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.

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    Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you

    Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...

  • Thai man hospitalised after eating ‘crazy eggplant’ to quit drinking

    Thai man hospitalised after eating ‘crazy eggplant’ to quit drinking

    A Thai man in the Isaan province of Mahasarakham lost consciousness after his wife forced him to consume poisonous jimsonweed believing it would help him quit drinking. Mahasarakham Hospital issued a warning to the public after the 61 year old Thai man, Thongdaeng, was admitted to the hospital after consuming the poisonous fruit. It is known among Thais as Makhuea…

  • Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties

    Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties

    Pattaya City officials received a visit from the Vice Governor of Hunan province in China, accompanied by a delegation. They extended an invitation for Pattaya officials to visit Hunan province, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between Thai and Chinese communities. The initiative seeks to promote shared prosperity through cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, science and technology, culture, education,…

  • PM Paetongtarn denies Thaksin’s influence on Cabinet

    PM Paetongtarn denies Thaksin’s influence on Cabinet

    Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly asserted that she alone will decide on the composition of her Cabinet. This declaration follows concerns that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, might interfere in her selections. Paetongtarn was officially named Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister on August 18 after securing a majority vote in Parliament. Since then, her coalition partners have been…

  • Bangkok man arrested for raping 11 year old girl while drunk

    Bangkok man arrested for raping 11 year old girl while drunk

    In a disturbing incident, a 23 year old Bangkok man has been arrested for allegedly raping an 11 year old girl. The suspect lured the girl under the pretence of taking her to see her brother, who was fishing nearby, before sexually assaulting her. He later claimed that he was drunk during the incident. Yesterday, August 26, at 11am, Police…

  • Thailand’s household debt growth slows amid stricter loan criteria

    Thailand’s household debt growth slows amid stricter loan criteria

    Household debt growth in Thailand decelerated in the first quarter of this year, partly due to stricter loan criteria imposed by financial institutions, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) announced. The NESDC Secretary-General, Danucha Pichayanan, reported that household debt reached 16.3 trillion baht in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 2.5% increase, which is a slowdown from…

  • Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket

    Saudia adds dreamliner flights to Phuket

    Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to make your travel dreams come true with its latest addition to the flight network. The airline confirmed that from December 2 it will launch flights to the exotic island of Phuket, making it the second Thai city in its roster after Bangkok. This move is part of Saudia’s strategic…

  • Tooth-and-nail: Thai dentist fights antisocial neighbour (video)

    Tooth-and-nail: Thai dentist fights antisocial neighbour (video)

    A Thai dentist is urgently seeking assistance after enduring nearly a year of antisocial behaviour from a woman living next to his clinic in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Despite his repeated appeals for help, the police and government officials have consistently ignored the case. The 36 year old dentist reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive as he…

  • Thai monk resigns after secret filming reveals misconduct (video)

    Thai monk resigns after secret filming reveals misconduct (video)

    A monk in Suphan Buri has been reportedly filmed engaging in behaviour contrary to Buddhist religious principles, leading to his resignation from the monastic order and departure from the province. The revelation came from a Facebook page called Humans of Suphan Buri (เล่าเรื่องเมืองสุพรรณ) which shared a video clip provided by a concerned citizen. The video allegedly shows the monk, who…

  • Fin-ancial forecast: Pisces to swim through love but sink in expenses

    Fin-ancial forecast: Pisces to swim through love but sink in expenses

    Astrologer Tosaporn warns Pisces about significant financial burdens but highlights positive romantic developments. Tosaporn recently took to social media, alerting followers that while Pisces may experience fulfilling love lives, they should brace for unavoidable expenses. The renowned astrologer noted that this period offers Pisces the chance to enhance their romantic relationships, providing time to deepen connections and nurture bonds. However,…

  • Thailand’s new anti-smoking rule burns Thai vendors’ profits

    Thailand’s new anti-smoking rule burns Thai vendors’ profits

    Thailand is stepping up its fight against smoking with a hard-hitting new regulation that could hit vendors where it hurts—right in the wallet. Starting last Wednesday, August 21, retail sellers of cigarettes and tobacco are now required to display posters warning of the severe dangers of smoking, or they could be slapped with a fine of up to 5,000 baht.…

  • Worms emerge from boy’s face after medium’s treatment (video)

    Worms emerge from boy’s face after medium’s treatment (video)

    A Thai man in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat took to social media to share a strange experience after witnessing worms coming out of his young nephew’s face after the boy suffered from toothache and sought treatment from a spiritual medium. The TikTok user Nattawut Phetsritong shared a video in which he removed thin white worms from his…

  • Chinese man caught red-handed running illegal tours in Thailand

    Chinese man caught red-handed running illegal tours in Thailand

    Thai police nabbed a Chinese national running an unauthorised tour business, exposing a shadowy operation exploiting Thailand’s tourism industry. The National Tourist Police, under the leadership of Police Colonel Piyapong Raksa, Deputy Superintendent of the Tourist Police Division, swooped in on Hao, a 41 year old Chinese national, at the bustling Four Regions Floating Market on Sukhumvit Road on Sunday, August…

  • Thailand’s BRICS ambition: Gateway to economic power?

    Thailand’s BRICS ambition: Gateway to economic power?

    As Thailand contemplates joining the BRICS economic bloc, the nation’s public and private sectors are buzzing with anticipation over the potential opportunities and benefits. The growing excitement was evident at the International Media Club of Thailand (IMCT)’s inaugural seminar in Bangkok last Thursday, August 22, where two panels dissected the pros and cons of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and…

  • Father dies from methanol-laced alcohol, daughter seeks justice

    Father dies from methanol-laced alcohol, daughter seeks justice

    A tragic incident involving methanol-laced herbal alcohol resulted in the death of a father in the Khlong Sam Wa area of Bangkok, with his daughter now seeking justice. Three people have already died, and the number of affected individuals has risen to 31. The daughter of the deceased has taken to social media to demand accountability. She posted a heartfelt…

  • Going bananas: Songkhla’s top fritter vendor in a slippery situation

    Going bananas: Songkhla’s top fritter vendor in a slippery situation

    A well-known banana fritter vendor in Songkhla is facing difficulties due to a sharp increase in the price of bananas and a shortage of supply. Sales have dropped, and profits have dwindled, forcing some vendors to raise their prices. However, one vendor decided to keep her prices the same out of concern for her customers. At the entrance to the…

  • Gold shop worker steals 24 million baht after 10 years salary freeze

    Gold shop worker steals 24 million baht after 10 years salary freeze

    A Thai gold shop worker confessed to stealing 24 million baht worth of gold from a shop in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, because his salary did not increase during his 10 years of employment. The owner of the gold shop took legal action against his 40 year old employee, Phaisarn, after he was caught stealing gold accessories weighing nearly 10…

  • Rescue vehicle crash in northern Thailand kills one, injures two

    Rescue vehicle crash in northern Thailand kills one, injures two

    A tragic accident involving a rescue vehicle occurred early today in Phichit province, northern Thailand, resulting in one death and two injuries. The vehicle, en route to aid flood victims in Sukhothai, collided with a parked 18-wheeler after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. Sutchin Kesa, an officer at Wang Sai Phun Police Station, received a report at…

  • Thai man high on meth causes disturbance at Udon Thani police HQ

    Thai man high on meth causes disturbance at Udon Thani police HQ

    A man from Nong Khai, under the influence of 17 methamphetamine (meth) pills and sleep-deprived for two days, caused a disturbance with a pair of scissors at the Provincial Police Headquarters in Udon Thani. Satawat Sawasdee, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, received a report of a man behaving erratically and wielding sharp scissors in front of the…

  • Customer slaps Bangkok barber after trim turns grim (video)

    Customer slaps Bangkok barber after trim turns grim (video)

    A Thai man accused a barber in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok of cutting his hair too short and slapped the barber on the head twice, even though the hair stylist bowed at his feet to issue an apology. The Facebook page of non-profit organisation Saimai Survive shared a video of the customer in a light blue shirt shouting…

  • Uthai Thani officer accidentally shot during argument with wife

    Uthai Thani officer accidentally shot during argument with wife

    A heated argument between a police officer and his wife in Uthai Thani province escalated, resulting in the officer being accidentally shot. He was found lying in front of a som tum shop near the traffic centre. Officers from the Khao Bang Kraek Police Station received a report yesterday, August 26, at 8.30pm about an officer who had been shot…

  • Southern Thailand court to hear Tak Bai massacre case

    Southern Thailand court to hear Tak Bai massacre case

    Narathiwat Provincial Court’s decision to hear a lawsuit against seven officials accused of murder and kidnapping during the 2004 Tak Bai massacre has been welcomed by activists. Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of Deep South Watch, described the court’s move as a significant step toward justice and peace in the troubled region. He made these comments at a talk in Pattani‘s Mueang…

  • Thai regulators intensify fight against illegal securities trading

    Thai regulators intensify fight against illegal securities trading

    Stock market regulators intensified their collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to combat illegal securities trading, aiming to dismantle criminal economic activities and boost investor confidence in the Thai capital market. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed yesterday, August 26, between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) marks a significant step towards…

  • Family battles deceitful Thai bus owner after Nonthaburi collision

    Family battles deceitful Thai bus owner after Nonthaburi collision

    A tragic accident involving a tour bus and a van left one person dead and another permanently disabled. The victims’ family sought compensation but faced numerous challenges as the tour bus owner appeared to have transferred assets to evade legal repercussions. A Facebook post by Naphatsawan Kat Klinnin yesterday, August 26, highlighted the dire situation her family has faced since…

  • Kazakhstan airline’s new route to Phuket takes off in October

    Kazakhstan airline’s new route to Phuket takes off in October

    Kazakhstan airline Air Astana announced the launch of direct flights from Astana to Phuket, with the first flight taking off on October 26. This exciting new route adds to Air Astana’s existing Almaty-Phuket service, which is also getting a boost with daily flights starting the same day. Travellers from Astana can now look forward to jetting off to Phuket three…

  • Thailand Video News | Mpox vaccine is recommended only for high-risk groups in Thailand, Malaysian naval ship sinks after striking an underwater object

    Thailand Video News | Mpox vaccine is recommended only for high-risk groups in Thailand, Malaysian naval ship sinks after striking an underwater object

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers the stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia countries. The stories include former police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung and seven others facing arraignment in the Red Bull heir hit-and-run case from 2012, while Thailand’s health experts advise limiting the mpox vaccine to high-risk groups. In other news, an Australian national re-arrested in…

  • Tourism leaders urge government action post-Thai floods

    Tourism leaders urge government action post-Thai floods

    Regional tourism operators are urging the Government of Thailand to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to manage floods and storms, following recent natural disasters in northern provinces and a deadly landslide in Phuket. Phuket Tourist Association President Thaneth Tantipiriyakij highlighted the urgency of the situation after heavy rains and a landslide in Phuket resulted in the deaths of 13 people,…

  • Thai Air Force to announce new fighter jet choice this week

    Thai Air Force to announce new fighter jet choice this week

    The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to reveal its choice for a new fighter jet model by the end of the week, as announced by ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul. The decision aims to modernise the ageing fleet. Currently, the RTAF is considering the Swedish-made Gripen E-model and the US-made F-16 Block 70 jets. Saab AB, the manufacturer of the…

  • Western Digital to invest 23 billion baht in Thai expansion

    Western Digital to invest 23 billion baht in Thai expansion

    Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) received investment incentives from the Board of Investment (BOI) for a 23-billion-baht expansion aimed at capitalising on the burgeoning cloud and data centre industry. Western Digital, commonly known as WD, will utilise the new investment to enhance its production facilities located at Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya and the 304 Industrial Park in Prachin…

  • Bangkok moonshine death toll rises to 4, 28 in critical condition

    Bangkok moonshine death toll rises to 4, 28 in critical condition

    The death toll from moonshine consumption in Bangkok has risen to four as of today, with 28 other victims remaining in serious condition. A further investigation into the sources of the moonshine led to the arrest of two Thai men yesterday, August 26. The issue came to light after multiple residents in the Khlong Sam Wa, Min Buri, and Nong…

  • Thai woman reveals abuse and black magic by ex-boyfriend on TV

    Thai woman reveals abuse and black magic by ex-boyfriend on TV

    A Thai woman has come forward with allegations of harassment and abuse by her ex-boyfriend, revealing the shocking details on a popular talk show. She claims the ex used black magic and threats to coerce her into sending explicit videos, only for the case to take an unexpected turn. The woman appeared on the talk show Hon Krasae, which aired…