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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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12 year old girl freed from sexual assaults by uncle, grandfather
The non-profit organisation Be One rescued a 12 year old Thai girl in the central province of Kanchanaburi who had been a victim of sexual assaults by her uncle and grandfather. Her father claimed he was too embarrassed to take legal action. Be One President Wanna “Ton Or” Palamart and her team members visited a school in the Tha Mueang…
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Chumphon businessman dies from electrocution amid flooding
A tragic incident unfolded in Chumphon, as a prominent local businessman succumbed to electrocution while attempting to pump water out of his flooded home. The entrepreneur, who owned multiple petrol stations, was deeply mourned by his employees, who regarded him as a father figure. Yesterday, December 18, police and emergency services received reports of an unconscious man at a residence adjacent…
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Thailand faces pressure over trafficking in Myanmar
Thailand is at the centre of an international appeal for assistance, as two House committees engage in discussions prompted by 14 countries seeking help to rescue their citizens trafficked into Myanmar by scam centre gangs. Hundreds of foreigners find themselves ensnared by these online scamming and human trafficking networks, which operate just across the Moei River from Mae Sot in…
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Pickup truck fire in Chon Buri ends without injury as driver escapes
A dramatic fire engulfed a pickup truck at a busy intersection in Chon Buri, leaving only a metal frame behind. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape unscathed. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, at the Ban Bueng Bypass intersection in Mu 6, Ban Suan subdistrict, Mueang district, Chon Buri province. Officers from the Chon Buri City Police Station quickly coordinated…
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Australian father mourns ‘perfect’ daughter lost to methanol tragedy
The devastated father of an Australian teenager who died from methanol poisoning last month in Laos has opened up about the heart-wrenching loss of his “perfect” daughter. Shaun Bowles, father of 19 year old Holly Bowles, confessed his shock when he realised she wouldn’t survive. Shaun described Holly as “everything you’d want your daughter to be.” The Aussie teenager was…
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2 Vietnamese men arrested for thefts at love hotel, over 500 evidence seized
Police arrested two Vietnamese men at a love hotel in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok yesterday, December 18, following a spate of thefts in the area. Over 500 pieces of evidence were seized. Officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station received multiple complaints regarding thefts in the Bang Bua Thong, Bang Kruai, Bang Si Mueang, and Chaiyaphruek areas of the province. A covert…
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Thailand prepares for chill, temperature drop and strong winds
Thailand braces for a cold snap as a mass of cool air spreads across the country, bringing a drop in temperatures and strong winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a temperature decrease of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius, with frost expected in some mountainous areas. The latest weather forecast from the TMD reveals that a moderate high-pressure system from…
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Court dismisses claims of favouritism in Thaksin hospital stay
The Constitutional Court dismissed allegations yesterday that state officials facilitated former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital stay during his prison sentence. The petition, brought forward by Kongdecha Chairat, accused key figures, including Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections (DoC) Director General, and the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, of allowing Thaksin to serve his sentence at…
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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? Yes, you do get access to some healthcare for free only if you have a work permit and contribute to…
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Apply for international driving licences via Paotang app in Thailand
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank launched a new service allowing people to apply for international driving licences through the Paotang app, offering convenience and speed with 24-hour accessibility. This collaboration aims to enhance public services through digital technology. The initiative was announced by Suparpong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, alongside Jirut Wisanjit, DLT Director General, and…
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Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel
Thailand is taking a leap into the digital age with the launch of its revolutionary Thai E-Visa system, simplifying life for globe-trotters everywhere. From January 1, 2025, international travellers can kiss goodbye to cumbersome paperwork and apply for their visas online with ease. This slick new development promises to make the visa process faster, safer, and more convenient, ensuring the…
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Call centre bust: 5 Japanese scammers nabbed in Thailand
Thai immigration police arrested five Japanese nationals accused of running a fraudulent call centre in Pattaya that conned elderly Japanese citizens out of a staggering 5 million baht daily. Police Major General Panumat Boonyalak, acting commissioner, revealed that the bust followed a tip-off from the Japanese embassy. The gang had allegedly duped victims with promises of refunds for past medical…
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Thailand rolls out red carpet with bigger rebates for filmmakers
The Thail Cabinet approved an increase in the rebate offered to foreign film productions, raising it to a range of 15 to 30% to attract more international filmmakers to shoot in the country. This decision, announced by Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, is part of a revised strategy to bolster Thailand’s appeal as a filming destination. The…
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BB gun vendors spark shootout on Pattaya Walking Street (video)
More than 20 police officers intervened in a violent clash between two BB gun vendors on Pattaya Walking Street yesterday, December 17. Fortunately, no innocent people were injured in the incident. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to Pattaya Walking Street on the night of December 16 after a 43 year old BB gun vendor, Chart “Job” Sukboondaeng, punched…
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Teen girl murdered by drug-induced killer in Krabi
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when a 15 year old girl was brutally murdered in the kitchen of a rented house in Krabi province. The police reported that Dolkanee, the 42 year old brother of the girl’s boyfriend, admitted to killing her. He confessed to having consumed two methamphetamine (meth) pills before committing the crime. Local police received a report…
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Former monk’s reckless driving leaves two girls critically injured
A shocking accident occurred when a former monk drove recklessly, resulting in a severe collision that left two young girls critically injured. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media to locate the responsible driver. The accident took place recently on a road in Ban Dung, Udon Thani province. CCTV footage clearly shows a green Toyota Corona, driven…
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Thailand’s first F1 race planned for Bangkok’s Chatuchak by 2027
The Thai government is continuing the Formula One (F1) project initiated by former Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin, with plans to hold Thailand’s first F1 race in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. F1 enthusiasts were given hope after former PM Srettha discussed the project with the race organisers during his visit to France in March this year. The former PM…
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Young man confesses to fatal stabbing of teen in Samut Prakan
A 21 year old man admitted to fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in a heated confrontation over a perceived slight. The incident occurred last night, December 17, in a car park in Samut Prakan, resulting in the younger man’s death. Police in Samut Prakan were alerted to a violent altercation involving a knife at a shopping centre’s car…
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Entertainment worker assaulted at Surat Thani party
A night meant for work ended in distress for a young entertainment worker who attended a party to serve drinks, only to be assaulted by the host’s partner. The altercation left her with bruises and prompted her to file a police report. The incident took place on December 14 at a riverside establishment in Mueang, Surat Thani province, opposite Koh…
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AMLO freezes assets worth billions in major fraud crackdown
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has made remarkable strides in addressing fraud cases, including those involving notable figures and corporations, resulting in the seizure and freezing of assets valued at billions of baht. The development was shared by AMLO Secretary General Theppasu Bavornchotidara and Witthaya Neetitham, its spokesperson, following a meeting with the transaction committee. Twelve significant cases have seen…
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Squid vendor’s bribery allegation shakes Pattaya officials
Pattaya’s image-polishing efforts took a dramatic turn after a street vendor’s explosive accusations exposed alleged corruption among city officers. During a crackdown on illegal street vending near Walking Street, police arrested Nicha, a grilled squid vendor, who unleashed a fiery claim that certain officers had been extorting her for free food and bribes while turning a blind eye to her…
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Thai husband shoots wife dead after alleged affair with tomboy
A Thai man in the Isaan province of Roi Et shot his wife dead in front of their son and the wife’s tomboy friend after suspecting his wife of having an affair with the tomboy. Police arrested the 49 year old Thai man, Boonlai, in the Nikhom Kham Soi district of Mukdahan yesterday, December 17, for the murder of his…
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Thai Cabinet approves increase in foreign worker quotas
The Thai Cabinet has given the green light to a proposal aimed at addressing the current shortage of foreign workers in businesses by increasing their numbers. This initiative comes in response to the outdated laws that have been in place since 1979, which limit foreign workers to 100 per business and stateless workers to 50. Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab stated…
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Death penalty sought for Korean murderer in Pattaya, Thailand
Prosecutors in South Korea are demanding the death penalty for two men accused of the chilling murder of a Korean tourist in Thailand, an act described as both premeditated and brutal. Court officials confirmed the request today, as grisly details of the crime emerged. The suspects, 39 year old Kim Hyeong Gwon and a 27 year old surnamed Lee, face…
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Srinagarind Hospital overwhelmed by 830% rise in cancer patients
Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen called on the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to address the overwhelming demand for cancer treatment, following a staggering 830% increase in patients seeking care under the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme. Hospital director Somsak Tiamkao yesterday, December 17, highlighted that the facility is struggling to cope with the significant rise in cancer patients referred through…
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Jet ski accident off Phuket coast leads to tourist’s tragic death
A tragic accident involving a jet ski and a tourist took place off the coast of Karon, Phuket, leading to the tourist’s disappearance underwater. The body was discovered in the early hours of this morning and police are set to conduct an autopsy to investigate further. At 7pm yesterday, December 17, Sanya Suksawat, a police officer with the Karon Police…
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Five injured in Kamala pickup vs tuk tuk smash
A dawn disaster struck the steep, winding road between Kamala and Patong when a pickup truck with faulty brakes collided with a tuk tuk, leaving five people injured, including a Russian tourist. The crash happened at 4.45am yesterday, December 17 just south of the notorious Khuan Yak Curve. When police and rescue teams from Kamala Rescue and the Kusoldharm Foundation…
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Thai man assaults wife after discovering her sex-for-drug deals
A Thai man physically assaulted his wife in a rented room in the Isaan province of Udon Thani after discovering she traded sex for drugs twice. The abusive husband later forgave her. The owner of the rented room, 62 year old Ittiphon, contacted officers from Nakha Police Station and asked the couple to explain the physical assault and the loud…
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Teen dies in Lopburi motorcycle crash with slide truck
A tragic motorcycle accident in Lopburi resulted in the death of a 14 year old girl while a 22 year old and a 17 year old sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred when their motorcycle collided with a six-wheel slide truck. At 9.05pm yesterday, December 17, police in Lopburi’s Tha Hin district received reports of a serious accident at the…
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Ten-wheeler crash in Ang Thong claims driver’s life
A tragic accident unfolded yesterday when a 10-wheeler crashed into the back of a truck carrying rice husks, resulting in the driver’s death at the wheel. Rescue teams employed cutting tools to retrieve the body from the wreckage. Prasertsak Wiphanngern, a deputy inspector at Ang Thong Police Station, was notified of a collision involving two ten-wheeler trucks at 4pm yesterday,…
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