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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Chiang Mai lottery frenzy over Thai star and plane crash numbers

    Chiang Mai lottery frenzy over Thai star and plane crash numbers

    Lottery enthusiasts in Chiang Mai are flocking to purchase tickets featuring popular numbers associated with the late singer Pumpuang Duangjan and the recent plane crash in India. The numbers are selling out quickly at various lottery stalls across the city. Pannee Lupu-ngern, a lottery vendor on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road in Saraphi district, revealed that numbers related to Pumpuang, who passed…

  • Phichit governor probes school insurance scam at children centre

    Phichit governor probes school insurance scam at children centre

    The governor of Phichit province in northern Thailand has ordered an investigation into an insurance fraud case involving a supposed agent deceiving parents at schools and child development centres. The parents were led to believe they had secured accident insurance for their children, but the money was never forwarded to the insurance company. This came to light following an incident…

  • Pattaya gold robber arrested after daring heist in Lamphun

    Pattaya gold robber arrested after daring heist in Lamphun

    A 47 year old man has been arrested in Pattaya today following a swift investigation into a daring gold robbery in Lamphun province. The heist, which saw a suspect steal two gold necklaces worth over 500,000 baht, was solved thanks to the tireless efforts of Chon Buri Provincial Police. “The suspect was tracked down to a shopping mall in Central…

  • Russian woman arrested in Phuket for illegal medical practice

    Russian woman arrested in Phuket for illegal medical practice

    Phuket’s tourist police have detained a 33 year old Russian woman for practising medicine without a licence. She allegedly offered injectable treatments to both Thais and foreigners across Phuket, promoting her services online. Police Colonel Narapon Wattanakorntawee, commander of the Tourist Police Division 3, instructed investigators to apprehend the Russian national, Viktoriia Freimark. The arrest followed complaints received by Police…

  • Cambodian rush at Sa Kaeo border amid closure fears

    Cambodian rush at Sa Kaeo border amid closure fears

    The permanent Ban Klong Luek Border Crossing in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, experienced congestion as many Cambodians hurried back to their country fearing a sudden border closure. Sa Kaeo Governor Parinya Phothisat visited the site to observe the situation and assured that the border will not close. Yesterday, June 13, a large number of Cambodians formed long queues at…

  • Airline service charges set to rise at 6 Thai airports this October

    Airline service charges set to rise at 6 Thai airports this October

    In a move that will impact passengers at six key airports, the Department of Airports (DoA) has announced an increase in passenger service charges (PSC) for both domestic and international departures. Starting October 1, the domestic charge will rise from 50 baht to 75 baht per person, while the international charge will jump from 400 baht to 425 baht per…

  • Dusit International eyes 16 billion baht revenue boost this year

    Dusit International eyes 16 billion baht revenue boost this year

    Dusit International is set to bounce back in 2025, with the company projecting a revenue of 16 billion baht from its residential properties and reduced interest burdens. The company is confident in its recovery, as it moves closer to turning a profit, despite challenges faced in previous years. “Dusit International is on track for a strong turnaround,” said Suphajee Suthumpun,…

  • PM Paetongtarn calls for proactive diplomacy to boost economy

    PM Paetongtarn calls for proactive diplomacy to boost economy

    In a bold call for action, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has urged Thai diplomats around the world to take a more proactive approach to support the country’s economy, navigate shifting global dynamics, and maintain peace in the region. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 annual meeting of Thai heads of missions in Bangkok, Paetongtarn outlined clear strategies for…

  • SAO collapse: Final suspect turns himself in for prosecution

    SAO collapse: Final suspect turns himself in for prosecution

    The investigation into the catastrophic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building has taken a dramatic turn, with the final suspect in the case now facing prosecution. Chinese national Wu Bing Lin, also known by the Thai name Chanchai Rungrotthanacharoen, turned himself in to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Thursday, June 12, marking a significant step in…

  • Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system

    Pattaya to revamp entertainment zones and taxi system

    To modernise and better serve the ever-growing number of tourists flocking to Pattaya, Bang Lamung district has unveiled major plans to overhaul its zoning regulations for entertainment venues and completely restructure the motorbike taxi system. This ambitious initiative was announced at a meeting chaired by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon at the Takian Tia Municipal Office, attended by government leaders and…

  • Indian man quizzed after bomb scare on Phuket flight

    Indian man quizzed after bomb scare on Phuket flight

    A 52 year old Indian man was arrested for questioning after a bomb threat forced an Air India flight to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport yesterday morning. The alarming incident triggered a swift security response, with 156 passengers onboard caught in the tense drama. The flight, AI 379, was en route from Phuket to Delhi when, around…

  • Let it rain: Heavy downpours to drench Thailand

    Let it rain: Heavy downpours to drench Thailand

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall for today across 44 provinces, with the northeast and eastern regions expecting the heaviest downpours. Residents are urged to anticipate potential flash floods and forest runoffs, especially in hilly areas and low-lying regions. Heavy rains are predicted for the northeast and east. Rain is expected in 51 provinces, with a 60% chance…

  • Thai government backs new AI law to boost investment

    Thai government backs new AI law to boost investment

    The government has expressed readiness to endorse the current draft of principles for the artificial intelligence (AI) law, aiming to ensure uniform regulations for AI developers and service providers. The principles are designed to foster rather than deter investment. These principles address safety standards for AI systems, data management for AI development, and risk levels concerning personal data. Wisit Wisitsora-at,…

  • Thai man’s mysterious skin blisters revealed as ‘skin worms’

    Thai man’s mysterious skin blisters revealed as ‘skin worms’

    A shocking Facebook post showing a man’s hand covered in painful, pus-like blisters has left many people guessing, only for doctors to reveal the bizarre cause: skin worm larvae, also known as Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM). The unusual condition, often referred to as “skin worms,” is caused by hookworm larvae that typically come from animals like dogs and cats, especially…

  • Presumed dead man found alive after week in mangrove mud

    Presumed dead man found alive after week in mangrove mud

    Rescuers assisted a Thai man who was trapped in mud in a mangrove forest in the southern province of Chumphon for seven days, after a local fisherman discovered him and initially mistook him for a corpse. The 53 year old fisherman, Sila Wongpaen, fled the mangrove in shock and filed a report at Ban Wisai Nue Police Station, stating that…

  • Flying truck wheel strikes car and injures doctor in Udon Thani

    Flying truck wheel strikes car and injures doctor in Udon Thani

    A Thai female doctor sustained minor injuries after a wheel detached from a truck and struck her car on a road in the Isaan province of Udon Thani yesterday, June 12. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station coordinated with a rescue team to assist the 44 year old doctor, identified only as Eng, on the Friendship Highway. Eng told…

  • Major disruptions as Krungthai, GSB, SCB announce maintenance

    Major disruptions as Krungthai, GSB, SCB announce maintenance

    Millions of customers across Thailand are bracing for significant service interruptions as three of the country’s biggest banks – Krungthai, Government Savings Bank (GSB), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) – prepare for extensive system maintenance. The planned outages will affect online banking, ATMs, mobile applications, and payment services, leaving many customers scrambling to complete transactions ahead of the disruptions. Krungthai…

  • Pattaya launches new emergency medical training initiative

    Pattaya launches new emergency medical training initiative

    To enhance safety and attract more investment, Pattaya is rolling out a new emergency medical system project that aims to reassure both tourists and investors. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently welcomed Paisan Konjampa, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM), along with his team, to discuss the details of this exciting initiative. The NIEM team highlighted Pattaya’s status…

  • 2 fake police officers arrested for extorting Indian man of 5,000 baht

    2 fake police officers arrested for extorting Indian man of 5,000 baht

    Police arrested two Thai men who posed as officers and extorted an Indian national of 5,000 baht in the central province of Sing Buri on Monday, June 9. The victim, 53 year old Sanjay Siner, filed a complaint with Mueang Sing Buri Police Station on the same day, stating that two Thai men, claiming to be police officers, forced him into their…

  • New compensation policy for wild elephant attacks in Thailand

    New compensation policy for wild elephant attacks in Thailand

    The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has updated its financial assistance policy for those affected by wild elephant attacks, with a maximum payout of 500,000 baht. This new guideline, effective immediately, is designed to ensure timely and transparent compensation, with approved funds transferred within five working days. Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa announced yesterday, June 12, that the…

  • Thailand video news | Air India jet crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing hundreds, MIFFest 2025 to screen 62 films from 48 countries in July

    Thailand video news | Air India jet crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing hundreds, MIFFest 2025 to screen 62 films from 48 countries in July

    Today’s top stories in Thailand include a violent incident involving a security guard and two young boys, a 40-million-baht student visa scam tied to Chinese mafia networks, and an unsettling underwear-sniffing case caught on CCTV. Environmental concerns mount with toxic red dust seized at Bangkok Port and worsening landfill odors in Phuket. Internationally, the tragic crash of an Air India…

  • Buddhist amulet saves Thai man from shooting in Bangkok restaurant

    Buddhist amulet saves Thai man from shooting in Bangkok restaurant

    A Thai businessman survived a shooting at a restaurant in Bangkok yesterday, June 12, after a Buddhist amulet he was wearing reportedly blocked a bullet from piercing his chest. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station responded to reports of gunfire at a restaurant on Phahonyothin Road in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. Upon arrival, they found a chaotic scene, with tables…

  • Bomb threat forces emergency landing of Air India flight in Phuket

    Bomb threat forces emergency landing of Air India flight in Phuket

    Following the Air India flight crash yesterday, a bomb threat forced another flight from the troubled airline to make an emergency landing at Phuket Airport today. Flight AI 379, en route from Phuket to Delhi with 156 passengers aboard, was diverted to Phuket after a bomb threat message was discovered on board. At 9.30am today, June 13, Phuket International Airport…

  • Patient punches nurse in Nonthaburi hospital, cites disrespect

    Patient punches nurse in Nonthaburi hospital, cites disrespect

    Police immediately transferred a male patient from the hospital to a detention cell after he punched a nurse in the face on Wednesday, June 11, at Pranangklao Hospital in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Excessive cannabis use is suspected to have played a role in the violent outburst. The assault occurred at around 2pm in front of the nurses’ counter on…

  • US State Department: Thailand safe for most, caution in south

    US State Department: Thailand safe for most, caution in south

    Thailand’s travel advisory has been updated, and the verdict is in: the country is generally safe for tourists. However, there are some areas where extra caution is recommended, particularly in the southern provinces due to ongoing civil unrest. The US State Department has placed Thailand on its “Level 1” advisory for most of the country, meaning “Exercise Normal Precautions.” This…

  • Police chase and escape of Bangkok taxi rider end in injury of passenger

    Police chase and escape of Bangkok taxi rider end in injury of passenger

    A traffic police officer chased an app-based motorcycle taxi rider who ran a red light, causing the female passenger to fall and suffer a head injury. The incident sparked mixed reactions online. The Facebook page, อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6, posted dashcam footage of the incident yesterday, June 12, stating the administrator’s opinions in the caption… “Both parties were at fault.…

  • Cambodia’s Hun Sen calls for Thai film ban amid rising tensions

    Cambodia’s Hun Sen calls for Thai film ban amid rising tensions

    Cambodia is threatening to pull the plug on Thai culture and commerce as tensions with Thailand continue to boil over. Senate President Hun Sen has urged the Royal Government of Cambodia to consider banning Thai films and halting imports of Thai goods, citing rising hostility from Thai extremist groups. The bold remarks were made in a fiery social media post,…

  • British man found dead at sea after missing from yacht off Phuket

    British man found dead at sea after missing from yacht off Phuket

    A search team, yesterday, June 12, discovered the deceased body of a British man who went missing from his family’s private yacht off Phuket on June 8. The British national, 28 year old Endnaler Johnson, disappeared during a trip with four family members aboard a private yacht, De Mareft. The vessel was anchored approximately one kilometre off Cape Yamu in…

  • It keeps raining: Thailand continues to brace for heavy downpours

    It keeps raining: Thailand continues to brace for heavy downpours

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts significant rainfall across 44 provinces, with the heaviest downpours expected in the northern and northeastern regions, potentially affecting up to 70% of these areas. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and forest runoff. The department’s 24-hour weather forecast predicts heavy rain in parts of the northeast and eastern Thailand, while…

  • 2 Thai boys assaulted by security guard over money hunt in rubbish area

    2 Thai boys assaulted by security guard over money hunt in rubbish area

    A Thai security guard physically assaulted two young boys at a condominium in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province near Bangkok after the boys rummaged through a rubbish area in the hope of finding 12 million baht, inspired by a recent news story. The discovery of 12 million baht in cash inside a grey plastic box at a condominium…