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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    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...

  • X-rated: Bangkok cops blush as Facebook hacked with porn

    X-rated: Bangkok cops blush as Facebook hacked with porn

    Bangkok police station cops faced an embarrassing predicament this morning after discovering their official Facebook page had been hacked with explicit pornographic content. According to the Daily News, the Facebook page belonging to the Bangkok Noi Metropolitan Police Station, a government agency, was shockingly displaying a slew of around 18 pornographic images and videos. An investigation revealed that this puzzling…

  • Thai-Indian man arrested at border with 15.7 million baht suspicious cash

    Thai-Indian man arrested at border with 15.7 million baht suspicious cash

    Police arrested a Thai-Indian man after he entered Thailand from Cambodia with 15.7 million baht in cash, which he claimed to have won from gambling. Officials from the Sa Kaeo Immigration Office stopped the Indian-born Thai man at the Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, in the northeastern province of Sa Kaeo, yesterday, February 23. He was wearing a…

  • PETA warns tourists to stay away from Thailand’s Moo Deng (video)

    PETA warns tourists to stay away from Thailand’s Moo Deng (video)

    Animal rights organisation PETA urged British tourists to stay clear of Thailand media darling Moo Deng and other famous animals in the nation’s zoos. Pygmy hippo Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, has sent visitor numbers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo skyrocketing. However, this surge in popularity has prompted concern from animal welfare groups like Born Free…

  • Thai woman stops British man’s suicide attempt at Bangkok airport

    Thai woman stops British man’s suicide attempt at Bangkok airport

    A Thai woman yesterday intervened in a British man’s suicide attempt at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, which ultimately led to a successful rescue. Officers from Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station reported that the rescue operation began at around 8pm, yesterday, February 23. They were alerted to investigate a foreign man who was sitting on the barrier rail of a bridge…

  • A monk, a woman, a cucumber, and a bout of mutual masturbation

    A monk, a woman, a cucumber, and a bout of mutual masturbation

    The crumbling Buddhist faith of Thailand is under question once more after yet another monk became embroiled in a scandal following a bout of mutual masturbation with a woman in a video call. A temple in Ban Chang district, Rayong has become the talk of the town after a cheeky prank involving a woman using a cucumber to masturbate led…

  • Police interrupt group sex of 6 men in Bangkok public park

    Police interrupt group sex of 6 men in Bangkok public park

    Police officers last week interrupted a kinky group sex session involving at least six men in a public park in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. Esor News shared a video and pictures of the group of men fleeing from police officers on Thursday, February 20. The video captured police officers blowing a whistle loudly and chasing the perverted exhibitionists as the men hurriedly…

  • Police fish out man’s body found floating in Pattaya Bay

    Police fish out man’s body found floating in Pattaya Bay

    Pattaya City police yesterday reported that the body of a man was found floating in Pattaya Bay. Locals informed Pattaya police about the body spotted in the water near Pratumnak Hill, approximately 300 metres from the coast. The dead man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, was discovered face down in the sea. He was wearing black…

  • Man arrested with 200,000 meth pills in Ubon Ratchathani

    Man arrested with 200,000 meth pills in Ubon Ratchathani

    A 24 year old man was arrested for allegedly storing 200,000 meth pills in preparation for distribution, following a tip-off about a drug trafficking operation in Khemarat district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Today, February 23, the Suranaree Task Force, under Control Division 4, received a tip about illegal drug activities in the area. They responded by launching the Suranaree Dok Bua…

  • Chon Buri man offers 20,000 baht reward for missing wife

    Chon Buri man offers 20,000 baht reward for missing wife

    A Facebook post about a missing person has gone viral, offering a 20,000 baht reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the discovery of the woman, a wife, who has been reported missing in Chon Buri since February 19. A 36 year old contractor, Khomsan, revealed that his wife had been missing. They have been together for over…

  • Israeli embassy urges tourists to follow new behaviour guidelines

    Israeli embassy urges tourists to follow new behaviour guidelines

    The Israeli Embassy in Thailand has introduced guidelines aimed at promoting a positive image of Israeli nationals in Thailand, following criticisms over perceived disruptive behaviour in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. On February 21, the embassy posted on its Facebook page a set of behavioural recommendations for Israelis visiting Thailand. This move was in response to concerns from Thai citizens…

  • Nine Afghans detained for illegal entry with Thai smugglers

    Nine Afghans detained for illegal entry with Thai smugglers

    In Songkhla, nine Afghan nationals caught illegally in the country, along with three Thai individuals suspected of smuggling, were detained in two separate incidents yesterday, February 22. Immigration officers, police from Provincial Police Region 9, and Tourist Police intercepted a pickup truck in Hat Yai district, Songkhla, near a garbage dump in tambon Khuan Luang. The vehicle, bearing Narathiwat licence plates,…

  • Senators urge justice minister’s removal over election probe

    Senators urge justice minister’s removal over election probe

    A group of senators is advocating for the dismissal of Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong due to the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) plan to examine complaints linked to last year’s Senate election. The DSI is set to convene on Tuesday, February 25, to deliberate on whether to pursue an investigation into vote-fixing allegations. This follows demands from unsuccessful…

  • Turkish hitchhiker praises Thai locals for aid on Chiang Mai trip

    Turkish hitchhiker praises Thai locals for aid on Chiang Mai trip

    A Turkish hitchhiker expressed gratitude to Thai locals who assisted him with transportation costs to Chiang Mai after he spent six hours attempting to hitchhike. The man, a YouTuber, is travelling the world to learn about different cultures. The incident gained attention when a photo of the Turkish tourist, who was in Rangsit at the time, was shared online. The…

  • Thunderstorms and strong winds across 39 Thai provinces

    Thunderstorms and strong winds across 39 Thai provinces

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) warned 39 provinces about thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and potential lightning today, February 23. A new high-pressure system from China has moved into northern Vietnam and is expected to cover northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea, bringing moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This will result in unstable weather in…

  • Transgender scammer causes distress in Thai massage deception

    Transgender scammer causes distress in Thai massage deception

    A 39 year old transgender, identified as Luk, was brought in for questioning by the Bang Yai police in Nonthaburi over allegations of impersonating a Thai massage housekeeper to scam men into paying deposits for services. The incident caused significant distress to the real housekeeper, 53 year old Thanida, who had strangers regularly knocking on her door due to the…

  • Chiang Mai loan shark arrested for illegal high-interest lending

    Chiang Mai loan shark arrested for illegal high-interest lending

    A 33 year old man known as Oat has been apprehended for leading an illegal loan operation in Chiang Mai, involving high interest rates and intimidation tactics. This follows reports of aggressive debt collection methods in the Chai Sathan subdistrict of Saraphi district. Yesterday, February 21, the loan shark gang reportedly threatened debtors at their homes. Social media posts revealed…

  • Police dismantle illegal Cambodian settlement in Sa Kaeo

    Police dismantle illegal Cambodian settlement in Sa Kaeo

    Police in Sa Kaeo province dismantled a Cambodian settlement illegally established on Thai soil for over a year, following orders from the regional police chief. Yesterday, February 21, officers discovered the settlement and arrested several illegal immigrants. Under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Yingyot Thepchamnong, the region’s police chief, strict enforcement against illegal immigration was emphasised. This operation aligns…

  • Suphan Buri temple abbot arrested for child assault and indecent images

    Suphan Buri temple abbot arrested for child assault and indecent images

    A temple abbot in Suphan Buri has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 13 year old child and capturing indecent images. Police promptly coordinated with the monastic council to defrock the abbot, who now faces legal proceedings. On February 21, a complaint was filed against the abbot of a temple in Dan Chang district, Suphan Buri province, accusing him of…

  • Chanthaburi destroys confiscated e-cigarettes worth 20 million baht

    Chanthaburi destroys confiscated e-cigarettes worth 20 million baht

    In Chanthaburi province, a massive police operation led to the destruction of nearly 245,058 items of confiscated goods, including e-cigarettes and illegal tobacco products valued at nearly 20 million baht. This action was taken following the conclusion of 67 cases. Yesterday, February 21, at 11am, police gathered at a public area in Mueang Chanthaburi district, far removed from residential areas,…

  • Bangkok faces severe air pollution as PM2.5 levels rise

    Bangkok faces severe air pollution as PM2.5 levels rise

    The Pollution Control Department has issued a warning concerning high PM2.5 levels across 32 provinces in Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing the most severe pollution. Predictions indicate that PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and its vicinity are likely to rise in the upcoming week. Yesterday, February 21, the Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre of the Pollution Control Department released a report on…

  • Freedom Beach reclassified for business and ecotourism operations

    Freedom Beach reclassified for business and ecotourism operations

    Businesses and small vendors have been granted permission to operate on over 41 rai of Freedom Beach, following its reclassification by the Royal Forest Department as Recreational Forest. Deputy Director-General Bannarak Sermthong confirmed that the reclassification was publicly announced on January 31 and took effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette on February 19. Bannarak explained that the new designation…

  • Man sets motorcycle on fire near Pattaya station, investigation underway

    Man sets motorcycle on fire near Pattaya station, investigation underway

    Witnesses reported an unusual incident near Pattaya Railway Station where a man allegedly set his motorcycle ablaze before walking away. At 8pm on February 20, Bang Lamung Police Station received reports of a motorcycle fire in the vicinity of Pattaya Railway Station. On being informed, police coordinated with Pattaya’s fire department, which dispatched a fire truck to the location. Upon…

  • Thailand’s biometric data lapse leaves borders vulnerable

    Thailand’s biometric data lapse leaves borders vulnerable

    The Immigration Bureau did not collect biometric data from approximately 17 million travellers entering and leaving Thailand last year due to the system reaching its capacity, as stated by People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome. Rangsiman highlighted on his Facebook page yesterday, February 21, that Thailand’s current lack of biometric data collection for border security presents a significant risk, as…

  • White Lotus season 3 boosts Koh Samui tourism by 88%

    White Lotus season 3 boosts Koh Samui tourism by 88%

    The third season of the HBO series The White Lotus has led to an 88% increase in Internet searches for Koh Samui and a 44% rise in hotel bookings on the island, according to tourism executives. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicts that Koh Samui may not experience a low season this year due to the popularity of the…

  • Thailand braces for thunderstorms and high waves in 37 provinces

    Thailand braces for thunderstorms and high waves in 37 provinces

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning about unstable weather conditions affecting 37 provinces in Thailand, with thunderstorms expected. Bangkok is also forecasted to experience the same conditions, while waves exceeding 3 metres are predicted in the sea. Today, February 22, the TMD provided a 24-hour weather forecast. Easterly and southeasterly winds are bringing moisture from the South…

  • Sai Mai man threatens neighbours, arrested for guns and meth

    Sai Mai man threatens neighbours, arrested for guns and meth

    Police in Sai Mai district apprehended a man for illegal possession of firearms and drugs, following a domestic dispute where he allegedly threatened neighbours afterwards. The arrest took place yesterday, February 20, at 2.30pm at his residence in Sai Mai, Bangkok. The arrest took place after police received complaints from locals about a neighbour brandishing a weapon following an argument…

  • Third time’s the harm: Bangkok gambling den busted yet again

    Third time’s the harm: Bangkok gambling den busted yet again

    A major gambling den in Don Mueang, Bangkok was raided and dismantled yesterday, February 20 at 3pm. This recent raid marks the third time the establishment has been raided since 2024. Officers, led by Police Major General Jesada Suaysom and Police Major General Chotiwat Lueangwilai, executed a search warrant at a property located in Soi Songprapha 1, Don Mueang district,…

  • Thailand and Laos to boost trade and security ties by 2027

    Thailand and Laos to boost trade and security ties by 2027

    Thailand and Laos agreed to a commitment to enhance collaboration across several sectors, including bolstering border security, addressing haze problems, and setting a joint trade target of US$11 billion (369.9 billion baht) by 2027. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a meeting yesterday, February 20, with her Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone at Government House in Bangkok. During the meeting, the two…

  • New allowance system for seniors in the works

    New allowance system for seniors in the works

    The Government of Thailand plans the introduction of a 1,000 baht monthly allowance for senior citizens, replacing the current age-based payment system. The proposal follows discussions on senior welfare improvements and budget constraints. A new flat-rate monthly allowance of 1,000 baht for citizens over 60 will replace the current tiered system, as announced by Secretary to the Prime Minister Somkid…

  • Australian couple arrested for snatching belongings from Phuket tourists

    Australian couple arrested for snatching belongings from Phuket tourists

    Police today arrested an Australian couple for snatching the belongings of two foreign tourists in the Rawai area of Phuket on Wednesday, February 19. The first victim filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station at around 9.30pm, today, February 21, stating that two thieves on a motorcycle snatched her bag while she was outside a convenience store on Soi Samakkhi…