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...

  • Speeding car crashes into Bangkok home, killing one

    Speeding car crashes into Bangkok home, killing one

    In the early hours of this morning, a tragic car accident occurred when a vehicle lost control and crashed into a residential house near the entrance of Soi Seri Thai 16 in Khlong Kum, Bueng Kum, Bangkok. The incident, reported at 5.30am, today, June 25, was attended by Bueng Kum police and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Upon arrival, the…

  • Anutin rejects cannabis mishandling claims, opposes casinos

    Anutin rejects cannabis mishandling claims, opposes casinos

    Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul rejected accusations that his party mishandled the cannabis policy, particularly its medical use, and distanced himself from proposals to legalise casinos. Speaking out on the issue, Anutin dismissed the government’s recent plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, allowing only medical use, as a reversal of Bhumjaithai’s earlier work, claiming that his party had already…

  • Man arrested in Pattaya for copper rods theft worth 100,000 baht

    Man arrested in Pattaya for copper rods theft worth 100,000 baht

    A 45 year old man was apprehended by police while visiting his wife in Pattaya Special Prison yesterday, June 24. He, Yongyut, stands accused of stealing copper lightning rods from numerous petrol stations across Chon Buri, causing damage exceeding 100,000 baht. The arrest was conducted by Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Bang Lamung Police Station,…

  • Chinese investment boosts amulet trade in Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza

    Chinese investment boosts amulet trade in Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza

    The amulet business in Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza is booming, with foreign investors, especially from China, driving the trade of Thai Buddhist amulets and sacred objects. The market, once dominated by Thai collectors, has transformed into a major hub for Chinese investors, who have set up shop in the mall to cater to their fellow countrymen. Despite a slight downturn in…

  • Sabotage suspected after 3 locals injured by exploding electrical appliances

    Sabotage suspected after 3 locals injured by exploding electrical appliances

    Three residents in the central province of Lop Buri sustained injuries in explosions after using electrical appliances retrieved from a landfill. Police now suspect the incidents were deliberate rather than accidental. Officers from Ban Mi Police Station were alerted to an explosion at a house in the Chon Mueang sub-district on Monday night, June 23. Two people were injured, including…

  • Cambodian man dies in storm drain fishing tragedy

    Cambodian man dies in storm drain fishing tragedy

    A Cambodian man’s tragic death in a storm drain has prompted a warning against fishing in such locations. The 33 year old, identified as Chuean Ra, also known as Yao, was found dead yesterday, June 24, after being trapped for 72 hours in a drain at a water treatment station in Nakhon Ratchasima. On June 22, rescue services received a…

  • Smoked: Phuket raid seizes 30,000 illegal cigarettes, woman arrested

    Smoked: Phuket raid seizes 30,000 illegal cigarettes, woman arrested

    Phuket police have made a significant bust, seizing nearly 30,000 illegal cigarettes and arresting a woman in a raid on a rental room in the Ratsada neighbourhood. The operation, carried out on Monday, June 23, follows complaints about the illegal sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to the public and minors. The raid targeted a rental property in Village 6…

  • Teenagers arrested for bombing outside Chai Wan Hospital

    Teenagers arrested for bombing outside Chai Wan Hospital

    Thirteen unruly teenagers were apprehended following an incident where they threw homemade bombs outside Chai Wan Hospital in Udon Thani. The explosions, eight in total, alarmed patients and medical staff. The group, who were later caught by the police, claimed they had learnt to create the bombs via the popular YouTube channel. Police Colonel Ratphonchai Pensongkhram from Chai Wan Police…

  • Thai jeweller sues lawyer over vulgar outburst in car park dispute

    Thai jeweller sues lawyer over vulgar outburst in car park dispute

    A Thai jewellery store owner filed a lawsuit against a lawyer for provoking a dispute and using vulgar language in the car park of a restaurant in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Aticha Thangklang, owner of KK Luxury Gems, posted a video of the confrontation on his Facebook page on Monday, June 23. The incident occurred in the car park of…

  • Drunken Turkish teenager gets slapped by Thai woman in Bangkok

    Drunken Turkish teenager gets slapped by Thai woman in Bangkok

    A drunken Turkish teenager kicked off on Bangkok’s backpacker strip after losing his passport and ended up slapped, tackled, and cuffed after lashing out at a Thai woman near Khao San Road. The 18 year old was arrested in the early hours of yesterday, morning, June 24, after a booze-fuelled meltdown that turned violent, leaving bystanders shocked and police dragging…

  • Cambodia hits back at Thailand’s ‘irrational claims’ over energy cuts

    Cambodia hits back at Thailand’s ‘irrational claims’ over energy cuts

    Cambodia has hit back at Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent claims regarding the cutting of energy supplies between the two nations. On Monday, June 23, Paetongtarn accused Cambodia of cutting off electricity, Internet, and oil and gas supplies to Thailand to combat cross-border crimes. However, Cambodia’s government spokesperson has labelled these claims as “irrational,” asserting that it was Cambodia…

  • 5 caught crossing Thai-Cambodian border, paid 4,000 baht each

    5 caught crossing Thai-Cambodian border, paid 4,000 baht each

    Thai police apprehended five people attempting to unlawfully cross the Thai-Cambodian border. The incident occurred at 7am, today, June 25, when a team from the Burapha Force, along with the Aranyaprathet Task Force and the 12th Ranger Mobile Unit, detained one man and four women. They were caught in a sedan during a scheduled pick-up at the border area of…

  • Grandmother flees to temple to escape loan sharks in Chon Buri

    Grandmother flees to temple to escape loan sharks in Chon Buri

    A grandmother, burdened with caring for her four grandchildren, sought refuge in a temple in Chon Buri province after being pursued by loan sharks. Unable to repay the money borrowed for her grilled catfish business, she faced threats and harassment, forcing her to live in hiding. Her grandchildren, all boys, range from 4 to 12 years old. The family’s plight…

  • AirAsia celebrates 16 years of success with exclusive trip to Krabi

    AirAsia celebrates 16 years of success with exclusive trip to Krabi

    AirAsia is celebrating its 16th consecutive title as the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline, and they did it in style with a special trip to Krabi. In partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the airline hosted over 120 key opinion leaders (KOLs) and media representatives from across Asia, aiming to promote Green Season travel and showcase Krabi as a…

  • Thailand Video News | Thailand to reclassify cannabis and restrict use to medical only, Malaysia backs Iran’s right to self-defence, urges diplomatic solution to conflict

    Thailand Video News | Thailand to reclassify cannabis and restrict use to medical only, Malaysia backs Iran’s right to self-defence, urges diplomatic solution to conflict

    Today we’ll be talking about Thailand’s plans to restrict cannabis to medical use only, Cambodia criticizing Thailand for allegedly copying Angkor Wat in temple design, and a little later a Taiwanese woman detained in China after testing positive for cannabis use. Thailand to Reclassify Cannabis as Narcotic, Restrict Use to Medical Only Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has signed…

  • Family finds rare two-headed snake in Chiang Mai home

    Family finds rare two-headed snake in Chiang Mai home

    A family in Phayao, returning to their home in Chiang Mai, discovered a two-headed snake while cleaning their house. The unusual find yesterday, June 24, was made at house number 40/2 in Mueang Don Luang, Nong Tong subdistrict, Hang Dong district. While cleaning a wardrobe, the family found the snake, approximately 40 centimetres in length, with yellow and black colouring…

  • Neigh-sayers: Thai boy trots to school stardom

    Neigh-sayers: Thai boy trots to school stardom

    A Thai boy in the central province of Ang Thong has gone viral on social media for riding a horse to school. The school director supported the idea, saying it is part of the school’s soft power initiative. The 16 year old boy, Teeraphat “Ten” Ransawaranon, drew attention from Thai media for his unique way of commuting to Wiset Chai…

  • Burglar caught in Bangkok with stolen Buddha statues and amulets

    Burglar caught in Bangkok with stolen Buddha statues and amulets

    Bang Khen police officers apprehended a burglar who targeted homes in the Ram Inthra area, stealing Buddha statues and amulets to sell to collectors for online gambling funds. At 4pm yesterday, June 24, Police Colonel Anan Warasat from Bang Khen Police Station, along with Deputy Police Colonel Sunpich Sirisoonthorn, Police Lieutenant Adul Phothakan, Police Lieutenant Suwapich Insingh, and the Bang…

  • Thailand shopping giant hits CRC button on spending spree

    Thailand shopping giant hits CRC button on spending spree

    Thailand retail heavyweight Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is splashing out up to 47 billion baht in a three-year spree of store openings, renovations and regional rollouts, even as spending on the high street looks shakier than a Black Friday bargain bin. CRC, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), unveiled a sweeping investment plan of 45–47 billion baht between…

  • Tragic fire claims life of 78 year old woman in Chon Buri

    Tragic fire claims life of 78 year old woman in Chon Buri

    A tragic fire engulfed a luxury home in Chon Buri, resulting in the death of a 78 year old bedridden woman. The incident occurred at 4am today, June 25, when local police and firefighters were alerted to a blaze at a residence in Soi Baan Piyawat 2/2, village 3, Samed subdistrict, Mueang district. Emergency services promptly arrived at the two-storey…

  • Rev it up: Tax breaks drive Thai pickup market into high gear

    Rev it up: Tax breaks drive Thai pickup market into high gear

    Thailand’s struggling pickup market is getting a turbo boost from a government scheme that lets drivers swap their clapped-out motors for shiny new rides, with tax breaks thrown in to sweeten the deal. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is banking on a state-backed trade-in scheme to kickstart domestic pickup sales, which have taken a sharp nosedive this year. Sales…

  • Bangkok expressway turns into treasure hunt after cash falls from vehicle

    Bangkok expressway turns into treasure hunt after cash falls from vehicle

    Chaos erupted on the Sirat Expressway after motorists stopped to collect cash that was dropped on the road. While some handed the money to the police to return it to the rightful owner, others disappeared with the unexpected windfall. Police Senior Sergeant Major Phatsakorn Pramuansin of Highway Police Station 1 told Channel 7 yesterday, June 24, that he was driving…

  • Thai student attacked at school prompts investigation

    Thai student attacked at school prompts investigation

    A video clip posted on Facebook, showing a 13 year old student being kicked in the neck and knocked unconscious by a fellow student in Ubon Ratchathani province, has prompted officials to investigate. The incident, which occurred at a school, has been identified as a disciplinary issue that can be addressed under the Ministry of Education‘s regulations. Meanwhile, mediation efforts…

  • Police probe death of unidentified man in Ayutthaya canal

    Police probe death of unidentified man in Ayutthaya canal

    Ayutthaya police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found in the Raphiphat Canal in Phachi district yesterday. The inquiry is focusing on migrant worker communities in the vicinity. The deceased, estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old, had grey hair and was approximately 160 to 170 centimetres tall. A floral-patterned cloth was wrapped around his torso,…

  • Thai man arrested minutes after stealing 1.3 million baht gold from Songkhla mall

    Thai man arrested minutes after stealing 1.3 million baht gold from Songkhla mall

    A security guard and patrol police officers swiftly arrested a Thai man who stole five gold necklaces worth approximately 1.3 million baht from a shop inside a shopping mall in Hat Yai district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, June 24. The security guard pursued the thief from the mall on Phetchakasem Road to Soi Phetchakasem 41, around 300…

  • Phuket cracks down on illegal migrant labour, 48 workers arrested

    Phuket cracks down on illegal migrant labour, 48 workers arrested

    To tackle illegal employment, Phuket is tightening its grip on the island’s massive migrant workforce, which now includes around 126,980 workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Provincial officials are stepping up their efforts to ensure foreign workers comply with regulations, with a new focus on monitoring businesses and ensuring fairness in employment practices. On Monday, June 23, Thanapong Oncharoen,…

  • Class action: Thai schoolkids fight fire with fryer power

    Class action: Thai schoolkids fight fire with fryer power

    Thai schoolkids in Sriracha have been swapping textbooks for fire extinguishers in a fiery crash course to fight fire and stop blazes before they burn out of control, just weeks after a spate of high-rise infernos rocked nearby Pattaya. Disaster chiefs from Sriracha yesterday, June 24, joined forces with fire safety officers from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital to deliver a scorching…

  • Rain and shine: Thailand braced for torrential takeover

    Rain and shine: Thailand braced for torrential takeover

    Get your brollies out, folks, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is sounding the alarm today, predicting relentless downpours across 29 provinces. Yes, that includes Bangkok! Brace yourselves, as about 40% of the city could face a serious soaking. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods, forest runoffs, and landslides, especially in mountainous regions and low-lying areas. The…

  • Vietnamese passport dreams are made of this, leaving Thailand behind

    Vietnamese passport dreams are made of this, leaving Thailand behind

    Vietnam has torn up the red tape for foreigners with local family, making it easier than ever to bag a Vietnamese passport, no lingo, no money, and no five-year wait required, leaving Thailand behind. Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens, or with family roots in the country, can now apply for citizenship without needing to speak the language, prove they can…

  • Half-price holidays: Thailand’s 1.75 billion baht tourism boost

    Half-price holidays: Thailand’s 1.75 billion baht tourism boost

    Thailand is rolling out an exciting new campaign to encourage domestic tourism, with a generous budget of 1.75 billion baht set aside to fuel the Half-Half Thailand Travel initiative. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong today, June 24, the programme is designed to stimulate travel during the low season, aiming to bolster the country’s tourism industry and help…