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,...
-
Thai doctor found dead in a mysterious incident at her home in Phitsanulok
A 60 year old Thai doctor was discovered dead in her home located in Ban Pa, Mueang Phitsanulok district yesterday at about 1pm. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somsak Konthiam, deputy chief of Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station, received the report and proceeded to investigate the scene along with a team of police investigators, hospital medical staff, and rescue volunteers. The house where…
-
Mystery surrounds abduction of 35 year old car salesperson in Chiang Mai
The case of Aom (not her real name), a 35 year old car salesperson working for a well-known automotive showroom near Kad Sam Yek in San Sai district, Chiang Mai, sparked concern when she disappeared, feared abducted, after meeting a 41 year old male customer at a coffee shop near her workplace on Saturday, April 29. The family reported her…
-
Buddhist abbot’s secret affair with married woman results in disrobing
A Buddhist abbot found himself embroiled in controversy after allegedly having a secret year-long affair with a local woman. The family of the woman visited the temple to confront the abbot, leading to the revelation of evidence that subsequently pressured him to disrobe. Yesterday, April 30, a group of family members arrived at a temple located in Chumphon province, due to…
-
Annual Covid-19 booster shots planned for Thailand this year
The Public Health Ministry in Thailand aims to make this year the first in which individuals receive annual Covid-19 booster shots, akin to the seasonal flu vaccine. Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek stated yesterday that Thailand must continue to monitor Covid infections, particularly after cases spiked twice last week due to the global spread of XBB.1.16, a substrain of the…
-
Labour Day celebrations amidst scepticism over political promises
As Labour Day is celebrated in the country today, activists have voiced scepticism over political parties’ campaign promises to increase minimum daily wages to seemingly unrealistic levels. For example, the Pheu Thai Party has vowed to raise the minimum wage to a flat rate of 600 baht, while the Move Forward Party has pledged to increase it to 450 baht…
-
Second group of Thais returns from Sudan on RTAF flight
A second group of Thai nationals who were stuck in Sudan have safely made it home. The group of 132 Thai nationals landed on Thai soil after returning from Sudan via a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Airbus A340-500. The aircraft touched down at Don Mueang’s military airport around 11pm on Saturday, Bangkok Post reported. Three non-Thai individuals also arrived…
-
Key witnesses summoned as suspected cyanide serial killer faces 10 arrest warrants
Authorities are keeping a close eye on the investigation, as they interrogate three key witnesses in the case surrounding the suspected cyanide serial killer Sararat ‘Am’ Rangsiwuthaporn. In addition, police have requested additional arrest warrants for Sararat, bringing the total number of arrest warrants to ten. The deputy director in charge of the investigation stated that today (Sunday) that investigators…
-
Thai government to resubmit subsidy proposal to Election Commission
Thailand‘s issues around electricity costs are continuing. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remains determined that the government will resubmit a proposed 11 million baht (US$330 million) subsidy for household electricity bills to the Election Commission (EC) for approval. The proposal, which was approved by the Cabinet last week, was previously rejected by the polling regulator, according to an unnamed source.…
-
TMD warns of hot weather and thunderstorms across Thailand
Today, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is warning that summer storms will occur across Thailand, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and occasional hail. This warning is valid for the next 24 hours and includes both hot weather and torrential rain. People living in affected areas are advised to take precautions against the dangers posed by the summer storms. They are…
-
Phuket expat’s urgent appeal for funds after hit-and-run incident
Richard Valentine, an expat and businessman in Phuket, has made an urgent appeal for funds to complete his medical treatments at the government-run Vachira Phuket Hospital. Valentine suffered serious leg injuries and a concussion in a hit-and-run incident. Valentine was riding his motorbike when he was struck by an unidentified SUV driver on March 31, The Phuket News reported. Initially,…
-
Suspected cyanide killer’s money trail leads to more potential victims
The suspected cyanide killer’s money trail has led police to believe that there might be more victims. A comprehensive investigation into the finances of 36 year old Sararat ‘Am’ Rangsiwuthaporn, led the police to believe that around 20 people might have died, after transferring large sums of money to her in the past two years. Following the suspect’s money trail,…
-
Elderly German expat falls to death from Pattaya parking building
An elderly German expat tragically fell to his death in Pattaya from a department store parking building on Friday. The incident occurred on Central Pattaya Road in the Nong Prue sub-district of Bang Lamung district. Pattaya City Police were informed of the incident at around 4.30pm. Police and emergency responders arrived on the scene to find the body of the…
-
Prosecutor reveals cyanide serial killer is guilty, but will avoid execution due to pregnancy
A leading prosecutor revealed that the Thai cyanide serial killer criminal is indeed guilty, but will escape the death penalty due to clear law stating that pregnant women cannot be executed. Sanook reported this development on the case today. Yesterday, a chief prosecutor, Prawet Intharachumnum, spoke about the case of Sararat ‘Am’ Rangsiwuthaporn, who was accused in a case involving the…
-
Newborn baby boy found abandoned in Bangkok
A newborn baby boy was found abandoned in Bangkok this morning. At 8am, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongsathorn Lueapcharoen, deputy director of Thonglor Police Station, was informed that a child had been abandoned in Soi Sukhumvit 36, sub-soi 3 in Khlong Tan, in the city’s Khlong Toei district. The authorities investigated, accompanied by rescue volunteers. On a dirt road beside a…
-
Thai motorbike rider killed in crash with minivan full of tourists in Pattaya
A fatal road accident occurred early this morning when a Thai man, 33 year old Saroj Salao, crashed his motorbike into a white Toyota minivan carrying foreign tourists. The incident happened on Thep Prasit Road at the entrance of Soi Thepprasit 11 in Pattaya, near a road barrier amid ongoing construction work. Sawang Boriboon rescuers arrived at the scene at…
-
Coordinator of cyanide victims gives police more info on deaths
A coordinator for the victims of the ‘Thai cyanide serial killer’ case, Ropi Chumnarue, has met with police to provide information about the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman named Koi, who is believed to be connected to the case. Chumnarue has claimed to have evidence supporting his claims, Sanook reported this morning. This includes CCTV footage of Sararat…
-
FazWaz, leading real estate company in Thailand, announces Agent Recruitment Event
FazWaz, one of Thailand’s leading real estate companies, is looking to expand its team of experienced property agents to continue providing exceptional services and meet the growing demand for real estate in the country. The company will be hosting a recruitment event on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Four Points by Sheraton at Patong Beach, in two separate sessions,…
-
British expat missing for a week in Chiang Mai
A foreigner took to social media to seek help after his British friend went missing in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Kastro Freeman, a member of a Facebook group called Chiang Mai News in English, shared a picture of his missing friend, 46 year old Dominic Boyle, on Wednesday, April 26, with a caption that said… “Howdy all, our…
-
Chinese man and 23 Burmese nationals arrested for working without permits
Police arrested 23 Burmese citizens and a Chinese man for working at a construction site in Samut Prakarn province without work permits. The Chinese man reportedly joined the team only three days before his arrest. The crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners and illegal foreign workers is ongoing across the country, particularly in places where there is heavy industry…
-
Phuket motorbike rider’s viral video sparks amusement and debate
On Wednesday, a video titled “The end of a reckless teenager” was posted by TikTok user @lineage5578, showing a young man proudly displaying his modified motorbike. At the beginning of the video, he revs the engine to demonstrate its loud and powerful exhaust, before setting off on a nighttime ride. Keen observers will note that two police officers can be…
-
Man arrested for exploiting Big Joke’s name to lure and rape woman
A Thai man was arrested by the police for using the name of Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), to entice female party entertainers to work for him before allegedly raping them. A Thai party entertainer named Aom reported to the media and police on Tuesday, April 25 that she had been raped…
-
Thai police official and daughter fall victim to cyber fraud, losing 2 million baht
A former police official and his daughter report a recent cyber fraud case where their bank account was drained of 2 million baht. Yesterday, Suthep, a 65 year old former director of Klongtan Police Station, and his 30 year old daughter, Suthinika, owner of a bakery business in the Lat Phrao area, reported the incident to Naphaporn Rakphichai, an officer…
-
US Navy carrier strike group visits Thailand, emphasises free and open Indo-Pacific
The US Navy‘s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group recently expressed readiness to operate in any region of the “free and open Indo-Pacific”, according to the spokesman for the group, which is currently visiting Thailand. The strike group commenced its 11-month patrol mission in the US 7th Fleet area of operations last November, participating in drills with Japan, South Korea, and the…
-
FAD to build national museum in Khlong Luang: Over 100,000 artefacts to be accommodated
The Fine Arts Department (FAD) announced plans to construct a national museum in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, which will include a warehouse to accommodate over 100,000 artefacts. Phanombootra Chandrajoti, the director-general of FAD, revealed that the warehouse would house Thailand’s largest database of artefacts, and the museum would be the first in the nation to adhere to…
-
Myanmar migrants arrested for illegally crossing into Thailand
Forty-two job seekers from Myanmar were detained after crossing the border illegally into Sangkhla Buri district late Wednesday night, according to Thai authorities. The group was discovered following an alert in a forested area close to Song Kalia village, in Tambon Nong Lu. However, the individuals had fled the scene by the time officers arrived. Subsequently, the informant advised that…
-
Thai appeals court reverses acquittal in lese majeste case over offensive Facebook comment
The Thai Appeals Court overturned a previous ruling yesterday, convicting an individual on charges of lese majeste relating to comments deemed offensive towards the monarchy. The defendant, identified only as Wutthipat, was found guilty by the Appeals Court of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The judges determined that Wutthipat’s comment…
-
Chiang Mai’s Mae Chaem district communities granted forest living rights
Over 300,000 rai of reserved forest land in the Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai now has secured living rights for local communities, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The communities have been identified as a successful model by the Department of Royal Forest, due to their compliance with a cabinet resolution from…
-
Covid-19 cases surge in Thai tourism hotspots post-holidays
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged health authorities in major tourism destinations to closely monitor the number of Covid-19 cases, as new infections continue to surge following the holidays. The instruction came after the Department of Disease Control (DDC) presented data on caseloads from April 16 to 22, indicating a rise in Covid infections. The prime minister is particularly concerned…
-
Today’s weather forecast: Northern region warned of thunderstorms and strong winds
Today, the Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast for Thailand, indicating that a combination of southerly winds and southeasterly winds will bring moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. Covering Northern Thailand, the region will experience weakening strength, leading to scattered thunderstorms and strong wind gusts in some areas. Residents in the north are advised…
-
36 year old Thai woman accused of premeditated cyanide serial killings and theft
The prime suspect in the cyanide serial killings, 36 year old Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, is accused of premeditated murder and property theft by administering cyanide poison. The case has gained significant attention since it has been suspected to be linked to over ten fatalities so far. Dr Weerachai Phutdhawong, more commonly known as Dr Aod, a full-time lecturer in the…
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.