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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    Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year

    Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...

  • Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu

    Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu

    A 57 year old woman was found dead in a pond in Nong Bua Lamphu province, following a period of severe stress due to her tenants failing to pay three months’ worth of rent. Children playing nearby initially spotted the body floating in the water and alerted adults yesterday. The deceased, later identified as Sumalee, had expressed to her mother…

  • Northern Thailand braces for 44 degrees celcius heatwave

    Northern Thailand braces for 44 degrees celcius heatwave

    A heatwave accompanied by strong winds and hail is forecasted to hit northern Thailand starting tomorrow, with temperatures expected to soar to a sweltering 44 degrees Celsius, breaking records previously held by Mae Hong Son province in 2016 and Tak province last year. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of extreme weather conditions due to a low-pressure area caused by an…

  • Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht

    Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht

    Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled yesterday that the Government of Thailand has assembled a series of fresh employment benefits set to be introduced on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The most notable of these is a proposal to elevate the minimum wage to 400 baht across the nation. The new minimum wage rate of 400 baht has already received the…

  • Lop Buri’s growing macaque population to be relocated by DNP

    Lop Buri’s growing macaque population to be relocated by DNP

    An increasing macaque population has taken over downtown Lop Buri, prompting the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to intervene. Athapol Charoenshunsa, the department chief, has unveiled plans to relocate these monkeys once their new holding facility is ready. Currently, an estimated 2,200 macaques are roaming freely within the city’s bounds, causing disruptions to local businesses and…

  • Roar surprise: Endangered wild tiger spotted in Phetchaburi

    Roar surprise: Endangered wild tiger spotted in Phetchaburi

    Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled in the district of Phetchaburi, reported the sighting of an endangered wild tiger, marking the sixth such discovery since 2019. The tiger, captured by a strategically placed camera trap, has been assigned the identifier KKT-006M. The images of the tiger were captured on March 24, March 31, and April 1. The camera trap showcased the…

  • Fake time, real warning: Thai couple’s scam alert (video)

    Fake time, real warning: Thai couple’s scam alert (video)

    A Thai couple took to social media to issue a warning, alleging that a foreign man attempted to scam them by selling a fake luxury watch. The couple claim that the man allegedly bought the watch for 59,000 baht but offered it to them for just 6,000 baht. A Thai man, Supakorn Piriyesyangkoon, shared a video and pictures of the…

  • PM Srettha aims to boost Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development

    PM Srettha aims to boost Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development

    PM Srettha charged the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to assist in identifying innovative solutions to promote sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. This appeal was part of his address at the 80th ESCAP session, themed Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok yesterday, April 22.…

  • Thailand Video News | Phuket Portuguese Topless Pandemonium, Scorching heat sparks severe storm warnings

    Thailand Video News | Phuket Portuguese Topless Pandemonium, Scorching heat sparks severe storm warnings

    In this Thailand video news, Alex delves into the news stories across Thailand. Beginning with the Prime Minister proposes Bangkok for Formula One, Chinese parents reunite after a “Virtual Kidnapping” scam, a heatwave triggers thunderstorms in 26 provinces, unlicensed crypto exchanges face blocks, a Thai transwoman is fined for assault, and chaos ensues at a Phuket hotel as a Portuguese…

  • Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism

    Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism

    Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai…

  • Thai stock market rebounds amid renewed investor confidence

    Thai stock market rebounds amid renewed investor confidence

    The Thai stock market made a strong comeback yesterday, experiencing a rise of approximately 1.3%. This resurgence was mirrored in other regional markets which also bounced back from significant losses incurred on Friday. Investors are seemingly reassured by the belief that a full-scale war in the Middle East is unlikely. This sentiment was further bolstered by the decision of the…

  • Krabi smoothie shop owner accused of investment fraud

    Krabi smoothie shop owner accused of investment fraud

    Approximately 10 victims have reported a local smoothie shop owner in Krabi for investment fraud involving over 3 million baht. The suspect, using her acquaintance with a well-known lawyer as leverage, challenged the victims to take legal action against her. Police are now gathering evidence to pursue the suspect legally. A group of around 10 individuals filed complaints yesterday at…

  • Thai police bust illegal lender for extreme rates and data breach

    Thai police bust illegal lender for extreme rates and data breach

    Thai authorities apprehended 37 year old man at his residence for running an illegal money-lending enterprise that charged exorbitant interest rates of 8% per week. The operation, led by senior police officials, uncovered not only evidence of the illicit business but also a trove of personal data harvested from individuals, signalling a breach of Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act. Yesterday,…

  • Authorities struggle to control fire at chemical warehouse in Rayong

    Authorities struggle to control fire at chemical warehouse in Rayong

    A fire broke out at an industrial waste and chemical warehouse belonging to the Win Process Company in the eastern province of Rayong at 8.30am yesterday. The Thai authorities have been working for over 20 hours to extinguish the fire and are struggling to fully control it due to flammable chemical substances. Residents living near the warehouse in the Ban…

  • Motorbike and minivan collision injures three in Pattaya

    Motorbike and minivan collision injures three in Pattaya

    A collision between a motorbike and a minivan in Pattaya led to injuries for three people, including two young women and a blind individual. The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday, April 22, at 2.36am, near Pattaya School 7 on the inbound lane heading towards Sattahip. The motorbike, a Honda Scoopy I model, was ridden by 18 year…

  • Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders

    Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders

    A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…

  • Thai baht expected to weaken against US dollar

    Thai baht expected to weaken against US dollar

    The Thai baht is expected to weaken to an estimated 37.20 baht against the US dollar later this week, due to the continued Middle East tensions, says Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). The economic indicators from the US, due for release this week, are also predicted to bolster the dollar’s strength. Monday morning trading saw the Thai currency quoted at 36.97…

  • Deputy police chief charges Thai prime minister with malfeasance

    Deputy police chief charges Thai prime minister with malfeasance

    Thailand Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn charged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with malfeasance, claiming that the prime minister’s actions led to his suspension and thwarted his path to becoming the next national police chief. Big Joke took his complaint to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and addressed it to its secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol. He…

  • Singapore CEO wins hearts washing dishes himself

    Singapore CEO wins hearts washing dishes himself

    The CEO of FairPrice Group from Singapore took the corporate world by surprise with his unconventional approach to leadership. Henry Chu wasn’t content with merely issuing orders from the boardroom, instead, he made headlines by rolling up his sleeves and getting involved in the day-to-day operations of the company’s restaurants, including cooking and washing dishes—a move that has garnered widespread admiration.…

  • Couple returns cash hidden in chair to elderly owner in China

    Couple returns cash hidden in chair to elderly owner in China

    A Chinese couple’s remarkable discovery of a substantial sum of money hidden inside a second-hand chair has captured widespread attention on social media. Opting to do the right thing, they returned the find to its rightful owner rather than keep it for themselves. The unexpected turn of events unfolded as the wife made her way home from work, spotting the…

  • Thailand police bust fake pet medication ring

    Thailand police bust fake pet medication ring

    Thailand police swooped to bust a clandestine operation producing counterfeit flea and tick treatments for pets, uncovering over 40,000 illicit products. The raid, which revealed a shocking use of termite poison in the mix, has potentially saved countless pets from life-threatening heart failure. The joint operation by Thailand’s Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…

  • Scorching heatwave cooks up egg-splosive price surge in Thailand

    Scorching heatwave cooks up egg-splosive price surge in Thailand

    The sweltering heatwave cooking Thailand’s poultry industry has hatched a price surge in duck eggs, scrambling to 4.60 baht each in Khon Kaen. This unexpected cluck was laid out by The Layer Duck Farmers Association today, April 22, joining a recent 20 satang rise in chicken egg prices to 3.60 baht each last week, resulting in a sunny-side-up increase of…

  • Khao Yai’s Haew Narok Waterfall dries amid Thailand drought

    Khao Yai’s Haew Narok Waterfall dries amid Thailand drought

    Khao Yai National Park‘s iconic Haew Narok Waterfall has run dry due to prolonged drought conditions, leaving tourists with alternative picturesque natural viewpoints to enjoy. Amid rising concerns from visitors about the state of the park’s waterfalls, the head of Khao Yai National Park, Chaiya Huai Hong Thong, confirmed the impact of the dry season on the water flow. Chaiya…

  • Chemical warehouse fire causes evacuation in Ban Khai district

    Chemical warehouse fire causes evacuation in Ban Khai district

    A fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in the tambon Bang But area of Ban Khai district, leading to a series of explosions and prompting the evacuation of residents. The blaze, originating from the industrial waste warehouse owned by Win Process Co, ignited at approximately 9am today, April 22. The response was immediate, with 16 fire engines, eight ambulances,…

  • Thai boxing camp owner executed at religious festival in Buriram

    Thai boxing camp owner executed at religious festival in Buriram

    A shocking execution-style murder in the early hours of yesterday morning has left the Thai boxing community in mourning. The 56 year old, owner of a boxing camp, known as Sia Dam, was brutally shot in the head and neck by an unidentified gunman, resulting in his immediate death. The incident, which took place around 4am yesterday, April 22, unfolded…

  • Pattaya panic: Grenade scare rattles resident

    Pattaya panic: Grenade scare rattles resident

    Panic spread through the Pattaya community yesterday following the discovery of an M26 grenade and live ammunition concealed in a residential area. Local authorities, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, were quickly alerted and dispatched to secure the area and defuse the potential threat. The grenade, a lethal M26 fragmentation hand grenade, was found in pristine condition, tucked under…

  • Thai transwoman seeks justice after surgery leaves vagina bleeding

    Thai transwoman seeks justice after surgery leaves vagina bleeding

    A Thai transwoman is seeking justice after gender affirmation surgery left her vagina bleeding and defecating. She also received no explanation from the doctor despite suffering from the disability for more than seven months. The transgender victim, Anirut, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive for assistance in seeking justice after pain from the surgery failure almost led her to…

  • Parents plead for justice after daughter found dead in Khon Kaen

    Parents plead for justice after daughter found dead in Khon Kaen

    In a tragic revelation today, the parents of a 30 year old woman who was discovered murdered and stuffed in a sack in a cassava field, have expressed their belief that three men are responsible for their daughter’s death. The couple, still reeling from their loss, is urgently calling for the authorities to track down the culprits as they seek…

  • Butterbear: Thai mascot goes viral with K-Pop dance craze

    Butterbear: Thai mascot goes viral with K-Pop dance craze

    A Thai mascot named Butterbear has captured hearts far beyond its homeland, becoming an international sensation with travellers from China and Korea flying in to witness its adorable dance moves. The bear, dressed in traditional Thai attire, has taken social media by storm with its minimal yet captivating dance routines. Butterbear, the endearing mascot from a famous Thai confectionery brand,…

  • Astrologer predicts fortunes as Jupiter shifts signs

    Astrologer predicts fortunes as Jupiter shifts signs

    Thailand’s star gazing enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats after renowned astrologer Chang Thosaporn recently revealed insights into a major celestial shift. According to Chang, Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system known for its positive influences in astrology, is about to change signs on April 30 this year, a pivotal moment that could spell a turnaround…

  • Phuket hotel boob: Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos

    Phuket hotel boob: Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos

    A Portuguese woman yesterday left guests gobsmacked by walking around a Phuket hotel with her boobs out and reportedly refused to settle her accommodation bill. The Phuket Times, yesterday, April 21, issued a warning to accommodation operators in the province to be aware of the 31 year old Portuguese woman Nadiya Serivna Varshawa. “Warning for hotels in Phuket! Beware of this…