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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
-
VAT’s next? Thailand mulls talks amid dismissals over potential increase
The Thai administration yesterday dismissed the possibility of increasing the value–added tax (VAT) from 7% to 10%. Despite this official stance, talks have been initiated around this proposal, attributing the potential increment to the requirement for additional funding to cater to the escalating needs of the country’s ageing populace. From the Office of Fiscal Economy, Pornchai Thiravej, the director, shed…
-
Thunderstruck: TMD predicts stormy weather across 32 provinces and Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of thunderstorms and stormy weather across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience heavy rainfall in 20% of its areas. The southwest monsoon is predicted to cover the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is stormy and a trough is to pass over Myanmar’s upper region…
-
Liquid dreams: Thailand’s Pilatus Marine charts global growth with 1.05 billion baht vessel acquisition
Pilatus Marine, a SET-listed company and Thailand’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport operator, is set to acquire three large used liquid-carrying vessels for a total cost of 1.05 billion baht. This move is aimed at expanding their services overseas. Operating in both marine and land transport of LPG, Pilatus Marine also leases vessels to other companies. The incoming ships,…
-
Gun-grab getaway: Daring Thai man captured after snatching police officer’s gun
Provincial Police Region 6 officers finally arrested a Thai man yesterday after he snatched a gun from a police officer in the northern province of Uttaradit and escaped on a stolen motorcycle. Traffic police officer Chitipun Kunnarmang was on duty Friday, August 25 on the Boroma-as Road when he spotted a Thai man, later identified as 40 year old Pitsanupanya…
-
Thai Internet idol Mintan speaks out on unending stalker harassment despite court order
Internet idol Mintan, renowned for the page หนูมินตันทาสกระดาน continues to face relentless harassment from a persistent stalker. Mintan recently updated her followers that the same security guard who had previously been found guilty of harassing her is once again causing her distress. Mintan exposed her ordeal in a post, revealing that she has been tormented for almost three years by…
-
Shoreline showdown: Pattaya beach brawl leaves teens injured, one ‘leg’-ally shot
A beachside brawl in Pattaya on Saturday night left multiple teenagers injured, one of whom was shot in the leg. The incident, which unnerved tourists, involved two rival groups. The authorities have since been pursuing both parties involved. Today, A 19 year old boy Thitipong, also known as Mag Baanchang, turned himself into Pattaya City Police Station. He brought with…
-
Unexpected encore: Concert takes a dive as boat sinks at Amphawa Floating Market (video)
A concert held at the Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram province took an unexpected turn when a boat sank mid-show. Thanks to quick reactions, no injuries were reported from the incident that took place today. The startling event was captured by TikTok user @anntiviruss and has since garnered widespread attention. The Amphawa Floating Market, a popular tourist destination, played…
-
Foul play: Noxious scent unveils grim discovery of dead Finnish man in Pattaya
An unpleasant odour seeping from a residence in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya has led to the discovery of the dead body of a Finnish man inside. According to SiamRath, residents in Pattaya detected a foul smell from the house of a foreign man. In response, they enlisted the aid of a rescue team at the stroke of midnight…
-
Miraculous plunge: Singaporean man survives fifth-floor fall from Krabi hotel
A Singaporean man on Saturday survived a terrifying life-threatening fall from the fifth floor of the Krabi Seabass Hotel. Krabi Pitak Pracha rescuers were called to the hotel on Takuapa Road in the southern province of Karabi to help the 37 year old Singaporean man called Brian. Remarkably, Brian emerged from the fall with only minor injuries, a testament to his…
-
Thai condo owner discovers shocking state after foreign tenants leave
A landlord issued a warning to others after some foreign tenants trashed a luxury condominium in Thailand. The discovery was made by the owner of the condo when she was contacted by the management of the building due to the tenants’ unpaid electricity bills. TikTok user @fang_pacara posted a cautionary tale for landlords after she found her property in a…
-
Hit and run in Trat leaves 15 year old boy dead
A fatal hit-and-run collision involving a car and a motorcycle resulted in the death of a 15 year old boy in Trat, Thailand. The car, believed to be a white Isuzu pickup, fled the scene leaving the damaged motorcycle and the lifeless body of the young rider on the road. The hit-and-run incident took place today, on the Rai Pa-Dan…
-
Child drowning tragedy: 11 year old boy loses life in Khon Kaen Pond
An 11 year old boy tragically drowned while playing with friends in a local pond in Nong Hin village, Mueang, Khon Kaen. The group of four were rowing a plastic boat when it suddenly capsized, leading to the fatal child drowning incident. The three other children managed to escape unharmed. The victim, a Year 5 student from Ban Nong Hin…
-
Indonesia unveils three month plan to boost trade and cultural ties with Thailand
Indonesia kickstarted a three month long series of activities in Thailand, aimed at bolstering trade, cultural ties, and tourism, and enhancing people-to-people diplomacy. Announced at the Indonesia Fair: Know Indonesia Better event, Ambassador Rachmat Budiman revealed the comprehensive plan, curated by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. The event which took place over the weekend at the Central Court in Central…
-
Thai girl battles rhabdomyolysis after harsh school punishment in northern Thailand
A tale of a young girl in the eighth grade, known only as Lalida, sparked outrage in the small tambon Klang community of Selaphum district, Roi Et. Lalida is currently battling a severe case of rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous affliction that involves the breakdown of injured skeletal muscle. This condition has rendered her unable to walk and she remains confined to…
-
Vape escape: 16 year old’s lung goes bust after e-cigarette causes collapse
The health of a 16 year old child who smoked e-cigarettes raised alarm when an X-ray revealed air leakage in the right lung, causing the lung to collapse. According to Tevin Chakrayanuyok, a cardiologist states that the dangers of vaping are more serious than many people realise, urging those who can quit to do so. Tevin Chakrayanuyok, a cardiologist, shared…
-
Good Samaritans rescue distressed intern student from suicide attempt in Nonthaburi
An intern student, distressed to the point of attempting suicide by running into traffic and self-harming with a knife, was rescued by Good Samaritans. The alarming mental state of the young woman, identified only as Da, a 21 year old student undergoing an internship, was reported around 11pm yesterday near Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road, opposite Praya Banlue Gate, in Nonthaburi…
-
Prayut reflects on PM term: Thailand’s journey to progress
Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha concluded his nine-year term, taking to Facebook to share his reflections and achievements. He described the tenure as the most significant and memorable of his life. Prayut highlighted Thailand’s considerable progress, attributing its development to nine specific areas. Under Prayut’s leadership, Thailand initiated an unprecedented 20-year national strategy, directing the country’s trajectory and ensuring the…
-
Thai opposition in disarray as Move Forward Party rejects leadership role
Chaos has engulfed the Democrat Party, as the top opposition role remains unclear. This comes after the Move Forward Party (MFP), the largest opposing party, expressed disinterest in the role, likely to keep their Deputy House Speaker seat. The Democrat Party spokesperson, Ramet Rattanachaweng, stated that technically, the right to assume the opposition leader role falls to Pita Limjaroenrat, the…
-
Teacher: No sympathy for student with broken leg forced to climb stairs for exam
A student with a broken leg was forced by a teacher to climb stairs and attend an exam, despite the physical difficulty. The student expressed disappointment over the lack of empathy and understanding from the teacher, leading to an outpouring of sympathy from the online community but also concerns over potential legal consequences. The exchange was brought to light via…
-
Thunderstorm warnings across 32 provinces, high waves hit southern seas
The Thai Meteorological Department warned of thunderstorms across 32 provinces, including Bangkok, with approximately 30% of the areas expected to be affected. This comes as the southern seas experience high waves, prompting a cautionary notice to seafarers today. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates the presence of a southwesterly monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the…
-
Thailand’s FDA ramps up seafood inspection following Fukushima wastewater discharge
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding back on any immediate action following the discharge of wastewater from Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean on August 24. This detail was shared by Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general. Lertchai stated that the FDA has been in conversation with the Department of Fisheries, the Office of Atoms…
-
Thai network petitions for home-grown cannabis and 5-year import ban
The Cannabis Future Network in Thailand is gathering signatures for a petition, aiming to accumulate 10,000 names to urge parliament to continue its reading of the Cannabis-Hemp Act. This legislation, if passed, would permit citizens to cultivate marijuana at home and prohibit the importation of cannabis products for half a decade. Prasitchai Nunual, the head of the network, yesterday stated…
-
Chumphon highway crash claims three lives, investigation ongoing
A disturbing road accident involving several vehicles occurred on Asia Highway 41, Chumphon province, Thailand, leading to serious injuries and multiple fatalities. The incident was reported at 11pm yesterday, near kilometre markers 26-27 in Korn Sub-district, Sawi District. The crash site was a chaotic scene, with a blue Toyota Revo pickup truck, licence plate 9307 Phetchaburi, transporting vegetables capsized and…
-
UPDATE: Thai passengers ejected from flight over fight with cabin crew over luggage
An update to the original story about a woman from a group complaining on social media to criticise the air hostess and cabin crew for refusing to help her carry the luggage. Prominent YouTuber and influencer, Akaradej Yothajun, known as Benz Apache, recently recounted the same dramatic incident aboard a flight from Vietnam to Thailand. He reported that 16 Thai…
-
Thailand braces for heavy rainfall: Citizens and mariners urged to exercise caution
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy rainfall across various regions of the country, brought about by low atmospheric pressure near the Vietnamese upper shore and the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Thailand. Thailand continues to experience thunderstorms, with heavy rain in certain parts of the northeast, and central regions, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Citizens in the…
-
Mercedes-Benz driver arrested after road rage leads to drug and firearm discovery
A group of six, including the driver of a Mercedes-Benz, were apprehended following a road rage dispute with motorbike taxi drivers, subsequently leading to the discovery of illegal substances and an unregistered firearm in their vehicle. The altercation took place as the group was returning from a party. Chaowin, the Mercedes-Benz driver, initiated the conflict by attempting to overtake three…
-
GAC to invest 6bn baht in Thai EV and battery factories
Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), China’s second-largest electric vehicle (EV) seller, is set to invest 6 billion baht in the construction of EV and battery factories in Thailand over the next three to five years. The move will transform the country into a key production and export base for the firm. Ocean Ma, who oversees the company’s subsidiaries, Aion Automobile Manufacturing…
-
Passenger criticises air hostess over luggage assistance refusal
[An UPDATE to this story paints a different perspective to the original confrontation with the air hostess over the passenger’s luggage.] An incident occurred yesterday when a woman took to social media to criticise an air hostess for refusing to assist her with her luggage. The woman, who was on a VietJet airline flight, lamented the poor service and asked…
-
Electric shock: Thai resident uncovers neighbour’s electricity theft causing spike in bills
A resident named Anon, also known as Kee, was surprised to receive an unusually high electricity bill. Concerned about this, they contacted the Thai Electricity Authority to investigate the matter. The investigation uncovered a shocking revelation – Anon’s neighbour had been stealing electricity by connecting their house directly to Anon’s electric meter. This unauthorized connection led to a spike in Anon’s…
-
Drug trafficking: Woman caught with 5 million baht worth of drugs disguised as a tourist
A woman from Phetchaburi, known as Ae Rai Rhon Khon, was apprehended today, while disguised as a tourist and transporting drugs in a passenger van. Authorities seized nearly 50,000 methamphetamine pills as she prepared to enter Kanchanaburi. The arrest followed a tip-off about a drug trafficking operation from a neighbouring country into Thailand. Ae Rai Rhon Khon was seen acting…
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.