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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Phuket motorbike crash injures elderly expat
A Phuket motorbike crash injured an elderly expat yesterday morning. Chalong Police arrived at the scene on Wiset Road in Rawai to find a foreign motorbike rider, 73 year old Georgi Simeonov Georgiev with minor injuries. The other rider involved in the accident was a 31 Thai man named Kittisak Buayai. Georgiev’s nationality was not provided by police. After reviewing…
-
Thailand weather forecast: Heavy rain and strong winds, health and safety vigilance urged
The Thai Meteorological Department‘s latest weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicts heavy rainfall and strong winds in several regions due to the influence of the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system covering parts of upper Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. The public is advised to remain…
-
Cannabis shop near top school suspended amid licence scrutiny
A cannabis shop near the prestigious St Joseph Convent School on Silom Road has had its licence suspended for one month by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). The dispensary had been operating for six months before receiving criticism due to its proximity to the all-girls school. DTAM’s director-general, Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, revealed that the suspension was a…
-
Thai MP-elect aims to break £11bn alcohol duopoly with progressive bill
A member of parliament-elect with a passion for beer is seeking to challenge the 470-billion-baht alcohol duopoly held by two of Thailand’s wealthiest families, following the Move Forward Party’s recent election victory. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a 34 year old brewer turned politician, has long fought against stringent regulations that benefit Boon Rawd Brewery and ThaiBev, the two companies dominating the country’s…
-
Thai government revenue exceeds target by 112 billion baht amid economic recovery
The Ministry of Finance announced that government revenue collection for the first seven months of fiscal 2023 (October to April) surpassed the target by 112 billion baht, primarily due to contributions from agencies other than the Revenue Department. This information was shared by Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office. The government collected a net revenue of 1.38 trillion baht…
-
Black panther and cub spotted strolling through Thailand national park
Photos of a “black panther,” or Indochinese leopard, and its cub strolling through Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand emerged today, capturing the hearts of wildlife enthusiasts around the nation. Kaeng Krachan National Park posted photos of the big cat and its baby on Facebook with the caption… “We meet again in the past two to three months. But this…
-
Man confesses to beating Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo, and killing her pets
A Thai man confessed to physically abusing his Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo and killing her dogs today at a police station in Samut Prakan in central Thailand. Lawyer Kanthas “Gun Jompalang” Phongphaibookvej accompanied 25 year old “A” (pseudonym) to Bang Bo Police Station this morning to file three charges against her 24 year old boyfriend “Fin,”…
-
Rising interest rates boost mortgage NPLs, Bank of Thailand urges debt restructuring
In the first quarter of this year, non-performing mortgage loans (NPLs) experienced an increase due to rising interest rates, prompting the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to encourage banks to assist borrowers through debt restructuring. The central bank recently revealed a housing loan NPL ratio of 3.16% in the commercial banking system, up from 3.01% in the previous quarter. The primary…
-
Contaminated water supply leaves residents in Buriram with painful rashes and sores
Residents are pleading for urgent assistance to address their contaminated water supply, which has caused rashes and sores all over their bodies in the Mueang district, Buriram province. The village head says he is aware of the issue and is preparing a budget to address the problem. Residents from Nong Bon and Khok Phet villages in the Khlanta sub-district, Mueang…
-
Tragic twilight collision: Man defies wife’s warning, loses life in motorcycle accident
A fatal accident occurred when a man defied his wife’s warning and drove his motorcycle during twilight hours, resulting in a collision with a pickup truck. The incident took place on the Nato Hming-Kok Yang road in Trang Province, Thailand. The crash left the motorcycle rider, a 44 year old rubberwood processing factory security officer named Natthaphong, dead at the…
-
‘Blue Lagoon’ promoted as tourist attraction in Khon Kaen, Thailand
An abandoned limestone quarry-turned-reservoir dubbed the “Blue Lagoon” is being promoted as a tourist attraction in Khon Kaen, northeast Thailand. Locals said that water seeped into the abandoned old quarry site until it turned into a beautiful reservoir, attracting tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the emerald water glistening under the sun. INN News describes the Blue Lagoon as…
-
Thai foreign investment outlook positive amid political shift
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and prominent business leaders expressed optimism about foreign investment in the country this year, despite delays due to the formation of a new government. IEAT Governor Veeris Ammarapala stated that foreign investors are expected to understand the evolving political landscape in Thailand, including the transition towards a Move Forward Party-led coalition government. At a…
-
Phuket Hotels Association launches online travel sale to back local talent
Press Release Phuket Hotels Association, the nonprofit organisation of hoteliers focused on promoting a positive image of Phuket, is inviting members of the public to take part in its “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale” – an online auction with great prizes that will fund scholarships for talented young people in Phuket. This forms part of the Phuket Hotels Association Benefit (PHAB) 2023…
-
Thailand investment value surges 77% with South Korea as top foreign investor
Investment in Thailand experienced a significant surge in the first quarter of the year, with a 77% year-on-year increase to 185.7 billion baht, primarily driven by 397 project proposals. The Board of Investment (BoI) revealed that South Korea emerged as the leading foreign investor during this period. Foreign investment constituted 155.2 billion baht of the total investment, marking a 115%…
-
TikTok user shares June’s winning Thai lottery numbers (video)
A search for potential winning lottery numbers is underway as the Thai government lottery draw date of Thursday, June 1 approaches. Gamblers and lottery enthusiasts are actively sharing their predictions, including those on the popular social media platform TikTok. One user, @owansqjw0dk, whose real name is Jindarat, gained attention by posting a clip on their account claiming to have found…
-
Thai restaurant in California forced to close amid racist dog meat rumours
The Tasty Thai restaurant in Fresno, California, was forced to temporarily close its doors after racist rumours spread online that the owners were selling dog meat. Seemingly out of nowhere, a string of negative and nasty reviews about Tasty Thai, a six month old restaurant, popped up on Yelp on Monday night. But the reviews were not about the food. “It…
-
Illegal logging gang caught in Thai wildlife reserve, drugs found
Authorities in Phayao, northern Thailand, yesterday arrested a group involved in illegal logging and seized various items, including processed timber and amphetamines. The suspects were apprehended in the Wiang Lor Wildlife Sanctuary in the province’s Choon district. Officials from the 15th Conservation Area Administration Office received a report from Thanatphatcha PrasomSap, the director of the wildlife conservation section, on the…
-
US declines Thai F-35 bid, offers F-16 and F-15 jets instead
The United States Department of Defense has informally declined Thailand’s request to buy F-35 fighter jets, according to a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) source. Instead, the US has offered F-16 Block 70 and F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jets as alternatives. The Pentagon’s decision was announced by Robert F Gordec, the US ambassador to Thailand, during a meeting with…
-
Lifeless body of three year old girl found near grazing field in southern Thailand
The body of a three year old girl was discovered in a waterlogged area close to an animal grazing field in Narathiwat province, in southern Thailand. The child mysteriously disappeared from her home, which was approximately 300 metres away from where her body was found. Police Colonel Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy Police Chief, visited the scene of the crime…
-
Seven arrested for smuggling Chinese nationals into Thailand for potential call centre scams
Seven Thai individuals have been detained for their alleged involvement in smuggling Chinese nationals from Laos into Thailand. Authorities are investigating whether these cases have any connection to call centre gangs. The series of arrests were disclosed in a press briefing held yesterday by Provincial Police Region 3 Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong Yenthuan, which involved Highway Police, Immigration Police,…
-
Philanthropist injured in multi-vehicle road accident in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A local philanthropist was badly injured when a truck crashed into the back of a pickup, spinning it into another lorry, causing harm to the driver. Passers-by came to assist the injured man trapped inside the damaged Toyota pickup with registration plate number บว-1721 Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was left immobilised in the middle of the road. The injured man…
-
Phuket speedboat driver tests positive for meth after crash injuring 37 tourists
UPDATE The man who crashed a speedboat into a channel marker in Chalong Bay in Phuket, southern Thailand – injuring 37 Thai and foreign tourists – on Wednesday tested positive for methamphetamine. The 29 year old tour boat driver, Sathit Mardchai, underwent a blood test for alcohol and drugs following the incident, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Pol. Maj. Gen.…
-
Chon Buri woman discovers priceless pearl in local market oyster
A lucky woman in Chon Buri found a valuable pearl inside a large oyster purchased from a local market. The resident, Thevalee Sitonwong, discovered the stunning orange pearl while preparing a meal for her and her husband. Thevalee revealed that she and her husband had gone to the market to buy some ingredients for their dinner, which included a popular Thai…
-
Pregnant woman given wrong medication at hospital, experiences uncontrollable spasms
In an alarming incident, an expectant mother was administered the wrong medication during her visit to a medical facility. The 37 week pregnant woman went to the hospital for a regular blood test and was mistakenly given epileptic medication instead of sugar water. After taking the medicine, the pregnant woman experienced severe symptoms, sparking a wave of fear and concern…
-
Democrats to elect new leader amid Abhisit and Watanya speculation
The Democrat Party is set to meet and establish guidelines for selecting a new leader, with Abhisit Vejjajiva and Watanya Bunnag, head of the party’s political innovations working group, being the potential candidates. Yesterday, party spokesperson Ramet Rattanachaweng announced that the caretaker executive panel would convene tomorrow to outline the process for choosing a new leader and appointing a new…
-
Much-loved Thai police officer suddenly dies, hormone disorder blamed for 218kg weight
The unexpected passing of Manop Wongnaree, affectionally known as “Police Senior Sergeant Major Elephant” has left his family, friends and colleagues mourning. The 50 year old was a police officer with a body weight of 218 kilograms. He gained international attention when photos of him were shared online, accompanied by comments ridiculing his excessive weight. Assistant Police Captain Pichetpong Chaengkaikom…
-
Cannabis shops near schools allowed amid lack of specific law
Cannabis dispensaries are currently allowed to operate near schools in Thailand, as there is no specific legislation controlling their locations, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). However, the Public Health Ministry has prohibited the sale of cannabis to individuals under 20 years old, with penalties including a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to…
-
Lop Buri monkeys suffer heatwave, locals urge support
Concerned residents are urging government agencies to provide support to monkeys residing in Lop Buri province landmarks, the Phra Kan Shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yot, after a scorching heatwave restricted the movements of its monkeys. Lop Buri finds itself in the grip of an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching a scorching 41 degrees Celsius. Residents are concerned because the…
-
Family offers 10,000 baht reward for missing mental health patient last seen at hospital
A 10,000 baht reward has been offered for information leading to the whereabouts of a 37 year old psychiatric patient who has been missing for over a week after walking out of Khon Kaen Hospital. Thawatchai Themueang is a resident of Samran district in Khon Kaen province, who sought treatment for spasms at the hospital on Saturday, May 13. Security…
-
Lottery winner fulfills promise to Thai shrine, celebrates with movie screening
A Thai woman paid respects to a spirit shrine after she won several hundred thousand baht in a lottery draw by offering a traditional dance and a movie screening. The tribute took place today, May 22, at Wat Pa Pradu, Kabin Buri District, in Thailand’s Prachin Buri Province. The 46 year old woman, known as Srichan Sringarm, took a statue…
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.