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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Will Bamboo Air grow as fast as the real bamboo?

    Will Bamboo Air grow as fast as the real bamboo?

    A new player is about to enter the regional airline market. Based out of Vietnam, Bamboo Airlines is a fresh start-up under the patronage of Trinh Van Quyet who currently presides over a Vietnamese property empire and is betting billions on his new airline. The 43 year old property tycoon says his company has a market capitalisation of around US$200 million. He…

  • 4 million baht of ‘Fakes’ seized at the Thep Prasit Night Market in Pattaya

    4 million baht of ‘Fakes’ seized at the Thep Prasit Night Market in Pattaya

    The deputy Tourist Police Bureau chief, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakpan, has led a raid with the Technology Crime Suppression Division and seized over 10,000 items of pirated merchandise at Pattaya’s Thep Prasit Pattaya Market – a popular tourist magnet for fake goods. The raids started around 11pm last night (Saturday). Goods confiscated included fakes of various ‘name’ brands –…

  • PWA announces Chalong water shut off tomorrow

    PWA announces Chalong water shut off tomorrow

    The Phuket Water Authority (PWA) has announced that water supply in some areas of Chalong will be shut off from 9am tomorrow (August 6) until the work is finished. The PWA says that water supply in some areas of Chalong will be shutoff while work is being carried out on main pipes at the entrance of Soi Tanuthep on Chao Fa…

  • Latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ nets UK and Nigerian overstayers, both over 1,000 days

    Latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ nets UK and Nigerian overstayers, both over 1,000 days

    File Photo The crackdown on serial overstayers continues across the country, including a British national arrested in Phuket. 53 year old Chris Michel was bundled up on Friday morning after it was revealed that he had overstayed his visa by 1077 days, nearly 3 years. 62 foreign nationals were detained in the latest ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’, targeting 75 locations…

  • British cave rescuer honoured in his home town

    British cave rescuer honoured in his home town

    Another of the international rescue team, who flew into Chiang Rai last month to assist with the cave rescue, has been honoured. Richard Stanton, one of the British cave divers involved in the risky Tham Luang rescue operation, has been bestowed with the Coventry Award of Merit. The award was made in his home town of Coventry, where he lives.…

  • Thaiger Radio News – Sunday

    Thaiger Radio News – Sunday

    Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere.

  • The miracle at Tham Luang Caves

    The miracle at Tham Luang Caves

    The Thaiger would like to thank the incredible dedication, skill and commitment of all the rescuers, from around the world. Thank you.

  • Nigerian drug suspect arrested after police chase

    Nigerian drug suspect arrested after police chase

    PHOTO: Matichon Thai-language daily Matichon has reported that a Nigerian drug suspect did a runner after being tracked down by Samui police today. In a scene straight out of an action thriller, Koh Samui policemen and soldiers had to chase down a Nigerian drug suspect who jumped out of a window of his rented house, climbed over the fence and…

  • Phuket boat show rumbles – a new show announced

    Phuket boat show rumbles – a new show announced

    There used to be one Phuket boat show, then there was two, then there was the two coming together as one… and now there is a new event. Royal Phuket Marina are putting together their own show with Andy Dowden, of PIMEX fame, the principle organiser of the new Phuket Yacht Show. The new show is being planned for January…

  • 11 of the Mu Pa team complete their ordination, coach Ekkapol stays on

    11 of the Mu Pa team complete their ordination, coach Ekkapol stays on

    A provincial committee is being set up to screen approaches made to the 12 Mu Pa football players and their coach to attend various events and activities. Chiang Rai’s new Governor Prajon Pratsakul was speaking to reporters after the team made a courtesy call on him. They were accompanied by Phra Khru Prayut Jetiyanukarn, acting abbot of Wat Phra That…

  • English retiree electrocuted while mowing his lawn in Khon Kaen

    English retiree electrocuted while mowing his lawn in Khon Kaen

    Chiang Rai Times report that Brit Anthony Stratton has died whilst mowing the lawn in his garden in Khon Kaen. The 76 year old retiree was electrocuted while he was mowing the lawn on Wednesday afternoon. His wife discovered the body. Pol Lt Col Gritided Supan of Chum Phae Provincial Police Station said, “We received a phone call from a woman…

  • 4.8 million meth pills and nearly a tonne of ‘ice’ seized in Chiang Rai

    4.8 million meth pills and nearly a tonne of ‘ice’ seized in Chiang Rai

    The Nation is reporting that a suspected drug mule has been arrested along with a huge haul of 4.8 million methamphetamine pills and 978 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice). The drugs were seized after two pickup trucks sped through a checkpoint in Chiang Rai early this morning. Army rangers made the arrest after giving chase from the checkpoint in Ban Sai…

  • Thavorn Hotels & Resorts receives Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award

    Thavorn Hotels & Resorts receives Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award

    Thavorn Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce its certification of Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The certification assesses venues in three key areas – physical, technological, and service requirements. Certified venues appear on an Approved List and are publicised worldwide as venues that meet international standards. MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and…

  • Peaceful Pattani – the other side of the southern province

    Peaceful Pattani – the other side of the southern province

    By Pattarawadee Saengmanee, The Nation Weekend The former capital of the ancient Langkasuka Kingdom, Pattani province in Thailand’s far south has traditionally been feted for its multiculturalism, though sadly the ongoing violence has kept it well off the tourist map for more than a decade. But his southern province bordered by Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkhla has plenty to offer the…

  • Chinese tourist’s bag returned, but without the cash

    Chinese tourist’s bag returned, but without the cash

    “In another case, two other Chinese tourists had 60,000 baht stolen from a bag.” A 35 year old Chinese tourist in Pattaya had his bag returned after leaving it in a Pratamuk restaurant at a resort. The bag was found in the restaurant’s toilets. Only problem is he’d left the bag on the table of the restaurant. Zhou Zhangli was disappointed…

  • Jobs for the boys – Women’s groups attack rampant gender bias

    Jobs for the boys – Women’s groups attack rampant gender bias

    “Out of over 10,000 police officers in Thailand, only 400 are women.” Despite the country’s ‘sabai sabai’ attitude towards many issues, rampant sexism and gender-bias still exists across the board, especially in the higher levels of Thai army and police ranks. Three women’s rights groups are urging the Office of the Ombudsman to rule on the validity of a move…

  • Krabi millipede invasion

    Krabi millipede invasion

    Thousands of millipedes have invaded more than 30 houses in a Krabi community. Some locals are fearful of the plague as they say they’re allergic to millipedes. Locals in Klongtom, Krabi say that thousands of millipedes are being found around and inside their houses. The more rains, the more millipedes. Locals are trying to get rid of them with chemical…

  • ‘Big Joke’ stops to help Phuket hit and run victim

    ‘Big Joke’ stops to help Phuket hit and run victim

    PHOTOS: Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau based in Bangkok, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn, ordered his team to stop they convey of official vehicles to help a student who had been hit in Phuket Town this afternoon (Aug 3). Maj Gen Surachete reported that he saw the accident while he and…

  • Bangkok cat owner faces cruelty charges

    Bangkok cat owner faces cruelty charges

    WARNING: This story may be stressful for some readers The animal rights group Watchdog Thailand has filed a complaint with the police against a cat adopter for allegedly repeatedly abusing his pet by hanging it and beating it until it became “depressed”. Watchdog Thailand posted on Facebook that it has filed a complaint with Bueng Koom police, who had allowed…

  • Indian man assaulted and killed in Krabi

    Indian man assaulted and killed in Krabi

    An Indian man was killed by another Indian citizen after he was assaulted by his co-worker’s wife while she was taking a bath yesterday (Aug 2) in Krabi. The reenactment held this morning was led by Khao Panom Police Chief Col Kajit Kongprab. The attacker was 25 year old Indian, Prakart Natarang, who is a staff member of a biomass…

  • Banyan Tree Samui hailed as eco-friendly leader in Thailand

    Banyan Tree Samui hailed as eco-friendly leader in Thailand

    The Banyan Tree Samui has become the first and only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “Gold Certification” at a single-property level by Earthcheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Although other hotel chains have received similar accolades from EarthCheck at a group level, Banyan Tree Samui stands alone as the sole property…

  • Russia set to establish Consulate-General in Phuket

    Russia set to establish Consulate-General in Phuket

    The Russian Federation is poised to open a Consulate-General in Phuket in response to the growing Russian expat community and consistent stream in Russian tourists coming to the island. Russian PM Dmitriy Medvedev signed the order last Saturday ratifying the new diplomatic mission on the island. There are no details in the letter about when the Consulate-General will open its doors…

  • 200 members of Line app under investigation for procuring U18 boys for sex

    200 members of Line app under investigation for procuring U18 boys for sex

    More details have emerged about the identities and activities of members of a Line App group who have been allegedly preying on underage boys for sex. The commander of the anti human trafficking police says the tourist police are also involved in the investigations. Daily News is reporting that on Wednesday a Thai university lecturer and “hi-so man” were among several arrests…

  • Yingluck flies to Dubai – “Dubai flight was pre-planned”

    Yingluck flies to Dubai – “Dubai flight was pre-planned”

    “Yingluck reportedly flew from London on Wednesday, just a day after the media reported the Thai government’s extradition request to the UK government.” Former PM minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s flight from London to Dubai on Wednesday had nothing to do with the Thai government’s extradition request to the UK. This explanation from a Pheu Thai Party member yesterday. The flight was…

  • Muslim father’s online petition inspires Thai anti-child marriage activists

    Muslim father’s online petition inspires Thai anti-child marriage activists

    In the wake of the ‘marriage of a 41 year old Malay man and an 11 year old Thai girl, Malaysia’s government and netizens are proposing ways to ban child marriages. Meanwhile, an online petition by a UK-based Malaysian Muslim father to ban child marriages has triggered an activist to begin a similar petition to ban them in Thailand too.…

  • Suspect in Sattahip double murder surrenders to Patong Police

    Suspect in Sattahip double murder surrenders to Patong Police

    One of the suspects in Sunday’s Sattahip double murder case has surrendered himself to Patong Police yesterday (Aug 2). Chonburi police have already taken the man back to Chonburi province for further questioning. Read more about the double execution-style murders in the car park of Buddha Mountain in Sattahip HERE. The Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen says, “At about…

  • 7,000 pirated items seized in Samui sting

    7,000 pirated items seized in Samui sting

    Thailand’s favourite neighbourhood crime buster, Big Joke and his tourist police taskforce, have been working the markets of Koh Samui – the distribution network selling pirated goods on the island. Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal says he was following orders from PM Prayut Chan-ocha to stamp out piracy. The deputy head of the tourist police was pictured on the Tourist Police…

  • Tuk Tuk rally on August 18-19 with an Ayutthaya period costume twist

    Tuk Tuk rally on August 18-19 with an Ayutthaya period costume twist

    The Ayutthaya provincial administration is holding a tuk tuk rally on August 18 and 19 to promote tourism to the historical site. Ayutthaya governor Sujin Chaiyachumsak said up to 250 teams of contestants can take part in the rally, for which the application fee is 1,000 baht. At least one member of the team must be dressed in an Ayutthaya…

  • NCPO ‘damaged the image of the country’ – Future Forward party

    NCPO ‘damaged the image of the country’ – Future Forward party

    PHOTO: The Nation By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Amy Sawitta Lefevre In a tense stand-off between the establishment and the ‘new guard’, Future Forward party’s brash young leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, is firing verbal missives at the NCPO. Reuters is reporting that the new Thai party, headed up by auto-parts billionaire Thanathorn, and aiming to shake up politics, hit back at the ruling…

  • Mekong breaks its banks flooding seven Thai provinces

    Mekong breaks its banks flooding seven Thai provinces

    Persistent heavy rain and the overflow of water from the Mekong River and its tributaries has caused severe flooding in seven provinces in the north-east, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak said this morning (Thursday). The seven provinces are Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Bung Kan, Sakon Nakhon and Roi-et are all under flood-alert after the…