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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Trang man wins 72 million baht lottery jackpot
A man from Trang struck it rich after scooping 72 million baht in the latest lottery draw. He also won additional prizes, making his total winnings even more substantial. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of the lottery draw this afternoon. The winning number for the first prize was 205690. The three-digit front prizes were 885 and 747, while…
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Sibling bludgeoned to death by older brother over vegetable dispute
A shocking case of sibling rivalry unfolded today after an argument over littering in a vegetable garden had escalated to brutal levels in Bangkok, culminating with the older brother bludgeoning the younger brother to death with a table leg. Earlier today, Police Captain Jirannathin Klinniran of the Samre Police Department received a report of physical assault with casualties inside an…
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Lottery draw reveals winners with 6 million baht top prize
Today’s lottery draw from the Government Lottery Office attracted eager participants who tuned in to the live broadcast. People across Thailand were glued to their screens in anticipation of the winning numbers for the first prize, two-digit and three-digit endings, and other rewards. The live lottery draw began around 2.30pm. The excitement was palpable as viewers awaited the announcement of…
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Alipay+ partners with TAT to redefine travel experience
Thai tourism is undergoing a digital revolution as Alipay+ teams up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to redefine the travel experience. With an aim to attract more tourists and enhance their journey, the duo unveils an array of innovations that promise seamless exploration and unforgettable memories. In a joint statement, Alipay+ and TAT announced groundbreaking developments set to…
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Progressive Movement leader’s monumental move in Paris
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, is set to make waves this weekend with his grand revelation concerning the former residence of the esteemed late Thai Prime Minister Pridi Banomyong, nestled in the serene suburbs of Antony, Paris. The much-anticipated announcement, scheduled for Saturday, will be broadcast live via the movement’s Facebook page. In a tantalising sneak peek…
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PM Srettha: Six advantages to make Thailand an investment hotspot
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, addressing potential investors at SUBCON Thailand 2024, asserted that Thailand possesses a plethora of advantages positioning it as an investment hotspot for crucial industries such as electrical vehicle (EV) and electronics manufacturing. Hosting the international trade show for part-sourcing and business-matching, the premier highlighted Thailand’s standout traits, starting with its geopolitical stability, distinguishing it from its…
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Taiwan haunted house listed for 10 million baht sparks debate
A 29 year old haunted house in Taiwan, listed for sale at 10 million baht after revealing a death occurred on the premises, sparked interest and a heated debate online. A real estate agent recently posted about the sale of a haunted house in a Taiwanese Facebook group, openly disclosing that a previous tenant died from a drug overdose in the…
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Spicy career change: Som tam seller turns full-time drug dealer
Police arrested an elderly woman at her home in the Isaan province of Udon Thani after she left her former career as a som tam seller to become a full-time drug dealer. The suspect said she found drug dealing easier and more lucrative than her previous job, despite her son’s recent arrest for the same crime. Kumphawapi Police Station’s official…
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Torrential May downpour turns Bang Saray into river
Relentless rain wreaked havoc across Bang Saray, transforming streets into rivers and causing chaos for locals. Since the crack of dawn yesterday, unyielding rain transformed Bang Saray in Sattahip District into a watery maze, inundating Sukhumvit Road and nearby areas. The deluge overwhelmed drainage systems, plunging streets into chaos and triggering severe traffic snarls. The downpour hit Sukhumvit Road hardest,…
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Ranger killed by escaped aggressive wild elephant nicknamed tank
A wildlife ranger was tragically killed by an aggressive wild elephant nicknamed Tank in the eastern Thai province of Chachoengsao, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, May 16, in the Sanam Chai Khet district of Chachoengsao. Tha Kradan Subdistrict Administration Organisation Chief Trapsawee Kunsari received reports that a wild elephant had attacked and…
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Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria
Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…
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Propionate supplements: A new hope for parkinson’s disease
A revolutionary discovery In a groundbreaking study conducted by Professor Chaogu Zheng and his team from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), researchers unveiled that propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), significantly suppresses neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This discovery offers new insights into the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the…
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Class commotion: Gridlock grips Nakhon Ratchasima’s first day
The scene on the first day of classes in Nakhon Ratchasima today was chaotic because of a traffic gridlock. Along the main city streets, in front of four large educational institutions in the city centre, over 14,000 students were caught in gridlocked traffic, seemingly with no end in sight. The four main schools were the Nakhon Ratchasima City School, Nakhon…
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THEOS-2 satellite captures first high-detail images of Bangkok
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) unveiled the first images captured by its THEOS-2 satellite. Launched into space on October 9 last year, the satellite has now successfully entered orbit and undergone rigorous testing and calibration by engineering teams to ensure it meets universal standards. Dr Pornthep Navakitkanok, Director of the National Satellite Manufacturing Centre, confirmed that THEOS-2…
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Atrial fibrillation is becoming more common and can lead to heart failure
Atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition often characterised by an irregular heartbeat, is increasingly becoming a significant public health concern. Currently affecting more than 37 million people globally and rising at exponential rates annually with many not even aware that they have developed the condition, AF could soon become of the leading contributing factors to rising excess death rates. Recent studies…
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Thai man accused of covering up boyfriend’s murder in car accident
A Thai man’s family and friends in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum accused his boyfriend of killing him and staging a car accident to cover up the murder. Local news Facebook page Esor News 3 reported yesterday that a 25 year old Thai man named Mark mysteriously died on Tuesday, May 14, while returning home from his birthday party at…
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Singapore Airlines to reward staff with eight months’ salary bonus
Singapore Airlines is set to reward its staff with a bonus payout equivalent to nearly eight months’ salary, following its second consecutive year of record-breaking annual profits. This impressive bonus surpasses last year’s record payout, which included a profit-sharing bonus of 6.65 months’ salary and an additional ex-gratia bonus of up to 1.5 months’ salary due to the coronavirus pandemic.…
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Thai police arrest OnlyFans model for promoting illegal gambling
Thai police arrested a prominent OnlyFans model at her condominium in Lat Phrao, Bangkok, on charges of promoting illegal online gambling. The 23 year old woman, Lalada, allegedly received 20,000 baht per 30 posts for advertising gambling websites on her social media accounts. Police Major General Thiti Saengsawang ordered the operation, carried out by a team led by Police Colonel Teeradech…
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Thai woman steals 560,000 baht from businessman in romance scam
A Thai woman confessed to working with a romance scam gang to defraud a Thai businessman of approximately 560,000 baht. The victim, 41 year old Nontaphan, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on May 9 after losing 560,000 baht to the 26 year old Thai woman named Akira. He sought their help to track down the woman, who was…
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Cannes craze: Thai films poised for global stardom
In a dazzling showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Thai films have captured the interest of international buyers, offering a promising boost for Thailand’s film and tourism industries. The government heralds this as a new era of global recognition and economic expansion. Yupa Taweewattanakitbovorn, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Culture, announced that the films The Undertaker, Death Whisperer, and…
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Durian scam: Street vendor gets seven years for scale trickery
A woman in Chumphon province has been caught red-handed and faces severe consequences after duping customers with a rigged scale at her roadside durian stall. The scandal unravelled when a suspicious customer, who purchased two durians weighing 16 kilogrammes for 1,640 baht, discovered a significant discrepancy upon shipping the fruits to their mother. The actual weight turned out to be…
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Shell-abrate: Phuket releases baby leatherback turtles into Indian Ocean
Eleven baby leatherback sea turtles have been released into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. Marine conservationists are hopeful these turtles will thrive in the wild and return to lay eggs in approximately two decades. These young turtles, each around the size of a rugby ball and a year old, are the result of an intensive conservation…
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Pattaya’s traffic tangle tackled: Mayor unveils school scheme
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet launched a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the chaos of school traffic as the new semester kicks off. The mayor has rallied the Order Maintenance Division and traffic police from Pattaya City to ensure smooth and safe commutes for students and parents. Determined to ease the daily gridlock, city officials are out in force every morning and…
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Thai father surrenders after abducting and assaulting 7 year old son
A Thai man surrendered at Krathumbaen Police Station in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok after physically assaulting and abducting his seven year old son. The boy’s mother, a 34 year old Thai woman, sought help from a social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Phongpaiboonwet, and Krathumbaen Police Station officers yesterday, May 15. She explained that her ex-husband, 33 year old Naweesak…
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Foreigners detained for illegal daycare services on Koh Pha Ngan
Police in Surat Thani detained several foreigners suspected of illegally running a daycare and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Pha Ngan. Tourist Police apprehended a 26 year old Russian woman and an 18 year old Myanmar woman at a residence where they were taking care of foreign children. The Russian woman confessed to the police that she had been…
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Phuket: International gang nabbed for selling illicit drugs
In a crackdown on an international drug ring, Phuket police have arrested one Russian and three Nigerian men for allegedly selling a cocktail of illicit drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth. Police Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, Deputy Chief of the Immigration Bureau, detailed the dramatic arrests to reporters yesterday. “Three suspects were found distributing cocaine last weekend.” The suspects,…
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Thai PM stands with Slovakia PM following public shooting
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin released a message this morning, condemning the attack on the Slovakian Prime Minister Roberto Fico. The 62 year old Thai PM’s message, released on the social media platform X, revealed his shock and condemnation of the violent attack, cementing his stance in solidarity with the people of Slovakia and the international community. “We are shocked…
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Rats on the rampage: Infestations hit Pattaya beaches
The shores of Pattaya and Jomtien are under siege by a horde of unwelcome guests – rats. This alarming infestation is not just an eyesore but a significant health hazard, leaving locals and tourists in a frenzy. The burgeoning rat population, thriving on nocturnal scavenging, is wreaking havoc, threatening the area’s cleanliness and charm. The Pattaya City Surveillance and Rapid…
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Thailand’s cannabis crackdown: High hopes hang in the balance
Thailand’s cannabis industry faces an uncertain future as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheads a controversial meeting to reconsider the legal status of cannabis. The high-stakes discussion, involving Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, aims to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic. This move would restrict its…
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Buckle up, Bangkok: Thai official floats capital relocation amid rising sea
A senior Thai official yesterday raised the alarming possibility that Thailand may need to consider relocating its capital city Bangkok due to the threat posed by rising sea levels caused by climate change. The bustling metropolis of the capital already grapples with severe flooding during the rainy season each year. Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environment…
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