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 emerges as Southeast Asia’s leader in tiger conservation
Thailand is now recognised as a leader in Southeast Asia’s efforts to protect wild tigers, a development that the government has warmly welcomed. This recognition follows Thailand’s significant success in conserving royal tigers (Panthera tigris), which has led to a noteworthy increase in their population. According to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke, the estimated number of adult royal tigers in Thailand…
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Pattaya City buys crabs to boost marine life, supports fishermen
Pattaya City has launched an innovative project to support local fishermen and conserve marine life by purchasing low-grade blue swimming crabs and releasing them into the mangrove forest in Na Kluea. The initiative involves paying 250 baht per kilogramme to fishermen, aiming to balance ecological preservation with community income generation. The Natural Resources Division, Environmental Quality Promotion Division, and the…
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Thai thieves caught stealing cannabis plants to start business
Police arrested four Thai thieves after they stole cannabis plants from a farm in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom to fulfil dreams of being cannabis farm and business owners. The cannabis farm owner filed a complaint with Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station after thefts occurred at the farm. The thieves stole high-value cannabis plants worth about 30,000 to 40,000…
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Four injured in multi-vehicle crash near Welgrow Industrial Estate
A collision involving multiple vehicles occurred near the entrance to Welgrow Industrial Estate, resulting in injuries to four people. The accident took place late yesterday night on a road adjacent to the motorway in Bang Wua, Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province. Police reported that the incident involved a Honda Civic driven by 31 year old Suchon, which veered across lanes…
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Bangkok and five provinces face flood threat from high tides
Bangkok and five other provinces are on alert for potential floods due to high tides and continuous rainfall expected to persist tomorrow. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) forecasted that elevated sea levels and ongoing downpours from August 2 to 8 will cause rivers to swell, posing a threat to low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong,…
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South Korean man arrested in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking
Police yesterday arrested a South Korean man in Pattaya for transnational drug trafficking after finding him smuggling drugs from Thailand to South Korea. The South Korean drug control division recently arrested Thai and South Korean drug smugglers at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, seizing 600 grammes of ketamine during the process. The suspects confessed that they had smuggled drugs into…
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Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang urged the United States to provide comprehensive details on the offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today. The Thai government remains undecided on whether to opt for the Swedish-made Gripen by Saab AB or the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 by Lockheed Martin for its air force. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aims…
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Thai travel agency workers fight to win customers at Krabi Airport
Residents expressed concern about Thailand’s tourism image after witnessing two Thai travel agency workers fight each other to win customers at Krabi International Airport in southern Thailand. A 37 year old woman named Su shared pictures of herself with injuries to Channel 7 to seek justice after her rival, Oil, attacked her on Sunday, July 28. Su said the attack…
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Lottery fans hunt for lucky numbers ahead of August 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly search for lucky numbers ahead of the upcoming draw on August 1. The Government Lottery Office will announce the results, and hopeful gamblers are buzzing with excitement over various popular numbers. Lucky numbers have been flying off shelves, with combinations such as 28, 82, 72, 27, 10, 73, 12, 91, 92, 106, 728, 904, 672, 495, 812,…
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Thai workers in Israel urged to shelter amid Hezbollah threat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) alerted approximately 2,000 Thai nationals working in northern Israel to the potential threat of an attack from Hezbollah, a group allied with the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. These individuals have been urged to seek shelter in bunkers for their safety. Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, issued this warning yesterday in response to rising tensions…
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Motorcyclist dies in crash on way to see newborn daughter
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a 23 year old man, on his way to visit his wife, who had just given birth to their daughter, lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a pavement, hitting a power pole. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, leaving his father in tears. The incident took place at 5.45pm yesterday,…
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Man shot over 10,000 baht debt near Chon Buri petrol station
A gang of brutal money lenders shot a 34 year old man after he failed to repay a debt of 10,000 baht. The incident occurred last night at 8.30pm near a PTT petrol station on the Chon Buri-Pattaya bypass road in Ban Suan, Mueang district, Chon Buri. Responding to the scene, police and rescue workers found shell casings and a…
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Car wash cover-up: DSI finds football feed behind suds and soap
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) stormed a seemingly innocent car wash shop in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The shop turned out to be a front for a sophisticated network broadcasting overseas football matches illegally. This was just one of 21 locations nationwide linked to the syndicate, which is accused of running a staggering 100 mule accounts with over…
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Thai lottery enthusiasts eye PM’s Lexus plate for luck
The upcoming lottery draw tomorrow, August 1, has enthusiasts eagerly searching for their lucky numbers. Many are turning to various sources for inspiration, including social media, popular figures, and well-known lottery tipsters. One particularly notable set of numbers this time comes from the licence plate of a new Lexus van recently purchased by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The 62 year…
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Tang Rat app crashes amid rush for 10,000 baht digital wallet
The Tang Rat application crashed as numerous people rushed to download and verify their identities ahead of the registration for the 10,000 baht digital wallet set to begin tomorrow, August 1. It was reported today that the government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and the Ministry of Finance, will open the registration for the 10,000 baht…
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Thai man arrested for stealing from Bangkok laundrettes
Thai police arrested a man suspected of breaking into coin-operated machines at several laundrettes in Bangkok. Despite his attempts to evade detection by adjusting surveillance cameras, he was ultimately caught. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, Police Major General Noppasil Poolwasawat, Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradech Thammasuthee, and Colonel Niwat Phuenguthaisri, along with their investigative teams, successfully apprehended 29 year old Chaiyanan.…
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Ex-PM Thaksin’s Dubai dreams dashed: Medical treatment declined
The Criminal Court dashed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hopes of jetting off to Dubai for medical treatment. The embattled ex-leader requested to travel to the UAE from August 1 to 16, citing a slew of health issues, including chronic pneumonia, respiratory and coronary symptoms, a torn right rotator cuff, and spinal disc herniation. Thaksin, who celebrated his 75th birthday last…
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Phuket police seize nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal meth in Rawai
Phuket police apprehended two men in possession of nearly 3 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine at a residence on Saiyuan Road in Rawai. The arrests, executed by the Crime Suppression Division of the Phuket Provincial Police, were led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Thongto yesterday. A 47 year old man, Tribut Samaktalay, aka Tor, who is registered as living in Moo 4,…
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BTSC demands 40 billion baht Green Line overdue debt payment
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) declared itself ready to negotiate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krungthep Thanakom (KT) over the staggering debt tied to the BTS Green Line extensions. This comes hot on the heels of a Supreme Administrative Court ruling on July 26, giving both parties a 180-day deadline to cough up nearly 12 billion baht…
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Love and lies: Thai man turns to influencer after wife’s affair with rescuer
A Thai man in Chon Buri sought protection from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after catching his wife having sex with her “darling” lover, a volunteer rescuer. The Thai man, christened “that bastard” by his girlfriend, later faced violent threats from her lover and his friends. The 42 year old engineer, identified only as A, held a press conference…
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Crackdown reveals 2,000 fake vehicle registrations in Thailand
Royal Thai Police launched an operation titled Crackdown on Illegal Vehicles Flooding the City, leading to the search of four locations and the discovery of over 2,000 fake registrations, including a single registration number used on 26 vehicles. The operation, conducted yesterday, involved the Crime Suppression Division and the Department of Land Transport (DLT). Senior officers including Sopon Saraphat, Montri…
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Thailand to send 900 workers to Finland for berry picking
Thailand’s Minister of Labour discussed with Finland’s Minister of Employment plans to send 900 Thai workers to pick wild berries. The safety, welfare, and benefits of the workers are guaranteed, with strict visa and work permit checks in place. Minister of Labour Pipat Ratchakitprakarn engaged in a video conference with Finland’s Minister of Employment Arto Satonen and his team. The…
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Thai man hunts for ex-girlfriend after 200,000 baht theft (video)
A Thai man took to social media to search for his ex-girlfriend after she stole cash and valuables worth nearly 200,000 baht from his home in Bangkok. The victim, 27 year old Ton, shared security camera footage of the theft and a picture of his 21 year old ex-girlfriend named Ploy on his Facebook page on July 24 with a…
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Renowned monk electrocuted in tragic accident at Lampang temple
A revered monk, known for his significant contributions to a famous temple in Lampang, was fatally electrocuted in his quarters. The 75 year old monk, Luang Pu Sa-ad Kusoljittho, was found alongside a massage device, which is believed to have caused the fatal accident. Officers from Kokha Police Station received the distressing report around 9.35am today, July 31. They, along…
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Thai Olympic boxer Somluck denies sexual assault charges in court
A Thai Olympic boxing hero arrived at Khon Kaen Provincial Court today, confident he could prove his innocence against sexual assault charges. The 51 year old boxer, Somluck Khamsing, and his close aide Pichet Chinaehantha, accompanied by their lawyer, attended court for the first hearing today, July 31, which involved the examination of evidence and witness lists. Prosecutors have indicted…
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AirAsia launches direct flights from Phuket to India
AirAsia Thailand unveiled new direct flight routes from Phuket to Chennai and Kolkata, promising seamless travel to paradise from two of India’s major cities. Starting from October 27, these flights will offer travellers a convenient gateway to Phuket’s pristine beaches, vibrant cultural scenes, and delectable seafood. The Chennai-Phuket route will operate thrice weekly, while the Kolkata-Phuket connection will take off…
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Thailand warns travellers as Oropouche fever spreads in Brazil
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the spread of Oropouche fever in Brazil, where two fatalities have already been reported. The disease, transmitted by midges, has not yet been detected in Asia, prompting vigilance and travel advisories for those heading to Central and South America. The Brazilian Ministry of Health reported on July 25 that two women under…
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Drug-addicted Thai man’s petrol fury leaves neighbours in critical condition
A drug-addicted Thai man with a mental illness set fire to three neighbours on Sunday in the central province of Lopburi on the night. Two victims are in a critical condition. The incident took place at about 7pm on Sunday, July 28, at the house of one of the victims in the Ngew Rai sub-district, Mueang district, Lopburi. The three injured…
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Steel plate falls on car on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, during storm
A steel plate fell onto a vehicle on Rama 2 Road, Bangkok, due to turbulent weather and strong winds, prompting a three-day suspension of work and compensation for those affected. The incident occurred on July 29 at approximately 11.45am. Sarawut Songsiwilai, Director-General of the Department of Highways, addressed the incident where a steel plate fell onto the bonnet of a…
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Pathum Thani prosecutor’s fake certification scandal
Controversy erupted after a prosecutor in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, allegedly endorsed a fake prosecutor named Mongkol, granting him a rank equivalent to a level five prosecutor despite lacking the legal authority to do so. Reports emerged that a certification letter, signed on March 26 last year by the Thanyaburi prosecutor’s office on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road, Pathum Thani, was…
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