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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
-
19 firms request SEC approval for investment tokens
Nineteen companies, primarily in real estate and software, notified the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of their intent to secure funding through investment tokens as per the Digital Asset Act. The Deputy Secretary-General of the SEC, Jomkwan Kongsakul, confirmed that these 19 firms are currently in pre-consultation with the commission to explore fundraising via investment tokens. Three companies have already…
-
Pattaya’s boat show bonanza: Mayor inspects preparations
Pattaya is gearing up for a nautical spectacle that promises to put it on the world map as a leading maritime destination. The Pattaya Water Sports Club unveiled the ambitious plans for the Pattaya Boat Show 2025 to Mayor Poramet Ngampichet at City Hall on August 20, setting the stage for a truly world-class event. Scheduled to take place at…
-
Mysterious shadow resembling face haunts Thai plane crash site
Rescue workers experienced a chilling moment when a mysterious shadow resembling a face appeared while they were digging for human remains from an aeroplane crash that claimed nine lives. This incident, shared widely on social media, has captivated netizens and sparked numerous reactions. A rescue worker from Bang Pakong named Jairak Pitakchip, yesterday, August 22, shared a photograph on social…
-
Efforts underway to prevent oil spill from reaching Chon Buri beach
Local officials in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province are battling to prevent an oil spill in Bang Saray Bay from reaching the coast. The source of the oil remains undisclosed. Locals and tourists spotted lines of oil, approximately 3-to-4 kilometres offshore in Bang Saray Bay in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, yesterday, August 22. The spill was…
-
Thai-Myanmar gates reopen after sudden closure
The Burmese border town of Phayathonzu, straddling Thailand and Myanmar, was thrown into chaos when its gates were abruptly shut on August 16. The gates, crucial for the movement of goods and people, left locals in a lurch. However, on August 20, relief came as the gates were reopened, much to the delight of residents and traders, one Phayathonzu local…
-
Bangkok restaurant owner accused of trying to slap foreign tourists
A Thai tour guide accused the owner of a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in Bangkok of attempting to slap foreign tourists after a reservation dispute. The Facebook user, Burapa Seiko, shared the story on the Facebook page, พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (meaning “we are consumers”), yesterday, August 22. He introduced himself as a tour guide who provides services to foreigners travelling in Thailand. Burapa…
-
Thailand’s Nam Wa bananas go ‘bananas’ as prices soar
The price of Nam Wa bananas, also known as sugar bananas, has surged to a staggering 60 baht per bunch. Once a staple in Thai households, this beloved fruit is inching closer to becoming a luxury item, with experts predicting a further rise to 80 baht per bunch. For nearly a month, vendors and consumers alike have been grappling with…
-
Thailand unveils National Cyber Academy to enhance cybersecurity
The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) has introduced the Thailand National Cyber Academy in a bid to enhance cybersecurity literacy across the nation. Caretaker Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong emphasised that the academy will significantly contribute to the development of IT professionals at all age levels, thereby bolstering national cybersecurity. This initiative is part of the second phase…
-
Southern Thailand call centre scam gang jailed for 20 years
A notorious call centre scam operation has been dismantled by Thai police, leading to severe prison sentences for those involved. The criminal court handed a 20-year prison sentence to 14 members of the gang for deceiving a former doctor in Chumphon province, causing financial losses of 101 million baht. Additionally, those who provided mule accounts to the gang received nine-year…
-
People’s Party faces probe over executive appointments
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the People’s Party (PP), the successor of the disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), for allegedly failing to comply with party regulations. If violations are confirmed, the party’s August 9 resolution to appoint new executives could be deemed invalid, according to Ruangkrai, who noted that he has already submitted a…
-
Baby elephant cries as mother swept away in Thai floods (video)
A baby elephant’s fearful calls echoed as its mother was swept away by powerful floodwaters in northern Thailand. Torrential rains overnight led to severe flooding in several northern provinces, including Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, causing widespread damage to homes and agricultural lands. The dramatic incident unfolded when a large mother elephant was caught in the fierce currents, struggling…
-
Thailand Video News | Small Plane Crashes in Chachoengsao Mangrove, Six-Year-Old Boy Found Alive After Five Days in Vietnam Forest
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across the country and Southeast Asia. The highlights include a small plane crash in Chachoengsao’s mangroves, prompting a search for survivors, the arrest of three Thai TikTok stars in a 6-million-baht Forex scam, and a Thai dancer caught running a child prostitution ring in Chiang Mai. Additionally, a Buriram man survives…
-
Indian man attacked by fellow countrymen in Pattaya (video)
An Indian man lost consciousness on a footpath along Pattaya Tai Road after being attacked by a gang of fellow countrymen in the early hours of yesterday. A video of the physical assault went viral on Thai social media yesterday, August 22. The footage showed the Indian victim running away from a group of fellow countrymen along Pattaya Tai Road…
-
Egg-spect another price hike as duck eggs ‘crack’ up to 5.10 baht
The Egg Duck Association announced a price increase for farm-fresh duck eggs by 10 satang, raising the price to 5.10 baht per egg, effective from yesterday. This marks the fifth price hike this year. The Egg Duck Association yesterday, August 22, informed its members about the new farm gate prices for duck eggs. The price per egg has been increased…
-
Pattaya fruit vendor pleads for police help after repeated thefts
A fruit vendor in Pattaya seeks urgent police intervention after experiencing two thefts at her shop. Somporn Phetnak, a 39 year old fruit vendor operating in Naklua Soi 16, shared CCTV footage on Wednesday with local news outlets. The footage captures the moment a thief stole money from her shop. Somporn explained that she has been selling fruit in Naklua…
-
Thaksin denies political deal on return from exile
Thaksin Shinawatra firmly stated yesterday that no political arrangement was crafted with his conservative adversaries to facilitate his return from a 15-year exile last year. The former Thai premier made the statement during an on-stage interview at a forum organised by a local media group. “There is no deal, no one dare do a deal with me.” The 75 year…
-
3 Chinese men arrested in online gambling and call centre scam
Immigration Bureau officers arrested three Chinese men in Chon Buri for operating a multinational online gambling and call centre scam with over 5.5 billion baht in circulation. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China requested cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to arrest the Chinese suspect, 47 year old Su, for fraud and operating a casino.…
-
Asia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand
Thailand confirmed its first case of a potentially deadlier strain of mpox, marking Asia’s first encounter with the virus variant known as Clade 1b. This alarming development follows hot on the heels of the first reported case outside Africa, in Sweden, just a week ago. The infected individual, a 66 year old European man, arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed…
-
Thailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill
The Counter Terrorist Operations Centre under the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters is wrapping up a five-day anti-terrorism drill today in Chiang Rai. The Crisis Management Exercise 2024 (C-MEX24) at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University saw participation from over 500 individuals representing 60 agencies. This comprehensive exercise included officers from the army, navy, air force, and police, aiming to assess their…
-
Nine confirmed dead in Chachoengsao plane crash (video)
A small plane carrying nine people, including passengers and crew, tragically crashed just 10 minutes after takeoff in Chachoengsao province yesterday. All on board are dead. The harrowing incident occurred yesterday afternoon, August 22, when officials began the grim task of recovering the wreckage in Moo 6, Ban Khao Din, Bang Pakong district. Initially, the bodies of the passengers were…
-
Thai cops ‘bud’ out Taiwanese cannabis smugglers in Bangkok bust
Immigration officials in Thailand, in collaboration with other agencies, snagged two Taiwanese nationals in a high-stakes cannabis smuggling operation. The suspects were arrested in Bangkok’s Bang Rak and Din Daeng districts and now face serious charges for planning to export a controlled drug without permission and overstaying their visas. The bust came after a tip-off from a vigilant citizen who…
-
No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand
The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…
-
FDA puts the ‘test’ in ‘protest’ over mpox spread
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has swung into action, kicking off the registration process for mpox (formerly monkeypox) diagnostic test kits amid growing fears over the viral infection’s spread. In a bold move, FDA Deputy Secretary-General Lertchai Lertwut revealed the new initiative yesterday, August 22. He stressed that the FDA is cutting red tape for manufacturers and importers alike,…
-
Foreign man caught standing naked in cannabis shop in Phuket
A picture of a naked foreign man proudly showing off the family jewels inside a cannabis shop in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket went viral on Thai social media. The reason for his nakedness is still under investigation. The Phuket Times shared the picture of the naked foreigner yesterday, August 21, with a caption that read, “Free visa! Drunk foreign man…
-
Mystical turtle discovered at Chon Buri temple
A rare turtle species was discovered at the Wang Sam Sien Chinese Temple on Big Buddha Hill, Khao Phra Tamnak in Chon Buri province. A concerned local, who believed they stumbled upon something extraordinary, alerted local officials after spotting the turtle lying exhausted under the sun, seemingly injured or ill. Katanyu Thongphu, a fisheries scientist from the Chon Buri Provincial…
-
Scandal erupts over judge’s joke about defunct MFP
A Pheu Thai MP is set to submit an urgent motion in the House of Representatives, calling for an investigation into a Constitutional Court judge’s controversial comments regarding a dissolved political party. The judge, Udom Sittiwirattham, already under scrutiny for his role in dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP), has now sparked outrage with a flippant remark about the People’s…
-
Thailand is Somali’s new medical oasis
Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, has a surprising new destination in mind for his compatriots seeking medical treatment—Thailand. After a recent visit, he’s convinced it could be the next big thing for Somali medical tourism. Ambassador Abdulle visited Thailand from August 13 to 21 as part of an initiative by the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi to showcase…
-
Harvard comeback: Pita’s return to the political arena
Pita Limjaroenrat, the exiled political leader with unfinished business in Thai politics, is making an unexpected return to his old stomping grounds. The former leader of the now-disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), who’s currently sidelined by a 10-year political ban, snagged a prestigious spot as a Democracy Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. “This is an exciting opportunity to continue…
-
Thailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours
Thailand’s booming tourism sector is thriving under a new visa-free policy, attracting millions of foreign tourists. Yet, while Chinese visitors top the list, concerns are mounting over the resurgence of Chinese zero-dollar tours, which could be draining potential revenue from the Thai economy. From January 1 to August 18, Thailand welcomed a staggering 22,474,172 international tourists, who pumped 1.05 trillion…
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.