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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Abhisit warns Thai casino legalisation risks social harm
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva directed criticism towards the Thai government’s plan to legalise casinos and online gambling, warning that it could exacerbate existing social issues. During a seminar focused on the drive to legalise gambling in Thailand, Abhisit described gambling as a significant social concern that has inflicted damage not only on individuals but also on their families. He…
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Thai man goes on mall rampage over forgotten phone password
A mentally ill Thai man went on a rampage at a shopping mall in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after a worker at an iCare store was unable to repair his phone because he could not remember his Apple ID password. A video of the incident was shared by several media outlets, showing his violent behaviour at the iCare…
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Yingluck Shinawatra’s return to Thailand faces unresolved issues
Efforts to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Thailand continue, as her brother, Thaksin, indicates that several considerations must still be addressed before her possible return. Thaksin initially committed to her return during an interview last November, suggesting it could occur around this year’s Songkran festival. The 75 year old former PM expressed optimism regarding the…
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Bangkok defends bus shelter costs amid public criticism
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt defended the design and pricing of new bus shelters intended to replace approximately 3,000 bus stops throughout the city. He stated that the costs are justified considering the complexities involved in their construction. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration‘s (BMA) bus shelter procurement project has faced public criticism, with detractors arguing that the design does not justify the…
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85 year old Buriram woman revives 40 minutes after death
Residents of Nang Rong district, Buriram province, were astounded by the miraculous revival of an 85 year old woman, who came back to life 40 minutes after being pronounced dead. The elderly woman, identified as Phua Sriphadung, surprised her family as she sat up during preparations for her body to be moved to a nearby temple for religious ceremonies. She…
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5 foreigners, 2 Thais arrested at illegal nurseries and Muay Thai gym
Police arrested five foreigners and two Thai citizens at illegal nurseries and a Muay Thai training gym in Phuket on Friday, February 7. Phuket Provincial Police officers raided three suspicious businesses in the province on Friday, including two nurseries in the Thalang district and a Muay Thai training gym in the Mueang district. At the first nursery, police encountered 10…
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Thailand’s capital relocation proposal faces opposition
A proposal by a lawmaker from the Pheu Thai Party for the relocation of Thailand’s capital to Nakhon Ratchasima has been met with opposition from a House study. The study suggests that such a move would require a significant budget and a referendum for decision-making. The Interior Ministry, tasked with forming a House committee to examine the proposal, indicated that the…
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Car-truck collision in Chiang Mai injures 16 longan workers
A collision between a car and a truck transporting longan harvest workers in Chiang Mai left 16 people injured, with two in serious condition. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation. Yesterday, February 9 at 8.35pm, investigators from San Pa Tong district in Chiang Mai received reports of a significant traffic accident on the San Pa Tong-Hang Dong…
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Thailand rolls out Valentine’s plan: Free condoms for teenagers
Today, at Government House, the Deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office unveiled a bold initiative from the Department of Disease Control: free condoms for teenagers. Marking Valentine’s Day as more than just hearts and flowers, this campaign aims to hammer home the message of safe sex and promote access to essential sexual health services among teenagers and young adults.…
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3 suspicious men spotted near scene of suitcase with dead body
A local Thai woman encountered two suspicious vehicles and three dubious men near the scene where a suitcase containing a naked body was discovered in the eastern province of Rayong. A local fisherman noticed an unpleasant smell coming from the suitcase while fishing in a canal near a shopping mall in Rayong province on Friday, February 7, and decided to…
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New Jurassic film set to boost Thai tourism and hotel bookings
Tourism operators are optimistic that the new Jurassic franchise film, highlighting the natural attractions of southern Thailand, will draw tourists year-round. This has led to calls for a management plan to accommodate the expected visitor influx. The trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth showcases destinations in Krabi and Trang, including Koh Kradan and Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. The film is…
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Ancient hyena fossils found in Krabi cave reveal savannah past
A recent discovery in a cave in Krabi has unearthed numerous hyena fossils, estimated to be over 200,000 years old, suggesting that Krabi was once a savannah. Yesterday, February 9, Assistant Professor Doctor Kantapon Suraprasit, a lecturer from the Department of Geology at Chulalongkorn University, alongside a team of geologists and the Krabi Cave Lovers Club, conducted an exploration in…
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Tragic murder-suicide in Phichit: Estranged couple found dead
A tragic incident occurred in Phichit province when a man fatally shot his estranged wife before taking his own life in a murder-suicide. The event unfolded in a dormitory on Phichit Bypass Road today, February 10 at 12.30am. Police were alerted to a shooting involving fatalities and injuries. Upon arrival, police found 22 year old Nutthaphon from Pa Makap subdistrict,…
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Parents banned after attack on girl in Thai playground
A Facebook user shared CCTV footage of an incident at a local establishment showing a couple physically assaulting a young girl who accidentally collided with their child while playing. The establishment has since banned the parents, stating that their behaviour was unacceptable. The incident occurred yesterday, February 9, when the couple’s child was accidentally bumped by a young girl at…
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Foreign TikToker goes viral for innocent mistake with Thai monks
A foreign man went viral on Thai social media for his TikTok video featuring an innocent mistake with two Thai monks at an airport in Thailand. The TikTok account @thibo_fockenoy shared a video of him requesting to take a picture with two Thai monks at the airport last week. The foreign man captioned the video, “Very loving people, though. #thailand…
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Father’s drug-fuelled attack leaves son critically injured
A 25 year old father was reported to have assaulted his seven year old son at their home in Sri Bunrueng district, Nong Bua Lamphu province, after consuming drugs. The attack, yesterday, February 9, involved a wooden pestle, leaving the child with serious injuries, including bleeding from the ears. Rescue team leader Doctor Napasdon Saengklang detailed the incident, explaining that…
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Phuket police turn up the heat on Peach Hill Resort fire probe
Phuket City Police have launched a probe into a fierce fire that ignited at the Peach Hill Resort on Laem Sai Road in Karon on the evening February 7. The flames spurred a dramatic emergency response, with local police and fire teams racing to the scene shortly after being alerted at around 6pm. The alarm bells first rang for Police…
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Thai weather takes a chill pill up north while the south makes waves
Weather conditions across Thailand are expected to be significantly impacted by a moderate to strong cold air mass, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Today, February 10, cool to cold weather is anticipated in northern areas, while the south will experience strong monsoon conditions with rain and high waves at sea. The northeastern region will see cool to cold…
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Russian tourist vows Pattaya return after cops catch thief
Na Jomtien officers have taken a bow after collaring a 40 year old Thai man accused of swiping a Russian tourist‘s valuables right from under his nose. The brazen beachside bandit targeted 45 year old Mr A, a Russian visitor enjoying a refreshing dip near a resort in the sunny enclave of Na Jomtien, Sattahip, Chon Buri. Mr A had…
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DoE raid: Unlicensed foreign teachers schooled in surprise sweep
Department of Employment (DoE) officials swooped into Bangkok’s Ratchada and Bang Na areas to check on foreign teachers without any certification in a surprise operation. Hot on the heels of last week’s shock arrest of eight South Korean nationals teaching without valid work documentation, officials are leaving no stone unturned to rectify the situation. “Search, Arrest, Fine, Deport” is the…
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Thai hostages return home after release by Hamas
Today, February 9, at 7.35am, five Thai hostages released by Hamas returned to Thailand, welcomed by foreign affairs minister Maris Sengiamphong at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The emotional reunion saw families embracing with tears of joy at the return of their loved ones. Maris expressed deep satisfaction at witnessing such heartfelt family reunions, noting the difficult years apart. Families mentioned their…
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Phuket Airport staff under scrutiny for corruption but no formal probe yet
The National Anti-Corruption Commission‘s Phuket office clarified that no formal investigation has started regarding four Airports of Thailand management staff at Phuket International Airport, despite acknowledgements of corrupt conduct by the organisation. The NACC is still in the evidence-collection phase, with the staff in question retaining their positions. In late November last year, central NACC officials from Bangkok visited the…
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Monitor lizard invades Bangkok home, elderly woman startled (video)
A large monitor lizard unexpectedly entered a home, startling an elderly woman. Her daughter speculated the reptile was driven by a dog while attempting to steal eggs. The incident was captured on video and shared widely on social media. Yesterday, February 8, reporters visited the scene in the Bang Khun Thian coastal area of Bangkok, where the event occurred in…
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Lion’s night roars in Chon Buri spark panic and police response
Residents and tourists in Chon Buri’s Phra Tamnak Soi were left anxious after a two year old male lion roared throughout the night, causing widespread concern. The noise prompted locals to contact the Pattaya City Police Station following disturbances reported by those living in Mueang Pattaya district’s Nong Prue subdistrict, particularly between Sois 5 and 6, Phra Tamnak, across from…
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Chiang Rai bans oil refueling into containers to combat crime
Chiang Rai provincial officials issued an urgent directive prohibiting the refuelling of oil into containers such as jerry cans, with violators facing legal action. This measure aligns with the Thai government’s policy to combat call centre gangs. Yesterday, February 8, Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon, acting on behalf of the Chiang Rai governor, announced the directive dated February 7, stating that…
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Police investigate body found in sack on Songkhla roadside
Police are urgently seeking information after a man’s body was discovered bound and stuffed into a fertiliser sack, left by the roadside in a forested area. A local made the grim discovery, recalling a similar case involving a triple homicide two years ago. Yesterday, February 8, Police Lieutenant Somjai Suwannakit, an investigator from Bang Klam Police Station in Songkhla province,…
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LGBTQ protest in Pathum Thani after violent soup attack
Yesterday, February 8, a large gathering of over 500 LGBTQ people assembled near a condominium in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province, calling for accountability after an incident involving a hot soup attack. This confrontation followed a violent event on February 7, where a second-year student from a prominent private university was injured when hot soup was poured over him.…
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Eight Thai provinces face unsafe ultrafine dust levels
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported this morning that eight out of 77 provinces were experiencing slightly unsafe levels of ultrafine dust pollution. These provinces, predominantly located in the north, recorded orange levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, ranging from 38.3 to 48.6 microgrammes per cubic metre over a 24-hour…
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Myanmar fishermen charged after entering Thai waters near Ranong
Myanmar fishermen face charges after being apprehended in Thai waters near Ranong province. The 3rd Naval Area Command seized two fishing boats with Myanmar crew members on February 7 for intruding into waters southwest of Koh Khang Khao. Two Royal Thai Navy vessels escorted these boats to a local deep-sea port yesterday morning, February 8. Seven Myanmar nationals were found…
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Four Japanese nationals caught illegally crossing Thai-Myanmar border
In Tak province’s Mae Sot district, four Japanese nationals were apprehended after illegally crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border into Myawaddy, as reported by police yesterday, February 8. These four men, arrested on February 7, were wanted in Japan for criminal and drug-related offences, according to Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police. To address international concerns, particularly from…
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