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.
-
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?...
-
Lawyer urges probe into temple fund embezzlement scandal
A lawyer has called for an investigation into the Deputy Director of the National Office of Buddhism, questioning the handling of a temple fund embezzlement case involving the official’s ex-wife. The lawyer demands a probe into the asset seizure and the vetting process before the appointment. Lawyer Thammarat Sarapanya, representing the Chueamjit family, and Praphan Kittiruedeekul, Secretary-General of the Organisation…
-
Excavator fined during Chiang Rai flood relief sparks heated debate
Thai social activist Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet revealed that an excavator on its way back from assisting with flood relief efforts in Chiang Rai was fined for being overweight at a weigh station in the northern province of Phayao. Gun shared that one of his followers requested help for the excavator, which was stopped by the Department of Highways’ weigh station.…
-
US embassy in Thailand launches new visa support system
A new online support system for US visa services will be launched by the US Embassy and Consulate General in Thailand this Saturday, September 28. As the transition takes place, several services, including the online appointment system and call centre, will be unavailable today and tomorrow, September 27. Additionally, fee payment services are temporarily suspended from September 25 to 27.…
-
Sattahip police spark up vape raid, puff arrests and confiscations
Police officers in Sattahip conducted a raid on an illegal electronic cigarette shop in the Sri Racha district, Chon Buri province yesterday, resulting in the arrest of a sales employee and the confiscation of hundreds of vaping products. The operation, ordered by district chief Nopparat Sriprom, took place after concerned residents reported the shop for selling illegal electronic cigarettes. Police…
-
Last chance for Thaiger readers: Get 10% off your health insurance—Offer ends in 5 days!
Did you know that treating a broken leg can cost around 200,000 THB for uninsured patients, and a three-day hospital stay for conditions like dengue fever averages 40,000 to 80,000 THB in Thailand? While healthcare in Thailand is more affordable than in many Western countries, serious medical treatments can still be quite expensive. Additionally, retirees need proof of health insurance…
-
High stakes: British man nabbed in 300kg cannabis smuggling bust
A British man from Wolverhampton has been caught red-handed in a massive international drug smuggling operation, with more than 300 kilogrammes of cannabis seized at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The 22 year old Brit, Peter Kargbo, was nabbed at London’s Gatwick Airport on Saturday, September 21, after arriving from Bangkok with a suitcase stuffed with 20 kilogrammes of cannabis. A…
-
Chiang Mai pings alarm: River hits record high, flooding fears return
The water level of the Ping River in Chiang Mai reached its highest point last night, breaking previous records and exceeding the severe flooding of 2011. This led to flooding in several areas of the province, including vital economic zones such as the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan Road. Channel 7 reported today, September 26, that the water…
-
Woman’s motorcycle stolen in Pattaya, police accused of inaction
A woman in Pattaya reported the theft of her motorcycle after forgetting to lock the handlebars, claiming she had to gather evidence herself due to alleged police inaction. The woman, 34 year old Natthichaya, shared her ordeal with local reporters at 11.30am yesterday, September 25, stating that her blue Honda Wave i motorcycle was stolen from outside her rental room…
-
Bangkok is ready for potential flooding: Deputy Interior Minister
Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich assured the public that Bangkok is well-equipped to manage any potential flooding, drawing a clear distinction from the devastating floods of 2011. Theerarat shared insights from her recent discussion with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who confirmed the city’s proactive measures against potential floods. Local officials have been tasked with inspecting water pumps and ensuring all…
-
Affair-raising evidence: Ex-husband uncovers deputy’s hug scandal
A Chinese man demanded an investigation into an affair between his Thai ex-wife and a deputy attorney general, providing a photograph of the two hugging as evidence. The adultery case involving a Chinese man named Ken, his ex-wife Ava, and her lover Mark came to light when Ken decided to seek justice. He brought the matter to renowned Thai lawyer…
-
Thai police arrest trio for human trafficking to West Africa
Thai police arrested two Thai women and a Chinese man for their alleged involvement in a human trafficking network that lured Thai women into prostitution in Benin, West Africa. One of the women, 39 year old Piyanutta Poowiangkaew, was detained at a dormitory in Khlong Preng subdistrict, Mueang district, Chachoengsao province. The other woman, 35 year old Wiyada Pahurat, and…
-
Eco-friendly castaway: Phuket hosts 25th ITOP Forum for sustainable island tourism
Phuket proudly hosts the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum, welcoming representatives from island destinations across the globe from September 24 to 27. With over 150 leaders and policymakers from tourism hubs such as Bali (Indonesia), Hainan (China), Jeju Island (South Korea), Okinawa (Japan), and Zanzibar (Tanzania), the event aims to foster collaboration and share strategies for sustainable tourism development…
-
Jealous ex stabs man to death in Phuket horror
A late-night romance ended in tragedy after a 22 year old man was brutally stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s jealous ex-boyfriend in a house in Kathu district in Phuket. Police were called to a blood-soaked scene at a residence on Soi Namtok Kathu at around 5.20am today, September 25. They found 22 year old Anukun Ketkaew lying unconscious in…
-
Northern Thailand: Electricity bills scrapped in disaster zones
To ease the burden on flood-ravaged communities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that electricity bills for this month will be waived for those living in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. After chairing a crucial Cabinet meeting at Government House, the 38 year old PM confirmed, “We are suspending the collection of electricity fees for this month. It’s a…
-
Thai woman claims Indian ‘businessman’ gave her STD
A 24 year old Thai woman has come forward with shocking claims that an Indian man posing as an Arab businessman lured her into a relationship, only to leave her with a sexually transmitted disease. Miss B (pseudonym), a nail art instructor from Samut Prakan, reported her ordeal yesterday, September 24, to Ekapop Luangprasert, advisor to the interior minister and…
-
Beauty and the sleaze: CIB busts illegal sex enhancement factory near Bangkok
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) raided a factory in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, for producing illegal sex enhancement and beauty products that could harm consumers. The CIB police, together with officers from the Food and Drug Administration, received a tip-off about an unregistered factory in the Bang Pli district of Samut Prakan, which was illegally producing beauty…
-
Influencer detained for online gambling, earning 2,500 baht per post
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers have detained a 29 year old influencer who has over 410,000 followers, for posting clips with links to gambling websites. Each post earned him 2,500 baht. Yesterday, September 24, the CIB, under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej, conducted an operation led by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The team included several…
-
Catch of the day: Pattaya fisherman’s grim pond discovery
A quiet evening of fishing turned into a grisly discovery when a local fisherman stumbled upon a lifeless body near a pond in Pattaya’s Soi Thep Prasit 17. As of press time, police are scrambling to identify the man and uncover the cause of his mysterious death. The chilling find took place at around 8.06pm, yesterday, September 24, in an…
-
Russian fined 5,000 baht after driving dangerously on Koh Samui
A Russian man yesterday faced a 5,000 baht fine after dangerous driving on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Locals were impressed by the police’s swift action, though some felt the punishment was too lenient. A Thai woman took to a Facebook group called รวมพลคนสมุย (meaning Samui locals gathering) to expose the dangerous behaviour of…
-
Police launch raids on popular nightlife venues on Bangla Road
In a bold move to clean up the streets of Patong, police and health officials are back in action, targeting Bangla Road’s nightlife hotspots with surprise drug tests. The high-stakes operation saw staff at multiple entertainment venues undergo random tests, aiming to ensure drug-free working environments in the heart of Phuket’s party scene. Patong Police, led by Chief Police Colonel…
-
3 year old Thai girl sexually assaulted by foreign man in Phuket
An unidentified foreign man allegedly sexually assaulted a three year old Thai girl at her home in the Rawai district of Phuket in the early hours of Monday, September 23. The young victim suffered severe injuries to her private parts. A Thai man who lived near the victim’s home shared the story of the three year old victim with the…
-
DSI pursues charges over 1 billion baht fraud at Ananda subsidiary
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) initiated legal proceedings against former board members of a subsidiary of Ananda Development for violations of the Securities and Exchange Act, following the discovery of over 1 billion baht in damages. Through its Financial and Money Laundering Case Division, the DSI submitted case file No. 7/2021 yesterday, September 24, regarding Ananda Development Public Company…
-
Pattaya: Bali Hai Pier walkway roof finally taking shape
Pattaya’s ambitious project to build a 310-metre roof over the Bali Hai Pier walkway is finally approaching completion but not without drama. Initially set to finish in March, the 8.8-million-baht project hit a series of delays, leading to hefty fines for the contractor. The roof, designed to protect residents and tourists from the relentless sun and sudden downpours, has been…
-
Thai man arrested for selling upskirt videos, earning 50k monthly
A 20 year old Thai man arrested for selling upskirt videos online revealed that he could earn up to 40,000 and 50,000 baht a month, significantly higher than the minimum wage of around 12,000 baht. Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) discovered secret groups on various social media platforms offering upskirt videos of students to…
-
Charged up: Thailand greenlights 7.12 billion baht EV subsidy
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned the allocation of 7.12 billion baht (US$218 million) from the central reserve budget to support the electric vehicle (EV) subsidy program. This decision was announced following the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, September 24. Jirayu Huangsab, an advisor to the prime minister, confirmed that the allocated budget will subsidise buyers of EVs and motorcycles who have already…
-
Phuket’s tourism boom set to break records this year
After a rocky few years post-Covid, Phuket is poised to smash its highest-ever revenue records in 2024, even if tourist numbers don’t quite hit pre-pandemic levels. Longer stays, higher spending and a shift in visitor profiles are key to this tourism boom, according to Rangsiman Kingkaew, Vice President of Strategy and Planning at the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA). Speaking at…
-
9 year old Thai girl rescued from brutal domestic violence
The wife of social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet rescued a nine year old Thai girl who was brutally abused by her aunt in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. The girl had bite marks across her body and deformed ears. A Thai woman from the Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province sought help for the nine year old girl by…
-
Bikers gang smash LED, sabotages Pattaya’s go-go scene
In a shocking act of vandalism, a gang of masked bikers unleashed a violent attack on a mobile LED advertising truck in Pattaya, causing a staggering 100,000 baht in damage. The brazen assault, which occurred on Monday night, September 23, saw four to five young men on unlicenced motorcycles armed with metal rods, smashing the truck’s LED display to pieces.…
-
Hong Kong back in top 3 global financial powerhouses
Hong Kong is back with a bang, reclaiming its position as the world’s third-leading financial centre, overtaking Singapore for the first time in over two years. According to a report published yesterday, September 24, by the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), Hong Kong’s strategic moves have paid off as it storms ahead in the latest rankings. In the 36th edition…
-
What you need to know about digital wallet 10,000 baht
The Thai government’s digital wallet scheme, set to distribute 10,000 baht to eligible citizens, aims to stimulate the economy and ease the cost of living burden. As reported by Thailand’s Public Relations Department, the initiative targets Thais aged 16 and above with specific income and savings criteria, allowing them to spend the digital currency at local participating businesses across 878…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.