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 one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
-
Austrian man arrested for cannabis theft in Phuket
Police arrested an Austrian man for stealing cannabis from a shop in Phuket on Sunday, May 26, after the shop owner took to social media to report the incident. The shop owner, Chatchai Tanamas, posted pictures and CCTV footage of the theft on his Facebook account on Monday, May 27, one day after the incident. He urged netizens to help…
-
Thai police arrest Chinese suspect linked to billion-baht scam
On the evening of May 28, Thai police successfully apprehended 41 year old Chinese national, Wu Feng Ma, also known as Amah or Afei, in Din Daeng district, Bangkok. Ma is a major suspect in a call centre gang operation, allegedly defrauding fellow Chinese citizens of over 10 billion baht (US$306 million) and suspected of facilitating illegal Chinese migration into neighbouring…
-
Chinese tourist rescued after rooftop water tank swim in Pattaya
A surreal rescue unfolded yesterday afternoon when Pattaya authorities scrambled to save a 26 year old Chinese tourist who jumped into a water tank atop an eight-storey condominium. The unusual incident took place at 5pm yesterday, May 29, at a condo on Soi 17 off Thepprasit Road, leaving rescuers grappling with the challenge of extracting the man from the cramped…
-
Chiang Mai man with dissociative identity disorder goes missing
A Thai woman appealed to an online community for help after her husband, who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder, went missing from their home in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Monday, May 26. The wife, Runglamai Jaisooksern, took to Facebook to urge netizens to assist her and her daughter in locating…
-
Three arrested for concealing murder in Nakhon Sawan reservoir
Police have detained three men accused of concealing a murder by placing the body in a barrel and disposing of it in a reservoir in Nakhon Sawan province. The suspects, including 35 year old Paravee or Game, Chalerm or Mam, and Prasong or Beer, confessed to their involvement in hiding the body after shooting the victim, Chutapet or Uan. Yesterday,…
-
Phuket dominates southern Thailand tourism
Phuket continues to crush the competition as Thailand’s top southern tourism hotspot, raking in a staggering 188.9 billion baht in revenue in just the first four months of 2025. Leaving rivals in the dust, this “Andaman Pearl” proves why it remains the go-to destination for beach lovers and luxury seekers alike. The Public Relations Office Region 6 has released the…
-
Motorcycle collision with truck in Ratchaburi leaves one dead
A tragic accident occurred involving two women on a motorcycle returning from the market. While carrying bags of rice and dried food, they collided with a trailer truck, resulting in one fatality and critical injuries. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, May 29, on Phetkasem Road, near the entrance of Wat Don Sai, Mueang subdistrict, Photharam district, Ratchaburi province.…
-
Thailand rights commission probes ex-Stark exec’s hospital perks
The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) has requested clarification from the Police General Hospital (PGH) regarding the treatment of a former executive and significant shareholder of the embroiled Stark Corporation, who reportedly received special treatment at the facility. Yesterday, May 29, an NHRC source revealed that a letter was sent to the hospital’s chief medical officer seeking further…
-
Buriram man arrested with over 1,000 yaba pills
Police apprehended a 29 year old man, identified as Saharat, in Buriram province for possession of over 1,000 methamphetamine pills, commonly known as yaba. The arrest occurred when Saharat was about to leave his residence on a black Honda Wave motorcycle yesterday, May 29. Saharat, from Ban Yang subdistrict, was detained following reports of his involvement in drug activities. Upon…
-
Couple arrested for embezzlement in Thai temple fair scandal
A financial scandal has rocked Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom, with a couple linked to the former abbot arrested over a massive embezzlement scheme involving the temple’s annual fair auction. The investigation has revealed an astonishing web of corruption, money laundering, and online gambling worth hundreds of millions of baht. Police detained Patcharaporn “Toey” and 32 year old…
-
Teenager swept away after fall into Chaiyaphum weir
Yesterday, May 29, a 13 year old girl tragically fell into a weir in Chaiyaphum province and was swept away by strong currents. Police from Ban Duea station responded to the incident at the village weir in Baan Nong Bua Noi, Kaset Sombun district. Divers from Luang Siri Rescue and Mangorn Rescue, Nong Bua Daeng district, joined in the search.…
-
Thailand to continue US talks despite court blocking Trump’s tariffs
Thailand will continue negotiations with the US despite a US trade court’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs on imports, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 38 year old Thai premier stated that the court’s ruling on Wednesday, May 28, is perceived as an internal US issue, adding that it remains unclear how Trump might proceed. Despite…
-
Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has decided to dismiss lese majeste charges against a 58 year old American academic due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed nearly two months after his initial detention, which resulted in US national Paul Chambers losing his job, work visa, and the confiscation of his passport. Earlier this week, the OAG issued an…
-
Heavy rain forecast for 47 Thai provinces, warns of flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast heavy rain across 47 provinces, affecting three regions and Bangkok, with the heaviest rainfall covering 70% of the area. Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods and landslides on May 30. The TMD predicts that northern and northeastern Thailand will experience particularly severe weather, urging locals in these regions to stay…
-
Stretching into serenity: Pattaya Beach starts yoga countdown
Sun, sand, and salutations — Pattaya Beach transformed into a haven of calm as hundreds gathered to launch the countdown to the International Day of Yoga in a spirited celebration of wellness, unity, and global harmony. Marking “25 Days to International Day of Yoga,” Pattaya City joined forces with the Indian Association of Pattaya for a vibrant beachside event that…
-
Power to the people: Thailand plots solar rooftop shake-up
Going green could soon get a whole lot easier — and cheaper — for Thai homeowners as the government gears up to dismantle red tape blocking access to solar energy. The Energy Ministry is drafting a groundbreaking new law to supercharge the adoption of solar rooftop systems, aiming to cut through the bureaucracy that has long stifled household clean energy…
-
Thalang cops crack down on student bikers in safety blitz
Motorbikes without mirrors, deafening exhausts, and teens riding without licences — Thalang Police are cracking down on underage and unsafe student bikers in a renewed push for road safety. Officers at Thalang Police Station are stepping up efforts to educate and enforce traffic discipline among school-age motorcyclists, especially during term time when many rely on bikes to commute. The latest…
-
‘Phone-eating’ TikToker’s cake illusions spark safety fears (video)
A TikToker has set the Internet on fire — and sparked serious parenting panic — after posting a series of jaw-dropping videos where she appears to chow down on everyday household items like smartphones, detergent, and even lipstick. But don’t worry — it’s not as horrifying as it looks. The viral sensation, known online as @mmfuwongg, has amassed a huge following…
-
Thailand F-16s deployed as Myanmar jet nears border
Thailand scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a Myanmar military aircraft dropped four bombs near the Thai-Myanmar border in a cross-border conflict that sent over 370 people fleeing into Thai territory. At 1.03pm yesterday, May 28, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) ordered two F-16MLU fighter jets from Wing 4 in Takhli to intercept a Myanmar Yak-130 aircraft detected flying…
-
Chiang Mai smugglers dump 2 million speed pills in jungle
Drug traffickers ditched over 2 million meth pills in a jungle in Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao district, fleeing into the shadows as army patrols closed in — in what’s being called one of the largest single hauls of the year. The Pha Muang Task Force confirmed the staggering seizure today, May 29, after troops encountered a group of about 10…
-
Grab vs taxis: Suvarnabhumi’s traffic turf war gets official reset
The battle of the Bangkok backseats has taken a new turn — and the Transport Ministry is stepping in to play referee. After months of mounting tension between traditional taxi drivers and Grab ride-hailing services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, government officials have now unveiled a plan to restore fairness and order. Yesterday, May 28, Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote announced a…
-
Chao Phraya flood alert sparks evacuation warning
Brace for rising waters — residents in parts of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya have been urgently warned of a potential Chao Phraya River overflow as early as tomorrow morning. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a warning at 11am today, May 29, using mobile phone cell broadcast technology via providers AIS, True, and NT, to notify at-risk…
-
Thief strikes again, stealing 27 drain covers in Nakhon Ratchasima
A thief has, for the third time, stolen metal drain covers in the middle of the night in Nakhon Ratchasima. A total of 27 covers from 14 locations in Mueang Thai subdistrict, Chok Chai district, have been taken. Residents are worried about potential hazards and have reported the incidents to the police, but there has been no significant progress. The…
-
Drunk Indian tourist climbs taxi roof in Pattaya beach meltdown
In a bizarre pre-dawn spectacle, a heavily intoxicated Indian tourist turned heads in Pattaya after climbing on top of a taxi and refusing to come down, sparking police intervention this morning. At 4.36am today, May 29, Pattaya City Police were alerted to a scene unfolding on Pattaya Beach Road, where a foreign man had scaled the roof of a white…
-
Phuket man dies after slamming into parked tuk tuk
A routine ride ended in tragedy yesterday afternoon when a 61 year old motorcyclist fatally crashed into a parked tuk tuk in Kathu, Phuket. The incident unfolded around 4.40pm, yesterday, May 28, on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, in front of the Khum Nam restaurant in Village 1, Kathu. Emergency services rushed to the scene after police received reports of the…
-
Motorcyclist causes chaos in Pathum Thani, damages vehicles
A recent incident involving a motorcyclist causing disruption and damaging vehicles has drawn attention after a social media post went viral. The incident, under the Khlong 13 bridge on the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route in Bueng Nam Rak subdistrict, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, has affected several vehicles. Residents are urging the police to take action. Yesterday, May 28, Pancheewan, a…
-
Blaze at Bangkok luxury resort pier torches two boats (video)
Bangkok’s riverside serenity was shattered at dawn today when a fire broke out at the pier of the upscale Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, leaving two boats scorched and emergency crews scrambling. The incident unfolded around 5.50am, today, Mat 29, at the resort’s pier on Charoen Nakhon Road in Thon Buri district, sending thick smoke billowing into the morning sky and…
-
Phatthalung father shoots son in self-defence amid violent outburst
A domestic altercation in Phatthalung province resulted in a father shooting his son in the legs with a shotgun. The incident occurred yesterday, May 28, at 10pm when police from the Srinakarin Police Station were informed of a shooting at a residence in Chumphon subdistrict. Upon arrival, police found that the injured party had already been transported to hospital by…
-
Bangkok Bank’s policy shift: Why the change of heart?
Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest commercial bank and one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent financial institutions, has begun freezing accounts and blocking cards belonging to Russian nationals, triggering confusion and concern among the expat and tourist communities across the country. The drastic move, which reportedly began around May 25, follows a newly enforced policy that limits access to banking services for…
-
Thai worker wins lottery 10 times, credits mythical serpent
A construction worker from Surin province has remarkably won the lottery 10 times in a row, attributing his success to the spiritual power of the mythical serpent, Phaya Nak Pu Ong Dam San Siri Chantra Nakarat. During a recent filming for a renowned TV show, an unexpected fire broke out, causing a candle to bend in the shape of a…
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.