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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Yingluck Shinawatra’s shocking courtroom triumph: Acquitted and warrant revoked

    Yingluck Shinawatra’s shocking courtroom triumph: Acquitted and warrant revoked

    Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has emerged victorious in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division, shattering legal expectations and leaving political pundits in disbelief. Not only has she been acquitted of malfeasance, but a once-looming arrest warrant has also been revoked. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions delivered a bombshell verdict yesterday, December 26, clearing former…

  • Thai lottery predictions stir excitement ahead of 30 December 2023 draw

    Thai lottery predictions stir excitement ahead of 30 December 2023 draw

    The latest lottery numbers for December 30 are causing quite a stir among lottery enthusiasts as they anticipate the upcoming draw. Various sources have contributed their predictions, including popular TikTok user, nid8857 from Pathum Ratcha Technic Solar Cell, who shared three different sets of numbers: 897627,097627,288,2048,942,042. In another interesting turn, a local named Sawang revealed she had seen the number…

  • TikTok star Mae Pla pleads for justice for son’s assault

    TikTok star Mae Pla pleads for justice for son’s assault

    Renowned Thai TikTok sensation Mae Pla has taken her fight for justice to the highest authority after her son and his friend were allegedly brutalised by security personnel at a popular Chon Buri pub. Visiting the Thai National Police Headquarters yesterday, December 26, the 44 year old influencer, Mae Pla aka Nawarat Phurinpuwadon met with Police Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong,…

  • Thai workers fleeing conflict zones for lucrative jobs in South Korea: 7,000 positions up for grabs

    Thai workers fleeing conflict zones for lucrative jobs in South Korea: 7,000 positions up for grabs

    The Korean-Thai Chamber of Commerce (KTCC) is set to revolutionise the South Korean job market, offering a glimmer of hope for thousands of Thai workers escaping the turmoil in Israel. The KTCC, having sealed the deal with the Thai government, is now gearing up to negotiate with South Korean local government officials, aiming to open the doors to Thai workers…

  • Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Central Pattana, alongside influential partners, spearheads the Bottle Free Seas campaign, urging Bangkokians to swap the bottle for reusable options. With a staggering 70 million plastic bottles drowning Bangkok monthly, the initiative aims to flood the city with free water dispensers, starting with the iconic Central World shopping mall. The campaign, a collaborative effort between Central Pattana, the Bangkok Metropolitan…

  • 3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year

    3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year

    Prime Minister Srettha, in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference declared that the budget bill, meticulously scrutinised by the Office of Council of State, will be delivered for approval. Typically, budget bills are sealed and delivered before the fiscal year kicks off in October. However, this year’s extravaganza faced a dramatic delay, thanks to the intricate dance of forming a coalition…

  • PM Srettha visits devastated Narathiwat amidst ongoing Thai Floods and regional cooperation talks

    PM Srettha visits devastated Narathiwat amidst ongoing Thai Floods and regional cooperation talks

    Ravaging floods in Thailand’s southernmost provinces prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to visit Narathiwat on Tuesday. The region has been devastated by a persistent low-pressure system causing flash floods. Despite the water receding somewhat, significant property damage is evident. In addition to Narathiwat, the Prime Minister’s itinerary included a trip to Phuket. Here, he had dinner with his Malaysian counterpart,…

  • South Korean man arrested for smuggling endangered tortoises in Bangkok

    South Korean man arrested for smuggling endangered tortoises in Bangkok

    Officers at the Wildlife Checkpoint at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok arrested a South Korean man on December 25, for attempting to smuggle seven radiated tortoises, an endangered species, out of Thailand. The chief of the checkpoint, Narongrit Sukprakarn, were checking passengers’ baggage at the international departures terminal on the third floor of the airport and spotted the suspicious…

  • Srettha Thavisin confident to complete term, dismisses coalition expansion

    Srettha Thavisin confident to complete term, dismisses coalition expansion

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed intentions to complete his four-year term, reiterating the stability of the current coalition government. He dismissed any plans of incorporating the opposition Democrat Party into the government coalition at this time. When questioned about the government’s ability to fulfil its four-year term, Thavisin confidently spoke about the collective effort of the cabinet ministers in serving…

  • Ex-ship captain identified as head of major drug ring

    Ex-ship captain identified as head of major drug ring

    A prominent former ship’s captain has been identified by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) as the operator of a substantial drug trafficking ring, from which 1.2 tonnes of ketamine and nearly one tonne of ya ice were confiscated earlier this month. The NSB disclosed this information during a briefing at its headquarters, unveiling the outcome of a covert operation named…

  • Thailand considers humanitarian centre for Myanmar refugees

    Thailand considers humanitarian centre for Myanmar refugees

    The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering the establishment of a humanitarian assistance centre along the Thai-Myanmar border. The proposed centre aims to aid Myanmar refugees fleeing the internal conflict between junta forces and rebel minority groups. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara confirmed ongoing discussions with Myanmar officials yesterday about this initiative, prompted by the dire circumstances within Myanmar and…

  • Bangkok safety centre being set up for secure New Year celebrations

    Bangkok safety centre being set up for secure New Year celebrations

    Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a safety centre to enhance security measures for the upcoming New Year festivities, strongly urging the public to adhere to the established safety protocols throughout the celebration period. This move was announced by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt this Tuesday, who shed light on the specifics of a safety regulation that has been issued in…

  • Drunk driver claims 1 life and leaves another in critical condition

    Drunk driver claims 1 life and leaves another in critical condition

    A drunk Thai driver crashed an SUV into a motorcycle on a road in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham, claiming the life of one victim and leaving another one in critical condition. Channel 7 showed CCTV footage of a black SUV driving against the direction of traffic and hitting a motorcycle directly yesterday, December 25. The date of the…

  • Pope’s plea for peace amidst global turmoil: Christmas celebrations overshadowed by war

    Pope’s plea for peace amidst global turmoil: Christmas celebrations overshadowed by war

    In a world marred by conflict, Pope Francis ushered in Christmas with a heartfelt call for peace, acknowledging the grim shadows cast by Israel’s clash with Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The festive spirit, however, found a haven in the hearts of children globally, who tracked Santa and his reindeer on a 3-D interactive website. Revellers worldwide embraced holiday…

  • Unusual TikTok incident: Tooth breaks into three pieces after hit by donation coin (Video)

    Unusual TikTok incident: Tooth breaks into three pieces after hit by donation coin (Video)

    A viral video on the internet, shared by TikTok user @beewarunee749, recounts an unusual incident that doctors claim has a one-in-a-million chance of occurrence. The user’s tooth was chipped into three pieces when hit by a donation coin during a religious ceremony. The incident sparked a flood of empathetic and humorous comments from netizens, some of whom shared similar experiences.…

  • Thai man demands responsibility for explosion after fridge repair

    Thai man demands responsibility for explosion after fridge repair

    A Thai man demanded a home appliance manufacturer take responsibility for an explosion at his home after a technician came to repair a fridge. The Thai man, Rattapol Yotinupamai, shared the details of the explosion to his followers on Facebook on December 3. Rarrapol explained that he contracted a technician from the appliance company to fix a refrigerator at his…

  • Thai Airways reveals deal details with Nepal Airlines

    Thai Airways reveals deal details with Nepal Airlines

    Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Thai Airways have sealed a deal that’s set to rewrite the rules of the sky. The dramatic agreement sees Thai Airways handing over the keys—well, make that 80 vital ground handling materials—to NAC, sparking whispers of a new era in their collaboration. The official signing ceremony, orchestrated by NAC’s Executive Chairman Ubaraj Adhikari and Thai…

  • New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety

    New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), alongside the Consumer Protection Board and other state agencies, was on a mission to expose potential dangers lurking in New Year gift baskets. Their crackdown involved a meticulous inspection of major shopping hubs, supermarkets, online retailers, and even alms-giving sets to ensure compliance with stringent Thai food safety regulations. BMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Wantanee Wattana,…

  • Delayed flights cause passenger surge and extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport

    Delayed flights cause passenger surge and extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport

    A sudden influx of passengers, resulting from the landing of delayed flights, led to extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport in the early hours of Monday, as reported by the Immigration Bureau. The Chief of Immigration Division 2, Choengron Rimpadee, noted that between midnight and 2am, the airport witnessed a 33% surge in inbound traffic as 5,563 passengers arrived on 22…

  • Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback

    Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback

    Towering over the vibrant Ratchaprasong Square, Erawan Shrine, haven to the Hindu god Brahma outshines seven other shrines dedicated to deities like Ganesha, Trimurti, Uma, Lakshmi, Chatumaharajika, Indra, and Narayana. But amidst the spiritual serenity, tragedy struck in 2015, when the Erawan Shrine became the unexpected target of a bombing, claiming 20 lives and injuring 125. Shockingly, an ethnic Uighur…

  • Durian Lablae trousers: Uttradit’s new sensation at just 199 Thai baht

    Durian Lablae trousers: Uttradit’s new sensation at just 199 Thai baht

    Uttradit’s latest hit, the Soft Power Collection, has unveiled its new product, the Durian Lablae trousers. The trousers, which feature the distinctive characteristics of the Lablae area, are gaining attention for their use of high-quality silk, providing lightweight comfort without heat or tightness. Today (December 26), a report at the Tawan Chai Pha Pha Cotton Shop in Mae Phul, Lablae,…

  • Toshiba Corporation gets booted from Tokyo Exchange but Toshiba Thailand stays

    Toshiba Corporation gets booted from Tokyo Exchange but Toshiba Thailand stays

    After a staggering 74-year run, Toshiba Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange faces delisting and a subsequent takeover. However, Toshiba Thailand Ltd emerges unscathed, asserting its independence and vowing to power on. “Unfazed by the storm in Japan, Toshiba Thailand is business as usual.” Having severed ties with its Japanese parent years ago, the company stands resilient in the face of…

  • Elderly women found dead, children missing after boat capsizes in Narathiwat flood

    Elderly women found dead, children missing after boat capsizes in Narathiwat flood

    The bodies of an 89 year old woman and a 63 year old woman have been recovered in Narathiwat province, following a capsized boat incident during a flood evacuation. Two more people, both children aged three and eight, are still missing. The incident occurred today as heavy rainfall continues to impact the region. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation…

  • Thai man arrested for tricking more than 20 young boys into sex for porn

    Thai man arrested for tricking more than 20 young boys into sex for porn

    Police arrested a 28 year old Thai man for tricking more than 20 young boys aged between 12 to 15 years old into having sex for porn and selling child porn online. A Thai mother, identified only as A, filed a complaint with Wang Sapung Police Station in the northeastern province of Loei on December 29 that her 12 year…

  • Thai health officials urge pertussis vaccination amid whooping cough outbreak

    Thai health officials urge pertussis vaccination amid whooping cough outbreak

    Following a severe outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, Thai health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated. The announcement was made today (December 26) by Chalermphol Osothpromma, the director of the Disease Control Office 12 in Songkhla. He revealed that there have been 45 confirmed cases in the health district 12, with one death in…

  • Pattaya: Free rabies vaccinations in January

    Pattaya: Free rabies vaccinations in January

    Pattaya‘s Department of Public Health and Environment proposed free vaccinations to battle rabies in 2024. The crusade covers a wide stretch of neighbourhoods, from the trendy Naklua (Moo 1 to 7) to the vibrant Nong Prue (Moo 5, 6, 9 to 13) and the serene Huay Yai (Moo 4). This groundbreaking initiative is not just about jabs; it throws in…

  • Waves ban on Pattaya boats after tourist catamaran capsizes

    Waves ban on Pattaya boats after tourist catamaran capsizes

    The Marine Department, Pattaya Office, imposed a ban on small boats venturing into the Pattaya sea. With a red flag fluttering halfway up the mast yesterday, December 25, the Department issued a stern warning to fishing boats, jet skis, speedboats, and towing boats, urging them to stay ashore amid the turbulent waters. Large fishing vessels escaped a categorical ban but…

  • Thai woman searches for lost winning lottery tickets to claim 24 million baht

    Thai woman searches for lost winning lottery tickets to claim 24 million baht

    A Thai woman is looking for her four lost lottery tickets that won the 24 million baht jackpot in October two months ago. She asked the Government Lottery Office (GLO) to investigate because she wrote her name and phone number on the back of the tickets. The 59 year old woman, Monta Ekwittayopart, sought help from a non-profit organisation Reclaim…

  • Intoxicated tourist’s festive frolic on Pattaya Walking Street

    Intoxicated tourist’s festive frolic on Pattaya Walking Street

    On Pattaya Walking Street, a tourist found himself in the spotlight after refusing to foot the bill for his drinks, stirring a peaceful intervention by the local law enforcement on December 24. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, showcased signs of inebriation, becoming uncooperative in settling his tab amounting to 198 baht. Responding swiftly to the distress call from the…

  • Thailand’s NSTDA building AI ecosystem for ethical standardisation

    Thailand’s NSTDA building AI ecosystem for ethical standardisation

    The artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem is under construction by Thailand‘s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The move is part of an effort to establish ethical and standardisation measures to prevent AI misuse, as confirmed by the agency’s director, Chukit Limpijamnong. The NSTDA has been working on setting up the ecosystem, recognising AI’s role in bolstering economic and social…