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...

  • Chilling in Phuket: Airport assures cool comfort amid AC tune-up

    Chilling in Phuket: Airport assures cool comfort amid AC tune-up

    Phuket International Airport officials have given passengers assurances that despite two of the four main air-conditioning units undergoing maintenance, temperatures will remain comfortable within the terminals. This maintenance is being carried out in anticipation of an increase in passenger traffic over the Songkran holidays. The maintenance announcement was made by Airports of Thailand at Phuket Airport (AoT Phuket) on Saturday,…

  • Myanmar requests Thai clearance for evacuation flights

    Myanmar requests Thai clearance for evacuation flights

    The Government of Myanmar recently filed a request with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking clearance for evacuation flights to land in the Mae Sot district of Tak. The motive behind this request is the evacuation of 617 military officers and their dependents, who are expected to flee Myawaddy, a city now under the control of rebel ethnic forces.…

  • Young woman in China diagnosed with rare vampire disease

    Young woman in China diagnosed with rare vampire disease

    A 20 year old woman from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in China, experienced a dramatic health scare when her menstrual cramps, which had been a discomfort since adolescence, suddenly took a turn for the worse over the past year. Her family, concerned by the increasing severity of her symptoms, sought medical help but to no avail, as no health issues were…

  • Man seriously injured in Phuket after argument over dog

    Man seriously injured in Phuket after argument over dog

    An argument over a dog in Phuket escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in one man being seriously injured by a makeshift machete. The incident took place at the CSAL workers’ camp in Tha Sai, Moo 1, Srisoonthorn, on a Friday night. Police captain Thitiwat Asasingh, with the Thalang Police, was informed of the incident at approximately 8.30pm. Teams of…

  • Phuket reservoirs assure sufficient water supply until annual rains

    Phuket reservoirs assure sufficient water supply until annual rains

    Phuket’s main reservoirs, namely Bang Wad Reservoir, Bang Neow Dum Reservoir, and Klong Kata Reservoir, currently hold sufficient water supplies to service residents and tourist accommodations until the anticipated annual rains arrive next month, according to Phuket officials. This assurance comes from the head of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket), Sophon Thongsai, following his inspection of…

  • Military lieutenant held in Nonthaburi woman’s murder case

    Military lieutenant held in Nonthaburi woman’s murder case

    A woman’s life was abruptly ended in her condominium in Nonthaburi’s Mueang district, with a military lieutenant now under arrest, facing accusations of her murder. The shocking event transpired yesterday, April 7, forcing the calm neighbourhood into an alarming situation. Responding to a distress call, law enforcement officials arrived promptly at the condo located in Tambon Bang Kraso in Mueang…

  • Fatal collision in Sri Racha: Motorcyclist dead, two injured

    Fatal collision in Sri Racha: Motorcyclist dead, two injured

    A tragic car accident occurred yesterday in the Sri Racha district of Chon Buri province, claiming the life of a motorcyclist and leaving two others severely injured. The incident took place at the Nong Yai Bu intersection when a car, running a red light, collided forcefully with two motorcycles. The deceased, Anurak, whose last name has been withheld for privacy,…

  • Bangkok police raid notorious Don Mueang gambling den again

    Bangkok police raid notorious Don Mueang gambling den again

    Bangkok’s Don Mueang district was the scene of a police raid on Saturday as an old futsal stadium, notorious for its continued operation as a gambling den, was targeted yet again. The site, known for its resilience in the face of repeated shutdowns, has seen at least ten raids over several years. Leading a 30-officer team was the Superintendent of…

  • Cosmos Thai-Ming: Thailand and China sign MoU for space prowess

    Cosmos Thai-Ming: Thailand and China sign MoU for space prowess

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing personnel capabilities in space science and technology has been inked between Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The MoU signing, which took place at the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre in Beijing, drew high-ranking attendees, including HRH Princess Maha Chakri…

  • Thai-Lao QR payment system launched to boost border tourism

    Thai-Lao QR payment system launched to boost border tourism

    The Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the Bank of Lao (BoL) have initiated a QR payment system to facilitate electronic transactions, a move that promises to increase tourist spending at the Thai-Laos border. The system was launched on the fringes of the 11th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in the Luang Prabang on April 3. Khemchat Somjaiwong,…

  • Thailand braces for summer storm in 60 provinces

    Thailand braces for summer storm in 60 provinces

    Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for a summer storm expected to affect 60 provinces across the northern, northeastern, and central regions and Bangkok from April 8 to April 11. The DDPM Director-General, Chaiwat Junthirapong, has urged citizens to stay vigilant and closely monitor updates to stay safe during this period. Today, Chaiwat announced…

  • British man critically injured after impaling himself on iron fence in Pattaya

    British man critically injured after impaling himself on iron fence in Pattaya

    A 65 year old British man critically injured himself after he was impaled on a sharp iron fence at his residence in the Bang La Bang district of Chon Buri. The incident occurred in the wee hours of today at Choke Chai Garden Home 2 in Tambon Nong Pru. Emergency services arrived at the scene and discovered Michael Girling pierced through…

  • Pickup and semi-trailer truck crash ignites blaze in Chon Buri

    Pickup and semi-trailer truck crash ignites blaze in Chon Buri

    A collision between a pickup truck and a semi-trailer truck today led to a fiery blaze that completely destroyed the pickup, while the truck driver and a 10 year old boy survived the incident in Chon Buri, Thailand. In the early hours of the morning, a violent crash occurred on highway 331 in the Na Wang Hin district of Chon…

  • Thailand sees remarkable tourism boom in Q1 2024

    Thailand sees remarkable tourism boom in Q1 2024

    Thailand experienced a remarkable tourism boom in the first quarter of 2024, with the arrival of 9.37 million international tourists, a hefty 44% surge compared to the same period in 2023. The Tourism and Sports Ministry‘s announcement in April, revealed this significant increase, attributing it to the influx of visitors from various parts of the globe. Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol…

  • Thai NCB seizes 30 million baht in assets from biker drug gang

    Thai NCB seizes 30 million baht in assets from biker drug gang

    On April 5, the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) of Thailand revealed a successful operation that resulted in the seizure of assets worth 30 million baht linked to a notorious biker drug gang. This gang, previously apprehended in Chiang Rai province on March 4, was allegedly smuggling 1,890,000 methamphetamine pills concealed in their bike sidecars across the country. The leader of…

  • Chinese government awards US.1m for local projects in Thailand

    Chinese government awards US$4.1m for local projects in Thailand

    A robust financial boost of US$4.1 million, equivalent to 151 million baht, is being awarded by the Chinese government to 18 local projects in Thailand. This generous funding is being dispensed under the 2021 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (MLCSF), as revealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). A total of 106 projects were put forth for consideration by government…

  • Prompt inquiry ordered into 11,000 tonnes of vanished cadmium waste

    Prompt inquiry ordered into 11,000 tonnes of vanished cadmium waste

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive yesterday for a prompt inquiry into the vanishing of 11,000 tonnes of cadmium waste from a smelting factory in Samut Sakhon. The prime minister’s objective, as stated in his X account post yesterday, was to eliminate all dispersed tailings within a fortnight. The cadmium tailings were discovered last Thursday, stored illicitly at a…

  • Thai government alert over Mekong River sulphuric acid spill from Laos

    Thai government alert over Mekong River sulphuric acid spill from Laos

    Thailand’s government is on high alert following a sulphuric acid spill in the Mekong River on the Lao border. The contamination, which took place in Laos’s Luang Prabang town, occurred when a lorry carrying over 30 tonnes of the acid toppled over, causing the hazardous substance to leak into the Nam Khan River, which flows into the Mekong. Residents in…

  • Rising lung cancer deaths in northern Thailand linked to PM2.5 pollution

    Rising lung cancer deaths in northern Thailand linked to PM2.5 pollution

    A surge in lung cancer mortality rates has been observed in the northern regions of Thailand, specifically in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has linked this increase to the high levels of PM2.5 particles polluting the air. Chalerm Liewsisakul, an Associate Professor at the university, revealed that PM2.5 pollution has significantly worsened in…

  • John Legend enjoys spring break in Phuket

    John Legend enjoys spring break in Phuket

    Renowned American musician and actor, John Legend was spotted yesterday in Phuket, alongside his wife, 38 year old model and author Chrissy Teigen, and their four children. The family is in Thailand for a spring break holiday, visiting Teigen’s mother, Vilailuck Teigen, who recently moved back to her childhood town of Korat from the United States. The family’s holiday itinerary…

  • German wielding knives and axe sparks panic in Phuket

    German wielding knives and axe sparks panic in Phuket

    In a quiet corner of Phuket, chaos erupted as a German national brandished knives and an axe, leaving neighbours and authorities in fear for their lives. The drama unfolded in Soi Naya, Village No. 1, Rawai Subdistrict, Chalong District, where residents were left trembling in their homes. Police officers from Chalong Police Station rushed to the scene yesterday, April 5,…

  • Thai community’s heartwarming bond with rare parakeets

    Thai community’s heartwarming bond with rare parakeets

    In a remote Thai village nestled near Suan Yai Temple in Nonthaburi, a heartwarming tale of coexistence unfolds between its community and a flock of vibrant Alexandrine parakeets. Residents of this tight-knit community have forged a unique relationship with the emerald-feathered parakeets, prioritising their well-being over personal gain. Wantanee Sriyaphai, a resident, expresses her sentiment. “It’s okay if that makes…

  • Motorcyclist and child fall into road sinkhole in Nonthaburi (video)

    Motorcyclist and child fall into road sinkhole in Nonthaburi (video)

    A dramatic road collapse under the Rama IV Bridge in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, sent a motorcyclist and a child tumbling into a sinkhole hole, prompting swift rescue efforts by locals. The incident, which occurred at 11.20am, severely disrupted traffic and led to an immediate closure of the affected area. A video capturing the heart-stopping moment when a section of the…

  • Phuket addresses waste issue with new incinerator construction

    Phuket addresses waste issue with new incinerator construction

    Phuket City Municipality convened its inaugural public gathering last week to discuss the construction of a new incinerator at the Saphan Hin solid waste disposal facility. The proposed scheme involves EA Waste Management Phuket Co Ltd, a private company, developing and managing the new facility. Covering nearly 15 rai (24,000 square metres), the new site is expected to hold a…

  • Potential Australian trade barrier could impact Thai auto exports

    Potential Australian trade barrier could impact Thai auto exports

    The Thai Automotive Industry Association (TAIA) has issued a warning that a prospective trade barrier, set to be imposed on new cars shipped to Australia next year, may impact auto exports. The trade barrier, known as the new vehicle efficiency standard, is a regulation being developed to limit carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre from new cars sold in Australia, according…

  • Northeast Thailand tackles drug trafficking

    Northeast Thailand tackles drug trafficking

    War against drug trafficking is underway in Northeast Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4 unveiled the details of this ambitious operation named “No Place for Drugs” during a press conference held on Thursday. The operation’s primary goal is to dismantle the local drug trade, focusing on 87 known hotspots under the jurisdiction of…

  • Thai man fatally struck by train in Ayutthaya

    Thai man fatally struck by train in Ayutthaya

    Tragedy struck yesterday when a 42 year old Thai man was killed by an oncoming train in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The incident occurred at approximately 8.30pm near the Wat Phanan Choeng area, as reported by Police Lieutenant Colonel Thongchai Kaewjaroon, an investigator at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station. The deceased, identified as Apisit Pumkokgruad, was sitting…

  • Former Rayong MFP MP faces legal action from EC

    Former Rayong MFP MP faces legal action from EC

    Legal action is imminent for the former Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Rayong, Nakhon­chai Khunnarong. The Election Commission (EC) has moved against him, citing his ineligibility to contest for a House seat. Further, they have demanded that he foots the bill for a consequent by-election. The EC, in their announcement, pronounced that their inquiry into the dispute over Nakhon­chai’s…

  • Ratchaburi homeowner shoots trespasser claiming self-defence

    Ratchaburi homeowner shoots trespasser claiming self-defence

    A homeowner in Ratchaburi province fatally shot a young man after the latter allegedly attempted to trespass onto his property. Local police is investigating the incident which occurred at 7.30pm yesterday. The homeowner claimed self-defence, reporting that he fired warning shots before the fatal encounter. The 42 year old homeowner opened fire, killing a 25 year old man near his…

  • Fatal motorcycle crash in Bangkok unveils hidden gun

    Fatal motorcycle crash in Bangkok unveils hidden gun

    A fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Sena Nikhom Road in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, claiming the life of a 37 year old man. The incident, which happened around 2.30am today, took a turn when authorities discovered a firearm hidden underneath the vehicle’s seat. The accident took place approximately 500 metres from the Sena Nikhom intersection along Phahon Yothin Road, a four-lane street…