South Thailand News

Stay updated with the latest Southern Thailand news at The Thaiger, your ultimate source for regional information. Keep informed on local events, business developments, and lifestyle stories in popular locations beyond Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi. We’ve got reports of the latest goings on in Trang, Songkhla, Yala, and more.

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, The Thaiger’s Southern Thailand news page is your essential guide to exploring this stunning tropical region. Dive into the vibrant community and rich culture with our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.

  • Sponsored

    5 best restaurants in Sukhumvit with English menu on GrabFood: Tried and tested

    So you’re in Sukhumvit, Bangkok, you want to explore its vibrant food scene and order delivery, but you’re feeling lost in translation? We understand. As an expat living in Thailand, figuring out how to order food delivery can be a...

  • Southern Thailand: Illegal waste dumping threatens Ratsada’s mangrove forests

    Garbage dumping within the mangrove forests near the Soi King Kaew community in southern Thailand is causing concerns and disrupting the harmony of the ecosystem. Local authorities have started investigations led by Ratsada’s Mayor, Nakarin Yosaengrat who has pointed out a potential culprit and initiated legal action. Mayor Nakarin, along with an entourage of officials from the Ratsada Municipality executive…

  • Myanmar earthquake: 6.4 magnitude hits, tremors felt in Thailand (video)

    A significant earthquake of 6.4 magnitude jolted Myanmar at 8.37am today, as confirmed by the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The epicentre was noted to be around 100 kilometres in the northwest direction from the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre of this seismic event approximately 76…

  • Sadao checkpoint: Entrepreneurs urge continued operation

    Songkhla-based entrepreneurs in the Sadao district appealed to the government to keep the old Sadao immigration checkpoint operational alongside the new one. The move aims to stimulate both trade and tourism with Malaysia. The appeal follows the circulation of rumours concerning the government’s intention to close the Sadao checkpoint in preference for the newly constructed border checkpoint. The discussion involved…

  • Decapitated Thai man’s head found in water tank, murderer remains at large

    Following the murder of a Thai man in the southern province of Surat Thani, police finally located his missing head after five days of extensive search. However, the identity of the killer remains unknown. The lifeless body of Sangiam Penrum, a 53 year old man, was discovered outside his residence in Surat Thani on November 11. Sangiam had been decapitated,…

  • 3 month old baby bitten by monkeys on Phang Nga island, left in a coma

    Two monkeys bit a three month old baby boy at his home on Koh Mai Phai, an island in the southern province of Phang Nga, leaving the infant in a coma. A Thai woman, Jiraporn Galong, told PPTV HD that her nephew, three month old Muallim Ard-dee, was with his grandmother when the incident happened on November 13. He was…

  • Thai nationals to return from Myanmar amidst military-insurgent clashes

    The return of 41 Thai nationals, marooned amidst skirmishes between Myanmar military and ethnic insurgent factions in Laukkai, a border town between China and Myanmar, is set to happen today, as stated by the prime minister. These individuals are part of a larger group of 164 Thai nationals, who were rescued by Myanmar officials from illegal employment or human trafficking…

  • Rayong: Mysterious pot found floating in canal sparks local curiosity

    A 37 year old man made a startling discovery while fishing in a canal in Pluak Daeng, Rayong today. Viraphong Tongha came across an earthen pot, tightly bound with a red cloth, that was floating in the water. The sight of the mysterious pot covered in red cloth and securely tied sparked fear and curiosity among residents. The incident occurred in…

  • Southern Thailand: 30K meth pills found in car wreck after fatal crash

    A high-speed car crash in the rainy weather led to the discovery of a large stash of meth pills. The driver of a white Honda sedan collided with an electric pole around 10.30pm last night, in Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The severe impact left the car in ruins and the driver, identified as 41 year old Phatthrawatee from…

  • Ranong: Daughter of prominent village headman denies money laundering charges

    The daughter of a well-known village headman from Ranong turned herself in to the police yesterday, denying allegations of money laundering and involvement in a drug trafficking network. The woman is also suspected of smuggling vehicles and illegal rubber across the border. The initial investigation took place at the Ranong Provincial Police Operation Center, led by Deputy Provincial Police Commander,…

  • Southern Thailand: Russian tourist’s rental vehicle plummets into ditch in Trang

    In Trang province, a Russian tourist‘s rental vehicle veered off the main road, plunging into a deep roadside ditch. No one was harmed in the incident, as reported by the Phuket Tourist Police. A message was dispatched yesterday from Phuket Tourist Police’s headquarters, detailing the incident. The report revealed the car’s occupant was a Russian tourist, who rented a Honda sedan…

  • Thai man accused of beheading neighbour in human sacrifice

    Police arrested a Thai man in the southern province of Surat Thani for allegedly beheading his neighbour in a human sacrifice ritual. The dead body, minus the head, of 53 year old Sangiam Penrum, was discovered at a house in a rubber plantation in the Kanchanadit district of Surat Thani province. Sangiam was found sitting on his knees in front…

  • Rayong man hides 500 baht from wife under police booth

    A seemingly furious man was found rummaging under a police checkpoint in Rayong, revealing a new dimension to hiding money from his wife. When his secret was uncovered, he claimed he would need to find a new hiding place. At 4pm yesterday, Deputy Superintendent of Rayong City Police, Woradet Phongthong, and Police Lieutenant Pachar Sangngoen, were informed of a man…

  • Phuket Airport: American man arrested for overstaying visa by 79 days

    As dawn broke over the bustling Phuket International Airport, an American man found himself in the grip of the law. The man was apprehended by Thai immigration officials around 5.30am yesterday for overstaying his visa by 79 days, a direct violation of the country’s immigration laws. The American man’s actions had turned him into an illegal resident in the Land…

  • Drumming up excitement: Phuket’s Surin Beach beats to the rhythm of tourism’s future with groundbreaking Glass Terrace project

    The sound of ceremonial drums echoed across Surin Beach, Phuket, early this morning marking the start of construction on a project of substantial tourism potential – the Glass Terrace. With an estimated completion time of two years, this 198 million baht project is anticipated to become a significant tourist attraction along the island’s west coast. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony was…

  • Man detained for climbing ancient Buddhist stupa’s golden spire at Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    A young man was detained after climbing to the top of the golden spire of the ancient Buddhist stupa, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The spire, adorned with ancient gold artefacts and blue sapphires, is a revered site for Buddhists worldwide. At around 1am this morning, local law enforcement and passersby noticed a man scaling the…

  • Drug induced man fatally stabs 21 year old student in southern Thailand

    In a shocking incident, a drug-addled man fatally stabbed a 21 year old student in Trang, southern Thailand yesterday. The victim, Kulissara (surname withheld), also known as Bam, was attacked by 36 year old Jakraphong (no surname given), a relative, who was reportedly high on drugs. The incident occurred at 6pm in a local village, and the 21 year old…

  • Sia Paeng: Another Nakhon Si Thammarat prison warden given arrest warrant

    An additional prison warden has been issued an arrest warrant regarding Chaowalit Thongduang’s case. Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, escaped from Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital around two weeks ago on October 22. The arrest warrant for Weerachai Nuduang from Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison was issued yesterday by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Weerachai was charged…

  • Fog, light rain forecast in northern Thailand, south braces for heavy rainfall

    The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecasts foggy conditions and light rain in some parts of northern Thailand, while heavy rainfall continues in some southern areas. The 24-hour forecast suggests that high atmospheric pressure or a cool air mass is gradually weakening and covering the upper northern parts, north eastern region, and the South China Sea. This, combined with the easterly…

  • Chon Buri: Security guard dies in motorbike crash in Banglamung district

    Earlier yesterday morning, a tragic incident unfolded in the Banglamung district when a security guard lost his life in a motorbike accident. The unfortunate victim, 43 year old Somchai Saengrung, employed at Laem Chabang Port, crashed his motorbike into a tree on Sukhumvit Road near the entrance of Soi Banglamung 29 in the Banglamung sub-district, Chon Buri. The Sawang Boriboon…

  • Satun man admits to matricide after arrest for drug abuse

    Police from Langu district, Satun province, apprehended 41 year old man suspected of killing his 73 year old mother, Fatima. The police presented the suspect, Chaiwin (surname withheld), to the Satun Provincial Court to request detention on charges including matricide, abuse of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) in contravention of the law, and the illegal use of inhalants (glue) to satisfy physical…

  • RTP police chief Torsak Sukvimol’s surprise visit: Tracking cases in southern Thailand

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP) Commissioner General made an official visit to the Pattani Provincial Police Station at 4.30pm on October 31. The purpose of Torsak Sukvimol’s visit was to inspect and track the progress of key cases in Pattani. He was received cordially by the chiefs of the 16 police stations in Pattani and other concerned police officers from…

  • Sattahip: Karaoke venues police check for compliance with regulations for tourist safety

    In Sattahip, a thorough check of karaoke establishments in the vicinity of Tao Than Thong Thip Market took place on October 30. The inspection was led by the Sattahip Police Station’s chief, Police Colonel Panya Damlek, following the Royal Thai Police’s guidelines to maintain order in every area. The main focus of the inspection was to ensure adherence to closing…

  • Omura’s whale spotted in Thailand’s Surin Islands for first time

    A sightseeing trip in Thailand’s Surin Islands took an unexpected turn when tourists spotted a rare Omura’s whale, a species only identified in the wild eight years ago. The sighting was confirmed by the national park officers at Mu Ko Surin National Park through an online post on Thursday, October 26. The online post featured a video of the whale…

  • Sia Paeng: Bounty raised to 1 million baht as associates surrender

    Thai police apprehended two individuals connected to the case of Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, a fugitive prisoner who feigned illness and escaped from a hospital. The Department of Corrections has increased the bounty for his capture to 1 million baht, up from the original 100,000 baht. Authorities yesterday, October 27, arrested Sand (nickname), the wife of Jakree Pannoi,…

  • Chaowalit aka Sia Paeng escape: One accomplice arrested

    The arrest of 28 year old Khanet Thongprajong, also known as Boy, has been confirmed by authorities in Songkhla‘s Hat Yai district. Khanet, one of the five suspects implicated in aiding the escape of a prisoner 37 year old Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, was apprehended inside a shopping mall in the district on the evening of October…

  • Scrapping immigration forms may boost Malaysian tourist influx in Thailand

    Tourism professionals in Songkhla have voiced their desire for the discontinuation of the TM6 immigration paperwork as an additional border checkpoint and the eradication of extra-time service charges, as these measures continue to slow the influx of tourists from Malaysia. The government gave its approval this week to scrap the TM6 forms from November 1 to April 30, 2024, at…

  • Chanthaburi preschool teachers suspected of school trip scam questioned by Anti-Corruption Commission

    The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Chanthaburi Province is investigating a preschool teacher team accused of collecting money from students for a trip to Vietnam. Jamnien Moonsarn, the director of the Chanthaburi ACC office, revealed that the initial fact-checking was carried out yesterday following reports from the National Corruption Deterrence Centre. The case has also become viral on social media under the…

  • Prison escapee on the prowl: Inmate’s great Thailand wildlife sanctuary location unveiled

    The hunt for a 37 year old inmate who escaped from Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital led police to the Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary. This vast wildlife refuge, spanning 1266 square kilometres across Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, and Songkhla, is believed to be the hideout of Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng. This discovery prompted a shift in law enforcement’s…

  • Surat Thani village headman killed in wild elephant attack

    In a tragic turn of events in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, a village headman lost his life in a wild elephant attack. The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday as the leader attempted to steer a cow elephant and her calf back into the adjacent forest. The headman, known as Samnao Kraiket, was the leader of Moo 11 village, situated…

  • Southern insurgents wreak havoc in Tak Bai, chaos erupts

    A group of 21 southern insurgents was caught on CCTV causing havoc in Tak Bai. They are suspected to be part of a group led by Muhammad Fami, a key operational leader. The incidents occurred in Tak Bai district and the boundary area of Muno sub-district, Su-ngai Kolok district, on the night of October 21. The insurgents planted bombs, fired…