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...
-
Lottery fever grows as Teachers’ Day draw nears in Udon Thani
As the lottery draw approaches Teachers’ Day tomorrow, January 17, a popular destination for those seeking fortune is the mystical island of Kham Chanod in Udon Thani province. Known for its spiritual significance, the site is bustling with visitors who come to pay their respects to the revered spirits of Grandfather Srisuttho and Grandmother Phatumma. At the Kham Chanod shrine,…
-
Chaos on Pattaya Beach: Drunk tourists fuel brawls in hotspot
Pattaya Beach, known for its stunning coastline and electrifying nightlife, is grappling with a surge in alcohol-fuelled brawls involving unruly tourists. Once a haven for relaxation and revelry, the iconic destination has seen a troubling rise in disruptive incidents, leaving locals and officials concerned about the city’s reputation. Reports reveal that drunken altercations have become an all-too-common sight, particularly after…
-
Family feud in Prachin Buri leaves man critically injured
A family dispute in Prachin Buri province resulted in a severe injury when a 20 year old man allegedly shot his 36 year old brother-in-law, with a homemade firearm. The incident took place yesterday, January 15, in front of a house in Mueang Nadi district, but the family has not disclosed the reason behind the altercation. Police Lieutenant Colonel Yutthaphum Damrongtham…
-
Dim sum drama: Hungry tourist rides into restaurant for a bite (video)
A hungry foreign tourist made an unforgettable entrance into a dim sum restaurant in Chalong in Phuket yesterday driving his motorbike straight into the eatery and causing a stir on social media. CCTV footage captured the bizarre moment yesterday, January 15, as the tourist lost control of his bike, crashing into a parked motorcycle and a table at Mangmee Dim Sum,…
-
Paw-trait of loyalty: Faithful dog waits for dead owner outside 7-Eleven
In a heart-wrenching tale of devotion, a stray dog named Moo Daeng (roasted pork) has captured the hearts of Thai social media users after being spotted waiting for its late owner outside a 7-Eleven in downtown Korat. Dubbed the “Hachi of Korat,” Moo Daeng’s story has drawn comparisons to Japan’s legendary loyal dog, Hachikō. The poignant story went viral after the…
-
Thai man attacks Swiss man with cue stick over pool game dispute
A Thai man attacked a Swiss tourist with a cue stick at a bar in Pattaya, accusing the foreigner of cheating during a game of pool. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammstan Foundation responded to the incident at a bar on Soi Khao Ta Lo in Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, last night, January 15, following reports of a physical altercation.…
-
Customs seizes 256 tonnes of smuggled e-waste at Thai port
Thai Customs officials uncovered a haul of over 256 tonnes of hazardous electronic waste smuggled into the country from Japan and Hong Kong via Laem Chabang Port. The seizure, announced at a press conference by Customs spokesperson Panthong Loykulnanta, highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal waste imports under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directive to prioritise public health and environmental safety.…
-
Ex-police officer caught selling modified BB guns as firearms
A former police officer was apprehended for modifying and assembling BB gun parts into firearms capable of shooting live ammunition and selling them upon request. Yesterday, January 15, police from Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi province, arrested 55 year old former Border Patrol Police officer, Manut Wongsuwan. The arrest took place in a department store car park in Sai Noi, where…
-
Mother arrested for gold theft amid lender threats in Thailand
A 27 year old mother was arrested for stealing a gold bracelet after facing dire financial straits. She resorted to stealing following threats from a lender who intimidated her by threatening her four month old child. The incident occurred on January 12 in a gold shop in Hua Ro, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, Ayutthaya province. Suwichada Ongying, who works…
-
Israel to open 13,000 agriculture jobs for Thai workers
Some 13,000 jobs in the agriculture sector are set to be made available for Thai workers, as announced by Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter. In recent discussions held in Jerusalem, senior Thai officials, including Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Department of Employment Director General Somchai Morakotsriwan, met with Dichter. The Thai delegation visited Beit Hilkia Moshav on…
-
Chiang Rai schools warn over child abduction vehicle alert
A warning has been issued regarding a suspected child abduction vehicle, leading to the closure of schools and increased vigilance among locals in Chiang Rai. The alert follows reports of a suspicious man attempting to abduct children yesterday, January 15. Bunsong Tinaree, the district chief of Mueang Chiang Rai, announced an urgent radio message, labelled as ChR.0118/01, to the local…
-
Dutch national arrested in Bangkok for US$55,000 gold scam
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau announced on Tuesday, January 14, the arrest of a 43 year old Dutch national for allegedly organising a gold scam in Bangkok. The suspect, named Ndille, is accused of deceiving customers by selling counterfeit gold pellets, claiming they were smuggled tax-free from Africa and offering them at below-market prices. Investigations uncovered that the suspect employed a sophisticated…
-
Former English footballer caught in drug smuggling own goal
A former footballer from Liverpool confessed he deeply regrets smuggling drugs from Thailand after quitting the professional game to allegedly look after his cancer-stricken grandparents. The former Tranmere Rovers footballer was arrested by immigration police while transferring through customs at Manchester Airport. Jamie Kilcourse, returning from a holiday in Bangkok with friends, was stopped by Border Force officers upon arrival…
-
Firefighters battle forest fire near monastery in Chon Buri (video)
A forest fire broke out at 9.30pm yesterday, January 15 along a mountain range in Village 4, Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The extensive spread of the fire poses a threat to a nearby monastery, leading to immediate action from local officials and residents. The fire’s rapid progression has raised concerns for the safety of the monastery, which…
-
Thai woman abused, forced to shave head by cheating husband
A Thai woman is seeking justice after her drug-addicted, unfaithful husband brutally abused and forced her to shave her head. The man reportedly denied her request for a divorce and even sent pictures and videos of himself having sex with his mistress to his wife. Chalida Palamart, founder of the Be One organisation, assisted the 29 year old woman, named Onn,…
-
Thai patrol seize over one million meth pills in Mekong bust
Thai border patrol officers seized over one million methamphetamine pills packed in three sacks after a drug smuggling operation was interrupted along the Mekong River. The suspects opened fire and fled in a boat back to Laos yesterday, January 15 in Bueng Kan province. Bueng Kan’s provincial governor, Worapot Wannachatsiri, assigned Worapan Chamniyan, the province’s deputy governor, along with military…
-
Phuket under siege: Tidal wave of trash threatens tropical paradise
The once-idyllic waters and landscapes of Phuket is in danger of being flooded in a rising tidal wave of trash is threatening to overwhelm this renowned tourist haven. Plastic bottles and empty beer cans now clutter the ocean floor while the island itself groans under the weight of mounting rubbish, casting a shadow over its famed beaches. Behind the scenes,…
-
Banana plant in Phayao sparks lottery frenzy with unique bud
A unique phenomenon in Phayao province has attracted attention as a banana plant, seemingly cut down, has produced a bud resembling a lotus flower from its trunk. Residents are flocking to the site with hopes of finding lucky lottery numbers, believing a local spirit, known as the Goddess Tanee, is offering protection. Locals informed the media yesterday, January 15, about…
-
Illegal cuts: South Koreans snipped up in Bangkok salon raid
Police yesterday arrested four South Korean nationals for working illegally at a renowned hair salon in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. Officers from the Immigration Bureau acted on a tip-off and raided the salon, located on the second floor of a building in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood, at around 3.30pm, yesterday, January 15. Upon arrival, officers found both Thai and foreign customers…
-
Couple scammed in 80,000 baht eucalyptus plantation deal
A couple from Lad Yao district in Nakhon Sawan province has fallen victim to a scam involving the sale of a eucalyptus plantation. Supakorn Tamatalong and his wife, Somporn Kamtalong, discovered their 20-rai eucalyptus plantation had been completely cleared. They agreed to sell the land for 80,000 baht (US$2,314), at a rate of 4,000 baht (US$115) per rai, to a…
-
Relatives surrender in 20 million baht Australian job scam
Parents, grandparents, and relatives surrendered to police in connection with a scam promising Australian jobs to 250 victims, resulting in losses of 20 million baht. The main suspect remains at large, prompting another summons scheduled for later this month. The investigation in Buriram province revealed that 28 year old Thamonwan, also known as Oi, allegedly posed as an Australian Embassy…
-
Thai PM faces petition over jailed activist adviser appointment
Activist Sonthiya Sawasdee has lodged a petition against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra concerning the appointment of a former jailed activist as her adviser. Sonthiya requested that the Office of the Attorney-General forward his complaint to the Constitutional Court regarding the appointment of Nattawut Saikuar, a significant figure in the red shirt movement, on October 4 last year. Sonthiya claims that…
-
3 Pattaya transwomen assault Laotian woman over job loss (video)
Three Thai transwomen brutally attacked a Laotian woman in Pattaya earlier this week, accusing the victim of getting them fired from their jobs. A Laotian woman, identified only as Da, called on Thai news agencies to assist her in seeking justice after she was brutally assaulted on Pattaya Sai Song Road at 2.59am on Tuesday, January 14. The incident occurred…
-
Chiang Mai woman claims bank loan fraud, 300,000 baht debt
A 57 year old hill tribe woman, unable to read, claims she was tricked into signing a bank loan document, resulting in a debt of nearly 300,000 baht. The newly appointed district chief of Samoeng, Siripong Nampha, is investigating the matter to ensure justice for all parties involved. Yesterday, January 15, Siripong Nampha, along with several local officials, visited the…
-
Korat calls for urgent donations amid major blood shortage
Residents across northeastern Thailand are being encouraged to donate blood to address a significant shortage, as highlighted by officials at Regional Blood Centre V. Hospitals in regions such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, and Surin are currently receiving only 30 to 40% of their required blood supply, according to Sirilak Piakkhunthod, head of the blood centre. Sirilak noted that 39…
-
Chiang Rai drug bust: 456 kilogrammes crystal meth seized
Military and police forces intercepted a drug smuggling operation in Chiang Rai, seizing approximately 456 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. The operation followed a local tip-off about a Mitsubishi pickup truck involved in a collision and subsequent escape. Yesterday, January 15, soldiers from the Phaden Base, Task Force Chao Taak, and the Pha Mueang Force, in collaboration with Mae Fa Luang…
-
Ex-Yakuza member arrested in Thailand over call centre scam
A Japanese national, allegedly a former Yakuza member, has been detained in relation to a dismantled call centre operation in Thailand, as announced by the Immigration Bureau yesterday, January 15. Identified as 34 year old Yu Hamaji, police suspect him to have been the deputy leader of the Japanese gang that was intercepted in mid-December in Bang Lamung district, Chon…
-
Thai man drives wife and friend into Rayong sea in jealousy spat
A Thai man attempted to drive his wife and her friend into the sea in the eastern province of Rayong yesterday, January 15, due to a heated argument over jealousy and infidelity but failed when his hatchback became stuck in the sand. The Sawang Phon Kuson Rayong Rescue Foundation and officers from Mueang Rayong Police Station were called to Laem…
-
Motorcycle-car crash on Khlong Khlung Bridge leaves one dead
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a motorcycle collided with a car on the Khlong Khlung Bridge over the Ping River in Kamphaeng Phet province, resulting in one death and two severe injuries. The incident prompted a response from the police and rescue services. Police Lieutenant Chatchanon Sanitmak, attached to Khlong Khlung Police Station, yesterday, January 15, reported the accident…
-
Thai FDA warns against deadly vape liquid mixed with ketamine
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the dangers of Pot K, a vape liquid mixed with ketamine, which can be fatal. Selling this substance can lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of 1.5 million baht. This illegal product has become prevalent among nightlife enthusiasts. Dr Witit Srisuriyachayakul, Deputy…
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.