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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Bangkok taxi tango: Bad boy driver tries to rip off South Korean tourist
Another bad boy Bangkok taxi driver was caught engaging in unscrupulous deeds, this time attempting to rip off a South Korean tourist, charging the foreigner 700 baht for a 30-minute trip. Fortunately, the South Korean man saw through the taxi driver’s antics and paid him only 300 baht. The taxi driver was furious with this and went into meltdown, cursing…
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New kidney disease test kit offers 94% accuracy, eases early diagnosis access
A new effective and accurate diagnostic kit has been developed to screen for early-stage kidney disease, with a correctness rate of 94%, a sensitivity rate of 96%, and a specificity rate of 97.8%. This screening method has been approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been proposed for inclusion in the gold card scheme to make…
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Thai police investigate lorry sticker corruption, truck association meets today
The Royal Thai Police is working expeditiously to penalise those involved in the nationwide scandal concerning truck registration stickers, following the receipt of information from a Member of Parliament (MP) and the Thai Truck Association president. They are set to meet today to discuss relevant documents and deepen the investigation of the sticker corruption, potentially leading to disciplinary or criminal…
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World Oceans Day: The fight to save our seas and combat climate change
On World Oceans Day, today, Warawut Sillapa-archa, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, encouraged Thais to help conserve the oceans by not littering in water. He also stressed the importance of oceans absorbing 30% of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as a natural carbon sink. However, increased human activities have led to higher levels of carbon dioxide and…
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Truck crashes into roadside shop in Chon Buri, 3 injured, 1 dead
A truck veered off the road and crashed into a roadside shop in Chon Buri province early this morning, leaving three people injured and one dead. The incident took place on the 331 highway near the Ta Le Thong Market when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after a car cut in front of him. Upon arriving at…
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Former temple abbot allegedly sexually assaults teen girl in Thailand
An elderly former temple abbot, who is 78 years old, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl and threatening to destroy her family’s home within the temple grounds. The girl’s brother secretly recorded the abbot’s behaviour and handed the evidence to the police, leading to the abbot’s suspension. Today, a 25 year old man identified as ‘A’,…
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Highway horror: Civil engineer’s fatal crash claims delivery rider’s life in Bangkok
A Department of Highways civil engineer crashed his car into a delivery rider instantly killing him in the early hours of this morning on the Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Road in Bangkok. The driver’s alcohol test results are yet to be reported. Chok Chai Police Station officers and medical and rescue teams rushed to the road at 12.30am today to investigate the…
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Chiang Mai human trafficking gang busted, 3 underage victims rescued
Thailand’s plague of human trafficking has once again reared its ugly head. Thai authorities have arrested members of a human trafficking gang operating in Chiang Mai. The arrests followed tip-offs from organisations fighting human trafficking, such as Destiny Rescue and the Immanuel Foundation. Officials discovered that My Tirak Bar and My Tirak Pub were offering sexual services, involving minors, to…
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Teens engage in X-rated act in full view of residents in Pattaya beach park
A couple of amorous teenagers having sex in Pattaya beach park shocked residents who witnessed the act in full view. Pattaya residents condemned the horny couple for their immoral behaviour, fearing it may tarnish the image of the world-class resort town. A resident visiting a public park near Pattaya’s Krathing Lai Beach discovered the impassioned couple in the early hours…
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Thailand’s Excise Department probes official’s involvement in oil smuggling case
An investigation is underway by Thailand’s Excise Department into allegations that a high-level official attempted to persuade police to release a truck carrying 15,000 litres of smuggled oil. The department’s Deputy Director-General Kriangkrai Pattanaporn revealed that a probe committee was formed to look into the arrest of the 47 year old driver, identified only as Sombat, in Prachuap Khiri Khan…
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Fraudulent employment: Fake farm jobs in Australia leave Thai victims scammed
A fraudulent employment agent lured nearly 30 Thais with enticing job opportunities on Australian cattle farms, duping them out of tens of millions of baht. The victims came forward yesterday, filing a complaint with Thai police against the alleged con artist claiming high social status. The complaint against Watsan (whose last name is withheld) was lodged yesterday by 61 year…
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Phuket vies for Specialised Expo 2028, boosting health and medical tourism
As the final presentation and vote for the Specialised Expo 2028 approaches, many Thai citizens are eagerly awaiting the decision, hoping that Phuket will be chosen as the host city. The Thai delegation is set to present their case to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on June 21, highlighting the southern resort island province’s potential as a host location.…
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Rain reigns: Nakhon Ratchasima’s reservoirs overflow with joy as planting season gets a splashy boost
Heavy rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima provided a significant boost to the province’s reservoirs, ensuring sufficient water management during the planting season. The unexpected downpour is due to a high-pressure system affecting Thai provinces and neighbouring countries and is predicted to continue until June 10. In the lower north-eastern region, the heavy monsoon resulted in a 70% chance of thunderstorms and heavy…
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Thai father threatens school shooting over kindergarten bullying
A Thai father of a kindergarten student was fined 5,000 baht for threatening a school shooting following online messages claiming his son was being bullied. The 30 year old father in Rayong province posted the threats in a LINE group chat, causing concern among other parents and resulting in a police investigation. On June 6 at around 9pm, the father,…
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Phuket lifeguards warn of poisonous jellyfish on island beaches
Phuket Lifeguard Service has issued an official warning to beachgoers and swimmers about the presence of poisonous jellyfish in the waters surrounding the island. The alert comes after several Portuguese man-o-war jellyfish was found washed up along the west coast beaches in recent days. A photo of one such jellyfish was posted on the Phuket Lifeguard Service’s official Facebook account,…
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Yala craft beer uses Betong pomelo peel, garnering nationwide interest
A local craft beer originating in Yala province has gained popularity across Thailand due to its unique blend, which includes peel from the local Betong orange. The product’s demand consistently increased after being featured at Sol Bar. This bar is located at the headquarters of the Move Forward Party in Bangkok and is discussed heavily on social media platforms. The…
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Drunken British man flings bicycle through glass door after mobile phone meltdown in Krabi
Police apprehended a British man who launched a bicycle into the glass door of a house on Koh Lanta, an island in Krabi province in southern Thailand. He admitted being intoxicated and angry after losing his mobile phone. A 20 year old Thai woman, Kanittha Kokyai, filed a complaint at Koh Lanta Police Station saying that a foreign man caused damage…
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Pattaya Police raid illegal karaoke bar, arrest owner and 5 Myanmar nationals
Pattaya City Police officers last night raided an unlicensed karaoke bar, catching five Myanmar nationals working there without the proper permits. The police have charged the bar’s caretaker and the five employees with various legal violations, including operating without official permission and selling alcohol unauthorised. During the operation, led by Surachet Eneksri, the deputy chief of Pattaya City Police Station,…
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Japan data centre providers invest US$164m in Thailand expansion
Thailand has seen a significant influx of investment from data centre providers, with two Japan-based companies investing a combined US$164 million in the country. This comes as digital transformation and cloud computing continue to grow exponentially. Telehouse recently launched its first Thai data centre, investing US$74 million in the project. Meanwhile, NTT invested 3 billion baht through its subsidiary, NTT…
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Indian squatters run bar and rent rooms in abandoned Pattaya building
A 30 year old Thai man has filed a complaint with the Pattaya Police Station concerning an Indian national’s illegal occupation of a commercial building he owns. The man, who had not checked the building in five years, discovered a dance club and rental rooms inside the four-storey establishment. Upon investigation, police found a counter for the dance club and…
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Kazakhstani gunman caught after shooting Russian in broad daylight in Phuket
Phuket International Airport authorities arrested the Kazakhstani gunman who shot a 44 year old Russian national in broad daylight. Artur Legey, the 49 year old suspect, was apprehended at the Phuket International Airport while preparing to flee. The victim was left critically injured in the incident that occurred outside a cafe in Thalang district, Phuket, yesterday. The Russian man, Dmitri Aleynikov,…
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Thai economy could face 36 billion baht hit from extreme weather
Extreme weather conditions, including drought and floods, could potentially inflict a 36 billion baht blow to Thailand‘s economy this year, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). Drought, in particular, is a significant concern as it may severely affect the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, further hindering the country’s already sluggish exports. “Manufacturers are worried about drought…
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Heavy rainfall warning: 70% of Thailand faces risk, 43 provinces affected
Continuous rainfall and flooding have led to warnings in 43 provinces in Thailand, affecting 70% of the region. The Thai Meteorological Department urged citizens to be cautious of potential dangers amidst the downpour, including landslides and flash floods. The heavy rainfall is a result of a strong monsoon trough passing through Myanmar, affecting parts of northern, northeastern, central, and eastern Thailand,…
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THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023 achieves resounding success with impressive growth
Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023, concluded with outstanding results, surpassing expectations in terms of exhibitors, attendees, and international participation. The event took place between 23rd and 27th May, featuring 3,034 exhibitors from 45 countries and covering a vast 130,000 square metres of exhibition space. This represents significant growth compared to the previous…
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Thai man dozes off using GPS, crashes car into barrier, and dies
A 31 year old Thai man tragically lost his life after his car veered off course and collided with a barrier on a U-turn near Ban Mueang Luang in Chachoengsao province. The incident occurred at 3am this morning, and witnesses say the driver seemed to be dozing at the wheel prior to the crash. Police officer Dechrit Srikacha and a…
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140 Thai women lured into prostitution in Myanmar
The Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women revealed that the foundation is working to rescue 140 Thai women lured into prostitution in the Shan state of Myanmar. Some of the victims were forced to take drugs. Several Thai people employed in the Shan state urged the foundation and relevant Thai authorities to intervene and rescue these women. Some employees…
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Probe into Thai school’s alleged forced relocation of 130 ethnic children
A committee has been formed by the Ministry of Education to investigate allegations that 130 ethnic children were forcibly relocated from a Thai-Myanmar border town to a school in Ang Thong’s Pa Mok district. Local complaints have been filed, claiming that a large group of ethnic children was enrolled in Thairath Wittaya 6 School, a small institution with only two…
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Double vision: Young Thai-British girl fights diabetes and blindness to chase teaching dreams
A nine year old Thai-British girl battling diabetes and blindness is preparing to undergo eye surgery so she can fulfil her dreams of becoming a teacher in Ban Dung, Udon Thani, Thailand. The girl, Angel, admired for her cheerful nature, is loved by everyone in her village who wishes for a speedy recovery from her debilitating vision-threatening condition called diabetic…
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Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver
A Chinese man, frustrated by a stranger repeatedly parking in his rented parking space, resorted to welding an iron barrier around the vehicle, demanding an apology before allowing it to be moved. The incident took place in Chaosheng in China’s Chaozhou province when the man, known as “Zasu”, found his space obstructed. Despite numerous requests to relocate the car, the…
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Thai tourism campaign targets secondary cities for foreign visitors boost
Thailand‘s Tourism Authority (TAT) has revealed a significant increase in international travellers visiting the country in the first five months of 2023, with a total of 10,568,485 visitors. In collaboration with Central Pattana Plc., TAT aims to promote local and alternative tourism destinations, targeting a shift in the proportion of travellers from major to secondary cities. During the first five…
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