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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Yala police officers injured in devastating roadside bomb attack

    Yala police officers injured in devastating roadside bomb attack

    An explosive attack targeted a patrol vehicle in Yala province, resulting in severe injuries to three Border Patrol Police officers. The incident occurred while they were returning from a medical check-up in Yala city. One officer later succumbed to injuries, and two others remain in critical condition. The attack took place in Thanto district, Yala, affecting officers from the Border…

  • Good deed gone wrong: Thai woman flicks foreign man’s pet cockroach

    Good deed gone wrong: Thai woman flicks foreign man’s pet cockroach

    A Thai woman attempted to perform a good deed by removing a cockroach from the head of a foreign man, only for him to become angry as the insect was his pet. A video of the angry foreigner, in Kamphaeng Phet in upper central Thailand, circulated on Thai social media platforms over the past week. One of the news Facebook pages,…

  • Ayutthaya ordination ceremony draws crowd with elephants

    Ayutthaya ordination ceremony draws crowd with elephants

    A lively ordination ceremony took place at Wat Pom Raman, in Ayutthaya province for the son of Manoch and Anchalee Khaokaew, renowned proprietors of a religious supply store. Their son, Akkarawit Khaokaew, was ordained with grandeur, riding into the temple on an elephant amidst a vibrant procession. The event drew a lively crowd, including family, friends, and notable guests like…

  • DSI hunts 23 suspects after cyberattack on government websites

    DSI hunts 23 suspects after cyberattack on government websites

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday announced an intensification of its investigation into a major cyberattack that crippled 16 Thai government websites, disrupting online services across Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Chon Buri. The operation, dubbed Operation Shutdown Backlink, originally kicked off on October 29, 2024, when a group of hackers breached government websites. The hackers redirected traffic to illegal…

  • Drunk driver in Lamphun mows down mechanic in pre-dawn smash

    Drunk driver in Lamphun mows down mechanic in pre-dawn smash

    A Phayao mechanic lost his life in a fatal collision in Lamphun province early this morning after a pickup truck, driven by an individual with a blood alcohol level of 240 milligrammes, veered off the road and struck his motorbike. Police from Ban Hong district in Chiang Mai today, April 28, received reports of a vehicle collision on the Li-Lamphun…

  • Foreign Lamborghini driver condemned for dangerous driving

    Foreign Lamborghini driver condemned for dangerous driving

    Thai netizens condemned a foreigner in a Lamborghini caught driving dangerously through Phuket. Accusations are flying, with locals alleging that police allow wealthy foreigners to dodge justice by flashing cash. A Thai driver captured the heated exchange with the foreign man and his Thai wife, sharing the explosive video on the Phuket Times Facebook page. The page subsequently shared the…

  • Misunderstanding over alleged child abduction in Saraburi clarified

    Misunderstanding over alleged child abduction in Saraburi clarified

    A misunderstanding involving an alleged child abduction gang in Saraburi surfaced after CCTV footage captured the incident. The people involved claimed it was merely playful behaviour. A shop owner supported their statement, and they plan to meet the police yesterday, April 27. The incident began when a Facebook user shared a video showing three men in a white box truck.…

  • Fugitive ferry fiend finally caught after 15-year hunt

    Fugitive ferry fiend finally caught after 15-year hunt

    After evading capture for over 15 years, a former ferry conductor from Khlong Saen Saep has been apprehended for luring and assaulting a 13 year old regular passenger. The incident occurred in a hotel room where the victim was later threatened into silence. Today, April 28, Police Major General Songklot Krikkritaya, commander of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, ordered the arrest…

  • Three Uyghurs relocated to Canada after decade-long detention in Thailand

    Three Uyghurs relocated to Canada after decade-long detention in Thailand

    Three Uyghurs, formerly held at Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, have been relocated to a third country, finally putting an end to an extended diplomatic situation lasting over ten years. As confirmed by government and diplomatic sources, the Uyghurs have been transferred to Canada, following an agreement between Thai and Canadian officials. These individuals had been detained since 2014. This…

  • Chokchai miracle coin consecration draws large crowd in Kamphaeng Phet

    Chokchai miracle coin consecration draws large crowd in Kamphaeng Phet

    A significant turnout was observed at Wat Nam Dib as devotees gathered for the consecration ceremony, known as Phutthaphisek, of the Wat Nam Dib temple’s latest amulet, the Chokchai miracle coin. The ceremony, led by Phra Khru Phalat “Chokchai” Chaiwuttho, drew a large crowd of disciples and admirers, highlighting the amulet’s popularity. The event took place at the Boonphakdee Buddhist…

  • Gunman arrested after killing 17 year old girl over glance exchange

    Gunman arrested after killing 17 year old girl over glance exchange

    Lam Luk Ka Police Station officers arrested a Thai gunman who killed a 17 year old girl at the weekend following an exchange of glances at a barbecue restaurant in the central province of Pathum Thani on April 20. The 17 year old victim, Wanwisa, also known as Tangmo, lost her life after a fatal shooting on a road in…

  • Jailhouse rocks: Thai police go viral for cheeky prison check-in

    Jailhouse rocks: Thai police go viral for cheeky prison check-in

    Wang Noi Provincial Police Station’s Facebook page today shared a humorous post showcasing their prison cell facilities. The post featured two police officers standing inside a jail cell and playfully described the cell’s features and conditions for a check-in. The post invited readers to consider a stay in a loft-style bare concrete room, measuring 31 square metres, complete with a…

  • Foreign Instagrammer slammed for climbing Bangkok’s ghost tower

    Foreign Instagrammer slammed for climbing Bangkok’s ghost tower

    Both Thai and international netizens criticised a foreign Instagrammer and his friend for breaking into and climbing the renowned ghost tower in Bangkok. The Instagram user, @ryan_rrobertson, shared a video of himself and his friend climbing multiple skyscrapers in various countries. His most recent video showed them at the top of the famous Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok. The property…

  • Phatthalung real estate agent found dead at home

    Phatthalung real estate agent found dead at home

    A 69 year old female real estate agent was discovered dead in her home in the Thung Mai community of Phatthalung province. The body was found yesterday, April 27, after neighbours noticed unusual behaviour and reported it to police. Officers from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, along with rescue officials, responded to the call at 2.30pm. They accessed the single-storey home through…

  • Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans

    Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans

    Pattaya is seeing a noticeable decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, a shift met with mixed feelings by locals and long-term visitors. Business owners reliant on mass tourism have voiced concern, while many European tourists and residents are quietly welcoming the change. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that daily Chinese arrivals in Pattaya have fallen to around 5,000, compared…

  • Toyota Vios driver shoots truck driver in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    Toyota Vios driver shoots truck driver in Prachuap Khiri Khan

    In a shocking early morning showdown, a Toyota Vios driver unleashed six bullets at a truck driver, leaving him critically injured. The dramatic incident unfolded yesterday, April 27, on Phetkasem Road’s southbound stretch near kilometre marker 315 + 600 in the heart of Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan district. The gunman later handed himself over to the police. The car involved,…

  • PP urges govt to drop charges against US academic for tariff talks

    PP urges govt to drop charges against US academic for tariff talks

    The People’s Party (PP), currently in opposition, is advocating for the government to drop charges against American academic Paul Chambers, highlighting its potential impact on tariff negotiations with the United States. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has associated the delay in tariff discussions with US national security concerns. He also referred to legal cases involving Americans, possibly alluding to the…

  • Thailand video news | Chinese Man Arrested for Murder and Dismemberment of Trans Woman in Pattaya, Sword-Wielding Man Arrested After Violent Dispute in Phuket

    Thailand video news | Chinese Man Arrested for Murder and Dismemberment of Trans Woman in Pattaya, Sword-Wielding Man Arrested After Violent Dispute in Phuket

    Today’s regional news, Jay and Alex cover serious crime cases in Thailand, including a murder in Pattaya and public scandals involving tourists. Meanwhile, Thailand moves to modernise immigration procedures with a digital arrival card. Updates from across Southeast Asia also highlight major drug busts, public health initiatives, and trade negotiations shaping the region’s future. Chinese Man Arrested for Murder and…

  • 2 British men fined after clash with group of Thai men in Pattaya

    2 British men fined after clash with group of Thai men in Pattaya

    Two British men clashed with a group of Thai men at a convenience store in Pattaya and were ordered to pay 15,000 baht in compensation. The news Facebook page เจ๊มอย v+ (Jamoi v+) reported the incident yesterday, April 27, and attached a video of the altercation to the post. The initial cause of the confrontation was a road dispute between…

  • Crane accident in Bangkok injures two construction workers

    Crane accident in Bangkok injures two construction workers

    Two construction workers sustained injuries when a crane basket cable snapped, causing them to fall onto Pracharat Bamphen Road in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok. The incident yesterday, April 27, occurred near the Huai Khwang intersection. Police Colonel Prasopchok Iampinit, chief of Huai Khwang Police Station, along with Deputy Police Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekachai Malawanno, instructed Police Lieutenant Chaiya Weluwanarak…

  • Pickup truck crash in Chiang Mai injures eight tourists and locals

    Pickup truck crash in Chiang Mai injures eight tourists and locals

    A pickup truck carrying foreign tourists lost control on a downhill road, crashing into houses and injuring eight people, including six with minor injuries and two seriously. The incident occurred yesterday, April 27, near Mae Win Waterfall in Mae Win subdistrict, Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province. The police at Mae Wang station received reports of the accident and responded…

  • PPRP vows not to rejoin Thai government coalition

    PPRP vows not to rejoin Thai government coalition

    Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon affirmed that the PPRP will not re-enter the government coalition. He dispelled rumours suggesting that its MPs had defected to the coalition Kla Dharma Party. Yesterday, April 27, the same day PPRP unveiled a new party logo, Prawit denied any intentions among the party’s MPs to defect, noting that all members were present…

  • Purr-fect excuse: British driver blames cat for crashing BMW into Phuket restaurant

    Purr-fect excuse: British driver blames cat for crashing BMW into Phuket restaurant

    A British man yesterday claimed that he swerved to avoid hitting a cat, causing him to crash his BMW into a house and a restaurant on Kwang Road in Phuket. A Thai owner of a som tum stall on the Kwang Road in the Wichit sub-district of Phuket called officers from Wichit Police Station and rescuers from the Ruam Jai…

  • Boy shot dead by cousin after psychic’s chilling prediction

    Boy shot dead by cousin after psychic’s chilling prediction

    Police in Udon Thani are investigating the heartbreaking death of a 10 year old boy who was accidentally shot by his cousin, also aged 10, while playing with their grandfather’s antique gun. In a chilling twist, a fortune teller had reportedly predicted the youngster’s death, warning of danger after the boy survived several near-misses in the months leading up to…

  • Mall brawl: Shoppers pile on gold thief after getaway fail (video)

    Mall brawl: Shoppers pile on gold thief after getaway fail (video)

    A bungling gold thief thought he had struck it rich after grabbing a tray of necklaces in a packed shopping mall but his getaway flopped spectacularly when he tried to escape up a down escalator and was tackled by a heroic shopper. At 7pm, yesterday April 27, police were called to the dramatic robbery at Tamnak Thong 5 gold shop,…

  • US targets Thai exports for strict origin checks amid trade concerns

    US targets Thai exports for strict origin checks amid trade concerns

    The United States has identified 50 to 60 Thai products for stringent origin verification to prevent circumvention of trade regulations through false origin claims for exports to the US, as stated by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. He noted that the US is focusing on the issuance of certificates of origin (C/O) to prevent misuse of trade privileges granted to Thailand,…

  • Curry on thief: Pattaya market vendor fleeced by motorbike bandit

    Curry on thief: Pattaya market vendor fleeced by motorbike bandit

    A crafty crook made off with a Thai food vendor’s cash after pulling a sneaky stunt at a bustling Pattaya market. The police fear it’s just the latest in a growing trend of brazen street thefts. At 8.06am, yesterday, April 27, officers at Huai Yai Police Station were alerted to a snatch theft at Khao Mai Kaew Market, Pattaya. Patrol…

  • Brace yourselves: Thai-thunderstorm warning across 61 provinces

    Brace yourselves: Thai-thunderstorm warning across 61 provinces

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, April 28, forecasting severe thunderstorms across 61 provinces, with the northeastern region particularly affected. Residents are advised to exercise caution, avoid open areas, and beware of strong winds and possible hail. The TMD predicts that upper Thailand will experience summer storms, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and occasional…

  • Phuket seeks special local government organisation status

    Phuket seeks special local government organisation status

    Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, who leads the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, has submitted a proposal urging for Phuket to be designated as a special local government organisation. This occurred during a visit from a Senate subcommittee. The Senate Subcommittee on Decentralisation, Transfer of Missions and Governance for Local Administrative Organisations and Special Forms of Local Administration visited Phuket on April 23 to…

  • Man arrested after sword-wielding altercation in Phuket

    Man arrested after sword-wielding altercation in Phuket

    A man was apprehended in Phuket after wielding a sword during a roadside altercation on Chao Fa Suan Luang Road in Wichit previously on April 25. The incident stemmed from a dispute over a construction contract fee. Video footage widely circulated on social media depicted the victim, 46 year old Chatchai Sae-Ku, leaving his vehicle after it was rear-ended by…