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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Buriram man arrested with over 1,000 yaba pills

    Buriram man arrested with over 1,000 yaba pills

    Police apprehended a 29 year old man, identified as Saharat, in Buriram province for possession of over 1,000 methamphetamine pills, commonly known as yaba. The arrest occurred when Saharat was about to leave his residence on a black Honda Wave motorcycle yesterday, May 29. Saharat, from Ban Yang subdistrict, was detained following reports of his involvement in drug activities. Upon…

  • Couple arrested for embezzlement in Thai temple fair scandal

    Couple arrested for embezzlement in Thai temple fair scandal

    A financial scandal has rocked Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom, with a couple linked to the former abbot arrested over a massive embezzlement scheme involving the temple’s annual fair auction. The investigation has revealed an astonishing web of corruption, money laundering, and online gambling worth hundreds of millions of baht. Police detained Patcharaporn “Toey” and 32 year old…

  • Teenager swept away after fall into Chaiyaphum weir

    Teenager swept away after fall into Chaiyaphum weir

    Yesterday, May 29, a 13 year old girl tragically fell into a weir in Chaiyaphum province and was swept away by strong currents. Police from Ban Duea station responded to the incident at the village weir in Baan Nong Bua Noi, Kaset Sombun district. Divers from Luang Siri Rescue and Mangorn Rescue, Nong Bua Daeng district, joined in the search.…

  • Thailand to continue US talks despite court blocking Trump’s tariffs

    Thailand to continue US talks despite court blocking Trump’s tariffs

    Thailand will continue negotiations with the US despite a US trade court’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs on imports, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 38 year old Thai premier stated that the court’s ruling on Wednesday, May 28, is perceived as an internal US issue, adding that it remains unclear how Trump might proceed. Despite…

  • Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar

    Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar

    The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has decided to dismiss lese majeste charges against a 58 year old American academic due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed nearly two months after his initial detention, which resulted in US national Paul Chambers losing his job, work visa, and the confiscation of his passport. Earlier this week, the OAG issued an…

  • Heavy rain forecast for 47 Thai provinces, warns of flash floods

    Heavy rain forecast for 47 Thai provinces, warns of flash floods

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain across 47 provinces, affecting three regions and Bangkok, with the heaviest rainfall covering 70% of the area. Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides on May 30. The TMD predicts that northern and northeastern Thailand will experience particularly severe weather, urging locals in these regions to stay…

  • Managing stress naturally with Thai practices

    Managing stress naturally with Thai practices

    Are you looking for natural relaxation methods but are sick and tired of the same old advice? You know the type: “Just take deep breaths.” “Find a hobby you love.” “Get more active.” Sure, these tactics work, but what if you’re looking for something different, something new that could act as natural stress management while also exposing you to a…

  • Stretching into serenity: Pattaya Beach starts yoga countdown

    Stretching into serenity: Pattaya Beach starts yoga countdown

    Sun, sand, and salutations — Pattaya Beach transformed into a haven of calm as hundreds gathered to launch the countdown to the International Day of Yoga in a spirited celebration of wellness, unity, and global harmony. Marking “25 Days to International Day of Yoga,” Pattaya City joined forces with the Indian Association of Pattaya for a vibrant beachside event that…

  • Thai woman rams ex-husband’s car over missing funds for children

    Thai woman rams ex-husband’s car over missing funds for children

    A Thai woman rammed her SUV into a sedan carrying her ex-husband and his girlfriend, accusing the couple of swindling 400,000 baht she had been saving for their children. Channel 7 and ThaiRath shared footage of the car crash and physical assault, which took place on a footpath along a road in the Isaan province of Kalasin on May 28.…

  • Thalang cops crack down on student bikers in safety blitz

    Thalang cops crack down on student bikers in safety blitz

    Motorbikes without mirrors, deafening exhausts, and teens riding without licences — Thalang Police are cracking down on underage and unsafe student bikers in a renewed push for road safety. Officers at Thalang Police Station are stepping up efforts to educate and enforce traffic discipline among school-age motorcyclists, especially during term time when many rely on bikes to commute. The latest…

  • ‘Phone-eating’ TikToker’s cake illusions spark safety fears (video)

    ‘Phone-eating’ TikToker’s cake illusions spark safety fears (video)

    A TikToker has set the Internet on fire — and sparked serious parenting panic — after posting a series of jaw-dropping videos where she appears to chow down on everyday household items like smartphones, detergent, and even lipstick. But don’t worry — it’s not as horrifying as it looks. The viral sensation, known online as @mmfuwongg, has amassed a huge following…

  • Thailand F-16s deployed as Myanmar jet nears border

    Thailand F-16s deployed as Myanmar jet nears border

    Thailand scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a Myanmar military aircraft dropped four bombs near the Thai-Myanmar border in a cross-border conflict that sent over 370 people fleeing into Thai territory. At 1.03pm yesterday, May 28, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) ordered two F-16MLU fighter jets from Wing 4 in Takhli to intercept a Myanmar Yak-130 aircraft detected flying…

  • Thai police helicopter crash sparks corruption allegations

    Thai police helicopter crash sparks corruption allegations

    A friend of a police officer who died in a helicopter crash in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan claimed that a lack of maintenance caused the incident, while a Facebook page raised suspicions of corruption. The Bell 212 Twin Huey helicopter, operated by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), crashed near Nong Phang Phuai Temple in Koh Lak sub-district,…

  • Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset

    Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset

    The battle of the Bangkok backseats has taken a new turn — and the Transport Ministry is stepping in to play referee. After months of mounting tension between traditional taxi drivers and Grab ride-hailing services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, government officials have now unveiled a plan to restore fairness and order. Yesterday, May 28, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote announced a…

  • Chao Phraya flood alert sparks evacuation warning

    Chao Phraya flood alert sparks evacuation warning

    Brace for rising waters — residents in parts of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya have been urgently warned of a potential Chao Phraya River overflow as early as tomorrow morning. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a warning at 11am today, May 29, using mobile phone cell broadcast technology via providers AIS, True, and NT, to notify at-risk…

  • Thief strikes again, stealing 27 drain covers in Nakhon Ratchasima

    Thief strikes again, stealing 27 drain covers in Nakhon Ratchasima

    A thief has, for the third time, stolen metal drain covers in the middle of the night in Nakhon Ratchasima. A total of 27 covers from 14 locations in Mueang Thai subdistrict, Chok Chai district, have been taken. Residents are worried about potential hazards and have reported the incidents to the police, but there has been no significant progress. The…

  • Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Thai beach had multiple health issues

    Cuvier’s beaked whale found dead on Thai beach had multiple health issues

    The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, in collaboration with the officers from Laem Son National Park, has released the findings of a post-mortem examination conducted on a Cuvier’s beaked whale found stranded on Bang Ben Beach in Mueang Kluang subdistrict, Kapoe district, Ranong province, on May 27. The whale, identified as a mature female, measured 500 centimetres in length…

  • Phuket man dies after slamming into parked tuk tuk

    Phuket man dies after slamming into parked tuk tuk

    A routine ride ended in tragedy yesterday afternoon when a 61 year old motorcyclist fatally crashed into a parked tuk tuk in Kathu, Phuket. The incident unfolded around 4.40pm, yesterday, May 28, on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, in front of the Khum Nam restaurant in Village 1, Kathu. Emergency services rushed to the scene after police received reports of the…

  • Motorcyclist causes chaos in Pathum Thani, damages vehicles

    Motorcyclist causes chaos in Pathum Thani, damages vehicles

    A recent incident involving a motorcyclist causing disruption and damaging vehicles has drawn attention after a social media post went viral. The incident, under the Khlong 13 bridge on the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route in Bueng Nam Rak subdistrict, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, has affected several vehicles. Residents are urging the police to take action. Yesterday, May 28, Pancheewan, a…

  • Blaze at Bangkok luxury resort pier torches two boats (video)

    Blaze at Bangkok luxury resort pier torches two boats (video)

    Bangkok’s riverside serenity was shattered at dawn today when a fire broke out at the pier of the upscale Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, leaving two boats scorched and emergency crews scrambling. The incident unfolded around 5.50am, today, Mat 29, at the resort’s pier on Charoen Nakhon Road in Thon Buri district, sending thick smoke billowing into the morning sky and…

  • Thailand goes full glam for Pride Month with epic nationwide festival

    Thailand goes full glam for Pride Month with epic nationwide festival

    Get ready to strut — Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet! The government has officially launched the Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival, a dazzling, month-long celebration of Pride taking place across the country throughout June. Billed as a tribute to global Pride Month, the campaign not only celebrates love, equality, and identity, but also cements Thailand’s growing reputation as…

  • Bangkok Bank’s policy shift: Why the change of heart?

    Bangkok Bank’s policy shift: Why the change of heart?

    Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest commercial bank and one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent financial institutions, has begun freezing accounts and blocking cards belonging to Russian nationals, triggering confusion and concern among the expat and tourist communities across the country. The drastic move, which reportedly began around May 25, follows a newly enforced policy that limits access to banking services for…

  • Thai worker wins lottery 10 times, credits mythical serpent

    Thai worker wins lottery 10 times, credits mythical serpent

    A construction worker from Surin province has remarkably won the lottery 10 times in a row, attributing his success to the spiritual power of the mythical serpent, Phaya Nak Pu Ong Dam San Siri Chantra Nakarat. During a recent filming for a renowned TV show, an unexpected fire broke out, causing a candle to bend in the shape of a…

  • High risk haul lands British woman in deep dope and behind bars

    High risk haul lands British woman in deep dope and behind bars

    A British woman ended behind bars after she was busted at London Heathrow with suitcases stuffed full of cannabis following a holiday in Thailand. Keira Borrett, from Gorleston, Norfolk, was reportedly arrested at Terminal 4 on May 23 after attempting to breeze through customs with bags packed with herbal cannabis. The shock discovery led to the 43 year old being…

  • Chinese ditch Thailand for cheaper, drama-free Cambodia

    Chinese ditch Thailand for cheaper, drama-free Cambodia

    While Thailand scrambles to revive its struggling tourism sector, neighbouring Cambodia is quietly winning over Chinese holidaymakers — and it’s pulling out all the stops. In a bold push to attract foreign tourists, Cambodian officials declared 2025 the “China-Cambodia Tourism Year,” and it’s already paying off. Just last week, a record-setting group of 1,000 Chinese tourists from Wuxi, near Shanghai,…

  • Teen birthday leads to violent altercation in Samut Prakan

    Teen birthday leads to violent altercation in Samut Prakan

    Following a birthday celebration, three teenagers encountered an altercation that led to violence in Samut Prakan, resulting in one injury. The incident occurred today, May 29, at 2.30am when 18 year old Warathep was attacked by a mysterious group of men near a shop on Kusang-Pracha Uthit Road in Phra Samut Chedi district. Police Colonel Pojanakorn Ganjina and other officers…

  • Flying in style: THAI unveils plush new seats for A321neo jets

    Flying in style: THAI unveils plush new seats for A321neo jets

    Travellers aboard Thai Airways are in for a stylish treat — the airline is getting a luxury cabin makeover with a fresh batch of award-winning R3 Economy Class seats, thanks to a brand-new collaboration with RECARO Aircraft Seating. The partnership, announced this week, sees RECARO deliver 32 shipsets of its long-range R3 seat for Thai Airways’ A321neo fleet. The first delivery…

  • Gunfire injures four at Narathiwat anti-drug event (video)

    Gunfire injures four at Narathiwat anti-drug event (video)

    In Narathiwat‘s Tak Bai district, four people, including two teachers and two defence volunteers, sustained injuries during an anti-drug sports event yesterday afternoon due to gunfire from unidentified assailants. The shooting occurred at 2.20pm, yesterday, May 28, at the Kohsathon subdistrict headquarters, where the event aimed to promote healthy living and campaign against drug use. Among the injured were 37…

  • Delivery rider attacked near Bangkok taxi stand (video)

    Delivery rider attacked near Bangkok taxi stand (video)

    A delivery rider was assaulted near a motorcycle taxi stand in Sukhumvit Soi 93 in Bangkok after parking his vehicle to make a delivery. The incident, captured on video and shared by a popular social media page, occurred on May 28 at 11am. A long-serving local motorcycle taxi driver, Somkit, expressed disbelief at the violent incident, citing his 30 years…

  • Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace

    Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace

    In a groundbreaking show of royal support, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made history by blessing Thailand’s first-ever royally-sponsored same-sex wedding. On May 19, the royal couple graciously presided over a lavish ceremony at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, honouring the union of Kampol Wongnaree and Nutthabhum Taenseesang. The unprecedented event marks a…