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 tourism soars with 28 million visitors in 2023, dominated by Malaysia and China
A surge in international tourism has been witnessed in Thailand, with the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, disclosing that over 28 million foreign tourists graced the country in 2023. This massive inflow of tourists contributed to an impressive income of over 1.2 trillion baht (US$35 billion). The leading countries, from where these tourists hailed, were Malaysia, with…
-
Thailand mulls tax-free local alcohol to boost economy and tourism
A breaking development unfolded at 10.10am yesterday, January 2, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin making a significant announcement after a Cabinet meeting centred on boosting international tourism and the national economy. The Thai government is contemplating overhauling the excise taxes and duties structures, with an eye on making Thai local alcoholic beverages tax-free and prompting a review of related…
-
Horrifying domestic incident in Udon Thani village leaves woman with multiple wounds
A horrifying domestic incident unfolded yesterday in the village of Ban Na Chum Saeng, Udon Thani province of Thailand. The victim 53 year old Nongyao, was assaulted by her husband, 55 year old Boonruang, resulting in nine wounds on her neck and three on the back of her head. The incident was reported by Veeraphon Raksa Meruang, an admin of a…
-
EXAT officer under fire for offensive new year Facebook post
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) punished an officer for insulting drivers who use expressways for free during the new year holiday by calling them “dogs.” The Facebook post of the officer, whose identity was not revealed, went viral on Thai social media on December 31. In the post, the female officer included a picture of a new year party…
-
Eight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery
This year, eight new Thai airlines are set for take off, anticipating a continued recovery in leisure travel and anticipating around 35 million foreign tourists. Among them is Cool Airlines, which intends to provide scheduled services on medium to long-haul international routes. This comes following approval from the Ministry of Transport for operating licenses, as stated by the Civil Aviation…
-
Thai criminal responsibility age may lower from 15 to 12 years
The Thai justice system is gearing up for profound changes to the legal age of criminal responsibility, potentially lowering it from 15 to 12 years old. This comes amidst growing concerns over an increasing trend of violent offences committed by younger individuals. The discussion was brought to light today at the National Police Office, by Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimol,…
-
Thai woman and Lao man shot dead at Isaan petrol station
Police are searching for a ruthless gunman who shot dead a Thai woman and Lao man at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Nakhon Panom. Security cameras at the scene where the two victims worked were out of order. The deaths of the 33 year old Lao man, Prommajak Sisupha, and 50 year old Thai woman, Witchuda Sisuming,…
-
71 year old groom’s lavish wedding to 32 year old bride stirs debate
An unconventional wedding between a 71 year old groom and his 32 year old bride recently sparked a stir on Chinese social media. The groom’s generosity during the wedding a dowry worth almost 600,000 baht – and the striking age gap of nearly 40 years between the couple has triggered widespread speculation about their motivations for marriage. The ceremony took…
-
Tragic discovery of mother and daughter’s death in East Thailand, 100,000 baht found
A shocking incident occurred in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, where a 41 year old veterinarian and her 12 year old daughter were discovered dead in their home. Authorities from Ban Chang Police Station and local medical personnel were alerted to the situation at 10am today and were soon on their way to the residence. The house, a private,…
-
Man swallows beer bottle cap during New Year’s Day celebration in Thailand
A man almost died when he inadvertently swallowed a beer bottle cap during the New Year’s Day celebrations, causing it to lodge in his oesophagus. He was promptly taken to Nakornping Hospital where doctors safely removed the cap. This incident occurred yesterday according to a post on the hospital’s Facebook page. On New Year’s Day, the unnamed 40 year old…
-
Heartbreak heist: Burmese man loses phones and cash to Thai love scam
A Burmese man fell victim to a Thai woman in a romance scam, losing two phones and 20,000 baht in cash. He found himself waiting at a railway station in the southern province of Yala for three days, hoping for the woman’s return. The 32 year old victim, identified only as Gar, on December 31 asked Krong Pinang Police Station…
-
Thai government delays decision on electricity price reduction
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed that the Cabinet has not yet agreed to reduce electricity charges. Pointing out that Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga is not ready to present the numbers to reduce electricity charges by no more than 4.20 baht (US$0.12). He requested more time at 10.10am today, at the Government House. Before the Cabinet meeting,…
-
Thai EV drivers demand more charging stations for smoother travel
Electric vehicle (EV) owners are voicing concerns over a lack of charging stations, as they scramble to charge their vehicles before embarking on the Korat-Bang Pa-in Motorway. The public is calling on the government to seriously support the increasing use of EVs. As people steadily return to Bangkok and central and eastern provinces, those driving EVs must plan their journeys…
-
Thai thief flees after stealing 14 iPhones from mall near Bangkok
The owner of a mobile phone shop in the Central Westville shopping mall in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok issued a warning on social media after a thief stole 14 iPhones. The suspect is still at large. The shop owner shared CCTV footage of the theft with the public and revealed that the heist occurred at his shop in Central Westville…
-
Thai govt confirms no Thais affected by recent Japanese earthquake
In light of the recent earthquake in Japan, Panpry Phahitthanukul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that there are no reports of Thai people injured or killed. Panpry expressed concern and support for the Japanese government and its people through a message on X (formerly Twitter) today. There is, however, a stern warning for Thai people in…
-
Air Force guard gets 15-day jail for violent incident
A 15-day jail sentence has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a military guard, following a violent incident for consuming alcohol on government premises. Air Marshal Boonlert Andara, a spokesperson for the RTAF, revealed details of the case involving four soldiers from Squadron One of the Yothin Air Command who were excessively punished, contrary to the…
-
House committee to inspect Land Bridge project impact on local
An investigative committee from the House is set to make a field visit to Chumphon and Ranong, the designated development areas for the much-anticipated Land Bridge megaproject. The committee’s objective is to garner insights into the project’s potential repercussions on local communities, according to an anonymous source. Presided over by Pheu Thai MP for Phayao, Wisut Chainaroon, the committee has…
-
Octogenarian love heist: 81 year old demands justice as 83 year old hubby swipes for secret sweetheart
An 81 year old Thai woman demanded legal action against her 83 year old husband who stole from her and local vendors so he could support his lover. Mueang Sing Buri Police Station officers, in the central province of Sing Buri, received a theft report from a 50 year old grocery store owner named Noppakhun Mathap on December 31. The…
-
Thai government cuts local alcohol tax to zero to boost tourism and economy
The Thai government has announced a tax reduction on local alcohol as part of a wider review of laws hindering domestic tourism and economic growth. Revealed on January 2 at the Government House, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin stated that the restructuring of excise and various national taxes, including reducing domestic alcohol tax to 0%, formed part of their strategy to…
-
Chiang Mai confrontation leads to seizure of 200,000 meth pills
A confrontation between soldiers and smugglers occurred in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai in the early hours of today. The incident led to a seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills that were abandoned during the conflict. The Pha Muang task force, while on patrol, encountered armed individuals near the natural border crossing from Myanmar in the Kaeng Tum village…
-
Thai man evades arrest after beating girlfriend to death
The family of a Thai woman is seeking justice after her boyfriend beat her to death at their shared home in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok and evaded arrest. The victim’s younger brother, 26 year old Phontakorn, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to reveal his sister’s story to the public. Phontakorn said he and his mother hoped a miracle would happen…
-
Unexpected meeting between Thai actress Khunying Ton and PM Srettha
Social media users have been sharing photographs of a chance seaside encounter between Thai actress Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, popularly known as Khunying Ton, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Hua Hin. The images were posted by Khunying Ton on her personal Instagram account on December 31. Khunying Ton captioned her post, stating that PM Srettha has been her friend since kindergarten.…
-
Thai teenage boy accidentally shoots and kills friend near Bangkok
A 15 year old Thai boy confessed to accidentally shooting and killing his 14 year old friend while attempting to attack a rival group of teenagers on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The 14 year old boy was shot in the back of the head while riding a motorcycle with two friends on Liap Khlong Song Road…
-
Thailand’s energy minister initiates major revamp of energy pricing structure
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, the Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, pledged to initiate a significant revamp of Thailand’s energy pricing structure, beginning with the removal of refined oil import restrictions. His commitment to this overhaul aims to alleviate the current strain of escalating energy costs on the populace. “I will overhaul the entire system to help ease the current burden of…
-
Thai Smile takes its final flight: Farewell fiesta signals merger with Thai Airways
Thai Smile Airways threw a farewell party with passengers on the airline’s last flight before saying goodbye on December 31 and merging with Thai Airways (THAI). THAI embarked on a business rehabilitation plan in October of 2021, granting the airline a five-year timeline to enhance its operations. The company underwent significant changes, including restructuring its business, downsizing its workforce, implementing…
-
Fatal stabbing in Ban Pong escalates from heated argument
A fatal stabbing occurred in front of a convenience store in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, following a heated argument between two women. The incident, which took place at 10.45pm yesterday, January 1, ended tragically as a man attempting to intervene was fatally stabbed. The crime scene was attended by Ban Pong Police Station Deputy Investigator Suksiri Chansacha along with Ban Pong…
-
Gold prices predicted to hit record highs by 2024, says MTS Gold
MTS Gold, a local trader, predicted that gold prices are likely to skyrocket to new record levels of over 79,005 baht (US$2,300) per ounce and beyond 40,000 baht (US$1,164) per baht weight by this year. This forecast comes amidst anticipated adverse global economic situations. Kritcharat Hiranyasiri, the President of MTS Gold, explained that the anticipated decline in interest rates and…
-
Thai authorities craft national oil proposal to boost sustainable aviation fuel
In a bid to bolster the aviation industry’s effort to curtail carbon dioxide emissions, Thai energy authorities are in the process of crafting a novel national oil proposal. The blueprint will cater to the evolution of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a biofuel variant for aircraft. The appeal of SAF lies in its strong resemblance to jet fuel in terms of…
-
Bangkok developers warned over glut of affordable condos and townhouses
Real estate developers in Greater Bangkok should tread carefully when introducing new condos and townhouses priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) due to a significant backlog of unsold units, warns Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Vichai highlighted that the condo and townhouse market for units priced under 2 million baht (US$58,241) experienced a slowdown…
-
Thai prime minister ready for key 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently announced yesterday his readiness to participate in the upcoming debate on the 2024 fiscal year budget bill. The discussions are set to kick off tomorrow, January 3. PM Srettha revealed that a series of discussions with coalition partners in preparation for the debate had taken place before the new year holiday. The primary aim,…
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.