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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Homeowner encounters cobras before Thai lottery, eyes luck
In a surprising morning encounter, a homeowner witnessed two cobras intertwining in a display often associated with good fortune, right before the Thai lottery draw. The resident plans to use his house number to test his luck in the upcoming lottery. Early today, at 9am, Mongkol Thiamtat, from house number 16 in the village of Paiyubin, Wang Chan district, Rayong…
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Disturbing behaviour of police officer who raped minor exposed by another student
Female students reportedly exposed the disturbing behaviour of the Patiew Police Station officer, who raped the 17 year old girl in the Isaan province of Yasothon. Ironically, the officer reportedly trained students on how to protect themselves from sexual abuse and assaults but, he now faces a rape charge. A Thai mother sought help from Saimai Survive after her 17…
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Thailand’s manufacturing production sees steep fall due to car output drop
The Industry Ministry reported a year-on-year fall of 6.27% in Thailand’s manufacturing production index for December, attributed to a downturn in car production. This figure was notably steeper than the anticipated 3.2% decrease, according to a Reuters poll. This followed the 4.71% drop in November, rounding out a year in which overall output shrank by 5.11%. In addition to the…
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Police raid exposes massive counterfeit cosmetics operation worth millions
The Thai authorities have cracked down on a colossal counterfeit cosmetics ring involving a Chinese investor and the illicit sale of beauty products worth millions. The Commissioner of the Police Consumer Protection Division, Police Lieutenant General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, along with relevant agencies, orchestrated a press conference on Monday, January 29 that marked the unravelling of a major illegal cosmetics empire. A…
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Southern Thailand to acquire new Andaman Airport
Envisioned as a direct long-haul flight hub, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is fast-tracking the construction of the much-anticipated Andaman International Airport. In a recent visit, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit inspected the airport’s progress in Phang Nga province, initiating transformative steps to bolster local transport infrastructure. The Andaman International Airport, currently in its second stage of development, is strategically crafted to…
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Arrest warrant issued in Phetchaburi for suspect in vendor’s murder
The Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant for Phimwaj, known as Arm Hua Saphan, for the intentional murder of a 30 year old street vendor who was shot dead while driving in Phetchaburi province. The victim’s father has revealed a possible motive of jealousy and vengeance, suggesting that the assailant harboured resentment due to his acquaintanceship with the victim’s girlfriend,…
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Google reigns supreme: Thailand’s top talent magnet for sixth year running
WorkVenture revealed the most coveted companies in Thailand, and surprise, surprise: Google claims the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. Unveiling the Top 50 Companies in Thailand 2024, the survey, conducted among over 11,452 young professionals, offers a snapshot of the Thai job market’s evolving landscape. As the professional arena adapts to the changing tides, the new generation of…
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Royal Thai Air Force faces job loss concern over golf course handover
The head of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) expressed concerns over potential job losses that could result from the return of two military golf courses to the government. The Kantrarat and Thupatemi golf courses, which provide welfare services to military personnel, are currently under the scrutiny of the military commission, which suggests that such facilities should be managed by…
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Thai government and central bank clash over interest rates
The ongoing discord between government officials and central bankers regarding interest rate adjustments is creating uncertainty for local banks and could potentially trigger further foreign investor withdrawals. Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, along with key advisors, is advocating for a reduction in rates by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to stimulate an economy the Thai PM describes as being in…
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Elon Musk’s US$55 billion pay deal under threat after judge’s ruling
Having spent several years as the wealthiest person globally, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, faces the potential of falling to the third position following a Delaware judge’s ruling on his US$55 billion pay deal. The judge, Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, sided with a Tesla investor who argued that the 2018 remuneration package lacked clarity on Musk’s performance expectations and that…
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Yasothon police inspector detained over minor’s statutory rape
The Yasothon Provincial Court remanded a 50 year old deputy traffic police inspector from the Pa Tio Police Station in custody for an initial 12 days amid allegations of statutory rape and physical assault of a minor. The officer tasked with investigating the case allegedly admitted to the charges, while the investigation team was still waiting for the results of…
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Mystery smell forces Cathay Pacific flight U-turn
Cathay Pacific Airways‘ flight CX 633, destined for Penang, Malaysia, found itself making an unexpected U-turn to Hong Kong International Airport due to an unusual smell in the cabin post-takeoff. The Airbus A330 had taken off on its scheduled Sunday morning, January 28, departure at 8.15am, only to encounter this bizarre situation. The Hong Kong flag carrier revealed that the…
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Alzheimer’s and miscommunication revealed after missing British man rescued
Dong Yen Police Station officers rescued a British man who claimed he was abandoned at a temple in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. His wife later clarified the situation and revealed that he suffers from Alzheimer’s. A police officer at the Kam Chanote Temple in the Ban Dung district of Udon Thani province accompanied the 82 year old British…
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Teenager had motorcycle stolen after leaving it for 10 minutes
A teenager had his motorcycle stolen after parking it outside a condo in Pattaya for a mere 10 minutes on January 27. The 16 year old victim, Panupong, reported the theft to Pattaya police at 5.30pm. The black Honda PCX, purchased by Panupong’s mother for his daily commute and delivery gigs, was snatched from its spot outside the apartment. Panupong…
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7-Eleven addresses expired food safety concerns after query
Concerns over the consumption of expired food products have recently been addressed by the official 7-Eleven account, following a query posted by a consumer on Pantip.com. The question raised was whether a packet of fried rice purchased from 7-Eleven, which had passed its expiration date by just a few days, was still safe to eat. A forum member on Pantip.com,…
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Free visa policy to boost Thai tourism stocks amid Chinese arrivals
An agreement for a free visa policy between Thailand and China is set to greatly boost seven Thai tourism-related stocks, as projected by brokerages. This policy, signed earlier this week, is anticipated to cause a significant uptick in Chinese arrivals in Thailand this year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese tourists in…
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Phuket secondhand warehouse fire causes 10 million baht in damages
A secondhand goods warehouse located near Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket, was engulfed in flames yesterday, January 30, causing traffic congestion and an estimated 10 million baht (US$282,298) in damages. The fire reportedly began with a small flame used to smoke out beehives, which unexpectedly spread to the warehouse. The blaze was reported to the Thalang Police around 2.30pm. Fire trucks initially…
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Significant drop in forest fires in Chiang Mai and northern region
Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Director Kritsayam Kongsatree revealed an unprecedented 79% drop in blazes across Chiang Mai and its northern neighbours. Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) Chief Kritsayam manages a colossal 7.8 million rai encompassing 19 forests in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. His proactive patrolling initiatives have slashed the number of hotspots from the ominous…
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Thai baht surges as US dollar weakens ahead of Federal Reserve meeting
The Thai baht experienced an upturn against a weakening US dollar, with investors predicting the US Federal Reserve to hold its policy rate steady in the upcoming meeting this week. The baht yesterday, January 30, initiated at 35.38 to the dollar, a rise from Monday’s close at 35.58. The local currency fluctuated between 35.28 and 35.45 against the dollar and…
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Aeromexico flight passenger stands on plane wing in response to delay (video)
A frustrated passenger onboard a delayed Aeromexico flight AM 0672 bound for Guatemala City took matters into his own hands. Stranded for hours on the tarmac without air conditioning or water, the unnamed passenger decided he had had enough. In an act of defiance, he unlocked the emergency door and strolled onto the plane’s wing. Mexican International Airport officials confirmed…
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Adultery suspected in murder of Thai man in Chachoengsao
Police suspected adultery as a motive for the murder of a Thai man whose body was found on the roadside of a motorway in the central province of Chachoengsao on January 29. The man asked his wife for a divorce and told her that he had a child with another woman before he disappeared. The lifeless body of the 33…
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Royal Thai Air Force plans 19 billion baht for new fighter jets acquisition
The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Punpakdee Pattanakul, announced a budget request for the upcoming fiscal year totalling 19 billion baht (US$537 million), intended for the acquisition of new fighter jets. These could potentially be the US F-35 or Sweden’s Gripen E/F. Despite the recently instated government offset policy, Punpakdee’s comments suggest the RTAF’s determination to secure…
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German tourist’s beachside stumble turns vacation into footsie disaster
A German tourist stumbled over construction wire mesh at a beachfront construction site in Pattaya on January 27, leaving him with a serious foot injury. Eyewitnesses revealed that the incident occurred as 24 year old Nils Gleissner ambled along the footpath near the beach. The treacherous mishap transpired at a spot undergoing renovations, with the unsuspecting tourist tripping over the…
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Thailand faces thunderstorms and high waves, north cools down
Today’s weather update signals turbulent conditions across the country, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing an alert for thunderstorms in 20 provinces. The forecast warns of high waves exceeding 2 metres in the southern seas, while the northern region experiences a significant drop in temperature. The weather pattern over the upper northern region is influenced by a westerly…
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Chinese tourist drowns on Rayong’s Koh Samet
A Chinese tourist drowned at Ao Tubtim, Koh Samet, Rayong at 5pm on on January 27. Phe police officers rushed to the accident scene following a report of a Chinese tourist drowning. Local rescue and Rayong medical teams were also dispatched. Clad in a blue swimsuit, the 46 year old Chinese tourist lay lifeless. Despite the immediate deployment of first…
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Teen dies in Bangkok after motorcycle chase ends in horror crash
A tragic accident in Bangkok claimed the life of a 17 year old teen after a motorcycle chase ended in a violent collision with a garbage truck. The incident occurred at around 3.15am today on Kanjanapisek Road, Bang Khae District. The police, forensic experts, and emergency medical teams were called to the scene, where they found the young victim dead.…
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Thai food vendor sparks debate after giving free food to foreign backpacker (video)
A Thai food vendor sparked a debate on social media after giving free food to a foreign backpacker in the southern province of Surat Thani. Many netizens hailed the vendor’s gesture while others said the foreign woman just took advantage of Thais’ kindness. The food vendor shared a video of the foreign backpacker eating food at her restaurant on her…
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Thai workers overseas contribute 60 billion baht in Q1
Over 21,000 Thai workers were dispatched overseas in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, generating nearly 60 billion baht (US$1.69 billion) in remittances, as disclosed by a leading labour representative. The period of October to December saw 21,281 Thais heading overseas for work, half of whom, numbering 10,024, were recruited by the private sector, according to Pairoj Chotikasathien,…
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Drastic fivefold rise in e-cigarette use among Thai schoolchildren
E-cigarette usage amongst Thai schoolchildren has witnessed a drastic fivefold rise over the last seven years, with the majority of users starting their vaping journey during their primary school years, reveals a newly conducted study. The study was carried out amongst 6,700 students and the findings were shared at a seminar, the collective effort of the Centre for Tobacco Control…
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Cabinet gives preliminary approval to revamp Fisheries Act of 2015
The proposed revision to the Fisheries Act of 2015 yesterday received preliminary approval from the Cabinet. The government aims to ease the challenges encountered by the fishing industry and foster more efficient and sustainable fishing practices. The proposed changes are expected to provide relief to over 600,000 small-scale coastal fishing households in 20 provinces, many of whom were compelled to…
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