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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Woman seeks justice over husband’s misuse of funds and infidelity
A 55 year old woman appealed for justice at the Ubon Ratchathani provincial complaints centre, claiming her husband, a village headman, has been involved with three mistresses and used money from selling their land to build a house for one of them. Yesterday, April 21, she was accompanied by lawyer Kritsada Lohitdee, known as Lawyer Nobi, to submit a formal…
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French tourist busted in Patong for reckless riding
A thrill-seeking Frenchman landed himself in trouble after his reckless antics on Patong’s streets caught the attention of Thailand’s national immigration chief. Identified as 23 year old Ali, the tourist was arrested after CCTV footage revealed him tearing through red lights, revving up noise complaints, and riding without a helmet. The chaotic joyride didn’t go unnoticed. National Immigration Bureau Chief…
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Thai taxi driver wins lottery, gives passengers free ride and cash
A Thai taxi driver promised to offer a free ride plus 200 baht in cash to three passengers if he won a lottery ticket. Guess what? Yes, he indeed won it. A Thai woman shared a video on her TikTok account, @featployda, on Sunday, April 20, capturing the moment she, her friends, and the taxi driver awaited the lottery results…
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Microsoft launches AI programme to upskill 1 million Thais
Microsoft Thailand has launched a groundbreaking initiative, the THAI Academy: Accelerating Thailand’s AI Future, aimed at offering over 1 million Thais the chance to gain AI upskilling opportunities. Announced yesterday, April 21, the programme is part of an ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and the Thai government, supported by 35 partners from both the public and private sectors. This major step…
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Thailand aviation upgraded to category 1, opening US flights
In a major boost for Thailand’s aviation sector, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially upgraded the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. The Ministry of Transport announced the exciting development today, April 22, recognising that Thailand now meets international civil aviation safety standards, paving the way for Thai airlines to resume flights to the United States. This…
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400 million baht for new Rama 2 parallel route construction
The Department of Highways has allocated 400 million baht to alleviate traffic congestion on Rama 2 Road by constructing a parallel route and new bridges. Construction is expected to begin in September this year, and officials assure that it will not affect traffic on the main route. Yesterday, April 21, Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director General of the Department of Highways, discussed…
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Thai woman throws 300k baht ring into sea after cheating prank
A woman’s online post has sparked debate after she threw her 300,000 baht wedding ring into the sea, following a prank by her husband. The couple, on a yacht trip on April 21, faced a turning point in their marriage when the husband’s joke about infidelity went awry. The 29 year old woman shared her story online, describing it as…
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Bangkok taxi driver praised for safely transporting unconscious woman to police (video)
A woman who lost consciousness was safely transported to Thong Lo Police Station, Bangkok, by a conscientious taxi driver, drawing admiration from netizens. Yesterday, April 21, a TikTok user, @kanthachok_759, who is a patrol officer at Thong Lo police Station, shared a video showing the unconscious woman lying in the backseat of a taxi. “The driver, acting responsibly, brought her…
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Drunk foreign man ends Phuket beach party with graveyard nap
Locals in the Bang Tao area of Phuket rescued a drunk foreign man who was found sleeping in a graveyard after attending a beach party. The Phuket Times shared photos of the man lying on a grassy area yesterday, April 21, with the caption: “5.20pm. A foreigner was found lying unconscious in the Bang Tao kubur (kubur means burial ground…
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Phuket probes construction site over erosion concerns
Phuket officials have launched a major investigation into a hillside construction project in Karon after public concerns over potential illegal development and environmental damage. The inspection, conducted yesterday, April 21, was led by Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Phuket Natural Resources and Environment Office, and accompanied by officers from the Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Office.…
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Bangkok bungler! Ex-con caught robbing shop with a toy gun
Police last night apprehended a 29 year old man for armed robbery at a well-known convenience store in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district. The suspect, Surat, also known as M, had recently completed a sentence for theft and was unemployed before just starting a job as a security guard. The arrest occurred at approximately 10pm yesterday, April 21. Police Major General…
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Ex-attorney general gets 3 years in Red Bull heir hit-and-run case
A former deputy attorney general has been sentenced to three years in prison, while a former senior public prosecutor received two years, following their involvement in the controversial case surrounding the 2012 fatal hit-and-run involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya. The incident, which saw Vorayuth drive a luxury Porsche sports car into police officer Wichian Klanprasert, leading to his…
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Man arrested in stolen car with fake plates bought for 40,000 baht
Police apprehended a 49 year old man driving a luxury car adorned with red commemorative plates from a graduation event. The vehicle was found to be stolen, with the suspect, Patrawut, admitting to buying it from the black market for 40,000 baht. Yesterday, April 21, Police Major General Kongkrit Lertsitthikul, along with Police Colonel Apichat Renshana and other officers, arrested Patrawut…
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Teen monk killed in drive-by attack on police escort in Songkhla
In a shocking attack, gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle escorting monks during their morning alms round in Songkhla province. The incident, which took place today, April 22, in the Saba Yoi district, resulted in the death of a 16 year old novice monk and left another injured. Police forces are now on a manhunt for the assailants, but…
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Solar flare-up! US tariffs scorch Thai imports in fiery trade row
A blistering tariff bombshell from Washington has lit a fire under Southeast Asia’s solar imports, with Thailand among the hardest hit, as the United States slaps sky-high duties of up to 3,521% on imports, claiming unfair competition from Asian suppliers. The US has launched a full-scale trade crackdown on solar imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, slapping colossal new…
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Making waves: Illegal jet ski operators sunk in Phuket crackdown
Five jet ski operators have been arrested in a significant operation to clamp down on illegal rentals in Phuket. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Marine Police Division arrested the suspects, who were caught operating unregistered jet skis at Kamala Beach and a pier in Koh Kaew. The arrests highlighted ongoing concerns over unregulated tourist services in…
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Australian caught with loaded gun on Patong’s Bangla Road
An Australian man has been arrested in Patong after being caught with an illegal, loaded firearm in the early hours of yesterday morning. Lachlan James McGahey, 31, was detained by police during a routine patrol on Bangla Road at around 3.40am, yesterday, April 21. Officers discovered that McGahey was carrying a Thai-made .38-calibre handgun, which was loaded with eight rounds…
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Robbery attempt at Yasothon gold shop thwarted by brave owner
A gold shop in Yasothon province was the target of a robbery attempt yesterday, April 21. The suspect, armed with an unloaded gun, demanded gold but was thwarted by the alert shop owner and her nephew. The suspect fled the scene, and police are currently pursuing him. Police Lieutenant Colonel Worawut Thanmook, Deputy Superintendent of Mueang Yasothon Police Station, received…
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17 year old Thai girl fatally shot after glance exchange at restaurant
Police are searching for a gunman who fatally shot a 17 year old girl on Sunday, April 20, while she was riding a motorcycle. The incident allegedly stemmed from an exchange of glances at a barbecue restaurant in the central province of Pathum Thani. Medical staff at Rangsit Hospital alerted officers from Khu Khot Police Station after the victim, known…
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Rolling the dice: Pheu Thai MPs bet on casino and amnesty bills
Pheu Thai lawmakers have been directed to advocate for the casino-entertainment complex and political amnesty bills within their constituencies during the Parliamentary recess. This effort aims to facilitate the smooth passage of these bills. Pheu Thai spokesperson and Member of Parliament Danuporn Punnakanta stated that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra advised party MPs to assess public opinion on several issues, including…
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Thai royals to enhance ties with Bhutan in April state visit
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will embark on a state visit to Bhutan from April 25 to 28, as announced by the Royal Household Bureau. The journey follows an invitation from King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and aims to enhance the friendship and cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan, which are rooted in shared cultural…
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Taiwanese man attacked by Pattaya homeless with no prior conflict
A Taiwanese man issued a warning to others after he was attacked with a wooden stick by a homeless man outside a restaurant in southern Pattaya last weekend. A reward is being offered for anyone with useful information leading to the arrest of the attacker. The Taiwanese victim and his Thai girlfriend reported the incident to the public yesterday, April 21.…
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Thailand introduces new cybercrime law to tackle data misuse
A new cybercrime law aims to tackle cybercrime at its roots by preventing the misuse of personal data, as stated by the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC). PDPC Secretary General, Police Colonel Surapong Plengkham, announced yesterday, April 21, that the Royal Decree on Measures for the Prevention and Suppression of Cybercrime 2025 has been officially published in the Royal Gazette.…
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Bang Khen police arrest brothers for motorcycle theft
Bang Khen police successfully apprehended two brothers who had been involved in motorcycle theft and dismantling parts for sale. The operation yesterday, April 21, was led by Police Colonel Anan Warasart, with assistance from Deputy Investigation Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Kosolpiya Sima, Investigation Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Pornchai Wongprasertkan, and Investigation Inspector Police Captain Yuranan Phetmanee. The suspects, 37 year…
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Thailand’s sarus cranes arrive in Vietnam for conservation
In a monumental step for wildlife conservation, six sarus cranes have arrived in Vietnam as part of an ambitious project to save the endangered species. The cranes, flown in from Thailand, were welcomed at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, on Sunday, April 20, marking the beginning of a significant reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the species…
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9 month old baby boy survives accident that kills family in Thailand
A nine month old baby boy was the sole survivor of a deadly car accident on Phetchakasem Road in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, which claimed the lives of his parents and grandmother. A Thai doctor shared the tragic story of the infant on his clinic’s Facebook page, Yingyos Orthopaedic Clinic, yesterday, April 21. He explained that he…
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Phuket beach bonk shock! Randy tourists caught in sandy scandal
A frisky foreign couple sparked outrage in Phuket after being caught having sex on Patong Beach in broad daylight. Social media in Thailand erupted after explicit footage emerged of a tourist couple engaging in a public sex act on Phuket’s famous Patong Beach, leaving locals and fellow holidaymakers stunned and disgusted. The couple, described as a man and woman of…
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Mum’s pep talk stops runaway gunman after he shot his wife
An armed and dangerous 27 year old man who shot his wife was caught within hours, thanks to rapid coordination between Pattaya and Kanchanaburi police and a well-timed pep talk from his mum. The chaos began around 8.40.m, yesterday, April 21, in Pattaya’s Nongprue area, where police rushed to a rented room after reports of gunfire. There, they found that…
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Single mother and children flee harassment by tenant in Nonthaburi
A single mother and her three children faced threats, harassment, and assault from a tenant in their Nonthaburi home, prompting them to flee and relocate for their safety. The incident, shared on social media, occurred on April 18 at 10.24pm near the dormitory in Soi Liang Mueang Nonthaburi 10, Bang Kraso, Mueang Nonthaburi district. The victim, 34 year old Khwanchanok,…
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Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears
A major corruption case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya reaches its climax today, April 22. The court will deliver a verdict on allegations of evidence tampering in the 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer. The case, number 131/2024, sees former Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, and Net Naksuk, the former Deputy Public…
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