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 Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...
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Australian tourists help collect rubbish on Koh Samui (video)
A group of Australian tourists on Koh Samui became an unexpected viral sensation by helping local municipal workers collect rubbish in the early morning hours. Their enthusiastic efforts, captured on video, brought smiles and laughter to viewers, especially Thais. The incident took place yesterday at around 4am, today, August 22, when the tourists, hanging off the back of a garbage…
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Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement expected by next year
A free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is anticipated to be finalised by next year, according to officials from Canada and Thailand involved in the discussions. Surin Thanalertkul, the Canadian embassy trade commissioner, along with Martin Sullivan, senior market development officer of the Canada Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO), discussed the…
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Maha Sarakham abbot defrocked for meth use after drug test
Police in Maha Sarakham arrested the abbot of Wat Nong Sim Yai after a drug test revealed methamphetamine (meth) use. The abbot admitted to using the drug, claiming curiosity as his motive. Local officials from the Borabue district received complaints from residents about possible drug-related activities involving monks at Wat Nong Sim Yai. Responding to these concerns, they tested four…
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Thai police seize 110kg of drugs in major bust in Songkhla
Thai police intercepted a major drug trafficking operation yesterday, seizing 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 10 kilogrammes of ketamine hidden in a vehicle bearing deceptive Attorney General’s Office stickers. The bust occurred in Songkhla province and involved both Thai and Malaysian nationals. The Region 9 Police Investigation Unit, led by Thanawat Saengsui, executed the operation on a bridge over…
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Digital wallet scheme to offer cash option for vulnerable groups
The digital wallet policy conundrum, promoted by the Pheu Thai Party, has taken a new turn, with vulnerable residents potentially receiving 10,000 baht in cash rather than digital currency. Following the leadership change, rumours about the possible cancellation of the digital wallet scheme raised concern among those eagerly anticipating the funds. Many were worried that the new Prime Minister Paetongtarn…
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Police seize nearly 2 million meth pills in Saraburi drug bust
Saraburi Highway police intercepted a drug trafficking operation, seizing nearly 2 million methamphetamine (meth) pills from a pickup truck in Nong Khae district, Saraburi province. Officers patrolling Highway 2044 near Raphiphat Canal noticed a suspicious grey pickup truck on Tuesday, August 20. When signalled to stop, the driver sped away, eventually abandoning the vehicle in Chonprathan Soi 1 and fleeing…
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Woman’s body found near pond in Khon Kaen, police investigating
A woman’s body with painted red nails was discovered near a pond, her neck showing signs of strangulation. The police are investigating whether it was a concealed murder. The body has been sent for an autopsy, and efforts are underway to locate her relatives. Police in Khon Kaen province are investigating the death of a woman found near a pond…
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Pattaya motorbike taxi driver arrested for selling kratom juice
Police in Pattaya detained a female motorbike taxi driver on Monday for selling unauthorised kratom juice, aiming to mitigate financial strains during Thailand’s economic difficulties. The arrest was made on Soi Phothisan 1/1 in the Naklua area, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Police officers yesterday, August 19, apprehended Sirikaset, a 60 year old motorcycle taxi driver, who was found…
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Thunderstorms predicted for 33 provinces with heavy rain in the north
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicted thunderstorms tomorrow in 33 provinces, with the northern region seeing the heaviest rainfall, affecting 80% of the area. Continuous heavy rain is expected, with warnings of potential flash floods and landslides. TMD issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicting continuous rainfall in many areas of the upper northern region. Heavy…
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Police seize over one million methamphetamine pills in Sakon Nakhon
Police in Sakon Nakhon Province seized over one million methamphetamine pills, thanks to a tip-off from locals. The seizure took place yesterday, August 21, at the Border Patrol Police Division 23 headquarters, where officials reported the details of the operation. On the previous day, Border Patrol Police Companies 235 and 236 received intelligence about a drug trafficking operation. The traffickers…
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Motorcycle accident on Phahonyothin Road leaves one dead
A tragic motorcycle collision claimed the life of a 66 year old mechanic and left two young men in critical condition. The accident occurred yesterday on Phahonyothin Road, near the Thoen bus terminal in Lom Raet, Thoen district, Lampang province. Police Captain Satean Phanthariyasatean, an investigator from Thoen Police Station, received the report of the accident involving two motorcycles, resulting…
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Thai Tourist Police arrest woman for fraudulent resort scam
Thai Tourist Police arrested a woman accused of opening a bank account for a fraudulent resort page scam in exchange for 500 baht. The incident involved victims losing money after booking a luxury resort in Khao Yai. Police led by Police Major General Thakoon Nimsombun and Police Colonel Wichian Wachirasangpairoj directed the operation. Deputy Inspector Vorodom Bairue and Lieutenant Colonel…
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Flooding in Chiang Rai claims two lives, submerges 15,000 rai of farmland
Heavy rains in Chiang Rai led to severe flooding, resulting in two fatalities and trapping 20 individuals in a convenience store. Agricultural land spanning 15,000 rai is now submerged due to rising water levels. Continuous heavy rainfall in Chiang Rai caused significant water level increases in several rivers, particularly in the Ing River, which originates from Kwan Phayao and flows…
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People’s Party goes all in: By-election showdown in Phitsanulok
In a high-stakes bid to hold onto their seat in Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1, the People’s Party (PP) is pulling out all the stops. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and former MP Padipat Suntiphada hit the campaign trail yesterday, August 20, introducing Natachanon Chanaburanasak as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. The by-election, set for September 15, was announced by the Election…
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Slapgate scandal: Prawit faces ethics inquiry
Thailand’s political scene has been rocked by an incident involving Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, General Prawit Wongsuwon. The former deputy prime minister is now facing calls for an ethics inquiry after being caught on video slapping a reporter during a tense exchange last Friday. The News Broadcasting Council of Thailand (NBCT) and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association have formally…
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Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket
A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centre’s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,…
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Gun-toting schoolkids spark East Pattaya chaos
Violence erupted on the streets of East Pattaya as shocking footage emerged yesterday, showing school kids from a local public school and a rival private school engaging in brutal confrontations. The disturbing scenes, captured on Soi Nern Plub Wan in Nong Prue, reveal students clashing in a series of chaotic brawls. These violent altercations have reportedly occurred at least three times…
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Taxi to the danger zone: Driver stabbed in Phuket passenger showdown
An airport taxi driver stabbed a fellow driver outside a hotel in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket yesterday after a dispute over passengers. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the stabbing outside Novotel Vintage Park Resort and arrested the attacker, 55 year old Raphiphan Saelor, at the scene. The injured victim, 40 year old Apinan Boonpha, was rushed to hospital…
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Retiree’s paradise or visa maze? Thailand’s options but no land grabs
Thailand is a popular choice for foreign retirees, offering several visa types including annual extensions, a five to 20 year Elite visa, and a 10-year Long Term Residence (LTR) visa. However, none of these options allow direct land ownership, nor do they guarantee a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. Foreigners can purchase condominiums but this typically doesn’t come with visa…
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Road rage: Polish man stabbed in Pattaya after fistfight
A Thai man turned a routine traffic dispute into a life-threatening attack, leaving a Polish man severely injured after a road rage incident spiralled out of control in Pattaya yesterday. The violent altercation erupted at 6.06pm, yesterday, August 20, on Soi Boonsamphan in the Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Local police, accompanied by rescue teams from…
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Key to the scam: Woman’s repair complaint uncovers fraud ring
A 27 year old woman questioned the high cost of a motorcycle key repair, leading to the discovery of numerous scam victims and a subsequent police report. Victims were overcharged and received substandard repairs from a deceitful technician. Thidarat shared her experience of being scammed on a popular Rangsit community page. On August 12, her Honda Wave 110 motorcycle key…
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Thai Airways soars to new heights with RateGain partnership
Thai Airways (THAI) is set to revolutionise its pricing strategies with a multi-year partnership with RateGain Travel Technologies, leveraging its cutting-edge platform, AirGain. This collaboration marks a significant move for the national flag carrier of Thailand as it aims to maintain its competitive edge in the global aviation market. Operating out of its central hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok,…
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Old Thai man arrested after defending business partner against affair accusation
Police arrested an 80 year old Thai man after he defended his female business partner against accusations of an affair during an interview on a television news programme. Netizens criticised the police, claiming they treated the 80 year old unfairly. The accused Thai woman, Pimon Panwisai, sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive and various news agencies after Suay accused…
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Pita vows to reform Thailand’s broken political system
Thailand’s political arena has been thrown into disarray once again, as Pita Limjaroenrat, the embattled leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP), issues a stark warning: without judicial reform, the country will continue to go around in circles. Pita’s comments follow two seismic court rulings that not only disbanded his progressive party but also ousted a prime minister, leaving…
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Thai women fight Kuwaiti tourists in Soi Bangla, Phuket (video)
Netizens have called on Patong Police Station officers and Phuket administrative officials to intensify their efforts in safeguarding the province’s reputation, following yet another physical altercation on Soi Bangla. Reports indicate that the incident involved Thai women and Kuwaiti tourists. The news Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (translated as “So Brutal, Phuket Province”), shared a video today, August 21, showing Thai…
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Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht awaits govt decision
The Thai Labour Ministry and employer representatives are eagerly awaiting the new government’s decision on whether to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, a move that could significantly impact the country’s labour market. Permanent Secretary for Labour Pairoj Chotikasathien stated yesterday, August 20, that while the policy was approved by the Srettha Thavisin administration in May, further…
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Man scammed out of 16,000 baht in Facebook amulet auction
A man reported being scammed out of 16,000 baht after attempting to bid on a valuable amulet on Facebook, only to be blocked by the page and left empty-handed. The police are now investigating the incident. Yesterday, August 20, a 38 year old man identified as “A” went to the Mueang Udon Thani Police Station to file a report. He…
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Thai man exposes fake degree, seeks legal aid amid threats
A Thai man who recently secured a civil service position discovered his educational qualifications were fake. Seeking help to continue his job, he approached the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Rights Protection. Threats followed his public revelation, and the matter is now headed to court. The Thai man, 34 year old Sairachon Saenkham, accompanied by legal advisor Piya In-ai, met with…
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Thai delivery worker suffers broken arm after attack (video)
A Thai parcel delivery worker is seeking justice after a homeowner in the eastern province of Rayong rejected a parcel and physically assaulted him, resulting in a broken arm. His pregnant wife was nearly attacked during the incident. The victim, 26 year old Songphon, shared a video of the attacker, wearing a red shirt, hitting him with a wooden stick…
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Thailand launches anti-dumping probe on Chinese aluminium extrusions
Thailand’s Foreign Trade Department initiated an anti-dumping investigation into the import of aluminium extrusions from China. This move follows complaints from local steel manufacturers who claim that the surge in imports is detrimental to domestic production. Caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the investigation is part of a broader strategy by the ministry to address the influx of Chinese…
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