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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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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Fatal collision on poorly lit curve exposes need for better road lighting in Samut Sakhon
On a dimly lit curved road, a collision between an 18 year old motorcyclist and a 51 year old man turned fatal, leaving one dead and another severely injured. Locals disclosed that accidents frequently occur in this area due to poor road lighting. An accident was reported on Chalermphrakiat Bang Bo alley in the vicinity of the Srap Charoen Suk…
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Thai teens nabbed for stealing fighting cocks in daring motorbike heists
Four Thai teenagers in Pathum Thani were arrested for stealing fighting cocks from residents and then fleeing on motorbikes. The police tracked down the culprits after examining CCTV footage and found the stolen cocks in their possession. The teenagers confessed to their actions but claimed they had no intention to sell or consume the birds, only wanting to rear them.…
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Flyin’ high with Gripen: RTAF eyes Swedish jets amidst F-35A snub
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is considering the acquisition of three Gripen jet fighters from Sweden, following the United States’ recent refusal to sell F-35A fighter jets. The plan is to add these jets to the RTAF fleet in Wing 7, located in Surat Thani. The RTAF Gripen fighters are an integral part of the nation’s air force, with…
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Motorcyclist killed in Chon Buri crash as lorry driver flees scene
A 28 year old motorcyclist died after crashing into the back of a lorry in Chon Buri, but the lorry driver vanished from the scene. Police are searching for the driver by reviewing CCTV footage and are calling for cautious driving, particularly on bypass roads where vehicles often speed. At the accident site, the body of Kritsana Taen-ngu was discovered…
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Heroic rescue: Thai student saves drowning family, receives Good Citizen Award
A 12th grade student, Wuttisak Mangkang, also known as “Nong Euro,” heroically saved a family of three from drowning in Thailand‘s Nakhon Nayok province. On May 7, at 2pm, Wuttisak, a student at Nakhon Nayok School, jumped into the water to assist the struggling family, eventually bringing them safely to shore. Dr. Worathat Prueksataweegul, Chief Inspector General of the Ministry…
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Dolphin’s daring adventure ends swimmingly with a river rescue in Phuket
The authorities successfully rescued a lost bottlenose dolphin that had ventured into the Tha Chin River in the Ratsada district of Phuket. Residents, anglers, and fishermen in the district spotted the dolphin swimming in Tha Chin River near Koh Sire Bridge at 8am today and reported it to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre. Residents urged the relevant authorities…
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Mystery rash on Thai man: environmental allergy suspected after ineffective treatment
A Thai man suffered from an unexplained rash. The initial diagnosis suspected shingles, but shingles treatment proved ineffective. A second hospital later suggested the cause may be an environmental allergy. Social media users expressed concern and shared their thoughts on the unusual condition. A Facebook page named ‘Ee Sor Ka Yhee Khao 2’ posted pictures of a patient with a…
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Ex-husband violently attacks man in Rayong after recent breakup with girlfriend
A 40 year old man was attacked by his girlfriend’s ex-husband outside a village in Rayong province, Thailand, following the couple’s breakup 15 days ago. The attacker, accompanied by a friend, severely injured the victim before fleeing the scene. At around 9am this morning, the authorities were alerted about an incident of assault at the entrance of a village on…
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4 year old Thai girl’s story raises 5.9 million baht for blind grandmother’s care
A four year old Thai girl named Toey, who takes care of her blind grandmother, has received an overwhelming 5.9 million baht (US$170,000) in donations after her story was shared online. The funds were raised after teacher Aoom, who runs the personal Facebook account ‘Modern Kindergarten Classroom, Teacher Aoom,’ posted about the Thai girl’s situation, seeking help from the public.…
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Stock exchange warns investors: Tread carefully on OTO shares
Following irregular trading of One to One Contacts Plc (OTO) shares, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) issued a warning for investors to be cautious and examine information thoroughly. OTO, which offers outsourced contact centre services to government agencies and corporations, faced a spike in trading volume, mainly concentrated among a few investors. Previously placed under the Level 1 trading regulations…
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Heroic officer rescues bedridden woman from Bangkok townhouse fire
A heroic police officer rescued a bedridden elderly woman from a burning townhouse on Thonglor 25 in Bangkok, and both escape unharmed. The fire broke out yesterday, prompting an online video that showed a daring rescue by a police officer who carried a bedridden elder woman out of the burning building to safety. The police officer identified in the video is…
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Unwrapped truth: Viral video of passenger cling-film wrapping three seats raises doubt (video)
The authenticity of a recent viral video showing a female passenger using cling film wrap to create a makeshift bed across three economy seats is being questioned by netizens. The video, which has garnered 3.8 million views on TikTok, depicts the passenger diligently enclosing the space of the three seats she presumably booked using cling wrap. In the video taken…
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Lottery prediction teller holds Chinese feast for spirits in Chon Buri
Last night at 7pm, a Chinese feast was held by a well-known lottery prediction teller and a generous teacher at the Tri Khun Tham Cemetery in Nong Rhee, Chon Buri Province. They served 200 tables of food for the spirits, and many locals also arrived to collect leftover food and drinks. The event took place with the participation of the…
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Woman murders friend’s abusive husband at an Isaan resort
A Thai woman shot her friend’s husband at a resort hotel in the Rattnana Wapee district in the northeastern province of Nong Khai. The man later died in hospital yesterday. Officers from Rattana Wapee Police Station launched an investigation into the resort hotel last night after the shooting. Thirty-seven-year-old Thai man Sopha Suphomueng was found with a gunshot wound in…
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Bank of Thailand anticipates slower loan growth: Interest rates not main factor
The Bank of Thailand anticipates a slower pace of loan growth in the banking industry due to reduced demand, while asserting that rising interest rates are not the main factor impacting loan expansion. The central bank’s soft loan programme, which aimed to aid small and medium-sized enterprises, largely contributed to the increased borrowing during the post-pandemic recovery period. Sakkapop Panyanukul,…
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Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backs into girlfriend, severely injuring her
In an unfortunate incident, a Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backed his bus into his girlfriend, severely injuring her. The accident occurred as she was attempting to guide the vehicle while it was being parked. The accident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon rescuers at 6pm yesterday. A rescue team promptly responded to the scene located on Chaiyapruek Road near…
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ASEAN membership: Roadmap endorsed for Timor-Leste’s inclusion and Thai trade
Yesterday, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign affairs announced that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently endorsed a roadmap that outlines the steps for Timor-Leste becoming its 11th member. This ASEAN membership move is expected to benefit Thailand economically by expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. Timor-Leste initially submitted its request for…
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Timber regulations tightened, Thailand targets Siamese rosewood exports
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand recently announced two new regulations targeting the timber trade. Beginning on July 17, traders will be required to hold a certificate of import to import timber, processed wood, and wooden artefacts. Additionally, starting August 16, the export of Siamese rosewood (phayung) will be prohibited, Bangkok Post reports. The director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, Ronnarong…
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Thai election concerns rise due to prolonged ballot box transport in Buri Ram
Concerns have been raised over the prolonged transportation time of ballot boxes in Buri Ram, following the recent general Thai election. A group of ten complainants from Non Suwan and Nong Ki districts filed a request with the Election Commission’s Buri Ram office, questioning why it took four and a half hours to transport the ballot boxes across a 20-kilometre…
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Tree falls on revered Thai monk’s house, minor damage sustained
In a remarkable incident, a large tree fell on the house of the revered Thai monk Luang Pu Mun, but the house remained mostly intact. The monk’s followers shared photos of the astonishing event that took place at the Wat Pa Phurithattatirawat Forest Monastery in Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand. This extraordinary occurrence happened when the area experienced heavy rainfall causing several…
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Bed of betrayal: Thai man stabs wife’s lover in naked shocker, flees
A Thai man stabbed his wife’s lover after catching the pair lying naked in bed before fleeing the scene of the crime. Officers from Rayong Police Station rushed to rescue the victim, 25 year old Boonkorn Saetiao, who sustained stab wounds at a house in Rayong province in the eastern part of Thailand. Boonkorn was found hiding in the house…
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Thailand tourism thrives with 1,200% surge in Klook bookings
Online travel platforms continue to express optimism about Thailand’s tourism growth this year, propelled by a substantial increase in visitor arrivals. Wilfred Fan, Chief Commercial Officer at Klook, an online travel platform, stated that the company experienced a 1,200% increase in bookings for activities in Thailand year on year in the first five months of 2023. The top five markets…
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Tourism promotion: TCT urges government to market Thailand as prime retiree destination
Tourism promotion has driven the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) to urge the new government to market Thailand as a prime destination for retirees while advocating for regulatory changes that would encourage the development of the tourism industry. The TCT yesterday met with representatives from the Thai Sang Thai Party to discuss these proposed changes, following the party’s consultation with…
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Kamaa drama: Indian-owned club sparks chaos as tourists become targets in Pattaya (Video)
Staff from the Indian-owned Kamaa Club on Pattaya Walking Street attacked two Indian tourists yesterday. The victims fled the scene and have not yet filed a complaint with the police regarding the attack. The altercation was captured on video by a witness and later circulated on Thai social media platforms. The footage clearly shows the confrontation between the Indian tourists and…
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Take Me Out Thailand: American man gets blackout for his male chauvinistic attitude
Thirty Thai women in the popular dating game show Take Me Out Thailand gave a blackout to an arrogant 22 year old American man after he showed his male chauvinistic side. He insisted at the end of the show that he told the truth, thankfully the Thai contestants would not accept a man who appeared to have stepped out of…
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Thai community gathers to pay respects to turtle for good fortune
It was reported today that residents of Sai Kaew Community, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, gathered at house number 127/1 to pay their respects and seek good fortune from a beautifully kept turtle, ‘Kai Toon.’ The turtle is owned by Sawang Saungsombat, a 62 year old local. Sawang explained that her son bought the turtle for her to care for…
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Young policeman dies in taxi collision, shattering dreams and family plans
A tragic incident claimed the life of Thai sub-Lieutenant Anawat Phongerd, a young policeman from the Metropolitan Police’s Naval Unit, who collided with a taxi when chasing a suspect on his motorcycle. Despite his dreams and future plans for education and family, 27 year old Anawat left this world far too soon. According to reports, Anawat was pursuing a suspect…
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Heavy rain persists across Thailand: Bangkok flood risk increases, boats cautioned
Heavy rainfall is expected across Thailand today, with Bangkok facing a 70% chance of flooding. Authorities are warning people to avoid boating activities during this period. The Meteorological Department has predicted 24-hour weather conditions, stating that a moderate southwest monsoon system is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a trough is passing through Myanmar and…
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Myanmar conflict surge: Over 3,300 refugees seek shelter in Thailand
The conflict in Myanmar‘s Kayah State has led to a new surge of refugees seeking shelter in Thailand. Provincial Governor Chettha Mosikkharat confirmed that Thai authorities have rescued 3,342 refugees who fled the border war. The fighting in Kayah State involves the Karenni Army (KA), backed by the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and…
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Thai vocational students clash, leading to injuries
A clash between two groups of Thai vocational students yesterday resulted in injuries. The incident took place near a passenger terminal in Chachoengsao province, leading to police intervention and the questioning of one 16 year old student. Around 10 students from one vocational college had a standoff with a student from another technical institute, leading to a weapons-drawn clash before…
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