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....
-
Truck brake failure sparks fiery crash on Highway 304
A truck carrying plastic pellets experienced brake failure and a tyre explosion, leading to a collision and subsequent fire on Highway 304. The incident occurred yesterday, with emergency services working quickly to control the blaze. Police Major Kamolphop Hanwet from the Highway Police Division 5, Subdivision 3, reported the accident involving a plastic pellet-laden truck that lost control and crashed…
-
Chiang Rai restaurant struggles as tourists flee contamination fears
A riverside restaurant in Chiang Rai is facing financial struggles as tourists have vanished due to contamination concerns in the Kok River. Despite the safety of land-based eateries, customers remain scarce, impacting income and debt repayment. At the riverside eatery in Ban Pang Ngiu, in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai, the once-bustling atmosphere has become eerily quiet. The dining…
-
Thailand’s Visa payments slow despite higher visitor spending
Visa Thailand is experiencing slower growth in Visa card payments by inbound tourists, correlating with stagnant foreign tourist arrivals. Despite this, there has been an increase in spending per visitor, attributed to “higher quality travellers,” according to the card company. During April and May, foreign tourist spending in Thailand using Visa cards increased by 10% year-on-year. This is a decrease…
-
Police raid illegal sawmill linked to Chinese operators in Phitsanulok
An illegal sawmill accused of secretly being run by Chinese nationals has been raided in Phitsanulok amid complaints of toxic pollution affecting locals. Yesterday, May 23, police and forestry officials stormed the veneer processing plant in Chai Nam subdistrict, Wang Thong district, after mounting community concerns about burning wood scraps that released choking smoke and dust. The operation was led…
-
Cement mixer crash sparks chaos on Phuket’s slippery roads
A cement mixer truck overturned on a rainy morning in Phuket, leaving a driver injured and traffic snarled on a busy route. At 9.45am yesterday, May 23, rescue teams at Kusontham Muang Mai Centre were alerted by the Andaman Narendra Centre about the accident. The incident took place on Thep Krasattri Road, just before the Mueang Mai Tunnel’s red light.…
-
Pattaya woman arrested in undercover Ice sting
A woman’s attempt to buy crystal meth in Pattaya’s Jomtien area backfired spectacularly when she unknowingly tried to purchase the drug from an undercover police officer during a targeted drug crackdown. Yesterday, May 23, officers from Pattaya City Police’s anti-drug unit, led by Deputy Inspector Prasit Boonprasit, were patrolling Jomtien Sois 2, 3, and 4 as part of a government…
-
Bomb threat panic on Phuket flight sparks emergency evacuation
Chaos broke out yesterday at Phuket International Airport when a passenger on an AirAsia flight caused panic by jokingly warning of a bomb in his bag — triggering a full-scale emergency response and a police investigation. At 3.50pm yesterday, May 23, officials were alerted after 62 year old Thanawut Wichaidit reportedly told a flight attendant, “Watch out for the bomb…
-
12-year-old stabs classmate to death in Isaan school lunch break
In Phibun Mangsahan district, Ubon Ratchathani province, a tragic incident unfolded when a 12 year old student fatally stabbed a classmate at a secondary school. The incident, which occurred during the school’s lunch break on Thursday, May 22, has deeply shocked the community and brought attention to the safety measures within educational institutions. Police reports indicate that the incident took…
-
PM Paetongtarn pushes UK trade and jobs boost in London talks
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged the UK private sector and Thai businesses in London this week to enhance trade, promote a free trade agreement, and boost employment opportunities for Thais. The discussions on Thursday, May 22, centred around increasing the trade value of agricultural and food products and expanding import channels for Thai goods, including lifestyle products. A Thailand-UK Free…
-
Frenchman busted on Koh Pha Ngan with drug and weapon haul
A Frenchman known for flashing weapons at a Koh Pha Ngan hotel has been arrested after police uncovered a stash of illicit drugs, while a Russian woman was caught selling banned e-cigarettes on nearby Koh Samui. Tourist police and Koh Pha Ngan officers raided the KPG Suite Dream hotel in Ban Tai around 4pm on Thursday, May 22, after receiving…
-
Seasonal downpour to drench Thailand, flooding expected
Weather conditions across Thailand are expected to deteriorate, with increased rainfall predicted for 73 provinces. Heavy to very heavy rain may lead to flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. Residents are advised to avoid flood-prone areas, especially in Bangkok, where 70% of the area is at risk as of today. Thailand is forecast to experience significant rainfall in the north,…
-
Snake scare: Huge king cobra terrorises Pattaya backyard pond
Pattaya residents were left stunned after a gigantic 4.5-metre king cobra was discovered swimming in a garden pond, sparking fears for local safety. The rare and dangerous serpent was safely captured by authorities and is set to be released back into the wild, far away from homes. The drama unfolded in Soi Por Or Chieb, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, East…
-
Pattaya’s party problem: Festivals fuel chaos, neglect locals
Pattaya’s dazzling festivals and flashy events may light up the city, but not everyone is cheering. Long-term visitor Alan French has fired a stark warning to Pattaya’s mayor, claiming the city is losing its soul by prioritising spectacle over substance. In a blunt letter titled simply “Dear Sir,” French calls out Mayor Poramet Ngampichet for focusing too much on high-profile…
-
Wife suspected in husband’s fatal shooting in Chiang Rai
Police suspect a woman of being involved in the death of her husband, who was reportedly shot dead by the roadside in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Officers from Mae Fah Luang Police Station received a report of a fatal shooting at around 7.30am on Tuesday, May 20. The body of a man, later identified as 33 year old Liser,…
-
Missing man found dead in Tak mountains after month-long search
A man who had been missing for nearly a month was found dead in a mountainous area in Tak province. The body was discovered in a state of decomposition, with evidence of animal predation. Police were alerted yesterday, May 22, by the man’s relatives about the discovery on Mount Kroot in Mueang Tak district. Police from Wang Chao District Station,…
-
Thai lawyer jailed for lese majeste wins global human rights award
A Thai lawyer imprisoned for speaking out against the monarchy has been honoured with a prestigious international human rights prize, spotlighting his courageous fight for free expression and democracy. Arnon Nampa, 40, was named the Asia-Pacific winner of the 2024 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk — becoming the first Thai ever to receive this recognition.…
-
Bangkok transwoman caught on CCTV stealing neighbours’ parcels
The family of a Thai transwoman who stole her neighbours’ parcels at a condominium in Bangkok attributed her actions to mental illness and pledged to compensate the victims. Residents of a condominium in Thong Lo, Bangkok, took to social media to expose the thefts. Victims claimed that officers, reportedly from Makkasan Police Station, were unable to resolve the matter effectively.…
-
Thailand tightens medical cannabis rules: Prescription-only flowers
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has announced stricter regulations on cannabis, allowing the sale of cannabis flowers solely for medical use with a valid prescription. The move aims to crack down on recreational misuse while supporting legal medical treatments. DTAM’s director-general, Somruek Chungsaman, revealed the updated Public Health Ministry notification today, May 23, focusing on three…
-
Burmese roti vendor arrested for series of sexual assaults in Pattaya
A Burmese roti vendor attempted to bribe police with 15,000 baht after he was arrested for a series of sexual assault cases in Pattaya yesterday, May 22. Two teenage women filed a complaint at Mueang Pattaya Police Station on Wednesday, May 21, stating that the suspect approached them while they were on Pattaya Beach. He tricked them into getting on his…
-
Midnight horror: Man finds giant python coiled in toilet bowl (video)
Imagine waking up at 3am, groggy and half-asleep, only to open your bathroom door and come face-to-face with a giant python coiled inside your toilet bowl! That’s exactly what happened to one young man in Thailand, sparking a mix of shock and horror — and a flood of questions about how the massive snake slithered into such an unlikely spot.…
-
Udon Thani boy flees home from alleged abuse by father (video)
In Udon Thani, a 12 year old boy ran away to sleep in an abandoned school, taking a photograph of his deceased mother with him. The boy claimed he left due to being physically harmed by his father and unequal treatment from his grandparents. Ata is now under the care of the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office and…
-
Swiss man on the run from jail sentence for assaulting Thai doctor
A Swiss man who attacked a Thai doctor at a luxury villa in Phuket has been sentenced to one month in prison — but has already fled the country, defying an arrest warrant. The dramatic case stems from an incident on February 24, 2024, when Dr Tharadao Chandam, widely known as Dr Pai, accused David, real name Urs Fehr, a…
-
Foreign tourists caught defecating outside restuarant in Phuket
A Thai restaurant owner in Phuket urged the government to consider increasing the number of public bathrooms after foreign tourists defecated outside his business on two separate occasions. The owner of Salaloy Restaurant, Pananut Asawapitakchon, shared details of the unpleasant incidents on his Facebook account yesterday, May 22. He explained that the incidents occurred twice beforehand, last week and this week,…
-
‘Spider-Man’ thieves caught after rooftop escape in Sakon Nakhon
Three daring men pulled off a rooftop escape attempt straight out of a superhero movie — but their ‘Spider-Man’ stunt ended in arrest. Yesterday, May 22, in Sakon Nakhon province, the trio was caught sneaking into a commercial building on Sakon-Nakae Road, only to be cornered by police and rescue workers after a thrilling rooftop chase. A vigilant local alerted…
-
TAT and AIS launch travel campaign to boost domestic tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has collaborated with Advanced Info Service (AIS) to introduce the Sukjai Travel Thailand – Aunjai Everywhere campaign to invigorate domestic tourism this year. The campaign focuses on showcasing both prominent cities and emerging travel destinations, beginning with an event on Banthat Thong Road in Bangkok, offering tourists an array of culinary delights and exclusive…
-
Thai actress reveals series of assaults by ex-boyfriend with police ties
A Thai actress is seeking justice and protection after being brutally assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, who also threatened her against taking legal action, boasting of his father’s influence as a police officer. The actress, identified only as Bell, contacted the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice (CRSJ) for assistance and went public with her story, expressing hope that the suspect…
-
Aussie drunk smashes rescue booth in Pattaya, caught on CCTV
A drunken Australian man caused a stir in Pattaya after smashing a rescue booth, mistaking radio chatter for people talking. Nathan James Webber, 51, was arrested yesterday, May 22, for damaging a Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescue booth near Soi Najomtien 8. The bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of May 20 when volunteer rescue workers reported the booth…
-
New plant species discovered at Phu Kradueng National Park
Researchers from Chulalongkorn University have identified three previously unknown plant species during a survey at Phu Kradueng National Park in the northeastern province of Loei. The team, with support from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), focused on spore-bearing plants, including ferns, collecting specimens along the park’s trails. The survey resulted in the collection of 288…
-
Pickup driver accused of tailgating motorcyclist, causing fatal crash
A female motorcyclist lost her life after a crash, allegedly as a result of being tailgated by a pickup driver in Nonthaburi province in the early hours of yesterday, May 22. An 18 year old motorcyclist, Tuwanan Klinmalee, contacted officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station to report the incident, which occurred on Chaiyaphruek Road in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi…
-
Thai defence minister warns of potential future coup
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has not dismissed the potential for a future coup in Thailand, urging all sides to reflect on past events to bolster democratic institutions. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 2014 coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), he emphasised the need for patience and adherence to democratic processes, warning against…
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.