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.
-
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?...
-
Tragedy in Isaan: Century-old tree kills teen, injures another
A 100 year old sugar palm tree fell during recent strong winds and fell onto a passing motorcycle, killing a 15 year old Thai girl and leaving another with an amputated leg, on a road in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham on Saturday, January 11. The incident occurred on a rural road in a community within the Kantharawichai district…
-
Child dragged by kite in Thailand’s windy paddy field (video)
A video of a child being dramatically dragged across a field while flying a kite has rocked social media with calls for more vigilance from parents and guardians. The video was posted on TikTok by user@plai200737 yesterday, January 13. The strong winds caused the large kite to pull the child through the dusty paddy field. Despite the unexpected force, the child…
-
Thailand video news | Thailand approves casino legalisation to boost tourism and economy, Malaysia PM denies concealing document on Najib’s home detention
In Thailand video news today, Alex and Jay bring you a roundup of significant stories from Thailand and beyond. From a dramatic catamaran rescue near Phuket to Thailand’s groundbreaking casino legalisation, the headlines cover critical developments and human-interest tales. Other stories include a tragic dental surgery incident in Chiang Rai, a viral pickpocketing case in Bangkok, and heartfelt tributes for…
-
Lottery hopefuls flock to Nakhon Pathom temple for lucky numbers
As the lottery draw date nears, a bustling scene unfolded at Sawang Arom Temple in Nakhon Pathom, where locals and lottery enthusiasts flocked in search of lucky numbers. The temple has gained a reputation for bringing wealth to many, encouraging visitors to seek fortune from the sacred water basin of Ta Thong Ngiew Rai. There is a lively atmosphere at…
-
Isaan tamarind vendor fined for nude model marketing tactics
Police fined a sweet tamarind vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani 2,500 baht for using explicit photos of scantily clad and nude models to promote his shop. A medical professional from Ban Phue Hospital in Udon Thani urged officers from Ban Phue Police Station to take action against the vendor, who advertised his shop with explicit images. The…
-
TrueMoney denies pre-installing app on mobile devices
TrueMoney recently addressed concerns following reports implicating the company in the pre-installation of its financial application on mobile phones. Ascend Money, which operates TrueMoney, clarified that the app is legally compliant and operates with the necessary business licences. TrueMoney holds an electronic payment service licence from the Bank of Thailand (BoT), while Ascend Nano is licenced for digital lending. The…
-
Thailand tackles plastic waste imports crisis head-on (video)
In a decisive move to clean up its act, Thailand slammed the brakes on plastic waste imports, turning from a dumping ground into a leader in the global battle against pollution. From January 1, this year, the country has shut its doors to overseas plastic refuse, sending ripples through the world of waste. It’s a bold step forward for Thailand,…
-
NBTC suspends OPPO and realme sales over data privacy breach
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) have ordered the suspension of mobile phone sales by OPPO and realme due to the installation of loan applications without user consent. Both companies have until January 16 to explain, failing which they face fines of up to 3 million baht. Yesterday, January…
-
2 missing Chinese women rescued safely from Myanmar scam gang
Thai police officers safely rescued two missing Chinese women from a call centre scam gang in Myanmar and transported them back to China after the father of one of the victims travelled to Thailand to seek help. The 21 year old Chinese woman, Wu Jia Xi, and her friend, later identified as Liu Luying, arrived in Thailand via Suvarnabhumi International…
-
Fatal crash on Bang Lamung road as SUV hits car
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a car collided head-on with an SUV, resulting in severe damage to both vehicles and the death of one driver. The incident took place at 10.06pm yesterday, January 13, on Takhiantia-Khaomaikaew Road, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Emergency services from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya received reports of a serious collision…
-
Pattaya man left homeless by mosquito coil fire (video)
A fire erupted at a makeshift residence in Pattaya due to a resident inadvertently leaving a mosquito coil burning. The same resident had previously caused a fire at the same location last year while smoking and handling gasoline. Pattaya police were alerted to a blaze at an unnumbered dwelling opposite the Pattaya Provincial Court on Thapphraya Road yesterday, January 13…
-
Belgian man scammed out of 8 million baht by female Thai soldier
A Belgian man lost 2 million baht and his condominium room in Pattaya, worth 6 million baht, to a female Thai soldier who posed as a real estate agent. The suspect’s relative claimed the Belgian man and the soldier were previously in a relationship. The 55 year old Belgian policeman, Ronald, and his Thai wife sought assistance from the non-profit organisation…
-
Something’s fishy: Farmers demand answers over blackchin tilapia spread
Approximately 150 farmers from 19 provinces assembled outside the Government House yesterday, January 13, to submit a letter to the government. They demanded the identification of those responsible for the spread of blackchin tilapia fish and requested support for the affected farmers. The letter, delivered by the group’s leader Panya Toktong to Pansak Charoen, a specialist at the Prime Minister’s…
-
Irish diver’s mysterious demise on Death Island
Fresh details have emerged about the untimely death of Irish diver Robert “Robby” Kinlan, who was discovered lifeless in his room at the Baan Tao Bungalo Resort on Thailand’s infamous Koh Tao Island, also known for its chilling moniker, Death Island. Local Thai police revealed that the young diver, found around 11am on Thursday, January 9, is believed to have…
-
Monk on knife and axe rampage wreaks havoc in Surin temple
Police in Buachet district, Surin province, responded to a report yesterday, January 13, of a monk wielding a knife and an axe, threatening locals at a temple in Ban Srae, Aphon subdistrict. The monk, 42 year old Kanatsak, was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. Upon arriving at the scene, police, along with the Aphon subdistrict emergency services and Buachet…
-
Cold snap in Thailand: Bangkok dips to 16 degrees Celsius
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecast that Thailand, particularly the northern and northeastern regions, will experience cold to very cold weather, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas seeing temperatures drop to as low as 16 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the south is facing rough sea conditions with waves exceeding 3 metres. As of today, January 14, the strong high-pressure system…
-
Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost
According to insiders at Krungthai Compass, man-made hotspots, from sports hubs to spectacular events, are set to propel Thailand to the brink of a tourism revolution thanks to a bold new strategy. Thailand is banking on an artificial allure to supercharge its tourism engine, with Krungthai Compass, a top research centre under Krungthai Bank, revealing that new, man-made tourist attractions…
-
Tragedy on Death Island: Irish diver found dead in hotel room (video)
Royal Thai Police revealed more news on the death of Irishman Robert “Robby” Kinlan who was on a scuba diving holiday on Thailand’s infamous Death Island. An RTP spokesperson announced the 21 year old from Clare, Ireland, was found dead in a hotel room. Kinlan was discovered on January 9, lying lifeless on his bed in nothing but his boxer…
-
Thailand greenlights legal casinos to boost tourism and economy
In a game-changing move, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a draft bill that would legalise gambling and casinos, aiming to turbocharge tourism, job creation, and investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the bold move today, January 13, heralding a new era for the country’s economy. Under the government’s ambitious plan, the legislation, soon to be debated in…
-
Foreign man pickpocketed at Bangkok shopping mall entrance (video)
Three thieves, reportedly foreign nationals, pickpocketed a foreign man at the entrance of a shopping mall in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok this afternoon. Several news pages on Facebook shared a video showing the foreign victim searching for his stolen valuables in a black backpack outside the shopping mall, today, January 13. The mall is believed to be EmQuartier, located near…
-
Taxing tunes: Music giant pitches cut to boost Thailand’s soft power
Thailand’s largest music company made a bold appeal to the government for a corporate tax reduction in the entertainment sector, arguing it could supercharge the industry and bolster the nation’s soft power ambitions. GMM Music Plc CEO Phawit Chitrakorn paints a picture of an industry that thrives on slim profit margins, clocking in at a modest average of 10%. Phawit…
-
Polish man vanishes with valuables after sex with Phuket woman
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after losing cash and valuables following a sexual encounter with a Polish man in Phuket. The victim shared her story with the Phuket Times yesterday, December 12. She expressed her interest in foreign men and cautioned other Thai women with similar preferences to be wary of deceitful foreigners. She did not disclose when…
-
Golden opportunity: NHSO extends care to new Thai citizens
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to expand its groundbreaking universal healthcare initiative through its gold card scheme to at least 480,000 ethnic individuals poised to receive Thai citizenship from the government. NHSO Deputy Secretary Yuphadee Sirisinsuk revealed that the ambitious plan is designed to extend healthcare benefits to all Thai citizens, including those in the process of…
-
Alcohol misuse linked to death of Buriram man
A 54 year old man was found dead in his home in the Chaloem Phra Kiat district of Buriram yesterday, January 12. The man, known as Vinai, had been drinking alcohol regularly from morning until night, according to his sister. Local police and emergency services responded to the scene. The deceased was discovered in a single-room concrete house, lying on…
-
Catamaran catastrophe avoided: Foreign tourists saved off Phuket
Disaster was narrowly averted today as a catamaran carrying 38 foreign tourists capsized off the coast of Phuket, prompting a panicked scramble before nearby speedboats rushed to the rescue. At around 1pm today, January 13, the catamaran Emiray 888 found itself in deep trouble. As it set sail from Chalong Pier in Phuket’s Mueang district for a day trip to…
-
Chiang Rai hospital error leads to death of woman in dental surgery
A family in the northern province of Chiang Rai is seeking compensation from a private hospital for the death of a Thai woman who suffocated during dental surgery. The deceased, 33 year old Katesuda Buanark, passed away at a private hospital in Chiang Rai on December 19 last year. Katesuda primarily resided in Singapore with her husband and nine year…
-
Thailand’s new housing project targets lower income families
Lower-income Thai citizens will soon have access to an affordable housing project through the Homes for Thais initiative, which offers accommodation on state-owned land without requiring down payments. The programme instead implements a monthly rental system. The Transport Ministry will present the project details to Cabinet today, January 13. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will launch the initiative on Friday, January…
-
DoE warns against illegal job agencies after 10 million baht scam
The Department of Employment (DoE) has advised those seeking overseas employment to verify agencies with the DoE to prevent falling prey to illegal operators. This caution comes after 50 individuals from Nakhon Ratchasima reported to the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (ATPD) that they were swindled out of 10 million baht by agents promising jobs in South Korea. Yesterday, January 12, DoE…
-
Frost warning: Phetchabun chills hit a cool -3 Celsius
In Nam Nao district, Phetchabun province, temperatures have dropped to a chilling -3 degrees Celsius, with frost covering the ground and car rooftops. In 2023, the temperature reached a record low of -5 degrees Celsius. The provincial governor urged close monitoring of the situation. A Facebook user reported that today, January 13, they awoke at 4am to find the temperature…
-
Built-in loan apps raise data security fears for Oppo and Realme users
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society urged representatives of the electronics company Oppo and its subsidiary Realme to clarify allegations of illegal data collection from built-in loan apps found on their smartphones. A technology-focused social media influencer, known as คุณลุงไà¸à¸—ี (Khun Lung IT, meaning IT uncle), took to his official Facebook page to warn Oppo and Realme smartphone users…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.