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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you...
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Thailand climbs climate ranks but flunks on clean energy
Thailand was ranked 24th in a global climate index, receiving praise for emissions control but criticism for its weak renewable energy efforts and policies. The ranking highlights a high score for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, a medium score for energy use, but a disappointing low score for renewable energy adoption and a low score for climate policy. To further align…
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Man vanishes after fatal electric shock on Nan River bridge (video)
A man died after being electrocuted by a hanging cable while trying to secure a drifting raft to a bridge over the Nan River in Uttaradit province. The incident occurred yesterday morning, October 1, in Ban Dong village, Pichai district, when the man attempted to stop the fast-moving raft from being swept away by strong currents in the Nan River.…
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Mayor’s grandson wanted after jealous stabbing at Phuket pub
Police in Phuket are searching for a man accused of stabbing a rival inside a popular pub during a violent altercation believed to be motivated by jealousy. Police are on the trail of a suspect wanted for a vicious stabbing at a pub in Phuket Town, with the attacker identified as the grandson of a prominent southern politician. The attack,…
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Indian nightclub brawl in Pattaya heads to court
An Indian tourist and a nightclub manager are heading to court after a dispute at a Pattaya venue allegedly turned violent over an unpaid bill and threats. The incident reportedly took place at 4am on Friday, September 26, when 33 year old Rohit alleged that he was dragged behind the venue, beaten, and threatened with a firearm by the club’s…
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Baht holds steady as US shutdown spooks global markets
Thailand’s central bank reassured the public that no irregularities have been seen in local markets after the US shutdown triggered global financial jitters. The shutdown, which began after the US Senate failed to approve a temporary spending bill, has unsettled international markets and raised concerns over delayed economic data critical to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. Yesterday, October 1,…
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Thailand and Mexico celebrate 50 years of friendship in Phuket
Diplomats, officials and guests gathered in Phuket to celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Mexico at a gala dinner event. Hosted at the elegant Silk Restaurant at Andara Resort & Villas in Kamala, the event was organised by Natthakanya Sangpho, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Phuket. The evening welcomed an illustrious gathering of guests, including dignitaries, diplomats,…
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Miracle escape: Myanmar couple plunge off Sri Racha bridge
A Myanmar couple survived a 10-metre fall after crashing their motorcycle off a Sri Racha overpass while en route to work, prompting a swift rescue response. The crash took place yesterday, October 1, at around 3pm near the Bo Yang overpass on the inbound lane to Chon Buri. Rescue teams from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Unit, ambulance staff from…
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Bangkok saver strikes it rich with 30 million baht lottery jackpot
A Bangkok resident won 30 million baht in a Government Savings Bank (GSB) lottery draw, becoming the latest millionaire in this special two-year savings scheme. The winner, a customer of GSB’s CentralWorld branch in the Thai capital, struck gold with the first-prize ticket in the popular long-term savings lottery. The bank officially announced the results yesterday, October 1, via its…
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Chinese tourist missing after being swept away in Phuket surf
A Chinese tourist went missing while swimming in rough waters at a Phuket beach, prompting a coordinated search by police, rescue teams, and local officials. The tourist was swept away by strong waves while swimming at Nai Harn Beach. The incident occurred yesterday, October 1, at around 2.48pm, prompting an urgent response from local police and rescue teams. Officers from…
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Humble garland vendor in central Thailand wins 12 million baht
A garland vendor from Prachin Buri won the top lottery prize but surprised locals by continuing her work at a roadside stall the very next day. The winner, a 55 year old woman named Kinaree, discovered she held two first-prize tickets with the winning number 876978, announced in the Government Lottery Office’s October 1 draw. The two-digit number for the…
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Pattaya patrol heroes return lost wallet to Chinese tourist
Pattaya officers returned a lost wallet to a tourist during a routine patrol, earning praise for their honesty in safeguarding visitors to the city. The incident unfolded around 8pm during a routine patrol by municipal officers from Pattaya City Administration’s Peacekeeping Division along the bustling Walking Street. Officers Natthaphum Singhseng, Nophakhun Songcharoen and Rungrueang Boonprakob were making their rounds when…
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Thailand video news Phetchabun Woman Wins 6 Million Baht in Lottery, PM Anutin Says US Shutdown Won’t Harm Thailand’s Economy
Thailand’s week brought a mix of political debate, infrastructure woes, crime busts, and human drama. A Phuket MP called for tighter visa rules to curb unruly tourists, while another Bangkok road collapse reignited concerns over aging infrastructure. PM Anutin downplayed fears of U.S. shutdown impacts on the economy, as police nabbed an Interpol fugitive in Bangkok with drugs…
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Thailand maintains Tier 2 spot in US trafficking report
Thailand has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the United States’ 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, marking the fourth year in a row the kingdom has remained in the category. The ranking reflects efforts to combat human trafficking but also highlights persistent shortcomings, according to officials. The TIP Report, released by the US Department of State on Monday, September…
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Ayutthaya worker hits jackpot with 12 million baht lottery win
A worker in Ayutthaya became an instant millionaire after winning the top prize in the national lottery, sparking celebration in their hometown community. The lucky winner held two tickets that matched the first-prize number in the October 1 draw yesterday, announced by the Government Lottery Office. The winning ticket number, 876978, was revealed alongside the two-digit prize number 77. The…
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Pattaya plunge: Man falls to death from high-rise condo
A man fell to his death from a high-rise condominium in Pattaya, shocking onlookers and prompting a police investigation into what caused the fatal plunge. The incident occurred around 12.30pm yesterday, October 1, at a prominent condominium on Second Road in North Pattaya. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suteeraphan Thapasri of Pattaya City Police received the alert and immediately notified senior officers.…
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Rayong house fire kills 7 as family trapped in blaze (video)
A deadly fire broke out in a residential area of Rayong, killing seven people and injuring three others in the early hours, prompting an urgent investigation. The blaze broke out at around 4.30am today, October 2, near the entrance to Pai 2, Soi 7, in Tha Pradu subdistrict. Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames engulfed the property. Firefighters…
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Lottery luck: Phetchabun woman scoops 6 million baht jackpot (video)
A woman from Phetchabun won the national lottery’s first prize, sparking cheers as her neighbours gathered to celebrate her 6 million baht jackpot. The winner, known as Jeab from Ban Ang Padu, became the centre of attention when the results of today’s (October 1) government lottery draw were announced. The winning number, 876978, secured her the life-changing payout, sparking cheers…
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Thai father attacks daughter with saw in Samut Prakan house
A Thai father attacked his 15 year old daughter with a saw at a house in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok today, October 1, after she refused to help him with his work. Officers from Bang Kaew Police Station rushed to a house in the Bang Pli district of Samut Prakan this afternoon following reports of child abuse. Rescuers from…
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Phuket bids warm farewell to outgoing governor Sophon
Phuket’s outgoing governor was honoured with a farewell ceremony at Provincial Hall, where officials, community leaders and residents gathered to pay tribute. At 9am yesterday, September 30, Sophon and his wife, Busadee, President of the Phuket Red Cross Society, began the day by paying homage to sacred objects enshrined at the front of the hall. The ritual, a longstanding tradition,…
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New minister reveals scam gang bribe offer in Parliament
The newly appointed Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) from Bhumjaithai Party, Chaichanok Chidchob, claimed that call centre scam gangs offered him a monthly bribe of 40 million baht in exchange for halting crackdowns on illegal businesses. Speaking during a Parliamentary session on September 30, Chaichanok explained that this was his first appearance as a minister since being appointed to…
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Thai massage shop owner accuses police of rape and extortion
A massage shop owner in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan accused police officers of raping one of her Laotian employees and extorting money from her. The shop owner, 40 year old Aom, appeared on Channel 3’s Hone Krasae news programme on September 30, following her corruption allegations against a deputy superintendent and his subordinates. Aom explained that she…
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Pattaya teen badly hurt after firecracker explodes on beach
A 14 year old boy was seriously injured when a firecracker exploded in his hand on Pattaya Beach, shocking crowds of locals and tourists nearby. The incident unfolded at around 9.30pm yesterday, September 30, near Soi 9, where crowds of Thai residents and foreign tourists had gathered. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene…
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Banana tree miracle draws lottery hopefuls in Phetchabun
Villagers in Phetchabun, central Thailand, gathered at a rare banana tree that produced two large clusters, performing rituals to seek lucky numbers ahead of the lottery draw. The tree, found in Ban Bueng Najan, Sri Thep district, has sparked excitement after producing two clusters of bananas, each carrying 11 hands, totalling 22. Residents rushed to the site carrying incense, candles…
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Anutin dismisses US shutdown fears, says Thailand secure
Thailand’s prime minister has assured the public that the US government shutdown will not affect the country, stressing that trade agreements with Washington remain secure. At a press briefing today, October 1, at Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the fallout from the US Senate’s rejection of a budget bill, which triggered America’s first shutdown in…
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Phuket MP blasts visa-free policy over ‘bad tourist’ surge
A Phuket MP has urged the government to review Thailand’s visa-free policy, warning it fuels unruly tourist behaviour and harms the nation’s reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, MP for Phuket, submitted a formal request urging the government to review the policy, which currently allows travellers from several countries to enter Thailand without a visa. While the measure has boosted arrivals and revenue,…
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Bangkok traffic snarled as Charoen Krung road caves in (video)
After last week’s sinkhole outside Vajira Hospital, another road collapse hit Bangkok’s Charoen Krung area, closing lanes as officials moved to investigate and control severe traffic disruption. The incident was first reported by the Volunteer Foundation of Ruamkatanyu Facebook page linked to Bang Phong Phang Police Station, which shared a video clip showing a large section of tarmac collapsing near…
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Lost phone leads to discovery of skeleton in abandoned building
A lost phone led to the discovery of the skeleton of a Thai man inside an abandoned building in the Chaeng Wattana area of Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. A Thai man posted on Facebook, sharing photos of the skeleton taken inside the abandoned building and appealing to netizens to help him identify the location. He explained that he lost his…
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Thailand confirms 33 cases of new global Covid strain XFG
Thailand has reported 33 cases of the new Covid-19 strain XFG, most of them in Bangkok, with health officials stressing it causes only mild symptoms. The Department of Medical Sciences announced yesterday, September 30, that XFG has now become the dominant Covid-19 strain worldwide, although there is no evidence to suggest it causes more severe symptoms than previous variants. Thailand’s…
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Court grants bail to drunk BMW driver in Nonthaburi wrong-way collision
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court granted bail to a drunk BMW driver who drove against the flow of traffic on a Nonthaburi road, causing a pile-up on Monday, September 29. The driver, 37 year old Paphatsarin, travelled the wrong way for over five kilometres along Ratchaphruek Road at around 9pm on Monday. She collided with a pickup truck, leaving its driver…
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British man arrested in Bangkok hotel with 1 kilogramme of crystal meth
Police yesterday, September 30, arrested a British man at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok after finding one kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine in his possession. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Officers from the Metropolitan Police Division 5 and Lumpini Police Station received a tip-off about a foreign drug trafficker.…
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