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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Thai Airways gets a financial lift-off with ministry’s capital boost
The Ministry of Finance is set to propose a capital injection for Thai Airways International to the Cabinet next week. This move is designed to ensure the airline’s recovery while keeping the ministry’s shareholding below 50%, preventing a reversion to state enterprise status, as confirmed by Tibordee Wattanakul, Director-General of the State Enterprise Policy Office. This financial boost is part…
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Devotees flock to Phayao temple for lucky lottery numbers
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly flocked to Wat Champaram in Phayao province to seek lucky numbers from Taowessuwan, a revered deity. As the lottery draw approaches, devotees hope the numbers 453 and 71 bring fortune in the upcoming December 1 draw. Wat Champaram in Huai Kaeo, Phayao province was bustling with activity as people arrived with offerings of red flowers, incense, and…
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Thai woman surrenders after BMW crash kills mother and 2 kids
A Thai woman surrendered at a police station in the southern province of Chumphon after crashing her friend’s BMW into a victim and her two children, killing them, before reportedly fleeing the scene with her pet cat on Wednesday. The fatal accident occurred on a rural highway in Mueang District, Chumphon, at about 7.40pm, on November 27. Witnesses reported seeing…
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Fit for a king: Rama X Bridge opening set for December in Bangkok
Bangkok’s skyline has a new star, and it’s shimmering with royal splendour. The stunning Rama X Bridge, now fully completed across the Chao Phraya River, is set to officially open in a grand ceremony presided over by none other than His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on December 14. Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed…
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Bail denied for Boon Vanasin’s wife and daughter
The Criminal Court has denied bail for the wife and daughter of Boon Vanasin, citing ongoing investigations and concerns about potential evidence tampering and flight risk. Yesterday at 10am, November 28, the court convened to consider the temporary release request for 79 year old Jaruwan Vanasin and 51 year old Nalin Vanasin, both of whom are accused alongside Boon Vanasin…
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Pattaya police arrest violent gangster after knife attack
A violent gang member’s jealous rage spiralled into a knife attack and a dramatic police standoff in Pattaya, leaving locals stunned. Pattaya police arrested 22 year old Phetchai, known as Arm, on Chalerm Phrakiat Third Road under a provincial court warrant on Wednesday, November 27. Phetchai was charged with night-time trespassing, armed assault, and carrying a weapon in public without…
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Mentally ill Thai woman suspected in Chiang Mai missing boy case
A five year old boy with special needs went missing from an education centre in Mae Wang district in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Wednesday. The boy, Napaphat “Pleum” Chaisawat, disappeared from the Special Education Centre in the afternoon. He was wearing red sportswear with the number 23 on his shirt. Security camera footage from the centre showed…
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Man arrested for snatching and pawning gold necklace in Bangkok
A 27 year old man was arrested for snatching a foreigner’s gold necklace weighing 10 baht, later pawned to fuel his online gambling habit. The arrest took place yesterday, November 28, following a detailed investigation by Phayathai Police Station officers. The incident occurred in early October when a foreign national reported being robbed while walking along Phetchaburi Soi 15, Ratchathewi,…
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Manchester pedophile’s reign ends: Bravery of victims hailed (video)
A Greater Manchester police detective yesterday hailed the bravery of victims of a pedophile after he was jailed for 27 years following a 40-year reign of terror. The pedophile, 74 year old David Marsh, was jailed yesterday, November 28, for 27 years for grooming and sexually abusing boys between the ages of six and nine in the 1980s and 1990s.…
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Consumer injured by glass in spaghetti at Thai pizza chain
A shocking discovery of glass fragments in a dish of spaghetti at a popular pizza chain led to a consumer’s injury, sparking safety concerns. The incident, which occurred yesterday, November 28, has raised alarm among consumers and prompted discussions about food safety. A member of a consumer group shared their alarming experience online after unknowingly chewing on glass pieces in…
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Black Friday is here: Last 48 hours to get your 10% off health insurance plan
With only 48 hours left in this Black Friday promotion, now is your chance to secure comprehensive health insurance at an exclusive 10% discount. For expats living in Thailand, navigating healthcare can bring unexpected challenges. Whether it’s accessing quality healthcare, managing family health, or preparing for emergencies, a reliable health plan can make all the difference. Why health insurance matters…
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Female student attacks junior in Bangkok school violence
A shocking act of school violence rocked a prominent school in the Phatthanakan subdistrict, Suan Luang district, Bangkok, where a female student physically assaulted a junior. The attack, reportedly prompted by a perceived lack of respect, involved pulling hair, slapping, and kicking. The incident was captured in a 30-second video shared on a Facebook page, showing the junior student being…
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Sorn to be wild: Bangkok eatery spices up Michelin map with 3-star triumph
Move over, culinary giants, Thailand claimed its spot on the Michelin map! In a historic first, Bangkok’s Sorn has become the only Thai restaurant to snag the coveted three stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide Thailand, unveiled yesterday, November 27. Led by the visionary Chef Supaksorn Jongsiri, Sorn earned the prestigious accolade for its “excellence, quality, and consistency,” according to…
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Koh Samui’s ferry pier gets a much-needed makeover
After a year of soaking rains and blistering sun, travellers at Koh Samui’s main ferry pier can finally say goodbye to their weather woes. The Nathon Pier is getting its roofs back and relief for passengers is just days away. Narobb Tuaycharoen, a member of Nakhon Samui’s municipal council, confirmed today, November 28, that workers had started installing metal sheets on…
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Golden glory: Lopburi’s sunflower fields spark tourism boom
Lopburi province is turning heads as its stunning sunflower fields burst into full bloom, creating a jaw-dropping golden carpet framed by dramatic mountain peaks and vivid blue skies. Tourists are flocking to this seasonal wonderland, capturing dreamy photos and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. The crown jewel is a 75-rai (12-hectare) sunflower field in the Manao Wan subdistrict, owned by…
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Plans in the works to increase hippo population in Thailand
Plans are progressing for Moo Toon, the older brother of the famed hippo Moo Deng, to mate with Moo Manao at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, aiming to increase the population of pygmy hippopotamuses in Thailand. Moo Toon celebrated his fifth birthday recently at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, where he resides with his sister. Moo Manao, currently eight…
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Thailand’s economy rebounds but experts warn of growth risks
Thailand’s economy is showing signs of recovery, yet economists warn of ongoing risks that could hinder its growth potential. Key challenges include elevated household debt, slow income recovery for vulnerable groups, and Thailand’s economic interdependence with China. Despite these issues, the Thai economy reported a growth of 1.9% in 2023, although this was below expectations. The economy is gaining strength,…
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Cathay Pacific HK airline slammed over 5-hour Bangkok delay
Hundreds of Cathay Pacific passengers endured a travel nightmare in Bangkok when a flight cancellation left them stranded for hours with no answers, no food, and no passports. Passengers of flight CX630, scheduled to leave Bangkok for Hong Kong at 4.55pm on Monday, November 25, found themselves stuck on the plane for over five hours before being shuttled to a…
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Laotian influencer commits suicide over allegedly VIP patron loss
A Laotian woman tragically committed suicide during a livestream yesterday allegedly because she lost a VIP patron who paid her over 100,000 baht per month. Officers from Hua Mark Police Station last night, November 27, were alerted that a woman died from a gunshot wound at a house in Soi Krungthep Kritha 7, Section 4, on Rama 9 Road in the Bangkapi…
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Chinese woman nabbed in Bangkok for running illegal beauty salon
Police in Bangkok pulled back the curtain on a rogue beauty operation today raiding an illegal six-storey salon in the bustling Bang Kapi area and arresting seven women. The salon, named YF Salon, offered a full menu of beauty services, from hair and nail treatments to massages and even filler injections. But behind the glitz was a dark reality—none of…
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Anchors away: RTN leads eco-mission to save Maya Bay
Maya Bay, the jewel of Thailand’s Andaman Sea, is getting a new lease of life thanks to a bold conservation push led by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). In a grand event on Monday, November 25, Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul of the RTN Third Area Command spearheaded the installation of mooring and fish egg buoys, alongside a deep-sea garbage collection…
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Naked and afraid: Thai man confronts thief with desperate plea
A Thai man shared a video of his plea to a thief on social media and sought help from local police officers in the northern province of Chiang Rai after his condominium room was a victim of two robberies. The victim shared the video, in which he begged the thief not to break into his room, on the news Facebook…
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Sink or swim: Thai submarine deal stuck in murky waters
Thailand’s long-delayed submarine deal with China remains in troubled waters as Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai admits he’s yet to make a call on the contentious project. “The project’s fate is still not clear because I have not yet studied it. I’ll decide after studying it.” The 13.5 billion baht procurement of an S26T Yuan-class submarine has been stalled amid political…
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SET soon to adpot AI for monitoring of listed companies
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is set to implement artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance its monitoring of listed companies amid growing concerns about corporate fraud. SET President Asadej Kongsiri explained that the AI adoption will enable the bourse to more rapidly detect irregular share price movements and trading activities, allowing for quicker investor notifications. Asadej highlighted that late…
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Thailand’s manufacturing index poised for growth after 2024 dip
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) is set to see a turnaround next year, with expectations of a 1.5 to 2.5% growth. This forecast comes as a recovery from the anticipated 1.6% contraction in 2024, largely attributed to weak consumer purchasing power and high household debt, as reported by the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). OIE Director General Passakorn Chairat expressed…
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New Mumbai-Bangkok flights ready for take-off in late December
Thailand’s friendly skies just got friendlier! Vietjet Thailand is set to connect two vibrant hubs, Mumbai and Bangkok, with its inaugural direct service starting December 23. This new route promises seamless travel for tourists and business passengers alike, sparking a boost in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two bustling cities. Initially, the service will operate daily. Flight VZ761…
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Thai mother ignores after new husband sexually assaults daughter
A Thai father is taking legal action against his ex-wife’s new husband after the man sexually assaulted his 16 year old daughter while the mother allegedly turned a blind eye for financial reasons. The 16 year old girl from Pattaya turned to Channel 7 after her biological mother refused to help and did not believe her account of the sexual assault…
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People’s Party shuns protests, opts for Parliamentary reform
Thailand’s main opposition group, the People’s Party (PP), has decided not to engage in the upcoming anti-government protests orchestrated by former protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Instead, PP is committed to operating within the Parliamentary system to fulfil its role as a political entity. Parit Wacharasindhu, spokesperson for the People’s Party, stated yesterday, November 27, that the party would prioritise addressing…
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Three referendums required for 2017 constitution rewrite
Three referendums are deemed necessary for a complete rewrite of the 2017 constitution, according to Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the joint House-Senate panel on the referendum bill. This statement directly counters the claim made by People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who suggested that only two referendums would be needed, a point he believed was backed by Parliament President…
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RTA denies tensions with UWSA in Mae Hong Son
Tensions between Thai military forces and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district have been dismissed by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), contradicting recent media claims. Colonel Thirat Sombatsiri, the RTA spokesperson, firmly denied reports circulating on social media, asserting that the border remains tranquil without any confirmed incidents of violence. “The overall border situation…
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