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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Thai police capture fugitive ex-husband after fatal stabbing in Phang Nga
A 38 year old man has been apprehended by Thai police after a manhunt following the fatal stabbing of his ex-wife in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district. Police discovered Ekkarat yesterday, hiding in a forest in Chana district, Songkhla province, after he had been on the run since early this month. Ekkarat Priappan’s arrest follows a concerted effort by the…
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Thailand’s Marriage Equality Bill to boost GDP and tourism
Thailand’s historic decision to legalise same-sex marriage, starting January 2025, is set to supercharge its tourism industry, drawing in millions of visitors and billions in revenue. According to a new study by digital travel platform Agoda, this legislative move is projected to bring in 4 million additional international visitors each year, driving up tourism revenues by an impressive US$2 billion…
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Frenchman faces legal action for unlawful macaque possession in Bangkok
A French national has found himself facing legal action for allegedly keeping four young macaques unlawfully after showcasing them on social media. This incident unfolded when officials from the Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, along with police from the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division, executed a search at the individual’s residence in Bangkok. Department representative, Naruphon Thipmontha,…
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Feline faux-paw: Empress of Ayodhaya cat drugged by amateur
In a shocking twist worthy of its own drama, fresh revelations have emerged from the set of the Thai historical series, The Empress of Ayodhaya. It’s been discovered that the mysterious black cat, who was anaesthetised during filming, was knocked out by someone with zero veterinarian credentials. The Department of Livestock Development released a bombshell report today, November 15,revealing the…
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Thailand celebrates return of ancient artefacts from US
Thailand welcomed back four ancient Ban Chiang artefacts yesterday, repatriated from the United States, in a gesture marking the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property. The return ceremony, held at the Issara Vinijchai Throne Hall within Bangkok’s National Museum, underscored the commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The US Ambassador, Robert Godec, revealed that these artefacts had been gifted…
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Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon draws tourists with frosty scenic views
Cold temperatures on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai have attracted tourists eager to experience the chill and witness the stunning frost formations on grass and wildflowers. As of today, the temperature on the summit dropped to 9°C, creating a picturesque scene that drew many visitors to the national park. There is great anticipation for the occurrence of Maei Khap frost,…
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Russian man confirmed dead after fatal fall in Phuket hotel
A tragic incident unfolded in Phuket as police have confirmed the identity of a 37 year old Russian man who is believed to have fatally jumped from a hotel in Soi Paradise, Patong. The event took place on November 13 night, leaving police and locals in shock. Police received a call to the hotel early yesterday, November 14, at approximately…
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Thai singer’s fake goods hit a sour note with socialite
A prominent Thai country singer has been accused of running a fraudulent business scheme and selling counterfeit luxury goods, resulting in a loss of 8 million baht for a well-known socialite. The allegations have sparked widespread interest on social media, with many speculating about the singer’s identity and the extent of their activities. Ken Do, a public figure known for…
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Bangkok braces for rising pollution as air quality worsens
Bangkok’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 28 areas submerged in PM2.5 dust particles. Officials issued warnings, anticipating a spike in pollution levels between this Sunday, November 17 and next Tuesday, November 19. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect their health. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported on the air quality status in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Cyber police arrest scammer who defrauded politician’s daughter of 650,000 baht
Cyber police apprehended a key player in a call centre scam that deceived the daughter of a Democrat Party deputy leader out of over 650,000 baht by impersonating officials from the Department of Special Investigation. Police from Technology Crime Suppression Division 5 reported the arrest of 55 year old Suthep near a house in Wang Sala, Tha Muang district, Kanchanaburi.…
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Police in Thailand to receive increased allowances this year
Police officers across Thailand are set to receive increased allowances this year, following a directive signed by Kittirat Phanpetch, the National Police Chief. The directive, dated Tuesday, November 12, emphasises the need for efficient budget management and cautions against any misallocation of funds. Kittirat issued the directive to various police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions…
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Cement mixer truck collision kills rider, injures passenger in Nonthaburi
A tragic accident occurred when a cement mixer truck collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a 59 year old rider and injuries to a female student passenger. The truck driver claimed he did not see the motorcycle but CCTV footage captured the entire incident. Police officers from Bang Kruai Police Station and Ruamkatanyu Foundation personnel responded to…
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Police ‘sidecar’ into bust: Drug suspect nabbed in undercover sting
Police officers in disguise successfully apprehended a major drug suspect by blending seamlessly into the local community. Disguised as locals, they rode a sidecar motorcycle to the suspect’s home, where they arrested him without raising suspicion. Officers from the Elephant Warriors unit of the 434th Border Patrol Police Company in Phatthalung, led by Yothaphon Rungsawat, orchestrated the arrest. The team…
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Police arrest Sisaket man for firearms and drugs possession
Police successfully conducted a crime crackdown during the Loy Krathong festival, seizing firearms and ammunition. On the day of the operation, officers arrested a 45 year old Thai man, at his residence in Huai Chan subdistrict, Khun Han district, Sisaket province. The operation was spearheaded by Chayaphon Namsuwan, a senior investigator at Khun Han Police Station, and supported by Wanchai…
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Tragic road accident claims two lives in Rayong
A tragic accident resulted in the deaths of two people on a road in Pluak Daeng, Rayong when a black saloon car veered across lanes and collided with a pickup truck. The crash left the saloon car torn into two parts, with the driver ejected and killed instantly. The incident, which also involved a white delivery pickup, has raised questions…
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Phuket guesthouse owner reclaims heirlooms stolen by employee
The owner of a Phuket guesthouse breathed a sigh of relief after police tracked down and recovered nearly 1 million baht worth of stolen jewellery and luxury items, taken by none other than her restaurant manager, who had been drowning in online gambling debt. The shocking betrayal left 33 year old Sophia Brussaard both heartbroken and relieved when justice finally…
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Thai police ‘tweet’ out arrests in illegal bird trade bust
Thai police have swooped on a major illegal bird trade operation in southern Thailand, arresting two people involved in selling protected Bulbul birds via Facebook. The suspects admitted to selling thousands of birds over the past year. Police officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division conducted raids on the homes of two individuals, known by their Facebook…
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Thailand consumer confidence rises for first time in eight months
Consumer confidence in Thailand saw its first improvement in eight months this October, driven by reduced concerns over recent floods and improved economic conditions influenced by government policies. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported a rise in the consumer confidence index to 56, up from 55.3 in September. The consumer confidence index, which measures consumers’ outlook…
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Motorbike bomb attack injures five police officers in Pattani
An explosive attack targeted a police truck in Pattani yesterday, injuring five officers when a bomb planted on a motorcycle was detonated remotely. The incident occurred at 2.40pm, yesterday, November 14, near the Tanyong Dalo Bridge in Yaring district. Police Colonel Teerapot Yindi, head of Yaring Police Station in Pattani, was alerted to the attack, which left the police truck…
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Pattaya City councillor ‘paves’ the way for safer roads
In a proactive move to address complaints over potentially dangerous road conditions, Pattaya City Council member Wutthithorn Saengurai inspected an ongoing road project on Sukhumvit Road near the South Pattaya intersection yesterday, November 14. Accompanied by top officials from the Drainage System Maintenance Division, Sanitary Engineering Division, and the Pattaya City Administration’s Complaint Reception Department, Wutthithorn responded to residents’ concerns…
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Villagers find beheaded dugong in Phuket, sparking marine safety concerns
A grim discovery unfolded when villagers found a beheaded dugong floating near the shores of Baan Bang Rong, Phuket. Officials were promptly called to investigate the incident, which has sparked concerns about marine life safety and illegal poaching activities. The report of the gruesome find reached the local police station yesterday, November 14. Nopadol Tonmanee, an investigator at Thalang Police…
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Thailand video news | Indian tourist injured in Pattaya convenience store assault, Phuket tourists criticised for risky tuk-tuk behaviour
Today on Thailand Video News, hosts Alex and Jay bring viewers up to date on significant stories from Thailand and beyond. The coverage includes an assault on an Indian tourist in Pattaya, highlighting safety concerns ahead of Thailand’s festival season, and a public health alert regarding Thailand’s diabetes crisis, affecting over 6.5 million citizens. Additional stories explore the crackdown on…
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Constitutional amendment: PP proposes Senate removal in process
The People’s Party (PP) yesterday submitted a proposal aiming to remove the Senate from the constitutional amendment process, according to the House of Representatives’ secretariat. This is one of the 17 proposals put forth by the PP, targeting specific sections of the constitution for amendment. A central focus of these proposals is Section 256, which requires that any charter amendment…
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Suicidal Thai man goes ghost hunting to seek advice on afterlife
A suicidal Thai man with a death wish embarked on a ghost hunt, hoping for some heavenly advice on whether the spiritual world is more comfortable than living in the material world. The 55 year old ghost hunter rode his motorbike from Chon Buri to the eerily famous Bang Pakong River Bridge in Chachoengsao province, determined to find out if…
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PM Paetongtarn to visit Malaysia for trade and border security talks
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to visit Malaysia next month to enhance bilateral ties, focusing on trade and border security improvements. This announcement follows Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Jojie Samuel during his farewell visit, where they discussed pressing issues along the southern border that necessitate increased collaboration. Anutin highlighted that PM Paetongtarn’s December…
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Bangkok Motor Expo shifts into high gear to rev up bookings
Buckle up, folks! The 41st Bangkok International Motor Expo is zooming into town tomorrow, and car distributors are hoping for a much-needed boost in bookings, despite the market feeling like it’s stuck in first gear. Last year saw a whopping 53,248 bookings, and this time around, organisers are revved up to beat that record this year. Kwanchai Paphatphong, the man…
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Thailand explores nuclear energy amid gas supply concerns
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is gearing up for a deep dive into the legalities of a new small modular reactor (SMR) project right here in Thailand. The nation is at a crossroads, and embracing nuclear energy could be its ticket to a future-proof power grid. Why now, you ask? The country’s domestic gas supplies are drying up, and talks…
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District in Chiang Mai faces landslide threat amid waterlogged soil
Experts have warned about potential landslides and ground subsidence in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai. The region is grappling with waterlogged soil after enduring two months of consecutive flooding, raising concerns about the stability of the land. A TikTok video recently brought attention to the situation, as it showed water surfacing from the ground at multiple spots in the Mueang…
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Thai Airways cash turbulence: Will shareholders give a capital lift-off?
In a dramatic twist, shareholders of Thai Airways International (THAI) are in a heated debate over whether to pump more cash into the airline, despite its recent financial turnaround. With a shiny rehabilitation plan in place, which includes a bold proposal for capital injection, the airline’s comeback story is under the microscope. Central to this saga is the question of…
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Gartner’s tech-tacular 2025 trends: AI you ready for the future?
US technological research and consulting firm Gartner has unveiled the groundbreaking tech trends to dominate 2025, including AI imperatives, novel computing frontiers, and human-machine synergy. These trends promise to revolutionise organisations with responsible and ethical innovation, said Gartner VP analyst Gene Alvarez “Tracking these trends will help IT leaders shape the future of their organisations with responsible and ethical innovation.”…
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