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.
-
Sponsored What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
-
‘Shogun’-linked loan shark gang busted in Chon Buri raid
Police in Chon Buri have arrested two men connected to a notorious illegal loan shark operation believed to be part of the infamous Shogun network, seizing evidence including loan documents, mobile devices, and an unlicensed firearm. The operation was led by Police Colonel Thienchai Lertmaneethawisap, Superintendent of the Region 2 Crime Suppression Division, under the direction of Major General Kiattisak Srathongoi.…
-
Phuket raids target foreigners in illegal business crackdown
Phuket Immigration officers launched a coordinated crackdown on five businesses in Patong, targeting alleged illegal foreign operations as part of a nationwide campaign to tighten control over foreign nationals working or investing unlawfully in Thailand. The raids, carried out on Thursday, October 23, followed a directive from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, instructing officials to step up efforts to monitor foreign…
-
Lampang teen found dead near socket in suspected electrocution
A 14 year old boy was found dead beside an electrical socket at his home in Nikhom Phatthana, Lampang, northern Thailand, prompting an investigation into the cause of his sudden death. The incident occurred yesterday morning, October 24, when the boy’s mother tried to wake him for school. After receiving no response, she entered his room and made the heartbreaking…
-
Bangkok taxi crash leaves 1 dead and 13 injured in pile-up
A multi-vehicle collision unfolded on Pracha Uthit Road in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district, leaving one woman dead and 13 others injured after a taxi driver claimed to have blacked out behind the wheel. The pile-up occurred around 5.40pm yesterday, October 24, near the entrance of Soi Pracha Uthit 21. Police from Rat Burana Police Station and emergency responders from the…
-
Queen Mother Sirikit passes peacefully at 93 in Bangkok
Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, has passed away peacefully at the age of 93. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit passed away at 9.21pm yesterday, October 24, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, according to a statement released by the Bureau of the Royal Household. The announcement revealed that Her Majesty had been under medical care since September 7, 2019, for various illnesses…
-
Storm batters southern Thailand as cooler north warms up
Heavy rains are sweeping across southern Thailand as storms hit, while the northern region warms up. Officials warn of flooding risks as weather shifts nationwide. A strong monsoon trough over the lower South, combined with a moderate northeast monsoon, is bringing heavy rain to southern Thailand. Residents are being warned of flash floods, especially in low-lying and foothill areas. Offshore,…
-
Intoxicated tourist returned to hotel after collapse on Pattaya street
Pattaya officials found a Chinese tourist who collapsed from intoxication near Walking Street in the early morning, prompting safety concerns. In the early hours of Wednesday, October 22, Pattaya municipal officers rushed to assist a heavily intoxicated Chinese visitor found unconscious near the entrance of the city’s infamous nightlife strip. The incident, which occurred at around 5am, drew concern from…
-
Surin woman terrified after snake slithers out of ATM cash slot
A Thai woman sought help from police officers after discovering a snake slithering out of an ATM while withdrawing cash in the Isaan province of Surin today, October 24. Officers from Lamduan Police Station received a report from the woman at around 9am today that an unidentified snake was inside an ATM located in the city centre. Upon arrival, the…
-
Former RTP chief and 200 officers found guilty of taking bribes from gambling sites
After more than seven months of investigation, the Police Complaint Review Committee reported that the former Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and 200 officers were found guilty of accepting bribes from online gambling websites. Renowned lawyer Sitta Biabangkerd first brought the allegations to light, accusing former RTP Commissioner Torsak “Big Tor” Sukvimol and hundreds of police officers of…
-
Julapun poised to lead Pheu Thai reboot after Paetongtarn’s exit
The Pheu Thai Party is undergoing a major leadership shakeup after Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned, paving the way for a new figure to guide the party through political headwinds. The shakeup has positioned Julapun Amornvivat as the leading candidate to take the reins, with a formal decision expected at the party’s general assembly on October 31. Julapun, known for his moderate…
-
4 foreigners arrested in Phuket for operating restricted businesses
Phuket Immigration officers arrested four foreigners for illegally operating businesses in Patong, including a motorcycle rental shop, a travel agency, a barber shop, and restaurants. Immigration officials launched raids on five businesses along Phra Baramee Road and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road in Patong sub-district, Kathu district, following complaints from residents. During the inspection, officers found an Israeli man, whose name…
-
Thai monk arrested for sexual abuse of 4 novices in Bueng Kan
Police arrested a Thai monk in the Isaan province of Bueng Kan for sexually abusing four young novices and attempting to conceal the matter by offering the victims 300,000 baht. The sexual assault at a temple in Bueng Kan came to light after Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart, the founder of the non-profit organisation Be One, shared details of the incident…
-
Southern Thailand man caught mailing grenades via courier
A man has been arrested in southern Thailand after a private courier discovered grenades in a suspicious parcel, prompting a full military-led investigation. Police arrested a man linked to the illegal shipping of M79 grenades after a private courier company discovered live rounds hidden in a parcel. Yesterday, October 23, Colonel Ekwarit Chobchupol, deputy spokesperson for the Internal Security Operations…
-
Thai woman duped out of 1 million baht by fake police call centre scam
A Thai woman lost more than 1 million baht to a call centre scammer who posed as a police officer and issued a fake legal charge against her. She said she had been saving the money since she was 15 through various part-time jobs. The 25 year old recent graduate, Ploy, filed a complaint with Huai Khwang Police Station yesterday,…
-
Thailand, Cambodia to sign peace path deal with US backing
Thailand and Cambodia will sign a joint declaration this Sunday, witnessed by the US and Malaysia, outlining steps to ease border tensions and boost cooperation. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeaw revealed the development during an interview today, October 24, ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit, noting the declaration, to be signed on October 26, outlines mutual steps towards de-escalation and cooperation.…
-
Cattle farmer bludgeons rival in central Thailand pond row
A long-running dispute between two workers in central Thailand turned deadly when one man killed the other during a heated argument. A bitter turf war between a cattle farmer and a shrimp pond caretaker in Nakhon Pathom exploded into violence this week, ending with one man beaten to death and the other in police custody. Yesterday, October 23, at 12.20pm,…
-
Thai teen stabs Laotian colleague after being tricked into drinking urine
A Thai teenager stabbed his Laotian colleague at a car care centre in Bang Na, Bangkok, yesterday, October 23, after the victim allegedly tricked him into drinking urine. Officers from Bang Na Police Station investigated the stabbing at a car care centre located within a petrol station on Soi Bang Na-Trat 20 at around 8.40am. Upon arrival, officers found the…
-
Divers missing off Koh Racha found clinging to seaside rocks
Two tourists went missing during a dive near Koh Racha Noi and were rescued hours later after a coordinated search by Thai naval and rescue teams. The alarm was raised around 3pm yesterday, October 23, when staff at The Racha Hotel on nearby Koh Racha Yai reported that two tourists, a Thai national and a German, had failed to return…
-
Top lawyer questions Thai activist’s charity over shady finances (video)
A prominent lawyer has called on the Interior Ministry to investigate a foundation linked to a well-known activist, raising concerns over its finances. Prominent Thai lawyer Decha Kittivittayanan is calling for a full investigation into the Gun Jompalang Chuai Su Foundation, questioning whether it truly serves a charitable purpose or operates as a financial front. The foundation, which is associated…
-
Thai government moves to bring back 2 gifted elephants from Sri Lanka
The Thai government is set to hold talks with Sri Lanka on October 28 to bring back two elephants that were gifted by Thailand, following reports of poor living conditions and alleged mistreatment. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Suchart Chomklin, wrote on his Facebook page yesterday, October 23, that he plans to fly urgently…
-
Thailand told to aim bigger as tourism rivals surge ahead
Thailand has been urged to set its sights higher, with tourism giant Galaxy Resorts Thailand encouraging the kingdom to target 45 to 60 million international visitors annually between 2030 and 2035. Kevin Clayton, chief brand officer of Galaxy Resorts, said that while Thailand remains a regional favourite, it risks falling behind unless it adapts to fast-changing global tourism trends. “With…
-
Foreign man goes viral for swimming in floodwater on Bangla Road, Phuket
A foreign man went viral on Thai social media after a video showed him sitting on a rubber ring and enjoying the floodwater on Bangla Road in Phuket. A Thai man filmed the foreigner floating in the middle of the flooded road and shared the video on his Facebook account yesterday, October 23, with a caption reading, “#NewSwimmingPoolNearMe #Happiness #BanglaPatong.”…
-
Illegal gambling ring arrested by undercover cops in Chon Buri
Thirteen people were arrested during a sting operation at a Chon Buri fishing pond, where undercover officers caught them gambling on high-low games. The raid was led by Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon at 8.06pm yesterday, October 23. Acting on complaints from locals about frequent gambling gatherings, officials devised a covert plan to infiltrate the site. Undercover officers, disguised…
-
Samsen Police Station 70% torn down as sinkhole threat escalates (video)
The demolition of Bangkok’s Samsen Police Station is now 70% complete and will finish ahead of schedule, according to officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The move comes after a massive sinkhole opened near the site last month, prompting urgent safety concerns. Work continued yesterday, October 23, with fire trucks spraying down Samsen Road to control dust. The sinkhole,…
-
Young couple slams into ice cream cart in Sri Racha smash
A motorcycle crash in Sri Racha, Chon Buri, injured two people when a young couple collided with an ice cream vendor, as captured on CCTV yesterday afternoon. The incident took place around 3.45pm yesterday, October 23, on the Sri Racha-Nong Yai Bu Road, just outside the Tid Man Moo Kratha restaurant. CCTV footage shows a white Honda Scoopy i motorcycle…
-
Storm chaos looms as heavy rain and floods hit Thailand
Heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves are sweeping across Thailand as a monsoon trough causes flash floods and disruptions in several regions. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned that residents in the south should stay alert for sudden downpours and flooding, especially near foothills, low-lying areas, and waterways. Travelling through flood-prone zones is strongly discouraged. In the upper…
-
Pattaya tots locked in BMV saved after 30-minute ordeal
Two toddlers were rescued by emergency responders in Pattaya after becoming trapped inside a locked car parked near a hospital for over 30 minutes. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, October 21, in the car park behind Bhatamakun Hospital in Naklua. A black BMW sedan became the unintended prison for a one year old girl and her four year old brother…
-
Racing teens arrested as police sweep Phuket festival hotspot
Police in Phuket detained dozens of youths and seized modified motorbikes during late-night patrols aimed at ensuring safety during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The crackdown saw 45 young people detained and 13 illegally modified motorbikes seized during a late-night sweep at Saphan Hin. The operation began yesterday evening, October 22, and continued into the early hours of today, October 23.…
-
Thai man dies from cobra bite after emotional phone call to grandmother
A Thai man in Samut Prakan province phoned his grandmother to express his love before losing his life to a cobra bite today, October 23. Officers from Bang Sao Thong Police Station, together with forensic doctors from Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital and members of the Por Teck Tung Rescue Foundation, responded to a report of a snake attack at a…
-
Thai teen couple caught in motorbike romp near Phuket tourist site
A teenage couple caused public outrage after being filmed engaging in intimate behaviour on a parked motorbike along a popular tourist road in Phuket. The incident, which took place yesterday evening, October 22, quickly drew widespread criticism after a bystander recorded the duo engaging in what appeared to be an intimate moment on a parked motorcycle. The footage, later shared…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.