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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Murder-suicide suspected after family of 4 found dead in Songkhla
Police suspect a Thai woman of committing a murder-suicide involving her family members at her home in the southern province of Songkhla after four bodies with gunshot wounds were discovered yesterday, October 7. Officers from Mueang Songkhla Police Station were called to investigate the fatal shooting at a two-storey house belonging to a former member of the Songkhla Municipality Council,…
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Heavy monsoon rains and thunderstorms to hit Thailand regions
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm for the eastern and southern regions, warning that heavy monsoons are on the horizon. With a staggering 60% to 70% chance of thunderstorms, locals are being advised to prepare for potential flash floods. While Bangkok braces for its own thunderous downpours, those in the northern and northeastern regions can expect a…
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Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles
What would you do if the dream of owning your home seemed to be slipping away? For one Aussie mum, the solution was packing up her family and heading for exotic shores, trading Oz for the Land of Smiles. Natalie Coulson, a 45 year old mother of one, had enough of Sydney’s spiralling property market. The fear of a lifetime…
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Kitrat Phanphet named Thailand’s new national police chief
Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet has been appointed Thailand’s 15th national police chief following a unanimous vote by the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Kitrat secured eight votes in his favour, emerging as the top candidate among three contenders. He is set to serve until his retirement at the age of 60 in 2026. The other…
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500 victims accuse social media influencer of 85 million baht gold scam
Over 500 victims filed a complaint against a social media influencer for operating a gold scam that caused losses exceeding 85 million baht. Representatives of the victims, yesterday, October 7, visited the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, to seek justice after social media influencer Promtada “Mae Bainard” Nakcharoen, the company director of Tada Gold store,…
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Making waves: Boxwall Flood Barrier leaves sandbags high and dry
Say farewell to drudgery with sandbags, there’s a new player in town, and it’s making quite the splash. The innovative Boxwall Flood Barrier is swiftly outshining traditional sandbags as the ultimate flood defence, particularly highlighted during the recent northern deluge. In a shining example of preparedness, the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai flaunted its forward-thinking approach by lining up these…
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Everything you need to know about Mo Chit Bus Terminal
If you’re itching to explore more of Thailand beyond Bangkok, you need to check out Mo Chit Bus Terminal, or Mochit 2, as it’s often called. As shown in this video from Feverish Chic. This busy spot is a key place for travellers, helping you get to all sorts of places across the country—whether you’re off to the north, northeast,…
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Investigation launched into police supercar escort on M6 motorway
The head of the Central Investigation Bureau called for an inquiry into motorway police impeding regular traffic to expedite the journey of a billion-baht convoy of luxury vehicles and supercars along an inter-city motorway. Today, October 7, Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej announced that he had instructed Motorway Police to look into grievances from motorists. These complaints alleged that police…
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Middle East tensions may impact OFFO’s debt repayment strategy
Rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran are anticipated to push global crude oil prices higher, potentially impacting the Oil Fuel Fund Office’s (OFFO) debt repayment strategy, according to a spokesperson from the Energy Ministry. Uncertainty surrounds whether the United States will back potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, raising concerns about oil price volatility,…
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Thai abbot removed amid allegations of rape, sexual assault
An acting abbot and future district chief monk from a temple in the Isaan province of Roi Et has been accused of sexually assaulting attractive monks and young novices. Facebook news page Khun Tao Si Suwan Phirom Phakdee shared pictures of the acting abbot along with the sexual misconduct allegations on October 6. The page stated in its caption: “Where…
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Bio-cement project launched to combat soil salinity in Thailand
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) have launched an innovative project to address agricultural issues caused by soil salinity in northeastern Thailand using bio-cement. Thidarat Bunsri, part of the Smart Biomaterials and Technology Research Group at KMUTT, explained that bio-cement is created through microbial-induced calcium carbonate. The key organic compound in this process…
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Paw-some event: Bangkok set to unleash Pet Fair South East Asia
Hold onto your leashes! Pet Fair South East Asia is set to fetch a new standard in the pet industry, poised to become the tail-wagging talk of the town from October 30 to November 1, in bustling Bangkok. This year’s extravaganza promises to be the ultimate gathering for industry bigwigs and moggies from Asia, Europe, the US, and the Middle…
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Face off: Chinese fraudster has surgery to evade law in Thailand
A Chinese woman fled fraud charges in China, where she caused a loss of 8 million baht, and escaped to Thailand, undergoing cosmetic surgery to hide her identity. A local Thai became suspicious of a foreign woman living in a luxury condominium in the Rama IV neighbourhood of Bangkok and reported her concerns to the Immigration Bureau. The woman reportedly…
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Phuket cries out for fireboats as cruise ship inferno threat looms
A former top naval commander sounded the alarm over the desperate need for fireboats in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi, as the spectre of cruise ship fires haunts these popular holiday hotspots. Rear Admiral Amornchote Sujirat has drawn attention to the glaring absence of firefighting vessels in these bustling maritime provinces, which welcome hordes of marine traffic each year. Fires…
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Debate on lese majeste amnesty crucial, says former MFP leader
Granting amnesty to those convicted under Thailand’s lese majeste law has historical precedent and should not be a cause for political anxiety, according to a former leader of the now-disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP). Speaking on the anniversary of the October 6, 1976 massacre at Thammasat University, Chaithawat Tulathon highlighted that students and members of the public connected to the…
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Thailand gets into gear as US-China tensions boost its economy
As the United States and China continue their economic tug-of-war, Thailand has ultimately emerged as an unexpected beneficiary on the global stage. The Southeast Asian nation is poised to become a formidable player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, a development that could reshape the automotive landscape in the region and beyond. This revelation came to light during the 4th…
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Flood rescue attempt claims elderly woman’s life in Chiang Mai
A rescue operation in Chiang Mai’s Nong Phueng sub-district ended in tragedy when a 71 year old woman, identified only as Nupin lost her life after a rescue boat capsized. The incident occurred as rescue teams attempted to evacuate three residents from a flooded house. During the evacuation, the rescue boat overturned in deep, turbulent waters, plunging all three passengers…
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Surin man arrested for wife’s fatal assault, not his first rodeo
A shocking incident unfolded in Surin where a man assaulted his wife to the point that she lost consciousness, and ultimately died. Police swiftly apprehended the suspect, a 26 year old man known as King after he attempted to flee. The gruesome event took place at a motorcycle repair shop in the Kabchoeng district. Police received a report from locals about…
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Thai transwoman’s German picnic turns into a viral police encounter (video)
A Thai transwoman recounted an encounter with the police in Germany, sparked by a misunderstanding over loud noise while she and her German boyfriend were enjoying a picnic and livestreaming outside their apartment. The livestream video of the Thai transwoman, Chananthida “Pinky” Sanonok, went viral on the Thai TikTok app after it captured the moment German police officers approached them…
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Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza
The Sriaoun family gathered in their local church in Kut Yang, Udon Thani yesterday, October 6, their voices filled with emotion as they prayed for the safe return of their oldest son, 32 year old Watchara, believed to still be held captive by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Watchara Sriaoun is among six Thais believed to be held in Gaza…
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Thai man distributes explicit videos of ex-girlfriend after contracting STD
Police arrested a Thai man in the Suan Luang district of Bangkok for distributing explicit videos of his ex-girlfriend in revenge for contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Officers from Prasat Police Station in the Isaan province of Surin received a complaint from the victim in May 2022, stating that her ex-boyfriend released nude videos of her online. The suspect,…
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Thailand cash handout to boost Q4 GDP growth despite challenges
The Thai government’s initial cash handout is anticipated to boost the national economy in the upcoming months, according to industrial leaders and brokerages. They recommend that the second phase of the handout target individuals with higher purchasing power to prolong economic stimulation. In the first phase, the government distributed 10,000 baht in cash to each of the 14.5 million welfare…
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Con-voyage: Police spark furore with luxury supercar jam on M6
A viral video has stirred up a storm after it revealed police officers on the M6 motorway escorting a convoy of luxury supercars, forcing traffic to a crawl. The shocking footage shows officers blocking lanes on the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima route, sparking widespread outrage and prompting an immediate investigation. Social media erupted when a Facebook user posted a…
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Finance ministry urges higher inflation target for policy rate flexibility
The Finance Ministry suggested adjusting the inflation target for next year to a range of 1.5 to 3.5%, up from the current 1 to 3%, to grant the Bank of Thailand (BoT) more flexibility in lowering the policy rate. A ministry source, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that this change would enable the central bank to reduce the policy…
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Revved up: Phuket police crackdown on illegal street racing
Phuket City police swooped on illegal street racers in the early hours of this morning, targeting the notorious Saphan Hin area and seizing five motorcycles in a swift crackdown. The high-octane drama unfolded at 12.45am, today, October 7, after eagle-eyed officers spotted online chatter about the underground racing scene on local social media channels. Their prompt action led to the…
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Thailand’s renewable energy plan boosts battery storage systems
Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely known for their battery power but batteries are also crucial for buildings, factories, and power plants using renewable energy. They provide lighting, support daily operations, and serve as backup electricity sources. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for buildings and renewable power generation facilities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Renewable sources like solar and…
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Thai police officer allegedly rapes 17 year old girl in Chon Buri
A 17 year old Thai girl is seeking help and protection from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, alleging that a police officer repeatedly raped her in police booths in the Chon Buri province. Saimai Survive held a press conference on Saturday, October 5, to allow the teenage victim to share her story publicly. The accused officer is reportedly a deputy police…
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Thailand stands firm: Government won’t walk down protest alley
The Thai government dismissed threats of street protests against its policies, asserting it will not yield to pressure from any faction. Somkid Chueakong, the PM’s Deputy Secretary-General for political affairs, stated there is no need to prepare for any anti-government demonstrations. Instead, he urged critics to submit petitions outlining their demands. “This government understands people’s needs. We won’t restrict people’s…
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Thai police officer pockets 30,000 baht from a mediation case
Police General Kittirat Panpetch, acting commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered an investigation into a precinct officer accused of embezzling funds from a mediation case. A 34 year old woman reported to the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page that the officer from Samrong Tai Police Station pocketed 30,000 baht. The funds were part of a debt settlement where…
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Danish man stabs himself with medical knife in Bangkok hospital
A Danish man today wreaked havoc in a central Bangkok hospital, leaving police scrambling to contain the chaos. The bizarre incident unfolded at 4.45am, today, October 7, at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Pathumwan, Bangkok, when a 40 year old foreigner erupted into a frenzy in the emergency room. The man, clearly agitated, seized a medical knife and dashed towards Gate A2,…
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