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...

  • Repeat offender rearrested in Bangkok five minutes after release

    Repeat offender rearrested in Bangkok five minutes after release

    A repeat offender found himself back behind bars just five minutes after he had been released from prison for theft in Chon Buri. The suspect stole money from numerous donation boxes. Initially from Udon Thani province, 21 year old Saharat Sananthai was apprehended by Banglamung police as he exited Min Buri Central Prison in Bangkok yesterday, July 8. Saharat had finished…

  • Thai man missing in national park in northern Thailand

    Thai man missing in national park in northern Thailand

    A Thai man went missing four days ago while trekking in Phu Soi Dao National Park in the northern province of Uttaradit. A search mission continues for 27 year old Thanwarit Mateema, who disappeared while walking up to the camping area on Phu Soi Dao Mountain. Thanwarit was the last person to register to stay at the national park office’s…

  • Cat-astrophic fire in Bangkok building kills 21 cats, injures five

    Cat-astrophic fire in Bangkok building kills 21 cats, injures five

    A devastating fire last night engulfed a four-storey commercial building in Don Mueang, Bangkok, leaving 21 cats dead and five others injured. Within ten minutes, firefighters managed to control the blaze, which erupted. The fire broke out at 10.20pm, yesterday, July 7, in a residential area on Chang Akat Uthit 15 Alley, Don Mueang. Local police coordinated with fire services…

  • Reforming Thailand’s creative sector to boost economy globally

    Reforming Thailand’s creative sector to boost economy globally

    Thailand’s creative industry requires a comprehensive reform to foster growth both domestically and internationally, as emphasised by the soft power development subcommittee. The government has identified the creative sector as a crucial driver for economic enhancement and international recognition, leveraging Thailand’s soft power. The 5F approach, encompassing Thai food, films and videos, fabric and fashion design, martial arts, and traditional…

  • Chinese couple remains at large after public sex show in Thailand

    Chinese couple remains at large after public sex show in Thailand

    Police are searching for a Chinese couple after they were caught having sex in public in a university car park in the city centre of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Photos of the naked Chinese couple were shared in a local Facebook group in Chiang Mai yesterday, July 7. The photos showed two Thai police officers intervening in the…

  • Thai student races ahead: Wins design comp for Red Bull F1 car

    Thai student races ahead: Wins design comp for Red Bull F1 car

    A Thai student has gained international recognition by winning a design competition for the Red Bull Racing Formula One car to be used in the British Grand Prix. The Public Relations Department Region 3 in Chiang Mai posted on Facebook celebrating the achievement of Chonlath Suwannik, a 16 year old student from The Prince Royal’s College in Chiang Mai. Chonlath,…

  • Pathum Thani PAO chairman suspended amid corruption trial

    Pathum Thani PAO chairman suspended amid corruption trial

    The recently elected Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) Chairman in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, faces suspension from duty due to malfeasance, pending a court decision, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin confirmed that the provincial officers will adhere to the legal advice provided by the Council of State (CoS), which recommends suspension due to Charn’s ongoing trial for malfeasance. While…

  • Tax relief planned for businesses after minimum wage hike

    Tax relief planned for businesses after minimum wage hike

    The Finance Ministry is poised to introduce measures to support businesses impacted by the recent increase in the minimum wage. The ministry confirmed that the wage hike must be paired with tax measures to lessen the burden on businesses, following precedents set by past wage increases. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the goal of the minimum wage increase…

  • Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run

    Russian DJ arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for last year’s hit-and-run

    Police arrested a Russian DJ at a rented room in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, for crashing an SUV into a motorcyclist last year. A Thai motorcyclist, whose identity was not disclosed, was severely injured in an accident on Koh Pha Ngan on July 30 of last year. A white Toyota Fortuner SUV…

  • Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for 45 provinces

    Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for 45 provinces

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for severe weather, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain across 45 provinces, with Bangkok expected to be significantly impacted. Citizens are advised to take precautions against the potential dangers of severe rain and flooding. Today, July 8, the TMD forecasts that the southwest monsoon will cover the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the…

  • Thai woman arrested for drugging, and robbing foreign date

    Thai woman arrested for drugging, and robbing foreign date

    Pattaya police arrested a Thai woman on charges of drugging and robbing her foreign date in Bangkok, making off with a Rolex watch and a gold chain worth over 500,000 baht. The incident, which took place on June 20, came to light after the foreign tourist complained to the Huai Khwang Police Station. The complaint alleged that the tourist was…

  • Foreign man escapes hospital, steals van, and crashes in Phuket

    Foreign man escapes hospital, steals van, and crashes in Phuket

    A foreign man escaped from a hospital at the weekend, stole a van parked at a petrol station, and crashed it into another vehicle on Khao Patong Road in Phuket. Officers from Patong Police Station were alerted to an accident on Baramee-Khao Patong Road in the Kathu district of Phuket on Saturday, July 6. Police then requested the Kusoldharm Phuket…

  • Bangkok brawl leaves two teens dead, one injured in soi showdown

    Bangkok brawl leaves two teens dead, one injured in soi showdown

    Two teenagers were found dead yesterday and another 16 year old was severely injured following a fatal brawl involving several teenagers in Soi Udomsuk 26, Bang Na in Bangkok. Bangkok police received a report at 11.30pm, Sunday, July 7, regarding the killing and injuries. Upon arrival, officers and rescuers discovered the bodies of the two victims, one 14 and the…

  • Road rage incident in Chiang Mai sparks online debate (video)

    Road rage incident in Chiang Mai sparks online debate (video)

    A recent incident involving a road rage altercation in Chiang Mai drew significant attention online. The dispute began when a woman driving slowly in the right lane was confronted by an irate driver, who accused her of using her mobile phone while driving. The incident, which occurred yesterday, involved 28 year old Aem, who was driving on Samphoch 700 Pi…

  • Bangkok police arrest man with 200 methamphetamine pills

    Bangkok police arrest man with 200 methamphetamine pills

    Police apprehended a man after he attempted to flee during a routine check, discovering 200 methamphetamine pills in his possession. The arrest took place outside a supermarket on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. The incident began when officers from Bang Khen Police Station, including Anant Warasat, Sanpich Sirisoonthorn, and Adul Phothakan, received a report of a group of teenagers fighting.…

  • Bangkok police arrest woman for 5 million baht fraud scheme

    Bangkok police arrest woman for 5 million baht fraud scheme

    Police in Bangkok have apprehended, a 44 year old woman, a key figure in a large-scale fraud case. She is accused of luring victims into a high-interest investment scheme, resulting in losses exceeding 5 million baht. Pimpapatsorn, a prominent recruiter in the scheme, enticed numerous individuals with promises of high returns and special perks, including international travel. Victims were threatened…

  • Tourists rescued after speedboat sinks off Surat Thani coast

    Tourists rescued after speedboat sinks off Surat Thani coast

    A speedboat carrying tourists on a fishing trip was hit by large waves, causing it to take on water and eventually sink. Five people were left stranded in the sea before being rescued by local fishing boats and the marine police. At 12.20am today, the marine police received a distress call from relatives of the speedboat’s driver, alerting them that…

  • Fatal crash at notorious Panthong bend leaves one dead, several injured

    Fatal crash at notorious Panthong bend leaves one dead, several injured

    A severe accident occurred at a notorious bend in Panthong, Chon Buri, resulting in the death of one individual and serious injuries to several others. The collision involved an Isuzu SUV and a Toyota pickup truck. At 4.30am today, Kittikul Amatatrakul, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Panthong Police Station, Chon Buri, received a report of a crash at the Christian…

  • Thailand proposes 75% foreign ownership in condos, extending leases to 99 years

    Thailand proposes 75% foreign ownership in condos, extending leases to 99 years

    The government’s proposal to increase foreign ownership quotas for condominiums to 75% and extend land leasehold terms to 99 years has raised concerns, though officials are downplaying potential negative impacts. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke addressed these concerns in a Facebook post, asserting that regulations could be introduced to mitigate any adverse effects on Thai citizens. The proposal aims to raise…

  • Fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown injures 30, damages hotel

    Fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown injures 30, damages hotel

    A fire that ravaged the Trok Pho community in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, was brought under control late last night after igniting around 9pm. The blaze left approximately 30 people injured. Firefighters received reports of the fire beginning at 8.42pm in the Trok Pho area along Yaowarat Road in the Samphanthawong district. The fire quickly spread through the 3,200-square-metre community, which…

  • Tourist chaos in Phuket: van theft and crash disrupt traffic

    Tourist chaos in Phuket: van theft and crash disrupt traffic

    A foreign tourist caused a chaotic scene in Phuket by assaulting a Myanmar worker, escaping from the hospital, stealing a van, and crashing it into another van on Patong Hill, leading to severe traffic congestion. Yesterday, law enforcement officers from Patong Police Station responded to an accident involving two vans near the Por Sue Shrine on Phra Barami Road, Patong…

  • Thailand to reclassify cannabis as narcotic from 2025

    Thailand to reclassify cannabis as narcotic from 2025

    The Ministry of Public Health has announced a proposal to classify cannabis and hemp as illegal narcotics under Thai law. This decision follows a meeting of the Narcotics Control Board, where the majority agreed on the medical and research benefits of cannabis but opposed its recreational use. A minority expressed concerns that strict regulations might cause public inconvenience. The draft…

  • Police raid finds underage patrons at Boston Rangsit in Pathum Thani

    Police raid finds underage patrons at Boston Rangsit in Pathum Thani

    Pak Khlong Rangsit police, supported by relevant agencies, conducted a raid at 1am yesterday on an entertainment venue in Mueang Pathum Thani. The establishment, known as Boston Rangsit, was found to be violating several regulations, including serving patrons under 20 years old. During the operation, police performed drug tests and checked ID cards. Over 81 individuals were discovered to be…

  • Thailand-China flights surge 213% after visa exemption deal

    Thailand-China flights surge 213% after visa exemption deal

    Flights between Thailand and China have surged to 55,000 in the past eight months, following the signing of a mutual visa exemption agreement, according to the Ministry of Transport. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote reported that the 55,433 flights from October last year to May marked a 213% increase compared to the same period the previous year. He projected that…

  • Parcel worker shot dead in Ranong over alleged affair

    Parcel worker shot dead in Ranong over alleged affair

    A shooting incident occurred yesterday evening, July 5, behind a market in Ranong, leaving a private parcel delivery employee dead and his family in mourning. Witnesses reported a physical altercation between the victim and a man in black before shots were fired. Police received the distress call around 6.42pm and immediately dispatched officers and medical personnel to the scene. The…

  • Motorcyclist’s leg severed in Nakhon Ratchasima bridge crash

    Motorcyclist’s leg severed in Nakhon Ratchasima bridge crash

    A young man riding a big bike lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a bridge railing, resulting in a severe injury where his leg was severed and he fell 7 metres. He remains in ICU in critical condition. The motorcycle accident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand yesterday, July 5. The incident was reported by local journalists who detailed…

  • Thai man sets fire to irrigation house in Pak Kret, wife hospitalised

    Thai man sets fire to irrigation house in Pak Kret, wife hospitalised

    A man set fire to an irrigation house in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, leaving his wife hospitalised after an assault. The incident occurred at 5pm yesterday, July 5, prompting immediate intervention by local police and fire services. Police responded to a call from residents reporting a man in a frenzied state setting fire to a government-owned house in Bang Talat, Pak…

  • Thailand faces ‘invisible time bomb’ population crisis

    Thailand faces ‘invisible time bomb’ population crisis

    Thailand’s population crisis, described as an “invisible time bomb,” requires urgent government intervention, according to Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). Varawut stated the following during a forum on national strategies hosted by the National Press Council of Thailand on Thursday, July 4. “Environmental issues are visible, but this [population crisis] is an invisible time…

  • Thai police arrest man for stealing motorcycles to fund drug use

    Thai police arrest man for stealing motorcycles to fund drug use

    Police officers from Division 5 of the Crime Suppression Division raided a house and arrested a 25 year old Thai man for stealing motorcycles over three consecutive nights. The stolen motorcycles were sold to buy methamphetamine and for leisure activities. On July 5, police officers led by Phattawut Onchuay, Hatthaphon Thongkham, and Kitiphum Sriphaeo executed a warrant issued by the…

  • Thai student goes viral with Lisa dance cover on TikTok (video)

    Thai student goes viral with Lisa dance cover on TikTok (video)

    A student from Phichit province has become an overnight sensation after posting a video on TikTok. The clip, featuring her cover of Lisa from BLACKPINK’s latest single Rockstar, has garnered over 5 million views in just one night. Kulthida Suthiprapha, known as Nong Yeehwa, is a 16 year old student at Taphan Hin School. She first caught public attention when…