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.

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    Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand

    Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...

  • Flames of justice: Police uncover dead body’s identity and suspect drug gang-linked murder | Thaiger

    Flames of justice: Police uncover dead body’s identity and suspect drug gang-linked murder

    After finding the scorched body of a dead man, Chai Badan Police Station officers successfully determined his identity, the suspect, and the motive behind the murder, which is connected to a dispute within a drug trafficking gang. A local made the shocking discovery of a dead body while he was riding his motorcycle past the spot. The dead man was…

  • Energizing savings: Government’s cost-cutting shock eases financial pressure | Thaiger

    Energizing savings: Government’s cost-cutting shock eases financial pressure

    The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) expressed approval for the Thai government’s latest move to slash both electricity and diesel costs. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the financial pressure on households and businesses. The reduction in power tariff was confirmed yesterday, following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s policy statement announcement in parliament, reports Bangkok Post. The new…

  • Firearm amnesty: Illegal Thai gun owners given 30 days to ‘trigger’ compliance | Thaiger

    Firearm amnesty: Illegal Thai gun owners given 30 days to ‘trigger’ compliance

    In an attempt to crackdown on illegal firearm possession, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin drafted a 30-day amnesty for gun owners without permits. They now have a month to turn in these firearms at any police station before stricter enforcement measures are applied. This initiative was implemented yesterday, September 13, following a raid where a team of 100 officials targeted 21…

  • Thai digital delights: DEPA and partners unlock future of gaming, animation, characters | Thaiger

    Thai digital delights: DEPA and partners unlock future of gaming, animation, characters

    The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), in collaboration with esteemed partners including the Thai Digital Content Association (DCAT), Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association (TACGA), Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA), Bangkok ACM SIGGRAPH, and Atwise Consulting Company, has unveiled a comprehensive survey and evaluation report on the state of the Thai digital content industry encompassing games, animation, and characters…

  • Rain reigns: Homes flooded in surprise deluge in Phayao, northeast Thailand | Thaiger

    Rain reigns: Homes flooded in surprise deluge in Phayao, northeast Thailand

    A torrential rain shower caused mayhem as it dampened the spirits of over 100 households in Phayao province in northeast Thailand. Locals hastily scurried to relocate their possessions to more sheltered spots. The relentless rain, which persisted both day and night, resulted in a cascade of water from the woods, spilling into the Mae Tam River. The resulting flood inundated…

  • Lampang girl, 9, sexually assaulted by teacher: Harrowing incident sparks outrage | Thaiger

    Lampang girl, 9, sexually assaulted by teacher: Harrowing incident sparks outrage

    A nine year old girl in Lampang province was reportedly sexually assaulted in a school restroom by a 28 year old male teacher from another institution. The sexual assault was brought to the attention of the police yesterday by the victim’s mother, a 28 year old Lampang resident. The mother became suspicious after noticing her daughter had started menstruating, an…

  • Rain reigns: Severe weather warning blankets 43 Thai provinces with flood fear | Thaiger

    Rain reigns: Severe weather warning blankets 43 Thai provinces with flood fear

    The Thai Meteorological Department issued a severe weather warning for 43 provinces in Thailand, with heavy continuous rain, affecting 80% of the area in the north and northeast regions, including Bangkok. This sudden rainfall could potentially cause flash flooding and forest runoffs. The storm is caused by a strong monsoon trough passing through Myanmar, the upper part of northern Thailand,…

  • Time to shine: MFP leader Pita makes it to Time100 Next list | Thaiger

    Time to shine: MFP leader Pita makes it to Time100 Next list

    Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat has been included in the TIME100 Next list unveiled by the American news magazine, Time. Time magazine recently released its annual TIME100 Next list, which aims to recognise individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have had a significant impact on and served as an inspiration to others in their communities.…

  • Phaya bung magic strikes again as lottery hopefuls in Thailand conjure winning numbers | Thaiger

    Phaya bung magic strikes again as lottery hopefuls in Thailand conjure winning numbers

    For over three hours, lottery enthusiasts performed good luck rituals at the legendary Phaya Bung hole, leading to the emergence of three full numerical digits. This followed a successful prediction from the previous round, sparking a frenzy among hopeful lottery players for the draw on Saturday, September 15. Reports highlighted a bustling scene at Bunok Village, Yanri Subdistrict, Kabin Buri…

  • Thai netizens’ hearts warmed by heroic duo’s life-saving heart delivery, rain or shine | Thaiger

    Thai netizens’ hearts warmed by heroic duo’s life-saving heart delivery, rain or shine

    Thai netizens showered praise upon a dedicated traffic police officer and doctor for their successful efforts in delivering a life-saving heart organ from a hospital in Samut Sakhon province to Bangkok, despite heavy rain and severe traffic jams. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as a heart can remain viable outside the human body for no more than…

  • Chiang Mai Airport plans massive expansion to accommodate 16.5 million travellers | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai Airport plans massive expansion to accommodate 16.5 million travellers

    Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend. The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. The extension plan is aimed at significantly increasing the airport’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate…

  • Bangkok Gems fair dazzles with record-breaking success | Thaiger

    Bangkok Gems fair dazzles with record-breaking success

    The 68th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair, which recently concluded, surpassed all anticipated outcomes. The Fair took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from September 6 to 10 and welcomed almost 40,000 attendees hailing from 117 countries, a notable 44% surge compared to the previous event, according to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the director-general of the Department of…

  • American man faces dilemma as Thai girlfriend’s parents demand 1 million baht dowry | Thaiger

    American man faces dilemma as Thai girlfriend’s parents demand 1 million baht dowry

    An American man asked netizens for advice on what to do after his Thai girlfriend’s family demanded a million baht dowry, known as sinsod in Thailand. He said he loved her very much but was not a foolish farang. The American shared his story on the social media platform Reddit yesterday, September 12. The man began by explaining that he…

  • Search intensifies for mentally disabled teen lost in Thung Salaeng Luang forest | Thaiger

    Search intensifies for mentally disabled teen lost in Thung Salaeng Luang forest

    The fate of a 17 year old boy with a mental disability, who has been lost in the Thung Salaeng Luang forest for four days, remains unknown. The search operation is being intensified, with the discovery of a common route previously used by lost individuals. Aerial search teams from the 11th Division of the National Park Department are waiting for…

  • Thai men caught for 10 million baht motorway CCTV system shutdown theft | Thaiger

    Thai men caught for 10 million baht motorway CCTV system shutdown theft

    Two men were nabbed by the police in Chon Buri for stealing power cables from the Pattaya–Rayong motorway, an act that led to the complete shutdown of the CCTV system along the inter-provincial highway last month. The arrested individuals, 35 year old Anulak Obchoo, and 31 year old Traiphop Buahom, were caught in tambon Huai Yai of Bang Lamung district…

  • Rangers seize riverine treasure trove: Meth stash dumped in daring escape | Thaiger

    Rangers seize riverine treasure trove: Meth stash dumped in daring escape

    A considerable haul of over 250,000 methamphetamine pills was seized by army rangers on the Mekong River’s shoreline in the district of Ban Phaeng, Nakhon Phanom province, as three smugglers made a hasty escape. The drugs were found stashed in sacks which were callously abandoned by the fleeing perpetrators. Acting on a tip-off about an impending drug transaction, the paramilitary…

  • Health supplement scams sizzle online as FDA flags revoked claims | Thaiger

    Health supplement scams sizzle online as FDA flags revoked claims

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified three health supplement products advertising overblown claims on e-marketplaces despite their licences being revoked. The products, found in advertising online, claim to control sugar levels, burn fat and decrease hunger. The FDA today disclosed the results of their surveillance of health product advertisements on e-marketplaces. They identified three products: 1. Mix Oil…

  • Fake love, real trouble: Thai man’s romance scam unravels | Thaiger

    Fake love, real trouble: Thai man’s romance scam unravels

    Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Thai man for operating a romance scam by using a fake social media profile of an attractive foreign man to deceive a Thai woman. A Thai woman filed a complaint to the police at the end of last year. The victim reported that the scammer, called Roland, contacted her via Instagram before…

  • Supernatural near-drowning ordeal: Ghost tells Thai woman to commit suicide | Thaiger

    Supernatural near-drowning ordeal: Ghost tells Thai woman to commit suicide

    A Thai woman in the central province of Samut Sakhon survived a near-drowning incident in the Sanamchai Canal and alleged afterwards that a ghost had compelled her to attempt suicide by leaping off a bridge. Footage captured by a security camera at a restaurant along the canal revealed the incident at 11am yesterday. The woman was seen struggling to swim…

  • Call for help: Mobile phone shields Thai woman from ex-boyfriend’s bullet | Thaiger

    Call for help: Mobile phone shields Thai woman from ex-boyfriend’s bullet

    A mobile phone became an unexpected life-saving shield for a Thai woman when her ex-boyfriend shot her in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. Thanks to the phone shield the woman only suffered a mild injury near her waist. The victim, 24 year old Ratda, who remains at Khon Sawan Hospital, recounted the shooting to police and reporters. According to Ratda,…

  • Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator | Thaiger

    Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator

    A cautionary note has been sounded by a senator who has advised the government to exercise equal treatment for all prisoners. The senator has expressed concerns that the special treatment accorded to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who has been convicted, could potentially invite future complications for the government. The warning was issued on Tuesday during the second day…

  • 65 executives summoned as DSI investigates bid-rigging ties to construction tycoon ‘Nok’ | Thaiger

    65 executives summoned as DSI investigates bid-rigging ties to construction tycoon ‘Nok’

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned executives from 65 companies following concerns over their potential involvement in bid-rigging with construction businesses owned by Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok. Nok was recently arrested in the Muang district of Nakhon Pathom, following the murder of Police Major Sivakorn Saibua, an officer of Highway Police Division 2. Nok’s close aide,…

  • Phony police husband: Imposter arrested, wife in the dark for two years | Thaiger

    Phony police husband: Imposter arrested, wife in the dark for two years

    Police officers arrested a fake cop in the central province of Lop Buri yesterday. The fake cop’s wife had been completely unaware of his deceit throughout their two-year marriage. Locals in the Pattana Nikhom district of Lop Buri reported their suspicions about the true identity of Rachata Jadejiranit to Manao Whan Police Station. The locals stated that Rachata was always…

  • Thailand’s government proposes swift minimum wage increase to 400 baht | Thaiger

    Thailand’s government proposes swift minimum wage increase to 400 baht

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government will be pushing for a swift increase in the minimum daily wage to 400 baht, in a bid to assist workers grappling with rising living costs. The decision will be reached through negotiations between the government, employers, and workers to agree upon a reasonable amount. The prime minister shared the plans during…

  • Trust No One: Thai cyber squad nabs seven Chinese crypto culprits in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Trust No One: Thai cyber squad nabs seven Chinese crypto culprits in Bangkok

    Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) carried out a “Trust No One” operation in pursuit of crypto scammers and managed to arrest seven Chinese nationals operating crypto fraud and money laundering. In the first episode of the operation, the CCIB conducted raids at six suspicious locations in the Sri Nakarin neighbourhood of Bangkok and arrested two Chinese nationals including a…

  • Grim discovery in the woods: Unidentified foreigner found dead and burned in Lop Buri forest | Thaiger

    Grim discovery in the woods: Unidentified foreigner found dead and burned in Lop Buri forest

    A local man discovered the dead body of an unidentified foreign man in a forest in the central province of Lop Buri. Police believe the man was murdered before being burned at the scene. A Thai man, 55 year old Somboon Onjaeng, reported the shocking discovery to Chai Badan Police Station at 10am yesterday, September 12. The Somboon informed officers…

  • Popstar Sam Smith’s Teletubby style TikTok sparks social media storm (video) | Thaiger

    Popstar Sam Smith’s Teletubby style TikTok sparks social media storm (video)

    British pop sensation Sam Smith faced backlash yesterday after taking a break from his global Gloria tour to showcase a quirky Teletubbies fashion statement on TikTok. The 31 year old singer-songwriter shared a video on the popular social media platform, donning an eccentric ensemble featuring tight denim shorts, a form-fitting hooped t-shirt adorned with a young boy munching on an…

  • Multilingual airport security officer provides vital passenger assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport | Thaiger

    Multilingual airport security officer provides vital passenger assistance at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    An airport security officer at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who has the impressive ability to speak five languages, has come to the public’s attention. The officer, Yanaphop Boonthem, speaks Thai, Japanese, Chinese, English, and Korean. Despite his primary role being airport security, the 55 year old’s multilingual skills have proven to be extremely valuable in guiding and assisting passengers with airport services.…

  • Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites | Thaiger

    Thailand amplifies universal healthcare scheme to aid impoverished urbanites

    Faced with the challenge of access to healthcare for underprivileged urban dwellers, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced its commitment to augment the universal healthcare scheme. The initiative, discussed at an academic conference in Udon Thani yesterday, aims to improve access and services for all, with particular attention to the impoverished populace in major cities. Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry’s…

  • Heavy rainfall warning for north, northeast, central and east Thailand | Thaiger

    Heavy rainfall warning for north, northeast, central and east Thailand

    The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy rainfall today, covering 70-80% of the regions in the north, northeast, central, east, and Bangkok areas. An intense monsoon trough is passing over Myanmar and Northern Laos, moving into a low-pressure area over northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. This, combined with a moderate southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand,…