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

    Smooth travel to Belgium and the Netherlands: Visa tips & tricks!

    Make Belgium and the Netherlands your next destination with the right visa in hand. Explore the iconic tulip fields, cruise through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, or stroll through the historic streets of Bruges. Don’t forget to enjoy some authentic Belgian chocolate...

  • Thai restaurant Samsen opens new branch in Hong Kong

    Thai restaurant Samsen opens new branch in Hong Kong

    When Thai restaurant Samsen first opened in Wan Chai district, Hong Kong in 2016, chef Adam Cliff quickly became the go-to guy for Wagyu beef noodles. Fast-forward to 2024, and Samsen is on the cusp of launching its third Hong Kong branch on On Lan Street, Central district. With each opening, the restaurant has pushed culinary boundaries—and this new location…

  • Fowl play: Ratchaburi cops ruffle feathers in illegal cockfighting raid

    Fowl play: Ratchaburi cops ruffle feathers in illegal cockfighting raid

    Ratchaburi cops raided an illegal cockfighting ring hidden in a forested area, apprehending 25 gamblers and charging them with three serious offences. The operation followed complaints from locals about the activities near Moo 7 in Ang Thong subdistrict. Sutthiphong Phutthachantra, the district chief of Mueang Ratchaburi, received reports from locals about a makeshift cockfighting arena attracting numerous gamblers. Consequently, he…

  • Record-breaking crowds cause traffic chaos at Khao Yai

    Record-breaking crowds cause traffic chaos at Khao Yai

    Khao Yai National Park was the place to be during the recent long weekend, smashing visitor records and causing traffic nightmares at the gates. Over the three-day holiday from October 12 to 14, the park saw daily entrance fees soar past 1 million baht as hordes of tourists flooded in to enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery. Park chief…

  • People’s Party MP denies speeding after Parliament car park collision

    People’s Party MP denies speeding after Parliament car park collision

    A People’s Party MP denied driving at high speed following a collision in the parliament car park building yesterday. The car accident, which occurred on the B2 floor of the car park, was reported by Thai media yesterday, October 16. The collision reportedly took place in a section of the parking lot reserved for MPs, involving a black sedan and a…

  • Thailand unveils 110 billion baht economic recovery plan

    Thailand unveils 110 billion baht economic recovery plan

    Thailand’s government rolled out a comprehensive economic recovery initiative, aiming to inject up to 110 billion baht into the economy by supporting small businesses through collaborations with major corporations. This campaign, running from September to January, encompasses three main strategies: reducing expenses, generating income, and creating opportunities. The focus is primarily on small operators, who constitute 90% of the country’s…

  • BLACKPINK’s Lisa steals the show at Victoria’s Secret

    BLACKPINK’s Lisa steals the show at Victoria’s Secret

    BLACKPINK’s Lisa turned up the heat at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris, leaving the audience breathless with her electric rockstar energy. Riding high, literally, on a motorbike suspended in the air, the K-pop sensation opened the show with her hit single Rockstar, dazzling fans in a leather two-piece that screamed power and glamour. The Thai-born superstar didn’t…

  • Bangkok bombshell: Chilling find at iCon Group office turns heads

    Bangkok bombshell: Chilling find at iCon Group office turns heads

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers dashed to the scene this afternoon after a resident made a chilling discovery at the iCon Group office in Soi Ramintra 9, Bang Khen district, Bangkok. What first appeared to be a hazardous bomb left locals trembling in shock but turned out to be a well-crafted fake. The bomb packed ominously in a black briefcase,…

  • High-end hotels check in higher rates amid rising tourist numbers

    High-end hotels check in higher rates amid rising tourist numbers

    High-end hotel operators are poised to increase room rates during the High Season as tourist numbers are anticipated to rise in the coming months, while mid-tier and lower-tier hotels continue to face challenges. The hotel operator sentiment index reveals this trend. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that the average occupancy rate in September was 55%,…

  • Chiang Rai cops needle out 126kg heroin in Mae Sai drug bust

    Chiang Rai cops needle out 126kg heroin in Mae Sai drug bust

    A significant drug bust occurred in Chiang Rai yesterday where police seized over 126 kilogrammes of heroin following a confrontation between a task force and a drug smuggling group near the Mae Sai border. Police Colonel Anuwat Panyanant, Commander of the Task Force Thap Chao Tak, Pha Mueang Force, announced the details of the operation during a press conference. The…

  • Thailand’s industrial confidence dips as floods hit economy

    Thailand’s industrial confidence dips as floods hit economy

    Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Index dropped to 87.1 in September, down from 87.7 in August, announced Nava Chantanasurakon, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The decline is primarily due to severe flooding across northern, northeastern, and central regions, impacting homes, agricultural areas, industries, and tourism, with economic losses estimated between 30 and 50 billion baht. The widespread flooding…

  • Over 830 tonnes of drug precursor seized in northern Thailand

    Over 830 tonnes of drug precursor seized in northern Thailand

    The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) officers seized more than 830 tonnes of drug precursors at a warehouse in the Mae Sot district, in the northern province of Tak, owned by Chinese nationals. Officers from the ONCB, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), local police, and administrative authorities raided a warehouse on Mae Sot Road in the Mae…

  • Thailand and Laos spark cross-border renewable energy scheme

    Thailand and Laos spark cross-border renewable energy scheme

    Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with the Laotian government to enhance the utilisation of renewable energy across borders, aiming to expedite the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The plan involves encouraging Thai businesses to purchase renewable power from Laos through a cross-border energy attribute certificate scheme, according to an official from the Energy Ministry who requested anonymity.…

  • Roll the dice: Casino bill feedback to be reviewed by Thai Cabinet

    Roll the dice: Casino bill feedback to be reviewed by Thai Cabinet

    A public hearing on the proposed casino-entertainment complex bill wrapped up with feedback set to be submitted to the Cabinet, announced the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) at the Ministry of Finance. The FPO, alongside the Digital Government Development Agency, collected public opinions on the bill via their websites over two weeks. The bill aims to establish entertainment complexes with legally…

  • 2 Thai cops suspended after South Korean livestreams from cell (video)

    2 Thai cops suspended after South Korean livestreams from cell (video)

    Two Thai police officers in Chon Buri province are under investigation after a South Korean drug suspect livestreamed himself during his detention, claiming he had special privileges because he paid the officers. The alleged corruption at Bang Lamung Police Station in Chon Buri was exposed after South Korean news agency Maeil Business Newspaper reported the incident on Tuesday, October 15.…

  • Thailand video news | Thailand extends suspension of TM6 form to boost tourism, Malaysia arrests hundreds over child abuse and trafficking allegations

    Thailand video news | Thailand extends suspension of TM6 form to boost tourism, Malaysia arrests hundreds over child abuse and trafficking allegations

    In Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia countries. The stories include the Thai government has extended the suspension of the TM6 arrival form to streamline travel processes and boost tourism until April 2025. On the financial front, the Bank of Thailand has cut interest rates for the first time in four years to…

  • Pattaya cops target rogue Bolt drivers in Bali Hai blitz

    Pattaya cops target rogue Bolt drivers in Bali Hai blitz

    Pattaya’s traffic woes faced a heavy crackdown on Tuesday, October 15, as city officials teamed up with local police, including Deputy Police Inspector Captain Theprot Kasemsuk, to restore order in the bustling Bali Hai area. The coordinated operation saw tourism police and a rapid response traffic unit join forces to rein in unruly drivers and improperly registered vehicles, particularly targeting…

  • Powering on: Thailand energy plan sparks a 2.9 trillion baht boost

    Powering on: Thailand energy plan sparks a 2.9 trillion baht boost

    Thailand’s new National Energy Plan (NEP) aims to drive significant investment and promote clean energy, with a projected 2.9 trillion baht in capital spending over the next 13 years. Central to this initiative is the emphasis on solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The NEP 2024, scheduled for implementation from this year until 2037, integrates a comprehensive power development…

  • Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand

    Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand

    Researchers have identified four new plant species in northern Thailand, showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the findings, which were made by the department’s researchers in collaboration with botanists from Kasetsart University and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, stated that the discoveries were part of…

  • Thailand invites China to build satellite launch base

    Thailand invites China to build satellite launch base

    Thailand extended an invitation to China to build a satellite launch base to provide 6G technology, marking a significant step in enhancing economic cooperation as both nations gear up to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. In addition to technological collaboration, China plans to send a new pair of giant pandas to Thailand as goodwill ambassadors for the…

  • Indonesian tourists and driver dodge fire disaster on coach (video)

    Indonesian tourists and driver dodge fire disaster on coach (video)

    Fifty Indonesian tourists and a Thai driver last night safely escaped from a fire that broke out on a coach bus parked on a road in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The fire was reported to Pak Chong Police Station and firefighters yesterday, October 16, at about 7.40pm. The incident occurred on a coach bus parked on the Old…

  • California doctor claims spicy Thai dish left her with chemical burns

    California doctor claims spicy Thai dish left her with chemical burns

    A California neurologist is suing a Thai restaurant, claiming she suffered permanent injuries after eating a spicy dish that she described as “unfit for human consumption.” Harjasleen Walia, a San Jose-based doctor, is demanding over US$35,000 (approximately 1.16 million baht) in damages after an order of Dragon Balls at Los Gatos’ Coup de Thai allegedly left her with chemical burns.…

  • iCon-venient truth: Cops swoop to arrest 18 in fraud bust scandal

    iCon-venient truth: Cops swoop to arrest 18 in fraud bust scandal

    Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) dramatically swooped to arrest 18 key members of iCon Group, including its CEO, three well-known celebrities, and other key suspects over allegations of fraud. Shocking revelations from multiple victims and former members have exposed iCon Group Group’s dodgy business model, which appears to mirror a Ponzi scheme. Many investors lost their life savings,…

  • Police chief orders swift arrest after fatal hit-and-run in Bangkok

    Police chief orders swift arrest after fatal hit-and-run in Bangkok

    A dramatic incident involving a motorcyclist killed in a hit-and-run occurred yesterday in Bangkok prompting immediate intervention from the national police chief. The event took place around 5.10pm, yesterday, October 16, as Chief Kittirat Panpet was on his way to a religious ceremony at Wat Thepsirin. While travelling to the ceremony following an inspection of police riot control units at…

  • Soldier attacks Thai sausage vendor, evades arrest in military camp

    Soldier attacks Thai sausage vendor, evades arrest in military camp

    A soldier attacked a sausage vendor with a knife before fleeing to a military camp, leaving the police unable to apprehend him. Despite the incident occurring a week ago, the perpetrator remains at large, unpunished. Wisanu, a 20 year old sausage vendor from Nang Rong district, Buriram province, reported the incident to Police Lieutenant Colonel Thongrat Keawsanam. According to Wisanu,…

  • Chaiyaphum man wins 12 million baht in lottery

    Chaiyaphum man wins 12 million baht in lottery

    A Chaiyaphum man has won first prize in the latest lottery draw, taking home a staggering 12 million baht. Relatives, overwhelmed with joy, rushed to the local police station to officially record the win. Atisak, a 58 year old man, along with his family, visited the Khon Sawan Police Station in Chaiyaphum province to register his win with Police Lieutenant…

  • Leopard spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi

    Leopard spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi

    A leopard made a rare daytime appearance in Kaeng Krachan National Park, located in the Kaeng Krachan district of Phetchaburi. Mongkol Chaipakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, confirmed that a tourist captured detailed photos of the leopard lounging on a road inside the park on Tuesday, October 15. Mongkol noted that leopard sightings have become more frequent recently, indicating…

  • Monsoon brings heavy rain to central, eastern, southern Thailand

    Monsoon brings heavy rain to central, eastern, southern Thailand

    Weather conditions for today see a monsoon trough passing through central, eastern, and southern regions, including Bangkok, bringing rain to 60% of the area with heavy showers in some places. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously due to high waves. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that for the next 24 hours, the monsoon trough will move across the upper…

  • Knife-wielding gang on the run after Patong attack horror

    Knife-wielding gang on the run after Patong attack horror

    Patong’s popular Bangla Road turned into a crime scene early this morning as police launched a manhunt for a gang behind a brutal knife attack. Chaos erupted today, October 16, in Soi Sea Dragon when a 33 year old man, Sarawut Booniai, was chased down and stabbed by a group of unidentified assailants. Two brave bystanders, who stepped in to…

  • Bank of Thailand slashes interest rates after four-year freeze

    Bank of Thailand slashes interest rates after four-year freeze

    The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has stunned financial markets by slashing its key interest rate for the first time in four years, buckling under mounting pressure from the government to revive the sluggish economy. The unexpected move saw the one-day repurchase rate trimmed by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 2.25% from its 10-year high of 2.50%. This decision…

  • Don Mueang Tollway projects revenue boost amid rising traffic

    Don Mueang Tollway projects revenue boost amid rising traffic

    Don Mueang Tollway Public Company Limited (DMT) forecasts a bright performance for the third quarter of this year heading into the High Season of Q4. The surge in tourism, both foreign and domestic, is expected to boost passenger numbers and traffic on the elevated tollway. Sakda Phanwai, the Managing Director, expressed optimism as Thai AirAsia X relocated its flights back…