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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Fearless Thai child makes a splash with ‘crocs’ of a different kind
A fearless child was seen playing and swimming with several baby reptiles that looked remarkably like crocodiles. The video clip, which took social media by storm earlier this week, shows the girl fearlessly chasing the tiny reptiles around a tub, picking them up with ease. Reporters, eager to uncover the story behind the viral sensation, traced the video to a crocodile…
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Woman alleges assault by district officer boyfriend, fractured ribs
A woman today filed a police report against her boyfriend, a district officer, accusing him of physical assault, leaving her with two fractured ribs. The Surin province district chief today, July 11, ordered an investigation and apologised to the victim. The 41 year old victim, a woman referred to as A, provided CCTV footage showing her boyfriend, a district officer,…
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Public health vice minister’s sudden exit from Pheu Thai Party
Wan Yubamrung, the vice minister attached to the public health minister, announced his resignation today. He is set to leave the Pheu Thai Party next week. Wan, the son of outspoken veteran Pheu Thai Party member Chalerm Yubamrung, revealed his decision in an emotional Facebook Live post. “I had never thought about leaving the Pheu Thai Party, as long as…
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Thai-British couple ‘paws’ to save puppy from restaurant abuse
A Thai woman and her British husband rescued a puppy after a mentally ill Thai man abused the animal outside his restaurant in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station were alerted to the animal abuse at 11.20am today, July 11. They were called to the incident scene, a restaurant in Soi Adunlayadet 5…
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Power outage to hit Kathu, Phuket for maintenance tomorrow
Phuket will experience a significant power outage affecting a large section of Kathu tomorrow to allow for essential maintenance work on the high-voltage network. The Provincial Electricity Authority for Phuket (PEA Phuket) announced that the outage would occur from 9am to 4.30pm. A map provided by PEA Phuket highlights the affected area, stretching from in front of Sam Burger shop…
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China leads renewable energy efforts with wind and solar power
China is leading the global surge in renewable energy construction, with nearly two-thirds of the world’s large-scale wind and solar projects currently being built within its borders, as indicated by a recent report from Global Energy Monitor (GEM). China is constructing 339 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale wind and solar power, representing 64% of the global total, according to the US-based…
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Elderly Nonthaburi man alleges repairman stole 40,000 baht
A 95 year old man filed a complaint at the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Station today against a long-trusted repairman who allegedly withdrew large sums of money using his ATM card without permission. Pramote Siwamok, who has been relying on 33 year old electrician Jedsada for over seven years, reported the incident to Police Lieutenant Thitipakorn Khumparnin at the Nonthaburi City…
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Bangkok launches major drug prevention initiative with urine tests
Bangkok is set to launch a significant drug prevention and control initiative tomorrow, July 12, with the capitol’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, directing district offices to coordinate with local police stations for urine testing in 88 communities identified as high-risk for drug abuse, aiming to bring users into treatment programs. During an online Zoom meeting at the Bangkok City Hall, Chadchart…
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Thai man denies rape despite presence of semen at crime scene
A Thai man denied raping a 17 year old girl despite the presence of semen in the victim’s home in the Isaan province of Buriram. He admitted to using drugs and claimed that he only intended to steal from the victim’s home. The 17 year old victim arrived at the house of a deputy community leader on her bicycle at…
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Thailand tightens ‘feathered’ measures to curb avian flu outbreak
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is tightening measures to prevent the spread of avian flu. Hospitals near the Cambodian border are on high alert following Cambodia’s report of its seventh H5N1 case this year. The Ministry of Public Health, led by Opas Karnkawinpong, received an epidemiological report from the Sa Kaeo Provincial Health Office. The latest case involves a five…
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Thai woman alleges relatives stole 1.5 million baht inheritance
A woman claims her relatives defrauded her of her father’s inheritance, valued at 1.5 million baht, despite a court order appointing her as the estate manager. The inheritance includes 3 baht of gold, a gold ring, a gold-encased amulet, and insurance money. Around 11am today, July 11, at Bang Sri Mueang Police Station in Nonthaburi, Athiwat Sirikangwalwong, founder of the…
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Fan tattoos ‘Lisa Rockstar’ on head after music video shoot
A man expressed admiration for the treasured K-pop star Lisa Manoban, a member of the world-famous music group, BLACKPINK, unconventionally, by tattooing ‘Lisa Rockstar’ on the side of his head. He cited his immense pride after participating in the music video shoot for Lisa’s hit release, Rockstar. Ratchakarn Nakphian explained that he joined the music video shoot without initially knowing…
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6 year old Thai girl rescued after being forced to deliver drugs
A Thai man in the central province of Suphan Buri organised the rescue of a six year old girl after witnessing her family members using drugs and forcing her to deliver narcotics throughout the community. Her home is only 500 metres from a police station but officers appeared to be unaware of the problem. The Thai man, identified only as…
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Yala ramps up security amid insurgent threat
Security measures have been intensified in Yala as police respond to intelligence reports about insurgent movements, prompting an increase in patrols and checkpoints to ensure safety, particularly in urban areas, to reassure both residents and tourists. The district chief of Betong, Amorn Chumchuay, directed relevant agencies to integrate their forces and enhance security protocols throughout the district. Rapid response teams…
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New Bangkok tollgate sparks controversy
Bangkok’s new tollgate on the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway in Pathum Wan district has officially opened, promising to improve the city’s traffic flow—but not without sparking a heated debate. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced that the new Lumpini entrance will provide a crucial link from the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway to Wireless Road. This strategic shortcut is set…
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Job scam victims demand justice after losing 100,000 baht each
Victims of a job scam involving an overseas employment agency have reported being defrauded of over 100,000 baht each, with more than 100 individuals affected. Despite local police reports, the case has seen no progress. At 11am today, July 11, a group of victims, led by 40 year old Kesinee, met with Police Lieutenant Roi-et Tanlert at the Central Investigation…
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Monk gets ‘phoned’ in: Thief masquerades as benefactor in Buriram
Earlier today a monk reported a theft incident where a man posing as a benefactor stole his mobile phone at a temple in Buriram. A man aged between 50 and 60 years old approached Wat Ban Takong in Buriram province, claiming he wanted to sponsor a meal for the monks. A resident monk at the temple, 60 year old Suthep…
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Thai man arrested for Facebook phone scam in central Thailand
Police apprehended a young man at a railway station for allegedly selling mobile phones through a Facebook page, claiming his ex-girlfriend misused his bank account to deceive victims into transferring money without delivering the goods. The suspect, a 21 year old man named Denondai, was arrested by police at Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. The arrest was carried out by Pakapol…
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Central Thailand gas plant blast claims one life, injures another
An explosion at a gas filling plant this afternoon, in the Doem Bang Nang Buat district of the central province of Suphan Buri, reportedly claimed the life of one worker and injured at least one other. The Thai News Agency reported, at around 2pm today, July 11, that several workers at the gas filling plant were trapped inside after the…
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Chinese foreign minister calls for ASEAN regional cooperation
During a meeting between the Thai and Chinese foreign ministers to discuss the consultation mechanisms between the two nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the importance of upholding the ASEAN-centered East Asian regional cooperation framework and rejecting exclusive small circles. Wang and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the second meeting between the foreign ministers. This two-day visit marked…
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Thailand’s EV 3.0 policy faces major oversupply challenges
The Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT) issued a cautionary note to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in Thailand, alerting them to the potential for a significant oversupply of EVs in the coming years. This warning arises from the production requirements stipulated under the EV 3.0 policy. This policy, which has been previously lauded for encouraging domestic EV production, offers import tax…
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New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
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Uproar over motorcycle accidents at Phuket’s rainbow crosswalk
A series of motorcycle accidents at the Rainbow Crosswalk at the Charter intersection in the Mueang Phuket district sparked widespread debate on social media. The vibrant crosswalk, a popular spot for tourists to take photos, became slippery during periods of rainfall, causing three to four motorcyclists to fall yesterday, July 10. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In response to the…
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Cannabis crusaders’ hunger strike: High stakes classification protest
Cannabis supporters began a hunger strike yesterday in reaction to the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreeing to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug. Marijuana was removed from Narcotics Category 5 on June 9, 2022, allowing people to use cannabis products containing no more than 2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for health-related purposes only, not recreation. While there were…
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Teen reports assault by intruder in her bedroom
A 17 year old girl reported to the police that a 27 year old man entered her bedroom and assaulted her while she was sleeping. The suspect, who initially claimed he entered the house to commit theft, denied the accusation of assault. The incident took place yesterday, July 10, when the girl, referred to as A, woke up at 5am…
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Nation Group announces partial salary suspension
Nation Group announced a partial salary suspension for some employees due to a significant decline in advertising revenue across the media industry, driven by current economic conditions. Chairperson Chai Bunnag also opted to forego his salary. Nation Group released an announcement, numbered 015/2567, detailing the decision to partially suspend salaries. This measure comes in response to a sharp decrease in…
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Elderly woman with dementia found dead near Chai Nat home
An 87 year old woman with dementia was tragically found dead after wandering away from her home in Mueang Chai Nat District. Despite the family’s two-day search, her body was discovered only 100 metres from her residence. Phan Niamprayoon, who suffered from memory loss, went missing around noon yesterday, July 10, from her home in Hat Tha Sao Subdistrict. Her family…
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Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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Kuwaiti love triangle turns into violent brawl in Pattaya
A dramatic street fight erupted outside a Pattaya hotel, leaving bystanders in shock and fear. The violent altercation, captured on video by onlookers, prompted a swift police search for the assailant. The incident began as bystanders, including 43 year old chicken rice vendor Sompong Ruangkham, recorded the chaotic scene. “At first, we thought it was some big shot showing off.”…
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