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

    Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money

    Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...

  • Thailand’s air quality safe, Bangkok records lowest PM2.5 levels | Thaiger

    Thailand’s air quality safe, Bangkok records lowest PM2.5 levels

    In a rare twist of atmospheric fate, Thailand basked in pristine air quality this morning, with every province being given the green light for clean air by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Foremost among them, bustling Bangkok boasted the lowest levels of ultrafine dust in the nation, marking a refreshing change for the capital known for its…

  • Phatthalung man fires at ex-wife’s home, no injuries reported | Thaiger

    Phatthalung man fires at ex-wife’s home, no injuries reported

    Police in Phatthalung province yesterday responded to an incident involving a man who allegedly fired shots at his former wife’s residence, causing property damage but no injuries. The altercation took place in Mueang Phatthalung district, yesterday, February 9, with police actively pursuing legal action against the suspect. Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered shattered windows, doors, and damaged walls…

  • Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter | Thaiger

    Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter

    The third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution initiative is set to start in the second quarter of the year, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Pichai, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, mentioned that the system for fund distribution is undergoing testing this month and is expected to be fully operational in time for the…

  • Pattaya’s paradise stinks as tourists take toilet troubles seaside | Thaiger

    Pattaya’s paradise stinks as tourists take toilet troubles seaside

    Pattaya’s picturesque seaside spot, typically teeming with tourists seeking seaside breezes and a tipple, now smells more like a toilet after tourists resorted to pooping and peeing in public. Reports have surfaced of visitors, both Thai and foreign, resorting to relieving themselves, quite literally, in places more suited to parking than plumbing. Pattaya News reported today, February 10, on an…

  • Thai officials foil Myanmar solar panel, fuel smuggling attempts | Thaiger

    Thai officials foil Myanmar solar panel, fuel smuggling attempts

    Security personnel in the western province of Tak intercepted attempts to smuggle solar panels and fuel into Myanmar yesterday, February 9. This comes amid a Thai government directive to halt power and fuel exports to three Myanmar border towns, following a request from Chinese agencies concerned about scam operations targeting Chinese citizens. In the first incident, a patrol comprising soldiers,…

  • Abhisit warns Thai casino legalisation risks social harm | Thaiger

    Abhisit warns Thai casino legalisation risks social harm

    Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva directed criticism towards the Thai government’s plan to legalise casinos and online gambling, warning that it could exacerbate existing social issues. During a seminar focused on the drive to legalise gambling in Thailand, Abhisit described gambling as a significant social concern that has inflicted damage not only on individuals but also on their families. He…

  • Thai man goes on mall rampage over forgotten phone password | Thaiger

    Thai man goes on mall rampage over forgotten phone password

    A mentally ill Thai man went on a rampage at a shopping mall in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after a worker at an iCare store was unable to repair his phone because he could not remember his Apple ID password. A video of the incident was shared by several media outlets, showing his violent behaviour at the iCare…

  • Yingluck Shinawatra’s return to Thailand faces unresolved issues | Thaiger

    Yingluck Shinawatra’s return to Thailand faces unresolved issues

    Efforts to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Thailand continue, as her brother, Thaksin, indicates that several considerations must still be addressed before her possible return. Thaksin initially committed to her return during an interview last November, suggesting it could occur around this year’s Songkran festival. The 75 year old former PM expressed optimism regarding the…

  • Thaksin ready to tackle censure debate accusations | Thaiger

    Thaksin ready to tackle censure debate accusations

    Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his intention to address any inquiries or accusations made against him during the upcoming censure debate, anticipated to take place at the end of this month or early next month. Although he will not be physically present in the chamber to provide an immediate response, Thaksin assured reporters of his readiness to reply…

  • 85 year old Buriram woman revives 40 minutes after death | Thaiger

    85 year old Buriram woman revives 40 minutes after death

    Residents of Nang Rong district, Buriram province, were astounded by the miraculous revival of an 85 year old woman, who came back to life 40 minutes after being pronounced dead. The elderly woman, identified as Phua Sriphadung, surprised her family as she sat up during preparations for her body to be moved to a nearby temple for religious ceremonies. She…

  • 5 foreigners, 2 Thais arrested at illegal nurseries and Muay Thai gym | Thaiger

    5 foreigners, 2 Thais arrested at illegal nurseries and Muay Thai gym

    Police arrested five foreigners and two Thai citizens at illegal nurseries and a Muay Thai training gym in Phuket on Friday, February 7. Phuket Provincial Police officers raided three suspicious businesses in the province on Friday, including two nurseries in the Thalang district and a Muay Thai training gym in the Mueang district. At the first nursery, police encountered 10…

  • Thailand’s capital relocation proposal faces opposition | Thaiger

    Thailand’s capital relocation proposal faces opposition

    A proposal by a lawmaker from the Pheu Thai Party for the relocation of Thailand’s capital to Nakhon Ratchasima has been met with opposition from a House study. The study suggests that such a move would require a significant budget and a referendum for decision-making. The Interior Ministry, tasked with forming a House committee to examine the proposal, indicated that the…

  • Thailand video news | Brit beaten by Thai bar girls over unpaid bill, Three British nationals arrested for cocaine smuggling in Bali | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Brit beaten by Thai bar girls over unpaid bill, Three British nationals arrested for cocaine smuggling in Bali

    Today’s Good Morning Thailand brings a roundup of major stories from across Thailand and the region. The program covers a dramatic incident in Pattaya, where a British tourist was assaulted over an unpaid bill, as well as corruption allegations at Phuket Airport. In Pathum Thani, an LGBTQ protest erupted after a violent attack, while a Russian beauty queen faces detention…

  • Thailand rolls out Valentine’s plan: Free condoms for teenagers | Thaiger

    Thailand rolls out Valentine’s plan: Free condoms for teenagers

    Today, at Government House, the Deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office unveiled a bold initiative from the Department of Disease Control: free condoms for teenagers. Marking Valentine’s Day as more than just hearts and flowers, this campaign aims to hammer home the message of safe sex and promote access to essential sexual health services among teenagers and young adults.…

  • 3 suspicious men spotted near scene of suitcase with dead body | Thaiger

    3 suspicious men spotted near scene of suitcase with dead body

    A local Thai woman encountered two suspicious vehicles and three dubious men near the scene where a suitcase containing a naked body was discovered in the eastern province of Rayong. A local fisherman noticed an unpleasant smell coming from the suitcase while fishing in a canal near a shopping mall in Rayong province on Friday, February 7, and decided to…

  • New Jurassic film set to boost Thai tourism and hotel bookings | Thaiger

    New Jurassic film set to boost Thai tourism and hotel bookings

    Tourism operators are optimistic that the new Jurassic franchise film, highlighting the natural attractions of southern Thailand, will draw tourists year-round. This has led to calls for a management plan to accommodate the expected visitor influx. The trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth showcases destinations in Krabi and Trang, including Koh Kradan and Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. The film is…

  • Thai police seize trucks in suspected drug-smuggling operation | Thaiger

    Thai police seize trucks in suspected drug-smuggling operation

    Thai police recently seized two pickup trucks intended for smuggling into Myanmar, allegedly linked to a scheme where Thai nationals steal vehicles in Thailand, exchange them for methamphetamine in Myanmar, and return to sell the drugs domestically. Yesterday, February 9, Police Colonel Yutthapong Klantakasuwan, commander of the Singhanath Task Force, directed Captain Sarawut Suwan, commander of Company 722, Singhanath Task…

  • Tragic murder-suicide in Phichit: Estranged couple found dead | Thaiger

    Tragic murder-suicide in Phichit: Estranged couple found dead

    A tragic incident occurred in Phichit province when a man fatally shot his estranged wife before taking his own life in a murder-suicide. The event unfolded in a dormitory on Phichit Bypass Road today, February 10 at 12.30am. Police were alerted to a shooting involving fatalities and injuries. Upon arrival, police found 22 year old Nutthaphon from Pa Makap subdistrict,…

  • Parents banned after attack on girl in Thai playground | Thaiger

    Parents banned after attack on girl in Thai playground

    A Facebook user shared CCTV footage of an incident at a local establishment showing a couple physically assaulting a young girl who accidentally collided with their child while playing. The establishment has since banned the parents, stating that their behaviour was unacceptable. The incident occurred yesterday, February 9, when the couple’s child was accidentally bumped by a young girl at…

  • Foreign TikToker goes viral for innocent mistake with Thai monks | Thaiger

    Foreign TikToker goes viral for innocent mistake with Thai monks

    A foreign man went viral on Thai social media for his TikTok video featuring an innocent mistake with two Thai monks at an airport in Thailand. The TikTok account @thibo_fockenoy shared a video of him requesting to take a picture with two Thai monks at the airport last week. The foreign man captioned the video, “Very loving people, though. #thailand…

  • 2 Thai LGBTQIA+ university students arrested for soup attack | Thaiger

    2 Thai LGBTQIA+ university students arrested for soup attack

    Police arrested two LGBTQIA+ university students in a soup attack on another student in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok on Friday, February 7, and denied their bail requests. The victim, whose name remains undisclosed, filed a complaint with Khlong Luang Police Station on Friday following the attack at a restaurant, reportedly over financial issues. At the station, the victim happened…

  • Phuket police turn up the heat on Peach Hill Resort fire probe | Thaiger

    Phuket police turn up the heat on Peach Hill Resort fire probe

    Phuket City Police have launched a probe into a fierce fire that ignited at the Peach Hill Resort on Laem Sai Road in Karon on the evening February 7. The flames spurred a dramatic emergency response, with local police and fire teams racing to the scene shortly after being alerted at around 6pm. The alarm bells first rang for Police…

  • Thai weather takes a chill pill up north while the south makes waves | Thaiger

    Thai weather takes a chill pill up north while the south makes waves

    Weather conditions across Thailand are expected to be significantly impacted by a moderate to strong cold air mass, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Today, February 10, cool to cold weather is anticipated in northern areas, while the south will experience strong monsoon conditions with rain and high waves at sea. The northeastern region will see cool to cold…

  • Russian tourist vows Pattaya return after cops catch thief | Thaiger

    Russian tourist vows Pattaya return after cops catch thief

    Na Jomtien officers have taken a bow after collaring a 40 year old Thai man accused of swiping a Russian tourist‘s valuables right from under his nose. The brazen beachside bandit targeted 45 year old Mr A, a Russian visitor enjoying a refreshing dip near a resort in the sunny enclave of Na Jomtien, Sattahip, Chon Buri. Mr A had…

  • Suphan Buri crackdown uncovers illegal pharmacy selling Tramadol | Thaiger

    Suphan Buri crackdown uncovers illegal pharmacy selling Tramadol

    In Suphan Buri, a crackdown on illegal pharmacies selling dangerous drugs under the guise of cannabis shops resulted in arrests by local administrative and public health officials. The operation targeted the sale of Tramadol, a controlled substance, to youths and the public. Yesterday, February 8, Chaiyathat Jessadapakkorn, chief of the drug suppression and social order task force in the Mueang…

  • Thai hostages return home after release by Hamas | Thaiger

    Thai hostages return home after release by Hamas

    Today, February 9, at 7.35am, five Thai hostages released by Hamas returned to Thailand, welcomed by foreign affairs minister Maris Sengiamphong at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The emotional reunion saw families embracing with tears of joy at the return of their loved ones. Maris expressed deep satisfaction at witnessing such heartfelt family reunions, noting the difficult years apart. Families mentioned their…

  • Phuket Airport staff under scrutiny for corruption but no formal probe yet | Thaiger

    Phuket Airport staff under scrutiny for corruption but no formal probe yet

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission‘s Phuket office clarified that no formal investigation has started regarding four Airports of Thailand management staff at Phuket International Airport, despite acknowledgements of corrupt conduct by the organisation. The NACC is still in the evidence-collection phase, with the staff in question retaining their positions. In late November last year, central NACC officials from Bangkok visited the…

  • Monitor lizard invades Bangkok home, elderly woman startled (video) | Thaiger

    Monitor lizard invades Bangkok home, elderly woman startled (video)

    A large monitor lizard unexpectedly entered a home, startling an elderly woman. Her daughter speculated the reptile was driven by a dog while attempting to steal eggs. The incident was captured on video and shared widely on social media. Yesterday, February 8, reporters visited the scene in the Bang Khun Thian coastal area of Bangkok, where the event occurred in…

  • Security guard killed in knife attack after altercation in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Security guard killed in knife attack after altercation in Bangkok

    A security guard was found dead following a confrontation with his estranged wife at an apartment complex in Thung Song Hong, Lak Si district, Bangkok, early today, February 9. The incident reportedly escalated when the man allegedly struck his wife with a gun, prompting her to retaliate with a knife, resulting in his death. The couple had been separated for…

  • Chiang Rai bans oil refueling into containers to combat crime | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai bans oil refueling into containers to combat crime

    Chiang Rai provincial officials issued an urgent directive prohibiting the refuelling of oil into containers such as jerry cans, with violators facing legal action. This measure aligns with the Thai government’s policy to combat call centre gangs. Yesterday, February 8, Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon, acting on behalf of the Chiang Rai governor, announced the directive dated February 7, stating that…