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 Best weed shops in Chinatown, Bangkok [2025]
Bangkok's Chinatown isn't just for roast duck, gold shops, and neon-lit chaos anymore. Head over to Yaowarat Road and you'll find another kind of smoke drifting through the air. Yes, the weed scene had landed. Loud, proud, and surprisingly stylish....
-
Thai PM asserts Koh Kut’s sovereignty amid Cambodia MoU concerns
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra unequivocally reaffirmed Koh Kut’s status as a Thai sovereign territory, despite increasing anxiety over the island’s reference in a 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia. This MoU concerns resource management in overlapping claim areas between the two nations. The 38 year old Thai prime minister maintained that while there is no question about Koh Kut’s…
-
Moo Deng picks Trump: Baby hippo makes US election prediction (video)
In a bizarre twist of international fanfare, Thailand’s beloved baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, has waded into the 2024 US presidential race with her vote—and it’s got social media roaring. Just one day before the American Election Day, this Internet-famous hippo from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri made her pick clear in a delightfully fruity showdown. In a…
-
Heavy rain warning for 25 Thai provinces amid monsoon conditions
Heavy rain is expected to hit 25 provinces across Thailand, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issuing a warning due to monsoon troughs today. Bangkok is among the affected areas, and residents are urged to be cautious of flash floods and overflowing streams. The TMD forecast indicates that the monsoon trough is currently affecting the southern part of Thailand. This,…
-
Hair bleach powder explosion in Thailand sparks safety concerns
A cautionary tale emerged yesterday, November 4, from a Facebook user’s post, highlighting the potential dangers of improperly storing hair-bleaching powder. An incident involving a woman who stored the powder in a plastic bag inside a cupboard resulted in a burnt smell and smoke when the bag caught fire, damaging a nearby bag. This incident serves as a warning to…
-
Soapy king returns for Thai court hearing amid health struggles
Thai ex-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit returned to Thailand to attend a court hearing after spending nearly a year abroad for cancer treatment. The 63 year old appeared at Bangkok South Criminal Court in a defamation case filed by Santhana Prayoonrat. The two individuals met and exchanged words, revealing Chuwit’s current health condition. Reports revealed that the former self-proclaimed soapy massage king came…
-
Condor jet declares mid-descent alert on Phuket–Frankfurt route
A Condor Airbus A330-900, en route from Thailand’s paradise island of Phuket to Frankfurt, Germany, triggered a high alert after declaring an emergency while descending to its destination. Flight DE2369, operated by the German carrier, set alarm bells ringing as it squawked the 7700 transponder code, signifying a general emergency, just as it passed through 20,000 feet in German airspace.…
-
Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production
A Thai nurse at a hospital in Bangkok allegedly stole umbilical cords and placentas from newborn babies and sold them to a clinic to create growth factors and stem cells, which were then distributed illegally to more than 100 beauty clinics and hospitals in Thailand. The shocking theft and illegal production of stem cells and growth factors came to light…
-
Thailand sends 800 workers to Israel despite conflict
The Department of Employment plans to dispatch 800 Thai workers to Israel this month despite the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision comes amidst a strong interest among Thais in pursuing employment opportunities in the country, as stated by Somchai Morakotsriwan, the chief of the DoE. Somchai emphasised that these workers will be stationed only in safe areas, with…
-
British tourist falls through Pattaya cafe ceiling covered in poop
A drunken British tourist managed to redefine the phrase “making an entrance” in the most revolting fashion by falling through the ceiling of an Internet café in Pattaya, Thailand, covered in his excrement. The 51 year old British man last night, November 4, fell from his hotel balcony and somehow ended up stuck, naked and covered in poop in the…
-
Common health concerns for expats in Thailand: Prevention and protection
Moving to Thailand as an expat offers adventure, vibrant culture, and an excellent lifestyle, but it also brings some health challenges that might not be familiar to you. From tropical diseases to climate-related conditions, understanding common health concerns and knowing how to prevent them can make all the difference for your well-being. Here’s what you should know about staying healthy…
-
Thailand seeks Japanese investment in high-tech sectors
Thailand’s Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with Japanese business leaders on November 1 to encourage increased investment in advanced technology sectors, aiming to restore Japan’s position as Thailand’s primary foreign investor. In his first meeting since taking office, Pichai held discussions with Keita Ishii, president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), alongside executives from major Japanese firms…
-
3 Thais arrested for assaulting, robbing mute man over jealousy
Police arrested a woman and two men for physically assaulting and robbing a 70 year old mute Thai man in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on October 29 over jealousy. The mute victim, 70 year old Arunchat Shinnarat, filed a complaint at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station at about 11am on November 1. He reported that two men and…
-
Elderly driver in Sisaket crash scatters goods on road
An elderly driver in Sisaket found himself at the heart of a dramatic collision that left goods scattered far and wide. Quick-thinking emergency crews rushed in to rescue those involved, as an urgent investigation got underway to uncover the accident’s cause. It all kicked off just after the crack of dawn when the Sisaket Songkhro Foundation Rescue Unit received a…
-
Teenager’s egg theft ends with compassion in Trat
A teenager’s desperate attempt to steal eggs from a roadside restaurant in Trat province ended in tears but also compassion. The 16 year old boy, caught by a passerby, explained his actions, having not eaten for almost four days. The restaurant owner, a 72 year old woman, decided against pressing charges, choosing instead to give him the food. The incident…
-
Bank of Thailand board chair decision delayed amid controversy
The selection process for a new board chairman at the Bank of Thailand (BoT) has been delayed yet again, as the independent committee overseeing the choice opted to postpone its decision for another week. They indicated the necessity of more time to fully consider the information presented. This marks the second delay in the decision-making process, following an earlier postponement…
-
Gold diggers delight: Prices sink as GTA drops glittering bombshell
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today dropped a bombshell with the news of a significant plunge in gold prices, making it the talk of Thailand. With a call to action for swift decision-making, the price of gold ornaments has nosedived by 200 baht per baht weight, now glittering enticingly at 44,400 baht. Making waves at 9.02am, today, November 4, the…
-
Spirit blamed as Thai boy foams at mouth after drinking shrine alcohol
A 12 year old Thai boy began foaming at the mouth after drinking alcohol that was offered to a spirit at a shrine in his school in the Isaan province of Buriram. Locals believed he was possessed by the spirit as punishment for taking the alcohol. The 12 year old boy was playing with his twin brother and their friends…
-
PM Paetongtarn leads Suan Dusit’s political-index survey
A recent survey conducted by Suan Dusit University reveals that the Thai government’s performance ratings have improved in October compared to September, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emerging as the most popular coalition politician. The Suan Dusit Poll, which surveyed 2,136 people across Thailand from October 25 to 30, asked participants to evaluate both government and opposition performance across 25…
-
Pressure’s on: High blood pressure tops Thailand’s health charts
High blood pressure has muscled its way to the top of the health pile, becoming the most common condition treated under Thailand’s universal healthcare services in 2023. That’s the latest from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), which has revealed the nation’s pulse. NHSO’s top doc, Jadet Thammathataree, spilt the beans on an eye-watering 99.7 billion baht budget allocated for…
-
Property market measures to be discussed in Cabinet meeting
Ministers are set to review several measures to boost the property market at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced. In a statement released today, November 4, Pichai revealed that the Finance Ministry will ask the Cabinet to approve 55 billion baht for low-interest home loans. These loans would be available for up to 3 million baht per buyer.…
-
Road clash in Nonthaburi escalates with sword-wielding driver
A heated road altercation between two men in Nonthaburi, Thailand recently escalated, capturing considerable public attention. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, November 3, around 2pm at a U-turn near the MRT intersection in Nonthaburi 1, was widely discussed online after images of the confrontation surfaced. Involved were 50 year old Jirayut, a car driver, and 54 year old Saichon, a…
-
Crimson crisis: Phuket’s urgent Rh-negative blood donation plea
Phuket is in the grips of a crimson crisis as the bustling tourist High Season unleashes a surge of road accidents, putting the squeeze on blood supplies for life-saving emergencies. In response, the Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society and Vachira Phuket Hospital are ramping up their efforts to boost blood reserves, particularly with a call for the desperately…
-
Finance Ministry to sell 50% stake shares for 30 to 40 billion baht
The State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO) is set to divest shares held by the Finance Ministry, where stakes are below 50%, over the next four to five years. The sale will utilise a mark-to-market pricing method to ensure fair market value is considered. Tibordee Wattanakul, SEPO Director-General, highlighted the challenges faced in previous attempts to offload these shares. A lack…
-
Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon as mercury plunges to record low
In a frosty turn of events, Thailand’s towering titan, Doi Inthanon, is giving visitors the cold shoulder, with temperatures diving to a nippy 7°C, the chilliest dawn of the season so far. This icy spectacle has proven irresistibly cool for tourists, drawing in a crowd eager to lap up the brisk mountain vibes. Just yesterday, November 3, the mountain was…
-
Chinese engineer arrested in Thailand with 41.5 tonnes of illegal chemicals (video)
The National Resources and Environmental Natural Resources (NREN) raided a factory in the central province of Prachin Buri, discovering 41.5 tonnes of chemical substances and arresting a Chinese engineer found working alone. This factory raid followed earlier action on September 3, when officials raided three recycling factories in the area. The three factories were ordered to close in accordance with…
-
Severe flooding in Samut Prakan as seawater rises unexpectedly
Rising seawater has inundated several areas in Samut Prakan, causing severe flooding on numerous roads, with some areas submerged nearly a metre deep and extending over 3 kilometres. Residents were caught off guard, scrambling to move their belongings to safety as the tides rose unexpectedly fast. Floodwaters swept across Samut Prakan, particularly affecting the Phra Samut Chedi district. Roads such…
-
Phuket steps up: Old town charm and cultural delights awaits
Get ready to step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Phuket as the island gears up for the Travel Old Town, Telling Phuket tourism festival. From November 27 to December 1, Queen Sirikit Park on bustling Thalang Road will transform into a cultural hotspot, with the iconic dragon statue standing guard over festivities. Organised by…
-
Truck driver files complaint over alleged 250,000 baht bribe
A truck driver and his wife filed a complaint against a group of men who posed as government officials, demanding a bribe of 250,000 baht after alleging the truck was transporting illegal goods. The incident took place in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with the couple reporting the matter to local police. The truck driver, referred to as Kung, and…
-
Hat Yai backpack scare leads to four-hour road closure
A suspicious bag left outside the house of Hat Yai’s mayor prompted a four-hour road closure as police and bomb squads moved to neutralise the potential threat. This incident follows a series of violent events in the southern border provinces, including a recent car bomb attack in Pattani. Security agencies issued warnings to bolster protective measures at government offices and…
-
Jumbo joyride: Tourists swarm Khao Yai for elephant encounters
Khao Yai National Park turned into a hotspot of excitement yesterday as throngs of tourists descended to savour the cooler climes and marvel at the elephants and their natural splendours over the weekend. The bustling gates at Nern Hom and Khao Yai Shrine, nestled in the enchanting provinces of Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, welcomed eager visitors in droves. The real…
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.