Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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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 scoops top honours in travel awards including Koh Samui
Thailand has cemented its status as a premier travel destination, sweeping the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui has been crowned the Best Island in the Asia Pacific, while Samui Airport secured a commendable fourth place among the region’s best airports. Bangkok also emerged victorious, being named the Best City in the Asia Pacific. These accolades…
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Police target tourist scammers in major Pattaya cleanup
To make Pattaya safer for tourists, the Tourist Police Bureau has joined forces with the embassies of five countries to combat tourist scams and dismantle 10 criminal gangs operating in the bustling resort city. Bureau Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuek-am led a crucial meeting on Thursday to establish robust safety measures for tourists in Chon Buri’s popular destination. The…
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I’ve been denied entry to Thailand – Now What?
THE THAIGER / ASEAN NOW EXCLUSIVE What happens if you are being denied entry to Thailand? The Thaiger asked Tod Daniels, visa expert at ASEAN NOW visa forum, what do do in this situation. Tod: The first thing is DO NOT panic, many many hundreds of people per week are denied entry and it is not the end of the…
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PM Srettha crushes coalition crisis rumours
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has slammed rumours suggesting the Palang Pracharath Party might be ousted from the coalition government. Speaking to reporters at Parliament yesterday, June 21, Srettha decisively quashed the speculation. “I have never mentioned any changes, and these rumours did not come from me.” The 62 year old PM assured that the coalition’s internal communications remained harmonious.…
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Budget deficit: Government to unveil new economic measures
Amidst budget deficit concerns, the government will introduce new measures to boost the struggling economy next week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced today. Discussions about economic stimuli and the stock market were held with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira yesterday evening. “A significant announcement on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures will be made tomorrow or the day after.” When asked if…
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Army dog auction to feature trained military dogs
The Army Dog Centre is set to open bidding for 66 well-trained but test-disqualified military dogs on July 6. The auction will feature Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherds at the Army Dog Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima. Details have been gradually released on the Army Dog Centre’s Facebook page, revealing the initial bidding prices for the latest 10 dogs.…
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Gold shop worker in Samut Prakan caught stealing for gambling
A female employee at a gold shop in Samut Prakan has been caught stealing gold over several months to fund her online gambling habit. The shop owner, 48 year old Chak Kamol Tantarasmee reported the theft to the police at Samrong Tai Police Station, armed with CCTV footage as evidence. Chak noticed irregularities in his employee’s spending habits, which led…
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Samut Prakan teen girl attempted assault suspect arrested
A suspect accused of attempting to assault a 15 year old student in Samut Prakan has been arrested. The incident involved the suspect allegedly following the girl from school on his motorcycle to her residence, where he attempted to commit the assault. The girl’s quick thinking and cries for help thwarted the attack. Police received a tip-off yesterday evening from…
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Woman dies in house fire in Samut Sakhon
A house fire claimed the life of a woman trapped inside her own home. The incident took place yesterday in Bang Thorat, Samut Sakhon. Police Lieutenant Kritsanaphon Watjanaphan, Deputy Inspector of Bang Thorat Police Station, received a report of a fire in a house located in Village No. 6, Bang Thorat Subdistrict, Mueang District. Fire trucks from Bang Thorat Subdistrict…
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Royal barges restored for King’s 72nd birthday celebration
Restoration of 52 royal barges will be completed in time for a royal kathin ceremony in October, as part of celebrations for the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, according to the Culture Ministry. Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol stated today that only minor details remain, with the work scheduled to finish by the end of this month. The Fine Arts…
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Severe weather warning issued for 37 provinces, including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for 37 provinces, including Bangkok, predicting heavy rainfall across 60% of the area. Citizens are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and forest runoff. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is relatively…
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Northern Thailand: Police shoot armed drug dealer in self-defence
Police officers in Chiang Kham, Phayao in northern Thailand encountered a drug dealer who aimed a firearm at them, prompting a defensive response that resulted in the suspect being shot. Police Colonel Sakorn Sukphoomphong, Superintendent of Chiang Kham Police Station, received a tip about a drug gathering in Ban Nam Lao, Moo 7, Mae Lao Subdistrict. He assigned Deputy Inspector…
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Pattaya Youth Centre renovation delays spark leadership concern
The much-anticipated renovation of the Pattaya Youth Centre faces frustrating delays, sparking concerns among top officials. The Chairman of the Pattaya Sports and Recreation Committee, Visan Petchtrakul, and Deputy Mayor Kritsana Boonsawat are deeply worried about the project’s progress. Slated for transformation into a vibrant, multifunctional space themed Music, Sports, Art, and Performance, the centre, located in Soi Thepprasit 9…
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Car wash owner’s grim task: Tackling a ‘grave’ cleaning challenge
A car wash owner faced an extraordinary challenge when tasked with cleaning a vehicle that housed a decomposing body for over two weeks. The vehicle was brought to the shop filled with blood and bodily fluids, producing a pervasive odour. A car wash owner, Teerasak revealed to the media that a customer visited the establishment for a deep cleaning of…
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Saphan Hin gas gun shooting suspect wanted by Phuket police
Police in Phuket are actively searching for a suspect involved in a shooting incident at Saphan Hin. The assailant reportedly used a gas gun during the attack. Police received a report about the incident around 10.50pm yesterday. Staff at Phuket Provincial Hospital in Ratsada notified officers that a shooting victim had been admitted for treatment. The victim, Sakdawut Saengphon, was…
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Teen girl narrowly escapes attempted rape in Samut Prakarn (video)
Police are searching for a Thai man who attempted to rape a 15 year old girl in her apartment at the Mueang Mai Bang Phli National Housing Authority in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The suspect was reportedly released from prison in February. The 15 year old victim, dressed in a high school uniform, screamed for help and managed to…
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Slithery surprise: Python disrupts Chon Buri football match
A football player had an unexpected encounter with a large python at a stadium in Chon Buri, prompting a rescue team to capture the snake and its numerous eggs, which posed a threat to children playing in the area. The report was received from Sittichai Samrit, head of the Naprao community in Si Racha district, Chon Buri. A sizeable python…
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PM Srettha’s TV premier: Another propaganda show?
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to make his TV debut as the host of Talk with Srettha tomorrow, June 22, nearly 10 months after assuming office. This tradition of Thai leaders hosting TV shows to address the nation, dubbed “the prime minister meets the people,” has a storied history. But will Srettha’s show bring something new to the…
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Bringing home the bacon: Pork owner donates 3 tonnes to temple
A pork factory owner donated three tonnes of pork to a renowned temple in Nakhon Pathom, attributing their business success to the blessings of a revered sage. Devotees flocked to the event, hoping to gain lucky numbers from a ritual. At 11am yesterday, at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom, a pork distribution company owner, 52 year old Phawat, and…
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PM Srettha shifts gears: Sunday tour to assess F1 potential
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will be touring Chon Buri and Rayong this Sunday to assess commercial developments, scope out a potential Formula One race route, and review pivotal government projects. According to PM’s Office spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, the prime minister’s agenda kicks off at Rayong’s U-Tapao International Airport. He and his delegation will meet with local authorities to discuss…
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Dead man’s spirit leads Thai couple to his body in Udon Thani
A Thai couple believe the spirit of a dead man led them to the discovery of his body at an abandoned plot of land in the Isaan province of Udon Thani today. The 30 year old Thai woman, Areya Saengchart, and her husband, 57 year old Anumart Kajornkundate, stumbled upon the lifeless body of a 39 year old Thai man…
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Vietnamese lottery winner continues selling spring rolls
A Vietnamese vendor who won a 132 million baht lottery eight years ago continues to sell spring rolls, explaining her reasons for using the prize money and recounting the challenges she faced after her win. Nguyen Thi Anh Dao, known as Dao, from Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam, became the first Vietnamese person to win the lottery jackpot in October 2016.…
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Thai car plant sparks uproar with mass layoff of subcontractors
A major Thai car manufacturer in Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Sri Racha, Chon Buri, has abruptly laid off all its subcontracted employees, leaving many workers devastated and prompting an outpouring of support online. The news emerged after a Facebook user shared the story in the group A1หางาน อีสเทิร์นฯ เหมราช ปลวกแดง บ่อวิน อมตะซิตี้ V.2 (A1 Job Hunting Eastern Hemaraj Pluak…
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Police rev up crackdown on illegal exhausts to silence street racers
Police in Thailand conducted a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale of modified motorcycle exhausts, seizing nearly 1,000 items to curb street racing gangs in an operation targeting manufacturers, storage facilities, and retailers across several provinces. Officers led by the Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police Major General Wichaya Sriprasertphap launched raids in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut…
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Neighbour arrested for molestation of mentally impaired woman
A 65 year old man was arrested for the molestation of a mentally impaired woman, he denied any wrongdoing, claiming he didn’t know about her condition despite living nearby. However, the suspect admitted to inappropriate contact. The police have been on high alert following directives from Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Thiti Saengsawang, to investigate cases causing public distress. This led to…
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Veteran actress Chomchai Chatwilai dies at 73
Chomchai Chatwilai, a beloved veteran actress and singer, passed away peacefully at the age of 73. News of her death was shared by fellow actress and designer Wipavee Charoenpura on Facebook, where she affectionately referred to Chomchai as Phi Add. “My deepest condolences to the family of Chomchai Chatwilai. May goodness bring your soul to rest in peace. I say…
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Speeding truck runs red light, kills highway patrol officer in crash
A tragic accident occurred when an 18-wheeler truck ran a red light and collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the death of a highway patrol officer. The driver of the truck displaying a lack of accountability, claimed the traffic light changed too quickly for him to stop in time. Yesterday, June 20, at 1.15am, an 18-wheeler truck ran a…
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East Pattaya: Sacred statue draws crowds seeking blessings
A recent social media post featuring the Kuman Siam Mab Fukthong statue has sparked a pilgrimage frenzy to its location along Mab Fukthong Road in East Pattaya. This towering figure, resembling a majestic white Kuman adorned with a golden crown, stands as tall as a four-storey building, captivating residents and visitors. People from various places are flocking to pay their…
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Haulage operators in Thailand threaten strike over diesel prices
Road haulage operators have hiked their charges by an average of 9% today and are now gearing up for a nationwide strike unless the government addresses their demands to cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre. Apichart Prairungruang, Land Transport Association of Thailand President, expressed frustration. “We’ve adjusted charges to cope with rising costs after four petitions to Prime…
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Chiang Mai monk illegally drives a car, causes intersection turmoil
A monk from a renowned Chiang Mai temple was involved in a car accident yesterday when his Honda Civic collided with a van at a three-way intersection, resulting in injuries to two people. The incident raised questions and sparked discussions among locals about the appropriateness of monks driving cars, especially with the difficulties that arise if an accident occurs. At…
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