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 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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Woman gives birth in ambulance en route to Ayutthaya hospital
A woman gave birth inside an ambulance while being rushed to a hospital in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The incident occurred on Rojana Road near the Uthai-Bang Pa-in intersection. Volunteers from the Phutthaisawan Foundation, who were assisting the woman, revealed that this particular ambulance had seen six births before, all of which coincided with lottery wins. The event took place…
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Chiang Rai market shut due to severe flooding
Sai Lom Joi Market, typically lively and bustling, found itself submerged and closed yesterday due to flooding from the overflowing Sai River. The market, located on the border with Myanmar in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, faced the deluge after the river burst its banks late Monday night. Heavy rainfall had been battering the border region since Sunday night, causing…
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Man trapped on rooftop tent in Mae Sai amid strong currents
A man has been trapped on a rooftop tent in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai for nine hours due to strong water currents. Efforts to rescue him with a jet ski were unsuccessful, prompting ongoing attempts to save him. Yesterday, September 10, a Facebook page named แอน แม่สายมหานคร broadcasted live footage of a man stuck on the roof…
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Bangkok opens 50th food bank, delivering 2 million meals to needy
Bangkok’s 50th food bank centre opened on Monday, September 9, in Saphan Sung district, marking a significant milestone for the Bangkok Food Bank initiative, which has already delivered over 2 million meals to those in need. City governor Chadchart Sittipunt led the inauguration at the Saphan Sung district office, fulfilling the project’s objective of establishing a food bank in each…
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Thai YouTuber harassed by fan seeking 150,000 baht
A famous Thai social media influencer and YouTuber exposed the harassing behaviour of a female fan who demanded 150,000 baht from her to pay off a debt. After the revelation, the fan threatened to sue the influencer for violating personal information laws. The influencer, 30 year old Varaporn “Bew” Piyanantasomdee, took to her social media accounts to reveal that the…
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Thailand targets 4,000 LINE accounts in illegal gambling crackdown
Thai police are cracking down on illegal online gambling, targeting over 4,000 official LINE accounts linked to such activities. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) announced that users of these accounts face criminal punishment. The ministry requested the operator of Thailand’s most popular chat app, LINE, with its 54 million users, to shut down these accounts. This move…
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Century-old parkia speciosa tree generates 40,000 baht annually
A century-old parkia speciosa tree in Trang province has captivated the market due to its large, long pods and superior taste, generating up to 40,000 baht annually from a single tree. At Suan Ta Chan Tonmai Panpi in Trang’s Na Yong district, 53 year old Satit Ramna hired locals to climb and harvest the pods from his four 100-year-old parkia…
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Rescue worker makes Thai girl’s KFC dream come true
A rescue worker fulfilled an eight year old girl’s dream of eating KFC after she was found walking to school in the middle of the night. The young girl, excited about a school field trip and eager to see elephants, set off on foot to ensure she wouldn’t miss the bus. The young girl was found walking along the Buriram-Nang…
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Pastry drama: Temu croissant lamp turns out to be edible (video)
We’ve all had our fair share of disappointing online shopping experiences but this one takes the biscuit—or should we say, croissant. TikTok user Neta Murphy, with the handle @froginahatgirl, got more than she bargained for when her much-anticipated parcel from Chinese e-commerce company Temu arrived. Instead of the quirky croissant lamp she ordered, she unwrapped what turned out to be…
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Thai kid sensation dominates international kiteboarding
A Thai kid rising star in the world of kiteboarding has made waves by securing an impressive 4th place at the prestigious International Super Cup Kiteboarding Championship on Jeju Island, South Korea. At just 9 years old, Thanawat Promwaen, also known as Shane, the youngest competitor in the professional men’s category, is already being hailed as a future Olympic hopeful. But…
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Police nab three with meth and motorbikes on Bangla Road
In the early hours of this morning, Patong Police swooped to arrest three suspects on Bangla Road with a stash of 55 methamphetamine pills (Yaba) and nearly 5 grammes of crystal meth (Ice). The drug bust took place at around 3am today, September 10, as officers patrolling the area noticed the suspects acting suspiciously near a group of foreign tourists.…
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Nude awakening: Foreigner filmed naked on Phuket hotel balcony
A foreign man caught the attention of locals in Phuket after he was seen talking on the phone as naked as the day he was born on a hotel balcony. He continued to stand naked even after realising he was being filmed by a Thai man. A Facebook user, เบส ซาโจ้ (Best Sajo), shared a video of the foreign man…
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Rayong sets example in eco-industrial urban development
Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environmental Affairs (DCCE) highlighted Rayong as a model for eco-industrial urban development, improving the environment and quality of life as the world faces climate challenges. DCCE Director-General Pirun Saiyasitpanich noted the environmental issues in Thailand stem from human actions, including excessive resource use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a global crisis. Addressing…
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Dog rescued and freed from tight collar in Chai Nat
A brown dog, found with a severely tight collar causing a necrotic wound, was rescued by volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation yesterday in Sapphaya district, Chai Nat province. The dog, malnourished and struggling to breathe, was discovered in an abandoned garage near Sakae Temple. Volunteers responded to a Good Samaritan’s report about the dog’s condition. The dog was lying weakly…
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IT technician loses job, vision after Bangkok hospital misdiagnosis
An IT technician has lost her job and suffered partial blindness following an alleged misdiagnosis at a private hospital in Bangkok. Sasinan (surname withheld) turned to the Sai Mai Tong Rot relief and emergency Facebook page to seek support. On June 18, Sasinan developed a red eye and sore throat. The following day, she took over-the-counter medication, which failed to…
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Finnair boosts flights to the Middle East and Asia, including Phuket
Finnair is giving winter travellers more ways to escape the cold, with a major expansion of its flight schedule to the Middle East and Asia. Starting this November, Finland’s flagship airline will increase its flights to popular warm-weather hotspots like Phuket and Dubai, responding to growing demand from European sun-seekers. From November 2, Finnair will operate daily flights from Helsinki…
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Mentally ill man murders relative in Khon Kaen village
A young man suffering from mental illness attacked and killed a relative, who also had a mental illness. His mother discovered the body, slumped face down on the floor, covered in wounds and blood. Police in Chum Phae, Khon Kaen, were alerted to a murder in Ban Mai Na Kham village. Officers, including Deputy Inspector Phumin Iam-ong and Police Colonel…
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Thai man shares lottery win with mentally unstable man (video)
A Thai man who bought a lottery ticket from a mentally unstable man and promised to share the winnings if he won, kept his word after winning. The incident, shared on TikTok, has garnered widespread admiration for his honesty. TikTok user @monrudeeyensabai posted a clip yesterday of her husband who decided to buy a lottery ticket from a mentally unstable…
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Family pleads for justice after Pattaya hit-and-run tragedy
A tragic hit-and-run incident in Pattaya left a family grieving and seeking justice after a 56 year old woman was fatally struck by a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene, leaving the victim in critical condition, leading to her eventual death. On the morning of September 4, 56 year old Somphat Saensainet, was severely injured after being struck by…
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SkyHydrant system brings clean water to Chiang Rai
In the wake of devastating floods, a rural Thai school has been thrown a lifeline—clean drinking water. Disaster Aid Thailand and Disaster Aid Australia, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chiang Khong, installed a SkyHydrant water filtration system at Pang Hat Sahasat School, Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai province on September 5 and 6. The installation couldn’t have come…
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New marine route to slash travel time between Phuket and Krabi
To revolutionise marine transport, the Thai Marine Department has been urged to speed up the construction of four piers that will form a new Andaman marine ring route, dramatically cutting travel time between Phuket and Krabi by a staggering 90 minutes. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said this push aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s vision to improve infrastructure and…
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Thai cop denies demanding bribes and sex from arrested student
The accused Thanyaburi Police Station officer denied demanding a 10,000 baht bribe and sexual favours from a university student arrested for drunk driving. The 22 year old university student reported the officer to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women on September 9. The student said she was arrested for drunk driving in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, and the…
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Solar shockwave: Pattaya police slash bills with new power move
In a bold step towards a greener future, Nong Yai Police Station in East Pattaya has gone solar, slashing energy costs and setting a shining example for other public institutions. The station, now powered by an impressive 12-kilowatt solar system, is leading the charge in sustainable energy practices. The eco-friendly setup includes a state-of-the-art 12-kilowatt Deye Hybrid Inverter, 28 solar…
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Police investigate death of elderly man at Samut Songkhram facility
Police are urgently investigating the discovery of an 84 year old man, found with a stab wound in his abdomen, at a coconut sugar boiling facility in Samut Songkhram. The man, who had a history of psychiatric treatment, was discovered yesterday evening, September 9. Police received a report about the incident at 6pm yesterday. Chaiyachet Duangrat, Deputy Inspector at Bang…
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China approves three more Thai poultry plants for export
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development announced that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently approved and registered three additional Thai poultry processing and production facilities for export. This approval brings the total number of certified Thai poultry plants exporting to China to 26. The continuous approval of Thai poultry export facilities by China reflects confidence in Thailand’s stringent…
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Thailand urged to reform high tax rates to match global standards
Thailand’s tax system requires comprehensive integration, as its current personal and corporate income tax rates exceed international standards, stated Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. During his keynote speech at the ACMA Business Forum 2024 on Shaping Tomorrow, Pichai highlighted that Thailand’s personal and corporate income tax rates are relatively high compared to competing nations. He noted that there is a global…
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Thai police arrest three in 9 million baht drug bust in Bangkok
Thai police recently arrested three young people involved in a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Bangkok. Officers seized 600,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills and 45 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), with a street value of over 9 million baht. Vorawit Yanachinda, Special Branch Bureau Commissioner, along with deputy commissioners, received a report from Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, the patrol inspector, and Nattadon Bumrungsri,…
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Size matters: Thai barber goes viral for pricing list based on penis size
A barber in the central province of Ayutthaya went viral on Thai social media for charging customers based on the size of their penis, rather than the length of their hair. A picture of the service price list at the barber shop in Ayutthaya was shared by numerous Thai news agencies and netizens. The pricing list stated, “Small penis 40…
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Baht volatility surpasses regional currencies amid US rate cut speculation
The baht has shown notable volatility against the US dollar, surpassing its regional counterparts primarily due to market expectations of a US policy rate cut and Thailand’s substantial gold imports. Year-to-date, the baht’s volatility rate is 7.3%, just below the Korean won’s 7.4%. However, it exceeds other regional currencies, with the Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah at 5.5%, the Philippine…
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Four arrested for kidnapping Udon Thani woman over 200,000 baht debt
Four criminals were apprehended after kidnapping a 54 year old woman in Udon Thani, Thailand, demanding a ransom to settle a long-standing debt. The suspects were captured by police in a forest near Wat Tham Sai Bat. A group of four people kidnapped the woman, Tim, from her home in Chai Wan district, Udon Thani province, and demanded a ransom…
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