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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Thailand’s DDC issues health alert on rising eye infections due to contaminated tap water
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a public health alert following the discovery of a conjunctivitis outbreak affecting 200 residents in a condominium complex in the Lardphrao area in Bangkok. Investigations have revealed the presence of the parasite Acanthamoeba in the tap water supply within the condominium units. Thai Health officials are currently conducting an in-depth disease investigation…
-
Thailand’s 30 baht healthcare policy gets public approval
Thailand’s 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy has received widespread approval from the public, providing accessible health services for minor illnesses through community pharmacies in 45 provinces. The 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy, which allows citizens to receive healthcare services for minor ailments at designated quality pharmacies, has been warmly received by the public. This initiative, part of the National Health…
-
Shocking surge: Thai electricity tariffs set to spark debate
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced a public consultation from today, July 12, until July 26 to discuss the final electricity tariff adjustment of the year. The proposed adjustments could see electricity bills rise from September to December this year, with costs potentially increasing from 4.18 baht per unit to between 4.65 and 6.01 baht per unit. The Secretary-General and…
-
Thai cyber police arrest TikTok influencer over gambling links
Thai cyber police arrested a popular TikTok influencer for posting links to online gambling sites, earning 30,000 baht per month. Police led by Worawat Watnakornbancha and Sathit Promuthai, along with Adichat Amornpradit, carried out a search warrant at the home of the owner of the Ara Tae page in Khon Kaen. The search revealed 34 year old Phusanisa, known as Ara…
-
Ubon Ratchathani melts hearts with divine candle creation to win ice sculpting world title
Ubon Ratchathani province clinched the world ice sculpting championship title, showcasing its skill by carving a candle into the figure of Phra Mae Thorani squeezing her hair. This reflects a Buddhist narrative, blending the identity of the ancient cave paintings of Pha Taem with symbols of prosperity and success. The masterpiece will be displayed at the Miracle of Candle 2024…
-
Elderly woman abducted and sexually assaulted by drug addict
An elderly woman in Kanchanaburi was abducted and sexually assaulted in a forest at 4.20am yesterday, July 11, with the assailant stealing 5,000 baht. The suspect was captured on CCTV, facilitating a quick arrest by the police. Police responded swiftly to the incident as witnesses reported a man entering the home of a 64 year old elderly woman in Wangdong,…
-
Thai FDA recalls herbal product Ya Grek Ku over safety concerns
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of a popular herbal product found to contain dangerous substances used to treat erectile dysfunction. The FDA instructed the manufacturer to cease sales immediately and remove the product from the market. Thai FDA Deputy Secretary-General Witit Srisurachai revealed that the administration received complaints from consumers about the herbal product, Ya…
-
Monk arrested for sexually assulting seven year old niece
Thai police today arrested a monk in his monastic residence in Buriram for allegedly raping his seven year old niece and subsequently fleeing to the northeastern region of Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Titi Saengsawang ordered the arrest of a 57 year old monk, Nookun, today, July 12, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Sisaket Provincial Court…
-
Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
-
New Bangkok to Vientiane train service launches tomorrow
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch a new passenger train service between Bangkok and Vientiane, Laos. The service, starting tomorrow, July 13, will facilitate travel between the two countries, with tickets available for advance purchase up to 180 days. The new route will operate two round-trip journeys daily, featuring three classes of service, third-class fan-cooled seats…
-
Teen gunman shoots seafood vendor over debt in Phetchaburi
A teen gunman surrendered to police after shooting a seafood vendor over a 200 baht debt. The incident occurred in Cha-am, Phetchaburi province, leaving the vendor dead in his pickup truck. The incident unfolded when the seafood vendor, 24 year old Thawatchai, was shot dead in his pickup truck on a road in a Karen village in Ban Hu Pakhong,…
-
Thai auto parts makers pivot to medical devices amid EV shift
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) plans to present a proposal to the government this month aimed at bolstering the local medical device business. This initiative seeks to assist auto parts manufacturers in diversifying their operations amid the vehicle industry’s transition to electric vehicle (EV) technology. The shift in the industry provides an opportunity for auto parts makers, particularly those…
-
Thai school director denies sexually assaulting 27 girls in Lopburi
A Wat Phongam School director in the central province of Lopburi denied sexually assaulting 27 schoolgirls and accused a dance teacher of fabricating the story due to an ongoing conflict. The schoolgirls and their parents filed a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School, Nitisak, accusing him of sexually assaulting the girls. Nitisak reportedly spoke inappropriately to the girls,…
-
Chulalongkorn University introduces 3D miracle cure for dog eyes
Does your dog struggle with cloudy eyes, frequent squinting, or unusual tears? If so, it might be suffering from a corneal ulcer, a condition that could lead to blindness if left untreated. But fret not, because scientists at Chulalongkorn University have developed a groundbreaking solution: a three-dimensional (3D) artificial cornea made from stem cells. Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science…
-
Friends assault teenager, anger over harmless message to Thai ex
A teenager became the victim of an assault by three friends, who forced her to kneel and apologise, before trapping her in a home. The altercation stemmed from a seemingly harmless message exchange between her and an ex-boyfriend of one of her friends. At 5pm yesterday, July 12, the 18 year old, referred to as A, filed a complaint with…
-
Former Justice Minister leads probe into Stark share scandal
Former Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana has been appointed as the new head of the government’s working group investigating the multi-billion-baht Stark share scandal. Pongthep replaces Pichai Nilthongkham, who resigned, according to the Ministry of Justice. Pongthep’s appointment is accompanied by the inclusion of the Secretary-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the President of the Thailand Federation of Accounting…
-
Pickup truck crashes into van injuring passengers in Chachoengsao
A serious accident involving a pickup truck crashing into a van left numerous passengers injured, including a two year old with a severe head injury and a two month old baby who was ejected from the vehicle. The incident occurred at 4pm yesterday, July 11, on Road 3076 near the Hua Fai intersection in Nong Khok village, Klong Takrao subdistrict,…
-
13 year old Thai boy dies after ketamine injection by his friends
The family of a 13 year old Thai boy suspected his friends of killing him with a poisonous kratom drink. The teenager’s friends later confessed to giving the victim an injection of ketamine, which led to his death. The teenager, Akkarawat “Tigger” Phonlasen, was found lying lifeless on the sofa in his home in Bangkok on the morning of July…
-
Udon Thani residents offer reward to stop nightly disturbances
Residents in Ban Dung, Udon Thani have reached their limit with local teenagers causing nightly disturbances by ringing doorbells. They are offering a 5,000 baht reward for information leading to their capture. Weeraphon Rak Samerwong, administrator of the Ban Dung Update Facebook page, reported receiving numerous complaints from residents in the municipal area of Ban Dung. The complaints involve three teenagers,…
-
Fire destroys 13 rental rooms in Bangkok, residents relocated
A devastating fire engulfed a two-storey wooden house divided into rental rooms in Bangkok, destroying 13 rooms. Investigators suspect an electrical short circuit as the cause and have temporarily relocated the affected residents to Wat Don temple for shelter. The incident occurred at 12.20am today, July 12, when the Deputy Inspector at Yannawa Police Station, Phuriwat Jirakratathat, received a report…
-
Meatball mishap prompts prosecutors to grill Buriram thief
Prosecutors have called for additional investigation into a case involving the theft of grilled meatballs, which were stolen out of desperation to cook for a man’s children and to share with his elderly, ill parents. This case raises concerns about whether it should be classified as a non-beneficial prosecution. The Lawyers Council of Thailand offered assistance, noting that the crime…
-
Pattaya residents sin-sitively slam ‘Sin City’ slur
Pattaya residents hit out to defend their city’s image after a major Thai news outlet referred to Pattaya as “Sin City” and a “Paradise of Prostitutes” in a recent headline. One of the biggest Thai news agencies, ThaiRath, recently published an article with the alleged offensive headline this week. It sparked criticism from Thai netizens, particularly those living in Pattaya.…
-
Pickup crashes through Nakhon Phanom merit-making event
A high-speed pickup truck rammed into a group of villagers attending a merit-making event, resulting in one fatality and four serious injuries. The incident occurred late yesterday in Nakhon Phanom province, sparking anger among the attendees. Police Lieutenant Satchanan Bangsai received a report of the collision at 11.40pm yesterday, July 11. Emergency services were dispatched to Kam That village in…
-
Boy’s temple plate prediction stirs lottery hopes in Thailand (video)
A young boy captured public interest by pointing out a car registration plate at a temple, leading many netizens to believe he could bring them luck. Previously, he had successfully predicted lottery numbers, gaining a following on TikTok. TikTok user sakon1876 shared a video featuring his son, Inter, who has a knack for pointing out vehicle registration plates that often…
-
Computer technician attacked with key in Pattaya street incident
A computer repair technician narrowly avoided serious injury after a street altercation in Pattaya on Wednesday, July 10. The incident unfolded around 12.20pm in front of a hardware store on Soi Bunsamphan 9, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The attacker accused the victim of interacting with his wife. Sawang Boriboon rescue workers arrived quickly, finding 23…
-
Pink Line monorail to boost traffic to Mueang Thong Thani
Bangkok Land, a publicly traded company, anticipates that the Pink Line monorail will boost traffic and increase the occupancy rate of its exhibitions to 70% within five years. Chief Executive of Bangkok Land and operator of Impact Exhibition Management, Paul Kanjanapas reported that in the first half of the year, the company’s food, retail, and exhibition sectors met their growth…
-
Nation Group: Salary cuts apply to management team only
Nation Group has clarified that its recent salary suspension affects a mere 10% of its staff, primarily targeting the management team. This revelation comes amid swirling rumours and public outcry, which the company attributes to distorted messages presenting partial truths, causing widespread public misunderstanding and online criticism, damaging the organisation’s reputation. Dismissing any notions of being in crisis, Nation Group…
-
Heavy rainfall to impact 41 provinces across Thailand today
Heavy rainfall is set to impact 41 provinces across Thailand today, July 12, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicting significant precipitation in regions including the northeast, central, and eastern parts of the country. The Bangkok metropolitan area is expected to see rain over 60% of its expanse. Over the next 24 hours, a southwest monsoon will cover the…
-
Rail ale rally: Bangkok victims group derails alcohol repeal bid
Over 50 members of the Bangkok Drunk Driving Victims Network, led by President Jessada Yamsabai, submitted a petition opposing the repeal of the ban on alcohol sales and consumption on trains and at train stations to the acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Jarae Rungthanee. This petition, submitted yesterday, July 11, follows a tragic 2014 incident where a…
-
Fearless Thai child makes a splash with ‘crocs’ of a different kind
A fearless child was seen playing and swimming with several baby reptiles that looked remarkably like crocodiles. The video clip, which took social media by storm earlier this week, shows the girl fearlessly chasing the tiny reptiles around a tub, picking them up with ease. Reporters, eager to uncover the story behind the viral sensation, traced the video to a crocodile…
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.