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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Teen’s Facebook fumble leads cops to school loot: Hapless 17 year old nabbed in Satun heist
Police successfully tracked down and arrested a hapless 17 year old boy for stealing from a private school in the southern province of Satun after the thief changed the school’s Facebook profile to his portrait image. Sri Aman Suksa School Director Sunthorn Wongmadthong filed a theft report at Mueang Satun Police Station after the teenage thief stole a mobile phone…
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City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…
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Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill
In a fiery critique that rocked the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirikanya Tansakun aimed at the government‘s 3.48-trillion-baht budget for 2024, labelling it a masterpiece of unprofessional blunders. On the opening day of the budget bill’s inaugural reading, Sirikanya, the deputy leader of MFP, unleashed scathing criticism, claiming that the government had failed to craft a…
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Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
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Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment
Students and activists from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are set to storm Government House next Friday, January 12, demanding answers over the controversial treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, has spent nearly five months receiving special privileges outside the confines of incarceration, sparking suspicions of preferential treatment.…
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Common cold, uncommon cost: Rhinovirus spread poses testing troubles
The spread of the rhinovirus, which presents a challenge in its diagnosis due to the high cost of testing, is currently ongoing. Dr Manun Lichaweangwong, head of the respiratory disease unit and ICU at Vichaiyut Hospital, voiced his concerns regarding this today, January 4, via his Facebook page. He explained that the virus, which is prevalent among both children and…
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Potential lithium reserves discovered in Phang Nga for EV industry
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines has identified potential lithium reserves in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung district, which could be instrumental in catering to the growing demands of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Initial surveys indicate the presence of the element in the Ruangkiet area, where pegmatite, a rock from which lepidolite is derived, was discovered. Lepidolite is a…
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Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza
Police arrested two Thai women, who worked at a pawnshop in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, for stealing gold accessories pawned by customers and hocked them again for more than 170 million baht. A representative of the Easy Money pawnshop in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, filed a complaint at Pak Kret Police Station in October…
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Heartless thief in Pattaya targets disabled woman’s lifeline: Stolen electric handcycle sparks outrage
A heartless thief left a disabled woman in Pattaya stranded after callously swiping her electric handcycle, her lifeline to mobility, on December 31 last year. The 20 year old victim, Alisa Umsin, now faces an uphill battle without her essential aid. The Thai woman with impairment to both her legs was left devastated when her electric handcycle, a vital hybrid…
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Mystery unfolds as Thai man’s cremation halted over false identity
A confusing situation arose at Wat Sai Noi in Nonthaburi when the police ordered a halt to cremation after discovering that the deceased was using someone else’s identification (ID) card. The deceased had been working under a false identity for several years, leaving his employer in the dark about his real identity. Yesterday, news emerged that a body was found…
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Thailand urged to enhance maritime security amid escalating geopolitics
Thailand has been advised to bolster its maritime security amid escalating global geopolitics, notably in Asia and the South China Sea, according to Kunihiko Miyake, president of the Foreign Policy Institute Japan. Miyake, a former Japanese diplomat, emphasised the strategic location of Thailand and its crucial role in maintaining regional stability during a recent visit to the Japanese embassy in…
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Motorcycle accident near Khuan Pao plantation ends in fatality
A motorcycle accident occurred, resulting in a fatal collision with a pickup truck near the entrance to the Khuang Pao plantation. This event took place in Pong Saen Thong, Mueang district, Lampang yesterday. January 3. Natthanant Kitpatamanont, the Deputy Investigation Officer of Khelang Nakhon Police Station in Lampang, was notified of the accident. At the scene of the accident, a…
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Thai man turns himself in after setting wife on fire after heated argument
A Thai man surrendered to police on January 1 after he allegedly set his wife on fire leading to her death at their shared home in the So Phisai district in the Isaan province of Bueng Karn. Officers from the So Phisai Police Station were alerted to a house fire on December 31 and rushed to the scene. The fire was…
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Air hostess interrogated over 20 million baht cocaine parcel to Australia
A 30 year old air hostess yesterday was interrogated for over six hours following the discovery of her name on a parcel containing 7.5 kilogrammes of concealed cocaine intended for delivery to Australia. The narcotics were hidden in 15 1-metre-long cushions within the parcel, initially intended for a Thai female student residing in Australia. The student had previously posted on…
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Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets
The sight of elderly individuals in yellow aprons diligently cleaning pedestrian flyovers under the pelting sun may be disturbing to many. After all, most Thais have been raised to respect the elders and ensure they are well looked after. With Jang Wan Kha, or Please Hire Us, boldly written on their aprons, these seasoned citizens are not forgotten souls left…
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Thailand braces for colder temperatures and continued southern floods
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warns of a chilly weather front spreading across Thailand, with temperatures expected to drop a further 1-2 degrees Celsius. Bangkok experienced cool conditions in the morning, and southern regions continue to be flooded due to heavy rainfall affecting nine provinces. The 24-hour weather forecast from 5am today stated that the high-pressure system, also known…
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Surin motorcyclist dies in elevated bridge collision: Thai police investigate
A Surin native riding a motorcycle had a fatal accident after colliding with a barrier on an elevated bridge. The police are investigating the cause before contacting the relatives to claim the body. The incident occurred today at 2.30am. Police Lieutenant Gunsak Kongprasert, an investigating officer at Khu Khot Police Station in Pathum Thani Province, received a report on this…
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Thai and Laos authorities unite to extradite Malaysian drug lord
The Narcotics Control Board Office (ONCB) in Thailand and Laos authorities are collaborating to extradite a Malaysian drug lord, a crucial figure in an international drug cartel, to Thailand. The notable suspect, 39 year old Ong Gim Wah, was apprehended in Laos during a joint mission on December 29. Ong, who had a bounty worth 1 million baht (US$29,036) on…
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Thai government to stimulate economy with digital wallet scheme
The Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to launch the digital wallet scheme in May, a key policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The scheme, financed by a 500 billion baht (US$14,518,005,000) loan, aims to inject 10,000 baht (US$290) into the digital wallet of every Thai citizen aged 16 and above as a means to stimulate the economy. The government…
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Naked Thai man arrested for breaking into woman’s home and masturbating (video)
Police arrested a perverted Thai man for breaking into a woman’s home naked in the Ramkamhaeng neighbourhood of Bangkok on January 1 and masturbating. Fortunately, the woman and her father were unharmed. The Thai woman, 34 year old Aydalin “Ai” Akkarasirasakul, shared with her social media followers on January 1 that a naked man broke into her house. She later…
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Nonthaburi’s Jack’s Waterfall Noodles stops free meals due to misuse
Sakrapee Pathomthasaporn, known as Jack, owner of the popular noodle restaurant Jack’s Waterfall Noodles in Nonthaburi, has made a difficult decision to stop serving free meals. For over a year, Jack has been known for his generosity, offering free bowls of noodles to the elderly, disabled, homeless, pregnant women, and anyone who couldn’t afford a meal. However, his goodwill gesture…
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TikTok star defends marrying older man for his wealth
The viral story of a 25 year old woman’s marriage to a 55 year old man on TikTok resulted in a flurry of comments, many accusing her of marrying for money. The woman, who shares her life with her older husband on her TikTok account, tretippayanipasriwirak, responded to the comments with candidness. The woman’s life, filled with travels, gold purchases,…
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Buriram man eager to pay off 200,000 baht truck debt, creditor mysteriously absent
A peculiar situation has unfolded in Buriram where a debtor, 37 year old Wichai, is seeking to pay the remaining 200,000 baht owed on a ten-wheeler truck he purchased in 2022, but the creditor, 51 years old Supit, is allegedly avoiding him. Wichai took his complaints to the Damrongdhama Centre in Buriram, claiming that Supit has been refusing to accept…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Indigo soars: Dark horse carrier claims global on-time flight victory in latest Cirium report
India‘s very own IndiGo has emerged as the dark horse, claiming the fourth spot globally in on-time performance for flights, according to the latest report from travel data analytics firm Cirium. In a surprising turn of events, Avianca Airlines of Colombia secured the top spot with an impressive 85.73% on-time performance, closely followed by Brazil’s Azul Airlines and Qatar Airways.…
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New year sees considerable drop in road accidents across Thailand
The new year holiday period witnessed a significant drop in road accidents, with 212 fatalities and 1,860 injuries, according to statistics from the Department of Land Transport. The figures indicate a considerable decrease from the previous year, with the death toll and injury count originating from 1,839 traffic mishaps that occurred from December 29 to January 2. Among the provinces,…
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Fatal shootout in Thailand: Local figures clash in a community dispute
Two notorious figures in the southern Thailand community clashed in the heart of the community, resulting in a fatal shootout. The incident took place at 10.30am today when the two men, Thew Wang Sai and Thian Kamlon, were unable to settle their differences. Police swiftly apprehended the suspect. The incident occurred on a busy street in the community. The body…
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From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey
Suwanee Lennon‘s incredible life story takes us from the shadows of a leprosy colony in Thailand to the vibrant kitchens of her American home. Suwanee Lennon’s life began in the heart of Bangkok, within a leprosy colony that stood as a symbol of fear and isolation. Now, she’s a wife, mother, food blogger, and photographer who uses the power of…
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New year’s grape eating trend goes viral in Asia
The start of 2024 has seen the emergence of a hot new trend on social media, centred around the consumption of 12 grapes under a table on New Year’s Eve. This trend originated from a Spanish custom in which it is believed that eating 12 grapes in sync with the 12 strokes of midnight will bring good luck for the…
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Loan shark allegedly attacks pregnant woman, causing victim to lose baby
A Thai woman accused a loan shark of attacking her at her home in the northern province of Phetchabun, causing her to lose her unborn baby. The accused loan shark denied responsibility and demanded proof of her pregnancy. The victim, 45 year old Chusri, asked Amarin TV and other news agencies to spread her story and help her seek justice.…
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