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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Less than 40 million Thais expected to join digital wallet scheme
The Government of Thailand anticipates fewer than 40 million participants in its flagship digital wallet handout scheme, with the initial phase set to benefit 14.5 million vulnerable individuals starting yesterday, according to a Finance Ministry official. Under this stimulus programme, the government plans to distribute 450 billion baht to 45 million people, with each registered participant receiving 10,000 baht to…
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Two students drown in boat accident near Phichit temple
Two 15 year old male students drowned while playing in a boat near a temple in Phichit province after it capsized unexpectedly. They called for help but it was too late to save them. Deputy Inspector Pichai Nilsingh from Mueang Phichit Police Station was notified of the incident yesterday, September 16. The tragic event occurred in front of Klong Khu…
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Thai doctor faces probe over private practice while on state pay
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry launched an investigation into allegations concerning a doctor at a state-run hospital, who is reportedly practising at multiple private hospitals despite receiving extra pay for signing a non-competition clause in his contract. Dr Sawat Apiwachaneewong, the Public Health Ministry inspector at Participatory Health Region 12, confirmed that the Yala Provincial Public Health Office had set up…
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Senior judge suspended after molestation allegations on train
A senior judge has been suspended following allegations of molesting a female court worker during a journey in June. The Judicial Commission decided to suspend the judge with a 14-1 vote after an inquiry panel determined that he had committed a severe disciplinary violation. In July, a female court stenographer filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), accusing…
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Commerce minister plea: Time to cut the baht and boost the rates
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to slash interest rates and stabilise the baht in a bid to boost exports and prop up GDP. In a policy statement issued today, Pichai slammed the current strength of the baht, which he claims is hitting exports hard. With export growth expected to be sluggish this year, he’s…
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Phuket on 24-hour alert as rainstorms, flash flood warnings issued
Phuket has been placed on 24-hour alert as heavy rainstorms drenched the island today. Officials urged residents to stay vigilant for potential flash floods, mudslides, and strong winds. On September 15, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) issued a notice, authorised by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, advising the public to brace for severe weather conditions. The notice…
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Phatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism
A plot of land spanning 1,496 rai near Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has been earmarked for constructing a new airport, aimed at boosting tourism and transport in the southern province and its neighbours. Anticipated to become a central hub for Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, the land in Khuan Maphrao subdistrict, Mueang district is owned by the Department of…
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Thailand to revive 300-baht tourism tax to boost revenue
Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong reignited plans for a 300-baht tourism tax, which was put on ice by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The move is set to help rake in a whopping 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. Sorawong, who stepped into his role yesterday, September 16, believes the tax will be a game-changer for the industry. “This…
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Chef’s beef: Thai hotel cook fumes over boozy neighbour’s foul play
A renowned hotel chef in Phatthalung expressed his frustration over his neighbour’s disruptive behaviour. The neighbour, a physical education teacher and habitual drinker, frequently shouts insults, raises his middle finger at security cameras, and claims he can do whatever he wants in the area. The chef, 43 year old Weerapong, who works at a well-known hotel, shared his distress with…
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Deadly denial: No sick leave for employee leads to tragic end
Tragedy struck a major company in Samut Prakan’s Bang Pu industrial estate, leaving an employee dead after being denied sick leave. The worker, who had never taken a day off, was pressured to keep working despite being unwell, and the heartbreaking outcome sparked outrage and calls for justice. Yesterday, September 15, the shocking story was shared on the popular Facebook…
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Body of missing fisherman found after three days in Bueng Kan
The lifeless body of a middle-aged fisherman was discovered floating in a stream after being missing for three days in Bueng Kan. The last sighting of him was while he was casting a fishing net. Relatives found only his clothes and sandals left behind. At 10.30am today, September 15, Duangjai Putthaammat, the village head of Moo 10, Ban Saen Samran,…
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Raid on loan shark reveals unlicensed meatball factory in Saraburi
Police conducted a raid on an illegal loan shark operation, uncovering an unlicensed meatball factory in Saraburi. The suspect, Pim, denied all allegations and requested to defend herself in court. Police Colonel Kraison Sriampon and Police Lieutenant Colonel Krisanapong Temiyasuwan, alongside Saraburi’s investigative team and officers from Wang Muang Police Station, acted on a tip about a loan shark operation…
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Mysterious odour leads to discovery of decomposed body
A strong odour led neighbours to discover a decomposed body in a house after the occupant had been missing for over a week. The deceased, 60 year old Thanakrit, was found naked without any signs of struggle. At 10.30am yesterday, September 15, Police Lieutenant Nattawat Ladawan, an investigator at Udon Thani City Police Station, received a report about a body…
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Thai residents flooded with massive bills, demand monthly relief
Residents of Bua Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima are fuming over eye-watering water bills running into tens of thousands of baht, courtesy of a two-year billing cycle enforced by Bua Yai Municipality. Furious locals are demanding an immediate switch to monthly billing to ease their financial strain. Today, September 16, the story of 57 year old Busakorn Changkrian brought the issue…
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Uncle Roger sets world record with largest gathering of fans
Uncle Roger, the famous Malaysian comedian and YouTube star, continued his recent success by opening a restaurant and inviting fans to dress up like him in an attempt to set a world record for the largest gathering of fans. This past week has been exceptionally fruitful for him. Not only did he launch his new eatery, FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger,…
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Thai business leaders grill PM Paetongtarn on economic rescue
Thai business leaders and economic gurus are turning up the heat on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging immediate and long-term strategies to avert an economic catastrophe. Top of their list? Comprehensive debt restructuring, help for the low-income earners, and bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against the foreign online trading juggernauts. In a dramatic parliamentary session yesterday, September 15, the…
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Cutting corners: Illegal barber snipped by cops on Koh Pha Ngan
Thai police recently apprehended an illegal Burmese national working as a barber in Koh Pha Ngan, earning nearly 50,000 baht monthly. The arrest took place following reports of foreign workers taking jobs from locals. Police Lieutenant Colonel Winij Boonchit received a tip about an unauthorised foreign worker and led a team to arrest 20 year old Wai Yan Kyaw at…
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Lice to meet you: TikTok clip of girl’s hair-raising ordeal bugs social media
A TikTok video has taken social media by storm after a hairdresser in Khon Kaen noticed a young girl lingering outside the shop, too embarrassed to step inside. The heartbreaking reason? An overwhelming infestation of lice covering her scalp. The viral clip, posted by user @rattanavichasr, showcases the shocking extent of the lice and eggs crawling through the girl’s hair,…
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Activist Mike Rayong leaves Thailand, citing safety and freedom
Mike Rayong, a Thai activist known formally as Panupong Jadnok, shared an emotional account of his decision to leave Thailand, primarily driven by a desire for safety and greater freedom. The activist expressed his pain at leaving behind his mother and homeland. Panupong took to Facebook to explain his heart-wrenching decision to leave his home country. He addressed his followers…
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K9 hero Singto death leaves pawprints on Thailand hearts
An outpouring of love flooded social media and animal-loving communities in Thailand as tributes poured in for Singto, a gallant K9 rescue dog who served his country with unwavering dedication for 11 years. The loyal hero, part of the National Rescue Dog Organisation, passed away just three days after completing his final mission, leaving many in mourning. The sad news…
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Spirit sale: Haunted bed gives netizens ghost bumps in Bangkok
A Facebook user today posted a spine-tingling advert in a second-hand furniture group, offering a “spirit-confining wooden bed” for a mere 500 baht. The bed in question, an unassuming three-foot wooden frame, is allegedly haunted, though it no longer contains the talisman that previously kept any restless spirits in check. Describing the bed as fully functional and in good condition,…
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WHAUP to invest 2.3bn baht in renewable energy projects
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest industrial land developer WHA Corp, is set to invest 2.3 billion baht to bolster its operations and meet the rising demand for water and renewable energy in Thailand and Vietnam. A significant portion of this budget will be directed towards expanding renewable energy, aiming to achieve an electricity generation capacity…
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Sneaky love: Japanese woman finds hubby behind harassment calls
A Japanese woman endured daily harassment through phone calls for several weeks before discovering the culprit was her husband, who claimed he acted out of love. A 31 year old woman living in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, began receiving numerous calls from an unknown number several weeks ago. The calls, which occurred daily, often exceeded 100 times a day. The mysterious…
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Samyan Smart City buries cables to enhance energy solutions
The Samyan Smart City project in central Bangkok is advancing, with significant efforts focused on relocating overhead power and communication cables underground, according to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). Last month, overhead cables along Chulalongkorn Soi 12 leading to Banthat Thong Road, and near the King Rama VI Monument close to Lumpini Park, were removed. This initiative aims to eliminate…
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Cash splash: Truck crash with 4.2 million baht, money still missing
A vehicle accident involving a pickup truck carrying 4.2 million baht in cash has led to a dispute and ongoing investigation into the missing money in Uthai Thani. The truck, driven by a local car broker, veered off the road and plunged into a pond near Wat Huai Khanang, located in the first village of Uthai Thani province. Rescuers and…
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Political payout: Listed companies to rake in the baht
Listed companies across a swath of sectors are set to cash in big, thanks to the Pheu Thai-led administration’s progressive new policies, Bualuang Securities (BLS) revealed. The brokerage is urging investors to zoom in on mid-cap stocks, particularly in retail, consumer goods, food, finance, construction, transport, tourism, and healthcare. The launch of Vayupak Fund units has already sent the Stock…
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Hospital slip up swaps newborns, father demands 200,000 baht
A shocking incident of baby swapping at a hospital left a father devastated after discovering his newborn daughter had been switched with another baby. The hospital has admitted to the mistake, corrected its actions and has since scheduled a meeting to discuss compensation for the families involved. The father initially noticed the issue when his newborn daughter’s appearance seemed different…
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Drain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix
Government officials are pulling out all the stops to accelerate water drainage in the flood-stricken northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Bung Kan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. The 58 year old deputy PM emphasised that swift action in draining water into the Mekong River could dramatically lessen the flood impacts compared to the…
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Phuket plans sustainable tourism overhaul to boost economy
Phuket’s sustainable tourism took centre stage yesterday, September 15, as the House of Representatives Tourism Committee held a seminar to explore new directions for the island’s tourism sector and delve into the creative economy. The event, Transforming Phuket’s Future, was held at Dara Hotel and saw participation from significant figures in government, the private sector, and civil society. Phuket Vice…
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Accor flies high: Premium brand expansion takes off in Thailand
Global hospitality titan Accor is firing on all cylinders as it accelerates the rollout of its premium brands in Thailand and across the globe. The move is fuelled by bullish forecasts for booming travel over the next decade, with the company setting its sights on high-potential markets such as India’s growing middle class and China’s robust outbound travel scene. Karelle…
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