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.
-
Bangkok residents call for 20 baht fare amid uproar over 100 baht BTS cost
The fare for a journey on the BTS Skytrain from Asoke to Minburi station has been set at 100 baht, causing uproar among Bangkok residents. They argue that it is nearly a third of the daily minimum wage and have started calling for the implementation of the 20 baht fare policy across all routes, previously promised by the government during…
-
Tiny tusker in a mud muddle: Brave Thai park rangers rescue baby elephant in perilous plight
A group of intrepid park rangers in Thailand stumbled upon a lone baby elephant at Tat Mok National Park, trapped in mud up to its tiny ears, faced a perilous fate until the rangers stepped in. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) revealed that on January 11, vigilant park rangers discovered a baby elephant ensnared in…
-
Russian tourist’s wild rampage damages Phuket Town Hall
A Russian tourist’s reckless rampage through Phuket Town Hall, leading to significant damage to the governor’s office, ended with his arrest and subsequent hospitalisation. The 24 year old man stole a local’s motorbike and fled the scene before being apprehended by police. The incident, which occurred at 7.27am today, was reported to the police by the town hall’s security staff…
-
Central Thailand: Residents demand urgent action as lead pollution threatens Klity Creek
Long-suffering residents of Klity Creek in Thong Pha Phum district are reaching their breaking point as they intensify their fight against lead pollution. Petitioning the Pollution Control Department (PCD), these fed-up villagers demand action to eradicate the lingering toxic sediment, amounting to a staggering 800,000 tonnes, still plaguing their community. The apparent failure of the PCD’s much-hyped rehabilitation programme has…
-
Thai court clears postal worker accused of drug trafficking
A Thai court today dismissed a case against a postal worker accused of being involved in a drug trafficking incident. The case pertained to the seizure of a parcel containing 6,000 ecstasy pills, intercepted at the Bangkok Post Centre in Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, on October 17, 2022. The parcel was traced back to Germany. An Airport Interdiction Task Force comprising…
-
Sky’s the limit: Royal Thai Air Force gears up with plans for 12 sleek new fighter jets
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced plans for significant advancement, including the procurement of 12 new fighter jets. The development plan will be presented in detail at the RTAF Symposium 2024 next month. Phanpakdee Pattanakul, the Commander-in-chief, laid out RTAF plans, which involve not only the acquisition of new weapons and equipment but also the improvement of existing maintenance…
-
New year fortune seekers flock to Kamchanod for lucky numbers
The island of Kamchanod in the Non Mueang District, Ban Dung, Udon Thani Province, continues to attract visitors, hoping for good luck. Today, many came to request blessings and participate in the late-night ceremony conducted by Por Jum Chawakarn, Kam Wan Sa, the resident fortune teller of Kamchanod. People seeking fortune at Kamchanod cannot miss PorJum. Last night’s ceremony took…
-
Amazing Muay Thai World Festival 2024 to come to Hua Hin
Hua Hin is poised to become the epicentre of Muay Thai madness from February 4 to 6, hosting the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival 2024 at the prestigious Rajabhakti Park. A spectacular celebration blending tradition and modernity, this festival promises to deliver a knockout punch of cultural richness and martial arts mastery. The Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Komkrit…
-
Phuket: Chinese street beggar arrested for deceitful collection of donations
A Chinese man has been arrested by police for collecting donations that he falsely claimed would go towards funds to help a disabled child. Phuket police arrested the Chinese national on January 15 for fraud by posing as a deaf-mute person collecting funds for an allegedly sick child with leukaemia who required a bone marrow transplant. The Chinese man had…
-
Tragic domestic dispute ends in triple fatality in Khon Kaen
A gruesome incident unfolded in a house in Khon Kaen province when a man shot his wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which occurred at midnight today, left three people dead. The victims were identified as 52 year old Manee, 35 year old Chanutda, and 39 year old Kraipop. A 9mm gun and six bullet…
-
Liver cancer claims life of healthy 37 year old: The silent killer no one’s safe from
The tragic tale of a 37 year old patient, who despite regular exercise and abstaining from alcohol, was diagnosed with liver cancer and succumbed to the disease within just two months, stresses the importance of early detection and treatment. The patient’s story was shared by a hospital page to raise awareness about the silent killer that is liver cancer. The…
-
JN.1 Covid-19 variant detected in Thailand: 40 cases and counting
The Covid-19 variant JN.1* has been detected in Thailand, with 40 cases reported so far. Thai health officials are closely monitoring the situation as it is speculated to replace the XBB variant as the dominant strain. The JN.1 strain was first detected in Thailand in October last year and increased significantly in December last year. Yongyot Thammavut, Director of the…
-
Buzzing tragedy unfolds as Thai man found dead after bee attack in Chon Buri
A landscaper from Si Sa Ket was discovered lifeless under a tree along Highway 331 in Chon Buri, where authorities suspect involved in a fatal encounter with a beehive. Nong Prue Police Station received an alert about the grim discovery on January 15, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and rescue teams. Upon arrival, they found a blue Isuzu…
-
Police inspector transferred to inactive post following son’s murder involvement in Sa Kaeo
A deputy inspector at Aranyaprathet Police Station has been temporarily transferred to an inactive post at Sa Kaeo police headquarters. Sa Kaeo Police Chief Police Major General Omsin Boonyanuson confirmed the move which aimed to prevent any interference in the murder investigation involving the officer’s teenage son and four other suspects. Speaking to reporters, Omsin assured the public of a…
-
Thai CEO donates 1 million baht at singer Kong Huai Rai’s concert
A donation of 1 million baht was bestowed upon the popular singer Kong Huai Rai by Ninew-Niphanrat Salika, the young, wealthy CEO of a world-renowned brand. The generous contribution, made during one of Kong’s concerts, has been deemed the largest garland he has ever received. Kong Huai Rai shared the news with his Facebook followers, posting a picture of the…
-
Thailand’s major negotiation tool to be AI at World Economic Forum
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to unleash Thailand’s secret weapon, artificial intelligence (AI), at the 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. This year, the WEF is not just a meeting, it’s a battleground for global leaders navigating a world torn apart by geopolitics and AI advancements. Thailand’s 12th year at the WEF is more critical than ever, with…
-
Thai government’s 500 billion baht Digital Wallet Scheme hangs in the balance
The eagerly anticipated meeting of the Digital Wallet Committee has been abruptly postponed. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that the delay hinges on the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) awaited verdict. Council of State’s Secretary General, Pakorn Nilprapunt advocated for the committee to seek input not just from the Council of State but also from the NACC. Last week, the Council of…
-
Sports car driver caught drifting at Sukhumvit Road intersection
In a daring public display of automotive bravado, a sports car driver was caught on CCTV performing multiple drifts at a busy traffic light intersection on Sukhumvit Road, in the Bang Saen district of Chon Buri. The reckless act occurred around 12.30am on January 8, inciting disapproval from locals. According to surveillance footage, the driver performed several laps of drifting…
-
Sa Kaeo murder sparks debate over police transparency and leniency on teenage murderers
The murder of a Thai woman in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo sparked a debate about the lenient punishment handed out to teenage murderers and raised concerns about the transparency of the Thai police. The dead body of a 47 year old Thai woman named Buaphan Thansu was found in a pond near an abandoned petrol station in the…
-
Thai lottery ushers in new year with lucky numbers frenzy
The Thai Government Lottery Office today is set to reveal the initial lottery outcomes for the auspicious Dragon Year. Enthusiastic fortune seekers and lottery enthusiasts are actively seeking fortuitous numbers to usher in the new year. Recently favoured number combinations have been collated from diverse sources, encompassing the propitious sequence 08-01-30, New Year numbers 567, 67, 024, 24, and Children’s…
-
Thai government resists Israeli embassy’s call for hostage release in Gaza
A call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, initiated by the Israeli embassy, met with opposition from the Thai government. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara expressed his disapproval of the move on Tuesday. He has requested a meeting with the Israeli ambassador for a discussion on the issue.…
-
Royal Thai Air Force to battle surging fine dust pollution crisis
With fine dust pollution surging to alarming levels in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) with spearheading the nation’s countermeasures. RTAF chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul yesterday confirmed the directive. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed that the provinces of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon are presently grappling with high levels of…
-
Motorcycle and pickup collision causes fatal accident in Mueang Chachoengsao
A fatal collision occurred between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Suk Prayun Road near the Ju Chareon intersection in Mueang Chachoengsao. The incident took place close to a U-turn point in the city centre, and resulted in the death of the 31 year old motorcycle rider, Waranyu Worasing, also known as Kru Gai. Authorities were alerted to the…
-
Boom Mookatha pauses free meal campaign following exploitation
Yutthaphum Kaewkhem, also known as Boom Mookatha, recently expressed disappointment over his social campaign, which offered free meals to pregnant women, disabled people, children, older, and rescuers at his hotpot restaurant. His goodwill, however, was exploited, leaving him deeply disheartened. Boom revealed that he allowed these groups to eat for free at his restaurant, Toey Katha, for the past three…
-
Tourist traps or traffic tricks? Pattaya’s road signs under scrutiny
The Machanu Roundabout, where Jomtien Second Road meets the path to Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, has turned into a perilous zone, prompting residents to demand swift intervention. The pedestrian crossing signs, seemingly innocuous, are placed at a precarious height of only 160 centimetres. Tourists, oblivious to the looming hazard, find themselves colliding with these signs, resulting in a string of…
-
Man’s public poop at Thai car showroom creates online buzz
A man’s desperate need for relief led to a spectacle at a showroom front when he had no choice but to publicly poop. The incident, which occurred on January 11, was captured on a video posted by a 29 year old Moss showroom salesperson, on a Facebook page named Want to be famous, let’s arrange it to return to part…
-
Thai coconuts take China by storm: How RCEP sparks culinary craze
Thai coconuts have become a sensation, captivating the taste buds of the vast Chinese market. Since the initiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2022, these delectable coconuts have found their way into an array of Chinese dishes, from cakes and coffee to hot pot extravaganzas. Two years on, the RCEP has not only transformed the economic landscape…
-
Dengue fever claims lives in Songkhla province amid rising cases
A female doctor from Songkhla Province tragically succumbed to dengue fever, marking the latest fatality in a year that has seen 7,400 cases and 10 deaths in the area. Authorities issued a warning today as the dengue fever situation in the province remains concerning. Over the past week, there have been reports of two fatalities: the first being a female…
-
Thai naturalist embarks on a 1,000km trip to save Mekong River
The Mekong River, a lifeline for millions, is currently in a state of distress. Naturalist Paramin Wannakornbancha, known as Bass, embarked on a 1,000-kilometre journey on foot to raise awareness about the river’s plight. His journey, which started yesterday, January 15, has been warmly welcomed by local fishermen who are heartened by the younger generation’s concern for the river. In…
-
Cell caper: Phone shop employee steals mobiles worth 400,000 baht
A phone shop employee took advantage of the store owner’s trust after working for a full year, and stole 10 mobile phones worth more than 400,000 baht. A Facebook page posted a warning message about a phone store employee stealing 10 phones, including iPhones today, January 15. “Warning about a fraudster embezzling more than 10 iPhones and models of other…
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.