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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Borderline busted: Thai police smash Tak Internet scam network
Police in Thailand’s Tak province have uncovered a sprawling illegal Internet and telephone cable network believed to fuel cross-border call centre scams in Myanmar. The operation, hailed as the largest bust of its kind, has exposed the scale of high-tech fraud haunting the region. In a joint announcement yesterday, December 2, Police General Nathathorn Prousoontorn of the National Broadcasting and…
-
Thailand ranks 9th in global instant noodle consumption
The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) ranked Thailand as the ninth highest consumer of instant noodles globally. WINA released its rankings of the countries with the highest instant noodle consumption yesterday, December 2. The list, which includes 15 countries, placed Thailand in ninth position. Thai people reportedly consume 4 billion packets of instant noodles annually. The top spot was awarded…
-
Tragic accident: Man drowns as truck slides into Thai pond
A tragic incident unfolded last night when a man, who had been resting in his truck by a pond, was found dead after the vehicle rolled into the water. The victim, who had been guarding machinery inside the truck, struggled to escape but could not survive. At around 10pm, yesterday, December 2, emergency rescue teams from Ruenchit Volunteers, located in…
-
3D-printed corals spark underwater hope at Koh Racha Yai
In a cutting-edge bid to revive the coral reefs around Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is making waves with its annual reef restoration campaign. The initiative unveiled its latest eco-marvel: 3D-printed coral larvae islands on Saturday, November 30, designed to breathe life back into the battered seabeds. The high-profile launch event…
-
Homeless Pattaya woman’s rings locked on swollen fingers
A homeless woman in Thailand found herself in excruciating pain after rings became locked on her swollen fingers, leading to infected wounds. The ordeal, which had rendered her unable to communicate effectively, unfolded in Pattaya on Sunday, December 1. The woman, identified only as 45 year old A, showed up at the Pattaya Police Station desperately seeking assistance. Officers quickly…
-
Thailand urges swift release of citizens detained by Myanmar
Thailand urged Myanmar’s ambassador to urgently work for the release of four Thai citizens who are currently detained in Myanmar, following an incident in which their fishing boat was fired upon by Myanmar naval ships off the coast of Ranong last week. Piyapak Sricharoen, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, met with Myanmar’s ambassador to Thailand, U Chit…
-
Woman arrested at husband’s hospital bedside over fraud charges
A 39 year old woman wanted on two arrest warrants for fraud and computer crimes was arrested by police while visiting her husband, who is currently recovering in a hospital after being shot during a standoff with police. At around 4pm yesterday, December 2, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, Deputy Commander of the Investigation Division, along with the investigative team…
-
Russian woman falls to death from Bangkok condo
A tragic incident unfolded in the Phaya Thai district of Bangkok when a 24 year old Russian woman, Maria, fell to her death from the 37th floor of a condominium. The heartbreaking event occurred around 3.07pm yesterday, December 2, prompting an immediate response from local police. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the lifeless body of the Russian woman,…
-
Drink driver crashes car after offering lift to intoxicated woman
A drunk Thai man offered a lift to an equally intoxicated woman he met on a roadside in the central province of Chachoengsao but failed to get her home because he crashed his car into a traffic barrier. Three people in the vehicle suffered mild injuries. Bang Pakong Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the accident scene at the…
-
Boy dies after fall from shopping mall in Ayutthaya
A 12 year old boy tragically fell to his death from the rooftop of a shopping mall located along Rojana Road in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. His death has left his family devastated, particularly his mother, who was with him just hours before the tragic incident. At around 6.30pm, yesterday, December 2, local police received a report of…
-
Former village headman arrested for fatal shooting in Thailand
Police arrested Prasith (surname withheld), a 52 year old former assistant village head in Ban Non Rawiang, following the fatal shooting of Thanaphon (surname withheld), a 43 year old man found dead in a sugarcane field in Ban Non Rawiang, Bung Phalai subdistrict, Kaeng Sanamnang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The victim, who had 20 methamphetamine pills and some cannabis by his side,…
-
Daring theft: Italian tourist nabs cash from Pattaya hotel desk
A brazen early-morning theft has left a Pattaya hotel owner furious after an Italian guest was caught on CCTV swiping 4,000 baht from the front desk before making a hasty exit. The suspect, identified as Andrea (surname withheld), checked into the small hotel on Soi Bua Khao on Friday, November 29 and checked out under suspicious circumstances early on Sunday…
-
Thai national football player loses 2.7 million baht to call centre scam
Police in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok arrested one of six mule account holders linked to a call centre scam gang that defrauded 2.7 million baht from a Thai national football player. The 33 year old Thai football player, Pokklaw Anan, filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday, December 2, reporting that he lost 2.7 million baht to…
-
Thailand’s big love leap: Same-sex couples to wed starting January
Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet as the Marriage Equality Bill is set to become law on January 22, making the nation a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. Following its royal endorsement by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and publication in the Royal Gazette on September 24, the countdown to this historic milestone has officially begun.…
-
Police arrest key figure in Chinese call centre scam
Police successfully apprehended a major figure in a Chinese call centre scam syndicate operating in Thailand. Teo Min, a 35 year old Chinese national, was arrested near the Sakaeo border after evading capture for several weeks. His 37 year old wife, Yin, also from China, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport while attempting to flee the country. The arrest followed…
-
Hat Yai lecturer electrocuted closing gate in floodwater
A shocking accident has left Hat Yai residents reeling as a university lecturer lost his life after being electrocuted while closing his front gate in waist-high floodwater. Police are scrambling to uncover who is to blame for the deadly oversight. Officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority’s (PEA) Hat Yai branch inspected the scene and identified a copper-exposed wire near Narun…
-
Heavy rain warning issued for southern Thailand provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its third warning about heavy to very heavy rainfall expected to hit southern Thailand from December 3 to December 5. The adverse weather conditions are being attributed to a low-pressure system over the southern South China Sea, which is forecast to move across the lower southern region of Thailand and Malaysia before entering the…
-
Thai father confesses to killing 6 month old baby after argument with wife
A Thai father confessed to killing his six month old baby boy at a rented house in Bangkok yesterday by pushing him off the bed due to the baby’s persistent crying and the stress following an argument with his wife. The baby’s 25 year old mother, Chotika, who is six months pregnant, yesterday, December 2, contacted officers from Kannayao Police…
-
Family life in Thailand: Creating a healthy and happy home for expats
Living in Thailand as an expat family opens the door to a rich cultural experience, lively communities, and family-friendly facilities that make it a fantastic place to raise children. Here’s a guide on how to create a safe, healthy, and happy home for your family in Thailand, from choosing the right neighbourhood to building a sense of community and enjoying…
-
Pervert scandal: Uni sports event rocked by hidden camera (video)
A hidden camera scandal has rocked a prominent university sports event, sparking widespread online outrage. A perverted man is accused of placing cameras in the athletes’ bathroom, secretly recording videos during the event. Despite his denial, police uncovered substantial video evidence from his messaging app. Yesterday, December 1, social media platforms were abuzz with discussions and condemnations of the incident.…
-
Chai-nce of a lifetime: Thai man’s 12 million baht lottery windfall
A humble Thai man from Chai Nat, Thailand, bagged an extraordinary 12 million baht after a fluke win in the lottery. What he thought would be a simple flutter on a local draw turned into a life-changing windfall, all thanks to a lucky twist of fate. At 4:30pm yesterday, December 1, Chomphon, a resident of Hang Nam Sakhon subdistrict in…
-
Experts push for diverse HIV prevention options in Thailand
Access to diverse PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) options for HIV prevention is essential for meeting the varied needs of individuals, according to experts gathered at a recent forum. Nittaya Phanuphak, the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI) Executive Director, emphasised the necessity for a broader range of choices to enhance prevention efforts and accommodate the different lifestyles of people at…
-
Thai labour market hits brakes as factories cut jobs amid car sales slump
The Thai labour market is in turmoil as major factories announce sweeping layoffs, with reports that Nissan plans to slash or relocate more than 1,000 workers. This news compounds an already grim employment landscape, as highlighted by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), which reported unemployment figures rising to 414,000 in the third quarter, up from 401,000 last…
-
High school graduate poses as fake doctor, causes 3 million baht loss
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a fake doctor who deceived victims into investing in a beauty clinic. Investigators revealed that his highest educational qualification was only a high school diploma. Victims filed complaints with the CIB after discovering that the individual, who invited them to invest in the beauty clinic, had no medical education or licence. The fake doctor was…
-
Crypto cash-in: Thai bitcoin funds take investors to new heights
Thailand’s bitcoin mutual funds are riding high, with returns skyrocketing up to 30% since their debut in June. This impressive surge aligns with bitcoin’s upward trajectory, edging closer to the US$100,000 mark, a climb bolstered by policies linked to Donald Trump’s recent win in the US presidential election. In a move that has energised the market, the Securities and Exchange…
-
Thai motorcycle exports surge 157% in October to 6.5 billion baht
Motorcycle exports from Thailand are on the rise, driven by increasing demand for completely knocked-down (CKD) units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The surge in exports during October reflects a growing interest from overseas markets, particularly in Asia, where countries are placing more purchase orders for reassembly purposes. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice Chairman of the FTI and spokesperson…
-
Golden opportunity: Price drop triggers wallet-watch frenzy
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) set the stage for a potential buying frenzy today, announcing a dip in gold prices that has eager investors checking their wallets. As of 9.07am, today, December 2, gold ornaments have slumped by 50 baht compared to yesterday’s rates, marking the new selling price at 43,550 baht per baht weight. For those eyeing those sparkling…
-
Thailand ports embrace solar power for sustainability
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) took a significant step towards sustainability by installing solar rooftops at its ports, marking the move towards establishing green ports. These rooftops are anticipated to generate 5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar energy each year, contributing to Thailand’s environmental goals. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted the global imperative for environmental responsibility, noting that…
-
Tragic house fire in Prachinburi claims boy’s life and two dogs
A devastating house fire tragically claimed the lives of a young boy and two dogs, leaving the community in shock. The blaze occurred while the boy’s parents were out shopping, resulting in the complete destruction of the family home. Police Lieutenant Kittiphong Sihabut, from the Raboh Phai Police Station in Prachinburi province, received the report of a house fire in…
-
Fight for life: Urgent heart ops needed for 400 Thai newborns a year
Each year, a staggering 4,000 newborns in Thailand face a daunting diagnosis: congenital heart disease. According to the Department of Medical Services, this serious condition demands urgent attention, with 10% of these cases requiring immediate medical intervention to save tiny lives. Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin reveals the gravity of the situation, noting that while some cases are flagged during pregnancy, 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.