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.

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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Bangla Road traswomen busted in police tourism image blitz

    Bangla Road traswomen busted in police tourism image blitz

    Police in Phuket have launched a sweeping crackdown on those accused of tarnishing Thailand’s tourism reputation — with transgender women on Patong’s infamous Bangla Road caught in the crosshairs. In a surprise late-night operation, officers rounded up 37 people, accusing them of causing disturbances and harming the tourism industry. Many of those detained were transgender women working the nightlife strip,…

  • Ex-Miss Thailand rescues ant-covered woman from drunk husband

    Ex-Miss Thailand rescues ant-covered woman from drunk husband

    A former Miss Thailand turned social activist has exposed a heart-wrenching case of elder neglect in Prachuap Khiri Khan – finding a frail woman bedridden, covered in ants and fed scraps by her drunken husband. Panadda Wongphudee, 46, chairperson of the Good Deeds Foundation, led the rescue mission yesterday, March 21, alongside officials from the Pak Nam Pran Municipality and…

  • German dentist attacker found dead with throat slit

    German dentist attacker found dead with throat slit

    A notorious German man accused of attacking female dentists across Korat has been found dead with his throat slashed – his body eerily guarded by two snarling Rottweilers. The grim discovery was made around 5.20pm yesterday, March 21, in a single-storey house near Wat Don Chomphu in the Don Chomphu subdistrict, Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The lifeless body of…

  • Thailand braces for rising temperatures and heavy rain

    Thailand braces for rising temperatures and heavy rain

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted an increase in temperature by 1-3°C and heavy rain in some areas, with thunderstorms and strong winds in upper Thailand. This forecast is effective from yesterday, March 21. The weakening high-pressure system moving across the upper part of Thailand will cause temperatures to rise while maintaining cool morning weather in the north, northeast,…

  • Thai king and queen open Suvarnabhumi’s terminal and runway

    Thai king and queen open Suvarnabhumi’s terminal and runway

    King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida yesterday inaugurated the first satellite terminal and the third runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province. This ceremony coincided with the auspicious royal event marking the king’s 72nd birthday on July 28 last year. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by key figures, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit,…

  • Legal pardon offered: Thai man pleads for return of 1 million baht stolen amulets

    Legal pardon offered: Thai man pleads for return of 1 million baht stolen amulets

    An owner of a Buddhist amulet store in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri promised to drop legal proceedings if a thief returned four stolen amulets worth nearly 1 million baht. The store owner, 58 year old Boonhome Saen-ubon, reached out to several media outlets in an attempt to locate the thief. Boonhome revealed that the theft took place…

  • Masked killers fatally shoot cattle farmer in Pattani

    Masked killers fatally shoot cattle farmer in Pattani

    A chilling murder in the southern province of Pattani has left a community reeling, as four masked assailants ruthlessly gunned down a local cattle farmer in a brutal execution-style shooting. The killers escaped on two motorcycles, leaving the police scrambling to uncover the motive behind the cold-blooded attack. The horrific shooting unfolded in Ban Klang subdistrict, Panare district, Pattani province…

  • Tragic murder-suicide leaves child orphaned in Surat Thani

    Tragic murder-suicide leaves child orphaned in Surat Thani

    A seven year old boy has been orphaned after his father shot his mother in a heart-wrenching murder-suicide today in Surat Thani’s Ban Na Doem district. The 47 year old gunman, Anu, reportedly shot his wife, 42 year old Sasithorn, before turning the gun on himself, leaving their child orphaned. The grim discovery was reported to Police Sub-Lieutenant Krisada Thongsakul,…

  • Foreign man accused of damaging Phuket woman’s car

    Foreign man accused of damaging Phuket woman’s car

    A Thai woman yesterday accused a foreign man of damaging her car without reason on a road in Phuket. Some netizens sided with the foreigner after watching footage of the incident. The Thai woman urged the news Facebook page Phuket Times to share her story to seek justice. She revealed on the page that the foreign man rushed towards her…

  • Experts warn Thailand’s digital wallet plan could be a short-term fix

    Experts warn Thailand’s digital wallet plan could be a short-term fix

    As Thailand plans its next round of digital wallet handouts, experts are raising concerns. The government’s initiative, aimed at distributing funds to teenagers, may not have the desired economic impact. In fact, some argue it could do more harm than good in the long run. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) urged the government to reconsider its approach, advising a…

  • Loco antics: Drugged-up drama as man halts Hat Yai express

    Loco antics: Drugged-up drama as man halts Hat Yai express

    Pandemonium erupted in Hat Yai when a Thai man under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs turned the railway tracks into his personal stage, causing a train to come to a screeching halt. The bizarre incident, captured on video, saw the man standing, lying, and even walking towards the moving train, sparking chaos at the station. It all unfolded yesterday, March…

  • Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)

    Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)

    Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…

  • Overpass tragedy: Thai motorcyclist’s birthday ends in fatal fall

    Overpass tragedy: Thai motorcyclist’s birthday ends in fatal fall

    In a tragic twist of fate, a 42 year old man died on his birthday after his motorcycle veered off a 10-metre overpass in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. The rider, Seksan (surname withheld), was reported to have overtaken a taxi at high speed before the catastrophe. At 2am, today, March 21, Chaiyapruek Police Station officers in Nonthaburi, alongside Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers,…

  • 6 year old Thai boy kidnapped by teenage girl reunited with family

    6 year old Thai boy kidnapped by teenage girl reunited with family

    A 15 year old girl kidnapped a six year old boy in the central province of Pathum Thani. The pair were found near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. The motive of the young girl remains under investigation. The family of the six year old boy, named Kao, took to social media to share his missing poster after he disappeared from…

  • Thai stock index jumps as gold hits record high amid Fed rate plans

    Thai stock index jumps as gold hits record high amid Fed rate plans

    In a striking turn for the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the index surged for the third consecutive day, momentarily cracking the 1,200-point mark yesterday, as gold prices soared to record highs. This rally followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain interest rates at 4.25-4.50%, as anticipated. Rakpong Charoenpong, Senior Vice President at KGI Securities (Thailand), attributed the buoyant market…

  • Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand

    Flight risk: Aussie in court for helping crime boss flee to Thailand

    An Aussie man is scheduled to appear in court in Australia today, accused of aiding the escape of a notorious organised crime figure to Thailand. The unnamed 57 year old from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, allegedly crewed a vessel alongside another man to pick up a fugitive at a clandestine sea rendezvous. After quietly setting sail from Thursday Island, north of…

  • Chinese woman arrested in Pattaya for crypto scam

    Chinese woman arrested in Pattaya for crypto scam

    A raid on a luxury villa in Pattaya turned into a stunning double arrest as Thai police captured a Chinese woman accused of masterminding a cryptocurrency investment scam worth over US$18.4 million (around 622 million baht). But the surprises didn’t end there—officers also uncovered her fugitive boyfriend, an international criminal with a chilling past. The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD)…

  • Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports

    Blooming brilliant: Thailand rakes in billions from orchid exports

    Thailand has once again proven its floral dominance, exporting over 5 billion baht worth of orchids in the last two years alone. With demand for Thai orchids flourishing across the globe, the country has cemented its status as the world’s leading exporter of these beautiful blooms. According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai exports of decorative plants from…

  • Thailand video news | Nightclub owner jailed over deadly Pattaya fire, Malaysia restarts MH370 search with ‘no find, no fee’ deal

    Thailand video news | Nightclub owner jailed over deadly Pattaya fire, Malaysia restarts MH370 search with ‘no find, no fee’ deal

    In today’s Thailand video news update, Alex and Jay bring key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. A Pattaya court sentenced nightclub owner Phongsiri and associates to prison over the deadly 2022 fire, while Phuket prepares for a major water outage in Patong. Thailand climbed to 49th in the World Happiness Report, though challenges remain. Meanwhile, PM2.5 pollution surges across…

  • Foreign transwoman and man clash in rose row on Bangla Road

    Foreign transwoman and man clash in rose row on Bangla Road

    A foreign transwoman got into a physical altercation with a foreign man on Bangla Road in Phuket on Wednesday allegedly after the man refused to buy roses from her. The Thai TikTok user @pondcing7 shared a video of the incident yesterday, March 20, with a caption reading, “Again! Every day! Lol #BanglaPatong #Phuket.” The user witnessed the incident and recorded…

  • Paetongtarn hits back at opposition’s ‘secret deal’ claims

    Paetongtarn hits back at opposition’s ‘secret deal’ claims

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has lashed out at the opposition People’s Party after they accused her of making political deals for her family’s gain. Dismissing the allegations as baseless, she’s calling for reason over rumours as the no-confidence debate heats up. In a fiery response to accusations from the opposition, the Thai premier spoke to reporters yesterday, March 20, denying…

  • Ex-Yakuza boss arrested in Bangkok with 30 million baht

    Ex-Yakuza boss arrested in Bangkok with 30 million baht

    A former Yakuza boss with a web of international crimes was arrested in Bangkok’s Sathorn district after a dramatic raid, revealing over 30 million baht in stolen assets. The arrest follows a request from the Japanese Embassy, which sought to revoke his visa due to serious criminal charges. Thai National Police Inspector General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabut announced the arrest…

  • Thai cop collapses on duty after intense livestream confrontation

    Thai cop collapses on duty after intense livestream confrontation

    A Thai police officer in the central province of Sing Buri collapsed on duty allegedly due to intense pressure from a local news Facebook page administrator who livestreamed the officer’s alleged illegal actions. The administrator of the Facebook page อย่าหาทำ (meaning “do not do stupid things”), Waraporn “Jack” Saelor, livestreamed the alleged illegal incident as Police Senior Sergeant Major Suppamit…

  • Thai freelancer bottles Indian tourist after payment row

    Thai freelancer bottles Indian tourist after payment row

    An Indian tourist fell victim to a brutal beer bottle assault in Pattaya by a freelance Thai woman after he allegedly refused to pay for her services. Consequently, the freelancer reportedly hit the Indian man in the head with a beer bottle and robbed him of 10,000 baht, according to the victim. The incident unfolded in the early hours this…

  • Chinese tourists’ bags handed back by officers in Pattaya

    Chinese tourists’ bags handed back by officers in Pattaya

    A Bali Hai Pier police officer earned applause for his honesty and dedication after recovering two lost bags filled with cash and crucial documents, returning them to their rightful owners – two Chinese tourists who were left stunned and grateful. On March 18, Thanongsak Chimluang, an officer stationed at Bali Hai Pier, was on duty when he received a tip-off…

  • Grand theft auto: Crooked car crew caught in claction

    Grand theft auto: Crooked car crew caught in claction

    A notorious car theft gang has been brought to justice after raking in over 40 million baht by stealing and reselling at least 50 rental cars. The criminals used fake documents to register the vehicles before selling them online, leading to their eventual downfall. Police Major General Khongkrit Loetsitthikun, commander of the Highway Police Division, triumphantly announced yesterday, March 20,…

  • Over 10,000 bottles of cough syrup seized in Phuket drug raid

    Over 10,000 bottles of cough syrup seized in Phuket drug raid

    Police made a shocking discovery in Kathu, Phuket, as a recent investigation into an illegal e-cigarette distribution network has uncovered more than 10,000 bottles of cough syrup, allegedly part of a wider smuggling operation. The raid, which has left many stunned, highlights the alarming rise of unregulated drug trafficking in the region. An ongoing investigation into a local e-cigarette ring…

  • Drug-addicted Thai man kills friend’s mother and injures 2 others

    Drug-addicted Thai man kills friend’s mother and injures 2 others

    A drug-addicted Thai man killed his friend’s mother and injured two other victims at a house in the Isaan province of Loei yesterday. A 55 year old Thai father, Auan, called officers at Nong Hin Police Station to arrest his son, 22 year old Ratchanon, yesterday morning, March 20. Auan revealed that he heard the community leader announce the brutal…

  • Thailand braces for colder weather, strong winds, and heavy rain

    Thailand braces for colder weather, strong winds, and heavy rain

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a significant weather change with colder temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain expected in the coming days. Specific regions, especially in the south, should prepare for severe weather conditions, and residents are advised to take health precautions. Yesterday, March 20, a high-pressure system from China affected the upper regions of Thailand and the South…

  • Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal

    Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal

    Police are searching for a Thai monk accused of hugging a foreign woman, believed to be a French national, at a bus terminal in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn shared the video of the monk and the foreigner on Wednesday, March 19, along with a caption that read… “The story is, I was travelling…