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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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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Bangkok chills as the north blows in, while the south stays soaked
Bangkok is experiencing strong winds and a drop in temperature, which mirrors the cooler conditions in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, heavy rain persists in parts of the south. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that a high-pressure system or cool air mass is affecting upper Thailand, leading to cooler temperatures and strong winds, with some thunderstorms expected in the…
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Thai taxi driver hits rock bottom, then throws rocks at Bangkok cab
Police yesterday arrested a Thai taxi driver for throwing rocks at another taxi driver’s car in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The suspect claimed he committed the offence out of stress after his business went bankrupt. A 58 year old taxi driver named Pornsawat rushed to Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station in a state of fright on Tuesday, March 18,…
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High hopes: Thai pilots poised to reclaim skies amid foreign pilot row
The Thai Pilots Association (TPA) is quietly optimistic about reclaiming the nation’s skies. Following reassurances from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), it’s anticipated that the temporary lift allowing foreign pilots on domestic routes will not stretch on, revealed TPA President Teerawat Angkasakulkiat. “The Cabinet’s resolution, with its vague deadlines, allowed each wet lease agreement to endure for six…
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Man arrested for using fake licence plate in Phang Nga
A man has been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Highway Police after being caught with a fake licence plate in a bizarre case of forgery in Phang Nga. The suspect, identified as Nattawut, was taken into custody for the offence of forgery and use of forged official documents after a swift police operation. The case began in…
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Cambodian monks disrobed in Pattaya for breaching Buddhist rules
Three Cambodian monks were stripped of their saffron robes in Pattaya after locals complained they had broken traditional Buddhist rules. The incident unfolded when the trio was spotted on the notorious Walking Street, a vibrant nightlife hub, late at night, begging for food – a clear violation of Buddhist practice. Buddhist monks are traditionally permitted to ask for food only…
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Thai police seize 4.4 million meth pills worth 90 million baht
Police from Provincial Police Region 1, in collaboration with military forces and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, apprehended two men in possession of 4.4 million methamphetamine pills valued at 90 million baht. The raid took place in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani province yesterday, March 18, at 2pm. Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutr, Commissioner of Provincial…
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PM Paetongtarn asks Thais to don elephant pants for Songkran
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is encouraging all Thais to wear elephant pants from their respective provinces during the upcoming Songkran water festival to promote Thai culture and local identity. The prime minister made the call before chairing the first meeting of the National Soft Power Strategies Committee at Government House. Wearing a pair of blue elephant pants from Kanchanaburi, which featured…
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Mountain B pub owner sentenced to 5 years for deadly fire (video)
The owner of the renowned Mountain B nightclub, faces five years’ imprisonment following the fire in 2022 which claimed 26 lives and injured multiple partygoers and workers. The Mountain B fire was one of the most widely reported incidents of 2022, garnering significant public attention. The incident took place at around 12.45am on August 5 of that year. The blaze…
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Pickup truck crash in Phatthalung kills woman, injures another
A pickup truck lost control and collided with a car before crashing into a fried chicken shop, resulting in the death of an 87 year old woman and injuries to an 80 year old. The driver apologised but, remarkably, refused to explain the incident. Police Lieutenant Kriangkrai Limwongsakul of Mueang Phatthalung Police Station yesterday, March 18, received a report from…
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Thailand Post boosts fruit delivery with EMS service
Thailand Post is offering an EMS express delivery service for summer fruits to support farmers and entrepreneurs across the country. Thailand Post Managing Director Danan Suphattrapan stated that the service aims to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses, particularly by assisting agricultural producers in distributing their products more efficiently to the market. The EMS express service boasts an…
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Zero baht, zero excuses: VietJet Thailand unveils sky-high savings
Budget travellers, get ready! VietJet Thailand is rolling out a jaw-dropping promotion with flight tickets starting from 0 baht (excluding taxes and fees), giving passengers the chance to travel across Thailand and beyond for next to nothing. But act fast—the deal is only available for bookings from March 18 to 22, covering travel between April 20 and October 25 (excluding…
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Tomboy twins flee Pathum Thani after fatally stabbing Burmese man
Police are searching for Burmese tomboy twins who fatally stabbed a Burmese man outside an apartment in the central province of Pathum Thani on Sunday. The motive for the murder remains unknown. Officers from Lam Luk Ka Police Station investigated the fatal stabbing outside an apartment in the Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani at around 7pm on Sunday,…
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Ex-security guard found dead in abandoned Nonthaburi building
The body of a former security guard was discovered in a dilapidated building amidst piles of rubbish. A friend, unable to reach him by phone, found the decomposed body after detecting a foul odour. Officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi, along with staff from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, responded to a report at 10.30am yesterday, March 18, of a…
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Love at first swipe: Thai man loses motorcycle in dating app scam
Another dating application scam occurred in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok at the weekend when a Thai man lost his motorcycle to a woman he met online. The victim, 24 year old Phitchakorn Khamtan, sought help from his followers on Facebook after his red Yamaha Grand Filano went missing on Saturday, March 15. He shared pictures and a video of his…
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Bangkok man arrested for alleged harassment of teen in park
A 28 year old man from Ubon Ratchathani was arrested for allegedly harassing a 17 year old girl in a public park. The incident, which took place at 10pm on March 17, involved the suspect, Max also known as Nantawat, diverting the teenager off her intended route and attempting to assault her in a secluded area. The arrest was made…
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Tractor traction: Uthai Thani cops defend noisy farmer’s arrest
Police in Mueang Lansak district, Uthai Thani province, addressed social media criticism regarding the arrest of a man for modifying his tractor’s exhaust system, creating excessive noise. Residents lodged complaints, prompting police to issue a warning rather than make an arrest, acknowledging the challenges faced by local farmers. On March 16 at 11am, Lieutenant Naruepol Chanthates, a duty officer, alongside patrol…
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No vacation panic: Phuket hoteliers stay cool on visa cut fears
Phuket hoteliers are not overly concerned by the government’s potential move to shorten visa-free stays for tourists, despite concerns that it might impact the local tourism industry. According to Suksit Suvunditkul, Thai Hotels Association’s southern chapter chief, the average length of stay for European guests is only around two weeks, while those seeking longer stays typically opt for condominiums. “If…
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Thai officer transferred for hitting the stage instead of the beat
A Thai police officer is under scrutiny for singing on stage while on duty at an entertainment venue in the central province of Ayutthaya. Thai netizens’ opinions are divided. Several partygoers shared videos last week of a policeman singing in his uniform on stage with the house band. He performed the song 191 by the Thai pop rock trio Labanoon,…
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Smoke scare at sea: Pattaya tourist boat evacuates 35 passengers
A tourist boat carrying 35 Russian passengers yesterday narrowly avoided disaster after a massive cloud of black smoke engulfed the vessel near Sak Island. Fortunately, quick-thinking by the captain and emergency services ensured a safe outcome for everyone on board. The Marine Disaster Prevention Radio Center (Marine Rescue) in Pattaya received an urgent report at 10am yesterday, March 18, of…
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Bangkok bust: 191 unit raids luxury home, nabs drug dealer
The 191 police unit conducted a raid on a luxurious residence in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, arresting a man involved in drug possession. The operation, which took place yesterday, March 18 at 10.30am, resulted in the seizure of substantial evidence, including 313 ketamine vape pods, 80 bags of ketamine, 53 ecstasy pills, and 38 disposable e-cigarettes. The operation…
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Tourist, not monk: Thai man surrenders after dangerous snake ride
A Thai man dressed in a monk robe surrendered to the police after a video of his dangerous ride on a Pattaya road with a snake draped over his shoulder went viral. He insisted that he was a tourist, not a monk. The 40 year old witness, Bang-on Chom-ngam, shared the video of the motorcyclist riding recklessly with a snake on…
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Suspect arrested after fatal roadside stabbing near Lop Buri
A suspect has been arrested following the fatal stabbing of a man who escaped from a hospital and was later found dead near a roadside pavilion. The suspect claims self-defence, stating the victim attacked him while he was asleep. The police apprehended the suspect at his residence. Police from Phatthana Nikhom district in Lop Buri province discovered the body of…
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Thai-speed ahead: PM revs up talks for F1 grand prix in Thailand
Could Thailand be the next country to host a glamorous Formula One (F1) Grand Prix? Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has opened the door to this exciting possibility, holding high-level talks with Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of the Formula One Group, about bringing the iconic motorsport event to the kingdom. Yesterday, March 18, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab confirmed that the…
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Two men detained for smuggling crystal meth worth 50 million baht
Two men have been detained for attempting to smuggle 54 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine on a flight. Police were astonished at their ability to evade airport scanners. The suspects confessed to being paid 20,000 baht each to transport the drugs, which were delivered to them by a contact from Laos. Yesterday, March 18, at the Provincial Police Headquarters in Udon…
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British smuggler arrested on Koh Samui with 165kg of cannabis
Police yesterday arrested one of the leading British cannabis smugglers following the discovery of illegal dried cannabis flowers in the luggage of his British friend, who had left Thailand via Samui International Airport. Thai officials launched a sweeping crackdown on foreigners illegally smuggling cannabis from Thailand to the UK, managing to arrest 13 foreign suspects, including 10 British nationals, one…
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Rama II expressway lane reopens after fatal bridge collapse
The inbound lane to the expressway on Rama II Road, affected by the bridge project collapse last Saturday, will reopen by tomorrow. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) stated that demolition work on the collapsed bridge is 90% complete, with the contractor, Italian-Thai Development (ITD), pledging compensation for victims. The collapse on Saturday, March 15, involved a concrete beam under…
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PM rejects opposition’s request for full 30-hour debate control
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has not approved the opposition’s request to control the entire duration of a 30-hour censure debate. She acknowledged that determining the length of the debate is not within her authourity. Yesterday, March 18, the Thai PM commented that the opposition’s request might not be logical, a sentiment echoed by the coalition government, which found the demand excessive.…
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Indian gang no match for Belgian MMA fighter in Pattaya
Four Indian men gang attacked a Belgian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter over a parking issue outside a condominium in Pattaya at the weekend but were no match for the Belgian man’s skills. The Belgian fighter, 22 year old Maxim Arbille, and his Thai girlfriend shared the details of the altercation with Channel 8 today, March 19. The couple explained…
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2 German models steal from Koh Pha Ngan shop twice in one day
The Thai owner of a handcrafted home goods store on Koh Pha Ngan in the southern province of Surat Thani refused to compromise with two German male models who stole products from her store twice on the same day yesterday, March 18. The owner of the Sprout store, Ploy, took to Facebook and Instagram to expose the two German thieves after…
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Thailand uncertain on US visa ban after Uyghur deportation
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed uncertainty regarding her inclusion on a list of Thai officials recently barred from obtaining US visas following the deportation of 40 Uyghur detainees to China. Addressing the media yesterday, March 18, she said, “There’s no confirmation yet. I still don’t know.” The 38 year old PM explained that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would further clarify…
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