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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Sex sales: China’s sex doll revolution with an AI-morous embrace
In a bold leap forward, China’s WMDoll is shaking up the sex toys industry with its cutting-edge, AI-enhanced creations, promising heightened interactivity and a surge in sex doll sales. With state-of-the-art technology behind the scenes, these sophisticated companions are transforming the market. It’s no secret that life’s little pleasures often come with a twist, and China’s WMDoll is adding quite…
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Krabi police criticised for failing to arrest Turkish man who damages locals’ cars
Police officers in the southern province of Krabi allegedly allowed a Turkish man to remain at large, despite the foreigner damaging two locals’ cars in the area. A Thai scuba diving trainer sought assistance from Channel 7 after her complaint, filed at Ao Nang Police Station, was ignored. Police reportedly told her that they could not arrest the foreign suspect…
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Pane and gain: Thai Airways lands safely amid cracked cockpit drama
In a high-flying drama with a smooth landing, Thai Airways ensured passenger safety remained sky-high after a Bangkok to Singapore flight returned due to a cracked cockpit window, forcing a swift aircraft swap and ensuring passengers reached their destination safe and sound. In an unexpected twist, travellers aboard Thai Airways’ flight TG401 experienced an unscheduled return to Bangkok after a…
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Man attacks wife and relatives with knife in Kalasin, Thailand
A man attacked his wife and her relatives with a knife at a home in Hua Tum village, Kalasin province, leaving four people injured. The suspect fled the scene on a stolen motorcycle, prompting a police manhunt. Police were alerted to the violent incident at 9.30pm, yesterday, February 16. Police Lieutenant Pimpchanok Inthasan from Mueang Kalasin Police Station reported to…
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Thailand faces worsening air pollution crisis in northern regions
The air pollution crisis in northern and northeastern Thailand has been exacerbated by hazardous PM2.5 levels, exceeding safety standards in 42 provinces. Forecasts for February 18 to February 24 predict worsening conditions in the north, with a potential increase on February 18. The Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre reported today, February 17 that numerous provinces, including Pathum Thani, Bangkok, Nakhon…
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Big bovine: Thailand’s King Kong crowned tallest buffalo (video)
There’s a new towering titan in town, Thailand’s own King Kong, a colossal water buffalo, has stomped its way into the Guinness World Records, casting a bewitching shadow over Nakhon Ratchasima as the globe’s tallest buffalo. In the tranquil fields of Nakhon Ratchasima, a giant walks, or rather, ambles. Enter King Kong, the towering water buffalo who’s just muscled his…
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Last laugh: Frenchman arrested for laughing gas sale in Phuket
Police arrested a Frenchman at a house in the Patong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket, yesterday, February 16, for selling nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. Officers from Patong Police Station posed as customers and ordered laughing gas from the 30 year old Frenchman, whose name has not been disclosed. The suspect directed the officers to collect the item from…
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Thailand’s content creators on the rise as online ad spend soars
Move over, television, Thailand’s digital dawn is upon us as the nation experiences an explosive rise in online content creators, set to hit a staggering 3 million this year. That’s up from 2 million just last year, according to insights from the Media Intelligence Group Co. The burgeoning influencer economy now represents about 5% of the entire Thai population, observed…
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Thai couple arrested for selling porn of themselves and their son
A Thai couple in the northern province of Phetchabun made and sold pornography videos of themselves and their 10 year old son online, leading to their arrest on Saturday, February 15. Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division discovered child pornography videos on a website and in a LINE group chat and conducted a further investigation to trace the source…
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Woman found dead in Samut Prakan canal after attempted swim
A 58 year old woman from Khlong Dan, Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan province, was found dead in Khlong Dan yesterday, February 16. The incident occurred opposite the Khlong Dan Health Promotion Hospital. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phonchai Kamkhuntod, an investigative officer at Khlong Dan Police Station, received the report and coordinated with Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital in Samut Prakan and…
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Scam slam: Thais back power cut to con call-centres
A recent survey reveals a surge of support among Thai nationals for cutting utilities in Myanmar as a bold move to thwart call centre scams. With fingers pointing at possible collusion within Thai ranks, the government’s crackdown strategy is taking centre stage. In a striking revelation, a new survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) has shed…
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Abbott wins 6 million baht lottery, plans temple development
Devotees gathered in large numbers at Wat Nong Tao in Mueang subdistrict, Nakhon Sawan province, to congratulate the abbot on his lottery win. The abbot, who won 6 million baht with the winning numbers 847377 from the February 16 draw, remained silent, only smiling as he walked around the temple grounds. The bustling atmosphere at the temple was heightened by…
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Influenza cases soar in Thailand, nearly 100,000 infected
Influenza cases in Thailand have surged, with nearly 100,000 infections and three deaths reported over the past 15 days. The Ministry of Public Health announced a significant rise in cases, particularly in schools, and is deploying 4.5 million doses of vaccines to combat the outbreak. Since January 1, there have been 99,057 confirmed influenza cases, with nine fatalities. This is…
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Pheu Thai dismisses calls to dissolve House over charter clash
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has dismissed the opposition People’s Party’s call to dissolve the House, with Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang clarifying that differing views on a proposed charter amendment do not signify a rift serious enough to destabilise the coalition. “This will not affect the coalition’s stability. Business continues as usual despite the impasse.” Joint sittings to discuss…
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Man arrested for fatal sledgehammer attack in Ayutthaya
A 28 year old man has been apprehended after allegedly breaking into the home of his 42 year old acquaintance and fatally striking him with a sledgehammer at 3am yesterday, February 16. The incident took place in front of the victim, Pichat’s two children, his 8 year old son and 10 year old daughter, in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.…
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5 Chinese arrested for 1 million baht scam on old Thai woman
Police arrested five Chinese nationals in the southern province of Yala for stealing 800,000 baht in gold and 150,000 baht in cash from an old Thai woman on February 12. The 71 year old victim, Jiraporn, filed a complaint with Betong Police Station after falling victim to the Chinese scammers. She reported that the scammers approached her outside an electrical…
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Pickup truck plunges into sea at Rayong’s Maptaput estate
A pickup truck plummeted into the sea in Rayong, leaving bystanders helpless as they watched the vehicle and its occupant disappear beneath the waves. The incident was reported to the Mueang Rayong District Police Station today, February 17, when a local fisherman witnessed the accident near the coastal road at the Maptaput Industrial Estate. Upon arrival at the scene, located…
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Thailand urged to target older tourists to boost tourism revenue
A scholar from Thammasat University is advocating for Thailand’s government to target older tourists, who are known for longer stays and higher spending, as part of its tourism strategy. The government has designated 2025 as the year of Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports, with the objective of drawing 40 million international tourists and generating a minimum of 3 trillion…
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Teen soldier found dead in Sing Buri canal after visit home
A 19 year old conscript soldier, who had taken leave to visit his mother on Valentine’s Day, was found dead in a canal in Sing Buri province yesterday, February 16. Police Colonel Decho Kanha of the Bang Rachan Police Station received a report about the discovery of a man’s body in an irrigation canal along the Chan Yut-Bang Rachan road…
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Puff, cuff, and rough: Thai cop busted for smuggling after crash
A Thai police officer got himself arrested for illegal cigarette smuggling after a car accident in the eastern province of Trat yesterday, February 16, and sustained serious injuries. Officers from Ban Tha Luan Police Station responded to the accident on Sukhumvit Road at 6.30pm yesterday. They found the police vehicle crashed into a roadside lamp post. The driver was identified as…
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Bangkok highlights urgent need for pedestrian safety at crossings
Road safety measures at pedestrian crossings in Bangkok are being highlighted as essential, following findings that most road accidents occur near schools and hospitals. Chamaipan Santikarn, who manages the Social Mobilisation for Motorcycle Safety Project at ThaiHealth, emphasised the need for improved safety after a recent incident where a 68 year old South Korean tourist was struck by a motorcycle…
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Racing sedans crash in Chon Buri, 12 vehicles damaged (video)
An accident involving a group of modified sedans racing on the Chon Buri motorway resulted in damage to 12 vehicles. Emergency services suspect intoxication as a factor. Police are currently questioning those involved after the incident, which occurred yesterday, February 16 at 3.30am. The event was widely shared on social media, showing the cars speeding, weaving, and overtaking recklessly before…
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Japanese man killed after minivan crashes into toll gate near Bangkok
A Japanese man lost his life after his minivan crashed into a toll gate in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, February 16. The fatal accident was reported to Bang Kaew Police Station at around 12pm. It occurred at Bang Phli Toll Gate on the Burapha Withi Expressway in the Bang Phli district of Samut…
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Four illegal foreign nationals nabbed in Pattaya swoop
Bang Lamung police officers swooped on Naklua at the weekend, leading to the arrest of four foreign nationals working illegally in the bustling area behind Naklua New Market in Chon Buri province. The targeted raid on Saturday, February 15 uncovered a startling six-year overstaying spree by two of the apprehended individuals. The crackdown unfolded in Moo 5, Naklua subdistrict, where…
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Shocking striker: Uker van Lingen’s post-match jolt causes sparks
Suphanburi FC striker Uker van Lingen survived an unexpected encounter with live voltage that turned a routine post-match interview in an electrifying turn of events. As the Football Association of Thailand jumps into action, the bizarre mishap has left the league sparking a debate on safety measures. Following Suphanburi FC’s triumphant 3-0 victory over Pattaya United in the Thai League…
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Elderly man’s half a million baht close call in Bangkok taxi
An elderly man in Bangkok accidentally left four valuable pieces of ancient gold jewellery in a taxi. Police successfully traced the items, revealing their worth to be around half a million baht. The incident occurred after the man travelled from Chatuchak yesterday, February 16. Police Colonel Sanong Saengmanee, superintendent of Chanasongkram Police Station, stated that the investigative team was informed…
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Chinese man wanted in drug-related death of Thai party entertainer
Police issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese man who allegedly forced a female Thai party entertainer to take drugs while serving him, resulting in her death at a hotel in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok. The entertainer’s death was reported yesterday, February 16, by the Facebook page Esor News. The page posted a picture of the female entertainer,…
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Man arrested for filming under skirts at Bangkok concert
Police detained a 26 year old man from Udon Thani for allegedly attempting to covertly record under a female concertgoer’s skirt at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on February 16. The incident occurred amidst a large concert attended by both Thai and international audiences, including many Chinese tourists. The arrest was led by Police Colonel Pronthwee Somwang and officers…
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Thailand’s single ticket system to cut public transport costs
The Common Ticketing System Management Bill, which aims to enable commuters to purchase a single ticket for various public transport modes, is expected to reduce service costs, according to a public hearing. The Thailand Consumers Council organised this hearing to gather feedback on the bill for the House’s special committee reviewing the measure. Jiraroth Sukolrat, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy…
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Thai lottery winners share 54 million baht jackpot
The Thai lottery, Lottery Plus, announced a major win of 54 million baht, creating new millionaires in two provinces. The Thai Government Lottery Office announced the winning numbers for the draw held yesterday, February 16. The first prize number was 847377, with additional winning numbers for the three-digit front, three-digit back, and two-digit categories. Following the announcement, Lottery Plus confirmed…
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