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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Thailand trials medical drone deliveries across sea to remote island
A groundbreaking trial in South Thailand‘s Satun province saw a drone successfully deliver medicine across a 12-kilometre sea route to a hospital on the island of Koh Puyu. The Public Health Ministry’s research committee conducted the trial in collaboration with a team of developers from Singapore, Skyports, and Gp Capt Anukoon Onchan-om, a student from the National Defence College. During…
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Thai teen manga artist gains online fame, praised for exceptional talent
An exceptional Thai teen‘s Japanese manga-style drawings have captured online audiences’ attention, after an art teacher shared them on Facebook. The 14 year old student from the northeast Chaiyaphum Province is passionate about art and hopes one day to work in the cartoon industry. The talented young artist, named Rapiphatt Kwan-Krueang, is a year 9 student at Phu Khiao School…
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Thai tourism risks missing Indian visitor target due to visa delays, taxes
Tourism operators catering to Thailand‘s Indian market have expressed concerns over the potential impact of slow visa application processing, high airfares, and an increase in outbound tax rates from India on visitor numbers to Thailand. These factors could contribute to the Thai government failing to achieve its target of attracting 2 million Indian tourists this year. Enchantive Asia’s chief executive…
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Roadside bomb injures monks and rangers in South Thailand
A roadside bomb blast in the Rueso district of South Thailand‘s Narathiwat province injured three monks and two volunteer rangers yesterday morning. The explosion took place near an agricultural equipment shop in tambon Rueso Ok at around 6.25am, as a white van carrying the monks from Wat Phairot Pracharam passed by. The monks were in the area to collect alms,…
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Pitfall pursuit: Officer narrowly escapes injury while chasing wire thief in Pattaya
An officer from Pattaya City’s municipality experienced a close call while attempting to apprehend a wire thief in the early hours of the morning. The officer, Wittaya Sodavichit, fell into a five-meter-deep pit concealed by tall grass during the pursuit but fortunately did not sustain any injuries. The incident occurred at the Chaiyapruek Sports Stadium, where Wittaya was providing help…
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Body found in Thai canal with slashed throat: Locals report suspicious vehicles
A man’s body found in a canal with a slashed throat and bound legs has shocked locals in Thailand’s central Samut Sakhon province. The police are investigating the crime scene and suspect the involvement of three to four pickup trucks, which were detected speeding away from the area earlier that day. Authorities believe the victim was not from the area…
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Shock and pasture: Lightning claims eight cows, local Thais fear supernatural shockwave
A lightning strike in Kalasin province killed eight cows sparking concerns among local villagers that it may have been caused by supernatural forces. In response, District Chief Aekarat Misa warned of the dangers of lightning and shared information on safety measures during a recent meeting. Following the incident on Monday, May 29, residents speculated on the cause, saying that, apart from…
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Pattaya loan sharks turn themselves in to cops after threatening reporter (video)
There’s been another incident involving loan sharks in Thailand. In Pattaya, two members of a loan shark gang turned themselves in to the cops after they threatened a freelance reporter earlier this week. The incident began when local Thai reporter, Buronsak Bunnodyom, asked the two men not to litter loan flyers in front of his residence on Soi 9, Central…
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Fatal disregard: Kazakhstani tourist ignores red flag warnings, drowns at Phuket’s Kata Beach
A Kazakhstani tourist reportedly ignored red flags warning against swimming and as a consequence tragically drowned at Kata Beach in Phuket. Karon Police were alerted by a lifeguard at Kata Beach yesterday afternoon and discovered the body of the tourist, identified as 24 year old Artur Iskakov from Kazakhstan. Lifeguards informed the police that they had been notified of the…
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97 year old Thai grandmother abandoned on road by daughter, found soaking in rain
A 97 year old grandmother was abandoned in the middle of a road in the rain by her own daughter in Thailand‘s southern Ranong province. The elderly woman managed to crawl into the grassy area beside the road, where she was eventually found today by her distressed grandchildren. The road was in the middle of a residential area. Security camera…
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Taste the sequel: Sea Bear Episode Two Food Festival takes Pattaya by storm
The highly anticipated Sea Bear Episode Two Food Festival yesterday officially kicked off at Central Mall on Pattaya Beach, offering a delicious seven-day culinary experience for food lovers. Running every day until June 7, the event takes place from 4pm to 10pm and boasts over 100 food vendors, celebrity chefs, and social media influencers. Sea Bear, the festival’s namesake, is…
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Chadchart exposes Bangkok curruption: Civil engineer demands 300,000 baht bribe
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) civil engineer attempted to solicit a 300,000 baht bribe from a construction company. The governor stands firm to take appropriate action by dismissing the corrupt officer. Chadchart together with the chiefs of 50 districts in Bangkok had a meeting yesterday at 8.30am. During the meeting, the governor stressed the…
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Phuket declared Thailand’s first rabies-free province by DDC
Phuket has been declared the first rabies-free province in Thailand by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The announcement was made by Phuket Vice Governor Danai Sunantharod, who revealed that DDC Director General Tanet Kratsanaitawiwong praised the province’s successful efforts in preventing and controlling rabies in both animals and humans. This achievement comes after a steady decline in rabies-related deaths…
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Thai Man drowns in canal after getting entangled in fishing net
A tragic incident occurred when a 48 year old Thai man named Wichai drowned in a canal after getting entangled in a fishing net while collecting clams. The man suffered from poor health and typically would not undertake such tasks himself, but he had accepted a 200 baht order for clams. His lifeless body was spotted by a friend in…
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Driver survives 2-day lorry plunge ordeal by eating cabbage, rescued by cattle herder
A lorry transporting Chinese cabbages plunged 80 metres into a ravine in Chiang Mai, leaving the driver trapped for two days and two nights. Miraculously, he survived by eating the cabbages before a cattle herder found him yesterday. In a dramatic rescue operation, emergency responders arrived on the scene at Huay Phak Kut curve in Mae Suek sub-district of Chiang…
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Thais urged to register for free flu vaccines amid low uptake
A new initiative by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Ministry of Public Health is encouraging Thai citizens to register for a flu vaccine, which will be available for free until the end of August. The programme aims to curb the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases. NHSO secretary-general Jadet Thamatthat-aree announced that free flu shots will…
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Chinese groom’s dowry delivery goes viral, armouring his love with 48 million baht
A Chinese groom caused a stir on social media after using an armoured pickup truck and a team of bodyguards to transport a dowry worth more than 48 million baht (US$1.4 million) to his bride’s family. The Chinese dowry included cash, gold, luxury watches, diamonds, and jewellery. The elaborate dowry presentation took place on Tuesday, May 30, in Taizhou, Zhejiang…
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Heartbreaking plea: Thai couple seeks urgent aid to save daughter from China nightmare
A distressed Thai couple residing in the Isaan province of Udon Thani made an urgent appeal to the Thai authorities, pleading for financial aid of 100,000 baht to rescue their daughter from a personal nightmare in China. The couple, identified as 52 year-old Man Duangnate and 55 year old Manee Duangnate, shared their heart-wrenching story with ThaiRath, unveiling the nightmarish…
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MFP aims to break Thailand’s alcohol monopoly
Hopes are high among small breweries and local distilleries in Thailand as the Move Forward Party (MFP) seeks to liberalise the alcohol industry. The current heavily monopolised industry has made it challenging for small businesses to thrive due to strict laws and regulations controlling production and retailing. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, the MFP MP in Bangkok’s Constituency 22 and a leading liquor…
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BTS to invest in Yellow Line’s missing link to MRT’s Green Line
The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) expressed its readiness to invest in a 2.6-kilometre extension that would connect its Yellow Line monorail to the Green Line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. Surapong Laoha-Unya, CEO of BTS, stated that the extension would be advantageous for commuters and that the company…
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Thai fisherman slips into river: Rescuers face 4-hour search in strong currents
A 27 year old Myanmar fisherman tragically drowned in the Mae Klong River after he slipped while walking on a wet dock in Thailand’s central Samut Songkhram province. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams found the body after an extensive four-hour search. Yesterday at 3pm, friends of the lost fisherman conducted a floating pillow ceremony, a ceremony that locals believed would…
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Bangkok considers Japanese central kitchen system for school lunches
Is there a solution to improve the quality of Thai schools’ cafeteria food? The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is exploring the possibility of implementing a central kitchen system, similar to the one used in Japan, to enhance the quality of school lunches in Thailand. The central kitchen concept was introduced by Nobuko Tanaka, a former Japanese school lunch specialist, during…
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Royal streak: Thai man arrested for naked motorcycle ride and nude hotel stroll
Police arrested a Thai man after he rode his motorcycle naked and strolled majestically around a hotel in the buff in Chacheongsao province near Bangkok. Prompted by a notification, officers from Bang Pakong Police Station swiftly responded to the Blue Diamond Hotel in the Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao province at 8am yesterday. The report indicated that a 31 year…
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Minor Hotels to reach 600 properties amid optimistic tourism outlook
Minor Hotels is set to expand its portfolio to 600 properties across 59 countries, with over 91,000 rooms this year, as the global tourism industry shows signs of recovery following the easing of Covid-19 infections. Dillip Rajakarier, Group Chief Executive of Minor International Plc and Chief Executive of Minor Hotels, believes that pent-up demand will drive the industry for years,…
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Heavy rainfall warning: 33 provinces hit, 70% of South Thailand to be impacted
Heavy rainfall is expected in 33 provinces across Thailand, with the southern region facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides. The Thai Meteorological Department urges citizens to remain vigilant to sudden flooding from June 2 as 70% of the area is expected to experience torrential downpours. The department has issued a 24-hour weather forecast warning of thunderstorms and…
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Chinatown crackdown: 48 partying Chinese nabbed in Bangkok massage parlour drug bust
Forty-eight Chinese nationals were arrested by Children and Women Protection Sub-Division and Narcotics Control Board officers during a drug-fuelled party at a massage parlour on New Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok early this morning. The Superintendent of the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division, Theerasak Chantarapipat, shared the arrest details with ThaiRath. Theerasak disclosed that a tip-off had been received by the…
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Airport Rail Link suffers 70 million baht monthly loss amid 25% commuter drop
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reports that the Airport Rail Link (ARL) service has been losing 70 million baht per month, as it continues to carry fewer passengers than before the pandemic in 2019. To address long-standing operational issues, the SRT chose to involve a private company, Asia Era One, in managing rail operations during the pandemic. An agreement…
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Thai homeowner haunted by ghostly tokay gecko, forced to flee
A homeowner in Surin province has been driven to spend sleepless nights away from her own home due to the ghostly presence of a dead tokay gecko. Jitapha Pothisa, the distressed owner, claims to frequently hear the eerie calls of the phantom lizard but has never actually seen it. The unsettling experience has compelled the 32 year old mother of…
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Elderly woman killed during robbery, daughter with disability witnesses horror
An elderly woman was murdered during a robbery at her grocery store in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The 74 year old victim was strangled by the intruders using her own clothing in front of her 43 year-old disabled daughter. The suspects fled, taking two mobile phones with them. In a shocking incident on June 1, the woman was brutally murdered…
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Illegal truck bribe stickers prompt Thai police chief to launch investigation
The existence of covert stickers indicating that trucks operating illegally on Thailand’s roads have paid bribes to police and other officials to avoid arrest has been confirmed by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas. This revelation comes after the issue was raised by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party list MP-elect. As a result, Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat,…
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