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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. 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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Chinese embassy applauds visa-free ‘tour-de-force’ to revive Thai tourism
The Chinese embassy expressed gratitude towards the Thai government’s visa-free policy, anticipating it would encourage an influx of tourists from China and rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry. The embassy, in a Facebook post, conveyed the Chinese government’s support for the initiative but simultaneously emphasised the necessity for the Thai government to safeguard Chinese tourists during their stay. The visa-free scheme, unveiled…
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Thai PM extinguishes ‘high’ hopes for recreational cannabis, prioritises medicinal path
Disagreeing with the notion of recreational cannabis use, the Prime Minister of Thailand indicated that his administration would instead continue to focus on the medicinal usage of the plant. Thai PM Srettha Thavisin, who additionally performs the role of the nation’s Finance Minister, shared his stance with the media today, Friday, September 15. Despite this, the cannabis industry in Thailand…
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Bangkok Special Prison seeks ‘checkup’ on ex-PM Thaksin at police hospital
Bangkok Special Prison is set to send an inquiry to the medical team at the Police Hospital about the condition of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been receiving treatment there. Thaksin has been in the hospital for almost a month, and the prison officials, led by Nasathi Thongplod, insist on following doctors’ orders above all else. Even…
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Myanmar’s surprise cash checks: Dollars and insurance needed for entry
According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar has announced that it will randomly inspect foreign tourists on arrival. US dollars in cash and medical insurance are required for entry. The embassy yesterday, September 14, reported that the Burmese authorities urged foreigners entering the country for less than 14 days to prepare for a random inspection upon arrival. According…
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Scandal unearthed: Thai minister’s wife faces corruption charges over 20 million baht construction project
Rodjana Kantinan, the spouse of Kriang Kantinan, Deputy Interior Minister and a member of the Pheu Thai Party, is currently under investigation for allegations of malfeasance surrounding a construction project. The project in question unfolded in 2012 during Rodjana’s tenure as the Mayor of Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani Municipality, situated within the Ubon Ratchathani province. Isranews Agency reported on Monday that…
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Pedophile nabbed for rape attempt, plan thwarted by his impotence in northeast Thailand
Police officers arrested a 51 year old pedophile for attempting to rape an eight year old girl in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. His plan to commit the sexual assault was reportedly thwarted by his impotence. The man attempted to evade arrest by hiding in his car but his plan failed. On Tuesday, September 5, the alleged suspect, Sakda…
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Phuket’s ‘Brother Helps Younger Brother’ initiative: Keeping lives afloat with recycled life jackets
In a bid to buoy up water safety standards in Phuket, the Phuket Regional Harbour Office has launched a heartwarming initiative with recycled life jackets aptly named Brother Helps Younger Brother. This campaign is steering towards recycling and repurposing marine equipment, particularly life jackets, to extend their serviceable life and save lives in potential accidents. The campaign takes a two-pronged…
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Ex-Thai Senator among five charged in Saraburi minor sexual exploitation scandal
A scandal erupted in Saraburi as a former senator and four other individuals faced charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The ex-senator, 57 year old Boonsong Kerdlam, along with the former director of the Saraburi branch of the National Office of Buddhism, and three other men were issued arrest warrants. A prominent politician from a major coalition…
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Thailand’s e-cigarette ban draws ‘smokin’ support from concerned parents
The ban on the import and sale of e-cigarettes in Thailand gained substantial approval, primarily from parents of students, as a recent survey conducted by the Research Centre for Social and Business Development (SAB) revealed. The majority of respondents voiced concerns over potential health risks, urging the government to keep the prohibition in place. The SAB unveiled these results during…
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ASEAN air chiefs unite with RTAF to ‘clear the air’ in Thailand pollution battle
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is gearing up to join forces with its ASEAN counterparts to combat air pollution, specifically honing in on the issue of fine particulate matter PM2.5. This announcement took flight during the annual ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, which concluded today, with a mission to ‘clean up’ the skies. The conference…
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Thai government to revoke redundant NCPO directives, streamlining functions
The Government of Thailand has initiated plans to consult the Council of State, its legal advisory body, on revoking certain directives and proclamations issued by the now-disbanded National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, announced this move, citing that some of the NCPO’s orders are currently redundant or seen as hindrances to the smooth operation of government…
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Thai tourism aims sky-high: 3 trillion baht revenue target unveiled
The Thai tourism and sports minister announced an ambitious new target for foreign tourism revenue: an unprecedented 3 trillion baht. The minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, revealed the goal, which marks a considerable increase from the 1.9 trillion baht recorded in 2019, is part of a broader strategy to position the nation as a leading hub for sports and entertainment. Sudawan acknowledged…
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Thai PM ‘splits’ salary option sparks debate among civil servants
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday responded to criticisms surrounding the recent Cabinet resolution, which offers civil servants the option of receiving their monthly salary in two instalments instead of the usual single payment. The resolution, primarily aimed at stimulating the economy, was unveiled during the first Cabinet meeting of his administration on Wednesday and is tentatively set to start in January.…
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Thai education ministry ‘tablets’ a bright future: Bringing equality to classrooms
The Thai Education Ministry is set to revive a decade-old initiative, which was originally launched by a previous Pheu Thai government, to distribute a tablet computer to each student and teacher across the country. This initiative aims to promote equal educational opportunities. The announcement was made yesterday by Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob and his deputy Surasak Phancharoenworakul, both members of…
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Ugandan groom ties the ‘knotty’ with seven women, promises more ‘I do’s’ ahead
A 43 year old Ugandan man caused a worldwide stir as he ‘tied the knot’ with seven women simultaneously this week. The Ugandan groom, who exchanged vows on Sunday, September 10, hinted that he’s not done with wedding bells and plans to say ‘I do’ once more in the future. The polygamist, Habib Nsikonnene, an affluent traditional healer, sent cars…
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Mysterious sedan’s early morning hit-and-run in Pattaya leaves three injured, one critically
A horrific hit-and-run accident unfolded in the early hours of this morning on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya involving a collision between a mysterious sedan and a motorcycle sidecar, which injured three passengers, one critically, before fleeing the scene. This hit-and-run happened around 1.30am on Sukhumvit-Pattaya 85 Road, heading towards Sattahip in the Nongprue sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri. The aftermath…
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Chiang Mai University professor survives on just 118 baht per month amidst civil servant salary debate
A Chiang Mai University professor revealed he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht, a situation that led to a difficult life, reports Khaosod. He had to use an old motorcycle to commute to work, and there were times when he ran out of fuel midway. The issue of splitting civil servants’ salaries into two…
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Rosewood racket busted: Task force and national park collaborate to thwart illegal loggers in northern Thailand
The Phaya Sue Task Force, in collaboration with Huai Nam Dang National Park, apprehended a network involved in the illegal logging of rosewood in the Srai Ngam forest area, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. The operation, which resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of evidence, was conducted on September 12. Attapol Charoenchansa, who is acting on behalf…
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Vanishing act: Teenager’s mysterious disappearance drives desperate family to fortune teller
A teenager has been missing from her home for five days, leading her distraught mother and grandfather to seek help from a fortune teller. The 16 year old disappeared from her home in the Huana Khum district in Udon Thani province, on the morning of Friday, September 8, and has yet to return. Nong Kaem’s mother, Saengchan Uansangkram, along with her…
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Southern gem: Thailand’s newest international airport set for maiden flight
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport, situated in southern Thailand, is poised to start a trial run of its state-of-the-art international passenger terminal, valued at 1.4 billion baht, on September 19. This development marks an eagerly anticipated step towards its recognition as Thailand’s latest international airport. Originally designed primarily for domestic flights, the airport has responded to the escalating demand for international…
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Lottery caper: 4,500 tickets vanish, GLO cracks down on missing numbers
Around 4,500 lottery tickets for this week’s lottery draw have been seized by the Government Lottery Office (GLO), following a report of missing tickets by an agent. If any of these tickets win, the recipients may not be able to claim their prize and will have to provide evidence before today. The GLO made this announcement on its official page.…
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Chiang Mai’s lottery fever heats up with political numbers and auspicious figures in high demand
The lottery fever is high in Chiang Mai as numbers related to politics are still in demand. The excitement is palpable as people continue to purchase lottery tickets from various stalls located across key areas, including Mahidol Road, Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, and several morning markets in each district, railway stations, transport terminals, and large stalls at different points. Prices remain…
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Activists demand ex-PM Thaksin’s return to prison amid health condition scepticism
A coalition of political activists and reform campaigners, led by Pichit Chaimongkol, yesterday demanded the reinstatement of public faith in the rule of law. They have urged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to ensure the re-incarceration of former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. The 74 year old former PM, who recently returned from a 15-year self-imposed exile on August 22, had a…
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Restroom rumble: Toilet squabble turns fatal for elderly security guards in central Thailand
In a shocking, tragic twist, a dispute over a less-than-pristine toilet spiralled into a fatal altercation between two elderly security guards in Nakorn Pathom, central Thailand. The 75 year old victim found himself grievously wounded in the abdomen and leg, the unfortunate outcome of a heated argument. The assailant, a 60 year old security guard, initially evaded capture, but later…
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Tragic mushroom foray: Fatal elephant attack in Thai forest reserve
A fatal elephant attack took place in a national forest reserve located in the Khon Buri district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Unfortunately, a resident was fatally attacked while gathering mushrooms in the forest. The fatal elephant attack was reported by the Khon Buri police chief investigator, Pasit Jitprasert, and it occurred in the forest east of Ban…
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Unbelievable delivery drama: Chinese woman’s surprise birth in hospital bathroom
A Chinese woman who was experiencing abdominal pain was surprised when she unexpectedly gave birth in a hospital bathroom, despite her prior insistence that she was not pregnant. The baby fell into the toilet bowl. This surprising incident took place at a hospital in Yangzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, China, and left both the patient and medical staff astonished. On…
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Apple’s sweet surprise: iPhone 15 lineup set to juice up Thailand’s smartphone sales
Apple Inc’s new line of iPhone 15 models is set to boost Thailand’s smartphone sales in the fourth quarter, say industry analysts and a mobile phone distributor. In the premium smartphone market in Thailand, Apple and Samsung devices continue to reign. Apple debuted the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max on Tuesday. Thai consumers will be…
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Thailand tourism shifts focus to Kazakhstan amid slow Chinese tourism recovery
Chinese tourists aren’t expected to immediately surge to 700,000 arrivals per month, despite a prospective Thailand tourism visa–free scheme, due to safety concerns and lower flight frequencies, currently at half of their pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Phuket’s tourism operators are instead setting their sights on Kazakhstan, to be granted visa-free entries from September 25 to February 29, 2024. Travel agents see…
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Thailand’s tourism reboot: aiming high with a 2.4 trillion baht comeback
The Thai government unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at revitalising its tourism industry, to generate revenue of 2.4 trillion baht this year. This figure equates to approximately 80% of the income recorded in the sector’s peak year of 2019. A spokesperson for the government, Chai Wacharonke, revealed the plans yesterday. The government has further goals for the domestic tourism sector,…
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One year old survives truck collision in Sumatra, heart-wrenching video goes viral
An Indonesian one year old toddler stunned the world as he crawled out of a truck wreckage following a collision on Sumatra Island. The incident occurred on September 9 in the province of Lampung. The heart-wrenching video, which went viral on social media, showed the boy crawling from the crushed vehicle and seeking his mother. The video also showed Sri…
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