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...
-
Bangkok father faces charges for child abuse: Paweena Hongsakul Foundation steps in
The Paweena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, in conjunction with the Bangkok Children and Family Home, lodged an official complaint today on behalf of a six year old girl and her aunt after an alleged child abuse case came to light. They reported the child’s 33 year old father for assaulting the child using a PVC pipe and a…
-
Thais support state subsidies for childcare, free education to boost birthrate
A recent poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) reveals that most Thais are advocating for state subsidies for childcare and free education to encourage childbearing amidst Thailand’s transition into an ageing society with a declining birthrate. The poll was carried out from September 26 to 28, with 1,310 participants aged 18-40 from various educational backgrounds, professions,…
-
Chiang Mai bridge collapses amid heavy rain, locals express relief
The Wang Sa Kaeng Bridge, spanning the Ping River and connecting the Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai and Wiang Nong Long district of Lampoon, collapsed after heavy rainfall. The incident, which occurred at 5.31pm yesterday, was captured by locals, who expressed relief at the bridge’s collapse, citing its long-standing disrepair. The collapse of the Wang Sa Kaeng bridge, which…
-
Thai education pioneer Professor Wijit Srisa-arn passes away at 88
Professor Wijit Srisa-arn, a prominent scholar and the founder of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, died yesterday, aged 88 years old. His death was due to heart failure, which set in around 10am. The funeral rites are scheduled to start at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram in Bangkok from tomorrow till Sunday. Known for his invaluable contributions to education, Professor Wijit hailed from…
-
MFP faces corruption probe over contentious Deputy House Speaker expulsion
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has come under scrutiny in a corruption probe following the contentious expulsion of Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada. Known activist Srisuwan Janya announced his intention to petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the incident. The MFP’s move was viewed with suspicion, with Srisuwan and several political observers deeming it a tactic to simultaneously…
-
Bangkok’s Sustainability Expo 2023 highlights local goods and projects
The Sustainability Expo (SX) 2023 was inaugurated on Friday with a soft launch, putting the spotlight on the potential of local goods to enhance lifestyle standards. Known as the most extensive annual sustainability exhibition in the ASEAN region, SX 2023 is taking place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok until October 8. Three sectors, the SX Food…
-
Blackpink’s Lisa to receive Thai cultural ambassador award for promoting local culture
Announced earlier this week, Lalisa Lisa Manoban, a member of the globally renowned K-Pop group Blackpink, is set to receive a prestigious cultural ambassador leader award from Thailand’s Culture Ministry. The celebrated singer, who hails from Buriram, has been recognised for her significant contributions to promoting Thai culture on an international stage. A grand and formal ceremony is on the…
-
Thai Prime Minister acts swiftly on northern region’s escalating flood crisis
Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, initiated immediate action yesterday in response to the flood crisis in numerous provinces in northern Thailand. The floodwater from the Yom River is expected to exacerbate the situation downstream, particularly in provinces such as Sukhothai and Phitsanulok. Reports of flooding were received from several northern and northeastern provinces, including Phrae and Phetchabun, where significant flooding…
-
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights honoured at Clooney’s Justice for Democracy Defenders gala
The Clooney Foundation for Justice recognised the efforts of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) at The Albies, a gala held in New York City. The TLHR was among six honorees from around the globe, celebrated for their work towards defending democracy activists and others who have been the target of legal harassment and persecution. The award ceremony was named…
-
Experience the essence of fall with new menu at Blue by Alain Ducasse
Fall is the season of rich flavours and sumptuous ingredients. Michelin-star restaurant Blue by Alain Ducasse welcomes the season with a magnificent fall menu that marries tradition with innovation while showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients. Executive Chef Wilfrid Hocquet curates a surprise menu around the best seasonal produce for those who want to fully surrender to the Ducasse culinary vision.…
-
Airline employee accused of molesting teen at Suvarnabhumi Airport
A male airline employee from a famous airline tricked a 15 year old boy into a bathroom at Suvarnabhumi International Airport before the victim’s mother learned of the incident and filed a complaint. The police are urgently pursuing the suspect to take legal action. At 12.30pm today, a reporter was informed about an incident involving a male employee from a…
-
Thai express train derails in Phrae due to flooding
Water runoffs between Phrae‘s Kaeng Luang and Ban Pin stations triggered the derailment of Special Express Train 13 early this morning. The train, which was travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, came off the tracks at 5.48am as a result of the runoff. The locomotive, a baggage car, and a sleeper car were the three carriages that succumbed to the…
-
Thai police demand transparent probe into online gambling allegations
A transparent investigation into the alleged involvement of Suchanun Sucharitchinsri, known as Minnie, in running online gambling websites has been demanded by Thai police. High-ranking officers, including a confidant of Deputy Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, are said to be implicated in the case. The call for an investigation was made at the headquarters of the Royal Thai Police…
-
MFP ousts deputy speaker in controversial political manoeuvre
Political manoeuvres have seen Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada ousted from the Move Forward Party (MFP), a strategic move that preserves the position for MFP allies while the party transitions into its new function as the primary opposition party. This was the consensus amongst politicians and academics alike. Padipat, having been given an ultimatum by the MFP, made the decision…
-
Thai police chief seeks clarity after deputy’s home searched amid appointment rumours
The newly appointed national police chief, Police Genera; Torsak Sukvimol, sought clarification from deputy national police chief Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, following a police search of the latter’s residence earlier this week. Pol. Gen. Torsak addressed inquiries after a photo of him shaking hands with Big Joke gained attention on social media yesterday. Reports in the media suggested…
-
Thap Lan tunnels face disruption after heavy rainfall and flooding damage
The recent flooding in Prachin Buri have left a trail of damage in their wake, particularly impacting Thap Lan tunnels. The Department of Highways has been assessing the aftermath now that the waters have subsided. The twin tunnels, integral parts of Highway 304 connecting Khao Yai and Thap Lan national parks, were rendered impassable due to heavy rainfall over several days.…
-
Young Thai woman found dead after suspected overdose in northeast Thailand
A tragic incident occurred in Udon Thani province when a young woman was discovered dead in her ex-boyfriend’s room. Authorities promptly arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation. The victim, 21 year old Supak, was found lifeless on the floor of room A9. The room’s occupant, a 20-year-old named Charupong, revealed that the deceased had consumed an excessive amount…
-
Acid attack survivor scammed out of motorbike by brutal loan shark
In a recent incident, a 26 year old woman from the Ban Ngang district of Buriram province found herself victimised twice over. Initially, the woman, Wunpen, suffered facial disfigurement and blindness from an acid attack by her ex-husband in 2020. Recently, she has been defrauded by a loan shark who refused to return her mortgaged motorbike, allegedly selling it to…
-
LINE to LY-nk with Yahoo Japan: App’s big transformation creates a buzz
Starting from Sunday, the widely-used application LINE is set to undergo a significant transformation as it merges with Yahoo Japan, resulting in a name change to LY. The announcement of these substantial changes has generated quite a buzz among users. In light of this merger, LINE will integrate into Yahoo Japan and adopt the new identity of LY Corporation. As…
-
Rainy rampage: Flash floods turn northern Thailand province upside down
Heavy rain and flash floods have wreaked havoc in two districts, five sub-districts and 31 villages in Phrae Province, Thailand. Rampu Chantapatu, the Assistant Head of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office in Phrae, reported that the torrential downpour caused flash floods, inundating local homes and agricultural areas. However, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Affected areas in Wang…
-
Purr-fectly unexpected: Cat-astrophe as nail tech invades cat café
In a fur-midable twist, ‘a Daily‘ cats café found itself in a bit of a ‘purr-dicament’ when a customer decided to ‘pam-purr’ themselves with nail services right alongside the resident feline friends. The café, typically a meow-sterpiece of tranquillity, suddenly found itself with nail equipment ‘paws-ing’ for attention and tables ‘claw-sing’ a bit of chaos.” The owners expressed concern for…
-
Bangkok Governor warns residents near Chao Phraya River of potential floods due to unexpected storm
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt issued an alert for communities living near the Chao Phraya River to be on guard against high water levels due to the storm surge effect at around 7pm today. The 57 year old city chief revealed at Bangkok City Hall that the volume of seawater was significantly higher than forecasted, leading to a 30% surge in…
-
Thailand’s Purple Line: Ticket to ride gets a price plummet
The board of The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) voted yesterday to reduce the fare for the Purple Line electric train service to no more than 20 baht. Initially, this fare rate applies only to those paying with standard EMV credit or debit cards, identifiable by their four overlapping curved lines symbol, similar to a WiFi symbol. However,…
-
Undercover operation hits Jackpot: 50 busted in illegal gambling den in northern Thailand
A high-stakes illegal gambling den, operating for nearly two months in the heart of Rom Klao’s bustling Kriangkrai Market, was stormed by a special operation team from the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) yesterday. The crackdown at about 5pm yesterday, September 28, resulted in the arrest of 50 gamblers and 17 gambling organisers. The fallout from the illegal gambling den…
-
Fishy business: Tyre blowout flips lorry in east Thailand
A lorry transporting fish suffered a tyre explosion in Rayong, causing the vehicle to flip and crash into a tree, seriously damaging the entire vehicle. The driver, 29 year old Sunthorn Yotdam, sustained injuries, while the fish, primarily tilapia numbering in the thousands, were scattered across the road, resulting in an estimated loss of no less than 100,000 baht. Police…
-
Monk’s mysterious death unveils temple ‘whodunit’ in central Thailand
The mysterious death of a 57 year old monk in a temple in Ang Thong province sparked a police investigation. The body was found in a monk’s hut, lying on the floor surrounded by a foul smell, with blood and yellow liquid on the ground. A lottery ticket for the October 1 draw was discovered in the hut, which drew…
-
Mun River’s flood tide brings venomous twist to northern Thailand
The continuous rise of the Mun River has resulted in severe flooding, submerging nine districts in Ubon Ratchathani, northern Thailand. Inhabitants scramble to evacuate while also dealing with venomous animals, including snakes and scorpions, that have been displaced by the floodwaters. Agricultural damage is extensive, with an estimated 46,000 acres of farmland affected. The flooding has also impacted tens of…
-
Chiang Mai’s sizzling lottery craze: Rain or shine, locals bet on luck
The buzz around the “hot lottery” is intensifying in Chiang Mai, with locals eagerly purchasing tickets for Sunday’s draw in hopes of securing the lucky numbers revealed by revered teacher Sreevichai. The allure of the lottery is strong, despite the ongoing rainy season and the ticket price remaining at 100 baht per ticket and 110-120 baht for a series. The…
-
Severe flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima sparks fears of 1980 disaster repeat
Torrential rains triggered severe flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima causing residents to hastily evacuate their homes. The situation has raised concerns of a repeat of the devastating floods of 1980. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, especially in the Lam Takhong area. Khao Yai National Park Head, Chaiya Huay Hongs Thong, reported that the depression storm has led to…
-
TV host left scarred after beauty treatment botch-up at popular Thai clinic
A beauty clinic client shared her traumatic experience after a beauty procedure went wrong, resulting in severe burns on her face. The beauty treatment was carried out by a new employee who apparently adjusted the equipment incorrectly. The client, named only as Am, works as a TV show host. She has been left in agony, unable to work, and facing…
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.