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.

  • Thai official raises concern over Chinese film’s impact on tourism (video)

    Thai official raises concern over Chinese film’s impact on tourism (video)

    Puangpet Chunlaiad, Office Minister of the Prime Minister, raised concerns with Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang about the potential impact of the Chinese film No More Bets on tourism in Thailand. The meeting took place at the Government House yesterday, November 27. Puangpet expressed her concerns about the movie’s portrayal of fraudulent activities, human trafficking, organ trading, call scams, and high-profile…

  • Floats farewell: Bangkok’s Loy Krathong cleanup sees 640,000 eco-friendly wonders whisked away

    Floats farewell: Bangkok’s Loy Krathong cleanup sees 640,000 eco-friendly wonders whisked away

    Following the Loy Krathong Festival Bangkok’s waterways were cleared of nearly 640,000 Krathongs, most of which were crafted from natural, biodegradable materials. In addition, over 3,000 digital Krathongs were seen floating in Klong Ong Ang, yesterday (November 27). Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) employees got to work at 8pm on the festival night and collected and sorted through the traditional floating…

  • Illegal pork pursuit: Thai investigators crack down on Makro for shady swine supplies

    Illegal pork pursuit: Thai investigators crack down on Makro for shady swine supplies

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided Makro, a popular cash and carry store warehouse in Thailand after discovering the store ordered illegal pork products from a company previously indicted for illicit imports. DSI director, Suriya Singhakamon, said officers conducted a raid on Wealthy & Healthy Foods, which illegally imported pork into Thailand, and discovered that the company supplied some…

  • Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder

    Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder

    Thailand, famed for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is grappling with a linguistic challenge, its national English proficiency, which has caught the attention of educators and language enthusiasts worldwide. Despite recent strides in enhancing English proficiency through virtual classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand finds itself in the shadows of its ASEAN neighbours, ranking a modest eighth in the region and…

  • Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine

    Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine

    Tourists flocked to Wat Kham Chanot Wang Nakee coinciding with the revered day of the full moon and the traditional Loy Krathong Festival on November 27. The shrine, located in Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, is dedicated to Nakee Island’s spiritual guardians, Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Ya Sri Pathum. The shrine’s spiritual significance attracted a vast…

  • Pattaya police raid love hotels to prevent underage sexual activities

    Pattaya police raid love hotels to prevent underage sexual activities

    Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers raided several love hotels in the city to stamp out underage guests indulging in illegal underage sexual activities and prevent sexual assaults on Loy Krathong Day. Prior to the Loy Krathong Festival, Siam Techno Poll of Siam Technology College conducted a survey on what Thai people planned to do on Loy Krathong Day and found…

  • Escape to Thailand’s best-kept secret: Mae Chaem, a hidden paradise of culture, tranquillity, and starlit nights

    Escape to Thailand’s best-kept secret: Mae Chaem, a hidden paradise of culture, tranquillity, and starlit nights

    In the heart of northern Thailand lies a hidden gem, away from the tourist throngs that swarm popular destinations. Mae Chaem, nestled on the flank of Doi Inthanon mountain, beckons discerning travellers seeking respite from the usual hustle and bustle. As you wind through lush greenery and scenic landscapes, Mae Chaem unfolds like a dream. The journey itself, a four-hour…

  • Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike accident involving Chinese tourists

    Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike accident involving Chinese tourists

    A fatal collision on Kata Hill, Phuket has claimed the life of a Russian man after his motorbike collided with a passenger van carrying six Chinese tourists, on Saturday, November 25, according to Phuket Tourist Police. The incident took place on the stretch between Kata and Chalong, and while the specifics of the collision are yet to be revealed by…

  • Fuelling frustration: Saraburi petrol station owner shuts shop after losing over 1 million baht to deceitful customers

    Fuelling frustration: Saraburi petrol station owner shuts shop after losing over 1 million baht to deceitful customers

    The owner of a petrol station in the central province of Saraburi announced that she will soon close her business after losing over 1 million baht worth of fuel to dishonest customers. The station owner, 67 year old Sirikarn Rakwitham, shared a picture of a sign at her patrol station yesterday, November 27 broadcasting the news. “The station will be…

  • Chinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights

    Chinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights

    Major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, slam the brakes on flights for December and January. Several Chinese airlines, notably Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, sent shockwaves through the travel industry by cancelling flights to Thailand for December and January. The root cause? A plunge in bookings mirrors China’s economic downturn and a…

  • Bangkok university student falls from building during Loy Krathong Festival

    Bangkok university student falls from building during Loy Krathong Festival

    An 18 year old student fell from a well-known university building in central Bangkok on the night of the Loy Krathong Festival. The incident took place last night, November 27, as reported by Thanapat Suwannanak, Deputy Sheriff (Investigator) of the Thonglor Police Station. The university premises were examined by police, doctors and charity workers following the incident. The incident occurred on…

  • Palm tree falls on top of Thai man and kills him in southern Thailand

    Palm tree falls on top of Thai man and kills him in southern Thailand

    A dead palm tree fell on top of a Thai man and killed him at a plantation in the southern province of Satun yesterday, November 27. A Thai man named Sorn reported the incident to officers at Manang Police Station and the Nikhom Pattana Sub-district Rescue Team. His 47 year old employer, Date, had been hit by a large palm…

  • Thai thrill-seekers turn heads with illegal jet ski scooters on public road in Bangkok (video)

    Thai thrill-seekers turn heads with illegal jet ski scooters on public road in Bangkok (video)

    Four Thai men admitted to engaging in an illegal activity by fabricating jet ski scooters and riding them on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. They made known that they would visit a police station to pay fines for their indiscretion today, November 28. A video shared on a Facebook account captured the scene of the four Thai…

  • Central Thailand: Family demands justice for unexplained death of 17 year old girl at welfare centre

    Central Thailand: Family demands justice for unexplained death of 17 year old girl at welfare centre

    The death of a 17 year old girl while under the care of a welfare centre in Ratchaburi, has left her grandfather and father seeking justice. The family only recently discovered the death of the girl, Nong Not, when contacted by officials last week, despite her passing in October last year. The family is now demanding a clear explanation regarding…

  • Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism

    Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism

    A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…

  • 7km bridge over Songkhla Lake to boost southern Thailand transport

    7km bridge over Songkhla Lake to boost southern Thailand transport

    Plans are underway to construct a 7 kilometre bridge over Songkhla Lake starting next year, a project aimed at enhancing regional transport in southern Thailand. This proposal includes a commitment to protect the local environment and wildlife, particularly the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins living within the lake. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has formed a pact with four other state…

  • Alisha Pool Villas: Invest smartly, live luxuriously, and design your own paradise in Phuket

    Alisha Pool Villas: Invest smartly, live luxuriously, and design your own paradise in Phuket

    If you’re looking for a property in Phuket, why not buy your very own private pool villa and embrace the island lifestyle? Not only can you enjoy unmatched privacy and exclusivity, but also the potential for a lucrative return on investment. That’s exactly what Alisha Pool Villas, led by Chaiwat Thepphrueksa (CEO of Alisha Group), offers. Located on the foothills…

  • Phuket Crime Free scheme unveiled to ensure tourist safety during peak season

    Phuket Crime Free scheme unveiled to ensure tourist safety during peak season

    Phuket has launched the Phuket Crime Free scheme, an initiative aimed at safeguarding international tourists during the peak season. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Monday, bringing together both governmental and private sector entities. Among those involved are the provincial administration, provincial police, tourism police, immigration office, and provincial land department office. Private sector representatives include the Phuket Chamber…

  • Child injured by firework debris during Ayutthaya’s Loy Krathong Festival

    Child injured by firework debris during Ayutthaya’s Loy Krathong Festival

    A four year old boy suffered a head injury during a Loy Krathong Festival in Ayutthaya when debris from a firework struck his head. His mother is demanding accountability as she recounted the terrifying moment at 8.30pm when her son cried out in pain from the unexpected injury. The incident occurred at Wat Boromwong Isararam’s riverfront in the Suan Phrik…

  • Carer caught stealing from elderly woman in Plymouth

    Carer caught stealing from elderly woman in Plymouth

    A 77 year old woman’s carer was exposed for theft after her daughter secretly installed a camera in her bedroom. The incident took place in a family home in Plymouth, a city in the southwest of England. The carer’s disgraceful conduct was uncovered when the daughter saw her stealing money from her mother’s purse. The elderly woman, in her declining…

  • Low Chinese tourist influx despite Thailand’s visa exemption policy

    Low Chinese tourist influx despite Thailand’s visa exemption policy

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled an update on the nation’s tourism landscape following the introduction of a visa exemption policy, at a media briefing held at noon on November 25. Despite the waiver of visa fees, the daily influx of Chinese tourists has been unexpectedly low, averaging around ten thousand visitors. This surprising figure sparked questions from Thai journalists regarding…

  • Illegal contraband network worth 75 million baht exposed in Prachinburi

    Illegal contraband network worth 75 million baht exposed in Prachinburi

    A nationwide web of illegal contraband, including foreign tobacco and wine liquor, valued at over 75 million baht (US$2,138,580) was exposed by excise officers in Prachinburi on November 25. The illicit products were discovered during a raid operation at a postal centre in Kabinburi, led by Prachinburi excise officer, Nitipat Songnetichawalit. The operation was initiated based on suspicions of the…

  • South Korean tourist’s dramatic spectacle in Pattaya condo

    South Korean tourist’s dramatic spectacle in Pattaya condo

    A 41 year old South Korean tourist, caused quite a stir on a serene Sunday evening, November 26, in Pattaya. The man was seen pacing around the balcony of an upscale condominium situated in Soi Buakhao in Central Pattaya. He threatened to end his life by jumping off the 8th floor, also adding an unusual twist by scattering Thai banknotes…

  • Thai soldier shot dead in car after honking horn at murderer

    Thai soldier shot dead in car after honking horn at murderer

    A murderer shot dead a Thai soldier on a road in the central province of Prachin Buri last night after the deceased honked his horn at the killer because he drove his pickup across the victim’s car, cutting them up. The 25 year old girlfriend of the victim, Monticha, sought help for her severely injured soldier boyfriend, 22 year old…

  • Surin Beach sunbeds mysteriously vanish, sparking tourist speculation in Phuket

    Surin Beach sunbeds mysteriously vanish, sparking tourist speculation in Phuket

    A sudden and unexplained removal of sunbeds from the popular Surin Beach in Phuket has left tourists and locals alike perplexed. The event occurred last week, with only one operator, the Surin Beach Club, left unaffected, leading to a surge in inquiries and speculation. The mystery deepens as the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (Cherng Talay OrBorTor), the local government…

  • Hazy highway: Foreign duo sparks backlash for road trip cannabis cruise in Sukhumvit, Bangkok

    Hazy highway: Foreign duo sparks backlash for road trip cannabis cruise in Sukhumvit, Bangkok

    Two foreign men faced criticism from Thai netizens after a video of them smoking cannabis on a motorcycle on a road in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok went viral on social media. The Twitter account, Red Skull, shared a video of the two foreigners yesterday, November 26. They were reportedly riding in Soi Sukhumvit 23 near the popular entertainment venue,…

  • Unravelling the mystery of Mona Lisa and Leonardo da Vinci

    Unravelling the mystery of Mona Lisa and Leonardo da Vinci

    Leonardo da Vinci, a name synonymous with the fusion of art and science, sought to understand the world around him, incorporating his scientific discoveries into his art and his enigmatic masterpiece the Mona Lisa. His passion for exploration and understanding was evident from his childhood. As a young boy, he would sit at the doorway, observing birds and cloud formations,…

  • Fuelling the fire: Thai-Italian man arrested for stealing petrol in Bangkok (video)

    Fuelling the fire: Thai-Italian man arrested for stealing petrol in Bangkok (video)

    Police arrested a half-Thai, half-Italian man for stealing 2,600 baht worth of fuel from a petrol station in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok. The Thai-Italian suspect, 29 year old Tanrak Corsaro, stole fuel from a petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 134 in Bangkok on October 5. Tanrak was seen on CCTV driving his white Mercedes-Benz C 350 into…

  • Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research

    Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research

    Chang’an Automobile, China’s leading automotive company, received encouragement from the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to invest in the research and development of electric vehicle (EV) parts in Thailand. This came about after a meeting between Phumtham and Churu Huarong, Chang’an Automobile’s Chairman today. As a prominent player in the automotive industry, Chang’an Automobile has a…

  • Runaway love: Thai woman’s 20-kilometre vow at shrine unlocks divorce after five-year marathon

    Runaway love: Thai woman’s 20-kilometre vow at shrine unlocks divorce after five-year marathon

    A Thai woman honoured a vow at the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine in the northern province of Kampaeng Phet after she successfully divorced her ex-husband after five years of trying by running 20 kilometres. Suphaporn Ninlabordee’s story became the talk of Kampaeng Phet province when yesterday, November 26, she ran 20 kilometres from the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine…