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...

  • Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early | Thaiger

    Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early

    Phuket airport is on high alert following the discovery of an explosive device hidden in an abandoned motorcycle on its premises. Passengers are urged to arrive at least two hours early from today, as security measures have been tightened in the aftermath of the threat. The warning comes after bomb experts successfully neutralised the device found on Wednesday night, June…

  • Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal? | Thaiger

    Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal?

    Thailand is on the edge of a crucial trade deadline with the US, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that he will be heading to the US next week for urgent trade negotiations. With Thailand facing a 36% tariff on its exports unless a deal is struck, time is running out for the kingdom to…

  • Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns | Thaiger

    Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns

    A staggering 774 million baht sports complex in Pattaya, Chon Buri, designed to serve as a national hub for sports events, has been left in a state of neglect and disrepair since its construction began in 2008. Yesterday, June 26, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led by Secretary-General Saroj Phueng-ramphan, conducted an on-site inspection of the Eastern Region National Sports…

  • Gunmen at large after fatal shooting of Thai businessman in Kanchanaburi | Thaiger

    Gunmen at large after fatal shooting of Thai businessman in Kanchanaburi

    Two suspects remain at large following the fatal shooting of a Thai businessman in the car park of a construction materials store in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The 51 year old victim, Sittikorn, also known as Sia Piak, was gunned down outside the store in the Pak Phraek sub-district of Mueang district on Wednesday, June 25. Sittikorn and his…

  • Thailand Video News | Cannabis advocates plan mass protest over recriminalisation push, South Korea bans dog meat—but what happens to 500,000 dogs? | Thaiger

    Thailand Video News | Cannabis advocates plan mass protest over recriminalisation push, South Korea bans dog meat—but what happens to 500,000 dogs?

    Cannabis advocates and opposition groups plan large-scale protests in Thailand, while criminal cases involving teachers, robberies, and fraud shake public trust. Meanwhile, regional cooperation improves as Thailand and Cambodia ease border tensions, and Vietnam rolls out landmark free public education. Other notable developments include South Korea’s historic dog meat ban, chaotic nightlife incidents in Pattaya, and a bear disrupting flights…

  • Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised | Thaiger

    Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised

    A 26 year old Thai student and aspiring model was attacked and robbed in New York, prompting concerns about the lack of assistance from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff. She was forced to flag down a vehicle to seek help from police. A Facebook user shared details of the incident today, June 27, highlighting a warning for Thai nationals to…

  • Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay | Thaiger

    Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay

    Immigration officers in Krabi apprehended an Irish national who overstayed his visa by 415 days. Yesterday, June 26, Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, along with senior immigration officials, coordinated with the Irish police to locate the suspect, who has a history of criminal activities in Ireland. The Irishman is reportedly involved in numerous crimes, including 12 offences related to drug…

  • Police drives against traffic flow and fatally crashes woman in Ratchaburi | Thaiger

    Police drives against traffic flow and fatally crashes woman in Ratchaburi

    A police officer, who was reportedly drunk, drove against the flow of traffic and crashed into several motorcycles, resulting in the death of a 64 year old woman in the central province of Ratchaburi yesterday, June 26. The fatal accident occurred at 7.55am on Song Phon Road, in front of an Isuzu car showroom. A motorist stuck in traffic on…

  • Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting | Thaiger

    Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting

    A routine undercover operation in Nonthaburi turned into a major drug bust when Bang Lamung Police apprehended a 42 year old farmer attempting to smuggle 10,000 methamphetamine pills across provincial lines for sale in Chon Buri. The arrest took place at 12.30pm yesterday, June 26, outside a convenience store in the Sai Yai subdistrict of Nonthaburi province. Acting on a…

  • Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht | Thaiger

    Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht

    A Russian journalist was left traumatised and nearly 2.5 million baht poorer after being kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted by a gang of fellow Russians. The harrowing ordeal took place in Pattaya, with the victim, identified as David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, left with bruises and marks of assault. Yesterday, June 26, at 9pm, Pattaya City Police…

  • Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search | Thaiger

    Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search

    Officials are searching for two more bombs, which the suspects claimed to have hidden on Surin Beach in Phuket. All six criminals involved in the bomb plot were arrested. Officers from Mueang Phang Nga Police Station apprehended two suspects, 29 year old Muhama Wadeng and 27 year old Sulaiman Gaza, in the southern province of Phang Nga at 3.30am on…

  • Alcohol sales hours to change in Thailand starting today | Thaiger

    Alcohol sales hours to change in Thailand starting today

    In a major shake-up to alcohol sales in Thailand, the Royal Gazette has announced that new regulations will take effect starting today. Under the new rules, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be restricted to specific hours, but there are three major exceptions. Here’s what you need to know about the changes that will affect bars, restaurants, and travellers. Yesterday,…

  • Heavy rainfall and flash flood continue to batter Thailand | Thaiger

    Heavy rainfall and flash flood continue to batter Thailand

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall in the country’s upper regions, affecting 70% of two provinces today. A total of 43 provinces are expected to experience severe weather, with warnings issued for potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. The heavy rain is attributed to a monsoon trough stretching across northern Thailand and Laos, merging into a low-pressure…

  • NACC probes justice minister, DSI chief over senate collusion | Thaiger

    NACC probes justice minister, DSI chief over senate collusion

    Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched an investigation into the actions of Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and the director general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Police Major Yutthana Praedam, following allegations of misconduct during the investigation into alleged collusion in the Senate elections. The NACC’s decision to establish a committee to investigate the two officials follows a formal complaint lodged by…

  • Thailand and Cambodia relax border rules amid tensions | Thaiger

    Thailand and Cambodia relax border rules amid tensions

    In a significant move to ease tensions, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has temporarily relaxed regulations at four border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province, allowing Thais and Cambodians to cross the border after days of strict closures. The announcement, made by the Burapha Task Force today, June 26, comes amid increasing calls for a relaxation of the blanket border closures…

  • Woman caught smuggling exotic food from Thailand into Australia | Thaiger

    Woman caught smuggling exotic food from Thailand into Australia

    In a daring attempt to smuggle over 62,000kg of exotic foods into Australia, a woman has landed herself behind bars after her plan to flood the Sydney black market with illegal goods was thwarted by vigilant border agents. The woman, who tried to import a variety of goods from Thailand, used mislabelled polystyrene boxes to ship the products. Inside, agents found a disturbing range of items,…

  • Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants | Thaiger

    Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants

    In a massive push to strengthen Thailand’s disaster response, more than 1,000 people will take part in a major tsunami drill in Kamala tomorrow as part of the national disaster response exercise, C-MEX 25. The drill, aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination across six Andaman coastal provinces, is set to be the largest exercise of its kind in recent years. The…

  • Teacher busted with drugs, weapons, and wildlife in Phang Nga | Thaiger

    Teacher busted with drugs, weapons, and wildlife in Phang Nga

    A 53 year old school teacher in Kuraburi, Phang Nga, was arrested in a major crackdown on illegal activities following an operation aimed at suppressing drugs and wildlife crime in the region. Today, June 26, Governor Pairot Petchyuan ordered a security operation, which saw local officials, including District Chief Kittipong Maneesri, set up a checkpoint on Mae Yai Bridge Road. The…

  • Missing autistic teen in Bangkok prompts urgent search | Thaiger

    Missing autistic teen in Bangkok prompts urgent search

    A 17 year old autistic teenager has been reported missing after leaving school to visit a swimming pool located within the Huai Khwang flats yesterday, June 25. The Facebook page FM91 Trafficpro has shared a post seeking assistance in locating the teenager, Nong Suea, from the Huai Khwang area. Nong Suea, whose full name is Chawakon Hengyai, is described as…

  • Bangkok Airways cancels flights to Lampang and Mae Hong Son | Thaiger

    Bangkok Airways cancels flights to Lampang and Mae Hong Son

    Bangkok Airways announced the temporary suspension of its flights between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Lampang starting from October 26. This decision, which has left many passengers concerned, also affects the route between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son, which will be suspended from July 1. The airline revealed that the suspensions are due to fleet maintenance and commercial considerations, though it reassured passengers that alternative options would still be available. Despite the…

  • Phuket’s luxury real estate boom raises green space concerns | Thaiger

    Phuket’s luxury real estate boom raises green space concerns

    Phuket’s latest luxury real estate development, Utopia Urban Glam, has made waves as it positions itself as a key driver of the island’s economic growth. The seven-storey building, currently under construction in Rawai’s Saiyuan area, boasts 110 residential units and a range of high-end amenities, including seven swimming pools, a private cinema, a fitness centre, and a rooftop Sky Lounge. The…

  • Cambodian woman with missing arm arrested after Sa Kaeo protest | Thaiger

    Cambodian woman with missing arm arrested after Sa Kaeo protest

    A Cambodian woman with a missing arm has been arrested following her participation in a protest at the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. The protest arose as a large group of Cambodians demanded that Cambodian officials reopen the border, having waited on the Thai side for nearly eight hours. Despite the efforts of Thai military personnel to…

  • Chiang Mai aims to be entertainment hub with major film deal | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai aims to be entertainment hub with major film deal

    Chiang Mai is set to become Asia’s next big entertainment hotspot, thanks to a groundbreaking new collaboration. Hylife Group, the city’s leading real estate, asset management, and manufacturing giant, has just signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and key industry partners to transform the northern Thai city into a regional film and…

  • Neighbour dispute in Pathum Thani ends in fatal stabbing | Thaiger

    Neighbour dispute in Pathum Thani ends in fatal stabbing

    A long-standing neighbourhood dispute in Pathum Thani’s Nong Suea district culminated in tragedy when a 64 year old man fatally stabbed a neighbour. The incident occurred after the suspect’s son was allegedly harassed by the victim. Yesterday, June 25, Police Lieutenant Nipon Butsana of Nong Suea Police Station was informed of a fatal stabbing incident within a village in Bueng…

  • Businessman shot dead in Kanchanaburi mall car park | Thaiger

    Businessman shot dead in Kanchanaburi mall car park

    A well-known businessman in Sangkhla Buri was fatally shot in a car park of a wholesale mall in central Kanchanaburi, highlighting potential personal or business conflicts. The incident occurred at 7.26pm yesterday, June 25, when police received reports of a fatal shooting in the car park of a prominent wholesale mall in Pak Phraek subdistrict, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. Upon…

  • Bangkok scoops design awards for manhole cover and website | Thaiger

    Bangkok scoops design awards for manhole cover and website

    Bangkok’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has been recognised with two prestigious Design Excellence Awards (DEmark 2025), awarded by the Value Added Promotion for Trade Office of the Department of International Promotion. The awards were announced by Ekwaranyu Amrapal, spokesperson for the city, who proudly revealed that Yaowarat Road’s Identity Manhole Cover and the Greener Bangkok website were both recipients of the esteemed honours.…

  • Unrest in Pattani as assailants target officials during rescue | Thaiger

    Unrest in Pattani as assailants target officials during rescue

    Unidentified assailants caused unrest in two districts of Pattani province, aiming to harm officials during rescue operations. The incidents yesterday, June 25, at 9.30pm, took place in Sai Buri and Kapho districts, leading to multiple road closures. In Sai Buri district, arsonists set fire to a vehicle belonging to the Paen Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, resulting in significant damage. Emergency services…

  • Woman caught running million-baht online sex service in Ayutthaya | Thaiger

    Woman caught running million-baht online sex service in Ayutthaya

    A woman has been arrested in Ayutthaya for operating a lucrative online sex video subscription service, making millions of baht over the past three years. The arrest took place in Samruan subdistrict, Bang Pa-in district, following an in-depth investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The investigation began after police discovered explicit content being marketed and sold on social media…

  • Patong Beach gets bomb squad and sniffer dogs for tourist safety | Thaiger

    Patong Beach gets bomb squad and sniffer dogs for tourist safety

    Phuket officials are ramping up security in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations after a safety inspection at Patong Beach, aimed at reassuring tourists and locals. Yesterday, June 25, a bomb scare was averted thanks to the swift action of local police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and specially trained sniffer dogs. At 12.30pm, Police Colonel Akanit Danpitaksan, Deputy…

  • Thai woman kills teen boy over mistaken identity | Thaiger

    Thai woman kills teen boy over mistaken identity

    A 69 year old woman killed a 14 year old boy after mistakenly believing he had assaulted her grandson. Yesterday, June 25, Police Lieutenant Colonel Manop Marotarakul reported the incident after Police Lieutenant Phatrawit Kittisirivuwan, deputy inspector of Khiri Ratthanikhom Police Station, received a report of a stabbing outside a house in Village 11, Tha Khanon subdistrict, Khiri Ratthanikhom district…