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.
-
TAT tap into Big Data to assist tourists
by Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is moving forward with the development of a Big Data system to cater to the growth in the number of tourist arrivals. (Yes, it’s another one of these buzz words when the word ‘digital management’ doesn’t sound sexy enough in the PR release. Read more about Big Data HERE.) The authority…
-
‘Overwhelming support’ for decriminalising marijuana for R&D
“An overwhelming number of people are voicing support for decriminalising the use of marijuana for research and development, and for medical purpose.” This from Somchai Sawaengkarn, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, citing results of an opinion survey conducted between October 1-15. Of the 16,431 people who voiced their opinions on the issue, 16,264 voted in support of the…
-
Wet season, not so wet – some dams are less than 60% full
FILE PHOTO: Ubonrat Dam – The Nation Emerging from the back end of the annual wet season, Thailand should be well poised for adequate water supplies for the forthcoming dry season. There’s been major flooding of some dams in the central, far north-eastern and some southern areas. But the wet season rains have been ‘lumpy’ leaving many of the country’s…
-
Somkid says he’ll fly to Beijing to discuss luring back Chinese visitors
The fallout from a number of tragedies and bad PR has mobilised the Thai government to take firm steps towards luring back the Chinese travellers who have been looking elsewhere, other than Thailand, for their chosen holiday breaks. The Nation is reporting that Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak has said today that he may have to hold talks with the Chinese…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Thursday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Two million stray cats and dogs by 2027 – warning from Livestock Department
by Kornrawee Panyasuppakun In the wake of the criticism on social media following the proposal of the new pet and livestock registration laws, the Livestock Development Department has hit back warning that we’ll face a crisis soon if we don’t take action now. “Stray dogs and cats must be registered and sterilised, otherwise their population will reach 2 million in 10…
-
Can Thailand lure the Chinese back?
After half a decade of incredible growth in Chinese tourism to Thailand, the numbers are now in a tail-spin as numbers drop off around the country. With annual rises of 20-50% per annum for half a decade there has been a big drop off in the last quarter (Q3) of 2018. This is the key statistic as compiled in two…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Monday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Man attacks woman in the street, captured on video
A video of a man publicly punching a woman in the face has gone viral on Thai social media. There is no indication where the incident happened. The clip, viewed 3.8 million times (as of Sunday 5pm), shows a man in a black t-shirt punching a woman in the face before taking her away. The woman then gets on the…
-
Thailand – most visited destination among Chinese for Golden Week
The National News Bureau is reporting that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says Ctrip.com, China’s largest and most influential online travel agent, has ranked Thailand the number one global destination among Chinese tourists during this year’s National Day vacation – the Chinese Golden Week 2018. Thailand comes out on top of Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, and…
-
South East Asia tops travellers’ lists
by DataLeads – Asia News Network The Asia Pacific region accounts for 30 per cent of the world’s international tourism receipts. The region outperforms all other regions in terms of growth, with international tourist arrivals increasing an average 7% per year compared to the world average of 4%. China remains one of the leading destinations in Asia. It attracted the highest number…
-
Chinese tourists heading elsewhere – what did you expect?
Don Ross of ttrweekly.com reflects on the self-imposed, but unplanned, reduction to Thailand’s tourist numbers – principally Chinese tourist numbers. If there were growing calls to limit or better control the problems of too many tourists, lax Thai safety laws have done part of the job already. Don writes… Just a few months back, the debate in Thailand focused on the…
-
Panicked tourism associations call for visa fee exemption for Chinese
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) wants Chinese tourists to be exempt from having to apply and pay for their single-entry visas when they arrive in the Kingdom. The ATTA is urging the tourism minister to make this change. Vichit Prakobgosol, president of ATTA, says the measure is necessary to draw Chinese tourists back to the kingdom following a…
-
UPDATE: British Embassy statement on income letters
Officials knew about problems back in May and say that US nationals will also be affected. The British Embassy in Bangkok has responded to requests for clarification by Thaivisa on the issuing of letters regarding income. They said that they had a meeting with immigration in May and told Thaivisa that they are “not verification experts”. They have also claimed…
-
“This is not a hotel” – Share economy exploits loopholes
by Nophakhun Limsamarnphun Explosion in short term rentals causes problems for hotels and reduces tax revenues. Legal loopholes and lax regulation of the hotel business have led to a large number of unlicensed hotel operators and unregistered guests in major tourist destinations in Thailand, according to government and private sector officials. In addition, the widely-popular sharing economy has prompted new…
-
Key suspect arrested in 800 million baht bitcoin ‘scam’
Parinya Jaravijit, a key suspect in an alleged 800 million baht bitcoin investment scam, was arrested last night at Suvarnabhumi Airport when he arrived back in Thailand. Parinya – who continues to maintain his innocence – was taken to Ratchadapisek Criminal Court today to apply for his first 12 day detention period (October 12-23). Police have objected to his bail…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Friday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Pet registration bill rethink after public outcry
by Kornwaree Panyasuppakun A Bill approved by the Cabinet, making it mandatory to register dogs and cats, has ben derailed after pet lovers cried foul over the high fee for the registration documents, threatening to abandon their pets. The bill, approved by Cabinet on Wednesday, allows municipalities to charge a maximum fee of 450 – 500 baht for registration, 100…
-
Two arrested for smuggling tiger body parts
by Mongkolchaowarat Thangmangmee Two Vietnamese men have been arrested on a Mae Sot-Mukdahan bus in Phitsanulok for smuggling the body parts of a complete 200 kilogram tiger, estimated to be worth 2 million baht. The suspects, identified as 40 year old Ley Binh and 29 year old Nguyen Wan Tung were apprehended after a tip-off to police that suspicious persons…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Actor’s family assets confiscated over suspected bitcoin fraud
PHOTO: Thai actor Jirachpisit ‘Boom’ Jarawichit – The Nation The AMLO (Anti Money Laundering Office) has confiscated assets worth 210 million baht belonging to an actor and his family suspected of involvement in fraud and money laundering. The case stems from a complaint by a Finnish investor, Aarni Otava Saarimaa, that he was defrauded of bitcoins valued at 797 million…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Tuesday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
-
Illegal foreigners on notice – 30 day crackdown
The Immigration bureau has been given a month to go after thousands of suspected overstayers and others believed involved in criminal activities. Thai Deputy PM and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday instructed the Immigration Bureau to crack down on foreigners overstaying their visas or using Thailand as safe haven for criminal activities. The bureau has been given one month to…
-
Senior official arrested over alleged poaching in Kanchanaburi
A new group has been arrested following alleged poaching in a Kanchanaburi national park, again involving high profile officers. A group, including a deputy district chief, who allegedly camped out overnight and shot a ‘binturong‘ at the Sai Yok National Park in Kanchaburi province over the weekend, has been arrested. An informed source said park officials checked the group after…
-
Event Round-Up – October
by Paul Poole – The Sponsorship Experts The end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat or Buddhist Lent is marked in October with a range of religious ceremonies across the country. One of them, the Chong Para Festival in Mae Hong Son from October 20-22, is particularly colourful. Wooden towers are decorated with colourful paper and fruit and carried in procession through…
-
Thai economy’s growth in 2018 projected at 4.5% – World Bank
Things are looking up for more economic smiles in the Land of Smiles with more positive news coming out of the World Bank. Projections are being revised upward, again. The World Bank says it’s adjusted its projections for Thailand’s economic growth upward, for the whole of 2018, to 4.5%, from the previous projection of 4.1%. The announcement comes from Kiattiphong…
-
Marquez beats Dovizioso in Buri Ram MotoGP thriller
PHOTOS: Naratip Golf Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images by Lerpong Amsa-ngiam Marc Marquez of Honda narrowly beat arch-rival Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati to win the inaugural MotoGP Thailand at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram this afternoon (Sunday). Over 100,000 fans were treated with neck-and-neck battle between the two current leaders on the Championship standing but in the end it was the talented…
-
Japan tops Thailand as Chinese tourists’ top choice for Golden Week
Watch out Thailand. Japan is stealing our tourists. Japan has now overtaken Thailand as Chinese vacationers’ top choice for the 2018 Chinese Golden Week holiday. This according to Ctrip.com, one of the biggest travel websites in China. This is the first time Thailand has lost its top destination status to Japan during the holiday season which expect at least 7…
-
Thaiger Radio News – Saturday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere…
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.