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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
-
Security guard fights off python attack and then wins lottery
Sarayut Malachan had a rollercoaster of luck this past week. After purchasing some lottery tickets and boiling up some snake eggs to eat, he was attacked by a large python. While recovering from the vengeful snake bite, he discovered he won the lottery. The 68 year old man was sleeping in a security post on a chicken farm when the…
-
Narrow escape at sea: Quick action prevents speedboat disaster off Phuket’s coast
A near-drowning incident involving five individuals on a speedboat off the coast of Maithon Island, Phuket, was averted by swift action from local authorities. The vessel was in danger of capsizing due to water ingress but was successfully brought ashore at Chalong Bay, with all passengers safe. An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The alarming news…
-
Thai Cyber Police arrest man selling millions of personal data, evading bank regulations for large transactions
A recent crackdown by Thai Cyber Police led to the arrest of a 24 year old Bangkok man selling the personal data of 15 million individuals. This information was obtained from the customer base of a well-known supplement brand and a grey business group. The suspect, who was apprehended from his residence in Thawi Watthana District, Bangkok also offered software…
-
Teen’s high-risk hustle: 16 year old busted smuggling 14 Burmese migrant workers in stolen ride
A 16 year old boy has been caught in Ayutthaya for smuggling 14 Burmese migrant workers in a stolen vehicle, in exchange for a fee of 15,000 baht (US$429). Highway Police yesterday noticed a suspicious grey Isuzu MU-X with Phitsanulok registration, which looked overloaded compared to regular vehicles. The teenage driver attempted to evade the police, who signalled for the…
-
Thai actress among 31 charged over illicit cyanide procurement
Deputy National Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed that 31 individuals, including renowned Thai actress Preechaya “Ice” Phongthananikorn, are set to be summoned by the police next week. They are to face charges of allegedly procuring cyanide for illicit purposes. The charges were initiated by the Department of Industrial Works (DIW), which lodged complaints with the Crime Suppression Division…
-
13 year old Thai student stabs classmate due to persistent bullying in Isaan
A 13 year old schoolboy stabbed his classmate claiming that the victim had subjected him to constant bullying at a high school in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. The Sam Phrao Sub-district Administration Organisation (SAO) rescue team rushed to the school to aid the injured schoolboy, 13 year old Joe. He was found lying on the bed in the…
-
Karaoke chaos: Scout’s dishonour as bar’s Girl Scout-themed staff raises eyebrows
A karaoke bar in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province has come under public scrutiny after images of its staff dressed as Girl Scouts surfaced online. The incident, which was initially justified as a birthday theme, sparked widespread criticism, prompting the individuals involved to apologise to the public and vow that such an event would not happen again. The…
-
Peruvian man caught in Bangkok Airport: Tourist’s cocaine-smuggling scheme foiled
Thai authorities apprehended a Peruvian man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Monday after the foreigner smuggled cocaine into the country. Thai Customs Department spokesperson Phanthong Loykunlanan yesterday made a report regarding the arrest of the Peruvian man on Monday, August 21. He reported that the authorities received a tip-off on a suspicious passenger aboard an Air France airline.…
-
Severe weather warning issued for Thailand: Expect heavy rain and potential flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for the entire country today, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in 32 provinces. Bangkok could see a chance of 70% rainfall from the afternoon till dusk, posing a potential risk of flash floods. The department also advises boat operators to exercise caution, especially in the Andaman Sea and Gulf…
-
Chiang Mai faces dual health threat: Monkeypox cases and rising dengue fever
Monkeypox (mpox) has found its way into Chiang Mai, with two confirmed cases reported, according to Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office. The office also raised an alarm over an escalating number of dengue fever patients, which it estimates to surpass 5,000 in the province’s capital. The two individuals afflicted by mpox are reportedly homosexual patients. The first case involves…
-
Teenager dies in high-speed motorbike crash on Chon Buri’s new tourist bridge
An 18 year old young man tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash on the new Chon Buri Bridge, a popular tourist spot in Chon Buri province. The accident occurred at 11.30pm yesterday, when his motorbike hit a speed bump, causing him to lose control and crash. The young man, identified as Theerawat, was visiting the bridge for the…
-
Ex-PM Thaksin begins 8-year prison term in medical ward
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 74 years old, is currently housed in a private room in the medical ward of the Bangkok Remand Prison due to his four underlying health conditions, including heart and lung problems. The head of the Department of Corrections, Aryut Sinthoppan, revealed this information to journalists yesterday. The news follows the Supreme Court’s decision to sentence…
-
Thai economic recovery slower than expected, Bank of Thailand governor confirms
Economic recovery in Thailand is underway but progress is slower than anticipated, particularly in the areas of tourism and exports, according to Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). In a recent business seminar, Sethaput expressed concerns over a less-than-rosy picture of the nation’s economy, with exports and tourism spending falling short of expectations. Despite these challenges, he…
-
Kalasin mystery of missing Rosewood logs leads to investigation of officials and illegal logging networks
Seven logs of Rosewood, worth over 1 million baht, have mysteriously disappeared from Kalasin’s Itue municipality office. Amidst the controversy, six state officials are reportedly involved, though they deny any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, illegal logging continues unabated in the region, notably at Khumhaiwitthaya School in Nong Kung Si district, where a broker was allowed to cut down 22 Rosewood trees and…
-
Evergrande collapse in China set to hit Thai tourism and exports
The Thai tourism and export sectors are set to experience a significant impact due to the financial downfall of China’s real estate giant, Evergrande. The Evergrande collapse revelation came from Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Head of Policy and Trade Strategy Office (PTS), Ministry of Commerce, today. He suggested business operators closely monitor the situation. Evergrande, a giant in China’s real estate sector,…
-
Brutal Thai loan shark arrested after 4-hour high-speed chase with police (video)
Police arrested a violent Thai loan shark after a four-hour high-speed chase in the Jom Thong district of Bangkok. The loan shark, 38 year old Thaksin Phanpian, had been on the police radar after a vicious assault on the debtor last year. Thaksin brutally assaulted the debtor to reclaim money owed. He kicked the victim who was sitting on his…
-
Love, money, and revenge: Thai wife’s fury leads to stabbing of husband’s mistress
A Thai woman stabbed her unfaithful husband’s mistress after she discovered he spent all his money on her and could not even spare 20 baht money for their child. The scorned wife told police she is willing to go to jail rather than lose her dignity. Police were alerted to the dispute in front of a convenience store in the…
-
Crash course in deceit: Jobless man’s stunning insurance scam confession reveals 20 staged accidents
A jobless Chinese man yesterday made a startling insurance scam confession of staging 20 accidents over two years, duping nearly 300,000 baht in compensation. According to The Paper, police from a Public Security Bureau traffic unit, upon investigating the scammer’s accident claims, uncovered a suspicious pattern. The scammer, Chen, had been hit by “right-turning vehicles” 20 times in two years.…
-
Tragic slam: Son’s stabbing spree leaves father dead in Bangkok suburb
A man brutally stabbed his father more than 10 times for slamming the door until he ultimately succumbed to severe injuries at a house in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The murderer is suspected to have mental health issues. Bang Sri Mueang Police Station officers responded to the stabbing incident and investigation the scene at 10pm last night. The crime scene…
-
Water outage: Phuket homes brace for supply disruption
A significant water supply outage is set to disrupt homes and businesses situated on Chao Fa East Road in Chalong and in the Cape Panwa area in Phuket. This announcement made by the Phuket branch of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) outlines the outage scheduled for tomorrow. The disruption, stretching from the Thai Watsadu Chalong branch to Soi Palai, is…
-
Unconscious decision: MFP MP faints during Thailand’s PM selection
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Arnuparp Likhitamnuaychai stunned yesterday’s Parliament meeting to select Thailand’s new prime minister after he lost consciousness during the voting process. The MP is reportedly in stable condition but remains in hospital. The incident occurred when during the alphabetical process to vote for the new PM. A group of MPs sitting in the MFP area requested an…
-
Paws and effect: Cute kitten bottles up Internet love with mind-bending agility (video)
An amusing clip of a cute kitten squeezing in and out of a small bottle has captivated netizens, racking up a whopping 49 million views. The agility and flexibility displayed by the cute feline have left viewers in awe. Posted on August 20, 2023, on the TikTok account @cute_cat321, the 15-second video captures a surprising moment where a small cute…
-
New Thai PM, Srettha, vows to elevate Thai well-being, royal PM appointment postponed
The newly elected Prime Minister of Thailand promised to elevate the well-being of the Thai people after yesterday’s Parliament meeting to select a new PM. However, the scheduled royal ceremony for the installation of the new PM at 8pm encountered a delay. During the Parliament meeting to select a new PM, the Pheu Thai Party’s candidate, Srettha Tavisin, managed to…
-
Thailand braces for heavy rainfail and potential flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts heavy rainfall across various regions of Thailand due to monsoons and low atmospheric pressure. People living in the northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and eastern southern regions of the country have been advised to stay cautious of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods. The monsoon trough is moving across the upper part of northern Thailand…
-
Crematorium accident: Lieutenant crashes car into temple sparking panic
A shocking accident occurred at a crematorium in Ratchaburi when an 86 year old retired lieutenant drove his car straight into the facility, causing havoc among the villagers. The incident occurred yesterday, around 9pm at the Wimon Makaram temple in Pak Tho district. The scene of the crematorium accident revealed a bronze Toyota car, with a Ratchaburi registration number, lodged against…
-
Meta Thailand leverages AI for enhanced ROI and growth of reels
In an economic climate that continues to pose challenges, Meta Thailand is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the return on investment for businesses and advertisers. The company is also concentrating on the development of Reels, their short video clip service that serves as a competitor to TikTok. Prae Dumrongmongcolgul, the country director for Meta in Thailand, said… “We plan…
-
Domestic tourism in Thailand hits 93% recovery
Thailand’s domestic tourism sector has seen a significant recovery, reaching 93% of its pre Covid-19 levels, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT expects to record approximately 160 million domestic trips in the country this year, a sharp contrast to the dismal figures witnessed at the onset of the pandemic in 2019. At a press conference, Suladda…
-
Traffy fondue: Phuket launches English app to assist foreigners
An English language-enabled version of the Traffy Fondue application has been launched by the provincial office of Phuket, Thailand. This platform has been developed to assist foreign visitors in airing their grievances about local environmental conditions and public services. The Phuket Governor, Narong Woonciew, announced yesterday that the application has been well-received by residents seeking an expedited resolution to common…
-
Fatal Lopburi road accident takes two lives
A devastating road accident has claimed the lives of 59 year old Read and his 74 year old relative, Paew, as they were travelling to a temple in Lopburi province’s Khok Samrong district to attend a relative’s funeral. The incident occurred on Suranarai Road, in the Paniat subdistrict yesterday. The road accident site on the four-lane road, near a U-turn…
-
Ex-Democrat Party deputy Prinn jailed for student molestation
Prinn Panitchpakdi, the former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for the molestation of an 18 year old female student at a condominium and restaurant. The sentencing was immediately enforced, without waiting for the appeal period. Kosolwat Intuchanyong, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, yesterday revealed that…
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.