Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
-
Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
13 year old novice rescued after repeated rapes by temple abbot
A 13 year old Thai novice sought help from his family after being repeatedly raped by a pedophile abbot from a temple in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom. The victim reportedly kept the rape and sexual assaults secret because he wanted to continue his studies at the temple. The novice’s mother, 40 year old Lawan, filed a complaint against…
-
Fishy business: Thailand declares war on invasive blackchin tilapia
Efforts to eradicate the invasive blackchin tilapia fish have been declared a national priority by Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry. Measures to prevent the species from breeding are currently under investigation. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow announced that the ministry is actively working to eliminate the blackchin tilapia, a species native to West Africa, due to its predatory nature and significant threat to…
-
Similan Islands national park’s plea for hermit crab homes
Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province is sounding the alarm and calling on the public to donate shells to provide new homes for hermit crabs. This urgent campaign aims to boost the crab population and enhance marine biodiversity. Hermit crabs are vital beach cleaners, eliminating bacteria and disease to maintain the park’s ecosystem. Due to their soft…
-
BEM wins 140 billion baht Orange Line western route project
Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) received Cabinet approval to kick off the Orange Line’s western route project, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday. The Orange Line transit system will link the Bang Khun Non-district with the Min Buri district via a 35.9-kilometre network of underground and elevated rail sections. This includes a 13.4-kilometre western route from Bang Khun Non…
-
Thai Finance Ministry pledges market confidence amid scandal
Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit expressed optimism that actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the…
-
Motorcyclist killed in collision with wild elephant in Chachoengsao
A tragic incident occurred when a couple on a motorcycle collided with a wild elephant late at night, resulting in the husband’s death and the wife’s injury. The woman, still in shock, reported having no memory of the event. Phanom Rescue Radio Centre received a distress call yesterday at 11pm about a fatal elephant attack in Ang Rue Nai Forest,…
-
Burmese man wanted for murder of Iranian-Thai couple in Pattaya
Police in Pattaya are searching for a Burmese man suspected of murdering his employees, an Iranian man and his Thai wife. Their bodies were discovered in a bedroom above their Iranian restaurant on July 16. The victims, 63 year old Mojtaba Ghanbariazad and his wife Thanaporn Poonprakone, were found by a relative who had a dream about Thanaporn and was…
-
Rescue worker wins 6 million baht after helping with funeral
A rescue worker from Nong Hai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Amnat Charoen province won first prize in the lottery after assisting a local family with a funeral. Believing his good deed brought him luck, he received 6 million baht. At the Nong Hai SAO Rescue Unit, colleagues and locals gathered to congratulate 50 year old Yuthasat Mutuchit, an emergency…
-
Thai tourism must shift to supply-driven strategy for 2025, says TAT
The Thai tourism industry must adopt a supply-driven strategy to enhance its competitiveness, according to the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT outlined its marketing direction for 2025, aiming to increase revenue by 7.5% from 2024, targeting 39 million foreign arrivals and 205 million domestic trips. This figure is a revision from the 220 million…
-
Thai village health volunteer wins 6 million baht in lottery
A village health volunteer from Yasothon has struck it rich by winning the first prize in the lottery, netting a total of 6 million baht. The lucky numbers were chosen from a ticket she had reserved but not yet paid for. Rungaradee Sriwisat, a 53 year old resident of Ban Hua Kham, Moo 4, Samran subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon district, revealed…
-
Naked truth: Victims pursue legal action against ‘cancer-curing’ hermit
More victims have stepped forward to pursue legal action against a hermit and his wife in the southern province of Surat Thani, who allegedly claim they can cure cancer through naked massages. A Thai man claimed that his wife died in May as a result of the hermit’s treatment. The first victim to seek assistance from the Ministry of Social…
-
Thailand expects 42 billion boost from French tourists post-Olympics
The Paris Olympic Games are projected to draw fewer visitors than initially expected, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to anticipate a resurgence in the French market post-event. The TAT forecasts 42 billion baht in revenue from French tourists in 2024. Soraya Homchuen, TAT Director in Paris, indicated that the French market is experiencing a lull due to two…
-
Cyanide poisoning suspected in deaths of 6 Vietnamese nationals
A Thai academic suspects that cyanide poisoning may have been used in the deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok. The deaths of the six Vietnamese visitors came to light at approximately 7.30pm, yesterday, July 16. They were found lifeless in the same room on the fifth floor of a luxury hotel, reported to be the Grand…
-
Thai lottery vendor wins 24 million baht after funeral ticket sale
A lottery vendor in Nong Bua Lamphu has struck it rich, winning 24 million baht from four lottery tickets. The tickets, which included the number 36 matching the age of a deceased individual at a funeral she attended, were initially unsold and kept by the vendor herself. Chantip Anusi, who has been selling lottery tickets for decades, revealed that she…
-
Thailand launches retirement lottery to boost savings for low-income earners
The Cabinet has introduced a new savings initiative for low-income individuals titled the retirement lottery, which offers enticing prizes to encourage saving. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced the Cabinet’s approval of this measure, aimed at bolstering savings under the National Savings Fund (NSF) through the Retirement Savings Lottery project. The NSF will amend relevant sections of its Act to…
-
Chiang Mai earthquake causes tremors, no major damage
An earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale struck Mae Chaem, Chiang Mai, causing noticeable tremors but no reported injuries or significant damage to buildings. Local officials have been instructed to conduct thorough inspections of the area to assess potential impacts. A 3.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Mae Na Chon area of Mae Chaem district yesterday at 11.04pm, with a…
-
Thailand braces for severe weather with heavy rain and floods
Thailand braces for severe weather as The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warns of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods across various regions. Citizens are advised to stay alert for sudden flooding and landslides, particularly in hilly and low-lying areas. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast predicts intense monsoon activity affecting the northern regions and moving towards an area of low pressure…
-
BREAKING: 6 Vietnamese nationals found dead at hotel in Bangkok
Six Vietnamese nationals mysteriously died today at a luxury hotel in Bangkok after allegedly drinking tea and coffee mixed with poison. Police believe there may be a seventh Vietnamese but that individual has not been located. The deaths of the six foreigners were reported to the Metropolitan Police Bureau at approximately 7.30pm today, July 16. They were reportedly found lifeless…
-
TAT unveils 2025 plan to boost tourism
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its 2025 marketing plan to revitalise Thai tourism. The annual TAT Strategic Direction conference was a star-studded affair, featuring Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Sermsak Pongpanit, and TAT’s Chairperson of the Board Natthriya Thaweevong. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that recognising 2025 as another challenging year, TAT will be putting its best…
-
Controversial sea bridge to Koh Samui stirs debate
The hotly-debated sea bridge connecting the Thai mainland to the paradise island of Koh Samui is one step closer to reality. The second phase of public hearings for this ambitious project kicked off in Surat Thani province yesterday, July 15, setting the stage for a project that promises to revolutionise travel to one of Thailand’s most beloved holiday spots. Set…
-
New canal bridge in Ayutthaya opens to boost local travel
The new bridge over Bang Luang Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has officially opened, enhancing travel for residents between the two sides of the canal to important locations. This significant development aims to improve both economic and social aspects for the local communities. Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads Aphirat Chaiyavongnoi announced the completion of the Bang Luang…
-
Iranian man and Thai wife murdered in Pattaya restaurant
A relative’s dream led to the discovery of the murder of an Iranian man and his Thai wife at their restaurant in Pattaya. The bodies of Mojtaba Ghanbariazad, a 64 year old Iranian, and his Thai wife, Thanaporn Poonprakone, were found in their bedroom on the second floor of their Iranian restaurant today, July 16. Ghanbariazad was lying half-naked in…
-
Five charged in Thai Rice Department extortion case
Police have completed their investigation and forwarded the case to prosecutors involving five individuals accused of extorting 1.5 million baht from the Director-General of Thailand’s Rice Department. These individuals face multiple charges related to corruption and abuse of power. Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Anek Taosupap, announced that the investigation team has concluded their work on…
-
Overloaded truck blocks Patong Hill, causing long delays (video)
A truck overloaded with hay bales blocked traffic over Patong Hill last night, causing extensive delays. The incident occurred when the truck struggled to climb the steep hill, before ultimately coming to a halt near its base. The video, shared on Facebook by Newshawk Phuket, recorded the truck at 11.25pm, yesterday, July 15, as it struggled and eventually stopped. The…
-
17 year old girl brutally assaulted by ex-boyfriend in Chon Buri
A Thai woman sought justice for her 17 year old daughter after she became a victim of a brutal knife attack by her ex-boyfriend at his home in Chon Buri. The teenage girl’s ears and a finger were cut off in the frenzied attempted murder attack. The girl’s 55 year old mother, Malisorn, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to seek justice…
-
Bangkok governor goes fishing for answers over fish deaths
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected Bueng Makkasan in Ratchathewi district following a large number of fish deaths, suspected to be caused by oxygen depletion and expressed concern over the potential spread of the blackchin tilapia to other areas. Chadchart visited Bueng Makkasan in the Ratchathewi district today to investigate the mass fish deaths in the area. Local fishers reported that…
-
Thailand commits to child refugee rights by lifting CRC reservation
The Royal Thai Government made a significant stride in children’s rights by agreeing to withdraw its reservation on Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), with the move now guaranteeing rights to refugee children. This decision was officially announced by the Cabinet on July 9 and is set to be formalised through the United Nations…
-
Fertiliser fiasco: Thailand halts farmers’ subsidy scheme
Trouble is brewing for Thailand’s farmers as the much-anticipated fertiliser subsidy faces suspension until next year, according to Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow. Thamanat announced plans to discuss the troubled fertiliser subsidy policy with economic ministers, following revelations that the scheme could be on hold until 2024. Initially, the government had approved subsidies of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000…
-
Power play: Thailand’s coalition leaders unite over dinner
Emerging from a high-profile dinner meeting at the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently asserted that the coalition now commands the unwavering support of over 314 MPs. The informal dinner, attended by core leaders of the 11 coalition parties, underscored the unity among the partners. The 62 year old Thai premier highlighted the solidarity within…
-
Student files complaint after alleged drugging and assault by senior
A university student filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) after being allegedly drugged and nearly raped by a senior. The student revealed that nearly ten other juniors have also fallen victim to similar incidents. Today, July 16, at the CIB’s complaint centre, Thammanan Tangtim accompanied a 21 year old student, referred to as B, from a prominent…
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.