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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know
The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...
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Foreign couple survives unharmed after SUV crashes into Phuket sea
A foreign couple miraculously escaped unharmed after driving their SUV into the sea at a yacht marina in Phuket on Sunday, September 7. Footage of the incident went viral on Thai social media after being shared in several boat operator chat groups in Phuket. Multiple Facebook news pages later reposted the clip today. The video caption read… “A foreign couple…
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Thailand’s suicide rate climbs, foreigners among growing toll
Thailand’s suicide rate has reached a concerning level, with over 5,200 lives lost to suicide last year, equating to about two deaths every hour. This makes Thailand the worst in Southeast Asia for suicide rates, far surpassing countries like the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In comparison, countries like Russia and India have even worse statistics, with rates in double figures.…
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Thai woman saved from second suicide attempt after romance scam loss
Police and rescuers successfully intervened in the second suicide attempt of a Thai woman in the southern province of Trat yesterday, after she lost nearly 90,000 baht to a romance scam. The woman, 58 year old Amornrat, locked herself in her bedroom on the second floor of her home in Bang Phra sub-district. Her sister-in-law contacted Mueang Trat Police Station…
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Storm chaos: Cathay Pacific cancels 20 flights including to Bangkok
Cathay Pacific faced significant disruptions yesterday as Storm Tapah wreaked havoc across Asia, forcing the airline to cancel 20 flights on key routes spanning China, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and beyond. Thousands of passengers were left stranded yesterday, September 8, at major airports, including those in Osaka, Beijing, Bangkok, and Seoul. Storm Tapah, which has intensified over the South China Sea,…
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People’s Party MP sentenced to 4 years for lese majeste, appeals
A People’s Party MP has been sentenced to over two years in prison for lese majeste, with the court ruling she violated laws regarding defamation of the monarchy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Chonthicha Jangrew, a People’s Party MP for Pathum Thani, has been handed a prison sentence of two years…
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2-metre crocodile spotted on road amid Rayong flood crisis
Residents in Nikhom Phatthana district in the eastern province of Rayong are living in fear after a two-metre crocodile was spotted on a road yesterday night, after floodwater had reduced. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Several areas of Rayong have been affected by flash flooding due to persistent rainfall over the past…
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Hua Hin scoops clean air award at ASEAN environment summit
Hua Hin has been recognised for its clean air efforts, receiving the prestigious Clean Air for Small Cities award at the ASEAN level. The accolade puts the city on the map alongside Nakhon Si Thammarat and Pak Kret, both of which also received top environmental recognitions. Atichat Chaisri, Deputy Mayor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, attended the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting…
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Pattaya police escort mother and child home after begging incident
Pattaya residents reported spotting a mother and her child soliciting money from tourists in front of a 7-Eleven on Pattaya Third Road. Responding swiftly to complaints, Pattaya police and city enforcement officers approached the pair, engaging in a conversation that led to a peaceful resolution. The mother and child were persuaded to leave the area, and officials ensured they were…
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Scholarships awarded to 119 disabled children in Phuket
A total of 119 children with disabilities in Phuket received scholarships to support their education and personal development, aimed at fostering inclusion and opportunity. The ceremony, held yesterday, September 8, at Phibun Sawatdi Municipality School, was organised by the Khun Phum Foundation in collaboration with the Phuket Special Education Centre. Governor Sophon Suwannarat attended the event alongside representatives from the…
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Thaksin ordered to serve 1 year in prison for hospital stay scandal
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been ordered to serve one year in prison after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruled on the controversial case surrounding his stay at the Police General Hospital (PGH). The ruling follows a lengthy legal battle initiated by former MP Chanchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s sentence was properly enforced.…
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Bound body found weighed down with concrete slab in Bangkok canal
Fish store employees discovered the body of an unidentified man with his arms and legs bound and weighed down with a concrete slab in the Saen Saep Canal in the Min Buri district of Bangkok yesterday, September 8. Officers from Min Buri Police Station examined the body, believed to be that of a man aged between 35 and 40, at…
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Thaiger video news “Supreme Court Verdict Looms Over Thaksin’s Alleged Fake Hospital Stay”, “Majority of Thais Demand Parliament Be Dissolved Now”
Thailand faces a turbulent week as newly appointed Prime Minister Anutin pledges rapid recovery and border stability, while the Supreme Court readies a crucial verdict on Thaksin’s alleged hospital stay. Public impatience grows with calls for immediate parliament dissolution, even as concerns mount over education setbacks, local security incidents, and media ethics. Meanwhile, conservation crackdowns intensify, and the tourism…
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17 year old Thai motorcyclist electrocuted on flooded road
A Thai mother is taking legal action against a construction company after her 17 year old son was fatally electrocuted on a flooded road in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, September 8. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station and a rescue team were called to the scene on Phraekasa Road at about 1am. Sadly, the victim, 17 year old…
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Tourists stranded as flash floods swamp Pattaya streets
Heavy overnight rain caused flash floods in Pattaya, disrupting traffic and stranding tourists as local officials rushed to inspect and manage the situation. Chon Buri Governor Thawatchai Srithong sprang into action with an emergency inspection of the worst-hit zones after over 50 millimetres of overnight rain swamped the popular resort city. Joined by Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon, Pattaya…
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Pheu Thai backtracks on bid to boot Anutin from office
In a dramatic U-turn, the Pheu Thai Party has withdrawn its petition to disqualify Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut over alleged constitutional breaches. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha confirmed the reversal, stating that the petition had not yet been submitted to the Constitutional Court, allowing for its legal withdrawal. The request was initially submitted…
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Phuket drug suspect shot dead after killing police officer
A Thai drug dealer died in an extrajudicial killing after resisting arrest and fatally shooting a police officer at a rented room in Phuket yesterday, September 8. Officers from the Investigation Sub-division in Phuket had earlier arrested three drug suspects and questioned them until they revealed the identities of more senior dealers in the province. The suspects identified a couple…
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Thailand braces for flash floods amid monsoon deluge
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning of heavy rainfall across Thailand, affecting 50 provinces, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas expected to experience rain over 80% of the region. The TMD predicts the potential for flash floods and water accumulation today, September 9. Heavy rain is anticipated in the eastern provinces of Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat, prompting residents…
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Car fire kills 3 year old boy left sleeping while mother collects mushrooms
A fire broke out in a car parked in a forest in Nakhon Ratchasima province today, September 8, claiming the life of a three year old boy who was sleeping inside the vehicle. Hin Dat Police Station officers received a report of the car fire at around 9.15am, and officers were dispatched to the scene, located near the Ban Noi…
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Kaeng Krachan park launches operation to combat wildlife poaching
Kaeng Krachan National Park has launched Operation Huai Khom Krit to combat wildlife poaching and trade, as well as to protect natural resources. On September 8, Atthapong Phaoaon, the head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, along with Yaan Uansinga, the assistant head, and a team of 32 patrol officers, announced the special operation aimed at curbing illegal wildlife activities and environmental…
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Volunteer drowns while installing flood barricade in Nakhon Ratchasima
A volunteer rescue worker drowned in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday while trying to install a barricade at a weir to protect locals from flash floods. Two fellow volunteers survived the incident. The tragedy occurred on September 7 in Ban Sap Charoen, Mueang district. Police from Sikhiu Police Station were alerted in the evening that a man had been swept away…
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Bangkok deploys AI traffic lights in bid to ease congestion
Bangkok drivers may soon see shorter commutes as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) rolls out artificial intelligence (AI) to manage traffic lights. The initiative, known as Project Green Light, began in February through a partnership between the BMA and Google. The system analyses data from 561 intersections and adjusts traffic light timings in real time, aiming to reduce congestion and…
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Visa-free travel boosts Chinese interest in Russia for National Day
Interest from Chinese tourists in visiting Russia is on the rise as the weeklong National Day break approaches, with potential visa-free travel on the horizon. Online travel agency Tongcheng Travel reported a significant increase in searches for Russian hotels and flights, rising more than sixfold on Friday, September 5, following reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Chinese travellers…
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Ex-PM Thaksin keeps promise and lands in Bangkok ahead of court date
The former Prime Minister (PM) of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, kept his word by returning to Thailand via Don Mueang International Airport this afternoon, September 8, following a medical trip to Dubai. The ex-PM drew public attention on the night of September 4 when his luxury private jet, a Bombardier Global 7500, departed from the MJets Private Jet Terminal at Don…
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Pattaya residents complain of security guard’s disruptive behaviour
Police in Nongprue responded to complaints of a public disturbance on Saturday night, September 6, after a security guard, identified only as Somkhuen, was accused of repeatedly disturbing residents in the Moo 5 community in Pattaya. The incident occurred at 10.36pm, when officers received multiple reports of noise and harassment. Upon arrival, police found a crowd gathered outside a townhome…
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New PM Anutin vows swift economic recovery and border peace
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, newly appointed, has committed to rapidly addressing economic difficulties and resolving tensions at the Cambodian border, focusing on peaceful methods and safeguarding national sovereignty. Anutin announced these intentions at the Bhumjaithai Party‘s headquarters in Bangkok after receiving the royal command appointing him as prime minister. “I assure all the respected people of our nation that my…
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3 year old boy dies after falling from motorcycle and being run over
A three year old Thai boy lost his life after falling from a motorcycle and being run over by a truck on a road in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok on Saturday, September 6. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) A Thai father sought assistance from the Ruam Katanyu Rescue Foundation and Bang…
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NHSO expands hormone services for transgender individuals in Thailand
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has detailed the benefits of hormone services for transgender individuals, covering both pills and injections. Expert medical and psychological consultation is advised. If service demand exceeds expectations, budget increases are planned for the following year. Nithiwat Saengruang, the Assistant Secretary-General of the NHSO, announced the approval of gender-affirming hormone services benefits by the NHSO…
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Vietnamese man caught with 6.9 million baht rhino horns at Bangkok airport
Officials from the Customs Department arrested a Vietnamese man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Saturday, September 6, for trafficking rhino horns valued at approximately 6.9 million baht. The spokesperson for Thai Customs, Phanthong Loykunlanan, stated that customs officers were acting in line with the policy of the department’s director, Teerat Auttanawanit, which prioritises the suppression of wildlife trafficking. According to…
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Bangkok hosts global Chinese novel-writing competition launch
Bangkok served as the inaugural location for a global Chinese novel-writing competition, which began on Sunday, September 7, at Baan Dusit Thani. This event, a collaboration between Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao newspaper and SPH Media, gathered writers, publishers, and cultural figures from across Southeast Asia. Following its launch in the Thai capital, the competition will continue to Penang, Malaysia, and Nusa…
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Thai man slits throat of condo security guard for deying him entry
A Thai man slit the throat of a condominium security guard in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area on Saturday, September 6, after the guard blocked him from meeting his ex-girlfriend, who lived there. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Officers from Sutthisan Police Station investigated the death of the guard, Somdej Pimsanran, at…
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