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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Fuel for thought: Thailand sees shift in consumer petrol gears
Thailand’s engines are revving as fuel consumption takes a notable 2% leap, in line with the country’s economic growth, which is pegged at a healthy 2.6% to 2.7% for 2024. The Department of Energy Business reveals that from January to November, Thais guzzled an average of 155 million litres of fuel daily. Turning heads in the petrol station queue is…
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Thai father brutally assaulted over 10,000 baht debt of son’s girlfriend
A Thai man suffered injuries from a brutal assault by a group of men outside his home in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri province. Among the man’s attackers was the father-in-law of his son’s wife, who reportedly owed 10,000 baht to her ex-husband. The Thai couple, Aujcharee and Decha, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after…
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Pattaya: Swiss dad collapses on the way to pick up his son
A 57 year old Swiss man died after collapsing while riding his motorcycle to pick up his young son from school in South Pattaya on Monday. The heartbreaking incident unfolded Monday afternoon, January 6, in Soi Bua Khao as the Swiss father was en route to Wat Chai Mongkol Kindergarten. Eyewitnesses reported the man suddenly losing consciousness, causing his motorcycle…
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Casino kingpins eye Thailand: Melco’s big gamble on Bangkok
Macau gambling giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment is rolling the dice on Thailand, as they devise plans to dive headfirst into the country’s booming tourism scene and cultural tapestry. With whispers of legalised gambling on the horizon, this move could be a jackpot for the casino giants. At the helm, Lawrence Ho, Melco Chairman and CEO, is singing the praises…
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Khon Kaen couple arrested for 1 million baht amulet theft
Police in Khon Kaen arrested a 45 year old man and his 48 year old wife on charges of theft and possession of stolen property. The couple is accused of stealing valuable amulets from a residence, which the woman had nabbed while working as a housekeeper. The stolen items, including several amulets such as the Phra Phuttha Chinnaraj Indochina and…
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Unfair pricing: Chiang Mai shooting game stall shut down (video)
A shooting game stall at the Chiang Mai Winter Fair has been permanently closed following complaints of misleading pricing. A Facebook user recounted an experience where a price misunderstanding led to demands for an inflated payment of 1,200 baht. The event organisers have intervened and ended the stall’s operations. The incident began when Benjawan, a 26 year old resident of…
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Chinese nationals lose 13 million baht in Bangkok crypto scam
Three Chinese nationals found themselves swindled out of a staggering 13 million baht in a brazen Bangkok cash-for-crypto sting. The drama kicked off on yesterday afternoon, January 9, in the city’s bustling Huai Khwang district. At 3.30pm, the scene was set at a house on Pracharat Bampen 12 Road, where Huang Guang, an unsuspecting Chinese visitor, claims he was robbed.…
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Elderly woman injured in Nonthaburi hit-and-run, taxi flees (video)
A 71 year old woman was struck by a taxi while crossing a pedestrian crossing near the Tam Laek restaurant, opposite the clock tower at Tha Nam Non in Nonthaburi province, before the cab fled the scene. The woman’s family has called on witnesses in the area during the incident to come forward. The incident was captured in a 31-second…
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Bangkok’s traffic gridlock gets a tech-tock fix
Bangkok’s notorious traffic mayhem is finally seeing a breakthrough, thanks to a two-year tech overhaul that’s got commuters breathing a sigh of relief. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the implementation of Area Traffic Control (ATC) technology has slashed journey times in the city’s busiest areas by a remarkable 25%. This traffic-taming triumph comes courtesy of the ATC system,…
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What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 10 to 12)
With the cooler temperature, it’s the perfect weekend to get out and explore Bangkok! Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, there’s so much going on in our beloved city so you can make the most out of the beautiful weather. Do you want to dance, watch a movie, trade some old treasures, or simply treat yourself to some incredible…
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From heiress to hero: Thai FA Madam Pang’s journey
Madam Pang, a fifth-generation heiress from Thailand’s billionaire Lamsam family, has transformed Thai football with her passion, leadership, and jaw-dropping generosity. Born Nualphan Lamsam, the 58 year old business mogul comes from one of Thailand’s wealthiest families, with an estimated net worth of US$890 million (approximately 30.82 billion baht). As CEO of Mueang Thai Insurance and a pioneer in introducing…
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Bangkok traffic speeds up 25% thanks to smart solutions
Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams are easing, with efforts by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and traffic police delivering a 25% increase in traffic flow speeds over the past two years. The achievement was announced by BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, citing a report from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The report identified 127 congestion hotspots in…
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Thai border police seize meth and Happy Water worth millions
The Border Patrol Police Company 237 in Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom province, yesterday seized 240,000 methamphetamine tablets and Happy Water. The drugs were smuggled across the Mekong River and intended for distribution within the region. On Tuesday, January 7, anti-narcotics officers from Border Patrol Police Company 237 received a tip-off from a local informant about a large quantity of…
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Panic at Pattaya pet hospital: Firefighters launch balcony rescue
A fire broke out early this morning at Doctor Ja Animal Hospital in Pattaya, triggering a frantic rescue effort to save trapped residents and animals. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received reports of a fire at the three-storey building in Soi Phonpraphanimit at 7.30am today, January 9. Smoke billowed from the structure, and six terrified residents, including children, were stranded…
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Khon Kaen delivery rider fined 2,000 baht for littering
A 40 year old female delivery rider in Khon Kaen, known for discarding waste throughout the city, has been detained by police and fined. Her partner claims she suffers from mental health issues. Yesterday, January 8, footage from a local restaurant’s security camera showed the woman, wearing a distinctive cat-ear helmet, dumping rubbish and liquid substances in front of an…
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Bangkok PM2.5 lands Democrat leader’s father in hospital
Suchatvee Suwansawat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, shared a personal account of the impact of PM2.5 air pollution on his family, highlighting the severity of the issue. Suchatvee revealed that his father had to be rushed to the emergency room due to severe coughing and chest pain. Medical professionals diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to the polluted air,…
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Dream homes for less: Thai govt rolls out affordable housing project
Thais earning under 50,000 baht per month are being offered a golden opportunity to own a home in the city through the government’s “Baan Pheu Khon Thai” (Homes for Thais) initiative, with registration set to open on January 20. The project, announced by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, aims to provide affordable, fully furnished housing near urban centres, leveraging land owned…
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Phuket’s healthcare crisis: PM pushes for cancer centre
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spotlighted healthcare as a critical issue for Phuket, amid public outcry and fundraising efforts to improve cancer treatment facilities on the island. At a high-level meeting held at Phuket International Airport this morning, the 38 year old Thai PM addressed the urgent need to upgrade state hospitals like Vachira Phuket Hospital to better handle diseases such…
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Isaan hero steps in to rescue abused 7 year old boy living alone
A benevolent Thai man in the Isaan province of Kalasin came to the aid of a seven year old Thai boy who was living alone and suffered physical abuse by an unidentified drug addict in the area. The man, Thanachat Chaiyasart, shared heartbreaking pictures of the boy named Ice yesterday, January 8, on Facebook. The images showed wounds and bruises…
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Shell shocked: Buyer claws back after floating market crab scam
A consumer shared a disappointing experience on social media after buying some steamed crabs from a famous floating market, only to find mostly empty shells and a small amount of crab meat upon returning home. The incident, which occurred on January 5 at the Amphawa Floating Market, involved buying crabs for 250 baht, where the buyer ended up with seven…
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Thai man assaulted in gang attack orchestrated by friend
An 18 year old Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after three attackers, including his friend, attacked him and stole his shoes without a prior conflict. The teenage victim, Thanaphon, shared details of the attack with a leading Thai lawyer, Paisarn Ruengrit, hoping his case would be processed quickly. He told the lawyer that the…
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Thai police bust Chon Buri bitcoin mining scam stealing electricity
Thai police uncovered a high-tech heist in Chon Buri, where nearly 1,000 bitcoin mining machines were illegally powering up at the expense of the public. A joint operation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) today exposed a bitcoin mining setup in Chon Buri’s Phanat Nikhom district that had been tampering with its power meter…
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Drunk driver crashes at Chachoengsao intersection, injures 2
A crash involving three vehicles at a red light intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two injuries, with emergency services swiftly transporting the injured to Bang Pakong Hospital. The incident occurred early this morning, January 9, at the Tha Sa-an intersection, Mueang Bang Pakong district. Upon arriving at the scene, Police Lieutenant Narongsak Linthong from Bang Pakong Police Station found…
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Gay Thai man steals valuables after being ignored by sleeping date
Police arrested a gay Thai man for stealing valuables worth more than 100,000 baht from a dating application match allegedly due to anger after the victim fell into a deep sleep and failed to answer the door. Police apprehended the 38 year old Thai man, Jiradate, yesterday, January 8, at his home in the Taling Chan district of Bangkok. His arrest…
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Thailand’s wild elephant population surges: Human conflict concern
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) released a report estimating Thailand’s wild elephant population to be between 4,013 and 4,422. These elephants are dispersed across 91 forests. The report highlights increasing conflicts between wild elephants and communities, particularly severe in the eastern forests, with an annual population growth rate of 8.2%, affecting 257 villages across six…
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Police officer shoots himself in Ang Thong, dies in hospital
A police officer died after using a firearm to harm himself near his residence in Ang Thong province. Police Colonel Kantapon Thanathippinsakul stated that personal issues and depression were likely factors while emphasising consistent support for his team. The incident occurred at noon yesterday, January 8, when Police Colonel Kantapon from Samko Police Station received a report about the officer,…
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British drug dealer arrested after his suspicious behaviour in Phuket
Police arrested a British drug dealer in Phuket after observing him behaving suspiciously while meeting traffic officers on a road. Traffic officers from Kamala Police Station stopped the British man, whose identity remains undisclosed, in the Kamala area of Phuket yesterday, January 8. The officers reported that they were conducting routine patrols when they noticed the man, who appeared nervous…
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Thailand’s household debt reaches 104% of GDP, raising economic concerns
Thailand’s household debt, encompassing informal loans, has risen to 104% of GDP, potentially impacting future economic growth, as revealed by a private sector panel report. Research conducted by Chulalongkorn University for the Joint Standing Committee for Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) shows the country’s household debt-to-GDP ratio reached 104% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with informal loans included in…
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Thai tourism faces 20% drop in Chinese visitors amid safety fears
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) anticipates a potential 10 to 20% decline in Chinese tourists during the upcoming Lunar New Year, attributed to reduced safety confidence. This follows an incident involving a Chinese actor who fell victim to a human trafficking gang using Thailand as a gateway. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn indicated that the impact could be minimal…
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Bolt drives change: Thai ride-hailing gets major boost with initiative
Ride-hailing giant Bolt is shaking up Thailand’s mobility industry with bold initiatives aimed at empowering drivers and modernising the regulatory landscape. Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, is doubling down on its commitment to raising industry standards in Thailand. In line with the nation’s e-hailing laws and guidelines set by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Bolt is providing hands-on…
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