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 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...
-
Australian woman deported for overstaying visa by over 100 days
PHOTOS: Facebook/Claire Johnson An Australian woman, who was caught overstaying her visa by 111 days, will be released from detention and deported by Thai authorities tonight. She came to the media’s attention on Monday after sending urgent messages to a friend saying that she was being taken to a detention centre and that “they are taking my phone”. 46 year…
-
VIDEO: Thai netizens outraged as school makes student cut hair
A student at a school in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand, has uploaded a video to social media sparking a meltdown on Thai social media. In the video, the student films a school teacher measuring her friend’s hair, while another teacher cuts it to follow the rules which state students cannot grown hair more than 9 inches from the top of the ears.…
-
Japanese family asks Thai authorities to raise reward for murder of daughter in 2007
PHOTO: SBS News Eleven years have passed since the murder of a Japanese woman in Sukhothai province (central Thailand) in 2007 and, with no developments, an existing cash reward for any information leading to an arrest is expected to be raised from 1.6 million to 2 million baht. In 2007, 27 year old Tomoko Kawashita arrived in Thailand alone and headed to…
-
Pick a date, any date – Thai election
February 24, then March 10, then ‘sometime before May 7’, now March 24. The only thing we can be reasonably sure about is that it will be on a Sunday (Thai elections are always held on Sundays). Yesterday, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam hinted that the election could now be held on March 24. He painted March 24 as the “most…
-
Air quality for Thailand – January 18
Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…
-
Weather for January 18
Bangkok Mostly cloudy. High 30ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Partly cloudy, with a possible thunderstorm. High 32ºC. Winds E at 15 to 30 km/h. Chance of rain 30%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 29ºC. Winds SSE and variable. Pattaya Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 31ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko Samui…
-
Thai monk caught 11 years later for sex with a minor
A monk accused of sexually abusing a 14 year old girl eleven years ago has finally been apprehended by the Crime Suppression Division police. He was arrested in his living quarters in Wat Srang Mai in the centre of Thailand. The 61 year old monk, Sorasak Siripattho, was wanted on an arrest warrant issued on February 11, 2008 on charges…
-
Exemption of visa on arrival fees to boost Chinese New Year
The exemption of fees for visa on arrival is expected is expected to boost Chinese arrivals during the Chinese New Year festival. The National News Bureau of Thailand is reporting that visitors from 21 countries are getting their visa on arrival fee waived until April 30, 2019. Those 21 countries are Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan,…
-
Burmese man shot after allegedly attacking policeman with knife
A Burmese man has been shot and injured after allegedly attacking a policeman with a knife yesterday afternoon. Police claim 45 year old Saw Luimia attacked a policeman at a road checkpoint in Tambon Mae Ngow of Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district at about 2.20pm. Mae Hong Son is in the far north west of Thailand on the Myanmar border.…
-
Foreign teacher to be deported after his arrest over rape in Pathum Thani
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau / Lamlukka Police Station The male Pakistani teacher, who was charged with rape this week in Pathum Thani, is to be deported. The Immigration Bureau Office reports that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn headed to Lamlukka Police Station in Pathum Thani where the Pakistani man, a teacher and psychologist, had been arrested. Read more about the case HERE.…
-
Air quality for Thailand – January 17
Northern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution…
-
Weather for January 17
Bangkok Generally clear. High 33ºC. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 km/h. Phuket Thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 31ºC. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 100%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 30ºC. Winds SE and variable. Pattaya City Partly cloudy. High 32ºC. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 km/h. Ko Samui Thunderstorms. High 24ºC. Winds…
-
PM Prayut kicks the election can down the road
PHOTO: The Nation February 24? No. March? April? Maybe May? PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has reaffirmed today that election will definitely be held by May 9 but gave no indication when exactly it will take place. It’s the first time he’s ever uttered an actual date. He says that under the new Thai Constitution, May 9 is the final date election…
-
The internet booms and print languishes in 2019 advertising spend
Thailand’s Digital advertising market spend is poised to reach 124 billion baht in 2019. That’s a growth of nearly 5%. But newspapers, magazines, Cable TV and radio are on the nose as marketers stick with terrestrial TV and ramp up their digital portfolios. “Digital media is expected to grow 20% and is will nearly equal the value of TV advertising…
-
Weather for January 16
Bangkok Morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. High 33ºC. Winds NE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 30ºC. Winds ESE and variable. Phuket Afternoon showers. High 31ºC. Winds NNE and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Ko Samui Thundershowers. High 25ºC. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 40%. Pattaya Partly cloudy. High 32ºC.…
-
Thai ‘hijacking’ elephants get GPS collar trackers
PHOTO: WWF A new project has been launched in the restricted forest areas of eastern Thailand where wildlife officials are putting tracking collars on elephants to help mitigate potential conflict with farmers and local villagers. The first three collars were placed on three elephants in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary. The collars were imported from South Africa with aid…
-
Thai woman arrested for killing German husband in 10 million baht insurance scam
A Thai woman has been arrested by the Crime Suppression Division for allegedly having planned and murdered her husband with the aid of her Thai lover, to get their hands on a 10 million baht insurance compensation claim back in 2006, 13 years ago. CSD Commander Pol Maj-General Jirapol Phuridej said Angkhana Moshammer (not official spelling) was arrested in front…
-
Thailand advance to knockout stage of Asian Cup *Thaiger Bites
Last night saw Thailand finish with a 1-1 draw with the UAE (United Arab Emirates) to ensure their place in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup, managing to finish second in the group after a rocky start. Thailand’s equaliser goal came late in the first half, scored by midfielder Thitiphan Puangjan. Following a their first Asian Cup game where…
-
Air quality for Thailand – January 15
Northern Thailand Mostly air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air…
-
Foreign teacher charged with rape in Pathum Thani
PHOTOS: Immigration Bureau / Lamlukka Police Station A male Pakistani teacher has been charged with rape in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok. The Immigration Bureau Office reports that Immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn headed to Lamlukka Police Station in Pathum Thani where a Pakistani man, a teacher and psychologist, had been arrested yesterday. “The suspect is a private teacher who…
-
Weather for January 15
Bangkok Phuket Chiang Mai Ko Samui Songkhla Pattaya
-
Thai Electronic Driving License on smart phone App from today
From today a new App can be used where motorists will be able to show their license credentials to any law enforcement officer in Thailand. This means you no longer have to carry your physical licence. The police will be able to scan a QR code and check all details including bans or outstanding fines, on the spot. The driver’s…
-
A reduction of 100 million+ plastic bags at 7-eleven stores in one month
More than 100 million plastic bags have not bee used at Thailand’s 7-eleven stores in the past month, valued at more than 20 million baht. CP All Public Company, the sole operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand, announced its intention to reduce and, eventually, to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags at all their stores throughout the country.…
-
Air quality for Thailand – January 14
Northern Thailand Mostly air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Central Thailand Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Southern Thailand Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air…
-
Thailand police trial mobile app to keep track of patrolling police
A new pilot project is being trialed in Bangkok by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to potential prevent some policemen who have found ways to skip their patrol work. Real-time tracking GPS (global positioning system) technology is being implemented via a smartphone application that must be downloaded by the officers who are assigned to conduct surveillance operations or regular patrols.…
-
Weather for January 14
Bangkok Partly cloudy. High 34C. Winds light and variable. Chiang Mai Partly cloudy. High 32C. Winds light and variable. Phuket Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 31C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Chance of rain 50%. Udon Thani Partly cloudy. High 33C. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 km/h. Songkhla Mostly sunny. High near…
-
Three reasons Thailand is winning on same-sex rights *Thaiger Bites
Success for the gay rights cause in Thailand lies in, as the old Chinese formula goes, the “right time, the right place, the right people” Last month, the Thai government supported a bill that would make Thailand the first Asian jurisdiction to allow same-sex civil partnerships. It is significant progress in the battle for sexual equality in Asia, in contrast…
-
Thai Tourism chases the pink dollar as one of its “new shades”
by Phatarawadee Phataranawik and The ThaigerWhile Thailand is waiting for a Life Partnership Bill to become law, and maybe a move towards full same-sex marriage down the track, advocates say they are encouraged by the country’s efforts in attracting LGBT tourists. The recent approval of the Life Partnership Bill by the Thai cabinet was a significant step – the first such move…
-
BOI approves new rail services, new port investment
PHOTO: Duangjai Asawachintachit, BOI secretary general The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has laid out strategies to boost the development of rail services and the country’s cruise tourism. Duangjai Asawachintachit, BOI secretary general, says the latest BOI meeting chaired by the Prime Minister had resolved to instigate measures to attract investment in rail development and related infrastructure for continued…
-
VIDEO: Woman has meltdown in Thai airport
A video posted on social media has been doing the rounds. In the video a woman is seen yelling at an Air Asia airport staff for being told her carry on must be checked in because it was 7.2 kilos over the 7 kilogram weight limit. The woman is calmly told that she will have check-in the extra luggage and…
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.