Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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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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Hotel Act concerns addressed by Thai Hotels Association due to government’s registration rules
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has taken a positive step by welcoming the Ministry of Interior’s new regulations. These rules will now classify smaller accommodations that were operating before 2016 as hotels. This decision is expected to result in increased tax collection, providing additional income for the government. However, the proposal to exempt larger accommodation facilities from registration under the…
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Boggle Boggle: Korean noodle pop-up store debuts in Thailand with K-drama experience
In a move influenced by the continued fascination with K-pop culture among Thai enthusiasts, ‘Boggle Boggle,’ a Korean noodle pop-up store reminiscent of the famed late-night food spots or vintage red tents frequently portrayed in South Korean TV dramas, has made its recent debut in Thailand. Hosting its grand opening on June 24, Boggle Boggle occupies a space on the…
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Hydrogen program launched by Egco to cut CO2 emissions in the US
A significant advancement in the pursuit of cleaner energy took place recently, as Electricity Generating Plc (Egco), a subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, launched a hydrogen program. This new initiative is set in the Linden Cogen thermal cogeneration plant’s 172-megawatt Unit 6, located in the US. The hydrogen fuel blending programme is part of a wider…
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Thai economy booms as government’s fiscal income beats projections with 122bn baht surplus
The Thai economy demonstrates strong recovery and active imports as the Thai government’s net income during the first two-thirds of fiscal 2023 has surpassed projections by 122 billion baht, revealed Fiscal Policy Office Director-General, Pornchai Thiraveja, 42 years old. Between October 2022 and May 2023, the Thai government raked in a total of 1.64 trillion baht, which is an 8%…
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Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture
In a resounding celebration of heritage and culture, over 1,000 people gathered for the Phuket Peranakan Festival‘s ‘Extravaganza Carnival’ grand parade. The sparkling event unfolded in the vintage vicinity of Phuket Old Town on a joyous Saturday evening. The iconoclastic carnival, the crown jewel of the three-day extravaganza, resulted in the closure of roads, culminating in a tremendous spectacle. The…
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Decapitated body missing hands found floating off Thai islands
A man’s decapitated body, which was also missing its hands, was found floating off of Thailand‘s Koh Phi Phi islands. Krabi Marine Police were alerted to the grim discovery by the staff of Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park on Saturday, according to Matichon. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, located approximately 500 metres west of…
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Pattaya hotel rooftop sauna engulfed in flames
In Thailand’s eastern city of Pattaya, a hotel’s rooftop sauna was suddenly engulfed in flames at 10pm on Saturday. According to hotel staff, the sauna room was under renovation and had a sign prohibiting entry. However, some guests secretly used the room, resulting in an unexpected fire. The incident took place at a hotel located on Soi Arunothai, within the…
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Fresh complaint to target key players in Thailand’s ‘Patani state’ referendum
Another complaint will be lodged against figures involved in championing a ‘Patani state’ independence referendum. This declaration was made by Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanak, the commander of the Fourth Region Army and the director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4. Lieutenant General Santi yesterday reported that security personnel are in the process of collecting evidence before submitting…
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Mysterious death in jungle hut prompts investigation in Lampang province
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a tragic discovery was made in the district of Wang Nuea, Lampang province. A 48 year old man’s body was found lifeless in a hut in a dense jungle near the village. His death was mysterious, sparking an urgent response from local rescue workers, police from Wang Nuea station, and on-call physicians from Wang…
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Pride month marketing sparks backlash amidst ‘Rainbow Washing’ claims
The marketing strategies utilised by companies throughout Pride Month have sparked criticism from LGBTQ+ rights advocates who accuse businesses of merely capitalising on Pride-themed merchandise but not backing the call for equal rights in real terms. This can refer to as “Rainbow Washing.” Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, claims that these businesses just incorporated Pride Month, which is…
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Fatal handgun accident in Uthai Thani casts shadow over memorial preparations
A shocking incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a playful test of a handgun amongst friends took a fatal turn. A gathering at a residence in the Uthai Thani district descended into panic as one individual was fatally shot. The tragedy occurred amidst preparations for a religious ceremony. Despite immediate hospitalisation, the 38 year old victim’s…
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Phuket’s crypto firestorm: Faulty wiring sparks blazing inferno, exposing illegal crypto-mining operation
Firefighters were called to handle a blaze in Phuket Town exacerbated by faulty wiring. The cause was believed to be illegal crypto-mining. Surprisingly, the fire took place on the third floor of a building near the Thailand Post branch on Bangkok Road. It reportedly started around 6am yesterday and was swiftly extinguished by the responding firefighters. Fortunately, no casualties were…
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Phuket Airport tests security with a gunman simulation drill
Phuket International Airport on Friday became a hive of activity as it underwent a security drill in case of a gunman attack. A full-scale exercise of Phuket International Airport Emergency Plan (PEMEX 2023) was enacted, simulating an ‘active gunman’ scenario. The drill took place following the departure of the last domestic flight for the day and was conducted from 11pm…
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Teenage student hospitalised after overdose amid bullying in southern Thailand
A tragic school bullying incident occurred yesterday as a 15 year old Thai female student consumed over 20 pills, a mix of sleeping tablets and paracetamol, resulting in her being rushed to Phatthalung Hospital in southern Thailand. The incident occurred in one of the schools in the Kuan Maprao City area, Phatthalung province. A student, named “A,” shared her dorm…
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Former military officer accused of assaulting beer promoter in Nakhon Sawan restaurant (video)
A former military officer has been accused by a 20 year old beer promoter of physically assaulting her in a restaurant in Nakhon Sawan province, northern Thailand. The female worker, Susita Rachakit, who sustained injuries to her face, claims she was slapped and kicked by the man after he accused her of inappropriately touching him. It has been confirmed that…
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Thai council pays tribute after young doctor’s tragic fatal accident
In an unfortunate twist of events yesterday, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) extended its deepest sympathies over the untimely passing of a newly qualified young doctor, who endured a fatal traffic mishap in Kanchanaburi. The doctor, 24 year old Yanisa Suebchiang, best known as Dr Mean, fell casualty to a catastrophic four-car accident that transpired at around 4pm on…
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PM spices things up: Saluting Thai restaurant’s thai-licious triumph in ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’
In a commendation to Thailand’s food and beverages sector, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed gratitude to two Thai restaurants which have made their mark on this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants listing. This prestigious list is crafted annually by the UK-based organisation William Reed Business Media. This year, two Bangkok-based restaurants were applauded for their culinary excellence. Placed at No.15…
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Man with epilepsy dies after falling into Udon Thani canal during seizure
In a tragic event, a man suffering from epilepsy reportedly drowned after falling into a canal during a seizure. The unsettling event occurred in Udon Thani province, in northeast Thailand at a canal in Ban Bo Nam, Moo 7, Mu Mon municipality. The deceased, identified as 41 year old Chokchai Jandabao, was found lifeless in the canal by his wife…
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Thailand poised to emulate Korean Wave’s success, Asia Video Summit reveals
In a foreseeable shift, Thailand is emerging as a hotbed for flourishing content on a scale reminiscent of the highly influential Korean Wave. Such a promising outlook was significantly echoed in the recently concluded Asia Video Summit 2023, organised by Asia Video Industry Association in Hong Kong. During this gathering, the attendees comprising 180 participants from 22 different nations engaged…
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Rescue confusion: Motorcycle sidecar, not trailer truck, found in Thai canal
There was a slight misunderstanding last night when members of a local rescue team and journalists rushed into action to investigate an alleged incident involving a trailer truck that had reportedly fallen off the road and into a canal. The incident took place in Suvarnabhumi district, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. Upon arrival, it was discovered that it was…
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Alleged hospital negligence in Buriram leads to patient’s agonising death: Daughter demands accountability
A case of alleged medical negligence has been brought to light in Buriram province with 39 year old Nunchida Chomchaiyaphum slamming a local hospital. The hospital’s reported disregard for the woman’s 58 year old mother’s declining health led to a fatal end after the patient endured agonising pain for over 40 hours. Nunchida said… “Even when I insisted several times…
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Thai CSD captures kidnapping gang demanding 600,000 baht ransom in major sweep
In a major operation yesterday, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s (CSD) special weapons and tactics unit, four suspected gang members involved in kidnap cases were taken into custody across southern and northeastern Thailand. Beginning at 6am, a significant deployment of 80 members from the Hanuman taskforce initiated raids on eight distinct locations. These included three in Yala, four in…
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Monk-inspired amulets fly off the shelves as locals hope for lottery success
Over 2,500 followers and fortune-seekers yesterday thronged Phatthanathammaram temple, also known as Ban Dan Chong Jom temple, in Gab Cheing district, Surin, to get their hands on monk-inspired commemorative amulets. These amulets were being distributed to raise funds for the construction of the largest statue ever made in the likeness of Luang Poo Heng, a famous monk who is deeply…
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From lotto bliss to gambler’s abyss: Heartbroken winner’s TikTok confessions go viral
A former lottery winner poured out her heart in a rather daunting video on TikTok after she lost it all to gambling. Once the lucky recipient of a colossal 12 million baht lottery windfall, she then blew it all in a ruinous cyclone of online gambling. Her fortunes fluctuated so severely that she not only lost her cash, she consequently…
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Woman crashes car into convenience store after alleged assault by boyfriend in Ranong
An unfortunate car accident occurred near a convenience store close to the exit gate of Ranong Provincial Police Station at around 8.45pm yesterday, according to Ranong police. A middle-aged woman, navigating a bronze-silver Toyota Yaris with plate number กง 737 Ranong, was involved in the mishap. The car flipped, laying upside down, its wheels pointing skyward. The woman managed to…
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Korat City’s cherished paramedic ‘Doctor Toon’ bids a tearful adieu
A pall of grief swept across Korat city as it mourns the tragic death of its leading paramedic, known locally as “Doctor Toon.” The tragedy left the 38 year old emergency medical personnel’s life abruptly cut short following a shocking road accident. Police in Korat City in Nakhon Ratchasima province yesterday received a distress call at 12.10am about an accident…
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Three former rangers arrested in high-profile 500,000 baht Thai kidnapping incident
Today witnessed a significant operation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD)’s special weapons and tactics unit, resulting in the arrest of three suspected culprits of a kidnapping gang. Spanning two regions in southern Thailand and one in the northeast, the operation began at 6am, with the CSD’s Hanuman unit targeting eight specific locations. Three of these target sites were identified…
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Foreign motorcyclist struck by hit-and-run baht bus driver in Pattaya
A bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning as a foreign motorcyclist was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a baht bus, which subsequently fled from the incident scene. The collision occurred at 3.30am, in the vicinity of Hard Rock Hotel. Emergency healthcare workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation were alerted and quickly reached the scene,…
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Two Thais arrested for defrauding Bangkok monk of 500,000 baht in online scam
Thai cyber police yesterday apprehended two key members of a fraudulent call centre operation which orchestrated an elaborate financial scam, defrauding a monk out of almost half a million baht. Named Thitiwatch, aged 38, and 52 year old Ekapetch were arrested in Phaya Thai and Pleonchit districts of Bangkok under arrest warrants 407,408/2023 from Samut Prakan provincial court. The investigation…
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Bangkok freezes fire drills after fatal school mishap, calls for rigorous reform
The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, appealed for extensive reform of disaster prevention and mitigation systems in the wake of a lethal explosion that occurred during a fire drill at a local school. Fire evacuation exercises throughout the city will remain suspended while safety checks on fire-fighting apparatus are carried out. This update in policy comes in the aftermath of…
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