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 one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip

    Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...

  • Udon Thani motorist fined for repainting no-parking kerb

    Udon Thani motorist fined for repainting no-parking kerb

    A well-intentioned motorist’s attempt to boost business at a local food stall backfired spectacularly after he was caught painting over a red-and-white no-parking kerb in Udon Thani. The 45 year old auto mechanic, who is not connected to the eatery, took matters into his own hands on Saturday, May 24. Spotting an empty stretch outside the food outlet, he decided…

  • Phetchabun homeowner bets on car number after snake omen

    Phetchabun homeowner bets on car number after snake omen

    A recent event has captured the attention of locals in Phetchabun who believe in lucky numbers. A homeowner, whose house number 309 won in the last lottery draw, is now betting on their car’s registration number for the upcoming draw. A video was posted on Facebook showing a long green snake attempting to swallow a sparrow on the carport roof,…

  • Major power outage hits Cherng Talay in Phuket May 29

    Major power outage hits Cherng Talay in Phuket May 29

    Residents and businesses in Cherng Talay are bracing for a major power outage this Thursday, May 29, as the Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) undertakes essential upgrades to the high-voltage distribution system. The electricity cut will last from 9am to 4.30pm, affecting a wide area stretching from Blue Tree Water Park to the entrance of Wat Thepwanaram. This…

  • Bangkok condo raid uncovers 6,596 illegal e-cigarettes

    Bangkok condo raid uncovers 6,596 illegal e-cigarettes

    A man and a woman employed to sell e-cigarettes were apprehended in a Bang Kapi district condominium, with police seizing over 6,596 pieces of disposable e-cigarettes. The operation occurred yesterday, May 26, when officers from the Special Tools and News Analysis Division, under the Metropolitan Police Bureau, executed a search warrant at a condo in Bangkok. Anan, a 40 year…

  • Female university students fall victim to secret sexually harassing chat group

    Female university students fall victim to secret sexually harassing chat group

    Students at Thammasat University are calling for action to be taken against an instructor, male students, and alumni involved in a secret group chat used to share images of female students accompanied by sexually harassing comments. Rumours circulated within an online community of Thammasat students and alumni about the existence of a private chat group where male members allegedly exchanged…

  • Police officer dismissed over 7,000 baht extortion in Chiang Mai

    Police officer dismissed over 7,000 baht extortion in Chiang Mai

    A police officer has been dismissed after allegedly extorting 7,000 baht from a 21 year old man who was urinating by the roadside, claiming it was a fee to clear a drunk driving charge. The incident took place on the Hod-Doi Tao Road in Chiang Mai province. The accused, posing as a police officer, reportedly intimidated the victim with a…

  • 27 animals seized, 2 arrested in Bangkok airport wildlife sting

    27 animals seized, 2 arrested in Bangkok airport wildlife sting

    Thai police dealt a major blow to wildlife traffickers after intercepting 27 exotic animals hidden in luggage on two separate flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. The first haul included 20 blue iguanas and two sulcata tortoises found in the luggage of an Indian passenger preparing to board flight TG325…

  • Fatal collision in Suphan Buri claims two lives

    Fatal collision in Suphan Buri claims two lives

    A tragic accident occurred yesterday, May 26, when a car collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of two people. The incident took place at a U-turn in front of Sam Chuk Temple, on Highway 340 heading towards Suphan Buri, in Sam Chuk district, Suphan Buri province. The Samerkan Rescue Foundation reported the incident, prompting coordination with Sam Chuk…

  • Pedestrian killed in Pathum Thani accident due to poor lighting

    Pedestrian killed in Pathum Thani accident due to poor lighting

    A 25 year old man driving a car in Pathum Thani, Thailand, struck and killed a 41 year old pedestrian due to inadequate street lighting. The accident occurred on Chiang Rak-Bang Khan Road near a dormitory in Khlong Luang district. Police Lieutenant Thanapuvapass Si Suai from Khlong Luang Police Station was informed of the fatal accident. Emergency services, including traffic…

  • Thai billionaire passes empire torch to next generation

    Thai billionaire passes empire torch to next generation

    Thailand’s second-richest man, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is handing over the reins of his sprawling business empire to his five children as he steps back from day-to-day management. The 81 year old billionaire has transferred ownership of two major listed companies to his offspring, signalling a major shift in the country’s corporate landscape. According to filings made late yesterday, May 26, by…

  • Search for couple missing in Bang Pakong River after bridge fall

    Search for couple missing in Bang Pakong River after bridge fall

    Police in Chachoengsao are searching for a man and a woman who disappeared after falling from a bridge into the Bang Pakong River. The incident took place at 8.32pm yesterday, May 26, with restaurant patrons by the river witnessing the pair holding hands before their fall. Upon receiving reports from locals, officers from the Mueang Chachoengsao Provincial Police Station and…

  • House collapses over 4 construction workers during demolition

    House collapses over 4 construction workers during demolition

    A house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok collapsed on top of four construction workers while they were demolishing it today, May 27. Fortunately, all four victims were rescued safely. The collapse occurred in the morning at a residence in Soi Thepharak 70 in the Mueang Samut Prakan district. The house had a concrete ground floor and a wooden upper…

  • Tragic electrocution kills two in Nakhon Nayok tractor accident

    Tragic electrocution kills two in Nakhon Nayok tractor accident

    A tragic incident unfolded in Nakhon Nayok’s Pak Phli district, where a 32 year old fishpond owner, Porntep, and his 34 year old relative, Nitiphon, died due to electrocution following a tractor accident. The accident occurred yesterday, May 26, at 6.30pm near a fishpond in Mueang subdistrict, Pak Phli district, Nakhon Nayok province. Officers from the Pak Phli Police Station and…

  • Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya is proving that even the so-called low season cannot dim its vibrant appeal. With fresh urban upgrades and the ever-popular nearby island of Koh Larn continuing to attract visitors, this bustling city remains a favourite destination for both Thai and international travellers year-round. On Sunday, May 25, reporters visited Khao Phra Tamnak, also known as Naval Radio Station Hill,…

  • Foreign woman arrested for failing to pay bill at Phuket bar

    Foreign woman arrested for failing to pay bill at Phuket bar

    Police arrested a foreign woman at the weekend after she failed to pay a bill at a bar in Phuket and allegedly insulted Thai people. A Thai TikTok user, @tunroychannel, shared a video of the incident on on Sunday, May 25, with a caption that read, “Free visa tourist insults Thai people. She came to travel but did not have…

  • High-flyers grounded: British couple’s cannabis holiday smoked

    High-flyers grounded: British couple’s cannabis holiday smoked

    A British couple’s sun, sea and suitcase full of skunk getaway came crashing down at Valencia Airport after Spanish police found more than 33 kilogrammes of cannabis stuffed in their bags, with not a pair of flip flops or suncream in sight. The pair, who claimed to be tourists flying in from Thailand via France, were nabbed by eagle-eyed officers who…

  • Shop owner in Khlong Luang arrested for selling e-cigarettes to students

    Shop owner in Khlong Luang arrested for selling e-cigarettes to students

    Officials in Khlong Luang apprehended a shop owner who was allegedly using her grocery store as a front to sell e-cigarettes to students. The arrest followed complaints from parents yesterday, May 26. Apisara Kesinth, the district chief of Khlong Luang, directed Amornritthiphon Kheawrungruphet, the district security officer, along with volunteers from the Territorial Defence Volunteers, to investigate the allegations after…

  • Thai woman jumps from second floor after brutal boyfriend abuse

    Thai woman jumps from second floor after brutal boyfriend abuse

    A Thai woman jumped from the second floor of an apartment in the Isaan province of Udon Thani to seek help after enduring brutal abuse at the hands of her boyfriend on Saturday, May 24. The victim’s mother, 47 year old Supinya Aukkadee, shared details of the assault with several news agencies to draw attention to the case and secure…

  • Brace yourself: Fake dentist nabbed in Saraburi smile sting

    Brace yourself: Fake dentist nabbed in Saraburi smile sting

    Police in Saraburi province raided an illegal dental and fashion braces operation yesterday, uncovering unsanitary conditions. Police discovered a package sorting worker moonlighting as a fashion braces technician to earn extra income. Police Colonel Suriya Sudkankawan, the superintendent of Mueang Saraburi Police Station, directed Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Sethhanan Sethapakorn, along with an investigative police team and Saraburi public…

  • Teen gun and firecracker attacks spark Phuket crackdown

    Teen gun and firecracker attacks spark Phuket crackdown

    Seven people have been arrested for the gun attack on Saturday. Last weekend, a group of teenagers unleashed gunfire and massive firecrackers in Phuket, injuring two people. The trouble began late on Saturday night, May 24, in Soi Bang Thong 3, Kathu, when a gang of teenagers opened fire and hurled explosives. A 15 year old boy, Athinan Ruangsantidamrong, was…

  • SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    The Royal Gazette has announced new regulations from the Social Security Office (SSO) regarding a 900 baht refund for those insured in 55 affected provinces. This measure, effective today, May 27, aims to alleviate impacts from storms and floods between October 2024 and March 2025. The Ministry of Labour and the SSO have implemented measures to support businesses and insured…

  • Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 500,000 methamphetamine pills

    Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 500,000 methamphetamine pills

    The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in Din Daeng announced the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of 500,000 methamphetamine pills in Chiang Rai province. The suspects are linked to a drug trafficking network led by a former convict who had previously served 17 years in prison. Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lakboon, ONCB Secretary-General, yesterday, May 26,…

  • Thailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand is actively promoting its unique and high-quality rice varieties, with expectations that the Thailand Rice Convention will result in orders for 100,000 tonnes and generate revenue exceeding 2 billion baht. During the 10th Thailand Rice Convention 2025 held in Bangkok yesterday, May 26, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan emphasised the government’s dedication to advancing Thailand’s rice sector. The Ministry of…

  • 4 year old Thai boy rescued after seen smoking cigarette in viral video

    4 year old Thai boy rescued after seen smoking cigarette in viral video

    A Thai man sought help for a four year old boy after encountering the young child smoking a cigarette and playing alone under the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok. The man shared a video of the boy on his Facebook account, แฟร้งค์’ เฟิร์ต, yesterday, May 26, in the hope that a relevant government agency would intervene and provide the child…

  • Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    In a warm show of diplomacy and island hospitality, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzal paid a high-profile visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday, reaffirming her country’s commitment to deepening ties with the popular tourist province. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was more than just a polite exchange of pleasantries. According to an official report, it marked a…

  • Thailand video news | British tourists targeted in Thai drug mule scam, Cambodia delays opening of Techo International Airport

    Thailand video news | British tourists targeted in Thai drug mule scam, Cambodia delays opening of Techo International Airport

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver top stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. British tourists fall victim to drug mule scams, a fake mini-marathon in Bangkok leaves runners stranded, and coyote dancers in Samut Prakan face theft charges. Meanwhile, Pattaya sees two bizarre incidents involving a trans woman gang and a faked robbery. Koh Samui struggles…

  • Deadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Deadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has launched a high-profile vaccine campaign to combat influenza following Thailand’s deadly flu outbreak earlier this year. Held in the lobby of Building E, the BDMS Preventive Vaccine event drew attention not only for its critical public health message, but also for its star power. Thai actor Art Phasut Banyam and his mother took centre stage to…

  • Drunk foreign BMW driver crashes in Phang Nga, tries to bribe police

    Drunk foreign BMW driver crashes in Phang Nga, tries to bribe police

    A drunk BMW driver crashed into a road construction vehicle and a local’s car in the southern province of Phang Nga on Sunday, May 26, before attempting to bribe police officers to avoid legal consequences. Phuket Times reported that the accident occurred on the Khok Kloi–Phuket Road, near the Khok Kloi Bus Terminal, at 11.25am yesterday. The foreign couple in…

  • Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Efforts are underway by the government to have Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The announcement followed the 12th ASEAN Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM) in Bangkok, chaired by Attapol. The meeting included over 100…

  • Visa-vamps: Vietnamese sex workers steal Bangkok spotlight

    Visa-vamps: Vietnamese sex workers steal Bangkok spotlight

    Vietnamese sex workers have taken over the streets of Bangkok, with a bombshell report revealing there are now more of them plying their trade in Thailand than Thai prostitutes, and it’s all thanks to the kingdom’s easy-entry visa system. Channel 7 News lifted the lid on the capital’s growing sex-for-sale scandal, pointing the finger at generous tourist visa policies that…