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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
-
Thailand’s tourism revenue goal in jeopardy: Tourism minister
Thailand faces an uphill battle in reaching its ambitious 3.5 trillion-baht tourism revenue target for 2024, as admitted by Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich. Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association’s annual conference, Sermsak highlighted the current progress and challenges ahead. “In the first five months of this year, Thailand has welcomed 15 million foreign tourists, generating 1.1 trillion baht.…
-
Thailand ranked among top 50 in World Happiness Report 2024
Thailand ranks among the top 50 countries in the World Happiness Report 2024 as a potential destination for young people seeking happiness, highlighting a high level of joy among those under 30 years old in the country. The World Happiness Report, conducted jointly by the United Nations (UN), the University of Oxford, and the analytics and advisory firm Gallup, drew…
-
Couple escape police custody, arrested after dramatic manhunt
A couple involved in a theft case managed to escape from a police station, crossing provincial borders and disguising themselves to evade capture. The husband, driven by sympathy for his wife and their child, orchestrated the breakout. Suspected of theft, 20 year old Naranya was picked up near Sattahip Police Station by a man identified as 36 year old Arthit,…
-
PM Srettha faces corruption probe over asset disclosure
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana is pushing for a corruption investigation against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, accusing him of failing to fully disclose his assets and previous executive roles. Ruangkrai announced his petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate potential inconsistencies in the wealth and former position statements submitted by the Thai premier upon assuming office as prime minister…
-
HBO exec hails Koh Samui as paradise as White Lotus filming ends
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has just wrapped up filming on Koh Samui for its highly anticipated Season 3. Scott Schaeffer, HBO’s Senior Vice President for Production, hailed Thailand as a cinematic paradise, praising its natural splendour and skilled local crews. Schaeffer’s glowing endorsement came during a high-profile meeting with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Ministry…
-
Thailand’s plant-based foods market to hit 45 million baht
Thailand’s plant-based food market is on track for significant growth, with projections from a recent workshop indicating a 10% increase in value, reaching 45 billion baht this year. This promising forecast was highlighted during a recently held workshop titled The Future of Essential Agricultural Products of Thailand: A Case Study of Plant-Based Food. The event was co-organised by the Trade…
-
Farmer saves massive cow trapped in well in East Pattaya
A farmer’s 300-kilogramme brown cow went missing during a routine grazing check at the weekend in East Pattaya. The 59 year old Thai farmer Kanya discovered her beloved cow wedged inside a well with a narrow 1.5-metre opening and a daunting 2-metre depth on Sunday, June 23. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t free the trapped bovine alone. “I heard…
-
Newborn baby found in bag in Chon Buri prompts investigation
A newborn baby boy, still with his umbilical cord attached, was discovered abandoned in a bag by the roadside in Chon Buri Province. Local police and rescue teams are now working to identify the mother. Romran Srikraiphak, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Koh Chan Police Station in Chon Buri, received a report from villagers at 7am today about a suspicious bag…
-
PM Srettha’s Pattaya Beach night out sparks economic buzz
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Pattaya Beach at the weekend to bolster tourism and jump-start economic recovery efforts. Alongside Chon Buri Governor Thawatchai Srithong, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, and Police Lieutenant General Somprasong Yenthuam, Region 2 Police Commander, the delegation’s arrival at 8pm on Saturday, June 22, heralded a lively evening on Pattaya’s famous Walking Street in South Pattaya, abuzz…
-
Government school teacher goes on a car crash rampage
A teacher driving a pickup truck caused a multi-car accident involving four vehicles yesterday and attempted to flee the scene. A determined female driver pursued the runaway truck. Police eventually apprehended the suspect and conducted an alcohol test. Police Lieutenant Kampa Phanpheng of Mueang Amnat Charoen Police Station reported that around 5.30pm, a pickup truck was involved in a hit-and-run…
-
Deputy school director missing for 10 days amid financial dispute
The family of a deputy school director, missing for 10 days, is deeply concerned about a possible financial dispute. The father of the missing school director, 72 year old Chalerm Jaisanti of Sri Sai Mun village in Nong Chang Khuen subdistrict, Mueang Lamphun district, reported that his son, 43 year old Ruchakorn Jaisanti, also known as Bank, deputy director of San…
-
Police officer accused of assaulting man in Phatthalung
A 23 year old man from Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung Province, filed a complaint against a police officer who allegedly assaulted him in his home. The incident occurred at 6.46pm yesterday while the man was cleaning his dog’s kennel. Yanason (surname withheld) reported that while he was cleaning, Chakraphan (surname withheld), a police sergeant from Raman Police Station in Yala,…
-
Qatar Airways 2024’s best airline, Bangkok Airways best regionally
Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world for 2024, overtaking last year’s champion, Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, Bangkok Airways secured the title of the world’s best regional airline for the eighth consecutive year, according to Skytrax’s World Airline Awards. Qatar Airways achieved the top spot in the annual rankings, while Singapore Airlines fell to second place. Emirates…
-
Thailand’s national parks smash revenue records
Thailand’s national parks achieved a monumental milestone, breaking revenue records by collecting a whopping 1.785 billion baht between October 1 last year, and June 20 this year. This incredible sum surpasses the total amount collected in the whole of 2023, which stood at 1.467 billion baht. Leading the charge is the Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, Phi Phi Islands, raking…
-
Screen capture: Tourist Police nab thief in kindergarten break-in
Tourist Police apprehended a man from Loei Province for breaking into a kindergarten classroom in Si Racha, Chon Buri, and stealing two Samsung flat-screen televisions. The suspect, identified as 26 year old Prawit was arrested following a warrant issued by Chon Buri Provincial Court on June 6, which charged him with theft in a government building. Tourist Police Lieutenant Kritporn…
-
Public Health Department inspects food safety at Pattaya market
To safeguard public health, officials from the Public Health Department conducted a meticulous food sanitation inspection on Rong Po Market, North Pattaya, last week. Banglamung authorities left no stone unturned on Friday, June 21, as they scrutinised every vendor, distributing informative leaflets detailing the rigorous assessment criteria. Every vendor at Rong Po Market faced a stringent evaluation across three critical areas:…
-
Thai air force transceiver deal raises concerns over inflated costs
A lawmaker from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) raised the alarm over a plan to procure digital transceivers by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), alleging that the proposed price significantly exceeds the market value. An MP for Roi Et with TST, Chatchawan Paettayathai revealed that the RTAF‘s Directorate of Communications and Electronics plans to purchase 40 Jotron…
-
88 year old Thai man killed after tree branch falls on his head
An 88 year old Thai man lost his life yesterday after a tree branch fell onto his head while he was sitting under it at a temple in the Mae On district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from Mae On Police Station were alerted to the death of the old man, Boonma Do-kaew, by Mae On Hospital,…
-
DSI slaps Stark CEO with a torrent of charges
In a dramatic twist to one of Thailand’s largest corporate frauds, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) charged Chanin Yensudchai, former CEO of Stark Corporation, with a slew of serious offences including money laundering and document forgery. Acting DSI Director Yutthana Praedam confirmed the charges also encompass negligence, fraud, embezzlement, and violations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992. Despite…
-
PM Srettha races to transform Rayong and Chon Buri
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led a delegation to Rayong and Chon Buri last Sunday, June 23, to inspect pivotal projects within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). At Rayong’s U-Tapao International Airport, PM Srettha scrutinised the progress of an ambitious project aimed at linking the airport with a high-speed rail network that will connect three major airports. “This network is set to…
-
Pattaya taxi riders to lose job after gang attack on Russian man
Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers plan to close a motorcycle taxi shelter outside Central Pattaya shopping mall after a gang attack on a Russian man on Saturday. Previous incidents involving attacks on foreigners have been reported, with Pattaya residents likening the behaviour of the motorcycle taxi drivers to that of a mafia gang. A member of the Move Forward Party…
-
Big Joke vs Srettha: Deputy police chief vows to return
Deputy Police Chief Police General Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. He threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against the PM if he failed to revoke the order temporarily dismissing him from the force. Big Joke revealed he had already appealed to the Police Virtue Protection Committee and petitioned the prime minister, who…
-
Pheu Thai denies plans to scrap party-list electoral system
The Pheu Thai Party firmly refuted circulating rumours suggesting the party plans to abolish the party-list electoral system to outmanoeuvre the rising Move Forward Party (MFP) in the upcoming election. Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Pattama stated that he has never encountered such a strategy in the party’s discussions. This response came after Thai Sang Thai Party Leader, Sudarat Keyuraphan…
-
Malaysia Airlines flight to Bangkok returns to Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines has clarified an emergency incident involving flight MH780, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The flight had to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport due to technical issues. Flight MH780, operated by Malaysia Airlines, declared an emergency code 7700, indicating a serious issue requiring immediate attention. The aircraft descended from its cruising altitude to…
-
Man with long Covid found dead in his bedroom in Samut Prakan
A man suffering from long Covid for two years was found dead yesterday in his bedroom in Samut Prakan, unable to walk due to his illness. The man’s mother revealed that he had been at home but was drinking alcohol on Sunday. Police officers from Bang Sao Thong Police Station in Samut Prakan Province were alerted to a death in…
-
4 Hong Kong men arrested at Bangkok airport for heroin smuggling
Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) officers arrested four men from Hong Kong at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Sunday for attempting to smuggle 14 kilogrammes of heroin from Thailand to Hong Kong. ONCB Secretary Phanurat Lakboon reported the details of the arrest in a press conference yesterday, June 23. Phanurat explained that the ONCB received information from…
-
Heavy rainfall and flash flood warnings across Thailand
Heavy rainfall is expected across Thailand today, with over 60% coverage in all regions, including Bangkok. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warned of potential flash floods and forest runoff due to the intense weather conditions. The TMD forecasted that the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is relatively strong. This, combined with a…
-
Julian Assange plea deal leaks path to freedom
Julian Assange yesterday agreed to plead guilty to an espionage charge in a move aimed at securing his release. The founder of WikiLeaks is currently en route to Australia, having been freed from prison in the United Kingdom after consenting to admit to breaching United States espionage laws. The 52 year old editor, publisher, and activist will admit to conspiring…
-
Motorcyclist killed in Nonthaburi accident with six-wheeled truck
A man tragically lost his life in Nonthaburi after being struck by a six-wheeled truck while riding his motorcycle on Rattanathibet Road yesterday. His skull was crushed following a failed overtaking attempt. Officers from Bang Sri Mueang Police Station in Nonthaburi received a report about the fatal accident on the inbound parallel lane heading towards Phra Nang Klao Bridge in…
-
Army clarifies conscripts’ commemorative item rumours
The Fourth Army Region clarified the recent rumours regarding deductions from conscripts’ salaries for commemorative shirts and rings, stating that such items are optional and not enforced. The military training units have no policy mandating these purchases. The official Facebook page of the Fourth Army Region issued a statement addressing the claims that conscripts in Thailand’s southern border provinces were…
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.