Thailand News

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    Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever

    If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...

  • British tourist’s lost wallet returned by Thai hotel worker | Thaiger

    British tourist’s lost wallet returned by Thai hotel worker

    A British holidaymaker on Koh Samui Island in Thailand is set to return home with a pleasant memory following a hotel worker’s return of his lost wallet during the new year celebrations. The wallet was found on Bophut Beach by Pakdee Trirat, an employee at the Holiday Inn Samui, amidst the festivities on the night of December 31. Surat Thani…

  • Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines | Thaiger

    Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines

    Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…

  • Power play: Energy minister’s plan sparks potential for across-the-board cost cuts | Thaiger

    Power play: Energy minister’s plan sparks potential for across-the-board cost cuts

    Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga unveiled a plan that could slash energy costs across the board. Pirapan declared yesterday, January 3, that a paradigm shift is imminent in the gas supply sector, aiming to empower power producers and significantly cut down on electricity expenses. The key? A strategic merger of gas pools to unleash a domino effect that could alter the…

  • Vietnam fines TikTok influencer for Angkor Wat mix-up | Thaiger

    Vietnam fines TikTok influencer for Angkor Wat mix-up

    In a 90-second TikTok clip that shook the social media scene, Vietnamese influencer Hua Quoc Anh found himself in hot waters after overlaying the Thai flag on an image of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The influencer faced a hefty US$300 fine (approximately 10,000 baht) and a stern meeting with the authorities. Vietnam, known for its tight grip on social media in…

  • Journey of hope: Thai-American woman seeks long-lost Thai mother | Thaiger

    Journey of hope: Thai-American woman seeks long-lost Thai mother

    A half Thai half American woman reached out to the Thai media in a bid to reunite her with her long-lost mum who is believed to live in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The 53 year old Thai-American woman, identified only as Janny, told her story to The Isaan Record, in the hope that someone knows her Thai mother…

  • Pickup truck plunges into Bangkok canal in shocking late-night incident | Thaiger

    Pickup truck plunges into Bangkok canal in shocking late-night incident

    A shocking incident unfolded today when a pickup truck plunged into a drainage canal alongside Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The driver managed to escape unharmed and reported that the accident occurred while he was swerving to avoid a municipal water truck. Late that night, Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapoj Thonghet, an investigator at Vibhavadi Police Station, received a report of a pickup…

  • Rare oarfish discovered near Adang Island, Thailand: Mythical sea creature or tsunami predictor | Thaiger

    Rare oarfish discovered near Adang Island, Thailand: Mythical sea creature or tsunami predictor

    A rare deep-sea creature, known as the Oarfish or Ribbonfish, was recently discovered near Adang Island, in the region of Satun Province, Thailand. The Science of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources TSU page reported the sighting of this marine species, recognised scientifically as Regalecus glesne, yesterday, January 3, by the fishing vessel Thepcharoenporn 15. Belonging to the Regalecidae family, the Oarfish,…

  • Royal ripple: US court docs weave tangled ties, linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein scandal (video) | Thaiger

    Royal ripple: US court docs weave tangled ties, linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein scandal (video)

    Newly released US court documents have unveiled a web of connections between high-profile figures and the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – including Prince Andrew. The scandalous details, including accusations against the 63 year old Duke of York, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, are sending shockwaves through elite circles. Prince Andrew finds himself entangled in the latest…

  • Pattani police crack down on cross-border migrant smuggling | Thaiger

    Pattani police crack down on cross-border migrant smuggling

    Authorities in Thailand detained a man from Pattani province on charges of orchestrating the illegal transport of migrant workers into the country, subsequently facilitating their clandestine journey into neighbouring Malaysia. The Immigration Police disclosed the arrest of a 56 year old man named Abdullah, in the district of Nongjik, following a concerted effort to dismantle a human smuggling network. The…

  • Boo in Nong Bon: Local grandma spooks community with twilight tales of ghostly bamboo antics | Thaiger

    Boo in Nong Bon: Local grandma spooks community with twilight tales of ghostly bamboo antics

    Rumours have spread throughout the Nong Bon community that an older woman known as Grandma Prapong is a local ghost, reportedly seen lurking in the bamboo forest and exhibiting peculiar behaviour at dusk. The intrigue escalated to such an extent that it frightened children into feverish states, leading local paranormal investigator, Prasert, to intervene and verify the validity of these…

  • LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand | Thaiger

    LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand

    When a Los Angeles-based orthodontist‘s dream Thai vacation took a horrifying turn, it shocked social media with her Instagram and TikTok followers expressing their concern and support. Dr Cara Hodgson, boasting a considerable online following of 25,500 on Instagram and 97,000 on TikTok, usually shares glimpses of her jet-setting lifestyle and dental tips. However, her recent revelation about a life-threatening…

  • Townhouse collapse in central Thailand raises safety concerns | Thaiger

    Townhouse collapse in central Thailand raises safety concerns

    A devastating incident occurred as a two-storey townhouse collapsed, causing damage to multiple properties in central Thailand. The calamity took place within the Teacher’s Village in Ban Khlong Suan, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan last night. The authorities were alerted and emergency response teams were dispatched to assess the situation and provide assistance. The area, roughly 5 kilometres from…

  • Government Savings Bank issues alert on fake news loan scam | Thaiger

    Government Savings Bank issues alert on fake news loan scam

    The Government Savings Bank (GSB) issued a warning to the public regarding fake news circulating on Facebook. A page has been promoting that GSB offers emergency loans ranging from 10,000 baht (US$289) to 50,000 baht (US$1,448) with low interest and no guarantor needed. The Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand (AFNC) investigated the matter and GSB clarified that it was a case…

  • Major international drug ring busted in Thailand: Over 15 million meth pills and 105 million baht assets seized | Thaiger

    Major international drug ring busted in Thailand: Over 15 million meth pills and 105 million baht assets seized

    A significant international drug ring has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of the operation’s leader and the seizure of over 15 million methamphetamine pills, and more than one tonne each of heroin, ketamine, and ice. The operation also netted assets worth approximately 105 million baht. The announcement came today from the Anti-Narcotics Police Headquarters, spearheaded by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy…

  • Gold price dips to 33,900 baht per baht, says GTA | Thaiger

    Gold price dips to 33,900 baht per baht, says GTA

    The Gold Traders Association (GTA) decreased the gold price consecutively today compared to the closing price yesterday. The bullion price shifted to 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht today. Reporters stated that the GTA announced a 100 baht (US$2.89) decrease in today’s gold price compared to yesterday’s closing price, with the bullion price now standing at 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht,…

  • Wat Phra Dhammakaya denies association with Yore sect amid misleading media reports | Thaiger

    Wat Phra Dhammakaya denies association with Yore sect amid misleading media reports

    Wat Phra Dhammakaya, a revered Thai temple, has officially announced its lack of association with the Yore sect, in response to misleading information presented by certain online media outlets today. The temple emphasised its position as a devout Buddhist institution under the Thai Sangha, adhering to the principles of Dhamma and Vinaya discipline. The temple’s clarification came after a news…

  • Essential guide to alcohol regulations in Thailand for 2024 visitors | Thaiger

    Essential guide to alcohol regulations in Thailand for 2024 visitors

    As we welcome the blossoming year of 2024, those planning to visit Thailand should have a grasp of the specific days when alcohol sales will face restrictions and bars and entertainment venues will close. These dates, referred to as “No Booze Days,” are critical as they prohibit all booze sales, including stores, restaurants, and hotels. To assist you in planning…

  • Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test | Thaiger

    Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test

    As Zika fears grip Hua Hin, the quaint Thai resort town finds itself battling a sudden surge in cases. The Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is sounding the alarm, urging expectant mothers to take immediate action. In response to an alarming spike in Zika virus cases, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan has issued a stark…

  • Thai man seeks justice after repeated thefts and 14 stitches to his penis | Thaiger

    Thai man seeks justice after repeated thefts and 14 stitches to his penis

    An 83 year old Thai man yesterday demanded police to take action after suffering repeated thefts and receiving 14 stitches to his penis following an attack by a thief in the Isaan province of Loei. The victim, Tanat, told Channel 3 that his home had been robbed five times. The latest incident took place at about 4am, yesterday, January 3.…

  • Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama | Thaiger

    Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama

    A teenager yesterday was hospitalised after a tumultuous shootout on a street near Saphan Hin, Phuket. A passerby suffered a shoulder wound whilst the teen had a head injury. Phuket Police received a report of a shootout near the Phuket Marine police chief’s residence on Phuket Road yesterday, January 3, at 3.10am. Police found a damaged glass louvre in one of…

  • Tee-time terror: Golf day takes a swing with surprise appearance of giant king cobra | Thaiger

    Tee-time terror: Golf day takes a swing with surprise appearance of giant king cobra

    In the Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri, a typical day of golfing transformed into a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary when an enormous king cobra raised its scary head. The beastly serpent, sprawled across the green, caused a stir among golfers, who promptly vacated the area in all directions. Upon receiving the distress signal, volunteer rescuers from…

  • Thai graduates form largest group of unemployed, says NSO | Thaiger

    Thai graduates form largest group of unemployed, says NSO

    Concerning statistics were unveiled by Thailand’s National Statistical Office (NSO) yesterday, revealing that newly minted graduates now comprise the largest segment of the country’s unemployed. Results from October’s employment survey disclosed that around 150,000 recent graduates were jobless, a worrying trend that Suwannee Wangkarn, NSO’s Deputy Director, labelled alarming. Every month, the NSO conducts an employment survey among Thai citizens.…

  • Teen’s Facebook fumble leads cops to school loot: Hapless 17 year old nabbed in Satun heist | Thaiger

    Teen’s Facebook fumble leads cops to school loot: Hapless 17 year old nabbed in Satun heist

    Police successfully tracked down and arrested a hapless 17 year old boy for stealing from a private school in the southern province of Satun after the thief changed the school’s Facebook profile to his portrait image. Sri Aman Suksa School Director Sunthorn Wongmadthong filed a theft report at Mueang Satun Police Station after the teenage thief stole a mobile phone…

  • City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish | Thaiger

    City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish

    City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…

  • Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil | Thaiger

    Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil

    Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…

  • Pheu Thai Party’s Danuporn Punnakan leads Same-sex Marriage Committee in Thailand | Thaiger

    Pheu Thai Party’s Danuporn Punnakan leads Same-sex Marriage Committee in Thailand

    A significant stride towards equality has been achieved with the appointment of Danuporn Punnakan, a representative of the Pheu Thai Party, as the chair of the Same-sex Marriage Committee. The committee includes representatives from various sectors, with a particular focus on individuals from the public and the LGBTQ+ community. This collective endeavour aims to review and revise the legislation related…

  • Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment | Thaiger

    Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment

    Students and activists from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are set to storm Government House next Friday, January 12, demanding answers over the controversial treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, has spent nearly five months receiving special privileges outside the confines of incarceration, sparking suspicions of preferential treatment.…

  • Common cold, uncommon cost: Rhinovirus spread poses testing troubles | Thaiger

    Common cold, uncommon cost: Rhinovirus spread poses testing troubles

    The spread of the rhinovirus, which presents a challenge in its diagnosis due to the high cost of testing, is currently ongoing. Dr Manun Lichaweangwong, head of the respiratory disease unit and ICU at Vichaiyut Hospital, voiced his concerns regarding this today, January 4, via his Facebook page. He explained that the virus, which is prevalent among both children and…

  • Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza | Thaiger

    Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza

    Police arrested two Thai women, who worked at a pawnshop in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, for stealing gold accessories pawned by customers and hocked them again for more than 170 million baht. A representative of the Easy Money pawnshop in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, filed a complaint at Pak Kret Police Station in October…

  • Prachin Buri school reports parent for alleged 12,500 baht fee fraud | Thaiger

    Prachin Buri school reports parent for alleged 12,500 baht fee fraud

    A prestigious private school in Prachin Buri reported a case of school fee payment fraud to the police. A parent allegedly used a counterfeit bank transfer slip to feign a payment of 12,500 baht for school fees, when only 1 baht was transferred. Despite not settling the outstanding payment, the parent continues to send her child to school. The parent…