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?...
-
Jordanian attacks Thai singer’s brother at condo in Thailand
A Jordanian man allegedly attacked the brother of a Thai singer, Kanyarat “Lula” Tatiyaporn, at a condominium in Thailand. The victim sustained a ruptured eardrum and multiple wounds all over his body. Lula revealed details of the incident and provided an update on her brother’s condition to KhaoSod yesterday. She explained that the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday,…
-
Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm
A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off. A floating restaurant in Laos was blown into the Thai side, and eight people dining in the…
-
Thailand’s Grade 5 textbook sparks outcry over alleged malnutrition endorsement
Critics have misinterpreted the content of a Thai-language textbook for Grade 5 pupils, following allegations that it appeared to condone malnutrition among young children, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). OBEC’s secretary-general, Amporn Pinasa, asserted that the criticised chapter, found in the Pasa Patee textbook used by fifth-graders, is actually a story about appreciating the value…
-
Thai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan
The government of Thailand is making arrangements to evacuate Thai citizens from Sudan as swiftly as possible, utilising nearby airports such as Cairo Airport in Egypt and the American Air Force Base in Djibouti. This decision follows increasing concerns over the security situation in Sudan, with fears growing for the safety of the estimated 300 Thai nationals residing in the…
-
Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country. As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha visited Tha Pla district to drum up support for the UTN candidates running…
-
Trunk-ated Stay: Thailand’s push to bring home abused elephant from Sri Lanka continues
The Thai government continues to explore ways to repatriate Sak Surin, one of three elephants gifted to Sri Lanka by Thailand back in 2001. This follows reports last year by an animal rights organisation that the elephant had been subjected to mistreatment by its handlers. While the government is aware of Sak Surin’s situation, transporting the elephant back to Thailand…
-
Thailand’s heatwave nears end, rainy season looms
Thailand’s hot season approaches its conclusion as the rainy season is set to begin in mid-May, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. The hot season peaked on April 15, when the temperature reached a record high of 44.6°C in Tak. Deputy director-general Thanasit Iam-ananchai has stated that throughout the weekend, daily heat indices or apparent temperatures are anticipated to surge…
-
Thailand’s fruit exports to China keep on peel-ing with a juicy growth
Thailand, already a dominant fruit exporter to China, witnessed a remarkable growth of 3.72% in 2022, generating more than 168 billion baht in revenue. The country’s thriving fruit industry found an avid market in China, which imported over 2.17 million tonnes of Thai fruit last year, according to a recent report from the Commerce Ministry. A diverse assortment of Thai…
-
Summer storms to hit upper Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department expects summer storms to hit upper Thailand from Sunday to Wednesday. The department is forecasting summer storms, thunderstorms, gusty winds, isolated hail and lightning in upper Thailand from today (Sunday) to Wednesday. A moderate high-pressure system from China is expected to affect the northeastern region of the country and the South China Sea from Monday to…
-
Thai paediatrician worries about Grade 5 textbook encouraging bad eating habits
A Thai paediatrician worries that a Grade 5 textbook is encouraging bad eating habits. A recent controversy has sparked public debate involving a Thai language textbook for Grade 5 students discussing simplistic and potentially unhealthy meal suggestions, and a paediatrician has expressed deep concern over the limited worldview and nutritional value presented. The textbook contains content depicting a character enjoying…
-
Heat and drought expected to impact Thailand
Heat and drought are expected to impact Thailand soon. The end of the summer season is predicted to arrive by the middle of month, but Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the Meteorological Department (MD), Bangkok Post reports. The…
-
Thai activists say new electricity rates won’t solve root causes of high prices
A decision by an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) subcommittee to reduce electricity rates from May to August has been met with reservations from Thai energy activists and politicians, who argue that the move does not address the root cause of expensive power bills. Yesterday, the subcommittee approved the fuel tariff (Ft) rate adjustment, which considers changes in fuel costs and…
-
American YouTuber popular with Thais to compete in influencer boxing event
An American Youtuber who is popular among Thais is gearing up to compete in the “Influencer Boxing” contest in England today (Saturday). With over 13 million subscribers on YouTube, 30 year old Nathan Bartling has become a household name in Thailand and is proud to represent the country he now calls home. Bartling said on social media… “I never thought…
-
Pattaya mayor takes part in rice festival
On Thursday, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches took part in the traditional Kong Khao (rice) festival in the local town of Naklua. This fascinating ceremony is an integral part of Chonburi province culture, attracting hundreds every year to honour and seek the blessings of the sacred guardian spirits, deities and other protective entities known to protect the local population. The Kong…
-
Former doctor with mental health issues kills brother in central Thailand
A former doctor with mental health issues killed his brother, who also had mental health issues, in their family home in the Suphan Buri province in central Thailand this morning. He reportedly became violent due to a lack of medication. The incident happened at a two-storey house on the Khun Krai Road in the Tha Pee Liang sub-district in Suphan Buri…
-
Thai police arrest members of syndicate smuggling petrol from Malaysia
The Royal Thai Police‘s (RTP) Fuel Crime Suppression Centre recently announced the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate known as “Jae Fang” in Hat Yai, Thailand. The group has allegedly been smuggling petrol from Malaysia and reselling it in the southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, and Narathiwat. The suspects, Nee Usman and Eeb Madyusoh, were apprehended while…
-
Ladyboy assaults and robs Taiwanese tourist in Bangkok (video)
A Taiwanese tourist thought he lost his wallet during Songkran celebrations on Silom Road in Bangkok last weekend. However, upon inspecting a short video that his friend took, he realised that his wallet was stolen by a ladyboy he was sexually harassed by. In the 13-second-long clip, the Taiwanese tourist is pictured trying to get away from a ladyboy who…
-
Public hospital director in Thailand caught in underage sex scandal
The director of a public hospital in Leoi province in northeast Thailand and two accomplices were arrested yesterday by Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) officers for buying sex from underage girls. Three men were apprehended by ATPD officers in the Kudpong area of Mueang district. The suspects are Phasakorn Surachaipanya, a 54 year old director of a public hospital in…
-
Prosecutors requested to charge Kong Salak Plus CEO by DSI
Thailand‘s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has requested that prosecutors bring charges against Panthawat “Nott” Nakwisut, the beleaguered proprietor of the now-defunct Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, and 16 others for money laundering and gambling offences. On Friday, DSI detectives submitted their findings to the public prosecutors at the Attorney-General’s Office in Bangkok, situated on Ratchadapisek Road. Pongsathon Inamnuay,…
-
Cops bust crypto mine stealing electricity near Bangkok
Police raided a huge crypto mine in Samut Prakan province, just south of Bangkok, yesterday. To dig for their digital currencies, the miners used stolen electricity with damages amounting to more than one million baht. Police from Samut Prakan Police Station and officials from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) raided a three-storey rented building in Soi Mungkorn-Nark Dee in Phraek…
-
Thai man implants magnets into his fingers for 40 years to win at Hi-Lo
A Thai man implanted magnets into his own fingers for 40 years in order to cheat in the popular but illegal Hi-Lo dice game. He finally asked a doctor to remove them because he wanted to board a flight and was scared his magnetic fingers would sound the alarm at airport security. The doctor, Wat Lun, posted photos of the…
-
Thai soldiers rush to put out another forest fire in Nakhon Nayok
Thai soldiers are rushing to put out a forest fire in the central Nakhon Nayok province, after another raging wildfire broke out in the province just last month. Soldiers and officials have once again sprung into action to combat the latest fire near the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok province. The blaze was spotted on the mountain slopes…
-
Following complaints, Phuket officials swoop on stray dogs
Following a number of complaints from fed up locals, Phuket officials on Wednesday swooped on stray dogs in the island province’s main city district. The residents had complained that a pack of dogs had been causing a nuisance. They said the dogs were chasing after motorcycles, as well as defecating on streets and people’s properties. The Department of Public Health…
-
Kind police officer delivers order on behalf of Grab driver who fainted amid Thailand’s scorching heat
Thai netizens praised a police officer from Chana Songkram Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, for his kindness after he volunteered to deliver an order on behalf of a Grab delivery driver who fainted and crashed his motorbike amid sweltering heat on Wednesday. The 45 year old Grab driver and his 14 year old daughter picked up an order from a…
-
Tourism Authority of Thailand launches Vijitr lighting extravaganza across country
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the ‘Vijitr’ lighting extravaganza, a series of light and sound events taking place across the five regions of Thailand from April to June 2023. The aim is to promote meaningful travel experiences and the drive towards more sustainable tourism. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said… “This ‘Vijitr’ lighting in five…
-
Drunk hit-and-run driver in Bangkok flees scene with victim clinging to bonnet (video)
A 20 year old drunk driver crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a motorcycle taxi driver on the Rama 9 Road in Bangkok. The driver was caught on camera fleeing the scene of the accident with the victim still clinging to the car bonnet. On Tuesday, a Thai TikToker posted a video of an incident at the Rama 9 intersection which occurred…
-
Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jump by 30% during Songkran
Thailand certainly seems to have enjoyed itself after celebrating Songkran for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jumped by 30% during the Songkran holiday, according to Thanakorn Kuptachit, an advisor to the Thai Alcohol Business Association. Related businesses such as restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and event organisers, also got a boost from Songkran.…
-
ERC’s tariff cut to benefit households
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is anticipated to reveal a decrease in fuel tariffs (Ft) from May to August today, resulting in a drop in power tariff rates for households to 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour unit from the current 4.77 baht per unit. This decision comes in response to public outcry over surges in electricity bills during the summer months,…
-
Khao San’s ‘420’ celebrations cancelled
The 420 cannabis celebrations planned for Khao San Road were cancelled following criticism that the event would breach Thailand’s laws that prohibit smoking cannabis in public places. A local group of vendors intended to organise the Cannabis Day Showcase event with a parade along the street, as cannabis has been removed from the narcotics list. However, the event was met…
-
Officials working to get Thai nationals out of Sudan amidst clashes
Thai officials are working to get Thai nationals out of Sudan amidst violent clashes currently plaguing the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) plans to meet with the military today to plan the evacuation of Thai nationals from Sudan, Bangkok Post reports. The international airport in Khartoum has been closed, making it difficult for the Thai nationals to leave the country.…
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.