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 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...
-
Update: Thai woman offers free accommodation to bus crash victims
The devastating bus crash that claimed 14 lives in Thailand moved a local woman to offer free accommodation to the victims’ relatives. Thitinun Iamtua, also known as Nan, who hails from Huai Yang, was at the scene of the bus crash where she found a terrified young girl, Mali, who had been separated from her mother. Nan explained that when…
-
Chaowalit Thongduang: Thailand asserts active extradition treaty with Indonesia
Thailand‘s Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) asserted yesterday, December 5, that the country has an active extradition treaty with Indonesia. This announcement arrived in light of an unverified report suggesting that notorious fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, might have escaped to the Southeast Asian country. Prayuth Phetkhun, the OAG spokesperson, clarified that the attorney-general possesses the authority…
-
Chinese man in Thai police uniform sparks drama about VIP service
A video of a Chinese man wearing a Thai police uniform sparked debate about VIP service on social media. The police officer in the video insisted that no special service was provided, adding that he is just a service-minded person. The Facebook page Lui Jeen (ลุยจีน) shared the video from Weibo along with its translation yesterday, December 5. The footage…
-
Cable car project causes concerns of potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng
Concerns have been voiced by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation over potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, as a result of plans to revive a long-debated cable car project. The foundation, while assured that modern construction techniques can minimise environmental and wildlife disruption, is apprehensive about the park’s capacity to handle an influx of tourists. Ornyupa Sangkamarn, the…
-
Thai prime minister: Army anti-drug efforts on Myanmar border
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the army to intensify its efforts to curb illicit drug smuggling along the Myanmar frontier. The directive was issued yesterday, December 5, during a meeting with the army chief, General Songwit Noonpackdee. The prime minister specifically emphasised the importance of the military’s collaboration with the police in executing this task. PM Srettha also stressed the…
-
Torrential rain warning issued for 29 Thai provinces: Bangkok included
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for torrential rain across 29 provinces, including Bangkok. This is due to a high-pressure system from China spreading over Thailand’s upper and northeastern regions. The southern region will bear the brunt of the storm, with a strong monsoon predicted. The officials have further revealed that temperatures in the upper regions of the…
-
Thailand commits to release of Thai captives held by Hamas
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, recently reaffirmed the government’s commitment to secure the release of all remaining Thai captives held hostage in Palestine. The 61 year old Thai PM dispelled circulating rumours concerning the government’s intention to abandon the remaining captives, asserting that their liberation would have to wait until the next ceasefire. Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara…
-
Rise in meningitis cases sparks health concerns in Thailand ahead of new year
Thailand has recorded nearly 100 cases of meningitis, also known as swine fever, this year, resulting in four fatalities in Nakhon Ratchasima. The disease, caused by a bacterium found in raw pork and blood, is raising concerns as festivities for the new year approaches. Dr Thaweechai Wisanuyotin, Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Office, revealed that between January 1…
-
Young clinician’s tragic death raises questions on Thai air pollution
The problem of PM 2.5 Thai air pollution has been highlighted by the unfortunate case of 28 year old Kritthai Tansombatitkul, a clinician and statistician at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, who passed away from late-stage lung cancer. Despite living a healthy lifestyle and not smoking, he was diagnosed with the disease at a young age, leading many…
-
Certainties of life: Death, taxes, and ladyboys robbing Indian men of gold in Pattaya
There are several certainties guaranteed in life, death and taxes, US interference in other countries’ foreign policies, and ladyboys in Pattaya robbing Indian men ostentatiously flaunting their gold. In the vibrant streets of Pattaya, where the night unfolds with many unexpected tales, a recent incident involving a pickpocketing ladyboy added another chapter to ladyboys in Pattaya robbing Indian men of…
-
Social media influencer Little Muay fights for justice after severe burns in clinic review
A popular social media influencer, affectionately known as Little Muay, continues her battle for justice after a year-long ordeal. The influencer was severely burnt during a review of a clinic’s procedure, which resulted in her being engulfed in flames. Today’s trending show featured Little Muay, a renowned influencer who suffered severe injuries following a review session at a clinic. The…
-
Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears
Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps. This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars…
-
Easy e-receipt programme set to kick off next year in Thailand
A newly approved tax refund scheme, aimed at stimulating domestic spending and promoting the use of electronic invoices, is set to kick off early next year, the Finance Ministry confirmed on Monday. The so-called Easy E-Receipt programme allows individuals to claim a tax deduction of up to 50,000 baht on goods and services purchases from businesses backed by the e-tax…
-
Kanchanaburi police hunt for murderer who taunts cops with Facebook riddle
Police in Kanchanaburi are racing against time to apprehend a brutal murderer who allegedly shot a transgender woman dead in an apparent robbery. The suspect, obviously a fan of serial killer movies, then audaciously taunted authorities and friends of the victim by using her stolen phone to post a chilling riddle on her Facebook account asking, “Do you know who…
-
Rayong woman arrested for alleged minor sex trade and drug distribution
Unfolding in the heart of Rayong, a woman suspected of operating a minor sex trade and drug distribution network has surrendered to the police. This dramatic event unfolded yesterday, December 4, rooted in allegations from two teenage victims who had reached out to a local Facebook page, Zoom Rayong, claiming they had been held captive and exploited in a house…
-
Major drug bust in Thailand seizes 2 tonnes of meth bound for Philippines and Australia
In a major drug bust, authorities last night apprehended 13 suspects and confiscated 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine from a large tugboat in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The narcotics, believed to be headed for the Philippines and Australia, were discovered during a late-night search operation by marine and narcotics suppression police. As law enforcement officers arrived, several individuals attempted to…
-
Amnesty angst: Deputy PM dishes on MFP’s controversial bill, lese majeste sparks political fireworks
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that the proposed amnesty bill by the Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition, sparked controversy among various political parties due to its provision for lese majeste offences. Phumtham, also the Commerce Minister and a senior member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, indicated that while many parties agree with the amnesty bill’s objectives,…
-
Impending storm to hit 25 provinces in Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today for heavy rainfall in 25 provinces, with a looming storm set to inundate the southern region. The sudden flash floods are expected to be followed by another cold weather spell from tomorrow, December 6 to Friday, December 8. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast indicates that a high-pressure system or cold air mass…
-
Bus crash near Wanakorn Park claims 14 lives, injures 35
A fatal collision involving a Bangkok-Na Thawi tour bus claimed 14 lives and injured 35 today. The bus, registered under number 14-3301 hit a tree, splitting into two at Huai Yang, Thap Sakae, near the entrance to Wanakorn National Park. At 1am, Anant Totuang, the Deputy Investigation Inspector of Huai Yang Police Station, Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province,…
-
Prominent Thai scientist faces backlash for threatening behaviour
A prominent figure in the world of science in Thailand came under fire for his threatening behaviour. The renowned Thai scientist Ajarn Pong Pang, however, denied any sexual misconduct, admitting to offensive language usage that caused the harm. The controversy began when a woman posted about an idol-level scientist’s threatening behaviour, both physically and mentally, affecting several individuals. Following this,…
-
Funding halt stalls Phu Kradueng cable car project over environmental concerns
The Phu Kradueng cable car project, a long-anticipated tourist attraction in Thailand’s Loei province, is currently stalled as concerns over the environmental impact have led to a halt in funding approval by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Following a mobile Cabinet gathering in Nong Bua Lamphu, Patcharawat revealed that the Cabinet refrained from greenlighting the necessary budget…
-
Drunk police officer kills motorcyclist in Kanchanaburi
A fatal drink driving accident unfolded in Kanchanaburi, when an inebriated police officer struck a motorcycle, instantly killing the rider. The officer, who was behind the wheel of his pick-up truck, was found with a blood alcohol level of 300 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dL), six times over the legal limit of 50 mg/dL. Tha Muang police were alerted to the…
-
German documentary reignites sex tourism concerns for Thailand’s Pattaya
Concerns are being raised about the potential damage to Thailand’s overall tourism market due to a documentary by German media organisation Deutsche Welle (DW), which highlights Pattaya as a sex tourism destination. This documentary is currently blocked in Thailand. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), recalls a similar report about sex tourism in Pattaya from…
-
Parliament to consult on charter amendment referendum
Upon the resumption of the Parliament session on December 12, MPs and senators will be consulted on the method of conducting a referendum on a charter amendment, revealed the head of a referendum hearing sub-panel, Nikorn Chamnong. He plans to forward a questionnaire to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, and Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who will request their…
-
Bangkok bus crash causes 18-vehicle pile-up on Phaya Thai Road
In the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Bangkok, a startling multi-vehicle collision occurred on Phaya Thai Road, right in front of the esteemed Chulalongkorn University. On this day, at 6:35pm, the Pathumwan Police Station was inundated with calls reporting a significant collision involving no fewer than 18 vehicles, which resulted in four individuals sustaining injuries. The scene…
-
Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
-
Drug traffickers encounter with military patrol in Chiang Mai
A skirmish erupted between the members of the Pha Mueang military patrol squad and a group of alleged drug smugglers in the Ban Muang Chum area of Fang, Chiang Mai. This encounter occurred in the early hours of December 2, around 2 am. The altercation, which lasted for over five minutes, led to the discovery of a substantial amount of…
-
Sex-reassignment surgeries covered by national health insurance, says NHSO Secretary-General
After a social media debate on whether the gold card benefits can cover sex-reassignment surgeries, Dr Jadet Thammathacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), clarified on December 2, that these surgeries have been part of the national health insurance benefits since 2018, with no exclusion clause. Dr Jadet explained that the announcement by the National Health Security Committee…
-
University sues former lecturer for 16 million baht over scholarship dispute
The case involving a former lecturer with mental health issues, being sued for a whopping 16 million baht by the university that granted her a Ph.D. scholarship, has drawn the attention of the Higher Education Ministry and a House committee. Both bodies have declared their intent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Takorn Tantasith, the chair of the House Committee on…
-
Thailand’s weekly Covid-19 cases surge over 500 with three fatalities
The Department of Disease Control in Thailand (DDC) reported a sudden surge in weekly Covid-19 cases with over 500 new patients and three fatalities. The DDC revealed 88 cases of pneumonia among Covid patients. The report, which covers the period from November 26 to December 2, confirms an average of 76 hospital admissions and one death per day. Since the…
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.