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

    What is the 5 year visa for the digital nomad in Thailand?

    The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a great option for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers who want to stay in Thailand for a long time. This multiple-entry visa is valid for five years, allowing stays of up to 180...

  • Muslim man crowned Mr Gay World Thailand set to compete globally in October

    Muslim man crowned Mr Gay World Thailand set to compete globally in October

    A 30 year old Muslim man from southern Thailand has made history by winning the Mr Gay World Thailand competition and will represent the Thai LGBTQ+ community at the Mr Gay World 2023 contest in October later this year. Nazmadih Mateem Nujan, an outdoor fitness instructor, clinched the title at the event hosted by Bangkok Rainbow Organisation at Mambo Cabaret.…

  • Vote-buying incidents highest in Bangkok during General Elections, says EC

    Vote-buying incidents highest in Bangkok during General Elections, says EC

    The Election Commission (EC) reported that the majority of vote-buying incidents during yesterday’s elections took place in Bangkok, which boasts the highest number of constituencies among all provinces. Despite this, the EC noted that the overall number of poll-related violations was lower than in previous elections. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee disclosed that the commission received 163 complaints yesterday, with 58…

  • Elderly voters inadvertently tear ballot papers, violating Thai election law

    Elderly voters inadvertently tear ballot papers, violating Thai election law

    Instances of individuals tearing up ballot papers were reported in various provinces across Thailand. Most of those involved were elderly individuals who suffer from health conditions, and they maintained that they had no intention of damaging the papers. The Royal Thai Police revealed that the police’s election coordination centre had received around 20 reports of voters tearing up their ballot…

  • Thailand General Election shows opposition parties in the lead

    Thailand General Election shows opposition parties in the lead

    Preliminary results of Thailand’s General Election revealed that the majority of voters support the opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai to lead the country, potentially ending nearly nine years of pro-military rule under incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Data from the Election Commission of Thailand displayed a strong lead for both parties, with 114 and 111 constituency seats respectively.…

  • Pattaya buzzing as Thai national election polling stations open

    Pattaya buzzing as Thai national election polling stations open

    Pattaya has been buzzing ever since polling stations for the Thai national election opened at 8am today, marking the beginning of the Thai General Election. The atmosphere has been lively at polling stations around Pattaya, with long queues of eager voters waiting to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. One notable voter seen waiting in line was Pattaya Mayor…

  • Bangkok voting area with large army presence sees crowding and long qeues

    Bangkok voting area with large army presence sees crowding and long qeues

    Army members flocked to vote at Bangkok‘s Dusit district polling station, while the public complained about long queues and inadequate facilities for over 6,500 people. The atmosphere at the voting site Health Service Centre 38 was bustling and hectic since the polls opened today at 8am. This location, with eight polling stations, has a total of 6,506 eligible voters, with…

  • Phuket governor casts first vote in General Election

    Phuket governor casts first vote in General Election

    Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew kicked off the General Election process on the island by casting the first vote at the Phuket Auditorium in Phuket Town today. The Phuket Auditorium, located at the government administration centre on Tha Kraeng Road, is one of 22 polling stations established throughout the Talad Yai sub-district of Phuket Town. Candidates are vying for Constituency 1…

  • Thai student gives birth and hides baby on fire escape

    Thai student gives birth and hides baby on fire escape

    A 19 year old Thai student left her newborn baby on a fire escape after giving birth, having kept her pregnancy a secret from friends and family. Her 19 year old boyfriend found out only after discovering the baby on the fire escape. This morning police in the city of Pak Kret in Nonthaburi province received reports from concerned citizens…

  • Thai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces

    Thai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces

    Thai police are keeping a vigilant eye on incidents of vote-buying today, following allegations of election law malpractices in three intensely competitive provinces. After a meeting with election officials, National Police Chief Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas confirmed yesterday the arrest of a man in the northeast Bueng Kan province, under the suspicion of vote-buying. Evidence collected during the arrest included…

  • Free shuttle bus services to ease Bangkok traffic on school routes

    Free shuttle bus services to ease Bangkok traffic on school routes

    School routes in Bangkok might soon see a bit less traffic. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to offer free shuttle bus services connecting Samsen Road to various areas in Thon Buri to alleviate traffic congestion when schools reopen tomorrow. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt spoke after a trial run, stating that the shuttle bus services will help mitigate heavy traffic…

  • Pattaya mayor unveils concept art for revamped and covered Bali Hai Pier

    Pattaya mayor unveils concept art for revamped and covered Bali Hai Pier

    Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampiches unveiled concept art yesterday for a revamped and covered Bali Hai Pier. The need for improvement has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, with numerous complaints from tourists, both local and international, about the lack of shade and protection from rain at the pier. Travellers use the pier to access various islands around…

  • Thaiger Top Shelf: Best dispensaries in town (Video)

    Thaiger Top Shelf: Best dispensaries in town (Video)

    With its captivating culture and mouth-watering cuisine, Bangkok has long been known as an attractive destination for travellers seeking a one-of-a-kind adventure. And now, with the flourishing cannabis industry, the capital of Thailand has also transformed into a hotbed for cannabis enthusiasts eager to find the best dispensary spots in the country. From the bustling streets of Sukhumvit to the…

  • Pheu Thai Party candidates launch campaign caravan at Democracy Monument

    Pheu Thai Party candidates launch campaign caravan at Democracy Monument

    Today at 9.30am, the Pheu Thai Party began its campaign at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Led by 35 year old Patongthan Shinawatra, and Sathorn Taweewon, they were joined by 33 Bangkok constituency candidates. Patongthan and Sathorn waved flags and released a car caravan as a symbol of their commitment to Thailand’s democracy. The Pheu Thai Party’s caravan procession was…

  • Thai Election Commission predicts 85% turnout, confident of smooth process

    Thai Election Commission predicts 85% turnout, confident of smooth process

    Thailand‘s Election Commission (EC) predicts an 85% voter turnout for the upcoming General Elections tomorrow (May 14) and maintains confidence in its ability to conduct the elections efficiently despite a few issues encountered during advance voting last week. EC member Thitichet Nuchanart revealed the estimation after an impressive 91% turnout was recorded for last weekend’s advance voting process. The EC…

  • Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations

    Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations

    Thailand’s tourism sector has witnessed a strong rebound, as evidenced by the significant surge in new registrations for tourism-related businesses during the initial four months of this year. The Ministry of Commerce revealed yesterday that the number of new tourism-related business registrations had doubled year-on-year, reaching 2,579 in the first four months, with a total registered capital increase of 135%…

  • Thai Airways anticipates 130 billion baht revenue this year

    Thai Airways anticipates 130 billion baht revenue this year

    Thailand’s flagship carrier, Thai Airways (THAI) is optimistic about its revenue this year. Thai Airways is anticipated to accumulate at least 130 billion baht in revenue this year after its net profit in the first quarter reached 12.5 billion baht. THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri announced yesterday that the airline is projected to complete its financial rehabilitation in 2025 as planned,…

  • Ladyboy steals 10,000 baht from Israeli tourist’s pocket in Bangkok

    Ladyboy steals 10,000 baht from Israeli tourist’s pocket in Bangkok

    A ladyboy was arrested for stealing 10,700 baht from an Israeli tourist on Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday night. A 63 year old man of Israeli nationality travelled to Lumpini Police Station late on Monday night to report that a ladyboy stole 10,700 baht from his pocket as she hugged him. The victim managed to snap a…

  • Amnesty highlights importance of upcoming general election for Thai politicians to protect and promote human rights

    Amnesty highlights importance of upcoming general election for Thai politicians to protect and promote human rights

    Amnesty highlights the upcoming general elections in Thailand, set for 14 May, as a crucial opportunity for political parties and candidates to publicly commit to protecting and promoting human rights, including the rights of disadvantaged groups, civil society, and young people. Chanathip Thitiyakarunwong, a regional researcher for Amnesty International in Thailand, emphasized that the new Thai government must guarantee that…

  • Soldier punished for political post in Whatsapp group

    Soldier punished for political post in Whatsapp group

    The 4th Army Area Command has imposed penalties, including 30 days of imprisonment and suspension of annual salary increments, on a soldier who posted politically biased messages on a Line group, contravening an order by the Army Commander to maintain political neutrality. The army spokesperson, Second Lieutenant Paramote Promin, announced disciplinary measures against a soldier for inappropriate political conduct and…

  • Horny couple caught having sex at work sets Thai social media abuzz

    Horny couple caught having sex at work sets Thai social media abuzz

    A couple of horny factory workers set tongues wagging on Thai social media after being caught having sex at work in Rayong, East Thailand. The randy factory workers were caught in the throes of passion in the middle of a warehouse while on the clock. A female colleague, far from being shocked or offended, recorded the entire pornographic encounter on video…

  • Over 300,000 advance voting ballots unreadable due to handwriting issues in Thai election

    Over 300,000 advance voting ballots unreadable due to handwriting issues in Thai election

    Pattharaporn Tan-ngam, a journalist for Thai PBS, posted a shocking video clip on her personal Facebook account, which featured an interview with Pongsatorn Wisetsuwan, the Deputy Managing Director of Thailand Post Co. Ltd. In the video, Pongsatorn revealed that over 300,000 already-cast ballots from the advance voting conducted on April 7 were unreadable due to poor handwriting on the envelopes.…

  • Police say woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo wasn’t murdered

    Police say woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo wasn’t murdered

    UPDATE Despite police saying that they assumed the woman found dead in a condo room in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, this morning was murdered by her foreign husband, they are now saying she was not murdered at all. Pol. Lt. Col. Phirom Yosalai, an inspector at Mae Ping Police Station, said the woman is expected to have died from an…

  • Firefighters rescue elderly woman from burning building in Pattaya

    Firefighters rescue elderly woman from burning building in Pattaya

    Firefighters rescued an elderly woman from a burning building in Pattaya last night. The incident occurred on Soi Bongkot 4 in the Nong Prue sub-district of Bang Lamung district. Firefighters received a call at around 8pm reporting a fire at the TG Battery Shop on Soi Bongkot 4. They arrived at the scene along with Sawang Boriboon rescuers. Upon arrival,…

  • Thai singer files complaint against unhinged neighbour after five years of disturbing anti-social behaviour

    Thai singer files complaint against unhinged neighbour after five years of disturbing anti-social behaviour

    A Thai singer and businessperson filed a complaint against his seemingly unhinged anti-social neighbour for a series of disturbing incidents that have occurred over the past five years. The woman in question smashed his car with a hammer, threw urine and poo at his house, and attacked an employee with liquid acid. On Tuesday, May 2, Teerasak “Ko” Phantujariya took…

  • Thai officials seek to draw tourists to lesser-known spots

    Thai officials seek to draw tourists to lesser-known spots

    Thai officials are seeking to draw tourists to lesser-known spots in the Land of Smiles. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently launched a new campaign aimed at promoting Thailand’s lesser-known destinations, NNT reported yesterday. Dubbed “Amazing Secondary Cities, Must Visit, Must Love,” the campaign aims to highlight the unique cultural heritage of these areas through storytelling, to provide meaningful…

  • BJT sues Chuvit Kamolvisit for damage to party reputation

    BJT sues Chuvit Kamolvisit for damage to party reputation

    The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has filed a lawsuit against the former politician and whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit, accusing him of damaging the reputation of its party candidates and seeking 100 million baht in damages. The party’s lawyers, Natchanikarn Ketkhamkhwa and Pichai Iem-on claim that Chuvit has harmed the party’s popularity in the lead-up to the general elections. The BJT is also…

  • Transwoman physically assaulted by bar guards in Phuket

    Transwoman physically assaulted by bar guards in Phuket

    A Thai transwoman filed a complaint at Patong Police Station on Tuesday, May 9, after four to five security guards at a bar in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket physically assaulted her and forcibly removed her from the venue without a reason. The 27 year old transwoman posted a video on her TikTok account, Prasita Punyang, three days ago of…

  • Six arrested for wildlife trafficking and macaques rescue in Phetchaburi

    Six arrested for wildlife trafficking and macaques rescue in Phetchaburi

    Phetchaburi authorities arrested six members of a wildlife trafficking gang and rescued over ten macaques near a hill in the Muang district. The arrests took place today morning following a tip-off, leading the police to the foothill of Khao Luang in tambon Thongchai, where they discovered the group capturing long-tailed macaques. Upon monitoring the gang, officers observed four men and…

  • Thai woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo, farang husband missing

    Thai woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo, farang husband missing

    This story has been updated. Police launched a murder investigation after the body of a Thai woman was discovered in a rented room at a famous condo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, this morning. The deceased’s “farang husband,” who also lives in the room, is nowhere to be found. At approximately 10.45am, officers at Mae Ping Police Station were…

  • Uncle Tu offers prayers at Nakhon Si Thammarat main shrine before attending grand rally as lottery enthusiasts gather to buy lucky numbers

    Uncle Tu offers prayers at Nakhon Si Thammarat main shrine before attending grand rally as lottery enthusiasts gather to buy lucky numbers

    Yesterday in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, a prime ministerial candidate for the Palang Pracharath Party, spent the whole day campaigning and visiting five districts. Later, he concluded the campaign with a large rally at the city’s central sports field, ahead of the elections on May 14. Feeling tired from the continuous travel and rallies, Prayut took…