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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  • AirAsia spreads its wings with new Bangkok–Hai Phong route | Thaiger

    AirAsia spreads its wings with new Bangkok–Hai Phong route

    AirAsia has officially launched its brand-new direct route between Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport and the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong, offering four flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. To mark the inaugural journey, vibrant welcome events were held at both Don Mueang and Hai Phong International Airport, with excited passengers greeted by celebratory activities and…

  • Honey trap! Love-struck Pakistani youths kidnapped in Thailand | Thaiger

    Honey trap! Love-struck Pakistani youths kidnapped in Thailand

    In a shocking “honey trap” scandal, three young Pakistani men have fallen victim to a sly scheme set by Indian women in Thailand. Usman Amin, Muhammad Ahmed, and Tajammul Shehzad, hailing from Sahiwal, were swept off their feet by the women via phone conversations before jetting off on what was meant to be an exciting adventure. They departed on May…

  • Flash floods hit Nan province amid heavy rainfall warning (video) | Thaiger

    Flash floods hit Nan province amid heavy rainfall warning (video)

    Heavy rainfall throughout the day and night has triggered flash floods, inundating homes in Nan province. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its first warning, highlighting the potential impact on several provinces. The event occurred today, July 17, when a Facebook page named Nan released a video showing flash floods sweeping through houses in Ban Nam Sod, Thung Chang…

  • Landmine blast injures 3 soldiers near Thai-Cambodian border | Thaiger

    Landmine blast injures 3 soldiers near Thai-Cambodian border

    A border patrol mission turned into a nightmare after three Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine blast in a former conflict zone near Hill 481 in the Chong Bok area in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Military sources say the men are lucky to be alive. At around 8pm yesterday, July 16, Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the…

  • Tuk tuk blitz nets 800 drivers in Bangkok mall clampdown | Thaiger

    Tuk tuk blitz nets 800 drivers in Bangkok mall clampdown

    More than 800 tuk tuk drivers have been busted for clogging traffic outside Bangkok’s busiest malls in just the first half of July, as police ramp up efforts to clear key roads of the iconic but unruly three-wheeled rides. Police Colonel Sirichat Chanpromma of Pathumwan Police Station confirmed that from July 1 to 15, a staggering 824 tuk tuks were…

  • Teenage tycoon’s stolen motorbike empire gets punctured in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Teenage tycoon’s stolen motorbike empire gets punctured in Pattaya

    He styled himself the “Little Tycoon” and ran a lucrative racket flogging stolen motorbikes but this teenage crime boss’s empire in Pattaya came crashing down in a cassava field after a dramatic police sting. Thai police busted a notorious motorcycle theft gang in a remote Bang Lamung plantation, arresting two suspects including a 17 year old ringleader nicknamed “Little Tycoon”…

  • State Railway of Thailand ticket system shutdown for upgrades | Thaiger

    State Railway of Thailand ticket system shutdown for upgrades

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced a temporary shutdown of its ticketing and seat reservation system, known as D-Ticket, which was scheduled for today from 12.30am to 1.30am. This maintenance aimed to enhance service efficiency. The SRT has apologised for any inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension. The system underwent improvements to further develop its capabilities today, July 17,…

  • Drug dealer arrested in Phanom for selling meth to students | Thaiger

    Drug dealer arrested in Phanom for selling meth to students

    In Phanom district, Surat Thani, police and local officials apprehended a drug dealer accused of selling methamphetamine pills to students. This action followed a random drug test at a school, which revealed that some students had tested positive for drugs yesterday, July 16. The operation was led by Surat Thani Governor Theeruth Supawiboonphon, alongside acting Lieutenant Somchai Rueangchan, Surat Thani…

  • Howl of shame: Foreigner accused of burying Siberian Husky alive in Phuket | Thaiger

    Howl of shame: Foreigner accused of burying Siberian Husky alive in Phuket

    Foreign residents in the Rawai sub-district of Phuket rescued a Siberian Husky yesterday, July 16, after it was allegedly buried alive by its foreign owner. The dog and its parents are now under the care of a non-profit organisation. A foreign woman contacted the administrator of the Facebook page ขยะมรสุม MONSOONGARBAGE THAILAND to report the incident. She explained that she…

  • Electricity rates review set as Thailand aims to cap prices | Thaiger

    Electricity rates review set as Thailand aims to cap prices

    The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will gather public input on the new electricity rate for the upcoming September to December period, the last quarter of this year. This initiative, scheduled for today, aims to ensure electricity prices align with government policies. Yesterday, July 16, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Prasert Sinsukprasert announced that the ERC will open discussions…

  • Fried and conned! Chancer nicks nosh from Pattaya food vendor | Thaiger

    Fried and conned! Chancer nicks nosh from Pattaya food vendor

    A kind-hearted Pattaya food vendor was left gutted after a fast-talking freeloader made off with five takeaway meals, without handing over a single baht. The victim, Aranya, who runs a humble roadside food stall on Soi Nern Plub Wan, is fuming after being duped by a customer who vanished with a bellyful of grub worth nearly 500 baht. The cheeky…

  • Bedridden woman found dead after robbery in Ratchaburi | Thaiger

    Bedridden woman found dead after robbery in Ratchaburi

    A bedridden woman was found dead in her home after being stabbed multiple times during a robbery in Ratchaburi province. The caretaker, who recently returned borrowed money to the victim, discovered her body at 4.45pm yesterday, July 16. Police Colonel Teerapong Sa-ard, an investigator from Baan Pong District Police Station, responded to the incident at house number 81/1, Moo 9,…

  • Thai House passes amnesty bills but snubs lese majeste cases | Thaiger

    Thai House passes amnesty bills but snubs lese majeste cases

    Thailand’s lower house approved three Promote Peaceful Society amnesty bills in their first readings yesterday, but rejected two others backed by the People’s Party and civil society networks, sparking criticism for excluding those charged under the kingdom’s harsh royal defamation laws. The passed bills, tabled by MPs from the United Thai Nation (UTN), Klatham, and Bhumjaithai parties, garnered overwhelming support.…

  • Contractor from Surin scoops 12 million baht in lottery | Thaiger

    Contractor from Surin scoops 12 million baht in lottery

    A 53 year old contractor from Surin province has become a multimillionaire after winning 12 million baht from the national lottery. Yesterday, July 16, family and locals gathered at Saman Butsri’s residence in Samrong village to congratulate him on his newfound fortune after buying the winning tickets earlier that day. According to Saman, a lottery vendor visited his home that…

  • Blazing squad! Foreigner’s 4×4 goes up in smoke on Pattaya street | Thaiger

    Blazing squad! Foreigner’s 4×4 goes up in smoke on Pattaya street

    A startled foreign driver was left red-faced, and nearly well-done, after his SUV burst into flames on a busy Pattaya road at lunchtime, triggering a dramatic roadside rescue. Emergency crews and volunteers raced to Thai Udom Road in Naklua just after midday, yesterday, July 16, responding to reports of a car fire at the intersection with Phothisan Road. When they…

  • Red flags at the border: Thai senator calls for crackdown committee | Thaiger

    Red flags at the border: Thai senator calls for crackdown committee

    Thailand’s border tensions are escalating, and Senator Sawat Thatsana is calling for urgent action. Citing increased incursions, unresolved territorial disputes, and rising unrest in the Deep South, he is urging the Senate to establish a special committee to address the growing security crisis, strengthen cross-border relations, and safeguard long-term peace. Speaking yesterday, July 16, Senator Sawat pointed to several flashpoints…

  • 9 karaoke bar workers arrested for assault on British tourist in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    9 karaoke bar workers arrested for assault on British tourist in Chiang Mai

    Police arrested nine karaoke bar workers in Chiang Mai for the gang assault of a British tourist yesterday, July 16, following a dispute over alleged overcharging. Officers from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station responded to public concerns after a video of the attack went viral on Thai social media. The footage showed a group of Thai men, along with one…

  • Thai health officials warn against dangerous kids’ pimple popper toy | Thaiger

    Thai health officials warn against dangerous kids’ pimple popper toy

    The Department of Health (DoH) has initiated a campaign to protect children from dangerous toys, including a new item dubbed the “pimple popper.” The campaign was introduced at the department’s Data Centre with participation from the Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand, the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Centre, and the Foundation for Consumers. Director General Amporn Benjapolpitak expressed…

  • Udder chaos as milk van collides with drunk driver in Pattaya crash | Thaiger

    Udder chaos as milk van collides with drunk driver in Pattaya crash

    A drunk driver, a milk truck, and a dodgy U-turn, left three people injured in a spectacular smash at a notorious Pattaya junction, just days after another horror crash left a pedestrian fighting for his life. Pattaya’s streets turned chaotic yet again after two pickup trucks collided in a violent early morning crash at the Match Factory intersection on the…

  • Bangkok set to get soaked as rain reigns over Thai 46 provinces | Thaiger

    Bangkok set to get soaked as rain reigns over Thai 46 provinces

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a weather forecast, warning of heavy rainfall across 46 provinces, including Bangkok, which is expected to experience rain in 70% of its area. Residents are advised to remain cautious of potential flash floods and landslides. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are anticipated in parts of the northern, central, and eastern regions, particularly affecting Mae…

  • Chiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place

    Thailand has cemented its status as a tourism heavyweight after Chiang Mai was officially crowned Asia’s best city for 2025, leaving travel-hungry globetrotters buzzing with excitement. The prestigious ranking, released by Travel + Leisure, placed Chiang Mai at the very top of its coveted list, scoring a remarkable 91.94 out of 100. Bangkok wasn’t far behind, clinching third place with…

  • Coway defends purifier quality after coliform bacteria claim by Thai celebrity | Thaiger

    Coway defends purifier quality after coliform bacteria claim by Thai celebrity

    Renowned water purifier brand Coway reassured customers about the quality of its products after a Thai female celebrity claimed the water from her device contained high levels of coliform bacteria. The celebrity, Chanya Tamada, shared her concerns in a Facebook post on July 8, alleging that the water produced by her Coway purifier did not meet the advertised standards. Chanya…

  • Fight for the future: Phuket steps up Muay Thai game with training blitz | Thaiger

    Fight for the future: Phuket steps up Muay Thai game with training blitz

    Phuket kicked off a major push to raise the bar in Thailand’s most iconic martial art, as dozens of aspiring coaches began intensive training to earn their official Muay Thai credentials. Today, July 16, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) held the opening ceremony for the C-License Muay Thai Coach Training Project at the Bukitta Boutique Hotel in Phuket. The…

  • Farm fury erupts as US trade demands threaten Thai agriculture | Thaiger

    Farm fury erupts as US trade demands threaten Thai agriculture

    Thailand is under mounting pressure as trade talks with the United States teeter on the edge of crisis, with farmers warning that Washington’s demands could devastate local agriculture and threaten national food security. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed today, July 16, that negotiations remain deadlocked as the US pushes Thailand to slash tariffs on pork, chicken,…

  • Thailand opens bidding for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail 2026 | Thaiger

    Thailand opens bidding for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail 2026

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to open the bidding process for the high-speed railway project between Bangkok and Nong Khai in the third quarter of 2026. SRT chief Veerath Amrapal led a public consultation meeting to introduce the study, review, and analysis of the project’s bidding documents. This initiative, part of the Thai-Chinese collaboration, aims to align…

  • Thailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis | Thaiger

    Thailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis

    Thailand has launched an urgent crackdown on toxic cross-border pollution after dangerous levels of heavy metals were detected flowing into northern rivers from Myanmar, sparking fears of a looming health and environmental disaster. Yesterday, July 15, the Cabinet officially endorsed recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to protect communities along the Kok and Sai rivers, where contamination has…

  • Woman captured after 16 years on the run for aunt’s murder | Thaiger

    Woman captured after 16 years on the run for aunt’s murder

    A woman has been apprehended after evading capture for over 16 years in connection with the murder of her aunt, following a family dispute over an inheritance. Yesterday, July 15, police arrested 47 year old Woraporn in Nakhon Pathom province under a warrant issued by Pathum Thani Provincial Court on February 5, 2009, for charges of collaborative murder and concealing…

  • 20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks | Thaiger

    20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks

    Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…

  • Topless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka | Thaiger

    Topless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka

    A Thai transwoman has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence after strutting topless down a popular Sri Lankan surf strip, sparking outrage among conservative locals. The 26 year old tourist was arrested on Monday, July 14, in Arugam Bay, a laid-back beach resort nearly 400 kilometres from Colombo, after social media videos showed her strolling along the sand bare-chested.…

  • Pattaya races to finish mega drainage project before next deluge | Thaiger

    Pattaya races to finish mega drainage project before next deluge

    Pattaya City officials are scrambling to beat the clock as they push to complete a massive drainage overhaul aimed at finally taming the floods that turn roads into rivers every rainy season. The ambitious project, centred along the railway parallel road, will link a giant new pipeline directly to the Huai Yai municipal canal. Once operational, the system is expected…