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.

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    What are the most affordable places to visit in Thailand?

    The Thaiger key takeaways Thailand is still relatively affordable in 2025, offering cheap stays, street food, and low-cost attractions across all regions. Key budget-friendly destinations include Pai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Tao, and Kanchanaburi. Travel protection matters. SafetyWing insurance ensures...

  • Villagers in Northeast Thailand demand monk disrobe over woman | Thaiger

    Villagers in Northeast Thailand demand monk disrobe over woman

    Villagers in Kalasin in Northeast Thailand confronted an abbot after he was found with a woman inside his quarters at night, sparking demands for his immediate disrobing. The disturbance broke out around 11pm yesterday, September 16, at a temple in Kae Pae subdistrict, Mueang district. A temple boy raised the alarm by beating a drum to alert the community after spotting…

  • GPS blunder sends tourist into forest crash in Pattaya | Thaiger

    GPS blunder sends tourist into forest crash in Pattaya

    A 23 year old man in Pattaya crashed his motorcycle after GPS led him into a forest, forcing him to abandon the bike and walk 2 kilometres to find help. The incident unfolded at 7pm on Monday, September 15, when the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Rescue Foundation received a call reporting a stranded tourist in Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri.…

  • Woman dies after fall from Bangkok mall parking structure (video) | Thaiger

    Woman dies after fall from Bangkok mall parking structure (video)

    A woman in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area died after falling from a shopping mall parking structure, with police now reviewing CCTV to determine the cause. The incident occurred at around 7.30pm yesterday, September 16, at a well-known department store in the Chatuchak district. Police Lieutenant Chakkrit Suwanwong, deputy inspector of Phahonyothin Police Station, coordinated with forensic officers, doctors from the…

  • Nakhon Ratchasima man wins 12 million baht with lucky lottery bet | Thaiger

    Nakhon Ratchasima man wins 12 million baht with lucky lottery bet

    A man from Nakhon Ratchasima struck gold in the national lottery, winning 12 million baht after spending just 200 baht on tickets: a fraction of what he usually spends. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of yesterday’s draw, September 16, with the winning first prize number confirmed as 074646. Other results included front three-digit numbers 740 and 512, back…

  • Vietjet to get first Boeing 737 MAX as tariff talks heat up | Thaiger

    Vietjet to get first Boeing 737 MAX as tariff talks heat up

    VietJet Air will receive its first Boeing 737 Max as Vietnam seeks to strengthen trade ties with the US while negotiations over tariffs continue. The handover marks a significant shift for VietJet, which currently operates an all-Airbus fleet, and comes as Vietnam continues delicate trade discussions with the United States over tariffs. A ceremony is scheduled on Sunday, September 21,…

  • Foreign biker crashes head-on into Phuket showroom steps | Thaiger

    Foreign biker crashes head-on into Phuket showroom steps

    A foreign motorcyclist in Phuket was caught on CCTV riding against traffic before crashing into a showroom, leaving him with minor injuries and viral fame. The incident occurred at around 5.15pm on Monday, September 15, on the northbound lanes of Thepkasattri Road in Koh Kaew. The rider, travelling against oncoming traffic, appeared to swerve to avoid a collision with another…

  • Suspects arrested over 2.2m baht speedboat heist in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Suspects arrested over 2.2m baht speedboat heist in Chon Buri

    Police in Bang Lamung arrested three men accused of stealing a 2.2-million-baht speedboat, recovering the vessel and a pickup truck used in the alleged crime. The arrests were made yesterday, September 16, at 5pm by officers from Bang Lamung Police Station, led by Superintendent Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations Police Major Kornphong Sukvisith, and Investigation Inspector Police…

  • ‘White Lotus’ stars wow Emmys with glowing praise for Thailand (video) | Thaiger

    ‘White Lotus’ stars wow Emmys with glowing praise for Thailand (video)

    Stars of The White Lotus praised Thailand at the Emmy Awards, sharing their love for its beauty and cuisine after filming the show’s third season there. Thailand took centre stage at the 77th Emmy Awards when The White Lotus Season 3 stars Walton Goggins and Parker Posey shared heartfelt praise for the country, drawing applause from the Hollywood audience. The…

  • Trang Airport opens new terminal after 4-year delay | Thaiger

    Trang Airport opens new terminal after 4-year delay

    Trang Airport has opened a new domestic terminal after years of construction delays, boosting capacity and marking a major step in regional air travel. The 1.07-billion-baht project finally saw a soft opening on September 5, when the terminal welcomed its first travellers. The launch followed extensive testing, including a simulation with 50 trial passengers to assess service procedures and identify…

  • Japanese teens caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand to Japan | Thaiger

    Japanese teens caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand to Japan

    Two Japanese teenagers were arrested at Fukuoka Airport after flying in from Thailand with 14 kilogrammes of cannabis extract disguised inside instant curry packets. The 17 year old high school student from Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture, along with his 16 year old friend, was stopped by police after officers discovered 14kg of liquid containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their luggage.…

  • Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot (video) | Thaiger

    Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot (video)

    A resident of Khon Kaen has become Thailand’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the government lottery draw. The man struck gold with two first-prize tickets in a moment that has sent his entire village into celebration. The winning number in the draw yesterday, September 16, was 074646. The first-prize ticket carried a payout of 6 million baht…

  • Baby girl killed after family pit bull turns violent in Uthai Thani | Thaiger

    Baby girl killed after family pit bull turns violent in Uthai Thani

    A baby girl was killed in Uthai Thani in northern Thailand when a family’s pit bull mauled her in a tragic accident, prompting police to investigate the attack. The accident left the baby’s family devastated when their two month old daughter was fatally mauled by a pet pit bull that reportedly mistook her for a toy. Police in Nong Chang…

  • Phuket airport skips memorial for deadly One-Two-Go crash | Thaiger

    Phuket airport skips memorial for deadly One-Two-Go crash

    Eighteen years after the One-Two-Go crash killed 90 people in Phuket, no memorial was held again, as Phuket International Airport instead staged dance shows. The crash of One-Two-Go flight OG269 on September 16, 2007, claimed 90 lives, yet Airports of Thailand (AoT) and its staff at Phuket airport have never held a memorial. No service was held in the days…

  • Pattaya gamer flees with bag in brazen all-night shop theft | Thaiger

    Pattaya gamer flees with bag in brazen all-night shop theft

    Police in Pattaya are searching for a thief who spent 10 hours in a gaming shop before fleeing with a bag packed with valuables, all caught on CCTV. A gaming shop in Soi Kor Phai, Pattaya, has released CCTV footage of a theft that took place in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, calling on the public to help…

  • Thai lottery results announced, rituals fuel lucky number craze | Thaiger

    Thai lottery results announced, rituals fuel lucky number craze

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) released the latest national lottery results, with winners confirmed as fortune seekers turn to rituals and events for lucky numbers. The winning numbers are as follows: 2-digit straight prize: 58 3-digit straight prize: 646 3-digit swap prize: 466, 664 Special prize: 646 000 000 732 Officials reminded players that the three-digit straight and swap prizes…

  • Abhisit tipped to retake reins of struggling Democrat Party | Thaiger

    Abhisit tipped to retake reins of struggling Democrat Party

    Abhisit Vejjajiva will return as leader of the Democrat Party after the resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on, prompting a new leadership transition. Former Prime Minister Abhisit will return as leader of the Democrat Party, according to confirmation from Sathit Wongnongtoei, a former party MP for Trang. The announcement follows the resignation of Chalermchai, who left the leadership citing health issues that…

  • Buddhist council bans monks from acting as lottery seers | Thaiger

    Buddhist council bans monks from acting as lottery seers

    Thailand’s Sangha Council has reiterated its ban on monks acting as lottery fortune tellers, warning that the practice breaks religious discipline and the law. The reminder comes amid growing concern over monks engaging in inappropriate activities, with recent cases involving even senior clergy members. Officials said these actions not only undermine Buddhist principles but also erode the faith of devotees.…

  • Chao Phraya Dam surge floods Ayutthaya and displaces thousands | Thaiger

    Chao Phraya Dam surge floods Ayutthaya and displaces thousands

    Heavy water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam has triggered flooding across Ayutthaya, affecting thousands of households and prompting urgent safety warnings. Floodwaters have swept through large parts of Ayutthaya after water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam was increased by 2,000 to 2,500 cubic metres per second. The National Water Resources Committee approved the release to handle surging inflows…

  • Monkey madness: Hundreds escape cages and run riot in Lopburi | Thaiger

    Monkey madness: Hundreds escape cages and run riot in Lopburi

    Chaos erupted in Lopburi when hundreds of monkeys broke free from a shelter, invading homes, ransacking cars, and even storming a police station. Residents of Lopburi faced a wild spectacle today, September 16, as more than 100 monkeys escaped from the Pho Kao Ton Monkey Shelter in Mueang district. The mass breakout sparked panic in the area, with troops of…

  • Thai vendor nearly dies after shingles treated with folk remedy | Thaiger

    Thai vendor nearly dies after shingles treated with folk remedy

    A vegetable vendor in Prachuap Khiri Khan was hospitalised after using a folk remedy for shingles, which led to severe blisters and a dangerous blood infection. A 39 year old vegetable vendor in Mueang district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, has shared her near-death ordeal after a traditional treatment for shingles spiralled into a life-threatening infection. The woman, identified only as A,…

  • Phuket hotel mystery: Young woman found dead in room | Thaiger

    Phuket hotel mystery: Young woman found dead in room

    A 26 year old woman was found dead in her hotel room in Phuket, prompting police and forensic teams to investigate the cause of her unexplained death. Police in Cherng Talay are investigating the death of a young woman who was found lifeless in her hotel room within a resort complex yesterday afternoon. Cherng Talay Police received notification of the…

  • Thailand video news Thai PM Anutin Demands Measures to Check Sky-High Baht, Thailand Increases Airline Compensation for Delays and Cancellations | Thaiger

    Thailand video news Thai PM Anutin Demands Measures to Check Sky-High Baht, Thailand Increases Airline Compensation for Delays and Cancellations

        Thailand is rolling out a mix of reforms and upgrades — from tougher rules on nightlife and cannabis in Pattaya to higher airline compensation, currency-stabilisation efforts, and faster action on frozen bank accounts — while also pushing drought-relief cloud seeding and a major facelift for Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Abroad, Britain’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally has underscored deep political…

  • Pattaya teens terrorise street in explosive gang showdown | Thaiger

    Pattaya teens terrorise street in explosive gang showdown

    Two rival youth gangs clashed in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area, where weapons and explosives were used in a late-night street fight that alarmed nearby residents. A violent clash between two rival youth gangs erupted in Pattaya’s Khao Talo area in the early hours of yesterday, September 15, leaving locals shaken and demanding answers. The altercation broke out around 2am on…

  • Anutin confirms Cabinet ready, vows swift action on economy | Thaiger

    Anutin confirms Cabinet ready, vows swift action on economy

    Thailand’s new Cabinet lineup has been finalised and is awaiting royal approval, after which the government will present its policy and begin official duties. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that Thailand’s new Cabinet list is now complete and awaiting royal endorsement, expected later this week. Once approved, the government will deliver its policy statement to Parliament and begin its…

  • Bangkok gran blasts cops for blocking 5 million baht transfer | Thaiger

    Bangkok gran blasts cops for blocking 5 million baht transfer

    An elderly woman nearly handed over 5 million baht to scammers, then turned on the real police who tried to stop her, claiming they were the fraudsters. The 83 year old granny had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, believing she was following instructions from a suppsed high-ranking officer. When real police showed up at her Bangkok home to stop…

  • Ginger cat ‘Som Bangchak’ brings lottery buzz to Pattaya (video) | Thaiger

    Ginger cat ‘Som Bangchak’ brings lottery buzz to Pattaya (video)

    A stray cat at a Pattaya petrol station has become a local sensation, drawing crowds with a lottery-themed display that blends fun, charm, and social media fame. As lottery fever grips Thailand, a furry local in South Pattaya is bringing smiles, selfies, and a touch of superstition to a Bangchak petrol station. Som Bangchak, a charming ginger stray cat, has…

  • Chaos on Chao Phraya: 3 boats go up in flames, no injuries (video) | Thaiger

    Chaos on Chao Phraya: 3 boats go up in flames, no injuries (video)

    Three passenger boats caught fire on a major river in Bangkok on Sunday evening, prompting a swift emergency response and warnings for the public to stay clear. Chaos erupted on the Chao Phraya River on Sunday evening, September 14, when three passenger boats were engulfed in flames near Wat Ratcha Singkhon Pier in Bangkok’s Bang Kholaem district. The fire reportedly…

  • Battered by the storm: 44 Thai provinces face flash flood threat | Thaiger

    Battered by the storm: 44 Thai provinces face flash flood threat

    Heavy rain is forecast across Thailand as dozens of provinces brace for flash floods and landslides caused by intense weather sweeping through the country. Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings for flash floods and landslides, particularly in central and southern regions, including the capital. A powerful low-pressure system hovering over the South China Sea is driving the current weather…

  • Drunk ex-officer jailed for crash that killed cop and 4 year old boy | Thaiger

    Drunk ex-officer jailed for crash that killed cop and 4 year old boy

    A former provincial agriculture officer has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension after a drunk driving crash that killed a police officer and a kindergarten student in Nakhon Ratchasima in December 2024. The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court handed down the ruling today, September 15, in a case involving 75 year old Somsak Asaraijao, who was found guilty…