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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Tourism surge in Pai threatens cultural identity and local harmony
Mae Hong Son‘s northern region of Thailand, known for its natural beauty and vibrant backpacking scene, faces challenges due to a surge in tourism. The district of Pai, once a serene market village surrounded by rice fields, hot springs, and rivers, has transformed into a bustling tourist destination. Its bohemian spirit, affordable lifestyle, and lively nightlife draw backpackers who often…
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Thaksin Shinawatra allowed to attend ASEAN meeting in Brunei
Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted permission by the Criminal Court to attend an ASEAN meeting in Brunei on Tuesday and Wednesday. This marks the second occasion the former prime minister is allowed to leave Thailand, following the provision of a 5-million-baht cash surety. The court, however, denied his requests to visit Vietnam and Cambodia during this period. Thaksin will be…
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Police operation rescues young foreign girls from Bangkok streets
On February 14, a police operation against panhandling in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road area led to the rescue of three young foreign girls. Lumphini police, alongside social workers and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security staff, conducted a sweep from Sukhumvit Soi 3 to the Asok intersection. The operation resulted in the apprehension of 13 homeless women, comprising one Thai,…
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Thailand braces for rain and thunderstorms from February 15 to February 21
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast a shift in weather patterns across the country for February 15 to February 21, with rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms expected in various regions. Northern Thailand will experience cool to cold mornings with fog, while Bangkok faces a 40% chance of rain. Yesterday, February 15, the TMD reported a weakening high-pressure system covering…
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Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ visa: A potential game-changer?
United States President Donald Trump has always sparked debate, and his recent proposal of a “gold card” visa is no different. This plan aims to create a new pathway to U.S. citizenship. The heart of the proposal is a $5 million investment in exchange for a visa, which could potentially change the landscape of U.S. immigration. The gold card visa…
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Challenges and innovations in Thailand’s education sector
Imagine sitting in a classroom where you’re expected to memorise entire textbooks, word for word. No critical thinking, no creativity—just pure repetition. Even if it sounds boring and frustrating! But you will be shocked when I tell you that that’s been the reality for many Thai students for years. But here’s the twist: education in Thailand is undergoing a major…
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Bad gift: Samut Prakan police hunt Valentine’s gold thief
The provincial police chief in Samut Prakan has ordered a manhunt for a thief who allegedly stole a gold necklace, claiming it was a gift for his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day yesterday. Police from Bang Kaew Station in Samut Prakan province responded to reports of a robbery at a gold shop located in a market behind Wat Nam Daeng in Bang…
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Pattaya’s Oman roadshow draws huge tourism interest
Pattaya is making waves in the Middle East. City officials and business leaders landed in Muscat, Oman, to showcase Pattaya’s tourism charm, drawing overwhelming interest from local tour operators. Pattaya City, in partnership with the Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya Office, hosted the Pattaya Roadshow to Muscat at the Sheraton Oman Hotel on…
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Police detain 141 Myanmar migrants in Cha-am truck operation
Police in Cha-am detained over 100 Myanmar migrant workers found crammed into the back of a six-wheeled truck. The driver confessed to transporting the workers from Damnoen Saduak district to a destination in the south. The incident occurred at 10am yesterday, February 14 when Police Major Chaiyachon Arunrojrangsi of the Cha-am Police Station was setting up a checkpoint on the…
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Pattaya scrap yard inferno: Fire sparks 300K baht damage
A massive fire erupted at a scrap yard in Pattaya, causing up to 300,000 baht in damages and adding to growing air pollution concerns in the region. The Nong Prue Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department received reports of a raging fire at a scrap yard in Soi Thung Klom Tan Man 17 at 2pm on Thursday, February 13. Firefighters…
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Thai man falls from moving train in Lopburi, dies
Passengers on a train in Lopburi were startled when a man fell from a moving train and died. The incident occurred at 5.30pm yesterday, February 14, at Lopburi railway station. Police Lieutenant Thannadon Thiangsan from the Tha Hin Police Station, along with medical personnel from Ananda Mahidol Hospital and volunteers from the Por Tek Tung Foundation, were called to the…
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Ex-con severely injured in Nakhon Si Thammarat shooting
A shooting incident in Nakhon Si Thammarat resulted in serious injuries for a man recently released from prison. Police are focusing on a drug-related conflict as they identify the suspect involved. The incident occurred yesterday, February 14 on Yutthasat Road, Soi 16, in Pak Phraek subdistrict, Thung Song district. Police Colonel Teerawut Thepluean from Thung Song Police Station, and other…
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Thai hospital suspends doctor amid medication sale probe
The Veterans General Hospital in Bangkok has suspended a female doctor from her medical duties amid an investigation into allegations of selling medication outside the hospital. The hospital assures a fair inquiry for all parties involved. The incident came to light when Thanadet Phengsuk, a Bangkok Member of Parliament from the People’s Party and deputy chairperson of the Military Commission, shared a…
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Pattaya’s iconic sign gets a dazzling upgrade
Pattaya City’s famous hillside sign is getting a stunning new look, with a high-tech lighting upgrade set to be completed by February 27. Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai recently inspected the site on Pratumnak Hill, where contractors demonstrated the state-of-the-art lighting system. “The Pattaya City sign has been a landmark for over 20 years, but time has taken its toll. This…
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Police confiscate illegal sexual enhancers worth 1.5 million baht
Police have seized and confiscated a range of sexual enhancement products branded as “Nam Phueng Pueng Pang” containing the active ingredient in Viagra, posing a potential danger to users. The operation, conducted yesterday, February 14, successfully seized items valued at over 1.5 million baht. Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), led the operation…
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Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…
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Lottery fans turn to popular Facebook page for winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts are paying close attention to the popular Facebook page Petchkla Dekchai Nam Chok for this week’s lottery guidance. The numbers for the draw tomorrow, February 16, have been revealed by the page, which has gained fame for its accurate predictions over multiple draws. For the upcoming lottery, Petchkla Dekchai Nam Chok has shared its favoured numbers for the…
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Bangkok braces for thunderstorms, high dust and hot afternoons
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts scattered thunderstorms in Bangkok and its vicinity, with cool mornings and hot, hazy afternoons. High dust levels persist. The next 24 hours will see weak high pressure over the upper northeastern region and westerly winds over the north, leading to cold mornings with fog in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, southerly and southeasterly winds…
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Most watched sports in Thailand
While Thailand may be best known for the likes of its rich cultural heritage, stunning views, and warm hospitality, it also has a thriving sports scene. There is a deep passion for traditional sports, such as Muay Thai, but there is increasing interest in international sports which are now gaining a strong following. Sports fans are now watching, and engaging,…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing
A long-standing rivalry between two motorcycle taxi drivers erupted into a brutal knife fight outside Vachira Phuket Hospital last night, leaving one man seriously injured. The violent altercation, which unfolded at around 9pm yesterday, February 13, saw the men stab each other in a heated dispute over passengers. Phuket City Police, led by Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Captain Pawinut…
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Thailand rolls out new tollway speed limits to enhance safety
Thailand’s transport ministry has introduced new speed limits for tollways, aiming to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. The regulation, issued under the Highway Act 1992, applies specifically to concession highways, marking the first time such roads have been subject to speed restrictions. Under the new rule, different vehicle categories must adhere to strict speed limits: Trucks over 2.2 tonnes…
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Tragic temple fire in New York kills Buddhist monk
A devastating fire tore through a Buddhist temple in The Bronx, New York City, early Wednesday morning, February 12, leaving two people dead, including a Buddhist monk. The blaze, which erupted around 6am, quickly engulfed the small temple and a neighbouring residence for monks, causing irreversible damage. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito confirmed the tragedy. “We had fire throughout…
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Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts
Thailand, long celebrated as the birthplace of Muay Thai, is experiencing a dynamic shift in its combat sports landscape. In 2025, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), signalling a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the fighting arts. Historically, Muay Thai has been the cornerstone of Thailand’s martial arts identity.…
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Myanmar woman arrested for illegal e-cigarette sales in Chumphon
Cyber police in collaboration with local police in Chumphon arrested a 20 year old Myanmar national yesterday for allegedly selling illegal e-cigarettes near a prominent school. She was reportedly hired by a local politician’s child and had previously faced similar charges last year. The arrest involved multiple agencies, including Chumphon Provincial Investigation, Sawi Police Station, and other local bodies. The…
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Volt-face: Volvo shifts gears with new EV offerings in Thailand
Volvo Car Thailand is gearing up for modest growth in car sales, capped at 5% this year, by revving up its appeal with fresh electric vehicle models and an innovative battery repair service. This bold strategy aims to keep long-term maintenance costs low for drivers and attract more eco-conscious consumers. Chris Wailes, managing director of Volvo Car Thailand and Malaysia,…
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Thai culture: Spiritual beliefs on social media
Thai culture is one of the most amazing cultures on Earth that you can explore because if you are connected to spirituality, this culture will amaze you. Thais have always been deeply connected to spirituality, with beliefs in ghosts, sacred rituals, and astrology. In the past, people would visit temples, consult monks, or seek fortune tellers in person, but now,…
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Thai woman found dead under tree after online gambling debts
A 22 year old woman was found dead beneath a mango tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, reportedly overwhelmed by debt after extensive online slot gambling. Her husband discovered her absence from their home around midday and later found her lifeless body yesterday, February 13. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Rungrueng from the Thap Sakae Police Station received a report of…
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Net gains: Fishing ban to boost marine life in Thailand
In a sweeping move to rejuvenate dwindling fish stocks, the Department of Fishery rolled out a crucial fishing ban spanning the coasts from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Surat Thani. Effective in two phases, from tomorrow, February 15 to May 15, and May 16 to June 14, the initiative targets different maritime zones, aiming to give marine life a much-needed break.…
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Foreign affair: Embassies huddle with RTP over trafficking drama
In a bid to untangle a complex web of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, Bangkok embassies have been summoned to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters for a crucial meeting. The agenda: sorting out who among the over 260 foreigners recently rescued from neighbouring countries are genuine victims and who might be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Under the spotlight are…
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Tricycle hit-and-run leaves rider critically injured in Phetchabun
A tricycle was severely damaged after being hit by an 18-wheel truck in Phetchabun province, leaving the female driver critically injured. The woman’s nine year old daughter has had to take a two-week break from school to care for her, while her husband, who is blind, also depends on her. Yesterday, February 13, a Facebook user posted about an incident…
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