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.

  • A drunk driver crashes sedan into crowd of people, 4 injured | Thaiger

    A drunk driver crashes sedan into crowd of people, 4 injured

    A drunk driver crashed his sedan into a group of pedestrians and motorcycles in front of Chanthaburi Technical College on Tuesday, May 16. The incident resulted in four injuries including three university students and one woman. One of the victims is in critical condition. The 65 year old drunk driver, Charoon, was captured on CCTV crashing his Honda City sedan…

  • Bangkok Airways to revive flights to Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand | Thaiger

    Bangkok Airways to revive flights to Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand

    Mae Hong Son Airport in northern Thailand became a ghost town after Nok Air scrapped the only remaining commercial route to the airport last month. But much to the delight of local tourism operators, Bangkok Airways is planning to revive flights to the province. Bangkok Airways is looking to start flying between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son via Lampang thrice…

  • Thailand’s forest rangers push for higher salary | Thaiger

    Thailand’s forest rangers push for higher salary

    Thailand’s forest rangers are pushing for a higher salary. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand is calling for a pay raise for approximately 14,000 forest rangers, Thai PBS reported. The department is seeking an increase from the current monthly salary of 9,000 baht to 11,000 baht from the Comptroller Department of the Finance Ministry, effective…

  • Mother robbed of 300,000 baht, suffers broken arm, misses son’s wedding | Thaiger

    Mother robbed of 300,000 baht, suffers broken arm, misses son’s wedding

    An opportunistic thief yesterday robbed a mother carrying her son’s wedding gift worth 300,000 baht in cash and precious gold jewellery. The incident occurred on the day of the ceremony, resulting in not only the loss of valuables but also a broken arm for the victim. As a consequence, she was unable to attend her son’s wedding. The unfortunate incident…

  • Ancient Hebrew Bible sells for record US$38.1m, gifted to Tel Aviv museum | Thaiger

    Ancient Hebrew Bible sells for record US$38.1m, gifted to Tel Aviv museum

    An ancient Hebrew Bible has set a new record for the most valuable manuscript ever sold at auction, fetching US$38.1 million in New York. The Codex Sassoon, which dates back to the late ninth to early 10th century, is the earliest near-complete Hebrew Bible known to still exist today. Sotheby’s auction house facilitated the sale, which involved a four-minute bidding war…

  • Bangkok taxi driver returns 170,000 baht to Laotian tourist | Thaiger

    Bangkok taxi driver returns 170,000 baht to Laotian tourist

    A Bangkok taxi driver is being praised for his kindness after going the extra mile to return 170,000 baht to a Laotian tourist travelling in Thailand. Bangkok taxi drivers may have received a record amount of complaints last year over bad manners, rejection of passengers, doctored meters, dangerous driving and overcharging. But one tourist from Laos will assure you that…

  • G7 leaders convene in Hiroshima to discuss Russia sanctions, China strategy | Thaiger

    G7 leaders convene in Hiroshima to discuss Russia sanctions, China strategy

    G7 leaders have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss tighter sanctions against Russia and protective measures against China’s “economic coercion”. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hosting the summit in a city marked by its history of nuclear destruction. Over the course of three days, leaders, including US President Joe Biden, will work on presenting a united front on issues…

  • Thailand’s National Health Security System starts free condom initiative | Thaiger

    Thailand’s National Health Security System starts free condom initiative

    Thailand announced a new initiative to provide free condoms to individuals holding universal healthcare cards as part of the National Health Security System, also known as the 30-baht health scheme. The initiative aims to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people of reproductive ages, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek highlighted the…

  • 9 dead as floods devastate Italy’s Emilia Romagna, Imola Grand Prix cancelled | Thaiger

    9 dead as floods devastate Italy’s Emilia Romagna, Imola Grand Prix cancelled

    Heavy rainfall in Emilia Romagna, Italy‘s northern region has led to the deaths of at least nine people, with rivers flooding and submerging neighbourhoods and farmland. The flooding has resulted in the cancellation of the Imola Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend. Continual downpours over two days caused almost two dozen rivers to burst their banks, displacing thousands of residents…

  • Cops catch last suspects in Pattaya robbery of Chinese tourists | Thaiger

    Cops catch last suspects in Pattaya robbery of Chinese tourists

    Cops caught all the last suspects involved in the robbery case targeting Chinese tourists in Pattaya on May 3. The arrests were made at a border location in Thailand’s eastern Sa Kaeo province. Yesterday morning, Pattaya Police apprehended the three remaining suspects linked to the robbery. The individuals were identified as 31 year old Sarawut Suthaphot, the alleged mastermind behind…

  • Heartbreaking tragedy: 9 year old girl takes her own life in Phuket | Thaiger

    Heartbreaking tragedy: 9 year old girl takes her own life in Phuket

    A tragic incident occurred yesterday in Pa Khlok, Phuket, when a nine-year-old girl reportedly committed suicide by hanging after being denied permission to join her sister on a trip to a local waterfall. The child’s body was discovered at her family home by her grandfather. Upon finding the girl’s body hanging from a clothesline tied between a coconut tree and a…

  • Disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand adopts, kills and burns at least 18 cats | Thaiger

    Disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand adopts, kills and burns at least 18 cats

    A disturbed Buddhist monk in Thailand confessed to adopting cats via Facebook and beating them to death. Yesterday, the burned carcasses of 18 cats were dug up from behind his living quarters at a temple in Chachoengsao province. Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT), an animal rights charity, reported the horrific discovery of animal cruelty at the hands of an ordained Buddhist monk…

  • Tesla to embrace advertising, Musk hints at unique approach | Thaiger

    Tesla to embrace advertising, Musk hints at unique approach

    Elon Musk has announced plans for Tesla Inc to venture into traditional advertising, marking a significant shift for the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that has previously relied on its CEO’s star power and customer enthusiasm. Speaking at the company’s annual meeting, Musk stated that Tesla would “try out a little advertising and see how it goes.” The news led to…

  • Former RTN sailor seriously injured after accidentally shooting himself | Thaiger

    Former RTN sailor seriously injured after accidentally shooting himself

    A former Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sailor suffered a serious injury after accidentally shooting himself while playing with a gun in a rental room in the Isaan province of Burriam. The sailor, Phattarapong Kongkird, was found by his girlfriend last night. She arrived home to discover her 41 year old boyfriend lying unconscious in a pool of blood with a…

  • Rural Doctors Society president faces probe over procurement irregularities | Thaiger

    Rural Doctors Society president faces probe over procurement irregularities

    An investigation committee has been established by the Public Health Ministry to probe alleged procurement irregularities involving Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, the president of the Rural Doctors Society (RDS). The allegations date back to when Dr Supat was the director of Chana Hospital in Songkhla between 1999 and 2022. Dr Rungrueng Kitphati, a spokesperson for the ministry, announced yesterday that the…

  • FTX founder eyes Supreme Court ruling in bid to dismiss fraud charges | Thaiger

    FTX founder eyes Supreme Court ruling in bid to dismiss fraud charges

    FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seeking to use a recent Supreme Court ruling to strengthen his defence against fraud charges related to the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange. However, legal experts have suggested that the chances of having the charges dismissed remain low. Bankman-Fried requested on May 8 that most of the charges against him be dropped, arguing that some…

  • Parties unite to remember Black May, warn of military’s political power | Thaiger

    Parties unite to remember Black May, warn of military’s political power

    Yesterday, representatives from three major political parties attended a memorial event to honour the lives lost during the Black May 1992 incident, which took place 31 years ago when a military-led government suppressed demonstrators. The event was held at a memorial on Ratchadamnoen Road. Chaithawat Tulathon, secretary-general of the Move Forward Party, was present at the event and stated that…

  • Dead bodies of couple discovered at condominium in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Dead bodies of couple discovered at condominium in Chon Buri

    The management of a condominium in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri made a grim discovery last night as they stumbled upon the dead bodies of a Thai couple in room number 12 on the 12th floor. Law enforcement officers suspect that the man killed the woman before taking his own life. Upon entering the room, officers from Si…

  • Buckingham Palace gives no comment on Meghan and Harry’s NYC car chase | Thaiger

    Buckingham Palace gives no comment on Meghan and Harry’s NYC car chase

    Buckingham Palace did not comment on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s reported involvement in a “near catastrophic car chase” in New York City on Tuesday night. People magazine reached out to the palace for a statement yesterday, but no comment was provided. The palace usually does not comment on matters involving 38 year old Prince Harry, and 41 year old Meghan,…

  • Bail denied for Polish murder suspect in Bangkok, Thailand | Thaiger

    Bail denied for Polish murder suspect in Bangkok, Thailand

    UPDATE #2 A court in Bangkok, Thailand, denied the bail request of the Polish tourist accused of murdering and dismembering his Ukrainian girlfriend at a high-rise condo last weekend. South Bangkok Criminal Court denied bail to 25 year old Jan Jerzy Lagoda-Filippow, citing that he is a flight risk since he already tried to flee the country for Cambodia once.…

  • Chinese man with low salary seeks high-earning wife to uphold marriage values, sparks heated debate | Thaiger

    Chinese man with low salary seeks high-earning wife to uphold marriage values, sparks heated debate

    A Chinese man attracted a significant amount of criticism on social media after he posted a set of stringent requirements for his future wife on a dating banner at a public park in China. The 34 year old Shenzhen resident’s demands sparked a heated debate about his matchmaking behaviour and gender equality. The controversial banner outlined the Chinese man’s search…

  • Speedboat crashes in Phuket, 37 injured | Thaiger

    Speedboat crashes in Phuket, 37 injured

    A speedboat crashed into a channel marker in Chalong Bay in Phuket, southern Thailand, yesterday injuring four Thais and 33 foreign tourists, mostly Russians. The driver is thought to have fallen asleep as he crashed into the huge concrete pillar in the sea about 100 metres away from the shore of Chalong Bay at 5.30pm. The boat, the Thanathip Marine…

  • Man creates fake dating profile of RTP Deputy Commissioner to flirt with women | Thaiger

    Man creates fake dating profile of RTP Deputy Commissioner to flirt with women

    The Thai Cyber Police apprehended a Thai man who created a fake social media profile of the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Torsak Sukvimol, and used it to flirt with more than 20 women. Despite having a mental health problem, the suspect did not cause any harm. During their investigation, the police came across a Facebook profile…

  • Shirtless Patong man scares people with machete | Thaiger

    Shirtless Patong man scares people with machete

    A shirtless Patong man scared locals and tourists by walking around and swaying a machete back and forth. Patong Police arrested the man yesterday morning near the Suwan Khiriwing Temple (Patong Temple). Officers found the shirtless man swaying the machete and wandering aimlessly in the area. Residents were scared since there is a large number of tourists in the area.…

  • Construction worker’s dream leads to staggering 12 million baht lottery win | Thaiger

    Construction worker’s dream leads to staggering 12 million baht lottery win

    A 61 year-old construction worker from a village in Subsomotod, Beung Sam Pan District, Phetchabun province, won a staggering 12 million baht in the lottery after following the advice of a dream. Samanee Plookjai purchased the winning tickets based on the dream’s suggestions. The Thai grandmother plans to use the money for her five grandchildren’s tuition fees, Sanook reported. Samanee…

  • Youngest ever royal defamation charge: Thai girl, 16, released on bail | Thaiger

    Youngest ever royal defamation charge: Thai girl, 16, released on bail

    A 16 year old girl from Phitsanulok, Thailand, has been granted bail after being charged with royal defamation, making her the youngest individual ever charged under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The alleged offence occurred when the girl, known only as “May”, was 14 years and one month old. Police investigators…

  • Royal Ploughing Ceremony predicts plentiful harvests and thriving economy | Thaiger

    Royal Ploughing Ceremony predicts plentiful harvests and thriving economy

    At 8.30am today, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen arrived at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony area within the Sanam Luang ceremonial grounds by royal car to preside over the auspicious Royal Ploughing Ceremony for the Buddhist year 2566. This year, 58 year old Prayoon Inskul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, served as the…

  • Rare golden venom-spitting cobra discovered in Thai village | Thaiger

    Rare golden venom-spitting cobra discovered in Thai village

    A rare golden spitting cobra recently caught the attention of locals in a village in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand. The snake, measuring around 1.2 metres in length, generated significant interest among villagers, who gathered to view the mesmerising creature. The story behind the snake’s discovery started when Piyapan Bua-Phae, a Facebook user, posted photographs of the golden cobra. An assistant village…

  • Chinese man arrested in Thailand for deceiving Chinese students  | Thaiger

    Chinese man arrested in Thailand for deceiving Chinese students 

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP) arrested a Chinese man, previously employed at the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing, for participating in unlawful activities connected to visa issuance. The arrest was made today by the Immigration Bureau and other relevant RTP officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The Chinese man was identified as Tee and reported to…

  • Japan ramps up G7 security after PM attack and Abe assassination | Thaiger

    Japan ramps up G7 security after PM attack and Abe assassination

    Japan is ramping up security measures for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, deploying around 24,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of the event. The increased security comes in the wake of an attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month and the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Patrolling police have been visible in the city’s…