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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Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Bangkok minimum wage hits 400 baht: Boost for 700,000 workers
A historic pay boost is on the horizon for Bangkok’s workers, as the government acknowledges a major wage hike that will benefit hundreds of thousands. The Cabinet has officially confirmed a significant increase in Bangkok’s minimum wage, with the daily rate set to rise to 400 baht starting July 1. The wage increase, which will benefit approximately 700,000 workers, was…
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Helicopter tail number sparks lottery frenzy in Udon Thani
A helicopter landing in Udon Thani has sent lottery fever into overdrive, with residents betting on a number they believe will lead them to fortune. Excitement is mounting in Udon Thani as lottery enthusiasts eagerly await today’s draw, all eyes on the tail number of a helicopter that has taken the town by storm. The focus is on the army…
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Hungry bear shocks diners at restaurant in Khao Yai National Park
A Thai TikToker shared a surprising moment with his followers after he and other tourists encountered an Asian black bear at a restaurant in Khao Yai National Park, located in the central province of Nakhon Nayok. The TikTok user and travel blogger posted a video of the bear on his account, @oatoatour, on Sunday, June 29, with the caption: “Bear…
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15 Chinese arrested in northern Thailand luxury home raid for scam
A significant police operation in Hang Dong, a district in northern Thailand, led to the arrest of 15 Chinese nationals and two Myanmar workers linked to an online scam network. Provincial Region 5 police conducted a raid on a luxury residence in the Ban Waen area of the district today, July 1, after receiving information that the house was being…
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Bangkok Airways takes off with green fuel to slash carbon emissions
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited is propelling its Low Carbon Skies by Bangkok Airways initiative with a major commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Starting today, July 1, the airline will officially introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly future for aviation in Thailand. Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok…
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Thai cannabis prescriptions standardised, symptoms list clarified
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has confirmed that the new cannabis prescription form, known as PorThor 33, will proceed without the previously listed 15 medical symptoms, following concerns about overlapping authority among professional groups. Somruk Chungsaman, Director-General of the department, said yesterday, June 30, that the decision aims to allow each of the seven recognised professions to…
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Elderly man injured in Chanthaburi market altercation
In Chanthaburi province, a 61 year old man was seriously injured in a physical altercation with a younger man, reportedly about 30 years old. The incident occurred on June 29 in front of a market along Phakdi Ramphai Canal Road in Mueang district. The younger man was seen arguing and shouting at the older man while another person restrained him.…
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Broke British dad busted smuggling £100k cannabis from Thailand
A cash-strapped dad who feared for his life tried to smuggle £100,000-worth (around 4.47 million baht) of cannabis from Thailand — but his secret haul was busted by airport officers. Jason Horne, a 24 year old dad from Rycroft Avenue, Dringhouses in York, northeast England, narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting he tried to import huge quantities of…
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Chiang Mai official arrested for extorting migrant worker brokers
In Chiang Mai‘s San Sai district, the assistant chief has been detained for extortion, following allegations from brokers of migrant workers in the northern province. Boonyarit Nipawanich, who also serves as the head of the Registration Management Centre, Region 5, at the Chiang Mai branch, was apprehended by the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Corruption Division. The arrest, involving charges of corruption…
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Jobless win big as Thailand ups unemployment payouts
Thailand’s workers are set to get a bigger lifeline as the Labour Ministry rolls out more generous unemployment benefits. The Labour Ministry officially approved higher unemployment compensation rates, offering fresh relief to insured employees under Thailand’s social security system. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary General of the Social Security Office (SSO), confirmed that a new ministerial regulation took effect on Saturday, June…
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Bangkok man arrested for stealing 52,000 baht gold bracelet
A 23 year old man has been arrested for stealing a gold bracelet weighing 1 baht from a well-known shop in the Nawamin district. Officers from the Khok Khram Police Station conducted an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage, apprehending the suspect and the motorbike used in the crime within three hours. Yesterday, June 30, at around 11.25pm, police captured Korakot,…
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Thaksin faces court over monarchy remarks in closed-door trial
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared at the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road today as prosecutors began presenting witnesses in his high-profile lese majeste case. The proceedings mark the first witness hearings since charges were filed accusing Thaksin of insulting the monarchy under Section 112 of the Penal Code and breaching the Computer Crime Act. The case centres on a…
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Transport minister takes over as audio scandal topples Paetongtarn
Thailand was thrown into political upheaval today as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was abruptly suspended over a leaked audio scandal, paving the way for Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to seize the top job — at least for now. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya, a senior figure in the Pheu Thai Party, has been appointed acting PM following…
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Illegal waste dumping plagues Bang Phli residents
Residents in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, are grappling with severe issues from illegal waste dumping. A stretch of Rattanachok 11 Alley, spanning over 300 metres, has transformed into a massive landfill, emitting foul odours and polluted water. Despite warning signs, the problem persists, prompting locals to call for urgent action. A recent investigation revealed that the alley is littered…
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Dozing motorcyclist survives after slamming into truck on motorway
A Thai motorcyclist miraculously survived after dozing off while riding on a motorway in the central province of Ayutthaya and slamming directly into the back of a truck. A Thai woman witnessed the incident while travelling with her family and recorded a video, which she later shared on her Facebook account, Supattra Srithara, on Sunday, June 29. In the video…
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Filipina killed in horror Patong crash as SUV ploughs into bikes
A Phuket holiday turned into a nightmare after a Filipina woman was killed and several others injured when an SUV smashed into motorbikes in a horrific evening pile-up. A serious multi-vehicle collision claimed the life of a Filipina woman and left several people injured on the main road through Kalim, just north of Patong, last night. The crash occurred at…
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‘Half-Half’ travel scheme crashes, leaving thousands in limbo
The launch of the government’s eagerly awaited Half-Half Thai Travel programme descended into chaos this morning after both key registration platforms suffered catastrophic failures within minutes of going live. At 8am today, July 1, hopeful holidaymakers logged on to the Amazing Thailand app to secure discounted accommodation entitlements, but were instantly met with error messages reading, “An error occurred. Something…
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Fire in Hat Yai destroys five houses, no injuries reported
A fire broke out in a community along the railway in Hat Yai, Songkhla, destroying five houses. Six fire trucks were deployed to tackle the blaze, but accessibility issues due to narrow roads complicated efforts. Local residents suspect the fire originated from burning rubbish. Yesterday, June 30, the Hat Yai municipal fire brigade was alerted to a fire in the…
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Thai woman blames misdiagnosis in Isaan hospitals for her child loss
A Thai woman is seeking accountability from hospitals in the Isaan provinces of Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima, accusing medical teams of a misdiagnosis that led her to terminate a pregnancy and lose her child. The 37 year old woman sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Be One to help her pursue justice. She explained that she discovered a lump on…
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Pattaya ready for tourist boom as ‘Half-Half’ travel freebies launch
Pattaya’s tourism industry is bracing for a vibrant mid-year comeback, thanks to the government’s latest initiative designed to boost domestic travel and spending. The Thai Half-Half Travel programme officially opens for bookings today, July 1, with travel taking off on July 4. Under the scheme, holidaymakers can bag up to 3,000 baht per night in government subsidies to make stays…
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Illegal kratom drug operation dismantled in Prachin Buri
A significant illegal kratom-based drug operation has been dismantled in Ban Sang district, Prachin Buri province. At 11.30am, yesterday, June 30, Prachin Buri Governor Veeraphan Dee-on directed Wittharat Raman, the provincial Deputy Governor, to lead a special task force in collaboration with local officials to investigate a suspected illegal operation at a residence in Mueang Bang Pla Ra subdistrict. This…
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Phuket bomb scare sparks mosque security clampdown
A disturbing wave of bomb scares has rattled Phuket, triggering a security crackdown at mosques as leaders vow to defend the island’s reputation as a top travel destination. Komol Damluk, President of the Phuket Islamic Council, called for unwavering vigilance and full cooperation with police after a string of coordinated bomb threats shook the province last week. Speaking to The Phuket…
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Illegal gold miners jailed and fined 500,000 baht each
Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court has sentenced two people to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 baht each under sections 90 and 78 of the Criminal Code. The charges stemmed from illegal gold mining activities within a national park and a protected forest area. The defendants, Achong and Anusorn, were charged by the Thong Pha Phum Provincial…
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Paetongtarn on pause: PM suspended amid leaked audio storm
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been temporarily suspended from office after the Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 in favour of an investigation into a leaked audio clip that has rocked the nation’s political landscape. At 9.30am, today, July 1, a panel of judges met to deliberate on the petition submitted by Senate President Mongkol Surasak, which was backed…
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Thai woman demands luxury lifestyle: A million baht and a watch
An entitled Thai woman boldly declared on social media today that she’s looking for a man to support her with 1 million baht a month, and oh, a luxury watch or two wouldn’t hurt either. But it’s her unapologetic attitude that’s really getting tongues wagging. The post has taken social media by storm, sparking serious debate, and left users both…
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China’s durian craze drives Thailand’s tech farming boom
Most people either adore it or gag at the smell, but durian — the spiky “king of fruits” that “tastes like heaven and smells like hell” — is winning over Chinese consumers in record numbers. Thailand, the world’s top durian exporter, is racing to modernise production as demand from China soars. Chinese agricultural experts are now working alongside Thai farmers…
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Two teens arrested for murder in Trang forest
Two 17 year old boys have been apprehended by police for allegedly shooting a 33 year old man in the head, burying his body in a forest, and attempting to conceal the crime. The body was discovered when locals noticed a tattooed left arm protruding from the ground. The incident occurred in a palm plantation forest in Mueang district, Trang province,…
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PM Paetongtarn takes culture role as Cabinet reshuffle stirs intrigue
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially welcomed her expanded role as Minister of Culture following a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle confirmed in the Royal Gazette today. Speaking after the Royal Command announcing her new Cabinet appointments, PM Paetongtarn described the moment as a profound honour. “It is a great royal benevolence to have received the royal command for the new Cabinet…
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Taxiing line: illegal ride-hailing apps cause chaos on Phuket roads
Taxi and public transport groups in Phuket have had enough, demanding officials finally take action against the illegal taxis flooding the island’s transport system. And with ride-hailing apps turning a blind eye to the chaos, both passengers and law-abiding drivers are being left to bear the brunt of the growing mess. In a formal complaint lodged with the Phuket Damrongtham…
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Two suspects arrested in 3.4 million baht robbery at Bangkok mall
Three victims, 35 year old Piyalab, 20 year old Rattaphum, and 29 year old Satjapoj, contacted officers from Phahonyothin Police Station after being robbed on the first floor of the shopping mall’s parking building yesterday, June 30. All three victims were reportedly in shock. Satjapoj recounted the incident to police, stating that the group arranged to exchange 3.4 million baht…
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