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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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So close, yet so far – challengers ahead for divers and survivors
Whilst rescuers are tackling the tricky task of removing the 13 trapped footballers from the Tham Luang caves, the Governor of Chiang Rai has shared some of the latest thinking and strategies from the divers and rescue team. Doctors say that the 13 survivors are not physically ready to be taken out after their extended stay in total darkness for…
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Koh Chang: Chinese swimmers rescued off Sai Khao beach
Thai PBS is reporting that three Chinese tourists have been rescued off Koh Chang, near the Cambodian border off the coast, south of Pattaya. Rescue workers saw the three of them caught by a rip current while swimming in the sea off Sai Khao beach on early this afternoon (Wednesday) in defiance of red flags along the beach. One of the…
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Murder suspect arrested 24 hours before statute of limitations expired
A Trang murder suspect has been arrested in Satun yesterday, just 24 hours before the statute of limitations on the 20 year old murder case was due to expire. 41 year old Kredis Sombatthong, a resident of Trang’s Yan Ta Khao district, was arrested by Crime Suppression Division police in Satun’s Khun Ka Long district this morning (Thursday) under a…
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10 million baht to develop Phuket OTOP villages
Phuket is developing its OTOP Villages with a 10 million baht budget to support local tourism. OTOP stands for ‘One Tambon (meaning sub-district) One Product’. It is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program which aims to support the unique locally made and marketed products of each Thai tambon all over Thailand. OTOP drew its inspiration from Japan’s successful One Village One…
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Chiang Rai: “How to get them out” – Jonathan Miller reports
Jonathan Miller from Channel 4 in the UK provided an on-the-scene look at what’s been happening just outside the Tham Luang caves as the rescuers get ready for the evacuation process.
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Malaysian polygamist, who married 11 year old Thai girl, must face trial
A former UN committee member on the Rights of the Child, Sanphasit Koompraphant, is urging the police of both Malaysia and Thailand to take legal action against the 41 year old Malaysian man immediately who has ‘married’ an 11 year old Thai girl in Narathiwat province. He says the marriage has clearly violated the laws. He was responding to a report…
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Phuket Brand trade fair to be held at Jungceylon
A Phuket Brand fair will be held on July 6 -10 at Jungceylon Phuket with more than 50 stalls. Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung and Chief of Phuket Trading Office, Decha Petchwong, announced the details at a media conference yesterday. Khun Decha says, “We are paying attention to both unique as well as standard brands to build confidence in tourists…
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Man arrested for stealing Hindu statue
A Thai man has been arrested after stealing a Hindu god statue in Thalang yesterday (July 4). A team at the Thalang Police have arrested 47 year old Montri Sawettadun from Trang. He was arrested at 7pm at a worker’s camp in Panason housing estate. Police seized the ‘Brahma’ (four faces Hindu god statue). The arrest happened after police were…
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Chiang Mai: Wife follows husband to short time hotel. It didn’t end well.
PHOTO: Sanook Sank is reporting that a Chiang Mai woman has caught her husband in bed with his mistress in a San Sai ‘short time’ hotel. The 27 year old woman, Chaweewan, created a racket outside the hotel room. Her 19 year old rival, Thitiya, eventually opened the door. Chaweewan was brandishing an automatic .380 and an argument and struggle…
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Can’t swim, can’t dive. But it’s the only option.
PHOTO: Army doctor Colonel Pak Loharachun on Wednesday prepares inside the cave to treat minor wounds sustained by the football team members – Thai Navy SEALS “The fittest of the survivors will be the first to come out, others will follow,” Narongsak Osotanakorn, Chiang Rai governor and head of the rescue operations, said yesterday. Rescuers do not want to delay…
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Phuket hosts Miss Grand Thailand Carnival
A ‘carnival-themed’ fashion show, featuring 77 contestants of the Miss Grand Thailand 2018 beauty contest, in beautiful and exotic costumes, was held at Phuket’s Patong Beach this evening. The fashion show was held to promote the Phuket’s tourism and was a part of the contest’s ‘beauty camp’ activities being held in Phuket until July 8. The contest for provincial traditional…
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Two arrested with drugs and ammunition in Kathu
Yesterday (July 3) two Thai man were arrested with methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and bullets at Soi Bang Thong in Kathu. A team from the Kathu Police arrested Nipon Chuduang. Police seized 1,427 methamphetamine pills and 102 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Police also seized two bullets. Nopparut has been charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to…
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Assistant coach sacrificed his own health for the good of the team
PHOTO: Sanook The 25 year old assistant coach had sacrificed his own health for the sake of the twelve boys under his charge. Sanook is reporting that Navy Seals, who have been with the team, made the claims when they spoke to reporters. Of the entire group only two have any health problems of any level. One of these was…
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His Majesty sends a special message to cave rescue teams
“When the mission is over, they should receive good hospitality as the Royal guests until they depart from Thailand.” – His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn His Majesty has sent a message, passed on to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, to those working to ring the footballers out of the cave. “Initial praises are good but please remain focused on the operation, which will…
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The ‘Sano-Tik’ collection – Phuket’s unique batik
Phuket has introduced a new, unique style of ‘Batik’ cloth called ‘Sano-Tik’ collection, inspired by the mineral, tin, an important resource in Phuket’s early days. The project’s opening ceremony was hosted by the Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong and Chief of Community Development Office Kittipon Wetchakun. The ceremony was held at Merlin Hotel. Governor Norrapahat says, “We have introduced a unique…
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Thai Tourism Ministry pays 66,000 baht to Norwegian shark attack victim
PHOTO: ThaiVisa The Thai Tourism Ministry has paid out over 66,000 baht to the Norwegian shark attack victim who was attacked by a mysterious sea creature back on April 1. NewTV is reporting that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports paid the man bitten on the leg near Hua Hin in April 66,966 baht. 54 year old Werner Danielson received…
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Navy SEALS now taking care of the team inside the cave
PHOTO: Thai Navy SEALS Whilst the 13 footballers have now been found, weak but in relatively good condition and spirits, they are no closer to enjoying a hug from their parents, family or friends at the moment. Whilst they remain ‘close, yet so far’, every photo, video or voice heard is savoured. Parents of the boys trapped in the Chiang…
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Chiang Rai: We meet the 13 trapped footballers
Video from inside the Tham Luang caves, courtesy of the Thai Navy SEAL. https://www.facebook.com/ThaiSEAL/videos/1634041306719262/
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Chiang Rai: “I looked up and there they were.”
By Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono “John Volanthen, a British diver. He had been working underwater to place guide lines for divers when he emerged in the cave and saw the 12 missing boys and their soccer coach peering at him.” The British diver John Volanthen was placing guide lines to try to get closer to 12 missing boys…
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Options and opportunities – getting the football team out of the caves
PHOTOS: The Nation/Thai Navy Seals Facebook Page “…all of them are in the good hands of seven Navy SEALs, who will be with them and take care of them all the time.” Authorities are mulling whether they should wait for water levels to subside, which could take a long time, or use divers to bring the footballers out in a…
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Four arrested with 200,000 methamphetamine pills in Phang Nga
Four people have been arrested with more than 200,000 methamphetamine tablets. Two suspects are 46 year old Praiwan Jantarod and a man name only as ‘Dam’, aged 18 year old. Both are from Phang Nga. Police seized 39 methamphetamine pills. The Phang Nga Provincial Police Commander Col Eakkawut Sanaepohn says, “after we arrested those two suspects we continued the investigation.…
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Chiang Rai: A long and winding rescue ahead
“…experts are saying it could take weeks or even months.” Rescuers are bracing for a long and difficult evacuation for the 13 Thai kids found alive in the Tham Luang cave after they went missing on June 23. All this chatter outside the cave whilst food and medicine was being shuttled to the young football players through muddy waters today.…
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Miss Grand Thailand contestants walk the red carpet in Phuket Town
77 of the Miss Grand Thailand beauty contestants were walking red carpet on Thalang Road in ‘Baba’ costumes yesterday (July 2). President of the Phuket Red Cross, Sudarat Plodthong, welcomed the 77 beauty contestants from around Thailand. The contestants, resplendent in ‘Baba’ costumes, were walking on a specially laid red carpet along a section of Phuket Town’s Thalang Road. They introduced…
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Chiang Rai: Alternatives being checked out for the evacuation of the 13 member team
Finding the 13 footballers 300 metres away from the ‘Pattaya Beach’ inside the caves is just the first step in the recovery operation. But the prospect of getting 13 weak individuals out through the inundated and tricky cave systems, a lot of it still underwater, is proving an enormous challenge for rescuers. So, rescue teams are continuing to search for…
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Phuket Yacht Club getting kids started in sailing
Twenty three junior sailors aged between seven and fourteen descended on the Phuket Yacht Club last Saturday for a day of fun and excitement in the first O’pen BIC sailing challenge in Thailand. “We were certainly overwhelmed by the response” said the club’s Commodore, Scott Duncanson. “As this was the first time we have held a junior sailing regatta we…
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Artwork inspired by the rescue effort in Chiang Rai
Internat art has come up with some inspiring graphics to help spur on the rescuers and their skilled work at the Tham Luang caves. Lots of tweets under the hashtags #ThamLuang, #13LivesMadeIt and #TeamWildBoarAcademy. Here’s just some.
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Lions Club of Phuket Pearl raises money for Phuket Sunshine Village
The Lions Club of Phuket Pearl Association hosted their Gala Dinner at La Butcheries Restaurant. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong was their special guest at the dinner. The dinner was under the theme ‘Open Your Heart Day’ to raise money to buy computer notebooks for children at the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation. Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are very glad…
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Pakistani and Indian bag snatchers arrested
Police have arrested an Indian man and Pakistani woman who snatched two female Chinese tourists’ bags on the weekend at Kata Beach. Karon Police were notified of the incident that two suspects had snatched the Chinese ladies’ bags on Kata Beach at 9.50pm on Sunday night (July 1). Two female Chinese tourists were later identified as 16 year old Li…
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Chiang Rai: Complicated process of evacuation begins
“Operation to rescue footballers a success but not over yet.” Chiang Rai Governor. “The operation to rescue the 13 missing Mu Pa Academy football club members was a success,” the head of the mission declared after all 13 members were found alive on Monday night on a ledge in the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province. The discovery follows…
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Warning stickers placed on Krabi mud crab sculpture
Eight warning stickers have been placed on the Mud Crab Sculpture in Krabi to discourage tourists climbing on the sculpture in the future. Last week four more tourists were caught climbing all over the Krabi landmark – the Mud Crab Sculpture. Krabi Tourist Police are tracking down the tour company that was in control of the tourists that were filmed…
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