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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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • High and dry: Health minister’s war on cannabis shops

    High and dry: Health minister’s war on cannabis shops

    The minister of public health declared a dramatic U-turn on cannabis policy but with thousands of shops raking in billions and a booming weed culture now woven into daily life, critics say his war on weed is destined to go up in smoke. Health chief Somsak Thepsuthin sent shockwaves through Thailand’s green economy today, June 24, by signing off on…

  • Norwegian man charged with attempted murder in Surat Thani

    Norwegian man charged with attempted murder in Surat Thani

    Police in Mueang Surat Thani district apprehended a Norwegian national and charged him with attempted murder according to an arrest warrant issued by the Koh Samui Provincial Court. The Norwegian suspect, Elmer, was caught yesterday, June 23, at Surat Thani Bus Terminal while attempting to flee the area by van. The incident traces back to June 19 in Koh Samui…

  • Bangkok’s Green Line future in doubt: Will 20-baht fare survive?

    Bangkok’s Green Line future in doubt: Will 20-baht fare survive?

    As the Green Line’s concession approaches its expiration in 2029, the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is preparing to release a groundbreaking study to explore four potential operational models that could keep the popular 20-baht flat fare policy alive. This move comes after Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt proposed a transfer of the Green Line project to the Ministry of Transport, believing…

  • High stakes on the high life: Phuket drug busts soar

    High stakes on the high life: Phuket drug busts soar

    Phuket’s seedy underbelly is under fresh scrutiny after a sharp spike in drug crimes this year, with police battling everything from cut-price meth to cocaine-fuelled parties in tourist hotspots. Government officials revealed the island paradise is facing a rising tide of narcotics offences, with 1,899 drug cases logged between October 2024 and May 2025, a jump of over 10% on…

  • Phuket the bomb! Pair nicked in plot to deliver deadly cargo

    Phuket the bomb! Pair nicked in plot to deliver deadly cargo

    Two men from Thailand’s insurgency-hit Deep South have been arrested in a chilling plot to smuggle homemade bombs into Phuket, with a suspicious timer device hidden in their boot sparking a dramatic early morning police sting. At around 3.30am, today, June 24, officers manning a checkpoint near Phang Nga Provincial Hall stopped a black saloon car with Surin plates after…

  • Thailand’s double-track railway project to revolutionise transport

    Thailand’s double-track railway project to revolutionise transport

    The Ministry of Transport is pushing full steam ahead with the second phase of its ambitious double-track railway development project, which will span a massive 1,249 kilometres and cost an eye-watering 297.9 billion baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who is overseeing the project, has promised significant benefits for the country’s transport system. According to Suriya, the…

  • Thai border opens for emergency medical aid for Cambodian man

    Thai border opens for emergency medical aid for Cambodian man

    Thai officials coordinated a special border opening at Ban Khlong Luek permanent crossing in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, to facilitate urgent medical treatment for a Cambodian man experiencing a sudden heart condition. This occurred yesterday, June 23, at 6pm, just an hour before the First Army Area commander was to sign an order closing the border in the same…

  • Thai hotels warn of layoffs amid 400 baht wage hike proposal

    Thai hotels warn of layoffs amid 400 baht wage hike proposal

    The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has raised concerns about potential large-scale layoffs in the hotel sector during the low season, should the government proceed with plans to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht next week. The THA has submitted a petition to the prime minister, urging the cancellation of this policy. La-iad Bungsrithong, an advisor to the THA…

  • Justice minister unveils rehab plans at Phuket Prison

    Justice minister unveils rehab plans at Phuket Prison

    Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong made a formal visit to Phuket Provincial Prison on Saturday to unveil new rehabilitative facilities and inspire inmates with a message of hope. The minister was welcomed by a host of local officials, including Phuket Prison Commander Prinya Srithanyakaew and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob, marking the beginning of a day…

  • Man arrested for threatening girlfriend with gun in Chon Buri

    Man arrested for threatening girlfriend with gun in Chon Buri

    A 19 year old man was arrested after threatening his girlfriend with a gun during an argument in Bang Saray, Sattahip district, Chon Buri. The incident occurred yesterday, June 23, at 10.30pm and was reported by the girlfriend’s mother. Police Colonel Komsan Kamtoonkaew, head of Sattahip Police Station, reported that the police were alerted to a situation involving a man…

  • Bourse of concern: Thai stocks tumble after US strike on Iran

    Bourse of concern: Thai stocks tumble after US strike on Iran

    A United States military strike on Iran* has sent shockwaves through global markets, with Thailand’s stock exchange plunging to post-pandemic lows, prompting emergency stabilisation measures to stop the slide. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) went into crisis mode yesterday, June 23, after fears of an escalating Middle East conflict caused oil prices to surge and Thai stocks to slump 1.3%,…

  • NACC probes PM Paetongtarn over leaked call with Hun Sen

    NACC probes PM Paetongtarn over leaked call with Hun Sen

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched an investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after a controversial audio clip of her phone conversation with Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen was leaked. The NACC is probing whether the contents of the call could amount to a serious ethics violation, with the investigation expected to wrap up in just 10 days. The leaked…

  • Borderline chaos: Thai-Cambodian crossings shut amid spat

    Borderline chaos: Thai-Cambodian crossings shut amid spat

    Royal Thai Army (RTA) chiefs have slammed the gates shut on all Thai-Cambodian border crossings in Sa Kaeo, citing growing tensions, sovereignty breaches, and a spike in cross-border crime. Lieutenant General Amorn Boonsuya, Commander of the 1st Army Area, yesterday, June 23, issued a top-level emergency order banning all vehicles and travellers, both Thai and foreign, from crossing the border…

  • Heavy thunderstorms and flash flood warnings across Thailand

    Heavy thunderstorms and flash flood warnings across Thailand

    Weather conditions over the next 24 hours in Thailand are expected to include widespread thunderstorms with heavy rain in certain areas. Residents are advised to remain cautious of potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, especially in hilly areas, lowlands, and regions near watercourses. This weather pattern is influenced by a moderate southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and…

  • Wildlife officials to prosecute gunman of injured Khao Yai elephant

    Wildlife officials to prosecute gunman of injured Khao Yai elephant

    Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) is preparing legal action against a man suspected of shooting a wild elephant known as “Plai Biang Lek” (also called “Wong Thong”) in Khao Yai National Park. Wildlife officials believe the suspect may be related to a local politician. Previously on June 19, around 5pm, wildlife rangers and volunteers were pushing a wild elephant…

  • Four arrested in Phuket for assault on massage worker

    Four arrested in Phuket for assault on massage worker

    Police in Phuket have apprehended four young men concerning the assault of a massage shop worker in Phuket Town on June 19. The incident took place at approximately 10.15pm, as reported by the Phuket City Police on June 22. The four individuals attacked 41 year old Suriya Namsak in front of a local noodle shop. The suspects alleged that Suriya…

  • Thai woman faces death threat after mother impersonates her for online relationships

    Thai woman faces death threat after mother impersonates her for online relationships

    A Thai woman took to TikTok to plead for help after her mother impersonated her to build romantic relationships with multiple men, ultimately resulting in a death threat against her. The victim, Noina, shared her ordeal on her TikTok account, @napapaaaaaaaaaa, on Friday, June 20. She urged TikTok users to help spread her videos to warn anyone who might be…

  • Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint closures amid protest tensions

    Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint closures amid protest tensions

    The Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint at Chong Sai Taku in Ban Kruat district, Buriram, has been closed by the military following a protest involving Cambodian visitors at Ta Kwai temple in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin, on June 21. This temple is a point of contention between Thailand and Cambodia. A group of 30 Cambodian visitors staged a protest at the…

  • Foreign man drives against traffic flow and confronts Phuket motorist

    Foreign man drives against traffic flow and confronts Phuket motorist

    A foreign man, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, drove against the flow of traffic in Phuket and attempted to confront a Thai woman on the road. The incident was shared by the victim on her Facebook account on Friday, June 20. She stated that it occurred at around 8.10pm on Thursday, June 19, on Kalim-Kamala Road, a two-lane route…

  • Reforms urged for Bank of Thailand amid global financial shifts

    Reforms urged for Bank of Thailand amid global financial shifts

    The dean of the Faculty of Economics at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has proposed significant changes to the role of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to better align with internal economic dynamics and navigate global financial volatility. On June 22, Anusorn Tamajai made a suggestion yesterday, June 22, for the BoT to reconsider its exchange rate…

  • Bangkok cannabis shops raided for illegal gummy sales

    Bangkok cannabis shops raided for illegal gummy sales

    Thailand’s Health Minister initiated a crackdown operation on 20 cannabis shops across Bangkok, resulting in the closure of those selling cannabis-infused gummies without approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The minister emphasised the operation’s non-political nature. Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, yesterday, June 22, led the operation in collaboration with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control…

  • Second investigaion launched in Thaksin’s hospital transfer probe

    Second investigaion launched in Thaksin’s hospital transfer probe

    The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) has initiated a second disciplinary investigation into five doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospitalisation. This inquiry focuses on potential professional ethics violations during Thaksin‘s transfer from the Correctional Hospital to the Police General Hospital, possibly involving additional staff. While this new investigation expands on the initial probe, it will adhere to…

  • Thai man killed in renewed dispute shortly after making peace with rival

    Thai man killed in renewed dispute shortly after making peace with rival

    A Thai man, who believed he had finally reconciled with a long-time rival and shared the news on social media, tragically died following a renewed dispute yesterday, June 22. A motorist discovered a body at the side of Khaerai Road in Krathum Baen district, in the central province of Samut Sakhon, and notified Krathum Baen Police Station in the early hours…

  • Latvian man caught smuggling heroin into Thailand

    Latvian man caught smuggling heroin into Thailand

    Immigration officials, in collaboration with the Customs Department, have apprehended a foreign national at Suvarnabhumi International Airport today, June 23, for attempting to smuggle heroin concealed in metal pipes. The suspect had recently travelled from Laos. Intelligence from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Investigation and Suppression Division of the Customs Department indicated a foreigner was attempting to smuggle drugs through Thailand. Immigration…

  • Taiwanese man arrested after rampage with drugs and weapons in Pattaya

    Taiwanese man arrested after rampage with drugs and weapons in Pattaya

    Police today, June 23, arrested a Taiwanese man following his violent rampage at a condominium in Pattaya. Officers confiscated drugs and weapons from his room, where a Thai party entertainer was also found under the influence of drugs. Officers from the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Bureau and Mueang Pattaya Police Station responded to an incident at a condominium in the…

  • Thai police thwart migrant smuggling after truck stuck in mud

    Thai police thwart migrant smuggling after truck stuck in mud

    In Kanchanaburi, a man from Bang Saphan was apprehended after attempting to smuggle 41 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck. The vehicle became stuck in mud during a police chase, leading to the arrest of all involved. The migrants, from Myanmar, confessed to paying over 50,000 baht (US$1,515) each for passage to Bangkok and Malaysia. Today, June 23, Chakrit…

  • Songkhla students scammed by local landlord, left without rooms

    Songkhla students scammed by local landlord, left without rooms

    A group of first-year university students in Songkhla have reported being defrauded by a local accommodation owner who allegedly took their deposits and double-booked rooms, leaving more than 50 students without accommodation. The incident was widely shared on social media, prompting further investigation. The students, primarily from Songkhla Rajabhat University, found the accommodation through Facebook. Situated in the Mueang district,…

  • Motorcyclist dies in collision with 18-wheel truck in Nakhon Sawan

    Motorcyclist dies in collision with 18-wheel truck in Nakhon Sawan

    A tragic accident occurred yesterday, June 22, when a motorcyclist lost control after grazing a car, leading to a fatal collision with an 18-wheel truck in Nakhon Sawan province. Police Lieutenant Khamron Chantit, deputy inspector at Chum Saeng Police Station, was informed of the incident on Chum Saeng–Nakhon Sawan Road in the Thap Kritch community market area. Emergency services and…

  • Elderly woman tragically killed by truck in Lop Buri accident

    Elderly woman tragically killed by truck in Lop Buri accident

    A 73 year old woman was fatally struck by a pickup truck while crossing a road in Lop Buri. The driver claimed he believed the woman had stopped to let his vehicle pass but was unable to avoid her as she unexpectedly continued crossing. Yesterday, June 22, at 5.30pm, Police Lieutenant Phusit Muangmu of the Khok Samrong Police Station received…

  • Udon Thani chicken dispute resolved after police intervention

    Udon Thani chicken dispute resolved after police intervention

    A dispute over a dog attacking and killing 26 fighting chickens in Udon Thani province nearly escalated until police intervention helped resolve the issue. Yesterday, June 22, at 3pm, Police Lieutenant Natthaphon Srivicha, Deputy Inspector of Nong Bua subdistrict, received a report about a dog attacking chickens at a traditional elevated house in Ban Nong Sai, Mueang district. The house,…