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 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?...
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Gay couple arrested in Bangkok for drug and extortion operations
Police yesterday arrested a gay couple at a condominium in Nonthaburi province for drug sales and money extortion operations, targeting medical workers and high-flyers in the educational field. A Thai doctor sought help from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Bureau (IDMB) after falling victim to a 37 year old gay man named Krittaphat, also known as Top. Top got…
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Brazen thieves swipe electrical wire in daring daylight raid
Two audacious thieves brazenly snatched electrical wire from a residence in Bo Win, Chon Buri, sparking concern among locals. The victim, Prasong Tankratok, a hardworking contractor who often spends long hours away from home, found himself at the mercy of the thieves’ calculated strike. Upon returning from work on Monday, Prasong was met with the disturbing scene of his ransacked…
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Phetchabun: Cannabis-induced hallucination triggers police chase
A 23 year old man experienced a hallucinatory episode after consuming cannabis, leading to a high-speed chase and subsequent arrest by local police. The incident began when the young man, identified only as Amorn, rode his motorcycle through a community area without a helmet, number plate, or necessary documentation. His erratic behaviour and modified vehicle caught the attention of police…
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Thai state personnel to receive Chinese language training
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC), and the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (BLCC). The agreement, centred on Thai-Sino cooperation, aims to provide Chinese language training for Thai state personnel. The signing ceremony took place at the King Prajadhipok Museum on Lan Luang Road in…
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ICONSIAM’s ‘THAICONIC SONGKRAN CELEBRATION’ promises 12 Days of joy through water splashing and cultural activities
In celebration of the Songkran Festival’s prestigious recognition by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the Chao Phraya River, has collaborated with the government including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand, The Government Public Relations Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade…
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Thailand braces for storms and record heatwave with 43C highs
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted 10 days of tumultuous weather, starting with thunderstorms from today, March 27 to Friday, March 29, followed by a severe heatwave that could see temperatures soar to a scorching 43 degrees Celsius. The predictions for this period, which extends to April 5, have been sourced from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).…
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Major drug network busted 5.6 million meth pills seized
A significant drug patrolling operation, conducted in Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district, resulted in the apprehension of six individuals linked to a major drug network. The operation also led to the confiscation of 5.6 million methamphetamine pills and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine. The individuals were arrested from a property within the Nattanun Home housing estate in Tambon Khu Kwang,…
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Young motorcyclist perishes in Samut Songkhram accident
A tragic collision in Samut Songkhram province claimed the life of a young motorcyclist after a pickup truck made a sudden turn in front of him, leading to a forceful impact. The incident occurred at 9.45am today, March 27. Police Lieutenant Chanathip Ongkleub, the deputy inspector at the Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of a vehicular collision…
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Monkey mayhem: Lopburi locals go bananas over macaque move
Khao Phra subdistrict residents and community leaders in Nakhon Nayok province protest a scheme to temporarily accommodate a group of 50 macaques from Lopburi province. Fearing potential attacks and chaos, locals stand firm against the plan proposed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The DNP’s strategy aims to address the escalating aggression of Lopburi monkeys,…
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Chiang Mai ranked among top budget-friendly retirement locations
The lively and diverse city of Chiang Mai in Thailand has been listed among 13 budget-friendly global locations where couples can retire and live comfortably on a modest sum of US$1,500 per month, according to a new survey from International Living. The city, an eclectic mix of Thai, Chinese, Indian, and foreign residents, is celebrated for its rich history, culture,…
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Bamboo barges battle plastic pollution in Bangkok
To tackle Thailand’s plastic pollution crisis, a pioneering project has been launched on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Black flies scattered as plastic waste cascaded from bamboo conveyor belts onto solar-powered barges, marking a significant step towards cleaner waters. Dubbed the “interceptor,” this innovative boat-like structure, trailing a floating barrier, utilises the river’s currents to guide plastic debris into…
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Thai economy struggles post-election, foreign investment declines
Thailand’s economy continues to struggle despite the first General Election since 2019, which was anticipated to stimulate growth and attract foreign investors. Instead, the nation has seen its benchmark stock index decline for the fifth quarter consecutively, foreign investment is waning, and the baht is showing the second-worst performance amongst Asian currencies. According to Narongsak Plodmechai, CEO of SCB Asset…
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Thai millionaire loses over 63 million baht to romance scammers
Police arrested two women and three Thai men for orchestrating a romance scam spanning six years, during which they swindled a millionaire out of more than 63 million baht. The Thai millionaire realised he was being scammed after nearly going bankrupt. He revealed the whole story to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) leading to the arrest of the main romance…
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Thai government splurges 2.95 billion on free school lunches
The Cabinet has given the nod to a 2.95 billion baht free school lunch programme for nearly half a million students nationwide for the upcoming 2025 academic year. Karom Pholpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, revealed the comprehensive scope of the initiative, stating that it will extend its benevolent reach across 7,344 schools throughout the country. This plan encompasses 6,855 schools…
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Saraburi: 36 gamblers caught red-handed in midnight raid
Acting on reports of clandestine gambling, officers from the Thai Crime Suppression Division surrounded a nondescript house, launching a blitz operation in Nong Don, Saraburi on Monday, March 25. Inside the unassuming residence, dozens of gamblers huddled around tables, engrossed in their illicit card games. In a matter of moments, 36 individuals found themselves in handcuffs. As the interrogation commenced,…
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Thai domestic car sales slump hits 26% as pickup sector suffers
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported a 26% year-on-year drop in domestic car sales for February, primarily affecting the pickup sector. This downturn is expected to hit a two-year low. The total number of cars sold in the country came to 52,843 units, a significant drop from the previous year’s 71,551 units. Despite the worrying sales slump, Surapong Paisitpatanapong,…
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Northern Thailand’s persistent wildfires exacerbate air pollution
Wildfires persist in northern Thailand, contributing to a surge in air pollution despite recent downpours. As of Monday, Mae Hong Son recorded 6,646 wildfires this year, predominantly in the districts of Mueang Mae Hong Son, Pai, and Mae Sariang. This has led to Mae Hong Son exceeding safe levels of airborne particulates for 38 consecutive days. Mae Sariang district reported…
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Pickpockets theft of Norweigian-Thai couple was karma, say cops
A Thai police officer dismissed a complaint from a Norwegian man and his Thai girlfriend who lost 30,000 baht in cash and a mobile phone to four pickpockets outside a shopping mall in Bangkok. The Thai cop allegedly told the foreigner it was his fault, a result of bad karma in their past lives. The Thai woman and her Norwegian…
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Thai lawyer uncovers police-linked bribery network
A recent revelation has shaken the Thai law enforcement scene as a lawyer uncovered a gang, allegedly linked to the police, involved in an extensive bribery racket. The racket reportedly amasses over 100 million baht each month through illicit kickbacks. Sittra Biabungkerd, serving as secretary to the People’s Lawyers Foundation, brought this issue to light in a press conference held…
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Former prosecutor files lawsuit in Red Bull hit-and-run case
A former senior prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) filed a lawsuit against Police Colonel Thanasit Taengchan, a former forensic officer for the infamous 2012 hit-and-run incident involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, also known as Boss. Chainarong, accompanied by his lawyer Paisan Chuarphon, lodged the lawsuit at Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday. The case accuses Pol. Col.…
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Minimum wage rises to 400 baht in 10 Thai provinces
The minimum wage in selected areas of 10 Thai provinces is set to rise to 400 baht per day, as decreed by the tripartite wage committee yesterday. This new wage increase, which comes into effect on April 13, will apply to tourism-related businesses and four-star hotels with a staff of 50 or more. Pairoj Chotikasathien, the committee’s chairman and permanent…
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Saab swoops to supply Gripen jets to RTAF in 19-billion-baht deal
Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company, yesterday announced its intention to supply Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The company’s proposal aligns with the Thai government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development set by the RTAF. The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in…
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Thai govt assures no loss of Koh Kood sovereignty in future talks
A reassurance has been issued by the Thai government, stating that the country will not surrender sovereignty over Koh Kood, located in Trat province, to Cambodia during future negotiations concerning the partitioning of marine resources in their shared Overlapping Claims Area (OCA). In a statement during the Senate’s general debate on Monday night, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara referred to…
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Friend of Thai comedian suspected of stealing from shoe collection
A close acquaintance of renowned Thai comedian Jazz Chuanchuen has been issued with an arrest warrant for making off with several items from Jazz’s extensive shoe collection, worth over 300,000 baht. Min Buri Police Station Chief, Police Colonel Kris Komnoi, stated that investigators had gathered evidence, particularly from a social media livestream by the individual claiming responsibility for the break-in and…
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Hong Kong’s national security law: Foreign corporations
Corporate lawyers and consultants have revealed that foreign corporations operating in Hong Kong have been revisiting their strategies since the previous year in anticipation of the recently passed domestic national security law. Despite assurances from the city and central authorities that the legislation, dictated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, would neither disrupt operations nor negatively impact the city’s…
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Shooting and Molotov cocktails attack rocks Phuket Town
Phuket City police are currently investigating a violent incident on the outskirts of Phuket Town which resulted in a young man being shot in the foot, with accompanying reports of Molotov cocktails being hurled. The authorities were alerted to the event by the staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital, who reported a patient admitted with a bullet wound in his left…
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Court clears Thai lawyer’s remark against Thaksin
Thai lawyer and politician Chuan Leekpai’s controversial statement branding ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra as a “harbinger of doom” for the Deep South has been deemed fair game by the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The legal battle, which teetered on the edge of defamation, reached its climax today with a verdict that left both sides reeling. The lawsuit, initiated just three days…
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Can Thailand achieve high-income status by 2037? (video)
As Thailand steers towards high-income status by 2037, a formidable obstacle looms large: rampant flooding wreaking havoc on its economy. In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS World, the World Bank unveils a groundbreaking strategy to expedite flood management, potentially transforming Thailand’s economic landscape. Read on to discover the game-changing insights and bold plans set to redefine Thailand’s future. Amid…
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Russian graffiti vandals busted in Patong
The two Russian men on a graffiti rampage after a booze-fuelled escapade in Patong, Phuket, have been arrested. Police Major General Saranyu Chamnarnrat, Deputy Chief of the Provincial Police Region 8, revealed the arrest of the Russian vandals today. Identified as 23 year old Evgenii Egorov and 22 year old Oleg Shirshov, the spray-painting mischievous pair were nabbed from a dormitory…
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Beachside business caught red-handed with Pattaya city floats
Pattaya officials swooped in on a beachside entrepreneur’s operation, seizing floats that were allegedly repurposed from government property for commercial gain. Residents raised eyebrows at the brazen use of what appeared to be city-owned pontoons for private enterprise on Krating Lai Beach in north Pattaya. The Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, Manot Nongyai, spearheaded a team of city officials yesterday…
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