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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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Tourist boat capsizes in Trang Sea, one dead and several injured

    Tourist boat capsizes in Trang Sea, one dead and several injured

    A tragic incident unfolded yesterday at 4.30pm when a longtail tourist boat capsized near the Pak Meng Bridge in the Trang Sea, leaving 14 individuals adrift, including a 68 year old woman who sadly drowned. The accident took place approximately 2 kilometres from the pier at Pom Jatukham area, Mai Fat Subdistrict, Sikao District, Trang Province. The boat, carrying 11…

  • Thai hailstorm causes 3 million baht damage, kills 21,000 chickens

    Thai hailstorm causes 3 million baht damage, kills 21,000 chickens

    A devastating hailstorm, with stones as large as chicken eggs, wreaked havoc in Chaiyaphum, causing widespread damage, including significant losses for a local poultry farm where power outages led to a tragic number of chicken deaths. The storm, which occurred yesterday, May 4, also resulted in damaged homes and infrastructure, with preliminary estimates placing the cost at over 3 million…

  • Over 40 million baht in valuables stolen from Thai businesswoman

    Over 40 million baht in valuables stolen from Thai businesswoman

    The theft of over 40 million baht worth of cash, diamonds, and gold from a prominent businesswoman’s home in Phetchaburi has sent shockwaves through the community, with close associates being eyed as potential suspects. On the evening of yesterday, May 4, local police were alerted to the robbery at a two-story concrete residence in the Mueang Phetchaburi district. Virunpat Vichittapanyarak,…

  • Government employee found dead in rural Uthai Thani

    Government employee found dead in rural Uthai Thani

    A local government employee tragically lost his life in a harrowing nighttime incident in Uthai Thani Province, which has left the community in shock. The 57 year old man was found dead beside an electric pole on a concrete road connecting the villages of Nong Yang and Nong Chang last night. Notably, the incident occurred at 10.30pm, when the area’s deputy…

  • Chiang Mai sting seizes 5.6 million meth pills with teen involved

    Chiang Mai sting seizes 5.6 million meth pills with teen involved

    A drug bust in Chiang Mai province led to the shocking discovery that a 14 year old boy was among two individuals apprehended with a massive haul of 5.6 million methamphetamine pills. The early morning operation conducted by the police successfully intercepted the drug transport before it could pass through a checkpoint. Chiang Mai police, in an orchestrated sting operation,…

  • Thailand’s dominance in durian exports to China under threat

    Thailand’s dominance in durian exports to China under threat

    Thailand‘s reign as the leading exporter of fresh durians to China is teetering, as reported by an industry insider to Xinhua News Agency. The news has emerged in the wake of a report that China’s major land border checkpoint, Youyiguan, has received 48,000 tonnes of durian shipments in this year’s first quarter. The shipment detailed 35,000 tonnes of durians from…

  • Man fatally stabbed in Pathum Thani underpass confrontation

    Man fatally stabbed in Pathum Thani underpass confrontation

    In a tragic turn of events, a 33 year old man met his demise after being brutally attacked and stabbed beneath a motorway bridge in Pathum Thani province. The victim from Lat Phrao district, Bangkok, had arranged to meet his girlfriend to retrieve his mobile phone, a meeting that culminated in his death. The incident occurred last night when Theerawut…

  • Deadly motorcycle race on Kanjanapisek Motorway claims teen lives

    Deadly motorcycle race on Kanjanapisek Motorway claims teen lives

    A tragic event unfolded early this morning on the Kanjanapisek Motorway, where a high-speed motorcycle race turned deadly, claiming the lives of two teenagers and leaving another injured. The incident occurred near the 46+600 kilometre marker, heading towards Bang Pa-In. Two young lives were cut short when a motorcycle race went horribly wrong on the Kanjanapisek Motorway. At approximately 2.40am…

  • Two dead, three injured in Kamphaeng Phet road crash

    Two dead, three injured in Kamphaeng Phet road crash

    A tragic accident on Phaholyothin Road in Kamphaeng Phet province claimed the lives of two individuals and left three others injured when a pickup truck swerved to avoid a taxi that was making an illegal U-turn and crashed into a tree. The incident occurred yesterday at 6.20pm and involved a white Isuzu pickup with a Bangkok registration. Police Lieutenant Ek…

  • Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny

    Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny

    The Thai government’s digital wallet policy, specifically the planned usage of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to support the initiative, will continue to be scrutinised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The agency has previously raised concerns about potential corruption and legal risks linked to the 10,000 baht distribution scheme and will observe the government’s…

  • Thailand’s headline CPI rises unexpectedly in April, ends slump.

    Thailand’s headline CPI rises unexpectedly in April, ends slump.

    Commerce Ministry officials in Thailand announced today that the country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) experienced a year-on-year increase of 0.19% this April. This is a notable shift from the previous month’s 0.47% year-on-year decrease and considerably exceeds the 0.25% fall projected by a Reuters poll. Such a rise in inflation after a seven-month negative streak indicates a significant change in…

  • Thai Chamber of Commerce highlights 10 top tourist provinces

    Thai Chamber of Commerce highlights 10 top tourist provinces

    The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) set in motion plans to promote 10 provinces within the country as first-tier tourist destinations. The selected provinces of Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom, Sisaket, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat will soon be under the international spotlight as they prepare to welcome an influx of tourists. This initiative is part…

  • Thai energy business reports 2.6% decline in Q1 fuel consumption

    Thai energy business reports 2.6% decline in Q1 fuel consumption

    The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) reported a 2.6% decline in fuel consumption in the first quarter of the year, amounting to 156.7 million litres per day. This decrease is attributed to the expiration of the capped price policy. The Director General of DOEB, Sarawut Kaewtathip, noted a rise in the daily average volume of jet fuel and liquefied petroleum…

  • Chinese student rescued from scam gang kidnapping attempt

    Chinese student rescued from scam gang kidnapping attempt

    A young Chinese student was deceived by a call centre scam gang in a kidnapping attempt, demanding a ransom of 7 million baht, has been rescued in Chiang Mai. Initially lured from Australia, she faced threats of visa revocation for non-compliance. Thai police successfully located her today at 11am, following coordination with Samut Prakan police. The rescue operation led by…

  • Pattaya restaurant under fire for excessive pricing of food dish

    Pattaya restaurant under fire for excessive pricing of food dish

    A restaurant in Pattaya, Chon Buri Province, has come under scrutiny for reportedly charging an excessive 70 baht for a basic dish of rice with two fried eggs. Following this, the Department of Internal Trade ordered provincial commerce officials to conduct inspections of made-to-order food outlets in the region. The restaurant’s alleged high pricing and lack of clear price signage…

  • Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare

    Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare

    A recent social media post sparked an outcry over alleged taxi meter fraud in Bangkok. A passenger complaint was highlighted, claiming an overcharge for a ride from Bang Khae to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where the fare meter read an exorbitant 1,800 baht. The incident has raised concerns about overcharging and exploitation of foreigners by taxi drivers in the city. Bangkok’s…

  • Udon Thani land dispute ends in brother fatally shooting sibling

    Udon Thani land dispute ends in brother fatally shooting sibling

    A family dispute in Udon Thani this morning ended tragically, resulting in a 62 year old man being fatally shot by his brother, who then calmly waited for the police with a bottle of alcohol. The tranquillity of a small village in Udon Thani was shattered when a 62 year old man was shot dead by his younger brother over a…

  • Saudi Arabian man reunites with Thai nanny after 20 years (video)

    Saudi Arabian man reunites with Thai nanny after 20 years (video)

    A 33 year old Saudi Arabian man reunited with his former Thai babysitter after searching for her for over 20 years. He wished to express gratitude for her care during his childhood. Several Thai media outlets shared the story of the 33 year old Saudi Arabian man, Ali Bokhari, and his Thai babysitter, 77 year old Banyen Thongchaitanawut, after they…

  • Man arrested for selling counterfeit shampoos in Nonthaburi

    Man arrested for selling counterfeit shampoos in Nonthaburi

    The Thai authorities arrested a man for producing counterfeit shampoo by refilling old bottles and distributing them at significantly lower market prices. Garnering his knowledge from YouTube tutorials, the individual’s actions have led to a coordinated crackdown by the Central Investigation Police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), revealing that counterfeit products could pose serious risks to consumers’ eye…

  • GIF expedites Covid-19 payouts amid financial strain

    GIF expedites Covid-19 payouts amid financial strain

    The General Insurance Fund (GIF) proposed an expedited payment option for Covid-19 policyholders, where they can avail of an immediate reduced payout rather than wait for a decade for the full claim. This could mean receiving 60 baht now instead of 100 baht in the future, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. Governmental body GIF was formed to safeguard…

  • Finance ministry secures deals for 250 billion baht investments

    Finance ministry secures deals for 250 billion baht investments

    Following the passing of the fiscal 2024 Budget Expenditure Act, the Finance Ministry has confirmed that new financial agreements for investment projects totalling 250 billion baht have been finalised. Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana revealed that during the delay in the act’s signing, governmental bodies with pending investment projects initiated their procurement processes. These processes included creating terms of reference…

  • Magical mishap: Parents sue Monk after amulet test injures children

    Magical mishap: Parents sue Monk after amulet test injures children

    The parents of five children filed a lawsuit against a monk from Khao Rae Temple in the northern province of Sukhothai, after the monk injured the children while testing the magical powers of his amulets. The father of one of the children took to Facebook to share his 13 year old son’s story and pressured the monk, later identified as…

  • Thailand’s daily online fraud falls to 110 million baht in April

    Thailand’s daily online fraud falls to 110 million baht in April

    Online fraud damage in April was reported at 110 million baht daily, indicating a 26% decrease from the 149 million baht experienced daily in March. This significant reduction is a result of the intensified crackdown on online fraud by authorities. On the first of April, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delegated several organisations to yield tangible results from their efforts to…

  • Crafty diamond thief nabbed after swindling 2.2 million baht gem

    Crafty diamond thief nabbed after swindling 2.2 million baht gem

    A deceptive gem heist in Bangkok has come to an end with the arrest of the 57 year old perpetrator, who had been posing as a jewellery broker. The cunning thief managed to swindle a 3-carat diamond worth 2.2 million baht from an unsuspecting seller by replacing it with a counterfeit stone before making his escape. The Royal Thai Police…

  • Thai man attacked by girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in hotel encounter

    Thai man attacked by girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in hotel encounter

    A Thai man suffered an attack by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend after they unexpectedly stayed next door to each other at a hotel in the Isaan province of Buriram. The victim, 22 year old Suriya “Boy” Matiyaphak and his 17 year old girlfriend, named Bee, visited Satuek Police Station in Buriram to file a complaint against Bee’s ex-boyfriend and his friends…

  • Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil

    Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil

    Thai scientists have uncovered evidence of fossil-fuel pollution in the soil of Antarctica, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect the world’s most pristine environment. A research team, utilising the cutting-edge SR-FTIR microspectroscopy technique at the Thai Synchrotron National Lab in Nakhon Ratchasima, made the discovery in sediment samples collected from five sites across King George Island. Siwatt Pongpiachan, who…

  • Thai dividend stocks outperform bank deposits

    Thai dividend stocks outperform bank deposits

    The quest for investments with steady returns in an era of global volatility and high interest rates has led many investors to gravitate towards dividend stocks. With the potential for yields exceeding 5% and a payout that can reach up to 20% yearly, these stocks offer a lucrative alternative to conventional bank deposits. A study conducted by the Stock Exchange of…

  • Prominent Thai business figure found dead in luxury car

    Prominent Thai business figure found dead in luxury car

    The prominent business figure known as Sa-gna was found dead in his luxury vehicle yesterday at 9.30pm in Soi Pattanakarn 54, Suan Luang district of Bangkok. Police and forensic teams rushed to investigate. A black Lexus SUV, with Bangkok license plates, was discovered with its engine still running. Inside, the 47 year old man was found having taken his own life…

  • BGRIM to invest US.39m in Middle East’s energy market

    BGRIM to invest US$3.39m in Middle East’s energy market

    A dominant player in the power industry, BGRIM disclosed its plans to infiltrate the Middle Eastern clean energy market, with an investment approaching US$3.39 million for a 40% stake in the independent power producer, ThreeEightSix Holdings Ltd. The company’s president, Harald Link, confirmed this strategic investment that focuses on commercial and industrial solar assets within the Gulf Cooperation Council region,…

  • Freelance-focused online job platform launched

    Freelance-focused online job platform launched

    The Department of Employment (DoE) in Thailand recently unveiled an online job platform named Khon Tham Ngan, specifically tailored for freelancers and recruiters. This platform, overseen by DoE head, Somchai Morakotsriwan, aims to enhance work-life balance by offering a free and user-friendly interface for job seekers and employers alike. Khon Tham Ngan, which translates to workers, is open to anyone…