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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Monk defrocked after drug raid at Khon Kaen monastic site
Police swooped on a monastic site in Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, following complaints from villagers about non-monastic activities. One monk was found with a positive drug test and was immediately defrocked. The incident took place yesterday, November 23, when Aoychai Khamboonruang, the district chief of Chum Phae, along with Rakchat Rueangcharoen, the superintendent of Chum Phae Police Station,…
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Teenagers injured in Samut Prakan street chase shooting
Two former vocational students became embroiled in a dramatic street chase in Samut Prakan, pursued and shot by rivals from a different institution. Both teenagers suffered injuries in the incident and managed to escape to a convenience store for help. The shooting occurred yesterday, November 23 at 7.30pm outside a convenience store in Si Racha Kraeng Noi, Bang Sao Thong…
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Man leads police on three day car chase across three provinces
A dramatic car chase unfolded across three provinces in Thailand after a man allegedly stole a vehicle from a petrol station and evaded police for three days while on methamphetamine. The man, identified as 37 year old Weeraphon Laphan was eventually apprehended after a collision with a police vehicle. Officers first received reports of a stolen grey Honda Civic from…
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Thai medical council lawsuit threatens free medicine scheme
The ongoing legal tussle between the Medical Council of Thailand and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) over the provision of free medicine under the universal healthcare scheme is causing alarm among civil society groups. The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is urging the Medical Council to reconsider its lawsuit, which challenges the NHSO’s policy of distributing free medication for 16…
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EC persists in Thaksin investigation despite court ruling
The Election Commission (EC) remains steadfast in its investigation into allegations against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, focusing on claims of his manipulation of the Pheu Thai Party and interference in the coalition government. This action continues despite the Constitutional Court’s recent decision to dismiss a petition accusing Thaksin and the ruling party of attempting to overthrow Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.…
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Wichit, Phuket set to face water supply outages
A significant water supply outage is set to impact a large area of Phuket on Thursday, November 28. The outage, scheduled from 9am to 11.30pm, is necessary to facilitate essential repairs to a 400mm HDPE water supply main in key areas. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Phuket urges residents and businesses in the affected areas to take the following precautions.…
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Police raid tiger trafficking ring in Nonthaburi
Police recently raided a tiger carcass trafficking ring in Nonthaburi, discovering a large tiger skin openly advertised for sale on social media. This operation followed a tip-off received yesterday, November 23, prompting swift action from local and international wildlife protection agencies. Attaphol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, noted that the raid was part…
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Security bolstered for Pattaya fireworks festival next weekend
Security preparations for the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival are underway as Chon Buri police gear up for the event scheduled for next weekend. At a meeting held yesterday, November 23, the Commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, Thawatchakiat Jinda Kuansanong, gathered representatives from over 30 agencies to finalise security measures, ensuring the safety of attendees during the festival on Pattaya…
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Thailand braces for weather changes amid rising temperatures
Thailand is experiencing significant weather changes, with the Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of rising temperatures in the north and severe monsoon conditions in the south. Heavy rainfall is expected in eight provinces, leading to potential flash floods and landslides. TMD has forecasted weather conditions for the next 24 hours indicating that the high-pressure system and moderate cold air mass covering…
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East Thailand: Exhausted driver crashes pickup into street light
A factory owner experienced a serious accident after falling asleep at the wheel due to exhaustion. The accident occurred when his black Ford Ranger pickup truck veered off the road, crossed the median, and crashed into a street light, before flipping over into a forested area in Chanthaburi province, East Thailand. The incident took place yesterday, November 22, and police…
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Caterpillar outbreak devastates Songkhla’s coconut plantations
A significant outbreak of black-headed caterpillars has severely impacted coconut plantations across four districts in Songkhla, causing extensive damage to the crops. Local agricultural officials are responding by deploying parasitic wasps and chemical agents to combat the infestation. Agricultural experts have reported that the black-headed caterpillar infestation is affecting coconut trees in the Sathing Phra Peninsula and other areas of…
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Surat Thani police crack down on noisy modified motorcycles
Police in Surat Thani are intensifying efforts against young motorcyclists modifying their bikes to create loud noises. Today, orders were given to all local police stations to crack down on these activities, aiming to prevent public disturbances and ensure road safety. Niphon Chatree, head of Surat Thani’s city police, instructed his team, including Taweesil Laksana-Pheng, deputy head of the city…
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Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp
A vibrant field of sunn hemp, spread across 5 rai in front of the Phayao Agricultural and Technology College, has become a popular photography spot for tourists, coinciding with the winter season. This picturesque site, located in Mae Na Ruea subdistrict, Mueang district, Phayao province, is drawing attention with its radiant yellow hues. Prasert Phrompa, the Director of Phayao Agricultural…
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Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos
A foreign national was arrested after making a fake bomb threat on a flight bound for Hat Yai, causing chaos for passengers and staff. The individual claimed stress from family issues as his motivation, leading to significant disruption. Security at Don Mueang Airport was alerted when a call was received, warning of a bomb on a flight to Hat Yai.…
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Arrest warrants issued for false reports against Big Joke’s wife
The Bangkok South Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for three individuals, charged with filing false reports against Big Joke’s wife. The incident involves allegations made by 50 year old Sirinadda Hakhapan, the wife of former Deputy Police Chief Police General Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, who reported the matter to Phra Khanong Police Station. The accused include 50 year…
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Laotian vendor arrested for selling Kratom juice near Pattaya Beach
A Laotian vendor found himself in legal trouble after being caught selling Kratom juice near Pattaya Beach just past midnight today. The Pattaya City Police apprehended the suspect, identified as 25 year old Paiwan at 12.36am today, November 23 following complaints from a concerned citizen about the potential health risks posed by the Kratom juice. The arrest unfolded after an…
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Man busted in UK smuggling cannabis from Thailand to clear debt
A down-and-out drug mule took a gamble to clear his debt to his own mother – and lost big-time at Manchester Airport. Dean Pharoah, who owed cash to his mum, tried to smuggle over £200,000 (approximately 8 million baht) worth of cannabis into the UK after a holiday in Thailand. But UK Border Force officers had their suspicions and swooped…
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Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes
Phuket’s water crisis may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a fresh action plan unveiled during Deputy Minister of Interior Sabida Thaiseth’s recent visit. Arriving in Phuket for a two-day official tour, Sabida dove into long-term strategies to secure the island’s water supply, a critical issue that has plagued the region for years. The briefing took place…
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Nissan Thailand denies complete shutdown, only partially
Nissan Motors is slashing jobs and scaling down operations in Thailand as it grapples with declining market share and increased competition from Chinese automakers. In a dramatic twist to its global restructuring plan, unconfirmed local reports suggest the Japanese car giant is planning to cut around 1,000 jobs in Thailand—part of a worldwide layoff affecting 9,000 employees announced earlier this…
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Thai court dismisses petition against Thaksin for lack of evidence
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed a petition against Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party, citing a lack of credible evidence. This petition, filed by Teerayut Suwankesorn, accused the former prime minister and his party of undermining the constitutional monarchy under Article 49 of the Constitution. The court’s decision, made yesterday, November 22, closes the chapter on these allegations,…
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Thai monk attacked outside Channel 8 TV station in Bangkok (video)
A shocking incident unfolded when a prominent monk known as Phra Teera was assaulted outside a television station. The attack occurred yesterday, November 22, after he appeared on a show at Channel 8, leaving him injured. Phra Teera had just exited the RS building, preparing to take a taxi, when a man suddenly approached and jumped, kicking him forcefully in…
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Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani
A teenage girl attempted to abduct a three year old boy from a local temple in Udon Thani province, causing panic among residents. Concerned that she might harm the child due to her apparent drug-induced state, villagers promptly alerted the police. Upon receiving the call, officers from the local police station quickly arrived at the scene in Ban Pornsawan, Soi…
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Pattaya teens return wallet with cash, win public praise
Two Pattaya teens won widespread praise for their remarkable honesty after finding, and returning, a wallet full of cash. In a moment that highlights integrity over temptation, 14 year olds Noppadol Phuphiphat and Phattraraphol Ngao-ngam stumbled upon a wallet with cash and identification in an ice bucket outside a bustling shopping mall in Pattaya late yesterday, November 21. The boys,…
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Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire
A house recently sold and cleared of paperwork was destroyed by a fire, leaving the former owner unable to contact the new buyer. The fire, which remains unexplained, occurred yesterday evening, November 21, in the Thung Sawang community, Kanthararom district, Sisaket province. Police investigator Prayoon Boonyok received the fire alert at 7pm, with the incident taking place in a single-storey…
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Thai welfare cardholders must verify eligibility by December 26
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is urging 1 million holders of the state welfare card to verify their eligibility and confirm their identity by December 26 to secure their benefits. These individuals, part of the 14.5 million registered cardholders, have not yet confirmed their identity, leaving their welfare benefits unclaimed. Julaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, announced this following a meeting…
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Love bites: Rayong to heal Cambodian woman’s heartbreak
In a touching display of community spirit, locals and rescuers in Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong rallied to assist a bedridden Cambodian woman. She was in a dire state, suffering from severe wounds and a distressing worm infestation, purportedly brought on by heartbreak and jealousy after her husband left for work in another province. Residents in Bang Chang district alerted…
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Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani
A man in a state of distress wielded a knife and threw objects at passing vehicles, causing alarm among locals. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21 in Uthai Thani province, as police were alerted to a chaotic scene involving a 40 year old Thai man. Upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about a man throwing knives and objects at vehicles…
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Illegal hunter poached in Sri Nakarin Dam National Park
Park officials pursued three hunters in the Sri Nakarin Dam National Park and successfully apprehended one of them, while the other two managed to escape. The operation led to the seizure of two homemade guns and a significant quantity of ammunition. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21, in the forests of Sri Nakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi province, a region currently…
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Overloaded truck in Phuket sparks road safety concern (video)
A pickup truck in Phuket overloaded with what appeared to be water tanks caught the attention of many when a video showcasing its precarious state was posted online. The clip sparked a discussion about road safety and law enforcement on social media. A Facebook user shared a 33-second video on the เหตุด่วนเหตุร้าย ร่วมด้วยช่วยกัน ภูเก็ต V.2 (Emergency Incidents, Help Together Phuket…
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Chon Buri woman narrowly escapes GPS misdirection into ditch
A young woman narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation after her GPS directed her into a water-filled ditch while she was trying to visit a friend’s home. The incident occurred yesterday, November 21, at approximately 7pm in Ban Choet, Phanat Nikhom District, Chon Buri province. Rescue volunteers from Sawang Het Thung Hiang were called to help extract a motorcycle from a…
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