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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Man walks 700km to overcome cannabis addiction in Ratchaburi

    Man walks 700km to overcome cannabis addiction in Ratchaburi

    A Thai man is making headlines for his extraordinary attempt to turn his life around by walking more than 700 kilometres to escape cannabis addiction. Piya, a 46 year old man from Ratchaburi, has spent the past 20 days trekking towards Chiang Mai in a personal mission to overcome his dependency on cannabis. Armed with nothing more than a single…

  • Pattaya couple cuffed for meth deal with toddler in tow

    Pattaya couple cuffed for meth deal with toddler in tow

    A Pattaya couple have been arrested in a major drug sting, after allegedly turning up to a meth deal with their two year old son sat on the motorbike. Pattaya police reported that 42 year old Wirot Ratloi, nicknamed “Ting,” and his 27 year old wife, Ployphan Mueangdit, known as “Pin,” were caught with over 1,000 Yaba pills, just moments after…

  • Thai Journalists Association urges PM’s team to stop intimidating media

    Thai Journalists Association urges PM’s team to stop intimidating media

    The Thai Journalists Association urged officials working closely with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to refrain from any intimidating behaviour towards journalists following a recent confrontation between the PM and a reporter. The Thai premier was seen expressing irritation towards a journalist during an interview on June 4 regarding the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The 38 year…

  • Hotel boss eyes Thai tourism slump as golden opportunity

    Hotel boss eyes Thai tourism slump as golden opportunity

    Thailand’s tourism sector may be cooling off, but one hotel boss is turning up the heat — and he’s betting big on local travellers. Despite a slowdown in international arrivals, Koko Global Hospitality (Thailand) Co Ltd (KGH), the operator behind the Kokotel hotel chain, is expanding its footprint across the region. The company’s chief executive, Rei Matsuda, believes the current…

  • Thaksin skips Supreme Court hearing over hospital jail stay

    Thaksin skips Supreme Court hearing over hospital jail stay

    Thaksin Shinawatra will not attend the Supreme Court tomorrow, as it reviews whether he served his prison sentence during his extended stay at Police General Hospital (PGH). According to his lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, the former Thai prime minister was not required to appear for the hearing at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions tomorrow, June…

  • Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon Buri

    Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon Buri

    A massive crackdown on illegal foreign workers has rocked Thailand’s party province of Chon Buri, with multiple raids, social media tip-offs, and a string of arrests hitting everything from restaurants to racy nightlife venues. A joint task force yesterday, June 11, stormed businesses in the Bang Lamung district, rounding up eight undocumented workers at a company in the Huay Yai…

  • Teenagers injured in Bangkok shooting incident at home

    Teenagers injured in Bangkok shooting incident at home

    Two teenagers were injured in a shooting incident today at their residence on Soi Veluwanaram 21, Don Mueang district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jarukit Janrada, Deputy Inspector of Don Mueang Police Station, responded to the scene at 2am today, June 12, alongside the 191 patrol unit and Don Mueang patrol officers. The incident occurred at a single-storey townhouse, where two…

  • Tragedy strikes: Missing granny found dead in Phuket canal

    Tragedy strikes: Missing granny found dead in Phuket canal

    A peaceful afternoon in Phuket turned tragic after the body of a 72 year old woman was discovered in a canal, more than 24 hours after she reportedly vanished. The elderly woman was reported missing yesterday afternoon, June 11, when her family raised the alarm, fearing she may have fallen into the Bang Yai Canal in Phuket Town. Rescue workers…

  • Wife blames ghost possession for car crash by drug-addicted husband

    Wife blames ghost possession for car crash by drug-addicted husband

    A Thai woman claimed her husband was possessed by a ghost after he crashed his sedan into an electric bicycle and a sidecar motorcycle in the northeastern province of Loei on Sunday, June 8. Two Thai women, 39 year old Arnutsara and 33 year old Orrawan, urged Channel 3 to help ensure justice for their family members, who were injured…

  • Splash warning: Thailand braces for monsoon madness

    Splash warning: Thailand braces for monsoon madness

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued an urgent alert for the northeast of Thailand, warning of torrential downpours and thunderstorms set to drench the entire nation. Locals are urged to stay on high alert for flash floods and landslides, especially in those tricky hilly regions and low-lying areas. Farmers, take heed, it’s time to shield those crops from the impending…

  • Thai man finds wood in leg wound after reckless treatment in Nakhon Sawan

    Thai man finds wood in leg wound after reckless treatment in Nakhon Sawan

    A Thai woman took to social media to condemn Ladyao Hospital in the central province of Nakhon Sawan after her brother discovered two pieces of wood embedded in his wound three months after receiving reckless treatment there. The victim’s sister, using the Facebook account “N’Mim Mimja, shared pictures on Tuesday, June 10, showing the bloodied wooden fragments that were removed…

  • Chinese man arrested for running unlicensed VVIP tour in Bangkok

    Chinese man arrested for running unlicensed VVIP tour in Bangkok

    A Chinese man has been arrested for operating a luxury VVIP programme for Chinese tourists in Bangkok’s historic Rattanakosin Island, despite not having the required permit. The suspect, identified as 25 year old Ling Zixiang, was detained near Tha Chang Pier on Maharat Road. The arrest was the result of a detailed investigation by tourist police, led by Police Major…

  • Historic deal brings all Thai football leagues to screens

    Historic deal brings all Thai football leagues to screens

    In a game-changing move for Thai football, Gulf Development Plc, alongside Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) and Jasmine International Plc (JAS), has partnered with the Football Association of Thailand to revolutionise the country’s football broadcasting landscape. The trio has secured exclusive rights to broadcast all major football leagues across Thailand for the next four years, cementing a new era of…

  • ‘Dead’ man comes back to life, cries for help in Nonthaburi canal

    ‘Dead’ man comes back to life, cries for help in Nonthaburi canal

    Emergency responders in Nonthaburi were left stunned when a man, presumed dead and floating in a canal, suddenly cried out for help. The shocking turn of events left police and volunteers scrambling to rescue the man, who was later identified as 70 year old Kosem. Police from Bang Bua Thong station and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers responded today, June 11, to…

  • United Thai Nation Party in chaos over Cabinet reshuffle demands

    United Thai Nation Party in chaos over Cabinet reshuffle demands

    The United Thai Nation (UTN) Party is in turmoil after 22 MPs, led by deputy leader Suchart Chomklin, submitted a letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday, calling for a reshuffle of the party’s ministers. The move, which has sparked internal conflict, suggests that the reshuffling of the Cabinet members is necessary to improve governance and crisis management. Suchart,…

  • Thai woman accuses ex-boyfriend’s friend of rape, detainment, blackmail

    Thai woman accuses ex-boyfriend’s friend of rape, detainment, blackmail

    A Thai woman accused her ex-boyfriend’s friend of raping, detaining, blackmailing and forcing her into sex work to buy drugs. She shared the harrowing story with the public and media, claiming that police and the legal system failed to deter the suspect. The 31 year old victim recounted her ordeal to the Facebook news page Jmoi v+ and DailyNews, hoping…

  • High school student killed in tragic Phrae motorcycle crash

    High school student killed in tragic Phrae motorcycle crash

    A tragic accident occurred when a group of high school students, on their way to get haircuts after class, were involved in a motorcycle collision. The incident resulted in the death of a student after being run over by a truck yesterday, June 10. Police Lieutenant Sittipoj Thananchai from the Huaima Police Station received a report from the Baan Thin…

  • Pattaya’s future at risk as accommodation bill divides opinion

    Pattaya’s future at risk as accommodation bill divides opinion

    Pattaya, Thailand’s notorious tourist hotspot, finds itself at the centre of a national debate as the proposed Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act, better known as the Equal Accommodation Bill, threatens to dramatically reshape the city’s tourism landscape. While the bill aims to modernise outdated laws, critics warn it could undermine safety standards, community trust, and the sustainability of tourism in…

  • Monk in Pathum Thani faces probe over gambling video

    Monk in Pathum Thani faces probe over gambling video

    A renowned monk in Pathum Thani province, identified as the deputy abbot of a local temple, is under scrutiny following the release of a video allegedly showing him playing online gambling games within the temple grounds. This issue was brought to light by a popular social media page. The incident has prompted a thorough investigation led by Phra Khru Pariyat…

  • British tourist rescued after motorbike plunges into Patong canal

    British tourist rescued after motorbike plunges into Patong canal

    A British tourist had a close call when his motorbike plunged into a canal behind Patong Hospital, but thanks to quick-thinking rescue workers, he was saved with only minor injuries. The incident occurred yesterday, June 10, on Sai Nam Yen Road, with emergency teams from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation’s Patong unit rushing to the scene after receiving the call for…

  • Police rescue teens and arrest pimp in Bangkok hotel raid

    Police rescue teens and arrest pimp in Bangkok hotel raid

    Bangrak police rescued two young girls aged 13 and 16 from a suspected child prostitution ring in Bangkok, arresting an 18 year old woman believed to be their pimp. The raid uncovered a disturbing scheme involving the exploitation of minors for sexual services, sparking outrage across the city. At 6am today, June 11, senior officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau,…

  • Police arrest suspect for cable theft at a Bangkok train station

    Police arrest suspect for cable theft at a Bangkok train station

    A suspect has been apprehended by police for stealing electrical cables from the Red Line suburban railway service in Bangkok. The arrest was made at the motorcycle parking area of Krungthep Aphiwat Central Station, also known as Bang Sue Grand Station. The police, led by Police Colonel Dendoom Laphanan, discovered 21 items of evidence, including a green grounding wire roll,…

  • Thai man fatally struck while crossing road to apologise to girlfriend

    Thai man fatally struck while crossing road to apologise to girlfriend

    A Thai man lost his life in a road accident after attempting to cross a road in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok to reconcile with his girlfriend, whom he physically assaulted during a financial dispute. The 35 year old woman, Kanokon, was seen weeping uncontrollably on the traffic island after witnessing the death of her boyfriend, 40 year old Piyapong.…

  • Bangkok minimarts busted for selling illegal drugs and herbs

    Bangkok minimarts busted for selling illegal drugs and herbs

    In a major crackdown on illegal drug sales, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided six minimarts in Bangkok for illegally selling drugs and unregistered herbal products. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridet, Commissioner-General of the CIB, and Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, Secretary-General of the FDA, resulted in the arrest of five…

  • Jetstar Asia to ground flights by end of July amid rising costs

    Jetstar Asia to ground flights by end of July amid rising costs

    Just a little over a year after its new route from Singapore to Krabi took flight, the Singaporean airline JetStar Asia will cease services next month. Full refunds will be offered for affected passengers. The airline, part of the Qantas Group, has struggled to cope with rising supplier costs, high airport fees, and fierce competition in the regional low-cost flight…

  • Student brawl in Kanchanaburi leaves four injured

    Student brawl in Kanchanaburi leaves four injured

    In Kanchanaburi, over 30 students from Tha Maka became embroiled in a conflict that escalated into a brawl at a busy intersection. Four students were injured in the incident. Police have arrested one person found with a weapon and are conducting further investigations. The event occurred yesterday, June 10, at a traffic intersection in the municipality of Tha Ruea Phra…

  • Thai Porsche driver kills motorcyclist and tries to silence victim’s family

    Thai Porsche driver kills motorcyclist and tries to silence victim’s family

    A Porsche driver crashed into and killed a female motorcyclist in the southern province of Songkhla, later allegedly threatening the victim’s family to abandon legal proceedings. The 38 year old Thai man, Supachai Suwannarat, appealed to ThaiRath to help him seek justice for his wife, Thong-uraiwan Phramana. Thong-uraiwan was killed in a car accident on Kanchana Wanit Road in Mueang…

  • Bugged out: Heartbroken Indian sprays mozzie repellent in mouth

    Bugged out: Heartbroken Indian sprays mozzie repellent in mouth

    A heartbroken Indian man was rushed to hospital in Pattaya after he reportedly sprayed mosquito repellent into his own mouth, and went into violent shock. Rescue workers were called to a five-storey commercial block in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung today, June 11, after the man, identified as 33 year old Devaraj, was found foaming at the mouth…

  • Thai tourism at a crossroads: Can the industry survive?

    Thai tourism at a crossroads: Can the industry survive?

    Thailand’s tourism industry is facing a critical turning point, according to Yuthasak Supasorn, Chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). While Thai tourism has weathered numerous crises in the past, it is now confronted with a significant structural change and a noticeable decline in tourist numbers. “Thai tourism…

  • Woman caught transporting 200,000 meth pills in Thailand

    Woman caught transporting 200,000 meth pills in Thailand

    A woman involved in the transportation of 200,000 meth pills from northern to southern Thailand was intercepted by police before receiving her 50,000 baht payment. Upon realising the operation had failed, she fled into the forest, fearing for her life, but later turned herself in to the police. Yesterday, June 10, Police Major General Witaya Sriprasert ordered Police Colonel Phataravut…