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 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....
-
Thailand video news | Phuket tightens immigration controls amid crime wave, Cambodia deports 119 Thai call centre workers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring updates on key developments across Thailand and Southeast Asia. In Pattaya, a Danish tourist declined hospital treatment after a stabbing incident, hindering police investigations. Meanwhile, Phuket tightens immigration controls amid a rise in crime, and Thailand faces global backlash over the controversial deportation of Uyghur detainees. Other headlines include the arrest…
-
Eagle talk to bogey walk: England putt Schmeichel’s hopes to rest
Team World vice-captain Peter Schmeichel said his Team England counterparts “talked a good game” before the tournament teed off, adding that the Reignwood Icons of Football trophy would not be “Coming Home” at the weekend. Unfortunately, the former Manchester United legend was left in the rough and forced to eat his words as Team England shattered the Dane’s bunkered dreams…
-
Thai casino entry rule demands 50 million baht deposit for citizens
Thai nationals wishing to enter the proposed casino-entertainment complex must have held at least 50 million baht in a fixed deposit account for a minimum of six months, according to a government source. This stipulation is part of Section 65 of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been examined by the Council of State and will be reviewed by the…
-
Qatar Airways addresses passenger seated next to dead woman
Qatar Airways issued a statement following an incident where a passenger was seated next to a dead woman for four hours during a flight. The airline emphasised that the crew acted promptly and appropriately, and compensation along with psychological support has been provided. This situation arose from an Australian couple’s account to their local television station, criticising Qatar Airways’ cabin…
-
Thailand sees record 1.13 trillion baht foreign investment boost
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed optimism about Thailand’s economic prospects, highlighting significant foreign investment, which reached over 1.13 trillion baht last year, the highest in a decade. In a monthly Empowering Thais TV segment aired by the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, the premier shares her optimism in regards to economic trajectory, despite last year’s 2.5% growth. “We will work…
-
Teen injured in Phatthalung pickup truck shooting incident
A 16 year old was injured when a pickup truck pulled alongside his sedan and opened fire, with a bullet piercing his cheek. Police were alerted to this incident today, March 3, at 2.20am and rushed to the scene in Mueang district, Phatthalung province, along with the investigative team. Upon arrival, officers found an MG sedan parked along the roadside,…
-
Bangkok buses now accepts QR code and e-wallet payments
Thai Smile Bus, operating primarily in Bangkok, has expanded its payment options, now allowing passengers to pay using QR codes via PromptPay across all routes. Additionally, the service will also support Digital E-Wallet payments, such as True Money Wallet, which came into effect on March 1. Kulpornphat Wongmacharapinya, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited, announced the expansion…
-
Sucker punch: Pattaya nightlife bash leaves British tourist floored
A British tourist found himself on the receiving end of a knockout punch from a local bar security guard, leaving him bloodied and hospital-bound on Pattaya’s notorious Walking Street. The late-night altercation, recorded at around 11.30pm, yesterday, March 2, unfolded like a scene from an action-crime movie, with the aftermath turning heads and causing quite a stir. Eyewitnesses recounted the…
-
China defends Uyghur deportation amid international criticism
The Chinese embassy in Thailand stated that the recent deportation of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand is a standard procedure of Sino-Thai cooperation on addressing illegal immigration. The move has been met with criticism from certain countries, which the embassy accuses of applying a double standard. In response to international criticism regarding the treatment of this ethnic minority, the embassy clarified…
-
Nigerian dealer arrested on Koh Pha Ngan with 240,000 baht of cocaine
Police arrested a Nigerian drug dealer on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, at the weekend, and seized 240,000 baht worth of cocaine. Pha Ngan Tourist Police officers received a tip-off that a Nigerian man on the island was offering drugs to other foreign tourists in the area. He personally delivered the drugs to…
-
Baht-ing the bullet: Thailand to cash in on tourists with fee
Thailand is gearing up to introduce a 300 baht tourism fee for all foreign visitors starting in 2025, just in time for the bustling peak travel season. The news comes courtesy of Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who shared that the levy is designed to ease the financial burden currently shouldered by the government to assist tourists in emergencies…
-
Thailand braces for extreme heat and thunderstorms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather alert for today predicting temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius across northern, northeastern, and central Thailand. Residents are advised to take precautions against the intense heat and avoid prolonged outdoor activities. Meanwhile, southern and southeast winds are bringing thunderstorms and gusty winds to lower northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions.…
-
Muay Thai-tanic World Championship to make waves in Pattaya
Pattaya City is gearing up for a mega showdown as it hosts the 6th World Muay Thai Championship from March 9 to 17. The prestigious event is backed by the Thai and Traditional Boxing Sports Association and the spirited Father Ray Foundation, promising a knockout experience for all involved. Kicking off the fierce festivities will be the weigh-in on March…
-
Japanese man arrested with ecstasy in Bangkok shopping centre
A 31 year old Japanese national was apprehended by Thonglor police yesterday while allegedly preparing to use ecstasy in a Bangkok shopping centre. Officers discovered four ecstasy tablets in his possession during the arrest. The arrest occurred around 2am, yesterday, March 1, near the fourth-floor restroom of a building in Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana district. The Thonglor police received a…
-
Swedish man in tears after girlfriend’s tragic suicide in Pattaya
A Swedish man was found in tears beside his dead girlfriend in a South Pattaya condominium, Chon Buri, on March 2. Police Major Suthiraphan Tapasri from Mueang Pattaya Police Station was alerted at 4.06am about a suicide incident. The 26 year old woman, Sureetip, reportedly took her life using a pair of trousers. Her boyfriend discovered her body and brought…
-
Kata landslide inquiry faces delays, further interviews planned for March
The inquiry into the landslide in Kata that resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries in August last year has encountered delays. Karon police require further interviews with victims and witnesses due to the significant damage. Officers have arranged additional questioning for March 5, with witnesses also expected to provide more statements. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkasak Kwanwan, Senior Inspector (Investigation)…
-
Thailand cracks down on illegal foreign makeup teachers
The Department of Employment intensified its crackdown on employers and foreign workers found engaging in reserved professions, specifically targeting unauthorised makeup teacher roles. Recently, two people have been prosecuted, reinforcing the protection of Thai citizens’ right to work. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment, stated that labour minister Pipat Ratkitprakarn has instructed officials to rigorously inspect, prevent,…
-
North Thailand resident wins 18 million baht in Lottery Plus
A new millionaire from north Thailand has emerged after winning 18 million baht through Lottery Plus. The fortunate person bought three tickets, all of which turned out to be winners. They are now awaiting Not Phanthawat to personally deliver the prize money to their home. Yesterday, March 1, the Government Lottery Office announced the results for the draw dated March…
-
Angler’s shocking catch in Pathum Thani: a body, not a fish
A 36 year old man fishing in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit Phra Yurasak Canal was surprised to discover a body, mistaking it for a fish initially. Yesterday, March 1, at 10pm, Police Lieutenant Pornchet Prommool from Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station was informed about a body found floating in the canal near Pier 2, close to Kaew Bridge, on the way to…
-
Phuket tightens immigration checks amid illegal work, drug concerns
Phuket, in collaboration with international consulates, is intensifying its immigration checks and efforts to combat illegal activities due to a rise in drug-related offences and the presence of foreigners working without proper documentation on the island. Last year, 194 foreigners had their visas revoked, and 998 faced deportation in Phuket for activities primarily linked to drugs and working without valid…
-
Bangkok police seize illegal e-cigarettes worth 30 million baht
Bangkok Metropolitan police, in collaboration with officers from Phetkasem Police Station, yesterday conducted a raid on an illegal e-cigarette warehouse in Bang Khae district, Bangkok, confiscating contraband valued at over 30 million baht. Acting on a search warrant issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court, the police targeted a four-story commercial building after receiving information indicating the storage of illegal items…
-
Danish tourist stabbed in Pattaya, refuses hospital treatment
A 22 year old Danish national sustained multiple stab wounds in Pattaya on the night of February 28. The incident, which occurred at 10.36pm on Chalerm Phrakiet Road in Nongprue, Bang Lamung, remains shrouded in mystery as the victim refused to provide details, press charges, or seek hospital treatment. Emergency responders discovered the injured man, identified only as Daniel, with…
-
Police raid in Pattaya nets eight arrests in drug den bust
Anti-narcotics officers conducted a significant raid on an alleged drug den in Soi Jomtien 3, Pattaya, at 2.06pm on February 28. The operation resulted in the arrest of eight people, including one dealer and seven users, following complaints from locals about ongoing drug activities despite continuous efforts to eliminate them. The raid was carefully planned through a sting operation involving…
-
Suvarnabhumi Airport tightens checks amid Congo fever outbreak
Heightened disease control measures have been implemented at Suvarnabhumi Airport to screen travellers arriving from high-risk countries after reports of a mysterious fever outbreak in Congo. Doctor Panumas Yanwetsakul, Director General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), addressed reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding an outbreak of an unknown illness in Congo. As of February 19, the…
-
119 Thai nationals deported from Cambodia over scam centre involvement
Some 119 Thai nationals were among 230 foreigners released from a scam call centre in Poipet, Cambodia, as law enforcement continues its battle against cybercrime. Yesterday, March 1, Cambodia’s immigration department reported the deportation of 119 Thais, comprising 61 men and 58 women, who had unlawfully entered and resided in the country. The deportation took place via the Poipet border…
-
Chiang Rai police arrest 9 in crypto scam targeting US, Canada
Police in Chiang Rai have arrested nine Chinese nationals involved in a significant hybrid scam operation, impersonating individuals with appealing profiles to target victims in the United States and Canada, persuading them to invest in cryptocurrency. The operation was carried out yesterday, February 28, with oversight from Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yeesakorn and several other senior officers from region 5…
-
Chanthaburi school sues ex-employee over missing 3m baht milk
A former marketing employee of the Chanthaburi Dairy Cooperative is facing a lawsuit demanding nearly 3 million baht in damages. The case involves the disappearance of approximately 270,000 cartons of school milk, worth almost the same amount. Yananan, who previously worked as a housekeeper for the cooperative from October to November 2018 before being promoted to a marketing position in June…
-
Pattaya businessman attacked in broad daylight
A prominent Pattaya businessman was brutally assaulted in broad daylight, sparking concerns over his safety and a possible real estate dispute. Thanakrit Chokmongkhonthanakul, former president of the Pattaya Taksin Lions Club and an executive of the LT Group, is demanding justice after two attackers ambushed him outside his real estate project in Nong Prue. Despite the violent nature of the…
-
Police seize 2.3 million meth pills on Mittraphap Road
Police in Region 3 seized 2.3 million methamphetamine tablets (meth pills) on Mittraphap Road, intended for distribution to a central investor group. The suspects confessed to being paid between 30,000 and 50,000 baht per vehicle. The operation was conducted yesterday, February 28 at the Region 3 Investigation Bureau. Police Major General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Deputy Commander of Region 3, Pol. Maj.…
-
Tourists flock to Kham Chanod Island for lottery blessings
Hundreds of hopeful tourists swarmed Kham Chanod Island in Udon Thani yesterday, February 28, seeking divine blessings and lucky lottery numbers ahead of the draw today, March 1. The sacred site, believed to be the mythical home of the Naga King, continues to attract fortune-seekers eager to honour deities Sri Sutho and Sri Pathumma in hopes of securing a windfall.…
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.