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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    Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand

    Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...

  • Half-Half travel scheme rebooted: Snag your subsidies fast | Thaiger

    Half-Half travel scheme rebooted: Snag your subsidies fast

    After days of online chaos, Thailand’s travel subsidies are finally back on track, with the Tourism Authority promising smooth sailing for millions hungry to snap up cut-price getaways. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced yesterday, July 10, that it has resolved technical glitches plaguing the online registration for the Half-Half Thai Travel programme, paving the way for registration to…

  • Off his rod: Drugged-up thug batters dad with iron bar | Thaiger

    Off his rod: Drugged-up thug batters dad with iron bar

    A drugged-up thug has left a sleepy Thai village living in fear after battering his elderly father with an iron bar in yet another psychotic rampage. Police in Chon Buri were forced to bring out shields, wooden poles, and even stun guns to subdue 38 year old Suwat Boonman, who allegedly attacked his 67 year old dad so violently that…

  • Thailand video news | Russian tourists steal 160,000 baht worth of cannabis from Thai clinic, Malaysia police helicopter crashes during drill | Thaiger

    Thailand video news | Russian tourists steal 160,000 baht worth of cannabis from Thai clinic, Malaysia police helicopter crashes during drill

    In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you top stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. This episode features a bold cannabis heist by Russian tourists in Chon Buri, a dramatic visa crackdown on Koh Phangan, and a controversial call to ban sex for under-22s in Thailand. We also cover a bus crash in Phetchaburi, a heartwarming birthday…

  • Wild elephants forage for food, wreak havoc in Prachin Buri | Thaiger

    Wild elephants forage for food, wreak havoc in Prachin Buri

    A group of five wild elephants, including a mother and calf, from Thap Lan National Park, invaded a worker’s home late at night, causing significant damage as they searched for food. The incident, which marks the sixth consecutive day the elephants have roamed outside the park, occurred yesterday, July 10, in Prachin Buri province. The elephants, part of a herd…

  • Pensioner’s last bang: Thai OAP dies after love hotel boom boom | Thaiger

    Pensioner’s last bang: Thai OAP dies after love hotel boom boom

    A randy Thai pensioner who checked into a short-time love hotel with a much younger woman died doing what many men only dream of, after a steamy round of boom boom. The 76 year old man keeled over and died mid-romp at a no-frills love shack in Phunphin district, Surat Thani, sending the terrified woman sprinting for help. Police were…

  • Koh Samui thief nailed by GPS hidden in stolen fan | Thaiger

    Koh Samui thief nailed by GPS hidden in stolen fan

    A brazen thief on Koh Samui thought he could get away with snatching a fan under the cover of darkness—until a hidden GPS tracker led police straight to his door. Police in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, arrested a man after a stolen fan equipped with a GPS device exposed his hiding place in a labour camp. The drama unfolded…

  • American tourist assaulted by Pattaya bar owner over alleged video recording | Thaiger

    American tourist assaulted by Pattaya bar owner over alleged video recording

    A foreign bar owner in Pattaya physically assaulted an American tourist in the early hours of this morning allegedly for recording a video on the premises. The 38 year old American man, identified as Raf, reported the assault at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at 2.50am, today, July 11. He arrived with visible injuries and presented a video of the incident…

  • Blue murder: Deadly sea dragon resurfaces off Phuket (video) | Thaiger

    Blue murder: Deadly sea dragon resurfaces off Phuket (video)

    Holidaymakers in Phuket have been warned to steer well clear of the blue sea dragon, a venomous sea creature that looks like it’s flown straight out of a fantasy film but packs a real-life, potentially deadly sting. The rare and otherworldly blue sea dragon, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, has made a surprise reappearance at Karon Beach after nearly two years out…

  • Thaksin lifts lid on power plays as Bhumjaithai walks out | Thaiger

    Thaksin lifts lid on power plays as Bhumjaithai walks out

    In a no-holds-barred political confessional, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has laid bare the fierce rivalries, power plays and behind-the-scenes bargaining threatening to tip Thailand’s fragile government into chaos. During the 55 Years Nation Exclusive Talk: Breaking Through Thailand’s Crisis Chapter 1 at the Eastin Grand Phayathai Hotel on Wednesday, July 9, Thaksin delivered a candid assessment of Thailand’s political…

  • Sunk costs: Phuket tourists rescued as dive trip springs a leak | Thaiger

    Sunk costs: Phuket tourists rescued as dive trip springs a leak

    Five foreign tourists had to be dramatically rescued off the Phuket coast after their dive boat sprang a leak and started taking on water mid-voyage. A dive trip turned into a soggy nightmare on Wednesday afternoon when a tour boat carrying five foreign holidaymakers began leaking on the way back from the idyllic islands of southern Thailand. The drama unfolded…

  • Fake police kidnap and extort Chinese tourist in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Fake police kidnap and extort Chinese tourist in Pattaya

    Four Thai men posed as police officers and extorted 200,000 baht from a Chinese tourist in Pattaya by falsely accusing the victim of involvement in a call centre scam gang. The 52 year old Chinese victim, Lin, filed a complaint against the four imposters following the extortion incident on July 10. He lost two mobile phones, valued at over 100,000…

  • Thailand deluge: TMD warns of heavy rainfall and flash floods | Thaiger

    Thailand deluge: TMD warns of heavy rainfall and flash floods

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, predicting heavy rainfall in 41 provinces across Thailand, with some areas experiencing intense downpours covering 70% of the region. Eight provinces have been specifically cautioned to be on alert for flash floods and rapid water flow due to accumulated rainfall. These provinces include Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae,…

  • Retired officer arrested after failed Lop Buri armed robbery attempt | Thaiger

    Retired officer arrested after failed Lop Buri armed robbery attempt

    A retired 66 year old military officer has been apprehended following an attempted armed robbery at a convenience store in Lop Buri. The suspect, who held a gun to a staff member, failed to steal any money, citing financial need as his motive. At 12.05am today, July 10, Lop Buri’s 191 Radio Centre received reports of a male suspect brandishing…

  • Man arrested after temple shooting in Thonburi leaves two dead | Thaiger

    Man arrested after temple shooting in Thonburi leaves two dead

    A 35 year old man was arrested following a shooting at a well-known temple in Thonburi, where two people were killed. The suspect claimed the act resulted from a dream. Police discovered an arsenal of weapons at his home. At 6am today, July 10, Police Lieutenant Withoon Saengchompoo, Deputy Inspector of Phasi Charoen Police Station, received a report of a…

  • Cambodians detained for illegal entry into Thailand amid job crisis | Thaiger

    Cambodians detained for illegal entry into Thailand amid job crisis

    A group of Cambodian nationals were apprehended for illegally entering Thailand due to economic hardships and lack of employment opportunities in their home country. Yesterday, July 9, at 9pm, police detained nine people walking from Baan Dong Ngu in Pa Rai subdistrict. The group, who previously worked repairing second-hand shoes at Rong Kluea Market, returned to Cambodia following recent border…

  • Bangkok police bust illegal cannabis shop, arrest 28 year old man | Thaiger

    Bangkok police bust illegal cannabis shop, arrest 28 year old man

    A significant operation led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau resulted in the arrest of a 28 year old man, Worapong, at a cannabis shop in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid, which took place yesterday, July 9, uncovered illicit substances including psychedelic mushrooms, cannabis-infused electronic cigarettes, and edibles. The police operation was spearheaded by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along…

  • Koh Phangan police arrest two for drugs and firearms offences | Thaiger

    Koh Phangan police arrest two for drugs and firearms offences

    Yesterday, July 9, police forces on Koh Phangan, in collaboration with local administrative officials, conducted a crime sweep resulting in the arrest of two people for drug and firearms offences. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jaroenchai Boonklieng, along with the special operations unit from the Surat Thani Provincial Police, executed the operation from their base in Baan Sri Thanu, Koh Phangan district,…

  • Udon Thani crash claims life of young student | Thaiger

    Udon Thani crash claims life of young student

    Two female students from Udon Thani Technical College were involved in a tragic accident at Nong Samrong intersection in Mueang district, Udon Thani, yesterday, July 9 at 6pm. One died and another was seriously injured after their motorcycle collided with a car. Police Lieutenant Chakrapong Tomtam from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station received the accident report and coordinated with Udon…

  • Kuwaiti youths’ noisy motorcycle races disrupt Pattaya’s Soi Yensabai | Thaiger

    Kuwaiti youths’ noisy motorcycle races disrupt Pattaya’s Soi Yensabai

    Residents on Soi Yensabai in Pattaya City, Thailand, were disturbed in the early hours of today, July 10, by a group of predominantly Kuwaiti youths racing motorcycles through the streets. This marked the second consecutive night of such disruptions, leaving locals unable to get a peaceful night’s sleep. In response, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Dusadee, who leads the patrol unit…

  • Russian trio steal 2kg cannabis worth 160,000 baht from Thai clinic | Thaiger

    Russian trio steal 2kg cannabis worth 160,000 baht from Thai clinic

    In Chon Buri, Thailand, three Russian nationals are alleged to have stolen 2 kilogrammes of premium organic cannabis, valued at 160,000 baht, from a cannabis clinic in Banglamung district. The theft took place on the evening of July 4, around 9pm. The suspects fled the scene in a blue Ford sedan, leaving the clinic owner with significant financial losses. A…

  • Phuket tourism boom: 223 billion baht from Russian, Chinese visitors | Thaiger

    Phuket tourism boom: 223 billion baht from Russian, Chinese visitors

    Phuket has emerged as a popular destination for Russian, Chinese, and Indian tourists in the first five months of this year, contributing approximately 223 billion baht in revenue, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Kamolphan Chalermsakulrat, deputy director of TAT Phuket, reported yesterday, July 9, that the island province received 5.85 million visitors between January and May, reflecting…

  • Cyber police detain six over Thai baht fraud scheme | Thaiger

    Cyber police detain six over Thai baht fraud scheme

    Cyber police have detained six people linked to an international fraud scheme that deceived a prominent Japanese corporation into transferring over 228 million baht to a Thai bank account using fake email invoices. Police successfully froze 215 million baht (US$6.58 million) before it could be laundered and are collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States…

  • Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit 43 Thai provinces | Thaiger

    Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit 43 Thai provinces

    Weather conditions across 43 provinces in Thailand are expected to deteriorate as heavy rainfall affects Bangkok and surrounding areas, with 70% of these regions experiencing thunderstorms. The northeastern and eastern provinces are also anticipated to face thunderstorms and heavy rain in several areas. According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)’s 24-hour weather forecast, heavy rainfall in some areas of Thailand…

  • Fire-breathing car stirs outrage after footpath drive in Chon Buri | Thaiger

    Fire-breathing car stirs outrage after footpath drive in Chon Buri

    A Thai man faced a fine after driving a fire-breathing sedan along a footpath beside Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri. The annual car race, the Bangsaen Grand Prix (BGP), was held in Chon Buri from July 2 to 6. The event attracted both local and foreign visitors, as well as racing car owners who gathered in the province for…

  • New regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced | Thaiger

    New regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced

    The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced new regulations for ride-hailing service providers. Drivers using such platforms must register their vehicles as public transport and possess a public transport driving licence. These new rules will be enforced 90 days following the announcement today, July 9. The Royal Gazette has published the ETDA’s announcement, specifying that digital platform services for public…

  • Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words | Thaiger

    Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words

    Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fired back at Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing him of distorting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Thailand’s controversial casino policy. Speaking in her capacity as culture minister, Paetongtarn took aim at Anutin’s claim that President Xi had voiced strong objections to Thailand’s plans for entertainment complexes that include casinos. “Xi offered various…

  • Weed crackdown: Thailand to force cannabis shops to hire doctors | Thaiger

    Weed crackdown: Thailand to force cannabis shops to hire doctors

    Thailand’s cannabis boom is about to get a massive reality check. Starting later this year, thousands of cannabis retailers will be legally transformed into healthcare facilities—and required to have a doctor on-site to dispense weed. At a packed press conference yesterday, July 8, Thanakrit Jit-areerat, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, announced that the Department of Thai Traditional and…

  • Illegal street race disrupts highway traffic, sparks public outrage (video) | Thaiger

    Illegal street race disrupts highway traffic, sparks public outrage (video)

    A recent incident involving illegal street racing on a public highway caused significant traffic disruption, igniting public outrage. Groups of racing enthusiasts closed the road to stage a drag race, leading to prolonged traffic congestion. Many online users criticised the event, questioning the whereabouts of law enforcement and the lack of intervention. The event occurred on July 8, when TikTok…

  • Stranded chihuahuas reunite with owner after 3-month hotel stay | Thaiger

    Stranded chihuahuas reunite with owner after 3-month hotel stay

    An online community helped reunite seven chihuahuas with their owner after the dogs were left at a dog hotel in Pattaya for over three months. The couple who run the dog hotel decided to make the story public after they could no longer afford to care for the animals. One of the owners, 38 year old Buncha Phimonrat, revealed that…

  • Meth-fuelled mayhem: Thai cops nab drugged driver on Patong Hill | Thaiger

    Meth-fuelled mayhem: Thai cops nab drugged driver on Patong Hill

    Patong police swooped late last night to arrest a Thai man who was not only high behind the wheel but also carrying methamphetamine on Phuket’s notorious Patong Hill. The dramatic arrest unfolded at around 1.30am today, July 9, at the Patong Hill intersection on Phra Metta Road, a busy route popular with late-night revellers. Under orders from Police Colonel Chalermchai…