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.
-
Sponsored
The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
-
Thai domestic car sales slump hits 26% as pickup sector suffers
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported a 26% year-on-year drop in domestic car sales for February, primarily affecting the pickup sector. This downturn is expected to hit a two-year low. The total number of cars sold in the country came to 52,843 units, a significant drop from the previous year’s 71,551 units. Despite the worrying sales slump, Surapong Paisitpatanapong,…
-
Quick action: Bangkok police recover 70,000 baht for Chinese man
Bangkok police officers demonstrated integrity by successfully recovering 70,000 baht in cash for a Chinese man who had lost his wallet on March 25, highlighting that not all Thai cops are corrupt. The Chinese man, Zhang Wei, rushed to Huay Kwang Police Station after finding himself without a wallet at midnight on March 25. Zhang believed he might have left…
-
Growth in Thai exports expected in Q1 due to stable freight costs
Thailand is set to experience a 1 to 2% growth in export value during the initial quarter of the year, fuelled by stable freight costs and rising shipments of key commodities such as rubber, rice, pet food, electronics, and automobiles. This positive forecast is shared by Keerati Rushchano, the permanent secretary of commerce, who anticipates a steady growth trajectory as…
-
University student found dead in Nan River, Phitsanulok
A 23 year old university student who had been missing for two days was found dead in the Nan River in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand. The fourth-year student from a well-known university, identified only as Teeraporn (surname withheld) was found without any apparent injuries, suggesting a grim conclusion to her life. The initial report came yesterday when local authorities were alerted…
-
Pickpockets theft of Norweigian-Thai couple was karma, say cops
A Thai police officer dismissed a complaint from a Norwegian man and his Thai girlfriend who lost 30,000 baht in cash and a mobile phone to four pickpockets outside a shopping mall in Bangkok. The Thai cop allegedly told the foreigner it was his fault, a result of bad karma in their past lives. The Thai woman and her Norwegian…
-
Thai lawyer uncovers police-linked bribery network
A recent revelation has shaken the Thai law enforcement scene as a lawyer uncovered a gang, allegedly linked to the police, involved in an extensive bribery racket. The racket reportedly amasses over 100 million baht each month through illicit kickbacks. Sittra Biabungkerd, serving as secretary to the People’s Lawyers Foundation, brought this issue to light in a press conference held…
-
Former prosecutor files lawsuit in Red Bull hit-and-run case
A former senior prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) filed a lawsuit against Police Colonel Thanasit Taengchan, a former forensic officer for the infamous 2012 hit-and-run incident involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, also known as Boss. Chainarong, accompanied by his lawyer Paisan Chuarphon, lodged the lawsuit at Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday. The case accuses Pol. Col.…
-
Pork-smuggling mafia’s son arrested at Don Mueang Airport
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) at Don Mueang International Airport yesterday apprehended Karin Piyapornpaiboon, the adopted son of a notorious Chinese pork-smuggling mafia figure, Li Sheng Jiao, known as Hia Kao (Brother Kao). The arrest took place at 7.40am as Karin’s plane from China touched down, with him being transported to the DSI headquarters by 9am, as disclosed by…
-
Thailand forecasts 558 billion baht foreign investment in key sectors
Following a series of global roadshows led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the Board of Investment (BoI) anticipates a surge of at least 558 billion baht (US$15 billion) in foreign investment inflows into Thailand. The funds are expected to be channelled primarily into four critical sectors – digital, electric vehicles (EVs) and components, electronics and semiconductors, and logistics. BoI’s Secretary-General,…
-
Saab swoops to supply Gripen jets to RTAF in 19-billion-baht deal
Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company, yesterday announced its intention to supply Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The company’s proposal aligns with the Thai government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development set by the RTAF. The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in…
-
Thai govt assures no loss of Koh Kood sovereignty in future talks
A reassurance has been issued by the Thai government, stating that the country will not surrender sovereignty over Koh Kood, located in Trat province, to Cambodia during future negotiations concerning the partitioning of marine resources in their shared Overlapping Claims Area (OCA). In a statement during the Senate’s general debate on Monday night, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara referred to…
-
Friend of Thai comedian suspected of stealing from shoe collection
A close acquaintance of renowned Thai comedian Jazz Chuanchuen has been issued with an arrest warrant for making off with several items from Jazz’s extensive shoe collection, worth over 300,000 baht. Min Buri Police Station Chief, Police Colonel Kris Komnoi, stated that investigators had gathered evidence, particularly from a social media livestream by the individual claiming responsibility for the break-in and…
-
Hong Kong’s national security law: Foreign corporations
Corporate lawyers and consultants have revealed that foreign corporations operating in Hong Kong have been revisiting their strategies since the previous year in anticipation of the recently passed domestic national security law. Despite assurances from the city and central authorities that the legislation, dictated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, would neither disrupt operations nor negatively impact the city’s…
-
Thai Lion Air & Krabi Airport has worst WiFi in the world
Thai Lion Air and Krabi International Airport in southern Thailand have garnered notoriety as some of the worst WiFi service providers, according to reviews from travellers on Airline Quality (also known as Skytrax). EletronicsHub, an online tech gadget review and information platform, conducted an analysis of WiFi connectivity based on reviews of airports and airlines worldwide on the Airline Quality…
-
TikTok user draws from Chinese calendar for April lottery
Lottery buffs remain undeterred in their search for lucky numbers, with the Thai government lottery draw scheduled for April 1, drawing considerable attention. As always, the quest for the winning digits is on, with participants scouring various sources for their preferred numbers. These sources range from celebrities’ suggestions to social media buzz, as well as tried-and-true methods like the Chinese…
-
Shooting and Molotov cocktails attack rocks Phuket Town
Phuket City police are currently investigating a violent incident on the outskirts of Phuket Town which resulted in a young man being shot in the foot, with accompanying reports of Molotov cocktails being hurled. The authorities were alerted to the event by the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital, who reported a patient admitted with a bullet wound in his left…
-
Can Thailand achieve high-income status by 2037? (video)
As Thailand steers towards high-income status by 2037, a formidable obstacle looms large: rampant flooding wreaking havoc on its economy. In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS World, the World Bank unveils a groundbreaking strategy to expedite flood management, potentially transforming Thailand’s economic landscape. Read on to discover the game-changing insights and bold plans set to redefine Thailand’s future. Amid…
-
Thaksin Shinawatra’s secretive meet-up sparks political uproar
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s sudden appearance at the Pheu Thai Party’s headquarters has sparked intense speculation about his true intentions. To dispel mounting rumours, Phumtham Wechayachai, former Pheu Thai Secretary-General, clarified that Thaksin’s scheduled rendezvous on Tuesday was merely a gesture of convenience. “It’s not about control. It’s about respect.” Phumtham asserted that the visit was solely to facilitate…
-
Russian graffiti vandals busted in Patong
The two Russian men on a graffiti rampage after a booze-fuelled escapade in Patong, Phuket, have been arrested. Police Major General Saranyu Chamnarnrat, Deputy Chief of the Provincial Police Region 8, revealed the arrest of the Russian vandals today. Identified as 23 year old Evgenii Egorov and 22 year old Oleg Shirshov, the spray-painting mischievous pair were nabbed from a dormitory…
-
Beachside business caught red-handed with Pattaya city floats
Pattaya officials swooped in on a beachside entrepreneur’s operation, seizing floats that were allegedly repurposed from government property for commercial gain. Residents raised eyebrows at the brazen use of what appeared to be city-owned pontoons for private enterprise on Krating Lai Beach in north Pattaya. The Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, Manot Nongyai, spearheaded a team of city officials yesterday…
-
Thailand’s car industry hits the brakes: Production plunges 20%
With a significant decrease in production, Thailand’s car output experienced a 19.28% year-on-year slump in February, with the total units produced amounting to only 133,690, as reported by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The numbers, attributed predominantly to the reduced production of pickup trucks and increased imports of electric vehicles (EVs), starkly contrast the 12.46% dip recorded in January.…
-
Visa-free travel sparks surge in Thai-Chinese tourism expectations
A recent measure granting visa-free travel between Thailand and China has sparked a surge in tourism expectations. As per the reports collected by five Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) overseas offices located in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, it’s predicted that tourism between the two nations could dramatically rise by the end of 2024. The visa-exemption agreement, which has…
-
Thailand second in Asia’s most appealing investment locations
Thailand has been recognised as the second most appealing investment location amongst emerging and developing countries in Asia, according to the latest Global Opportunity Index (GOI) 2024. This ranking has been assigned by the renowned Milken Institute, which annually conducts this comprehensive index. The GOI aims to provide invaluable insights to investors who are exploring opportunities beyond their domestic markets.…
-
Rare two-headed-like snake spotted in Sukhothai
A peculiar snake with an extraordinary appearance caused a stir on social media after it was found slithering into a home in Sukhothai in the middle of the night last night. The snake, with its unique black and purplish colour and distinctive white ring patterns, was unlike anything ever seen before by the residents and sparked an intense online debate…
-
Surin man travels 2,589 kilometres to witness snow in China
A young man from Surin Province completed a daring journey from Thailand to China, spanning a staggering 2,589 kilometres. Riding a Honda Wave motorcycle through rugged terrain, the man embarked on this adventure to fulfil his dream of riding through snow, a quest that took seven days to complete, starting on March 17. The man who goes by the name…
-
Chauffeur poses as youth welfare officer to rape 13 year old girl
A chauffeur of the Service Centre for Disabled People in the Isaan province of Udon Thani posed as a youth welfare officer to lure a 13 year old girl into a rape. He even sexually assaulted the girl in front of her two year old sibling. The victim’s mother, 31 year old Cat, urged Thai news agencies to help seek…
-
Thai telecom tycoon ties the knot
Somchai Lertsutiwong, the CEO of Thai telecommunication giant Advanced Info Service (AIS), finally tied the knot. The media mogul yesterday stunned many with his hush-hush marriage announcement. Somchai exchanged vows with 31 year old Kuntita Chartsomboonchai, also known as Pear, a standout brand representative from the AIS Smart Gen 2018 project. This covert ceremony, held on March 23, was a…
-
Uthai Thani homeowner gets 5,000 baht bill after meter upgrade
A homeowner in Uthai Thani was in for a shock when she received an electricity bill that surged to over 5,000 baht, a steep increase from the usual monthly payment of around 300 baht, following the installation of a new digital meter. Despite complaining to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the issue remains unresolved. A citizen from the Uthai Thani municipality…
-
Rapid test kit set to combat kidney disease epidemic
Chulalongkorn Hospital unveils the nation’s first rapid kidney disease test kit, a potential game-changer in battling a growing health crisis. A research team, spearheaded by Dr Nattachai Srisawat, unveils the ALB11 kit, designed to swiftly detect microalbuminuria, a crucial marker for kidney disease, in the comfort of one’s home. “An initial screening for the disease is pivotal for swift medical…
-
Policewoman’s battle with depression & suicide after police training
A policewoman took to social media to reveal the brutality of police training that left her with depression and thoughts of suicide. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are investigating the matter. The policewoman, Chontaros Sukdayotin, posted pictures of herself in hospital on Facebook and revealed to her followers that she now battles depression and has recently experienced coughing up blood.…
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.