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
What’s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?
Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
-
Turkish tourist robbed of 70k baht by transgender in Pattaya
A Turkish man reported being robbed of 73,000 baht by a transgender person on Pattaya Central Road, marking the third such incident within the week. The 52 year old Turkish national, Mustafa, filed a complaint at Pattaya Police Station yesterday, January 22 at 5.06am, stating he had been robbed of €500 and US$1,200 (approximately 73,000 baht). The incident transpired on…
-
Illicit cigarettes seized in Buriram; 42 million baht loss reported
Police in Buriram have apprehended wholesalers and small retail shops involved in selling illicit cigarettes with counterfeit excise stamps, imported illegally from China, causing a 42 million baht (US$1.2 million) loss to the state. On January 22, officials from the Excise Department’s regional and local branches, alongside the Central Investigation Bureau, conducted operations in Pakham district and Mueang Buriram district…
-
3 orangutans destined for Bangkok seized in smuggling bust
Three orangutans were seized in Chumphon’s Mueang district yesterday, January 22 while en route to Bangkok. These animals were discovered in a pickup truck driven by 63 year old Winai (surname withheld), with 45 year old Kalaya in the front passenger seat. The orangutans, classified as endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), were contained…
-
Myanmar migrants smuggling ring busted in Ayutthaya
On January 21 at 5pm, Ayutthaya immigration police, in collaboration with highway police, apprehended a 39 year old Myanmar national, Zaw Zaw Lin, and a 32 year old Myanmar national, Nae Sein Ma, for illegally transporting 10 Myanmar nationals in a vehicle. The arrest took place along kilometres 46-47 on Highway 32, Asia Road, Thato subdistrict, Maharaj district, Ayutthaya province.…
-
Irrawaddy dolphin dies of freshwater shock in Prachin Buri
An Irrawaddy dolphin, also known as a bottlenose dolphin, was found in a weakened state in the Prachin Buri River, following reports from locals. The dolphin had been spotted hunting fish during a period of increased salinity from January 19 to January 21, near three temples in Baan Sang district, Prachin Buri province. Efforts by the Department of Fisheries and…
-
Thailand’s first LGBTQ+ couple registers marriage on historic day
History was made in Bangkok as Thailand celebrated its first official day of equal marriage. Organised by Narumit Pride, alongside numerous government and civil society organisations, the event marked the start of marriage registration for LGBTQ+ couples nationwide, turning a long-awaited dream into reality. At 6.15am, the first couple, 33 year old Ploynapas Jirasukon and 32 year old Kwanporn Kongphet…
-
Thai man wins nearly 100 million baht in Korean lottery
A man from Udon Thani, Thailand, has won nearly 100 million baht from a South Korean lottery, sharing the prize with a friend. His mother attributes the win to the positive karma from his good deeds towards his parents. After tax deductions and splitting the prize, each will receive around 30 million baht. The case came to light when reporters…
-
Pathum Thani wife stabs husband in self-defence during dispute
In Pathum Thani, a domestic dispute between a suspicious husband and his wife ended in tragedy when the wife defended herself by stabbing him, resulting in his death. The incident occurred today, January 23, at 1am in a fourth-floor apartment room within a five-storey building in Mueang district, Pathum Thani province. Police Lieutenant Suwat Phoree from the Pak Khlong Rangsit…
-
Thailand faces hazardous PM 2.5 air pollution levels nationwide
IQAir has reported that nearly every area in Thailand currently experiences PM 2.5 levels that are harmful to health. As of 6.23am today, January 23, the global air quality monitoring company released real-time data, revealing the top 10 most polluted districts and cities in the country. The most affected area is Mueang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality, with a US…
-
€100,000 reward offered in Dutchman’s mysterious death in Phuket
The chilling mystery surrounding the death of Dutch national Stephan Buczynski in Phuket 12 years ago has taken a dramatic turn, as the Peter R. de Vries Foundation announced a €100,000 reward (around 3.5 million baht) for any information leading to justice. Buczynski, only 26 years old at the time, was found dead in the waters off Patong Beach on…
-
Thailand braces for cold wave and increased monsoon rains
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning today, indicating cold to very cold weather, particularly in mountain areas, with frost expected in some places. A new cold wave with strong winds is anticipated, while the southern region is facing increased monsoon activity with more rain predicted from today, January 23. Over the next 24 hours, a high-pressure…
-
New Thai law lets LGBTQ+ couples sue for adultery compensation
Thailand has made legal history by granting LGBTQ+ couples the right to sue adulterous spouses for compensation, marking a pivotal step towards equality under the law. The amendment, which came into effect today, ensure[s fair treatment for all couples, regardless of gender. The Civil and Commercial Code has been updated to allow LGBTQ+ spouses the same legal protections as heterosexual…
-
Russian tourist attacked in Pattaya over livestream mix-up
A Russian tourist’s harmless social media livestream took a violent turn on Pattaya Beach when a local woman, mistakenly believing she was being filmed, assaulted him in a dramatic scene outside the Pattaya City Police Station. The incident unfolded in the early hours of today, when Evgenii, a 45 year old Russian national, was livestreaming near Pattaya Beach. Standing by…
-
Chinese man left blind after brutal assault by fellow countrymen
A group of over 10 Chinese nationals brutally assaulted a fellow countryman outside the victim’s nightclub in Pattaya in September last year, leaving him blind and causing 2 million baht loss. The Chinese victim, Chen Jing, approached the Facebook news page Big Kren to seek justice. The incident occurred at approximately 2am on September 24 of last year outside the…
-
Bangkok gears up for historic equal marriage celebrations
Love wins in Bangkok as the city prepares to celebrate equal marriage registrations for all couples starting tomorrow, January 23 when the Marriage Equality Bill comes into effect. From exclusive giveaways to romantic photo corners, each district is ready to make history while creating unforgettable memories for lovebirds. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has announced the city’s readiness to implement the…
-
Love takes flight: Balloon festival lands in Chiang Rai
Get ready for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day and beyond as Chiang Rai’s skies light up with vibrant hot air balloons. The Singha Park Chiang Rai International Balloon Fiesta 2025 promises a breathtaking spectacle with 30 balloons from 13 countries taking flight next month. Pongrat Luangthamrongcharoen, Managing Director of Singha Park Chiang Rai Company Limited, has announced the return of the…
-
Thai woman and daughter flee after death threat by mentally ill man
A Thai woman and her daughter faced death threats from a man with a mental illness in the Isaan province of Buriram after she rejected his advances. The 49 year old single mother, Waenphet, and her 29 year old daughter, Pimonrat, relocated from Buriram to a new residence after being harassed and threatened by a man named Chart. Waenphet explained that…
-
Russian tourist shot with rubber bullet in Phuket knife drama
Chaos erupted in Nai Yang, Phuket yesterday, January 21, as police resorted to using a rubber bullet to disarm a knife-wielding Russian woman in a bid to prevent self-harm. The shocking incident unfolded near Soi Nai Yang 16, sparking alarm among locals and tourists. The commotion began around 4pm when Sakhu Police received a call about a 55 year old…
-
Thai pickup driver assaults university student over roundabout dispute
A Thai pickup driver physically assaulted a university student in the northern province of Chiang Rai because the student stopped his motorcycle to allow vehicles in the roundabout to pass first. The university student, Pattanasak Sanya, shared details of the incident on his Facebook page yesterday. He began his account by stating that he was in the right. “I stopped…
-
Bangkok: Blind woman sexually harassed by cousin seeks help
A blind woman has sought help from Panadda Wongphudee, president of the Foundation for Good Deeds after enduring a month-long ordeal of alleged sexual harassment by her cousin. The police are set to issue a summons yesterday, January 21. The incident was shared on Panadda’s personal Instagram account, a well-known beauty queen, actress, singer, and presenter, who also serves as the…
-
Thai ex-police sues vendor for reneging 6 million baht lottery deal
A former Thai police officer filed a complaint against a female food vendor in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom after she allegedly refused to share half of the 6-million-baht reward from a winning lottery ticket, as she had reportedly promised. The 68 year old food vendor, Boonlom Mikawan, claimed her prize for winning lottery number 807779 on January 17. She…
-
Frenchman detained in Thailand for explicit video scandal
Thai immigration police yesterday detained a 26 year old Frenchman accused of posting explicit videos online without the knowledge of those involved. Following a tip-off, Police Colonel Jirapong Rujiradamrongchai, along with his team from Immigration Division 3, investigated a French national accused of sharing explicit content and boasting about his physique on social media. Believed to involve Thai women, these…
-
Thai Airways: Ministry’s bid for more administrators rejected
The Central Bankruptcy Court has thrown out the Ministry of Finance’s bid to tighten its grip on Thai Airways’ rehabilitation, ruling that the current administrators are steering the airline’s recovery effectively. In a hearing yesterday, the court dismissed a proposal by the Ministry of Finance to appoint two additional administrators to oversee the struggling carrier’s rehabilitation. The bid aimed to…
-
Thailand tops as dream destination for Southeast Asian travellers
Thailand has emerged as the top dream destination for Southeast Asian travellers, as revealed by Grab’s SEA Travel Insights 2024 report. Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, senior director of commercial and marketing at Grab Thailand, highlighted the importance of Southeast Asian tourists to Thailand’s tourism industry. In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 10.6 million travellers from Southeast Asia, representing 30% of its international arrivals.…
-
Irrawaddy dolphin to be returned to natural habitat in Prachin Buri
Fishing officials are preparing to return an Irrawaddy dolphin, also known as a bottle-nosed dolphin, back to its natural habitat after it was spotted feeding on fish in the Prachin Buri River yesterday, January 21. The sighting near Wat Bang Tan, Wat Bang Yang, and Wat Bang Toei attracted attention on social media when photographs were posted online. Setthawut Wonglawut,…
-
Thai police deny plan to deport 48 Uyghur men to China
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has refuted claims by human rights organisations that they are attempting to deport 48 Uyghur men to China. Since fleeing from China’s Xinjiang province in 2014, the group has reportedly been imprisoned, with 43 held at the Immigration Bureau headquarters and the remaining five in Thai prisons. Human Rights Watch has called on the Thai…
-
Garbage truck tragedy in Ayutthaya leaves driver dead
In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, a tragic accident occurred when a garbage truck rolled into a canal, fatally trapping the driver under its wheels. Emergency services had to employ a crane to retrieve both the vehicle and the man. Yesterday, January 21, Police Captain Bunchoed Chuedbaramee from Uthai Police Station, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, was notified of a fatal…
-
Thai government sets 50-day deadline for casino bill review
The government has tasked the Council of State with a 50-day deadline to complete the review of the entertainment complex bill before it proceeds to the House for consideration. It asserts that a referendum is unnecessary since the policy has already received parliamentary approval. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the secretary-general of the council, stated yesterday that the government has stressed the urgency…
-
Coin hunting frenzy disrupts Kretin Lai Beach, Chon Buri
The popular activity of hunting for Jagat coins, which can be exchanged for real money, is disrupting Kretin Lai Beach in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Yesterday, January 21, at 6.10pm, large groups of coin hunters were seen rummaging through construction materials, rock piles, and even trash, leaving the area in disarray. Residents have expressed concerns about the disorder…
-
Labour Ministry probes fake health certificates for migrant workers
Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth ordered an investigation into allegations of fake health certificates being sold to migrant workers, purportedly through connections with senior ministry officials. Boonsong emphasised that the ministry is taking these allegations seriously. He urged representatives and employers registering foreign workers to follow legal protocols, ensuring authentic health checks are conducted. Following these reports, Boonsong has…
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.