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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Former Thai police officer arrested in murders of 2 men 9 years ago
Special Service Division (SSD) officers yesterday arrested a former police officer at his home in the southern province of Narathiwat in connection with the murders of two Thai men nine years ago in 2015. The SSD officers, also known as Commando Police, apprehended the 39 year old former Police Sergeant Komkrit at his home in the Cho-airong district of Narathiwat…
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Thai Airways launches game-changing mobile app upgrade
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited unleashed a revamped version of its mobile application, promising a range of features across various platforms. With this latest iteration, passengers are in for a treat as they gain unprecedented control over their travel arrangements. Designed with Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) members in mind, the new application boasts a suite of functions to cater…
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Sexcapades scam: Bangkok conman caught with pants down
A notorious Bangkok conman operating within the sex industry, known by the alias “Meen Rama 3” has been apprehended in a sting operation orchestrated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police. The 33 year old man, Kittikorn, was arrested for posing as a modelling agent to deceive and assault more than 50 young sex workers, as well as for robbing them of…
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Thief in lion’s clothing: Dance troupe man nabbed
A 37 year old man associated with a lion dance troupe was apprehended for a string of thefts targeting drunk individuals and the homeless sleeping in public areas. A 37 year old man was arrested following a police operation in Bangkok’s Thonburi district after being under investigation for mobile phone and cash thefts, which he admitted to committing to finance…
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China’s imports and exports rebound showing positive shift in April
After experiencing a contraction in the previous month, China’s imports and exports rebounded in April, according to customs data released today. This positive shift indicates a promising enhancement in both local and international demand, providing a vital lift to the nation’s fragile economic recovery. The upswing in data suggests that the numerous policy support measures introduced in recent times are…
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High stakes: Thai PM leads talks on weed reclassification
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheaded a meeting yesterday to discuss the country’s narcotics issues and the potential reclassification of cannabis as a type 5 narcotic drug. The conference saw the involvement of key officials such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, the newly appointed Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin and the Minister of Justice,…
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Thai man’s antics turn Pattaya porridge shop into rice riot
Chaos erupted at the Prachanban Rice Porridge Shop on Central Pattaya Road when a 30 year old Thai man sent Thai and foreign customers into a frenzy. Police rushed to the scene on Sunday, May 5, following reports of a man exhibiting erratic behaviour in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, the Thai man, identified as Ton, fled from officers,…
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Fuelling fury: Map Ta Phut blaze sparks urgent evacuation (video)
A catastrophic blaze engulfed a fuel storage tank in the heart of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, leading to continuous explosions and an urgent evacuation, left one person dead and four injured. The incident, which caused at least one injury, occurred at 10.30am today, May 9, when the Eastern Environmental Monitoring and Control Centre (EMCC) in the Rayong province…
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Suphan Buri’s Mae Buay Salay restaurant preprares for PM’s visit
Suphan Buri’s Mae Buay Salay restaurant, a renowned culinary landmark with over 80 years of history, is bustling with preparations to welcome the prime minister and Cabinet members on their upcoming visit. The restaurant, famed for its delectable river prawns and enduring tradition, is set to showcase its signature dishes to high-profile guests. Mae Buay Salay, located in the Bang…
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Deepfake dilemma: AI scam rise, posing as kin for data snatch
Artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes, used for identity theft and impersonating identities of the victim’s relatives are now being used for personal data collection, in a rising trend of scams in Thailand. Titinun Suttinaraphan, the Regional Marketing Director of Southeast Asia for Gogolook, developer of the Whoscall app, states that the total number of Thai were victims of 217,047 scams per…
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Online scammed and slammed: Thai man nabbed for web of deceit
A 29 year old man was arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat for allegedly operating a fraudulent online business, causing damages worth over 2 million baht. The suspect, identified as Pongsiri, is linked to 61 cases of scams, selling products ranging from powdered milk to rubber mattresses that never arrived after payment. The Cyber Police’s duties were made easy when Pongsiri’s…
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Demolished dreams: Ex MP’s pickup crash claims husband’s life
A former Democrat Party MP allegedly crashed a pickup into an electric pole in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, losing her husband in the accident. The couple previously hit tabloid headlines on issues involving their relationship but were reunited just three months before the fatal accident. The deceased, 42 year old Pongphumphat Chuedee, made headlines in February after seeking…
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Froggy forecast: Rain brings ‘eung pao’ craze, hopping sales in Phayao
The onset of rain in Phayao province sparked a flurry of activity as the local delicacy, eung pao, better known as balloon frog, became available for a limited time, leading to bustling markets and a significant boost in income for local villagers. Selling for as much as 600 baht per kilogramme, these creatures are a source of culinary delight and…
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Peed off: Outrage erupts as foreign child pees outside Thai temple
The Thai tourism and sports minister and netizens nationwide condemned a foreign couple for allowing their daughter to urinate in public at Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok. However, many Thais felt that the foreigners’ actions were not so serious. A Thai man shared a picture of the incident on his Facebook…
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Thailand Video News | PM Thavisin seeks to re-criminalise cannabis, Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos, redirects to Bangkok
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into the stories from across Thailand. Beginning with Prime Minister Thavisin’s pursuit to re-criminalise cannabis sends ripples through the nation’s legal landscape. Meanwhile, chaos ensues aboard a Kuwait Airways flight, leading to an unexpected redirection to Bangkok. In the realm of entertainment, Thai comedian Udom’s Netflix special ignites controversy, sparking discussions…
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Russian arrested in Phuket for illegal mushroom possession
A 29 year old Russian national was arrested in Phuket for possessing hallucinogenic buffalo dung mushrooms, a substance classified under Thailand’s Type 5 narcotics, without permission. The arrest occurred today, May 9, during a coordinated operation by police in Patong, a district in the Kathu area of the island. The operation, led by police chiefs Chalermchai Hernsawat and Sompron Surin,…
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Thai govt’s digital wallet project: A cash splash on the horizon
The Government of Thailand is still finalising its digital wallet project, a financial aid initiative which promises a 10,000 baht disbursement to eligible citizens. The specific criteria for eligibility include an age threshold, and a deposit cap to ensure the aid reaches those intended. Citizens who are 16 years old as of September 30 of this year, or born before…
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Liverpool dad and army veteran dies suddenly during Thai getaway
A dream holiday abroad quickly turned into a nightmare for a British man from Liverpool as the former army veteran passed away unexpectedly while enjoying the Songkran festivities in Thailand. In a twist of fate, 69 year old Roy Mitchell met his untimely end during the Songkran festival in Pattaya, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service. Known for…
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Truck’s mishap sends shockwaves at Phaya Thai intersection
A high-impact collision occurred at Phaya Thai intersection, sending shockwaves through the area as a truck crashed into a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayutthaya Road inbound from the Mor Leng intersection to the Sri Ayutthaya intersection, around the ramp to the overpass at Phaya Thai intersection. The incident, which took place at 7.18am today, May 9, caused severe damage…
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Severe weather alert for 48 Thai provinces, thunderstorm risks
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for today, forecasting thunderstorms across 48 provinces, affecting 60% of the area, including Bangkok. The agency cautions of potential dangers, including strong winds and flash floods. As southeast monsoon and southern winds cover north and upper central Thailand, thunderstorms, strong gusts, and heavy downpours are expected in these regions.…
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Asphalt truck flip on Rama VII Bridge snarls Bangkok traffic
A sudden swerve and flip of an asphalt truck on the Rama VII Bridge caused severe Bangkok traffic disruption in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurring at 4am, resulted in the complete blockage of all lanes on Charansanitwong Road, extending from Bang Phlat junction towards the Pracha Chuen Road and Wong Sawang areas. Bang Kruai police were…
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Doncaster Rovers fan’s Wembley tribute after Thailand crash
A lifelong Doncaster Rovers devotee met a devastating end in Thailand, but his family is rallying for a heartfelt homage – with Wembley dreams in their sights. The family of Wayne Parkin, a die-hard fan who tragically perished in a bike crash horror abroad, is now fervently hoping for a Wembley win as the ultimate tribute to their beloved Wayne. A…
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‘Shameless’ Thai woman sues monk over lottery dispute
A Thai woman filed a lawsuit against a monk in Chon Buri province, accusing him of cheating and insulting her by saying she was “shameless” when she asked for her donation back because the monk’s lottery numbers did not win any prizes. The Thai monk, whose identity remains undisclosed, is seeking justice saying the woman named Chompoo repeatedly harassed him and…
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Thailand’s economic growth forecast revised down
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB) has revised Thailand’s economic growth forecast downward from a range of 2.8 to 3.3% to 2.2 to 2.7% for the year. The revised outlook is due to a slowdown in exports, which is negatively affecting the manufacturing sector. The panel also flagged a decrease in export expansion from 2% to…
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Thai govt’s minimum wage hike to 400 baht faces opposition
The government’s recent announcement of an impending nationwide minimum wage hike to 400 baht per day in October has provoked strong opposition from a member of the tripartite wage committee. The committee member in question, Atthayuth Leeyavanich, who represents employers, criticised the premature disclosure of the wage increase, asserting that it had not yet been discussed or approved by the…
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Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
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Thailand’s health minister proposes change to amphetamine law
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has announced a significant shift in Thailand’s drug policy. He expressed his intention to reduce the minimum amount of amphetamine tablets that would classify possession as a criminal act. Currently, the law considers possession of five or more tablets as a crime, a reduction from the previous threshold of 15, implemented last year. Speaking to…
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Concerns rise over Thai ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice
Concerns are escalating over the Thai Commerce Ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice from the former government’s rice-pledging scheme. Consumer safety watchdogs, including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been urged to investigate potential aflatoxin and chemical contamination in the grain. This appeal comes in the wake of Commerce Minister…
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Thai technician’s no-drill aircon install in Trat goes viral
A Thai air conditioning technician from Trat has ingeniously circumvented a landlord’s strict no-drilling policy by innovatively installing an air conditioning unit without altering the property’s walls. The landlord’s uncompromising stance on wall modifications led to the resourceful solution, which was shared on ช่างแอร์ พัทยา Facebook group. The Facebook post, by แอร์ด่วน พัทยา, showcased a creative workaround to the typical…
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Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos as passengers clash
A routine flight from Thailand to Kuwait turned into a mid-air battleground when a group of Kuwaiti women erupted into a violent altercation, leaving chaos and fear in their wake. Amidst the turbulence, the situation escalated to the point where even the plane’s security officer fell victim to assault. With safety paramount, the pilot made a crucial decision, rerouting the…
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