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.

  • 5 year old Thai girl rescued after repeated abuse by stepmother | Thaiger

    5 year old Thai girl rescued after repeated abuse by stepmother

    A non-profit organisation rescued a five year old Thai girl yesterday, December 11, after suffering repeated abuse by her stepmother in the Bang Khun Thian area of Bangkok. The rescue was carried out by Be One organisation, led by its founder, Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart. Ton Or said a neighbour who witnessed the abuse for years finally decided to seek help…

  • The transport company offers New Year promotion to travellers | Thaiger

    The transport company offers New Year promotion to travellers

    Travellers heading away for the New Year may be in for a pleasant surprise as Thailand’s Transport Company has announced a special promotion to make holiday journeys easier and more affordable. The state-owned Transport Company Limited is offering a New Year’s gift to passengers with a 20% discount on tickets purchased under the “Go Before – Return Later” promotion. This…

  • Thai woman killed as pickup spins into Pathum Thani bus stop | Thaiger

    Thai woman killed as pickup spins into Pathum Thani bus stop

    A Thai woman was killed after a pickup truck lost control and spun into a bus stop in Pathum Thani province yesterday morning, December 11. Officers from Thanyaburi Police Station were called to investigate the fatal accident at around 8am at a bus stop on Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok Road in the Thanyaburi district. Rescue workers later found the body of the…

  • Thai woman shoots ex-husband after alleged break-in at Ayutthaya home | Thaiger

    Thai woman shoots ex-husband after alleged break-in at Ayutthaya home

    A Thai woman claimed self-defence after shooting her ex-husband who allegedly broke into her home in Ayutthaya yesterday, December 11. Officers from Bang Pa-in Police Station, along with rescuers from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Foundation, were called to a house in the Sam Ruean sub-district of Bang Pa-in district at around 10am following reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers…

  • Foreign trio returns to Thailand to reunite with childhood driver after five decades | Thaiger

    Foreign trio returns to Thailand to reunite with childhood driver after five decades

    A touching reunion in Ubon Ratchathani province has captured widespread attention after two foreign men and a woman returned to Thailand to reunite with a tricycle driver who cared for them when they were young children more than five decades ago. The search began after Facebook user Siw Pittaya Chaisongkhram released an appeal video on Monday, December 8, explaining that…

  • Thailand video news | Thailand’s parliament dissolved ahead of February vote, Thai tourism industry seeks clear guidelines on new immigration enforcement | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Thailand’s parliament dissolved ahead of February vote, Thai tourism industry seeks clear guidelines on new immigration enforcement

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes the dissolution of Parliament ahead of a new round of elections, the arrest of two Indian brothers in Phuket linked to a deadly nightclub fire in Goa, and, later on, the tourism industry’s call for clearer guidelines on new immigration enforcement. Thailand’s…

  • Embassy intervenes after Thais barred from crossing back from Cambodia | Thaiger

    Embassy intervenes after Thais barred from crossing back from Cambodia

    The Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh sent an urgent letter to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior after Thai nationals in Cambodia were reportedly barred from returning home through the Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. Officials from the Thai-Cambodian Border Coordination Office told Thai PBS on Wednesday, December 11, that Cambodian authorities at the Ban Khlong Luek…

  • Thai activist sentenced to 46 years for Facebook posts | Thaiger

    Thai activist sentenced to 46 years for Facebook posts

    Thai activist, Mongkol Thirakhot, or Busbas, has been sentenced to 46 years in prison by the Supreme Court for his social media posts. The final ruling was delivered yesterday, December 11, at Chiang Rai Provincial Court. Mongkol is a 32 year old former clothing seller turned political activist who is convicted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as…

  • PM Anutin dissolves parliament, says he wants to ‘return power to the people’ | Thaiger

    PM Anutin dissolves parliament, says he wants to ‘return power to the people’

    Thai Prime Minister (PM) Anutin Charnvirakul announced the dissolution of Parliament late last night, December 11, saying he wanted to “return power to the people.” At around 10pm, Anutin posted a brief message on his Facebook account confirming that his government had submitted a request to dissolve the House of Representatives for royal approval, and the request was officially approved…

  • Digital Economy Minister defends mother over PDPA controversy | Thaiger

    Digital Economy Minister defends mother over PDPA controversy

    Today, December 11, Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob defended his mother over a controversial social media post that revealed someone’s personal information online, insisting that she did not break any laws under Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). The post came after someone online criticised the Chidchob family, accusing them of being involved with illegal casinos in Cambodia. In response,…

  • Mixed reactions after foreign rider condemned for illegal U-turn in Phuket | Thaiger

    Mixed reactions after foreign rider condemned for illegal U-turn in Phuket

    Thai netizens shared mixed reactions after a Phuket driver condemned a foreign rider for making an illegal U-turn over a traffic island. The Thai driver posted dashcam footage of the incident on his Facebook account, Wongwit Sand. The clip was later reshared by Newshawk Phuket Facebook page, which supported Wongwit’s criticism writing… “Foreigner tries bringing death to himself, making a…

  • Vietnam protests after Thailand shows wrong flag again at SEA Games | Thaiger

    Vietnam protests after Thailand shows wrong flag again at SEA Games

    Vietnam reportedly lodged a formal complaint today, December 11, after Thailand once again displayed the wrong national flag during a 2025 SEA Games event, marking the third flag error since the competition began. The first mistake surfaced when the official SEA Games Facebook page posted graphics for football and futsal fixtures, showing Laos’ flag in place of Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s…

  • Tourism operators calls for clarity on new Thai immigration rules | Thaiger

    Tourism operators calls for clarity on new Thai immigration rules

    Tourism operators want Thai authorities to clearly publicise new immigration rules after a rise in the number of tourists being denied entry. The concerns follow new measures introduced by the Immigration Bureau to crack down on multiple visa runs and prevent the misuse of visa-free entry. The updated rules aim to stop foreigners from entering the country while engaging in…

  • Prostitution crackdown: Thai masseuse arrested for offering ‘special massage’ | Thaiger

    Prostitution crackdown: Thai masseuse arrested for offering ‘special massage’

    Police arrested a masseuse in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, December 10, for offering sex services inside a massage shop, though the suspect insisted the shop owner and other staff had no involvement. Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) received a tip-off about prostitution taking place at a massage shop in the Non Sung district. To verify the information, police…

  • Lisa joins Met Gala 2026 host committee alongside global stars | Thaiger

    Lisa joins Met Gala 2026 host committee alongside global stars

    Thai K-pop superstar Lalisa Manoban, or Lisa Blackpink, has been named to the host committee for one of the world’s most prestigious fashion events at the Met Gala 2026. The announcement was made ahead of the year’s end and confirmed Lisa’s involvement in shaping the direction of next year’s gala as part of the host committee, alongside several international artists…

  • Thai netizens demand probe after Chinese tourist catches fish in Phuket for fun | Thaiger

    Thai netizens demand probe after Chinese tourist catches fish in Phuket for fun

    Thai netizens are questioning authorities after a viral video showed a Chinese tourist catching vibrant fish in the Phuket sea for fun, with many voicing concerns over animal abuse and suspicions that she may have travelled with an illegal Chinese-run tour operator. A Thai woman spotted the video on Douyin and forwarded it to well-known blogger Luijeen, who shared screenshots…

  • Thailand video news | Cambodia pulls out of SEA Games, Government considers Disneyland-style attraction | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Cambodia pulls out of SEA Games, Government considers Disneyland-style attraction

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The lineup includes updates on how rising Thai–Cambodian tensions are impacting the Southeast Asian Games, a remarkable six incidents involving foreigners behaving badly, and finally, a look at whether the Kingdom of Thailand could soon become the Magic Kingdom of Thailand. Disney fans, you’ll want…

  • Thai man killed by falling rock after entering stone mill zone for video content | Thaiger

    Thai man killed by falling rock after entering stone mill zone for video content

    A falling rock from a stone mill operation killed a Thai man who had climbed a mountain in Phatthalung with a friend to film social media content on Tuesday, December 9. The victim, 29 year old Ritthikiat, suffered a severe head injury after rocks rained down during a routine explosion at the Run Mountain stone mill site in the Khuan…

  • Phuket on high alert for floods, landslides and strong waves | Thaiger

    Phuket on high alert for floods, landslides and strong waves

    Phuket issued a warning for flash floods and landslides as heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across southern Thailand from December 11 to 16. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) announced that intense rainfall is expected throughout the South, prompting Phuket to order all relevant agencies to remain on full alert for floods, flash floods, landslides, and…

  • 2 more Thai soldiers killed in border clashes, Sa Kaeo imposes curfew | Thaiger

    2 more Thai soldiers killed in border clashes, Sa Kaeo imposes curfew

    Two more Thai soldiers lost their lives in the escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia yesterday, December 10, bringing the total number of Thai casualties to seven. Sa Kaeo province imposes a nighttime curfew for public safety. The renewed fighting since Sunday, December 7, has spread across four border provinces, Buriram, Si Saket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani, with fatalities…

  • Trump to intervene in renewed Thailand-Cambodia conflict | Thaiger

    Trump to intervene in renewed Thailand-Cambodia conflict

    Following a successful brokering of a ceasefire in July, which ended a five-day conflict between the two countries, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to intervene by phone call after fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued into its third day today, December 10. In an interview yesterday, December 9, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said he doubts…

  • Indian brothers behind deadly nightclub fire in Goa reportedly hide in Phuket | Thaiger

    Indian brothers behind deadly nightclub fire in Goa reportedly hide in Phuket

    Two Indian brothers reportedly fled to Phuket to evade legal consequences after a fire at their nightclub in Goa, India, killed 25 people. BBC reported on Sunday, December 7, that the blaze erupted around midnight on Saturday, December 6, at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub on Baga Beach in Goa. The fire spread rapidly through the venue, leaving…

  • Reward posted as tourist who feeds wristband to sea turtle remains at large | Thaiger

    Reward posted as tourist who feeds wristband to sea turtle remains at large

    Marine officials expect a sea turtle that swallowed a tourist’s wristband to pass the object naturally within 30 to 40 days, while the suspect responsible remains at large. A video showing an unidentified tourist feeding a yellow wristband to a sea turtle went viral last month. The incident reportedly took place during a diving trip in Mu Ko Similan National…

  • Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games over safety concerns amid border clashes | Thaiger

    Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games over safety concerns amid border clashes

    Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand today, December 10, citing safety concerns from parents and guardians of athletes following the escalating clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. A small group of Cambodian athletes attended the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok yesterday, December 9. Cambodia had earlier confirmed it would send athletes to…

  • Thai government studies Disneyland project instead of casino complex | Thaiger

    Thai government studies Disneyland project instead of casino complex

    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed a new plan to bring Disneyland to Thailand, replacing the previously proposed entertainment complex. The earlier proposal introduced by the Pheu Thai Party aimed to create a large entertainment complex to boost tourism and the national economy. The project was expected to include theme parks, water parks, sports stadiums, concert…

  • Jamaican beauty queen in critical condition after stage fall in Thailand | Thaiger

    Jamaican beauty queen in critical condition after stage fall in Thailand

    The Miss Universe contestant from Jamaica is reportedly in critical condition after falling off the stage during the final round of the competition in Thailand last month. Gabrielle Henry, an ophthalmologist and Jamaica’s representative at Miss Universe 2025, suffered the fall while presenting her evening gown at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi during the finals in November. A viral…

  • Thailand video news | Trump calls for cease-fire respect, SEA Games begin under heavy security, Phuket taxi stunt draws backlash. | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Trump calls for cease-fire respect, SEA Games begin under heavy security, Phuket taxi stunt draws backlash.

    Today we’ll be talking about pressure from the White House for Thailand and Cambodia to honor their cease-fire deal, The kicking off of the Southeast Asian Games, and a little later some dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. Trump urges Thailand and Cambodia to respect cease-fire deal US President Donald Trump called on Thailand and Cambodia to honour the cease-fire agreement…

  • Cambodian rockets fall near Surin hospital, forcing evacuation | Thaiger

    Cambodian rockets fall near Surin hospital, forcing evacuation

    Cambodian troops allegedly targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin this morning, December 10, firing BM-21 rockets into the surrounding area and forcing medical staff and patients to evacuate for safety. According to an update from the 2nd Army Area, a total of six BM-21 rockets were launched into Thai territory at around 8.40am. Several rockets landed near the hospital…

  • Wrong flag, incorrect medal tally, and lip-sync error disrupt SEA Games opener | Thaiger

    Wrong flag, incorrect medal tally, and lip-sync error disrupt SEA Games opener

    The opening ceremony of the 2025 SEA Games at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium last night, December 9, sparked widespread criticism after a series of errors, including a wrong national flag, incorrect medal numbers, and a lip-sync mishap. Public scrutiny over this year’s SEA Games, Thailand’s seventh time hosting, began long before the ceremony. Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton”…

  • Tourist clarifies her story on flying into Don Mueang and being denied entry into Thailand | Thaiger

    Tourist clarifies her story on flying into Don Mueang and being denied entry into Thailand

    Following the recent article about a woman denied entry to Thailand over a lack of sufficient funds, our team talked to @kaotickaya for further clarification, and she provided additional context about what really happened at immigration. “Hi, thank you for getting back to me. Yes, here are the specific inaccuracies that need to be corrected:” “1. The caption currently states…