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    Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever

    If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...

  • Thai man and 78 year old foreign stepfather arrested over child sex abuse in Phuket | Thaiger

    Thai man and 78 year old foreign stepfather arrested over child sex abuse in Phuket

    A Thai man and his foreign stepfather have been arrested for allegedly engaging in child sex crimes and sexual abuse in Phuket. Police say the Thai man pretended to be a swimming coach and lured male children less than 15 years old into swimming at his stepfather’s house for potential sexual exploits. More than 15 children were reportedly involved in…

  • Police arrest murder suspect on the run for 15 years in southern Thailand | Thaiger

    Police arrest murder suspect on the run for 15 years in southern Thailand

    Police arrested a man on suspicion of a murder which took place nearly 15 years ago this morning in Yala province, southern Thailand. Police found the suspect on the side of the road in Betong district and arrested him on a warrant issued by Chiang Rai Provincial Court back in 2007. Police believe the murder was a politically motivated attack.…

  • Drink drivers put on probation, 278 dead during ‘seven deadly days’ in Thailand | Thaiger

    Drink drivers put on probation, 278 dead during ‘seven deadly days’ in Thailand

    During the “seven deadly days” of the Songkran Holiday, between April 11 to 17, there were nearly 8,000 drivers who were arrested for drink driving or driving recklessly. The courts have already sentenced them to probation, according to director-general Witthawal Sunthornkachit of the Department of Probation. Drink driving has increased by over 1,000 cases this year compared to over 6,000…

  • Thailand goes crazy for mango sticky rice, after Thai rapper Milli’s Coachella stunt | Thaiger

    Thailand goes crazy for mango sticky rice, after Thai rapper Milli’s Coachella stunt

    Mango sticky rice is in the international spotlight after a young Thai rapper promoted the popular dessert during her raunchy performance at the Coachella music festival. Now the Cultural Promotion Department is planning to propose that mango stick rice is “an intrinsic part of Thai culture”, to be included on the list of Thailand’s ‘UNESCO intangible cultural heritage’. The 19…

  • Changes to the Thailand Pass, starting TODAY | Thaiger

    Changes to the Thailand Pass, starting TODAY

    New info posted on the Thailand Pass website. The slight changes, which starts today (Monday) according to the announcement, will now allow applicants to arrive on a different day to the date originally approved in their Thailand Pass application, as long as it’s no more than 7 days either side of the original date. If you are travelling to Thailand…

  • Thailand’s Defence Ministry says Yakuza member is not former PM’s son | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Defence Ministry says Yakuza member is not former PM’s son

    Thailand’s Defence Ministry is calling ‘fake news’ on rumours that a former PM’s son is part of a yakuza gang after he was arrested in the US this month on suspicion of trafficking in drugs and weapons. The gang members were arrested for trafficking heroin and methamphetamine while trying to acquire surface-to-air missiles for rebel groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka,…

  • UPDATE: Bangkok court approves detention of former Democrat deputy leader | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Bangkok court approves detention of former Democrat deputy leader

    UPDATE After over 20 women came forward this week accusing former politician Prinn Panitchpakdi of sexually harassing and assaulting them, the Bangkok South Criminal Court has now approved detention for Prinn this morning (Sunday). Three of the alleged victims lodged complaints with Lumpini police, and the police requested that Prinn be detained for further questioning about the allegations. Prinn attended…

  • Pattaya mayoral hopeful vows to revive tourism and nightlife | Thaiger

    Pattaya mayoral hopeful vows to revive tourism and nightlife

    The mayoral candidate for Pattaya’s We Love Pattaya party, Poramese Ngampiches, told the Associated Press yesterday that he wants the Chon Buri province to continue attracting tourists throughout the whole year. Bali Hai Pier officials say there are currently over 20,000 tourists a day visiting Koh Larn, and Poramese said he wants to keep up this momentum. Chon Buri, specifically Pattaya and…

  • Easter Sunday: Where to go to church in Bangkok for Easter 2022 (English services) | Thaiger

    Easter Sunday: Where to go to church in Bangkok for Easter 2022 (English services)

    As Songkran celebrations wind down this weekend, Christians across Thailand are celebrating Easter. Here are some churches where you can attend an in-person English service in Bangkok this Easter Sunday… • Evangelical Church of Bangkok “We are an international church in the city center of Bangkok. No matter where you call home, you are welcome to fellowship and worship with…

  • Does Thailand need casinos? Study to be submitted next month | Thaiger

    Does Thailand need casinos? Study to be submitted next month

    In May, a committee of Thailand’s cabinet members and politicians will submit a study on the feasibility of bringing casinos, and casino resorts to Thailand, to the country’s House of Representatives. The first resort would likely be in Bangkok, however the committee is discussing opening more in other tourist destinations after that. Rumours have yet to be confirmed that Las…

  • Thailand’s Songkran road deaths decrease by 20% since last year | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Songkran road deaths decrease by 20% since last year

    Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister says road deaths during Songkran have reduced by 20% compared to last year, during the first 4 days between April 11-17 (aka. Seven Deadly Days). The first 4days saw 1,195 road accidents, with 157 deaths, and 1,185 people injured. Last year there were 1,795 road accidents, with 192 people killed, and 1,818 injured, during the same…

  • Songkran crowds flock to the new, improved, wider, better Jomtien Beach | Thaiger

    Songkran crowds flock to the new, improved, wider, better Jomtien Beach

    Pattaya, the seaside playground 2 hours south east of Bangkok, never had really good beaches. But these days the popular resort boasts huge expanses of sand as far as the eye can see. Most of the earlier efforts were concentrated on the popular Pattaya beachfront but recently the efforts moved to Jomtien, about 3 kilometres south of the main party…

  • 41 dead, 332 injured on Day 4 of Songkran ‘7 Deadly Days’ | Thaiger

    41 dead, 332 injured on Day 4 of Songkran ‘7 Deadly Days’

    Thailand recorded 324 accidents on Thursday, resulting in 332 injuries and 41 deaths across the country on Day 4 of the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran holiday. The update from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. From Monday to Thursday, Thailand has reported 1,195 accidents. Speeding is still the main factor in accidents, with motorcyclists playing a major role.…

  • Argument between Bangkok ‘Win’ drivers ends in a fatal shooting | Thaiger

    Argument between Bangkok ‘Win’ drivers ends in a fatal shooting

    A motorcycle taxi driver, aka. ‘win’ driver, has surrendered to Bangkok police after shooting and killing a fellow Win driver. The incident happened in the Prachacheun area, north of the Bangkok metropolis near Chatuchak. A CCTV video shows 53 year old Chatchai Sukjaidee travelling down Soi Sarmsuk in the Bang Sue area. But 44 year old Sompong called him back to the…

  • Police arrest 7 suspects in cherry bomb attack on PM Prayut’s home | Thaiger

    Police arrest 7 suspects in cherry bomb attack on PM Prayut’s home

    Police have arrested 7 youths suspected for involvement in the throwing of a cherry bomb on Sunday at the home of Thailand Prime Minster Prayut Chan-o-cha, whose permanent residence is located on the grounds of the First Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guards on Vibhavadi Road in Bangkok. Police say that CCTV footage from around the military barracks helped them…

  • Thai durian shipment to China detected with Covid 19 on packaging | Thaiger

    Thai durian shipment to China detected with Covid 19 on packaging

    After signs of the coronavirus were detected on the surfaces of boxes of Thai durian, the delivery to China was blocked from entering for 3 days. Companies in Thailand’s fruit export industry have been advised to follow strict Covid-19 guidelines. A shipment of the famous King of Fruits, aka. Durian, from Thailand was reported to be infected at China’s Mohan…

  • UPDATE: Bangkok authorities try to limit the water games on Khao San Road | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Bangkok authorities try to limit the water games on Khao San Road

    We warned you, but we can’t stop you. That’s the message being conveyed by the actions of Thai authorities, who have shown restraint toward prohibited water splashing on Khao San Road in Bangkok during this week’s Songkran festival. Police, and even soldiers, have been called in to remind tourists and Songkran revellers about the government’s ban on water splashing this…

  • Police use water cannons to stop illegal water fight/protest at Democracy Monument | Thaiger

    Police use water cannons to stop illegal water fight/protest at Democracy Monument

    We knew this would happen. Police using water cannons to ‘dampen’ protesters defying the water-splashing ban. How ironic. The protesters used the Songkran festival to make a point about their ongoing battle demanding greater democracy in Thailand. That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday, when Police deployed two water cannons on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in response to pro-democracy groups defying the…

  • 40 dead, 323 injured on Day 3 of Songkran’s ‘7 Deadly Days’ | Thaiger

    40 dead, 323 injured on Day 3 of Songkran’s ‘7 Deadly Days’

    Thailand saw 331 road accidents, resulting in 40 deaths and 323 injuries on Wednesday, Day 3 of the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran holiday. The main causes of road accidents yesterday were the same as the previous two days, namely speeding and drink driving, according to data provided by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. Since the start of…

  • Thailand deploys troops to Khao San Road to combat water splashing tourists – VIDEO | Thaiger

    Thailand deploys troops to Khao San Road to combat water splashing tourists – VIDEO

    Call in the troops! That’s been the response from Thailand’s government after reports of foreign tourists (you get bet there were plenty of locals in there as well) engaging in “dangerous water splashing behaviour” spread like wildfire on social media at the start of the Songkran festival, well Songkran eve to be precise. Bangkok authorities deployed the military, in addition…

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport adds arrival QR code to ease confusion | Thaiger

    Suvarnabhumi Airport adds arrival QR code to ease confusion

    Travellers are being recommended to download a QR code had been created and is available from April 14 at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, aka. BKK. Airport management are claiming the new QR code will assist them and help them to find the booth of their booked hotel. After numerous complaints, confusion, and congestion in the arrival area, angry visitors looking for…

  • Former Thai PM denies his daughter will run for the top job | Thaiger

    Former Thai PM denies his daughter will run for the top job

    On Clubhouse this week, a favourite platform for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former elected leader denied rumours that his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, will run in the next Thailand election as the nominated PM candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. Instead, he wants to see her in the party working on the marketing and strategic side of things. On April…

  • Thais still don’t want to travel overseas at this time | Thaiger

    Thais still don’t want to travel overseas at this time

    The vast majority of the media space has been about foreigners, and Thais, wanting to return to Thailand and the rules and regulations, and efficiency, relating to the Thailand Pass. But what about Thais looking to travel outbound to other countries at the moment According to Kangwal Holidays, most Thai are still cautious to head overseas, with Covid 19 still…

  • Time to say goodbye to Test & Go and the Thailand Pass? | Thaiger

    Time to say goodbye to Test & Go and the Thailand Pass?

    The government will propose removing the Test & Go scheme and Thailand Pass at a meeting with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on April 22. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is again requesting the cancellation with the tourism ministry, according to Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The goal is to attract more travellers and boost Thailand interrupted tourism…

  • Songkran: Where to celebrate the Thai New Year in Thailand 2022 | Thaiger

    Songkran: Where to celebrate the Thai New Year in Thailand 2022

    Despite the lack of official water fights this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Songkran 2022 in Thailand. Events in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan and other major cities have been organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, or the TAT, in line with Covid-19 prevention measures. So put the water gun down and take…

  • 8 year old driving motorcycle dies in accident | Thaiger

    8 year old driving motorcycle dies in accident

    An 8 year old boy was driving a motorcycle with a sidecar attached to it when he lost control and flipped over at around 10:30am this morning in Chanthaburi province in eastern Thailand. The vehicle fell back down on top of him and crushed him. He hit his head off the concrete road and sadly died from his injuries at…

  • 301 injured and 47 deaths on Day 2 of Songkran – Seven Deadly Days | Thaiger

    301 injured and 47 deaths on Day 2 of Songkran – Seven Deadly Days

    On Tuesday, the second day of the “Seven Deadly Days” of the Songkran break, there were 301 road accidents, resulting in 47 deaths and 292 injuries. Accidents are still caused by drink driving and speeding. 84% of the accidents occurred on straight roads. Motorcycles and pick-up trucks were involved in the majority of the accidents, 80%, and 10% respectively, about…

  • More than 180 trains added during Thailand’s Songkran holiday | Thaiger

    More than 180 trains added during Thailand’s Songkran holiday

    The Thai State Railway has added over 180 trains during the Songkran holidays, and will run through to April 17. 45,000 travellers are predicted to board the trains from Hua Lamphong in Bangkok on the first day of Songkran. The old Hu Lamphong train station has been kept running since plans to move all train services to Bang Sue, the…

  • 80 year old woman dies after falling from the seventh floor of a hospital | Thaiger

    80 year old woman dies after falling from the seventh floor of a hospital

    In Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand, an 80 year old woman has died after falling from her room on the seventh floor of a hospital where she was being treated for Covid-19. She was taken to the emergency room but it was too late. The incident happened at the Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat last Monday.…

  • BKFC Thailand 2: ‘Iconic Impact’ set for May 7th | Thaiger

    BKFC Thailand 2: ‘Iconic Impact’ set for May 7th

    Press Release The world’s fastest-growing & most devastating combat sport, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Thailand is BACK!! Tickets are on sale NOW!! Set to return for its second and even more epic event on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, live from the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) at the world-renowned and multi-award-winning Royal Cliff Hotel. The event will go live at 6:00 PM…