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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
-
Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Man dies after fall hits car on Nonthaburi road
A 63 year old man experienced a shocking incident while driving to pick up his daughter, as an unexpected object struck his car, causing significant damage and resulting in a fatality. Police are investigating the cause, speculating a possible fall from a U-turn bridge. Today, January 30, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi province, along with the Ruamkatanyu…
-
New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors
Deputy Finance Minister Phaophum Rojanasakul announced that as of January 28, the You Fight, We Help initiative has received interest from 497,552 debtors, covering 576,496 accounts. The scheme aims to assist individual debtors and includes two measures, excluding direct registration with financial institutions. The first measure, Direct Payment, Asset Retention, targets home, car, and small SME loans with modest limits,…
-
Fire at Surat Thani rubber plant causes 10 million baht damage
A fire at a rubber smoking plant in Baan Tha Hak, Mueang 3 subdistrict, Pha Wa district, Surat Thani province destroyed over 16 tonnes of rubber sheets and caused damage estimated at nearly 10 million baht (US$296,320). The blaze, which occurred at 9.30pm yesterday, January 29, was reported to Police Lieutenant Sarawut Kittiruengrayap, an investigator at Chaiya Police Station. Upon…
-
Lottery luck: Number 703 sparks lottery frenzy in Phayao
Residents of Ban San Pa Nat in Dok Kham Tai district, Phayao province participated in the annual ritual to honour the spirit of Chao Pho Ong Dam today. They gathered to perform traditional rites and offered various items including flowers, incense, and food. This cultural event, held on the 13th day of the waning moon in the fourth month, is…
-
Pattaya’s parking crackdown: Park illegally and pay the price
Pattaya drivers, take note! Starting Monday, February 3, the city is rolling out tough new parking rules to tackle traffic chaos and keep the roads safer. If you’re used to leaving your car wherever you fancy, think again—because parking fines and towing fees are about to hit hard. The crackdown applies to South Pattaya Road, where vehicles will be banned from parking on…
-
Thai police station up for grabs, bidders in for a brief stay
A Thai police station is going under the hammer and social media is in a right lock-up over it. The Klang Dong Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima is up for grabs with a starting bid of just 18,800 baht and the online chatter has been criminally good. The bombshell news broke on the station’s own Facebook page, SP Klang Dong…
-
26 illegal immigrants found hidden in corn truck in Mae Sot
A joint operation by the Ratchamanu Task Force, police, and the district administration successfully apprehended 26 illegal immigrants today, January 30, concealed in a corn truck in Mae Sot district, Tak province. The incident occurred at 11pm when the Ratchamanu Task Force, part of the Naresuan Force, set up a checkpoint in Ban Huai Fon. During this operation, a truck…
-
Indian-Thai man accuses delivery rider of spying, threatens to kill him
An Indian-born man, who also holds Thai citizenship, brutally attacked and threatened to kill an app-based Thai delivery rider at his home in Soi Hua Mak 8, in the Bang Kapi district of Bangkok, yesterday, January 29. A witness called officers from Hua Mak Police Station to the scene at approximately 3.30pm after seeing the foreign man dragging an app-based…
-
Thai lottery February draws keep repeating
Over the past decade, the Thai lottery draws on February 1 have revealed a pattern, with certain numbers appearing frequently. Notably, numbers 7 and 3 have been drawn four times each. Interestingly, these numbers align with predictions from a respected figure known as Ajarn Notty, who has urged followers to consider these numbers in the upcoming draw as a means…
-
New Thai team to tackle Deep South conflict amid growing violence
A new government team dedicated to peace negotiations will be formed to address the ongoing conflict in the Deep South, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham stated that the leader of the new team has yet to be decided. The choice could involve reappointing the previous team or opting for a new one, contingent on a comprehensive…
-
Thailand braces for heavy rain and strong monsoon impact
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts a weakening cold air mass and heavy rain over upper Thailand, though chilly conditions persist, while a strong monsoon affects the south. Yesterday, January 29, six provinces were expected to experience heavy rain. The strong northeast monsoon affecting the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region is causing high waves, especially in the…
-
Civil group pushes for casino referendum with 50,000 signatures
A civil network has initiated a campaign to collect signatures for a referendum on the potential legalisation of casinos in the country. Thanakorn Komkris, Secretary General of the Stop Gambling Foundation, stated that the network aims to collect a minimum of 50,000 signatures to prompt a referendum for public input on the matter. Previously, the foundation launched an online petition…
-
Police sergeant’s final act: Traffic-stopping heroism ends in tragedy
A devoted Police Sergeant lost his life in a selfless moment of duty in a heart-wrenching tragedy in Surat Thani. On Monday, January 27, the 35 year old hero, Police Sergeant Charoenphon Niamniyom from the Surat Thani City Police, was tragically mowed down by a runaway pickup truck. The shocking incident unfolded as Sgt. Charoenphon was gallantly assisting a delivery…
-
Thai couple arrested for swindling millionaire out of 21 million baht
Crime Suppression Division officers arrested a Thai couple for deceiving and swindling over 21 million baht from a millionaire in the southern province of Yala. The couple, 36 year old Kanpathitcha and 46 year old Ammarin, were arrested at their home in the central province of Samut Prakan yesterday after operating their scam against the female victim in Yala for…
-
Thai cops shut down illegal steroid lab in Bangkok
Thai police have smashed a massive underground steroid operation, seizing 1.9 million unregistered Dexamethasone tablets in a dramatic raid in Bangkok on January 24. The joint crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)exposed a dangerous black market scheme, where the powerful steroid was being illegally produced and mixed into health products, from herbal remedies and drinks to cosmetics. Dexamethasone, a controlled substance…
-
Government handout sparks vote-buying concerns before elections
The second phase of the government’s 10,000-baht handout programme, scheduled just days before provincial elections, is likely to be perceived as vote-buying by some, according to People’s Party MP Pakornwut Udompipatskul. Residents in 47 provinces are set to vote on Saturday for Provincial Administrative Organisation presidents and members. On Monday, the government distributed 10,000-baht handouts to the bank accounts of…
-
Adorable alert: Khao Kheow Zoo welcomes baby zebra
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has a new star attraction—a cute and cuddly zebra foal that’s already stealing hearts. On Sunday, January 26, Zoo Director Narongwit Chotchoy proudly announced the birth of a female zebra foal, born on November 6 last year. The little striped beauty, whose name is yet to be revealed, was born to a six year old mother and an eight year old father and is reported…
-
High-profile Chinese inmate accuses Thai officials of treating him unfairly
A high-profile Chinese inmate sought assistance from INTERPOL, accusing Thai officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of treating him unfairly. This Chinese inmate is She Zhijiang, the Chinese President of Yatai International Holding Group (IHG) and the founder of the crime hub in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar. He was arrested in Thailand in August 2022 and imprisoned at Bangkok Remand Prison. Zhijiang was arrested…
-
Opposition mounts against potash mining in Thailand
Opponents of potash mining in Nakhon Ratchasima are urging the energy group Bangchak Plc to adhere to good governance practices. Bangchak, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, is the majority owner of the mining company with the concession rights. Representatives from the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group convened at the Ministry of Industry yesterday, urging the Department of Primary…
-
Thailand denies mistreatment of jailed Chinese gambling tycoon
Thailand has refuted allegations of mistreatment against She Zhijiang, a jailed gambling tycoon facing extradition to China over charges of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia, said Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. She, a Chinese Cambodian businessman, has claimed he experienced inhumane treatment in a Thai prison, including violence that has rendered him unable to stand. This claim was…
-
Reckless pickup vs 18-wheeler in Phuket near-disaster
A reckless pickup driver narrowly avoided disaster after trying to cut in front of an 18-wheeler hauling a crane, causing a low-speed but dangerous collision near Cherng Talay Police Station. Cherng Talay Police released CCTV footage of the shocking incident, which took place on Monday, January 27. The video shows the workman’s pickup truck attempting a risky manoeuvre, only to be swept up by the…
-
Viral video of Thai man kicking motorcyclist sparks police action
A viral TikTok video showing a pedestrian kicking a motorcyclist who failed to stop at a red light and a zebra crossing in Bangkok has led to the arrest of the rider today, January 29. The Thai TikToker, @p_is_myname, shared a video of himself kicking and arguing with the motorcyclist, later identified as 26 year old Jadesada, with a caption…
-
Thailand’s aviation recovery nears pre-Covid levels: CAAT
Thailand’s aviation sector is anticipated to experience a robust recovery this year, reaching pre-pandemic levels, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Suttipong Kongpool, the CAAT director, forecasts a rise in passenger numbers to at least 25 million, aligning with figures from 2019. Initially, full recovery expectations were set for last year; however, the slow return of Chinese…
-
Phuket: Construction worker slits man’s throat in motorbike dispute
A construction site in Phuket turned into a bloodbath this morning, January 29, when a heated argument over a motorbike accident ended in cold-blooded murder. Police were called to a construction site in Soi Phu Yai Din, Village 4, Srisoonthorn, just before 8.30am, where they found 28 year old Ka Aye lying lifeless on a steel cutting machine, his throat brutally slit. The deep wound on the right…
-
Smog threat looms over Thai tourism, hoteliers urge government action
Hotel operators are calling on the government to collaborate with the entire supply chain to address the smog issue before it significantly impacts tourism. Hostels have raised concerns about the financial burden of maintaining clean air for guests. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, executive vice-president of Sukosol Hotels, stated that there have been no cancellations or delays due to smog during the…
-
Brutal Pattaya beatdown: Thai police hunt down Chinese gang
Thai police are cracking down on a brutal gang attack in Pattaya that left a Chinese man beaten unconscious in a shocking assault caught on CCTV. The violent attack, which took place on September 13 last year, quickly went viral, sparking outrage and a high-profile police investigation. Chon Buri Police Commander Police Major General Thawatakiat Jindakwansanong chaired a crisis meeting to review the case’s progress. So…
-
Thai barber denies sexual assault allegation after customer shares video
A Thai man accused a barber in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen of sexually assaulting him while receiving a haircut, but the barber denied the accusation, claiming he merely flirted with the customer. The victim shared his story in a local Facebook group in Khon Kaen, warning others to avoid the barber‘s services. He posted part of a video…
-
Thai transwoman stifles laughter as thief steals fake gold necklace
A thief broke into a luxury house in the Isaan province of Udon Thani and escaped with a gold necklace, but the homeowner later confirmed that the stolen item was a fake. The Thai transwoman, 27 year old Phattarawan Kongphuthorn, filed a complaint with Mueang Udon Thani Police Station officers yesterday after returning home to find signs of a break-in.…
-
Thai Airways’ A320 business class: Luxury or letdown?
Thai Airways is stepping up its game, rolling out regional business class on its single-aisle Airbus A320 jets, promising premium perks and a smoother flying experience. But is it the luxury upgrade travellers crave—or just a glorified economy seat with extra legroom? Dubbed Royal Silk Class, Thai’s A320 business cabin features 12 wide reclining seats with a 38” pitch and 5” recline—a significant improvement over…
-
Intoxicated driver crashes into Chon Buri restaurant, causes damage
A 51 year old driver crashed an off-road Toyota pickup into a power pole before colliding with a roadside restaurant in Si Racha district, Chon Buri province. The incident occurred around 12.30am today, January 29, near the entrance to Wat Khao Din Wanaram in Nong Kham subdistrict, resulting in significant damage to the restaurant and its property. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nopadon…
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.