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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Dog rescued from cruel owner who dragged pooch along road
A Thai woman rescued a dog from its cruel owner, who dragged the animal along the road in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, leading to injuries to its legs and body. The witness, Charuwan Phuangkham, shared the videos of an argument between the dog owner and a woman who rescued the animal on her Facebook account yesterday. April 8.…
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Stepfather accused of assaulting 11 year old girl in Krabi
A 60 year old stepfather has been accused of sexually assaulting his 11 year old stepdaughter after her elder sister noticed suspicious behaviour and questioned her. The child was reportedly too afraid to inform her mother, fearing she would believe the stepfather over her. Yesterday, April 8, Saiyan Sukchan, chairperson of the Centre for Protection, along with officials from the…
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Cheeky splash! Chiang Mai chief in hot water over G-string coyote rave
A Chiang Mai district chief is facing a wave of backlash after a G-string-wearing coyote dancer was filmed shaking her tail feathers on a floating raft while stunned families and kids looked on from the water nearby. The family day out on the Ping River took a rather racy turn after a scandalous clip surfaced online showing a coyote dancer…
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Thai army commanders face action over conscript abuse
Commanders of army units where trainers are found guilty of conscript abuse will face disciplinary measures for neglecting their responsibilities, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated yesterday. Phumtham yesterday, April 8, made these remarks during a visit to a conscript selection and recruitment unit at the Directorate of Joint Communications under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Don Mueang district,…
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Thailand video news | American academic denied bail under Thai royal defamation law, Vietnamese student visas to the US hit 10-year high
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. They discuss the denial of bail for American academic Dr Paul Chambers under Thailand’s royal defamation law, a sharp plunge in the Thai stock market following new US tariffs, and the arrest of a British tourist for overstaying her visa. Also featured are…
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Miracle rescue: Young girl pulled from deep sewer in Bangkok
A young girl is lucky to be alive after falling into a deep sewer near Soi Sahakarnpramoon in Bangkok. The dramatic rescue unfolded yesterday, April 8, as emergency teams rushed to save her from the perilous depths. At 5.49pm yesterday, emergency services received a distress call via hotline 199 reporting a girl trapped in a sewer near Soi Sahakarnpramoon, located…
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Russian man arrested for 332-day overstay in Phuket
Officers from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Bureau arrested a Russian man yesterday for overstaying his visa by nearly one year. Immigration officials yesterday, April 8, informed Phuket Hotnews that they were conducting a crackdown on foreign criminals in the province from April 7 to 11. The operation is targeting foreigners who are residing in the province illegally, as well as…
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Teens detained in Chiang Mai for Cambodian call centre scam
Three teenagers were detained in Chiang Mai for allegedly operating an office to recruit people for work in a Cambodian call centre scam. They enticed people with promises of lucrative grey-area jobs, free accommodation, and natural border crossing. Yesterday, April 8, Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yisakhon, the commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, revealed a collaborative operation involving several…
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370 million baht approved for disaster warning system upgrade
The Thai Cabinet approved a budget of 370 million baht for the development of natural disaster warning systems, or early warning systems (EWS). The recent earthquake in Myanmar was a first-time experience for many Thai citizens. The incident sparked concerns about the public’s lack of knowledge regarding how to stay safe during a natural disaster and how to protect themselves…
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Fowl play: Bangkok woman ruffled by cyber cops in cockfighting bust
Thai cyber police arrested a 41 year old woman suspected of running an illegal online cockfighting gambling operation with daily transactions reaching hundreds of thousands of baht. The arrest followed an investigation and search at her residence in Sai Mai, Bangkok yesterday, April 8. According to Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphun of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the operation was…
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Major drug dealer captured after dramatic canal chase in Tha Sala
Police in Tha Sala district yesterday arrested a major drug dealer after an intense pursuit. The suspect, identified as a key figure in the local drug trade, attempted to evade capture by attacking officers and fleeing into a canal. Police Colonel Thawatchai Sangkhamitkon of Tha Sala Police Station yesterday, April 8, had received reports of drug trafficking in the area.…
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Contractor claims 3.7 million baht unpaid wages in DSI probe
A construction contractor appeared before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers to discuss his knowledge of those associated with China Railway Number 10 and 9 PK company, major contractors in an ongoing investigation. The meeting occurred at the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road at 9.30am, yesterday, April 8, where Thitiphong Pothiprom was questioned for more than three hours…
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No grounds for panic: No coffee shortage or price hike, says DIT
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has confirmed that there will be no shortage or price increase for a well-known coffee brand, despite rumours to the contrary. They are closely monitoring the market, ensuring retail outlets display prices clearly, with penalties for non-compliance. Witthayakorn Maneenate, Director-General of the DIT, addressed concerns over rumours suggesting a temporary halt in the supply…
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Malaysian man wanted for 6.9 million baht gold theft in Songkhla
Police are hunting for a Malaysian man who stole gold accessories worth over 6.9 million baht from a shop in the Hat Yai district of the southern province of Songkhla. The thief arrived at the gold shop on Montri 1 Road in Hat Yai district yesterday, April 8, wearing white trousers, a dark blue-grey polo shirt, and a hat. He…
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Ex-Israeli soldier busted for moonlighting as Koh Pha Ngan guide
An ex-Israeli special forces soldier swapped the battlefield for the beaches – but his jungle jaunts with kids have landed him in hot water, after being busted for playing tour guide on Koh Pha Ngan without a permit. Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, yesterday, April 8, ordered a crackdown after receiving a tip-off that…
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Bangkok’s Wat Arun nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status
Thailand’s iconic Wat Arun temple is one step closer to global recognition, as the Cabinet has just approved its nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The move highlights the temple’s rich architectural history and its significance to the Rattanakosin Kingdom. In a pivotal Cabinet meeting yesterday, Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced that the Phra Prang of Wat Arun…
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Thunderstorm warning: Thailand braced for a real down pour
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm for today, warning tourists and residents to brace themselves as heavy rain is set to drench 49 provinces with thunderous booms and gusty gales, Bangkok included. Residents are urged to stay vigilant, as some areas could even see a surprise visit from hailstones. The current weather conditions are influenced by a…
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Foreigner killed in high-speed SUV crash in Rayong (video)
A foreigner drove his SUV at high speed and collided with a six-wheel truck and a motorcycle in the eastern province of Rayong. The foreign driver was killed, while the two Thai nationals involved sustained injuries. Dashcam footage from the six-wheel truck, which was shared on a news Facebook page, showed the black Ford Everest SUV travelling at high speed…
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Chinese steel firm delays Bangkok conference over safety
Chinese steel manufacturer Xin Ke Yuan Steel has decided to postpone its much-anticipated press conference on steel quality, opting to await further clarification from Thailand’s Industry Ministry. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the company’s involvement in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district and concerns over the safety of its products. The…
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Thailand and Bhutan sign landmark Free Trade Agreement
Thailand and Bhutan have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), strengthening economic ties and paving the way for closer trade cooperation. The historic deal was signed during Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s visit to Bangkok last week, coinciding with the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Bilateral trade between the two countries has already surpassed 460 million baht, and Tobgay expressed confidence…
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Watt’s next: Thailand powers up for electric vehicle revolution
Thailand’s government is committed to transforming the nation into an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, with a policy focused on stimulating demand to encourage consumer adoption. Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul emphasised the importance of building a domestic EV supply to meet this demand. The government has shifted from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production to an EV focus through…
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Pattaya thrives as other Thai destinations struggle this Songkran
As Thailand gears up for the Songkran Festival, Pattaya is making waves while other major tourist destinations struggle to keep up. Amidst a national decline in hotel bookings and a challenging economic landscape, Pattaya has emerged as a beacon of success, defying the odds and seeing a surge in tourism activity. While the overall outlook for Thailand’s tourism industry has…
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2 Thai teenagers drown in Suphan Buri canal while washing hair
Two Thai teenagers drowned in a canal in the central province of Suphan Buri after entering the water with a friend to wash their hair following a dyeing session. A seven year old girl ran from the Jorrakay Samphan Canal back to her community yesterday, April 7, to seek help after her two older friends, 15 year old Kate and…
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Thai Airways expands fleet with 45 Boeing dreamliners
Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed that fleet expansion is a key part of its strategy, with the airline set to procure 45 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of a major deal to increase its aircraft numbers and strengthen ties with the United States. In a bold move aimed at both modernising its fleet and supporting Thailand’s trade negotiations with…
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Chiang Mai prepares moat for Songkran with safety upgrades
As the Songkran festival approaches, Chiang Mai is ensuring its historic moat is ready for the annual water splashing fun, with significant upgrades to water quality and safety. The city has taken crucial steps to improve both the environment and the safety of residents and tourists who flock to the moat to celebrate Thailand’s most famous water festival. Since March…
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Whirlwind devastates Chanthaburi orchard, 50 tonnes of durian lost
A whirlwind storm recently devastated a fruit orchard in Chanthaburi‘s Mueang district, causing over 50 tonnes of durian, nearing harvest, to fall to the ground. The destruction resulted in a financial loss exceeding 8 million baht, with remaining sellable durians fetching only 10 baht per kilogramme. Yesterday, April 7, local journalists visited the fruit orchard in Mueang district, Chanthaburi province,…
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American professor denied bail on Section 112 charges
Paul Chambers, a prominent American academic from Naresuan University, has been denied bail by Phitsanulok Court following his arrest on charges under Section 112, the lese majeste law, sparking widespread outrage over academic freedom and human rights. Dr Chambers, an expert in Southeast Asian military-civilian relations, was apprehended after an arrest warrant was issued by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court. Today,…
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Thai doctor accused of encouraging patient to die after suicide attempt
A Thai woman battling depression and bipolar disorder accused a doctor at a hospital in Udon Thani, Isaan province, of urging her to end her life. This shocking claim surfaced after she was admitted following a suicide attempt on April 3. The 24 year old woman, Chompoo, shared her story with ThaiRath, seeking justice and calling for disciplinary action against…
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Locals slam Phuket cops for freeing thug after savage attack on foreign woman
Phuket residents criticised the police for releasing a man just two days after his arrest for an unprovoked, vicious assault on an unnamed foreign woman. The Phuket Times shared a video of the assault on April 4. The incident occurred at around 1pm on Thep Kasattri Road in the Thalang area of Phuket. The video showed the foreign victim standing…
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Thailand and Japan unite for Songkran Warm Water Onsen event
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is collaborating with Japan to celebrate the Songkran Warm Water Onsen event, aiming to link the Songkran festival with international tourism promotion. This initiative is expected to boost foreign visits to Thailand. Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, Governor of TAT, announced that this month, TAT will actively promote Thailand’s Songkran festival. For example, from April 5 to…
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