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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Koh Pha Ngan rapist participates in reenactment of rape of Norwegian tourist
PHOTOS: ThaiRath Police have held a bizarre reenactment of the rape of a 26 year old Norwegian tourist after a 33 year old Thai man was arrested for the crime soon after it was reported on Sunday night on Koh Pha Ngan. Rewat “Moss” Hansuwan says had offered the victim to help her find her lost wallet but ended up…
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Condo residents want action as foreigners flaunt rules on daily rentals
PHOTO: Manager Online The ongoing issue of condos and rooms being rented out as daily and weekly rentals, illegally, is making headlines again. A group of tenants went to the media complaining that they discovered owners of apartment rooms in their ‘luxury condo’ on Rama IV were contravening condominium rules and sub-letting their rooms. A sting was set up and…
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HM the King will preside over opening of Parliament on May 24
Some political water is yet to pass under the bridge with no clear coalition coming together at this stage to form Thailand’s next parliament. Meanwhile it’s been announced that HM the King will preside over the opening of the new parliament on May 24, exactly two months after the general election. A Royal Decree was issued for parliament to convene starting…
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Search continues for missing British tourist after falling overboard off Samui
Royal Thai Navy officers, divers and local volunteer organisations are continuing their search for a 40 year old British man who went missing on Monday off Koh Samui. Officials on the Gulf island say that the search for a missing British tourist who fell from a speedboat while out on an island-hopping trip is continuing. The tourist was not named but…
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June 3 to be annual holiday for new Queen’s birthday
The Cabinet has announced that June 3, Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s birthday, will now be a national holiday, starting from this year onward. The announcement was made by Nattaporn Jatusripitak, spokesperson for the deputy PM in charge of economic affairs. The proposal from the Secretariat of the Cabinet was made in response to a royal command from HM the King. The…
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Mother blames rescuers for damage to her car after trying to get her daughter out of the locked SUV
PHOTOS: Gimyong News Locals who tried to help a one year old baby who has was locked inside an SUV are being blamed as the mother claims they have caused scratches and damage to her car. Gimyong News is reporting that the incident happened at 7.30am today in Hat Yai Songkhla. A one year old girl was stuck inside a SUV…
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Now you can ‘Grab’ a hotel as well
If you’ve used Grab you’ll realise what a big announcement this is. It immerses yet another service within their intuitive App. Grab, already a leading App in Southeast Asia, has announced the launch of its ‘Hotels’ booking service. The company says customers will now be able to book hotels and other accommodation from Agoda and soon, Booking.com directly from their Grab…
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Suspect charged with murder after stabbing in Patong restaurant
A suspect has been charged after he stabbed and killed a staff member at a Patong restaurant in Bangla Road last night. Patong Police were notified of the incident at 9.50pm last night on Bangla Road in Patong. Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the man, later identified as 42 year old Anuchet Chanwijit from Trang,…
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Three die after car bursts into flames in Bangkok
PHOTOS: The Nation A driver and a front-seat passenger have been killed after their car collided into a roadside tree in Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa district this morning. The car had flipped onto its side after hitting the tree. A 32 year old and six other witnesses managed to flip the car upright and pluck a man from the back…
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Urgent meetings to consider impact of US-China trade war on Thai exports
The Thai government is reacting quickly to perceived threats to the Thai export business by the ongoing US-China trade wars which have been ramped up in the past week by, firstly, US President Donald Trump rising the tariffs on a raft of additional Chinese items. Then China announced yesterday that it will impose tariffs on US$60 billion of US goods from June…
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Former prisoner arrested over rape of Norwegian tourist on Koh Pha Ngan
33 year old Rewat Harnsuwan, a resident of Nakhon Si Thammarat, has been arrested over the alleged rape of a Norwegian woman on Koh Pha Ngan off the coast of Surat Thani last Sunday. He was arrested at a motorcycle repair shop in Tambon Koh Pha Ngan at 8pm last night. It has been revealed that he had been released from…
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Mandatory health insurance for long-stay foreigners
Health insurance will be mandatory for expats aged 50+ years look towards a long-term stay in Thailand. The insurance policy must offer up to 40,000 baht coverage for outpatient treatment and up to 400,000 baht for inpatient treatment. The Health Service Support Department director-general Nattawuth Prasert-siripong says, “The Cabinet has already approved the new rule. This is one of the measures…
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Bhumjaithai’s Anutin says he won’t support a PM dependent on the senate vote
Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader, has made it clear that his party will not support a PM candidate who does have the backing from a simple majority of MPs in Parliament. Bhumjaithai, coming fifth in sheer MP numbers following the March 24 election (behind Pheu Thai, Palang Pracharat, Future Forward and the Democrats), has become a king-maker in the jockeying…
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Suspect arrested over alleged Norwegian tourist rape at Koh Pha Ngan
Police have arrested a suspect who allegedly raped a Norwegian tourist at Koh Pha Ngan after the weekend’s Half Moon Party. The tourist filed a complaint with the Pha Ngan police station on Sunday morning, telling the officers that she had been raped by a motorcyclist. Read more about her report HERE. Police launched an immediate search for the suspect…
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Konnichiwa – welcome to Thailand’s Top 10 cultural destinations
by Nisanath Kungwanwong Congratulations ‘Hinoki Land’ in Chiang Mai for being recognised by the Thai Culture Ministry as one of Thailand’s Top 10 Cultural Destinations. It looks…so… Thai?!? “Hinoki Land should not be included in the list, as it merely copies a Japanese tourist spot of the same name.” The ministry’s Cultural Promotion Office recently announced the top 10 cultural…
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Off-the-beaten-track destinations in Thailand experiencing explosive Airbnb growth
PHOTO: Rawai, had Airbnb growth of 92 over the past year Off-the-beaten-track destinations in Thailand grew by 53% year-on-year, with some areas like Rawai in Phuket growing by more than 92% year-on-year. Airbnb hosts outside of big cities and major tourist destinations in APAC earned nearly US$1bn through the Airbnb platform in 2018. 12 million guests checked into Airbnb listings…
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Prayut says he commands the support of 11 small parties to become next PM
Eleven smaller parties have declared they will vote for the current junta chairman Prayut Chan-ocha as Thailand’s next PM when parliament convenes. A spokesperson says that the 11 small parties, commanding one party-list MP each, believe the current PM is the best person to lead the country and head up the new parliament. But the gesture of support only carries…
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Club@Koi explodes in colour, celebrities and fashion for its first anniversary
Koi restaurant, lounge and the Club @ Koi celebrated a their first year of business in their new home in Sathorn Square Building. The night was a celebratory anniversary reception and fashion gala attended by Ambassadors, dignitaries, VIPs and media followed by a sensational fashion show showcasing the latest collection “Single and available” by Munchu’s and a live performance by…
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Water temporarily cleared in Bang Tao Canal, business operators to be checked
PHOTOS: Maann Samran Water in the Bang Tao Canal is now flowing cleaner water thanks to some urgent ‘band aids’ put on the problem this morning. Business operators are now to be checked to find the source of wastewater as well. Earlier today the President of the Cherng Talay OrBorTor Ma’ann Samran admitted that 90% of the businesses in the…
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Surin Islands in Phang Nga closed until November
The Mu Koh Surin National Park in Phang Nga, 100 kilometres north of the Similans, has been closed down for the wet season and will be open again in November. The Mu Koh Surin National Park Chief Puttapot Kuprasit says, “The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is forecasting that today there will be 60-70% chance of rain and high waves up…
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Police looking for Thai man who raped Norwegian tourist after Full Moon Party
PHOTO: M-THAI Police on Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand off Koh Samui are launching a manhunt for a Thai man who has allegedly raped a Norwegian tourist. The incident is said to have happened during the monthly Half Moon party late Saturday night. The national police chief had instructed the Surat Thani police head office to speed…
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Two dead, two injured from collision in Suphan Buri
PHOTOS: Samerkun Suphanburi Rescue Foundation Two people have died while another two people have sustained serious injuries after two pickup trucks colliided in Suphan Buri, north west of Bangkok. Samerkun Suphanburi Rescue Foundation was notified of the accident on Danchang – Baan Rai Road in Suphan Buri at 5pm yesterday (Sunday). Rescue workers arrived to find two damaged pickup trucks,…
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Wyndham to manage new condo at Layan Beach Phuket
by Bill Barnett A new Wyndham managed condominium hotel is rising in the Layan Beach area of Phuket. Named the Laya Resort Phuket, the first phase of the project is 300 units of studio and one-bedroom configuration. The new development will be situated about 400 metres from Layan Beach. Pricing starts from 150,000 baht a square metre and a 15…
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Digital dithering: TV operators exit stage right
Almost a quarter of the Thai digital TV industry want to return licences under a junta offer. Six commercial digital TV broadcasters are handing the seven licences they hold back to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. The move will leave about 1,000 people without a job. Returning the licences are Bright TV for its Bright TV Channel 20, Voice…
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21 injured in Nakhon Sawan bus accident
PHOTOS: ศูนย์อุบัติเหตุทุกพื้นที่ทั่วประเทศไทย 21 passengers travelling on a bus have sustained minor injuries in a bus accident in Nakhon Sawan early this morning. Nakhon Sawan is a province north of Bangkok in Central Thailand. Tha Tako rescue workers were notified of the incident on Baan Khao Noi – Panomrok Road in Tha Tako District in Nakhon Sawan just after midnight. Emergency…
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90% untreated water flowing into Bang Tao canal
90% of business operators and locals are releasing wastewater into the filthy Bang Tao canal. Cherng Talay Tambol Administrative Organisation President Maann Samran says, “There are some hotels, restaurants and locals still releasing wastewater into Bang Tao Canal where it is flowing into the sea.” “Only 10% of them have connected their wastewater pipe into the wastewater treatment plants.” “Today…
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Vast majority of poll respondents oppose ministers and NCPO members joining Senate
PHOTO: Trying to explain the unexplainable Most Thais are unhappy with the party-list seat announcements and the perceived nepotism in the selection of parliamentary Senate members. A majority of respondents in a Suan Dusit Poll disagree with the ‘formula’ used to calculate party-list seats and with cabinet ministers and members of the military junta taking up new roles in the…
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Booking in advance, standardised tours, limited numbers – Maya Bay’s tourism future
“Both Thon and DNP executives emphasised that mass tourism would not be allowed again at Maya Bay.” by Pratch Rujivcanarom Maya Bay’s visitors will have to book in advance for limited day tours once the popular tourist magnet reopens to the public. After an official inspection of the rehabilitation efforts at Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley, local marine…
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Rising tide of concern over lifting ban on elephant exports
by Pratch Rujivanarom Animal rights activists, along with a strong voice of disapproval on social media, are complaining about the Commerce Ministry’s plan to legalise the export of live domesticated elephants. Somsak Soonthornnawaphat, head of Thai operations for the organisation World Animal Protection, strongly disapproves of the plan, citing the likelihood of the elephants suffering distress and even agony on…
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Thai troops kill four drug couriers and seize large haul of ketamine
Thai troops have shot and killed four alleged drug couriers and seized more than 300 kilograms of ketamine. The incident happened last night in a corn plantation near a bordering river in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. Acting on a tip-off that the drugs were to be smuggled from Myanmar for delivery to a Thai customer in Ban…
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