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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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Explosions at a police station in Pakistan leave seven dead and 44 injured
At least seven people have lost their lives, and dozens have sustained injuries in an attack inside a counter-terrorism police station in Pakistan yesterday. The incident caused the building to collapse, according to officials. The police station, situated in Kabal town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, experienced numerous blasts, marking the latest in a series of high-profile attacks targeting law…
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Australian man dies in police detention in Phuket, Thailand
An Australian man died inside the detention room at Patong Police Station in Phuket, southern Thailand, yesterday. Police say that he hanged himself with the rope from his shorts, reports KhaoPhuket. Police said that 31 year old Matthew Michael Winder of Australian nationality was found dead inside the detention room at 12.45pm, having been arrested for being loud and disorderly on Sunday…
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3 million baht fire devastates east Pattaya wood shop industry
A recent fire in east Pattaya has left a significant impact on the local wood shop industry, as a blaze at a Nong Plalai wood shop resulted in an estimated 3 million baht in damages. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries caused by the fire. The rapid response from local fire crews from Nong Plalai, Takhiantia, and Nongprue prevented…
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Three Chinese nationals fined for missing 90-day immigration check-in in Thailand
Three Chinese nationals have recently been fined as part of an ongoing crackdown on immigration violations in Thailand. Acting under the instructions of national deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn, officers in Banglamung and Sattahip have been carrying out weekly checks on Chinese nationals and other foreigners who may be involved in illegal activities or overstaying their…
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North Pattaya warzone: One injured in teenage gang clash involving rocks, knives, homemade grenades
A recent clash between rival teenage gangs in north Pattaya has left one person injured after the gangs used rocks, knives, and homemade grenades as weapons. The violent incident took place at 5am on Saturday, April 22 at the Photisan Fresh Market, where a 17 year old employee of the Jay Nooch fruit shop suffered a blow to the head…
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Preventing mosquito-borne diseases in Thailand: Tips and guidelines
Picture this: you’ve finally arrived in Thailand and you’re eager to explore the vibrant street markets, indulge in scrumptious Thai cuisine, and unwind on stunning beaches. But amidst the excitement, one pesky problem lurks: mosquitoes. These tiny creatures may be small, but they can pack a punch in the form of mosquito-borne diseases, which is common in Thailand. Thailand has…
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Royal Thai Navy releases artificial coral reefs to boost eco-tourism and marine conservation
The Royal Thai Navy, along with various partners, has celebrated Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s birthday by releasing 69 units of artificial coral reefs on the seabed of Koh Samae San in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province. The occasion was graced by the presence of Gen Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council and Chairman of the Khao Yai Protection Foundation.…
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Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…
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Just clicked: Snap-happy photographer captures Wiki Loves Monuments Launch in Thailand
A snap-happy photographer from Thailand got the picture at the launch of Wikimedia Thailand’s Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) photography contest. The winning snap, by photographer Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn, features the eight stupas located in Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The WLM is an annual competition that focuses on cultural heritage monuments and sites in…
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Power bank explosion causes panic over safety concerns
A recent Facebook post showing a severely burnt table and the charred remains of a power bank that caught fire has raised concerns about the safety of the product and prompted calls for an investigation. The user who posted the shocking image detailed their harrowing experience in the accompanying caption. According to the post, the incident occurred at night when…
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Preserving Uyghur language and culture in US weekend schools
In a weekend school based in the US state of Virginia, the younger generation of Uyghurs are not only preserving their language and culture for posterity, but they are also learning vital vocabulary that will enable them to engage in discussions about the distressing situation faced by their loved ones in China. The Uyghur language, history, and culture classes are…
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Thai man accuses RTA general of drug abuse, sexual sadism, and physical abuse
A Thai man accused a lieutenant general of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) of using drugs, engaging in sexual sadism, and physically abusing him during their sexual encounter in the southern province of Songkhla. The accuser, a Thai man named Nut, spoke to the media today about his relationship with the aforementioned RTA soldier named Wor. Nut disclosed that he…
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Thailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world
Condoms are among five products that Thailand exports more than any other country in the world, according to data from the global trade insights website kidka.com, reports Prachachat. Today, the Ministry of Commerce’s Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Poonping Naiyanapakorn, revealed that Thailand was the champion exporter of five outstanding Thai products in 2022… Fresh Durian Thailand…
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Azerbaijan establishes border checkpoint on disputed land link, igniting tensions with Armenia
In a provocative move that has riled up its arch-enemy Yerevan, Azerbaijan established a border checkpoint yesterday on the only land link between Armenia and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Tensions continue to mount between the two ex-Soviet Caucasus nations with fierce rivalries centred around the Azerbaijani Armenian-majority territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan’s state border service announced… “The units of the Azerbaijani…
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Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5
Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…
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Oil spill on Chon Buri’s Bang Saen Beach sparks urgent alls for Marine Department action
Locals and tourists in Chon Buri noticed an oil spill on Bang Saen Beach yesterday and urged the Marine Department to locate the source of the spill. Residents speculated that the oil was released from an irresponsible cargo ship. Many travellers, both Thai and foreigners, had to abandon swimming in the Bang Sean Sea yesterday due to the oil spill.…
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Pollution linked to 1,200 child deaths, chronic illness in Europe
Over 1,200 youngsters under 18 are losing their lives prematurely because of air pollution across Europe every year. That’s not all – it’s also raising the risk of chronic illnesses later in life. These saddening stats were revealed by none other than the EU environmental agency itself. Even though there have been some improvements, the levels of crucial air pollutants…
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Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas
A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…
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Complete your Phuket nightlife experience with Weedly Wonka
In the heart of Phuket’s bustling nightlife scene, a new cannabis dispensary has opened its doors to locals and tourists alike. Weedly Wonka, the brainchild of a group of weed enthusiasts, is located in the most lively and prominent area of Phuket. Thanks to it’s location, it’s easily accessible to anyone who want to hang out, relax and enjoy high-quality…
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Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran
A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…
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Tragic accident: Elderly Thai woman killed by public bus at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok
A public bus knocked down and killed an 83 year old Thai woman while she was on a zebra crossing at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok at 7am yesterday. The bus driver confessed he did not see the victim crossing the road when he made a turn. Officers from Samsen Police Station were notified of the accident and rushed to…
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Over 100 evacuated in first French rescue flight from Sudan
Over a hundred people were evacuated from Sudan on the first French rescue flight, as part of a complex and challenging operation. Two planes have so far rescued hundreds of individuals, with more flights expected soon. The 106 passengers on the first flight landed safely in Djibouti in the late afternoon. The French military has been instrumental in the rescue…
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Grab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’
Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who…
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Ya Ya, the beloved panda, bids farewell to the US, heads home to China
After an incredible 20 years as an ambassador of friendship in the United States, Ya Ya the female giant panda will soon return to her homeland of China. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has confirmed that she’ll be hopping on a plane bound for Shanghai in the next few days. Ya Ya, born on August 3, 2000, at the…
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China’s Fujian: A naval game-changer
China is about to seriously shake things up in the world of naval warfare, as the latest state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the Fujian, reportedly gears up to launch new-type aircraft. As soon as this beauty is commissioned, it’s expected to be the lynchpin of China’s ambitious plans to develop a blue-water navy – making its presence known on the open ocean…
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Transwoman fined for dancing naked on Bang Saen Beach
Police fined a Thai transwoman 2,000 baht for dancing naked during Wan Lai along Bang Saen Beach Road last week. A video of the naked dance was circulated on Thai Twitter and quickly went viral on Sunday, April 16. In the video, the transwoman can be seen dancing on top of an ice bucket, taking off her panties and hanging…
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Pattaya Police raid nightclub in late night crackdown on illegal activities
Late last night, at around 10.30pm, a nightclub in Pattaya was raided by local police in search of overstayers and those partaking in illegal activities. The venue, known as “Hollywood,” is located on Petchtrakul Road and was filled with approximately 300 patrons, both Thai and foreign, when the police arrived. This raid comes as part of an ongoing campaign spearheaded…
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Pregnant elephant tramples mahout to death in northeast Thailand
A pregnant elephant trampled its 60 year old mahout to death in Buriram province in northeast Thailand yesterday. The deceased’s wife said the elephant was moody because of the extremely hot weather. Officers at Satuek Police Station were called to Ban Nong Kaen village in Sanam Chai district after receiving a report that an elephant killed its owner. Police found the…
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47 dead bodies discovered in wake of the cult tragedy in Kenya
Kenyan police announced yesterday that they had discovered an additional 26 dead bodies in eastern Kenya. This new revelation brings the number of deceased individuals linked to the Good News International Church cult up to a staggering 47. Investigators wearing white coveralls and masks are currently on-site carrying out further excavations in Malindi, searching for more potential remains. Several bodies…
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XBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed
Approximately 52% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been attributed to the XBB sub-strain of the Omicron variant, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics. As a result, a prominent doctor has urged the public to obtain booster shots before the onset of the rainy season. The XBB variant and its sub-strains have been responsible for recent surges in…
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