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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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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New canal bridge in Ayutthaya opens to boost local travel
The new bridge over Bang Luang Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has officially opened, enhancing travel for residents between the two sides of the canal to important locations. This significant development aims to improve both economic and social aspects for the local communities. Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads Aphirat Chaiyavongnoi announced the completion of the Bang Luang…
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Iranian man and Thai wife murdered in Pattaya restaurant
A relative’s dream led to the discovery of the murder of an Iranian man and his Thai wife at their restaurant in Pattaya. The bodies of Mojtaba Ghanbariazad, a 64 year old Iranian, and his Thai wife, Thanaporn Poonprakone, were found in their bedroom on the second floor of their Iranian restaurant today, July 16. Ghanbariazad was lying half-naked in…
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Five charged in Thai Rice Department extortion case
Police have completed their investigation and forwarded the case to prosecutors involving five individuals accused of extorting 1.5 million baht from the Director-General of Thailand’s Rice Department. These individuals face multiple charges related to corruption and abuse of power. Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Anek Taosupap, announced that the investigation team has concluded their work on…
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Overloaded truck blocks Patong Hill, causing long delays (video)
A truck overloaded with hay bales blocked traffic over Patong Hill last night, causing extensive delays. The incident occurred when the truck struggled to climb the steep hill, before ultimately coming to a halt near its base. The video, shared on Facebook by Newshawk Phuket, recorded the truck at 11.25pm, yesterday, July 15, as it struggled and eventually stopped. The…
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17 year old girl brutally assaulted by ex-boyfriend in Chon Buri
A Thai woman sought justice for her 17 year old daughter after she became a victim of a brutal knife attack by her ex-boyfriend at his home in Chon Buri. The teenage girl’s ears and a finger were cut off in the frenzied attempted murder attack. The girl’s 55 year old mother, Malisorn, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to seek justice…
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Bangkok governor goes fishing for answers over fish deaths
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected Bueng Makkasan in Ratchathewi district following a large number of fish deaths, suspected to be caused by oxygen depletion and expressed concern over the potential spread of the blackchin tilapia to other areas. Chadchart visited Bueng Makkasan in the Ratchathewi district today to investigate the mass fish deaths in the area. Local fishers reported that…
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Thailand commits to child refugee rights by lifting CRC reservation
The Royal Thai Government made a significant stride in children’s rights by agreeing to withdraw its reservation on Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), with the move now guaranteeing rights to refugee children. This decision was officially announced by the Cabinet on July 9 and is set to be formalised through the United Nations…
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Fertiliser fiasco: Thailand halts farmers’ subsidy scheme
Trouble is brewing for Thailand’s farmers as the much-anticipated fertiliser subsidy faces suspension until next year, according to Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow. Thamanat announced plans to discuss the troubled fertiliser subsidy policy with economic ministers, following revelations that the scheme could be on hold until 2024. Initially, the government had approved subsidies of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000…
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Power play: Thailand’s coalition leaders unite over dinner
Emerging from a high-profile dinner meeting at the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently asserted that the coalition now commands the unwavering support of over 314 MPs. The informal dinner, attended by core leaders of the 11 coalition parties, underscored the unity among the partners. The 62 year old Thai premier highlighted the solidarity within…
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Student files complaint after alleged drugging and assault by senior
A university student filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) after being allegedly drugged and nearly raped by a senior. The student revealed that nearly ten other juniors have also fallen victim to similar incidents. Today, July 16, at the CIB’s complaint centre, Thammanan Tangtim accompanied a 21 year old student, referred to as B, from a prominent…
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Ancient artefacts found in Phrae to boost tourism
The ancient city of Wiang Chiang Chuen in Phrae, northern Thailand, has unveiled numerous historical artefacts, including polished stone axes and objects over 2,000 years old. The Fine Arts Department plans to develop it into a new historical tourist attraction. During a survey today, Warawut Euapinyakul, MP for Phrae’s 3rd district from the Pheu Thai Party, and Director-General of the…
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Pattaya police deny collusion in Chinese tourist extortion scandal
One of the police officers accused of extorting 700,000 baht from Chinese tourists in Pattaya denied involvement in the act, claiming he was in the car the entire time and did not know what had happened to the foreigners. A dashcam video showed a group of men introducing themselves as police, raiding the car of the Chinese victims and later…
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Well-trusted nanny arrested for multimillion-baht theft and fraud
A deeply trusted nanny in Nakhon Pathom has been arrested for theft and fraud amounting to millions of baht. Despite receiving a high salary and being treated well, she allegedly stole valuable items and borrowed money under false pretences. Officers led by Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopha today, July 16, ordered the arrest of a 45 year old nanny, Anong,…
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Bus fare collector dies in tragic motorcycle crash in Bangkok
A tragic accident occurred when a bus fare collector, riding a motorcycle to work, lost control and crashed into a signpost, resulting in his death before reaching the BMTA bus depot. The fatal accident involved a motorcycle losing control at a curve and crashing into a signpost. The incident occurred around 4.30am today, July 16, on a newly constructed road…
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Kindergarten officer arrested for embezzlement of 2.8 million baht
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a former kindergarten finance officer for embezzlement of over 2.8 million baht from a bilingual program. The suspect was taken into custody on charges of corruption. The Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Phumivisan Kasemsuk, today, July 16, directed a team under the PACC to facilitate the arrest of the suspect. The…
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Thailand approves genome editing to boost agricultural yields
Thailand officially sanctioned Genome Editing (GEd) technology for advanced plant breeding, aiming to boost yields while reducing chemical use in agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture (DoA). DoA Chief Rapeepat Chansriwong announced the approval of the GEd technique under a ministerial regulation. This decision was endorsed by the agriculture minister and subsequently published in the Royal Gazette. Typically, new…
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Thai Education Ministry advances tablet initiative despite budget cut
Thailand’s Education Ministry continues to advance its tablet distribution initiative, despite a budget reduction from 16 billion to 13 billion baht. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, an assistant to the Education Minister, confirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project yesterday. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob is spearheading the One District, One Quality School project. This initiative aims to consolidate educational resources, both…
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Thai YouTuber shoots man in leg over football betting dispute
A Thai YouTuber, with over one million subscribers, shot a former boxer in the leg at a restaurant in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok over a football bet and financial dispute. The victim, 38 year old Atikhun “Oat” Nueangpim, sought help from Porramate Chaipatcharakunpong, the President of the Advisory Committee of the Nonthaburi Provincial Prosecutor, fearing he would never receive justice…
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Smoke and mirrors: Grandson’s row over cigarettes ends in tragedy
A tragic incident occurred in Udon Thani where an elderly man was killed by his grandson after an argument over cigarettes. The event shocked the local community, who described the deceased as a kind and sociable person. Police in Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani, yesterday, July 15, received a report of a murder at a house in Pa Kho subdistrict. Officers…
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Fishing boat nets 4 tonnes of shrimp off Phang Nga coast
A fishing boat’s single catch netted an astonishing 4 tonnes of shrimp, worth nearly 1 million baht, off the coast of Phang Nga. The catch highlights the rich marine life in the area, following a recent conservation period. Officers from the Krabi Provincial Fisheries Office inspected the commercial fishing vessel, S. Phet Samut 11, upon its return to the Sai…
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Man seeks lottery numbers from tarantula burrow in Phetchabun
A man travelled from Korat to Phetchabun to perform a ritual seeking lottery numbers from a tarantula’s burrow, a practice based on ancient beliefs. His efforts were rewarded with a three-digit number that he hopes will bring him luck. A man from Korat, along with locals and lottery enthusiasts, gathered at a farm owned by 63 year old Bua Charoentha…
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Lucky winner bags 6,000,000 baht prize in today’s lottery draw
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the results of the Thai national lottery for the draw held today at the prize announcement building in Nonthaburi. Enthusiastic participants across the country eagerly awaited the numbers, hoping for a life-changing win. The first prize, worth 6,000,000 baht, sparked joy for one lucky winner. Alongside this, two adjacent numbers to the 1st prize…
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Thai man kills drug-addicted brother after attack on mother
A Thai man stabbed his drug-addicted younger brother to death after he attempted to physically assault his mother at home in the Isaan province of Buriram. Chumsaeng Police Station officers arrested the 32 year old suspect, Weera “Khao” Turam, and accompanied him to the police station for questioning. Khao admitted to stabbing to death his drug-addicted brother, 29 year old…
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Former UVF terrorist engaged to Thai bride 50 years his junior
An infamous Irish terrorist revealed his engagement to a Thai bride half a century younger. Gormy McMullan, a prime suspect in the Loughinisland massacre, announced his upcoming nuptials to Thai national Bannapon Nuch Jathasan on social media, igniting a storm of reactions. “I have decided she is my main one now.” The 71 year old murder suspect proudly declared in…
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Dengue infections in Thailand reach record 44,387 cases in first six months of 2024
The latest epidemiological surveillance report from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DCD) has revealed an alarming surge in dengue fever cases in 2024. As of July 10, the number of reported cases has reached a staggering 44,387, representing a 1.06-fold increase from the same period in 2023. This marks a significant public health concern, as the first six months of…
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Lottery frenzy hits Chai Nat market ahead of July 16 draw
Hopeful lottery enthusiasts flocked to buy tickets for today’s draw at Pasi Sung Market in Chai Nat. The atmosphere at Pasi Sung Market was abuzz yesterday with eager lottery buyers looking for their favourite numbers for the government lottery draw today, July 16. With people hoping to become the next millionaire, many were out early, scouring the stalls for their…
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Thailand tackles household debt crisis, slow economic recovery
The Economic Cabinet directed the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to quickly address household debt issues, focusing on bad debts in housing, cars, motorcycles, credit cards, and student loans, amid an economy still showing sluggish recovery signs. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, after the economic ministers’ meeting chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, stated that the premier instructed…
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Bangkok to speed up removal of illegal canal structures
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) pledged to accelerate the removal of illegal structures built over the city’s extensive network of canals. Bangkok hosts over 1,980 canals and other waterways, with 233 under the Department of Drainage’s jurisdiction, while local district offices under the BMA manage the remainder. A 2021 survey by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage identified approximately 11,035 illegal…
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Thai AirAsia seeks govt aid amid demand slump and tax cuts
Thai AirAsia, experiencing a downturn in demand during the second and third quarters of 2023, now seeks government intervention to boost the stagnant local purchasing power. Chief Executive Santisuk Klongchaiya noted that the seasonal nature of tourism has resumed, with the average load factor for the domestic market in the second quarter decreasing to 90% from 94% year-on-year. Despite the…
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Mobile SIM card dispute leads to fatal shooting in Uthai Thani
A heated argument over a mobile phone SIM card ended tragically when a man shot his uncle dead at the front door of their home. The gunman, a former village assistant headman, had resigned after testing positive for drugs. Wasawat Siphipob, an investigator at Sawang Arom Police Station in Uthai Thani province, received a report yesterday, July 15, at around…
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