News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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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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Beijing woman sues ex-lover after spending 20 million baht
A love-struck woman’s infatuation with a charismatic taxi driver led to a legal showdown after the revelation of his secret double life. The Beijing resident spent over 20 million baht on gifts and cash for Wang throughout their relationship, only to discover his deception. In March 2019, a successful clothing store owner in Beijing, Li, instantly fell for a taxi…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport rolls out Grab taxi services
To enhance passenger convenience and elevate service standards, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) unveiled the latest addition to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Grab taxi services. Positioned at Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal, the newly inaugurated Grab service centre stands ready to cater to passengers around the clock, announced AoT Director Kirati Kitmanawat. Echoing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision…
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Frendemy: Thai trans stabs friend in Soi 11 in Bangkok (video)
A Thai transwoman stabbed her transgender friend outside a hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. The victim’s friend said the two were previously close friends. Officers from Lumpini Police Station and Ruan Katayu Rescue Foundation rushed to the stabbing scene at about 4am today, March 29. The transgender victim, 27 year old…
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Air India scrambles for aircraft amidst passenger surge
Air India, now steered by Tata Group’s helm, is set to soar with 506 aircraft orders and a delivery every six days. CEO Campbell Wilson anticipates slight delays in their transformation journey, admitting they’re playing catch-up in the market. IndiGo, dominating India’s skies, plans a colossal expansion, eyeing a fleet surge from 300 to 1,000 aircraft by the decade’s end, reveals…
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Video footage shows sewage spill on Jomtien Beach
Authorities sprang into action after a video showing sewage gushing into the sea at Soi 8, Jomtien Beach surfaced on Wednesday. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet hailed the quick response, revealing yesterday that the once-polluted waters had returned to their pristine state, much to the delight of beach enthusiasts. Mayor Poramet lauded the swift reaction to the crisis, highlighting Pattaya City officials’…
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Bangkok’s residential market downturn with 22.5% annual decline
Greater Bangkok’s residential market saw a downturn in the final quarter of last year, with new units sold shrinking by 14.5% compared to the previous year. This contributed to an overall annual decline of 22.5%, as reported by the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Vichai Viratkapan, the acting director-general of the centre, attributed this to a mismatch between supply and…
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Scientists: Earth’s spinning faster
Scientists warn of a peculiar predicament: Earth’s rotation is hurtling towards a potential adjustment, offsetting the delicate dance of seconds, minutes, and hours as we know them. Duncan Agnew, lead author of the study and a distinguished geophysicist hailing from the hallowed halls of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego provided insight into the…
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Thai hotel industry resists proposed minimum wage hike
The tourism industry has voiced its concerns over the recent approval by the tripartite wage committee to increase the minimum wage to 400 baht for four-star hotels in 10 key tourism cities, beginning with the Songkran holiday. Hoteliers argue that the implementation of the wage hike is unjust as the recovery from the pandemic has been uneven across the targeted…
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Thai national arrested in Pattaya after attempted assault on officer
A Thai national was apprehended in Pattaya in the small hours of this morning, following reports of his erratic behaviour and an attempted assault on a local officer. The incident was reported to the Pattaya City Special Affairs Radio Centre at six minutes past midnight, leading to the immediate dispatch of officers to the scene, located at the entrance of…
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Thai foreign minister jets off to Japan for diplomatic meeting
The Thai Foreign Minister is gearing up for a crucial diplomatic mission to Japan amidst mounting concerns over the potential revocation of visa-free privileges for Thai travellers. Reports suggest that Japan is contemplating this drastic measure due to a surge in Thais overstaying their welcome. In a statement released today, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara acknowledged Japan’s right to enforce its laws but…
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Thai products flood Vietnam: Mini Thailand Week 2024
Hundreds of Thailand’s finest commodities are set to make waves in Vietnam as the third Mini Thailand Week 2024 kicks off in the seaside city of Ha Long. The event, part of Thailand’s strategic push to integrate its businesses into Vietnam’s booming economy, kicked off yesterday, March 28, at the Centre of Planning Fair and Exhibition in Ha Long, Quang…
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Puffing problems: Bangkok seminar on e-cigarettes perils
A pivotal seminar in Bangkok about the perils of e-cigarettes was attended by administrators from 437 educational institutions. The event was orchestrated by Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, the minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, commencing precisely at 9am. The seminar’s aim was to bring into sharp focus the rising concerns about e-cigarettes within Thailand’s societal fabric, especially regarding their easy…
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Chiang Mai tourism expects rebound despite hotel booking slump
Chiang Mai, once bustling with tourists, has been grappling with a slump in hotel bookings as recorded on Wednesday. The Northern Thai Hotels Association advisor, La-iad Bungsrithong, disclosed that the reservations were only 30% full compared to the beginning of April last year. However, she projected a silver lining in the looming clouds of despair. The occupancy would bounce back…
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Koh Samui sees tourism surge as summer heats up
Foreign tourists have been descending in droves on Koh Samui, Surat Thani, with local media reporting that the island’s tranquil environment and idyllic beaches are proving irresistible to visitors. Wednesday saw Bangkok Airways completely booked for 43 flights throughout the month, suggesting a daily influx of over 4,500 individuals to the popular island. Koh Samui, known for its relaxing atmosphere,…
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Human remains found near Udon Ratthaya Expressway
A chilling discovery has been made along the Udon Ratthaya Expressway, where additional human remains were found not far from where a skull was previously located. A Laotian woman came forward with critical information regarding her husband, missing for two months, identifying the skull through its distinct dental work. Late last night, police were alerted to the presence of human…
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Naked Chinese saved after suicide attempt at Bangkok cop shop
Officers successfully prevented a Chinese man from a suicide attempt at Lumpini Police Station after he was arrested for causing chaos while drunk at a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 5 in Bangkok. Lumpini Police Station officers apprehended the 59 year old Chinese man, Fuyu Kinghai, at a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 5 in the Wattana district of Bangkok because he…
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Robot arm crushes worker to death in Chon Buri (video)
In a heart-wrenching incident at the Vandapac factory in Chon Buri province on Wednesday, a routine day turned fatal when a robotic arm struck a worker, crushing him to death. The unsuspecting worker was going about his duties, laying out sheets of material, when tragedy struck most unexpectedly. Unsettling CCTV footage reveals the horrifying sequence of events, as the massive…
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Thailand’s BoI plans more foreign semiconductor investment
The Board of Investment (BoI) of Thailand has expressed an interest in attracting further foreign investment for the production of advanced semiconductors this year. This move comes as numerous businesses from China and Taiwan are looking to expand their investments in Thailand, particularly for printed circuit boards, to circumvent geopolitical risk, said Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, the BoI Deputy Secretary-General. “Companies will…
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PTT plc eyes green methanol production
PTT Plc, a major national oil and gas conglomerate, is contemplating the construction of a green methanol production facility. The project, costing an estimated 3.1 billion baht, aligns with PTT’s initiative to curtail carbon dioxide emissions and manufacture methanol-derived fuels. Traditionally, methanol production relies heavily on fossil fuels. However, PTT’s proposed method utilises biomass or carbon capture techniques, paving the…
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Thai woman loses 43 million baht business to ex-girlfriend
A Thai woman accused her ex-girlfriend of conspiring with her husband to deceive her and seize control of her business and assets worth more than 43 million baht. The businesswoman, Phattaranit “Tak” Suppadatepakun, urged Channel 7 to publish her story to the public and help her pursue justice after she went bankrupt due to her ex-girlfriend‘s actions. Tak revealed that…
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Thailand mulls over legalising casinos to boost economy
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin advocated for the establishment of entertainment complexes housing casinos in the country. The 62 year old prime minister stated his belief yesterday, March 28, that legalising casinos could potentially extinguish illegal gambling dens and divert gamblers’ money towards the state. The Thai PM further added that these complexes would operate under proper regulations, leading to…
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Cabinet green lights bills to modify alcohol control law
The Cabinet has given initial approval to five proposed bills aiming to modify the current alcohol control law, a move that could potentially lead to extended selling hours and more relaxed advertising rules. This decision has, however, sparked controversy among anti-alcohol advocates. The legislation was introduced for its first reading in the House on Wednesday, March 27, and received a…
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Youth gang violence in Pattaya escalates over jeans
Violence erupted in Pattaya South at Laem Bali Hai Pier when a gang of approximately 30 youths descended on the area, wielding knives and seeking retribution over a pair of jeans. The confrontation left two young men injured, with one unconscious and the other with a severe head wound, prompting an urgent response from rescue services and local officials. Upon…
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PM Srettha: Legalise casinos to save Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin advocated for the legalisation of casinos to combat the shadowy underworld economy in Thailand. PM Srettha outlined his vision for a new law permitting entertainment complexes housing legal casinos, aiming to drag illicit activities into the light and bolster national revenue streams. “We have to bring the grey [underground] economy into the light to allow us…
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Taiwanese and Thai nationals charged for heroin smuggling
Taiwanese aviation police have cracked down on an international drug cartel smuggling heroin which involved one Taiwanese and four Thai nationals. The cunning scheme involved smuggling a whopping 36.644 kilogrammes of heroin into Taiwan, with an eye-watering value of over US$3.1 million (approximately 113 million baht), as disclosed in a press release by the Aviation Police Bureau (APB) yesterday. According…
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Police chief takes down lawyer for bribery charge
The legal team of Police Commissioner-General Police General Torsak Sukvimol is gearing up to take down a high-profile celebrity lawyer who pointed his finger at the police chief in the bribery case. Lawyer Suteepong Chevitcharoen, flanked by Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, chairman of the Crime Victims Assistance Club and a key member of Torsak’s legal defence squad, made the announcement. The target of…
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Lamphun family hospitalised after toxic fungus ingestion
A family in Lamphun province was hospitalised after consuming a toxic fungus, commonly known as Waan Jak Jan. The incident occurred after the husband, 60 year old Tui, collected fungus from a termite mound in his longan orchard, mistaking it for a recently deceased termite larvae which he thought was safe to eat. Tui, a resident of Thung Man, Pa…
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Meet Natcha and Nitchan: Thailand’s first AI news reporters (video)
Thailand’s first artificial intelligence (AI) reporters were unveiled today by the Thai news television channel Nation TV. The two AI-generated reporters will make their TV debut on Monday, April 1. Nation TV Managing Director Apirawee Pichayadecha introduced the two AI reporters to the public today. The female AI reporter goes by the name Natcha while the male reporter is called Nitchan.…
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Phuket’s international art festival showcases Thailand talent
A significant contemporary art festival is currently taking place in Phuket, displaying pieces from artists located in Thailand’s southern provinces. The Phuket International Contemporary Art Festival, coordinated by the Phuket Arts Association, kicked off yesterday at the Phuket Merlin Hotel in Talat Yai and will continue until Saturday. The festival showcases the work of 78 artists. Among these, 43 are…
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Bottoms up: Oversized sex toy lands man in hospital
A medical emergency unfolded at a hospital in Kamao, southern Vietnam, where a 23 year old man required urgent medical attention after an oversized sex toy became lodged in his bottom. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, March 26, necessitated professional medical intervention to remove the 20-centimetre-long dildo safely. The mishap highlights the potential risks associated with the use of sex…
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