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

    Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know

    The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...

  • Defence Ministry: 44 advisers axed over bribery allegations | Thaiger

    Defence Ministry: 44 advisers axed over bribery allegations

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang axed 44 of his advisers following bribery allegations. The move came after reports surfaced suggesting that some of his advisers were taking bribes from military units and related agencies. Sutin, who signed the dismissal order on Monday, explained that he was “streamlining his team and optimising the work process.” “Reports of bribery among some defence advisers…

  • Buriram police seize drugs and guns, suspect claims he found them | Thaiger

    Buriram police seize drugs and guns, suspect claims he found them

    Buriram police seized methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition, from a drug dealer’s home, who claimed he found all the illegal items on the street, leading officers to stifle their laughter during the arrest. Buriram Provincial Police Commander, Police Colonel Ruttaphon Naowarat, yesterday led a team to raid the home of a suspected drug dealer and confiscate various illegal items. The evidence,…

  • Thailand leases state land to improve citizens’ living conditions | Thaiger

    Thailand leases state land to improve citizens’ living conditions

    The Government of Thailand has initiated a transformative project to lease state-owned land to citizens across nine provinces, aiming to improve their living conditions. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, the initiative is said to benefit approximately 1,900 individuals over the next six months, covering around 7,000 rai (over 2,767 acres). Deputy Finance Minister Paophum Rojanasakul announced the launch of…

  • Thai banks fuel Myanmar’s bloodshed: UN | Thaiger

    Thai banks fuel Myanmar’s bloodshed: UN

    Thai banks have become the main financial lifeline for Myanmar’s military government, enabling it to buy goods and equipment for its brutal campaign against pro-democracy resistance and ethnic minority groups. This revelation comes from a UN report released yesterday, June 26, by Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The report details how…

  • Bhutan prime minister visits Thailand after 10 years | Thaiger

    Bhutan prime minister visits Thailand after 10 years

    Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay kicked off his official visit to Thailand on Tuesday, June 25, making history as the first Bhutanese leader to do so in over 10 years. The visit, which marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, has set the stage for a series of significant discussions and agreements aimed at strengthening…

  • Water meter mayhem: Thieves leave Phuket homeowner all wet | Thaiger

    Water meter mayhem: Thieves leave Phuket homeowner all wet

    Thieves last night stole a water meter from a house in Ratsada, Phuket, causing significant flooding, leaving the homeowner distraught and the property damaged. Phuket City Police received a call at 11.26pm, yesterday, June 26, about the incident near Paknam Seafood on Ratsadanusorn Road in Moo 3, Ratsada. Upon arrival, officers found the property owner dealing with extensive water damage…

  • Mentally ill woman targets bank in random arson attack | Thaiger

    Mentally ill woman targets bank in random arson attack

    An alleged mentally ill woman has been identified as the suspect in a recent arson attack on a bank in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Police traced her to her home, where she threatened to set fire to her house. Relatives claim she suffers from mental illness, and an arrest warrant is being prepared. A mysterious woman doused a bank in Nakhon…

  • Thai TikTok star denies illegal abortion allegations | Thaiger

    Thai TikTok star denies illegal abortion allegations

    The Thai TikTok star accused of forcing women into illegal abortions denied the allegations. A woman recently accused Dong, a popular and attractive TikTok personality, of coercing her into an illegal abortion that nearly caused her to take her own life. It was further alleged that Dong had a pattern of encouraging women to terminate their pregnancies, with some victims…

  • Bus overturns on slippery highway, injuring 37 passengers | Thaiger

    Bus overturns on slippery highway, injuring 37 passengers

    A public bus skidded off a slippery highway in Nakhon Ratchasima, crashing into a light pole and overturning, and injuring 37 passengers. Rescue efforts were immediately launched to aid the injured. The incident occurred yesterday when Police Lieutenant Colonel Chakraphop Chueasai of Pak Thong Chai Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report of a public bus accident. The crash…

  • Monks left waiting after fake invitations spark outrage in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Monks left waiting after fake invitations spark outrage in Chon Buri

    A Facebook user named Thamumjaree Sukset recently posted a message condemning an individual who had invited monks from two different temples to perform religious ceremonies but then failed to follow through, leaving the monks waiting in vain. The incident has sparked criticism and calls for accountability. A reporter yesterday visited Wat Samnakbok in Chon Buri province to investigate the situation.…

  • Purr-fect innovation: Chulalongkorn’s urine luck with cat health kit | Thaiger

    Purr-fect innovation: Chulalongkorn’s urine luck with cat health kit

    Researchers from Chulalongkorn University unveiled the Cat Urine Test Kit designed to screen for kidney disease, gallstones, and cystitis in cats. This easy-to-use test kit promises quick and precise results, ensuring prompt treatment for our furry friends. All cat lovers cherish their pets’ health, but cats, like humans, can suffer from various ailments. The most prevalent feline issues include kidney…

  • Phuket’s digital dive: Seminar equips leaders for tech tide | Thaiger

    Phuket’s digital dive: Seminar equips leaders for tech tide

    Phuket officials recently conducted a training seminar aimed at educating local community leaders on the use and risks associated with digital media and technology. The event, held at a hotel in Ratsada yesterday, was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong. Chief of the Phuket branch of the National Statistics Office (NSO), Hasana Lekheem highlighted the seminar’s objective of…

  • Music teacher in Bangkok denied bail over sexual abuse charges | Thaiger

    Music teacher in Bangkok denied bail over sexual abuse charges

    A 38 year old music teacher from a prestigious school in the Ekkamai area was taken to the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court for a remand hearing. Facing 10 serious sexual abuse charges, he was denied bail by investigators. The teacher remained expressionless as the police escorted him from the cell to the police vehicle, ignoring questions from the media. The…

  • Fire destroys house in Chainat, damages exceed 30,000 baht | Thaiger

    Fire destroys house in Chainat, damages exceed 30,000 baht

    A fire engulfed and destroyed a single-story house yesterday in Chai Nat, prompting an urgent response from firefighters. Ten fire trucks were dispatched to the scene, where it took over an hour to extinguish the flames. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sompong Nilsonti, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Mueang Chai Nat Police Station, received reports of the fire yesterday, June 26, under the…

  • Thai cycle woes: Motorcycle sales hit brakes amid economic woes | Thaiger

    Thai cycle woes: Motorcycle sales hit brakes amid economic woes

    Thailand’s motorcycle manufacturing and sales are experiencing a downturn this year, as the economy faces challenges from high household debt and weakened consumer purchasing power, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). FTI Vice-Chairman and spokesperson for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club, Surapong Paisitpatanapong revealed that economic uncertainty has led to cautious spending among consumers, compounded by recent layoffs…

  • Couple drowns in Nakhon Ratchasima reservoir while fishing | Thaiger

    Couple drowns in Nakhon Ratchasima reservoir while fishing

    A Thai couple tragically drowned in an 800-rai reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima while fishing. The wife, who was not a strong swimmer, struggled, and her husband attempted to rescue her, but both ultimately drowned. Officers from Chaloem Phra Kiat Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima were alerted to the incident by locals. The accident took place at Bueng Pho Pruea Waeng in…

  • Lottery winner’s monumental celebration after 80 million baht win | Thaiger

    Lottery winner’s monumental celebration after 80 million baht win

    A significant celebration took place at Wat Nong Kaew in Prachinburi as locals rejoiced after a resident won the lottery and successfully sold land, amassing a total of 80 million baht. The event featured an all-night traditional Thai theatrical dance performance by the famous group, attracting thousands of attendees. The festivities were in full swing yesterday evening at Wat Nong…

  • Army general tops polls in national Senate election | Thaiger

    Army general tops polls in national Senate election

    The Election Commission (EC)’s vote counting began at 9.40pm yesterday and concluded around 5am today, revealing the biggest political surprise of the year. With 2,989 candidates vying for seats, the new Senate will comprise 200 members from 20 professions, replacing the 250 junta-appointed senators whose term expired on May 10. Former 4th Army Region Commander General Kriangkrai Srirak, a classmate…

  • Abandoned dogs joyfully reunited with former owners in Udon Thani | Thaiger

    Abandoned dogs joyfully reunited with former owners in Udon Thani

    Two abandoned dogs have been joyfully reunited with their former owners after being found in a rented house, severely malnourished. The news of their rescue led their previous owners to reclaim them, bringing relief to both the animals and their human friends. Officials in Udon Thani yesterday received reports of two abandoned dogs left in a rented house for months…

  • Thai Airways signs codeshare agreement with Kuwait Airways | Thaiger

    Thai Airways signs codeshare agreement with Kuwait Airways

    Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Kuwait Airways (KAC) unveiled an exciting new codeshare agreement, set to revolutionise travel between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Under this partnership, THAI will utilise the KAC code on flights connecting Kuwait City with Bangkok, as well as European hotspots like Rome and Athens. KAC will place its code on THAI…

  • Thailand factory closures surge as cheap imports hit local industries | Thaiger

    Thailand factory closures surge as cheap imports hit local industries

    Factory closures in Thailand have surged this year, with local electronics, steel, and plastics manufacturers bearing the brunt as demand declines and cheap imports inundate the domestic market, according to the Industry Ministry. The closures were evaluated based on the investment value of the affected factories. Electronic parts and printed circuit board factories topped the list with an investment value…

  • Nonthaburi teenager with drug and gaming addictions dies | Thaiger

    Nonthaburi teenager with drug and gaming addictions dies

    A teenager in Nonthaburi tragically died after collapsing and coughing up blood in a restroom at a Bang Bua Thong food centre, with suspicions about drug involvement, exacerbated by his gaming addiction and lack of rest. Officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, along with personnel from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation and Bang Yai Hospital’s emergency team, responded to…

  • Thailand truckers protest rising diesel prices, demand 30 baht cap | Thaiger

    Thailand truckers protest rising diesel prices, demand 30 baht cap

    A convoy of trucks will hit the roads next week as truckers in northeast Thailand protest against rising diesel prices which are massively cutting into their profits, demanding the government cap the price at 30 baht per litre. Chairman of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand in the northeast and transport company owner, Somkid Kingkrodklang, highlighted the severe impact of…

  • Thailand and Singapore bolster regional stability through civil ties | Thaiger

    Thailand and Singapore bolster regional stability through civil ties

    Singapore and Thailand’s foreign ministers affirmed that enhanced civil service collaboration will deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional development. Speaking at the 14th Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP), co-hosted by the Thai and Singaporean foreign affairs ministries, officials highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices among civil service officers from both nations. The ministers emphasised that such…

  • Thai firms urged to boost cybersecurity with AI-threat prevention | Thaiger

    Thai firms urged to boost cybersecurity with AI-threat prevention

    Investment in preventive measures against internal threats is crucial for Thai organisations to enhance cybersecurity measures and avoid financial losses and reputational damage, according to Bluebik Titans, a cybersecurity consultancy. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the trend of data detection and response (DDR) in data security, with DDR potentially becoming a more powerful tool than data loss…

  • Father in Chanthaburi mourns son’s tragic overdose at home | Thaiger

    Father in Chanthaburi mourns son’s tragic overdose at home

    A father mourned the loss of his 35 year old son, who succumbed to an overdose of sedatives amid ongoing stress and health issues. The incident occurred yesterday in their home at 50/3 Soi Thetsaban Phatthana 3, Wat Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chanthaburi. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jakkrit Saengchan and a team from Phra Pokklao Hospital and the Sawang Katanyu Foundation,…

  • Big Joke dismissed over alleged gambling ties | Thaiger

    Big Joke dismissed over alleged gambling ties

    Police Commission members voted unanimously yesterday to support the acting national police chief’s order to dismiss Police General Surachate Hakparn, better known as Big Joke, as deputy chief over alleged ties to an online gambling network. The 12-member panel, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, spent three hours deliberating before reaching their decision. Big Joke, a prominent figure known for…

  • Udon Thani student narrowly escapes sexual assault by four men | Thaiger

    Udon Thani student narrowly escapes sexual assault by four men

    A female student escaped a harrowing experience just in the nick of time, after being forcefully dragged into a house by a group of four drunken men, who attempted to force-feed her alcohol and sexually assault her. The events transpired yesterday at 12.30am, yesterday, June 26, at a home located in Mueang district, Udon Thani. She managed to call her…

  • Thailand raises Indian target to 2.4 million with visa-free policy | Thaiger

    Thailand raises Indian target to 2.4 million with visa-free policy

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised its target for Indian tourist arrivals from 2.3 to 2.4 million this year, driven by the recently introduced visa-free policy for Indian nationals. This visa waiver programme, which allows 60-day visa-free stays, extends to citizens of 93 countries and will last until November 2024. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that Indian arrivals…

  • Thailand to cut school hours in major curriculum overhaul | Thaiger

    Thailand to cut school hours in major curriculum overhaul

    Thailand’s Ministry of Education is preparing for a significant transformation of the core curriculum, aiming to reduce school hours and encourage learning beyond the classroom. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is spearheading this initiative and has requested the ministry’s approval to establish a panel that will oversee a comprehensive revision of the basic studies curriculum, which has…