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
Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know
The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...
-
Deputy PM to discuss government strategies with military chiefs
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced plans to engage in discussions with the heads of the armed forces in Thailand. These meetings, scheduled to take place at the military chiefs’ workplaces, aim to brief them about the government’s strategies and protocols. Following his recent appointment to oversee the Ministry of Defence, Phumtham expressed his intent to maintain…
-
Froggy forecast: Rain brings ‘eung pao’ craze, hopping sales in Phayao
The onset of rain in Phayao province sparked a flurry of activity as the local delicacy, eung pao, better known as balloon frog, became available for a limited time, leading to bustling markets and a significant boost in income for local villagers. Selling for as much as 600 baht per kilogramme, these creatures are a source of culinary delight and…
-
Peed off: Outrage erupts as foreign child pees outside Thai temple
The Thai tourism and sports minister and netizens nationwide condemned a foreign couple for allowing their daughter to urinate in public at Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok. However, many Thais felt that the foreigners’ actions were not so serious. A Thai man shared a picture of the incident on his Facebook…
-
Thailand Video News | PM Thavisin seeks to re-criminalise cannabis, Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos, redirects to Bangkok
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into the stories from across Thailand. Beginning with Prime Minister Thavisin’s pursuit to re-criminalise cannabis sends ripples through the nation’s legal landscape. Meanwhile, chaos ensues aboard a Kuwait Airways flight, leading to an unexpected redirection to Bangkok. In the realm of entertainment, Thai comedian Udom’s Netflix special ignites controversy, sparking discussions…
-
Thai deputy finance minister’s shock resignation
Thailand Deputy Minister of Finance Kritsada Jinavijarana sent shockwaves through the political corridors with his offer of resignation. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin intervened, urging Kritsada to reconsider his decision. Expressing discontent with task allocation, Kritsada tendered his resignation from the Cabinet. But the 62 year old Thai prime minister, not ready to lose a key figure, stepped in swiftly to…
-
Thai govt’s digital wallet project: A cash splash on the horizon
The Government of Thailand is still finalising its digital wallet project, a financial aid initiative which promises a 10,000 baht disbursement to eligible citizens. The specific criteria for eligibility include an age threshold, and a deposit cap to ensure the aid reaches those intended. Citizens who are 16 years old as of September 30 of this year, or born before…
-
Liverpool dad and army veteran dies suddenly during Thai getaway
A dream holiday abroad quickly turned into a nightmare for a British man from Liverpool as the former army veteran passed away unexpectedly while enjoying the Songkran festivities in Thailand. In a twist of fate, 69 year old Roy Mitchell met his untimely end during the Songkran festival in Pattaya, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service. Known for…
-
Truck’s mishap sends shockwaves at Phaya Thai intersection
A high-impact collision occurred at Phaya Thai intersection, sending shockwaves through the area as a truck crashed into a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayutthaya Road inbound from the Mor Leng intersection to the Sri Ayutthaya intersection, around the ramp to the overpass at Phaya Thai intersection. The incident, which took place at 7.18am today, May 9, caused severe damage…
-
Thailand becomes first ASEAN nation to host FIFA Congress
The government announced yesterday that Thailand will become the first ASEAN nation and fifth in Asia to host the prestigious FIFA Congress. The event will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok from May 13 to 17. During yesterday’s press conference at the QSNCC, it was announced that Thailand will host the 74th FIFA Congress.…
-
Asphalt truck flip on Rama VII Bridge snarls Bangkok traffic
A sudden swerve and flip of an asphalt truck on the Rama VII Bridge caused severe Bangkok traffic disruption in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurring at 4am, resulted in the complete blockage of all lanes on Charansanitwong Road, extending from Bang Phlat junction towards the Pracha Chuen Road and Wong Sawang areas. Bang Kruai police were…
-
Doncaster Rovers fan’s Wembley tribute after Thailand crash
A lifelong Doncaster Rovers devotee met a devastating end in Thailand, but his family is rallying for a heartfelt homage – with Wembley dreams in their sights. The family of Wayne Parkin, a die-hard fan who tragically perished in a bike crash horror abroad, is now fervently hoping for a Wembley win as the ultimate tribute to their beloved Wayne. A…
-
‘Shameless’ Thai woman sues monk over lottery dispute
A Thai woman filed a lawsuit against a monk in Chon Buri province, accusing him of cheating and insulting her by saying she was “shameless” when she asked for her donation back because the monk’s lottery numbers did not win any prizes. The Thai monk, whose identity remains undisclosed, is seeking justice saying the woman named Chompoo repeatedly harassed him and…
-
Microsoft announces first data centre investment in Thailand
Microsoft‘s announcement of its inaugural investment in a data centre region in Thailand is likely to boost the country’s digital ecosystem and potentially stoke competition within the data centre sector. The news came as part of a tour by Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, who visited Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia to unveil a series of investments in data centres,…
-
Thai govt’s minimum wage hike to 400 baht faces opposition
The government’s recent announcement of an impending nationwide minimum wage hike to 400 baht per day in October has provoked strong opposition from a member of the tripartite wage committee. The committee member in question, Atthayuth Leeyavanich, who represents employers, criticised the premature disclosure of the wage increase, asserting that it had not yet been discussed or approved by the…
-
Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
-
Thailand’s health minister proposes change to amphetamine law
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has announced a significant shift in Thailand’s drug policy. He expressed his intention to reduce the minimum amount of amphetamine tablets that would classify possession as a criminal act. Currently, the law considers possession of five or more tablets as a crime, a reduction from the previous threshold of 15, implemented last year. Speaking to…
-
Thai comedian Udom’s Netflix special stirs self-sufficiency debate
The recent stand-up special by Thai comedian Udom Taepanich, also known as Nose, on Netflix has sparked a flurry of discussion, particularly for his candid remarks about the concept of self-sufficiency and the realities of rural life versus the portrayal of it by celebrities and influencers. His comments have drawn attention from various quarters, including a pointed response from retired…
-
Thai technician’s no-drill aircon install in Trat goes viral
A Thai air conditioning technician from Trat has ingeniously circumvented a landlord’s strict no-drilling policy by innovatively installing an air conditioning unit without altering the property’s walls. The landlord’s uncompromising stance on wall modifications led to the resourceful solution, which was shared on ช่างแอร์ พัทยา Facebook group. The Facebook post, by แอร์ด่วน พัทยา, showcased a creative workaround to the typical…
-
How Cryptocurrency is changing consumer behaviour in Thailand
Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or similar have played a significant role in the global economy in recent times, and Thailand is just one of the countries where these changes are taking place. Since the country has a young population, and this population is actually tech-savvy, it didn’t take long for cryptocurrencies to be adopted. While the popularisation of cryptocurrencies in Thailand…
-
Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos as passengers clash
A routine flight from Thailand to Kuwait turned into a mid-air battleground when a group of Kuwaiti women erupted into a violent altercation, leaving chaos and fear in their wake. Amidst the turbulence, the situation escalated to the point where even the plane’s security officer fell victim to assault. With safety paramount, the pilot made a crucial decision, rerouting the…
-
Thai man seized for laundering 5 million baht from online gambling
In a striking cyber raid, the Thai authorities arrested a 29 year old man in Nonthaburi for his involvement in an online gambling ring and for laundering over 5 million baht through multiple transactions. The arrest was part of a larger crackdown on illegal online gambling activities facilitated by the website wtf55, which offered games such as Baccarat and Dragon Tiger.…
-
Secret talks with rebels: Ex-PM Thaksin’s shadow diplomacy
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s clandestine discussions with Myanmar’s resistance groups have ignited a storm of controversy. As the international community watches with bated breath, the House Committee on National Security and Border Affairs gears up for a probing investigation into this explosive development. The House Committee on National Security and Border Affairs announced a thorough investigation into the reports…
-
Traffic violation leads to serious bike crash in South Pattaya
A tragic accident occurred in South Pattaya yesterday, resulting in a sports bike rider sustaining serious injuries following a collision with a sedan. The 52 year old driver of the sedan, who allegedly disregarded a red light, was involved in the accident at 2.46am on Sukhumvit Road. Upon arriving at the scene, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation found a heavily…
-
Ricegate scandal: 10 year old rice stockpile unsafe for consumption
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) demanded rigorous quality and safety checks for a colossal 15,000 tonnes of jasmine rice, stockpiled since 2014 under the controversial rice-pledging scheme. The council, joined by an academic from Chiang Mai University, fears the rice may be laced with harmful chemicals, rendering it unfit for human or animal consumption. Deputy Chief of the TCC’s policies…
-
School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et
Investigations concluded yesterday as police made a definitive arrest of a school van driver for the murder of a 23 year old woman whose body was found handcuffed, abandoned in a scrubland by the Chi River in Roi Et province. After a meticulous search, authorities apprehended a 67 year old school van driver, named Ken, from the same village as…
-
Pattaya officials provide free water to drought-hit Koh Larn island
Residents of Koh Larn breathed a sigh of relief as the Governor of Chon Buri, and city officials made their way to the island on May 7, bearing the gift of water. Thailand’s ongoing dry season had left the locals parched, thereby leading to this much-needed intervention that saw the distribution of 100,000 litres of free water. This act of…
-
Bangkok building crumbles unexpectedly, no injuries reported (video)
A demolition task spiralled into chaos as a building unexpectedly collapsed along Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok this morning. The incident, reported around 10.30am, May 8, by Tee Nee Bang Phlat Facebook, unfolded in the Bang Phlat district, leaving a trail of debris. The aftermath of the collapse saw portions of the wreckage spilling onto Charan Sanitwong Road, in the…
-
Thai king appoints new Deputy Supreme Patriarch
The Thai monarch has elevated a senior monk to the high ecclesiastical title of Phra Dhammarajanuwatra at Wat Moleelokayaram Raja Woravihara, appointing him as the Deputy Supreme Patriarch, or the second-highest position in the Thai monastic hierarchy. This royal command was issued today and subsequently announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The monk in question, Phra Phrom Vajirunhis, previously…
-
Phuket’s Ko Phai Ling closes to protect coral from bleaching
Thailand’s beloved Ko Phai Ling, along with its surrounding coral reefs within Sirinat National Park in Phuket, stands temporarily closed to tourists from today until the situation improves, with the closure slated to remain until further notice. Park Chief Watchara Songsi-awn, made the announcement following the discovery of widespread coral bleaching across the area. With the Andaman Sea temperatures soaring…
-
Phuket police search for woman’s ex-girlfriend after acid attack
A manhunt is underway in Phuket, as police are fervently looking for a woman accused of committing a horrifying acid attack on her former partner. This violent incident unfolded yesterday evening on Soi Ta-iad, in the district of Chalong. The distressing call to authorities was made from outside a pharmacy situated opposite the popular Ali’s BBQ restaurant. The report came…
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.