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.

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  • Amulet’s claims go nuclear: Protection from radiation and epidemics?

    Amulet’s claims go nuclear: Protection from radiation and epidemics?

    A Buddhist amulet from a temple in Chiang Mai province drew criticism for claims that it can protect its owner from nuclear radiation and epidemics. The amulet, with its surprising alleged abilities, was featured on the Facebook page หลวงพี่จัสติน วัดดูยูมีน (Luang Phee Justin What Do You Mean) on Thursday, November 21. The page shared an image of the white amulet…

  • Former cop caught  on the wild side of Pattaya Walking Street

    Former cop caught on the wild side of Pattaya Walking Street

    A former Thai police officer on the run was nabbed while casually strolling down Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street. Former cop Adisorn Tummato found himself in cuffs yesterday, November 24, after eagle-eyed Tourist Police swooped in, ending his reign of terror with a suave arrest in the bustling heart of South Pattaya. The 47 year old ex police officer was no…

  • How to save this Black Friday in Thailand

    How to save this Black Friday in Thailand

    Black Friday’s here again. It comes around fast, doesn’t it? November 29 is the big day this year, and the usual frenzy will hit both stores and websites, packed with deals begging for attention. Shoppers in Thailand, get ready. Whether you’re browsing Lazada, Shopee, or even global sites like Amazon, Black Friday has plenty of opportunities to save. But let’s…

  • Monk defrocked after drug raid at Khon Kaen monastic site

    Monk defrocked after drug raid at Khon Kaen monastic site

    Police swooped on a monastic site in Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, following complaints from villagers about non-monastic activities. One monk was found with a positive drug test and was immediately defrocked. The incident took place yesterday, November 23, when Aoychai Khamboonruang, the district chief of Chum Phae, along with Rakchat Rueangcharoen, the superintendent of Chum Phae Police Station,…

  • Pattaya host bar raided for late-night operations breach

    Pattaya host bar raided for late-night operations breach

    Police in Pattaya took decisive action early today, November 24, conducting a raid on a host bar in South Pattaya that was reportedly operating beyond legal hours. The operation, involving Pattaya Police and Bang Lamung officers, occurred at 3.16am amid allegations that the venue was flouting local regulations. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the bar was still bustling with activity…

  • Man leads police on three day car chase across three provinces

    Man leads police on three day car chase across three provinces

    A dramatic car chase unfolded across three provinces in Thailand after a man allegedly stole a vehicle from a petrol station and evaded police for three days while on methamphetamine. The man, identified as 37 year old Weeraphon Laphan was eventually apprehended after a collision with a police vehicle. Officers first received reports of a stolen grey Honda Civic from…

  • Former MP advocates for fair treatment in Yingluck’s planned return

    Former MP advocates for fair treatment in Yingluck’s planned return

    Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra plans to “face her legal obligations” in Thailand without requesting special treatment, according to Worachai Hema, an ex-member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party from Samut Prakan. Worachai, who serves on Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s advisory team, shared these insights following Thaksin Shinawatra’s media interview discussing his sister Yingluck’s anticipated return before Songkran 2025.…

  • Thai medical council lawsuit threatens free medicine scheme

    Thai medical council lawsuit threatens free medicine scheme

    The ongoing legal tussle between the Medical Council of Thailand and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) over the provision of free medicine under the universal healthcare scheme is causing alarm among civil society groups. The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is urging the Medical Council to reconsider its lawsuit, which challenges the NHSO’s policy of distributing free medication for 16…

  • French tourist missing after boat capsizes in Surat Thani

    French tourist missing after boat capsizes in Surat Thani

    A French tourist has been reported missing following the capsizing of a tour boat in Surat Thani’s Rajjaprabha Dam reservoir. The incident occurred yesterday, November 23, when strong winds and high waves overturned the vessel carrying 13 people, including 10 French tourists, a tour guide, a caregiver, and the boat operator. Rene Mary Corre, whose age remains unknown, was part…

  • EC persists in Thaksin investigation despite court ruling

    EC persists in Thaksin investigation despite court ruling

    The Election Commission (EC) remains steadfast in its investigation into allegations against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, focusing on claims of his manipulation of the Pheu Thai Party and interference in the coalition government. This action continues despite the Constitutional Court’s recent decision to dismiss a petition accusing Thaksin and the ruling party of attempting to overthrow Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.…

  • Laos govt speaks on ‘mass methanol poisoning’ that left 6 dead

    Laos govt speaks on ‘mass methanol poisoning’ that left 6 dead

    The Laotian government announced deep sorrow over the tragic loss of six foreign lives to methanol poisoning in a popular backpackers’ bar in Vang Viang and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the deadly incident. Two Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 years old, succumbed to suspected methanol poisoning…

  • Wichit, Phuket set to face water supply outages

    Wichit, Phuket set to face water supply outages

    A significant water supply outage is set to impact a large area of Phuket on Thursday, November 28. The outage, scheduled from 9am to 11.30pm, is necessary to facilitate essential repairs to a 400mm HDPE water supply main in key areas. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Phuket urges residents and businesses in the affected areas to take the following precautions.…

  • Security bolstered for Pattaya fireworks festival next weekend

    Security bolstered for Pattaya fireworks festival next weekend

    Security preparations for the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival are underway as Chon Buri police gear up for the event scheduled for next weekend. At a meeting held yesterday, November 23, the Commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, Thawatchakiat Jinda Kuansanong, gathered representatives from over 30 agencies to finalise security measures, ensuring the safety of attendees during the festival on Pattaya…

  • Thai healthcare tycoon Boon Vanasin flees as fraud charges mount

    Thai healthcare tycoon Boon Vanasin flees as fraud charges mount

    Boon Vanasin, the founder of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), is currently at large in China while his wife and daughter have surrendered to the police in Thailand. Faced with charges of public fraud, 79 year old Jaruwan Vanasin, and her daughter, 51 year old Nalin, turned themselves in to the police and have denied all allegations against them. The two…

  • Thailand braces for weather changes amid rising temperatures

    Thailand braces for weather changes amid rising temperatures

    Thailand is experiencing significant weather changes, with the Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of rising temperatures in the north and severe monsoon conditions in the south. Heavy rainfall is expected in eight provinces, leading to potential flash floods and landslides. TMD has forecasted weather conditions for the next 24 hours indicating that the high-pressure system and moderate cold air mass covering…

  • East Thailand: Exhausted driver crashes pickup into street light

    East Thailand: Exhausted driver crashes pickup into street light

    A factory owner experienced a serious accident after falling asleep at the wheel due to exhaustion. The accident occurred when his black Ford Ranger pickup truck veered off the road, crossed the median, and crashed into a street light, before flipping over into a forested area in Chanthaburi province, East Thailand. The incident took place yesterday, November 22, and police…

  • Surat Thani police crack down on noisy modified motorcycles

    Surat Thani police crack down on noisy modified motorcycles

    Police in Surat Thani are intensifying efforts against young motorcyclists modifying their bikes to create loud noises. Today, orders were given to all local police stations to crack down on these activities, aiming to prevent public disturbances and ensure road safety. Niphon Chatree, head of Surat Thani’s city police, instructed his team, including Taweesil Laksana-Pheng, deputy head of the city…

  • Phatthalung declared disaster zone amid severe flooding

    Phatthalung declared disaster zone amid severe flooding

    Severe flooding has hit several areas in the southern province of Phatthalung, prompting officials to declare disaster zones across four districts, affecting 15 subdistricts, 57 villages, and 12 communities. The heavy rainfall has led to both flood and wind disaster declarations, with urgent evacuations underway to move residents to safer areas. Kongsakul Jantrach, acting governor of Phatthalung, convened a meeting…

  • Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp

    Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp

    A vibrant field of sunn hemp, spread across 5 rai in front of the Phayao Agricultural and Technology College, has become a popular photography spot for tourists, coinciding with the winter season. This picturesque site, located in Mae Na Ruea subdistrict, Mueang district, Phayao province, is drawing attention with its radiant yellow hues. Prasert Phrompa, the Director of Phayao Agricultural…

  • Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos

    Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos

    A foreign national was arrested after making a fake bomb threat on a flight bound for Hat Yai, causing chaos for passengers and staff. The individual claimed stress from family issues as his motivation, leading to significant disruption. Security at Don Mueang Airport was alerted when a call was received, warning of a bomb on a flight to Hat Yai.…

  • Laotian vendor arrested for selling Kratom juice near Pattaya Beach

    Laotian vendor arrested for selling Kratom juice near Pattaya Beach

    A Laotian vendor found himself in legal trouble after being caught selling Kratom juice near Pattaya Beach just past midnight today. The Pattaya City Police apprehended the suspect, identified as 25 year old Paiwan at 12.36am today, November 23 following complaints from a concerned citizen about the potential health risks posed by the Kratom juice. The arrest unfolded after an…

  • Bangkok allocates 14.54 billion baht to settle BTS Skytrain debt

    Bangkok allocates 14.54 billion baht to settle BTS Skytrain debt

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has sanctioned a substantial budget of 14.54 billion baht for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to address its debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator of the city’s BTS Skytrain. This decision follows a proposal submitted by Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, during a BMC meeting. Chadchart presented a draft ordinance requesting the…

  • Man busted in UK smuggling cannabis from Thailand to clear debt

    Man busted in UK smuggling cannabis from Thailand to clear debt

    A down-and-out drug mule took a gamble to clear his debt to his own mother – and lost big-time at Manchester Airport. Dean Pharoah, who owed cash to his mum, tried to smuggle over £200,000 (approximately 8 million baht) worth of cannabis into the UK after a holiday in Thailand. But UK Border Force officers had their suspicions and swooped…

  • Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes

    Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes

    Phuket’s water crisis may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a fresh action plan unveiled during Deputy Minister of Interior Sabida Thaiseth’s recent visit. Arriving in Phuket for a two-day official tour, Sabida dove into long-term strategies to secure the island’s water supply, a critical issue that has plagued the region for years. The briefing took place…

  • Thai court dismisses petition against Thaksin for lack of evidence

    Thai court dismisses petition against Thaksin for lack of evidence

    Thailand’s Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed a petition against Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party, citing a lack of credible evidence. This petition, filed by Teerayut Suwankesorn, accused the former prime minister and his party of undermining the constitutional monarchy under Article 49 of the Constitution. The court’s decision, made yesterday, November 22, closes the chapter on these allegations,…

  • Electrician fatally electrocuted while fixing fan in Pattaya bar

    Electrician fatally electrocuted while fixing fan in Pattaya bar

    A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening, November 21 on Pattaya Walking Street when an electrician was fatally electrocuted while working on a ceiling fan in an agogo bar. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received an urgent call at 7.06pm regarding the incident at the newly opened bar, the name of which has been withheld upon request. Emergency teams…

  • Thai monk attacked outside Channel 8 TV station in Bangkok (video)

    Thai monk attacked outside Channel 8 TV station in Bangkok (video)

    A shocking incident unfolded when a prominent monk known as Phra Teera was assaulted outside a television station. The attack occurred yesterday, November 22, after he appeared on a show at Channel 8, leaving him injured. Phra Teera had just exited the RS building, preparing to take a taxi, when a man suddenly approached and jumped, kicking him forcefully in…

  • Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani

    Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani

    A teenage girl attempted to abduct a three year old boy from a local temple in Udon Thani province, causing panic among residents. Concerned that she might harm the child due to her apparent drug-induced state, villagers promptly alerted the police. Upon receiving the call, officers from the local police station quickly arrived at the scene in Ban Pornsawan, Soi…

  • Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    A house recently sold and cleared of paperwork was destroyed by a fire, leaving the former owner unable to contact the new buyer. The fire, which remains unexplained, occurred yesterday evening, November 21, in the Thung Sawang community, Kanthararom district, Sisaket province. Police investigator Prayoon Boonyok received the fire alert at 7pm, with the incident taking place in a single-storey…

  • Thailand’s cash handout scheme faces scrutiny before elections

    Thailand’s cash handout scheme faces scrutiny before elections

    The second phase of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme is under scrutiny for potentially breaching legal boundaries, as the government plans to distribute the funds to four million elderly citizens during the Chinese New Year, just days before the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) elections. This timing has sparked concerns about its potential influence on the upcoming election outcomes. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn,…