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

    Black Friday starts now - Grab 10% off your health insurance plan

    If you’re an expat living in Thailand, you’ve likely experienced the complexity of navigating healthcare abroad. With Black Friday rolling in, it’s the perfect time to secure a health insurance plan that provides peace of mind and a safety net...

  • Phuket sea gypsies win reprieve from developer action

    Phuket sea gypsies win reprieve from developer action

    PHUKET: A protest by about 200 residents from the sea gypsy community at Baan Laem Tukkae on Koh Sireh yesterday won a temporary reprieve against a developer taking over 11 rai at the small beachfront village on the east side of Phuket Town.Nikom Ukhati, a surveyor from the Phuket Land Office, explained that he and a team of officers arrived…

  • Futsal World Cup: All European and South American semifinals tonight

    Futsal World Cup: All European and South American semifinals tonight

    PHUKET: Both semifinals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup will be played this evening at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok, with the stage set for an epic Europe – South America final. The first semifinal is an all European affair between Spain and Italy. Spain started the competition as one of the favorites and they finished joint top of Group…

  • World Sports: Keep jeering me, Liverpool’s Suarez tells opposing fans

    World Sports: Keep jeering me, Liverpool’s Suarez tells opposing fans

    PHUKET: Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez is happy for opposition supporters to jeer him as it only serves to motivate him more, the Uruguayan said yesterday. Suarez has become a target for boos from the stands in England after he received an eight-match ban last season for racial abuse directed at Manchester United’s Patrice Evra before refusing to shake the Frenchman’s…

  • Krabi Police raid illegal gun factory

    Krabi Police raid illegal gun factory

    PHUKET: Krabi Police are on the lookout for a gunsmith who is now on the run after officers raided his illegal firearms workshop at a mangosteen processing plant in Nuea Klong District, across the bay from Phuket, yesterday.Provincial Police Commander Nunthadej Yoinual led a team of more than 10 police officers to raid a bungalow at the plant at midday.During…

  • Matthieu Ricard, “happiest person in the world’, to speak in Phuket today

    Matthieu Ricard, “happiest person in the world’, to speak in Phuket today

    PHUKET: World-renowned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard will explore the complex topic of altruism and its role in the modern world in a special free-admission talk at the Thanyapura Mind Center in Thalang, Phuket, this afternoon. As a postgraduate student in science at the renowned Institut Pasteur in the 1960s, the young Mr Ricard embarked on a spiritual journey that saw…

  • Phuket Police yet to handover confessed rapist case

    Phuket Police yet to handover confessed rapist case

    PHUKET: The case of Peerayut Moottamara, the 29-year-old who confessed to raping an 18-year-old woman in Chalong on October 11 has not yet been handed over to the Phuket public prosecutor. Capt Chienchai Duangsuwan of Chalong Police Station, told the Gazette Wednesday, that they were still waiting for medical results from Vachira Phuket Hospital in order to conclude the investigation…

  • Blackout in Koh Kaew on November 20

    Blackout in Koh Kaew on November 20

    PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced a scheduled blackout that will affect areas in Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, on Tuesday, November 20. The blackout will be from 9am to 5pm to allow PPEA staff to carry out maintenance work on high-voltage power lines. The blackout will affect Soi Harn Farang and Soi Koh Kaew 33,…

  • World News: Israeli-Hamas conflict risks spiralling into all-out war

    World News: Israeli-Hamas conflict risks spiralling into all-out war

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Egypt PM to visit Gaza in support of Hamas against Israel Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Egypt’s prime minister prepared to visit the Gaza Strip today in an unprecedented display of solidarity with Hamas militants embroiled in a new escalation of conflict with Israel that risks spiraling into…

  • Taxi operators launch drive to boost fleet at Phuket Airport

    Taxi operators launch drive to boost fleet at Phuket Airport

    PHUKET: Three main taxi operators in Phuket have appealed to the provincial transportation committee to allow more vehicles to serve Phuket International Airport. The news came at a meeting at the airport administrative office on Tuesday called by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham. Representing Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT), which operates Phuket’s key tourism portal, Director Prathuang joined Phuket Vice…

  • Phuket’s TSLC signs 2mn baht deal with China’s elite Liaoning Swimming Club

    Phuket’s TSLC signs 2mn baht deal with China’s elite Liaoning Swimming Club

    PHUKET: Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) has signed a 2 million baht deal with China’s elite Liaoning Swimming Club, which means Olympians will train at Phuket’s TSLC’s Olympic-standard aquatic facilities for the first time under one of the world’s best coaches. The deal sees the talented squad head to Thanyapura on January 27, 2013 for a six-week training stint…

  • World News: Strong mandate given to China’s new leader

    World News: Strong mandate given to China’s new leader

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community China’s new party chief Xi gets strong mandate for action Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: China’s president-in-waiting Xi Jinping won a strong mandate today to lead the world’s second-biggest economy and deal with problems ranging from corruption to economic uncertainty. Xi was appointed head of both…

  • Love lost Russian drinks himself to death in Phuket seaside guesthouse

    Love lost Russian drinks himself to death in Phuket seaside guesthouse

    PHUKET: A broken-hearted Russian man who drank himself to death was found in his rented accommodation in Patong yesterday. Patong Police inspector Maj Patapee Srichai was informed of the incident shortly after 2pm by Areeya Koksadon, 40, the manager of the Amara Guesthouse. At the scene police found the body of Petr Zavyalov, a 27-year-old Russian national, lying on the…

  • FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain prevail in quarterfinals

    FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain prevail in quarterfinals

    PHUKET: The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 featured all four exciting quarterfinals’ matches last night in Bangkok, with Brazil, Colombia, Italy and Spain advancing to the dismay of Argentina, Ukraine, Portugal and Russia respectively. In the first match of the evening, Brazil came from behind to claim a hard fought victory against Argentina in extra time.Relishing the return of key…

  • Aussie balcony plunge survivor on the road to recovery

    Aussie balcony plunge survivor on the road to recovery

    PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony on Tuesday is recovering from an operation to repair a ruptured spleen and to start correcting his shattered right leg, which was nearly torn off in the impact. Staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town reported that John Hurley, 39, underwent the surgery yesterday afternoon. “He…

  • World News: 452 prisoners to be freed by Myanmar | Thaiger

    World News: 452 prisoners to be freed by Myanmar

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Myanmar says to free 452 prisoners ahead Obama visit Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Myanmar plans to free 452 prisoners including an unidentified number of political prisoners, government officials said this morning, just days before a visit by US President Barack Obama to the former military…

  • More Bangla raids to come, vows Chairat

    More Bangla raids to come, vows Chairat

    PHUKET: Complaints from tourists have prompted Patong Municipality to launch a campaign to rid Soi Bangla of touts who charge tourists for having their photos taken with slow lorises, a protected species. Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban explained to the Phuket Gazette that the campaign uses the coordinated efforts of the Phuket Environmental Conservation Unit of the Department of National…

  • Phuket Governor called on to curb “out of control’ corruption

    Phuket Governor called on to curb “out of control’ corruption

    PHUKET: Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban and Patong Entertainment Business Association President Weerawit Kurasombat today called on the Phuket Governor to investigate rampant extortion by government officers.Deputy Mayor Chairat and Mr Weerawit met Governor Maitri Inthusut at Provincial Hall this morning. Also present was Prapan Kanprasang, head of the Damrongtham Center (Provincial Ombudsman’s Office).“Many government departments in Phuket ask for…

  • Thailand News: Austrian publisher arrested in Pattaya

    Thailand News: Austrian publisher arrested in Pattaya

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police arrest Austrian man for attempted blackmail Phuket Gazette / The Nation- DPAPHUKET: Police arrested an Austrian magazine owner in the Thai resort town of Pattaya on charges of attempting to blackmail a German multinational consumer products firm, police confirmed today.The technology crime suppression police unit arrested…

  • Phuket officials order airport taxi touts to: ‘Stop harassing tourists’

    Phuket officials order airport taxi touts to: ‘Stop harassing tourists’

    PHUKET: Taxi touts at Phuket International Airport have been told to stop following and harassing tourists arriving at the airport, and to stay at their own counters.The news came at a meeting at the airport administrative office yesterday morning, called by Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham.Present to oversee the proceedings was Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada, who called for taxi…

  • FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and Italy favored in quarterfinals tonight

    FIFA Futsal World Cup: Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and Italy favored in quarterfinals tonight

    PHUKET: Footy fans across the globe look forward to four strong quarterfinal match-ups of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which kick off tonight in Thailand as follows: Bangkok’s Indoor Stadium, Huamark, broadcast live on terrestrial channel 9 4pm: Brazil vs Argentina: 6:30pm: Ukraine vs Colombia Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium, broadcast live on cable channel T-Sport 6:30pm: Portugal vs Italy 9pm: Spain…

  • World News: EU suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel

    World News: EU suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community European Union suspends enforcement of carbon tax on air travel Phuket Gazette / News WiresPHUKET: The European Commission of the European Union on Monday announced it will suspend enforcing its controversial carbon tax on air travel until at least autumn 2013, creating space for political negotiations to…

  • World News: Syrian conflict update – Role of France, Russia and Iran

    World News: Syrian conflict update – Role of France, Russia and Iran

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community France recognises new Syria opposition Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: France became the first European power to recognize Syria’s new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people and said yesterday it would look into arming rebels against President Bashar al-Assad once they form a government.Twenty months…

  • Phuket Police promise progress in child rape case | Thaiger

    Phuket Police promise progress in child rape case

    PHUKET: Police expect to receive test results within the next two weeks confirming the rape of a 9-year-old girl, case investigator Lt Col Rassada Kluengwong of the Tah Chat Chai Police told the Phuket Gazette today. The move is expected to clear the way for legal proceedings to be taken against the alleged perpetrator, a local shopkeeper in the north…

  • Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

    Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

    PHUKET: The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony earlier today is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. (Click here to see Phuket Breaking News report.) John Hurley, 39, suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, serious injuries to his right leg and a broken left hand in the fall. His leg was nearly torn…

  • World Sports: South Africa scrap draw in first test

    World Sports: South Africa scrap draw in first test

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH– World sports news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community South Africa forces draw in first test with Australia Reuters / Phuket GazettePHUKET: South Africa were forced to scrap their way through an uncomfortable final day of the first test against a Michael Clarke-inspired Australia today to save a match they had once looked like winning.Australia…

  • Live Wire: Is Windows 8 right for your Phuket PC?

    Live Wire: Is Windows 8 right for your Phuket PC?

    PHUKET: I’m very happy to announce that my latest book, Windows 8 All-In-One For Dummies, arrived on store shelves around the world just before Windows 8 launched on October 26. At 1,080 pages, it’s not only the longest book I’ve ever written, it’s also the most complex. While Windows 8 itself isn’t considerably more convoluted than Windows 7, it has…

  • Australian man falls from 18th-storey balcony at Patong hotel | Thaiger

    Australian man falls from 18th-storey balcony at Patong hotel

    PHUKET BREAKING NEWS: An Australian man has been admitted to Patong Hospital for injuries sustained in a fall from an 18th-storey balcony at the Royal Paradise Hotel. The man, in his late 30s, reportedly fell from the building at about 1pm. The Phuket Gazette has yet to establish the extent of his injuries.

  • Thailand News: Renewed fears from seismic strikes

    Thailand News: Renewed fears from seismic strikes

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Fears of ‘big one’ on Mae Chan Fault The Nation / Phuket GazettePHUKET: Sunday’s magnitude 6.8 earthquake and aftershocks in Myanmar have renewed fears in Thailand over safety from seismic strikes. “We have to identify the quake risks of each type of building and prepare response…

  • Chris McCormack to race at Laguna Phuket

    Chris McCormack to race at Laguna Phuket

    PHUKET: Australian Chris “Macca” McCormack, the two-time Ironman World Champion and one of the most successful athletes in triathlon history, has signed up to compete in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on November 25 and Ironman 70.3 Laguna on December 2.Macca has won 200 races around the world since 1993 including 12 Ironman victories, more than any other male competitor,…

  • Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller

    Korean tourist survives gash in head from longtail propeller

    PHUKET: A Korean tourist who was struck in the head by a longtail boat propeller while on a snorkeling trip off Koh Panyee is conscious and eating unassisted, staff at Phuket International Hospital told the Phuket Gazette this morning.Kang Chulgue, 30, was on a day trip with five other Korean tourists at the popular tourist site Tumlod-Khao Phing Kan, located…