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 health authorities warn about rising RSV infections among children
As the rainy season approaches, the Department of Disease Control is issuing a warning to parents to be on high alert for respiratory illnesses in young children, particularly those caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This virus is a significant concern for children aged 0-2 years, who are especially vulnerable to severe illness during this time of year. Rising…
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Chinese woman arrested for 150 million baht Ponzi scheme
A Chinese woman involved in a Ponzi scheme that caused over 150 million baht in damages to victims has been arrested at a condominium in Pattaya, Chon Buri province. According to Deputy Chief of the Immigration Bureau (IB), Police Major General Panthana Nuchanart, the 24 year old scammer, identified only as Hu, was apprehended by immigration police at a condominium…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Pattaya club chaos: Manager stabbed by bartender
A tragedy was narrowly avoided at a newly opened club in South Pattaya when the manager was stabbed by a bartender. Pattaya City police officers responded to the assault report at 4.06am yesterday, June 27, finding 48 year old Peerasak Saeng-arun with a severe stab wound to his torso. Rescuers provided first aid before rushing him to a nearby hospital…
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Residents reclaim ancient stone castles in Nakhon Ratchasima
Residents in Nakhon Ratchasima have achieved a significant milestone in their campaign to reclaim ancient castles after a local temple built a structure over a treasured historic site. Demolition notices issued by the Supreme Administrative Court. The dispute began when residents discovered that the monks at Wat Khok Prasat had constructed a Dharma practice hall over the ancient ruins of…
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Thailand to host major Pride events in Koh Samui and Bangkok
Thailand is gearing up for two major events to mark the conclusion of Pride Month in 2024. The celebrations will take place on Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province and Bangkok, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set to inaugurate the events. Deputy Government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwannakiri invited both Thai residents and international visitors to join in the grand finale…
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Phuket Pride 2024 parade route confirmed for Old Town celebration
Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas confirmed the route for the Discover Phuket Pride 2024 parade, set to take place on the streets of Phuket Old Town tomorrow, June 29. Thousands are expected to join the celebration, led by a star-studded lineup of Thai celebrities, including actress Grace Patsita, singer Mum Laconics, actors Tae Nanthasai, Biw Nattapon, Big Nathaschai, and actress…
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Man previously mauled by bear returns for illegal agarwood harvest
Nakhon Ratchasima National Park officers apprehended a man deep within Khao Yai National Park for illicitly harvesting agarwood. The man, previously mauled by a bear, was caught with 5 kilogrammes of the valuable wood, worth approximately 80,000 baht, and tools used for extraction. Khao Yai National Park chief Chaiya Huaihongthong received a report from the conservation and wildfire control unit…
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Former rock band member victim to relentless online scam efforts
A member of a famous 90s Thai rock band known as Fly, fell victim to an online scam when a fraudster tricked him into providing his one-time password (OTP) code, hacked his Facebook account, and then proceeded to ask for money from his family and friends. Chaiyakorn Duangwong filed the complaint at the Sai Noi Police Station in Nonthaburi, accompanied…
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BLACKPINK Lisa’s ‘Rockstar’ hits two million views (video)
Lisa from BLACKPINK took the Internet and social media by storm with her latest release, Rockstar, which surpassed two million views within just an hour of its debut. This marks the Thai star’s first solo project since establishing her own company, LLOUD Co. Thai netizens were glued to their screens as Lisa’s highly anticipated video dropped at 7am today on…
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Boy saved after hanging attempt in Nakhon Ratchasima
The emergency services in Nakhon Ratchasima narrowly saved a ten year old boy’s life after he attempted to hang himself under his house. The boy was found unconscious and revived by emergency responders before being rushed to the hospital. Officers from Non Thai Police Station yesterday received a report in the middle of the night about a boy who had…
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Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier cleanup unveils stunning new look
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent visit sparked a major makeover at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The seaside hotspot, famous for its bustling activity, is undergoing a massive transformation that promises to leave locals and tourists in awe. Following the Thai premier’s directive, an army of sanitation and waste management officers from the Pattaya City Environment Department, along with other…
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Thai Airways teams up with Amadeus for a major tech overhaul
Thai Airways (THAI) renewed and expanded its distribution agreement with tech giant Amadeus. This strategic partnership aims to deliver a seamless and personalised travel experience, both online and on mobile platforms. THAI will enhance its website and mobile booking channels, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive journey for passengers. Nuthaphol Amawatana, THAI’s head of pricing and revenue management stated that…
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PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s jail time drastically reduced
The Appeals Court upheld the convictions of key People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, but significantly reduced their prison sentences. Suthep Thaugsuban and Thavorn Senniam, initially handed hefty sentences by the Criminal Court, saw their prison terms cut to just one year each. Sawat Charoenphol, Suthep’s lawyer, stated that the Appeals Court made this decision without providing…
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Pattaya begins major clean-up project at Bali Hai Pier
Pattaya City mobilised a significant workforce from the Department of Resource and Environment along with other relevant agencies to carry out a massive clean-up operation at Bali Hai Pier. This initiative, conducted yesterday, June 27, follows direct orders from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who visited the area recently and highlighted the need for improvements. Prime Minister Srettha’s visit to Bali…
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Fire sparks chaos: Lithium battery turns van to ashes in Chon Buri
A fire broke out from a lithium battery, causing a van in Chon Buri to burn to cinders. The driver, noticing a burning smell, quickly pulled over and escaped. Police are set to investigate the cause. A dramatic incident unfolded last night, June 27, when a white Toyota Commuter van caught fire on Suk Prayoon Road in Nong Tamlueng, Phan…
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Python surprise: Slippery situation at Phang Nga Police Station
A large python was found in the engine compartment of a confiscated pickup truck at the Thap Put Police Station in Phang Nga, causing quite a commotion. Police officers managed to safely extract the snake after a resident discovered it and reported the incident. The discovery of a sizable python in a confiscated Isuzu pickup truck disrupted the routine training…
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Calls to include lese majeste offences in new amnesty bill
Two political organisations urged the special House committee to include violations of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, in the new amnesty bill proposals. They urged that parties are opposed to the coup orchestrators, rather than the monarchy itself. The Peace and Harmony Organisation and June 24 Democracy groups jointly submitted their petition to…
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Thailand’s digital wallet budget faces review
A portion of Thailand’s 2025 national budget designated for the government’s digital wallet scheme is likely to be reconsidered by the special House Committee vetting the budget bill within the next couple of weeks, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun, who serves as vice chairman of the 72-member committee, commented on the panel’s decision to suspend scrutiny over…
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EGCO boosts investment to expand power capacity by 1,000MW
Electricity Generating Plc (EGCO), part of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) plans to boost its investment budget this year to acquire more assets, aiming to add 1,000 megawatts (MW) of new power generation capacity each year. The company has already added 370MW from operational power plants, leaving an additional 630MW needed to hit its target. As of yesterday,…
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Thailand tourism spending to miss 1.2tn baht target, rising costs
Thailand’s domestic tourism spending is projected to fall short of the government’s ambitious target of 1.2 trillion baht amid economic concerns and rising travel costs, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicates. TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Somradee Chitchong, expressed confidence that domestic trips would reach 210 million this year, surpassing the initial target of 200 million. Despite…
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Senate election fraud claims spark call for investigation
Election manipulation allegations have surfaced in the recent Senate race, with claims that some candidates were favoured through collusion. Senator-elect Nanthana Nanthawarophas, representing a media professional group, stated that over 100 losing candidates intend to file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), urging an investigation into suspected vote rigging. Nanthana highlighted that the top seven candidates with the highest…
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Stolen truck rampage: New employee causes ruckus in Nonthaburi
A Burmese worker stole his boss’ pickup truck and caused a series of collisions, injuring three children and a woman before fleeing the scene. The worker had been in his new job for only four days. At 1am today, June 28, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station received a report about a pickup truck crashing into motorcycles on the Sai…
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Thaksin sues Warong for 100 million baht over bribery defamation
Thaksin Shinawatra initiated a lawsuit against Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, demanding 100 million baht for alleged defamation related to a 2-billion-baht bribe accusation. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, filed the suit yesterday, June 27, following Warong’s comments on social media and during a rally near Government House. Warong’s remarks, though not directly naming Thaksin, strongly implied his involvement in…
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SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) firmly denied any involvement in irregular transactions with Myanmar, challenging claims made in a recent United Nations report concerning the bank’s alleged role in financing military procurement. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, released a report this week detailing how Myanmar’s military regime continues to acquire weapons used against civilians. The…
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Baht to hit 37.25 per US dollar amid global currency slump
The Thai baht is expected to plummet to 37.25 against the US dollar in the near future, as Asian currencies have weakened to their lowest levels since 2022. This decline is driven by ongoing global volatility and outflows from Thai stock and bond markets amid uncertainty surrounding US interest rate cuts, according to economists. The Thai currency yesterday dropped to…
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Pattaya’s future rings in with 5G Smart City initiative
Pattaya City and National Telecom Plc (NT) have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to develop the 5G Pattaya Smart City project. On Tuesday, Pattaya City Mayor Poramase Ngampichet and NT President Colonel Sapphachai Huwanan formalised this partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Pattaya City Hall. This initiative focuses on integrating advanced technologies such as 5G Internet, artificial…
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Border bust: Thai police collar 25 illegal immigrants
Kanchanaburi police arrested 25 illegal immigrants attempting to cross the Thai border in Sangkhlaburi. The interception occurred at 2am today, June 28, as immigration officers and related agencies conducted a coordinated operation. Police in Kanchanaburi were alerted to the presence of numerous foreign immigrants hiding in a forested area of Sangkhlaburi. Responding swiftly, officers positioned at Prang Plo Intersection, along…
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Thai teen caring for his grandmother receives public support
Generous individuals rallied to support a devoted Thai teen who put his education on hold to care for his ailing grandmother. The 15 year old Ae’s daily struggle involves walking barefoot for over 14 kilometres to collect and sell recyclable materials to support his grandmother and younger siblings. The family lives in a modest house in a rural area, lacking…
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Parents warned after child rescued from locked car in Chon Buri
A two year old child was left locked inside a car after her parents stopped at a petrol station. Rescuers took more than 20 minutes to unlock the car, prompting warnings against leaving children alone in vehicles. Emergency responders from Thammarat Maneerat Foundation in Chon Buri were alerted to a child trapped inside a car at 2.10pm today, June 27,…
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