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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    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...

  • Popstar Sam Smith’s Teletubby style TikTok sparks social media storm (video)

    Popstar Sam Smith’s Teletubby style TikTok sparks social media storm (video)

    British pop sensation Sam Smith faced backlash yesterday after taking a break from his global Gloria tour to showcase a quirky Teletubbies fashion statement on TikTok. The 31 year old singer-songwriter shared a video on the popular social media platform, donning an eccentric ensemble featuring tight denim shorts, a form-fitting hooped t-shirt adorned with a young boy munching on an…

  • Multilingual airport security officer provides vital passenger assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Multilingual airport security officer provides vital passenger assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    An airport security officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who has the impressive ability to speak five languages, has come to the public’s attention. The officer, Yanaphop Boonthem, speaks Thai, Japanese, Chinese, English, and Korean. Despite his primary role being airport security, the 55 year old’s multilingual skills have proven to be extremely valuable in guiding and assisting passengers with airport services.…

  • Thai transport minister proposes 20-baht flat fare for MRT and SRT lines

    Thai transport minister proposes 20-baht flat fare for MRT and SRT lines

    Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced a pilot for a 20-baht flat fare on the MRT Purple Line and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line. The pilot, expected to roll out within the next three months, is described as a “New Year’s present” for the public. Suriya clarified this initiative in Parliament, affirming its practicality, after it was queried…

  • Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites

    Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites

    Faced with the challenge of access to healthcare for underprivileged urban dwellers, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced its commitment to augment the universal healthcare scheme. The initiative, discussed at an academic conference in Udon Thani yesterday, aims to improve access and services for all, with particular attention to the impoverished populace in major cities. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s…

  • Elderly man’s skeletal remains found under Samut Prakan bridge

    Elderly man’s skeletal remains found under Samut Prakan bridge

    An unfortunate discovery was made under the Khlong Khut bridge where an elderly man’s skeletal remains lay undetected for roughly two months. The remains were found by police and a local charity in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, yesterday, September 12, around 6.30pm. The elderly man, believed to be between 65-70 years old, had been living under the bridge,…

  • Bangkok hotel’s ‘loo-natic’ layout leaves guest in stitches

    Bangkok hotel’s ‘loo-natic’ layout leaves guest in stitches

    A Thai woman shared her hilarious hotel room escapade in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit neighbourhood on Facebook, where the accommodation featured a peculiar floor plan. Imagine a flush toilet just a step away from the bed – a convenience that raised hygiene concerns but also had her in stitches with its “loo-natic” layout. The Thai woman shared her story in a Facebook…

  • Buddhist temple warns good people can go to hell for using life support

    Buddhist temple warns good people can go to hell for using life support

    Wat Pa Kramathan, a famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, set up an educational centre to disseminate Buddhist teachings. It has installed a sign with an intriguing Buddhist message: “Doing good deeds can lead to hell.” The temple head explained the reasoning behind this unusual warning today, a condemnation of artificial medical life support. Located in the Non-Saad district of Chokchai,…

  • Burmese woman arrested forcing 15 year old daughter into prostitution

    Burmese woman arrested forcing 15 year old daughter into prostitution

    A Thai man filed a complaint against his ex-wife for forcing their 15 year old daughter into prostitution at a resort in the central province of Saraburi. The 37 year old Thai man, named A, accompanied by his daughter’s school teacher, Baan Mor Police Station officers to arrest his former Burmese wife, 37 year old Mamiao, yesterday, September 11 A…

  • Bangkok crime spree: Transgender gang member arrested for drugging and robbing victims

    Bangkok crime spree: Transgender gang member arrested for drugging and robbing victims

    A 22 year old transgender member of a notorious Bangkok crime spree gang, known as the Khlong Nazepam or Ping Ping, has been arrested in Bangkok. She was accused of drugging and robbing unsuspecting victims across the city. The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Theeradet Thamsuthee and his PCT 5 unit at 11.30am today. The transgender woman,…

  • Monkey sterilisation drive in Hua Hin aims to control escalating population

    Monkey sterilisation drive in Hua Hin aims to control escalating population

    Hua Hin Municipality has spearheaded a sterilisation drive to curb the escalating monkey population in the area, aiming to sterilise approximately 300 primates. This determined effort is hoped to alleviate the persistent problems of residents and communities caused by the monkeys. Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin, Busaba Choksucharti, revealed details about the annual sterilisation drive for the monkeys, stating that…

  • Hat Wanakorn Park scoops Thailand Tourism Silver Award

    Hat Wanakorn Park scoops Thailand Tourism Silver Award

    The National Park of Hat Wanakorn, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been honoured with the prestigious Thailand Tourism Silver Awards in the category of Natural Tourist Attractions. The award was presented to Netnapha Ngamnet, the head of the park, today. The National Park of Hat Wanakorn is renowned for its conservation efforts and commitment to promoting sustainable tourism. The park’s…

  • Canine controversy: Dog’s ‘ruff’ day sparks fur-ious debate on social media

    Canine controversy: Dog’s ‘ruff’ day sparks fur-ious debate on social media

    A distressing incident occurred where a dog was savagely beaten after it reportedly bit a child who was playing near the house. The dog owner voiced outrage, questioning why the child wasn’t supervised and suggesting that the dog could have been kept at the back of the house to avoid such incidents. The dog beating incident, which happened on Sunday,…

  • Dog day discord: Thai man stabbed after his dog barks at attacker

    Dog day discord: Thai man stabbed after his dog barks at attacker

    A Thai man suffered a severe injury after being stabbed while walking his dog near his home in the Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The attacker was reportedly angry because the victim’s dog barked at him. Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station officers investigated the stabbing scene on Liang Mueang Nonthaburi Road at 2pm yesterday after receiving a distressing call from a witness.…

  • YouTuber ‘Nutty’s Diary’ vows to surrender, refund 2 billion baht in fraud case

    YouTuber ‘Nutty’s Diary’ vows to surrender, refund 2 billion baht in fraud case

    Nutty’s Diary, the famous YouTuber accused of a fraudulent investment scheme amounting to over 2 billion baht, promised to surrender herself to the police and assured victims of their refund. The case, which has over 30 complainants, led to an arrest warrant being issued on September 10. On YouTube, 29 year old Nutty claimed to be a successful Forex trader…

  • THAI spreads its wings: More flights to China as visa policy takes off

    THAI spreads its wings: More flights to China as visa policy takes off

    After a discussion with the Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to increase its flights to China from 25 flights to 35 flights a week in response to the free visa policy for Chinese tourists. Srettha announced after the meeting with the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) that the government planned to extend…

  • Spicy salvation: Turmeric’s ‘golden’ touch cures indigestion (video)

    Spicy salvation: Turmeric’s ‘golden’ touch cures indigestion (video)

    Have you ever overindulged in food or drink, only to suffer the discomfort of indigestion afterwards? Fear not, for a groundbreaking new study suggests that turmeric, the spice responsible for giving curry its distinctive yellow hue, might offer an alternative remedy as effective as conventional drugs for treating indigestion. The study zeroes in on curcumin, a natural compound found in…

  • Thai chicken vendors drum up controversy by winging it to rip off South Korean YouTubers (video)

    Thai chicken vendors drum up controversy by winging it to rip off South Korean YouTubers (video)

    Thai vendors of a renowned deep-fried chicken store in the southern province of Songkhla faced criticism from Thai netizens for overcharging two South Korean YouTubers. The controversy erupted following a video posted by the foreigners, showcasing their purchase of six pieces of fried chicken and two boxes of rice for 520 baht. The South Korean YouTuber, Cullen shared a video…

  • Shore thing: Coastal encroachment sparks wave of controversy in Chon Buri

    Shore thing: Coastal encroachment sparks wave of controversy in Chon Buri

    Chon Buri’s local authorities lodged complaints yesterday against a resort proprietor and a village leader, accusing them of encroaching on a coastal region in the Sattahip district by constructing a ramp. The ramp was being erected behind a now-defunct resort in Tambon Samae San in Moo 1, an area under investigation following a complaint about suspected coastal encroachment. Following the…

  • Deputy duo digs in to root out mafia-style gangs, promises ‘crime-busting’ harvest

    Deputy duo digs in to root out mafia-style gangs, promises ‘crime-busting’ harvest

    Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, yesterday expressed his firm belief in Chada Thaiset, his deputy, to successfully combat mafia-style gangs and diminish their influence on local administrative organisations across Thailand. The 56 year old deputy PM entrusted Thaiset with a nationwide mission last week to scrutinise all influential local leaders suspected of affiliations with mafia-like gangs and…

  • Farmers’ ally: Captain Thamanat vows to sow out smuggling of agricultural goods

    Farmers’ ally: Captain Thamanat vows to sow out smuggling of agricultural goods

    Captain Thamanat Prompow, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, yesterday announced a crackdown against the smuggling of agricultural products into Thailand. The illicit activity, Thamanat points out, has led to a decrease in the price of locally produced goods, negatively affecting the livelihood of local farmers. The widespread agricultural smuggling of frozen pig carcasses, in particular, has been detrimental to…

  • Silent film chaos: Man attacks transwomen at mall theater for shushing

    Silent film chaos: Man attacks transwomen at mall theater for shushing

    A Thai man physically assaulted two transwomen at a theatre in a shopping mall in Chon Buri after the two asked him to stop talking while watching a movie. The victims, 27 year old Cher and 26 year old Joy decided to share the story with ThaiRath as the attacker claimed that he was powerful and knew a lot of…

  • Man survives shocking train collision at notorious Thailand train station

    Man survives shocking train collision at notorious Thailand train station

    A 55 year old man miraculously survived a collision with a train at the deserted Khlong Khwang Klan train station in Chachoengsao province yesterday. His body was thrown into a narrow tunnel underneath the station’s platform after being hit by train number 849, an Ultraman model electric diesel locomotive pulling more than 30 container cars. The station, located in Moo…

  • Thai worker’s relentless work ethic sparks online humour

    Thai worker’s relentless work ethic sparks online humour

    A video that went viral overnight on TikTok showcased the extraordinary work ethic of a 52 year old employee. Areerat Chatthan, who refused to take a day off, sparked a humorous suggestion among netizens, stating that the Department of Labour might need to intervene to assist the employer. The video was posted by a user named guwanjeabb, captioned as “Every…

  • Thai police probe suicide of deputy director after meal with colleagues

    Thai police probe suicide of deputy director after meal with colleagues

    Closed-circuit surveillance footage has revealed the timeline of events leading up to the unfortunate demise of Police Lieutenant Colonel Wachira, Long Thai Song, the Deputy Director of the 2nd Army Division, also known as Berm. After forensic examination and evidence collection by doctors from Phumiphol Hospital and police officials, the body was sent for an autopsy at the same hospital.…

  • Elderly couple in Udon Thani conned out of 100,000 baht by fake coconut buyers

    Elderly couple in Udon Thani conned out of 100,000 baht by fake coconut buyers

    Two female thieves conned an elderly couple out of more than 100,000 baht in cash and gold, after gaining his trust by posing as coconut buyers. The incident took place in Nong Han, Udon Thani yesterday, September 11, and the victims have appealed for police intervention. Rung Wachnarat reported that on September 8, around lunchtime, he was at home when…

  • Newly discovered Nishimura comet visible in Thailand this Sunday

    Newly discovered Nishimura comet visible in Thailand this Sunday

    Keep your eyes pointed upwards this weekend as Thailand will be treated to a rare celestial sighting. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has revealed that the Thai population might have the opportunity to observe the newly discovered Nishimura comet this Sunday evening as it approaches the sun. The comet, officially tagged as C/2023 P1 and named after…

  • Brew-haha: Lazada and Shopee ban Lung Jun Coffee beans over explicit content

    Brew-haha: Lazada and Shopee ban Lung Jun Coffee beans over explicit content

    Two leading Asian e-commerce platforms, Lazada and Shopee, have banned Lung Jun Coffee after discovering the brand sold coffee beans with explicit pictures and advertisements referring to a man and woman’s private parts. ThaiRath reported that concerned locals, upon encountering Lung Jun’s coffee beans on an e-commerce platform and noticing social media posts drawing attention to the explicit brand’s content,…

  • Stray dog sanctuary’s ‘leash’ of hope in jeopardy as land lease nears end

    Stray dog sanctuary’s ‘leash’ of hope in jeopardy as land lease nears end

    In an unexpected turn of events, Hope for Strays Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation, is facing a critical situation. Located in Nongprue, to the east of Pattaya, the Foundation is a sanctuary for over 300 dogs. However, the impending end of the land lease in March of next year has put the existence of the shelter in jeopardy. A new…

  • Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation

    Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation

    A one-eyed stray puppy in Thailand has become the millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by the animal welfare organisation Soi Dog Foundation. Aptly named ‘Million’, the homeless puppy was taken in by one of the foundation’s mobile sterilisation teams after she was found on the streets of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and soon after became the millionth animal to…

  • Laos-link drug bust: Thai police seize 100,000 illicit tablets in holy heist

    Laos-link drug bust: Thai police seize 100,000 illicit tablets in holy heist

    Police today swooped to arrest a group of drug traffickers operating between Thailand and Laos and confiscated over 100,000 tablets of illicit substances. The operation unveiled a drug trafficking route originating from neighbouring Laos, with deliveries strategically timed before Buddhist holy days, as Laotians traditionally abstain from immoral activities on such sacred occasions. The arrest operation, led by Rutthaphon Naowarat,…