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

    Hot Phuket property deal: Arise Vibe launches limited offer on only four units, now from 2.5m baht

    Phuket's property market is full of big names and high prices, but some of the most exciting opportunities are happening just outside the spotlight. That’s where you’ll find Arise Vibe. Set in Si Sunthon, one of Phuket’s fastest-growing areas, this...

  • Thai ex boxer allegedly steals British tourist’s bag in Krabi

    Thai ex boxer allegedly steals British tourist’s bag in Krabi

    Police in Krabi arrested a former boxer at a house in Meuang district today for allegedly stealing a British tourist’s bag. The British man, 23 year old Fraser William, said he left his bag on the beach when he and his friend went swimming on Sunday. The bag had 5,000 baht in cash, along with credit cards and the key…

  • Anutin says Thailand Pass may be scrapped, if Covid-19 continues to improve

    Anutin says Thailand Pass may be scrapped, if Covid-19 continues to improve

    The Covid-19 situation in Thailand is beginning to stabilise and if cases continue to decrease, the Ministry of Health will consider completely cancelling the Thailand Pass, according to Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. In an interview today, Anutin said the Covid-19 situation in the kingdom is improving. He said the total number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths are all decreasing, as…

  • As tourists return, Pattaya’s Walking Street set to close to cars again

    As tourists return, Pattaya’s Walking Street set to close to cars again

    Pattaya officials say that starting tomorrow (Thursday), the city’s tourist magnet, Walking Street, will close to cars again, as it did in pre-Covid days. This news comes as more former bars have opened as ‘restaurants’, a loop hole in the Thai government’s Covid restrictions that’s been forced on bar owners so they can get their businesses open again. From 7pm…

  • Wednesday Covid Update: 14,887 new cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 14,887 new cases; provincial totals

    125 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,144 with 6,446 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 14,887 new Covid-19 cases and 18,919 recoveries. There are now 162,967 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. The trend of new Covid infections…

  • Man becomes first person ever to rollerblade across Thailand

    Man becomes first person ever to rollerblade across Thailand

    A Thai man set a new record on Sunday by becoming the first person in the world to rollerblade from the northernmost to the southernmost tip of Thailand. The man’s journey from Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai to Betong district in Yala covered 2,051 kilometres and took 55 days. People have famously run the same route and many Thai’s…

  • Thai virologist calls for young children to be protected as under 5s die of Covid-19

    Thai virologist calls for young children to be protected as under 5s die of Covid-19

    A leading Thai virologist is calling on parents to protect children under the age of 5 from contracting Covid-19, as there is no vaccine to protect them. According to a Thai PBS World report, Dr Yong Poovorawan from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, so far this year, 51 children have died of Covid-19, 39 of whom were under the age…

  • Thailand’s Prayut calls for sympathy on end of diesel price cap

    Thailand’s Prayut calls for sympathy on end of diesel price cap

    As Thailand’s price cap on diesel comes to a screeching halt next month, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is asking the public to try to understand the government’s limits in controlling prices. On May 1, the government is set to lower the subsidy on diesel. Up until now, the price cap has kept it at 30 baht per litre. On Tuesday, Thailand’s…

  • China warns Thailand to fix durian Covid-19 problem or face export ban

    China warns Thailand to fix durian Covid-19 problem or face export ban

    Officials at the Mohan border checkpoint in China have given Thailand 5 days to fix the issue of Covid-19 traces being found on exported durian. According to a Nation Thailand report, Chinese officials have threatened to slap an export ban on Thai durian if the problem is not resolved. Sanchai Puranachaikiri from the Thai Fresh Fruit Traders and Exporters Association…

  • Sun will be directly overhead at noon today in Thailand

    Sun will be directly overhead at noon today in Thailand

    Grab your parasols. For a few minutes at noon today, pedestrians in Thailand won’t see their shadows on the sidewalk. That’s because at exactly 12:16pm, April 27, the sun will appear directly overhead in the Land of Smiles. However, the Meteorological Department says this does not guarantee that Wednesday will be the hottest day of the year, due to forecasted…

  • Hotels urge government to reconsider collection of land tax as they fight to survive

    Hotels urge government to reconsider collection of land tax as they fight to survive

    The Thai Hotels Association is petitioning the government to reconsider collecting the full rate of land and building tax this year. THA president Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi says imposing the levy will have a serious impact on businesses fighting for survival. “The government should carefully look at the context, as hotel revenue remains much lower than the value of properties, especially…

  • Taxi driver robs drunk foreigner, steals gold necklace, cash and passport

    Taxi driver robs drunk foreigner, steals gold necklace, cash and passport

    A taxi driver robbed a foreigner who was passed out drunk on the floor in front of a convenience store in Thailand. The thief grabbed his gold necklace and a bag containing cash, passport and other important documents before fleeing the scene. The exact location of the crime hasn’t yet been reported. The victim’s Thai girlfriend handed the CCTV footage…

  • Thai government promotes the 5 Fs: Food, films, fashion, fighting and festivals

    Thai government promotes the 5 Fs: Food, films, fashion, fighting and festivals

    The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Commerce responded to the policy to promote Thailand’s ‘soft power’ from PM Prayut and has launched Thailand’s “5 Fs soft power,” which aims to promote five major Thai cultures to international eyes… food, films, fashion, fighting and festivals. “Soft power” is indirect or spontaneous promotion of Thai culture by celebrities, sportspeople and…

  • Tangmo: Police conclude Thai actress died of ‘recklessness’, 6 suspects charged

    Tangmo: Police conclude Thai actress died of ‘recklessness’, 6 suspects charged

    Following a monthslong investigation into the death of Thai actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong, police have finally charged all 5 of her boating buddies, plus a man who allegedly coached them, with various offences, including recklessness leading to death, lying to police and concealing evidence. At a press conference today at the headquarters of Provincial Police Region 1 in Bangkok, police…

  • Not cleaning your air conditioner can cause pneumonia, says Department of Health

    Not cleaning your air conditioner can cause pneumonia, says Department of Health

    Professional air conditioner cleaning services have been swamped with work this week after Thailand’s Department of Health announced that dirty air conditioning units can cause pneumonia. Moist air conditioner units are breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses and fungi according to the department. High numbers of private residences and businesses have requested professional cleaning of their air conditioner units this week…

  • Photographer beaten by ‘royalists’ near Democracy Monument

    Photographer beaten by ‘royalists’ near Democracy Monument

    A photographer called Nattaphon, who works for a media agency, is still waiting for justice after being allegedly attacked by a group of ultra royalists near the Democracy Monument last week. He suffered bruises on his back, neck and upper arms. Just after he finished working and was packing up, he noticed a man wearing a long sleeve shirt and…

  • Hundreds queue for free food handouts in Pattaya

    Hundreds queue for free food handouts in Pattaya

    Images of hundreds of residents queuing up to receive free bags of rice and other dried foods on April 23 2022 in Pattaya suggest that Thailand’s economy still has a long way to go on the road to recovery. During “lockdown” in Pattaya in 2020, huge crowds of people queuing for 200 baht food and drinks handouts from Rom Pho…

  • Yell Advertising- a fast emerging advertising agency in Thailand

    Yell Advertising- a fast emerging advertising agency in Thailand

    Press Release In recent years, the rise of Chinese brands has impacted the advertising business globally. With massive spending growth, advertising agencies embraced that opportunity. But when you dive deep into detail, the Chinese have unique characteristics. Many network agencies have difficulty coping with the Chinese brands’ “world’s best-selling” mentality. Why do big brands find success working with a local…

  • Prinn hands himself in to ‘acknowledge’ sexual abuse allegations

    Prinn hands himself in to ‘acknowledge’ sexual abuse allegations

    Former Democrat Party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi handed himself over to police at Phetchaburi Police Station today at around 9am to “acknowledge” another complaint of sexual harassment filed against him. At 9am today, 45 year old Prinn handed himself over to Phetchaburi Police Station to be questioned by superintendent Pol. Col. Wanchai Khaoram. Prinn turned himself in to “acknowledge” the…

  • Tuesday Covid Update: 13,816 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 13,816 new cases; provincial totals

    120 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA in Thailand today, raising the pandemic’s total death toll in Thailand to 28,019 with 6,321 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 13,816 new Covid-19 cases and 21,072 recoveries. There are now 167,124 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • More than 2,000 locals queue up to claim Covid-19 insurance after companies go broke

    More than 2,000 locals queue up to claim Covid-19 insurance after companies go broke

    More than 2,000 Thais queued up at Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchdapisek in Bangkok to claim money from their Covid-19 insurance. Thais use the phrase “Found-Paid-Done” for the collection of insurance monies owed to them. The office of the Thai Insurance Commission is adjacent to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Some people had slept in front of the building for…

  • Country with biggest penis size revealed… it’s not Thailand

    Country with biggest penis size revealed… it’s not Thailand

    In a recent survey conducted by online pharmacy From Mars comparing erect penis sizes in 86 countries, Thai penises were ranked as the 7th smallest in the world (#80). The average erect Thai penis measures in at 4.27 inches (10.8cm). We’re not sure on the accuracy of the measurements, or how they performed them. Some of the measurements may be…

  • Medic says Covid-19 will not be endemic while low vaccination can spark a new wave

    Medic says Covid-19 will not be endemic while low vaccination can spark a new wave

    The dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine says Covid-19 is still capable of triggering a fresh wave and that more people must get vaccinated to counteract this. Dr Prasit Watanapa says while everyone now wants to see an end to the pandemic, Thailand is not yet at the stage where it can declare the virus endemic. Prasit was speaking…

  • Tourism Council of Thailand calls for Thailand Pass to be ditched from June

    Tourism Council of Thailand calls for Thailand Pass to be ditched from June

    The Thailand Pass should be done away with from June if the country is to have any hope of attracting 10 million foreign tourists this year. That’s the view of the Tourism Council of Thailand, whose vice-president, Vichit Prakobgosol, says ditching the onerous paperwork could bring in an extra 2 million tour group visitors. According to Vichit, even with additional…

  • Daughter of former PM calls for ‘landslide win’ in Thailand’s general election

    Daughter of former PM calls for ‘landslide win’ in Thailand’s general election

    Panthongtae Shinawatra, the daughter of exiled former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has repeated her call for supporters to vote for the Pheu Thai Party in Thailand’s upcoming general election. Addressing party members at her party’s general assembly on Sunday, she said only a “landslide win” would do. “Pheu Thai is ready to work after a House dissolution. A landslide win.…

  • Tourism to Thailand is increasing, but still has nothing on pre-pandemic levels

    Tourism to Thailand is increasing, but still has nothing on pre-pandemic levels

    As entry restrictions into Thailand continue to ease, tourists are trickling back into the kingdom. Numbers of foreign arrivals are high compared to last year, but numbers are still low when compared with pre-pandemic levels. Tourism is expected to increase further from May 1, when tourists will no longer have to undergo any pre-travel or on-arrival Covid tests, and unvaccinated…

  • Residents call for action after finding used condoms at Pattaya public park

    Residents call for action after finding used condoms at Pattaya public park

    Residents exercising at Pattaya’s Khao Phra Tamnak Public Park today are demanding authorities put stricter measures and patrols after they found many used condoms and rubbish left there. The residents said that many Thais and foreigners visited the park, and the state of the park “spoiled Pattaya’s reputation”. Yesterday, a man who visited the park to exercise complained through Thai…

  • Planets align with crescent moon for early morning spectacle over Thailand

    Planets align with crescent moon for early morning spectacle over Thailand

    Stargazers in Thailand will be able to catch an early morning glimpse of celestial delight this week, when Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter align with a crescent moon at dawn over Thailand skies. The rare synchronisation of the solar system will occur between 4am and sunrise from April 25 – 27, according the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand –…

  • UPDATE: Policeman who killed eye doctor at Bangkok zebra crossing out on bail

    UPDATE: Policeman who killed eye doctor at Bangkok zebra crossing out on bail

    UPDATE: The Thai policeman who earlier today was sentenced to 1 year and 15 days in prison for driving his Ducati motorbike into a woman killing her at a zebra crossing in Bangkok, has now been released on bail. Bail was posted this afternoon at 200,000 baht. The 21 year old policeman will now be free whilst his lawyer and…

  • Thailand wants to eradicate malaria ‘for good’

    Thailand wants to eradicate malaria ‘for good’

    Cases of malaria in Thailand have decreased 72% in recent years, but the country’s Department of Disease Control is planning to completely eradicate the mosquito-borne disease by 2024. Today, the DDC is observing World Malaria Day 2022 under the theme “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”. A malaria vaccine is also under evaluation and is…

  • Group of Vietnamese stole over 450,000 baht from Uniqlo

    Group of Vietnamese stole over 450,000 baht from Uniqlo

    Popular Japanese clothing brand, Uniqlo at Gateway shopping centre in Bangsue has been robbed by a gang of Vietnamese thieves, 1 male and 3 females, who allegedly stole 19 polo shirts and 62 long sleeve shirts valued at 64,000 baht. Police told reporters the theft wasn’t the gang’s first time as it happened in 5 department stores between April 17…