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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Thai Grab rider shocked after being booked to transport corpse at 53 baht
A Thai Grab motorcycle rider took to social media to share his experience of being booked for 53 baht to transport a corpse to a temple in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The Grab rider shared a screenshot of the booking and his conversation with the female passenger on a Facebook group for Grab drivers on Wednesday, February 5. The…
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Waste no time: Phuket fast-tracks trash tech near city centre
A ticking time bomb lurks in the heart of Phuket’s beautiful landscape but not one you would expect. Phuket City Municipality is racing against the clock to establish a state-of-the-art solid waste sorting facility at the waste disposal centre in Saphan Hin, a stone’s throw from bustling Phuket City centre. Deputy Mayor Suphachok La-ongphet revealed that by the end of…
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ex-Thai artist finds fame washing himself in the middle of the road (video)
A viral video showing a Thai man washing himself in the middle of a road in the Phra Khanong area of Bangkok has captivated onlookers, dubbing him as the “Phra Khanong sensation.” The man, identified as 43 year old Samphan, originally from the area, shared insights into his life and past experiences. Previously, he earned between 1,000 and 5,000 baht…
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Mummified infant bodies found in chilling Chiang Mai delivery
A routine package check at a Sa Kaeo logistics shop turned into a horrifying discovery when staff found two dried infant bodies inside a parcel bound for Chiang Mai. Police are now investigating a self-proclaimed medium, who allegedly bought the bodies for 10,000 baht and planned to resell them to Chinese tourists. Sa Kaeo police were alerted this afternoon, February…
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Snake scare: 3-metre snake found in Samut Songkhram toilet
A large, 3-metre-long snake was discovered in a toilet at a residence in Samut Songkhram, prompting emergency services to intervene. The snake, identified as a large fish-eating snake, was stuck in the toilet due to its size. Fire department personnel from Samut Songkhram Municipality were alerted to the situation at house number 11/1, Village 6, and took prompt action. Upon…
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4 Israeli men fined for causing chaos at hospital in Mae Hong Son
Police fined four Israeli men 3,000 baht each for causing chaos at Pai Hospital in the northern province of Mae Hong Son on February 2 by entering an emergency room without permission. The medical professionals at Pai Hospital expressed their dissatisfaction with Israeli nationals in the province to Channel 7 following the incident. One of the doctors revealed that a…
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Taiwanese man offers 100 pig heads at Bangkok temple
A Taiwanese man made a significant offering at Wat Ko Suwannaram in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district after winning millions in the lottery. Yesterday, February 5, the lucky man, along with friends and devotees, presented 100 pig heads, 3,000 candles, and various food items as a gesture of gratitude. The offerings were made to the Great Brahma Emperor, a large statue…
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Thai banks to ban mule account transactions next month
The banking sector will introduce a ban on financial transactions involving mule accounts next month, adhering to a directive from the Bank of Thailand. Following a recent meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, announced that banks are upgrading their operational and security systems to block transactions across…
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Son in Samut Prakan fatally stabs mother, attacks locals
In Samut Prakan, a tragic incident unfolded when a 38 year old man, allegedly under the influence of drugs, fatally stabbed his 67 year old mother and attacked locals. Police apprehended him today, February 6. The incident took place in a residential area at Soi Direk, within Soi Suk Sawat 70, subdistrict Khu Khwang, Phra Pradaeng district. Police, along with volunteers from…
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South Korean arrested for illegal tour guide work in Chon Buri
A South Korean man’s dream job in Thailand turned into a nightmare when he was arrested in Chon Buri for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide while leading a group of tourists on a luxury boat tour. Tourist Police swooped yesterday, February 5, catching the man in the act as he escorted a group of South Korean tourists aboard…
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Luxury car executive busted for 160m baht tax dodge
A 48 year old executive of a luxury car import company was apprehended in Ayutthaya for allegedly evading taxes amounting to 160 million baht. The car executive, Chakri, claims his identity was wrongly used, suggesting someone registered the company using his personal information without his knowledge. Yesterday, February 5, Police Colonel Tatsapoom Jaruprat, acting commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division…
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PM Paetongtarn strengthens ties with Xi in landmark China visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra kicked off a landmark visit to China, meeting President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, February 6, in a high-level diplomatic exchange at the Great Hall of the People. The visit comes as Thailand and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, marking what Xi described as a “golden year of friendship.” In a warm exchange, the…
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Thai court rules traffic fines unlawful since 2020
Thailand’s top court has dropped a legal bombshell, ruling that traffic fines issued by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) since July 2020 were unlawful—potentially affecting millions of motorists. The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) yesterday, February 5, partly overturned a ruling by the Central Administrative Court (CAC), which had previously found that two RTP announcements on traffic fines, issued in July…
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Thai fruit exports set for boost with 3.5 billion baht deals
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand organised a business matching event focused on fruit and agricultural products, alongside a signing ceremony for memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Thai exporters and international buyers. These initiatives are anticipated to boost export sales by 3.5 billion baht (US$104 billion). Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang reported that 96 Thai fruit export companies, along with 65…
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Thailand approves US$9.8 billion high-speed rail expansion
Thailand is racing ahead with its high-speed rail ambitions as the Cabinet greenlights the second phase of the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, extending the line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The colossal 341.35 billion baht (US$9.8 billion) project will span 357 kilometres and take eight years to complete, from 2025 to 2032. Once operational, it will provide a direct link between Bangkok and Nong…
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Thai health services brace for refugee influx amid US funding cut
The Tak Provincial Public Health Office is preparing to accommodate a surge of patients from refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, anticipating around 40,000 to 50,000 people. This preparation comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to halt funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Public health officials in the Nu Po Refugee Camp, located in…
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Thai woman confesses to burning father alive over money dispute
A Thai woman confessed to burning her father to death in a hut in the Isaan province of Kalasin after he refused to give her money. The 73 year old man, Boonliang Jannsri, was burned to death in a hut in the Khong Chai district of Kalasin. His body was discovered on January 31, with clear signs of foul play, as…
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Thai mother fears son lured into Cambodian scam gang
A Thai mother has approached the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to report her 21 year old son’s disappearance, fearing he might have been enticed to join a call scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia, by a woman he met online. The woman, 48 year old Khajorn Somjai, accompanied by her eldest son, 27 year old Boonlong U-Nak, reported the missing person…
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Surin tragedy: Man drowns in pond as family watches in horror
A 39 year old man drowned in a village pond in Surin province in front of family and locals, with rescue operations taking four hours to retrieve his body. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, in Baan Angkan, Mueang district, Surin. Police from Tenmee Mueang station and Surin rescue teams were alerted to the drowning at the large pond, around…
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Phuket drug den busted: Cops seize 25,000 meth pills
Thalang Police smashed a major drug operation in Phuket, seizing over 25,000 methamphetamine pills (meth pills) and arresting two women in a raid at a housing estate in Srisoonthorn. The bust yesterday, February 5, began with the arrest of 33 year old Prathana Khummit at a rental unit in the Keha Eua-Athorn housing estate. Officers found 602 meth pills and 2.8…
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Call centre scams stay lit while Burmese locals suffer Thai power cut
Innocent Burmese nationals, affected by Thailand’s measures to combat call centre scams, visited petrol stations to stock up, causing the price to rise. As part of a solution to tackle the call centre scam issue, the Thai government cut off power in five key areas of Myanmar, which were believed to be the headquarters of the scam gangs. In addition…
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Bangkok police raid leads to seizure of illegal contraband, sex toys
Police in Min Buri district conducted raids on three locations linked to a Chinese financier, resulting in the arrest of Thai and foreign nationals for illegal entry and the seizure of a substantial amount of contraband, including over 10,000 sex toys and numerous e-cigarettes. Today, February 6, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with…
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Activists demand Parliament clean house on old prostitution law
A groundswell for change surged through Parliament today, as Naiyana Suphaphueng of the Service Workers’ Friends Foundation, flanked by activists and supporters, submitted a bold draft bill to scrap the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539. With over 13,000 signatures in tow, the proposal was formally handed over to Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House…
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Clean hotels with ‘3C’ initiative launches in Phuket
To ensure a safer travel experience, the Department of Medical Sciences is rolling out its ambitious Clean Hotels with 3C initiative across Thailand’s prime tourist spots. Deputy Director General Dr Ballang Uppong launched a crucial training session at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, aiding hotel operators in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. With over 250 participants, including public health officials,…
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Thai man assaulted by seller for trying on shoes without buying
A Thai woman took to social media to seek justice for her family after a shoe seller at a shopping mall in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri physically assaulted her husband when their son tried on a pair of shoes but did not buy them. The woman named Ploysai shared videos of the assault on her TikTok account,…
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Man arrested for extorting Bangkok residents at bus stop
A 27 year old man was apprehended for extorting money from residents, including elderly people, at a bus stop in Bangkok. A group of bystanders detained him and handed him over to the police at Rat Burana Police Station for further legal action. Today, February 6, the Rat Burana Police Station received a report that a man was caught by…
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Close call: Thai ex-adviser’s wife nearly scammed of 14 million baht
The wife of a former adviser to the minister of commerce was nearly duped into transferring 14 million baht by a call centre scam. The incident occurred yesterday, February 5, when police from Mueang Chai Nat Police Station investigated a local resort following a report from 56 year old Dr Natjarat Klumtawee, a former adviser to the minister of commerce.…
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Ayutthaya police intercept illegal Myanmar migrants paying 8,000 to 10,000 baht
Police in Ayutthaya intercepted a group of 31 illegal Myanmar migrant workers, who admitted paying between 8,000 and 10,000 baht each to find work in the city. Yesterday, February 5, Police Colonel Eknirut Wansiripak, head of Highway Police Division 1, discovered an operation transporting illegal foreign workers into Thailand. The migrants crossed the border on foot through natural paths, where…
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Public debate erupts after over foreign foot masseur in Phuket
Thai netizens demanded action from relevant government departments after a viral video showed a foreign man working as a foot masseur in Phuket. The video showing the foreign man providing a foot massage service to two customers was shared by the Phuket Times yesterday, February 5. In the video, the foreigner was seen cleaning the feet of male and female…
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Police raid uncovers 3.5 million baht online gambling in Nong Khai
Immigration police in Nong Khai yesterday raided a luxury house in Mueang district, uncovering an illicit online gambling operation involving both Thai and Lao websites. The operation saw a daily transaction of at least 3.5 million baht, leading to the arrest of 10 people. Police Major General Waritsiri Leelasiri, acting commissioner of Immigration Division 4, yesterday, February 5, led the…
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