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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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Sponsored Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know
The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...
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Patong lifeguards warn as venomous bluebottles wash up
Lifeguards at Patong Beach have issued a warning after venomous Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish washed ashore, urging tourists to stay cautious in the water. Lifeguards raised the alarm after several of the creatures were found along the sand. Patong Surf Life Saving urged beachgoers not to touch or play with them, stressing that anyone stung should immediately seek assistance…
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Thai police fire rubber bullets at Cambodian border clash (video)
Thai riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse Cambodian civilians who clashed with security forces during a border confrontation in Sa Kaeo. The confrontation took place yesterday afternoon, September 17, in Khok Sung district, near Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, where the border is marked between posts No.42 and No.43. Thai police had earlier reinforced the area with…
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Drinkers in Thailand face 10,000 baht hit for after-hours pints
Drinkers in Thailand face fines for consuming alcohol in pubs and bars after legal hours, under tougher rules aimed at curbing late-night drinking. From November 8, anyone caught drinking in pubs and bars outside the permitted times faces fines of up to 10,000 baht. The Department of Provincial Administration confirmed the new penalties under an amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage…
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Thailand on alert as fierce monsoon rains threaten floods
Thailand prepares for more widespread monsoon rains, with the meteorological department warning of flash floods, rough seas, and heavy downpours across multiple regions this week. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the monsoon trough is lying across the lower Central region, the East, and the lower Northeast, connecting to an active low-pressure cell over the South China Sea. Meanwhile,…
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GPS blunder sends tourist into forest crash in Pattaya
A 23 year old man in Pattaya crashed his motorcycle after GPS led him into a forest, forcing him to abandon the bike and walk 2 kilometres to find help. The incident unfolded at 7pm on Monday, September 15, when the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Rescue Foundation received a call reporting a stranded tourist in Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri.…
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Woman dies after fall from Bangkok mall parking structure (video)
A woman in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area died after falling from a shopping mall parking structure, with police now reviewing CCTV to determine the cause. The incident occurred at around 7.30pm yesterday, September 16, at a well-known department store in the Chatuchak district. Police Lieutenant Chakkrit Suwanwong, deputy inspector of Phahonyothin Police Station, coordinated with forensic officers, doctors from the…
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Nakhon Ratchasima man wins 12 million baht with lucky lottery bet
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima struck gold in the national lottery, winning 12 million baht after spending just 200 baht on tickets: a fraction of what he usually spends. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of yesterday’s draw, September 16, with the winning first prize number confirmed as 074646. Other results included front three-digit numbers 740 and 512, back…
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People’s Party leader stands firm on lese majeste reform stance
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut reaffirmed his stance on Thailand’s lese majeste law, stressing that any reforms must follow court rulings. Speaking yesterday, September 16, Natthaphong expanded on comments he made in a recent interview with Time magazine, where he addressed the controversial law. The magazine quoted him: “Article 112 still causes problems in Thailand, and if we get power,…
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Australian man survives knife slash and hotel plunge in Pattaya
An Australian man in Chon Buri slashed his face with a knife before leaping from a sixth-floor hotel balcony, surviving the fall with serious injuries. The incident occurred today, September 17, at a seven-storey hotel on Soi Petchtrakul in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Police Lieutenant Sonthaya Khanthrap, deputy inspector of Pattaya City Police Station, led a response…
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Foreign biker crashes head-on into Phuket showroom steps
A foreign motorcyclist in Phuket was caught on CCTV riding against traffic before crashing into a showroom, leaving him with minor injuries and viral fame. The incident occurred at around 5.15pm on Monday, September 15, on the northbound lanes of Thepkasattri Road in Koh Kaew. The rider, travelling against oncoming traffic, appeared to swerve to avoid a collision with another…
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Suspects arrested over 2.2m baht speedboat heist in Chon Buri
Police in Bang Lamung arrested three men accused of stealing a 2.2-million-baht speedboat, recovering the vessel and a pickup truck used in the alleged crime. The arrests were made yesterday, September 16, at 5pm by officers from Bang Lamung Police Station, led by Superintendent Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations Police Major Kornphong Sukvisith, and Investigation Inspector Police…
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‘White Lotus’ stars wow Emmys with glowing praise for Thailand (video)
Stars of The White Lotus praised Thailand at the Emmy Awards, sharing their love for its beauty and cuisine after filming the show’s third season there. Thailand took centre stage at the 77th Emmy Awards when The White Lotus Season 3 stars Walton Goggins and Parker Posey shared heartfelt praise for the country, drawing applause from the Hollywood audience. The…
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Trang Airport opens new terminal after 4-year delay
Trang Airport has opened a new domestic terminal after years of construction delays, boosting capacity and marking a major step in regional air travel. The 1.07-billion-baht project finally saw a soft opening on September 5, when the terminal welcomed its first travellers. The launch followed extensive testing, including a simulation with 50 trial passengers to assess service procedures and identify…
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Japanese teens caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand to Japan
Two Japanese teenagers were arrested at Fukuoka Airport after flying in from Thailand with 14 kilogrammes of cannabis extract disguised inside instant curry packets. The 17 year old high school student from Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture, along with his 16 year old friend, was stopped by police after officers discovered 14kg of liquid containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in their luggage.…
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Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot (video)
A resident of Khon Kaen has become Thailand’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the government lottery draw. The man struck gold with two first-prize tickets in a moment that has sent his entire village into celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The winning number in the draw yesterday,…
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Baby girl killed after family pit bull turns violent in Uthai Thani
A baby girl was killed in Uthai Thani in northern Thailand when a family’s pit bull mauled her in a tragic accident, prompting police to investigate the attack. The accident left the baby’s family devastated when their two month old daughter was fatally mauled by a pet pit bull that reportedly mistook her for a toy. Police in Nong Chang…
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Monsoon mayhem: TMD warns of floods and dangerous seas
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of thunderstorms, flash floods and rough seas as the monsoon brings heavy rain across several regions. The monsoon trough lies across the lower Central, upper South and the East into an active low-pressure cell over the South China Sea, while a moderate southwesterly wind prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf…
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Thailand’s casino bill could return in 2026 amid political shifts
Thailand’s long-running casino debate refuses to fade away. The cabinet had, earlier this year, given a green light to a draft law to create regulated casino-entertainment complexes, which led to a surge of optimism among investors and tourism operators. But the optimism didn’t last. Opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, which quit the ruling coalition over the issue, and widespread protests…
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Phuket airport skips memorial for deadly One-Two-Go crash
Eighteen years after the One-Two-Go crash killed 90 people in Phuket, no memorial was held again, as Phuket International Airport instead staged dance shows. The crash of One-Two-Go flight OG269 on September 16, 2007, claimed 90 lives, yet Airports of Thailand (AoT) and its staff at Phuket airport have never held a memorial. No service was held in the days…
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Pattaya gamer flees with bag in brazen all-night shop theft
Police in Pattaya are searching for a thief who spent 10 hours in a gaming shop before fleeing with a bag packed with valuables, all caught on CCTV. A gaming shop in Soi Kor Phai, Pattaya, has released CCTV footage of a theft that took place in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, calling on the public to help…
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Abhisit tipped to retake reins of struggling Democrat Party
Abhisit Vejjajiva will return as leader of the Democrat Party after the resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on, prompting a new leadership transition. Former Prime Minister Abhisit will return as leader of the Democrat Party, according to confirmation from Sathit Wongnongtoei, a former party MP for Trang. The announcement follows the resignation of Chalermchai, who left the leadership citing health issues that…
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Thailand to test seaplane routes to boost island tourism
Thailand is launching a pilot project with seaplane routes in Trang, aiming to boost tourism by linking remote islands with major travel destinations. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has confirmed plans for a pilot seaplane tourism project that could revolutionise the country’s travel industry. The initiative, developed in partnership with private operators Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, will begin test…
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Buddhist council bans monks from acting as lottery seers
Thailand’s Sangha Council has reiterated its ban on monks acting as lottery fortune tellers, warning that the practice breaks religious discipline and the law. The reminder comes amid growing concern over monks engaging in inappropriate activities, with recent cases involving even senior clergy members. Officials said these actions not only undermine Buddhist principles but also erode the faith of devotees.…
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Chao Phraya Dam surge floods Ayutthaya and displaces thousands
Heavy water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam has triggered flooding across Ayutthaya, affecting thousands of households and prompting urgent safety warnings. Floodwaters have swept through large parts of Ayutthaya after water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam was increased by 2,000 to 2,500 cubic metres per second. The National Water Resources Committee approved the release to handle surging inflows…
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Thai vendor nearly dies after shingles treated with folk remedy
A vegetable vendor in Prachuap Khiri Khan was hospitalised after using a folk remedy for shingles, which led to severe blisters and a dangerous blood infection. A 39 year old vegetable vendor in Mueang district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, has shared her near-death ordeal after a traditional treatment for shingles spiralled into a life-threatening infection. The woman, identified only as A,…
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NACC pushed to rule on digital wallet fund misuse claims
Thailand’s anti-graft body is under pressure to wrap up its probe into claims that two governments misused state loan funds for a flagship handout scheme. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been urged to finalise its investigation into allegations that the administrations of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra breached the constitution by diverting state loan repayment funds to…
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Phuket hotel mystery: Young woman found dead in room
A 26 year old woman was found dead in her hotel room in Phuket, prompting police and forensic teams to investigate the cause of her unexplained death. Police in Cherng Talay are investigating the death of a young woman who was found lifeless in her hotel room within a resort complex yesterday afternoon. Cherng Talay Police received notification of the…
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Thailand video news Thai PM Anutin Demands Measures to Check Sky-High Baht, Thailand Increases Airline Compensation for Delays and Cancellations
Thailand is rolling out a mix of reforms and upgrades — from tougher rules on nightlife and cannabis in Pattaya to higher airline compensation, currency-stabilisation efforts, and faster action on frozen bank accounts — while also pushing drought-relief cloud seeding and a major facelift for Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Abroad, Britain’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally has underscored deep political…
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Anutin confirms Cabinet ready, vows swift action on economy
Thailand’s new Cabinet lineup has been finalised and is awaiting royal approval, after which the government will present its policy and begin official duties. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that Thailand’s new Cabinet list is now complete and awaiting royal endorsement, expected later this week. Once approved, the government will deliver its policy statement to Parliament and begin its…
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Phuket shines a light on Islamic roots with weekend festival
A cultural event in Phuket celebrated Islamic heritage, bringing residents and officials together to promote unity, awareness, and community engagement. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) hosted a vibrant two-day event aimed at celebrating the island’s Islamic roots and promoting unity across communities. Titled Retracing the History of Islam in Phuket Province, the event took place on Saturday and Sunday,…
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