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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Thailand on high alert for intense geomagnetic storm
Thailand is currently bracing for a severe geomagnetic storm, the likes of which haven’t been recorded in recent history. The storm, reaching a level 7 intensity, is expected to present two significant effects: mesmerising auroras for high-latitude regions and potential disruptions to satellite communications. This forecast emerged following recent solar flare activities, which have been closely monitored by the Geo-Informatics…
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Nearly 2,000 acquire Senate election application forms on first day
The Election Commission (EC) reported yesterday that nearly 2,000 individuals acquired application forms for the Senate election on the first day of distribution, which was on May 10. The documents and forms can be collected daily from district offices and provincial registration centres nationwide, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm. Completed forms and necessary documents can be submitted at…
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High times: Thai cannabis use soars, sparking reclassification talks
The use of cannabis among young adults in Thailand has escalated tenfold in the past two years, drawing attention to the government’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, according to the public health minister. The reclassification proposal is expected to be rooted in scientific evidence. Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin yesterday highlighted the significance of empirical data in addressing the…
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AIS compensates customers for network outage in Thailand
Advance Info Service Plc (AIS), Thailand’s leading mobile operator, apologised for a recent network interruption that affected its customers. The company has confirmed that its engineering team has resolved the issue, which disrupted mobile phone usage in certain areas yesterday evening. To make amends, AIS has announced compensation for all its customers, regardless of their package plans. Customers of AIS…
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Deadly heatwave strikes Thailand: 61 lives lost
The Ministry of Public Health announced a staggering toll: the heatwave has claimed the lives of 61 individuals in Thailand this year, a sharp rise from the 37 casualties recorded last year. Dr Apichart Vachiraphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) disclosed that Most of the heatwave fatalities, a harrowing 33, have devastated families in Thailand’s northeastern…
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Thai policeman accused of brutally abusing cat in Phuket
A Russian couple holidaying in Phuket were left reeling in horror after witnessing a Thai policeman abusing a cat, captured in shocking video footage. The couple, Stanislav and Gromova, recounted the gruesome scene that unfolded in the Chalong subdistrict of Phuket, where a Thai man, suspected to be a policeman, subjected a defenceless cat to a vicious assault, leading to…
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Srettha’s agenda for three-day tour to three Thai provinces revealed
Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s inspection tour of three provinces: Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi, spanning May 10 to 12. Kicking off yesterday afternoon, the Bangkok-born PM initiated discussions on local matters at the Lad Nam Tien floodgate in Suphan Buri Province. He also mingled with the public at the Jorakhesamphan Sluice Gates, delving deeper into…
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Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier project disaster
Initiated with grand aspirations back in November 2017, the Bali Hai Pier project was supposed to breathe new life into Pattaya’s tourism scene. With a whopping budget of 95 million baht approved by the city council, hopes were sky-high. Plans boasted extensive renovations and lush landscaping, including the show-stopping Dancing Fountain Plaza destined to dazzle tourists. Fast forward to today,…
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Thailand’s deputy finance minister resigns
Kritsada Jinavijarana, former deputy finance minister, officially stepped down from his position, as confirmed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in an exclusive revelation to reporters. PM Srettha made the declaration moments before embarking on an official trip upcountry, slated to span multiple provinces. Kritsada’s abrupt resignation came hot on the heels of a reported dissatisfaction stemming from a perceived reduction…
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Rayong tourism suffers after industrial area explosion
Tourism in Rayong has suffered a setback after a pyrolysis gasoline tank in the Map Ta Phut industrial area exploded on Thursday, resulting in one death and four injuries. The incident led to a flurry of tour cancellations at several fruit farms in the area, despite being located 40 to 50 kilometres away from the site of the explosion. The…
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Thailand initiates senatorial election process
Thailand’s senatorial election has begun, appointing a new group of 200 senators following the end of the five-year term of the current 250 senators who were appointed by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The Election Commission (EC) announced that candidates can now obtain application forms and necessary documents from district offices in Thailand’s capital and provincial registration…
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Thailand to revise Child Protection Act
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, is set to propose an amendment to Thailand’s Child Protection Act within the month for Cabinet approval. The updated act will emphasise the significant role of families and local communities in ensuring the safety of children. Following the National Child Protection Committee meeting yesterday, Varawut unveiled…
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Bangkok chef arrested for assault and rape of teenage employee
A head chef in Bangkok was arrested for the alleged assault and rape of a 16 year old female employee after luring her under false pretences. The incident, which took place in the Pin Klao area, has led to the arrest of the 25 year old suspect, Watanyu. In a swift operation following an arrest warrant issued by the Taling…
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Elephant tussle in Khao Yai ends with broken tusk
A dramatic clash for dominance between two male elephants yesterday left one with a broken tusk in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The incident occurred after Plai Khrut, the young elephant who previously made headlines for raiding a statue at Wat Mu Si and consuming all the sugar cane grown by the temple for religious ceremonies, challenged his…
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Muay Thai might: Burmese brawlers flee Chiang Mai showdown
Seven men, believed to be Burmese nationals, picked a fight with four Thai men at a popular attraction in Chiang Mai. However, they quickly apologised and ran away when they discovered two of the victims were Muay Thai boxers. Muay Thai boxer and trainer, 34 year old Prawit “Ter” Petboribundee, shared a video and photos of the incident on Facebook,…
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Tourism boost: Bangkok Airways’ SAMUI SAVOR campaign
Bangkok Airways joined BDMS in the SAMUI SAVOR campaign to stimulate local food tourism. The airline is offering a discount at 42 leading restaurants on Koh Samui with a single boarding pass. There is also a chance to win prizes for flights, with 20 available in Thailand. Ploenphit Kosonyuthasan, Director of Tourism and Alliance Marketing Promotion, Bangkok Airways Public Company…
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Fruity fury: Durian dispute turns into armed showdown
A heated confrontation at a durian stall led to a dramatic arrest in Samut Prakan when a disgruntled man drew a gun in a threat of violence. The incident, which was captured on CCTV, occurred around 7.10pm on Wednesday, when the man, identified only as Tao, approached the stall after arguing with a woman across the street. He was later…
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Massive drug bust: Heroin seized in river smuggling operation
Local officers from Na Ngiew Police Station and border patrol police swooped down on Phukhao Thong village in Ban Mueang subdistrict, uncovering a labyrinthine web of drug smuggling. Nestled in the Sangkhom district of Nong Khai province, this clandestine operation bordered Laos. Upon arrival, the officers stumbled upon four shadowy figures ferrying cardboard boxes into a nondescript house. Police Lieutenant…
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Fuelling fury: Employee’s 3-province chase ends in petrol theft bust
A fuel station employee embarked on a high-speed chase spanning over three provinces, ending 160 kilometres away after a 500 baht petrol theft by a 53 year old man, who promptly fled without paying after receiving a quick splash. The incident began in Samut Songkhram province when the man, hailing from Khon Kaen, drove his Toyota Vios into a local…
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Thailand’s ultimate 72 must-do activities revealed for tourists
To reignite tourism during the off-peak season, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to roll out a groundbreaking project showcasing the nation’s top 72 must-do activities. Moreover, the initiative is also geared towards commemorating His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn’s sixth cycle birthday anniversary on July 28 this year, revealed TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. From the electrifying world of Muay…
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Godzilla the macaque succumbs to weight-related illnesses (video)
Godzilla, the once-overweight macaque sensation, captured hearts worldwide as his plight against obesity unfolded. But despite efforts to save him, the beloved primate tragically met his demise, leaving a community in mourning. Godzilla, the crab-eating macaque, met his untimely end at the Crystal Pet Hospital in Bangkok on Monday, May 6, succumbing to a plethora of weight-related ailments. At just…
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Rolling the dice: Thai sting nabs duo in high-stakes gambling bust
The Thai authorities apprehended a 34 year old man and a 19 year old woman in a sophisticated sting operation targeting an illegal online gambling ring that reportedly saw monthly transactions averaging 50 million baht per month. Kittinan The coordinated search led by Major General Warawut Wattanakornbancha, head of the Special Branch Police, along with his team, spanned four locations…
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British man nabbed for souring Phuket eatery’s reputation
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a British man for allegedly defaming an Italian restaurant in Phuket with negative reviews on Google after a two-year long conflict with the restaurant owner. The restaurant owner filed a complaint with the Sakhu Police Station officers after noticing a sudden drop in their Google Maps rating, from 4.9 stars to 3.1…
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Shocking stats: Thailand’s hidden population crisis exposed
Thailand’s population secrets are out in the open, and the numbers are staggering. According to National Statistical Office (NSO) Deputy Director Suwannee Wangkan, a whopping 9.25 million people unofficially inhabit the Land of Smiles, with the vast majority flocking to Bangkok for work and study, shining a harsh spotlight on the nation’s deepening wealth gap. This clandestine population, constituting 13.2%…
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Thai police dismantle kidnapping ring, arrest gang members
The Thai police force delivered a decisive blow to a notorious kidnapping ring and murder gang with the recent arrest of three key suspects. The operation took place at 9.30am today and was announced by the head of the Crime Suppression Division, along with his deputies and other officers. The individuals apprehended include 44 year old Thanawit, 38 year old…
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Chiang Rai police bust online gambling ring worth 200 million baht
A clandestine online gambling ring operating out of Chiang Rai was dismantled by Thai police, revealing a sophisticated operation led by a group of young locals who had rapidly amassed wealth. A police operation today, May 10, resulted in the arrest of 33 year old Kittipong and his 36 year old wife Marisa along with their associates and a dozen…
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Siam Cannabis Cup Event: Celebrating cannabis culture in Bangkok, Thailand
The Siam Cannabis Cup Event is set to take place on May 18, 2024, aboard the luxurious Viva Alangka Cruise in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. This unique event promises to be a celebration of cannabis culture. With an expected attendance of 420+++, the Siam Cannabis Cup Event aims to create an unparalleled experience for attendees. Showcasing the best cannabis…
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Local vendor’s motorcycle theft turned community effort
A vigilant citizen’s video capturing a chase after a motorcycle theft turned into a community effort as a local grilled pork vendor lamented the difficulty of recovering her stolen vehicle. The incident began when user Benz Niratchai posted a video on Facebook, showing the chase of a red and white Wave 110 motorcycle thief who had stolen from the Lat…
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Maya Bay ranks 5th in world’s best beaches for 2024 (video)
Maya Bay, located on the idyllic Phi Phi Islands in Krabi province, has been named the 5th-best beach in the world for 2024 by Beach Atlas, a website based in the United Kingdom. This prestigious recognition places Maya Bay at the top of the list not only in Thailand but also as the number one beach across the ASEAN region.…
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Myriad of drug raids in Phuket yields over 4,000 meth pills
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Phuket yesterday to news that the local police declared a series of detentions in recent anti-drug operations, with raids leading to the capture of over 4,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba. One such operation by the Phuket City Police dismantled a significant drug network leading to the arrest of nine individuals. Among these,…
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