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Thailand hot news, breaking stories, crime, politics, tourism, and business—stay updated with in-depth reports and exclusive interviews on the latest events across the country. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Thailand news source.

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    Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand

    Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...

  • Thai government tests new lottery system with tickets as low as 20 baht | Thaiger

    Thai government tests new lottery system with tickets as low as 20 baht

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) plans to experiment with the sale of three-digit and two-digit lotteries within a sandbox system mid-year this year. The test will involve one million numbers, both direct and permutation, to combat underground lottery operations. The cost per ticket is expected to range between 20 to 50 baht. The director of GLO revealed that the initial…

  • Thai university student escapes attempted rape in dormitory | Thaiger

    Thai university student escapes attempted rape in dormitory

    A Thai university student narrowly escaped an attempted rape in her dormitory in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen thanks to the help of her roommate. The victim, a 19 year old woman named Wirakarn, told Channel 7 that the incident happened at around 9pm on Monday, January 15. She was waiting for the lift to go to her room…

  • Violent dispute between van drivers shocks tourists at Phuket Airport | Thaiger

    Violent dispute between van drivers shocks tourists at Phuket Airport

    An alarming event unfolded at the Phuket International Airport recently, where a violent dispute erupted between two van drivers. The altercation unfolded before a crowd of tourists and was vividly captured in a video that has subsequently circulated widely on social media. The incident occurred in the early evening, prompting a swift response from the police who were promptly alerted…

  • STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights | Thaiger

    STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights

    Taiwanese airline, STARLUX Airlines, is launching new routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco to the northern province of Chiang Mai. The launch event, held at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16 showcased the distinct traditions of Chiang Mai while underscoring TAT’s unwavering commitment to enhancing US-Thailand travel. As a warm Chiang Mai welcome, passengers on the inaugural…

  • Police officer arrested for using and selling Yaba from police station | Thaiger

    Police officer arrested for using and selling Yaba from police station

    Officers of Nong Pling Police Station in the central province of Nakhon Sawan arrested a colleague for selling methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, on the police premises. Nong Pling Police Station‘s narcotics suppression unit discovered 55 year old Police Sub-lieutenant Suttirat Ampasawet offering drugs to addicts in the province. Officers then posed as customers and ordered 50 tablets of Yaba…

  • Demand for stricter juvenile law after brutal murder by teenagers in Sa Kaeo | Thaiger

    Demand for stricter juvenile law after brutal murder by teenagers in Sa Kaeo

    The brutal murder of a woman in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district by five teenagers has triggered demands for stricter penalties for serious offences committed by juvenile delinquents. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, January 11, saw the teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, captured on security camera footage attacking the woman, 47 year old Buaphan Tansu, and later confessing to…

  • 13 year old Thai volunteer rescuer dies in drunk driving accident | Thaiger

    13 year old Thai volunteer rescuer dies in drunk driving accident

    A 13 year old Thai volunteer rescuer tragically died on duty in a multi-vehicle accident, the result of a collision caused by a drunk driver in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. The teenage Thai rescuer, Weerayut Jindadaeng, was pronounced dead at the accident scene on the road under the Ngam Wong Wan Toll in Nonthaburi province. He suffered serious head injuries from…

  • Thai Consular introduces electronic documents services including e-passports | Thaiger

    Thai Consular introduces electronic documents services including e-passports

    Thailand‘s Department of Consular Affairs has introduced biometric e-passports and AI-powered consular applications. Below is a list of the e-services that the Department of Consular Affairs have launched: E-passports. The star of the show is the e-passport, boasting biometrics galore – facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans, all in line with international standards. E-visa. With an online system already rocking…

  • Thai health chief champions surrogacy for same-sex couples | Thaiger

    Thai health chief champions surrogacy for same-sex couples

    In a move anticipating the impending legalisation of same-sex marriage in Thailand, the nation‘s Health Department Director-General Atchara Nithiapinyasakul is pushing for a revision of the Surrogacy Act. The aim is to open the doors for homosexual couples to adopt a baby through a surrogate mother, addressing not just personal desires but also a national crisis. As Thailand grapples with…

  • PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF | Thaiger

    PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF

    At the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss stronger ties between the two nations at the Congress Centre on January 17. Coming out of the high-profile meeting, the prime minister-cum-finance minister pledged to explore the prospect of direct flights between Brussels and Bangkok with the involvement of…

  • Thai commerce minister targets US for premium rice exports boost | Thaiger

    Thai commerce minister targets US for premium rice exports boost

    Thai Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, during his visit to the US, affirmed his determination to boost exports of premium rice and other food products from Thailand. His ambition is to amplify exports of rice and food items from the Land of Smiles by 1.75 billion baht. The US, Thailand’s second largest trading partner and the principal importer of Thai hom…

  • Thai-German man arrested for sexually assaulting daughter and distributing child porn | Thaiger

    Thai-German man arrested for sexually assaulting daughter and distributing child porn

    Officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested a half Thai half German man in northeastern Thailand on January 14 for sexually assaulting his seven year old daughter and distributing child porn online. The Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), handed over information and evidence on the Thai-German suspect, identified only as Tony, to the DSI on…

  • PTTEP boosts gas production at Erawan to avoid hefty fine | Thaiger

    PTTEP boosts gas production at Erawan to avoid hefty fine

    PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) is stepping up gas production at the Erawan gas block in the Gulf of Thailand to avoid a hefty fine. The penalty would be due to a failure to supply the volume of gas stipulated in a contract signed with PTT Plc, Thailand’s sole gas dealer. The chief executive of PTTEP, Montri Rawanchaikul, expressed…

  • Tourists arrested for refusing to pay for beach chairs in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Tourists arrested for refusing to pay for beach chairs in Pattaya

    Two tourists were arrested by Pattaya police yesterday, January 18, for refusing to pay for beach chairs. According to eyewitnesses, the drama unfolded when the two men, one sporting a shirtless bravado and described as aggressive, attempted to commandeer beach chairs without paying. The eagle-eyed owners promptly reminded them that the coveted chairs came at a cost, igniting a fiery…

  • Frenchman arrested in Chiang Mai for selling fake ID cards | Thaiger

    Frenchman arrested in Chiang Mai for selling fake ID cards

    Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Frenchman in the northern province of Chiang Mai for making and selling fake identification (ID) cards of French citizens. Unfortunately, another French suspect managed to evade the arrest. The French authorities discovered the sale of counterfeit ID cards on the dark web. These fake identities were used to commit several crimes in…

  • Reef-rescue ripples: Marine department dives deep to tackle 338kg ghost net near Rin Island | Thaiger

    Reef-rescue ripples: Marine department dives deep to tackle 338kg ghost net near Rin Island

    In a splash of environmental heroism, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, along with volunteer divers, dove into action to tackle a colossal problem near Rin Island in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district. On Wednesday, January 17, the team embarked on a mission to untangle a whopping 338kg ghost net that had ensnared a coral reef. Prompted by concerned divers,…

  • Heavy-duty: Thai police to crackdown on overloaded trucks | Thaiger

    Heavy-duty: Thai police to crackdown on overloaded trucks

    The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has been empowered to crack down on trucks exceeding legal weight limits. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inked the amendment to the ministerial order, marking a significant shift in highway law enforcement, disclosed ministry spokesperson Trisulee Trisaranakul yesterday, January 18. Before this regulatory facelift, only local highway officials, primarily from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), wielded…

  • Prosthetic police probe: Thai man accuses hopalong cop of wife’s murder confession coercion | Thaiger

    Prosthetic police probe: Thai man accuses hopalong cop of wife’s murder confession coercion

    A Thai man accused a hopalong cop with a prosthetic leg at Aranyaprathet Police Station in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo of torture and forcing him into confessing to the murder of his wife. Buaphan Tansu was brutally assaulted and murdered by a group of five teenagers, who are now in police custody. Initially, the police wrongly arrested 54…

  • Thai activist Arnon Nampa sentenced to four years in prison for royal defamation | Thaiger

    Thai activist Arnon Nampa sentenced to four years in prison for royal defamation

    Activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa has been given a four-year prison sentence by the Criminal Court. Arnon was charged with violating the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. This decision comes after 39 year old Arnon was found guilty of defaming the monarchy, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.…

  • Thai PM tweets from the top: Srettha’s Swiss summit scoop at Davos World Economic Forum | Thaiger

    Thai PM tweets from the top: Srettha’s Swiss summit scoop at Davos World Economic Forum

    Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took to his Twitter account to keep his compatriots in the loop about his diplomatic encounters in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF). The 61 year old Thai prime minister spared no detail in sharing snippets of his discussions with a constellation of influential figures at the WEF. From rubbing shoulders with executives of…

  • Thai PM hails Thailand as top Airbnb hotspot and UK Telegraph’s 6th best destination this year | Thaiger

    Thai PM hails Thailand as top Airbnb hotspot and UK Telegraph’s 6th best destination this year

    Thailand emerged as the ultimate getaway for Chinese tourists, clinching the top spot on Airbnb‘s coveted list and securing the 6th position in The Telegraph’s must-visit destinations for 2024. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed that Thailand outshone all rivals on Airbnb’s hotel booking platform during the winter season of December 2023 to February 2024. “Thailand is the most sought-after destination…

  • Police general takes flight: Aims to soar Suvarnabhumi Airport into global top 50 in 2 years | Thaiger

    Police general takes flight: Aims to soar Suvarnabhumi Airport into global top 50 in 2 years

    The new chairman of Airports of Thailand (AoT), Police General Visanu Prasattongosoth, announced an ambitious plan to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the top 50 global airports within two years. The strategy, revealed yesterday, January 18, is part of AoT’s broader initiative to upgrade and increase the capacities of six airports under its jurisdiction, in response to the anticipated global…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 19 – 21) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 19 – 21)

    Who’s ready for the weekend? As always, Bangkok will be full of exciting things to see and do! But if you find yourself unsure of where to start your weekend adventure, worry not—we’ve got your back. Here are the best things to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 19 – 21). Things to do in Bangkok (January 19 – 21)…

  • Thai man faces record 50-year sentence for royal defamation | Thaiger

    Thai man faces record 50-year sentence for royal defamation

    A Thai man from Chiang Rai faces an unprecedented 50 year imprisonment sentence for royal defamation. This comes after the Court of Appeal added to his existing convictions, according to a report by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) released on today. The sentence, delivered to 30 year old Mongkol Busbas Thirakot, is reportedly the longest ever served for offences…

  • Vietjet Air and Trip.com join hands for better travel service | Thaiger

    Vietjet Air and Trip.com join hands for better travel service

    Vietjet Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global travel giant Trip.com Group to provide a more convenient experience for travellers worldwide. Passengers are in for a treat as Vietjet Air’s official website will soon serve as a one-stop-shop for a plethora of travel offerings from Trip.com Group. From hotels to airport transfers, attractions, and activities, travellers can effortlessly…

  • Former Thai boxer severely beats man trying to rape his daughter | Thaiger

    Former Thai boxer severely beats man trying to rape his daughter

    A former Muay Thai boxer severely beat up a man who tried to rape his daughter at a house in the southern province of Songkhla in the early hours of this morning. The victim, 18 year old Parichart Chimlongdam, told Channel 7 that the incident happened at 2am, today, January 18, an hour after she went to bed and fell…

  • Thailand uncovers human trafficking operation worth over 117 million baht | Thaiger

    Thailand uncovers human trafficking operation worth over 117 million baht

    A year-long investigation into human trafficking led by Thailand’s National Police Office, under the command of Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimon and Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn resulted in the arrest of a man from Bangladesh. The suspect, 46 years old Asraf, has been involved in a clandestine human trafficking network, charging each individual between 100,000 and 150,000…

  • Bangladeshi nationals arrested at Phuket Airport over counterfeit visas | Thaiger

    Bangladeshi nationals arrested at Phuket Airport over counterfeit visas

    Five Bangladeshi nationals found themselves on the wrong side of the law at Phuket International Airport, after a failed attempt to breach Thailand’s borders with counterfeit visas. The arrests were made yesterday, around 11.30am by vigilant Phuket Immigration Department officers. The incident came to light late that night, with the airport’s immigration officers providing a detailed account. The alleged perpetrators,…

  • Thai woman’s kind gesture betrayed as masseuse swipes 18,000 baht (video) | Thaiger

    Thai woman’s kind gesture betrayed as masseuse swipes 18,000 baht (video)

    A Thai woman’s act of kindness was betrayed when she hired an unemployed neighbour as a masseuse in the northern province of Lampang. The masseuse repaid her kindness by stealing around 18,000 baht from the Thai woman. The victim, Tan, filed a complaint at Khelang Nakorn Police Station on January 16 after she caught the 52 year old masseuse named…

  • Phuket officials crack down on illegal vape and hookah sales | Thaiger

    Phuket officials crack down on illegal vape and hookah sales

    Phuket’s bustling Bangla Road was the scene of a crackdown as Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) officials swooped in last night. Seven individuals, including a foreign national working as a store manager, were apprehended for their involvement in the illicit sale of vaping devices and the provision of hookahs, referred to locally as baraku, for tourists. Patong Police, responsible for…