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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Landmark verdict in Kanchanaburi: 18 sentenced to death, 1 gets life in prison brawl case
Eighteen individuals today received the death penalty with one sentenced to life imprisonment in a landmark ruling at the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province. The court acquitted four others in a case stemming from a deadly brawl between inmate groups from Ban Mueang Kan and Ban Bo Phloi against those from Ban Tha Maka. The incident, which…
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Thailand police fine parents in illegal racing crackdown
Police officials launched a strict crackdown on illegal street racing, specifically targeting the parents of minors involved in such activities. Following a recent incident in the Prasamutchedi district of Samut Prakan Province, police investigations led to legal actions against numerous individuals. The National Police Office’s Assistant Commissioner-General, Saram Nualma, announced that 22 people had been prosecuted following illegal road racing…
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Bare truth: Thai man’s crystal meth nap leads to roadside arrest
Police arrested a Thai man this afternoon for lying naked on the roadside in the eastern province of Trat. The man confessed that the crystal meth he had taken made him feel sleepy and hot. Motorists in the Wang Krajae sub-district of Trat spotted the Thai man, later identified as 39 year old Amphon, lying naked on the side of…
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Phuket Tourist Police target unregistered airport taxis
On the bustling island of Phuket, the Tourist Police have recalibrated their focus, zeroing in on unregistered taxi services that operate at Phuket International Airport. This renewed drive to combat illegal cabs was unveiled during a campaign launch and officers’ gathering at the airport. The campaign was spearheaded by Police Colonel Phisit Sawatthaworn, Commander of Tourist Police Division 2, flanked…
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Thai man arrested for selling rare macaques on Facebook
A Thai man was apprehended in the Na Yong district of Trang yesterday for allegedly peddling macaques on Facebook. The operation, led by officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, uncovered a live macaque stashed inside 26 year old Wutthichai Tunrat’s pickup truck. Wutthichai faces serious charges including trading protected wildlife without permission and illegal possession of wild…
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Uyghur terror suspects win judge’s approval for Halal food
A judge ruled yesterday that Thailand’s corrections system must provide two Uyghur terrorism suspects with the Halal food they have been requesting for years. Adem Karadag and Yusufu Mieraili, accused in the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing, appeared visibly emaciated and in wheelchairs, pleading for their religious rights. The duo shared their harrowing ordeal, revealing they had significantly deteriorated in health,…
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PM Srettha unveils economic vision focusing on tourism and booze
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled his comprehensive vision for Thailand’s economic boom, focusing on tourism enhancement and the liberalisation of alcohol consumption at internationally renowned concerts. Speaking at the Thailand Vision gathering at Government House, PM Srettha’s address, which was broadcast live on NBT television, presented his ambitious strategies to foster economic growth. Tourism is at the core of his economic…
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Mother awaits DNA confirmation to lay daughter to rest in Ubon Ratchathani
The grieving mother of a young woman known affectionately as Nunn faces a distressing wait to perform the last rites for her daughter. It is anticipated that the process to release the body will take approximately one week. The forensic department at the Police Hospital began DNA collection procedures at 10am, today, February 22, to confirm the identity of the…
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Teen motorcyclist dies in Nonthaburi accident en route to school
Tragedy struck early this morning when a high school student was killed in a road accident on his way to school. The 18 year old boy lost control of his motorcycle and was subsequently run over by a passing van, leading to his immediate death. The incident occurred on the busy four-lane Ban Kluai-Sai Noi Road in the Bang Bua…
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Thai abbot loses amulets worth over 50 million baht to scammers
A Thai abbot at Pak Khlong Temple in the western province of Phetchaburi lost valuable amulets worth 50 million baht to two scammers. The 84 year old abbot, Sophiwacharachote, filed a theft report at Ban Laem Police Station on February 19 after two Thai men stole 15 Buddhist amulets, 2,500 baht in cash, and important documents from him. The stolen…
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Elderly driver’s lane switch on Bangna-Trad Road triggers multi-car crash
A three-vehicle collision on Bangna-Trad Road in Samut Prakan province injured three people, including two students, when a car driven by a 73 year old woman veered across lanes, causing a chain reaction crash. The serious traffic incident occurred today, February 22, on Bangna-Trad Road, Samut Prakan province, when a sedan driven by a 73 year old woman cut in…
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Move Forward Party set to announce PPAO presidential candidate
Pita Limjaroenrat, a key figure in Thai politics, is poised to make an important announcement in Phuket this weekend. The Move Forward Party (MFP), under his leadership on Saturday, February 24, will be introducing its presidential candidate for the upcoming Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) election. Pita’s arrival in Phuket was confirmed via a Facebook post by Chalermpong Saengdee, a…
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Khon Kaen police bust major motorcycle theft ring
Law enforcement in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, successfully dismantled a motorcycle theft ring operated by a husband and wife team. The pair, along with their accomplices, have been stealing motorcycles and smuggling them across the Mekong River for sale in neighbouring countries, causing severe distress to locals who have lost more than 30 vehicles. Police Major General Montree Teskan, the…
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Japanese mafia scandal: Allegations of nuclear weapon trafficking
Japanese mafia Takeshi Ebisawa stands accused of attempting to peddle uranium and plutonium under the belief that they would find their way to Iran’s clandestine nuclear arsenal. Ebisawa, alongside a Thai accomplice, previously tangled with the law over charges related to arms and narcotics in April 2022. Now, facing the prospect of life behind bars if found guilty of the…
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Phuket police sting operation leads to major drug bust
A recent police sting operation in Phuket, Thailand, resulted in the arrest of a 26 year old woman, originally from Ao Luek in Krabi. The woman, Wichuda “Su” Aollueknoi, was apprehended in her rented room on Soi Patchanee-Bangchee Liao in Ratsada on Tuesday, with law enforcement officers seizing a haul of 700 methamphetamine pills, commonly known as Yabah. The raid…
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Thailand’s future electric vehicles industry workforce
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) is gearing up to sculpt a formidable workforce of over 150,000 individuals poised to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) industry within the next five years. This electrifying initiative forms the nucleus of the ministry’s holistic strategy aimed at supercharging Thailand’s EV ecosystem. The ministry’s blueprint, announced with much fanfare, is…
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Phuket Tourist Police arrest illegal foreign tour guides
A crackdown on illegal tour guides in Phuket led to the arrest of two foreign nationals. Police charged a 35 year old Ukrainian and a 31 year old stateless individual of highland origin, both accused of operating without proper permits. Phuket Tourist Police, under directives from the National Police Office, has intensified efforts to purge the province of unauthorised tour…
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Thai net idol accuses ex-boyfriend of releasing her explicit videos
A Thai net idol accused her ex-boyfriend of posting explicit videos of her on a social media account with more than two million followers. She contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from two police stations ignored her complaint. Saimai Survive team members accompanied the victim, a 30 year old Internet idol and former car racer, to the Cyber…
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Chiang Mai songthaew goes cool with air-con and PM2.5 filters
In a novel move to revolutionise local transport, a Chiang Mai songthaew driver has transformed the iconic red car into an air-conditioned oasis complete with a PM2.5 filter system. This innovative service has become a hit among both Thai and international tourists, leading to a significant booking queue. The traditional songthaew, a ubiquitous sight in Chiang Mai, has long been…
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Thai govt to review ASEAN-China FTA amid business concerns
The Trade Negotiations Department and Team Thailand, a government body focused on bolstering economic growth, have been directed by the Commerce Ministry to undertake a comprehensive study of products under the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). This comes in response to concerns over the surge of low-cost Chinese goods in the domestic market. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced the ministry’s…
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Thai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13
A Thai man addicted to drugs crashed his pickup into a roadside pavilion in the Sadao district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to 13 other pupils. Officers from Sadao Police Station were alerted to the fatal car accident at about 11am yesterday, February 21. The accident took place when…
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Thai police officers face bankruptcy with debt over 300 billion baht
Police General Torsak Sukvimol has indicated that a multitude of law enforcement officers across Thailand are facing impending bankruptcy due to an accumulated debt totalling around 300 billion baht. This revelation came about during his interaction with the House committee tasked with reviewing the 2024 annual budget expenditure bill. Pol. Gen. Torsak was summoned to respond to inquiries concerning the…
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Teen mum caught on CCTV locking toddler in dog cage
A 17 year old mother was caught on CCTV footage physically assaulting her two year old daughter, confining her in a dog cage within a residence in Plutaluang Subdistrict, Sattahip on Monday, February 19. The distressing footage sent shockwaves across social media platforms, triggering swift action from local authorities. In response to the outcry, Plutaluang police officers, accompanied by village headman…
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Thai Cabinet rejects gender recognition bill, citing crime concerns
The Thai Cabinet yesterday rejected the proposed Act on Gender Recognition, Title, and Protection of Gender Diversity, citing concerns about false identities if people are allowed to use preferred titles. The titles of people in the LGBTQA+ community have been trending on Thai social media since a transgender model, Phacharanat “Mimi” Nobantao, questioned why Thai citizens were unable to choose their…
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Thailand promotes electric trucks and buses with new incentives
The National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee in Thailand has given the green light for incentives aimed at encouraging companies to switch their commercial fleets of large trucks and buses to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The committee has also approved cash grants for manufacturers of EV battery cells. The secretary-general of the Board of Investment and secretary of the Electric Vehicle…
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Fatal argument at Nakhon Ratchasima shop ends with gunshot
A 23 year old man’s visit to a motorcycle repair shop in Nakhon Ratchasima turned deadly when an argument over motorcycle noise escalated into a fatal shooting. The confrontation began with a slap and ended with the young man returning with three friends and firearms, resulting in the death of a 27 years old man at the scene. At the…
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Thai authorities tackle surge in cheap Chinese imports
A surge in cheap Chinese products flooding Thai markets, particularly through e-commerce platforms, has prompted Thai authorities and organisations to seek measures to protect local producers. The influx has negatively impacted local small manufacturers of household goods and has boosted calls for the Revenue and Customs departments to expedite their efforts in controlling this wave of low-cost goods. Prime Minister…
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New EV incentives boost investment in Thai automotive sector
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the new electric vehicle (EV) incentive packages, anticipating a significant boost to investment in the automotive sector and related businesses. As Thailand strives for sustainable economic growth and enhanced competitiveness, surges in investment are vital, particularly in the targeted S-curve industries encompassing next-generation vehicles. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the…
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High-speed car chase in Ayutthaya ends with crash and drug arrest
A high-speed car chase on Asia Road in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province ended in a dramatic crash and arrest yesterday at 6.30pm. Police apprehended a 34 year old factory worker after his blue Mitsubishi Mirage, with the license plate กน 5928, flipped several times and came to a wrecked halt at kilometre 10 in Bang Pa-in district. The incident…
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Thai businesses fear cost surge due to minimum wage hike
Businesses in Thailand are bracing for a potential increase in operating costs, following the government’s proposition to raise the daily minimum wage to 400 baht (US$11) within the year. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has expressed its concern over the implications of this wage hike, particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are currently grappling with elevated interest…
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