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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Severe weather warning for 18 provinces in Thailand
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning today for 18 provinces spanning the north and south of the country. Heavy rains, strong winds, and hailstorms are expected, posing a potential danger to residents. The department advises people to avoid open areas and weakly constructed buildings. This weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts another western…
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Thai Prime Minister to woo global giants at World Economic Forum
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to meet with several leading global private companies, confident that these interactions will attract further trade and investment from abroad. These meetings will take place during the World Economic Forum (WEF) of 2024 and are expected to significantly benefit the Thai economy. Chai Watcharong, Prime Minister Office spokesperson, revealed that during the WEF…
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Concerns after two foreign women sunbathe in Chiang Mai temple
A Thai tourist called on the authorities to put up warning signs after spotting two foreign women sunbathing inside Chiang Man Temple in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The Thai tourist who witnessed the foreigners’ action took a picture and sent it to Channel 3 around 1.30pm yesterday, January 14. The picture showed two foreign women in shorts and…
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Hells Angels chief’s wings clipped in Bangkok bust: Fleeing Australia on fake wings
The Thailand Immigration Bureau (IB) swooped to arrest Hells Angels chief Rodrigo Elices who fled Australia on a false passport on charges of drug trafficking, smuggling and firearms at a luxury apartment in Bangkok. Thai officials revealed that Elices entered the country last month using an Italian passport with a suspected false identity. Fingerprints associated with the Italian passport were…
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Bangkok residents warned of escalating air pollution, urged to work remotely
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) warned residents of Bangkok to prepare for an escalation in ultra-fine particle pollution in the air, which is anticipated to worsen by Wednesday. As a result of this alert, the PCD has implored individuals residing in the capital to opt for remote working until the situation improves. The intensifying accumulation of PM2.5 pollutants, according to…
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Thai government’s plan to open drug rehab centres in army barracks raises concerns
Civil society groups are expressing apprehension regarding the Thai government’s decision to establish drug rehabilitation centres, known as Rakjai centres, in 52 army barracks across the country. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin highlighted the nation’s drug issues on social media and outlined the government’s plan to utilise military premises for drug rehabilitation programmes. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has since been involved…
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PM Srettha to pitch Land Bridge megaproject at WEF
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to entice foreign investors towards the 1 trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject during the World Economic Forum (WEF) which starts on Monday and concludes on Friday in Davos, Switzerland. PM Srettha will be accompanied by a team of cabinet ministers including Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, following an invitation…
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Prehistoric animal footprints discovered at Thai waterfall mark country’s oldest find
A groundbreaking discovery of prehistoric animal footprints, estimated to be 225 million years old, has been made at the Tat Yai waterfalls located on the border between Phetchabun’s Nam Nao district and Khon Kaen’s Phu Pha Man district. The revelation came from the Department of Mineral Resources, which stated that a team from the Mineral Resources Office Region 2 (Khon…
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Eerie spectacle in Thai village: Lottery number ritual stirs curiosity
At the Witching Hour, an eerie spectacle unfolded as villagers gathered to perform a lottery number ritual at the shrines of Mae Ya Oros and Mae Phan Phanpilai, the Kuman Thong. Yesterday, January 14, at the Mae Phan Phanpilai and Mae Ya Oros shrines in Kabin Buri district, Prachinburi province, locals sought luck and prosperity by inviting spirits to partake…
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Children’s Day ceremony in Satun turns tragic with rescue vehicle malfunction
Satun witnessed an unfortunate turn of events yesterday, as a Children’s Day ceremony in the Kuan Don Subdistrict took a tragic turn. A rescue vehicle, intended to demonstrate natural disaster operations, malfunctioned during the show, resulting in injuries to 44 children. Local media outlets reported that the incident occurred when a steel sling on the bridge vehicle, used for natural…
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Koh Samui set for tourism boost with influx of cruise liner visits
Surat Thani province’s popular resort island Koh Samui is expecting a significant boost in tourism this year, with 47 cruise liners set to dock and unload around 25,000 international travellers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). As stated by Kanokkittika Kritwuthikorn, TAT’s director for Koh Samui, the majority of these tourists will be hailing from the United States, Europe,…
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Rubber trees in Rayong bestow lottery luck according to local Thai folklore
A legendary tale of fortune has emerged from the Ban Chang-Pla road in Rayong province, where three intertwined rubber trees have become the subject of a lottery luck charm. Locals believe that the spirits residing beneath these trees, which are estimated to be over 100 years old, have bestowed lottery luck upon numerous individuals. On January 8, around 3.30pm, a…
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Thai model Yoko’s mysterious death: Cyanide, a staged scene and unresolved doubts
Yoko, a prominent Thai model, was found dead in her condominium following an argument at a party with her boyfriend. The incident took place on November 1 last year. The autopsy report showed the presence of cyanide in her body, which has led to doubts about the cause of her death. Yoko’s mother expressed her disbelief at the circumstances of her…
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Youth gang wreaks havoc in Buriram, Thailand: Teen seriously hurt
A gang of reckless youths caused havoc on the streets of Buriram, Thailand. A 13 year old boy was injured after the group pursued and attacked him amidst moving traffic. The incident was followed by the gang posting a taunt on Facebook, ridiculing their victim. Following the incident last night, police are now urgently hunting down the culprits. Upon arrival…
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Thailand courts Hungary for investment to boost global influence
Hungary has been courted by Thailand for potential investment opportunities in a bid to broaden the Southeast Asian nation’s global influence or soft power. This strategic call for investment was made by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, in a recent conversation with Sandor Sipos, the Hungarian Ambassador to Thailand. The dialogue, which took place yesterday, comes ahead…
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Chon Buri forest mystery solved: Charred body on forest tyres identified
The identity of a man whose charred body was found sitting on tyres in a forest has been ascertained. Chon Buri authorities discovered his national identity card in his trouser pocket and have asked for time to investigate the incident. They have also accelerated their efforts to track down the ruthless killer. The body was found in a forest on…
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Tragic accident post-Children’s Day event claims life of one sister, leaves two unconscious
On a sorrowful Children’s Day, three young sisters were involved in a fatal accident after returning from a late-night event where they had been hoping to win prizes. The incident occurred around 12.30am today when the motorcycle they were riding collided with an electricity pole in Prachin Buri province. The 12 year old older sister, who was driving the motorcycle,…
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Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to increase airport slots for summer season
A surge in foreign arrivals expected for the summer season has prompted the Transport Ministry to direct the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to expand the number of available airport slots. These slots, which denote the time-bound authorisation for airlines to take off and land, are set to be increased at key transport hubs, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang…
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Land dispute turns violent in Buriram: Man injured in car and harpoon attack
In a violent dispute over land ownership, a 50 year old man was injured when a mechanic allegedly rammed him with his vehicle and stabbed him with a harpoon. The incident occurred yesterday in a lane opposite Buriram prison. The victim, Nopporn Thianwan, suffered a punctured wound to his back and several bruises. The argument was reported to stem from a…
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Thailand’s new 30-baht plus healthcare scheme takes off
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew expressed satisfaction with the new 30-baht plus healthcare scheme in Thailand, which was launched last Sunday in Roi Et province. The programme, operating under the One Card for All concept, allows members of the universal healthcare card scheme, also known as the gold card scheme, to access medical services from any hospital in Roi Et,…
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Unpredictable weather warning for 40 northern Thailand provinces
A forecast from the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for 40 provinces in northern Thailand of unpredictable weather conditions, including storms and hail, from January 13 to 16, 2024. Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are expected to experience a drop in temperature starting from today. The Director of the TMD, Karnwi Sitthijiphak, announced the fourth weather alert…
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Thai lithium deposits outmatch global counterparts boosting EV production
A Thai geochemistry specialist recently confirmed that two primary lithium deposits located in Phang Nga hold an elevated concentration of lithium, surpassing many other significant deposits worldwide. This discovery reinforces the Thai government’s ambitious strategy to establish Thailand as a key producer of electric vehicles (EVs) and their components. The lithium sites in this southern province have been identified by…
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Former labour minister seeks legal advice over alleged Thailand-Finland trafficking scandal
Former Labour Minister of Thailand Suchart Chomklin is seeking legal advice following allegations of involvement in a human trafficking and bribery scandal. The case in question pertains to the deployment of Thai workers to Finland for berry picking. Suchart vehemently denied receiving payments or engaging in any human trafficking activities related to this employment scheme. An ongoing investigation into the case…
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Fatal crash on Motorway M6 claims life of young Thai motorcyclist
A 29 year old motorcyclist was killed in a severe collision with a car on the Motorway M6. The incident occurred yesterday, at around 9.30pm near kilometre marker 189, linking Simum and Phongkrang districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The motorcyclist was reportedly riding against traffic when he collided with an oncoming car. Emergency medical teams from rescue service Huk 31…
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Thai police raid gambling den, seize assets over 1 million baht
A gambling den in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Muang district was raided on Thursday evening, resulting in the arrest of nearly 130 people and the seizure of assets worth approximately 1 million baht. The Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) executed the raid in Soi Kru Somboon, located on Saphan Yao Road in Tambon Na Kian, following a lead hinting at the…
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Songwriter faces backlash for liking cover of his own song on Facebook
A songwriter known as Pratchaya Chitra, nicknamed Beer, found himself at the receiving end of a bullying incident after simply liking a video clip of his song being covered by a woman. The woman, feeling affronted, launched into a tirade against Beer, questioning his motives and mocking his appearance. It all began when Beer showed appreciation for the cover of…
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Democrat Party leader denies ties with billion-baht pork smuggling suspect
Democrat Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on yesterday refuted whispers of familial connections with the primary suspect in a billion-baht pork smuggling saga. Li Sheng Jiao, also known as Hia Kao (Brother Kao), is among four individuals sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on multiple charges including money laundering, customs act infringements and tax evasion. Earlier this week, arrest warrants were…
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History makes a splash: World’s rarest whale steals the spotlight in cinematic encore (Video)
History has once again etched a remarkable sighting into its records, with the world’s rarest whale being captured on film for only the second time. This exceptional event transpired in the waters off Thailand, where a pair of elusive Omura’s whales were spotted swimming together in the Andaman Sea, one of which bore a distinctive, all-white hue. The surprise encounter…
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School director transferred after student’s criticism of lunch quality sparks protest
A recent student protest has led to the imminent transfer of a school director in the Mae La Noi district, Mae Hong Son. The unrest was sparked when the director, Sineenat Rodkrue, complained to the local police about a student who had criticised the quality of school lunches on social media. The controversy unfolded on yesterday, January 12, at Rat…
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Thai Government plans digital shift for lottery sales
The Government Lottery Office (GLO), under the umbrella of the Finance Ministry, unveiled plans to transition from traditional lottery stalls to digital ones. Lavaron Sangsnit, the permanent finance secretary and chairman of the GLO board, revealed this strategy, which will be initiated from next month. The GLO has been selling digital lottery tickets through the Pao Tang app since 2022…
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