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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 The hidden costs of ignoring pre-existing conditions in Thailand
The Thaiger key takeaways Not declaring pre-existing conditions can result in denied claims, high costs, or visa problems. Cigna provides coverage for common chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis with high limits and direct billing. Honest disclosure ensures proper coverage,...
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Pickup driver claims brake failure after crashing man twice in Chiang Rai temple
A Thai man accused a female pickup truck driver of intentionally crashing into his father, killing him as he sat within a temple in Chiang Rai province. CCTV footage captured the vehicle striking the victim twice. The incident occurred inside Mung Mueang Temple in the Wiang sub-district of Mueang Chiang Rai district on Saturday, September 27. The victim, 68 year…
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Thailand’s border trade plunges 23.6% in August as Cambodia market collapses
Thailand’s border trade dropped 23.6% in August to 63.9 billion baht, with trade with Cambodia almost collapsing, falling 99.9% to just 10 million baht, according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT). Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said combined border and transit trade in August reached 150.1 billion baht, down 3.1% year-on-year. Exports stood at 75.05 billion baht, while…
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Car smashes into Chiang Mai restaurant, narrowly running over foreign diners
Thai and foreign customers narrowly escaped serious injury after an elderly Thai woman crashed a hatchback into a restaurant in Chiang Mai on Friday, September 26. CCTV footage of the accident was circulated on Thai social media after the incident took place at the Mala Satan Fah restaurant in the Chang Phueak sub-district at around 7pm. The restaurant is located…
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Thailand eyes private-run ‘lotto-style’ lottery to boost jackpots
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is considering launching a new “lotto-style” lottery that could be managed by private companies rather than the state. A Finance Ministry source revealed to Bangkok Post that the model would follow systems used overseas, where unclaimed prize money rolls over into bigger jackpots. The move would mark a major shift from the current system, in…
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EXAT mulls toll fee cuts and new Easy Pass perks
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is weighing plans to reduce toll fees and roll out special campaigns to boost Easy Pass use, with some initiatives expected to start later in the year. The proposal, reported today, September 29, aligns with Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn’s pledge to cut living costs within four months. EXAT said it…
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Thai construction worker killed in staircase collapse in Bangkok hotel
A concrete staircase collapsed and killed a construction worker at a hotel in Huai Khwang, Bangkok, yesterday, September 28. Officers from Huai Khwang Police Station were notified of the incident at about 3pm. The accident occurred at a hotel on Thiam Ruam Mit Road in Huai Khwang district. Police officers attended the scene together with a medical team from Ramathibodi…
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Court orders BMA to pay 11 billion baht to BTS for Green Line operations
The Central Administrative Court has ordered the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its investment arm, Krung Thep Thanakom Co Ltd, to pay 11 billion baht in unpaid operation and maintenance (O&M) fees to Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC). The ruling, delivered today, September 29, requires the debt, covering services between June 2021 and October 2022, to be…
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Anutin outlines new policies on tourism, trade, and constitutional reform
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul laid out his government’s policy direction in Parliament today, September 29, with a strong focus on tourism recovery, economic reform, and regional diplomacy. Anutin said restoring tourist confidence and tackling scams that target visitors were top priorities, alongside promoting domestic travel. He also stressed the need for a peaceful resolution to tensions with Cambodia and pledged…
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Thailand video news MG Car Smashes Into Shop in Chiang Mai, Tourists Escape Harm, Man Becomes Disabled After Selling Kidney to Buy iPhone
Thailand’s week was marked by high-stakes diplomacy, law-enforcement scandals, and headline-grabbing incidents. From the foreign minister accusing Cambodia of ceasefire violations at the UN, to police probes over tourist extortion in Chiang Mai, a viral naked dance arrest in Phuket, and a restaurant brawl in Ayutthaya, public safety and tourism issues loomed large. Meanwhile, a man’s tragic kidney sale for…
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Phuket boosts hospital upgrades with 45.8 million baht investment
Phuket authorities have rolled out a 45.8 million baht plan to upgrade three hospitals across the island in a bid to modernise services and reduce patient transfers. On September 26, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob officially handed over the funds to the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO). The budget will be split…
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Indian actor quits Cambodia tourism role amid border tensions with Thailand
Indian actor Gagan Malik announced his resignation as Cambodia’s Tourism Goodwill Ambassador on Saturday, September 27, following a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. He declared, “Thailand is my second home.” Malik is best known for his leading role as Lord Buddha in the film Sri Siddhartha Gautama. He renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism in 2014, later becoming an outspoken…
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Thaksin requests royal pardon, justice ministry confirms
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has officially submitted a petition for an individual royal pardon, which has now advanced to the Secretariat of the Cabinet for further consideration. Thaksin filed the request on September 10, one day after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to one year…
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Thailand and Japan join forces to tackle call scams and cybercrime
Thai police are stepping up cross-border efforts with Japanese authorities to combat call centre scams and cybercrime. The partnership between Thailand and Japan took a step forward following a high-level visit to Osaka last week. From September 16 to 21, Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led a Thai delegation to Japan to exchange ideas…
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South Korean man, Thai wife and child rescued from Lampang forest
Officials on Saturday, September 27, rescued a South Korean man, his Thai wife, and their 10 year old son from a forest in Doi Khun Tan National Park in the northern province of Lampang, after the family had been lost for more than five hours. Officials from Hang Chat District Office, together with Doi Khun Tan National Park rangers and…
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Bangkok governor slams contractor for Udomsuk flood
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has criticised a contractor after unexpected flooding hit Udomsuk Road, a location that “should not have flooded,” during heavy rainfall over the weekend. The flooding, which began late Saturday, September 27, and continued into the early hours of Sunday, also impacted Phra Khanong and Bang Na districts. Chadchart, joined by Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon and the…
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Foreign couple filmed having sex in sea off Jomtien Beach in Pattaya
Police urged the public to await further investigation after a video showing a foreign couple having sex in the sea off Jomtien Beach in Pattaya sparked widespread online backlash. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The explicit act came to light after the news Facebook page ท่านเปา (meaning Bao Gong) shared a…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 42 provinces
Today, September 29, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for 42 provinces across Thailand, highlighting the risk of heavy rain and potential flash floods and landslides. Bangkok and its surrounding areas are also included in this alert, with the possibility of strong waves in the sea. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates severe rainfall in…
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Phuket ice cream vendor sparks debate with free ride for foreign tourists
Thai netizens are left divided after an ice cream vendor in Phuket allowed two foreign men a free ride on his ice cream cart. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) A Thai motorcyclist encountered the two men on the cart and shared a video of them on his TikTok account, @lionqueenzyy, on…
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Man’s kidney sale for iPhone leaves him disabled at 31
The story of a Chinese man who once sold a kidney to purchase an iPhone 4 and iPad 2 has resurfaced, highlighting his current life at 31 years old. He is now permanently disabled, unable to work, and requires lifelong dialysis, serving as a stark lesson about the consequences of a hasty decision made at 17. In 2010, the iPhone…
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Ayutthaya restaurant brawl leaves owner’s father injured (video)
Yesterday, on September 27, the Ayutthaya brawl between a restaurant owner and a customer escalated to a physical altercation and car collision, leaving the restaurant owner’s father seriously injured. Police are set to summon all involved for questioning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Samart Raksasat, an investigative officer in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, responded to reports of a dispute involving vehicles…
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Thai minister accuses Cambodia of violating ceasefire at UN assembly
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow addressed the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Cambodia of provocative actions and breaching a ceasefire agreement with Thailand. His remarks were a response to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sokhonn Prak, who claimed Cambodian civilians had faced eviction and an unprovoked attack. The Cambodian official was likely referencing Thailand’s efforts to reclaim parts of Ban Nong…
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Bangkok sinkhole repairs on track for October 8 completion
Repairs to the large sinkhole in front of Vajira Hospital in Bangkok’s Dusit district are proceeding well, with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) aiming for completion by October 8. Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi, the MRTA governor, stated that workers commenced pouring reinforced concrete on Friday night, September 26, continuing into Saturday with pauses for the material to set. By early…
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MG sedan crashes into Chiang Mai shop, narrowly missing tourists
A red MG sedan crashed into a popular Mala shop in Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai district, narrowly missing two foreign tourists and other patrons. Police are investigating the incident that occurred yesterday, September 27. Surveillance footage captured the moment the vehicle collided with the shop, where both local and international tourists were dining. The tourists fled in panic, with one…
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Historic Phuket temple hall demolished for safety despite local upset
Residents of Thalang District in Phuket have expressed their dismay following the unexpected demolition of the main ordination hall at Wat Phra Nang Sang, an ancient temple with a history spanning over 250 years. The building, known as the Ubosot, was central to religious ceremonies and rituals. The Ubosot, adorned with murals depicting local history and legends, was a symbol…
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Military crackdown at Sa Kaeo border nabs 19 in trafficking bust
Military forces from the Eastern Border Special Task Force arrested 19 individuals in connection with an international human trafficking network at the border region of Ban Non Khilek, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province. The operation, carried out today, September 28, also uncovered illegal substances on the group’s leader. The operation was led by Colonel Chainarong Kasee, commander of the Aranyaprathet…
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Father admits to shooting son over violent behaviour in Udon Thani
A father, unable to endure his drug-addicted son’s violent behaviour any longer, fatally shot him in front of their home in Udon Thani. The 63 year old admitted he reached his limit and was unafraid of prison. The incident occurred at 8pm yesterday, September 27, at a house in Ban Non Yang, Mueang district. Police Colonel Ratchapol Morarat of Na…
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Lawyers in Thailand accused of faking papers to steal estate
Heirs in Thailand filed a complaint against lawyers who allegedly forged documents to seize assets in a case now under investigation by legal authorities. A representative of a deceased estate has filed a formal complaint against several lawyers, accusing them of conspiring to forge legal documents and unlawfully seize assets worth over 57 million baht. Yesterday, September 26, Chanwut Mekraksawanit,…
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Man stabs friend to death in jealous rage at Korat party
A 49 year old man allegedly stabbed his friend to death and injured his wife during a drinking session in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand, reportedly driven by jealousy. The fatal incident occurred on Thursday, September 25, in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, when the suspect, identified as Prasong, allegedly lost control after seeing his wife, Toei Namsai, speaking…
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Intoxicated man rescued after sprinting into Jomtien sea
A man was rescued from the sea at Jomtien Beach after running into the water while intoxicated, prompting an emergency response late at night. Emergency services in Pattaya were called into action after a 36 year old man had to be rescued from the sea at Jomtien Beach, near Dongtan Curve, late on Thursday, September 25. The incident occurred around…
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AOT pushes for new global flight routes at Hong Kong forum
The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) engaged global airlines at a major aviation forum in Hong Kong to expand flight routes and boost international travel. The AOT ramped up efforts to transform Thailand into a leading aviation hub by participating in the 30th World Route Development Forum, or Routes World 2025, held from September 24 to 26 at…
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