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.
-
Sponsored
Moving to Thailand? Here are the health documents you should prepare before you go
The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
-
TBA to the rescue: Thai bankers roll out debt relief plan
The Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) is set to roll out a major debt restructuring programme to provide much-needed relief to the country’s household debt crisis. The scheme, expected to span three years, will focus on borrowers with a staggering 1.4 trillion baht in debt, covering everything from mortgages to auto loans and small business borrowings. In a bold move to…
-
Pattaya bike shop owner demands police action after burglary
A distraught bike shop owner in Pattaya has gone public, calling out the local police for their lack of action following a brazen burglary that left her feeling vulnerable and frustrated. The shop owner, 29 year old Sujanthra Im-arom, who owns Cadence Cycle on Jomtien Soi 8, says her case has stalled, with no updates from the police despite repeated…
-
Free holidays for Brits ‘high-jacked’ into Thai drug courier scheme
In a shocking twist on the idyllic Thai getaway, British citizens have reportedly been exploited as unwitting drug couriers, smuggling cannabis from Thailand back to the UK under the guise of a free holiday. British authorities have now called on Thai police to clamp down on this burgeoning drug mule scheme. According to Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of…
-
International fireworks festival to light up Pattaya later this month
The International Fireworks Festival 2024 in Pattaya is set to dazzle spectators with a vibrant display from five countries on November 29 and 30. Following a meeting chaired by Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet at Pattaya City Hall, the event promises to be both exciting and well-organised, ensuring safety and success as seen in previous years. Held along Pattaya Beach Road,…
-
Thailand’s public debt remains sustainable at 64% of GDP
The recent Cabinet meeting focused on the nation’s public debt status, revealing it remains well within sustainable limits. Public debt as of August reached 11.7 trillion baht, accounting for 64% of the country’s GDP, comfortably below the 70% benchmark for fiscal sustainability. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub detailed during the meeting that the Finance Ministry adhered strictly to the public debt…
-
Chon Buri Coffee on the Beach 2024 to perk up Pattaya tourism
Pattaya is bustling with anticipation for the upcoming Chon Buri Coffee on the Beach 2024 event. Scheduled to take place from November 22 to 24 at Pattaya Beach, this event promises a unique blend of coffee culture and scenic beachfront experiences. Pattaya’s leadership, spearheaded by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, took centre stage on Monday, November 4, to formally announce this event.…
-
Thailand coalition agrees on constitutional drafting assembly
The coalition parties in Thailand have reached a consensus on the need to establish a constitutional drafting assembly (CDA) to oversee the proposed amendments to the constitution. The Bhumjaithai Party emphasised that any changes put forth by the CDA must genuinely serve the interests of the people. Chaichanok Chidchob, Secretary-General of the Bhumjaithai Party, highlighted that discussions on charter amendments…
-
Thap Lan Park officer dies unexpectedly during forest patrol
A tragedy struck Thap Lan National Park when one of the park officers unexpectedly collapsed and died while on a forest patrol. Despite efforts from his colleagues to revive him, he did not regain consciousness. The incident occurred yesterday, November 5, and emergency services received a report at 3.30pm for urgent assistance. Warawan, serving as a forest protection officer, was part…
-
Buddha statue found floating in Thai river sparks local curiosity
A surprising discovery captured the attention of residents in Chai Nat province as a 15-kilogramme Buddha statue was found floating in the Noi River. Locals have now enshrined it at the Sala Ruam Jai, a new pavilion in the village of Ban Tha Bang, Phong Ngam subdistrict, Sankhaburi district. The statue, with a 12-inch lap and a black appearance reminiscent…
-
Major drug bust in Mukdahan uncovers 1.6 million meth pills
Police in Mukdahan province were alerted to a suspicious vehicle parked on a public road, leading to a major drug bust. The car, found at around 2pm yesterday, November 5, in Ban Don Sawan, Nam Thiang subdistrict, Khamcha-i district, contained a staggering 1.6 million methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden within fertiliser sacks. Police from the Khamcha-i Police Station were notified by…
-
Thai piano teacher accuses renowned lawyer of attempted rape
A Thai piano teacher accused renowned lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd of attempted rape, sharing CCTV footage of the alleged incident with news outlets. Sittha’s name will be familiar to many as he was recently accused by Thai millionaire Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert of swindling her out of 71 million baht. She claimed that Sittha deceived her into investing in an online…
-
Gold prices in Thailand surge, prompting investor action
Gold prices showed significant movement today, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announcing five adjustments resulting in a notable increase. Gold ornaments are selling at 44,550 baht per baht weight. This surge of 400 baht is compared to yesterday’s closing price. In the latest update posted at 10.04am, today, November 6, domestic gold bars were being bought at 43,950 baht…
-
Bangkok to transform Phahurat into vibrant Little India
Bangkok Metropolitan Council is set to transform the Phahurat area into a vibrant Little India, fostering comprehensive collaboration among the government, private sector, and community to attract tourists and boost investments, thereby increasing the nation’s revenue. John Surajit Pongsingwitaya, President of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, announced the capital’s commitment to support the development of Phahurat into a Little India, a…
-
PM Paetongtarn pledges no interference in Thaksin detention probe
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed concerns regarding her involvement in an investigation into allegations that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, received preferential treatment during his detention at the Police General Hospital. She reassured the public and officials that she would not interfere with the ongoing probe. The 38 year old Thai premier confirmed the government’s commitment to adhering…
-
Laotian mother appeals for hearing aids for blue-eyed twins with rare condition
A Laotian mother in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom is seeking public support for hearing aids for her twin daughters, who are hearing and speech impaired and have blue eyes due to Waardenburg syndrome. The two girls with bright blue eyes went viral on social media after a Facebook user, Wachi Wachi, shared their pictures on Monday, November 4.…
-
New plant species Curcuma diversicolor discovered in Thailand
Researchers at Kasetsart University announced the discovery of a new plant species, Curcuma diversicolor, locally known as Krajiew Sappasi, in Thailand. This unique species, distinguished by its vibrant bracts, is found exclusively in the community forest of Phra Thad Pha Daeng district in Tak province. The discovery has been published online in the international scientific journal Annales Botanici Fennici. The…
-
LNG prices stable in 2025, easing Thailand’s power tariff adjustments
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are projected to remain stable in early 2025, alleviating some of the pressure on Thai officials as they prepare to calculate a new power tariff for electricity bills from January to April next year. According to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), this stability in LNG pricing will influence the upcoming adjustment of the…
-
Chiang Mai tourists embrace 10 degrees cold snap
Chiang Mai is experiencing a significant drop in temperature, with the renowned Doi Inthanon registering a chilly 10 degrees Celsius (°C). Tourists are flocking to the area to enjoy the cold weather, despite warnings from the Northern Meteorological Centre about possible thunderstorms and weather changes that could impact health. The weather in Chiang Mai remains cold and overcast with intermittent…
-
British and Dutch men arrested in Bangkok for drug trafficking
Officers from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested a British man and a Dutch man at a condominium in Bangkok yesterday for drug trafficking. They were found in possession of 210 grammes of ecstasy and over 37 grammes of cannabis. The ONCB officers held a press conference today, November 6, to provide details on the arrests of…
-
Bitcoin set for record high amid US election and rate cuts
Bitcoin is poised for a potential surge to a new record high this month, driven by expectations of further US policy rate cuts and a potential victory by Donald Trump in the US presidential election, according to insights from Merkle Capital, a digital asset fund manager. Last month, Bitcoin reached US$73,600, marking an increase of over 25% compared to the…
-
Thailand to launch 130 billion baht sustainability-linked bonds for 2025
The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) is gearing up to introduce a sustainability-linked bond (SLB) valued at 130 billion baht for the fiscal year 2025. This move aligns with the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs). An initial release of bonds worth 20 to 30 billion baht (US$588 to 882 million) is…
-
Phuket project aims to save dugongs with new food plots
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in Phuket has initiated an experimental project to combat the decline of seagrass and provide supplementary food for dugongs. The project, currently underway on Rawai Beach, seeks to prevent the extinction of these marine mammals. Experimentation began at the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, where they have established natural…
-
Drug-fuelled gun incident in Suan Luang ends with arrest
A dramatic incident unfolded in the Suan Luang area when a man under the influence of drugs fired a gun in a residential area. Special operation forces, fully armed, surrounded the area and managed to apprehend the suspect. The man now faces serious charges. Police were alerted to the situation around 5am today, November 6, following instructions from Witthawat Chinkham,…
-
Thai girl’s arm saved from pool pipe nightmare in Si Racha
A village in Si Racha, Chon Buri witnessed a terrifying life-threatening ordeal when a young Thai girl found herself stuck in a swimming pool drainage pipe. The Sriracha Rescue Unit raced to the scene at Pornthep Village just after 5.30pm last Sunday, November 3 where a young girl’s left arm had become wedged in a powerful suction pipe, pulling water into…
-
Molotov attack in Udon Thani leaves teen critically injured
A violent altercation in Udon Thani left a young man seriously injured after being attacked with Molotov cocktails. The incident unfolded when a group of youths targeted 18 year old Taa at a notorious intersection known for frequent disturbances. Footage from a nearby CCTV camera captured the harrowing scene, showing Taa and his 18 year old friend Art being pursued…
-
BDMS Wellness Clinic boosts health tourism with Longevity Card
BDMS Wellness Clinic launched a new health initiative amid the rising global interest in wellness, particularly as societies worldwide face ageing populations and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and stress. This trend has significantly boosted the popularity of the wellness industry. Global wellness market data indicates an expected annual growth of approximately 8.6%, potentially…
-
Fatal attraction: Taiwanese man dies after sex with Thai transwoman
A Taiwanese man reportedly died after engaging in sexual activity with a Thai female sex worker who was later found to be a transwoman. Facebook page World Forum shared the tragic story of the 36 year old Taiwanese man, yesterday, November 5. “Top story in Taiwan. A 36 year old man from New Taipei City paid for sex with a Thai…
-
A 57 year old man dies while harvesting coconuts in sweltering heat
A tragic incident unfolded as a 57 year old man, known for working hard, collapsed and died amidst a pile of aromatic coconuts. Police are investigating the cause of death, with initial reports indicating no history of chronic illness. Yesterday, November 5, Phisin Nupinit, a deputy investigator from Bang Khonthi District Police Station, received a report about a man found…
-
Chiang Mai gold necklace thief caught in traffic hold-up
A brazen thief who snatched a gold necklace from a popular shopping centre in Chiang Mai was apprehended at an intersection after attempting to evade capture. The suspect, who had tried to blend in by changing clothes, was eventually caught in traffic. Yesterday, November 5, a gold necklace weighing 1 baht was stolen from the Mangkhorn Thong Yaowarat jewellery store…
-
Seven arrested in Bangkok market immigration crackdown
Thai immigration officers apprehended seven foreign nationals, including individuals from China, Laos, and Myanmar, for illegally selling clothes at stalls in the Bobae Market in Bangkok. This operation was part of a broader crackdown on illegal activities. The operation was conducted by immigration officers who went undercover as customers in Bobae Market. Acting on a directive from the police chief,…
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.