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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Thailand’s economy to see 2.5% growth in 2024, EIC forecasts
Thailand is projected to experience a soft economic landing next year, according to the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre (SCB EIC). The research centre has maintained its 2024 economic growth forecast for Thailand at 2.5% but has downgraded its 2025 outlook to 2.6%, down from previous forecasts of 2.9 to 3%. EIC chief economist Somprawin Manprasert explained that the downward…
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Thai footballer auctions jersey for Chiang Rai flood victims
Thailand international footballer Ekanit Panya auctioned his jersey from the LP Bank Cup 2024 match against Vietnam to aid flood victims in Chiang Rai. The auction quickly garnered attention, with bids reaching 50,000 baht within an hour. The 24 year old football player announced on Facebook at 8.47pm yesterday, September 12, the auction of his Thai national team jersey. He wore…
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Fake cops on patrol: Scammers spark surge in police calls
Scammers posing as police officers have been targeting residents, leading to a surge in calls to the Nonthaburi City Police Station over the past day. The callers, impersonating law enforcement officers, claimed to need to verify bank accounts, causing confusion and concern among the public. Residents have been receiving calls from individuals falsely identifying themselves as Lieutenant Anchalee and Lieutenant…
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Drunk driver causes traffic chaos in Pattaya after crash (video)
A Thai driver caused significant disruption to traffic in Pattaya yesterday after refusing to leave her vehicle following a minor collision. Pattaya police received reports at 6.06am yesterday, September 12, from locals about an accident on Pattaya Second Road in the Nong Prue subdistrict. Upon arrival, officers and reporters discovered a white Honda Civic surrounded by residents and rescue workers.…
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PM Paetongtarn unveils 10 policies on economic and social welfare
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered the government’s policy statement to Parliament yesterday, outlining 10 urgent policies to address pressing national issues. The policies cover a broad spectrum of areas, with a focus on economic stability, social welfare, and national development. The government intends to undertake comprehensive debt restructuring, focusing particularly on housing and auto loans. Both formal and informal…
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Sri Nakarin Dam Park cult arrested for travel document scam
Thai police swooped to arrest several members of a peculiar long-haired Karen people cult who set up camp in Sri Nakarin Dam National Park, falsely claiming that they could issue travel documents usable in 196 countries worldwide. The operation was led by Veera Khunchairak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, alongside military and border…
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Thailand’s new tourism campaign to generate 800 million baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a new initiative to invigorate the country’s tourism sector with the Charming Thailand: 5 Regions event series. Announced by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, this campaign aims to highlight Thailand’s cultural heritage and modern attractions through a series of large-scale events, expected to draw over 147,000 visitors and generate more than 800 million baht…
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Australian man arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for 15 sexual assaults
Immigration Bureau officers arrested an Australian man who had evaded justice for 15 sexual assault cases in his home country. He was found hiding on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in Surat Thani Province. The Commander of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Torsak Sukvimol, instructed officers, particularly those from the Immigration Bureau, to intensify their efforts in investigating illegal foreigners in…
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Thai rice prices fall in a grainy twist as Indonesian bids drop
Thai rice prices plunged to their lowest levels in over a year as Indonesian bidders were compelled to lower their high prices in a recent auction. Meanwhile, Indian rice export prices continued their downward trend, reaching an eight-month low. Indian 5% broken parboiled rice was priced at US$534 (around 17,000 baht) per tonne this week, marking the lowest level since…
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Torrential trouble: Thailand braces for flood of rain until Tuesday
Heavy rain and potential flash floods have been forecasted across Thailand until Tuesday, September 17, warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The announcement, issued at 5pm yesterday, cautioned that several regions would experience increased rainfall and strong winds in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand. In the coming days, substantial rainfall will hit Thailand, particularly in the…
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Thailand zoo urges respect for baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng
Thailand’s newest attraction, Moo Deng, has captured hearts, but the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri is urging visitors to act responsibly around the two month old pygmy hippopotamus. Zoo officials yesterday requested better behaviour from visitors after videos surfaced on social media depicting some individuals throwing shellfish at the young hippo as she slept. In a statement, zoo…
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Condo agent forges signature to steal 1.05 million baht from client
A Thai man demanded that a condominium agent in Chon Buri return 1.05 million baht to him after the agent forged his signature and stole his money in 2022. The victim, Pongnatthana, revealed details of the issue to Channel 3 during an interview on Saturday, September 7. He explained that he bought three rooms in a condominium in the Na…
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AI scandal: PPRP slams fake Prawit leadership ambition audio clip
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) vehemently denied the authenticity of an explosive audio clip, which allegedly features its leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan expressing his desire to lead the country. The party insists the clip is an AI-generated fake. The controversial recording was aired on the popular programme Inside Thailand, alongside three other voice clips supposedly involving Prawit. In the first…
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Tanzanian conman busted in Thai Immigration sting
A Tanzanian national who posed as an influential figure in Thailand has been caught red-handed in an illegal business operation by immigration officers after attempting to boost his image by snapping photos with VIPs and foreign dignitaries. Thai Immigration Police led by Police Colonel Kajaphon Pathamang and the Thonburi Task Force arrested Mohamed, a 41 year old Tanzanian national, along…
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World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show
Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards. The British media giant, known for its high standards, placed the luxurious Thai retreat at the top of its 2024 list, beating fierce global competition. This award comes after The Telegraph’s hotel and destination…
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High speed: Foreign man hits stolen taxi into power pole in Pattaya
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station detained a foreign man high on cannabis after he stole a taxi and crashed the vehicle into an electric pole. Police were alerted to the car accident on Thappraya Road, connected to Jomtien Sai Song Road, at around 4am today, September 12. Officers arrived to find a blue and yellow taxi, with the registration plate…
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Bangkok’s 14 billion baht bailout for BTS debt moves forward
Bangkok is scrambling to settle a colossal 14-billion-baht debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Council has taken a crucial step, setting up a special committee to scrutinise a draft ordinance allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to access emergency funds. Council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya convened an extraordinary meeting today, putting the spotlight on the hefty repayment…
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Buriram farmer’s name wrongly listed in social security system
A farmer from Buriram province discovered that his name appeared in Thailand’s social security system despite never having registered for it or working outside his family’s farm. This alarming revelation surfaced when he used the 30-baht health scheme. Panuwat Hadprakorn, a 25 year old resident of Khok Yang subdistrict in the Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, along with his family,…
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Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims
Silamanee Resort & Spa Hotel in Chiang Rai is offering free accommodation to flood victims. The ongoing flood situation in Mae Sai and Mueang districts has worsened, with continuous water inflow causing severe hardship for many residents, who are desperately awaiting assistance. Hotel Silamanee’s Facebook page recently posted an update. “Due to the flood situation in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa wins music video award again in New York
K-pop group BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) took home her second MTV Video Music Award in a jaw-dropping moment that had fans buzzing worldwide. The 2024 VMAs, held at UBS Arena in New York yesterday, September 11, saw Lisa win Best K-pop song for her chart-topping single Rockstar—her first release under her own label, LLOUD. The 27 year old Thai K-pop…
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Phuket takes the lead in fight against corruption
Phuket’s anti-corruption champions are making waves across Thailand. The Phuket Provincial Governance Committee and the Phuket Chamber of Commerce bagged the prestigious White Space Network Model Award for the fiscal year 2024, in recognition of their tireless work to combat corruption. The award ceremony, hosted yesterday, September 11, at the Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel in Nonthaburi, saw key…
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Teeing off with the Amazing Thailand Golf Classics 2024 at Royal Lakeside
The Amazing Thailand Travel and Hospitality Golf Classics 2024 teed off in spectacular fashion on September 11 at the Royal Lakeside Golf Course in Chon Buri. The premier golfing event, which blends top-tier sport with world-class hospitality, attracted a stellar line-up of participants, from seasoned golfers to leaders in travel and tourism. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Royal…
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Digital wallet to the rescue: PM bets on cashing in for Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly believes that the government’s policy, particularly the digital wallet handout programme, will act as a significant catalyst to regenerate the flailing economy of Thailand. This policy will be officially presented to Parliament over two days, starting tomorrow, as mandated by the constitution, before the government can begin its work. The 38 year old Paetongtarn plans…
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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9 tips to reduce the risk of illness during the rainy season in Thailand
The rainy season in Thailand definitely has a vibe, but it also increases your risk of getting sick. As the rainy season approaches, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being. The cooler and humid weather can bring mosquitoes and diseases like dengue fever. To help you stay healthy during this season, we have provided nine…
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Langham’s latest hotel to transform Bangkok’s Customs House
Langham Hospitality Group is set to turn heads in Bangkok with its latest luxury venture, The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok. Set in the vibrant Bang Rak district, this glamorous new hotel will breathe new life into the city’s iconic Customs House, perched along the Chao Phraya River. At the heart of this project is the magnificent 1888-built Customs House, a…
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Monk’s misdeed: Arrested for hiring a ‘poo’-litical hit on Thai abbot
Police arrested a Thai monk for hiring a man to carry out an acid attack on the abbot of a temple in the central province of Samut Prakan. The suspect admitted to paying for the crime but insisted poop, not acid, was thrown at the abbot. The abbot of Iam Pracha Mitr Temple in Samut Prakan, Phrakru Winaithornbancha Punyatharo, filed…
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Mid-priced hotels in Thailand struggle amid price-sensitive tourists
Hotels in the mid-priced and budget segments in Thailand faced significant challenges in maintaining room and occupancy rates in August, as tourists remained sensitive to prices. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that while the average occupancy rate for hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, it still fell short of the pre-pandemic rate of…
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Boy stranded in Chiang Rai floodwaters prompts urgent rescue plea
A plea for urgent help emerged as an eight year old boy found himself stranded behind an apartment building in rising floodwaters in Chiang Rai. His aunt posted a distress call on social media, requesting immediate assistance as they had lost contact with the boy and feared for his safety. Yesterday, September 11, a reporter highlighted the severe flooding situation…
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Massage parlour scandal sparks Thai Highways Department probe
The Thai Highways Department is scrambling to investigate claims that Wirtgen Thailand Ltd, a subsidiary of John Deere’s parent company, made improper payments to its officials and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The shocking allegations suggest that massage parlours, cash, and luxury trips were used to sweeten government deals. Director-General Sarawut Songsivilai announced yesterday, September 11, that he has…
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