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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    Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you

    Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...

  • Online debate erupts after woman recounts unsettling experience with app-ordered taxi

    Online debate erupts after woman recounts unsettling experience with app-ordered taxi

    In an incident that sparked an online debate, a young Thai woman reported a harrowing experience involving a taxi service ordered via a mobile application. Throughout the journey, the driver allegedly behaved inappropriately, including asking to visit her home, requesting contact information, and proposing an outing together. Following the incident, which took place yesterday, the woman shared a video recounting…

  • TD-IWTA Awards 2023 celebrates exceptional women in the Asian travel industry

    TD-IWTA Awards 2023 celebrates exceptional women in the Asian travel industry

    It’s not every day that you witness trailblazing women being praised for their incredible accomplishments in the travel sector. Well, the first-ever Travel Daily Media – Inspiring Women in Travel (Asia) Awards 2023 did just that! The prestigious event garnered rave reviews, uniting travel industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across Asia. Its purpose was to recognise and laud the…

  • US Ambassador celebrates first shipment of Thai pomelos to America

    US Ambassador celebrates first shipment of Thai pomelos to America

    US Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec had an opportunity to engage with Thai and foreign media today, where he expressed his delight at the first-ever shipment of Thai pomelos reaching the United States. This is a milestone that comes 190 years into the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The first export lot of the popular citrus fruits was dispatched…

  • Cameraman caper: Former journalist nabbed for stealing from fellow hacks

    Cameraman caper: Former journalist nabbed for stealing from fellow hacks

    Parliamentary Police officers arrested a former Thai journalist as he posed as a news cameraman for stealing valuables from other hacks. Police believe the suspect attempted to blackmail new Members of Parliament. Journalists from several news outlets gathered at Parliament House yesterday to interview new MPs who reported for work at Parliament. Amid the chaos, one reporter noticed the former light-fingered…

  • Biker’s road rage terrorising Bangkok family evokes societal concerns (video)

    Biker’s road rage terrorising Bangkok family evokes societal concerns (video)

    A road rage incident escalated on Pattanakan Road in Bangkok last week, when two young motorcyclists aggressively pursued and damaged a pickup truck, leaving the 39 year old driver shocked and distressed. He said that this type of behaviour presents a societal risk and has now been shared on social media. The disagreement started when the driver, Nattawat, was driving…

  • Whale of a collection: Thai masseur wows beachgoers with intriguing 50 million baht puke treasure

    Whale of a collection: Thai masseur wows beachgoers with intriguing 50 million baht puke treasure

    A Thai masseur captivated the public’s attention by showcasing his intriguing collection of whale puke while plying his trade on beaches in the southern province of Phang Nga. If proven to be authentic, it could be worth 50 million baht. The owner of a local furniture store in Phang Nga, Wirat Ratso, invited reporters from ThaiRath to explore the whale…

  • Firefighters mourn student: A heartfelt tribute to a life cut short by extinguisher explosion

    Firefighters mourn student: A heartfelt tribute to a life cut short by extinguisher explosion

    A poignant ceremony was held at 7.30am today at the Sunthornthammathan Temple or Kaenangleung Temple in Bangkok. Four firefighters paid their respects to a student in Year 12 who tragically died when a fire extinguisher exploded on school premises. The firefighters came to the temple to ignite the funeral pyre, dedicating their merits to him. The men visibly displaying their sadness…

  • Body reportedly spotted off Krabi island, search hindered by waves

    Body reportedly spotted off Krabi island, search hindered by waves

    A body was reportedly spotted floating off an island in Thailand’s southern Krabi province. Despite efforts by officials, the deceased has not yet been recovered due to strong waves hindering the search. A fishing boat captain near Koh Lanta island alerted the Royal Thai Navy Third Command of the body yesterday morning, The Phuket Express reported. In an attempt to retrieve…

  • Covid cases nosedive in Thailand: Unvaccinated elderly hit hardest

    Covid cases nosedive in Thailand: Unvaccinated elderly hit hardest

    The Public Health Ministry of Thailand yesterday announced there has been a dramatic reduction in Covid-19 infections in the kingdom adding that deaths related to the virus are largely those unvaccinated and over 70 years old. Public Health Secretary Dr Opas Karnka­winpong yesterday revealed there has been a steady decline in worldwide Covid cases and related mortalities. Parallel to this…

  • 2 Thai women seek help after being lured into prostitution in India

    2 Thai women seek help after being lured into prostitution in India

    Two Thai women sought help from a lawyer after a Thai woman and her Indian husband lured them into prostitution in India. The lawyer, Nopphon Auamson, revealed to the media yesterday, June 26, that 32 year old May and her friend 30 year old Da, who are trapped in India, called and requested he facilitate their return to Thailand. ThaiRath…

  • LGBTQ+ rights: US and UK envoys strengthen support in Thailand

    LGBTQ+ rights: US and UK envoys strengthen support in Thailand

    In a reaffirmation of their commitment towards promoting LGBTQ+ rights across the globe, the United States and the United Kingdom have taken a significant initiative to support Thailand in its valorous efforts. This came as a collective resolve showcased at the US-UK Annual Pride Event that took place on June 23 with the theme, ‘United in Love 2023.’ The event…

  • Highway horror claims young scholar’s life: Car crash sends tragic message to Chanthaburi

    Highway horror claims young scholar’s life: Car crash sends tragic message to Chanthaburi

    A university student tragically lost his life this morning when his car veered off the road, colliding with a barrier on a highway in Chanthaburi, East Thailand. The unfortunate incident also left the manager of the local Social Security Office injured and the victim’s family grieving. A routine trip turned disastrous for the 20 year old university student, when his…

  • Thai cyanide serial killer loses baby in prison, lawyer plans legal action

    Thai cyanide serial killer loses baby in prison, lawyer plans legal action

    The Thai cyanide serial killer lost her baby last week during imprisonment in the Central Women’s Correction Institution. The killer, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, reportedly displayed no signs of emotion or disappointment. Sararat’s lawyer is preparing to take legal action against the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, and his team for putting too much…

  • Speeding drunk driver triggers horrific road accident: 1 dead, 1 injured

    Speeding drunk driver triggers horrific road accident: 1 dead, 1 injured

    A terrible accident took place around 3am today, where a speeding car collided at high speed with a motorbike and a bicycle, leading to a fatality. The car driver, found with a high blood alcohol concentration, was arrested by the local police. An alarming sequence of collisions occurred in the heart of Mak Khasan district, Bangkok, at an intersection on…

  • BMW driver arrested for using fake registration plate to waive toll fees

    BMW driver arrested for using fake registration plate to waive toll fees

    Police swooped on a Thai woman who used a fake registration plate on her BMW sedan to illegally waive toll fees more than 260 times. The arrest was made at Thanyaburi and Thab Chang Tollgate yesterday, June 26. The Highway Police had installed an automatic license reading system at these toll gates specifically to identify vehicles suspected of dodging toll…

  • Desperate son’s 700km search for missing father who disappeared during durian harvest

    Desperate son’s 700km search for missing father who disappeared during durian harvest

    A distressed 26 year old Thai man and his wife embarked on a journey of over 700 kilometres in a search for his missing father. The disappearance occurred after the father accompanied a friend to collect durian fruits in Chumphon province, where he displayed strange behaviour. The father, who supposedly spoke of three women while standing alone talking to himself…

  • Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest

    Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest

    The age-old struggle with economic disparity continues to cast a shadow on Thailand’s society as inequality widens, particularly in the agricultural sector, which sees roughly 6% to 8% of its populace remaining below the poverty line. According to a recent study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), this disparity has been fuelled by multiple factors, including the move…

  • Fatal lorry collision on Asia Highway: Pickup driver loses control during storm

    Fatal lorry collision on Asia Highway: Pickup driver loses control during storm

    A shocking lorry collision resulting in a fatality occurred on the Asia Highway, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, when a pickup driver lost control of his steering wheel due to a sudden jolt. The impact was captured on the lorry’s dash-cam. At approximately 1.30am today authorities in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya received a report of a fatal car accident on…

  • Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert

    Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert

    Swelling rainfall across Thailand, spurred by the increasing strength of a monsoon coupled with an area of low atmospheric pressure, has compelled the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) to warn that 47 provinces could face potentially hazardous situations. Over the next 24 hours, it predicts 60% of their areas will face heavy rain, with the severity being the most significant in…

  • Elderly Thai woman dies in van-lorry collision: Baby escapes unhurt

    Elderly Thai woman dies in van-lorry collision: Baby escapes unhurt

    An unfortunate collision incident involving a van and a lorry full of rice cost an elderly Thai woman’s life and left three others hospitalised. Fortunately, the youngest passenger, a one year old girl, was spared any injuries, benefitting from her car seat. The collision incident which occurred on Highway No. 340, near kilometre marker 94 in Sri Prachan District of Suphan Buri…

  • Fitch ratings reveal Thailand’s economic recovery to boost corporate earnings in 2023

    Fitch ratings reveal Thailand’s economic recovery to boost corporate earnings in 2023

    Recovery of the domestic economy and alleviation of inflationary pressures are set to bolster the performance of corporations in Thailand this year, suggest analysts from Fitch Ratings during the 2023 Thailand Corporate Credit Outlook & Asean ESG conference, held recently in Bangkok. Corporates at Fitch Ratings (Thailand)’s Lertchai Kochareonrattanakul, a senior director, indicated in his talk that a boost in…

  • ChatGPT security: Asia-Pacific tops list in account breaches, Group-IB reveals

    ChatGPT security: Asia-Pacific tops list in account breaches, Group-IB reveals

    In a comprehensive study conducted by the international cybersecurity corporation Group-IB, over 100,000 infiltrated ChatGPT accounts have been detected in concealed Internet marketplaces. In the last year, the majority of these ChatGPT credentials were discovered within the Asia-Pacific region, threatening ChatGPT security. Through the close survey of stealer-riddled devices, Group-IB identified upwards of 101,134 technological instruments storing saved ChatGPT credentials.…

  • Bangkok traffic: New automatic system launched to ease city congestion

    Bangkok traffic: New automatic system launched to ease city congestion

    As a strategic initiative aimed at improving vehicle movement, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently initiated an automatic traffic-management system. This pilot project focuses on optimising traffic across four significant roads within the capital city. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, divulged that the modern system is to be installed at 13 intersections on key city routes, counting Rama VI Road,…

  • Hotel Act concerns addressed by Thai Hotels Association due to government’s registration rules

    Hotel Act concerns addressed by Thai Hotels Association due to government’s registration rules

    The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has taken a positive step by welcoming the Ministry of Interior’s new regulations. These rules will now classify smaller accommodations that were operating before 2016 as hotels. This decision is expected to result in increased tax collection, providing additional income for the government. However, the proposal to exempt larger accommodation facilities from registration under the…

  • Hydrogen program launched by Egco to cut CO2 emissions in the US

    Hydrogen program launched by Egco to cut CO2 emissions in the US

    A significant advancement in the pursuit of cleaner energy took place recently, as Electricity Generating Plc (Egco), a subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, launched a hydrogen program. This new initiative is set in the Linden Cogen thermal cogeneration plant’s 172-megawatt Unit 6, located in the US. The hydrogen fuel blending programme is part of a wider…

  • Thai economy booms as government’s fiscal income beats projections with 122bn baht surplus

    Thai economy booms as government’s fiscal income beats projections with 122bn baht surplus

    The Thai economy demonstrates strong recovery and active imports as the Thai government’s net income during the first two-thirds of fiscal 2023 has surpassed projections by 122 billion baht, revealed Fiscal Policy Office Director-General, Pornchai Thiraveja, 42 years old. Between October 2022 and May 2023, the Thai government raked in a total of 1.64 trillion baht, which is an 8%…

  • After 23 years, TikTok user finds her birth mother through Facebook

    After 23 years, TikTok user finds her birth mother through Facebook

    After a relentless, 23-year pursuit, a Thai TikTok user, known as @kualanut2543, finally found her birth mother. Today, the woman explained her long journey, carried by the hope of seeing her mother’s face for the first time despite her doubts about whether her mother would recognise her. Overcoming her fears, she made the move, opening her up to a whirlwind…

  • Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture

    Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture

    In a resounding celebration of heritage and culture, over 1,000 people gathered for the Phuket Peranakan Festival‘s ‘Extravaganza Carnival’ grand parade. The sparkling event unfolded in the vintage vicinity of Phuket Old Town on a joyous Saturday evening. The iconoclastic carnival, the crown jewel of the three-day extravaganza, resulted in the closure of roads, culminating in a tremendous spectacle. The…

  • Pattaya hotel rooftop sauna engulfed in flames

    Pattaya hotel rooftop sauna engulfed in flames

    In Thailand’s eastern city of Pattaya, a hotel’s rooftop sauna was suddenly engulfed in flames at 10pm on Saturday. According to hotel staff, the sauna room was under renovation and had a sign prohibiting entry. However, some guests secretly used the room, resulting in an unexpected fire. The incident took place at a hotel located on Soi Arunothai, within the…

  • Fresh complaint to target key players in Thailand’s ‘Patani state’ referendum

    Fresh complaint to target key players in Thailand’s ‘Patani state’ referendum

    Another complaint will be lodged against figures involved in championing a ‘Patani state’ independence referendum. This declaration was made by Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanak, the commander of the Fourth Region Army and the director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4. Lieutenant General Santi yesterday reported that security personnel are in the process of collecting evidence before submitting…