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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Tragic electrocution kills two in Nakhon Nayok tractor accident

    Tragic electrocution kills two in Nakhon Nayok tractor accident

    A tragic incident unfolded in Nakhon Nayok’s Pak Phli district, where a 32 year old fishpond owner, Porntep, and his 34 year old relative, Nitiphon, died due to electrocution following a tractor accident. The accident occurred yesterday, May 26, at 6.30pm near a fishpond in Mueang subdistrict, Pak Phli district, Nakhon Nayok province. Officers from the Pak Phli Police Station and…

  • Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya is proving that even the so-called low season cannot dim its vibrant appeal. With fresh urban upgrades and the ever-popular nearby island of Koh Larn continuing to attract visitors, this bustling city remains a favourite destination for both Thai and international travellers year-round. On Sunday, May 25, reporters visited Khao Phra Tamnak, also known as Naval Radio Station Hill,…

  • Foreign woman arrested for failing to pay bill at Phuket bar

    Foreign woman arrested for failing to pay bill at Phuket bar

    Police arrested a foreign woman at the weekend after she failed to pay a bill at a bar in Phuket and allegedly insulted Thai people. A Thai TikTok user, @tunroychannel, shared a video of the incident on on Sunday, May 25, with a caption that read, “Free visa tourist insults Thai people. She came to travel but did not have…

  • High-flyers grounded: British couple’s cannabis holiday smoked

    High-flyers grounded: British couple’s cannabis holiday smoked

    A British couple’s sun, sea and suitcase full of skunk getaway came crashing down at Valencia Airport after Spanish police found more than 33 kilogrammes of cannabis stuffed in their bags, with not a pair of flip flops or suncream in sight. The pair, who claimed to be tourists flying in from Thailand via France, were nabbed by eagle-eyed officers who…

  • Shop owner in Khlong Luang arrested for selling e-cigarettes to students

    Shop owner in Khlong Luang arrested for selling e-cigarettes to students

    Officials in Khlong Luang apprehended a shop owner who was allegedly using her grocery store as a front to sell e-cigarettes to students. The arrest followed complaints from parents yesterday, May 26. Apisara Kesinth, the district chief of Khlong Luang, directed Amornritthiphon Kheawrungruphet, the district security officer, along with volunteers from the Territorial Defence Volunteers, to investigate the allegations after…

  • Thai woman jumps from second floor after brutal boyfriend abuse

    Thai woman jumps from second floor after brutal boyfriend abuse

    A Thai woman jumped from the second floor of an apartment in the Isaan province of Udon Thani to seek help after enduring brutal abuse at the hands of her boyfriend on Saturday, May 24. The victim’s mother, 47 year old Supinya Aukkadee, shared details of the assault with several news agencies to draw attention to the case and secure…

  • Brace yourself: Fake dentist nabbed in Saraburi smile sting

    Brace yourself: Fake dentist nabbed in Saraburi smile sting

    Police in Saraburi province raided an illegal dental and fashion braces operation yesterday, uncovering unsanitary conditions. Police discovered a package sorting worker moonlighting as a fashion braces technician to earn extra income. Police Colonel Suriya Sudkankawan, the superintendent of Mueang Saraburi Police Station, directed Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Sethhanan Sethapakorn, along with an investigative police team and Saraburi public…

  • Teen gun and firecracker attacks spark Phuket crackdown

    Teen gun and firecracker attacks spark Phuket crackdown

    Seven people have been arrested for the gun attack on Saturday. Last weekend, a group of teenagers unleashed gunfire and massive firecrackers in Phuket, injuring two people. The trouble began late on Saturday night, May 24, in Soi Bang Thong 3, Kathu, when a gang of teenagers opened fire and hurled explosives. A 15 year old boy, Athinan Ruangsantidamrong, was…

  • SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    The Royal Gazette has announced new regulations from the Social Security Office (SSO) regarding a 900 baht refund for those insured in 55 affected provinces. This measure, effective today, May 27, aims to alleviate impacts from storms and floods between October 2024 and March 2025. The Ministry of Labour and the SSO have implemented measures to support businesses and insured…

  • Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 500,000 methamphetamine pills

    Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 500,000 methamphetamine pills

    The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in Din Daeng announced the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of 500,000 methamphetamine pills in Chiang Rai province. The suspects are linked to a drug trafficking network led by a former convict who had previously served 17 years in prison. Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lakboon, ONCB Secretary-General, yesterday, May 26,…

  • Thailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand is actively promoting its unique and high-quality rice varieties, with expectations that the Thailand Rice Convention will result in orders for 100,000 tonnes and generate revenue exceeding 2 billion baht. During the 10th Thailand Rice Convention 2025 held in Bangkok yesterday, May 26, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan emphasised the government’s dedication to advancing Thailand’s rice sector. The Ministry of…

  • 4 year old Thai boy rescued after seen smoking cigarette in viral video

    4 year old Thai boy rescued after seen smoking cigarette in viral video

    A Thai man sought help for a four year old boy after encountering the young child smoking a cigarette and playing alone under the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok. The man shared a video of the boy on his Facebook account, แฟร้งค์’ เฟิร์ต, yesterday, May 26, in the hope that a relevant government agency would intervene and provide the child…

  • Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    In a warm show of diplomacy and island hospitality, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzal paid a high-profile visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday, reaffirming her country’s commitment to deepening ties with the popular tourist province. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was more than just a polite exchange of pleasantries. According to an official report, it marked a…

  • Thailand video news | British tourists targeted in Thai drug mule scam, Cambodia delays opening of Techo International Airport

    Thailand video news | British tourists targeted in Thai drug mule scam, Cambodia delays opening of Techo International Airport

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver top stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. British tourists fall victim to drug mule scams, a fake mini-marathon in Bangkok leaves runners stranded, and coyote dancers in Samut Prakan face theft charges. Meanwhile, Pattaya sees two bizarre incidents involving a trans woman gang and a faked robbery. Koh Samui struggles…

  • Deadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Deadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has launched a high-profile vaccine campaign to combat influenza following Thailand’s deadly flu outbreak earlier this year. Held in the lobby of Building E, the BDMS Preventive Vaccine event drew attention not only for its critical public health message, but also for its star power. Thai actor Art Phasut Banyam and his mother took centre stage to…

  • Drunk foreign BMW driver crashes in Phang Nga, tries to bribe police

    Drunk foreign BMW driver crashes in Phang Nga, tries to bribe police

    A drunk BMW driver crashed into a road construction vehicle and a local’s car in the southern province of Phang Nga on Sunday, May 26, before attempting to bribe police officers to avoid legal consequences. Phuket Times reported that the accident occurred on the Khok Kloi–Phuket Road, near the Khok Kloi Bus Terminal, at 11.25am yesterday. The foreign couple in…

  • Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Efforts are underway by the government to have Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The announcement followed the 12th ASEAN Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM) in Bangkok, chaired by Attapol. The meeting included over 100…

  • Visa-vamps: Vietnamese sex workers steal Bangkok spotlight

    Visa-vamps: Vietnamese sex workers steal Bangkok spotlight

    Vietnamese sex workers have taken over the streets of Bangkok, with a bombshell report revealing there are now more of them plying their trade in Thailand than Thai prostitutes, and it’s all thanks to the kingdom’s easy-entry visa system. Channel 7 News lifted the lid on the capital’s growing sex-for-sale scandal, pointing the finger at generous tourist visa policies that…

  • Chon Buri restaurant assault leaves two Myanmar workers injured

    Chon Buri restaurant assault leaves two Myanmar workers injured

    In Chon Buri, a dispute between Myanmar employees at a local restaurant led to an assault involving a knife, resulting in injuries. The incident was reported to Pattaya City Police Station, where police are currently investigating the case. Today, May 27, two Myanmar nationals, 27 year old Aung Kyaw Thu and 25 year old Maunng Htan Bahardu, filed a complaint…

  • Thai teenage girl’s finger freed after 9 hours stuck in doorknob

    Thai teenage girl’s finger freed after 9 hours stuck in doorknob

    A rescue and medical team in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima successfully removed a 16 year old girl’s little finger after it was stuck in a doorknob for over nine hours. The teenager’s family rushed her to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital at around 1.50am yesterday, May 26, with a doorknob still attached to her little finger. The family attempted…

  • Soil search ends in heartbreak as boy, 11, loses fight for life

    Soil search ends in heartbreak as boy, 11, loses fight for life

    A Thai village has been left in mourning after an obese 11 year old boy with a bizarre craving for dirt tragically died following weeks of hospital treatment for a string of serious health issues. Nong Phum, from Dong Bang village in Nakhon Phanom province, became the focus of local concern after relatives revealed his unusual habit of eating soil.…

  • Heavy rainfall forecast in Thailand with 59 provinces on alert

    Heavy rainfall forecast in Thailand with 59 provinces on alert

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in 59 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expected to experience significant precipitation in 80% of its area. Residents are advised to exercise caution due to potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, especially in hilly regions and low-lying areas. It is recommended to avoid travelling…

  • Thai transgender YouTuber alleges sexist treatment at Chinese airport

    Thai transgender YouTuber alleges sexist treatment at Chinese airport

    A renowned Thai transgender YouTuber accused officers at a Chinese airport of being sexist during her family trip to China. The YouTuber, Nisamanee “Nut” Lertvorapong, shared her unpleasant experience on her Instagram account, @nisamanee_nutt. She posted a video with a caption that read… “No one should be treated differently, no matter what their gender is. I came here (China) with seven…

  • Bangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion

    Bangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion

    A Japanese restaurant in Bangkok faces criticism after a customer’s dissatisfaction with a birthday promotion gained traction on social media. The incident was highlighted yesterday, May 26, by a well-known Thai consumer rights Facebook group. The customer visited a popular à la carte Japanese restaurant, enticed by an online promotion offering a complimentary salmon rice cake for those celebrating their…

  • Coyote dancers arrested for convenience store theft in Samut Prakan

    Coyote dancers arrested for convenience store theft in Samut Prakan

    Police arrested three Thai nationals, including two coyote dancers, for stealing from at least nine convenience stores in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok, between May 16 and 17. Employees at the convenience stores filed a complaint with Phra Samut Chedi Police Station after CCTV footage showed two Thai women stealing products from the shops. The security cameras clearly captured their…

  • PM attends 46th ASEAN Summit, calls for deeper cooperation

    PM attends 46th ASEAN Summit, calls for deeper cooperation

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra joined fellow ASEAN leaders at the 46th ASEAN Summit yesterday, May 25, hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia. The summit, held under the theme Inclusive Participation and Sustainability, brought together leaders from nine ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste…

  • Thailand tightens checks on frozen durian imports to boost safety

    Thailand tightens checks on frozen durian imports to boost safety

    Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has directed a thorough inspection of frozen durian imports to Thailand, ensuring they are contaminant-free as part of the ministry’s aims to elevate standards and boost the value of this high-demand product. Narumon has tasked the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) and the Department of Agriculture with inspecting facilities that…

  • Pattaya transwoman strikes Indian tourist after alleged theft

    Pattaya transwoman strikes Indian tourist after alleged theft

    A Thai transwoman in Pattaya allegedly stole from an Indian man after engaging in sexual activities and struck him on the head with her handbag before fleeing the scene. The receptionist at a hotel in Pattaya’s Sai Song Soi 12, Jamjan, called the Sawang Borriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation to provide first aid to the 41 year old Indian guest, Hemant…

  • Paetongtarn denies using public funds for UK, Monaco trips

    Paetongtarn denies using public funds for UK, Monaco trips

    Yesterday, May 25, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed claims that her recent visits to the United Kingdom and Monaco were privately motivated and funded by taxpayer money. Speaking at Wing 6 of the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Don Mueang, Bangkok, the 37 year old premier clarified that the trips were not personal holidays. She also addressed an online…

  • From run to ruin: mini-marathon at Bangkok park turns out to be scam

    From run to ruin: mini-marathon at Bangkok park turns out to be scam

    Nearly 2,000 runners fell victim to a scam mini-marathon at Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park in Bangkok. The total amount of financial loss remains under investigation. Several runners took to social media yesterday, May 25, to condemn the organiser of the mini-marathon, Run for Destination 2025. Around 1,800 runners arrived at the venue only to find an eerily quiet…