Thailand News

Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.

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    Is Swedish snus a good alternative to smoking in Thailand?

    With approximately 106,000 people in Thailand succumbing to smoking-related illnesses annually, people are exploring alternatives in pursuit of a safer option. And for many, the answer is Swedish snus (pronounced snoose and rhymes with goose), a traditional Scandinavian tobacco product...

  • Thai farmers advised against off-season rice due to climate change

    Climate change and the moderate effects of the El Niño phenomenon have led to a reduction in Thailand’s water supply, prompting authorities to advise second-crop farmers against the cultivation of off-season rice. The lower water levels have necessitated a revised water distribution plan to support existing plantations where crops are yet to be harvested. Krongsak Songraksa, Deputy Director-General of the…

  • Unruly British man goes berserk on Bangkok-London flight (video)

    An unruly British man was arrested after his flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow landed following a cowardly attack on a Thai Airways member of staff. The 35 year old unnamed British man went berserk only minutes after the flight from the Thai capital took off on February 7 and proceeded to smash up the aircraft’s toilet. A passenger managed…

  • Locals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya

    Locals sought help for a Thai woman and her half Thai half Scottish sons living in an unhealthy, rubbish-strewn house in Pattaya. The three were reportedly in financial trouble after the woman’s Scottish husband left Thailand four years ago. Residents in the northern Pattaya neighbourhood urged Amarin TV to tell the family’s story in a bid to find help for…

  • Debt dispute drives Thai woman to fatal self-immolation with niece

    Tragedy struck yesterday when a 66 year old woman and her 14 year old disabled niece were found dead after self-immolation (the act of setting fire to oneself) in a remote area of Chumphon Province, Thailand. The harrowing incident was reported to the police by local authorities, prompting an immediate investigation by officers from Na Sak Police Station, alongside forensic…

  • Thailand’s Education Ministry to launch enhanced O-Net Plus exam system

    The Education Ministry of Thailand is gearing up to introduce the enhanced O-Net Plus exam system, a move that will rejuvenate equivalency testing and provide a benchmark for assessing teaching quality. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob affirmed the necessity of a benchmark to evaluate students’ knowledge and skill levels, a role that the National Institute of Educational Testing Service’s…

  • Thailand govt urges use of public transport amid rising PM2.5 pollution

    The escalating issue of PM2.5 pollution in Thailand has led the government to encourage the public to utilise public transportation, particularly in the most polluted areas. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for the public’s cooperation in the battle against the country’s increasing air pollution, which has seen a significant rise in recent days. “We must work on improving the situation…

  • Cabinet meeting to discuss constitutional amendment referendum parameters

    Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, announced that next month’s Cabinet meeting will focus on the parameters required for a constitutional amendment referendum. Phumtham, who is also the head of a panel examining the referendum requirements for the charter amendment, has stated that the report will be submitted to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Cabinet for…

  • Roses from the Tourist Police on Valentine’s Day in Lopburi

    Tourists in Lopburi were greeted with an unexpected gesture of goodwill this Valentine’s Day, as the city’s Tourist Police distributed roses to visitors. The act of kindness was part of a broader initiative to ensure safety and spread good cheer among locals and foreigners alike. Patrols were not only focused on maintaining order and safety but also on fostering a…

  • Thailand heritage meets modern flair: Kaomai Museums blend past and present

    In Chiang Mai, the Kaomai Museums, a project conceived by PAVA Architects, stands as a testament to the fusion of Thailand’s rich architectural and cultural heritage with modern functionality. The museums offer a captivating narrative that bridges the past and the present. The restoration process, meticulously executed, breathed new life into a cluster of colonial-era warehouses. These historical structures, once…

  • Thai government’s plan to boost NBT channel ratings

    The National Public Relations Committee convened yesterday, led by Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, to tackle the crisis of low ratings for the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) channel. Currently languishing in 17th place, NBT faces an uphill battle to resonate with viewers amidst fierce competition. The committee, comprising top brass from the Government Public Relations Department, dissected the…

  • Thaksin’s parole won’t alter Thailand’s politics, says Pheu Thai

    Pheu Thai Party Deputy Leader Chusak Sirinil recently threw light on the potential impact of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s impending parole, stating that it won’t significantly alter the political landscape of the nation. He expressed confidence in the current government’s performance and the prime minister’s full functionality, dismissing the speculations of major changes anticipated by many political observers. Chusak…

  • Activist Surachai declared missing by Thai court after fleeing to exile

    A court in Nakhon Si Thammarat officially declared activist Surachai Danwattananusorn missing, igniting concerns over his fate after years of silence since his exile in Laos in 2018. The ruling, delivered on Monday, grants his wife, Pranee Danwattananusorn, the authority to handle his assets, shedding light on the ordeal endured by his family in the absence of any trace of…

  • Thailand tourists to get medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht

    The Thai government pledged unprecedented medical insurance and compensation packages, promising travellers a worry-free experience. Under the scheme, tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents, along with compensation of up to 1 million baht in the unfortunate event of death. At the campaign launch, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol declared the initiative,…

  • Spirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup

    The Ministry of Public Health held a meeting today, February 15, to deliberate on the potential abolition of the time restriction for alcohol sales, currently set between 11am and 2pm. However, the meeting failed to reach a clear conclusion. The Public Health Minister, Chonlnan Srikaew, reported that the proposal to cancel the time limit for alcohol sales was submitted to…

  • Paws unite: Happy Doggo & Soi Dog tackle Asia’s strays

    Happy Doggo and Soi Dog Foundation have joined forces to tackle Asia’s stray animal crisis head-on with a colossal campaign. Aimed at putting an end to the suffering of homeless animals across the continent, this ambitious initiative promises to revolutionize the fight against the stray population. Animals 24-7, jaded by seeing grandiose claims in appeals and media releases a zillion…

  • Thai cyber police shut down online gambling rings, seize 18 million baht

    Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The operation was a collaborative effort involving Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society;…

  • Thai bank officer nabbed for selling customer data in Nonthaburi

    A Thai bank loan officer has been arrested for selling the personal data of over 5,000 customers, a lucrative side business that netted him tens of thousands of baht per month for over the past two years. The capture took place at 11am today, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Mueang Thong Thani. The digital economy and society minister,…

  • Mike Tyson’s Thailand high: The cannabis 2.0 comeback

    In an exclusive interview with Mike Tyson, the boxing legend revealed his daring venture into Thailand’s cannabis market with Tyson 2.0, sparking both business strategy and personal mission. In a deep dive discussion, Tyson unveils the intertwined relationship between cannabis and combat sports, recounting his escapade in Thailand and the serendipity that spared him from the long arm of the…

  • Brave officer thwarts student brawl with gun and knife at Ranong

    A police officer has been lauded for his bravery after intervening in a student brawl at a busy intersection. The incident, which could have turned deadly with the involvement of a firearm and a knife, was swiftly contained by the officer, who risked his safety to prevent potential injury or death among the youths involved. The altercation occurred on February…

  • Thai boy assaulted by jealous teenagers for being ‘too handsome’

    A 15 year old Thai boy suffered serious injuries after a group of teenagers beat him up for being “too handsome” in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Residents in the Ban Nong Kanon Simma in the Ban Dung district of Udon Thani urged the police to take action on the group of teenagers, aged between 12 and 16, responsible…

  • Daruma Sushi owner cleared of scam charges amid business collapse

    The Criminal Court acquitted a 41 year old owner of the Daruma Sushi restaurant chain, of charges related to a coupon and franchise sales scam that allegedly caused hundreds of millions in damage. The court ruled that the mismanagement leading to the restaurant’s failure was not intentional or fraudulent. The verdict was delivered at 9am, today, February 15, at the…

  • Family drama: Thai thief begs to be jailed to escape cruel life

    A Thai man, arrested for theft in the central province of Chachoengsao, pleaded with police officers to jail him so he could escape the cruel realities of the world and issues within his family. He expressed that his family rejected him, and believes his incarceration would be a gift for them. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station responded to the…

  • Buriram yoga teacher exposes photographer’s sexual harassment

    A yoga instructor exposed a prominent photographer from Buriram for sexual harassment and attempted coercion into risqué photography, with a subsequent payoff offer of 30,000 baht to silence the matter. The incident, which she believes was not an isolated case, took place on February 15. The victim shared her traumatic experience on social media to warn other women of the…

  • Experts warn against Thailand’s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats

    Cancer’s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Institute’s figures from 2022 revealing over 140,000 fresh diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives. While strides have been made, certain cancers persist as formidable adversaries, striking at the heart of the populace: liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical cancers stand firm against medical progress. The culprits behind this epidemic’s ascent…

  • Koh Chang woman arrested for mobile scam defrauding 100 people

    A 21 year old woman was arrested in Koh Chang for allegedly deceiving over 100 people in a mobile phone down-payment scam that lasted over a year. The woman, identified only as Marisa, who owned a well-known shop, faced several warrants for her arrest, one being from Thonburi Criminal Court dated November 28 last year, for fraud and entering false…

  • Disabled Thai woman busted in Valentine’s Day Yaba crackdown

    Authorities in the Isaan province of Roi Et arrested a 78 year old Thai woman with a disability and seized 151 tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, as part of the Expressing Love to Yaba Dealers crackdown on Valentine’s Day. Roi Et provincial administrative authorities together with police and soldiers launched the anti-narcotics operation on Valentine’s Day after receiving…

  • Thailand’s hotspots surge, sparking environmental concerns

    The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported a surge in hotspots across Thailand and neighbouring countries, exceeding 1,700 points in Thailand alone as of February 14. This data, collected from the Suomi NPP satellite alongside other satellites, raised concerns, particularly as the majority of these hotspots are located in conservation forests and national parks. With neighbouring countries also…

  • Bangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone

    A Grab driver’s act of honesty in returning a mobile phone to a customer earned him a generous cash tip, sparking praise and discussion in a popular social media group. A Grab driver recently shared an experience on the Facebook group GrabCar Drivers Club Thailand, which boasts over 110,000 members, where he recounted being tipped handsomely by a customer. After…

  • Thailand and Australia consider mutual visa exemption

    In a bid to foster seamless travel and boost business ties, Thailand and Australia are contemplating a mutual visa exemption scheme. The proposition was tabled during a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and David Hurley, the Governor-General of Australia, at Government House yesterday. Amidst a visit to Thailand, Governor-General Hurley, accompanied by his spouse Linda, is set to…

  • Homeless to hairstylist: American woman’s life-changing adventure in Thailand (video)

    An American woman @ExperiencingKiaa with a mere US$7 (approximately 250 baht) in her bank account captivated TikTok followers with her tale of survival in Thailand. The American woman, Kiaa, chronicled her journey on social media, which began with a spontaneous decision to embark on a one-way flight to Japan. However, within a day of arriving, she realised Japan wasn’t her destination…