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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Thai Airways plans rehabilitation exit by mid-2025, banks to benefit
Creditors of Thai Airways International (THAI), particularly Bangkok Bank (BBL) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), are set to benefit from the airline’s planned exit from its rehabilitation scheme by mid-2025. The banks are being provided with several options for debt repayment, according to analysts. In recent reports submitted to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Securities and Exchange Commission,…
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Serious crash in Phatthalung injures two teenagers critically
A serious accident occurred in Phatthalung involving a Mercedes-Benz colliding with a motorcycle, resulting in two teenagers sustaining severe injuries. The crash took place on the southbound side of the Asia Highway in Nakhayard, Khuan Khanun district, Phatthalung province. Police Lieutenant Sutam Pliawdee from the Nakha Yard Police Station received a report of the incident. Emergency services, including rescue teams…
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Thailand & Hong Kong aims for ASEAN financial hub status
Thailand is exploring a partnership with Hong Kong to establish a financial hub aimed at connecting ASEAN markets. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced the initiative after a meeting with Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Lima, Peru. The meeting highlighted Thailand’s ambition to become a global financial player, as…
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Disabled Thai man reenacts fatal stabbing of village headman
In Udon Thani, police detained a 37 year old man in a wheelchair to reenact the crime after confessing to stabbing a village headman to death. He wept and apologised to the deceased and his family. Officers led by Deputy Police Chief Chakaj Tiamwong and Superintendent Navakit Nawakanpanit arrested Atthaphon, known as Aua, from Ban Charoensuk, Moo 2, Nangua subdistrict,…
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Thailand video news | Newin rejects Thaksin’s casino plan amid social concerns, Police hunt suspects in assault and robbery of delivery rider
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings attention to pressing stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Key highlights include Newin Chidchob’s rejection of Thaksin Shinawatra’s proposal to legalise casinos, citing social concerns such as debt and addiction. Meanwhile, in Chiang Mai, a family seeks justice after a drunk Porsche driver’s lenient charges were met with public outcry. Additional stories…
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Thai motorcyclist killed on dark and bumpy road in Samut Prakan
A Thai motorcyclist died after riding on a dark and bumpy Sukhumvit Road in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok last night. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station and rescuers from the Samut Prakan Foundation responded to a motorcycle accident on Sukhumvit Road near Thetsaban 1 School in the Paknam sub-district, Mueang district, Samut Prakan, last night, October 21. The…
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Ceiling collapse at Wat Pa Na Don leaves monks in shock
A ceiling collapse at Wat Pa Na Don in Udon Thani left monks and devotees in shock. The incident, which occurred while monks were performing a religious ceremony, resulted in no injuries but significant damage to the ceiling. The collapse happened during a gathering of monks and devotees at Wat Pa Na Don, located in Nong Na Kham, Mueang district,…
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Senator urges probe into bus fire killing 23 in Sing Buri
Senator Alongkot Vorakee has called on the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) to investigate alleged misconduct by Sing Buri’s land transport officials concerning a bus blaze tragedy that resulted in the deaths of three teachers and 20 students on October 1. The tragedy involved victims from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani, who were on a…
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Thai nurse discovers stranger’s dead body in back seat of her car
A Thai nurse contacted the police after discovering the dead body of a stranger in the back seat of her car, which was parked outside a hospital in the Isaan province of Sisaket. Nantawadee Khunwatee, a nurse at Sisaket Hospital, reported the shocking discovery to Mueang Sisaket Police Station officers at around 6pm yesterday, October 21. After finishing her shift,…
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Man surrenders with homemade bomb after petrol station threat
A young man handed himself over to the police after threatening a petrol station attendant with a homemade bomb in Ratchaburi, Thailand. The 20 year old suspect even brought the explosive device with him to the police station, causing a significant commotion. Police in Photharam received a report that a suspect had surrendered and was carrying an explosive. Officers quickly…
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Senate urges crackdown on foreign-run tourism businesses
The Senate called on the government to intensify efforts against tourism businesses managed by local proxies for foreign citizens, aiming to shield local enterprises from unfair competition. During a recent session, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas raised concerns about the difficulties Thai businesses face in competing with companies managed by nominees. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong responded, revealing that ministry representatives…
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Koh Samui luxury villas face demolition amid legal battle
A luxury villa project on Koh Samui faced legal action yesterday as local officials attempted to enforce a demolition order for 11 buildings. The project’s legal representatives intervened, preventing access and challenging the orders. Yesterday, October 21, Ramnet Jaikang, Mayor of Koh Samui, assigned an experienced legal officer, Pallop Meepian, to carry out the demolition orders issued by the municipality.…
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64 year old Thai man in Phuket arrested for abducting young girl
Police yesterday arrested a 64 year old Thai man in Phuket for abducting a 12 year old girl, missing from her home in Phang Nga province for 16 days. The family of the 12 year old Poonyanut “Sompoy” Kayankhai turned to social media platforms to search for her after she disappeared from her home in Phang Nga on October 5. The…
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Murder investigation launched after suspicious death in Cha-am
A significant murder investigation has been launched in Cha-am, Phetchaburi, after the sudden and suspicious death of a 69 year old woman. Initially thought to have died from underlying health conditions, new evidence suggests foul play. Pranee was found dead inside her home in Bang Kao, Cha-am on October 17. She was the wife of the former village head, 70…
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PM Paetongtarn’s political shrug: Dodging EC probe bombshell
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shrugged off the Election Commission’s (EC) bombshell probe into allegations that could see her Pheu Thai Party and five political allies dissolved. Accusations are flying that the parties let an outsider pull the strings, and that outsider is none other than former PM, and Paetongtarn’s kin, Thaksin Shinawatra. The drama kicked off when key figures from…
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Heavy rain and flash floods expected as storm Trami intensifies
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning about the intensifying tropical storm Trami, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall to lower northern, central, eastern, and upper southern regions, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Residents are advised to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoffs. The TMD predicts that the monsoon trough will move across the lower central,…
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Thailand’s smog showdown: Clearing the air with a bold 30% cut
In a bid to wipe the smog off the map, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) is gearing up for a 2024 blitz on air pollution, aiming to slash hotspots by a daring 30%. PCD Chief Preeyaporn Suwanaked held court at a buzzing press conference, revealing the National Environment Board’s stamp of approval on an ambitious blueprint to combat haze. This…
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Thailand’s visa vision: Six countries, one ticket to paradise
Cambodia has endorsed Thailand’s initiative to simplify cross-border travel for tourists from six countries via a unified visa policy known as 6 Countries, 1 Destination, aiming to establish Thailand as a hub for regional tourism, according to a Government House source. Following discussions in Phnom Penh, Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak, along with Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, advisors…
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Pattaya Beach cops crack down on nighttime mischief
In a dramatic crackdown on mischief by moonlight, a battalion of law enforcement officers swept Pattaya Beach last night. This bold move came hot on the heels of a shocking knife incident involving a rebellious beach chair vendor who went rogue on a city official after being slapped with a warning for peddling booze and kratom juice on the sands…
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Pattaya’s fast and furious: Delivery dashed in ‘brake’-neck collision
A terrifying smash involving a car and two motorcycles rocked Pattaya early this morning, leaving a food delivery rider and another motorcyclist with horrific injuries. The drama unfolded at around 3.06am today, October 22, on Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 53, also known as Soi Noen Plub Wan. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre and reporters rushed to the…
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Sisaket beauty sets Facebook afire with search for Mr Right criteria
An open audition for love has captivated the virtual world as one Sisaket beauty took to Facebook Live, laying down eight non-negotiable criteria in her hunt for Mr Right. Despite overwhelming social media buzz, Sayamon Unkam, known affectionately as Alice, is resolutely sticking to her structured love list, having learned the lessons of heartbreak by simply following her heart. Gone…
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Gold fever prices gleam with a 200 baht boost in Bangkok bonanza
In a dazzling display of gold rush fever, prices have shot up today, with gold ornaments trading at a sparkling 43,250 baht per baht weight—a 200 baht leap from yesterday’s close. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) dropped these glittering gems earlier, underscoring a trend that’s got both investors and consumers on high alert. As of the morning’s sparkle update at…
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Police arrest woman for call centre scam and money laundering
Thai police arrested a 50 year old woman involved in a call centre scam and money laundering scheme after she served time in a foreign prison. The woman, Laksamee, was apprehended in Bangkok upon her return to Thailand. Laksamee was arrested following a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on June 11, 2018, for charges including attempted fraud, being part…
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Pattaya mat rental operator arrested for threatening official with knife (video)
Police today arrested a mat rental operator who threatened a municipal official with a knife after being warned not to offer the service on Pattaya Beach. The municipal official, 43 year old Chalermphon, filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 12.36am today, October 21, after narrowly avoiding the knife attack by the mat rental operator, later identified…
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Thai SMEs boxed in by debt and dwindling demand
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand are on the ropes, grappling with crippling debt and plummeting sales as the country’s economic engine sputters, warns the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The financial plight of these crucial businesses is worsening, says the FTI, with government support measures arriving too little, too late. Yet, the federation, the voice of Thailand’s SMEs,…
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Illegal migrants in Pattaya soliciting money to be deported
Chon Buri immigration officers recently intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal migrants in Pattaya following reports of foreign nationals soliciting money from customers at a local restaurant at the weekend. The crackdown was initiated after the owner of an Arab restaurant on Soi 17 in South Pattaya raised concerns about a group of men, believed to be from Myanmar,…
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2 Thai men wanted for staging accident, assaulting victim for cash (video)
Police are searching for two Thai men who allegedly staged a road accident in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok before brutally assaulting a food delivery rider and stealing 1,500 baht in cash from him. A Thai netizen came forward seeking justice for the rider, 64 year old Chaiyaporn Poonmode. A female netizen shared a picture of Chaiyaporn with a bloody wound…
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TAT outlines creative strategies to boost tourism campaigns
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is rolling out creative strategies to boost domestic tourism for the final quarter of 2024. Nithee Seeprae, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, acknowledged challenges such as economic constraints, household debt, and localised flooding, but reaffirmed their efforts to encourage travel and increase spending. The focus will be on events like the Winter Festival,…
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Thailand Book Expo closes chapter with record-breaking 1.4 million visitors
The 29th Annual Thailand Book Expo in Bangkok concluded yesterday, October 20, with resounding acclaim, having drawn an unprecedented 1.4 million visitors and amassed over 438 million baht in sales during its fortnight-long run. This spectacular turnout in Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre shattered previous records, showcasing the Thai populace’s enduring love affair with literature. This year’s expo exceeded all…
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Police seek 2 suspects for dumping woman’s body near cassava farm
Police are searching for two suspects, one women and one man, who dumped the corpse of an unidentified woman near a cassava farm in the central province of Uthai Thani yesterday. Officers from Lansak Police Station were alerted to the discovery of the dead body at around 3pm yesterday, October 20. The body was found on the side of the…
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