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 Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know
The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...
-
Pattaya punch: Man arrested after leaving four on the ropes
A 34 year old Thai man has been arrested in connection with a violent attack that injured four people in Pattaya last month. Nong Prue police detained the perpetrator at his residence on Soi Mab Song yesterday, October 10, following a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court for assault charges. The incident occurred in the early hours of September…
-
Thai maid discovers body of Japanese man in Phuket hotel room
A Thai maid discovered the body of a Japanese man in a hotel in the Sakhu district of Phuket yesterday, October 10. A suicide note written in Japanese was found at the scene. Officers from Sakhu Police Station were alerted to the man’s death by a hotel maid and rushed to investigate. The deceased, later identified as 45 year old…
-
Rain check: heavy downpours set to flood 43 provinces in Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued another warning for continuous heavy rainfall impacting 43 provinces, including Bangkok and southern regions, with 70% of the areas affected, posing risks of flash floods. Today, the TMD forecasted 24-hour weather conditions, noting that easterly winds are bringing moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to cover the lower northeastern…
-
Thailand proposes informal talks on Myanmar crisis in December
Thailand proposed hosting informal consultations in December to address the crisis in Myanmar, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Nikorndej Balankur revealed the offer during an online press conference coinciding with the first day of the ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Vientiane. “Our proposal is backed by Laos [the current ASEAN chair] and Malaysia [the incoming…
-
Thailand and South Korea to boost cooperation in soft power
Thailand and South Korea have committed to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including soft power development, electric vehicles (EVs), and labour issues. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol yesterday, October 10, during the ASEAN summit in Vientiane. The leaders discussed expanding collaboration in trade, investment, electric vehicles, national defence, and cultural exchanges. PM Paetongtarn emphasised…
-
Bacterial infections: Thailand’s silent killers strike flood victims
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning as cases of Leptospirosis and Melioidosis surge amidst the rainy season and floods. Both bacterial infections are on the rise, particularly threatening children, and require immediate attention. In just the first nine months of this year, around 6,000 cases have been reported, leading to a staggering 119 deaths. Leptospirosis, often spread…
-
Move over ChatGPT, Meta’s AI chatbot now speaks Thai
In a bold move to challenge OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, is rolling out its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Meta AI, to 21 new markets, including Thailand. With Thai language support now on the table, Meta is upping the stakes in the race for AI chatbot supremacy. Big tech companies have been fiercely competing to attract…
-
US ambassador vows stronger ties with Thailand
In a high-profile diplomatic push, the US ambassador to Thailand, Robert F Godec, has committed to enhancing economic, security, and humanitarian cooperation with Thailand under its new government. This bold pledge came during a meeting yesterday, October 9, with Chusak Sirinil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, as both nations gear up for the 200th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.…
-
Dam full: Phuket’s reservoirs overflow as Bang Niew hits 103%
Phuket’s reservoirs are bursting at the seams, with Bang Niew Dam in Srisoonthorn now at a staggering 103% capacity. The island is bracing for more rain and potential flash floods through to Saturday, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of continued downpours. Bang Niew Dam currently holds a whopping 7.39 million cubic metres of water, surpassing its official capacity…
-
Pattani: Border patrol officer killed in dual insurgent attacks
Tensions erupted late last night when insurgents launched coordinated attacks on two security outposts in a southern border province, resulting in the tragic death of a border patrol officer. The assailants, armed with military-grade weapons, carried out the strikes within minutes of each other, leaving authorities scrambling to respond. The first attack occurred at around 11.45pm, yesterday, October 9, when…
-
Economists urge Bank of Thailand to maintain independence
Economists are urging the Bank of Thailand to maintain its independence, emphasising its importance for the nation’s economic stability and growth. Nonarit Bisonyabut, a research fellow at the Thai Development Research Institute, pointed out that globally, countries with autonomous central banks tend to achieve better economic stability, lower inflation, and stronger economic growth compared to those where central banks lack…
-
Butterbear fan meet in Thailand criticised for high ticket prices
The fan meets event in Thailand for the popular mascot Butterbear sparked a heated debate due to the high ticket prices, comparable to major Korean artist concerts. The event, titled Butterbear’s 1st Fam Meeting: Adventure Awaits! is scheduled for November 9 to 10 at MGI Hall, Bravo BKK in Huai Kwang district, Bangkok. Tickets are priced from 1,900 baht to…
-
Voted: Top 10 travel influencers in Thailand that you need to follow
For many, Thailand is the traveller’s ultimate dream. It is full of interesting and beautiful sights, delicious food, and some of the nicest people you will meet on Earth. However, there are probably too many things to see and there might be a lot more that you don’t know about Thailand and that’s where the top travel influencers come in.…
-
Thai woman logged for selling phantom furniture online
Thai police arrested a 31 year old Thai woman for allegedly defrauding customers through a Facebook page by selling non-existent wooden furniture. She was taken into custody near Wat Tha Kwian in Nonthaburi. The investigation revealed that on June 23, 2022, a victim reported to Mae Chan Police Station that they had been deceived. On June 10 of the same…
-
Old Thai man commits suicide after love triangle dispute
A 73 year old Thai man committed suicide in the Mae Sai district of the northern province of Chiang Rai, following a bizarre love triangle and an argument with his legal wife and children. Koh Chang Police Station officers received a report of the man’s suicide, identified as Lai, at his home in the Mae Sai district. They coordinated with…
-
Don’t ban TEMU: Thai experts call for enhanced trade standards
Thailand should embrace trade opportunities with China rather than follow Indonesia’s lead in banning the Chinese e-commerce platform TEMU, say experts. In light of Indonesia’s recent decision to prohibit the TEMU application, the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) voiced its opposition to a similar move by Thailand. Wimol Pankong, Deputy Director (Academic) of ITD, urged the Thai government…
-
Thaksin and Pheu Thai Party face constitutional showdown
Independent lawyer Thirayut Suwankesorn, renowned for dismantling the Move Forward Party, has launched a scathing complaint against the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its influential patriarch, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The complaint, submitted to the Constitutional Court at 10.30am today, October 10, accuses them of a serious breach of constitutional protocol, alleging attempts to undermine the country’s constitutional monarchy.…
-
Perpetual panty pinching pervert caught red-handed in Chon Buri
Police arrested a Thai pervert who grabbed and sniffed a woman’s underwear in front of her in Chon Buri. It was revealed that he was recently arrested for stealing a mobile phone from a Russian woman in early September. A 25 year old Thai woman filed a complaint against the man, later identified as 21 year old Rung, after she…
-
Foreigner’s body found near Patong Beach, police investigate
Police are scrambling to identify the body of a foreign man found floating in the water south of Patong Beach early this morning. Officers were alerted to the scene, located in front of a hotel on Muen Ngern Road, at 9.10am, today, October 10, after a guest spotted the body and raised the alarm. A team from the police force,…
-
Tragic accident at Surin bus terminal claims young attendant’s life
A tragic accident occurred at Prasat Bus Terminal in Surin when a double-decker bus, en route from Rayong to Mukdahan, ran over and killed a bus attendant. The incident happened around 7pm, yesterday, October 9, as the bus was reversing from its parking spot. Witnesses reported that the bus attendant, 19 year old Suphanai, was behind the bus, possibly checking…
-
Deaf, mute Grab driver tangled in sexual assault claims after ride goes awry
A deaf, mute Thai Grab driver is seeking justice after a passenger accused him of attempted sexual assault due to a misunderstanding during a trip in Bangkok on Tuesday night. The Grab driver’s 70 year old mother, Thongmuan, visited Huay Kwang Police Station yesterday, October 9, to seek justice for her son. The misunderstanding led to her son being charged with…
-
Thailand’s tourism confidence index drops amid floods, economy
Thailand’s tourism confidence index for the third quarter saw a significant drop year-on-year, remaining below the benchmark due to challenges such as factory closures, rising unemployment, increasing non-performing loans, and severe flooding both domestically and internationally, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). The TCT has scheduled a meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s board chairman tomorrow to…
-
Thai king’s birthday sparks 10 royal projects to transform Bangkok
To celebrate His Majesty the King’s 6th cycle birthday, the Thai government has launched 10 ambitious royal projects under the theme Forest, Water, People. These initiatives align with His Majesty’s vision to blend environmental conservation with improving the quality of life for Thai citizens. Among the standout projects is the Elevate Pocket Park initiative, a partnership between the government and…
-
High stakes: Thailand rolls out stricter cannabis controls
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is set to tighten control over the production, import, export, sale, and possession of cannabis and hemp extracts through a new ministerial regulation. Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lukboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced that the Cabinet has approved the draft regulation in principle. The draft, proposed by the Public Health…
-
Thai society’s con man unmasked: Smooth criminal pledges to change his stripes
Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested a fake Thai Hi-So (high-society) man for deceiving more than 30 victims, mostly women, for money. The suspect promised to change his ways after serving his punishment. The 27 year old suspect, Krittidate, also known as Sia Meen or Meen Vogue, shared his fake luxurious lifestyle on social…
-
Thailand triumphs in UN Human Rights council bid
Thailand emerged victorious in its bid to join the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with an impressive 177 votes—the highest of all candidates—securing a coveted three-year term to champion human rights across the globe. The decision was revealed yesterday, October 9, following a secret ballot by the UN. In a closely watched contest, Cyprus and Qatar each received 167…
-
Police investigate suspicious friend in Udon Thani stabbing
A police investigation is intensifying as they uncover suspicious behaviour from a friend following the stabbing death of a 25 year old man at a traditional Thai event. The victim’s mother, still in shock, expresses her profound grief and disbelief over the tragic incident. Police in Udon Thani are actively investigating the murder of Sawit, who was fatally stabbed during…
-
Tidal wave of trouble: Phitsanulok fields flooded as waters overflow
Floodwaters are inundating the Bang Rakam model fields in Phitsanulok province, receiving overflow from Sukhothai and reaching 571 million cubic metres, or 143% of capacity. The water expands, flooding nearby areas and roads, particularly in Phrom Phiram, Mueang, and Bang Rakam districts. Since late September, 304 villages across 50 subdistricts in nine districts of Phitsanulok have been affected by floodwaters…
-
Businessman pays 7.5 million baht for holiday home, gets pavilion
A businessman lodged a complaint after paying 7.5 million baht for a holiday home, only to receive a structure resembling a temple pavilion. The issue has been taken to legal officials, with plans to pursue the case to its fullest extent. Anantachai Chaidej accompanied 21 year old Pitiya and his mother, Dr Dolly Sui, to file a complaint at Kumpawapi…
-
Thai delivery rider arrested for cop assault in road rage bust-up
A delivery rider was finally arrested after he threw a punch at a police officer during a heated confrontation in Nonthaburi last week following an unusual road rage saga that spiralled into a legal mess. The drama unfolded at 4pm on October 3 near the Prachachuen intersection bridge, where 26 year old Sahapap Morawan believed police were unnecessarily blocking the…
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.