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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South Koreans injured in Pattaya motorbike crash with Bolt rider
A South Korean tourist, livestreaming his motorbike ride around Pattaya with a friend, sustained injuries in a collision with a Thai Bolt rider early Sunday morning. The speeding Bolt rider suffered serious injuries. The incident took place at 2.20am yesterday at Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 9 on Pattaya Third Road, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. Responding swiftly, the Sawang…
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Toddler’s vaping and kratom drinking sparks outrage in Saraburi
Residents in the central province of Saraburi expressed outrage after a 17 year old Thai mother allowed her one year old son to vape and consume what she claimed was a kratom drink. Disturbingly, she reportedly seemed proud of this inappropriate behaviour and even shared it on social media. Neighbours witnessed the 19 month old boy smoking an e-cigarette and…
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Thailand to explore AANZFTA ties and new economic partnerships
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has committed to strengthening collaboration under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), maintaining current markets, and forging new economic partnerships, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday. Delegates from the Commerce Ministry and the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) participated in the 21st AANZFTA Joint Committee Meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand, from May 26 to…
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Thunderstorms and weather alerts issued for 53 provinces
A weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported a southwest monsoon currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, with 53 provinces warned of heavy rain, especially in the eastern and southern regions. The Andaman Sea is experiencing waves up to 2 metres high, while Bangkok has a 60% chance of rain. The forecast noted…
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Thai officers arrest extortionists posing as police in Samut Sakhon
Thai Crime Suppression officers raided a location in Samut Sakhon to arrest a group of men extorting money from kratom juice vendors and fuel smugglers. The operation took place today and revealed a scheme where the extortionists posed as police officers to carry out their illegal activities. Police reports indicate that on May 29, a group of men, donning Central…
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Two dead and many injured in Chumphon tour bus crash
A tour bus and a truck carrying rubber wood logs collided yesterday, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The collision took place in Chumphon province, causing significant disruption and distress. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somboon Phumkajorn of Tha Sae Police Station reported the incident happened at 10.30pm. The tour bus, operated by Sombat Tour travelling from Bangkok to Ranong, collided…
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Red-shirts rally at court to support Thaksin amid lese majeste case
Supporters of the red-shirt movement are set to gather at the Criminal Court tomorrow morning to show their support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is due to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s (OAG) decision on a lese majeste case against him. Despite reports indicating that the 74 year old Thaksin will not be present at the court,…
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Oil slick caper: CIB tracks stolen tankers to Malaysia waters
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers successfully located three oil tankers stolen from a Thai Marine Police (TMP) dock in Chon Buri and subsequently found in Malaysia. Eight crew members are missing, and a quantity of petrol has reportedly vanished. Five oil tankers were seized by illegal petrol smugglers on March 19 and berthed at TMP dock in the Sattahip district…
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Pattaya tourists tread tightrope as bike rentals hog Beach Road
Complaints have arisen in Pattaya over motorcycle rental businesses allegedly monopolising public parking spaces along Beach Road, causing significant inconvenience for tourists. Residents yesterday voiced their concerns to the media, highlighting how these businesses park dozens of motorcycles on the roadside, making it challenging for tourists to find parking. Some motorcycles are even illegally parked, obstructing traffic and making it…
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Professor warns against reclassifying cannabis as illegal narcotic
Professor Panthep Puapongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, voiced concerns regarding efforts to reclassify cannabis as an illegal narcotic. He believes that such a move could worsen drug-related issues rather than improve them. Prof. Panthep stressed that cannabis has played a significant role in helping individuals quit more harmful substances like methamphetamine and heroin. He…
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Missing contraband diesel vessels found near Malaysian waters
Three vessels carrying 330,000 litres of contraband diesel that vanished from a police pier in Chon Buri have been located near Malaysian waters, police confirmed. Police Major General Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, announced that the three boats disappeared from the marine police pier in Sattahip district of Chon Buri last week. After travelling through Cambodian…
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Phuket boosts tourism safety with new lifeguard training initiative
Phuket’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS Phuket) is spearheading a workshop to bolster water tourism safety in the Andaman Tourism Development Zone. The Generation 1 project commenced on June 14 and continues through today at the Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa and Sirinat National Park. Key attendees include Panlop Prajong, a policy and planning analyst at MoTS Phuket,…
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Andaman Hotelier 2024 showcases South Thailand hospitality
The Andaman Hotelier 2024 event kicked off at Robinson Lifestyle shopping mall in Chalong yesterday, showcasing the excellence of hotel and tourism service personnel in southern Thailand. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat inaugurated the event with a press conference, joined by Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Thianprasit Chaiyaphattranan, President of the Thai Hotel Association, and Suksit…
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Cannabis decriminalisation not linked to rise in psychiatric patients
Professor Panthep Puapongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, addressed misinformation about an alleged increase in psychiatric patients following the decriminalisation of cannabis since June 9, 2022. His comments came in response to claims suggesting that this legal change has led to a surge in psychiatric issues. Prof. Panthep refuted these claims by highlighting that comparing…
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EC intensifies legal push to dissolve opposition MFP
The Election Commission (EC) intensified its legal pursuit to disband the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) by submitting additional documents to the Constitutional Court. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee confirmed that these documents pertain to legal issues surrounding the case and were delivered to the court yesterday. Sawaeng stated that presenting a list of witnesses was unnecessary because the court’s previous…
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Provincial Senate election tomorrow: Candidates must be punctual
The nationwide provincial-level Senate election will occur tomorrow, with the Election Commission (EC) urging candidates to arrive at polling stations punctually without introducing themselves during the vote. Election officials, led by EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, inspected the Vayupak Convention Centre at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road in Lak Si district, a designated polling station for…
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Thailand pledges peace talks to address Myanmar conflict
Thailand’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs has underscored the country’s commitment to fostering peaceful dialogue to address the conflict in Myanmar. During the Meet the Press#1 event held yesterday, Maris Sangiampongsa shared his foreign policy agenda under the banner Ignite Thailand, Re-ignite Thai Diplomacy. He stressed the significance of maintaining strong relationships with neighbouring countries to bolster Thailand’s stability,…
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Police raid Nasa club in Chon Buri, arrest 9, find 105 drug users
Police conducted a significant raid on the Nasa club in Mueang, Chon Buri at 1.30pm yesterday. More than 150 officers from various agencies participated in the operation, aiming to curb illegal activities at the venue. Upon their arrival, officers encountered a bustling crowd enjoying the nightlife. As the police presence became evident, many patrons attempted to flee and dispose of…
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Excise officers intercept smuggled cigarettes and beer in Chon Buri
Excise Officers at Region 2, along with Phanat Nikhom police intercepted a white pickup truck suspected of smuggling cigarettes and beer into Phanat Nikhom, Chon Bur, at noon on June 14,. The police had been investigating reports of contraband transportation in the area and successfully tracked down the vehicle, which was owned by a private company. Upon inspection, officers seized…
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Survey reveals pollution as Thai citizens’ biggest worry
A survey by Marketbuzzz reveals that Thais have declared environmental issues such as pollution as their top public concern for 2024, with 30% of respondents prioritising it, closely followed by rising prices at 28%. This annual survey, running since 2019, highlights the growing unease about environmental issues among Thais, who also rank other concerns like corruption, healthcare, traffic congestion, crime,…
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Macau casino company eyes Thailand for major investment
In a move that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings is exploring new investment opportunities, including a potential entertainment complex in Thailand. This was revealed after a high-level meeting between TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool and Pansy Ho, chairperson of MGM China Holdings, on Thursday. TAT governor Thapanee highlighted that MGM China is keen to promote Macau tourism to…
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Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn vows to reclaim Bangkok seats
Pheu Thai’s leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stepped into the ring with a new role, aiming to revive the party’s fortunes in Bangkok after last year’s crushing defeat by the Move Forward Party (MFP). Paetongtarn signed an order on Thursday to establish a panel dedicated to crafting political strategies, overseeing MPs and Bangkok Metropolitan councillors, and providing them with crucial advice.…
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Pattaya mayor’s big bet on Irish tourism
In a significant push to boost international tourism, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed H.E. Patrick Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Thailand, and his delegation. The high-profile visit centred on strengthening tourism ties and introducing measures to support Irish tourists in Pattaya. During the meeting, Mayor Poramet expressed his delight and honour in hosting Irish ambassador Bourne. Poramet emphasised…
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NHRC urges Thai govt to stop deportation of Vietnamese activist
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Thai government to halt plans to deport Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, expressing concerns for his safety. Authorities arrested 32 year old Y Quynh Bdap in Bangkok this week. He is a prominent figure within the Montagnard ethnic group from Vietnam’s Central Highlands and co-founded Montagnards Stand for Justice, an organisation…
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Crisis in Thai industry: Are major collapses on the horizon?
Thailand’s industrial sector is teetering on the brink of a crisis as rapid technological advancements, fierce competition from China, and a planned hike in the daily minimum wage threaten to trigger a massive collapse. With two Japanese car giants, Subaru and Suzuki, set to shut down their manufacturing operations in Thailand, the situation is dire. KKP Research reports that 1,700…
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Thailand free of human bird flu cases since 2006
Thailand remains free of human bird flu cases, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Authorities urge travellers from H5N2 outbreak areas to self-monitor for respiratory symptoms within 14 days of arrival and seek medical attention if symptoms arise. Travellers entering the country have been advised to remain vigilant for irregular respiratory symptoms. Immediate medical consultation is recommended if…
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Sustainability needs more than ESG compliance, says expert
Achieving sustainability requires more than just adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, according to Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre. Speaking at a conference in Bangkok this week, Peshawaria emphasised that a genuine desire for a better future is crucial. The ESG framework, which has been around since the 1990s, is proving effective in some areas but…
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Southeast Asia leads in anti-corruption initiatives with public support
Southeast Asia has emerged as a leading example of public initiatives tackling corruption, as highlighted by legal experts and academics at the Anti-Corruption Innovations in Southeast Asia conference recently held in Bangkok. The conference, which took place on June 7, aimed to share perspectives on innovative strategies to promote integrity and good governance across the region. Experts underscored the importance…
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MFP’s support for Pheu Thai sparks coalition speculation
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has recently shown a surprisingly empathetic stance towards the ruling Pheu Thai Party, sparking accusations that their previous antagonism may have been an act. Observers have noted two key developments suggesting a possible reconciliation between the two largest parties, following Pheu Thai’s earlier decision to abandon a post-election promise to form a government with MFP.…
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PM Srettha dismisses resignation rumours amid court case
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed rumours of his potential resignation or dissolution of the House of Representatives before the Constitutional Court rules on a case that could see him removed from office. The controversy stems from his appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. “I never think about resignation or a House dissolution. Let the legal procedure take…
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