Hot News
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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Torsak Sukvimol reinstated as National Police Chief
Police General Torsak Sukvimol has resumed his role as National Police Chief following an investigation into a prominent internal conflict, as announced by Wissanu Krea-ngam, an advisor to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Wissanu disclosed the results of the investigation, which was initiated by the prime minister through a fact-finding committee led by Chatchai Promlert. The inquiry scrutinised the discord between…
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Forest fires cut Thailand tourism revenue by 400 million baht
Forest fires in Thailand have severely impacted the economy, with annual tourism revenue dropping from 2 billion baht to 1.6 billion baht. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is urgently implementing prevention plans to address these issues. Director of the National Park Office at the DNP, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn revealed that most forest fires are human-induced, resulting…
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Could cannabis help combat Covid-19?
Recent research suggests that cannabis compounds may play a role in preventing and treating Covid-19. Studies have shown that cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, could potentially prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduce the severity of the disease. Cannabinoids and Covid prevention A comprehensive review conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, indicates that cannabinoids might be used…
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Thailand sobers up: Slams brakes on extended alcohol sales hours
The Government of Thailand dashed hopes of extended alcohol sales hours, citing alarming statistics on road casualties and accidents. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced the decision following a tense panel meeting at the ministry on Tuesday, asserting that public safety must take precedence. “The ministry’s alcoholic beverage control committee reviewed road accident statistics and related legal implications, recognising the…
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Malaysia and China join forces on billion-dollar rail project
China’s plans to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) into Thailand are set to transform Southeast Asian trade. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the initiative during his visit to Malaysia yesterday. The US$10 billion (approximately 366 billion baht) ECRL, a key project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by 2026. Initially…
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Police bust cross-border vehicle theft gang in Ubon Ratchathani
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers, along with Ubon Ratchathani Highway Police, apprehended a gang involved in stealing and selling vehicles across borders. The suspects admitted to stealing three motorcycles in a single day, earning 14,000 baht for their efforts. Today, June 20, Kirati Hoemsrichat, Police Lieutenant Colonel of Highway Police Division 4, led the operation with the CIB. The officers…
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Don Mueang tollway tolls to rise by up to 10 baht
Don Mueang Tollway, the operator of the elevated Uttraphimuk Tollway, announced a toll increase of 5 to 10 baht, bringing the maximum toll fee to 170 baht, effective December 22. The announcement was made today by Don Mueang Tollway Public Company Limited, informing users about the upcoming change in toll rates based on the concession contract amendment agreement 3/2550 dated…
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Phuket lifeguards raise red flags as surf conditions turn deadly
Lifeguards today have raised red no swimming flags along Patong Beach, urging all residents and tourists to avoid entering the water. This follows a notice issued yesterday by Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham, acting on behalf of the governor of Phuket. The red flags indicate areas deemed too dangerous for swimming due to heavy surf conditions. Despite these warnings, some…
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Thai man demands bank accountability after 100k ATM malfunction
A Thai man demanded that a bank take action and responsibility after he lost 100,000 baht in cash due to a malfunction at an automated teller machine (ATM) in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The victim, 29 year old Dunlathorn, filed a complaint with Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station regarding the loss. He explained that as a lottery seller, he had deposited…
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American tourist and Thai girlfriend drown in Phuket
An American tourist and his Thai girlfriend drowned after allegedly ignoring a red flag weather warning at Mai Khao Beach in Phuket. The bodies of 45 year old James Edmond Newman from New York, and 48 year old Waranya Chanphai from Surin province, were discovered on Monday morning, June 17. Police Major Ronnapoom Permpoon of the Thachatchai Police Station stated…
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Phuket police seize drugs and pen gun in major Chalong bust
Phuket Provincial Police arrested a 28 year old man in Chalong for possession of over 4,800 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba, more than 22 grammes of crystal meth and a homemade pen gun. Led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Thongto, Chief of the Crime Suppression Division at Phuket Provincial Police, officers apprehended Surawut Ratanaliam at a rented room off…
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Isaan hospital probe urged after alleged misdiagnoses lead to deaths
Non-profit organisation Be One is demanding an investigation into Phra Thong Kham Hospital in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima following reports of more than 10 patient deaths due to alleged misdiagnoses. The issue came to light after the death of 15 year old Natdanai, who sustained serious head injuries in a motorcycle accident and was admitted to Phra Thong…
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Health tourism: Phuket’s new wellness haven
To bolster health tourism, BDMS Wellness Clinic teamed up with Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Laguna Phuket to unveil the BDMS Wellness Clinic Laguna Phuket. This new branch aims to solidify BDMS Wellness Clinic’s dominance in creating a wellness economic corridor in the Andaman region. The government’s 2022 announcement of the Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor project set the stage for this…
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Teenage gang arrested for impersonating officials and extortion
A teenage gang in Bueng Kan has been arrested for impersonating officials, carrying firearms, and extorting money from individuals. The victims were lured into giving money through threats and intimidation but an undercover police operation led to their capture. Provincial Governor Sompop Samitasiri and police officials yesterday held a press conference announcing the arrest of three suspects, which were as…
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Officials arrested for illegal land permits in Nakhon Ratchasima
Police conducted raids at 13 locations, arresting officials linked to illegal land permits in Nakhon Ratchasima. The investigation centred on officials accused of issuing permits for over 600 rai of land, benefiting factory owners who used the land to discharge wastewater. At 6am yesterday, Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Police Major General…
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Chiang Mai man’s foul play: Dog shot and grilled in grisly twist
In the northern province of Chiang Mai, a Burmese man fatally shot a dog, claiming the animal had eaten his chickens, before allegedly grilling and eating it. The Save Elephant Foundation in Chiang Mai contacted the Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) and Mae Taeng Police Station to seek justice for the female dog named Daeng. The foundation revealed that the Burmese…
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Beauty salon owner devastated after niece steals 72,000 baht
A beauty salon owner has been left devastated after her niece stole nearly 100,000 baht and disappeared. Anyone with information that leads to the niece’s whereabouts will receive a 10,000 baht reward. At 7.16pm yesterday, a beauty shop owner, 30 year old Ann shared her story with the media to serve as both a warning and a plea for help.…
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Lamps out: Lampang horse-drawn carriage rides face unbridled end
The famed horse-drawn carriage rides in Lampang may soon become a relic of the past, as dwindling tourism revenue fails to attract new generations to sustain the business, according to the Tourism Council of Lampang. Lampang registered 559,892 visitors in the first four months of this year, a 0.52% decline year-on-year, with only 35,131 foreign travellers. Despite the drop in…
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Thai monk arrested for drug and sex at Samut Prakarn temple
Police arrested a decadent 35 year old Thai monk at a temple in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok after he was found using and selling drugs. The miscreant monk also had sex with men at the temple. Condoms, poppers, lubricating gel, and women’s dresses were found as evidence. Officers from the Patrol and Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police…
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Deputy PM defends mammoth borrowing to jump start growth
In a heated parliamentary session yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira staunchly defended the government’s proposal to borrow a staggering 865 billion baht to mitigate the fiscal 2025 budget deficit. Pichai argued that this bold move is essential to rejuvenate Thailand’s languishing economy and achieve targeted GDP growth. He assured lawmakers that the loan would adhere strictly…
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Phetchaburi village headman shoots chaos-causing addict
A community in Phetchaburi was left in turmoil after a drug-addicted young man created chaos, leading the village headman to shoot him. The incident occurred yesterday evening when the young man, recently released from rehab, threatened violence. Police Lieutenant Nattathun Poonseesang of Ban Lat Police Station disclosed that at 8pm yesterday, a shooting incident was reported in front of the…
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Warning at Jomtien Beach: Erosion creates dangerous slope
Jomtien Municipality placed warning signs around Jomtien Beach, alerting tourists to a hazardous slope formed by erosion. The signs advise visitors to steer clear of the affected area for their safety. A significant portion of the beach, stretching approximately 1 kilometre, has experienced severe erosion due to monsoon waves and strong winds. This natural process has resulted in a steep…
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Thailand unveils 3.75 trillion baht budget bill to boost economy
As the House of Representatives kicked off a three-day debate, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin introduced a 3.75 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year, aimed at revitalising Thailand’s sluggish economy. Simultaneously, he remains focused on advancing the digital wallet scheme. The budget intends to stimulate economic growth, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 2.5% to 3.5% in 2025…
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Tourists’ Phuket beach fun turns into life-or-death drama
Eight foreign tourists narrowly escaped drowning in Phuket’s treacherous seas yesterday after ignoring warning signs on the beaches. In the first harrowing incident, two Indian couples defied the red flag flying on Karon Beach and ventured into the turbulent waters. Witnesses reported the tourists quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the powerful waves and wind, unable to swim back to shore.…
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Colombian suspect in 70 million baht theft arrested in Bangkok
Thai immigration officers apprehended a wanted Colombian suspect in Bangkok after an extensive joint operation with Malaysian police, who had been investigating a major theft case. The arrest followed a high-profile burglary in Kuala Lumpur, where a group of thieves targeted the residence of a prominent businessman, making off with valuables worth over 70 million baht (US$2 million). The burglary,…
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Man kills stepfather to protect mother from domestic violence
A young Thai man intervened to protect his mother from her abusive stepfather, resulting in the stepfather’s death. The incident occurred in the early hours of today at a townhouse in the Nong Chok district of Bangkok. At around 2.30am, police officer Sujit Meenampan received a report of a stabbing incident. The police, including police chief Niruchpol Yothamat and forensic…
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Heavy rain warning issued for three eastern provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for heavy rain in three eastern provinces: Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Bangkok residents are advised to carry umbrellas, as thunderstorms are expected to cover 40% of the area. The upper Andaman Sea will experience waves up to 2 metres high. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast predicts a southwest monsoon covering the…
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Wild deer causes multiple accidents on Chaiyapruek Road
A wild deer unexpectedly appeared in the middle of Chaiyapruek Road, causing multiple accidents as it was hit by cars three times. Police officers from Chaiyapruek Police Station rushed to the scene last night after receiving reports of a deer being struck and killed by vehicles. At the scene on Chaiyapruek Road, heading towards Ratchaphruek Road, near a convenience store…
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Italian arrested for cocaine sales and illegal business on Samui
Police in Surat Thani arrested an Italian man allegedly involved in selling cocaine and operating a motorbike rental business illegally on Samui Island. The arrest, made on June 18, followed an investigation by Surat Thani Immigration based on tips from concerned locals. Officers identified the suspect as 39 year old Mattio who was apprehended on Lamai Beach Road in the…
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Thailand promotes OTOP products to boost local economies
Thailand’s deputy interior minister recently presided over the opening of an event aimed at developing and supporting marketing channels for One Tambon One Product (OTOP) items, poised to enhance community enterprises. The event, titled Community Enterprises: United in Promoting Thai Products saw the participation of Deputy Interior Minister Kreang Kalltinant, who was accompanied by several members of the ministry, alongside…
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