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.

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    9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand

    Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...

  • Filipino man stays at Bangkok hotels and vanishes without paying

    Filipino man stays at Bangkok hotels and vanishes without paying

    Police arrested a Filipino university student for staying at several five-star hotels in Bangkok without paying, causing losses of several hundred thousand baht. Officers from Immigration Division 1 received multiple complaints from hotel staff in Bangkok regarding fraudulent activities involving a Filipino national. The man reportedly deceived hotel employees to obtain free stays and meals at luxury hotels across the…

  • Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’

    Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’

    The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claims that it does not engage in online military-style information-influencing operations but instead provides factual corrections to misleading social media information. During a House Committee on National Security meeting, the army spokesperson discussed the state’s use of social media. The session included representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, and…

  • Pattaya rolls out posh loos to keep tourists cool and comfortable

    Pattaya rolls out posh loos to keep tourists cool and comfortable

    Pattaya City is taking public convenience to the next level with the launch of high-end mobile toilets equipped with air conditioning, designed to serve residents and tourists, and it’s free of charge. The first of these deluxe loo units is now stationed outside Walking Street, near the South Pattaya Pumping Station. The air-conditioned facility, which caters to both men and…

  • Phuket Red Cross pleads for rare blood as tourist demand surges

    Phuket Red Cross pleads for rare blood as tourist demand surges

    The Phuket Red Cross (PRBC) and the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital are calling on locals to roll up their sleeves this May and donate blood—particularly the rare Rh-negative type. With tourism booming again across Phuket and the surrounding regions, accidents and emergency hospital visits are on the rise—especially among foreign visitors. And that means a higher demand for…

  • Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy

    Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy

    The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…

  • Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns

    Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…

  • Thailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network

    Thailand’s ONCB busts major Thai-Malaysian drug network

    Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking operation involving Thai and Malaysian nationals. The operation, carried out in Songkhla, a southern province, led to the arrest of two Thai suspects and the seizure of 261 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice). Prin Mekanandha, the ONCB’s Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement, confirmed the operation…

  • Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform

    Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform

    Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…

  • Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri

    Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri

    A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…

  • US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet

    US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet

    Yesterday, April 30, the Court of Appeal Region 6 granted permission for Doctor Paul Chambers to remove his electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. This decision follows his appeal against a previous court order, though he must adhere to other bail conditions. Yesterday, the Human Rights Lawyers Centre announced on their social media page that Chambers is now allowed to remove his…

  • Thai cuisine goes global with new Orchid Star programme

    Thai cuisine goes global with new Orchid Star programme

    Thai commerce minister, Phichai Naripthaphan, has announced enhancements to the Thai SELECT programme, aiming to elevate Thai cuisine to a global level by introducing a new Orchid Star symbol. This initiative, which began in 1998, continues to promote Thai food and restaurants worldwide, assuring consumers of authentic flavours and high-quality standards. There are currently over 18,852 Thai restaurants worldwide, with…

  • Drunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum

    Drunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum

    Last night, April 30, at 10.16pm, a drunk driving hospital director crashed into two television photographers in Chaiyaphum province, resulting in severe injuries. The incident occurred as the pair were out for a late-night meal. Police Lieutenant Kanti Piansoongnern, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Chaiyaphum Police Station, received a report about a car crash at a restaurant in Nai Mueang subdistrict.…

  • People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals

    People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals

    The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…

  • Mother and son killed in Chon Buri truck collision

    Mother and son killed in Chon Buri truck collision

    A tragic accident on the 344 road in Chon Buri’s Nong Yai district resulted in the deaths of a 27 year old mother, Ploywarin Noenklang, and her six year old son, Thanawat Saothong. CCTV footage captured the moment when a six-wheeled truck lost control and crashed into a parked trailer truck at 4am today, May 1. Police from Nong Yai…

  • Chalong Police arrest youths after motorbike gang clash in Phuket

    Chalong Police arrest youths after motorbike gang clash in Phuket

    Chalong Police in Phuket have apprehended several youths following a gang-related incident involving rival members on motorbikes. The altercation, which occurred on Wiset Road in Rawai, included the use of multiple ping pong bombs. CCTV footage from Rawai Municipality captured the event at 12.20am on April 26, showing over 20 youths on at least 10 motorbikes. One group chased a…

  • Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints

    Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints

    The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…

  • Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree

    Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree

    Yesterday, April 30, police apprehended 32 year old Koraphak or Oak, known as the ninja thief, in Pathum Thani province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court on April 29 for fraud. The suspect admitted to committing thefts to support his online gambling habit and buy food for his cats. According to Police Colonel…

  • Pattaya officers puzzled by foreign tourist’s erratic behaviour

    Pattaya officers puzzled by foreign tourist’s erratic behaviour

    Jomtien municipal officers were called to investigate reports of a foreign man acting suspiciously along Jomtien Second Road, Pattaya, yesterday, April 30. Initially, the situation appeared to be under control, with the man engaging in conversations with officers and passersby. However, he suddenly fled the scene, sprinting down the road away from the officers, raising further concerns among residents and…

  • Police officer injured in Yala checkpoint shooting

    Police officer injured in Yala checkpoint shooting

    A police officer was injured in a shooting incident while setting up a checkpoint in Mueang district, Yala province, at 8.15pm yesterday, April 30. The Yala Mueang Police Station’s radio centre reported that an ambush took place near the operational base in Baan Chanan, Phorn subdistrict, resulting in one border patrol officer being wounded. Following the incident, emergency services promptly…

  • Six million meth pills seized near Thai border by KNLA

    Six million meth pills seized near Thai border by KNLA

    The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) intercepted over six million methamphetamine pills destined for Thailand, revealing a continuous smuggling operation. The seizure occurred yesterday, April 30, in Hpa-An province, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thai border opposite Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son. Two suspects were detained. A KNLA source disclosed that around April 27, the 7th Brigade of the…

  • Motorcyclist tragically killed in Bang Kaeo road accident

    Motorcyclist tragically killed in Bang Kaeo road accident

    A tragic accident occurred when a motorcyclist collided with the back of a car, fell, and was subsequently run over by an 18-wheel truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, April 30, in Bang Kaeo district, Samut Prakan province. Police from Bang Kaeo station were notified of the accident on Thepharak Road, at kilometre marker…

  • Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries

    Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries

    A six-wheel water truck experienced brake failure and collided with an electric pole in Chon Buri, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident took place at 2.56pm yesterday, April 30, with the driver taking decisive action to avoid harm. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya were alerted about the accident involving a six-wheel Isuzu water…

  • Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims

    Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims

    The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications. In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final…

  • Autistic children rescued from storm drain in Chon Buri district

    Autistic children rescued from storm drain in Chon Buri district

    Two autistic children were rescued after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district yesterday, April 30. Their cries for help were heard by locals, who guided rescuers to the scene. At 4.50pm, Amata Khraikhruan, the head of the Plutaluang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, was informed by residents that two children were stuck inside a storm drain on…

  • Gunman surrenders after Ratchaburi restaurant shooting injures four

    Gunman surrenders after Ratchaburi restaurant shooting injures four

    A gunman has surrendered following a shooting incident at a well-known restaurant in Mueang Photharam, Ratchaburi, resulting in four injuries: three men and one woman. The provincial police chief has expressed concern over people claiming connections to influential figures, prompting a proposal to close the establishment. The event occurred yesterday, April 30, at Slam restaurant, located in Moo 9, Ban…

  • Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity

    Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity

    The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…

  • Lottery number frenzy empties stalls at Kham Chanod

    Lottery number frenzy empties stalls at Kham Chanod

    A surge of interest in specific lottery numbers has left the stalls at Kham Chanod nearly empty as people search for lucky digits. Yesterday, April 30, reporters at the Naga King Palace on Kham Chanod Island in Baan Muang subdistrict, Baan Dung district, Udon Thani province, observed the scene at this spiritual site, dedicated to the revered Phaya Naga, Father…

  • Fire at Rong Kluea Market damages warehouse and shops

    Fire at Rong Kluea Market damages warehouse and shops

    A fire at the Rong Kluea Market in Nakhon Nayok resulted in the destruction of a shoe warehouse and damage to five shops. The blaze was contained before it could spread to other areas, with an electrical short circuit suspected as the cause. At 10pm yesterday, April 30, police from Mueang Nakhon Nayok district received reports of a fire at…

  • Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok

    Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok

    Officers arrested a Thai man posing as a police officer who extorted money from migrant workers and their employers at the popular tourist destination Asiatique the Riverfront, in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood of Bangkok Restaurant owners and business operators in the area questioned officers at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station about the frequency of operations targeting migrant workers after observing…

  • Cock-up confession: Heartbroken drug addict begs to go to jail

    Cock-up confession: Heartbroken drug addict begs to go to jail

    A lovesick drug addict handed himself over to police in a tearful plea to be locked up, claiming life had lost all meaning after his marriage collapsed and his bedroom antics dried up because he couldn’t get erect. The 48 year old man, devastated by the breakdown of his relationship, said prison seemed better than facing the daily heartache on…