News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
The Thaiger is your essential resource for staying connected with Thailand’s captivating blend of tradition and modernity. To remain in the loop with the country’s most trusted news source, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
-
Sponsored
Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
-
Memorial event to honor Phuket expat Graham Doven
PHUKET: Long-term Phuket expat Graham Doven, who passed away in Bangkok earlier this week (story here), will be honored with a ceremony on June 15 to scatter his ashes in Phang Nga Bay. The ceremony on the bay, where floating wreaths will be laid upon the water, will be followed by a memorial lunch at BB’s Restaurant at Tinlay Place…
-
Indian PM ally says rape ‘sometimes right, sometimes wrong’
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Ally of India’s Modi says rape ‘sometimes right, sometimes wrong’ Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A lawmaker from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party has described rape as a social crime, saying “sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong”, in the latest controversial remarks by an…
-
Pope fires entire board of Vatican financial watchdog
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Pope fires entire board of Vatican financial watchdog Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Pope Francis sacked the five-man board of the Vatican’s financial watchdog on Thursday – all Italians – in the latest move to break with an old guard associated with a murky past under…
-
Police push to keep tuk-tuk cartel suspects behind bars, fear witness intimidation
PHUKET: Only four of the 95 suspects arrested for their involvement in the taxi and tuk-tuk cartels that have ruled Phuket’s public transport system have been allowed out on police bail. The rest remain in jail today. “The four suspects were allowed out on bail because they have health problems that were identified and certified as a real risk by…
-
Junta eyes lifting curfew for World Cup
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Curfew may be eased for World Cup The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday mulled whether to make curfew hours more flexible for the World Cup tournament, which kicks off next week. Junta spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said…
-
World Cup gambling slated to reach B$43bn
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World Cup gambling slated to reach B$43bn The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thais are expected to spend an estimated Bt69 billion during the upcoming football World Cup in Brazil – with gambling on matches forecast to generate Bt43.5 billion alone, according to a University of…
-
Press chief charged over wife’s murder
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Press chief charged over wife’s murder The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: In a twist in the recent murder of the wife of the chairman of the Songkhla-based Press Association of Southern Thailand, police have arrested the husband and alleged he masterminded the killing. The arrest…
-
Yingluck faces assets probe
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Yingluck faces assets probe The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The national anti-graft agency yesterday resolved to examine the assets of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and four other members of her Cabinet involved in her government’s loss-making and corruption-plagued rice price-pledging scheme. The National Anti-Corruption…
-
World leaders gather for D-Day tribute, hope for thaw on Ukraine
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community World leaders gather for D-Day tribute, hope for thaw on Ukraine Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: World leaders and veterans gather by the beaches of Normandy on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings that helped turn the tables in World War…
-
China sentences nine to death for terrorism in Xinjiang
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China sentences nine to death for terrorism in Xinjiang Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Authorities in China’s restive Xinjiang region sentenced nine people to death on Thursday for “violent terrorism” crimes, state media reported, as part of a nation-wide crackdown on separatist militants. China has launched…
-
Video Report: Thailand’s coup given credit for taxi cartel crackdown in Phuket
PHUKET: Thailand’s coup opened the gates for police to sweep Phuket clean of the island’s notorious taxi and tuk-tuk cartels, said Commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 Panya Mamen today. Lt Gen Panya explained that the Army’s support was instrumental in enabling months of hard police work to come to fruition. “Since the coup, it has been easy…
-
Thailand’s coup given credit for taxi cartel crackdown in Phuket
PHUKET: Thailand’s coup opened the gates for police to sweep Phuket clean of the island’s notorious taxi and tuk-tuk cartels, said Commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 Panya Mamen today. Lt Gen Panya explained that the Army’s support was instrumental in enabling months of hard police work to come to fruition. “Since the coup, it has been easy…
-
Swiss man crushed to death as cement truck tips on Karon Hill
PHUKET: A Phuket expat from Switzerland was crushed to death yesterday afternoon when a cement truck slid out of control on Karon Hill and crushed his car. Philippe Wagner, 46, died instantly, said Lt Weerayuth Thansirisukhaworakul of the Karon Police. “He was alone in the car when the accident happened,” he added. Mr Wagner was on Patak Road, travelling toward…
-
Teach environmental awareness when they’re young: Phuket Governor
PHUKET: The key to lifelong environmental awareness is to teach children while they’re young, said Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut today in his opening address to mark World Environment Day. Taking part in a global initiative to increase awareness about environmental concerns, Phuket launched a three-day event to mark the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) global day, this year held under…
-
Krabi, Phang Nga next on list for curfew repeal
PHUKET: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to ask for the curfew to be lifted in Phuket’s neighboring provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga to ease public concerns and help tourism operators recover. Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Suwat Sitthilor is planning to ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to remove the curfew in…
-
Phuket’s power hungry to join energy-saving dress rehearsal
PHUKET: Some of Phuket’s largest energy consumers will take part in a power-saving exercise this Saturday in preparation for the nearly month-long period during which a major gas field will go offline for upgrades. Though Phuket has been promised no enforced blackouts or power rationing, Phuket Energy Office Chief Wiroj Damkong has called for energy saving during the June 13…
-
Phuket’s Coup d’Taxi continues; cartels smashed
PHUKET: Police this morning continued their campaign to smash Phuket’s notorious taxi and tuk-tuk cartels by destroying illegal taxi stands in Cherng Talay, Kata-Karon and Kamala. Unlike the mass raids yesterday, when 73 drivers were arrested (story here), no soldiers from the Fourth Army Area Command in Nakhon Sri Thammarat were present to provide military support. An estimated 500 officers…
-
Phuket Town woman surprised by slithering squatter… again
PHUKET: Anchalee Boonjit discovered an unexpected guest hiding behind her house when she opened the back door yesterday morning –a three-meter-long python. “I woke up in the morning and went to find a rag to wipe the floor, since it was wet from rain the night before,” said Ms Anchalee. “When I opened the door, I was shocked to see…
-
Phuket war weapons owners urged to lay down their arms
PHUKET: Governor Maitri Inthusut has made a plea for anyone harboring weapons of war to hand them over to authorities by the June 10 deadline rather than risk court martial and 20 years in jail. “No citizens are permitted to own weapons of war. There is no license that allows such weapons to be owned,” Governor Maitri told the Phuket…
-
Nadal sets up semi-final with Murray
PHUKET: There is not much that spooks Rafa Nadal at the French Open, but David Ferrer managed to do just that – for 49 bewitching minutes – before watching in despair as his fellow Spaniard turned into a man possessed to set up a semi-final with Andy Murray. Facing a rival who had beaten him the last time they had…
-
Body parts, weapons found near Bangkok anti-govt rally site
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Body parts, weapons found near anti-govt rally site The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The lower part of a human body and a large amount of explosives-related devices and weapons have been found in a canal near a rally site in Bangkok previously occupied by anti-government…
-
Junta plays music, movies, transparency to heal the rift
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Music, movies, transparency – healing the rift The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has resorted to festive fairs, music, historical movies, preaching by monks, oath-taking and campaigns to woo grassroots support as part of its efforts to bridge…
-
Assad declared landslide victor in wartime Syrian election
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Assad declared landslide victor in wartime Syrian election Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: President Bashar al-Assad has secured a landslide victory in a wartime election that was condemned as a sham by his opponents but demonstrated his tenacious hold on power after three years of brutal…
-
Army invades Phuket to clear violent, illegal taxi drivers
PHUKET: A deployment of 100 soldiers from Southern Thailand today provided military support to a huge task force of 1,110 police officers and 40 volunteers who swept along the west coast of Phuket to purge the island of illegal, violent, abusive and cheating taxi, tuk-tuk and minivan drivers. The soldiers were acting under orders from Maj Gen Peerapol Wiriyakul, Commanding…
-
Phuket Governor, Energy Office confirm no power rationing during gas field shutdown
PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket Energy Office and Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut have both confirmed there will be no enforced blackouts or power rationing in Phuket when a major gas field supply line goes offline next week. Supply of natural gas from field A-18 in the Joint Development Area (JDA) between Thailand and Malaysia in the Gulf of Thailand…
-
Breaking News: At least one dead in Phuket cement truck smash
PHUKET: At least one person died when a cement truck slammed into a pick-up truck and sedan on Kata Hill at about 5:19pm today. The cause of the fatal accident and number of other injuries or fatalities that occurred has yet to be confirmed by the Phuket Gazette. — Chutharat Plerin
-
Breaking News: Army leads blitz on illegal Phuket taxi, tuk-tuk drivers
PHUKET: A huge force of 1,150 police, volunteers and army personnel arrived in Phuket today and so far have arrested 73 illegal drivers of taxis, tuk-tuks and other commercial vehicles that prey on vacationing foreigners holidaying on the island. The arrests were carried out along the west coast of Phuket, in the Thalang, Kata-Karon, Cherng Talay, Kamala police precincts. No…
-
Coup puts dent in Phuket hotel occupancy numbers
PHUKET: Hotel occupancy has taken a hit in coup-time Phuket with cancellation and booking rates falling short of last year’s numbers. Though figures vary between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), both agencies agree that the coup has affected the tourism industry. “Booking cancellation rates are up about 10 per cent compared…
-
Lampard to lead out England at World Cup warm-up
PHUKET: England’s Frank Lampard will proudly lead out his country against Ecuador in a World Cup warm-up match at the Sun Life Stadium on Wednesday determined to savor every moment in the twilight of his career. The 35-year-old knows the sands of time are running out on his illustrious career at the very top of the game with a possible…
-
Phuket landslide, flood warning issued amid heavy rainfall
PHUKET: Phuket residents are urged to beware of possible landslides and flooding as heavy rain is expected to pummel the island for the next four days. “From June 4 to June 8, heavy rain is expected throughout Thailand, but provinces in Central Thailand on the gulf coast and many in the south are at high risk for landslides and floods,”…
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.