News

Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

  • Sponsored

    Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever

    If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...

  • Malaysian polygamist, who married 11 year old Thai girl, must face trial | Thaiger

    Malaysian polygamist, who married 11 year old Thai girl, must face trial

    A former UN committee member on the Rights of the Child, Sanphasit Koompraphant, is urging the police of both Malaysia and Thailand to take legal action against the 41 year old Malaysian man immediately who has ‘married’ an 11 year old Thai girl in Narathiwat province. He says the marriage has clearly violated the laws. He was responding to a report…

  • Phuket Brand trade fair to be held at Jungceylon | Thaiger

    Phuket Brand trade fair to be held at Jungceylon

    A Phuket Brand fair will be held on July 6 -10 at Jungceylon Phuket with more than 50 stalls. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Chief of Phuket Trading Office, Decha Petchwong, announced the details at a media conference yesterday. Khun Decha says, “We are paying attention to both unique as well as standard brands to build confidence in tourists…

  • Man arrested for stealing Hindu statue | Thaiger

    Man arrested for stealing Hindu statue

    A Thai man has been arrested after stealing a Hindu god statue in Thalang yesterday (July 4). A team at the Thalang Police have arrested 47 year old Montri Sawettadun from Trang. He was arrested at 7pm at a worker’s camp in Panason housing estate. Police seized the ‘Brahma’ (four faces Hindu god statue). The arrest happened after police were…

  • Woman’s ex steals car in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Woman’s ex steals car in Pattaya

    Sophon Cable reports that the Pattaya police station chief has announced the arrest of a man who stole his ex girlfriend’s car from outside her apartment. Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch says the white Yaris went missing in April and 26 year old Jinda Cheuyphonklang suspected her ex who she had just split up with. It was taken from an apartment…

  • Can’t swim, can’t dive. But it’s the only option. | Thaiger

    Can’t swim, can’t dive. But it’s the only option.

    PHOTO: Army doctor Colonel Pak Loharachun on Wednesday prepares inside the cave to treat minor wounds sustained by the football team members – Thai Navy SEALS “The fittest of the survivors will be the first to come out, others will follow,” Narongsak Osotanakorn, Chiang Rai governor and head of the rescue operations, said yesterday. Rescuers do not want to delay…

  • Phuket hosts Miss Grand Thailand Carnival | Thaiger

    Phuket hosts Miss Grand Thailand Carnival

    A ‘carnival-themed’ fashion show, featuring 77 contestants of the Miss Grand Thailand 2018 beauty contest, in beautiful and exotic costumes, was held at Phuket’s Patong Beach this evening. The fashion show was held to promote the Phuket’s tourism and was a part of the contest’s ‘beauty camp’ activities being held in Phuket until July 8. The contest for provincial traditional…

  • Two arrested with drugs and ammunition in Kathu | Thaiger

    Two arrested with drugs and ammunition in Kathu

    Yesterday (July 3) two Thai man were arrested with methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and bullets at Soi Bang Thong in Kathu. A team from the Kathu Police arrested Nipon Chuduang. Police seized 1,427 methamphetamine pills and 102 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Police also seized two bullets. Nopparut has been charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to…

  • Fourth Buddhist Yala rubber tapper injured in a week | Thaiger

    Fourth Buddhist Yala rubber tapper injured in a week

    PHOTOS: The Nation Police in Yala are reporting that another Yala rubber tapper has been killed by suspected Muslim militants in the southern border province. The incident happened this morning (Wednesday). The victim becomes the fourth Buddhist rubber tapper in a week to be attacked by suspected Malay-Muslim insurgents. Police said 46 year old Sukho Khamkaew was injured when a…

  • His Majesty sends a special message to cave rescue teams | Thaiger

    His Majesty sends a special message to cave rescue teams

    “When the mission is over, they should receive good hospitality as the Royal guests until they depart from Thailand.” – His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn His Majesty has sent a message, passed on to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, to those working to ring the footballers out of the cave. “Initial praises are good but please remain focused on the operation, which will…

  • The ‘Sano-Tik’ collection – Phuket’s unique batik | Thaiger

    The ‘Sano-Tik’ collection – Phuket’s unique batik

    Phuket has introduced a new, unique style of ‘Batik’ cloth called ‘Sano-Tik’ collection, inspired by the mineral, tin, an important resource in Phuket’s early days. The project’s opening ceremony was hosted by the Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and Chief of Community Development Office Kittipon Wetchakun. The ceremony was held at Merlin Hotel. Governor Norrapahat says, “We have introduced a unique…

  • Thai Tourism Ministry pays 66,000 baht to Norwegian shark attack victim | Thaiger

    Thai Tourism Ministry pays 66,000 baht to Norwegian shark attack victim

    PHOTO: ThaiVisa The Thai Tourism Ministry has paid out over 66,000 baht to the Norwegian shark attack victim who was attacked by a mysterious sea creature back on April 1. NewTV is reporting that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports paid the man bitten on the leg near Hua Hin in April 66,966 baht. 54 year old Werner Danielson received…

  • British paedophile bragged about abuse of Thai girls, is jailed | Thaiger

    British paedophile bragged about abuse of Thai girls, is jailed

    “The offences are very serious. It is hard to argue against the serious psychological harm.” British paedophile Stuart Bull has been sentenced to jail for more than 16 years at the Bristol Crown Court in the UK after admitting to sexually abusing children. The offences took place in the UK. He also bragged about getting young Thai girls “to do anything”.…

  • Chiang Rai: We meet the 13 trapped footballers | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai: We meet the 13 trapped footballers

    Video from inside the Tham Luang caves, courtesy of the Thai Navy SEAL. https://www.facebook.com/ThaiSEAL/videos/1634041306719262/

  • Chiang Rai: “I looked up and there they were.” | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai: “I looked up and there they were.”

    By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono “John Volanthen, a British diver. He had been working underwater to place guide lines for divers when he emerged in the cave and saw the 12 missing boys and their soccer coach peering at him.” The British diver John Volanthen was placing guide lines to try to get closer to 12 missing boys…

  • Options and opportunities – getting the football team out of the caves | Thaiger

    Options and opportunities – getting the football team out of the caves

    PHOTOS: The Nation/Thai Navy Seals Facebook Page “…all of them are in the good hands of seven Navy SEALs, who will be with them and take care of them all the time.” Authorities are mulling whether they should wait for water levels to subside, which could take a long time, or use divers to bring the footballers out in a…

  • Chiang Mai: Convenience store robber arrested | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai: Convenience store robber arrested

    Chiang Mai City Life is reporting that a man has been arrested after being tracked down following a robbery in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim area. The man was dressed in grey with his face hidden with a motorcycle helmet. He was later arrested following the robbery of a convenience store on July 2nd. A 7-Eleven store at a petrol station…

  • Chiang Rai: A long and winding rescue ahead | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai: A long and winding rescue ahead

    “…experts are saying it could take weeks or even months.” Rescuers are bracing for a long and difficult evacuation for the 13 Thai kids found alive in the Tham Luang cave after they went missing on June 23. All this chatter outside the cave whilst food and medicine was being shuttled to the young football players through muddy waters today.…

  • Miss Grand Thailand contestants walk the red carpet in Phuket Town | Thaiger

    Miss Grand Thailand contestants walk the red carpet in Phuket Town

    77 of the Miss Grand Thailand beauty contestants were walking red carpet on Thalang Road in ‘Baba’ costumes yesterday (July 2). President of the Phuket Red Cross, Sudarat Plodthong, welcomed the 77 beauty contestants from around Thailand. The contestants, resplendent in ‘Baba’ costumes, were walking on a specially laid red carpet along a section of Phuket Town’s Thalang Road. They introduced…

  • Chiang Rai: Alternatives being checked out for the evacuation of the 13 member team | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai: Alternatives being checked out for the evacuation of the 13 member team

    Finding the 13 footballers 300 metres away from the ‘Pattaya Beach’ inside the caves is just the first step in the recovery operation. But the prospect of getting 13 weak individuals out through the inundated and tricky cave systems, a lot of it still underwater, is proving an enormous challenge for rescuers. So, rescue teams are continuing to search for…

  • Chiang Mai: Songtaew drivers bully a Grab car driver | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai: Songtaew drivers bully a Grab car driver

    PHOTO: Chiang Mai City Life The ‘old guard’ continues to try and bully the newer forms of public transport that are gaining traction around the world. Tuk tuk, taxi and songtaew thugs should probably resort to co-operating and working with Grab/Uber, etc rather than threatening them. Officials need to amend the laws as well to suit the brave-new-world of public…

  • Artwork inspired by the rescue effort in Chiang Rai | Thaiger

    Artwork inspired by the rescue effort in Chiang Rai

    Internat art has come up with some inspiring graphics to help spur on the rescuers and their skilled work at the Tham Luang caves. Lots of tweets under the hashtags #ThamLuang, #13LivesMadeIt and #TeamWildBoarAcademy. Here’s just some.

  • Lions Club of Phuket Pearl raises money for Phuket Sunshine Village | Thaiger

    Lions Club of Phuket Pearl raises money for Phuket Sunshine Village

    The Lions Club of Phuket Pearl Association hosted their Gala Dinner at La Butcheries Restaurant. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong was their special guest at the dinner. The dinner was under the theme ‘Open Your Heart Day’ to raise money to buy computer notebooks for children at the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are very glad…

  • Pakistani and Indian bag snatchers arrested | Thaiger

    Pakistani and Indian bag snatchers arrested

    Police have arrested an Indian man and Pakistani woman who snatched two female Chinese tourists’ bags on the weekend at Kata Beach. Karon Police were notified of the incident that two suspects had snatched the Chinese ladies’ bags on Kata Beach at 9.50pm on Sunday night (July 1). Two female Chinese tourists were later identified as 16 year old Li…

  • Chiang Rai: PM offers congratulations and thanks rescuers | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai: PM offers congratulations and thanks rescuers

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has congratulated the officials, civilians, volunteers and foreign rescuers involved in the search and rescue operations. He applauded their success in finding the 12 boys and their football coach deep inside the Tham Luang cave on late Monday night. He also thanked specifically the Navy SEAL teams for their sacrifice, resolve and cooperation…

  • Warning stickers placed on Krabi mud crab sculpture | Thaiger

    Warning stickers placed on Krabi mud crab sculpture

    Eight warning stickers have been placed on the Mud Crab Sculpture in Krabi to discourage tourists climbing on the sculpture in the future. Last week four more tourists were caught climbing all over the Krabi landmark – the Mud Crab Sculpture. Krabi Tourist Police are tracking down the tour company that was in control of the tourists that were filmed…

  • “Alert and in good spirits.” Team alive. Rescuers now face evacuation challenges. | Thaiger

    “Alert and in good spirits.” Team alive. Rescuers now face evacuation challenges.

    The twelve boys and their coach have been discovered alive following nine days of frantic searching. They were trapped by floodwaters in a cave complex in the far north of Thailand. The governor of Chiang Rai Province said rescue workers were providing care and managing their extended stay whilst they await a supervised extraction. Divers reached the group after enlarging…

  • Found! | Thaiger

    Found!

    The 12 missing teenage footballers and their coach have been found, alive. The Navy SEALS reached the area known as ‘Pattaya Beach’ but it was flooded. They proceeded a little further and found the group. Now the task is being worked out how to bring them back to the front of the cave. The Governor of Chiang Rai made the…

  • Soi Dog’s beach cleaning day at Mai Khao | Thaiger

    Soi Dog’s beach cleaning day at Mai Khao

    On Friday, June 29, Soi Dog Foundation gathered its staff, volunteers and visitors at Mai Khao Beach to collect trash along one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches. As members of the Mai Khao community, Soi Dog wants to keep it pure and safe for tourists and residents to enjoy. The crew succeeded in collecting over 2.5 tonnes of rubbish. Understanding…

  • Unregistered foreign workers to be detained and deported | Thaiger

    Unregistered foreign workers to be detained and deported

    Unregistered migrant workers are now being targeted in a crackdown following the deadline on June 30 for workers to get registered to be able to work in the Kingdom. The first batch of 22 unregistered foreign migrant workers rounded up in the Labour Ministry-led crackdown since July 1 will face legal action and then be deported. This from the Department…

  • Chon Buri: Cambodian woman cuts off Thai husband’s penis | Thaiger

    Chon Buri: Cambodian woman cuts off Thai husband’s penis

    PHOTO: Sanook Police have arrested the jealous Cambodian wife of a Thai man this morning (Monday) after she allegedly cut off his penis. And then hid it. By the time the severed penis was found, it was too late for reattachment. The wife, identified only as 24 year old Karuna, called an emergency hotline at 6.20am asking that her 40 year…