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 much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
-
Cambodia accused of claiming Thailand’s royal literary treasures
A storm is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia after claims emerged online that 22 classic Thai literary works have been quietly registered as Cambodian cultural heritage with UNESCO, sparking outrage over what critics are calling a brazen cultural grab. Social media erupted this week when reports circulated alleging that Cambodia had listed dozens of Thai literary masterpieces—many composed by Thai…
-
Thai-Cambodian border closure disrupts trade, boosts Vietnamese imports
The closure of permanent border checkpoints at Ban Hat Lek and temporary border points in Trat province and other areas along the Thai-Cambodian border has led to significant disruptions for traders. Both in the Koh Kong province of Cambodia and at the Ban Hat Lek border market, businesses have been affected. As a result, Cambodian traders are increasingly sourcing goods…
-
Butts out: Beach smoke ban sparks flaming row in Pattaya
A fresh crackdown on smoking at Pattaya’s beaches sparked a fiery debate among expats and long-term tourists, who say the ban is little more than a cosmetic fix masking deeper problems. Pattaya’s new smoking ban, which threatens offenders with a 5,000 baht fine for lighting up on the sand or nearby footpaths, was billed as a bold step to clean…
-
Mother seeks justice after toddler injured under friend’s care
An 18 year old woman filed a complaint with Lak Song Police Station after her two year and 10 month old son sustained severe injuries while being cared for by a close friend. The incident, which occurred yesterday, July 14, at Mit Pracha Hospital, has left the child with bruises and swollen eyes. The boy’s mother, A, explained that she…
-
Thai nationals caught entering illegally at Rong Kluea Market
Three Thai nationals were apprehended after climbing over a wall behind Rong Kluea Market to enter Thailand illegally. Two of the people confessed to working at an online gambling site in Poipet, while the third operated a restaurant. Colonel Chainarong Kasi, commander of the Special Task Force Aranyaprathet under the Burapha Forces, today, July 15, directed Ranger Company 1201 to…
-
Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind
Eating out in Bangkok is becoming a luxury few can afford, with research revealing Thai food prices have more than doubled in just over a decade, while wages have barely kept pace. A new study by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA) has revealed that the cost of food in Thailand has skyrocketed by 106.5% over the past 13…
-
Thai temples ordered to limit cash holdings amid monk scandal
Following a romantic scandal involving monks, the Sangha Supreme Council issued a regulation requiring every temple across Thailand to hold no more than 100,000 baht in cash. The regulation is expected to come into effect on October 1. The scandal, which involves a Thai woman named Golf and several respected monks, captured widespread public attention. In addition to focusing on…
-
Ant-agonising: Korea Michelin eatery in a stew over Thai insects
It was hailed as a fine-dining thrill, but a two-star Michelin restaurant in Seoul is now in hot water after its trendy sorbet—topped with ants imported from Thailand and the United States—triggered a food safety scandal. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has referred the owner of the high-end restaurant in Gangnam district to prosecutors for allegedly violating…
-
Nakhon Ratchasima temple’s ‘miracle Buddha’ sparks lottery frenzy
A centuries-old Buddha statue in Nakhon Ratchasima is fuelling a frenzy among lottery devotees, who swear its blessings have turned them into instant millionaires—seven draws in a row. Wat Muen Wai, an ancient temple tucked away in Muen Wai subdistrict, Mueang district, has become a magnet for hopeful devotees and lottery fans alike. The star attraction is Luang Pho Thong,…
-
Japanese tourist faces legal action for train vandalism in Bangkok
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has taken legal action against a Japanese tourist accused of spray-painting a train and its carriages near a railway bridge on Kanchanaphisek Road, Bangkok. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, and resulted in property damage and train delays. According to Weeras Amrapal, the SRT Governor, the foreign tourist used spray paint on the…
-
Patong Tunnel project advances with 16.76 billion baht budget
The Kathu-Patong expressway project, commonly referred to as the Patong Tunnel project, is advancing with a budget of 16.76 billion baht. Land expropriation has been completed and the Patong Municipality, appointed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), has started land clearing, expected to be completed by September 7. Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Municipality Council, confirmed that all…
-
Tweetment needed: Woman hurt as birds smash window, roof caves in
The roof of a rented house in the central province of Suphan Buri collapsed after two birds struck a second-floor window, injuring a Thai woman. The 40 year old woman, Duangkamon, sustained injuries to her left leg, knee, shoulder, and back. She showed a long laceration on her back to Channel 3, explaining that a falling roof tile caused the…
-
6-time Thai lottery winner from Loei seeks luck in Ayutthaya
The hermitage of Rishi Naen That Phutthakun in Pho Taeng subdistrict, Bang Sai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, teemed with worshippers and lottery enthusiasts yesterday, eager to boost their luck ahead of tomorrow’s draw. Hundreds of visitors flocked to pay respects and ask for blessings from revered figures believed to hold supernatural power. Among the most popular were the…
-
Gother’s travel takeover: Thai platform rockets 300% in 7 months
Thailand’s newest travel sensation is taking off at lightning speed. In just seven months, Gother has exploded with 300% business growth, setting its sights on becoming the country’s ultimate travel booking powerhouse. Gother, the rising star of Thailand’s travel tech scene, is making waves with astonishing momentum since its launch in early 2024. Operated by Search Engine Optimisation Co., Ltd.,…
-
Rare wildlife captured in Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan National Park shared captivating images and videos of rare and endangered wildlife captured by strategically placed cameras and park staff surveys. The visuals, yesterday, July 14, highlight the park’s biodiversity, showcasing various wildlife, including some on the brink of extinction. Among the endangered species spotted were the clouded leopard mother and cub, seen foraging at night, and the…
-
Cambodian beggars in Thailand caught gambling online
Two Cambodian beggars in Thailand, one of whom was caught gambling online, were apprehended by Thai police. Despite previous arrests, the serial beggars repeatedly re-entered the country illegally. The first beggar has five children and earns 1,000 baht (US$30) daily, sending 6,000 baht (US$185) monthly back to Cambodia. This person had been apprehended five times but continued to return due…
-
Punters spin web of hope at Ang Thong temple tarantula tip-off
Villagers and lottery enthusiasts flocked to Bot Ratsattha temple in Bang Rakam, Pho Thong district, Ang Thong province yesterday evening, hoping to glean a lucky tip from the temple’s resident tarantula. Armed with flower trays, incense sticks, candles, and three sets of numbered papers marked from one to 10, dozens gathered behind the temple to conduct a ritual steeped in…
-
Kuwaiti biker’s wipeout sparks heated rescue drama in Pattaya
A Kuwaiti biker’s motorbike crash turned into late-night chaos in Pattaya after a gang of overzealous friends swarmed an ambulance, sparking a heated rescue drama. The crash happened just after midnight today, July 15, in Soi VC, South Pattaya. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit were dispatched at 12.06am after reports of a single-vehicle accident. On arrival,…
-
Teen motorcycle racers arrested in Buriram amid public chaos
Over 30 teenagers have been apprehended in Buriram after causing public disturbances by racing motorcycles and carrying weapons. The group engaged in altercations, gunfire, and explosions over three consecutive nights, alarming residents and prompting a swift response from local police. The disturbances were linked to a viral video showing the teenagers, between 14 and 19 years old, challenging law enforcement…
-
Fiscal 2025 revenue set to miss target amid economic slowdown
Revenue collection for the government’s fiscal year 2025 is anticipated to fall short of its target due to an economic slowdown, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. From October 2024 to May 2025, net revenue amounted to 1.7 trillion baht, which is 12.7 billion baht, or 0.7%, below the target, though it is 1.7% higher compared to the same…
-
Pheu Thai hits back: Thaksin no puppet master, just an adviser
The Pheu Thai Party firmly rejected accusations that Thaksin Shinawatra is exerting improper influence over the government, branding the claims as baseless and politically driven. Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, defended the former prime minister’s involvement, stressing that seeking his counsel does not amount to taking orders. “Thaksin is a knowledgeable and capable individual who…
-
Security guard arrested for stealing 2,000 baht from student’s bike
A security guard at a prominent shopping centre in Khon Kaen was arrested after stealing 2,000 baht from a university student’s motorcycle storage compartment. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13 at 5.30pm, when a student accidentally left her wallet behind. CCTV footage captured the security guard, identified as 32 year old Kasidit “Mark” Klongyut, while patrolling the motorcycle parking…
-
NHSO to hire 18,000 caregivers for dependent patients in Thailand
Thailand is set to unleash an 18,000-strong battalion of caregivers to rescue frail pensioners and dependent patients nationwide, in a record-breaking health push fuelled by a multi-billion baht stimulus plan. The board of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has approved the recruitment of 18,000 caregivers to support more than 100,000 dependent people across the country. The ambitious initiative is…
-
Two longtail boats collide on Prachin Buri River, one missing
A collision between two longtail boats on the Prachin Buri River resulted in one person missing and another slightly injured. The incident occurred today, July 15, at a river bend near the bridge in front of Wat Wang Bua Thong, Mueang Haad Nang Kaew, Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri province. The missing person, identified as 50 year old Yothin Sarai,…
-
Wrong fuel refill on minivan leads to garage fire in Chon Buri
Investigating officers reported that a minivan, refuelled with the wrong type of fuel by a petrol station attendant, was behind the fire at a garage in Chon Buri on Sunday, July 13. Residents living near the garage on Porn Prapa Nimit Road in Bang Lamung district were alarmed when the blaze broke out at around 3pm. Five fire engines rushed to…
-
Bark and spite: Drunk Thai man kicks autistic boy after row with dog
A drunk Thai man was arrested after kicking a seven-year-old special needs boy and his aunt outside a Chiang Mai shopping mall, claiming a barking dog sent him over the edge. The shocking incident unfolded in the Bo Sang area of San Kamphaeng district at 4am on July 13, and the autistic child’s devastated family filed a complaint the following…
-
Myanmar earthquake shakes multiple districts in Chiang Rai
An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale rocked large parts of Chiang Rai, with tremors strong enough to jolt desks, rattle ceiling tiles and set computer screens quivering. Natthawut Dandee, Deputy Director General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), confirmed the quake struck at 3.06pm yesterday, July 14, originating 10 kilometres underground in neighbouring Myanmar. The epicentre was located…
-
2 Chinese men arrested in murder of fellow countryman in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday, July 14, arrested two Chinese men in connection with the murder of a fellow countryman in Chiang Mai province. Two other suspects remain at large. A Chinese woman filed a complaint at Chiang Saen Police Station on July 8, stating that her younger brother, Yang, had been kidnapped for ransom. The criminal gang demanded 3 million baht from her,…
-
Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed yesterday that he has officially signed off on his nominee to lead the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and submitted the selection to the Cabinet for consideration today. Speaking to reporters, Pichai made it clear he had no reservations about collaborating with whichever candidate ultimately gets the nod. “Whoever is selected, I’ll…
-
Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana
A foreign tourist tried to pay his 2,000-baht taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya with a giant bag of marijuana, leaving the stunned cabbie out of pocket and steaming mad. The bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of today, July 15, when 54 year old veteran driver Prachuap, picked up the man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for a trip…
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.