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
9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
-
Follicle flare-up: Thai breakdancer seeks hair transplant amid balding battle
A follically challenged Thai breakdancer has a hair-raising dilemma and only a hair transplant will resolve it after the sport’s rigorous demands made him go bald. Thai breakdancer Kantapon Rodsaart is looking for someone to sponsor a hair transplant after revealing the competition at the recent Asian Games made him lose his hair. Breakdancing made its debut at the Asian…
-
Thai labourer’s death in Israel sparks fears, call for government aid
The Thai labourer tragically killed in Israel during a mortar attack on Tuesday sparked pleas from his family for government aid in repatriating his remains back to his native Si Sa Ket province in Thailand. Phongphat Suchat and another Thai worker lost their lives when a mortar round detonated close to their location, according to the 29 year old’s brother,…
-
Russian woman’s allergy to ganja causes chaos in Pattaya
A Russian woman in Pattaya caused chaos in an ambulance as Thai rescuers tried to attend to her ganja allergy. A resident came across a Russian couple and their son on a footpath near a seaside condominium at 1am yesterday, October 12. The woman was sitting on the ground looking confused. Her husband also looked unwell but was able to…
-
Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
-
Thailand to launch emergency alert system following Siam Paragon shooting incident
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand have initiated a collaborative project to implement an effective emergency alert system. The move comes in the wake of a shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall on October 3. DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong relayed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is keen…
-
Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
-
Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape
A Thai woman reached out to a social media influencer to seek help after her police officer husband physically assaulted her and lured her into a gang rape scene. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the victim, 30 year old A, to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to start legal processes against the woman’s husband. The woman…
-
11 Thais in Israel miss first evacuation flight, death toll rises to 20
The Prime Minister of Thailand reported yesterday that the death toll of Thais in Israel had climbed to 20. In addition to this distressing news, 11 Thai citizens who were expected to return to Thailand today, October 12, had not yet reached the designated meeting point. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 Thai nationals…
-
Influenza cases rise fivefold in Thailand amid illegal antiviral drug concerns
A startling surge in influenza cases has been observed in Thailand this year, with a fivefold increase compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public about illegal antiviral medications labelled as oseltamivir being smuggled into the country. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University revealed, on…
-
El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption. Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought. He voiced…
-
Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism
Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…
-
Storm warnings issued for 35 Thai provinces with Bangkok facing major impact
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued storm warnings for 35 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expecting to bear the brunt with 80% of the area predicted to be hit hard. The public is urged to remain vigilant as the heavy rains may cause sudden flash floods. The 24-hour weather forecast starting today, October 12, indicates a high-pressure system or cool…
-
Tour firm directors arrested for misleading Thai workers about overseas job opportunities
A Thai police force led by senior officer Eakasit Pansita arrested two tour company directors today, for allegedly deceiving over 80 individuals with promises of overseas job opportunities. Thirty year old Warintorn and 27 year old Pattanachai were taken into custody at separate locations. Warintorn was detained at a hotel in Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima, while Pattanachai was arrested inside a…
-
Chon Buri man arrested after threatening and sexually assaulting minor leading to pregnancy
A 49 year old man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl, resulting in her pregnancy. The suspect was apprehended at a friend’s house in the Phanat Nikhom District of Chon Buri Province after he had been in hiding since the incident occurred. Boonlue is believed to have committed the assault twice at the girl’s home…
-
Qatari man nabbed for allegedly raping Thai man at Bangkok hospital (video)
Police arrested a Qatari man for allegedly raping an 18 year old Thai man in a bathroom of a private hospital in Bangkok. The suspect denied the charges. An officer from Lumpini Police Station conducted an investigation into the sexual assault case and managed to identify the suspect as a 23 year old Qatari man named Saoud Hussain Ma Alyafel.…
-
Legal action demanded over former police chief’s alleged 200 million baht bid-rigging scandal
The president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, demanded legal action against a former national police chief for alleged bid-rigging in the construction of ammunition factories. The former police chief is accused of transferring over 200 million baht intended for the purchase of stun guns. Atchariya lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Commission today, alleging that…
-
Delivery dilemma: Thai logistics firm in hot water as labour exploitation claims posted
A prominent private logistics company has been forced to navigate emerging challenges, as allegations of labour exploitation surge. A post from the Riders Union page highlighted the plight of the company’s employees, who face drastic cuts in their commission rates and are expected to deliver up to 200 to 500 parcels a day without overtime pay. The post alleged… “Employees…
-
Chinese tourists drop by 75,093 following shooting in Bangkok
The Economic Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the number of Chinese tourists in Thailand last week fell by 75,093 compared to the previous week. The ministry said Thailand received 497,966 foreign tourists last week. This was 54,453 or 9.86% less than the previous week. The number of foreign tourists in the country decreased, especially Chinese…
-
Famed Thai actress reports 2.4 million baht gold trading investment scam
A former Thai soap opera actress and her husband have reported an investment scam to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), involving a gold trading business operated by the son of a famous Bangkok singer. The couple was convinced to invest in the business, promising high returns of 10%, resulting in a loss of 2.4 million baht. The former actress, 63…
-
Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations
The Mun River broke through its sandbag barriers, causing a massive flood that submerged several communities up to 2 metres deep. The river’s relentless rise forced the evacuation of 195 families, while over 400 others continue to live in their flooded homes. The Mun River’s powerful flow eroded its sandbag barriers today, previously installed by the army, the Department of…
-
Thai Labour Ministry addresses worker transfer issue in Israel amidst unrest
The issue of Thai workers being sold to other employers in Israel was addressed by Pairoj Chotiksathien, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour today. He clarified that the transfer of workers to new employers does not violate Israeli labour law, following an investigation by the Labour Attaché in Tel Aviv. Pairoj disclosed today that he ordered the Labour…
-
Viral elevator nightmare: Thai woman’s lift ordeal shocks the Internet (video)
A young Thai woman’s terrifying experience of being trapped alone in a continuously ascending and descending lift has gone viral online. The ordeal, shared by a TikTok user known as @dreamiiqueen, saw the lift stop at an unselected, under-construction floor, leaving her in deep shock. The video, captioned “The first and last time with this incident #stucklift #trappedinlift #lift,” garnered…
-
Debt debacle: Thai man attacked, forced to settle loan shark score for ex-employee (video)
A Thai man sought justice for himself after he was attacked and forced to pay an 8,000 baht debt to the loan sharks on behalf of his former employee. A video of the victim, 50 year old Kan, subjected to a brutal assault by a group of 20 loan sharks was shared on Thai social media. The video shows a…
-
Flood crisis in Thailand worsens, Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani hit hardest
Eleven provinces in Thailand continue to grapple with severe flood crisis, with Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani experiencing rising water levels, as of today. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has mobilised resources and personnel from various agencies to expedite flood relief operations. Heavy rainfall in the past has caused flooding across 35 provinces, affecting 52,290 households in 2,506…
-
Public health strategy: Thailand’s DMS unveils 13-point plan to tackle cancer
The Department of Medical Services (DMS) has unveiled its 13 Quick Win strategy, led by the Director-General’s representative, Amporn Benjaphonpitak. This public health strategy is designed to tackle liver and bile duct cancer diagnoses, establish mini-rehabilitation centres in every province, set up four health zones, and enhance services in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district and Chiang Mai’s Mueang district. The objective…
-
Rain pours on parade: Flooding sours vegetable prices as demand greens up
The recent heavy rainfall and flooding in Central Thailand have led to increased vegetable prices at the fresh market in Betong, Yala, as the supply to the market has been significantly reduced. As the Vegetarian Festival approaches, the demand for vegetables is surmounting, causing prices to surge even more. The prices have doubled for some varieties of vegetables. In the…
-
Sticky situation: Jammed escalator laces up shocking Chiang Mai mall incident
A shopping mall incident shocked consumers in Chiang Mai today after a female student’s shoelace was sucked into an escalator. The student, who was visibly panicked, had to remove her shoe and jump off the escalator to escape the potential danger. A cleaning staff member who noticed the incident promptly pressed the emergency stop button, halting the escalator’s operations amidst…
-
Harsh truths: TikTok worker debunks myths about Thai labourers in South Korea (video)
A Thai worker, known as soongphon on TikTok, has taken to the platform to share the harsh reality of Thai labourers working in South Korea. Contrary to popular belief, his videos reveal that the work environment is far from easy, dismissing any illusions of a comfortable job. The TikToker posted video clips showing the daily grind of Thai labourers in…
-
Stolen gun leads to death of 14 year old boy in southern Thailand
A 14 year old boy stole a gun from his retired police officer grandfather yesterday, leading to the accidental shooting and tragic death of his friend at his residence in the southern Trang province. Rescue officers from the Ruam Jai Yan Ta Khao team received a distress call yesterday, October 10, reporting what was believed to be a fireworks explosion…
-
Maha Sarakham chairman arrested over allegations of contract renewal bribes
The Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) in Maha Sarakham collaborated with the police to arrest the chairman of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) who was accused of contract renewal bribes. The arrest operation today took place in the office of the chairman of the SAO in Nong Muang, Borrabue District, Maha Sarakham. The police, led by Seksan Sommat, the director of…
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.