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

    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Bangkok care centre exposed for covering up abuse of old Alzheimer’s man

    Bangkok care centre exposed for covering up abuse of old Alzheimer’s man

    A caretaker at an elderly care centre in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok physically abused an old man with Alzheimer’s, prompting his daughter to share the story with the media in her quest for justice. The 59 year old woman, Tayanat Kajornnapapong, brought the abuse to public attention because the care centre and Lat Phrao Police Station failed to…

  • Fuelling the festivities: Petrol and diesel prices cut for Songkran

    Fuelling the festivities: Petrol and diesel prices cut for Songkran

    Motorists are getting a Songkran surprise as Thailand’s Oil Fund slashes petrol and diesel prices by 1 baht per litre—just in time for the holiday travel rush. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who also chairs the Oil Fuel Fund Management Committee, announced that the price cut will be rolled out in two phases. The first reduction of…

  • Sour deal: China squeezes out 19 Thai products over safety fears

    Sour deal: China squeezes out 19 Thai products over safety fears

    China has slammed the brakes on 19 Thai products, including sweetened condensed milk, citing safety concerns and labelling issues. The move, part of a broader crackdown that saw 357 shipments from 38 countries rejected in January this year, has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s export sector.​ According to the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released…

  • Drunk Thai woman attempts hara-kiri after dispute with husband

    Drunk Thai woman attempts hara-kiri after dispute with husband

    A Thai woman today attempted to perform hara-kiri, cutting open her stomach, after a dispute with her husband while they were both drunk at a rented house in Chiang Mai province. Officers from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station and rescuers arrived at the two-storey house in the Mueang district of the province at about 2am, today, March 24, after receiving…

  • Thailand warns vaping could lead to 5 years in prison

    Thailand warns vaping could lead to 5 years in prison

    Following the Government of Thailand’s recent decisive action on e-cigarettes or vapes, anyone caught with the illegal items could face up to five years in prison and a hefty fine. Residents are also encouraged to report vape users or vendors through an official mobile application. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has now taken a firm stance against vaping, despite having previously supported…

  • Phuket cops bag major methamphetamine suspect in Thalang bust

    Phuket cops bag major methamphetamine suspect in Thalang bust

    Phuket police collared a major drug suspect in Thalang, seizing a staggering stash of methamphetamine. The dramatic operation, spearheaded by Thalang Police Chief, Police Colonel Nikorn Chuathong, unfolded on Friday, March 21. Leading the charge was Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Luecha and his team of investigators from Thalang Police Station. Their target? Prasan “Him” Nopparat, a 45 year old alleged…

  • Fake cash chaos: Phuket cops probe tourists over dodgy dollars

    Fake cash chaos: Phuket cops probe tourists over dodgy dollars

    Phuket police are on high alert after two foreign women allegedly tried to exchange fake US dollars at a local currency exchange. Officers were called to the exchange near a major Cape Panwa hotel on Saturday, March 22, after staff became suspicious of six US$50 bills. The women, whose nationalities remain undisclosed, handed over the notes in exchange for 9,750…

  • 2 suspects arrested, 2 police injured in illegal gun crackdown

    2 suspects arrested, 2 police injured in illegal gun crackdown

    Two Thai police officers sustained injuries during a shooting while carrying out an illegal gun crackdown in Bangkok at the weekend. One suspect was arrested at the scene, while another surrendered the following day. A 62 year old witness reported the shooting on Soi Sook Anan in the Kannayao district of Bangkok to Kannayao Police Station at about 8.30pm on Saturday,…

  • Speeding driver causes major crash, minor injuries reported

    Speeding driver causes major crash, minor injuries reported

    A major collision occurred between an employee bus and a speeding pickup truck driver when the bus attempted a U-turn on Phan Thong-Ban Kao Road in Phan Thong district, Chon Buri, at 5.30am this morning, March 24. The pickup truck, unable to stop in time, crashed into the rear of the bus. Police are reviewing CCTV footage for further investigation.…

  • Thai motorcycle taxi rider loses nearly 30,000 baht in fake dollar scam

    Thai motorcycle taxi rider loses nearly 30,000 baht in fake dollar scam

    A Thai motorcycle taxi rider lost nearly 30,000 baht after a scammer tricked him into exchanging fake dollar banknotes at a bank in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The motorcycle taxi rider, 43 year old Saksan Phungphat, carried his baby boy to seek help from Channel 3 after police allowed the scammer to remain at large despite his loss of…

  • Two homes gutted, Pattaya residents burned in frantic fire escape

    Two homes gutted, Pattaya residents burned in frantic fire escape

    A raging fire tore through a residential area in Pattaya, leaving two homes in ruins and two people injured as they desperately tried to save their belongings. The blaze erupted at 1pm, yesterday, March 23, in Soi Thung Klom-Tanman 15, prompting a rapid response from Nongprue police, firefighters, and Sawang Boriboon rescue teams. Three fire engines rushed to the scene,…

  • Thai doctor mysteriously dies in bloodstained shorts in Bangkok condo

    Thai doctor mysteriously dies in bloodstained shorts in Bangkok condo

    A Thai doctor mysteriously died in his condominium in the Thonglo area of Bangkok. The doctor’s body was discovered in his bed by his boyfriend yesterday, March 23. Officers at Thong Lo Police Station were alerted to the death of the doctor, 37 year old Prakit, at 8.33am yesterday. The person who reported the incident was Prakit’s boyfriend, whose name…

  • United Nations urges Thailand to collaborate for sustainable future

    United Nations urges Thailand to collaborate for sustainable future

    A United Nations official called on the Government of Thailand, private sector, and communities to collaborate for the nation’s sustainable future. Kanni Wignaraja, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme, highlighted the need for inclusivity in these efforts. During her recent visit to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025, held from…

  • Thailand video news | Thailand delays decision on cutting visa-free stay to 30 days, Philippines adds buses, trains amid transport strike

    Thailand video news | Thailand delays decision on cutting visa-free stay to 30 days, Philippines adds buses, trains amid transport strike

    In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key updates, including Thailand’s delayed decision on reducing visa-free stays and a dramatic BMW crash in Phuket. A German man linked to dentist attacks was found dead in Korat, while a violent brawl at MBK Center has sparked calls for tighter mall security. A British tourist alleges mistreatment in a Thai jail,…

  • Thai woman shot dead in cemetery over 50 million baht inheritance dispute

    Thai woman shot dead in cemetery over 50 million baht inheritance dispute

    A Thai woman yesterday surrendered to police for shooting dead her sister-in-law at a cemetery in Chon Buri following a dispute over an inheritance of 50 million baht. The 52 year old Thai woman, Kantana-on Ditprasert, was found dead at a cemetery in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri at around 6pm on Saturday, March 22. Kantana-on worked as…

  • Slow progress in Thaksin hospital aid probe due to limited info

    Slow progress in Thaksin hospital aid probe due to limited info

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reported that the investigation into allegations of government officials aiding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in obtaining medical treatment at the Police General Hospital (PGH), bypassing prison detention, is progressing slowly due to limited access to information. Saroj Phungramphan, the NACC Secretary General, stated yesterday, March 23, that their team is gathering evidence, including witness…

  • Thailand urged to review new co-payment health insurance rule

    Thailand urged to review new co-payment health insurance rule

    The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) urged the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) to reevaluate the new co-payment health insurance rule, calling it unjust for consumers and ineffective in addressing fundamental issues. Implemented on March 20, the rule requires policyholders to cover up to 50% of medical expenses, replacing the previous comprehensive coverage plan. Post-Covid-19 pandemic, rising healthcare costs and an…

  • Blazing bandit: Foreign thief tunnels into Phuket weed shop

    Blazing bandit: Foreign thief tunnels into Phuket weed shop

    A foreign man remains at large after drilling through the wall of a cannabis store in Phuket to steal products worth 30,000 baht and 2,000 baht in cash on Saturday, March 22. The owner of the cannabis store, Saen Sook Smoke Weed, 24 year old Kwan, filed a theft complaint with officers at Patong Police Station on Saturday afternoon, March…

  • Ex-police officer shoots sister-in-law in Bangkok property dispute

    Ex-police officer shoots sister-in-law in Bangkok property dispute

    A former officer from Samrae Police Station fatally shot his sister-in-law and critically injured his sister during a heated argument over property rights at their home. The incident occurred at 1.04pm yesterday, March 23, in Bang Mod, Chom Thong district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Thanathat Ratsameepupa, Deputy Inspector from Tha Kham Police Station, received the call and arrived at the scene…

  • Thaksin wades into Thailand debt storm with bold bailout plan

    Thaksin wades into Thailand debt storm with bold bailout plan

    Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reignited debate over the country’s mounting debt crisis, urging the government to buy up bad loans to help struggling households. The 75 year old’s proposal? The state should step in, purchase non-performing loans (NPLs) from financial institutions, and wipe debt-ridden individuals off the National Credit Bureau’s blacklist. But not everyone is convinced by…

  • Toddler takes the wheel: SUV crash kills two children in Buriram

    Toddler takes the wheel: SUV crash kills two children in Buriram

    A female SUV driver crashed and killed two children, aged nine and 13, on a motorcycle in the Isaan province of Buriram on Saturday, March 22. The SUV driver’s two year old child reportedly sat on her lap and grabbed the steering wheel, leading to the crash. The fatal accident was reported to officers at Satuek Police Station and the…

  • Thai delegation aims for 7.3 billion baht rice deal in South Africa

    Thai delegation aims for 7.3 billion baht rice deal in South Africa

    The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has dispatched a delegation to South Africa to promote Thai rice, aiming to finalise a major export deal valued at approximately 7.3 billion baht. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan assigned Worawong Ramangkura, Assistant Minister of Commerce, to lead a delegation from March 24 to March 30, including representatives from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, General Mill…

  • Bear’ly survived: Thai fisherman’s face torn off in horror mauling

    Bear’ly survived: Thai fisherman’s face torn off in horror mauling

    A Thai fisherman miraculously survived after a ferocious bear attack left him horrifically disfigured, ripping off most of his face, nose, and upper lip in a single devastating swipe. The 60 year old victim was also mauled on the neck and stomach by what experts believe was an Asiatic black bear, a species known to attack humans when threatened. It…

  • Thief steals gold worth 7.8 million baht in Ayutthaya heist

    Thief steals gold worth 7.8 million baht in Ayutthaya heist

    A lone thief armed with a gun stole gold worth over 7 million baht in under a minute at a shopping mall in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The incident occurred at 6.30pm yesterday, March 23. The deputy investigator at Phra In Racha Police Station received a report about the armed robbery at a gold store located within a shopping mall…

  • House of cards tumbles: Cops bust Hua Hin gambling ring

    House of cards tumbles: Cops bust Hua Hin gambling ring

    Six suspects have been rounded up in a dramatic police raid on an illegal online gambling empire operating out of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) swooped in on LAVAMAX1688, a shadowy betting network that had raked in over 8 million baht in just eight months. With arrest warrants issued for seven people, officers stormed…

  • PPRP’s Prawit to challenge PM Paetongtarn in censure debate

    PPRP’s Prawit to challenge PM Paetongtarn in censure debate

    Attention has focused on the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, Prawit Wongsuwon, amid speculation regarding his recruitment of Pheu Thai Party MP, Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, for the upcoming censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. They are anticipated to present serious allegations against the government. PPRP Secretary-General, Paiboon Nititawan, confirmed that Prawit will speak following the opening remarks by…

  • Illegal nightclub raid in Nakhon Pathom uncovers drug use

    Illegal nightclub raid in Nakhon Pathom uncovers drug use

    In Nakhon Pathom‘s Samphran district, administrative officials conducted a raid at 3am this morning, March 23, at an unlicensed nightclub, discovering 81 patrons with traces of illegal drugs. The Department of Provincial Administration led the raid operation at a local nightclub called Neon Pub following reports of narcotics being available on the premises. During the raid, officials secured the exits…

  • Thai military arrests Chinese man with 38 Starlink receivers

    Thai military arrests Chinese man with 38 Starlink receivers

    Thai military and police apprehended a Chinese national for allegedly smuggling 38 Starlink satellite receivers, suspected to be destined for a call centre gang in a neighbouring country. Yesterday, March 22, the Rachamanu Special Task Force, along with the anti-narcotics unit and police, set up a checkpoint at Ban Huai Yao, Village 10, in Dan Mae Lamao subdistrict, Mae Sot…

  • Chinese detained in Bangkok hotel for 11 billion baht fraud

    Chinese detained in Bangkok hotel for 11 billion baht fraud

    Immigration officers in Bangkok have detained a Chinese man at a luxury hotel in Ratchaprasong, who was evading fraud charges for embezzling billions of baht. The suspect had changed his identity and acquired Vanuatu nationality on March 22. Officers of the Immigration Bureau have directed their units to enhance crime prevention efforts, particularly targeting illegal immigration and foreign nationals involved in…

  • Couple confesses to gruesome murder over debt collection

    Couple confesses to gruesome murder over debt collection

    Police have apprehended a couple accused of murdering a young woman over a debt, dismembering her body, and burying the remains behind their home before fleeing to Chiang Mai. They confessed that resentment over debt collection and offensive remarks led to the crime. Yesterday, March 22, at 1pm, Police Lieutenant Somphop Niamjamroen of Don Tum Police Station in Nakhon Pathom…