Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
-
Sponsored Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move
Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
-
Thai police break major drug operation in Ayutthaya
Thai police successfully dismantled a major drug storage operation in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, seizing over 8.7 million methamphetamine pills and 720 kilogrammes of crystal meth. The arrest occurred yesterday, May 7, with the suspect allegedly earning 100,000 baht per shipment. Police General Prachuap Wongsuk, Deputy Police Chief, along with key officials from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, led an…
-
Phuket aims for noodle world record at mega fest
Phuket is turning up the heat this June as it launches a mouth-watering attempt to make culinary history, by setting a Guinness World Record with its beloved Phuket Hokkien Noodles. The sizzling spectacle will headline the Phuket Peranakan Festival 2025, taking place from June 20 to 22. Over 200 chefs, restaurants and community groups will team up to showcase the iconic…
-
Public outrage after People’s Party member arrested in drug trafficking
The People’s Party issued a public apology after one of its members, a candidate in the upcoming Samut Prakan Municipal Council election, was arrested for drug trafficking along with three other suspects yesterday, May 7. Officers from Min Buri Police Station carried out a crackdown on a drug trafficking gang known as Boon Raksa. Four suspects were apprehended, and a…
-
Cambodia, Laos ban Thai livestock over anthrax fears
Cambodia and Laos have temporarily halted the importation of livestock and related products from Thailand to prevent the spread of anthrax. According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has implemented this precautionary measure and is closely monitoring the anthrax situation in Thailand. The ministry stated that while there are currently no anthrax cases in…
-
Ex-Thai cop nabbed for stealing officers’ funds in Pathum Thani
A disgraced former police superintendent who vanished after allegedly swiping hundreds of thousands in officer allowances has finally been hauled in, ending a years-long game of cat and mouse. Yesterday, May 7, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) arrested Police Colonel Chaiwat, a former head of Lat Lum Kaeo Police Station in Pathum Thani, who had been on the run since…
-
Thai politician arrested for drug trafficking in Bangkok bust
The People’s Party Samutprakarn’s Facebook page issued an apology to the public following the arrest of a party candidate for drug trafficking. Yesterday, May 7, police colonel investigators from Min Buri Police Station apprehended 27 year old Apivat, known as Fluke, with a substantial amount of drugs including 480,000 methamphetamine pills, 1 kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine, and 1 kilogramme of…
-
Police officer slits his throat to escape arrest after stealing gold
A Thai police officer slit his own throat at a police station in the southern province of Trang yesterday, May 7, after being caught stealing a gold necklace from a food vendor. The 34 year old female vendor, Pornpimon, complained to Na Yong Police Station officers on May 3 that her gold necklace, worth over 100,000 baht, was stolen at…
-
Pattaya air con blaze sparks high-rise chaos
Panic swept through a Pattaya high-rise last night as a fire erupted on the 19th floor, forcing a frantic evacuation of terrified residents and tourists. The blaze broke out just after 8pm yesterday, May 7, at a 29-storey condominium located in Soi Chaiyapruek 3. According to the Pattaya City Disaster Relief Centre, flames were first spotted in Room 1911, with…
-
Trunk and disorderly! Reckless tourist fined for wild elephant selfie
A gung-ho tourist has been slapped with a fine after dangerously cosying up to a wild elephant in Khao Yai National Park, just months after another man was trunked off a moving pickup by a jumbo with attitude. The tourist travelling from Thailand’s eastern region to Khao Yai National Park yesterday, May 7, got far too close for comfort when…
-
People’s Party slams pricey Thai Parliament car park project
The People’s Party (PP) disclosed details about another expensive parliamentary project involving the construction of a car park building. Parit Wacharasindhu, an MP from the opposition who leads a House committee focused on political development, mass communications, and public involvement, stated yesterday that the House of Representatives’ secretariat announced a successful bidder for a 104.5 million baht project to design…
-
Pattaya babe steals disabled Aussie man’s cash while he showers
A disabled Aussie man hoping for a bit of holiday romance in Pattaya was left red-faced and out of pocket, after a beachside beauty vanished with his cash while he was in the shower. Adding insult to injury, the victim’s wheelchair had “Quickie” emblazoned on the back, a name that turned out to be more prophecy than brand, as the…
-
Rescue vehicle runs red light and kills woman on Lamphun road
A rescue vehicle ran a red light in the northern province of Lamphun and crashed into two motorcycles, resulting in the death of a Thai woman. Officers from Mueang Chi Police Station were alerted to the accident at Doi Ti Intersection on the Lampang–Chiang Mai Road at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, May 6. Witnesses reported that a rescue vehicle belonging…
-
Bitcoin tipped to smash US$100k as crypto bulls charge ahead
Bitcoin is gearing up for a six-figure breakout, with crypto watchers boldly predicting the world’s biggest digital coin could hit a jaw-dropping US$100,000, even as the US central bank holds fire on interest rate cuts. Despite the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) likely keeping rates steady this week, optimism is soaring among investors, thanks to heavyweight institutions snapping up spot…
-
Thai provinces braced for storms and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast, predicting thunderstorms and strong winds across 40 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rainfall expected in the southern region covering 60% of the area. Residents are advised to exercise caution due to severe weather conditions today, May 8. In the next 24 hours, the upper part of Thailand will experience thunderstorms…
-
BoT tipped to slice interest rates as inflation and exports wobble
Thailand’s top money men are sharpening their scissors, with experts betting the Bank of Thailand (BoT) will slash interest rates at least twice more this year to prop up the faltering economy, rocked by a US trade war and dwindling tourist numbers. In a shock twist, April saw the consumer price index (CPI) shrink by 0.22%, the first drop in…
-
Aussie tourist drowns near Phuket’s Koh Racha Yai
An Australian tourist tragically drowned on May 6, just off the coast of Phuket’s Racha Island, as he reportedly went for a swim while intoxicated. The 22 year old tourist was initially revived with CPR, but was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a nearby hospital. On May 6, at 2.28pm, the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (Pearl Centre) received a…
-
Female passenger steals taxi from Samut Prakan, flees towards Rayong
A female passenger stole a green and yellow taxi from a petrol station in the Bang Na area of Samut Prakan province today, May 7. She reportedly headed towards the eastern province of Rayong. The taxi driver, whose name was not disclosed, reported the theft to local police and JS100 Radio, hoping to enlist the help of other motorists in…
-
Bangkok’s SAO collapse sparks charges and corruption probe
The fallout from the deadly collapse of a State Audit Office (SAO) building in March is spiralling into a legal and political firestorm, with engineers, local officials, and shady foreign firms all under the microscope. The Metropolitan Police Bureau is preparing to file multiple charges against engineers and SAO officials responsible for the construction of the building, which came crashing…
-
Bangkok–Moscow flight diverts to Delhi after mid-air fume scare
A Bangkok-to-Moscow Aeroflot flight carrying over 400 passengers made an unexpected emergency landing in Delhi yesterday after the crew detected a suspicious odour — sparking fears of smoke in the cabin and prompting a rapid response from Indian airport emergency services. Aeroflot flight SU273, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER registered RA-73142, departed Bangkok yesterday, May 6, at 1.40pm local time,…
-
Thai tourists tricked by scam travel agency, losing 5 million baht
A Thai man issued a warning to travel enthusiasts after he and his friends were tricked by a travel agency into purchasing a package tour to Pakistan, resulting in a loss of 240,000 baht. Numerous other victims have since come forward, with total losses estimated at around 5 million baht. The man shared details of the scam on his Facebook…
-
30 homes in Samut Sakhon listed for sale due to structural issues
Following widespread concerns, a village in Tha Sai subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon province, saw 30 houses being listed for sale due to numerous structural issues. The project identified reasons for the damage and pledged to address the situation promptly, explaining delays in resolution. Today, May 7, the Samut Sakhon provincial governor, Narit Niramaiwong, convened a meeting at the provincial…
-
Thai F-16s scramble as Myanmar fighter sparks panic
A Myanmar fighter jet triggered a tense military response this week after flying close to Thai airspace in Kanchanaburi province, prompting the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to deploy two F-16 fighter jets to intercept what was initially classified as an unidentified aircraft. But according to Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the drama never truly crossed the line, literally. “The aircraft…
-
Bangkok building collapse: 13 still missing, search continues
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) continues its search and recovery operations for the 13 people still missing after the collapse of the newly constructed State Audit Office building. Suriyachai Rawiwan, the Director of the BMA’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, announced on Monday that rescue teams can now access the entire basement area, measuring 40×40 metres. As of that day,…
-
Burmese worker busted in Phuket for 1.1 million baht cash heist
A 23 year old Burmese worker has been arrested for stealing over 1.1 million baht from his employer’s home in Phuket. The Myanmar national, Nye Bo Thet, was arrested as part of a Cherng Talay Police crime suppression campaign running from May 1 to May 7. Police tracked the suspect down and nabbed him outside Building 92 of the Baan…
-
Million-baht bounty: EC offers big cash for election snitching
With municipal elections looming, Thailand’s Election Commission announced it will offer cash rewards of up to 1 million baht for tip-offs leading to proof of election fraud. The move comes amid mounting concerns over vote-buying and irregularities in the lead-up to the May 11 polls, which will see mayoral and council seats contested in 76 provinces. The payouts are part…
-
Teen arrested after shooting incident over personal dispute
A teen suspect was arrested following a shooting incident involving 15 rounds, reportedly due to a personal dispute. The 19 year old suspect claimed self-defence, stating, “If we didn’t act, they would have,” following several previous altercations. The incident occurred when two people on a red PCX motorcycle, with an unidentified license plate, stopped and fired approximately 15 shots at the…
-
Lèse majesté: US academic fights Thai university sacking
A US academic is challenging his dismissal from a Thai university after being sacked following a dropped lèse majesté charge. The American national claims the termination was unlawful, lacked due process, and violated university regulations. The case has sparked debate over academic freedom and the treatment of foreign scholars in Thailand. Chambers, a former lecturer in the Faculty of Social…
-
3.0 earthquake hits Nakhon Si Thammarat, prompts evacuations
An earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale struck Nakhon Si Thammarat at 5.31am today, May 7. Residents in several subdistricts reported feeling tremors, and some areas heard loud noises. Hospitals swiftly evacuated buildings while assessing potential damage. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department detailed that the quake occurred at a depth of 1 kilometre in Sai…
-
Another brawl on Soi Bangla: Drunk tourists throw punches
In yet another chaotic display of tourist mayhem, a video of a drunken street fight between foreign visitors on the notorious Soi Bangla has gone viral, raising fresh concerns over alcohol-fuelled violence in Thailand’s party capital. The footage, posted by Facebook user Kim Wan today, May 7, captures a short but intense scuffle between intoxicated tourists in the early hours…
-
Illegal cigarette network dismantled, 42 million baht fines issued
The Economic Crime Suppression Division, in collaboration with the Excise Department, dismantled a major international illegal cigarette trafficking network. Two Cambodian nationals, 35 year old Chiva Chuoy and 35 year old Nak Khoeun, were apprehended with 50,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, facing fines of up to 42 million baht (US$1.28 million). Yesterday, May 6, at 1.30pm, Police Major General Thasaphum…
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.