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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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
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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Pattaya cop scales new heights to daring rescue helpless child
A courageous Pattaya cop yesterday pulled off a daring rescue mission straight out of an action film, scaling a fourth-floor balcony to save a terrified seven year old girl trapped alone in a locked flat. The brave police officer has been showered with praise after risking life and limb to rescue the young girl stranded in a condo unit in…
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Fire destroys wooden house in Phayao, damage over 500,000 baht
In the early hours of this morning a fire engulfed a wooden house located in the Rong Jua area near Wat Sawang Arom in Mueang district, Phayao province, causing extensive damage exceeding 500,000 baht. It took over two hours for firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Police Lieutenant Chatchasiri Jikamwan, deputy inspector at Dok Kham Tai Police Station, received…
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Nude photos at Hat Yai Buddha statue spark outrage
A shocking nude photo scandal has emerged in Hat Yai, with a group of men posting explicit outdoor shots at sacred sites. The photos, which were shared on the popular social media platform X, have caused outrage among locals. The group, known as OutdoorHDY, staged their daring photoshoots in public spaces across Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla province. One of the…
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Thailand braces for extreme heat and thunderstorms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) predicts exceptionally hot weather throughout Thailand, with thunderstorms anticipated in 34 provinces today, April 22. Northern regions may see temperatures reaching up to 40°C. Residents across the country are advised to take precautions against the intense heat and potential storms. The TMD highlights that low pressure due to heat is affecting the upper part of…
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Russian teacher urges Thais to drop ‘Farang’ if ‘Ni Hao’ is deemed racist
A Russian language teacher urged Thai people to stop using the word “farang” to refer to foreigners if they view the term “Ni Hao” as racist. The controversy surrounding the phrase “Ni Hao” erupted on Thai social media after a former Thai-Scottish park ranger, Siranudh “Sai” Scott, shared a video about the issue last week. In the video, Sai explained that…
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Thailand rejects US loan terms for F-16 jets
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed today that Thailand will not move forward with the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States, citing the unfeasibility of meeting the stringent loan conditions attached to the deal. Phumtham explained that the US required Thailand to take out a loan from a US-based bank to cover the entire cost of the fleet…
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Summer storm wreaks havoc in Ubon Ratchathani districts
A summer storm battered Ubon Ratchathani yesterday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and hail to five districts, with Warin Chamrap and Mueang Ubon Ratchathani suffering significant damage. Over 20 homes and riverside food rafts were damaged. Yesterday, April 20, around 4.05pm, the storm struck Warin Chamrap and Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, causing hailstones the size of small coins to fall during…
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Executives sought in Thailand building collapse probe
Three executives from China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co. are being sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok during an earthquake on Friday, March 28, which resulted in the deaths of numerous workers. The DSI revealed the search following the arrest of Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese executive…
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Thai military intercepts drug traffickers on Thai-Myanmar border
In Chiang Mai, Thai military forces engaged in two operations against drug traffickers along the Thai-Myanmar border, resulting in the deaths of two suspects and the seizure of narcotics. The operations took place yesterday, April 20, as part of a government and army directive aimed at intensifying anti-drug efforts in the region. The military received intelligence about an international drug…
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Thai PM’s visit to Cambodia sparks criticism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled for an official visit to Cambodia on April 23 and 24. The visit will include bilateral discussions and a ceremony to unveil the logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia, as announced by government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. During the visit, significant agreements will be signed and courtesy visits will…
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Arrest warrant issued against Swiss man who kicked Thai doctor
Phuket Kwaeng Court issued an arrest warrant for a Swiss man who allegedly kicked a female Thai doctor in the back outside his luxury villa in Phuket after he failed to appear in court as scheduled. The 27 year old Thai doctor, Tarndao Chandam, filed a lawsuit against 46 year old Swiss national Urs Fehr in February last year. She…
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NARIT invites public to witness Venus at its brightest
NARIT is inviting the public to observe Venus, the brightest celestial body visible to the naked eye in the morning sky in the east. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, encourages stargazing enthusiasts to witness the phenomenon from early morning until sunrise on Thursday, April 24. Supharerk Krihanon,…
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Phuket sting operation: man arrested with meth in rubber plantation
A coordinated sting operation led by the Thalang District Administrative Special Operations Unit resulted in the arrest of a man in Thalang, Phuket. Thousands of methamphetamine pills and a significant amount of crystal meth were discovered hidden in a rubber plantation. The arrest was announced during a press conference on April 18. Among those present were Phuket Vice Governor Adul…
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Excessive force: Thai man shot dead after running police checkpoint
A family accused Thai police officers of misusing their power after they shot and killed a Thai man who allegedly ran a checkpoint in the central province of Nakhon Nayok. The 29 year old Thai man, Arnon “Beer” Ngamroop, was shot and transported to a hospital by officers from Pak Pli Police Station. When Beer’s family arrived at the hospital, they…
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Phuket teen injured after hand stuck in meat grinder
A 15 year old boy in Phuket suffered severe injuries to his right hand after an accident where he got his hand stuck in a meat grinder at a butcher’s shop in Ratsada on Friday afternoon, April 18. Emergency personnel responded swiftly to the scene. Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, along with an advanced EMS unit from Vachira…
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Pope Francis dies at 88 after divine decade at the top
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff in history, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. The beloved leader died at 7.35am, today, April 21, sending shockwaves through the Catholic world and triggering the official process to choose his successor. “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of…
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Indian scrubs passport to hide secret trips to Thailand from wife
A nervous Indian man with a dodgy passport and an even dodgier excuse has been nicked at the airport, after desperately trying to wipe out evidence of secret trips to Thailand so his wife wouldn’t find out. The 28 year old man from Paldi in South Western Ahmedabad, India, found himself in hot water after immigration officials at the airport…
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Phuket raids uncover major illegal cigarette smuggling network
A coordinated operation in central Phuket led to raids on four key locations, targeting an illegal cigarette smuggling network. The crackdown, linked to influential figures in the area, was initiated after local reports of untaxed cigarette distribution. The operation by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.…
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Transport worker arrested for stealing amulets worth 16 million baht
A 36 year old employee of a transport company was arrested for stealing sacred Ai Khai amulets worth 16 million baht. Trusted with keys to a storage room, he allegedly took the items to sell last year. Yesterday, April 20, at 4pm, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with other senior officers, reported the arrest of Thanaphat at his residence…
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Thai man stabs ex-girlfriend 12 times in Bangkok rented room
A Thai man murdered his ex-girlfriend by stabbing her 12 times in a rented room in Bangkok on Saturday, 19 April, after seeing her with a new boyfriend. Officers from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station, along with a medical team from Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, rushed to assist the victim, 28 year old Nattacha Tojeen, and arrested the perpetrator, 29 year old…
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Tragic drowning of teenager in Lampang’s Wang River
A group of 14 year old boys set off for a fishing adventure in Lampang’s Wang River but it ended in heartbreak as one tragically drowned. Despite desperate attempts to save him, his larger build proved challenging, pulling others under in the struggle to rescue him. At 2.30pm, yesterday, April 20, Police Lieutenant Warathep Srinoy from Thoen Police Station was…
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Pattaya tourists use water guns to put out fire on food cart
A group of tourists attending the Wan Lai Festival, an extension of the Songkran Festival in Pattaya, helped to extinguish a fire on a food cart using their water guns. A video capturing the remarkable moment when tourists assisted a Thai vendor in suppressing the fire on his cart was shared by Channel 7 yesterday, April 20. The incident occurred…
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Thai man arrested on train after faking gunshot story
A 39 year old man was apprehended on a train yesterday following an investigation revealing he fabricated a story about being shot. The suspect, identified as Ma-usman, had accidentally shot himself. Police Major General Khongkrit Lertsitthikul directed the arrest yesterday, April 20, with the coordination of various police officials including Police Colonel Intharat Panya and Police Lieutenant Colonel Warisorn Matcha.…
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New roof welcomes shade to Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier
Tourists heading to Koh Larn can now enjoy a cooler wait at Pattaya’s Laem Bali Hai Pier, thanks to a new roof installed over the ferry boarding area. The pier, a key launch point to the popular island, has long been criticised for offering little protection from the intense sun. That’s now changed with the addition of a large roof…
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Over 8,000 Chinese food items seized for lacking FDA approval
Over 8,000 pieces of noodles, mala soup, and dried bean curd worth more than 300,000 baht were seized in Bangkok for lacking Thai FDA approval. These goods, originating from China, were set for distribution to local restaurants. Yesterday, April 20, Police Major General Tasanapoom Charupradit, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, directed Police Colonel Narupon Karuna and Police Lieutenant…
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Bangkok man arrested for drug sales from rental room
Police in Chokchai district apprehended a 29 year old man for operating a daily rental room used for selling e-cigarettes and illegal substances, including ketamine pods and methamphetamine. Police discovered financial transactions totalling 1 million baht (US$29,985) over six months. The suspect, , Wanakaset “Film” Wattanakaset, faces four serious charges. Today, April 21, police officials, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…
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Early morning fire destroys bus on Rojana Road in Ayutthaya
A fire engulfed a white bus parked on Rojana Road, outbound towards the entrance of Wat Khan Ham, in Khan Ham subdistrict, Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The incident was reported to the 191 Ayutthaya Provincial Police Radio Centre at approximately 5.30am today, April 21, prompting a coordinated response from Khan Ham subdistrict’s fire brigade and the Phutthai…
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Ratchaburi soldier surrenders after allegedly shooting wife
In Ratchaburi province, a soldier turned himself in to the police after allegedly shooting his 28 year old wife at their home in Mueang subdistrict, Photharam district. The incident reportedly took place during the night, following which the soldier, Thawisak, fled the scene. Thawisak, a sergeant major, arranged through family members to surrender to police. He was picked up by…
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Woman finds husband with mistress at Bangkok resort, fatal altercation ensues
A woman discovered her missing husband with his mistress at a resort in Min Buri district, Bangkok, yesterday, April 20, leading to a violent altercation. The confrontation resulted in the mistress’s death at a hospital, while the wife later surrendered to the police. Police Lieutenant Colonel Banlu Phloetnok of Min Buri Police Station received a report about a fatal altercation…
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Udon Thani train station security guard accused of sexual assault
An 18 year old Thai woman accused a security guard at a train station in the northeastern province of Udon Thani of sexually assaulting her. The guard denied the allegation. The young woman called officers from Mueang Udon Police Station to Udon Thani Railway Station at 3.30am on Saturday, April 19, reporting that the 53 year old security guard, identified…
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