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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Assistant abbot and accomplice apprehended for embezzlement
Anti-Corruption Division police swooped down on Wat Ratchapradit’s assistant abbot and his suspected accomplice in an embezzlement case. Assistant abbot, 47 year old Phrakru Sutheesutawatwiwat Puangkerd, found himself in handcuffs at Wat Duang Khae in Pathumwan district, while his alleged accomplice, 52 year old Panjit Phanphrom, faced legal consequences at Wat Tha Phra in Bangkok Yai district. According to police…
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Thai man arrested for selling drugs to teens with illegal firearms
In an undercover operation, police arrested a 55 year old Thai man on February 22 for allegedly peddling drugs to teenagers and harbouring illegal firearms in Naklua, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The suspect, identified only as Gomol, fell into the police net following an extensive covert probe. Seizing the moment, authorities swooped in and confiscated two bags containing a staggering…
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Universal Health Coverage expands to eight more provinces
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme is set to empower members with unprecedented healthcare options across eight additional provinces. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, heading the National Health Security Board, announced the green light for expanding the UHC digital health platform. This expansion encompasses provinces such as Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Phang Nga, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen,…
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Thai Mental Health Department’s Hope Task Force tackles suicides
In a bid to combat the alarming surge in suicide attempts, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) leads an initiative to amplify its Hope Task Force network to a provincial scale. After a staggering 31,000-plus suicide attempts rocked the nation last year, the DMH is leaving no stone unturned in its mission to save lives. DMH Deputy Director-General, Sirisak Thitidilokrat,…
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Thailand’s state railway to construct three new double-track routes
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is advancing with plans to construct three double-track railroad routes that will span a total of 634 kilometres. The project, which will require a combined investment of 113.14 billion baht, has been approved by the SRT board and is due to be submitted to the Transport Ministry later this month. SRT governor Nirut Maneepan…
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Beauty pageant stock’s overvaluation concerns
The once-dazzling rally of Miss Grand International Plc (MGI), a beauty pageant organiser, appears to be losing its shimmer as concerns loom large over its increasingly stretched valuation. Since its inception in mid-December at 4.95 baht apiece, the stock catapulted by over 900%, ranking as the second-best performer among new listings in the Asia Pacific region over the past three…
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Chiang Rai meth bust sees 1.8 million pills confiscated
In a gripping crackdown on drug trafficking, authorities in Chiang Rai province have netted 1.8 million meth pills and assets valued at 10 million baht, with the arrest of 10 suspected couriers in three major drug busts. At a Pukaeng Road checkpoint in Phan district, police officers intercepted a suspicious pickup truck sporting Bangkok licence plates. Their suspicions were well-founded…
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Luck of the Thai-landed: Irish mobster dodges law with escape to Thailand
An Irish mobster has fled to Thailand in an attempt to evade the long reach of the law in his Emerald Isle homeland. The mobster, along with his brother, swiftly departed from Ireland after authorities cracked down on their illegal drug trafficking operation. While one brother is reportedly holed up in Dubai, the other has sought refuge in the Land…
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Bangkok unveils Suk50 Garden in Klong Toey to boost green space
Bangkok’s Klong Toey District has witnessed the transformation of an underutilised space into a vibrant public park, the Suk50 Garden, thanks to a collaboration between the Expressway Authority of Thailand and Ichitan Group. This initiative is part of a larger movement to increase green spaces in the city, contributing to the fight against PM2.5 pollution and fostering community connections. Spanning…
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Thai Airways records recovery with US$782 million profit in 2023
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited witnessed a significant rebound in its earnings following an increase in air travel demand. The airline reported a net profit of 28.1 billion baht (US$782 million) in 2023, a substantial recovery from the 272-million-baht loss experienced in the previous year. This is the second-highest annual net income recorded by the company, surpassed only by…
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Thai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk
Police arrested a Thai transwoman for offering a sex service and trying to swindle 20,000 baht from a monk at the Dong Sam Muen Monastery in the northern province of Lamphun. The 33 year old monk, Phra Kru Winai Dhammawat, collaborated with officers from Ban Hong Police Station to setup the 23 year old transwoman, Charnnarong, leading to her arrest…
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Visa-free travel to Thailand for more international tourists
In a bid to revitalise its tourism sector, the Thai government has significantly eased visa restrictions for millions more international tourists. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared that Thai tourism has entered a new era of inclusivity, outlining the remarkable transformations underway. Previously confined to conventional markets like the European Union, the UK, the US, and Australia, visa-exempt travel has now expanded…
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Pattaya hotel left stunned as guest snatches speaker
A Pattaya hotel manager unveiled some CCTV footage capturing a guest allegedly pilfering a speaker before making a swift getaway last Thursday, February 15. The unnamed guest, who checked in for a two-night stay on February 14, seemingly orchestrated the criminal act alongside two Thai companions. Under the cloak of darkness, they brazenly attempted to swipe a speaker positioned near…
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Pizza company projects 15% sales growth despite food delivery downturn
Despite a challenging economic environment and a downturn in the food delivery sector, The Pizza Company remains optimistic about its growth prospects, projecting a 15% increase in sales this year. This confidence stems from its 20-minute delivery guarantee and strategic initiatives aimed at attracting younger customers. The company, a subsidiary of Minor Food, continues to focus on providing a value-for-money…
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Riot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot
Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in the central province of Kanchanaburi sentenced 18 former Thai inmates to death following the death of two people and six injuries in a riot in the Thong Phra Phum Prison nine years ago. The death penalty was given to 18 of the 26 inmates involved in the riot that occurred on February 22, 2015.…
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Royal Forest Department investigates land appropriation
The Royal Forest Department launched a probe into allegations of land encroachment within the Pang Asok woodlot. The claim comes from Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, head of the Office of National Parks, who stumbled upon a disturbing sight: a backhoe and tractor clearing swathes of land purportedly for personal gain. Chaiwat asserts that approximately 64 hectares stand despoiled, with a suspicious Sor Por…
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Thai foundation advocates green switch for Makha Bucha day
The Tree Planting Foundation is advocating for Thais tomorrow to make a green switch from the traditional practice of burning candles and incense sticks during the imminent Makha Bucha day candle processions. The campaign is aimed at fostering environmentally friendly merit-making customs that contribute to the expansion of green spaces in Thailand. Tawatchai Tositrakul, leading the Tree Planting Foundation, voiced…
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Thai wildfires rage across 10 provinces in northern Thailand
An apocalyptic blaze threatens to engulf vast swathes of the northern Thai landscape, with an estimated 1 million rai (equivalent to 160,000 hectares) poised to succumb to wildfires between February 19 and 25, as revealed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The inferno’s ominous reach spans 10 provinces including Tak, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae…
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Oxygen treatment makes Thai wastewater clean
In a move to tackle Thailand’s wastewater crisis, a pioneering oxygen treatment method promises to transform foul-smelling waters into pristine streams, all while slashing carbon emissions. In the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok, a silent revolution is underway. Piyabut Charuphen, the managing director of BIG, a trailblazer in industrial gas technology, unveils the Generating A Cleaner Future initiative. This…
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Thailand boosts welfare benefits for elderly, infants, and disabled
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has taken a momentous step forward to enhance welfare benefits for the elderly, infants, and individuals with disabilities. The sub-committee under the ministry assented to this significant development. According to Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, the proposed scheme would offer a flat rate welfare payment of 1,000 baht…
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Serial rapist remains at large after assaulting boys in Rayong
Residents in the eastern province of Rayong condemned police for failing to arrest a serial rapist who repeatedly assaulted more than 10 boys in the province for years. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, yesterday, February 22, accompanied two Thai boys, aged 11 and 14 years old, to Mueang Rayong Police Station to file a complaint against the rapist named…
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South Korean man arrested by Thai police for fraud
Chon Buri Immigration Bureau arrested a notorious South Korean fugitive for fraud and a call centre syndicate on Wednesday. Acting swiftly on intelligence shared by foreign counterparts, immigration officers seized 51 year old Oh Suk Yeon in Pattaya for orchestrating a call centre fraud ring that preyed on unsuspecting victims back in South Korea. According to Chon Buri Immigration, this…
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Ex-politician’s son causes deadly accident in Sadao district
A devastating accident unfolded in Tambon Samnak Kham, Sadao district on Wednesday when 35 year old Wissanu Tongsai lost control of his pickup truck and ploughed into a group of students, resulting in two fatalities and 13 injuries. Wissanu, the son of an ex-politician from Samnak Kham Municipal Council, was later charged with reckless driving and illegal drug use. Chanaporn…
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Siam Paragon ushers in the Year of the Dragon with a grand celebration featuring Chinese actor Lin Yi
Siam Paragon solidifies its positioning as a top-of-mind ‘global destination’ for Thais and international visitors. To celebrate the Chinese New Year 2024, Siam Paragon and KASIKORNBANK proudly present a spectacular celebration to usher in the Year of the Dragon titled “Siam Paragon Golden Prosperous Chinese New Year 2024: The Greatest Year of The Dragon.” The festivities will take place from…
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Khon Kaen Zoo celebrates first successful black swan breeding
Khon Kaen Zoo proudly announced the successful breeding of black swans, marking a first in the zoo’s history. The arrival of three cygnets, hatched in early February, comes as a delightful surprise to zoo officials and animal lovers alike. Thipawadee Kittikhun, the acting director-general at the zoo, revealed that three eggs were laid by a seven year old swan in…
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Thai police chief denies involvement in online gambling scandal
Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief, yesterday refuted allegations of his involvement with online gambling networks. Despite the rumours that have been swirling since early this week, Big Joke clarified that no formal charges have been brought against him following the widely publicised house search conducted last year. Furthermore, he noted that only eight individuals, some…
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Calls for government subsidy on all Bangkok public transport
A call for government subsidisation of all public transportation in Bangkok was made at a forum aiming to alleviate the city’s commuting issues. The event, attended by approximately 100 individuals including locals, was a collaboration between the House Committee on Consumer Protection, the Thailand Consumers Council and the Foundation for Consumers. The agenda was to gather consumer perspectives on the…
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Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin paroled raising legal questions
Convicted former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted parole in compliance with legal criteria, according to Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Justice Minister. This comes following Thaskin’s return to Thailand last year, during which he did not serve any jail time. This development sparked questions from Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP for the Move Forward Party (MFP),…
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Ex-MP’s nephew dies in Nakhon Phanom motorcycle crash
A tragic motorcycle crash claimed the life of a former six-term MP’s nephew in Nakhon Phanom Province, as he collided with a pickup truck on his motorcycle. The accident occurred yesterday (February 22), when the man was on his way to pick up his wife. Despite prompt medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The accident took…
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Thai export competitiveness declines with focus on rice market
The Bank of Thailand reports a significant decline in Thai export competitiveness, particularly in global rice markets. Over the last 20 years, the market share of rice shipments has dropped by over 50%. This reduction is a result of persistent structural issues in the export and manufacturing sectors, affecting the Thai economy at large. The bank’s recent report reveals that…
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