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    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?...

  • Ruble ruckus: Russian suspect nabbed in Phuket hotel heist

    Ruble ruckus: Russian suspect nabbed in Phuket hotel heist

    Police yesterday arrested one of two Russian suspects for stealing approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) in cash from a fellow countryman at a hotel in Phuket on Sunday, January 5. The 31 year old Russian victim, Zelimkhan Iusupov, rushed to Karon Police Station at around 3.30am on Sunday after being physically assaulted and robbed by one of the suspects, later identified…

  • Six Myanmar teens arrested for assaulting Thai man at temple fair

    Six Myanmar teens arrested for assaulting Thai man at temple fair

    Six Myanmar teenagers were arrested for assaulting a Thai man, citing an incident at a temple fair where they allegedly stepped on each other’s feet. The police assured that this was an altercation among hot-headed youths, not related to any gang influence. Yesterday, January 7, at the multi-purpose ground of the Samut Sakhon Provincial Police Headquarters, Samut Sakhon Governor Narit…

  • Thai airports get safety and check-in boost as travellers rise by 14%

    Thai airports get safety and check-in boost as travellers rise by 14%

    The Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Airports (DoA) to enhance measures in support of travellers following more than 14% rise in passenger numbers over the new year period. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, January 7, that from December 27 to January 2, the DoA recorded 319,275 passengers, reflecting a 14.12% increase compared to the previous year. The…

  • Thai woman arrested in onsen credit card theft, Chinese suspects involved

    Thai woman arrested in onsen credit card theft, Chinese suspects involved

    Police arrested a Thai woman at her condominium yesterday, January 7, for conspiring with Chinese suspects to commit credit card theft at several onsen establishments in Bangkok. Numerous onsen patrons came forward to issue warnings and seek justice after their credit cards were stolen following visits to various onsens in Bangkok. The stolen cards were used by the thieves, resulting…

  • PM Paetongtarn to inaugurate International Boat Show in Phuket

    PM Paetongtarn to inaugurate International Boat Show in Phuket

    Phuket is bracing for a high-profile visit as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lands on the island tomorrow, January 9 to tackle critical local issues and boost tourism. With an ambitious agenda in tow, the 38 year old PM is set to chair key meetings and launch a glamorous luxury lifestyle event, according to the Phuket Public Relations Department. Touching down…

  • Thailand tourism China-ing bright with visitor boom

    Thailand tourism China-ing bright with visitor boom

    Hold onto your tuk tuks, folks, Thailand’s tourism scene is making a triumphant comeback, with Chinese travellers leading the charge of foreign visitors. Thanks to more lenient visa rules, and especially to Thailand’s Chinese friends, the Land of Smiles is grinning wider than ever. The South China Morning Post reported that an impressive 35.5 million international jet-setters flocked to Thailand…

  • Cambodian-French ex-MP assassinated in Bangkok, Thai gunman at large

    Cambodian-French ex-MP assassinated in Bangkok, Thai gunman at large

    A former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament was assassinated in Bangkok yesterday, January 7. The gunman, identified as a former soldier in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), remains at large. Officers from Chana Songkhram Police Station were alerted to a shooting on a traffic island opposite the popular tourist attraction Bowonniwet Vihara Temple in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district at around…

  • Thailand’s N3 lottery might be scrapped due to poor sales

    Thailand’s N3 lottery might be scrapped due to poor sales

    The Finance Ministry is evaluating the future of the N3 lottery due to its lacklustre public response since its introduction last November. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced yesterday, January 7, that the three-digit lottery (N3), designed to rival illegal lotteries and expensive six-digit tickets (L6), has not met expectations during its trial phase. Introduced on November 1 as part…

  • Thai police rescue missing Chinese actor from trafficking gang

    Thai police rescue missing Chinese actor from trafficking gang

    Missing Chinese actor Wang Xing was dramatically rescued by Thai police yesterday after being abducted by a human trafficking gang while on the Thai-Myanmar border. Wang Xing, known to fans as Xingxing, vanished on January 3 after departing Shanghai Pudong Airport for Thailand in what he believed was an acting gig along the border. Last seen in Mae Sot, the…

  • No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme

    No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme

    Yingluck Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, will not qualify for release under the forthcoming alternative prison detention programme if she returns to Thailand, as she does not meet the new eligibility criteria, stated Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Yingluck was sentenced to five years imprisonment in August 2017. New regulations by the Department of Corrections (DoC) allow only those with…

  • Policy scam-dal: Broker swindles 1 million baht from Alzheimer’s victim

    Policy scam-dal: Broker swindles 1 million baht from Alzheimer’s victim

    A female insurance broker allegedly swindled 1 million baht from her client, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, leaving the victim in a critical condition. Relatives of the victim, 62 year old Marasri, sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after discovering the loss. The family reported that 1 million baht was stolen, and the suspect, Waewta, only returned 300,000 baht…

  • PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy

    PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy

    Stepping out from a Cabinet lunch today, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched into a defence of her father, Thaksin, after he was caught in making controversial racist comments during a rally speech. Thaksin’s remarks yesterday, January 6, criticised as discriminatory, sparked a backlash and calls from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit for Paetongtarn to reprimand him. Initially caught off-guard by the journalists’ pressing…

  • Bangkok: Iranians nabbed in Yaowarat robbery drama

    Bangkok: Iranians nabbed in Yaowarat robbery drama

    Two Iranian nationals were arrested after allegedly robbing a Vietnamese tourist of 150,000 baht in a brazen street-side theft in Bangkok’s bustling Yaowarat district. The drama unfolded yesterday evening, January 6, when a 27 year old Vietnamese tourist approached police near the Hotel Royal Bangkok, claiming she had been attacked and robbed. According to her account, she had just withdrawn…

  • Search for missing dog turns into scandal as cheque reward valid only in 2125

    Search for missing dog turns into scandal as cheque reward valid only in 2125

    A dramatic turn of events unfolded when a cheque reward offered to someone for locating a missing dog and returning it to its owner was discovered to be invalid for 100 years, with a date of maturity set for 2125. The Thai woman, Kluay, took to social media to share a missing poster of her pet dog, Thong Dee. The…

  • Transport Ministry plans 319 billion baht rail upgrades

    Transport Ministry plans 319 billion baht rail upgrades

    The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…

  • Elderly cash windfall: Thai govt handouts confirmed by January 29

    Elderly cash windfall: Thai govt handouts confirmed by January 29

    The Thai government has officially confirmed that elderly citizens will receive their long-awaited 10,000 baht stimulus payments before January 29. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, spilled the beans during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance today, January 7. “We assure you, the 10,000-baht payments will hit accounts before the deadline. The exact transfer date hinges on a final…

  • Playground stabbing in Samut Prakan after drunken argument

    Playground stabbing in Samut Prakan after drunken argument

    An altercation between two friends at a playground in Praeksa Mai subdistrict, Mueang Samut Prakan district, led to a stabbing incident. Yesterday, January 6, at 7pm, Bang Pu police in Samut Prakan responded to a report of a man being stabbed during an argument. At the scene, they found 38 year old Aui with a severe stab wound to his…

  • Thailand steals the spotlight at China’s Harbin Ice Festival (video)

    Thailand steals the spotlight at China’s Harbin Ice Festival (video)

    Thailand has taken the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival by storm, dazzling visitors with a spectacular cultural display and an enchanting photo exhibition. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Nihao! China: China Ice and Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2025, making waves with its Thai Charm showcase. The festival, which kicked off…

  • BRN operative arrested in Yala for planned January attack

    BRN operative arrested in Yala for planned January attack

    Police apprehended a Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) operative involved in a 2017 bombing incident while he was hiding in Than To district, Yala province. The suspect confessed to entering the village with plans to attack yesterday, January 6. Police received reports from locals about a suspicious man blending in with residents in the Mueang 6 Santi 2 village, Mae Wat…

  • Thai AirAsia crowned Thailand’s punctuality king – again

    Thai AirAsia crowned Thailand’s punctuality king – again

    Thai AirAsia has soared above the competition once more, retaining its title as Thailand’s most on-time airline and securing fifth place in Cirium’s prestigious list of top 10 on-time airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. With a punctuality rate of 77.46%, it’s the only Thai carrier to earn a spot in the rankings. CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya hailed the achievement as a…

  • Couple killed in Phatthalung collision returning from flood relief

    Couple killed in Phatthalung collision returning from flood relief

    A tragic accident occurred yesterday in Phatthalung province, when a couple, returning from filing for flood relief funds, were killed in a collision with a truck. Police Lieutenant Colonel Arkhom Panjan, deputy inspector of Pak Phayun District Police Station, yesterday, January 6, received a report of a fatal accident involving a truck and a motorcycle at the Ban Kai intersection,…

  • Rare black leopard struts its stuff in Kaeng Krachan park

    Rare black leopard struts its stuff in Kaeng Krachan park

    Visitors to Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province were left awestruck when a rare black leopard made a rare and regal appearance, strutting along the roadside for more than half an hour. This extraordinary encounter, which occurred yesterday morning, January 6, was revealed by Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, the park’s chief. The elusive feline was spotted at kilometre markers 20 to…

  • Ex-wife seeks justice over corrupt ex-cyber cop threats

    Ex-wife seeks justice over corrupt ex-cyber cop threats

    Athiwat Sirikangwalsong, the founder of the Dare to Step Forward page, yesterday accompanied the ex-wife of a former cyber police officer to file a plea for justice at the Technology Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Mueang Thong Thani, Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. They submitted evidence to Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan, requesting protection after the woman exposed corrupt practices…

  • Thai drug addict arrested for sexually assaulting ex-mother-in-law

    Thai drug addict arrested for sexually assaulting ex-mother-in-law

    Police yesterday arrested a Thai drug-addict for sexually assaulting his 80 year old former mother-in-law in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive rescued the 80 year old woman, Jai, who was found sleeping on a thin mat by the roadside in the Nong Sarai sub-district, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Jai told the organisation…

  • Japanese man pickpocketed on Bangkok MRT, credit cards used in Isaan

    Japanese man pickpocketed on Bangkok MRT, credit cards used in Isaan

    A Japanese man became another victim of credit card fraud in Bangkok while travelling on the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) train. This incident comes hot on the heels of another credit card fraud victim yesterday. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared details of a Thai woman who lost her credit cards after visiting an onsen in Bangkok yesterday, January 6. Her…

  • Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day

    Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will open the Government House on Saturday, January 11, for children and their families in celebration of National Children’s Day. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced that the 38 year old Thai premier will participate in the festivities, which include various activities hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office. One highlight will allow children to sit in the…

  • Arrest warrant issued after fatal petrol station shooting in Songkhla

    Arrest warrant issued after fatal petrol station shooting in Songkhla

    An arrest warrant has been issued for the gunman who fatally shot a former petrol station employee in Songkhla province. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 5 at 5am, was captured by CCTV cameras at a petrol station on Kanjanavanich Road in the Prik subdistrict, Sadao district. The victim, 23 year old Nadon, rode his motorcycle into the station…

  • Thai snake charmer fined for squeezing influencer with overpriced photos

    Thai snake charmer fined for squeezing influencer with overpriced photos

    The Ratchaburi Provincial Commercial Affairs Office fined a Thai snake photoshoot operator 1,000 baht for allegedly overcharging a South Korean influencer 2,500 baht for photos with his snakes at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the central province of Ratchaburi. Esor News reposted part of a video recorded by the South Korean influencer during her visit to the floating market with…

  • Samut Songkhram teenagers arrested for firing Uzi in new year celebration

    Samut Songkhram teenagers arrested for firing Uzi in new year celebration

    Seven teenagers from Samut Songkhram were apprehended after celebrating the new year by firing an Uzi submachine gun along a roadside. Following their arrest, the group issued a public apology, vowing not to repeat their actions. The incident gained attention when a Facebook user shared a video of five teenagers firing guns, including the Uzi, as part of their new…

  • Thai man found dead in Buriram pond after motorbike crash

    Thai man found dead in Buriram pond after motorbike crash

    A man was found dead in a pond after allegedly taking a motorcycle without permission from a village in Buriram province. Police Lieutenant Sornsak Phakratok from Satuek District Police Station, Buriram, received a report yesterday, January 6, from the village head of Ban Nong Nam Khun, Ron Thong subdistrict, Satuek district. The report indicated the discovery of a male body…