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
How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...
-
Thai man kills cheating girlfriend’s father and commits suicide in jail
A Thai man killed his girlfriend’s father after discovering she had a husband and two children. The killer later committed suicide while in custody at Khok Pho Police Station in the southern province of Pattani. Khok Pho Police Station officers rushed to a house in the Khok Pho district of Pattani at 9.50pm on Wednesday, January 10 after receiving a…
-
Thailand to boost tourism to drive economic growth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is on a mission to stimulate tourism, focusing on boosting revenue in 55 secondary provinces by a staggering 20%, aiming for a grand total of 91 million trips this year. This ambitious goal, however, falls short of the mark for key provinces. For the first nine months of the previous year, the 55 secondary tourism…
-
Motorcycle stunt goes awry at Chiang Mai fair, stuntman hospitalised
An unfortunate accident occurred yesterday during a daring motorcycle stunt at the winter fair and the Chiang Mai Good OTOP fair. The stuntman, known only as Tae, was injured when his motorcycle lost control during a barrel-climbing show and fell, hitting the floor hard. This incident happened behind the provincial government centre, where the event was taking place. Emergency services…
-
PM Srettha visits Chiang Mai street food market in soft power move
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set the stage for Thailand’s unique foray into soft power, blending strategic attractions such as pigeon racing and Muay Thai. PM Srettha, on a visit to Chiang Mai, didn’t just stick to the official script but delved into progressive discussions that could reshape the nation’s global influence. Taking a casual stroll through Chiang Mai’s famed street…
-
Three ex-Bhumjaithai MPs banned by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court delivered a harsh blow to three former Bhumjaithai MPs, slamming them with a 10-year ban from contesting elections. Chalong Thirdweerapong, Phumisak Kongmee, and Natee Ratchakitprakarn were all found guilty of a severe breach of parliamentary ethics. The court’s ruling, based on a parallel case in the Criminal Court, unveils a scandalous scheme. On May 18 last year, the…
-
How to travel and work in Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful Southeast Asian country renowned for its ancient ruins, ornate temples, and gorgeous tropical beaches. It’s also an affordable country to live and travel in, making it a desirable location for travellers. Given these factors, it’s only natural to consider long-term travel in Thailand. If you’re wondering how you can travel and work in Thailand to make…
-
Double-down drama: DOPA crackdown sees 200 gamblers dealt a losing hand in southern Thailand
Officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) yesterday swooped on a gambling den in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested 200 gamblers. Residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat submitted a complaint about the gambling house to the Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. They reported that the gambling den was open 24 hours a day. More than 200…
-
Phuket: Motorcycle taxi rider fatally stabbed during brawl, another injured
Two motorcycle taxi riders got embroiled in a brawl in Patong, Phuket, yesterday, leading to one fatality at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries. The deceased taxi rider, 61 year old Samanmart Ueanoth, was found with three stab wounds to his chest and was transported to the local hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries and lost his…
-
Hot food trends: Healthy eating on a budget
In a world plagued by inflation, skyrocketing living costs, and the constant struggle to stay healthy, renowned nutrition expert Associate Professor Chalat Santivarangkna from Mahidol University reveals what our plates will look like in the coming year. This year is set to be the year of plant-powered living, with Professor Chalat predicting a surge in plant-based diets. He attributes this…
-
Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province. 61 year old Thai prime minister noted that the fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) levels had considerably decreased since his last visit on November 28 of the previous year. The…
-
Thai Vietjet flight lands on wrong taxiway at Fukuoka International Airport
Thai Vietjet Air‘s flight VZ810 from Bangkok‘s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Fukuoka International Airport experienced a mishap when the pilot landed on the wrong taxiway. The said flight landed at 8.38am local time with a total of 157 passengers. Upon landing, the flight taxied to the assigned gate as instructed. However due to weather conditions and poor visibility, the aircraft…
-
Russian man crosses borders without essential documents
An intriguing incident left many baffled, as a Russian man managed to cross international borders without any essential travel documents. Sergei Ochikawa flew from Denmark to the United States, claiming he had discarded his passport aboard the plane. The case has triggered a wave of confusion among immigration officers, who were presented with an extraordinary situation. Ochikawa, without any of the…
-
Thai Labour Ministry considers raising minimum wage as Songkran gift
The Labour Ministry, headed by Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, is considering raising the minimum wage for certain professions as a Songkran festival gift. The announcement is expected to take place within a year, covering the entire country. Additionally, the Cabinet is looking into providing a full monthly salary for maternity leave of 98 days. This was discussed at a meeting of the…
-
Pattaya: Pathway hazard caused by parked cars, potholes, and uneven tiles
Locals and tourists found themselves grappling with perilous pathways along Pattaya‘s Second Road, turning the once-bustling path into a hazardous route. Haphazardly parked cars, potholes, and uneven blocks create a challenging terrain for pedestrians, but that’s not all – advertising signs and encroaching vehicles add to the chaos, further squeezing the already tight walkway. The epicentre of this safety crisis…
-
Thai woman harassed over 20 year old missing car debt
A Thai woman found herself under severe intimidation after receiving a threatening call demanding payment for a car debt for a vehicle that disappeared nearly 20 years ago. The caller, using harsh language, even threatened to seize her assets if she failed to make the payment. The case came to light when a TikTok user named khoeilao99 posted her ordeal…
-
Buddhist monk Phra Phayom weighs in on ‘year brewing’ social media storm
Renowned Buddhist monk Phra Phayom discusses the recent social media controversy over the Chinese astrological belief of year brewing. He urges people to maintain a good state of mind and to believe in karma and perseverance, citing the example of the heated debate on social media initiated by Prairie Praiwan Wannabutr. Today, reporters asked Phra, the abbot of Wat Suan…
-
Thaksin’s extended hospital stay approved by Thailand’s Corrections Department
Thailand’s Department of Corrections released an official statement today, January 11, concerning the prolonged medical treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital, which has exceeded the standard 120-day limit. Thaksin has been receiving medical attention at an external hospital since August 23 last year, as he was diagnosed with several pre-existing health conditions that required specialised care. The medical…
-
Thai man shoots friend dead after mistaking him for a rat
A Thai man shot and killed his friend in a sugar cane field in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, claiming he thought his friend was a rat. Kasetsombun Police Station officers swooped on the sugar cane field in the Kasetsombun district at 12.45am, January 10, following a report of the shooting. Officers found a Thai man, 31 year old Adisak,…
-
Disabled man falls from wheelchair on uneven EEC project road, sparks outrage
A disabled man selling lottery tickets was spotted tumbling from his wheelchair onto the road due to an uneven surface. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media. The man was attempting to navigate the bumpy road in an area earmarked for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, specifically designed to be accessible for disabled people. The incident…
-
Thai man survives third floor suicide attempt after argument with wife
A Thai man survived a suicide attempt after jumping from the third floor balcony of his apartment in Chon Buri province following a heated argument with his wife. Sriracha Police Station officers were alerted to the suicide attempt at the three-storey apartment in Sriracha district of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 10. Upon investigating the scene, officers found the 21…
-
Thai farmers to be granted 25,000 title deeds
Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow confirmed the distribution of 25,000 land title deeds to farmers across the nation. The spectacle kicks off on January 15, with a grand launch at the centre for the promotion and development of additional careers outside of agriculture in Ayutthaya’s Bang Sai district. Leading the ceremony is none other than Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. During the…
-
Thai teacher allegedly demands 200 baht for grades: School investigates
A shocking revelation has come to light ahead of Teachers’ Day as reports of a teacher allegedly accepting money from students in return for grades surfaced online. The teacher reportedly demanded 200 baht (US$6) from each student who wanted to pass without having to take the exam. The school’s director has since suspended the accused teacher and has set up…
-
Mixed reactions to Thailand’s new cannabis law from tourism industry
The recent draft law on cannabis and hemp, targeting to limit recreational use, is garnering mixed reactions from Thailand’s tourism industry. While it could potentially lead to the closure of several dispensaries, industry insiders feel it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall tourism landscape as cannabis and hemp aren’t primary attractions for international visitors. The bill, endorsed by…
-
Thai man arrested for house burning, orchestrating rape of mother-in-law
Police today arrested a Thai man responsible for a house burning and the architect behind the rape of his mother-in-law in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The accomplice involved in the crime is still at large. Kaeng Krachan Police Station officers yesterday, January 10, embarked on a search for two suspects, Yuranan Pranprai and Chaiwat Auambut, also known as Pae,…
-
Former ministers charged over unlawful Thai worker fees in Finland
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of the Attorney General have jointly decided to charge four individuals, including two former ministers and two senior executives of the Ministry of Labour, in connection with the unlawful deduction of fees from Thai workers in Finland. The charges were laid under sections 149 and 157, along with sections 83 and…
-
Armed men spark terror in Yala, two officers seriously wounded (video)
A group of armed men sparked terror in Yala‘s Bannang Sata district when they targeted a pickup truck carrying border patrol police officers. The terrifying incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, resulted in two officers being seriously wounded and caused locals to flee the scene in panic. The assault took place in broad daylight outside a local grocery store in Buesu…
-
Rayong police criticised for imposing 10pm curfew on kids under 18 years old
Mueang Rayong Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong is facing criticism for imposing a 10pm curfew on residents aged under 18 years old. The official Facebook page of Mueang Rayong Police Station shared the curfew announcement yesterday, January 10. “From today, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave their homes after 10pm without a…
-
Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
-
Tragic end for couple in Thai resort: Suspected suicide stirs shock
A chilling discovery unfolded in Phetchabun when a couple from Pathum Thani were found dead in their resort room. The suspected suicide of 62 year old Natcha and 61 year old Akrara has left authorities puzzled and seeking answers. The local authorities yesterday were alerted to the tragic scene at a resort in Lom Sak, Phetchabun. The resort, consisting of…
-
Thai energy regulatory commission sets firm power tariff cap
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) established a firm power tariff cap of 4.18 baht (US$ 0.12) per unit from January to April this year. This move comes despite the ongoing increase in gas prices. The rate for consumers using minimal power is fixed at 3.99 baht, as stated by the government. Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed…
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.