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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Tourists beware of cannabis scam at Phuket’s Freedom Beach as couple falls victim
A couple visiting Freedom Beach in Phuket, Thailand, fell for a cannabis scam while enjoying their holiday. The scammers manipulated them into trying cannabis, causing them to lose control and become disorientated – they were rescued by a good samaritan before any harm was done. According to today’s report by Khaosod, the incident occurred when the Thai couple was visiting…
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Three arrest warrants issued in Thai 140 million baht online gambling extortion case
Arrest warrants have been issued for three individuals believed to be involved in the extortion of six suspects connected to an online gambling case. Deputy national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, confirmed the issuance of the warrants for Veera Nasab, his spouse, and Phisit Nakhisornpanee, on charges of bribery and theft. Veera and Phisit are suspected to have fled to a…
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Victims lost nearly 1 million baht at hotel, secret doors found in rooms
Thai victims lost nearly one million baht in cash and assets to a thief at a hotel in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The secret and suspicious doors were discovered inside the room. The hotel owner claimed that the doors were an escape route for mistresses. The victims were two families who checked in and stayed at the hotel on…
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Mae Sot officials probed for 30m baht bribes in migrant ID scandal
In Mae Sot district, Tak province, three Registration Department officials have come under scrutiny for allegedly accepting 30 million baht in bribes to issue identification cards to 700 Myanmar migrants over the last three months. Mae Sot’s mayor, Prasert Puanglakorn, has signed an order temporarily reassigning the implicated officials to non-active posts in other departments while the municipality conducts an…
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Denied education despite paid fees, Thai teen ignites debate on school system reform
In a determined effort to continue her education, 15 year old Yok Thanalop made her fourth visit to Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School. Despite paying the term fees and having the support of the Committee for the Rights of the Child, the school refused to accept her as a student, sparking intense debates on both sides. At 7am today, Yok…
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Chiang Mai tourism: Haze issue risks long-stay senior tourist numbers
Tourism operators in Chiang Mai are urging the new government to address the persistent haze issue to attract the return of long-stay senior tourists, whose absence has dealt a significant blow to the province’s economy. The leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, visited Chiang Mai last week and discussed environmental and tourism policies with local industry representatives. According…
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Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending
Thailand’s mounting household debt is raising concerns, as it continues to hinder consumer spending, affecting various industries and impeding economic growth. The latest data from the National Economic and Social Development Council shows debt in the nation reached 15.1 trillion baht in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 3.5% increase year on year, and accounting for 86.9% of GDP. Debt…
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Phuket vies for hosting Specialised Expo 2028, promising sustainability and harmony
The world awaits the anticipated announcement on Wednesday (June 21), revealing which country has been chosen to host the prestigious Specialised Expo 2028. Among the five finalists is Phuket, Thailand, fuelling great expectations for the nation in this international competition. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) oversees the selection process for the honour of organising the Specialised Expo 2028. The…
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Chiang Mai temple abbot investigated for 200 million baht mismanagement and illegal shrine construction
A high-profile Chiang Mai temple abbot is under investigation after allegations of mismanagement of 200 million baht (US$ 5,762,028) worth of donations and unauthorised construction of a shrine, following a recent incident in which he caused damage to multiple vehicles. The Chiang Mai Ecclesiastical Office is now examining the financial and land issues related to Phra Phutthabat Si Roi temple,…
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Notorious cat burglar arrested in Thailand after six-year spree across provinces
Police arrest notorious cat burglar responsible for multiple break-ins since 2017 in various areas such as Lampang and Bangkok, with most incidents occurring in Chon Buri. The suspect, 32 years old, named as Bunyawat or In (surname withheld), was apprehended today while attempting to sell stolen goods at a shopping mall in Lat Phrao. Bunyawat, the cat burglar, was arrested…
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Man’s costly error sees pick-up truck and jet ski plunge into Mae Klong River
A 41 year old man experienced a costly mistake when he parked his pick-up truck without properly engaging the handbrake, causing the vehicle and a jet ski worth nearly a million baht to plunge into the Mae Klong River. The accident occurred as he was unloading the watercraft near Wat Bang Phrom in Samut Songkhram province. Onlookers eagerly lent their…
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Ayutthaya teens assault security guard in mistaken identity, face legal proceedings
A group of 11 teens was arrested by Ayutthaya‘s Bang Pahan police for assaulting a 31 year old security guard, Chat Chai (surname withheld), in a case of mistaken identity. The assailants believed the victim to have previously harmed them but later discovered they had targeted the wrong person. The security guard sustained injuries in the altercation, and the accused…
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Prof. Thasnai defies odds to become university lecturer after overcoming challenges and prejudice
A former non-formal education student, who faced numerous challenges during his academic journey, has become a university lecturer. Thasnai Sethaseree, now a media arts and design instructor at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, shared his harrowing past experiences on Facebook, revealing that he was frequently insulted by authority figures and forced out of multiple schools during his childhood…
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Thai police seize 1,000 million baht assets in embezzlement case linked to ‘Boy’
Thai police have seized assets worth over 1,000 million baht (US$28,800,000) from a suspect known as “Boy” in connection to an alleged 140 million baht (US$4,036,000) embezzlement case. Speaking yesterday, police deputy commander Surachet Hakpal detailed that nine out of ten men facing accusations had reported to authorities, including Chonburi’s provincial governor. The investigation continues, with financial examinations expected to…
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Chinese woman reunited with ‘dead’ son after 15 years following arrest
A Chinese woman received a startling call from the police about her son, who had allegedly died 15 years ago. The police were holding a man arrested for drunk driving, claiming to be her son and providing accurate family details. In August 2019, a woman living in Henan Province, China, received a phone call from Jiangsu police informing her that…
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Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving
In Buriram province, a funeral for a 92 year old woman, Wun Chongchaingam, has drawn a large crowd due to the unusual almsgiving of 1.5 tonnes of rice and a raffle for five cows, worth a total of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,758), for needy villagers and attendees. The event took place at Wat Pa Non-Somboon temple. Many villagers attended the…
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Turkish tourist falls victim to 25,000 baht gold necklace theft in Pattaya
In Pattaya beach, an unfortunate incident unfolded as a Turkish tourist encountered a pickpocket while strolling alone in the early hours. Despite being vigilant about such crimes, he lost a 25,000 baht (US$ 723) gold necklace to the skilled hands of the alleged transgender thief. Found waiting to give his testimony to the Pattaya Police on Beach Road, the victim,…
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Hydrogen balloon explosion: mother criticised for abandoning daughter in fire (video)
A recent video of a young girl inadvertently sparking a fire with a hydrogen balloon while her mother used a hairdryer has generated widespread criticism online. The incident occurred in Jiayang, Guangdong province, China. Many netizens criticised the mother for escaping the scene quickly, seemingly prioritising her own safety over her daughter’s. The video, which surfaced after being captured on…
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Southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, high waves to 42 Thai provinces; caution advised
A southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and Thailand has led to heavy rain and high waves in 42 provinces, while Bangkok‘s rainy season is expected to bring downpours in some areas. The Thai Meteorological Department warns this weather pattern is expected to continue, with flash floods and high waves occurring, particularly in the east. “The southern westerly wind is…
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Bangkok group urges MRTA to protect historic shophouses in station plan
A Bangkok civil group has urged the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) to move the proposed entry point for the Phan Fa Purple Line station in a bid to protect historic shophouses located on Phra Sumen Road. Rosana Tositrakul, an ex-senator of Bangkok and president of the Rattanakosin Heritage Conservation Group (RHCG), expressed concern that the century-old shophouses could be…
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Surin school criticised for inviting controversial figure to teach morality at student camp
A school in Surin province has faced criticism for inviting a controversial figure with a history of mental health issues and social threats to teach morality to over 900 students participating in a camp. Netizens and students alike have expressed concern over the school’s decision, questioning the background checks conducted on the individual. The incident came to light after the…
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One dead, one injured as pickup truck overturns in Chachoengsao; driver missing
A pickup truck overturned and submerged in a water-filled ditch in Chachoengsao province, leaving one person dead and another injured. The incident occurred around 9.40pm yerterday, near the Sor. Prapasilp company on Chachoengsao–Suvarnabhumi Road. A third individual initially reported to be part of the group, has yet to be found. At the accident site, a white Mitsubishi Triton pickup registered…
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Violent attacks in southern Thailand leave one dead, two injured
Separate incidents of violent attacks occurred yesterday in Thailand’s southern provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat, resulting in one death and two injuries. Armed gunmen targeted a police operations base in Muang district, Pattani province, while a pickup truck carrying villagers was ambushed in Narathiwat province. The attack on the police base in Pattani took place at around 7am in Ban…
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Woman cancels wedding after uncovering fiancé’s secret videos and 150,000 baht betrayal
A Malaysian woman discovered shocking secrets about her fiancé just before their wedding, including his dark behaviour involving her family members, prompting her to cancel the wedding and expose his past. The woman, in a social media post, revealed that she and her boyfriend had been together for six years. They had met in university and he proposed to her…
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Phased withdrawal of Thai soldiers from southern border planned for 2027
A phased withdrawal of soldiers on a special security mission is planned for 2027 in the conflict-ridden southern border regions of Thailand, as reported by the 4th Region Army. The special mission involves troops deployed to counter insurgents, who will continuously reduce in number until none remain, leaving only soldiers in routine operations stationed at permanent locations. In the meantime,…
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Bird collision delays Thai Vietjet flight, 159 passengers affected at Khon Kaen Airport
A Thai Vietjet flight at Khon Kaen International Airport was disrupted after a bird collided with the aircraft’s engine, causing delays for 159 passengers. The incident occurred while the plane was parked, awaiting passengers for the VZ215 service from Khon Kaen to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The bird, reportedly an owl, struck the right engine of the parked aircraft at around 7.35pm,…
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Two found dead in repossessed Chon Buri house amid debt woes, suspected overdose
Two individuals were found dead in a repossessed house in Chon Buri, Thailand, due to a suspected drug overdose. The tragic discovery was made yesterday after authorities received a report of deaths in the area. The victims, 46 and 47 years old, were surrounded by a note and other related items, offering insight into their financial problems. Upon investigation, authorities…
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Telegram group admin arrested for alleged child exploitation content
Cyber police recently arrested the administrator of a Telegram group called “Maha Vet Returns” for allegedly posting an invitation to watch a live stream of child exploitation. The suspect is identified as Kittiphat Busayamanan, 24 years old, who is facing charges of possessing and distributing child pornography for commercial or public display purposes. Further investigations also linked Kittiphat to 15…
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Man falls to death from Nonthaburi condo’s 9th floor
A man tragically fell to his death from the ninth floor of a well-known condominium in Nonthaburi province, shocking nearby homeowners in the early hours of the morning. The 34 year old’s body crashed through the roof of a neighbouring townhouse, prompting authorities to urgently investigate the cause. At around 6am on June 17th, 2023, a homeowner awoke to a…
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Chanthaburi student assaulted in barbecue restaurant over minor misunderstanding
A secondary school student in Chanthaburi was assaulted in a barbecue restaurant by an angry customer due to a misunderstanding. The assailant struck the student’s face forcefully, while the student admitted that his choice of words was not the best, but the use of violence was uncalled for. The incident caught the attention of the ‘I Want to Be Famous,…
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