News

Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

  • Pet registration on the way | Thaiger

    Pet registration on the way

    It looks like Thailand is going to get tough on people who abandon their pets and also provide better control for disease outbreaks like the current Rabies infections around the Kingdom. New laws are being proposed that will require pet owners to register and microchip their animals. This is common practice in most western countries and allows lost animals to…

  • Phuket thief arrested after robbing Cherng Talay convenient store | Thaiger

    Phuket thief arrested after robbing Cherng Talay convenient store

    A 50 year old local man, Jamlaeng Thatiebthong, has been arrested by Cherng Talay police after robbing a convenient store using a fake gun yesterday (March 13). After checking the CCTV camera, police were able to track the route he took with his motorcycle, which is Ban Don – Ban Ya – Ban Pon – Thepkasattri – Koh Kaew –…

  • Phuket drugs dealer arrested | Thaiger

    Phuket drugs dealer arrested

    A 42 year old local woman, Wattanee ‘Nong’ Hansamut, has been arrested with 5,043 amphetamine pills and 666.40 grams of methamphetamine, which are worth about 2 million Baht on the street. Wichit Police received a report on March 11 that Wattanee, who lives in the Phuket Villa Suanluang house project, was taking and selling drugs to small retailers in Phuket.…

  • Only a tiny fraction of BKK pets registered as being vaccinated against Rabies | Thaiger

    Only a tiny fraction of BKK pets registered as being vaccinated against Rabies

    Only 5,193 of Bangkok’s 1.136 million stray and pet dogs and cats are registered as having been vaccinated against rabies, a senior Agriculture Ministry official said this morning (Wednesday). Ministry spokesman and inspector-general Sorawit Thanito said only 6,233 pet cats and dogs were registered with authorities in the capital and 1,266 of them had been sterilised. But most owners by…

  • Pattaya police on the hunt for ‘amorous couple’ | Thaiger

    Pattaya police on the hunt for ‘amorous couple’

    Tourist police are trying to locate and take legal action against a foreign couple who were caught on video having sex on Dong Tan beach in Pattaya City. The couple appear in a 31 second clip that was taken at 8am on Sunday and widely shared on social networks. The video shows an unidentified man, who looks like a westerner,…

  • “Your white handsome man is really a dark skinned scammer!” Tourist police warning | Thaiger

    “Your white handsome man is really a dark skinned scammer!” Tourist police warning

    The Thai tourist police have produced a Facebook warning for Thai women about Romance Scams. One of the frames shows a cartoon white man who they say is handsome and rich. But towards the end the police say that he is more than likely dark skinned and after your money. The advice says that middle aged and middle class Thai…

  • Kratom delivery kills two | Thaiger

    Kratom delivery kills two

    A car transporting Kratom leaves crashed into an innocent pedestrian then careered into a drain, killing both victim and driver this morning (March 13) in Krabi Province. A 31 year old man from Sadao, Songkhla, Kusol Kaewrattana, lost control of his Toyota Fortuner that was transporting 30 sacks of Kratom leaves and crashed into 68 year old Lek Sae-Iew, who…

  • Tourist facilities lacking at Khao Lak tsunami museum | Thaiger

    Tourist facilities lacking at Khao Lak tsunami museum

    By Another Ngandee Tourists are still visiting the tsunami memorial monument and museum at Khao Lak beach in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district 13 years after the event, but there is no toilet facilities to serve them, a tourist guide has complained. The guide posted on her Facebook wall that she took 11 Japanese tourists to visit the monument, which is situated…

  • More wastewater outlets flowing into sea at Krabi | Thaiger

    More wastewater outlets flowing into sea at Krabi

    Can we allow this wastewater to keep flowing into our beaches? Krabi video footage from Karl Vandenhove. https://www.facebook.com/phuketgazette/videos/1642758232468665/

  • Naked tourist hugs a rock in Samui. But not just any rock! | Thaiger

    Naked tourist hugs a rock in Samui. But not just any rock!

    Samui residents are calling on police to locate and arrest a naked foreign tourist who was photographed hugging Hin Ta rock, which is regarded by local residents as a symbol of Koh Samui in Surat Thani. The photos show the unidentified woman walking around and hugging the rock, which resembles a phallus, to pose for photos. They were posted on…

  • THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, March 13 | Thaiger

    THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, March 13

    National ban on darts boards | Premchai denied postponement to acknowledge his bribery charges | Daring escape by pick-up in Rayong | Air pollution returns to Bangkok | Boat sinks off Krabi | Disability campaigner threatens to sue BTS and BKK Authorities | Police nab a pick-up with 1,800 kg of beef; that’s one BIG BBQ!!

  • “Labels Out For Autism Campaign”. Monday, April 2. | Thaiger

    “Labels Out For Autism Campaign”. Monday, April 2.

    World Autism Day, April 2, 2018, wear your “Labels Out For Autism Campaign” On Monday, April 2, 2018, join The Thaiger, KIS Phuket and NP Graphics and Photography in celebrating the individuals on World Autism Awareness Day and raising autism awareness in Phuket. Simply bare your label and wear your shirt inside out for one day, to show we all understand…

  • Yacht sunk off Railay Beach | Thaiger

    Yacht sunk off Railay Beach

    A yacht was found sunk at Railay Bay, Ao Nang, Krabi yesterday (Monday). The cause is believed to be a leak while left at anchor. No reports of anyone injured or missing. The Chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Worapot Lomli, received a report about the incident and ordered officers to head to the sunken yacht…

  • 5 Reasons to head to the Top Of The Gulf Regatta 2018 | Thaiger

    5 Reasons to head to the Top Of The Gulf Regatta 2018

    Now entering its 14th year, the Top of the Gulf Regatta at Ocean Marina in Pattaya has grown to become an award-winning multi-class regatta held annually in the Gulf of Thailand. Homed at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the regatta has morphed from its humble roots into one of the largest sailing events in Asia today, and attract sailors of all…

  • 500kg of garbage washed onto national park beach every day | Thaiger

    500kg of garbage washed onto national park beach every day

    From 400 to 500 kilograms of garbage had been washed by waves onto a beach on Koh Rung in the Mu Koh Chang National Park in Trat each morning during the past week, the park chief said today (Monday). Kosit Nilrat said he had assigned 17 officials to clean up the beach at Ao Bor of Koh Rung every morning…

  • Half-sunken garbage barge threatens Phi Phi beaches | Thaiger

    Half-sunken garbage barge threatens Phi Phi beaches

    The owner of a sinking garbage boat near Koh Phi Phi in Krabi has been told by harbour officials today (Monday) to fix it as quickly as possible amid fears it would pollute the water. The boat, Chachandee, which measures 23 x 4 metres, slipped off its anchor at a bay in front of Koh Phi Phi in Tambon Ao…

  • THAIGER TODAY Monday, March 12 | Thaiger

    THAIGER TODAY Monday, March 12

    New faces on the political scene | Rabies Epidemic Zone for Nonthaburi and Bangkok | Fire in Pattaya’s Walking Street | 27 tourists arrested on island near Ranong | Spate of drownings over weekend | Guy in hospital with amnesia, ummm, actually wanted by police… BUSTED!

  • Phone thief nabbed in Surin Beach convenience store | Thaiger

    Phone thief nabbed in Surin Beach convenience store

    FILE PHOTO Phuket police arrested a Thai man soon after he stole a bag containing an iPhone 8 Plus from a Russian tourist at a beach on Sunday evening. 27 year old Preach Homsup from Ubon Ratchathani, was arrested at 7pm in front of a Family Mart convenience store in Tambon Choeng Thalay, Thalang district, near Surin Beach. He was…

  • The new face of Thai politics? | Thaiger

    The new face of Thai politics?

    The so-called “new blood” political party to be led by “pro-democracy” billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has promised to be an alternative to lead the conflict-plagued country out of the cycle of political division. The 39 year old auto-parts tycoon admitted that he had been described as “another Thaksin Shinawatra”, but asked for time to prove himself. “There’s no way to prove…

  • Tourists arrested over alleged illicit drug use in Ranong | Thaiger

    Tourists arrested over alleged illicit drug use in Ranong

    Twenty-seven tourists have been arrested and charged with drug abuse on Koh Phayam in Ranong province (north of Phuket near the Myanmar border) after testing positive for substance abuse. Friday’s raid in the province’s Muang district was part of the authorities’ joint operation to search the island’s three night entertainment venues, Ranong Tourist Police inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Manaporn Likhitmanont told…

  • Rabies survey shows widespread ignorance | Thaiger

    Rabies survey shows widespread ignorance

    Amid a major outbreak of rabies nationwide, including three human deaths so far this year, a survey reveals major misunderstandings among the public about the disease. The Public Health Ministry survey shows that up to 60 per cent of the nearly 12,000 people surveyed wrongly believed that rabies could be cured. Additionally, 34 per cent did not know that death…

  • Fire in Pattaya’s Walking Street. Two injured. | Thaiger

    Fire in Pattaya’s Walking Street. Two injured.

    Bars in Walking Street Pattaya were in flames last night (Saturday) after a transformer exploded in the packed red light district. Two tourists were rushed to hospital. Witnesses say there was a large explosion around 10pm. The blaze quickly spread to neighbouring bars as motorbikes parked on the street burst into flames as well. Dozens of bars in a plaza…

  • 90 arrested, 74 motorcycles seized in crackdown | Thaiger

    90 arrested, 74 motorcycles seized in crackdown

    Bangkok police arrested 90 motorcyclists and pillion riders and seized 74 modified motorcycles in a crackdown on street racing on Bangkok’s streets. At the end of the operation on Friday night, tourist police deputy chief Pol Lt-General Surachet Hakpal held a press conference at 2.30am early on Saturday on the main ground in front of Tesco Lotus Extra on Rama…

  • Two dead and two injured. Plane crashes in Paklok, Phuket. | Thaiger

    Two dead and two injured. Plane crashes in Paklok, Phuket.

    UPDATE: A small plane crashed in a field in front of the Phuket Air Park, in Paklok, at 10.20am this morning. There were 4 people on the plane and two casualties have been confirmed. The two casualties are the pilot and the engineer while the two injured are civil aviation students. Local officials have been at the scene for rescue…

  • Re-enactment of brutal street murder | Thaiger

    Re-enactment of brutal street murder

    Wichit Police brought the 46 year old ex-husband murderer (he has confessed to the crime), Winit Kumkrong, to the crime scene for a re-enactment this morning (March 9). He said that his ex-wife tried to drive over him with the car which, he says, was the motivation that led to the murder. Read the original story HERE. “After checking the…

  • THAIGER TODAY Friday, March 9 | Thaiger

    THAIGER TODAY Friday, March 9

    Freak storm cells caught on video | Changes for renters and landlords | Russian tourist run over and killed in Pattaya | Raid on Chiang Mai house selling dodgy health supplements | Rabies situation – under control but under watch.

  • Houses destroyed at Baan Bang Tao School | Thaiger

    Houses destroyed at Baan Bang Tao School

    Two teachers’ houses in the Baan Bang Tao School were on fire last night at about 8pm. The houses are completely destroyed after a furious blaze. No injuries or casualties have been reported. The houses were located behind the school. They were 2 storey buildings made of mixed timber and concrete and built 40 years ago. Firefighters took about 40…

  • Ex-husband kills woman on the street | Thaiger

    Ex-husband kills woman on the street

    The ex-husband of a head maid stabbed her in the the street almost 10 times in the middle of a crowd in southern Phuket Town. Police found the dead body of 47 year old Lamai Chokkuea, the head maid of a cleaning company, in her uniform with many cuts from a knife, including 4-5 wounds on her neck, 1 on…

  • Rama X banknotes go into circulation from April 6 | Thaiger

    Rama X banknotes go into circulation from April 6

    The first banknotes bearing a portrait of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be issued on April 6, Chakri Day. The Bank of Thailand announced on Thursday that, in accordance with permission granted by the palace, it would release banknotes bearing an image of King Rama X that day in the denominations of 20, 50 and 100 baht 500 baht…

  • Surf and water sports groups call for beach space | Thaiger

    Surf and water sports groups call for beach space

    More than 30 surf and water sports operators gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (March 7) calling for more beach space to conduct their businesses. The group handed the letter to the Chief of Phuket Provincial Office, Thalerngsak Nutprahan, who will hand over the letter to Phuket’s Governor regarding their proposal. “We asked the Governor to allow the existing operators…