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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Food poisoning: Cruise ship chef found dead in Udon Thani hotel
A 47 year old chef working on a cruise ship was found dead in his hotel room in Udon Thani province, apparently due to severe food poisoning which led to a heart attack. The incident was reported at 5pm yesterday. Officers from the Na Kha sub-station, led by investigative officer Watthapong Chamnongudom, responded to the scene at a hotel in…
-
Shooting near Samut Prakan crocodile farm kills 4, injures 1 (video)
A shooting in a residential area near a crocodile farm in Samut Prakan province around 8.30pm yesterday resulted in the deaths of four people, including the gunman, and left an eight year old girl seriously injured. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station received a report of the shooting yesterday, November 25, and rushed to the scene, a house in…
-
Sole searching: Foreign man’s shoes stolen from Thai beach (video)
A foreign man residing in Thailand expressed frustration after his shoes were stolen at a beach, sparking a discussion on the commonality of such incidents in the country. TikTok user @imlukematthew shared a video yesterday, November 25, detailing his experience. He explained that he had ridden his motorcycle to a beach, left his shoes beneath it, and found them missing…
-
Thailand prepares for heavy monsoon rains in 11 provinces
Thailand braces for severe weather conditions as monsoons are set to batter 11 provinces with heavy to very heavy rainfall, causing potential flash floods and forest run-off. The Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for people to exercise caution due to the changing weather conditions. TMD forecasts that in the next 24 hours, the high-pressure area or moderate cold air…
-
Thai man arrested at Bangkok airport for baht luxury bag scam
Police at Suvarnabhumi Airport apprehended a 36 year old Thai man attempting to flee the country after allegedly scamming several individuals out of over 100 million baht through the sale of counterfeit luxury brand bags. Thanawat’s arrest was executed by immigration police at the airport in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, at 5pm yesterday, November 25. The arrest warrant had been…
-
Boy 7 killed by Thai mother rocks quiet Welsh town
Police in Wales reported that the death of a 7 year old boy at the hands of his Thai mother has rocked the quiet Welsh town of Haverfordwest. Seven year old Louis Linse was found dead in his bed, his life tragically cut short by his mother. Thai-born Papaipit Linse admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, a truth that unravels…
-
Drunk Thai man fatally stabs stranger after intrusion and drug use
A drunk Thai man today stabbed a drug-addicted stranger to death after he entered his room in the central province of Ratchaburi without permission and then used drugs in his accommodation. Officers from Photharam Police Station were called to investigate the lifeless body of a Thai man named Noi, found lying face-up on a road leading to a village in…
-
Thailand’s automotive production lowest since pandemic
Thailand’s automotive sector faces a significant downturn in 2024, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) projecting annual vehicle production to hit 1.5 million units, marking the lowest output since 2021’s pandemic-affected figures. Speaking at a briefing today, November 25, FTI automotive industry group spokesperson Surapong Paisitpatnapong announced this second downward revision of the year. The federation had previously lowered…
-
THG distances from former chairman’s fraud allegations
In a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today, November 25, Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) Plc affirmed that its operations remain unaffected by the alleged fraud scandal surrounding its former chairman, Doctor Boon Vanasin, and his family members. The healthcare group emphasised that Dr Boon stepped down from his positions as chairman and director in August 2022, and…
-
Khao San Road festive bookings hit a European slump (video)
The famed Khao San Road, once a bustling hub of backpacker activity in Bangkok, finds itself facing a slowdown in hotel bookings as the festive season approaches. According to Khaosan Business Association President Sanga Ruangwattanakul, reservations for the key dates of December 30 to December 31 have slumped to around 60%, down from 70% the previous year. This downturn is…
-
Shore thing: Foreign couple shamed by locals for public sex on Phuket beach
Another foreign couple faced criticism from locals in Phuket after they were caught engaging in sexual activity on Kata Beach yesterday. A picture of the foreign couple, whose nationalities remain unidentified, was shared by the Phuket Times. The page posted the image for its followers today, November 25, with a caption that read… “It’s windy and chilly. Foreign tourists were…
-
Motorcycle taxis causes traffic gridlock during Pattaya concert
A major hip-hop concert at Legend Siam created severe traffic chaos in Pattaya at the weekend, as hundreds of motorcycle taxis caused gridlock by parking illegally in the streets. The venue, located roughly 20 kilometres from central Pattaya, drew large crowds that overwhelmed the city’s already tourist-heavy traffic system on Saturday, November 23. The situation deteriorated when motorcycle taxi drivers…
-
Thai cyanide killer’s lawyer withdraws, accuses client of failing to protect her
The lawyer representing the cyanide serial killer announced her withdrawal from the case and revealed plans to sue her former client for failing to protect her and withholding crucial information. On November 20, the court delivered a verdict in one of the murder cases involving Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, also known as “Am Cyanide.” Sararat was sentenced to death for the…
-
Israeli food tech could elevate Thailand’s agriculture sector
Israeli food technology has the potential to significantly enhance Thailand’s agriculture sector, according to Israeli Ambassador Orna Sagiv. Speaking at the Savor the Future of Food: Satisfy Your Hunger with Israel’s Innovation event in Bangkok held recently, Sagiv highlighted Thailand’s vital role as the kitchen of the world, emphasising its major contributions to food production and supply on a global scale.…
-
Paws for effect: Gripping rescue saves dog in East Pattaya
In a dramatic twist straight out of an animal rescue thriller, a young dog found himself in a tight spot in East Pattaya, sparking a heart-stopping rescue mission that gripped residents. On Saturday, November 23, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre was alerted to the plight of a desperate dog stuck between towering concrete power poles in an open area near…
-
ASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025
Southeast Asian airlines will soon have the freedom to make multiple stops within ASEAN member states, marking a significant shift from current regulations that only permit direct return flights between destinations. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that this change will be implemented once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. Loke explained in a press…
-
Airline satisfaction steady, tech investment urged by IATA
Airline passenger satisfaction has maintained a high level of stability this year, according to findings from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite this consistency, the association has highlighted the need for further investment in technology to better meet customer demands. Insights from IATA’s Global Passenger Survey 2024, based on feedback from over 10,000 respondents across 200 countries, revealed that…
-
Thai soldiers save stranded Chinese man from watery trap (video)
Thai soldiers rescued a Chinese man who was trapped for three days in a 10-metre-deep water well in a forest near the Thai-Myanmar border in the northern province of Tak. Soldiers from the Ratchamanu Task Force Headquarters in Mae Sot district were patrolling the area last night, November 24, at around 8.30pm to prevent drug and human trafficking. During their…
-
Brace for a drenching as monsoon swoons into Thailand
Hold onto your umbrellas, folks, Thailand is in the grip of Mother Nature’s fury as severe weather warnings sweep the nation, with torrential monsoon rains getting ready to drench 10 provinces. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) isn’t mincing words, urging residents, especially those in flood-prone areas or near rivers, to keep their wits about them. The southern regions are…
-
Gold prices in Thailand dive as buyers rush to cash in on jewellery
In a golden twist of fate, prices have taken a notable nosedive today, sparking a frenzy among potential buyers eager to grab a bargain. According to the Gold Traders Association (GTA), the cost of gold jewellery has plummeted by 250 baht from the final tally yesterday, November 24, now shining at 44,500 baht per baht weight. This early-morning update, hot…
-
BMW takes wrong turn: Car-napped and pawned in joyride mix-up
A BMW was taken for a ride without permission and ended up severely damaged after being pawned at a well-known garage in Nonthaburi. The owner of the garage refused to pay for repairs, suggesting that the car owner should seek damages from the employee responsible. Yesterday, November 24, at the Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi, 55 year old…
-
Koh Samui tourist traps hit pause in wave of storms
Koh Samui’s sun-soaked shores have been thrown into chaos as high waves and torrential rain force a halt to several tourist hotspots, with safety taking top priority. The island’s usual flurry of tours, boat trips, and waterfall visits has been put on ice as the elements unleash their fury. Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran Co., had to change course, rerouting its…
-
Man shoots colleague in Si Racha restaurant after argument
A shocking incident unfolded yesterday evening in a restaurant in the Thung Sukhla area of Si Racha, Chon Buri, as a factory worker shot his senior colleague amidst a heated argument. Police later apprehended the suspect at his girlfriend’s house. CCTV footage captured the dramatic turn of events where approximately five colleagues, including the suspect, Phrommongkol, were drinking beer at…
-
Thai nominee crackdown: DBD ‘takes stock’ in sweeping investigation
Thailand’s business watchdog, the Department of Business Development (DBD), is gearing up for a major crackdown on foreign firms using Thai nominees to skirt local regulations. Next year, they’re planning a sweeping investigation into a whopping 27,000 business entities. The mission? To dig deep into industries like tourism, real estate, hotels and resorts, transport and logistics, and even the bustling…
-
12 year old boy saves suicidal teen girl from Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Thai media outlets and netizens praised a 12 year old boy for the rescue of a 17 year old girl from an attempted suicide in the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on Friday. The Ruamkatanyu Foundation at Bang Phong Phang Police Station Facebook page shared a video of the young hero on Friday, November 22. In the caption, the foundation…
-
Thailand’s biz boom buzzes past 90,000 as exports, tourism take off
Thailand’s business scene is buzzing, with new registrations expected to smash through the 90,000 mark this year. This surge comes courtesy of a rebound in exports and tourism alongside government stimulus measures kicking in as 2024 draws to a close. According to Auramon Supthaweethum, the Director-General of the Department of Business Development (DBD), there was a promising 2.18% uptick in…
-
Patong’s traffic issues persist due to private road ownership
Patong’s traffic woes continue to frustrate local government agencies as Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri highlights the challenges faced due to private ownership of Soi Saensabai. The notorious Phuket street is known for traffic congestion and safety hazards and has seen several pedestrian injuries, including those involving foreign tourists. The inability of Patong Municipality to impose any regulations or initiate improvements on…
-
Thailand’s TV dramas to ‘script’ new chapter in economic growth
Thailand’s TV dramas are set to become the next big thing in economic growth as the government throws its weight behind the creative industry. In a bold move, a dedicated subcommittee has been established under the National Soft Power Development Committee to craft policies turbocharging the sector. With traditional TV viewership dwindling, channels are dusting off old classics and cutting…
-
British tourist dodges death after toxic night at Laos hostel (video)
A British tourist revealed her narrow escape from death after a night out at a notorious Laos hostel turned into a near-fatal encounter with methanol poisoning. This same party spot has become infamous following the tragic deaths of six other holidaymakers, casting a dark shadow over Vang Viang, a village once famed for its boisterous backpacker scene. The unfortunate casualties…
-
Thailand video news | Chaos at Don Mueang Airport as bomb threat sparks panic, 6,000 motorcyclists cause chaos in Phetchabun
In today’s video news update, Alex and Jay delve into key stories from Thailand and across Asia. From a bomb hoax at Don Mueang Airport to a missing tourist in Surat Thani, they explore gripping incidents impacting the region. Highlights include a tiger trafficking bust, the ongoing investigation into methanol poisoning in Laos, and the transfer of Bali Nine prisoners…
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.