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 Moving to Thailand? Here are the health documents you should prepare before you go
The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
-
American woman wins 3 million baht using AI for lottery numbers
A 45 year old American woman has won a lottery prize worth 3 million baht after using ChatGPT to choose her numbers, enabling her to pay off her mortgage. Today, on October 19, international media reported that Tammy Carvey, from Wyandotte, Michigan, emerged as the fortunate winner of over 2.6 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately 3 million baht) after employing ChatGPT…
-
Chinese tourist falls from hotel balcony in Pattaya
In the early hours of today, October 19, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit was alerted to an incident involving a man injured after a fall from a hotel near Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The rescue team joined forces with the Pattaya City Police and dispatched a team to the location. Upon arrival, they encountered a Chinese tourist, believed…
-
Nakhon Ratchasima landlord seeks tenant after rental mess
A Facebook user recently shared images online to caution landlords about a tenant who left a rental property in a deplorable state. The tenant, a 42 year old woman, rented the house in a housing project in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, for approximately one year. The photos reveal a shocking mess of rotting garbage scattered throughout the house, emitting…
-
Illegal gambling and e-cigarette URLs surge in 2025
Over 400,000 URLs associated with illegal gambling, e-cigarettes, and alcohol advertisements have been detected this year, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Chomparee Chompurat, inspector-general of the DES, stated that a survey was conducted on websites potentially breaching the law from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2025. The findings revealed a significant increase in illegal…
-
Police seize 4.4 million meth pills at Thailand-Myanmar border
Police have confiscated 4.4 million methamphetamine pills and detained two individuals suspected of smuggling the drugs near the border between Chiang Rai and Myanmar. According to officials on Saturday, the suspects 41 year old Sira and 34 year old Seri are residents of Mae Fah Luang district in Chiang Rai province. Authorities revealed that the arrest followed intelligence reports indicating that…
-
Phuket pushes for stricter cannabis rules to protect tourism image
Phuket’s authorities are advocating for more stringent cannabis regulations after a rise in incidents involving foreign tourists displaying erratic behaviour has negatively impacted the island’s tourism image. Sarayut Mallum, vice-president of the Phuket Tourism Association, highlighted that many instances of foreign visitors behaving unusually have been linked to excessive cannabis consumption. He noted, ‘Some tourists smoked multiple joints consecutively, resulting…
-
Tragic delay: blocked ambulance leads to patient’s death in Krabi
A hospital in Plai Phraya, Krabi, issued a statement addressing an incident where a pickup truck obstructed an ambulance, preventing the transfer of a critically ill patient who later died yesterday, on October 18. The hospital expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, who suffered from acute myocardial infarction and respiratory failure. The patient was admitted to the…
-
Boy with ADHD taken to police after toy gun incident
An 11 year old boy, who aimed a toy gun at a shop owner, was taken to Hat Yai police by his mother, who revealed that he suffers from severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has short-term memory loss. The mother has decided to stop allowing him to sell boiled peanuts. This incident gained attention after a Facebook user…
-
Taiwanese trio busted at Bangkok airport with rare wildlife
Three Taiwanese nationals were arrested at Don Mueang Airport after officials uncovered a bizarre and cruel attempt to smuggle dozens of protected animals out of Thailand by hiding them under clothing. The suspects, identified as 53 year old Hsu Ching Chung, 40 year old Hong Zhi-Xian, and 36 year old Yang Tsung-Ju, were stopped by police from the Natural Resources…
-
Bogus doctor arrested in Pattaya clinic raid after repeat offences
Officers raided an unlicensed clinic in Pattaya after receiving reports of illegal medical services being provided without certified professionals. The operation, carried out yesterday, October 17, by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) Region 2 in coordination with the Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office (PPO), targeted a well-known clinic on Soi Chaiyapreuk 2 that had previously come under scrutiny. The…
-
Thailand rolls out free dialysis as kidney disease cases soar
Thailand’s public health ministry has launched a free dialysis campaign to tackle rising chronic kidney disease cases and promote early prevention nationwide. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced a nationwide campaign to provide free dialysis and promote early screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The campaign aims to raise awareness, expand access to treatment and encourage lifestyle changes to prevent…
-
Monk saves debt-ridden couple in South Thailand bridge rescue
A monk in South Thailand helped rescue a couple who attempted to jump from a bridge in a joint suicide bid after struggling with heavy debt. A couple in Songkhla province narrowly escaped death after attempting to end their lives by jumping from a bridge while tied together with a traditional Thai cloth. The shocking incident, reportedly driven by crushing…
-
Water woes: Phuket MP calls for urgent fix as crisis worsens
Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee has called on the government to urgently tackle the island’s chronic water shortage, warning that the issue could spiral out of control during the upcoming High Season if action isn’t taken immediately. Speaking in Parliament, Chalermpong, who represents Phuket District 2, said water demand has surged due to a booming tourism industry and a population now…
-
9 Thais arrested for illegal border crossing from Cambodia
Nine Thai nationals were arrested in Sa Kaeo after illegally crossing the border on foot from Cambodia, where they had worked in an online scam operation. The group, five men and four women, were intercepted by the Burapha Forces and Aranyaprathet Special Task Force during a surveillance operation in Sa Kaeo province. Officers caught them trekking through a sugarcane field…
-
Southern drug kingpin arrested hiding out in Bangkok condo
A southern drug leader was arrested in Bangkok after police tracked him to a luxury condo, ending his months-long escape. The 37 year old suspect, identified as Suriya “Phueak Sraphleng,” was detained at a luxury condominium by officers from the Crime Suppression Division following a series of warrants issued earlier this year. Suriya, a key figure in one of southern…
-
Stoned shopkeeper arrested after knife rampage in Chon Buri
A grocery shop owner in Chon Buri was arrested after allegedly using cannabis and threatening residents with a knife while wearing a belt of ammunition. The bizarre incident unfolded around 9pm on Thursday, October 16, in Soi Thung Klon Tal Man 14, Nong Prue subdistrict. Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon was alerted after panicked residents called in reports of…
-
Storm topples giant tree, crushes police cars in Ayutthaya
A powerful storm in Ayutthaya brought down a giant tree onto a police car park, damaging several vehicles and triggering a major emergency response. A fierce storm swept through Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, toppling a massive rain tree over 50 years old onto a police car park, damaging 12 vehicles and sparking chaos in the Wang Noi district. The…
-
Drunken Brit torches wife’s designer gear in Pattaya rampage
A 59 year old British man allegedly caused chaos in central Pattaya after a drunken outburst saw him vandalise a beer bar, attempt to assault his Thai brother-in-law, and later set fire to his wife’s luxury clothing. The incident took place at around 6.33pm yesterday, October 17, on Soi Buakhao, where the man, identified only as Ary, was caught on…
-
Thai senator faces death threats over border sound row
A Thai senator received death threats after criticising tactics used at the border, prompting concern from police and international human rights advocates. Thai Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit is facing a wave of death threats against herself and her family after publicly criticising controversial tactics used along the Thai-Cambodian border. The human rights advocate revealed the threats in a Facebook post, sharing…
-
Israeli tourist caught stealing donation envelope in Pattaya
An Israeli tourist was arrested after allegedly stealing a donation envelope from a massage parlour near Pattaya Beach. The incident occurred around 2am yesterday, October 17, at a traditional Thai massage parlour in Soi 5, near Pattaya Beach Road. The suspect, who initially identified himself as Bar Bigger, reportedly gave police and reporters a false name. He is believed to…
-
Bike taxi rider damages passenger’s phone after secret camera dispute
An app-based motorcycle taxi rider damaged his passenger’s mobile phone after she questioned a camera on his helmet, fearing he was secretly recording her. The female passenger, identified only as Plammy, shared CCTV footage of the incident on her TikTok account, @plammyyaa_, in an attempt to seek compensation. The video was later removed due to community restrictions. Plammy’s story quickly…
-
Trat tourism hit by UK travel alert over martial law fears
The tourism industry in Trat province, southeast Thailand, is facing severe financial losses after a UK travel advisory urged against non-essential visits, prompting widespread cancellations. Trat’s once-bustling tourist hotspots are reeling after a UK travel advisory urged citizens to avoid non-essential trips to the eastern Thai province due to ongoing martial law — a move that has sparked widespread cancellations…
-
Rare moon moth spotted at Kaeng Krachan National Park
A rarely seen species of moth was discovered by a park officer at a popular campsite in a national park in Phetchaburi, drawing interest from conservationists. The moth was discovered near the campsite area of Panoen Thung in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi province. Park officer Nattaphon Ritnoi reported the sighting, which was confirmed by park chief Atthapong Pao-on, who said…
-
Pakistani man arrested at Bangkok airport for assaulting Phuket transwoman
Police today, October 17, arrested a Pakistani man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for assaulting a Thai transwoman in Phuket and stealing 10,000 baht. The transgender victim, identified only as Barbie, took to social media to share photos of herself with bloodstains on her face and chest in a plea for information about the attacker. She initially identified the suspect as…
-
Thai man deceived by online girlfriend into debt and coerced sex
A Thai man in Maha Sarakham province fell into debt of over 200,000 baht and was forced into sex after being scammed by a woman he met on a dating application. The 25 year old victim sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, urging the team to pursue the case and bring the female suspect to justice. He said…
-
Cargo ship and foreign yacht collide off Phuket coast, no injuries
A cargo boat collided with a foreign yacht in open waters near Phuket during a routine journey, prompting an official investigation into the cause. The incident occurred at approximately 8am today, October 17, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. According to the cargo vessel’s captain, the sailboat appeared to be drifting unusually close, with no one visibly steering. “I sounded…
-
Airlines boost Thailand flights under TAT tourism drive
International airlines are ramping up flights to Thailand to meet growing travel demand, following tourism initiatives led by Thai officials. Thailand is poised to see a significant tourism surge as international airlines increase flight routes, frequencies, and seat capacity to the kingdom in the fourth quarter. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed that carriers from East Asia, South Asia,…
-
Thai temples in Europe hit by wave of foreign break-ins
Thai temples in Europe are being warned to tighten security after several were targeted by foreign thieves who broke in and damaged property and donation boxes. Yesterday, October 16, Phra Ratchawachirasasanawithet, chairman of the Thai Dhammaduta Union in Europe, issued a public warning to all Thai temples abroad following several burglaries in Sweden and the United Kingdom. The union released…
-
Dugong numbers plummet as seagrass vanishes in Andaman
Conservationists in Thailand are working to restore seagrass beds in the Andaman Sea after dugong numbers dropped sharply due to food loss and habitat damage. The Thai Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation Foundation has launched a renewed campaign to restore seagrass beds in the Andaman Sea, after recent drone surveys revealed a drastic decline in dugong numbers, from 248…
-
Thai woman loses 3 vehicles to man met through online dating group
A Thai woman in Loei province lost two cars and one motorcycle, worth over 1.2 million baht, to a man who moved in with her after just one day of online conversation. The 32 year old victim, Watchalaporn Butsaba, revealed in an interview with Channel 3 and ThaiRath that she met the suspect, 41 year old Thawatchai, through a dating…
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.