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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
-
karma: Jealous husband’s fiery act backfires, leaving him scorched
If karma indeed exists, it enacted a merciless retribution upon a Thai man who, consumed by jealousy over his ex-wife’s new romance, set fire to her and her mother. The Thai man ended up suffering severe burns all over his body during the arson attack on his former spouse. This harrowing incident unfolded in the early hours of yesterday when…
-
Illegal surrogacy ring busted in Bangkok as police raid three healthcare facilities
A special investigation team (DSI) raided three healthcare facilities, apprehending an operation secretly arranging surrogate mothers. The illegal surrogacy operation involved Thai women paid to carry pregnancies before the infants were sent abroad. Crucial documents were found during the raid, and legal proceedings are underway. The illegal surrogacy operation news broke out today, at 6.30am. The DSI, under the supervision…
-
Bangkok bullet bust: Officers nab four with guns and ammunition at petrol pit stop
Four suspects were arrested by Min Buri inspection officers, who seized five handguns and nearly 50 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition arrest occurred at a petrol station in Min Buri, a district of Bangkok, today. The group, consisting of 15 year old A, 19 year old Naphat, 20 year old Natthawut, and 19 year old Chanachon, were found in possession…
-
Media meltdown: JKN global struggles as shares drop amid debenture dilemma
JKN Global Media Plc’s shares plummeted to 1.67 baht during early trade as the company acknowledged its inability to fully repay the 609 million baht debenture due that day. This debenture is part of a seven-series set, totaling 3.36 billion baht. After the disclosure on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), JKN Global Media’s shares tumbled by 29.8%, a drop…
-
Thai Airways takes off in new direction with operational shake-up
Thai Airways International (THAI) Public Company Limited today announced several operational changes. THAI will use Airbus A320 aircraft for routes formerly managed by THAI Smile Airways: Ahmedabad, Kaohsiung, and Penang. The A320s will also fly to Kolkata, a route currently operated by THAI. Changes begin on September 1 for Ahmedabad and October 15 for Kolkata. The detailed flight schedule is…
-
Quackers’ surprise: Homeowner unravels duck dilemma with a twist of python
A homeowner finally discovered the reason for his dwindling duck stock when he found a 3 metre long python lounging in his duck coop. The early morning python discovery led the homeowner, Somsak Metta, to call for emergency assistance. The incident took place today, at house number 131, in the Bang Kung village, Si Maha Phot district, Prachin Buri province.…
-
Thailand’s best-kept secret: Unraveling the online wonderland!
Nestled amidst the shimmering lights and pulsating rhythms of the Asian gaming panorama, fun88 emerges as a beacon for avid gamers and enthusiasts. More than just a platform, it serves as a testament to the evolution of digital entertainment, seamlessly blending tradition with technology. With every click and every play, fun88 doesn’t just offer a game; it extends an invitation…
-
A woman looking for calm on meditation retreat finds chaos after abbot sexually harassed her
A 20 year old Thai woman announced yesterday that an abbot sexually harassed her at a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat while on a meditation retreat. The abbot denied the allegations and accused the woman of blackmailing him for money. The woman recounted the incident with Channel 7 yesterday. She asserted that the abbot subjected her…
-
Domestic dispute turns deadly: Mother’s morning ends in tragedy in southern Thailand
A violent domestic dispute led to the tragic death of a 34 year old mother of two at her home in Phatthalung, Thailand. The domestic violence incident occurred this morning after the woman, Jenjira (surname withheld), had taken her two daughters to school. Her 37 year old husband, Piyawut allegedly confessed to the brutal murder. Piyawut turned himself in to…
-
Clickbait caper: 26 year old nabbed by cyber cops for online fraud
A 26 year old man was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and Sector 5 Royal Thai Police officials today, under allegations of cyber fraud. The man had reportedly set up a Line Group under the name Ek Pattani, a renowned Muay Thai expert, and successfully duped numerous victims into transferring money to him. The operation was led by…
-
Woman with Alzheimer’s lives with husband’s dead body for 4 days
A 76 year old woman with Alzheimer’s was found in the company of her 86 year old husband who had been lying dead for four days at their house in the northeastern province of Bueng Kan. The old woman was unaware he was dead. It wasn’t until a friend took food to the couple’s house yesterday that they discovered the…
-
Brewing trouble: Kratom tea shop gets steeped in controversy after midnight raid
In a joint operation, Khon Kaen police raided a local establishment, Suppaweed, known for selling kratom tea intermixed with cough medicine. The kratom tea raid, which occurred yesterday, was initiated due to various complaints about the shop’s 24-hour operation and its habit of creating noise disturbances late into the night. The kratom tea raid team, led by Police Captain Danai…
-
Pardon the uproar: Thaksin’s plea adds a royal twist to political drama
A royal pardon application for Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, has been received, as confirmed by the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. Acting as the justice minister, Wissanu announced a press event at the Government House, though he refrained from disclosing whether the appeal was penned by Thaksin or his relatives. He clarified that the request was…
-
Digging for justice: Mother’s anger grows after 8 year old son buried alive by uncle
A furious Thai mother sought justice for her eight year old son after the boy was buried alive by his uncle. The mother is incandescent with rage at the Royal Thai Police’s procrastination in issuing charges against the suspect despite the overwhelming evidence presented to them. The mother, Tanyong, revealed her fury on Facebook. “The incident occurred on August 26,…
-
Bangkok encourages disabled citizens to join ‘Bangkok For All’ initiative
Disabled people in Bangkok are being urged to sign up for the Bangkok For All initiative via the Line app, an effort by City Hall to streamline access to social benefits. The push was highlighted by Phanumas Sukamporn, an advisor to the Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, at the Disabled Social Wellness Expo held at the Youth Centre. Bangkok For All…
-
Twisted taste: Noodle vendor’s simmering feud ends in chilling murder in northern Thailand
A 49 year old noodle vendor was arrested for the brutal murder of a 63 year old moneylender in Lampang, northern Thailand. The alleged crime stemmed from a dispute over loan repayment that escalated into violence, shocking the local community. Anantasin, also known as Pa Sarge, was found dead in his home in Pong San Thong, Mueang Lampang, on Tuesday,…
-
High hopes: Public Health Minister plants seeds for ongoing medical cannabis policy success
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul strongly advocates for the continuation of the current medical cannabis policy under the incoming health ministership. He asserts that, if used correctly, cannabis provides immense benefits to users. This discussion took place at the Public Health Ministry, where he expressed confidence that the new government would not terminate the ‘cannabis for medical treatments’ policy. He…
-
Thai government grins and bears it: New dental health department to tackle nation’s oral health
The Thai government is set to establish a dedicated dental health department, a move aimed at promoting oral healthcare across the nation, the Public Health Ministry announced. Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, revealed to the press that the government had acknowledged the Senate Public Health Committee’s proposal to form the new department, though the plan is yet to…
-
ATTA doubts efficacy of free visa plan for Chinese tourists
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has expressed scepticism about a government proposal to offer free visas to Chinese tourists as a means of stimulating demand. ATTA cites economic difficulties and a weak currency as challenges that could render this initiative ineffectual, particularly in the face of flight and staff shortages. The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations and the…
-
Bangkok building’s canopy collapse narrowly misses caretaker causing power outage
A commercial building awaiting renovation in Bangkok was the scene of a startling incident yesterday evening when a canopy collapsed, damaging a parked car beneath it and causing a local power outage. The 72 year old caretaker of the structure, Witthaya Ketkaew, narrowly escaped harm, having been inside the building at the time of the canopy collapse. Situated at the…
-
Bangkok man’s high-speed chase ends in arrest
A disturbing incident occurred in the heart of Bangkok yesterday when a man, claiming he was being pursued for murder, fled from the police with his wife and nine month old child. The man, 27 year old Krishna, led authorities on a high-speed chase before he was cornered at an intersection at 3.30pm. Bang Sue Police were alerted to a…
-
Courier dispute in Bangkok company leads to stabbing, suspect on the run
A violent altercation between two couriers from a particular company resulted in one man being stabbed and the other fleeing the scene. The conflict arose from an ongoing dispute over job distribution. The courier dispute incident occurred today. Police Captain Pansa Amarapitak, head of Thonglor Police Station, along with the police lieutenant and the deputy head, are overseeing the investigation.…
-
Snout of control: Pig farm stink leaves Surin village in a smelly health predicament
Residents of Nong Kok village in Surin province have expressed their complaints regarding a nearby pig farm that has been emitting extremely unpleasant smells for over two decades. The foul-smelling situation has resulted in recurrent visits to the hospital due to health problems. Despite making numerous appeals to the appropriate authorities, no measures have been implemented, giving rise to suspicions…
-
Durian drama: Police officer pays price for nose-y altercation with vendor
A police officer agreed to pay 140,000 baht in compensation to a female durian vendor after the two engaged in a physical altercation where the cop broke the vendor’s plastic nose. The dispute was ignited by an outstanding debt of 350 baht for the durian. The durian vendor, 27 year old Tittaya Boonpamee, shared footage of the altercation from a…
-
Deviant sexually assaults ladyboy, forces her to perform oral sex in Songkhla
A deviant sexually assaulted a ladyboy in her room, threatening her in front of her boyfriend before raising a knife and forcing her to perform oral sex. The incident, which occurred at 4.40am today, was reported to Anuwat Ritthichai, Deputy Chief of Hat Yai Police Station. The crime took place in a lodging house in Hat Yai municipality, Songkhla province.…
-
Viral TikTok snake sparks lottery number speculation ahead of September draw
A TikTok video of a snake curled up in a strange position has gone viral. This brought lottery enthusiasts to gather online, with over 2 million views. The video, posted by user sengdymanithep, shows the snake refusing to move, even when the person filming tries to shoo it away. The snake’s curled-up position bears a striking resemblance to several numbers,…
-
Global investors navigate high interest rates amid inflation control efforts
Amid recession concerns, inflation, and high interest rates, investors seek promising investment avenues. Stock enthusiasts believe global interest rates are close to peaking, while central banks watch inflation. The US Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate to 5.25-5.50% in July, the highest in decades. The European Central Bank increased rates by 0.25%, and the Bank of Japan hints at a…
-
Moving ahead: MFP urges new PM to keep charter referendum promise
The Move Forward Party (MFP) called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to address a charter to hold a referendum in his initial Cabinet meeting, as previously promised. This follows the House of Representatives rejecting MFP’s push to expedite a full constitution rewrite, currently the 33rd item on the House’s agenda. Highlighting the urgency, list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu acknowledged the House’s decision…
-
The Thaiger introduces revamped mobile app with exciting new features
Did you know that The Thaiger just launched a newly upgraded mobile application? Neatly packaged in a user-friendly format, this new app is easy to navigate for both the tech-savvy and the not-so. Now, you can get the latest updates about Thailand with even more ease through your Android or Apple devices. A wide range of news coverage and fresh…
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.