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.

  • Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault

    Teenage Thai girl accuses tattoo artist of sexual assault

    A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a male tattoo artist in Chon Buri province, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a tattoo session. The girl reported the sexual assault to Saensuk Police Station in Chon Buri province and also urged the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share the story with the public. The…

  • Late onset of Thai summer predicted with extreme heat

    Late onset of Thai summer predicted with extreme heat

    The onset of summer in Thailand is set to be late this month, as projected by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). The upcoming months of March and April are forecasted to experience extreme heat, with temperatures potentially soaring as high as 43-45°C in certain provinces. According to the department, the latter part of the week will witness a surge…

  • Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand

    Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand

    A recent tragedy gripped the local community of Satuek following a fatal traffic incident involving two 12 year old students, needlessly killed by a drunk driver. The accident occurred at 3pm yesterday, when a 67 year old man, identified only by his first name, Banchong, struck the children with his black Mitsubishi pickup truck, leading to their immediate death at…

  • Dugong survival threatened by seagrass decline in Andaman Sea

    Dugong survival threatened by seagrass decline in Andaman Sea

    A prominent marine biologist issued a stark warning regarding the potential threat to the survival of dugongs in the Andaman Sea due to the rapid decline of seagrass, their primary food source. Thon Thamrongnawasat, the deputy dean of Kasetsart University’s fisheries faculty, voiced his concerns in a Facebook post, emphasising his worries for the future of marine biodiversity, specifically the…

  • Thailand battles rising PM2.5 levels, Bangkok breathes easier

    Thailand battles rising PM2.5 levels, Bangkok breathes easier

    Northeastern Thailand is currently grappling with hazardous levels of PM2.5, surpassing the standard values and affecting public health, while Bangkok enjoys relatively clear skies. Northeastern Thailand is currently enveloped in a haze of fine particulate matter, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the safety standards in 40 provinces. This has placed the health of millions at risk, particularly affecting the respiratory system.…

  • Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan

    Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan

    A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…

  • Six zodiac signs set for financial uplift according to astrological predictions

    Six zodiac signs set for financial uplift according to astrological predictions

    Astrological forecasts often bring a glimmer of hope to those facing challenges, and the latest predictions are no exception. For six zodiac signs, the stars are aligning to offer a reprieve from recent hardships, particularly in the financial arena. For those who have faced a relentless stream of obstacles, the promise of a turnaround is more than welcome. The past…

  • Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit

    Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit

    Police arrested a Thai man for fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. Another suspect is still at large. Officers at U Thong Police Station in the U Thong district of Suphan Buri received a report of the stabbing on the evening of Saturday, February 17. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered…

  • Wave announces engagement to P’Lek on social media

    Wave announces engagement to P’Lek on social media

    Wave, a well-known figure in a high-profile age-gap relationship on social media, has called it quits with his former partner, P’Porn, and has now revealed a lightning-fast engagement with P’Lek. In the face of various dramas that have unfolded, Wave’s fanbase continues to support the couple’s relationship. Amid a flurry of social media activity and drama, Wave has moved on…

  • Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole

    Thaksin sparks online debates for being released on parole

    Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, was released on parole following six months in hospital. He returned to his home, Ban Chan Song La, in the Bang Phlat district of Bangkok yesterday, February 18. His parole sparked an online debate regarding his privilege and issues of inequality. Thaksin arrived in Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years…

  • Thailand Video News | Taylor Swift causes rift between Singapore and Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra released from jail

    Thailand Video News | Taylor Swift causes rift between Singapore and Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra released from jail

    In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the latest news from Thailand, covering a range of stories, including the release of Thailand’s former Prime Minister, raising questions about justice. As Thailand braces for a heatwave, caution is urged amid soaring temperatures. Additionally, a Chinese national narrowly escapes an attempted murder near Pattaya, while concerns escalate over exotic pet ownership.…

  • Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 bus terminal enhances safety with arrival area closure

    Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 bus terminal enhances safety with arrival area closure

    Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), or Mo Chit 2 as it is commonly referred to, announced the closure of its arrival area on March 1. The decision is part of a broader initiative to enhance passenger safety and curb the activities of illegal motorcycle taxis targeting travellers. The government and the Transport Ministry previously instructed Transport Co, the operator of the…

  • Thailand’s DNP refutes Khao Yai National Park farmland claims

    Thailand’s DNP refutes Khao Yai National Park farmland claims

    Claims to farmland within Khao Yai National Park were strongly refuted yesterday by Thailand’s Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). This came in response to a recent announcement by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) that approximately 2,933 rai of land within Pak Chong district, a Unesco World Heritage site area, have been designated as agricultural land…

  • Thailand’s private ownership of lions raises safety concerns

    Thailand’s private ownership of lions raises safety concerns

    The private ownership of wild animals, notably lions, has come under scrutiny in Thailand following several incidents where these creatures were observed in public areas. The issue has sparked widespread concern among the public regarding safety and animal welfare. The first case surfaced in January when a lion cub was noticed in the backseat of a fancy convertible in Pattaya.…

  • Proposed amendment extends universal healthcare to cover surrogacy

    Proposed amendment extends universal healthcare to cover surrogacy

    An impending amendment to the surrogacy law, governing technology-assisted reproduction, proposes the inclusion of any complications arising during pregnancy within the universal healthcare scheme (UHS). This legislation is slated for approval in the year’s third quarter. Dr Sura Wisedsak, Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) Director-General, elaborated that the proposed coverage would span from conception through to a minimum of…

  • Chinese woman escapes deadly fire trap after Pattaya assault

    Chinese woman escapes deadly fire trap after Pattaya assault

    A Chinese woman, allegedly lured and assaulted in a remote area near Pattaya, survived an attempt on her life after the assailant reportedly set the surrounding grassland on fire. The incident took place yesterday, February 18, and police are now investigating the mystery, examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage from the day of the crime. The harrowing ordeal began…

  • Pharmacist dies after falling from MRT Tha Phra station

    Pharmacist dies after falling from MRT Tha Phra station

    A pharmacist tragically lost his life after falling from the third floor of the Tha Phra MRT station today at approximately 10.57am. The incident, which left witnesses in extreme shock, unfolded when a 62 year old pharmacist and manager of a medical supply company, was seen plummeting to his death right before their eyes. At the scene under the MRT…

  • Thailand braces for intense heat with temperatures soaring

    Thailand braces for intense heat with temperatures soaring

    Thailand is bracing for a severe heatwave, with weather maps turning a deep red, verging on black, indicating extreme temperatures are on the way. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts this year to be hotter by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the previous year. Some areas may experience highs of up to 44.5 degrees Celsius. The five provinces expected…

  • Content creator clash with gang leader goes viral in Bangkok

    Content creator clash with gang leader goes viral in Bangkok

    A heated altercation escalated to a bout of fisticuffs between content creator Jack Papho and Melai Ratchada, leader of the notorious Unbathed Gang, following a dispute over damaged property. Jack, known for his humorous and sometimes controversial content, found himself at odds with the famed gang leader, leading to an incident that ended at the police station. The drama unfolded…

  • Drunk driver kills traffic officer in hit-and-run on Rama 4 Road

    Drunk driver kills traffic officer in hit-and-run on Rama 4 Road

    A tragic incident unfolded on February 16, when a Chevrolet Captiva sped through a police checkpoint on Rama 4 Road, striking and fatally injuring a traffic police officer before fleeing the scene. The driver, later apprehended by police, was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 187 milligrammes percent, far exceeding the legal limit. On the night of February…

  • Family pilgrimage ends in van-truck collision tragedy in Buriram

    Family pilgrimage ends in van-truck collision tragedy in Buriram

    A family outing turned tragic yesterday evening when their van collided with a eucalyptus wood transport truck, leaving two dead and four seriously injured. Around 8.30pm on February 17, authorities from the Satuek Police Station in Buriram Province, led by Deputy Investigator Thanadorn Phaksarum, were called to the scene of the accident on the Buriram-Stuek Road, heading towards the city…

  • Thailand’s democracy index ranking drops due to unelected govt

    Thailand’s democracy index ranking drops due to unelected govt

    The yearly Democracy Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has seen Thailand’s ranking fall by eight places, a change largely ascribed to the latest government formation by unelected senators rather than voters. The EIU placed Thailand in the 63rd position among 167 countries and territories in 2023, a drop from its 55th position in 2022. The country’s score…

  • Kanchanaburi to benefit from 12 billion baht water diversion project

    Kanchanaburi to benefit from 12 billion baht water diversion project

    Kanchanaburi’s five districts are set to benefit from a water diversion tunnel project that aims to alleviate drought problems. The project, which is valued at 12 billion baht (US$335,746,080), seeks to transfer 378 million cubic metres of water from the Srinagarind Dam, the largest dam in the western region, to an area of 200,000 rai in the Huay Krachao, Lao…

  • Thai security academic calls for transparency in government assets

    Thai security academic calls for transparency in government assets

    An independent security academic, Panitan Wattanayagorn, recently suggested a closer examination of the assets of military and government agencies in Thailand. His proposal aims to enhance transparency through regulated financial accounts and the disclosure of expenditures. Panitan, who specialises in security and foreign affairs, expressed his concerns, highlighting the ministries of Education, Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, and Finance…

  • Mekong basin developmental projects threaten livelihoods, wildlife

    Mekong basin developmental projects threaten livelihoods, wildlife

    An expert in sustainable growth and fair use of natural resources has warned that lives and livelihoods along the Mekong Basin could be in jeopardy as a result of developmental projects. The 14,000-rai Wiang Nong Lom in northern Thailand, a shared resource and home to a multitude of freshwater species, has long been a haven for local wildlife. Now, however,…

  • Thailand revenue dept rectifies glitch in My Tax Account system

    Thailand revenue dept rectifies glitch in My Tax Account system

    A glitch in the My Tax Account system of Thailand’s Revenue Department has been promptly rectified, with department authorities confirming that the issue was not triggered by a security violation. This affirmation comes after several taxpayers discovered the addition of two unexplained income entries on the My Tax Account online platform, a part of the Revenue Department’s e-tax filing system.…

  • Concerns rise as wild tiger lurks near Kamphaeng Phet village

    Concerns rise as wild tiger lurks near Kamphaeng Phet village

    A wild tiger prowling the vicinity of a village in Kamphaeng Phet sparked serious concerns among locals, prompting the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to dispatch a team of officials and veterinarians to capture the big cat. The tiger was sighted in the forest adjacent to Kariang Namtok village in Khlong Lan Pattana of Khlong Lan…

  • Fresh water supply solution for Pattaya’s Koh Larn

    Fresh water supply solution for Pattaya’s Koh Larn

    In a bid to tackle the parched plight of Koh Larn amidst soaring tourist numbers, Pattaya is eyeing a collaboration with a new water supplier to bolster freshwater production. Deputy Mayor Manote Nongyai revealed plans for a potential alliance with a novel water supply venture, projecting a surge in production capacity to a substantial 1,000 cubic metres per day, catering…

  • Thailand’s cultural marvel: Khon dance meets history in Ayutthaya

    Thailand’s cultural marvel: Khon dance meets history in Ayutthaya

    In a fusion of ancient artistry and historical grandeur, the Khon masked dance will weave its enchanting tales against the backdrop of Ayutthaya next month. This cultural extravaganza promises to be a visual feast, celebrating Thailand’s vibrant legacy in a way never seen before. Part of the esteemed Ayutthaya Sundown 2024 programme by the Ministry of Culture, this Khon performance…

  • Surrogacy to be covered by health insurance in Thailand

    Surrogacy to be covered by health insurance in Thailand

    The Health Service Support Department is joining forces with the Office of Insurance Commission and insurance providers to integrate surrogacy into the health insurance scheme. This move comes in response to Thailand’s plummeting birth rates and the looming spectre of an ageing population. According to Dr Sura Wisedsak, the department’s director-general, a whopping 114 hospitals and clinics across Thailand are…