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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Ready for takeoff: Suvarnabhumi Airport set to soar with new runway
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit announced a surge in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operational prowess with the imminent completion of its third runway in July. Suriya forecasts a soaring increase, propelling the airport’s flight handling capability from 67 flights per hour to a whopping 94, a pivotal move in fortifying Thailand’s position as a pivotal aviation nucleus in the region. The forthcoming third…
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Secret cockfighting ring busted in Pattaya
Bang Lamung police led a crackdown on an illicit cockfighting gambling den nestled in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, resulting in the arrest of 45 individuals. Responding promptly to public grievances, Bang Lamung District Chief Veekit Manarotkit swiftly orchestrated a law enforcement sweep on Sunday, February 11, targeting the covert den ensconced within Soi Baan Kreak, Nong Pla Lai. Covert operatives…
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BMA proposes 50km/h speed limit on 40 roads in Bangkok
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to lodge a request with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), advocating for the imposition of a 50 kilometres-per-hour speed limit on 40 roads in central Bangkok and key residential areas. The move is primarily aimed at reducing traffic accidents and enhancing road safety, according to Thaiphat Tanasombatkul, the director-general of BMA’s Traffic and…
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Pervert arrested in Bangkok after 2 decades of underwear theft
Police arrested a perverted Thai man at an apartment in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok yesterday after two decades of women’s underwear theft. Police seized nearly 600 items as evidence. A Thai woman filed a theft report at Bang Yi Khan Police Station officers at night on Sunday, February 11. The woman said she lived on the first floor…
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NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies
In a move to tackle the global scourge of air pollution, NASA launched a series of missions aimed at revolutionising the way we forecast and combat this deadly threat. With millions of lives hanging in the balance each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, the need for accurate identification and tracking of pollutants has never been more pressing. Kicking off…
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Thailand govt cuts informal debts by 670 million baht in two months
The Government of Thailand has slashed the nation’s informal debts by 670 million baht (US$18.69 million) in a span of two months, successfully resolving 102,000 out of the 140,000 reported cases. This significant reduction is part of an initiative to alleviate the household debt burden. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, attributed this progress…
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Thailand News Today | Farang’s on e-unicycles raise local ire, PM calls for more security for royal family
The Prime Minister is calling for heightened security for the royal family Following a recent incident where student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and a member of the Thalu Wang group attempted to disrupt Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s motorcade by honking and lane-cutting, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for increased security measures for the royal family, emphasizing the importance of their safety…
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17 years cold: Japanese tourist’s murder mystery in Thailand haunts family as killer remains at large
In a heart-wrenching tale spanning over a decade, the unresolved murder of Japanese tourist Tamako Kawashita continues to cast a long shadow of sorrow and frustration over her family. Tamako’s father, Yasuaki, stood at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, his voice heavy with grief as he recounted the tragic events. “Her life ended tragically during the trip and, sadly, her killer is…
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Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news
Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year. The 24 year old political activist, Sutthawee Soikham, was arrested in March last year…
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Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts
According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, the go-to name in digital payments, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens. The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search…
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Thailand’s health ministry targets birth rate boost with new fertility strategies
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is set to introduce strategies designed to encourage artificial insemination and support those who wish to become parents, encompassing the LGBTQ community as well. The drive is part of an initiative to increase the country’s birth rate. During a meeting with Jos Vandelaer, Thailand’s World Health Organisation representative, at Nakhonping Hospital, the Minister, Cholnan Srikaew,…
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South Thailand: Volunteer killed, four injured in Thai insurgent ambush
In a tragic turn just days after peace negotiations resumed, a roadside explosion in the Janae district of Thailand’s Narathiwat province yesterday killed a defence volunteer and left four others with serious injuries. The volunteers, aboard an armoured pickup truck bound for the Chang Phuek Tambon Administrative Organisation, fell victim to insurgents’ treachery along Road 4217 in Ban Kumoong village.…
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5 immigration police face 15 years in prison for kidnapping Chinese man
Five Immigration Bureau police officers face 15 years in prison for kidnapping two Chinese men and a Thai interpreter in March last year for a ransom of 10 million baht. A Thai man who aided the corrupt police operation faces 10 years in prison. The Thai interpreter, 38 year old Namee Saelee, filed a complaint against five immigration police and a…
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Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism
The implementation of the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was defended yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This came following a statement by Move Forward Party Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul, suggesting the government develop a backup plan due to the scheme’s uncertain future. Tansakul pointed out that the scheme’s success hinges on the decision of the government’s digital wallet policy…
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Man arrested in Songkhla for illegal online sale of protected birds
The Thai authorities arrested a 40 year old man for illegally selling protected wild birds online, claiming he needed the money for his child’s medical expenses. The man, identified as Tatsana Pohtong, was apprehended at his home in Songkhla province with 29 caged birds in his possession. The arrest followed an investigation into his Facebook posts advertising the sale of…
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PM calls for enhanced royal family security after motorcade disruption
An urgent call for heightened security measures for the royal family was made yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, following a recent incident involving a student activist who attempted to disrupt a royal motorcade. The 61 year old prime minister emphasised the need for effective security to ensure the royal family’s safety, who have critical royal duties to perform. The…
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Bangkok socialite denies blackmail in high-society assault case
A high-profile socialite vehemently denied allegations of blackmail after accusing a well-known high-society individual, the son of a prominent politician, of sexual assault. Police are expediting their investigation, seeking testimony from an additional witness who reportedly aided the victim’s escape. Officials are prepared to issue a summons to the young high-society man today, stressing that there has been no external…
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Technician finds stingless bee nest in air conditioner in Thailand
An air conditioning technician recently encountered a peculiar situation while servicing a unit in a customer’s bedroom. Seeking advice, the technician posted an inquiry online, asking for the identification of a mysterious creature found within the air conditioning system. The online community quickly responded, revealing that the creature was a stingless bee, known locally as “ชันโรง,” which also happens to…
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Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths
A mystical village, Ban Khop Klang Nuea, in the Isaan province of Kalasin established nine strict rules in response to a series of mysterious deaths, with 15 reported in January. Channel 7 reporters visited a village in the Huai Mek district of Kalasin province to interview locals in the area about the nine rules to avoid sudden deaths. The media…
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Room for debate: Thai woman’s deathly Bangkok rental quest raises eyebrow
A social media post by a Thai woman seeking to rent a room with a history of death sparked a social media debate, challenging conventional taboos and highlighting the lengths to which people will go to find affordable housing. The user’s post on a Facebook group dedicated to property sales and rentals in certain Bangkok areas resounded with the online…
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2 foreign men to face 10,000 fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai (video)
Thai motorists demanded police take action against two foreign men riding electric unicycles, or e-unicycles, on a crowded road in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The video of two foreign men riding the e-unicycles in Chiang Mai was shared on February 10 by a Facebook, Guru Guroo Chiang Mai. The caption read… “Very dangerous! E-unicycles on Ring Road 2…
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Thailand braces for cold front and fierce monsoons
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning due to a powerful cold front and strong northeastern monsoons affecting various regions of the country. The warning, specifically targeting the upper part of Thailand and the lower Gulf of Thailand, indicates that the nation is experiencing unusually volatile weather patterns, leading to cooler to cold temperatures in the…
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Sheffield Wednesday fans chirp for change: Dejphon Chansiri urged to get out of club (video)
Sheffield Wednesday fans ramped up the pressure on Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri and his family to get out of the club. Wednesday supporters made their feelings known prior to and during the club’s English Football League clash with Birmingham City on Friday night increasing pressure on the Chansiri family, who owns the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest canned tuna producer.…
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School transport truck crash in Chachoengsao Province injures 13
A harrowing collision between a pickup truck and a six-wheeled school transport truck in Chachoengsao Province resulted in 13 injuries. The incident occurred today at 7am on Highway 319 in front of Wat Ban Song, Phanom Sarakham District. The rescue team from the Buddhist Association of Thailand (Phanom Rescue Center) responded immediately to the emergency call. Upon arriving at the…
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Thai, US officials to discuss cybersecurity following call scam outbreak
A cybersecurity discussion is on the agenda between Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as a result of call scammers fraudulently using the names of Thai diplomats. This issue was brought to light during a meeting with Thai officials at the Thai embassy in Washington DC, according to the Thai ambassador to the United…
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Deadly curve in Chon Buri claims two lives in high-speed crash
A tragic motorcycle accident in Chon Buri province claims the lives of two individuals, drawing attention to an infamous curve notorious for its high number of fatalities. In the early hours today, a Yamaha NMax motorbike veered off the road and into a tree on Jomtien Second Road, heading towards Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. The emergency response teams, including the…
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Samut Prakan police arrest 42 teens in street racing crackdown
In Samut Prakan, an operation led by the police resulted in the arrest of 42 teenagers and the seizure of 49 motorcycles, following complaints from residents about noise and disruption caused by street racing. The teenagers were apprehended during a coordinated police action on Suk Sawat Road, from the Prasamut Jadee intersection to the Son Rom Yen junction. This crackdown…
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Ed Sheeran embraces Thai culture with traditional tattoo before Bangkok concert (video)
Global singing sensation Ed Sheeran truly arrived in Thailand, performing a sensational concert on Saturday, February 10, at the Rajamangala Stadium. Beyond his electrifying performance, the singer immersed himself in Thai culture, donning the national football team’s jersey on stage and checking into famed local eateries like Je Fai Restaurant and Tip Samai Pad Thai. The 32 year old British…
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Social media debate ignites over adverse housing estate possession
The legal concept of adverse possession, originally established to allow the utilisation of neglected or abandoned land, has recently sparked controversy on social media following a dispute involving a couple and an uninvited occupant on their property. The couple discovered that their wedding gift, a house in a housing estate, had been occupied and altered by someone claiming a long-standing…
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Chinese man falls to his death at Pattaya condo after wife dispute
A Chinese man yesterday joined the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the 18th floor of a condominium in the popular seaside resort. The motive for his tragic decision is believed to be a dispute with his wife. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Rescue Foundation visited The Base…
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