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 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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Deviant sexually assaults ladyboy, forces her to perform oral sex in Songkhla
A deviant sexually assaulted a ladyboy in her room, threatening her in front of her boyfriend before raising a knife and forcing her to perform oral sex. The incident, which occurred at 4.40am today, was reported to Anuwat Ritthichai, Deputy Chief of Hat Yai Police Station. The crime took place in a lodging house in Hat Yai municipality, Songkhla province.…
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Viral TikTok snake sparks lottery number speculation ahead of September draw
A TikTok video of a snake curled up in a strange position has gone viral. This brought lottery enthusiasts to gather online, with over 2 million views. The video, posted by user sengdymanithep, shows the snake refusing to move, even when the person filming tries to shoo it away. The snake’s curled-up position bears a striking resemblance to several numbers,…
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Global investors navigate high interest rates amid inflation control efforts
Amid recession concerns, inflation, and high interest rates, investors seek promising investment avenues. Stock enthusiasts believe global interest rates are close to peaking, while central banks watch inflation. The US Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate to 5.25-5.50% in July, the highest in decades. The European Central Bank increased rates by 0.25%, and the Bank of Japan hints at a…
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Strings of fate: Priceless 200 year old violin finds way back to maestro in Bangkok
A 200 year old violin valued at 18 million baht (US$ 514,580) has been returned to its esteemed owner, a celebrated Chinese violinist after he accidentally left it behind in a Bangkok taxi. A coordinated effort from Thong Lor police and JS100 traffic radio was indispensable in locating the taxi driver who had ferried the Chinese passenger from a restaurant…
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The Thaiger introduces revamped mobile app with exciting new features
Did you know that The Thaiger just launched a newly upgraded mobile application? Neatly packaged in a user-friendly format, this new app is easy to navigate for both the tech-savvy and the not-so. Now, you can get the latest updates about Thailand with even more ease through your Android or Apple devices. A wide range of news coverage and fresh…
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Chapter closed: Thai politics bids farewell to General Prayut with final Cabinet snapshot
A significant chapter in Thai politics came to a close on Tuesday, as the outgoing administration convened for its last Cabinet meeting. Headed by caretaker Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the meeting culminated in a group photograph featuring ministers and staff members. The former PM expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards every individual who had contributed towards the government’s work and…
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Beach warning: Venomous blue dragon sea slug spotted in Phuket
A marine scientist issued a warning to bathers to be aware of a venomous blue dragon sea slug that washed up on Karon Beach in Phuket this week due to the recent strong winds and sea weave. The Monsoongabage Thailand Facebook page shared pictures and videos of the blue dragon sea slug today and urged a marine scientist and lecturer…
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Thai police bust child prostitution ring operating via Twitter in eastern Thailand
The Royal Thai Police apprehended five individuals, including three women aged 20, 28, and 19, allegedly involved in human trafficking and child prostitution. in eastern Thailand. The suspects were reportedly using a Twitter account to lure underage girls into the sex trade in Rayong province. The police acted on this information and successfully staged a sting operation, rescuing a 15…
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4 Thai men remain at large after raping 16 year old girl in northern Thailand
A 14 year old girl and her mother are seeking justice after four men involved in the rape of the teenager remain at large despite the brutal incident taking place in April in northern Thailand. Huay Talang Police Station officers have been accused of ignoring the case, while the girl’s school has been charged with hiding the truth from the…
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Teen’s high-speed trade: Wheels and pills confiscated as young drug dealer arrested
Police arrested a 16 year old drug dealer in the central province of Ratchaburi on Tuesday, seizing a pickup, four motorcycles, and a cache of drugs, including heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamine, and crystal meth. Baan Pong Police Station organised a press conference to report the successful arrest of the teenage drug dealer, Jor, at his house in the Nong Pla…
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Dangerous road claims another victim as pickup crashes into tree in northern Thailand
A pickup truck veered off a road in Uthai Thani and crashed into a tree on a local farm yesterday, resulting in severe injuries to the driver. Locals stated that the stretch of road where the accident occurred is particularly treacherous and has been the site of multiple fatalities. Lan Sak Police Station last night received a report of a…
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Fatal twist: Speeding pickup truck shatters young life in Nonthaburi accident (explicit video)
A tragic accident claimed the life of a four year old boy, six days after he was critically injured by a speeding Toyota pickup truck in Nonthaburi province. The incident, which occurred around 8.50pm on Saturday, August 26, left the young boy, known as Khao Oat, with severe injuries, including a skull fracture, broken ribs, a broken left arm, and…
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Claws for applause: Fearless tabby cat saves bedridden girl from venomous cobra
In a tale of courage and claws, a fearless tabby cat saved the life of a bedridden 12 year old girl from a venom-spitting cobra snake in her bedroom in Saraburi Province. The incident took place yesterday at the girl’s home in Kut Nok Plao Subdistrict. The cat, a female white and brown tabby, defended its young owner by standing…
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First detection of flualprazolam in Thailand raises concerns in southern provinces
The tranquilliser flualprazolam is seeing rampant use in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, according to officials. This follows the detection of the substance in nimetazepam pills by the Regional Medical Sciences Centre 12 in Songkhla. The discovery marks the first occurrence of flualprazolam in Thailand. The Department of Medical Sciences‘ director-general, Supakit Sirilak, made it known yesterday that the Centre was tasked…
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Premium privilege: Thailand Elite Card set to increase membership fee by 50%”
Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), operator of the Thailand Elite Card, announced plans to increase its base membership price by 50%, raising it from 600,000 baht to 900,000 baht. The move is part of the company’s strategy to boost its annual revenue to 8 billion baht. In addition, the company will be introducing four new types of cards, all of…
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As lottery draw nears, locals flock to ‘eel-lusive’ fish for fortunes
As the lottery draw looms, residents converged to seek fortune from an extraordinary eel–like fish stumbled upon by a 53 year old Mukdahan province resident. With a body of yellowish-white hue and piercing black eyes, this enigmatic creature has proven a charm for its possessor, paving the way for an astonishing four consecutive lottery victories. Somchai introduced the peculiar fish,…
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Currying favour: 5 Thai delights spice up top rankings in TasteAtlas List
Thai curry dishes stole the spotlight in this year’s “43 Curry Varieties Ranked from the Worst to the Best,” launched by the food guide website TasteAtlas. Five curry dishes from Thailand are listed in the top ten. Last year, TasteAtlas declared the northern Thai curry dish Khao Soi as the world’s best soup in the “50 Best Soups in the…
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Heavy rainfall alert: 55 provinces, Bangkok included, brace for soaking
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a warning for heavy rainfall in 55 provinces, including Bangkok. The forecast predicts that 80% of the northeast region will experience heavy downpours today. Residents have been alerted to the potential dangers, especially in southern regions where high waves are expected at sea today. A combination of the monsoon trough passing through the northern…
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Thai store owner demands 102 million baht in trade mark dispute over #Pangcha
A recent trade mark dispute involving the trending hashtag #Pangcha has drawn nationwide attention. The dispute arose when a popular store sued smaller retailers for using the name Pangcha, claiming it violated their trade mark and demanding 102 million baht in damages. In response to the controversy, Kanchai disclosed during an afternoon talk show that Pangcha originated his establishment, Ice…
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Thailand Privilege Card targets luxury long-term residency market with rebranding
The Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) has adopted a fresh approach to attract high-end foreign residents who seek extended stays. Managed by the Thailand Elite Card Project under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), TPC has undergone rebranding, introducing a new logo, redesigned uniforms, and innovative card formats across four tailored packages to suit various global lifestyles. Over two decades, TPC…
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Architect’s ‘dirty’ pledge: Faeces target as Pheu Thai Party’s political coalition stirs surprise
Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag has turned an unusual promise into a reality, offering himself as a target for faeces-throwing after the Pheu Thai Party forged an unexpected coalition with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Duangrit is a member of Creative Action for Revival & People Empowerment (CARE), a group associated with the Pheu Thai Party led by Deputy Leader Phumtham…
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Royal defamation convict’s hunger-strike protest results in hospitalisation
A woman from Phitsanulok convicted of royal defamation is protesting against the decision to deny her bail by staging a hunger strike while she appeals. Exhaustion has driven the 30 year old woman, named Warunee, sentenced for royal defamation, to the Correctional Hospital. The cause of her condition is a hunger strike that she instigated ten days prior as a…
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TV host Kanchai Kamnerdploy sued by Kasetsart University professor for online defamation
Renowned TV host Kanchai Kamnerdploy has been accused of defamation by esteemed university professor Weerachai Phutthawong. The case, which came to light yesterday, centres around persistent online mockery and accusations of mafia-like behaviour. Weerachai, a faculty member of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Kasetsart University, is determined to clear his name in court. The…
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Son of former soldier arrested for alleged murder of his friend
The son of a former soldier was arrested yesterday after he allegedly murdered his friend and hid the corpse in a forest near some soldier’s premises in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The suspect was previously arrested and jailed in 2016 for murdering a security guard at an entertainment venue. The victim, identified as 32 year old Ratchapon Chaincharn, had…
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Daylight theft of Honda Wave 125 in Phetchabun prompts public appeal
A brazen motorcycle theft took place in broad daylight near a coffee shop across from a police station in Phetchabun, yesterday. A man casually strolled up to a parked Honda Wave 125, black, with licence plate 1 กธ 968 Phetchabun, and drove off, leaving his bicycle behind. The owner, Thatchapol Rangsisakorn, reported the theft to the local authorities and called…
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Seaside secrets: Mysterious sea sightings stir speculations in Phuket and Phang Nga
Phuket and Phang Nga beaches were the scenes of intrigue yesterday as two unidentified objects emerged from the sea, sparking a wave of speculation and curiosity among locals and tourists alike. Karon Beach in Phuket was the first to experience this unusual occurrence. The local lifeguard on duty found an unfamiliar object and promptly alerted the mayor of Tambon Karon,…
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Thai government considers utility tokens to boost digital wallet initiative
The Pheu Thai-led government is anticipated to roll out utility tokens to bolster its digital wallet initiative, a move pending approval from the Bank of Thailand as the regulator currently bans using tokens as payment, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). The financial services company projects that the government will issue Type 1 utility tokens, each valued at 10,000 baht,…
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Harmony lost: Young folk singer’s journey ends tragically
A tragedy struck the entertainment industry yesterday as rising folk singer, 18 years old Ann Naphaphon, lost her life in a car accident. Ann, who had just started following her dreams by joining a renowned folk music band, met with a fatal accident in the district of Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buri Ram Province. Back at her residence in Ko Samboon,…
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Poh Teck Tung Foundation aids impoverished families in northern Thailand
The Poh Teck Tung Foundation has actively taken steps towards creating sustainable livelihoods in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand. The foundation provided job-related equipment to impoverished households as part of an integrated poverty alleviation programme, in collaboration with the Community Development Department. In addition, a mobile medical unit was dispatched to offer free services to the public. The Poh…
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Barking debate: Viral video of pet dog in hot car ignites social media furor
A recent incident involving a pet dog left in a car by its owner has sparked a debate on social media. A video clip posted by a TikTok user @mycatsmycup showed a pet dog left in a car parked at a popular shopping mall in Bangkok. The owner had left a message on the car’s display screen assuring passers-by that…
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