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.
-
Sponsored Which is the best copy trading platform?
Copy trading has become increasingly popular with investors around the globe over the past decade. It's considered a simple way to capitalise on market opportunities with little effort. But is it really a shortcut to making big bucks in the...
-
Thai govt’s minimum wage hike to 400 baht faces opposition
The government’s recent announcement of an impending nationwide minimum wage hike to 400 baht per day in October has provoked strong opposition from a member of the tripartite wage committee. The committee member in question, Atthayuth Leeyavanich, who represents employers, criticised the premature disclosure of the wage increase, asserting that it had not yet been discussed or approved by the…
-
Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
-
Thailand’s health minister proposes change to amphetamine law
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has announced a significant shift in Thailand’s drug policy. He expressed his intention to reduce the minimum amount of amphetamine tablets that would classify possession as a criminal act. Currently, the law considers possession of five or more tablets as a crime, a reduction from the previous threshold of 15, implemented last year. Speaking to…
-
Concerns rise over Thai ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice
Concerns are escalating over the Thai Commerce Ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice from the former government’s rice-pledging scheme. Consumer safety watchdogs, including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been urged to investigate potential aflatoxin and chemical contamination in the grain. This appeal comes in the wake of Commerce Minister…
-
Thai technician’s no-drill aircon install in Trat goes viral
A Thai air conditioning technician from Trat has ingeniously circumvented a landlord’s strict no-drilling policy by innovatively installing an air conditioning unit without altering the property’s walls. The landlord’s uncompromising stance on wall modifications led to the resourceful solution, which was shared on ช่างแอร์ พัทยา Facebook group. The Facebook post, by แอร์ด่วน พัทยา, showcased a creative workaround to the typical…
-
Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos as passengers clash
A routine flight from Thailand to Kuwait turned into a mid-air battleground when a group of Kuwaiti women erupted into a violent altercation, leaving chaos and fear in their wake. Amidst the turbulence, the situation escalated to the point where even the plane’s security officer fell victim to assault. With safety paramount, the pilot made a crucial decision, rerouting the…
-
Thai woman’s nostrils infested by hundreds of maggots
A Thai woman got more than she bargained for during a routine nasal examination when doctors unearthed a horrifying secret lurking inside her nose. A 59 year old Thai woman received a chilling diagnosis during what she thought was a routine visit to address her stuffy nose. Doctors at Nakornping Hospital, nestled in Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province, made a startling discovery,…
-
Thai man seized for laundering 5 million baht from online gambling
In a striking cyber raid, the Thai authorities arrested a 29 year old man in Nonthaburi for his involvement in an online gambling ring and for laundering over 5 million baht through multiple transactions. The arrest was part of a larger crackdown on illegal online gambling activities facilitated by the website wtf55, which offered games such as Baccarat and Dragon Tiger.…
-
Traffic violation leads to serious bike crash in South Pattaya
A tragic accident occurred in South Pattaya yesterday, resulting in a sports bike rider sustaining serious injuries following a collision with a sedan. The 52 year old driver of the sedan, who allegedly disregarded a red light, was involved in the accident at 2.46am on Sukhumvit Road. Upon arriving at the scene, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation found a heavily…
-
Ricegate scandal: 10 year old rice stockpile unsafe for consumption
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) demanded rigorous quality and safety checks for a colossal 15,000 tonnes of jasmine rice, stockpiled since 2014 under the controversial rice-pledging scheme. The council, joined by an academic from Chiang Mai University, fears the rice may be laced with harmful chemicals, rendering it unfit for human or animal consumption. Deputy Chief of the TCC’s policies…
-
Pattaya pandemonium: Residents clash with illegal migrant influx
In the bustling streets of Pattaya, a storm brews as residents raise their voices against the encroaching presence of illegal migrant workers. They decry the theft of Thai people’s livelihoods and the nuisance inflicted upon tourists by these unauthorised labourers. Voicing their grievances to the local press, residents unveil a troubling narrative. Foreign women, predominantly hailing from Laos, Cambodia, and…
-
School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et
Investigations concluded yesterday as police made a definitive arrest of a school van driver for the murder of a 23 year old woman whose body was found handcuffed, abandoned in a scrubland by the Chi River in Roi Et province. After a meticulous search, authorities apprehended a 67 year old school van driver, named Ken, from the same village as…
-
Bangkok building crumbles unexpectedly, no injuries reported (video)
A demolition task spiralled into chaos as a building unexpectedly collapsed along Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok this morning. The incident, reported around 10.30am, May 8, by Tee Nee Bang Phlat Facebook, unfolded in the Bang Phlat district, leaving a trail of debris. The aftermath of the collapse saw portions of the wreckage spilling onto Charan Sanitwong Road, in the…
-
Thai king appoints new Deputy Supreme Patriarch
The Thai monarch has elevated a senior monk to the high ecclesiastical title of Phra Dhammarajanuwatra at Wat Moleelokayaram Raja Woravihara, appointing him as the Deputy Supreme Patriarch, or the second-highest position in the Thai monastic hierarchy. This royal command was issued today and subsequently announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The monk in question, Phra Phrom Vajirunhis, previously…
-
Phuket’s Ko Phai Ling closes to protect coral from bleaching
Thailand’s beloved Ko Phai Ling, along with its surrounding coral reefs within Sirinat National Park in Phuket, stands temporarily closed to tourists from today until the situation improves, with the closure slated to remain until further notice. Park Chief Watchara Songsi-awn, made the announcement following the discovery of widespread coral bleaching across the area. With the Andaman Sea temperatures soaring…
-
Phuket police search for woman’s ex-girlfriend after acid attack
A manhunt is underway in Phuket, as police are fervently looking for a woman accused of committing a horrifying acid attack on her former partner. This violent incident unfolded yesterday evening on Soi Ta-iad, in the district of Chalong. The distressing call to authorities was made from outside a pharmacy situated opposite the popular Ali’s BBQ restaurant. The report came…
-
Microsoft’s digital dynamo: Thailand tech scene ignited by AI blitz
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, unveiled ambitious plans to supercharge Thailand’s digital landscape with a surge in Data and AI initiatives. The tech giant’s commitment extends to fostering a robust AI ecosystem, offering over 100,000 individuals the chance to upskill and dive into the world of artificial intelligence. “This marks a pivotal moment for Thailand, propelling us into…
-
Thai protest leader gets 3-year sentence for lese majeste violation
The Criminal Court has sentenced a key protest leader to four years in prison for lese-majeste law violation. The verdict was delivered in absentia after the defendant, 28 year old Panupong, also known as Mike Jadnok, failed to appear for the second time in today’s hearing at 10am, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. Panupong, charged with making defamatory statements…
-
Scoot unveils next-gen jet Embraer in Krabi and Hat Yai flights
Scoot, the budget airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has soared into a new era of aviation with the inauguration of its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The momentous occasion unfolded amidst much fanfare at Singapore Changi Airport, with esteemed guests including Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Chee Hong Tat, alongside aviation partners and media from across…
-
Thailand’s spectacular showcase at Arabian Travel Market 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unleashes its latest concept Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, captivating audiences with tales of wonder and adventure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that the event marks Thailand’s 24th year at the ATM, showcasing TAT’s commitment to endless innovation in tourism. “Collaborating with the Phuket Tourist Association, we’ve…
-
Police seize over 1,000 Yaba pills in Phetchaburi drug sting
A drug sting in Phetcha Buri by Thai police earlier today saw the apprehension of a 28 year old man and his unsuspecting 24 year old girlfriend. The police had been tipped off about a planned drug transaction, with delivery in an Isuzu pickup truck near the Nong Buay Agricultural Market in Tha Yang. Upon receiving the intelligence, Police Colonel…
-
Thai soldier and 12 friends accused of assaulting teenage boy
A Thai woman accused a soldier and 12 of his friends in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat of severely assaulting her 15 year old son, causing severe injuries to the teenage boy. The victim, identified as A, told Channel 3 that the soldier, Raphephat, repeatedly accused him of stealing a shirt despite his denials. Raphephat allegedly continued to…
-
Sausage scandal sizzles: Firm’s funds filched, couple cuffed
A prominent fermented pork sausage firm has been hit by an enormous embezzlement case, leading to the arrest of a couple believed to be the prime culprits. A 41 year old man and his 39 year old wife are under investigation for the alleged theft of a staggering 396 million baht. Today, around 6.30am, teams from the Crime Suppression Division…
-
Sunken boat survivor recounts her harrowing experience
A chilling tale of a capsised tourist boat survivor off the coast of Trang speaks out against the delayed rescue efforts that led to the death of her mother in law, and her child contracting a severe lung infection. The incident unfolded near Pak Meng Bridge in the Mai Fat district on May 4 and resulted in 14 individuals fighting…
-
Prachuap Khiri Khan bar owner arrested for trafficking minors
Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan province arrested a karaoke bar owner for allegedly trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. A 15 year old victim was discovered among the individuals being forced to provide sexual services during the school holiday period. The operation, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s deputy commander, was initiated following a tip-off from an international anti-trafficking organisation. The…
-
Uzbekistan tourist dies after ignoring rip current warning in Phuket
A strong rip current at Kata Noi Beach in Phuket claimed the life of a 41 year old Uzbekistan tourist. He was declared dead at Chalong Hospital yesterday afternoon following his encounter with the deadly current. His death was reported to Karon Police around 3.30pm. An investigation into Sadullo Tashtemirovich Saidov’s unfortunate demise revealed that he, along with a group…
-
Jealous Thai man’s death threats to massage mistress and client
A jealous Thai man allegedly issued death threats to a client of his mistress at a massage shop in the eastern province of Trat, mistaking the client for his mistress’ lover. A 47 year old woman named Meow yesterday, May 7, sought assistance from Mueang Trat Police Station officers after her lover, 62 year old Komin, threatened to kill her…
-
Thai ornament gold price hits 40,950 baht, investors watch closely
Gold prices in Thailand saw a continuous rise, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) marking the opening of the market with an uptick. Those interested in the precious metal would note the significant increase in the selling price of ornament gold, which reached 40,950 baht per baht-weight as of today, May 8, showing a 50 baht increase from the previous…
-
Visa-free travel for Indian & Taiwanese visitors extended 6 months
Thai Cabinet extended visa-free travel for Indian and Taiwanese visitors by six months after the former period expires on May 10. The scheme is aimed at boosting Thai tourism and the economy. The Thai government initially introduced the visa-free policy for Indian and Taiwanese tourists in October last year. The measure was active from November 10 last year until this…
-
Krabi’s cool facade cracks: Paradise threatened by water crisis
Krabi, a paradise of pristine beaches and azure waters, faces a chilling reality: a water crisis that could dry up its tourism fortunes. As demands for long-term solutions surge, local operators urge action to avert disaster. Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, acting president of the Krabi Tourism Association stated that the government pledged to make Thailand a tourism hub, and Krabi generates significant…
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.