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

    Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move

    Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...

  • Pattaya’s road pin hazards: Night Business Association calls for action after tourist injuries

    Pattaya’s road pin hazards: Night Business Association calls for action after tourist injuries

    A tourist suffered a broken nose after tripping over a road pin in the middle of Pattaya‘s streets, prompting the head of the Night Business Association in the city to appeal for a resolution to this persistent issue. Footage of a foreign tourist tripping over a road pin while crossing the street and subsequently injuring his nose has sparked debate.…

  • Surat Thani village headman killed in wild elephant attack

    Surat Thani village headman killed in wild elephant attack

    In a tragic turn of events in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, a village headman lost his life in a wild elephant attack. The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday as the leader attempted to steer a cow elephant and her calf back into the adjacent forest. The headman, known as Samnao Kraiket, was the leader of Moo 11 village, situated…

  • Stock market fraud: SEC intensifies efforts to restore investor trust

    Stock market fraud: SEC intensifies efforts to restore investor trust

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to fortify its efforts in battling stock market fraud and intensifying its monitoring of publicly traded firms, in a bid to re-establish investor trust. The Commission acknowledged the proliferation of fraud incidents has led to a considerable erosion of confidence among stock investors. Regular offences include insider trading and stock price manipulation.…

  • Tai Orathai, Thai folk singer takes Korea by storm

    Tai Orathai, Thai folk singer takes Korea by storm

    Renowned Thai folk singer, Tai Orathai, has become a social media sensation in Korea, leading to a spike in curiosity about the identity of this airport fairy. The vocalist, also known as the Queen of Grass Flowers in the music industry, is currently preparing for her first concert tour in the United States this year, titled #TaiOrathaiUSATour2023. Tai’s enchanting beauty…

  • Muay Thai popularity grows, viral American child’s video sparks global interest

    Muay Thai popularity grows, viral American child’s video sparks global interest

    An American child’s viral Instagram video expressing fondness for Thai boxing, better known as Muay Thai, has been hailed as a testament to the global appeal and recognition of Thailand’s soft power. The report emerged today revealing that Korn Chatikavanij, the former head of the audacious Thai Nation Development Party, acknowledged the incident on his personal Facebook page, boosting Muay…

  • Thai government’s policy paradox: Digital wallet scheme and minimum wage hike under fire

    Thai government’s policy paradox: Digital wallet scheme and minimum wage hike under fire

    The Thai government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has faced significant challenges since coming to power seven weeks ago, with various commitments made during their campaign now under scrutiny. A crucial task includes the repatriation of Thai citizens affected by the Middle East conflict and the ongoing Israel-Hamas unrest. The Thai government’s promise to hike the daily minimum wage to…

  • Charter amendment: Thailand’s Move Forward Party seeks controversial rewrite

    Charter amendment: Thailand’s Move Forward Party seeks controversial rewrite

    The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s principal opposition, is determined to push for a renewed charter amendment through a motion in Parliament on Wednesday. The motion, which is the first item on the debate agenda and is supported by the MFP and its spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, has sparked concern among lawmakers due to the potential broad changes it could bring…

  • Thai village chief killed in wild elephant attack at Surat Thani plantation

    Thai village chief killed in wild elephant attack at Surat Thani plantation

    A wild elephant, part of a herd that had wandered into an oil palm plantation, fatally attacked a village chief in Tha Chana district, Surat Thani province, Thailand. The village chief, Samnao Kraiket, suffered severe injuries including a crushed rib cage, broken hip, and head injuries during an attempt to drive the elephants back into the forest. Despite the efforts…

  • Ratchaburi hotel nightmare: Undercooked food leaves child feeling sick

    Ratchaburi hotel nightmare: Undercooked food leaves child feeling sick

    A social media user has shared an infuriating hotel experience in Ratchaburi province, warning fellow travellers to carefully choose their hotels. The individual detailed their stay from October 21 to October 22 which was marred by multiple issues such as a pest infestation, faulty bathroom doors, an uncomfortable shower head, and most concerning of all, undercooked food served at breakfast,…

  • 100,000 baht reward for capture of notorious fugitive, says Department of Corrections

    100,000 baht reward for capture of notorious fugitive, says Department of Corrections

    A reward of 100,000 baht has been offered by the Department of Corrections for the capture of 37 year old Chaowalit, a notorious fugitive prisoner who escaped while receiving treatment at Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital. The escape occurred around 1am yesterday, and authorities have yet to apprehend him. The Department of Corrections reported Chaowalit was a high-profile inmate convicted…

  • Thai agencies to strategise release of hostages amid Israel-Hamas war

    Thai agencies to strategise release of hostages amid Israel-Hamas war

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand announced a meeting with various agencies scheduled for today, aiming to discuss potential strategies for securing the release of Thai hostages caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The 61 year old prime minister acknowledged the delicate nature of the situation, given the ongoing negotiations for the release of the hostages and…

  • Southern insurgents wreak havoc in Tak Bai, chaos erupts

    Southern insurgents wreak havoc in Tak Bai, chaos erupts

    A group of 21 southern insurgents was caught on CCTV causing havoc in Tak Bai. They are suspected to be part of a group led by Muhammad Fami, a key operational leader. The incidents occurred in Tak Bai district and the boundary area of Muno sub-district, Su-ngai Kolok district, on the night of October 21. The insurgents planted bombs, fired…

  • Severe Ayutthaya road accident results in one injured and two damaged vehicles

    Severe Ayutthaya road accident results in one injured and two damaged vehicles

    In the early hours of today, a severe road accident occurred in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand, involving a collision between a pickup truck and a saloon car. The incident, which took place on Ratchanakarin Road, resulted in significant damage to both vehicles and left one person injured. Upon the authorities’ arrival at the road accident scene, they discovered a…

  • Luxurious dog life goes viral: Ordinary Thai dog’s 30 million baht condo (video)

    Luxurious dog life goes viral: Ordinary Thai dog’s 30 million baht condo (video)

    A Thai dog of ordinary appearance, known by the name Dikky, is living in a luxurious condominium in central Bangkok, worth over 30 million baht. The luxurious dog life came to light after property consultant and TikTok user @tamonwank posted a clip reviewing the Sukhumvit Heart’s condominium. The sight of the Thai breed dog staring from an opulent apartment across…

  • Thai therapists popularity in the Middle East bolsters remittances amid conflict

    Thai therapists popularity in the Middle East bolsters remittances amid conflict

    Overseas Thai workers are in the limelight as the conflict in Israel escalates in the region. Over 7,000 Thai individuals are awaiting evacuation, with instances of Thais being kidnapped by militants. Records from the Bank of Thailand reveal that the remittance from these overseas workers in the first three quarters of the current year was around 184 billion baht. Israel and…

  • Impending drought poses significant threat to Thai export sector

    Impending drought poses significant threat to Thai export sector

    The Thai economy braces for another challenge as impending drought threatens its critical export sector, following last month’s extensive flooding. Despite an improvement in exports in August, marking a recovery from an 11 month decline, the impending drought could significantly impact food manufacturing and shipments. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) highlighted concerns over the potential repercussions of water shortages…

  • Koh Chang sees tourist surge over long weekend, boosting park earnings

    Koh Chang sees tourist surge over long weekend, boosting park earnings

    Koh Chang, an island off the coast of Trat, was a magnet for tourists over the three-day holiday this weekend. The influx coincided with today’s King Chulalongkorn Day and the tail end of the school break. The chief of Mu Koh Chang National Park, Polwaree Buchakiat, noted that Koh Chang was bustling with visitors this month, contributing to the park’s…

  • NIDA Poll reveals Thai public disapproval to extended bar hours plan

    NIDA Poll reveals Thai public disapproval to extended bar hours plan

    A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed significant public opposition to the Thai government’s initiative to extend operating hours in bars and nightclubs from 2am to 4am. The survey was conducted between October 17 and 19, engaging 1,310 participants above 20 years old from diverse backgrounds. The initiative, proposed by the Interior Ministry of Thailand,…

  • Motorway project linking Nonthaburi and Ayutthaya set for 2029

    Motorway project linking Nonthaburi and Ayutthaya set for 2029

    The Department of Highways (DoH) in Thailand is gearing up to construct a new 34.1 kilometre motorway project, linking Bang Bua Thong in Nonthaburi and Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya. The project, with a budget of almost 15 billion baht, is slated to be completed by 2029. DoH’s director-general Sarawut Songsivilai has stated that this motorway is one among 46 projects…

  • Thai and Myanmar authorities collaborate to repatriate deceived Thai workers

    Thai and Myanmar authorities collaborate to repatriate deceived Thai workers

    A collaborative effort between Thai and Myanmar authorities is in progress to return 120 Thai nationals to their homeland, according to Kanchana Patarachok, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. This group, consisting of 90 men and 30 women, was reportedly deceived into employment in Laukkaing, located in the northern sector of Myanmar’s Shan State, on the Chinese border, by an…

  • Move Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims

    Move Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims

    A sexual harassment allegation against a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP is set to undergo investigation, according to Parit Wacharasindhu, a party list MP and spokesperson. The case involves three women accusing an MP from a district within the Thon Buri region of Bangkok and follows closely on the heels of a similar incident reported on October 12 involving a different…

  • Navy officer survives brutal car crash in Pathum Thani, BMW left in ruins

    Navy officer survives brutal car crash in Pathum Thani, BMW left in ruins

    A 25 year old navy officer, racing in his BMW, crashed into a bridge pillar, trapping him in the driver’s seat. His injuries included serious wounds to his buttocks. Rescue workers rushed to his aid and transported him to a hospital for treatment. The incident occurred today on the inbound Phaholyothin Road in the Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani…

  • Melioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims ten lives, farmers urged caution

    Melioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims ten lives, farmers urged caution

    An alarming outbreak of melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, has emerged in Thailand, claiming the lives of approximately 10 farmers in Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is warning farmers about the disease, triggered by the fungus Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically found in contaminated soil, water, rice paddies, and cropping farms. The spring outbreak has…

  • Nightclub raided: underage entry, drug use and lack of license lead to five-year closure

    Nightclub raided: underage entry, drug use and lack of license lead to five-year closure

    A notorious nightclub in the Lam Luk Ka district was stormed and dismantled by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for allowing underage visitors and drug use. The raid, conducted last night, alarmed over 300 patrons, with some discarding drugs such as ice, ketamine, and happy wormer on the floor. Out of the total patrons, 137 tested positive for drug use.…

  • FDA enforces recall of hypertension drugs over cancer-causing impurities

    FDA enforces recall of hypertension drugs over cancer-causing impurities

    A recall of 42 batches of hypertension drugs has been enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from five pharmaceutical manufacturers following the discovery of potentially carcinogenic impurities. The decision came after the detection of azidomethyl biphenyl tetrazole (AZBT) impurities in some models of irbesartan, a drug used to control high blood pressure. Acting secretary-general of the FDA, Narong…

  • Thailand on high alert as heavy rains, thunderstorms loom: Bangkok braces for 60% chance of severe weather

    Thailand on high alert as heavy rains, thunderstorms loom: Bangkok braces for 60% chance of severe weather

    A cold air mass is engulfing northern Thailand, leading to thunderstorms and heavy rain in some areas. Meanwhile, a monsoon trough is sweeping across the southern region, bringing heavy rainfall and raising concerns about flash flooding and forest runoff. It is advised that residents in affected areas remain vigilant. Bangkok is expected to experience a 60% chance of thunderstorms and…

  • Mother and daughter die in Lampang minibus crash, police investigate cause

    Mother and daughter die in Lampang minibus crash, police investigate cause

    A shocking accident occurred when a minibus collided with an electricity pole, leaving a mother and daughter in a coma before succumbing to their injuries at the hospital. Two other individuals sustained minor injuries. The police are urgently investigating the real cause of the accident at 6.40pm yesterday. Officers from Mae Mo Police Station in Lampang province were notified of…

  • Saudi Arabia pledges to aid Thailand in Israel-Hamas hostage crisis

    Saudi Arabia pledges to aid Thailand in Israel-Hamas hostage crisis

    Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that Saudi Arabia has pledged to assist in securing the release of Thai hostages caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. His statement came after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh. The Crown Prince expressed his sympathy towards the Thai workers affected…

  • Thailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict

    Thailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict

    Thailand’s Labour Ministry has expressed readiness to send its workers back to Israel once the tensions between Israel and Hamas ease. The statement came from Pairote Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary of the ministry. This came after Kittana Srisuriya, a minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, held discussions with Eyal Sisu, the director-general of the Population and Immigration…

  • Former Bangkok school officials under investigation for alleged corruption and misuse of parents’ donations

    Former Bangkok school officials under investigation for alleged corruption and misuse of parents’ donations

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ordered an investigation into allegations of misconduct and corruption against two former senior staff of Wat Suthiwararam School. Today, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the Secretary-General of the NACC, revealed that the Commission had identified wrongdoing linked to public service misconduct against Kongwut Paibulsilp, the former school director, and Laddawan Kowajareon Tham, the former deputy director. The accusations…