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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Warning issued over ‘soil fever’ surge amid rainy season in Nakhon Ratchasima
Health authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have issued a warning over cases of melioidosis, commonly known as ‘soil fever.’ The lethal and infectious disease is mostly found in soil, paddy fields, farmlands, vegetable plots, rubber plantations, and ponds. It typically affects those who come into direct contact with contaminated water and soil. People residing in flooded areas and those involved in…
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Vietnamese groom’s embrace with another woman at wedding sparks furore
A flurry of controversy has erupted after a video surfaced online showing a groom intimately embracing a woman, not the bride, during his wedding ceremony in Vietnam. The bride, unable to bear witness to the brazen display, eventually picked up her long skirt and exited the scene alone amid the shocked gasps of wedding guests. The wedding ceremony in Vietnam…
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US hiker’s miraculous survival after being trapped in mud for days
In what’s been deemed an incredible story of survival, a 31 year old American hiker from Massachusetts was rescued after becoming trapped in mud for at least 3 days. Other hikers managed to lend their assistance to the woman, who was reported missing on June 26, at Borderland State Park, WBZ reported. Police officers who were called to the park…
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Divine dispenser: Thai man’s Buddha amulet vending machine sends waves through social media
A Thai man sparked a sensation across social media platforms in Thailand when he introduced a Buddha amulet vending machine to raise funds for temples in isolated areas. A famous Thai monk opposed the idea, saying selling amulets via vending machines is disrespectful. News of the Buddha amulet vending machine went viral on Thai social media a few days ago…
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Power play unleashed: New Thai prime minister set to take centre stage in thrilling joint sessions showdown
The Deputy House Speaker-elect announced today the highly anticipated installation of the new prime minister of Thailand is likely to be installed within the first three joint sessions of the House of Representatives and the Senate, scheduled over the next two weeks. Deputy House Speaker-elect Pichet Chuamuangphan said that the three sessions are planned for July 13, 19 and 20,…
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Thieves nab materials worth 2 million baht from Krabi pool villa, remain at large months later
Culprits behind the alleged theft of materials worth over 2 million baht from a pool villa in Krabi remain at large months after the event. The owner reported the incident to the police five months ago, but the suspects still haven’t been caught. Khwansurat Beger, a 32 year old woman originally from Surat Thani, invested over 10 million baht in…
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Sick Dutchman physically assaulted by Thai neighbour in Chon Buri
A Dutchman with hemiparesis sought help from Thai locals after a neighbour physically assaulted him at his rental house in Chon Buri province. Police officers are trying to track down the attacker. Locals accompanied the 72 year old foreign victim, Alphonse Huber Meijers, to the Huay Yai Police Station to officially complain about his Thai neighbour. The picture shared on…
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Endangered hawksbill turtle saved at Patong Beach now rehabilitating
An endangered hawksbill turtle, found stranded at Patong Beach earlier this week, has been taken into the care of the Siritharn Rare Marine Life Rescue Centre, at Ao Makham on the eastern coast of Phuket. Responding to an alert by the beach lifeguards, officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) quickly arrived on the scene. Marine biologists…
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Occupation lockdown: Thailand’s Labour Ministry draws the line for foreigners, 27 out, 13 in the conditions
The Ministry of Labour in Thailand outlined a list of 40 occupations that are off-limits for foreigners, with 27 being completely restricted and 13 permitted under certain conditions. These occupations are classified into four categories, aiming to address the shortage of local labour in areas where Thai nationals show less interest, particularly in light of the large-scale arrival of foreign workers…
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Elderly Thai farmer pleads for justice after losing land over friend’s unpaid car loan
An elderly Buriram farmer today made an emotional plea for justice after being sued over a car loan she cosigned for her friend’s step-niece. Unfortunately, the dispute has escalated into her losing over nine acres of farmland and her adjoining garden property, rendering her both landless and without the means to earn a living. Sixty-seven year old Sa-ngsop Namprai had…
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Night-time blaze claims the life of bed-ridden man in Ang Thong, Thailand
A blaze ripped through a wooden house in the middle of the night, tragically claiming the life of a bed-ridden 48 year old man in Ang Thong province. His heartbroken father, who escaped by jumping from the house, was unable to save him. It took approximately an hour for fire officers and local volunteer groups to subdue the fire. The…
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Acid-twisted mystery: Skeleton of missing Thai man found in Isaan forest, pointing to a chilling murder plot
Tha Li district residents in the Isaan province of Loei discovered the skeleton of a missing Thai man in a local forest. Police believe the culprit used acid to dissolve the flesh of the deceased to conceal the murder. A Thai man, Jakrawut Supanya, took to social media for help to find his missing younger brother, 30 year old Saranyu…
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Cold-hearted collusion: Wife aids suspect in chilling concealment of 12 year old girl’s body (video)
The wife of a suspect, who killed a 12 year old girl and concealed her body in the refrigerator, was discovered aiding the suspect in concealing the deceased body. Police officers pressed three charges against her and subsequently granted her temporary release. Yutthana “Jaep” Madee was arrested at about 3am on July 3 after he was found guilty of the…
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SIM-ply unstoppable: Phuket Police SIM card crusade leads to arrest of suspect
The Phuket Provincial Police intensified their crusade against the unlawful sale and distribution of SIM cards, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Korn. Police reported that the 38 year old man was apprehended yesterday at about 1pm, in the Phuket Wittayalai area. During the arrest, 20 activated SIM cards along with two Thai ID card readers were…
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Chiang Rai begins controversial repatriation of 126 Burmese children
Yesterday, police in Chiang Rai started the process of repatriating 126 Burmese children who lack official registration documents. These children, aged between seven and 16 years old, were students at a school in Ang Thong and were shipped on four buses with plans to transfer them to five separate shelters before sending them back to their home country. This action…
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Skirt calamity: Motorbike near-miss caught on dashcam as woman’s fashion takes a tumble
An alarming incident on a Vietnamese street was caught on a car’s dashcam, where a woman passenger on a motorbike had a near miss with a car after her long skirt got tangled in the motorcycle’s wheel and caused her to fall right in front of the moving vehicle. The driver’s timely response and brake averted a potential disaster. The…
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Northeastern Thailand residents reeling after fatal crash fuels ‘enchanted crossroads’ superstition
In a horrifying collision, two university students hailing from Chaiyaphum province lost their lives when a speedily-driven pickup collided with their motorcycle. This incident has stirred residents, who are calling for police to investigate claims related to an “enchanted crossroads,” where fatal accidents occur monthly. Twenty-three-year-old Worachit allegedly raced the pickup, resulting in a fatal collision with two young university…
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Blastoff blunder: Rocket festival misfire leaves Isaan locals injured on main road
The rocket from a recent Rocket Festival in the Isaan province of Amnart Chanroen fell onto the main road of a community and exploded, resulting in injuries to three locals. ThaiRath spoke to locals about the rocket accident that occurred on the evening of July 4 at Baan Pathum Kaew Community, Phana district of Amnart Charoen province. A 53 year…
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Thai woman arrested over the illegal sale of 520 registered sim cards on Facebook
In a coordinated operation, police arrested a 32 year old Thai woman found with 520 registered mobile sims. These were being sold illegally through Facebook under the name ‘Nan An.’ The case follows the discovery of a large-scale fraudulent sim card sale back in May. Among the prominent individuals allegedly involved in the operation were Assistant Commissioner Lakoakorn Lukrak and…
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Groom knocked unconscious after friends joyfully toss him at wedding
A shocking event has emerged from one wedding in Vietnam, with video footage circling on Vietnamese media. The festivities took a drastic turn when the groom was thrown by his friends in a joyful gesture, albeit one that ended with the groom colliding with the ground, unconscious and unresponsive. The incident almost progressed into a tragedy. Recorded footage of the…
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Chiang Rai crackdown reveals human trafficking and drug abuse in lounges
An operation by the Department of Provincial Administration led to a crackdown on two infamous lounges in the heart of Chiang Rai‘s Mae Sai district believed to be involved in human trafficking, drug dealing, and exploitation of underage workers. This was following a tip-off by international human rights organisations. Officers discovered nine individuals who tested positive for drugs and apprehended underage…
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Heavy rainfall predicted across 41 Thai provinces, with potential flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department today reported forecasts of continued rainfall affecting 41 provinces, with 60% of the territories, including Bangkok, expected to experience heavy rainfall. The tropical depression in the southwest monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea and Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand as well. This, combined with a considerable low-pressure system based in northern Vietnam, is causing persistent…
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Thai woman uncovers Chinese matchmaking racket
In an unfolding case of alleged exploitation, a Thai woman, known as Toey, shed light on a Chinese matchmaking racket. The 31 year old Toey was purportedly coaxed into marriage with a Chinese man through a deceptive arrangement made by an intermediary or match-maker that included a dowry of 100,000 baht and a commitment to bear a child within six…
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Bank of Thailand considers interest rate cuts to address household debt
A senior executive at the Bank of Thailand hinted at the possibility of interest rate slashes, which could provide a lifeline to struggling debtors, desperate to escape from their worsening debt cycles. In talks with the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) and other related groups, the central bank is exploring various methods to curb the nation’s escalating household debt. According to the…
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Bangkok’s Green Line railway debt passed onto incoming government
Citing a Government House authority, it was disclosed yesterday that the existing Thai Cabinet has chosen to pass the responsibility of resolving the debt affiliated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) contract with Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) onto the incoming government. The obligation arose from assigning BTSC to oversee the operations of the Green Line extension. Interior Minister…
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Minor Food Group launches new Chinese restaurant in Bangkok
Spurred by the recent rise in popularity of Chinese cuisine, Minor Food Group Plc debuted its first Riverside Grilled Fish & Mala restaurant in the heart of Bangkok today. Thunyachate Ekvetchavit, occupying the role of the top-ranking executive in the company, announced a 10-12 million baht budget allocation for the inauguration of the first branch of the renowned dining venue.…
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Immigration Bureau begins crackdown on foreign criminal networks
In a significant crackdown on foreign criminal elements operating within Thailand’s borders, the Immigration Bureau arrested 17 suspects involved in an online gambling racket and a luxurious residence takeover. The law enforcement operation, executed at around 2.30am on July 6, targeted international factions operating from Thailand, following an elaborate investigation by the Immigration Bureau. Spurred by intelligence from Samut Prakan…
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Groom knocked unconscious after friends joyfully toss him
A shocking event emerged from a wedding that prompted the global online community to share the astounding video footage. The festivities took a drastic turn when the groom was thrown by his friends in a joyful gesture, albeit one that ended with the groom colliding with the ground, and becoming unconscious and unresponsive. An incident that almost progressed into a…
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Deputy PM Prawit denies nap claims, insists he was just grounded
Lt. Gen. Patchasak Patirupanon, assistant spokesperson to the Deputy Prime Minister, denied General Prawit Wongsuwan was asleep during the House of Representatives meeting yesterday. Lt. Gen. Patchasak reckons the 77 year old was looking down at the ground and looking up, not sleeping. The picture of the deputy PM allegedly snoozing caused much mirth and merriment on Thai social media…
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Pattani conflict escalates: Negotiator killed
An escalation in the conflict between armed militia and security forces in Pattani province yesterday saw two fatalities and one arrest. In a coordinated operation, government forces succeeded in fatally shooting an armed militant and detaining a woman. The unfortunate loss of a local official, who was involved in peaceful negotiations, also transpired amidst the crossfire. The incident took place…
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