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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
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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Experts unite to oppose govt’s cannabis legalisation
A collective of medical professionals, academics, and civil organisations have released yet another open letter to express their opposition to the government’s decision to legalise cannabis. This marks their seventh open letter on the matter, urging the public to vote for political parties that do not support the removal of cannabis from the list of narcotics, as well as its…
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Two hunters injured in shootout with rangers and arrested for possession of dead langur monkeys
Two hunters in Phetchaburi have been left with injuries following a clash with forest rangers, leading to their arrests. They were found to have six dead grey langurs, local authorities reported today. Forest rangers had been conducting a patrol in Huay Kum forest, close to Phu Sai in the Moo 3 village, situated in tambon Huay Mae Phriang of the…
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Cheating husband’s scandalous affair with niece escalates to murder plot by wife and in-laws
A cheating husband who had an affair with his niece survived a premeditated murder attempt by his wife and her family. The wife, her father, and her brother were arrested. The victim, 35 year old Sutthitee, filed a complaint at Chai Wan Police Station on Friday, April 21 that he had been attacked by two men. The attackers threw a…
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Elderly Swedish man attempts to smuggle 3kg of heroin into Thailand
An elderly Swedish man who was arrested at an airport in Zimbabwe with 3 kilogrammes of heroin bound for Thailand earlier this month appeared in court yesterday. On April 8, detectives from Zimbabwe’s CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare received information that 71 year old Hans Arne Ingemar Pettersson was in possession of drugs that he intended to smuggle to Thailand…
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Transwoman arrested for stealing 189,000 baht from Sri Lankan tourist
Bangkok Police arrested a Thai transwoman for stealing US$5,500 (189,000 baht) from a Sri Lankan tourist two weeks’ ago. The Sri Lankan victim, 30 year old Suras, filed a complaint at Huay Kwang Police Station on Sunday, April 9 after discovering that his money was missing. Suras said that he drank alcohol at a bar in the Asoke neighbourhood with…
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North Pattaya warzone: One injured in teenage gang clash involving rocks, knives, homemade grenades
A recent clash between rival teenage gangs in north Pattaya has left one person injured after the gangs used rocks, knives, and homemade grenades as weapons. The violent incident took place at 5am on Saturday, April 22 at the Photisan Fresh Market, where a 17 year old employee of the Jay Nooch fruit shop suffered a blow to the head…
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Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…
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Thai man accuses RTA general of drug abuse, sexual sadism, and physical abuse
A Thai man accused a lieutenant general of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) of using drugs, engaging in sexual sadism, and physically abusing him during their sexual encounter in the southern province of Songkhla. The accuser, a Thai man named Nut, spoke to the media today about his relationship with the aforementioned RTA soldier named Wor. Nut disclosed that he…
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Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5
Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…
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Asoke Bangkok: Thailand neighbourhood guide 2023
Asoke Bangkok, located in the heart of Thailand’s vibrant capital city, is an area that offers the best of both worlds – a perfect blend of modern urban life and traditional Thai culture. Known for its bustling commercial district and lively nightlife, Asoke is a popular destination for locals and ex-pats alike, offering an array of shopping centers, entertainment venues,…
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Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas
A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…
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Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran
A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…
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Grab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’
Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who…
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Thai marriage visa: A guide to love and legalities
Navigating the complexities of a Thai marriage visa can be daunting, especially when it’s intertwined with the joy and stress of planning a wedding. For couples from different countries, securing a marriage visa is a crucial step towards building a life together. Understanding the requirements and processes involved can significantly ease the journey. A Thai marriage visa allows a foreign…
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Delivery rider finds ketamine in phone box, alerts police
This morning, a motorcycle delivery rider in Samut Prakan, made a surprising discovery when he opened a package that was meant to be an empty mobile phone box, only to find it contained a sachet of the illegal drug ketamine. The delivery driver received a call through his employer’s service system, requesting the pick up of a package from a…
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Your guide to a visa run in Thailand
Visa run in Thailand refers to the practice of leaving the country temporarily in order to reset or renew one’s visa or extend their permitted stay in the country. This is often done by foreign tourists, ex-pats, or digital nomads who wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period than their visa or visa exemption allows. Typically, a visa…
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Thailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)
Thailand‘s police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat ordered an urgent investigation into a video of Tourist Police officers assisting with the luggage of a famous lawyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the clip sparked concerns that the act was inappropriate and outside of the officers’ specified duties. Chief Damrongsak held a conference yesterday at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Headquarters to…
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Chiang Mai’s haze crisis: Health and tourism at risk
The ongoing severe haze pollution in Chiang Mai has not only increased health risks for the inhabitants but has also negatively impacted its tourism industry. Affected parties are urging the government to implement long-term measures to address the issue, including the passage of a ‘clean air’ bill currently awaiting deliberation in parliament. The PM2.5 pollution affecting the upper northern provinces…
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Jordanian attacks Thai singer’s brother at condo in Thailand
A Jordanian man allegedly attacked the brother of a Thai singer, Kanyarat “Lula” Tatiyaporn, at a condominium in Thailand. The victim sustained a ruptured eardrum and multiple wounds all over his body. Lula revealed details of the incident and provided an update on her brother’s condition to KhaoSod yesterday. She explained that the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday,…
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Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm
A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off. A floating restaurant in Laos was blown into the Thai side, and eight people dining in the…
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Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country. As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha visited Tha Pla district to drum up support for the UTN candidates running…
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Chiang Mai breathes easier: Summer storms bring air quality relief
The air quality in Chiang Mai has significantly improved due to a series of summer storms, causing hazardous haze pollution and ultra-fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels to drop after months of concern. This is welcome news for residents and tourists alike, as the region has been grappling with poor air quality and the impact it has had on both…
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Thailand’s heatwave nears end, rainy season looms
Thailand’s hot season approaches its conclusion as the rainy season is set to begin in mid-May, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. The hot season peaked on April 15, when the temperature reached a record high of 44.6°C in Tak. Deputy director-general Thanasit Iam-ananchai has stated that throughout the weekend, daily heat indices or apparent temperatures are anticipated to surge…
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Norway surpasses Russia in energy exports
Norway is now surpassing Russia in energy exports. In a remarkable turn of events, a humble office building overlooking a fjord in Stavanger, Norway, now holds the key to European energy security. Here, the company Petoro oversees several of the continent’s largest oil and natural gas fields on Norway’s petroleum-rich continental shelf. This unassuming location has become central to Europe’s…
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Fake security officers raid Bangkok house, seizing property worth over 3 million baht
Fake security officers raided a Bangkok house, seizing property worth over 3 million baht. Bangkok police have successfully apprehended three individuals involved in a high-profile extortion case, totalling 3.1 million baht (£72,550.05). The suspects had posed as security officers to extort money from the victim, using fake search warrants to enter and search his house. On April 11, the victim…
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Khao San cannabis vendors face charges for operating without licenses
A joint operation involving the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTTAM), Metropolitan Police Bureau, Chana Songkhram police, and City Hall staff has led to the pressing of charges against five unauthorised cannabis shops located on Khao San Road. The crackdown took place on April 20, following the postponement of ‘420’ weed parties that were intended to take place…
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Summer storms to hit upper Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department expects summer storms to hit upper Thailand from Sunday to Wednesday. The department is forecasting summer storms, thunderstorms, gusty winds, isolated hail and lightning in upper Thailand from today (Sunday) to Wednesday. A moderate high-pressure system from China is expected to affect the northeastern region of the country and the South China Sea from Monday to…
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Chinese nationals kidnap and rob woman in Bangkok before fleeing Thailand
A Chinese nationals kidnapped and robbed a woman in Bangkok before fleeing Thailand. According to Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Pol. Col. Nopphasil Poonsawat, the incident took place on April 17. A group of Chinese nationals abducted a 28 year old Chinese woman in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. The victim, a solo traveller, had gone to an entertainment avenue…
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Turkish man assaults older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in serious head injury (video)
A Turkish man assaulted an older Thai man in Pattaya, resulting in a serious head injury. The incident occurred on Pattaya‘s Walking Street on April 18, known as ‘Wan Lai‘ or ‘Flowing Day,’ at around 3am. The Turkish man, 28 year old Mustafa, appeared in video footage to head-butt and shove 61 year old Chadayut, who poured on him during…
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Authorities bust 2 brutal loan sharks in central Thailand
Thai authorities busted two brutal loan sharks in Thailand’s central Pathum Thani province yesterday. The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) arrested the loan sharks, a 42 year old woman named Natthajaree Muangthong and a 43 year old man named Thanachai Ruangphueng. The individuals were accused of “conducting unauthorised personal lending and charging interest rates exceeding those permitted by law.” They…
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