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

    Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand

    Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...

  • Old paths, new strides: BMA’s overhaul project steps up to refurbish Bangkok’s pathways | Thaiger

    Old paths, new strides: BMA’s overhaul project steps up to refurbish Bangkok’s pathways

    Bangkok‘s Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a comprehensive project to refurbish the city’s antiquated pathways. The objective is to create robust and user-friendly pathways that cater to the needs of pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities and wheelchair users, as per the announcement made by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today, November 30. The renovation project has already taken off, with work…

  • Thailand’s electricity rate of 4.68 baht only a suggestion, says Energy Ministry | Thaiger

    Thailand’s electricity rate of 4.68 baht only a suggestion, says Energy Ministry

    The suggested electricity rate of 4.68 baht per unit is merely a proposal, confirmed Energy Ministry spokesperson Pongsapol Yodmuangcharoen today. Emphasising that the final price falls under the purview of the Energy Ministry and is overseen by Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, Pongsapol assured that it won’t be fixed at this figure. He further confirmed that consumers will not face an…

  • Indian national arrested in Ang Thong over illegal loans in Thai baht | Thaiger

    Indian national arrested in Ang Thong over illegal loans in Thai baht

    An Indian national has been arrested for operating an illegal daily loan scheme in Ang Thong. The arrest followed complaints by residents to the local Justice Centre about the extortionate interest rates and violent threats from the loan shark. The investigation, conducted today, November 30, found that an Indian man, identified only as Harinda, had loaned amounts ranging from 2,000…

  • Minibus manager fined 5,000 baht for leaving Thai YouTuber stranded (video) | Thaiger

    Minibus manager fined 5,000 baht for leaving Thai YouTuber stranded (video)

    The Department of Land Transport (DLT) imposed a 5,000 baht fine on a minibus station manager after he refused to serve a Thai YouTuber, leading to the victim being stranded at a station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Thai travel YouTuber, Worrachat “Chiang” Thamrongwarangkun, shared his bad experience with his followers on Facebook and YouTube (Chiang Paiyoonaima). Chiang…

  • Holiday nightmare: British citizen stranded in Thai hospital with a 400,000 baht plea to escape | Thaiger

    Holiday nightmare: British citizen stranded in Thai hospital with a 400,000 baht plea to escape

    A British citizen‘s tropical holiday in Thailand has turned into a desperate battle for survival, as he faces suspected leukaemia in dire hospital conditions. With blood-soaked beds and a looming 10,000 pounds (446,000 baht) bill, Dean Penson’s ordeal has become a nightmare that his friends are determined to end. Penson, a British citizen from Southend-on-Sea, who looked forward to a…

  • Mid-air madness: Unruly passenger turns Lufthansa flight to Bangkok into chaos | Thaiger

    Mid-air madness: Unruly passenger turns Lufthansa flight to Bangkok into chaos

    A 53 year old German man turned a routine Lufthansa flight from Munich to Bangkok into a chaotic nightmare. From threats to undressing and attempting to set a blanket ablaze, this turbulent episode forced an unscheduled landing in India. Just a few hours into the 10-hour and 45-minute journey, chaos erupted as the unnamed German man unleashed a series of…

  • Thailand ink nightmare! Celebrity Josie Gibson’s hilarious tattoo mishap revealed | Thaiger

    Thailand ink nightmare! Celebrity Josie Gibson’s hilarious tattoo mishap revealed

    In a jungle full of surprises, British celebrity Josie Gibson spills the ink on her outrageous Thai escapade that left her with a jaw-dropping tattoo fail. The 38 year old This Morning presenter isn’t just battling creepy crawlies in the jungle set of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Gibson also shared the consequences of a tipsy Thai…

  • Huawei triumphs again! Royal recognition at Thailand Corporate Excellence Awards 2023 | Thaiger

    Huawei triumphs again! Royal recognition at Thailand Corporate Excellence Awards 2023

    In central Bangkok, Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd. clinched the coveted Thailand Corporate Excellence Awards 2023 in the Product/Service Excellence category. The star-studded event, presented by the Thailand Management Association and Sasin School of Management, witnessed the gracious presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s image, adding a regal touch to Huawei’s outstanding achievement. Addressing the audience, Privy Councilor Jirayu…

  • Thai community enterprise signs 100 million baht deal for Korat’s Golden Bananas export to Japan | Thaiger

    Thai community enterprise signs 100 million baht deal for Korat’s Golden Bananas export to Japan

    A landmark deal worth 100 million baht has been signed between a Japanese buyer and a Thai community enterprise group for the purchase of 5,000 tonnes of Korat’s Golden Bananas. This first-ever export deal, set to greatly benefit local farmers, has been hailed for its potential to open new markets for Thai growers. The contract was signed at the Lamtakong…

  • Young man arrested for false dietary supplement advertising on social media | Thaiger

    Young man arrested for false dietary supplement advertising on social media

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) apprehended a young man advertising dietary supplements of a popular brand on social media, with the products boasting exaggerated benefits. The suspect was charged before being handed over for prosecution today, November 30. On the previous day, the DSI’s investigative operation team, led by Witthawat Sukhantharot, Director of Trace and News Investigation Centre, captured…

  • Lotto-luck chase: Thai man on wild hunt for lost lottery ticket after jackpot surprise months later | Thaiger

    Lotto-luck chase: Thai man on wild hunt for lost lottery ticket after jackpot surprise months later

    A Thai man embarked on a frantic search for a lost Thai lottery ticket after belatedly discovering he’d scooped one of the top prizes some nine months after the draw was made. The lottery winner, 29 year old Yotsakorn Sangteerathiti, revealed to Channel 3 that he bought a government lottery ticket for the upcoming draw tomorrow, via the Pao Tang…

  • knife-edge escapade: Tourist stirs controversy in Kanchanaburi National Park (video) | Thaiger

    knife-edge escapade: Tourist stirs controversy in Kanchanaburi National Park (video)

    A video clip shot by a porter at Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi sparked controversy after it showed tourists climbing down the treacherous Knife Ridge without any park officials in sight. The porter, identified only as Daeng, was later forced to apologise for the video, which he said was filmed while park officials were temporarily assisting a tourist…

  • Love, lies, loss: Thai woman loses 3 million baht after 1 month with romance scammer | Thaiger

    Love, lies, loss: Thai woman loses 3 million baht after 1 month with romance scammer

    A 65 year old Thai woman lost 3 million baht after a month-long online conversation with a romance scammer she met on a Facebook dating group. The victim’s son urged Channel 3 to share his mother’s experience as a warning to others who use dating applications or engage in online dating. He recently found out that his mother had been…

  • Party-hopper: Ex-PPRP MP’s bold Democrat Party leadership bid | Thaiger

    Party-hopper: Ex-PPRP MP’s bold Democrat Party leadership bid

    Watanya Bunnag, formerly a list MP belonging to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), recently expressed her intention to run for the leadership of the Democrat Party (DP), following her switch to the latter in August. The election to decide the party’s leader is set to take place on December 9. Watanya, who currently serves as the chairwoman of the Democrat Party’s…

  • Chaowalit encore: Fugitive’s frustration takes the spotlight in third video addressing Thailand’s bail system | Thaiger

    Chaowalit encore: Fugitive’s frustration takes the spotlight in third video addressing Thailand’s bail system

    Fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, has once again emerged, releasing a third video in which he expresses his frustration over the issue of bail in the Thai judicial system. He questions the criteria set for granting bail in certain cases and why he was the only one who did not receive it. Chaowalit also apologises for the…

  • Singapore and Zurich rank as world’s most expensive cities in 2023 | Thaiger

    Singapore and Zurich rank as world’s most expensive cities in 2023

    The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently revealed that Singapore and Zurich share the title of the world’s most expensive city in 2023. Following closely are Geneva, New York, and Hong Kong, maintaining that the worldwide cost-of-living crisis is yet unresolved. The research and analysis division of the Economist Group observed that prices for over 200 frequently utilised goods and services…

  • Four Thai workers released from Hamas captivity | Thaiger

    Four Thai workers released from Hamas captivity

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand confirmed the release of four Thai workers today, previously held captive by Hamas militants. The release occurred yesterday evening, as reported by the Royal Thai Embassy situated in Tel Aviv, Israel. The freed workers – Paiboon Ratnil, Kong Saelao, Chakraphan Sikhena, and Chalermchai Saengkaew – underwent a medical examination at an Israeli hospital.…

  • Teenager killed in tragic accident on dark Ratchaburi road | Thaiger

    Teenager killed in tragic accident on dark Ratchaburi road

    A tragic accident occurred last night, at 8.30pm, on the unlit Pikun Thong – Ban Rai Road in the Mueang district of Ratchaburi. A 17 year old youth on a motorcycle collided with a Mazda sedan, resulting in his immediate death and leaving the car’s occupants seriously injured. The car was driven by 24 year old Phanuphan, with 23 year…

  • Mental illness suspected after Thai man kills uncle before suicide | Thaiger

    Mental illness suspected after Thai man kills uncle before suicide

    Police suspect a mental illness as the motive behind a Thai man’s killing of his uncle at their home in the southern province of Krabi. The incident occurred yesterday after the uncle complained about loud goat noises. The victim, identified as 65 year old Sunthorn Treekun, was murdered and the incident was reported to Lam Thap Police Station at 4pm…

  • Weather warning for northern Thailand with temperatures expected to rise | Thaiger

    Weather warning for northern Thailand with temperatures expected to rise

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for the northern region of Thailand today, as temperatures are expected to rise by 3 degrees Celsius. Some areas may experience rainfall. The southern region, meanwhile, is bracing for a storm with heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted. The sea is also expected to have waves higher than 2 metres.…

  • Urgent efforts underway to return elephant herd causing havoc in central Thailand | Thaiger

    Urgent efforts underway to return elephant herd causing havoc in central Thailand

    A herd of over 100 elephants, currently causing havoc in the Prachinburi region of Thailand, are being urgently ushered back to their natural habitat. These elephants have been devastating crops, causing damage to more than 60 acres of farmland and resulting in losses exceeding 1 million baht. To mitigate this, the state is accelerating efforts to return these elephants to…

  • Thai man steals from drunk woman who parks motorcycle to vomit | Thaiger

    Thai man steals from drunk woman who parks motorcycle to vomit

    CCTV footage yesterday showed a Thai man stealing a bag from a drunk woman who parked her motorcycle to vomit on the roadside near Thewa Sangkaram Temple in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The victim, a 21 year old woman named Jang, urged Channel 3 to show the CCTV footage to the public and urged netizens to notify the police…

  • Thailand’s herbal market worth skyrockets to 90,000 billion baht | Thaiger

    Thailand’s herbal market worth skyrockets to 90,000 billion baht

    Minister of Health Santi Prompat highlighted the significant growth in the market for Thai massage and food as a form of soft power for the nation. He also emphasized the rising value of herbal consumption, which has increased to 90,000 billion baht, making Thailand the third highest in Asia. This occurred during a special assembly and policy communication meeting at…

  • Devotees flock to restored twin shrines in Ratchaburi following mysterious fire | Thaiger

    Devotees flock to restored twin shrines in Ratchaburi following mysterious fire

    A mysterious fire at the revered twin shrines of Yaay Niam and Yaay Nom in Ratchaburi province has not deterred devotees, who continue to flock to the site for blessings. The shrines, believed to be nearly 100 years old, were restored after being burnt down on November 2 under unexplained circumstances. Devotees from across the province and beyond are known…

  • Nationwide security guards training initiative kicks off with labour of love from ministry, police, and army | Thaiger

    Nationwide security guards training initiative kicks off with labour of love from ministry, police, and army

    A nationwide training initiative targeting security guards is set to be launched, courtesy of the Labour Ministry, police force, and army. This initiative, aimed at improving the skill set of guards, was discussed yesterday in a meeting convened by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Also in attendance were Watcharapol Bussamongkol, ex-president of the Security Services Association of Thailand (SSAT), and representatives…

  • Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court | Thaiger

    Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court

    Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, representing the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a setback yesterday when the Constitutional Court dismissed her petition concerning the constitutionality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. The court’s decision came via the Criminal Court, which is currently presiding over a case against Rukchanok. The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she…

  • Unforeseen transfer of DSI chief prompts investigation into pork smuggling | Thaiger

    Unforeseen transfer of DSI chief prompts investigation into pork smuggling

    The abrupt transfer of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Police Major Suriya Singhakamol has prompted the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives to seek answers from the government. Pol. Maj. Suriya’s reassignment came into the limelight immediately after he conducted a search related to the smuggling of pork at the CP Axtra Plc headquarters, previously known as Siam Makro.…

  • Thailand’s export sector sees recovery with third month of growth | Thaiger

    Thailand’s export sector sees recovery with third month of growth

    The Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja, announced that the export sector is showing signs of recovery, marking its third month of consecutive growth. Despite a year-on-year contraction of 2.7% in the value of exports between January and October, monthly figures indicate a resurgence, with an 8% rise in October to US$23.5 billion. Quarterly analysis shows a decrease…

  • Southern Thailand battles surge in whooping cough cases | Thaiger

    Southern Thailand battles surge in whooping cough cases

    A surge in pertussis cases, commonly known as whooping cough, has prompted public health bodies to urge individuals, particularly in southern Thailand, to get vaccinated. So far this year, almost 100 Thai residents have been diagnosed with the infectious disease. The Disease Control Department disclosed yesterday that there have been 93 confirmed cases of pertussis between January 1 and November…

  • Thailand’s shrimp exports forecasted to surge by 10% next year | Thaiger

    Thailand’s shrimp exports forecasted to surge by 10% next year

    A 10% surge in Thailand’s shrimp exports is on the horizon for the upcoming year, brought about by a minor uptick in local shrimp production and bolstered demand primarily from the United States. Thai Shrimp Association President Ekapoj Yodpinit disclosed that shrimp production in Thailand this year mirrored the previous year’s figure of 280,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the country’s shrimp exports…