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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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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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Pattaya: Ditched cables spark public uproar
A wave of public outcry has surged on the official Facebook page of Mayor Direct Line, as citizens express alarm over the abandoned cables strewn across various locations in Pattaya. The outcry follows the commencement of demolition and restructuring of communication lines along South Pattaya Road by the Public Utility Division of the Pattaya Municipal Electrical Engineering Office, the Provincial…
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Nigerian man arrested for smuggling 1.4 kg of cocaine
The Thai Customs Department arrested a Nigerian man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Saturday for smuggling 1.4 kilogrammes of cocaine into Thailand. The Nigerian swallowed 69 capsules of the drug. Thai Customs yesterday, March 25, reported a significant development. Working alongside the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) at Suvarnabhumi Airport, they identified a Nigerian man whose name appeared on both…
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Thai stock market hits snooze button despite extended hours
Despite the extension of the Stock Exchange of Thailand‘s (SET) trading hours and looming interest rate cuts by the Bank of Thailand, the Thai market failed to rally yesterday. Concerns over a premature rate cut and the aftermath of a recent terrorist attack near Moscow fuelled investor anxiety. The SET yesterday, March 25, increased its trading period from 270 to…
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Thai citizens set to receive government handout by year-end
To dispense a financial lifeline, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat unveiled plans to ensure that eligible Thais receive a 10,000 baht handout before the year’s end. The initiative, slated to be facilitated through digital wallets, hinges on a decisive timeframe to be determined by the digital wallet committee. Speaking confidently yesterday, March 25, the minister expressed optimism that the committee,…
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Thai EV market shifts into gear with Chinese investment
Major automobile companies are forecasting a rapid escalation in the Thai electric vehicle (EV) market, propelled by increased investment from Chinese EV manufacturers. This is anticipated to ignite a price war as manufacturers strive to lure consumers with competitive pricing. This viewpoint was shared by Narong Sritalayon, the managing director of Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM), in a statement…
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Thai fruit frenzy: Chanthaburi aims to peel away competition
Chanthaburi is set to be promoted as the leading fruit exporter to China by the Commerce Ministry, to drive sales of durian and mangosteen to exceed 3 billion baht. This move has been catalysed by a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Thai-Chinese Agricultural Import-Export Association and the China Fruit Marketing Association. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasised that…
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Extortion by Ministry of Agriculture task force exposed by senator
Extortion practices by a special task force from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives were put in the spotlight as Senator Poldej Pinprateep levelled serious accusations against the group during a Senate debate yesterday. The Phaya Nakkharat task force, tasked with overseeing rubber production and trade, allegedly seized approximately 600 tonnes of rubber from a villager in the Sangkhla Buri…
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Thai couple accused of physically and sexually abusing girl
A Thai mother accused two of her friends of physically and sexually abusing her four year old daughter after the girl sustained multiple injuries to her body, brain, and genitals. The babysitting couple deny the charges. The 26 year old woman, A, filed a complaint against the couple, a 33 year old woman named Rattanaporn Banyen and a 29 year…
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Bangkok tuk tuk driver and tailor shop scam British YouTuber
A British YouTuber warned foreign tourists of a transport scam in Bangkok, recounting his experience when a tuk tuk driver and a tailor shop attempted to swindle him out of money. British YouTuber Phil Bland shared the video when he was scammed on his YouTube channel on May 25 of last year. However, the video recently gained attention on Thai…
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Fare fight: Thai woman’s plea after Bangkok taxi driver slaps her
A Thai woman took to social media to seek justice and also issue a warning to others after a male taxi driver in Bangkok slapped her in the face for refusing his dishonest service. The victim posted details of the incident on her Facebook account, stating that it occurred around 11pm on March 22. She mentioned flagging down a yellow…
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Bowl brawl: Thai monk’s alms lid swipe has woman in stitches
A violent Thai monk struck a local woman with the lid of his alms bowl, leaving the victim with four stitches to her head. The monk’s thuggish attack was reportedly prompted by the woman’s delay in helping him pack his food offerings. A witness recorded a video capturing the moment when the monk, identified as Nart, attempted to flee after…
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Thai gold prices see slight rise, now at 37,900 baht per baht-weight
Thai gold prices have experienced a modest increase, catching the attention of potential buyers and investors. As of the latest update from the Gold Traders Association (GTA), the cost of gold ornaments rose by 50 baht since the last recorded prices, indicating a slight uptick in the precious metal’s market value. The GTS’s website revealed that as of 9.09am today,…
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Elderly man arrested in Ayutthaya after fatal shooting of wife
Police captured a 72 year old man following a cross-province manhunt after he fatally shot his 75 year old wife, and fled to his hometown in Ayutthaya with the murder weapon in hand. The arrest occurred after meticulous investigative work pinpointed his hiding place. The tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, March 23 when the suspect, Veera, in a fit of…
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Thailand issues severe weather alert for 27 provinces
A severe weather warning has been issued for 27 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok, as the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts thunderstorms and potential heavy rainfall across various regions. The eastern part of the country is expected to face the brunt of the storms, with 40% of the area likely to experience intense downpours. The warning comes amid a…
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Surfs up as Patong Beach launches safety sandbox for tourists
Phuket’s esteemed Patong Beach hosted a riveting safety demonstration for the Minister of Health, yesterday. The demonstration, which included surf life-saving techniques and appropriate medical responses to common injuries, was part of the grand launch of the Phuket Island Safety Sandbox scheme. This initiative is designed to reaffirm the island’s commitment to safety, thus reassuring tourists of a secure vacation…
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Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike crash
A fatal motorbike crash claimed the life of a 25 year old Russian man in Phuket’s Baan Don, Tambon Thepkrasattri last night. The unfortunate event, which took place yesterday, March 24, ended when the man’s vehicle collided with the wall of a house. Upon receiving the information about the accident around 10pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Niwat Thimket of the Thalang…
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Metropolitan Police Bureau investigate Thai policewoman’s abuse
A distressing online complaint from a Thai policewoman, newly inducted into the force, has prompted an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Thailand. The recruit alleges that she suffered continuous physical and mental abuse during her initial training year, leading to a depressive mental state. A police spokesperson has confirmed the knowledge of the complaint, posted on Sunday evening,…
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Chinese EV investments in Thailand linked to zero dollar tours
Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) makers’ investments in Thailand have sparked comparison with a notorious scam, the zero dollar tours, among some industry insiders. The scam, which came into the limelight in 2016, involved Chinese tourists being enticed with inexpensive tour packages in Thailand, only to be compelled to purchase overpriced souvenirs and services. The parallel is being drawn because Chinese…
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Thailand govt releases 1.35 trillion baht from 2024 budget
Between October 1, 2023, and March 8, a whopping 1.35 trillion baht has been released from the 2024 fiscal budget by the Thailand government, according to data from the Comptroller-General’s Department. Comptroller-General’s Department Director-General Patricia Mongkhonvanit explained that the 2024 Expenditure Budget Act draft is still under review by the House of Representatives. In such scenarios, the Budget Bureau’s Budgetary…
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Thailand Stock Exchange shakes up trading oversight
The Thailand Stock Exchange (SET) has launched a series of initiatives to bolster trading oversight and refine company listing criteria. This move is to regain investor confidence, following a 15.5% negative return last year, the worst performance globally among stock exchanges. Foreign investors offloaded 192 billion baht worth of Thai shares last year, with this trend continuing into the first…
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Charged up: Thai finance chief sparks debate on EV development
Thailand’s finance permanent secretary stressed the need for the country to continue developing its electric vehicle (EV) sector, despite concerns about the arrival of the Chinese EV supply chain in the local automobile industry. Lavaron Sangsnit warned that without active policies to encourage EVs, Thailand may be overlooked as a locale for factory establishment due to the lack of essential…
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Thailand grapples with surge in illegal foreign workers in tourism
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has expressed worries over the persistent issue of foreigners being unlawfully employed within the country’s tourism sector. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that the ministry has been vigilantly tracking the situation and has reported a steady increase in the number of illegal foreign workers. From October 2023 to February 2024, as many as 13,424 foreigners…
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Thai tensions thaw as peace talks resume between NSC and BRN
Peace talks between Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) are set to continue next month, despite recent setbacks, according to deputy spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri. This announcement follows a series of arson attacks on March 22 in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, and indications that 45 other locations are likely targets during the holy month of…
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Thai-China high-speed rail set to boost ASEAN connectivity
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang projected a significant enhancement in the collaboration between Thailand and China upon the conclusion of the anticipated high-speed rail project. The statement came during a seminar addressing the economic ties between the two nations and the Thai-China visa-free agreement, held by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association recently. The ambassador emphasised that the completion of the Thai-China high-speed…
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Tragic motorbike collision in Phuket leaves three dead, one injured
A devastating motorbike collision on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket, resulted in the death of two foreign men and a Thai woman earlier today. An 18 year old Thai woman, another victim of the incident, was left injured and was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. The tragic accident, which occurred at approximately 2.48am, was captured on CCTV footage. The…
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Motorcycle crash on Suwinthawong Road claims life in Bangkok
A catastrophic traffic incident occurred on Suwinthawong Road, near the Harajuku curve in Bangkok, when a motorcycle collided with a parked pickup, resulting in the rider’s death. The accident, which took place today, March 24, saw the motorcycle rider tragically killed after being run over by another vehicle. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somkuan Nasommai, an investigator from the Suwinthawong Police Station,…
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Thailand grapples with scorching heat and sporadic thunderstorms
Thailand is currently experiencing a period of intense heat, with many areas also facing sporadic thunderstorms. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a 24-hour forecast indicating that a low-pressure system, stemming from the prevailing heat, is covering the upper parts of the country. This system is expected to bring very hot weather and isolated thunderstorms throughout the day. The…
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Bangkok couple arrested for scamming delivery workers via app
Bangkok police have arrested a couple accused of orchestrating a delivery app scam that tricked delivery employees into topping up a digital wallet, causing significant financial losses. The operation, led by high-ranking police officials, culminated in the capture of the suspects at their home yesterday. The police were alerted to the criminal activity following complaints from delivery workers who had…
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‘Jekyll and Hyde’ man’s rampage in Canada sparks public concern (video)
A man with conflicting behaviour resembling the iconic fictional character Jekyll and Hyde unleashed a series of seemingly unprovoked attacks in downtown Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday. The man has previous form from time in Thailand. The incidents prompted the mayor of Vancouver and the city’s police chief to address the public, despite an arrest being made in connection with the…
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Chinese national’s lost gold Cartier bracelet found in Phuket
A valuable gold Cartier bracelet, worth approximately 750,000 baht, was reported missing by a Chinese national on Thalang Road in Phuket late on Thursday evening. The Chinese man, 45 year old Wang Lei, expressed his gratitude to the local police force for their quick action in locating and returning his lost property. Wang approached the Phuket City Police shortly after…
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