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.

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    Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained

    Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...

  • Miracle at sea: Rare albino whale resurfaces near Phang Nga

    Miracle at sea: Rare albino whale resurfaces near Phang Nga

    A rare albino Omura whale, previously sighted off the shores of Phuket, has once again graced the Andaman seas near Phang Nga province, stunning onlookers and marine experts alike. Banchar Sae-jo, manager of the New Tapana tourist boat, caused a stir online when he shared a mesmerising video clip of the ivory Omura whale on his Facebook page last Saturday,…

  • NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies

    NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies

    In a move to tackle the global scourge of air pollution, NASA launched a series of missions aimed at revolutionising the way we forecast and combat this deadly threat. With millions of lives hanging in the balance each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, the need for accurate identification and tracking of pollutants has never been more pressing. Kicking off…

  • Thailand govt cuts informal debts by 670 million baht in two months

    Thailand govt cuts informal debts by 670 million baht in two months

    The Government of Thailand has slashed the nation’s informal debts by 670 million baht (US$18.69 million) in a span of two months, successfully resolving 102,000 out of the 140,000 reported cases. This significant reduction is part of an initiative to alleviate the household debt burden. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, attributed this progress…

  • Thailand News Today | Farang’s on e-unicycles raise local ire, PM calls for more security for royal family

    Thailand News Today | Farang’s on e-unicycles raise local ire, PM calls for more security for royal family

    The Prime Minister is calling for heightened security for the royal family Following a recent incident where student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and a member of the Thalu Wang group attempted to disrupt Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s motorcade by honking and lane-cutting, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for increased security measures for the royal family, emphasizing the importance of their safety…

  • Thailand to reassess recent reduction in meth penalties

    Thailand to reassess recent reduction in meth penalties

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed yesterday that the government is open to reevaluating a recently announced policy which reduces penalties for individuals found with five or fewer methamphetamine pills. This statement follows the public disapproval that has arisen in response to the law, signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, which determines that anyone found with…

  • Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news

    Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news

    Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year. The 24 year old political activist, Sutthawee Soikham, was arrested in March last year…

  • Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts

    Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts

    According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, the go-to name in digital payments, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens. The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search…

  • Thailand’s health ministry targets birth rate boost with new fertility strategies

    Thailand’s health ministry targets birth rate boost with new fertility strategies

    Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is set to introduce strategies designed to encourage artificial insemination and support those who wish to become parents, encompassing the LGBTQ community as well. The drive is part of an initiative to increase the country’s birth rate. During a meeting with Jos Vandelaer, Thailand’s World Health Organisation representative, at Nakhonping Hospital, the Minister, Cholnan Srikaew,…

  • Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public

    Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public

    The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decided to open select facilities and golf courses to the public under certain conditions, according to the commander-in-chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul. This decision follows a request from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the Kantarat Golf Course, situated between Don Mueang International Airport’s runways, and access other RTAF properties for state project development. The…

  • 5 immigration police face 15 years in prison for kidnapping Chinese man

    5 immigration police face 15 years in prison for kidnapping Chinese man

    Five Immigration Bureau police officers face 15 years in prison for kidnapping two Chinese men and a Thai interpreter in March last year for a ransom of 10 million baht. A Thai man who aided the corrupt police operation faces 10 years in prison. The Thai interpreter, 38 year old Namee Saelee, filed a complaint against five immigration police and a…

  • Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism

    Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism

    The implementation of the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was defended yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This came following a statement by Move Forward Party Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul, suggesting the government develop a backup plan due to the scheme’s uncertain future. Tansakul pointed out that the scheme’s success hinges on the decision of the government’s digital wallet policy…

  • Man arrested in Songkhla for illegal online sale of protected birds

    Man arrested in Songkhla for illegal online sale of protected birds

    The Thai authorities arrested a 40 year old man for illegally selling protected wild birds online, claiming he needed the money for his child’s medical expenses. The man, identified as Tatsana Pohtong, was apprehended at his home in Songkhla province with 29 caged birds in his possession. The arrest followed an investigation into his Facebook posts advertising the sale of…

  • 8 year old girl rescued after spending 2 days in Chon Buri cemetery (video)

    8 year old girl rescued after spending 2 days in Chon Buri cemetery (video)

    A Thai cemetery caretaker rescued an eight year old girl who spent two days in a graveyard in Chon Buri province after she was allegedly abused by her mother, prompting her to run away from home. The 55 year old cemetery caretaker, Samai Kalaphan, sought help from the Tri Khunnatham Rescue Foundation after discovering the girl. Samai explained that he…

  • Bangkok socialite denies blackmail in high-society assault case

    Bangkok socialite denies blackmail in high-society assault case

    A high-profile socialite vehemently denied allegations of blackmail after accusing a well-known high-society individual, the son of a prominent politician, of sexual assault. Police are expediting their investigation, seeking testimony from an additional witness who reportedly aided the victim’s escape. Officials are prepared to issue a summons to the young high-society man today, stressing that there has been no external…

  • Technician finds stingless bee nest in air conditioner in Thailand

    Technician finds stingless bee nest in air conditioner in Thailand

    An air conditioning technician recently encountered a peculiar situation while servicing a unit in a customer’s bedroom. Seeking advice, the technician posted an inquiry online, asking for the identification of a mysterious creature found within the air conditioning system. The online community quickly responded, revealing that the creature was a stingless bee, known locally as “ชันโรง,” which also happens to…

  • Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths

    Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths

    A mystical village, Ban Khop Klang Nuea, in the Isaan province of Kalasin established nine strict rules in response to a series of mysterious deaths, with 15 reported in January. Channel 7 reporters visited a village in the Huai Mek district of Kalasin province to interview locals in the area about the nine rules to avoid sudden deaths. The media…

  • Drunk Thai man found dead after friends leave him to sleep in car

    Drunk Thai man found dead after friends leave him to sleep in car

    A restaurant employee found a Thai man dead in his car, parked on Pattaya Sai Sam Road. He had been drunk, and his friends had left him to sleep off the alcohol in the car with the engine running. An employee of Pattaya Seafood restaurant, 30 year old Autthapon, told ThaiRath that he went to work last night, February 11,…

  • 2 foreign men to face 10,000 fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai (video)

    2 foreign men to face 10,000 fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai (video)

    Thai motorists demanded police take action against two foreign men riding electric unicycles, or e-unicycles, on a crowded road in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The video of two foreign men riding the e-unicycles in Chiang Mai was shared on February 10 by a Facebook, Guru Guroo Chiang Mai. The caption read… “Very dangerous! E-unicycles on Ring Road 2…

  • Thailand braces for cold front and fierce monsoons

    Thailand braces for cold front and fierce monsoons

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning due to a powerful cold front and strong northeastern monsoons affecting various regions of the country. The warning, specifically targeting the upper part of Thailand and the lower Gulf of Thailand, indicates that the nation is experiencing unusually volatile weather patterns, leading to cooler to cold temperatures in the…

  • Sheffield Wednesday fans chirp for change: Dejphon Chansiri urged to get out of club (video)

    Sheffield Wednesday fans chirp for change: Dejphon Chansiri urged to get out of club (video)

    Sheffield Wednesday fans ramped up the pressure on Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri and his family to get out of the club. Wednesday supporters made their feelings known prior to and during the club’s English Football League clash with Birmingham City on Friday night increasing pressure on the Chansiri family, who owns the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest canned tuna producer.…

  • British man loses 200,000 baht belongings to Thai transwoman (video)

    British man loses 200,000 baht belongings to Thai transwoman (video)

    A 24 year old British man filed a complaint against a Thai transwoman after belongings worth over 200,000 baht disappeared from his luxury hotel near Bangkok following her visit. The suspect was arrested yesterday, February 11. The victim, 24 year old Daniel, reported to Bang Yai Police Station, in the Nonthaburi province near Bangkok on February 10, that the Thai…

  • Thai, US officials to discuss cybersecurity following call scam outbreak

    Thai, US officials to discuss cybersecurity following call scam outbreak

    A cybersecurity discussion is on the agenda between Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as a result of call scammers fraudulently using the names of Thai diplomats. This issue was brought to light during a meeting with Thai officials at the Thai embassy in Washington DC, according to the Thai ambassador to the United…

  • Deadly curve in Chon Buri claims two lives in high-speed crash

    Deadly curve in Chon Buri claims two lives in high-speed crash

    A tragic motorcycle accident in Chon Buri province claims the lives of two individuals, drawing attention to an infamous curve notorious for its high number of fatalities. In the early hours today, a Yamaha NMax motorbike veered off the road and into a tree on Jomtien Second Road, heading towards Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. The emergency response teams, including the…

  • Samut Prakan police arrest 42 teens in street racing crackdown

    Samut Prakan police arrest 42 teens in street racing crackdown

    In Samut Prakan, an operation led by the police resulted in the arrest of 42 teenagers and the seizure of 49 motorcycles, following complaints from residents about noise and disruption caused by street racing. The teenagers were apprehended during a coordinated police action on Suk Sawat Road, from the Prasamut Jadee intersection to the Son Rom Yen junction. This crackdown…

  • Search continues for British man missing in southern Thailand

    Search continues for British man missing in southern Thailand

    A 24 year old British man went missing yesterday while kayaking in a canal near the Rajjaprabha Dam, also known as the Cheow Lan Dam, in the southern province of Surat Thani. Supot Juinark, the director of Khao Sok National Park, reported to officers at Ban Ta Khun Police Station around 12:30pm yesterday, February 11, that 24 year old Englishman…

  • Social media debate ignites over adverse housing estate possession

    Social media debate ignites over adverse housing estate possession

    The legal concept of adverse possession, originally established to allow the utilisation of neglected or abandoned land, has recently sparked controversy on social media following a dispute involving a couple and an uninvited occupant on their property. The couple discovered that their wedding gift, a house in a housing estate, had been occupied and altered by someone claiming a long-standing…

  • Chinese man falls to his death at Pattaya condo after wife dispute

    Chinese man falls to his death at Pattaya condo after wife dispute

    A Chinese man yesterday joined the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the 18th floor of a condominium in the popular seaside resort. The motive for his tragic decision is believed to be a dispute with his wife. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Rescue Foundation visited The Base…

  • Thailand lottery fever heats up: Friday draw sparks fortune frenzy

    Thailand lottery fever heats up: Friday draw sparks fortune frenzy

    Thailand lottery fever heats up for enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the latest draw on Friday with various sources hinting at the numbers that may bring good fortune. The collective buzz around these predictions gathers momentum, capturing the imagination of those hoping to strike it lucky. Channel 3’s Chinese calendar lottery numbers are generating excitement this cycle. The calendar, featuring news presenters…

  • TasteAtlas triumph: Kanom Krok flips to victory as top ASEAN pancake

    TasteAtlas triumph: Kanom Krok flips to victory as top ASEAN pancake

    Online foodie travel guide TasteAtlas ranked Thai dessert Kanom Krok as the fourth best pancake in the world. Additionally, the delectable dessert was crowned champion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). TasteAtlas last week released its list of Top 85 Pancakes in the World on its platform with one of Thailand’s much-loved desserts, Kanom Krok, high on the…

  • Naga’s eyes open wide: Cave ceremony stuns Thailand devotees

    Naga’s eyes open wide: Cave ceremony stuns Thailand devotees

    A ceremony to reveal the eyes of the Naga statues in the Ruesi Sombat Cave in the Phetchabun province caused astonishment among devotees. The event, led by the head monk of the Sombat Cave, Phra Ajarn Sakol Kosolo, and witnessed by over 300 participants, involved rituals to honour deities and sacred entities. The cave, with historical significance dating back to…