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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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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Paetongtarn urges stronger regional ties to tackle shared troubles
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called for urgent cross-border cooperation to tackle the world’s shared challenges, from climate change to geopolitical tensions, during the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Speaking in the capital today, April 21, the Bangkok-born PM addressed ministers from across Asia and the Pacific, stressing that regional unity…
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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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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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Two nighttime attacks in Narathiwat injures 17
Seventeen people were injured in two separate attacks in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat last night, April 20. One involved a motorcycle bomb, the other a gun and grenade assault on a dinner gathering. The first attack took place as Police Colonel Weerayut Taseepan, from the Koke Kian Police Station, reported a loud explosion beside the wall of the police…
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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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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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Pheu Thai confident on 2026 budget bill amid casino tensions
Deliberations on the 2026 budget bill are anticipated to start late next month in the House, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party expressing confidence in its passage, despite mounting tensions within the government coalition over the push to legalise casinos in Thailand. A Pheu Thai MP, Sutin Klungsang, announced that the bill will be discussed in a Parliamentary session scheduled…
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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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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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Senior monk in scandal after photos with woman surface
A controversial incident involving a senior monk has emerged in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district. Photos recently surfaced allegedly showing a monk and a woman both naked in a bathroom, with the woman bathing the monk. The monk is identified as a senior ecclesiastical official and a subdistrict chief monk. The incident has prompted locals to demand accountability. Residents…
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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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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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Drug-fuelled gay man arrested after stabbing and setting monk on fire
Police arrested a gay man for attacking a monk with a Stanley knife and setting him on fire at a temple in the northeastern province of Buriram. The monk remains in critical condition. Officers from Huayrat Police Station were called to assist the severely injured monk, 70 year old Suppatin Taewonrum, at Ta Sao Temple in Huayrat district, Buriram, on…
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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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City Hall pledges extra funds for earthquake repair after criticism
City Hall has responded to criticism regarding the inadequacy of compensation offered for home repairs to earthquake victims, stating that additional funds may be allocated in exceptional circumstances. The compensation issue was addressed during a press conference on earthquake relief, led by Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej, after a public outcry was triggered by a complaint posted on Facebook by…
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Canadian caught riding illegal scooter rental graft in Koh Pha Ngan
A Canadian man’s tropical dream has come skidding to a halt after he was busted running an illegal electric scooter rental business on the paradise island of Koh Pha Ngan, all while on a tourist visa. Thai police arrested the 34 year old Canadian, known only as Mr A, after discovering he was illegally operating a lucrative scooter rental business…
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Tattoo artist on the run after deadly shooting in Samut Sakhon
A 57 year old tattoo artist is suspected of fatally shooting a 42 year old man on a road in Samut Sakhon on April 19. The police are gathering evidence to issue an arrest warrant, as the suspect remains at large. The incident occurred on the road opposite the Baan Ua-Athorn residential area in Nadee subdistrict, Mueang district. The suspect, Sang,…
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Multiple locals injured in shooting during dinner in Narathiwat
An unidentified number of gunmen opened fire on a group of locals dining outdoors in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat yesterday, leaving several people injured. Officers from Waeng Police Station were alerted to the shooting at a house in Waeng district at around 7.15pm, yesterday, on April 20. Police responded to the scene along with an emergency team from Waeng…
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Cabinet reshuffle expected by July, economic affairs focus
A Cabinet reshuffle is anticipated before July, with political analysts predicting changes within the economic affairs ministerial positions. Despite anticipated adjustments, the Bhumjaithai Party is expected to remain in the ruling coalition, which is vital for the government’s stability. Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, indicated to the Bangkok Post that this reshuffle would likely…
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Teenager surrenders after fatal stabbing in Phuket
A 19 year old man has turned himself in to the police following the fatal stabbing of a 59 year old man in Phuket. The stabbing victim, identified as Chatuchok, was found unconscious with a knife wound to his abdomen near a grocery store in Soi Hon Saithong, Mueang district. Emergency services transported him to the hospital, but he later…
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7 deaths and over 30 injuries reported in Prachin Buri bus accident
A coach bus collided with a 12-wheel truck in the central province of Prachin Buri in the early hours of this morning resulting in seven deaths and more than 30 injuries. Officers from Wang Khon Daeng Police Station responded to the scene on Highway 304 in the Nadee district at around 1.30am, today, April 21. According to reports, the coach…
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Thunderstorms set to rock Thailand, 28 provinces warned
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a stormy forecast for today, April 21, predicting sizzling heat, thunderous storms, and fierce winds across upper Thailand. A whopping 28 provinces are set to feel the full force of Mother Nature’s wrath! Locals are urged to batten down the hatches and brace themselves for wild weather. With the mercury soaring, it’s crucial to…
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Songkran sham: Pattaya slashers rob tourists in beach bag blag
What was meant to be a splash-tastic celebration turned into a soggy Songkran nightmare for dozens of tourists in Pattaya, after crafty crooks dipped their fingers into more than just water buckets. Over 20 foreign tourists were left high and dry after falling victim to a wave of pickpockets and bag slashers during the wild Songkran water festivities along Central…
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Monk severely injured in Buriram over fictitious debt
A 70 year old monk was severely injured after being attacked in his quarters in Buriram province. The attacker is suspected of having assaulted the monk over a fictitious debt of 2 million baht. The father of the alleged 34 year old attacker claims mental instability, stating his son has been talking to himself for about a year. At 7.30am today,…
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