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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Activist Surachai declared missing by Thai court after fleeing to exile
A court in Nakhon Si Thammarat officially declared activist Surachai Danwattananusorn missing, igniting concerns over his fate after years of silence since his exile in Laos in 2018. The ruling, delivered on Monday, grants his wife, Pranee Danwattananusorn, the authority to handle his assets, shedding light on the ordeal endured by his family in the absence of any trace of…
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Dead man waking: Thai man’s surprise resurrection stuns all
In a bizarre turn of events, a 60 year old man named Charnchai, whose last name has been withheld for privacy, experienced a miraculous recovery after being declared dead for one hour. The family, bewildered by his sudden revival and subsequent odd behaviours, sought the expertise of Jeeraphan Petchkao, also known as Mor Pla, a renowned spiritual medium, to unravel…
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Thailand tourists to get medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht
The Thai government pledged unprecedented medical insurance and compensation packages, promising travellers a worry-free experience. Under the scheme, tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents, along with compensation of up to 1 million baht in the unfortunate event of death. At the campaign launch, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol declared the initiative,…
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Spirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup
The Ministry of Public Health held a meeting today, February 15, to deliberate on the potential abolition of the time restriction for alcohol sales, currently set between 11am and 2pm. However, the meeting failed to reach a clear conclusion. The Public Health Minister, Chonlnan Srikaew, reported that the proposal to cancel the time limit for alcohol sales was submitted to…
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Thai cyber police shut down online gambling rings, seize 18 million baht
Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The operation was a collaborative effort involving Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society;…
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Couples tie the knot atop elephants on Valentine’s Day
In a display of romance and tradition, couples in Thailand celebrated their love atop majestic elephants on Valentine’s Day. Clad in traditional attire, nine pairs exchanged vows in a mass wedding that captivated onlookers at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chon Buri. A bride, Narumon Komgpanoy, shared that the ceremony is sacred, which makes everyone want to have a…
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Thai bank officer nabbed for selling customer data in Nonthaburi
A Thai bank loan officer has been arrested for selling the personal data of over 5,000 customers, a lucrative side business that netted him tens of thousands of baht per month for over the past two years. The capture took place at 11am today, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Mueang Thong Thani. The digital economy and society minister,…
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Mike Tyson’s Thailand high: The cannabis 2.0 comeback
In an exclusive interview with Mike Tyson, the boxing legend revealed his daring venture into Thailand’s cannabis market with Tyson 2.0, sparking both business strategy and personal mission. In a deep dive discussion, Tyson unveils the intertwined relationship between cannabis and combat sports, recounting his escapade in Thailand and the serendipity that spared him from the long arm of the…
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Thai boy assaulted by jealous teenagers for being ‘too handsome’
A 15 year old Thai boy suffered serious injuries after a group of teenagers beat him up for being “too handsome” in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Residents in the Ban Nong Kanon Simma in the Ban Dung district of Udon Thani urged the police to take action on the group of teenagers, aged between 12 and 16, responsible…
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111 couples tie the knot on Rama IX Bridge, Bangkok
In a display of affection, 111 couples defied air pollution to tie the knot on the sleek new bridge adjacent to Bangkok’s iconic Rama IX Bridge. Amidst the backdrop of the bustling cityscape, Governor Surachet Laophulsuk of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) kickstarted the Luck Lock Love festival, inviting citizens to partake in pre-opening festivities on the bridge. The…
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Daruma Sushi owner cleared of scam charges amid business collapse
The Criminal Court acquitted a 41 year old owner of the Daruma Sushi restaurant chain, of charges related to a coupon and franchise sales scam that allegedly caused hundreds of millions in damage. The court ruled that the mismanagement leading to the restaurant’s failure was not intentional or fraudulent. The verdict was delivered at 9am, today, February 15, at the…
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Family drama: Thai thief begs to be jailed to escape cruel life
A Thai man, arrested for theft in the central province of Chachoengsao, pleaded with police officers to jail him so he could escape the cruel realities of the world and issues within his family. He expressed that his family rejected him, and believes his incarceration would be a gift for them. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station responded to the…
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Experts warn against Thailand’s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats
Cancer’s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Institute’s figures from 2022 revealing over 140,000 fresh diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives. While strides have been made, certain cancers persist as formidable adversaries, striking at the heart of the populace: liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical cancers stand firm against medical progress. The culprits behind this epidemic’s ascent…
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Laughing gas balloons burst bubble: Police bar raid in Chiang Mai
In a late-night operation in the Mueang district of Chiang Mai, police and officials carried out a raid on beer bars located near a boxing stadium on Loi Kroh Road. The establishments were alleged to be selling balloons filled with laughing gas to patrons and tourists. The raid, which involved about 100 police officers and consumer protection officials, resulted in…
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Thailand News Today | Thai man gets married for 14th time, KFC’s romantic(?) fried chicken ring
Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work Bangkok experienced severe air quality issues on February 14, with high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter recorded in most districts. This led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel for two days. Despite this, schools remained open, as safe…
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Koh Chang woman arrested for mobile scam defrauding 100 people
A 21 year old woman was arrested in Koh Chang for allegedly deceiving over 100 people in a mobile phone down-payment scam that lasted over a year. The woman, identified only as Marisa, who owned a well-known shop, faced several warrants for her arrest, one being from Thonburi Criminal Court dated November 28 last year, for fraud and entering false…
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Thailand’s hotspots surge, sparking environmental concerns
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported a surge in hotspots across Thailand and neighbouring countries, exceeding 1,700 points in Thailand alone as of February 14. This data, collected from the Suomi NPP satellite alongside other satellites, raised concerns, particularly as the majority of these hotspots are located in conservation forests and national parks. With neighbouring countries also…
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Bangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone
A Grab driver’s act of honesty in returning a mobile phone to a customer earned him a generous cash tip, sparking praise and discussion in a popular social media group. A Grab driver recently shared an experience on the Facebook group GrabCar Drivers Club Thailand, which boasts over 110,000 members, where he recounted being tipped handsomely by a customer. After…
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Hopea odorata tree draws crowds in Phayao for lottery luck
Locals flocked to an ancient Hopea odorata tree, believed to be over 100 years old and requiring a five-person embrace to encircle, to seek blessings and lucky numbers for the upcoming national lottery draw. Situated beside Thung Pa Kha School in the Mae Chai district of Phayao province, this revered tree recently became the centre of attention as the lottery…
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Thailand and Australia consider mutual visa exemption
In a bid to foster seamless travel and boost business ties, Thailand and Australia are contemplating a mutual visa exemption scheme. The proposition was tabled during a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and David Hurley, the Governor-General of Australia, at Government House yesterday. Amidst a visit to Thailand, Governor-General Hurley, accompanied by his spouse Linda, is set to…
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UOB LIVE apologizes for Ed Sheeran concert disruption
Suphalak, the Chairperson of UOB LIVE, issued a heartfelt apology following a disturbance at the Ed Sheeran concert held on February 11. In a formal letter, Suphalak expressed deep regret for the disruption caused by excessive noise in the VIP lounge area, which affected the concertgoers’ experience at UOB LIVE. In a move to address the fallout from the incident,…
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Valentine’s tragedy: Drunk taxi driver kills Thai couple
A drunken Thai taxi driver crashed into a couple on a motorcycle on the Liab Khlong Sam Road in the central province of Pathum Thani yesterday, leading to the victims’ deaths. Khlong Luang Police Station officers were alerted to the fatal accident at 7.30am yesterday, February 14, and rushed to the scene with a rescue team. The two victims, a…
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Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon
A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca. The incident, which resulted in the first-known…
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Desperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda
Amidst the ancient serenity of Hanoi’s Ha Pagoda, a modern-day love story unfolds as hopeful hearts flock, laden with offerings, seeking true love. In central Hanoi, young men and women thronged an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing offerings in a bid to secure a partner, a quest of paramount importance in Vietnamese society. Respectfully placing a tray adorned…
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Thai cop allegedly rapes 19 year old woman he met on dating app
A Thai Marine Police Division officer allegedly raped a 19 year old woman he met on a dating application after he lured her to a welfare house in Chon Buri province. ThaiRath reported that a Thai TikToker shared a video about the sexual assault and warned women using dating apps to stay away from police officers. Reporters then spoke to…
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Nonthaburi woman saved from abuse after son’s accidental call to police
A two-day ordeal of domestic abuse in Nonthaburi ended with police intervention after a 13 year old boy mistakenly dialled the emergency number while seeking medical help for his mother. The woman, a landlady, was found locked in a room and severely beaten by her younger, drug-addicted partner who was suspected of infidelity. In the quiet soi of Samakkhi 49,…
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Illicit soda syndicate: Kratom-infused beverages seized in Thai factory raid
Thai officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), orchestrated a search operation yesterday, honing in on a factory in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, amidst suspicions of illicit soda production laced with kratom. Reports from the police unveiled the factory’s alleged involvement in the clandestine distribution of kratom-infused soda under a covert brand across Bangkok. Acting swiftly, the police launched a meticulous…
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Prime minister’s car plate sparks lottery fever in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a field trip to the provinces of Saraburi and Lopburi, a visit eagerly anticipated by lottery enthusiasts for the potential lucky numbers found in the prime minister’s car registration plate. Accompanied by officials, the 61 year old prime minister’s visit began in Saraburi province at an agricultural productivity learning centre, where he reviewed and…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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Thai man fights for justice after allegations made by ex-girlfriend
A Thai man is seeking justice following allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, who claims he assaulted her. He insists that she actually injured herself and falsely accused him of the assault. The 36 year old accused, Bank, urged Channel 3 to share his story in hopes of finding lawyers or assistance to restore justice. Bank revealed that he faces several…
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