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.

  • Thailand braces for severe weather with heavy rain, strong winds

    Thailand braces for severe weather with heavy rain, strong winds

    Thailand faces severe weather conditions today, as the Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings of heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flash floods across 51 provinces. The northern and northeastern regions are expected to be particularly affected, with rain predicted to cover 70% of these areas. TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, declaring that a moderate southwest monsoon…

  • Thailand’s local businesses get a global boost: It’s time to trade up

    Thailand’s local businesses get a global boost: It’s time to trade up

    Strengthening Thailand’s local businesses to compete on the global stage could be a game-changing strategy for revitalising the national economy, according to Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput. Sethaput is advocating for the implementation of “globally competitive localism,” a concept that leverages the strengths of local entrepreneurs, such as cultural assets, to create value-added products and services. This, he believes,…

  • Used car market in a jam as electric vehicles spark trouble

    Used car market in a jam as electric vehicles spark trouble

    The used car market is in dire straits, with a shocking downturn blamed on the economic slump, soaring non-performing loans (NPLs), and the growing allure of electric vehicles (EVs), warns Tris Rating. In a jaw-dropping revelation, used car hire-purchase firms have reported a staggering 93% plunge in profits year-on-year for the first half of 2024. Motorcycle hire-purchase companies haven’t fared…

  • Grandmother finds lucky number at Kham Chanod Island

    Grandmother finds lucky number at Kham Chanod Island

    A grandmother, hoping to rely on her grandchildren’s luck, found herself searching for numbers on a giant fig tree at Kham Chanod Island. She discovered a double number, marking yet another successful visit. This mystical site never fails to bring her fortune. Kham Chanod Island, a renowned spiritual site located in Ban Non Mueang, Ban Muang subdistrict, Ban Dung district,…

  • Phatthalung police seize 20,000 meth pills in major drug bust

    Phatthalung police seize 20,000 meth pills in major drug bust

    Police in Phatthalung have arrested a drug dealer at a petrol station, seizing 20,000 methamphetamine pills intended for local distribution and are now expanding their efforts to dismantle a larger network in Thung Song. Phatthalung police, led by Yotsaporn Rungsawat, commander of the 434th Border Patrol Police Company, alongside Amphon Nilbanphot and Chusak Chuthong, officers from the same unit, and administrative…

  • Elderly man kills rival after drunken dispute in Bueng Kan

    Elderly man kills rival after drunken dispute in Bueng Kan

    A 74 year old man received 10,000 baht (US$310) and used the money to buy alcohol, which he drank with his 44 year old wife. As they drank, an old flame joined them and after getting drunk, began to harass the wife. The husband tried to stop him, to no avail, and ended up fatally attacking him with a hammer…

  • Police intercepts street racers in Bang Khen

    Police intercepts street racers in Bang Khen

    Police in Bang Khen intercepted a group of motorcyclists who had arranged a street race via Facebook, performing dangerous stunts on Ram Inthra Road. Early this morning, the police received a report about a group of teenagers gathering to race motorcycles on Ram Inthra Road. Around 2am, officers arrived at Soi Ram Inthra 14 and found the group engaging in…

  • Heavy rain and strong winds to hit 38 Thai provinces today

    Heavy rain and strong winds to hit 38 Thai provinces today

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning about heavy rain and strong winds affecting 38 provinces today due to a weakening southwest monsoon and a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. Residents are urged to take precautions as temperatures are expected to drop tomorrow. The weakening southwest monsoon is currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of…

  • Family injured after truck falls from under-construction flyover in Bangkok

    Family injured after truck falls from under-construction flyover in Bangkok

    A family of three sustained injuries when their pickup truck fell from a flyover under construction in Lat Krabang district, Bangkok, early today. The incident occurred around 2am on the 10-metre-high Lat Krabang-Onnut flyover, which is under construction on Lat Krabang Road near the Suk Saman intersection. Police and rescue teams arrived promptly, discovering the severely damaged Isuzu pickup truck…

  • Homeless woman injured in Sukhumvit Road accident with sedan

    Homeless woman injured in Sukhumvit Road accident with sedan

    A homeless woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Sukhumvit Road in Nongprue, resulting in injuries. The incident occurred at 10.20pm on September 27. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, along with local news reporters, to find the woman, approximately 40 years old, lying injured on the road. She sustained head injuries and several scratches and was promptly…

  • Anti-drunk driving group urges no alcohol spending of 10,000-baht handout

    Anti-drunk driving group urges no alcohol spending of 10,000-baht handout

    Anti-drunk driving campaigners have called on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the money on alcohol to prevent accidents. Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, emphasised that the funds should be used for necessities or investments instead of alcoholic beverages, which could lead to accidents and disabilities. The Network of Victims…

  • Police probe Mae Tuck’s gold shop for money laundering

    Police probe Mae Tuck’s gold shop for money laundering

    Police are set to investigate the gold shop business of Kornkanok Suwannabut, known on social media as Mae Tuck, to determine if it is being used as a front for money laundering. Kornkanok and her husband Kanpol face accusations of selling jewellery with less gold content than advertised during livestream sessions on her social media platform. Kornkanok has reportedly stated…

  • Coffee vendor banned for 30 days after altercation with tourist (video)

    Coffee vendor banned for 30 days after altercation with tourist (video)

    A coffee shop owner at Talad Rom Hub train market in Mae Klong district has been ordered to close his shop for 30 days following a vulgar gesture towards a Spanish tourist. Captured on video, the vendor was seen pushing and yelling at the tourist, a clip that swiftly spread across social media, inciting a public outcry. The Maeklong railway…

  • Father demands justice after son’s assault at Rawai school

    Father demands justice after son’s assault at Rawai school

    A father from Rawai has brought his grievance to the public after his six year old son suffered a violent assault by classmates at Wat Sawang Arom School, and an agreed compensation has not been honoured. The incident occurred on August 18 when the 32 year old father reported to Chalong Police that his son had been tied up, stripped,…

  • Thai officer’s suicide linked to wife’s 100 million baht fraud scheme

    Thai officer’s suicide linked to wife’s 100 million baht fraud scheme

    A woman involved in a controversial rotating savings scheme in Buri Ram is now suspected to be linked to the apparent suicide of her police officer husband, investigators report. Police found the officer, 42 year old Nattaphon, dead in his Ford Ranger with a bullet wound to the right side of his head and a 9-millimetre pistol nearby. The vehicle…

  • Don’t carry cash in Thailand

    Don’t carry cash in Thailand

    Are you planning a trip to Thailand? With the many temples, beaches, and other attractions Thailand offers, you will definitely have a memorable experience. However, before your trip, there is an important factor that you should consider other than your passport/visa issues and that’s money. Recent modifications in policies have established that a sufficient amount of cash must be on…

  • Flooding from Doi Suthep damages temple in Chiang Mai

    Flooding from Doi Suthep damages temple in Chiang Mai

    A torrent of muddy water from Doi Suthep wreaked havoc at Wat Phala, located at the base of the mountain in Chiang Mai, severely damaging the temple’s roof and walls. This sudden flood followed continuous heavy rains in the region. Reporters highlighted the aftermath of the relentless downpour that drenched Chiang Mai city and Doi Suthep yesterday, September 27. The…

  • Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials

    Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has announced an opportunity for the public to become lottery draw officials, with applications open until late next month. Residents of Bangkok and its metropolitan areas may apply. The GLO shared a post via Facebook yesterday, September 27 inviting the public to join as officials for the lottery draw. The recruitment message specified the following…

  • Flood kills 300 pigs at Lampang farm, causes 21 million baht loss

    Flood kills 300 pigs at Lampang farm, causes 21 million baht loss

    Over 300 pigs have died after being submerged for three days due to a sudden flood at a farm in the northern province of Lampang, causing significant damage estimated at 21 million baht. The owner of the farm expressed the devastating impact of this year’s flood. The incident occurred at Krissana Farm in Ban Watthana, Sobprab subdistrict, Sobprab district, Lampang…

  • Asphalt removal on Nakhon Pathom road leaves 100 cars damaged

    Asphalt removal on Nakhon Pathom road leaves 100 cars damaged

    Asphalt removal on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road in Nakhon Pathom province has left numerous vehicles damaged, causing significant inconvenience to drivers. The incident, which saw over 100 cars affected, has sparked calls for responsible authorities to address the issue. A driver named Mee, residing in Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom, was travelling on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road yesterday, September 27…

  • Elderly man loses 10,000 baht from Thai govt handout

    Elderly man loses 10,000 baht from Thai govt handout

    An elderly man who recently withdrew 10,000 baht in cash from the Thai government’s handout initiative found his wallet missing, prompting a heartfelt community response. A woman’s Facebook post detailed the incident and led to numerous offers of assistance from across the country. The government recently issued 10,000 baht to vulnerable groups, distributed based on the last digits of their…

  • IKEA launches furniture buy-back for Thai flood relief effort

    IKEA launches furniture buy-back for Thai flood relief effort

    IKEA has partnered with the Mirror Foundation to buy back furniture and help restore homes in northern Thailand affected by flooding. This initiative aims to return these homes to their former beauty. IKEA announced this campaign on its Facebook page, stating, “In these difficult times, our collective help is crucial. IKEA is collaborating with the Mirror Foundation to support flood…

  • Pattaya police detains illegal immigrant beggars

    Pattaya police detains illegal immigrant beggars

    Police in Pattaya detained several illegal immigrant beggars yesterday, September 27, to preserve the city’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination. Beginning at 6pm, Chon Buri Immigration, Pattaya City officials, and the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office launched a coordinated crackdown targeting illegal immigrants begging in high-traffic tourist areas. Officials inspected locations around Wat Chaimongkol on…

  • Thai king’s son meets famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng

    Thai king’s son meets famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng

    Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second-eldest son of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, visited Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya yesterday, September 27. His visit aimed to snap a selfie with the world-famous pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, and explore various sections of the zoo. Narongwit Chotchoy, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, stated that the atmosphere was very pleasant, with…

  • Thai police arrest five in Korat for Facebook scam

    Thai police arrest five in Korat for Facebook scam

    Thai police have apprehended five individuals involved in a scam that involved creating fake Facebook pages to deceive people into transferring money for sacred objects. The arrests were made following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, Police Major General Nopasin Poolsawas, and other senior officers from the bureau directed their team to conduct…

  • Phuket’s waste crisis worsens with tourist surge

    Phuket’s waste crisis worsens with tourist surge

    Phuket grapples with a mounting waste crisis as tourism surges post-pandemic. The island’s waste disposal plant now receives 1,100 tonnes of garbage daily, a significant rise from 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes last year, according to deputy governor Norasak Suksomboon. Norasak highlighted these challenges at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, where 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers…

  • Chiang Mai launches cleanup after floods ease in commercial areas

    Chiang Mai launches cleanup after floods ease in commercial areas

    Workers have launched a campaign to clean roads and remove debris in downtown Chiang Mai following the easing of floods in some commercial areas. Chiang Mai Municipality initiated the operation at 5pm yesterday, September 27 to revive economic activity in the bustling northern tourism hub. The effort is divided into five zones, including areas near the Naowarat Bridge and the…

  • Sustainability expo 2024 opens in Bangkok, urgent action needed

    Sustainability expo 2024 opens in Bangkok, urgent action needed

    Immediate action is necessary for sustainability, warns Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) yesterday in Bangkok, he highlighted the urgency of change as emphasised by the sufficiency economy theory of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great King Rama IX. Sumet elaborated on the theory, noting that while it originally seemed…

  • Kathu: Thai man shoots himself after affair argument

    Kathu: Thai man shoots himself after affair argument

    A 31 year old Thai man is fighting for his life in hospital after a shocking self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head during a heated argument with his wife over an affair at their Kathu condo last night, September 26. The late-night drama unfolded around 11pm, with police and rescue workers rushing to a condo on Phra Phuket Kaew Road…

  • Thai tax riddle: Elite Visa holders off the hook?

    Thai tax riddle: Elite Visa holders off the hook?

    Whispers on Facebook’s Elite/Privilege Group suggest that holders of the controversial five to 20 years visa could dodge the Thai Revenue Department’s (TRD) new tax ruling. Starting January 1 this year, assessable income sent from abroad by Thais or foreigners residing in Thailand for at least 180 days will be subject to personal income tax. A group member claimed, after…