecent act at around 10pm while…
-
Thai Army Nurse Honoured with Royal Cremation in Kalasin
A royal cremation ceremony was held for 33 year old Army Nurse Sergeant Apisit ‘Tee’ Bunnak at Wat Pa Phutthaphawan, Ban Somsak Village, Mueang subdistrict, Kuchinarai district, Kalasin province yesterday, on December 20, at 4pm. Apisit, a member of the 2nd Army Region’s combat unit and a nurse at Infantry Regiment 11, succumbed to injuries sustained during a Thai-Cambodian border…
-
Man shot dead in Chon Buri love triangle dispute
Police are hunting for a suspect. This comes after a man was shot dead during a confrontation in Chon Buri’s Phanat Nikhom district. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nanthaphon Nanainboon, an investigator from Phanat Nikhom Police Station, said officers were alerted to the shooting at Chum Saeng Village, Moo 10, Mon Nang subdistrict. At the scene, police found a man, identified only…
-
Ex-minister Prasert to be questioned over Singapore MoU with money launderer
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) plans to call in former Digital Economy and Society Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong. They are concerned about his involvement in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Singapore. Alleged money launderer, Ben Smith, was reportedly present during this event. The MoU has since been brought under investigation by authorities. This decision comes after testimony from…
-
Bhumjaithai Party gains momentum as key player in Thai elections
The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) is currently gaining significant traction in Thai politics, emerging as a pivotal force amid a tide of politicians joining its ranks from other parties. With substantial financial backing and strategic advantages following a key reshuffle before the House dissolution, the party’s long-standing relationships with influential local political families, known as ‘baan yai’, have strengthened its position…
-
Thai music icon Manas Pitisant passes away at age 98
National Artist in Performing Arts, Manas Pitisant, known for his contributions to Thai music, passed away peacefully at 98 years old yesterday, on December 20. The Department of Cultural Promotion received confirmation from his family that Manas Pitisant, the composer of renowned songs such as ‘Sanaeha’ and ‘Muean Khon La Fak Fah,’ died at 4.16am on December 20. The previous…
-
Thai and Cambodian Airport Passenger Numbers Drop Despite Open Flights
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have spilled into the aviation sector, with airport authorities in both countries trading accusations even as flight connections remain open and operational. At the center of the dispute are allegations from Cambodian officials that passengers transiting through Bangkok face repeated delays and baggage problems, claims Thai authorities strongly deny. This week, Airports of Thailand rejected…
-
Southern Thailand Flooding Update: Travel Conditions Stabilize Across the Region
Travel conditions across Southern Thailand have largely returned to normal following recent flooding, with steady improvements reported in all affected provinces, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. As of December 8 at 10.00am local time, authorities say transport access has stabilized, tourism services have resumed, and most destinations are fully operational. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said it continues…
-
Widespread Power Outages on December 21st in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced scheduled power outages across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi on Sunday, December 21, affecting a total of 41 locations as part of routine maintenance and system improvement work. According to the MEA, the outages are necessary to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of the electricity distribution system. Power will be temporarily suspended…
-
Thai Troops Recapture Hill 350 Near Ta Kwai Temple as Bodies of Fallen Soldiers Recovered
Thai soldiers have secured Hill 350 near Ta Kwai Temple in Surin province and recovered the bodies of two fallen troops, the commander of the 2nd Army Region confirmed on December 20, marking a critical moment in continued fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border. Lieutenant General Veerayut Rakasilp, commander of the 2nd Army Region, said Thai forces regained full control of…
-
Thai Air Force Bombs Casino Near Trat Border Amid Escalating Clashes
The Royal Thai Air Force carried out an airstrike near the Thai-Cambodian border on Friday, deploying two F-16 fighter jets to bomb a casino compound where Cambodian soldiers were believed to be sheltering, according to military sources. The strike marks a significant escalation in ongoing clashes near Trat province. At around 11 a.m. on December 20, the air force launched…
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.