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

    How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)

    When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...

  • Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister infected with Covid-19

    Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister infected with Covid-19

    Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister has Covid-19. The minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, is currently in hospital with a fever and headache. He says he may have contracted the virus on a trip to Chiang Mai last Thursday. It remains unknown which variant he contracted. The infection has not reached his lungs, however, other members of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party…

  • African Swine Fever reported at three pig farms in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    African Swine Fever reported at three pig farms in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    Provincial livestock authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan discovered three pig farms in Muang and Thap Sakae districts were infected with African Swine Fever. The reports come in the midst of a pork price crisis said to be driven by an outbreak of the highly contagious and deadly viral disease of pigs. 117 pigs from the three farms altogether had to…

  • Woman kidnapped from hotel quarantine allegedly by men posing as police officers

    Woman kidnapped from hotel quarantine allegedly by men posing as police officers

    A woman infected with Covid-19 was allegedly kidnapped from a quarantine hotel in Bangkok by a group of men posing as police officers. The 55 year old father file a report with police on Saturday, claiming that his 23 year old daughter was kidnapped from a hotel quarantine by a group of men claiming to be police. Apparently, one of…

  • 32 public toilets at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya will be ready by this April

    32 public toilets at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya will be ready by this April

    The Deputy City Mayor of Pattaya told Thai media that 32 public toilets at Bali Hai Pier will be finished and ready to use by April, admitting that construction for the 5 million baht restroom project had fallen a bit behind schedule. Deputy mayor Pattana Boonsawat told Thai media that the construction of the toilets fell behind schedule due to…

  • Thailand women’s football pressing on despite defeat by Philippines

    Thailand women’s football pressing on despite defeat by Philippines

    The Philippines’ women’s football team defeated Thailand in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup today. Still, the team’s coach, Miyo Okamoto, is determined to correct her team’s mistakes and win against Indonesia in their second match tonight. The players, Miyo says, must stop keeping the ball on their own half, adding that “we can’t just keep the ball in our own…

  • Thailand Wellness Sandbox entry launching in coastal districts of Hua Hin, Cha-am

    Thailand Wellness Sandbox entry launching in coastal districts of Hua Hin, Cha-am

    In an effort to draw in a tourist base focused on health and wellness, the Thailand Wellness Sandbox entry programme is launching in the coastal region of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district and Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district. These locations were selected for the first tier of the Wellness Sandbox project. Officials are looking into adding more destinations later on. The…

  • Government mulls legalising e-cigarettes to reduce number of cigarette smokers

    Government mulls legalising e-cigarettes to reduce number of cigarette smokers

    A Thai government ministry is discussing the legalisation of e-cigarettes in a bid to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in the country. According to a Nation Thailand report, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry wants to be able to offer smokers an alternative to cigarettes. The development has been welcomed by Asa Salikupt from the End Cigarette Smoke Thailand…

  • Thai PM to visit Saudi Arabia as guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

    Thai PM to visit Saudi Arabia as guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

    The Thai PM will be in Saudi Arabia tomorrow and Wednesday, invited by its leader, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Prayut Chan-o-cha’s brief visit was confirmed by a statement from Government House yesterday. According to the statement, the visit aims to promote bilateral ties between both countries. A statement from the Saudi ministry says the trip is for both governments…

  • Alcohol until 11 pm at food venues in 8 Blue provinces from tomorrow

    Alcohol until 11 pm at food venues in 8 Blue provinces from tomorrow

    Put on your party boots; tomorrow it’s time to go out late for drinks on a Monday! The easing of the alcohol ban for 8 Blue Zone provinces goes into effect tomorrow with restaurants and similar venues allowed to sell drinks until 11 pm now. Bars, pubs, karaoke, nightclubs, and other nightlife and entertainment venues will not be legally allowed…

  • Thailand tourism industry hopeful with the return of Test & Go

    Thailand tourism industry hopeful with the return of Test & Go

    With the reintroduction of the Test & Go program, that allows fully vaccinated people to enter Thailand with a Day1 and Day 5 PCR test, businesses in the tourism industry are hopeful for a more sustained growth in international travellers from February and beyond. The program was reinstated, albeit with some revisions that were not met with a particularly welcoming…

  • COVID-19 SUNDAY: 7,686 infections, 13 deaths,

    COVID-19 SUNDAY: 7,686 infections, 13 deaths,

    Today, the CCSA reported 7,686 new Covid-19 infections, down 426 since yesterday, and 13 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 6 from yesterday. Since April 1, 2021, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 2,348,627 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported, with 22,032 total deaths from the pandemic.   In the 24 hour period since the last count,…

  • Government plans to gather data, combine tourism databases

    Government plans to gather data, combine tourism databases

    In an effort to organize data and bolster tourism for the future, government agencies are looking at merging the databases of tourism-related agencies, businesses, and organizations. They plan to create a unified database in order to bring together all the information in an organized system. A campaign was launched, supported by the Department of Tourism, the Department of Provincial Administration,…

  • New Sandboxes announced, but are they redundant after February 1?

    New Sandboxes announced, but are they redundant after February 1?

    (All the information in this article is based on CCSA announcements last Thursday and published articles on the Tourism of Thailand website and other government media) Businesses in the entertainment, nightlife, bar and sex industry in Pattaya are breathing a sigh of relief as international tourists will, again, be able to visit the seaside party town as part of the…

  • Transportation the focus of 2022 for Thailand, with 1.4 trillion baht budgeted

    Transportation the focus of 2022 for Thailand, with 1.4 trillion baht budgeted

    Thailand is aiming to make 2022 the Year of Transportation, with 1.4 trillion baht being allocated for projects to improve travel by air, land, water, and rail. The Ministry of Transport predicts markedly improved transportation safety and timeliness, as well as an economic return of 1.6 times the initial investment. As a part of Thailand’s 20-year national strategy, the development…

  • COVID-19 SATURDAY: Deaths up to 19, infections down to 8,112

    COVID-19 SATURDAY: Deaths up to 19, infections down to 8,112

    Today, the CCSA reported 8,112 new Covid-19 infections, down 528 since yesterday, and 19 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 6 from yesterday. Since April 1, 2021, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 2,340,941 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported, with 22,019 total deaths from the pandemic. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the…

  • Many criticise “soldier” coffee shop at southern Thailand military camp

    Many criticise “soldier” coffee shop at southern Thailand military camp

    “Sip a coffee and see cool soldiers”… That’s what an advertisement said for a new cafe opened up at the Thai Army 4 camp in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat. Chor Coffee at the Thep Satri Si Sunthon Military Camp made a post on Facebook with photos of drinks, desserts, and men in uniform. It caught people’s attention with…

  • McDonald’s Thailand offers ice cream sundae with chilli paste and pork floss

    McDonald’s Thailand offers ice cream sundae with chilli paste and pork floss

    McDonald’s is offering a special Thai-style ice cream sundae… with chilli paste and pork floss. The fast food company has teamed up with famous Thai sauce company Deksomboon, also known as the Healthy Boy brand, for the limited edition sundae with vanilla soft serve and the spicy and savory toppings. This unique combination costs 39 baht and will be available at participating…

  • Plans shot down for property incentives to attract foreigners

    Plans shot down for property incentives to attract foreigners

    A proposal to attract foreigners by lengthening property leaseholds from 30 years to 50 years and allowing foreign condo ownership to increase over the 49% current restriction was shot down today by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration. The committee, headed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, rejected those proposals but did seem open to foreigners being permitted to own up to…

  • Thai PM sings away his political blues

    Thai PM sings away his political blues

    With some of the former members of the ruling Palang Pracharat coalition turning against him (and forming their own new political party), and the expulsion of 21 renegade MPs, it’s been a septimana horrabilus (bad week) for the Thai PM. But, when things are bad it’s time to whistle a happy tune, or at least break out into song whilst…

  • Thumbs down for Thailand’s Test & Go Version 2

    Thumbs down for Thailand’s Test & Go Version 2

    Test & Go V2.0 has received a universal thumbs down by Thaiger readers and viewers. Or just about anywhere else in the online comments space. The rebooted, and slightly more complicated, Test & Go option, part of the three-part Thailand Pass online re-entry program, was relaunched on Thursday for travellers arriving after February 1. Initially launched on November 1, and…

  • Thai study examines lasting side effects of ‘Long Covid’

    Thai study examines lasting side effects of ‘Long Covid’

    While most are relieved that surging cases caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant of Covid-19, have not brought with it an equal swell in Covid-19 related death, more and more research is uncovering long-term effects of the virus. Respiratory and nervous system issues along with skin conditions, mental problems, and heart and blood issues have all been found to…

  • Youtube star discovers new species of tarantula in Thailand

    Youtube star discovers new species of tarantula in Thailand

    Wildlife Youtuber JoCho Sippawat made a wild discovery when, on one of his many outdoor expeditions in Thailand, he stumbled upon a tarantula species not previously known to humanity. The species, which scientists have officially named “Taksinus Bambus,” lives only in hollowed bamboo stems. JoCho discovered the species in a forest of Mae Tho, Mueang Tak district, Tak province, where…

  • Thai women’s football coach confident about World Cup Finals

    Thai women’s football coach confident about World Cup Finals

    Thai women’s football coach Miyo Okamoto is determined that player Chaba Kaew will qualify for her third straight FIFA Women’s World Cup. Miyo plans to send her best players to the cup, and some have previously been in cup finals. Myo said the team studies the Philippines team’s tactics in order to gain skills. She said that if her team…

  • Nippon Steel makes 3 million acquisition of 2 Thai steelmakers

    Nippon Steel makes $763 million acquisition of 2 Thai steelmakers

    Japan is making a move to invest in Thai steel. Nippon Steel Corp, the largest manufacturer of steel in Japan has announced a strategic deal to buy stakes in two major steelmakers in Thailand. The deal is reported to be worth as much as US $763 million – about 25 billion baht. The giant steelmaker has been interested in acquqiring…

  • Police seize lottery tickets allegedly smuggled by Thailand Post staff

    Police seize lottery tickets allegedly smuggled by Thailand Post staff

    Police seized more than 200,000 lottery tickets allegedly smuggled by a Thailand Post staff member in the Isaan province Loei. Apparently, an employee of the government-owned postal service was selling hundreds and thousands of lottery tickets to brokers when the tickets were reserved for local vendors. The Thai lottery tickets are technically supposed to be sold at 80 baht, but…

  • Friday Covid Update: 8,640 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 8,640 new cases; provincial totals

    13 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,000 with 302 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,640 new Covid-19 cases and 8,641 recoveries. There are now 82,720 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • 17 Best Marketing and Advertising Agencies in Thailand: 2022 Edition

    17 Best Marketing and Advertising Agencies in Thailand: 2022 Edition

    Sponsored Article Thailand shines as a prime business destination in Asia, excelling in e-commerce, digital transformation, and internet adoption. Its allure for international business expansion is undeniable. However, venturing into this market comes with challenges. To compete effectively, businesses must grasp Thai consumer behaviour, cultural dynamics, and prevailing marketing trends. Thai consumers have embraced digital platforms, dedicating more time to…

  • Candidate for Bangkok’s governor says he has no plan to move the capital if he wins

    Candidate for Bangkok’s governor says he has no plan to move the capital if he wins

    Following the naming of Indonesia’s new capital by President Joko Widodo to replace sinking Jakarta, the candidate for Bangkok’s governor position in the upcoming election Suchatvee Suwansawas, wrote on his Facebook page that he had no plans to relocate the country’s capital due to the decades-long flooding that has hit Bangkok, and believe it or not, Bangkok is also sinking.…

  • 3 million doses of Pfizer allocated for children to arrive in Thailand next week

    3 million doses of Pfizer allocated for children to arrive in Thailand next week

    The first batch of Pfizer vaccines allocated for children will arrive in Thailand on January 26. A total of 3 million doses of the vaccine is expected to be given to children at the age of 5 to 11 years old starting on January 31, starting with children who are diagnosed with congenital diseases. The Deputy Director-General of the Department…

  • No early election, no Cabinet reshuffle says Thai PM

    No early election, no Cabinet reshuffle says Thai PM

    The Thai PM says he has no plans to call an early election or to reshuffle his Cabinet after 21 MPs loyal to him were pushed out earlier this week. The Bangkok Post reports that Prayut Chan-o-cha has also distanced himself from the ouster of Thamanat Prompow and 20 other MPs, who have been accused of sowing division within the…