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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Foreign man injured after falling on jet ski while parasailing in Phuket
A foreign man sustained a leg injury after falling onto a jet ski during a parasailing activity off Patong Beach in Phuket. The Kusoltam Patong Rescue Foundation was called to assist the man, whose nationality and identity were not disclosed, at 2.19pm, yesterday, April 29, on Patong Beach. The man reportedly fell while parasailing, although the height from which he…
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Late shift on Thailand’s stock market clock as SET goes global
Thailand’s stock market is pulling a night shift, with extended hours letting investors chase Wall Street and European giants well into the wee hours, starting May 6. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is throwing open its doors around the clock for global investment, with new trading hours for depositary receipts (DRs) linked to US and European securities launching this…
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Concrete slab from old overpass kills driver in Bangkok
A concrete slab fell from an older overpass onto a pickup truck, injuring the driver yesterday on the outbound side of Rama 2 Road in Bangkok. The incident, not related to the new bridge construction, prompted immediate action to assist the injured party. The accident occurred around 8am, yesterday, April 29, when concrete debris fell from an old overpass connecting Krathum…
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Trumped up trouble puts brakes on Thailand’s car industry
Thailand’s car industry is veering off course, with annual production now expected to skid below target thanks to Washington’s punishing tariffs and a domestic market bogged down by debt and rejected loans. Thailand’s automotive engine is spluttering, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warning that this year’s car production is set to fall short of its 1.5 million-unit goal,…
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Bhumjaithai loses southern seat in shock Klatham upset
A dramatic political upset has rocked southern Thailand, as the rising Kla Tham Party snatched a crucial seat from the ruling Bhumjaithai Party in Sunday’s by-election. Kongkiat Ketsobat of Kla Tham unofficially clinched victory in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Constituency 8 with 38,680 votes, knocking out Bhumjaithai’s hopes of holding onto the seat. The poll was triggered by the disqualification of former MP Mukdawan…
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Phuket Airport soars as Russians jet in while China jets off
Phuket Airport is flying high despite a sharp drop in Chinese tourists, with Russian and Turkish travellers stepping in to keep the island’s tourism industry cruising toward a record-breaking 18 million passengers this year. Phuket International Airport is on course to welcome a whopping 18 million passengers in 2025, even as the number of Chinese arrivals nosedives, according to airport…
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Thailand braces for summer storms across 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its 12th warning regarding the severe weather forecast for today, April 30. Thirty-six provinces are expected to experience thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and lightning. northern Thailand is anticipated to be the most affected region. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that both the northern and central regions of Thailand will continue to face…
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Boozed-up Belgian tourist smashes up store in drunken rampage
A boozed-up Belgian tourist turned a Pattaya 7-Eleven into his personal wine-tasting warzone but ended up footing a hefty bill after turning the aisle into a scene straight out of Bottleship Down. Chaos erupted at around 4am on April 27 when a drunken foreigner wreaked havoc inside a convenience store in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung district, smashing at least ten wine…
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Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ boom to boost economy by 152 billion baht
Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ community is fast becoming an economic force to be reckoned with, with a new study projecting a 152 billion baht boost to the nation’s GDP this year, fuelled by local spending and a surge in LGBTQIA+ tourism. According to research from Mahidol University’s College of Management (CMMU), more than 5.9 million LGBTQIA+ persons, around 9% of Thailand’s population,…
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BMTA to launch super app for Bangkok commuters in October
Bangkok commuters may soon enjoy a smoother ride, digitally, at least. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced that its much-anticipated “super app” is set to launch this October, promising to simplify payments, provide route updates, and offer a digital platform for feedback and complaints. But while the promise sounds slick, there are still a few speed bumps ahead. Kittikarn…
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Shocking encounter: Man hides in Thai woman’s Japan hotel room
A solo traveller from Thailand shared a chilling experience in Japan when she discovered a man hiding under her hotel bed. Natalisi Taksisi, who had chosen Japan for its reputation for safety, was horrified to find a stranger in her room despite the hotel’s key card system. The incident, which has since gone viral, has raised concerns about hotel security and…
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M81 motorway free for 10 days to boost Kanchanaburi fair
Motorists heading to Kanchanaburi province for the Samburi Kaset Fair next month are in for a treat—free access to the newly completed M81 motorway. From May 3 to 12, the Department of Highways has announced that travel on the 96-kilometre route will be free of charge to facilitate easy access to the agricultural fair, offering a much-needed break for travellers.…
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Cement block falls onto truck, driver injured on Rama II expressway
A motorist has been injured after a large cement block fell from the construction site of the Rama II elevated expressway, smashing onto his pickup truck as he was driving beneath the ongoing project. The shocking incident occurred on Rama II Road, as the driver was heading towards Samut Sakhon. The unnamed driver told emergency medical technicians (EMTs) that he…
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Up in the air: Thailand to elevate tourism with airport upgrades
The Ministry of Transport in Thailand has allocated funds to upgrade airports in three provinces in northeastern Thailand to boost secondary city tourism. Assistant Transport Minister Manoporn Charoensri announced efforts to transform Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan into year-round tourist destinations. The initiative aligns with the government’s policy under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who emphasises secondary city tourism, with…
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Pattana Pet Run 2025: Dogs and cats race for fun in Chon Buri
Pattana Sports Resort is stepping up its pet-friendly game with an exciting new event that’s sure to make tails wag! The Pattana Pet Run 2025 will take place in Chon Buri this June, offering pet parents a unique opportunity to run alongside their four-legged friends and create lasting memories together. On Thursday, April 24, a press conference for the event…
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Thai woman, 70, arrested for brother’s murder over inheritance row
A 70 year old woman was recently apprehended for the murder of her younger brother, a crime stemming from a land inheritance dispute that had remained unresolved for over a decade. The arrest was made by the police in Rayong province, following a directive from Police Major General Thirachart Thirachartthamrong. The incident dates back to 2012, when the woman, identified…
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Thai locals show compassion, aid foreign woman in roadside seizure (video)
A foreign woman experienced a seizure on the roadside, prompting immediate assistance from nearby Thais who showed great compassion. Yesterday, April 28, a TikTok user @guyslumclub posted a video capturing the incident, highlighting the kindness of Thai locals who rushed to help without hesitation. The post humorously encouraged support for the poster’s noodle shop, Ann’s Kuay Teow Khua Gai, Baanthat…
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Bangkok ranks No. 6 among world’s friendliest cities for expats
Bangkok has been named one of the world’s most expat-friendly cities, securing 6th place in the annual survey conducted by InterNations. While Malaga, Spain, clinched the top spot as the most welcoming city for expatriates, Bangkok’s high ranking highlights the city’s growing appeal to foreigners. According to the survey, expats in Bangkok reported feeling very welcomed by locals, with 67%…
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Police halt convoy disguising drug transport as family trip in Chumphon
Police intercepted a convoy attempting to transport 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, disguising the operation as a family trip. Yesterday, April 28, Police Major General Khongkrit Lertsitthikul directed officers to arrest four people in Chumphon province. Those arrested included 40 year old Narongsak, 43 year old Sirisak, 19 year old Pornpen, and a 17 year old referred to as A.…
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PM Paetongtarn’s health scare disrupts Nakhon Phanom visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Nakhon Phanom province took an unexpected turn yesterday as she battled a high fever and fatigue, forcing her to cancel several key activities. The premier, who appeared visibly unwell, was seen struggling to stay focused during a briefing about cross-border drug issues along the Mekong River. Despite her efforts to push through, Paetongtarn’s…
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Defence minister sets 1 week deadline for southern unrest report
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has given security forces a week to submit a report on their efforts to address the ongoing unrest in Thailand’s southernmost provinces. Yesterday, April 28, Phumtham instructed the Royal Thai Army chief to adopt a more proactive strategy for dealing with security issues in the Deep South. The police and military have…
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Thai transport ministry fast-tracks 20 baht train fare policy
The Ministry of Transport is accelerating efforts to implement the 20 baht flat fare for electric trains policy, targeting completion by September 2025. A new draft of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Act is slated for Cabinet consideration in May. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted that the ministry is currently detailing the draft law, aimed at modernising…
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Drunk tourist walks naked through Phuket, sparks outrage
A drunk foreign tourist was filmed walking naked through the streets of Phuket Town, prompting locals to voice concerns about the growing problem of unruly visa-free tourists. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต shared a shocking video of a foreign man stumbling down Rattanakosin 200 Years Road in Talat Nuea subdistrict, Mueang district, completely naked. The man, visibly intoxicated, appeared to…
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British foodie floored in Phuket road horror crash leaves hospital
A British restaurant boss, recovering in Thailand after being left for dead in a horror road crash just one day after his travel insurance expired, has left hospital. Ricky Eury, a popular figure in Bristol’s food scene, was critically injured while crossing a road in Phuket, Thailand, when he was mown down by a motorbike in a devastating late-night collision. The…
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Heartless taxi blocks Phuket ambulance rushing patient to hospital
A green taxi is at the centre of an incident in Phuket after blocking an ambulance with a 62 year old man suffering from heart failure onboard. The patient died in the ambulance, just moments away from receiving life-saving treatment. On the morning of Sunday, April 27, a 62 year old man with a history of heart disease began feeling…
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Barely legal: Naked antics of Polish couple spark fury in Koh Pha Ngan
Thailand’s image as a tropical paradise took another hit this week after a naked Polish couple were caught hugging in the middle of a road, and later sunbathing starkers on a popular Koh Pha Ngan beach, shocking locals and sparking fresh calls for action against unruly foreign tourists. The Polish holidaymakers stunned passers-by when they were spotted standing completely nude…
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Thai police shut down illegal Myanmar-run complex in Samut Sakhon
Thai police dismantled a Myanmar-run entertainment complex in Mueang district, Samut Sakhon, revealing illegal activities including drug use and the employment of undocumented workers. The operation, conducted by over 200 officers from various agencies, was led by provincial governor Naris Niramaiwong. Working alongside government inspectors and supported by provincial police, the task force targeted a repurposed warehouse allegedly operating as…
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Wheely reckless: Aussie tourist pops stunts on Phuket streets
A thrill-seeking Aussie tourist landed himself in hot water after being caught on camera pulling dangerous wheelies down a busy Phuket road, prompting furious locals to demand action. The 32 year old Australian man has been arrested after a viral clip showed him performing motorcycle stunts along Witsanu Road in Rawai, causing mayhem and putting lives at risk. The reckless…
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Hot mess! Phuket nightclub and Patong market go up in smoke
Phuket was lit up for all the wrong reasons in the early hours of this morning as two separate fires broke out just hours apart, one at a buzzing nightclub and the other at a popular beachfront food market. Firefighters dashed to the Hua Pan X5 nightclub in the Phoonpon area of Phuket Town after flames erupted on the club’s…
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Illegal Chinese imports of pig intestines found in Samut Sakhon warehouse
A warehouse in Samut Sakhon was discovered storing salted pig intestines illegally imported from China. The facility, in poor condition with a pervasive foul odour, held products valued at over 10 million baht. The Chinese owner was not present at the site. Yesterday, April 28, Police Major General Thatphum Jaruprach, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, instructed Police Colonel…
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