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 What do you need before moving from Australia to Thailand?
Moving from Australia to Thailand is a big step that brings exciting new experiences, a rich culture, and often a more affordable way of living. To settle in with less stress, you need to plan ahead. This means sorting out...
-
Missing Thai lawyer mysteriously dies in Bangkok car park 2 days before key trial
Police managed to locate a missing Thai lawyer in his parked car at a petrol station in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district after his wife alerted cops to his absence. Unfortunately, he later died of a heart attack in hospital. His wife and family suspect murder. Kittipong, a Kok Kram Police Station officer, reported that a Thai woman, whose identity was…
-
Pattaya: Indian man suspected of girlfriend’s murder found on Thai bridge then escapes by jumping into river
An Indian man suspected of murdering his girlfriend and leaving her body in a Pattaya hotel was discovered mid-escape on Bang Pakong River Bridge, before disappearing into the river. The incident occurred at 1am this morning, when the deputy superintendent of Bang Pakong Police Station, Pongphop Kudhom, accompanied by Chachoengsao rescue units, responded to a report of a suspicious individual…
-
Q3 slowdown: Thailand economy hits the brakes at 1.5%, falling short of forecasts
With an annual growth rate of 1.5% recorded in the third quarter, Thailand’s economy has shown a slower expansion compared to predictions, according to data released today, November 20. The National Economic and Social Development Council revealed that, from July to September, the economy of Southeast Asia’s second-largest country experienced a seasonally adjusted growth of 0.8% every quarter. However, these…
-
All aboard: China’s rail freight trail blazes historic route to Thailand, breaking new ground in cross-border cargo collaboration
A monumental event unfolded at 10am on November 17 as a Chinese freight train, packed with 35 cargo containers, embarked on its maiden journey to Thailand. This is the first official rail freight transport from China to Thailand, made possible through a collaborative effort between the Chinese government and Thai private sectors. The destination of this freight train is the…
-
Kathin ceremony at Wat Sawang Arom draws thousands
Thousands flocked to the renowned Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom province for the robust Kathin ceremony today. The event saw an overwhelming response, with a crowd of devotees and locals filling the temple grounds, arriving as early as dawn to offer Kathin trees in an act of merit-making. The holy Kathin ceremony event was marked by an atmosphere of…
-
Survey shows 40.91% of Thais plan to have sex on Loy Krathong Day
Siam Techno Poll of Siam Technology College reported that 40.31% of Thai people plan to celebrate Loy Krathong by getting naked and having sex. Siam Techno Poll of Siam Technology College conducted a survey called People You Look Forward to Seeing on Loy Krathong Day. The participants were 1,100 Thais aged 18 and above from all occupations, and the survey…
-
Thai Ministry to send 100,000 workers abroad in fiscal year 2024
The Thai Ministry of Labour has set a target to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad in the 2024 fiscal year, with Taiwan, Israel, and South Korea being the top three destinations. This announcement was made today by Permanent Secretary for Labour, Pairoj Chotikasathien. The Labour Ministry aims to send Thai workers to countries where the demand for labour is high.…
-
Phuket teacher dodges 1.5 million baht scam after suspicious call (video)
A mathematics teacher in Phuket, known as Beer, narrowly escaped a scam after receiving a suspicious phone call from a call centre gang just moments after a transfer of 1.5 million baht into his account. The swift movement of the fraudsters, who seemed to have precise intel about the transaction, left netizens stunned. This Phuket scam incident was shared today…
-
Lottery winner dumps girlfriend over money dispute in Thailand
A lottery winner reportedly parted ways with his girlfriend after she demanded a hefty share of his winnings. The man, who won approximately 7 million baht (US$200,000) in the lottery, was under pressure from his partner who claimed she deserved a significant portion of the winnings because she had supported him throughout their relationship. The Canadian man shared his experience…
-
Iguana import ban: Thailand takes action to curb environmental threat
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has brought into effect an iguana import ban amid fears of rapid proliferation and potential environmental damage. The invasive species, discovered in vast numbers in natural habitats in the Lopburi province, have been causing distress to local communities by feeding on agricultural produce. The green iguana is an alien species with…
-
Brake down: Thai bus driver crashes coach in loei, leaves one dead, nine injured in crash (video)
A Thai bus driver crashed his coach, with a faulty brake system, into a procession, resulting in one death and injuries to nine others In the Isaan province of Loei. Officers from the Nong Hin Police Station were notified of the accident in the Baan Cham Thong community in the Nong Hin district of Loei province at about 3.30pm yesterday,…
-
Anntonia Porsild reflects on her Miss Universe journey
Miss Universe runner-up Anntonia Porsild expressed her pride and gratitude for her journey in the competition. She congratulated the new Miss Universe, acknowledging that she deserved the position and thanked her fans for their support. Today, she revealed her experiences and growth throughout her participation in the pageant. “Feeling immensely proud of my growth during this journey, I am grateful for the…
-
Mountain mayhem: Chaowalit manhunt disrupts peace, prompting authorities to rethink tactics
The continued manhunt of the fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang on the Banthat Mountain Range in the provinces of Phatthalung, Trang, and Satun is affecting residents and wildlife, with authorities considering a change in strategy. The hunt for Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, began on October 22 following his escape from hospital custody in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The search operations, involving…
-
Bangkok kindergarten tragedy: Technical student fatally shot
A tragedy unfolded in front of a Bangkok kindergarten school today when a renowned technical student was fatally shot by four assailants. The incident took place at around 7.45am near the Kindergarten Krageaw, located on Ranong 2 Road in Dusit district, Bangkok. Superintendent of Dusit Police Station, Tripathi Rattan, along with his deputy and investigation officer, swiftly arrived at the scene…
-
Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…
-
Turkish man loses nearly 100,000 baht to Thai woman he met on dating app
A Turkish man sought assistance from Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers after losing nearly 100,000 baht to a Thai woman he met on a dating app. The 50 year old victim, Ruhan Topal, told officers the theft occurred at a hotel in Pattaya last night, November 19. He spoke to a Thai woman who claimed to be from Phuket province…
-
Khlong Toei shooting claims lives of student and teacher
A tragic event unfolded in the Khlong Toei district as two unidentified assailants opened fire on the roadside, ultimately leading to the death of a 19 year old student from Uthen Thawai Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology, known as Nong Yod. After an eight-day fight for life following the fatal Khlong Toei shooting, his mother confirmed his passing today. The…
-
266 Thais rescued from Myanmar conflict zone, most charged for call centre scam
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry rescued 266 Thai nationals trapped in the Myanmar conflict zone. Most of them will be charged with running a call centre scam upon their arrival in Thailand. Thai PBS reported that the Chinese authorities announced an operation to get rid of illegal businesses run by Chinese nationals in Laukkaing District, Shan State, Myanmar. To avoid the…
-
Tragic accident in Samut Prakan claims life of delivery driver
A devastating accident occurred in Samut Prakan, where a 27 year old delivery driver tragically lost his life after colliding with a shrine. The incident took place within a large roundabout near the shrine yesterday, around 10pm. The police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, leaving no stone unturned. The delivery driver, Chokchai, a resident of Klong Lan, Kamphaeng…
-
Thailand weather update: Slight temperature increase in upper regions, heavy rainfall threatens south
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced today that temperatures in the upper part of Thailand will slightly increase, with morning fog expected. Meanwhile, the Thailand weather forecast predicts that southern regions face heavy rainfall, leading to high sea waves. The public is warned of potential flash floods and forest runoffs, particularly today. The prevailing high-pressure system or cold mass that…
-
Debate over Thai government’s digital wallet handout impact on public debt
The Thai government’s proposed 10,000-baht digital wallet handout has sparked debate, with concerns regarding its potential impact on public debt. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that this economic stimulus is necessary as economic growth has averaged only 2% annually over the past decade, insufficient to support the country’s ageing population in the future. With low GDP growth, the government’s…
-
Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized
Two men were apprehended by Thai customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday for alleged wildlife smuggling, according to Phanthong Loykulnanta, the spokesperson for the Customs Department. Over 124 wild, unregistered animals were seized in the operation. A 24 year old man from Korea was one of those detained. Airport officers found 44 wild animals, including tarantulas and iguanas, concealed…
-
BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods
Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…
-
Call centre scam alert: Thai DES ministry urges probe after Myanmar repatriation
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) in Thailand has urged the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to probe a call centre scam following the repatriation of victims from Myanmar, a country currently in the throes of conflict. DES Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong, disclosed that 41 Thai citizens were repatriated from the embattled town of Laukkaing in the Shan State over…
-
Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally
Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…
-
Sugar cane farmers dispute government’s 2 baht price hike
Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board. Citing escalating manufacturing costs due…
-
Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)
The world indeed goes round in unexpected ways, as discovered by a TikTok user @kanokyai2022 who chanced upon an old friend in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, after a separation of 22 years. Following this unexpected reunion, the friend promptly returned a long-overdue loan of 10,000 dollars, which converted to almost 500,000 baht yesterday. Once upon a time, the two were friends…
-
Economic ties in focus: Thai PM extends invitation to Biden
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently extended an invitation for an official visit to US President, Joe Biden. This invitation was extended during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that took place in San Francisco. The Thai PM used this platform to assure President Biden of Thailand’s readiness to serve as a base for major American companies’ production, boosting their…
-
Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket
A shocking escape unfolded as a customer testing a lighter ignited a fire at a shop at the mouth of Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Soi 22. The entire store was engulfed in flames. Authorities were alerted to the fire at a supermarket today at 9am, Thai time. Assistant Inspector Chatri Khaosaat, Deputy Detective (Investigator) of Chok Chai Police Station, along with…
-
Anntonia Porsild secures highest Miss Universe placement for Thailand since 1988
Anntonia Porsild, the 27 year old representative of Thailand in the Miss Universe 2023 beauty contest, garnered the first runner-up position, earning the nation’s highest placement since 1988. This achievement was announced at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which took place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed Prime Minister Srettha…
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.