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 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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Phuket Red Cross pleads for rare blood as tourist demand surges
The Phuket Red Cross (PRBC) and the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital are calling on locals to roll up their sleeves this May and donate blood—particularly the rare Rh-negative type. With tourism booming again across Phuket and the surrounding regions, accidents and emergency hospital visits are on the rise—especially among foreign visitors. And that means a higher demand for…
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Australian man dies after falling from staircase at Phuket hotel
An Australian man fell to his death from a staircase at a hotel in Phuket on May 1, allegedly due to intoxication, in full view of his wife. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kusontham Foundation rushed to a hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in the Kathu district of Phuket after being alerted to an…
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Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy
The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…
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Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
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Thai labour groups demand risk fund and overtime pay reform
Labour organisations in Thailand have presented nine demands on Labour Day, highlighting the necessity for increased overtime pay and the establishment of a risk insurance fund for workers. Panus Thailuan, President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, identified the creation of a risk insurance fund as the most critical demand. This fund aims to protect workers from unfair dismissals…
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Pattaya urges public to avoid posting on public property
Pattaya City officials are urging residents and visitors to refrain from attaching signs or writing on public property, including electrical poles and other city infrastructure. The campaign is part of an effort to maintain the city’s cleanliness, order, and visual appeal. Authorities have made it clear that anyone found in violation of these rules will face legal consequences. The announcement…
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Tragic house fire claims homeowner’s life in Chon Buri
A house fire broke out in Chon Buri earlier today, May 1, at 4am, completely torching a two-storey wooden house and resulting in the death of the homeowner, whose charred body was found on the upper floor. The cause of the fire remains unknown, pending further investigations. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee, an investigator with the Phan Thong Police Station, along…
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US lecturer wins appeal to remove EM bracelet
Yesterday, April 30, the Court of Appeal Region 6 granted permission for Doctor Paul Chambers to remove his electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet. This decision follows his appeal against a previous court order, though he must adhere to other bail conditions. Yesterday, the Human Rights Lawyers Centre announced on their social media page that Chambers is now allowed to remove his…
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Drunk hospital director crashes into photographers in Chaiyaphum
Last night, April 30, at 10.16pm, a drunk driving hospital director crashed into two television photographers in Chaiyaphum province, resulting in severe injuries. The incident occurred as the pair were out for a late-night meal. Police Lieutenant Kanti Piansoongnern, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Chaiyaphum Police Station, received a report about a car crash at a restaurant in Nai Mueang subdistrict.…
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Residents seek lucky incense numbers at Phetchabun ceremony
Residents gathered to observe auspicious incense numbers during a significant religious ceremony at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Phetchabun province, where a Buddha statue named Luang Pho Prasop Chok was being cast. During the offering rituals, dark clouds ominously formed but eventually drifted to a nearby subdistrict yesterday, April 30. The ceremony, held at Wat Rat Pradit Wararam in Ban…
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People’s Party demands probe into student visa misuse by Chinese nationals
The People’s Party has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to investigate international study programmes allegedly used by Chinese nationals to obtain student visas for illegal work in Thailand. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the party’s deputy leader, referenced the March 28 collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building as evidence of the detrimental impact of the zero-dollar…
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Mother and son killed in Chon Buri truck collision
A tragic accident on the 344 road in Chon Buri’s Nong Yai district resulted in the deaths of a 27 year old mother, Ploywarin Noenklang, and her six year old son, Thanawat Saothong. CCTV footage captured the moment when a six-wheeled truck lost control and crashed into a parked trailer truck at 4am today, May 1. Police from Nong Yai…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Drug raid in Phuket worker camps leads to three arrests
Raids at two worker camps in central Phuket led to the arrest of two Myanmar nationals and one Thai national after methamphetamine use was detected among six Myanmar workers. The operation took place in Srisoonthorn on April 29, as reported by the Thalang District Office. The coordinated effort aimed at combating drug-related activities involved approximately 150 workers and was carried…
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Ninja thief arrested in Pathum Thani after fraud spree
Yesterday, April 30, police apprehended 32 year old Koraphak or Oak, known as the ninja thief, in Pathum Thani province. He was wanted under a warrant issued by the Taling Chan Criminal Court on April 29 for fraud. The suspect admitted to committing thefts to support his online gambling habit and buy food for his cats. According to Police Colonel…
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Pattaya officers puzzled by foreign tourist’s erratic behaviour
Jomtien municipal officers were called to investigate reports of a foreign man acting suspiciously along Jomtien Second Road, Pattaya, yesterday, April 30. Initially, the situation appeared to be under control, with the man engaging in conversations with officers and passersby. However, he suddenly fled the scene, sprinting down the road away from the officers, raising further concerns among residents and…
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Six million meth pills seized near Thai border by KNLA
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) intercepted over six million methamphetamine pills destined for Thailand, revealing a continuous smuggling operation. The seizure occurred yesterday, April 30, in Hpa-An province, Karen State, Myanmar, near the Thai border opposite Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son. Two suspects were detained. A KNLA source disclosed that around April 27, the 7th Brigade of the…
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Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai
Yesterday, April 30, immigration police in Chiang Mai apprehended a Chinese national who had overstayed his tourist visa in Thailand. The arrest took place on Thipanet Road, Mueang district in Chiang Mai province, following a coordinated operation between the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Bureau and Immigration Division 5. The man was charged with remaining in the kingdom after the expiration…
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Motorcyclist tragically killed in Bang Kaeo road accident
A tragic accident occurred when a motorcyclist collided with the back of a car, fell, and was subsequently run over by an 18-wheel truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, April 30, in Bang Kaeo district, Samut Prakan province. Police from Bang Kaeo station were notified of the accident on Thepharak Road, at kilometre marker…
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Water truck brake failure in Chon Buri causes no injuries
A six-wheel water truck experienced brake failure and collided with an electric pole in Chon Buri, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident took place at 2.56pm yesterday, April 30, with the driver taking decisive action to avoid harm. Emergency services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya were alerted about the accident involving a six-wheel Isuzu water…
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Autistic children rescued from storm drain in Chon Buri district
Two autistic children were rescued after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district yesterday, April 30. Their cries for help were heard by locals, who guided rescuers to the scene. At 4.50pm, Amata Khraikhruan, the head of the Plutaluang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, was informed by residents that two children were stuck inside a storm drain on…
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Police arrest suspect in Yasothon tattoo shop shooting
Police have arrested 30 year old Apisit Hoolob following a shooting incident at a tattoo shop in Yasothon city. The arrest was made in a rented house in Pathum Ratchawongsa district, Amnat Charoen province, based on an arrest warrant issued by Yasothon Provincial Court on April 29. Apisit faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a…
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Gunman surrenders after Ratchaburi restaurant shooting injures four
A gunman has surrendered following a shooting incident at a well-known restaurant in Mueang Photharam, Ratchaburi, resulting in four injuries: three men and one woman. The provincial police chief has expressed concern over people claiming connections to influential figures, prompting a proposal to close the establishment. The event occurred yesterday, April 30, at Slam restaurant, located in Moo 9, Ban…
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Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…
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Fire at Rong Kluea Market damages warehouse and shops
A fire at the Rong Kluea Market in Nakhon Nayok resulted in the destruction of a shoe warehouse and damage to five shops. The blaze was contained before it could spread to other areas, with an electrical short circuit suspected as the cause. At 10pm yesterday, April 30, police from Mueang Nakhon Nayok district received reports of a fire at…
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Phuket police crack down on teen gang with guns and bombs
A dangerous teen gang armed with guns and explosives was swiftly taken down by Phuket police in a high-stakes operation, preventing what could have been a major incident in the city. Yesterday, April 29, at 6pm, Chalong Police Station launched a bold crackdown on a group of teens suspected of disturbing the peace and planning an attack. Under the direction…
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Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok
Officers arrested a Thai man posing as a police officer who extorted money from migrant workers and their employers at the popular tourist destination Asiatique the Riverfront, in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood of Bangkok Restaurant owners and business operators in the area questioned officers at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station about the frequency of operations targeting migrant workers after observing…
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Cock-up confession: Heartbroken drug addict begs to go to jail
A lovesick drug addict handed himself over to police in a tearful plea to be locked up, claiming life had lost all meaning after his marriage collapsed and his bedroom antics dried up because he couldn’t get erect. The 48 year old man, devastated by the breakdown of his relationship, said prison seemed better than facing the daily heartache on…
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Thai police crackdown on human smuggling network
Police announced the arrest of a network smuggling Chinese and foreign nationals through Thailand to third countries. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau confirmed that an engineer at a construction project holds a valid temporary work visa, not a student visa as previously reported. Yesterday, April 29, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai, an assistant to the…
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Bangkok Bank speeds up yuan transfers to boost China trade
Bangkok Bank has launched an expedited yuan transfer service aimed at reducing costs and enhancing trade with China. Pipat Assawamongkol, assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, announced that the bank now offers faster yuan transfers after receiving approval from China’s central bank to use the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System). The system allows direct transfers to CIPS member…
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