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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Alison Hammond in tears over Phillip Schofield’s affair fallout
Alison Hammond, a presenter on the popular TV programme This Morning, has become emotional on air while discussing the recent departure of her former colleague Phillip Schofield. Schofield has expressed concerns that his career may be over after admitting to an affair with a younger male coworker. During Friday’s episode, Hammond acknowledged Schofield’s apology and urged the public not to…
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Scotland’s recycling scheme at risk as UK excludes glass bottles
A disagreement over the inclusion of glass bottles in Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers could potentially lead to the scheme’s collapse. The UK government has decided against including glass bottles, causing concerns that the Scottish scheme, originally planned for launch in August 2023, may not proceed. The revised launch date is now set for March next year,…
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River Severn murder probe: Woman identified as family grieves
The identity of a woman discovered dead in the River Severn has been revealed as Natalie Dean, aged 34, while a murder investigation is ongoing. Her family expressed their devastation at the loss of their daughter and sister, stating that she will be greatly missed by them all. Natalie’s body was found in the river in the Llanidloes area, Powys,…
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Rail union boss claims strikes successful despite ongoing pay dispute
The general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Mick Lynch, has declared the ongoing rail strikes in the UK a “success,” despite the lack of an agreed pay deal after nearly a year of industrial action. Lynch stated that the strikes, which commenced in June 2022, have successfully prevented management from implementing redundancies and controversial reforms such…
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Galleri blood test detects over 50 cancer types, potentially saving thousands
A groundbreaking blood test, known as the Galleri test, has shown potential in detecting over 50 types of cancer, which could lead to faster diagnoses and potentially save thousands of lives. The University of Oxford led a study involving thousands of NHS patients, revealing promising results in the trial. Out of the 6,238 participants from England and Wales who visited…
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Schofield reveals affair details, suicidal thoughts in interviews
Phillip Schofield, the former TV presenter, has spoken out in two interviews after news surfaced of his relationship with a younger male colleague during his time on This Morning. ITV has initiated an external review to investigate the situation, as Schofield had not disclosed the relationship to his employers, colleagues, or wife. In the interviews, Schofield revealed that he has…
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US calls UN meeting over North Korea’s failed spy satellite launch
The United States has requested a UN Security Council meeting to address North Korea’s recent attempt to launch its first spy satellite, which ultimately ended in failure. The US condemned the launch, stating that it used ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and posed a risk to the stability of the regional security situation and…
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Finance Ministry revokes Asia Wealth Securities licence for misusing client funds
The Ministry of Finance has withdrawn Asia Wealth Securities‘ (AWS) securities business license following a recommendation from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) due to the unauthorised use of client funds. The SEC discovered that on November 14, AWS had improperly utilised 154 million baht of clients’ funds to buy shares of More Return (MORE) from Thailand Clearing House without…
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3 year old dies in Chinese nursery school while teacher engrossed on phone
A sudden death of a Chinese three year old girl at a nursery school has raised questions about the teacher’s supervision after CCTV footage showed the girl having two seizures while the teacher was focused on her phone. The girl’s family blames her neglect for the tragedy. Local media reports the father of the deceased child filed a complaint, stating…
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Boris Johnson bypasses government, submits unredacted COVID inquiry data
In a recent development, Boris Johnson has decided to provide all available WhatsApp messages and diaries directly to the COVID inquiry, bypassing the government’s legal challenge against the order. Initially, the former prime minister had submitted the information to the Cabinet Office, which refused to comply with the inquiry’s demand for unredacted material. This move by Johnson signifies a departure…
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Mile-long tunnel to shield A83 Rest and Be Thankful from landslips
A tunnel spanning a mile in length is set to be constructed to shield vehicles from landslides on one of Scotland’s most notable tourist roads. The A83 Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll has experienced frequent closures due to falling rocks and debris in recent times. These closures often lead to lengthy detours for motorists as the route is cleared.…
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Labour MPs warned of suspended Geraint Davies’ inappropriate behaviour
Two Labour MPs have revealed they were cautioned about Swansea West MP Geraint Davies during their initial weeks in Westminster. According to the MPs, they were advised by their colleagues to “watch out” for Davies. The Labour Party suspended Davies following Politico news website’s reports of “completely unacceptable behaviour.” The MP faces accusations of subjecting younger female colleagues to unwanted…
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Missing dog found in ambulance 50 miles from home after 8 months
A Cocker Spaniel named Jazz, who had been missing for eight months, was discovered 50 miles away from her home in Powys, mid-Wales, inside an ambulance. The dog’s owner, Emma Darling, 45 years old, had been searching tirelessly for her pet since she vanished. Emma had contacted Petlog, the UK’s largest pet microchip database, her local vets, put up posters,…
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Two found dead in Shropshire shed, police treat as unexplained
Two individuals, a man and a woman, were discovered deceased in a shed located in Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. West Mercia Police responded to the scene on Newbrook Drive at approximately 11pm on a recent Thursday night. The authorities have stated that they do not suspect the involvement of any other parties in the incident. West Mercia Police released…
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HSBC Thailand seeks licence, raises capital for local business expansion
In preparation for local business expansion, HSBC Thailand is working to raise additional funds and secure a new licence, in line with the nation’s economic growth. The bank’s capital is set to increase by 3.1 billion baht, reaching 25.7 billion, according to chief executive Giorgio Gamba. Furthermore, HSBC Thailand is seeking a new business licence from the regulator to bolster…
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National Park predator arrested for attempted rape of Lithuanian tourist
Police arrested an Erawan National Park employee in the central province of Kanchanaburi after he attacked a Lithuanian tourist and attempted to rape her on Wednesday, May 31. The Lithuanian victim, 27 year old Evilija Grabauskaitem, filed a complaint at Si Sawat Police Station at 4.40pm after the Thai man attacked and tried to sexually assault her near a garbage…
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Thai Navy plants trees in Phuket to honour Queen’s birthday
In honour of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s upcoming birthday, officials from the Royal Thai Navy organised a tree-planting event in Phuket yesterday. The ceremony took place at Muang Thalang School, followed by the planting drive at nearby Bang Khanun Forest Park. Vice Admiral Apakorn Youkongkaew, Commander of the 3rd Naval Region, presided over the event. Representatives from the Naval…
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Pitfall pursuit: Officer narrowly escapes injury while chasing wire thief in Pattaya
An officer from Pattaya City’s municipality experienced a close call while attempting to apprehend a wire thief in the early hours of the morning. The officer, Wittaya Sodavichit, fell into a five-meter-deep pit concealed by tall grass during the pursuit but fortunately did not sustain any injuries. The incident occurred at the Chaiyapruek Sports Stadium, where Wittaya was providing help…
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Eddie Izzard confirms preferred name Suzy and she/her pronouns
Comedian and activist Eddie Izzard has taken to social media to reaffirm her preference for the name “Suzy” and the pronouns “she/her.” Izzard, who has wanted to be called Suzy since the age of 10, expressed that she doesn’t mind being called Eddie and is fine with the pronouns “he/him” as well. The post received an outpouring of support from…
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Mother seeks answers on 6th anniversary of son’s unsolved Liverpool murder
Khadija Sonko, the mother of a young man who was shot dead in Liverpool six years ago, has expressed her desire to confront her son’s killer. Yusuf Sonko, aged 18 at the time, was fatally shot in the head on Tagus Street, Toxteth, around 8.30pm on June 2, 2017. He was only a week away from completing his A-Level exams.…
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Body found in Thai canal with slashed throat: Locals report suspicious vehicles
A man’s body found in a canal with a slashed throat and bound legs has shocked locals in Thailand’s central Samut Sakhon province. The police are investigating the crime scene and suspect the involvement of three to four pickup trucks, which were detected speeding away from the area earlier that day. Authorities believe the victim was not from the area…
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Shock and pasture: Lightning claims eight cows, local Thais fear supernatural shockwave
A lightning strike in Kalasin province killed eight cows sparking concerns among local villagers that it may have been caused by supernatural forces. In response, District Chief Aekarat Misa warned of the dangers of lightning and shared information on safety measures during a recent meeting. Following the incident on Monday, May 29, residents speculated on the cause, saying that, apart from…
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Pattaya loan sharks turn themselves in to cops after threatening reporter (video)
There’s been another incident involving loan sharks in Thailand. In Pattaya, two members of a loan shark gang turned themselves in to the cops after they threatened a freelance reporter earlier this week. The incident began when local Thai reporter, Buronsak Bunnodyom, asked the two men not to litter loan flyers in front of his residence on Soi 9, Central…
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Alzheimer’s-stricken driver saved by police, son hits brakes on car ownership (video)
Police rescued a 73 year old Thai man suffering from Alzheimer‘s disease after he drove his sedan for over 100 kilometres and got lost. His son now plans to sell the car to prevent his father from danger. Nithinan Sornsawat took to social media to search for his missing 73 year old father, Jong Sornsawat. The 43 year old explained…
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Fatal disregard: Kazakhstani tourist ignores red flag warnings, drowns at Phuket’s Kata Beach
A Kazakhstani tourist reportedly ignored red flags warning against swimming and as a consequence tragically drowned at Kata Beach in Phuket. Karon Police were alerted by a lifeguard at Kata Beach yesterday afternoon and discovered the body of the tourist, identified as 24 year old Artur Iskakov from Kazakhstan. Lifeguards informed the police that they had been notified of the…
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97 year old Thai grandmother abandoned on road by daughter, found soaking in rain
A 97 year old grandmother was abandoned in the middle of a road in the rain by her own daughter in Thailand‘s southern Ranong province. The elderly woman managed to crawl into the grassy area beside the road, where she was eventually found today by her distressed grandchildren. The road was in the middle of a residential area. Security camera…
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Decorated Australian soldier loses defamation case over war crime allegations
In a historic ruling, an Australian judge has determined that decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith lost a defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. The judge found the allegations against the former soldier to be “substantially true,” marking the first time an Australian court has evaluated accusations of war crimes committed by the country’s…
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Taste the sequel: Sea Bear Episode Two Food Festival takes Pattaya by storm
The highly anticipated Sea Bear Episode Two Food Festival yesterday officially kicked off at Central Mall on Pattaya Beach, offering a delicious seven-day culinary experience for food lovers. Running every day until June 7, the event takes place from 4pm to 10pm and boasts over 100 food vendors, celebrity chefs, and social media influencers. Sea Bear, the festival’s namesake, is…
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Chadchart exposes Bangkok curruption: Civil engineer demands 300,000 baht bribe
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) civil engineer attempted to solicit a 300,000 baht bribe from a construction company. The governor stands firm to take appropriate action by dismissing the corrupt officer. Chadchart together with the chiefs of 50 districts in Bangkok had a meeting yesterday at 8.30am. During the meeting, the governor stressed the…
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Thai couple caught defrauding customers in online durian sale scam
Cyber police in Thailand have arrested a married couple for fraudulently selling durian, a famous fruit in the country, online. The couple, 36 year old Mr. Anon Maneephan and 23 year old Ms. Chiraphat Chaleowai, allegedly advertised durian for sale on social media, which many customers purchased by transferring funds for a deposit. However, they never received the fruits they…
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