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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Oil tanker explosion in Thailand kills 8 people, 1 dog, injures 4, impacts 128
UPDATE Officials have recovered eight bodies from the wreckage of the oil tanker which exploded and caught fire at Ruammitr Dockyard in the Laem Yai district of Samut Songkhram province in central Thailand yesterday. Divers from the Dhammarasamimaneerat Foundation are no longer searching for bodies as the total number of people missing was believed to be eight. At least five…
-
UNESCO reports spike in killings of journalists in 2022
On Monday, UNESCO reported a dramatic spike in the killings of journalists around the world in 2022. A total of 86 journalists and media workers were killed across the globe last year. This was after the number of journalists killed had been dropping in the previous years. In 2018, 99 journalists were killed, dropping to an average of 58 per…
-
Five airlines launch direct flights between Phuket and China this week
Five airlines are launching direct flights between China and Phuket in southern Thailand this week. The services will connect Phuket to Shanghai, Nanjing, and Chengdu. Today, Phuket will welcome three direct flights from Shanghai on Spring Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Juneyao Airlines. All three services will fly daily. Juneyao Airlines’ inaugural daily direct service from Nanjing will also land on…
-
66 year old monk accused of raping 12 year old novice
A 66 year old monk is on the run from a temple in the central province of Prachin Buri after being accused of raping and sexually abusing a 12 year old novice for more than six months. The scandal emerged after the novice visited a hospital due to a complaint about an anus infection. The 12 year old was sent to…
-
Bangkok to gain more dog-friendly public parks
Finding a green area to walk your furry friend in Bangkok is difficult because pet dogs are not allowed in all but one of the city’s public parks. That is about to change thanks to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) “15-minute” park project. The BMA has acquired 107 plots of land, covering a collective 659 rai, which will be transformed…
-
Northeast Thai farmer is ‘selling’ fresh air
One northeast Thai farmer is ‘selling’ fresh air. The farmer, 52 year old Dusit Kachai, charges visitors 1,000 baht per person for the first hour they stay at his farm. The farm is located on the edge of Chaiyaphum province’s Phu Laen Kha National Park, which has clean air, forests, and mountain streams. Dusit said… “The first hour costs 1,000…
-
Drowsy driver crashes sedan into cyclists killing 1, injuring 10
A drowsy driver fell asleep behind the wheel of his sedan and crashed into a group of cyclists on the road in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. One cyclist was killed and 10 were injured. A security camera on the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Surat Thani Road in the Sichon district clearly shows the incident that happened at 7am on…
-
Deputy PM pledges to increase state welfare benefit to 700 baht
Not to be outdone by Pheu Thai Party (PTP) election promises Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon pledged to increase state welfare scheme benefits if he becomes prime minister in May. The PTP, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, vows to increase the daily minimum wage for Thai workers to 600-baht, introduce a 25,000-baht salary for graduates by 2027 and reduce utility…
-
ACD commander dedicated to revitalising corruption battle
The Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) in Thailand says they currently changing to transform it into a high-calibre unit that can combat corruption effectively. A team of ACD officers recently arrested Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, the director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The scandal made headlines and the ACD became the centre of attention, causing its commander…
-
Don’t fall for Chinese New Year scam, warns Thai police
Thai Cyber Police sent out a warning about a Chinese New Year-themed online scam after dozens of victims reported having their bank accounts hacked and drained. Yesterday, Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) issued a warning via Facebook about a ‘Free Red Envelope’ scam. During the upcoming Chinese New Year – or Lunar New Year – holidays, one popular tradition is…
-
Bangkok’s 2 main train stations linked by free bus
Tomorrow, a complimentary shuttle bus service between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station) and Hua Lamphong Station will make commuting in Bangkok more convenient. The bus service is a joint venture being operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The free bus service was created in response to the…
-
Two Thai men die in unrelated road accidents hours after both winning the lottery
Two Thai men were killed in unrelated road accidents in different regions of Thailand last night. Both of them had won the lottery earlier that day. In Chiang Mai, 40 year old Thitibodin [surname reserved] lost control and fatally crashed his motorbike into an electricity pole just after midnight outside the Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office on the Chiang…
-
Nepal crash pilot is the widow of a pilot who died in 2006 crash
Dipak Pokhrel was a pilot with Yeti Airlines whose career ended abruptly in 2006 when he died in an aeroplane crash. The small Twin Otter passenger plane he was flying went down minutes before landing in Jumla. Four years later, his widow, Anju Khatiwada joined Yeti Airlines in 2010, after receiving pilot training with the money she received from the…
-
Phuket Police post, then delete, warning to women, trans people
Residents of the Thalang district in Phuket are confused over a vague warning that was issued – and then removed – by the Sakoo Police. A post by the police warned people to be cautious, especially women and transgenders who live alone, as there have been recent reports of “dangers” in the area. The Sakoo Police advised individuals to ensure…
-
Police raid illegal Chinese electronic waste warehouses
Police raided three warehouses after receiving an air pollution complaint from locals in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. Officers found a huge amount of electronic waste in the warehouses and discovered that two of them were operated illegally by Chinese citizens. Police from Lam Luke Ka Police Station and officers from the Pathum Thani Provincial Industry Office raided the three…
-
Pervy London cop pleads guilty to dozens of rape and assault offenses
A pervy London cop is drawing outrage after pleading guilty to dozens of rapes and assaults, news outlets reported yesterday. The pervy cop, 48 year old David Carrick, pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including 24 rapes. Other charges included assault, attempted rape, and false imprisonment in connection to the attacks, and coercive and controlling behaviour. Carrick committed his heinous crimes…
-
US actor George Clooney’s foundation stands up for Thai protesters
US actor George Clooney’s foundation is standing up for Thai protesters through its TrialWatch initiative. The initiative is part of the Clooney Foundation for Justice and has been monitoring and evaluating the criminal proceedings against the protest leaders since 2020. TrialWatch urged Thailand to adhere to its international human rights obligations in an amicus brief submitted on Monday to the…
-
Goddess of Victory: Nikke ad slammed for depicting Thai gamers as horny fat boys
Gamers in Thailand have slammed a video featuring a fat Thai boy becoming aroused while playing Goddess of Victory: Nikke. The video was released in November 4 last year to much acclaim in the gamer community. Goddess of Victory: Nikke is an immersive sci-fi RPG game, where you can recruit and lead a squad of anime girls who specialize in…
-
Woman fudged her age to hide grandma status from boyfriend
They say age is nothing but a number, but how would you feel if your hot, young bride-to-be turned out to be a grandmother-to-be? That’s exactly what happened to Guo, a 31 year old man from China’s Henan province, who claims to have been the victim of “love fraud” after a 30 year old woman he was dating revealed her…
-
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc submits resignation over corruption accusations
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc submitted his resignation after being found guilty of committing violations and wrongdoing against officials under him. The Vietnam News Agency reported the resignation, citing the party’s Central Committee. “Fully being aware of his responsibilities before the party and people, he submitted an application to resign from his assigned positions, quit his job and retire.” The 68 year…
-
Tourism Authority of Thailand uses momentum of last year’s campaign to strengthen 2023 travel direction
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is using momentum from last year’s ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022’ campaign to direct this year toward a “meaningful travel direction.” According to The Pattaya News, the press release by the TAT details new concepts and enhanced efforts to continue the milestone achievement of last year’s campaign. The ongoing “Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters” is…
-
Murder case of northern ethnic teen activist to be tried in Thailand’s Supreme Court
The murder case of a 17 year old, ethnic teen activist is set to be heard by Thailand’s Supreme Court. Family members of Chaiyaphum Pasae filed the suit which was accepted for consideration by the Supreme Court. Chaiyaphum was an ethnic, Lahu activist who worked to promote indigenous rights in northern Thailand. He was allegedly shot and killed by military…
-
Injured whale shark swims up to boat for help in southern Thailand
National park officials in Krabi province, southern Thailand, are searching for an injured whale shark in need of urgent medical assistance. Yesterday, a six-metre long whale shark swam to the surface to visit a longtail boat near Koh Hong island located inside Than Bok Khorani National Park in Krabi’s Mueang district. As cold-blooded whale sharks rarely venture out of deep…
-
Sea nomads take struggle over alleged land encroachment to Bangkok
Sea nomads are taking their struggle over alleged land encroachment to Bangkok. The nomads are part of the Moken minority, a group of semi-nomadic Austronesian group that lives in Thai coastal provinces and inhabits over 800 islands in the Andaman Sea. Today, a group of Moken people from Koh Lipe rallied in front of the Treasury Department, demanding justice over…
-
Man allegedly beats Russian ex-girlfriend in Phuket
A man allegedly beat his Russian ex-girlfriend in Phuket, a local news outlet reported yesterday. The victim, 32 year old Julia Bolshakova, reported to Chalong Police on January 13, immediately after she left Chalong Hospital following the attack. A medical report confirmed multiple contusions from Bolshakova’s ex punching her in her face and head. Bolshakova appealed to the police for…
-
Perverted teacher sacked after sending video of underage sex acts to school chat group
A perverted teacher who had sex with underage children in Nakhon Ratchasima and accidentally sent videos of the acts to a group chat has been sacked while a police investigation is underway. The teacher allegedly tried to commit suicide when the news broke. The unnamed arts teacher at Non Sungsritani Secondary School in Non Sung district in Nakhon Ratchasima, Isaan,…
-
Philippine senators angry onion-smuggling bust is too small
Government officials in the Philippines are angry that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are wasting time and resources making a big show out of busting airline crews for smuggling 15.5 kilogrammes of onions into the country. What do they want officials to be focusing on – drugs, weapons, and other contraband? No, just BIGGER onion smugglers. The BOC came under…
-
Trouble breathing? Try singing!
If your doctor told you to sing your health problems away, you’d probably think they are a quack. But a group of people in Singapore are singing their way to better breathing and lung health under a programme called Tune UP. The weekly singing sessions, which are facilitated by Yishun Health, are free and open to anyone who suffers from…
-
Thai farmer makes 1 million baht per month selling buffalo semen
A farmer in Kalasin province in northeast Thailand makes 1 million baht every month by selling semen from one special water buffalo named “Big Billion.” Water buffalo (“kwai” in Thai language) breeders all around the kingdom pay high prices for the semen of Big Billion, a ‘textbook’ Thai water buffalo worth 30 million baht. Breeders use Big Billion’s seed to…
-
Silicone strips seized stopping safety-sacrificing surgeries
Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) teamed up with police on a raid of several plastic surgery clinics and a manufacturer’s warehouse to confiscate a large number of counterfeit silicone pieces. The joint operation was announced on Monday by the FDA Secretary-General and the Deputy Chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD). Previous raids had been carried…
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.