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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Thailand braces for monsoon madness, chilly north, rough seas
Batten down the hatches and grab your brollies, there’s wild weather on the horizon. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning across Thailand, as heavy monsoons are set to unleash torrential rain on 13 provinces, with the southern region bearing the brunt, and northern Thailand shivering under cooler temperatures. Today, November 11, a cold air mass…
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Famous Thai fortune teller arrested for 100 million baht fraud
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a well-known fortune teller at his home in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok, today, for allegedly committing fraud resulting in damages exceeding 100 million baht. The first two victims to come forward and expose the fraudulent activities of the fortune teller, 43 year old Thanawan “Odd” Jiracharoenwet, were his 77 year old client and…
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Thailand to spotlight climate change at COP29 in Azerbaijan
Thailand unveils its plans to spotlight climate change initiatives at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan. The Thailand Pavilion will be a central feature, offering a platform to display the nation’s strategies and actions against climate change. Among the highlights are activities revolving around Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo, which will draw attention at the international…
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Golden chance: Prices drop, time to cash in on your bling dreams
The Gold Traders Association announced a dip in today’s gold prices, offering a glittering opportunity for buyers. As of 9.05am, today, November 11, gold ornaments are selling at 43,900 baht per baht, showing a 100 baht decrease from yesterday’s figures. For those eyeing pure gold bars at 96.5% purity, today’s prices reveal a buying rate of 43,300 baht per baht…
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The White Lotus blooms with Lisa BLACKPINK’s acting debut in Thailand (video)
The much anticipated third series of The White Lotus unveiled another teaser revealing Thailand’s favourite K-pop singer Lisa Monobal in her first acting role. Yesterday, November 10, the series producer, Max, swished aside the curtain on Blackpink’s Lalisa as she stepped into the role of Thidapon Sornsin, a charming hospitality host who greets with a quintessentially Thai welcome: “Welcome to…
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Thai drama series faces backlash after cat anaesthetised on set (video)
The Department of Livestock Development planned to summon the director and production team of the Thai historical drama series The Empress of Ayodhaya, also known as Mae Yhua, for questioning due to criticism over animal abuse after a black cat was anaesthetised during the production. The Empress of Ayodhaya is a period drama inspired by the Queen of Ayodhaya, Sri…
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Armed gang steals rosewood logs, attacks officers
A coordinated nighttime attack on a forestry protection unit in Nakhon Phanom province resulted in the theft of valuable Siam rosewood and weapons, with officials suggesting the raid was carefully planned by a gang familiar with the location. The incident occurred yesterday, November 10, shortly after midnight in Ban Kut Takab, Waritchaphum district, when five masked men in black clothing…
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Thai man leaves apology note & cash after laundrette knicker theft
A Thai man with a woman’s underwear fetish got his knickers in a twist after stealing a G-string from a local launderette in Pattaya. Overcome with guilt, the remorseful knicker thief penned a heartfelt apology and left cash compensation for the startled owner. Kai, the 42 year old owner of the automatic laundry shop, marched into Pattaya City Police Station,…
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PM on dual-purpose trip to US west coast and APEC summit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra departed Bangkok yesterday for a diplomatic mission combining stops in Los Angeles and Lima, Peru. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and other officials, the delegation touched down in Los Angeles at 7.30pm local time, yesterday, November 10. The Thai premier’s Los Angeles agenda includes chairing a strategic meeting with diplomatic representatives from across the Americas…
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Drunken Thai boxer takes page from Tyson’s ear-book
In an incident eerily reminiscent of Mike Tyson’s infamous clash with Evander Holyfield, a drunken Thai boxer left a man earless after a savage encounter in Chiang Mai. The attack has prompted pleas for justice from the victim’s distraught girlfriend. In a startling revelation, Duean, a 25 year old from Lampang Province, recounted the gruesome details to reporters. Her boyfriend,…
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Thaicom 9A satellite repositioned to secure Thailand’s orbital rights
Thaicom is set to reposition an EutelSat satellite, now labelled Thaicom 9A, to the 50.5° East orbit. This move comes as the deadline to retain Thailand’s rights to the orbit approaches, expiring tomorrow, November 12. The satellite operator aims to ensure the country’s continued access to this orbital position by completing the relocation process within the stipulated timeframe. Last month,…
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Lifeless body of Indian man found after Koh Samui waterfall stumble
Thai officials discovered the body of a 29 year old Indian man yesterday after he accidentally fell from the cliff at Na Mueang 2 Waterfall on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Over 30 officials from Koh Samui Police Station, rescue teams, the local administrative office, and the Royal Forest Department participated in the search…
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Vietnam to block Shein, Temu if unregistered by November
Vietnam announced plans to take action against Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu by blocking their Internet domains and mobile applications if they fail to register their operations with the Ministry of Industry and Trade by the end of November. This development arises from concerns over the influence of these Chinese platforms on local markets, particularly regarding their aggressive discounting…
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Bangkok to bang-bang: Thai tourist shot in escort row in India
A Thai tourist found herself in the crosshairs of danger after a heated dispute over escort services spiralled out of control, leading to her being shot in the historic city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The altercation erupted at a local hotel, ultimately escalating into violence, on Saturday, November 9. The scene unfolded when four men left the woman, identified as…
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Bitcoin hits record high after Trump’s US presidential victory
Bitcoin surged past US$81,000 (2.78 million baht) today, November 11, hitting a record high, following Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election. The victory, alongside the election of pro-crypto candidates to Congress, has fuelled speculation about a more lenient regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. The digital currency has experienced a remarkable rise, more than doubling from its lowest point of…
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Chinese call centre scam leader surrenders after 7 months in hiding
A leading Chinese member of a call centre scam gang in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat surrendered to Thai police after seven months in hiding. The 33 year old Chinese man, Jiang Zhaitian, reached out to the Thai police via his lawyer, expressing his intent to turn himself in. Jiang was subsequently taken to the Cyber Crime Investigation…
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Canna-bust: British student’s drug-filled dreams go up in smoke
A British student’s high-flying ambitions came crashing down when his ill-fated bid to smuggle a suitcase brimming with cannabis from Thailand was thwarted. The desperate act was all in the name of funding his university education, a courtroom in Austria heard. The 29 year old mature student, travelling with his 24 year old girlfriend, was nabbed during a layover in…
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Thai police develop influencers to combat cybercrime and aid public
National police chief Kittharath Punpetch is spearheading an innovative approach to bridge the gap between the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the public by developing police influencers. This initiative aims to establish a direct connection with the community and serve as a primary resource for crime prevention and assistance. Kittharath emphasises that RTP influencers will be accessible channels for public…
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A World Kindness Day: Spread kindness, prevent illness – Get your 10% discount
With World Kindness Day just two days away on November 13, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how empathy and care can make a real impact, not just in our relationships but in our health, too. This day is all about creating a more compassionate, understanding world, an opportunity to connect the themes of kindness and health prevention. For…
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No time to lose: Mexican tourist returns pricey watch after Bangkok airport mix-up
A Mexican woman on holiday with her family in Phuket agreed to return a luxury watch worth about 200,000 baht to a Thai woman, stating that she thought it belonged to a family member and mistakenly took it from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. A 21 year old Thai woman, Rachawalee, filed a complaint with Don Mueang Police Station…
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4 foreigners rob Ukrainian man of 250,000 USDT in Phuket hotel
Four foreign suspects robbed a Ukrainian man of 250,000 USDT, approximately 8.5 million baht, at a hotel in the Kamala neighbourhood of Phuket on Friday evening. The 23 year old victim, Viacheslav Leibove, filed a complaint with Kamala Police Station on Saturday, November 9, reporting that he was robbed by four foreigners the previous night, November 8. The incident occurred…
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Police drug bust seizes 56kg of heroin in Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Phanom was the scene of a blockbuster drug bust yesterday as police and local security forces joined forces to take down major drug lords, confiscating a monumental 56 kilogrammes of heroin and a mind-boggling 121,000 methamphetamine pills in the Thao Uthen district. This daring operation was set in motion after an explosive tip-off about a narcotics shipment sneaking across…
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Brits and pieces: Pattaya calm shattered by heated road rage clash
The tranquillity of Pattaya’s sun-kissed streets was shattered yesterday by a shocking road rage meltdown involving a British man and a Thai local. Chaos unfolded outside the LK Metro Hotel on Soi Buakhao as emergency services rushed to the scene in response to a violent altercation between a British man and a Thai driver. James Edward, a British national, was…
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Toxic warehouse: Cops uncover illegal operation in Chachoengsao
Police in Chachoengsao uncovered a shocking illegal operation housing hazardous chemicals within a warehouse complex in the Plang Yao district. A massive investigation launched yesterday, November 10, revealed that nine out of ten warehouses were being used for illicit factory activities, with the primary focus being the illegal recycling of hazardous materials. The probe, carried out in partnership with the…
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Overnight phone charging sparks fire in Samut Prakan building
A mobile phone charging overnight caused a fire in Samut Prakan, leaving a father and his two sons injured due to smoke inhalation. The blaze erupted in their three-storey commercial building, prompting an urgent response from local fire services. The incident occurred today when the Samrong Nuea Police Station received a report of a fire in a commercial building within…
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Thailand implements 8.36 billion baht plan to stabilise rice prices
The National Rice Policy and Management Committee has introduced three strategic measures to stabilise rice prices amidst concerns of potential oversupply during the harvest season. By maintaining a balance between demand and supply, these initiatives aim to prevent a price drop in this year’s rice crop. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the first measure entails an 8.36 billion baht…
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Police raid exposes illegal gambling in Bangkok restaurant
Police raided a Chinese restaurant in the heart of Bangkok, disguised as a legitimate eatery, and arrested four Chinese nationals for illegal gambling. The raid, which took place yesterday, November 9, at 9.30pm, was led by Jesada Yangnok, alongside deputy officers from Wang Thonglang Police Station. This followed intelligence that the establishment was operating as a covert gambling den. Upon…
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Chinese tourist rescued from banyan tree after Pattaya argument
A Chinese tourist found himself in a precarious situation on November 8 in Pattaya, capturing attention as he perched atop a large banyan tree in a state of distress. The incident unfolded at a parking lot in the Bang Lamung district, prompting an emergency response from Pattaya’s Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre at 10pm. Responders, including rescue volunteers, disaster prevention officers,…
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Thailand reaffirms sovereignty over Koh Kut amid MoU dispute
The Thai government reinforced its stance that a 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia serves as a mechanism to safeguard Thailand’s interests. Officials insist that Thailand retains sole sovereignty over Koh Kut, located in Trat province. This statement comes amidst concerns that the agreement, signed during Thaksin Shinawatra’s tenure as prime minister, could potentially affect Thailand’s sovereignty over the…
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Thailand eyes F1 event to boost economy and tourism
Thailand is gearing up for an economic boost as the government commits to bringing a Formula 1 (F1) racing event to the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the ambitious plan yesterday, November 9, emphasising its potential to invigorate tourism and stimulate urban development. The government is actively pursuing discussions to secure an F1 event, which is part of a…
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