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

    Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever

    Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...

  • Frosty fright: Ammonia leak chills Bang Lamung district

    Frosty fright: Ammonia leak chills Bang Lamung district

    An ice factory in Nong Prue, a tambon of Bang Lamung district, experienced an ammonia leak early this morning, affecting nearly 100 people within its 1-kilometre vicinity. The incident at Banglamung Ice Plant was reported to the district chief, Weekit Manarotekit, shortly before midnight yesterday, April 17. Emergency rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene, discovering that the leaked ammonia…

  • Dugongs forced to flee as seagrass vanishes in Thai waters

    Dugongs forced to flee as seagrass vanishes in Thai waters

    The warming waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are wreaking havoc on marine life, leaving dugongs desperate for food. Described as “steamed” grass, the disappearance of seagrass which serves as the primary diet of these gentle mammals, is pushing them out of their natural habitats. According to Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of the Faculty of…

  • Xi Jinping’s bullet train gift sparks China-Thailand railway reality

    Xi Jinping’s bullet train gift sparks China-Thailand railway reality

    A replica of China’s Fuxing bullet train, bedecked in Thailand’s national colours and gifted during the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok in November 2022, now finds itself at the epicentre of a transformative railway saga between China and Thailand. As the wheels of progress turn, the construction of the China-Thailand Railway, a flagship venture under the Belt and…

  • Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident

    Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident

    A police officer was transferred to the Police Hospital in Bangkok following a severe traffic collision that left him critically injured. The incident occurred during the mid-Songkran festival traffic duties in Lopburi province when a female driver struck the officer, 39 year old Police Lance Corporal Piyaphan Seesuay, also known as Dab Tao. The medical team, after an immediate CT…

  • British man arrested for begging to buy drugs in Koh Pha Ngan

    British man arrested for begging to buy drugs in Koh Pha Ngan

    Thai police arrested a British man after he allegedly begged for money to buy drugs outside a convenience store in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Locals on Koh Pha Ngan reported to authorities after seeing a foreign man begging outside a 7-Eleven convenience store and using drugs in the area. Officers from the…

  • Shinawatra saga: Yingluck’s comeback fuels legal limelight

    Shinawatra saga: Yingluck’s comeback fuels legal limelight

    Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s potential return from exile sparks intrigue over her legal fate, mirroring her brother Thaksin’s tumultuous history, claims the Shinawatras’ lawyer. Pichit Chuenban, a figure linked to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Cabinet due to his close allegiance to the Shinawatras, responded to speculation about Yingluck’s comeback. “I really don’t know. I’m only taking care of her…

  • Century-old heritage house on sale for 45 million baht in Bangkok

    Century-old heritage house on sale for 45 million baht in Bangkok

    An almost century-old two-storey heritage house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has sparked interest online after being listed for sale at 45 million baht. The property, boasting a land area of 200 square wahs (800 square metres), has been praised for its robust structure, despite showing signs of age. It was revealed today by a Facebook user,…

  • Fare fight: Phuket tuk tuk driver attacks Thai woman

    Fare fight: Phuket tuk tuk driver attacks Thai woman

    A Thai woman took to social media to accuse a tuk tuk driver on Bangla Road in Phuket of overcharging her foreign friend and attacking her after they refused the service. The Thai woman, Kanyasiri Sisuwan, shared the story about the tuk tuk driver on Facebook on April 15. She said she wanted to seek justice for herself and for…

  • Three year old girl survives Ferris wheel plunge in Bangkok

    Three year old girl survives Ferris wheel plunge in Bangkok

    In a heart-stopping moment captured on CCTV, a three year old Thai girl found herself dangling from a Ferris wheel gondola after a daring grab for a metal bar sent her on a terrifying ride at Liab Duan Market in Bangkok. With astonishing strength, little Kanchaya Phoyen clung on for dear life as the wheel ascended, eventually dropping a stomach-churning…

  • Shell-shocked: Poacher nabbed for selling rare turtle in Chiang Mai

    Shell-shocked: Poacher nabbed for selling rare turtle in Chiang Mai

    A poacher has been apprehended for hunting protected big-headed turtles in Pha Daeng National Park, with 17 of the creatures discovered in his possession. The suspect confessed to having been commissioned to sell the turtles for 2,400 baht per kilogramme. The head of Pha Daeng National Park, Prakasit Rawiwan, yesterday revealed a successful joint operation with the military’s Chaiyanuphap Task Force.…

  • Bangkok Airways soars to new heights with Sabre

    Bangkok Airways soars to new heights with Sabre

    Bangkok Airways has solidified its long-standing collaboration with Sabre, the global leader in innovative travel technology. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport-based carrier, renowned for its extensive network spanning over 20 regional destinations, including Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, and Singapore, has reaffirmed its commitment to Sabre’s cutting-edge solutions. Chulin Kocharoen, Vice President of Network and Product Development at Bangkok Airways, expressed the…

  • Thai woman steals gold necklace and pretends to help victim

    Thai woman steals gold necklace and pretends to help victim

    A Thai woman yesterday stole a gold necklace worth 65,000 baht from an 83 year old woman who lived next to her workplace in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The thief even had the audacity to pretend to help the victim after committing the crime. The victim, 83 year old Chulee, reported the theft to Rattanathibet Police Station at about 1pm…

  • NZAero’s mega deal set to soar with Thai aviation giants

    NZAero’s mega deal set to soar with Thai aviation giants

    NZAero has clinched a monumental multi-million dollar agreement with a major Thai firm. The deal, inked during New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s diplomatic rendezvous in Thailand, promises a lucrative windfall and a plethora of job opportunities for the Kiwi aviation sector. NZAero’s CEO Stephen Burrows sealed the pact destined to bolster Royal Thai Airforce operations. This pivotal agreement spans…

  • Thai woman crashes pickup into traffic cop in Lop Buri

    Thai woman crashes pickup into traffic cop in Lop Buri

    A 26 year old Thai woman crashed her pickup into a traffic police officer on Highway No. 21 in the central province of Lop Buri on April 16, causing serious injuries to the officer. The accident occurred at Ban Deelang Intersection on Highway No. 21, also known as Saraburi-Lomsak Road, in the Pattana Nikhom district of Lop Buri province. A…

  • Thailand’s aviation sector set for soaring recovery

    Thailand’s aviation sector set for soaring recovery

    Thailand’s skies are set for a dramatic rebound as aviation bodies predict a swift recovery in passenger numbers by next year. In a statement to the press, Yongyut Lujintanon, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) area manager for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, highlighted the intricate web of factors influencing the country’s aviation resurgence. Despite the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s…

  • Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok

    Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok

    Police arrested a man from Hong Kong at the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 water fight in the Ratchada area of Bangkok on April 16 for possession of ketamine and happy water. More than 200 officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station, along with K-9 dogs, screened participants for weapons and drugs at the festival entrance during the three-day event.…

  • Sanam Luang Songkran bash smashes records

    Sanam Luang Songkran bash smashes records

    Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) declared the recent Songkran celebrations at Sanam Luang in Bangkok a resounding success, drawing in a staggering 784,000 participants. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared the triumphant news at a press conference, unveiling the splashing success of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024. The vibrant celebrations, spanning from April 11 to 15 on Rajdamnoen Klang…

  • Thai AirAsia to resume Bangkok-Hat Yai flights

    Thai AirAsia to resume Bangkok-Hat Yai flights

    Thai AirAsia officially announced that it will restart its route between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Hat Yai. Departing at 10.45am from the Thai capital and touching down in the southern Thai province at 12.10pm with flight FD4304, and returning from Hat Yai at 1.40pm, landing back in Suvarnabhumi Airport at 2.15pm with flight FD4305. Scheduled to kick off on July 1,…

  • Bangkok chef discovers newborn remains in suitcase

    Bangkok chef discovers newborn remains in suitcase

    A shocking discovery was made early yesterday morning when a chef found the remains of a newborn in his luggage, leading police to launch an investigation into the tragic incident. The 41 year old chef, Chusak, was unaware that his 30 year old wife, Panadda, was pregnant. The couple had recently separated, and the police are now seeking Panadda to…

  • 6 Thai men arrested for attacking 2 foreigners during Songkran

    6 Thai men arrested for attacking 2 foreigners during Songkran

    Police arrested six Thai men for beating and stabbing two foreign men during the Songkran festival in the Isaan province of Roi Et on April 15. Officers from Mueang Roi Et Police Station investigated the water fight event on Thewa Phiban Road at about 10.30pm on April 15 after receiving reports of a physical altercation. Two injured foreigners were rushed…

  • Thailand faces severe weather with strong winds, 42°C heatwave

    Thailand faces severe weather with strong winds, 42°C heatwave

    A severe weather warning has been issued by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) for 39 provinces today, forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail, especially in the northern and northeastern regions. The country is also experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to a peak of 42 degrees Celsius. Today’s weather conditions, as predicted by the TMD at 6am, indicate a…

  • Security volunteer shot dead at father’s grave in Yala

    Security volunteer shot dead at father’s grave in Yala

    A fatal shooting incident took a grim turn in Yala when a security volunteer was brutally assassinated while he was reading the Quran at his father’s grave. The 43 year old victim, Ruslee Daleng, was a ranger volunteer who received a fatal headshot at a Muslim graveyard situated in Tambon Than To of Yala’s Than To district. The Than To…

  • Chemical explosion at Banglamung ice factory affects over 60

    Chemical explosion at Banglamung ice factory affects over 60

    A chemical explosion disrupted the peaceful night in Nongprue, near Pattaya, at the Banglamung Ice Factory last night, April 17. The explosion, taking place around 11.36pm, unleashed a cloud of chemicals into the sky, prompting swift action from local authorities. By 4am today, the situation was under control, with no deaths or severe injuries reported. The District Chief of Bang…

  • Revving up: Rever Leasing to drive BYD EV financing in Thailand

    Revving up: Rever Leasing to drive BYD EV financing in Thailand

    Rever Leasing, a vehicle finance subsidiary of Rever Automotive Co, the exclusive distributor for BYD electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, is set to launch operations next month. The firm has set a high target to become the top electric vehicle loan provider in Thailand within the next few years. Isara Wongrung, the CEO of Rever Leasing, expressed confidence in the…

  • Thai man and foreigner clash over water splash dispute (video)

    Thai man and foreigner clash over water splash dispute (video)

    A water splash dispute between a foreign man and a Thai man became more than a storm in a coffee cup at a petrol station in the eastern province of Rayong sparking controversy on Thai social media. The argument reportedly began when the Thai man splashed water into the foreign man’s coffee cup. The Thai man, identified only as Sorn,…

  • Songkran celebration turns violent in Phitsanulok with gang attack

    Songkran celebration turns violent in Phitsanulok with gang attack

    A gang of youths caused a stir on the streets of Phitsanulok as the first day of Songkran turned violent and resulted in several serious injuries. The incident, which occurred on April 13, began when a group of young men climbed onto a vehicle and sexually assaulted a woman. After being confronted and asked to get off, they returned with…

  • Thai man suspected of beheading his father at home in Songkhla

    Thai man suspected of beheading his father at home in Songkhla

    Police suspected a Thai man of beheading his father at their home in a rubber plantation in the southern province of Songkhla. Sadao Police Station officers in Sadao district of Songkhla investigated a one-story house in the rubber plantation, yesterday, April 16, after being notified of the discovery of a dead body. The deceased was identified as 56 year old…

  • Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran

    Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran

    A group of female police officers heroically intervened to save a Thai woman from a drunken foreigner who was attempting to drag her away on Khao San Road during the final days of the Songkran festival. The officers, identified as Suphannan Shinphatthachitchai, Nitiya Chanamin, Narinthon Saengchai, and Apirinya Jaksaran, were on duty supporting the Chanasongkram Police Station when they were alerted…

  • Search underway for man after fall from Bangkok bridge

    Search underway for man after fall from Bangkok bridge

    A man remains unaccounted for after plunging from the Krung Thon Bridge into the Chao Phraya River, sparking an urgent search operation. At 1.22pm today, April 17, authorities were alerted to the incident, prompting rescue teams to rush to the site. The calm flow of the Chao Phraya River was disrupted yesterday when a man leapt from the Krung Thon…

  • Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri

    Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri

    A man’s ear was nearly cut off during a violent altercation that took place yesterday evening in Chon Buri province, resulting in an emergency response from local rescuers. The incident, which occurred during the Songkran festivities, reportedly began over a disagreement about the man’s singing abilities. At approximately 7pm, yesterday April 16, the emergency services of Thammarat Manee Rat Rescue…