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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Thailand video news | Singaporean businessman caught at Thai airport in VAT evasion case, US student visa chaos avoided as Thai applicants get reassurance
Today we’ll be talking about a plethora of women getting arrested for cannabis smuggling, updates on Thailand’s retirement visa as well as the impact of student visa changes for Thai’s in America, and a little later the reversal of Vietnam’s two child policy in the face of a declining birth rate. British Mum Busted at German Airport Over Thai Cannabis…
-
Mechanic’s test drive ends in crash after sedan cuts off car
A test drive of a customer’s car by a mechanic and an intern ended in an accident when the vehicle overturned after being cut off by a sedan. The collision, which occurred yesterday, June 4, outside the Sisaket Provincial Land Office in Mueang district, involved a white Mitsubishi Pajero and a municipal garbage truck. Three people were injured, including the…
-
Nonthaburi handbag fight leads to stabbing and arrest
A seemingly harmless handbag purchase sparked a violent altercation, with a man tracking down his rival to stab him after a chaotic scene at a shopping centre. The incident unfolded on March 21 at a shopping mall in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, where a fight broke out over the purchase of a popular brand-name handbag. A queue-jumping argument quickly escalated into…
-
Gay Thai man found dead in Surin with gold accessories missing
Police are searching for a suspect after a gay Thai man was found dead with a stab wound at his home in the Isaan province of Surin yesterday, and multiple gold accessories were reported missing. A 20 year old rescue worker was the first person to discover the lifeless body of the 63 year old LGBTQIA+ man, Pratheep Kongthawee. He…
-
Nong Khai police seize drugs, arrest two after car crash
In Nong Khai, two men were arrested following a failed attempt to evade police, resulting in their car crashing into a tree. The search of their vehicle uncovered methamphetamine and firearms, leading to further discoveries at a rented house. The arrests took place on June 3, when 32 year old Songsak Kaewchiangwang and 23 year old Thanatorn Makluaopao, both from…
-
Thailand plans new casino laws to combat money laundering
Thailand is set to implement measures to record and monitor financial transactions of casino visitors to combat money laundering, as the government aims to gain support for a bill to legalise gambling venues within new integrated resorts. The country plans to enforce responsible gaming regulations, which include prohibitions on casino advertising and barring those considered “financial risks” from entry, explained…
-
Woman caught with grenade after fleeing Loei police checkpoint
A 39 year old woman was apprehended after fleeing a police checkpoint on a motorcycle. She was found with an MK2 grenade, also known as a pineapple grenade, hidden in grass at her house, claiming it was for self-defence. Yesterday, June 4, paramilitary rangers from Task Force 2102 of the 21st Ranger Regiment were conducting a checkpoint at Phra Metta…
-
Thai woman killed after biting cousin’s tongue to escape rape attempt
A Thai woman in the central province of Nakhon Pathom died in a brutal throat slitting incident after allegedly attempting to escape a rape attempt by her drug-addicted cousin by biting his tongue. The suspect denied the allegations. Apisit, a relative of the victim, discovered the lifeless body of 47 year old Naphattaon in her bedroom on the second floor of…
-
Banthat Thong’s food scene fights back despite tourist drop
Bangkok’s beloved Banthat Thong Road is facing a food fight of its own, with dwindling tourist numbers, high prices, and cautious diners taking a bite out of business. But the Thai Restaurant Association insists the area’s culinary star hasn’t lost its shine. “Banthat Thong still has tremendous potential,” said Thai Restaurant Association President Chanon Koetcharoen. “It remains a top destination…
-
Nakhon Pathom police reshuffle after illegal nightclub raid
The chief of Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police ordered the transfer of five officers from Kamphaeng Saen Police Station following a raid that uncovered an illegal nightclub operating without a permit, drugs, and underage patrons. On June 1, at around 1am, a special operations team from the Department of Provincial Administration inspected Rad Zone Chill Kamphaeng Saen, revealing its lack of…
-
Thailand’s meth crisis sparks mental health fears
Thailand is battling a full-blown methamphetamine (meth) epidemic, with 1.5 million users nationwide and hundreds of thousands suffering serious mental health effects, according to bombshell new research unveiled this week. The data, released by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), paints a grim picture of widespread meth use and the severe impact it’s having on Thai society, particularly among youth. During a…
-
Thai PM Paetongtarn clashes with journalist over Cambodia border dispute
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra clashed with a journalist during an interview yesterday, June 4, regarding the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. A military clash between Thailand and Cambodia was reported on May 28 in the Chong Bok area of the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The clash began at approximately 5.30am and ended at 5.55am on the same day.…
-
Thailand eyes global top three spot in entertainment complexes
The Ministry of Finance is positioning the development of entertainment complexes as a new economic driver, aiming to attract investment and tourism worth hundreds of billions of baht. Deputy Finance Minister, Chulaphan Amornvivat, announced yesterday, June 4, that Thailand could become the third-largest entertainment complex hub globally, following Las Vegas and Macau, within five to 10 years. Chulaphan highlighted that…
-
70 officials implicated in Bangkok building collusion scandal
Approximately 70 government officials have been implicated in a collusion scandal involving the ill-fated State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok, as revealed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). This group includes both former and current SAO executives, as well as members from 10 committees associated with the building’s design, construction, and inspection, according to statements made by DSI…
-
Family in Prachin Buri alarmed by snake invasion
A family in Prachin Buri was alarmed when a group of snakes invaded their home, coiling together in the rafters. Yesterday, June 4, at 7pm, the Sajja Phuttham Dharma Foundation rescue unit and the Sra Bua Police Station were called to house number 242, Moo 1, Lat Takian subdistrict, Kabin Buri district. Upon arrival, they discovered five unidentified green snakes…
-
Danish man’s Thai-mare: Missing dad feared caught in honeytrap
A Danish man has mysteriously vanished in southern Thailand after meeting a much younger woman he’d connected with online, sparking fears he’s fallen victim to an extortion plot. Brian Dilling Pedersen was last heard from on May 28 after a string of increasingly disturbing messages and a chilling final call in which he whispered, “I am afraid; they are many;…
-
Fowl play: Pattaya bird bandits ruffle feathers in cocky heist
Two brazen bird bandits are on the run after snatching four top-notch fighting cocks from a local breeder, leaving the owner fuming that they didn’t even spare him a single feather. The pair of plucky thieves were caught on CCTV stealing four Burmese fighting roosters, two each night over two consecutive early-morning raids, from a home along the railway road…
-
Syphilis surge grips Phuket as tourism booms again
A shocking surge in syphilis cases has hit Phuket, with infections now reported in all three districts of the island province. Health officials are sounding the alarm as the rise coincides with the post-pandemic rebound in tourism and a return to riskier sexual behaviour. “Youths remain a high-risk group, but syphilis can affect people of all genders and ages who engage in…
-
When it rains, it pours: Deluge to soak 34 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted continued heavy rainfall across Thailand, identifying 34 provinces that will be particularly affected. Residents in the southwestern region are advised to remain cautious due to the ongoing weather conditions. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates persistent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas. This is attributed to a moderate southwesterly monsoon…
-
Legal briefs, stolen wires: Pattaya burglars ransack judge’s home
A pair of bumbling burglars have been nicked after breaking into a retired judge’s holiday home in Pattaya, clueless they’d targeted a top legal eagle. Two suspects were cuffed yesterday, June 4, after a dramatic police sting in Chon Buri’s Nongprue subdistrict, following a bold daylight burglary at the private residence of an 83 year old former deputy chief judge…
-
High hopes go up in smoke as Indian women busted in weed run
Three Indian women dreaming of a free Thai getaway ended up in cuffs instead, after being caught smuggling high-grade hydroponic weed worth a staggering 85,000,000 rupees (32.4 million baht) into Mumbai. The trio were intercepted by sharp-eyed customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport yesterday, June 4, following a tip-off about a major drug shipment arriving from Bangkok. Busted…
-
Singaporean businessman caught at airport over 5 million baht VAT fraud
A Singaporean businessman was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport while attempting to flee to his home country. He faced allegations of evading value-added tax (VAT), resulting in a 5 million baht loss to the state. Today, June 4, Police Major General Thathapoom Charupraphan directed Police Colonel Naruephon Karuna and Police Captain Noppakhun Thatnamalai to arrest 71 year old Liu David…
-
Class act! Posh parents splash out as international schools boom
Thailand’s international school sector is booming and it’s the well-heeled who are fuelling the fire. With tuition at top-tier institutions topping a whopping 1.1 million baht a year, it’s clear that wealthy families, corporate high-flyers, and expat professionals are queuing up for a classroom seat with a global edge. Auramon Supthaweethum, head of the Department of Business Development (DBD), named international…
-
British tourist dies in tragic fall in Phuket after night out
A 59 year old British tourist died after falling approximately 7 metres from a steep incline in Patong, Phuket, following a night of dining and drinking. The incident left the victim’s partner, Stewart Raynor, in shock. Today, June 4, Police Lieutenant Chittawan Pengkaew, Deputy Inspector at Patong Police Station, Phuket, received a report from the Patong Radio Centre about the…
-
Saraburi woman charged for illegal lending at 300% interest
A 20 year old woman, known for her aggressive behaviour, has been charged by police in Saraburi province for operating an illegal money lending scheme with exorbitant interest rates of up to 300%. Victims, mainly girls between 13 and 16 years old, were allegedly targeted and intimidated if they failed to repay their debts. The case was brought to light…
-
Top 3 must-have apps for exploring Thailand like a local
Sawadee, savvy traveller! If you’re planning a trip to the Land of Smiles, you’re in for a ride full of golden temples, finger-licking street food, island sunsets, and tuk-tuk adventures. But if you want to do it right — not just like a tourist, but like someone who knows their som tam from their satay — you’ll need the right…
-
US visa clamp sparks panic but Thai students gets pass
Thai students hoping to hit the books in the United States can breathe a sigh of relief, after officials confirmed student visa interviews in Bangkok are still a go, despite a sweeping clampdown ordered by US President Donald Trump’s team. On April 1, US political news outlet Politico dropped a bombshell: a leaked Trump-era memo revealed that US embassies worldwide…
-
Kamphaeng Phet rocket fest sparks awe with serpent-like smoke
A traditional ceremony in Kamphaeng Phet province captivated many when a large rocket was launched, and the resulting smoke resembled a serpent and formed three numbers. Locals believe this was a sign from Phaya Than, acknowledging their rain-seeking rituals and promising good fortune. Despite continuous rainfall across many parts of Thailand, the northeastern Thai community in Kamphaeng Phet upheld their…
-
Thai provinces report surge in Covid-19 cases amid rainy season
The Ministry of Public Health reported the five provinces with the highest Covid-19 infections, with a national total of 324,692 cases and 69 fatalities. The surge in cases is attributed to the rainy season and school reopening, while the XEC variant is noted for its ease of transmission. Doctor Taweesin Visanuyothin, Director General of the Department of Medical Services, highlighted…
-
Russian scammer nabbed at Phuket Airport in digital crime bust
A suspected Russian cyber crook has been collared at Phuket International Airport, accused of helping to run a high-tech fraud racket that’s fleeced thousands and left victims across Thailand reeling. The 36 year old unnamed man was nicked in the arrivals hall around 1.50pm on June 2, following a sting by Phuket Airport Immigration’s Investigation Team and Surat Thani Police.…
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.