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 Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
-
Health ministry approves half-dose of mRNA vaccine as booster for elderly
In a bid to persuade Thailand’s elderly population, and those with chronic illnesses, to get a Covid-19 booster, health officials have approved using half the usual dose. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit says the half-dose will be an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer, adding that officials are acknowledging a fear of side-effects among the elderly. “To deal with this fear, I have…
-
Lèse-majesté charges against political activist dismissed due to lack of evidence
A political activist charged with lèse-majesté offences and violating the Computer Crimes Act has had the charges against him dismissed. Security officials brought the lawsuit against 31-year-old Harit Nahaton in 2016, claiming he committed lèse-majesté offences while chatting to 48-year-old Nattharika Warathanyawit on Facebook Messenger between January and April 2016. Lèse-majesté, or section 112 of the Criminal Code, prohibits criticising,…
-
Police continue search for forest ranger in Isaan Thailand who allegedly killed ex-wife’s son
Officers in the Isaan province Buriram are still searching for the senior forest ranger who allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife’s son Sunday night. The victim’s family says the ranger called them after the shooting, saying he threatened to murder the entire family. He is believed to be hiding in a forest near the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The 45 year…
-
Province in Western Thailand works to revive tourism in new scheme
The governor of one Western Thai province whose tourism income plummeted this year announced yesterday the need for a “comprehensive strategy” to revive tourism. The province of Prachuap Khiri Khan made 1.85 billion baht in tourism in 2020, but that dropped to 36 million baht in 2021. “We expect travel activities to pick up once Covid-19 is classified as an…
-
Villas in Phuket offering fabulous views of the island
Phuket is an adaptive and dynamic island that continues to evolve and its elegance unceasingly expands. Its real estate landscape changes from year to year as new developments match the demand for the most recent and biggest trends. Phuket is home to arguably the world’s most stunning private villas. In addition to stunning vistas, private pools, and uninterrupted privacy, these…
-
PM refuses to discuss possibility of early elections or confirm he will complete term
The Thai PM has refused to rule out the possibility of House dissolution and an early end to his tenure, in a change to his usual stance. Prayut Chan-o-cha has always reiterated his plan to remain in office until the end of his term next March and possibly beyond, ruling out any chance of early elections. However, while responding to…
-
21 million baht lawsuit filed against resort after man trampled to death by elephant
Almost a year has passed since an elephant trampled a man to death at a hotel resort in the Isaan province Nakhon Ratchasima. Today, a lawyer, authorised by the man’s wife, has filed a lawsuit amounting to 21 million baht in damages against the resort. 53 year old Raja Thiraphitthayatrakul was trampled to death by an elephant which came loose…
-
Professional Muay Thai fighter trains Thai and US troops
As a special instructor, Thailand’s internationally known Muay Thai boxer, Buakaw Banchamek, has been coaching Muay Thai to Thai and US soldiers participating in the joint exercise Hanuman Guardian 2022, which is taking place in Thailand’s central province of Lop Buri. Buakaw, who is currently an army officer, taught theoretical and practical techniques on Monday in the 31st Infantry Regiment’s…
-
Roles reversed as Thai bride pays 12.8 million baht dowry
A Thai bride presented a dowry worth a staggering 12.8 million baht to her groom at Khon Kaen Convention Centre on Sunday. Instead of paying a dowry himself, 33 year old groom Micky received 2 million in cash, 500,000 baht’s worth of jewellery, a 5 rai land title deed valued at over 500,000 baht, a 7 million baht house, and…
-
Fire breaks out at luxury hotel in Bangkok, no injuries reported
A fire broke out at the 18-storey luxury hotel in Bangkok early this morning. There were no reports of deaths and injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters say it may have started at a pile of trash outside the hotel and moved up the electricity pole to the wires connected to the eighth floor…
-
Bangkok football player sacked after elbow strike to opponent
A Bangkok Football Club player was sacked after he left his opponent needing 24 stitches after an elbow strike to the face, knocking him to the ground during a Thai League 3 match on Sunday afternoon. The referee sent Aitesaret Noichaiboon off immediately and the club proceeded to terminate his contract. Bangkok FC were losing 3-0 against North Bangkok University…
-
Asia News Today | Taiwanese army reserves on high alert
Hundreds of Taiwanese army reserves have carried out training exercises after a call from the Taiwanese president calling for “unity” as the island keeps an eye on China’s reaction to the invasion of Ukraine. Taiwan has kept its military reservists on high alert over the past year.About 400 personnel took part in target training and combat simulations yesterday in efforts…
-
Mastercard is working on accepting digital currency payments in Thailand
Mastercard is working on accepting digital currencies as payment, according to the Thailand and Myanmar manager of the payments technology company. Mastercard has been collaborating with associated parties in Thailand and around the world to plan for a future of transactions using digital currencies. Digital currencies are expected to become a critical choice for consumers and people want to use…
-
Young Swiss man needs O negative blood donations after heatstroke on Thailand island
A 25 year old Swiss man needs donations of the blood type O negative (O-) after he went running on Koh Chang off the coast of the eastern province Trat and suffered a heatstroke. Theo Zwahlen is in a coma in the ICU at Bangkok Hospital in Chanthaburi. Theo has kidney failure, acidosis, brain damage, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and a…
-
NFL great Tom Brady ends 40 day retirement, inspired by Ronaldo hat trick
He’s back! (But he never really left.) The legendary American football player Tom Brady has announced his return to the NFL after a brief 40-day retirement. Brady, 44, is considered the greatest quarterback of all time with a record seven Super Bowl titles. He announced his (un) surprising U-turn on Twitter, saying… “These past two months I’ve realized my place…
-
Freshman student beaten to death in hazing incident at Isaan Thailand university
A freshman university student died during a hazing incident where he was reportedly beaten by students and forced to drink lao khao, a Thai distilled spirit. The 19 year old was punched in the stomach and face. At one point, he became unconscious. He died on the way to the hospital. The activist group ANTI SOTUS, which is against the…
-
Bangkok eases alcohol restrictions, large events and shopping centres allowed to serve booze
Bangkok is loosening its rules on alcohol sales. Starting today, shopping centres and event venues can serve alcoholic beverages until 11pm, according to a document signed yesterday by Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. The venues serving beer, wine, and cocktails will also need to be certified through SHA+ and Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus, which are both safety and health standards…
-
Police investigate after photos of university entrance exam papers shared on app
Police in the central province of Pathum Thani have been asked to investigate after images of university test papers were posted online. Thammasat University’s Professor Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut, who manages the Thai University Central Admission System, says the photos of the General Aptitude Test and the Professional and Academic Aptitude Test were shared on the Snapask app. The app is used…
-
Elephant camp in Chiang Mai put up for sale due to drop in tourists during pandemic
Elephant parks and sanctuaries relying on foreign tourists for an income and funds to feed the animals have been hit hard during the pandemic. One elephant park in Chiang Mai is now up for sale due to the drastic drop in the number of visitors over the past two years. The owner says she’s been unable to afford the 2…
-
Bangkok governor vows to end annual flooding in capital
The governor of Bangkok has pledged to end the flooding that plagues the capital each year and says he has the tools to do it. Aswin Kwanmuang says the construction of another 2 underground water tanks, in addition to 2 that have been completed, will be done within the next 2 years, helping to put an end to Bangkok’s ongoing…
-
Australia, Netherlands in joint legal action against Russia over 2014 downing of MH17
The governments of Australia and the Netherlands have confirmed they’re taking joint legal action against Russia over the downing of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane 8 years ago. MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it came down over eastern Ukraine. International investigators say it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile supplied by…
-
Thai officials say no cause for concern as 4 cases of Hong Kong sub-variant reported
The Public Health Ministry says there’s no cause for concern after the BA2.2 Omicron sub-variant was reported in 4 Covid-19 patients in the kingdom. According to a Bangkok Post report, the patients are 3 Thai nationals and a foreigner. The BA2.2 sub-variant was first discovered in Hong Kong, which is battling its worst Covid-19 wave since the start of the…
-
Thai officials suspect 4 patients are infected with new Omicron strain found in Hong Kong
Four new Covid-19 cases appear to be the new mutated Omicron BA.2.2 subvariant that was first found in Hong Kong, according to the Department of Medical Sciences. Authorities have insisted that the public should not worry about the spread of the new subvariant as there has been no confirmation of any severe symptoms and the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian…
-
Thai FDA finds harmful levels of nitrite in sausages following blood disorder reports
Following reports of various children developing a blood disorder after eating sausages, the Thai FDA found that a number of sausages sold in Thailand contained harmful amounts of nitrite and benzoic acid. More than 20 manufacturers are now facing fines and penalties for using harmful amounts of the substances in sausages. The investigation into sausage ingredients was prompted by the…
-
Officers search forest for ranger who allegedly shot and killed ex-wife’s son
A senior forest ranger allegedly shot and killed his estranged wife’s 20 year old son in the Isaan province Buriram yesterday. A team of 50 police officers and wildlife officials have been searching for the ranger who is suspected to be hiding at the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The suspect, who is head of the forestry team at Dong Yai…
-
Tangmo: Police examine ‘fresh evidence’ — CCTV video of person on speedboat
Police are examining “fresh evidence” from a CCTV camera that recorded footage of the speedboat TV actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong fell from before drowning in the Chao Phraya River last month. The video taken from a riverside building reportedly shows a person at the stern (rear) of the speedboat standing up and sitting down, as the boats moves along the…
-
Monday Covid Update: 22,130 new cases; provincial totals
69 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 23,778 with 2,080 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 22,130 new Covid-19 cases and 23,508 recoveries. There are now 225,889 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Peace talks hopeful; Russia entreats China; Kherson residents protest; Lviv base attacked; US reporter killed
As the Russian invasion enters its 19th day, here’s the latest headlines from the conflict in Ukraine… • Russian and Ukrainian ambassadors are holding a fourth round of peace talks, after Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said weekend negotiations were “constructive,” signaling hopes of diplomatic progress… “Russia is already beginning to talk constructively. I think that we will achieve some results…
-
Asia News Today | China locks down 17 million, earthquake in Indonesia
Families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea are calling on an early meeting of leaders from the two countries to retrieve their relatives. They are pushing on the Japanese government to approach North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to swiftly resolve the issue of abductions… this comes from the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea.The association…
-
Deaths due to Covid-19 pandemic much higher than reported figures, study shows
The Covid-19 death toll is much higher than what has been officially reported, according to a recent analysis published in The Lancet, a medical journal. The analysis estimates that the global number of fatalities related to the Covid-19 pandemic reached 18.2 million by December 31, 2021, which triples the number of deaths reported at 5.94 million. The findings were based…
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.