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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Warning issued over Thai man masturbating to standee
A Thai netizen issued a warning to locals in the Chum Phae district of the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after witnessing a Thai man masturbating and trying to have sex with a 6-foot (1.82 metre) cardboard standee outside a convenience store in the area. The video of a Thai man engaging in sexual activity with a standee was shared…
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Bangkok bust nets over 5kg of cocaine at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Thai authorities successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking operation at Suvarnabhumi Airport, seizing a substantial haul of cocaine destined for the country’s entertainment venues. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), along with the Customs Department, announced the capture of three foreign nationals and the interception of 5,360 grams of cocaine, cleverly concealed within clothes drying racks and sent…
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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi soars to seventh heaven in luxury airport rankings
Travel magazine and website Travel + Leisure ranked Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok as the seventh place most luxurious airport in the world. It was also rated second in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Financial information and research website Business Financing recently launched the best and worst airports in the world ranking in February this year. In the…
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Uthai Thani farmer dies from smoke inhalation while burning grass
A tragic incident occurred yesterday when a 56 year old man died after inhaling smoke and losing consciousness while trying to control a fire he had started to burn grass in his field in Uthai Thani Province. The man, identified only as Piangjai to preserve his family’s privacy, was alone at the time of the accident. Emergency services were alerted…
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Transcending trouble: Thai transwomen tussle with tourists in Phuket
A video has gone viral in Thailand of two Thai transwomen physically assaulting some foreign men in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. Police admitted that the transwomen may be sex workers, and the attack may have been sparked over a service fee dispute. The video fracas was shared by the Instagram account @phuketinsta last week with a caption in Russian…
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Discounted domestic flights for Songkran announced by CAAT
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that a discount of roughly 20% will be applied to early morning and late-night domestic flights during the Songkran holiday. This move is aimed at providing an economical travel option for all holidaymakers. Sarun Benjanirat, the deputy director-general of CAAT, disclosed today, March 11, that the initiative is in response to the…
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Phuket authorities seek dissolution of Swiss man’s Green Elephant Foundation
Phuket‘s provincial authorities, led by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, are seeking the dissolution of the Green Elephant Wildlife Foundation. Swiss expat Urs Fehr registered the foundation, which is now under investigation after a series of controversies. The announcement came after Governor Sophon’s return from promoting Phuket at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB Berlin 2024). His first official action was a meeting…
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Bangkok braces for extreme heat and thunderstorms
Intense heat and thunderstorms are predicted to hit Bangkok and 22 provinces, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issuing a warning. High waves over 2 metres are expected in the southern seas, prompting caution for mariners starting today. As Thailand braces for a scorching day accompanied by potential thunderstorms, the TMD cautioned residents in Bangkok and 22 other provinces to…
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Youth gangs clash with guns and bombs in Bang Phli
Gunshots and the explosion of ping-pong bombs shattered the night’s calm at a Bang Phli market parking lot, sparking a confrontation between youth gangs. The incident, which occurred at 12.30am today, led to the immediate arrest of 32 year old individual, identified as Teerawat, who admitted to participating in the shootout. Police from the Bang Phli station received reports of…
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Thai millionaire and her secretary found dead at house in Hua Hin
Police are investigating the deaths of a millionaire and her secretary at a house in the Hua Hin district in the southern province of Prachuap Kiri Khan. A letter left at the scene suggested that the secretary accidentally shot her employer dead before committing suicide. The son of 64 year old Suphatta Suwantanon revealed he could not contact his mother…
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Speeding motorcycle crash in Chaiyaphum kills two teens
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the lives of two young girls and left another in critical condition on March 10. The incident, which took place near the community of Modindaeng in Chaiyaphum province, was recorded by a CCTV camera, highlighting the dangers of not wearing a helmet while riding. The CCTV footage revealed three girls riding a motorcycle at high…
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Fisherman shot by friend with harpoon in northern Thailand (video)
A Thai fisherman shot through the head by a friend with a harpoon after a row over who caught the biggest fish said he felt better after a cigarette, despite the spear being lodged in his head. The 45 year old fisherman, Sujit Klingtalay, had a spat with a friend while enjoying a drink in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Sunday, March…
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Dead body of Russian man found in Pattaya roadside forest
A motorcycle taxi rider stumbled upon the dead body of a Russian man in a roadside forest on the Thep Prasit 9 Road in Bang Lamueng district of Pattaya yesterday, March 10. Police suspect suicide as the cause of his death. A 46 year old Thai man named Choosak reported the discovery of the dead Russian man, 34 year old…
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Thailand Video News | Formula-E coming to Thailand, Cannabis reform sparks controversy
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the latest news in Thailand. Beginning with Formula-E’s imminent arrival sparks excitement in Thailand, while cannabis reform stirs controversy. Severe thunderstorms loom, and a floating ‘hand’ surprises locals. France offers assistance to enhance the Thai aviation experience. Formula-E is coming to the land of smiles The Government of Thailand, under Prime Minister…
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Thai industries federation urges stringent checks on imported produce
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) urged the government to intensify scrutiny of agricultural imports, particularly fruits and vegetables, from neighbouring nations and China, following the detection of pesticide contamination in some produce. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, the FTI chairman. stated that Thailand continues to import fruit and vegetables contaminated by chemicals banned in many countries. He emphasised the need for a…
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Australian man under investigation for road rage incident near Bangkok (video)
A Thai woman filed a complaint against an Australian man, accusing him of intentionally causing an accident and damaging her car at Bearing Intersection in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok on March 3. The Thai driver, Angkana, reported to DailyNews that the incident took place when she was driving her sedan to her home in Samrong Nuea district of Samut…
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Brothel bust: Thai asylum seeker facing seven years behind bars in UK
A Thai national faces seven years in prison and a severe fine for brazenly establishing an illicit brothel and escort agency right under the noses of the British Home Office as he sought asylum from his home country. The audacious endeavour came to light last night, revealing that Saranwee Kwanpetch managed about 50 girls across multiple locations in London, all…
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Thai government plans six flagship AI projects in national strategy
Six flagship projects, including the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) workforce and the Thai large language model (ThaiLLM), are on the cards for the second phase of the national AI strategy and action plan. The initiation of these projects is pending approval from a new National AI Committee, appointed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. An estimated budget of 1.5…
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Thai retail sector struggles despite tax incentives and tourist spending
Despite increased spending by tourists and tax incentives to encourage buying, Thailand’s retail sector is under strain. The sector, facing the challenges of a surge of substandard goods from China, is burdening local entrepreneurs. Thai Retailers Association Vice President Chatchai Tuongratanaphan predicts a growth of only 1-2% in the retail sector for the first half of the year. This is…
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Paetongtarn Shinawatra: Thailand’s political sector’s rising star
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic youngest daughter of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is making waves in the nation’s political sector. As the current leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, she brings a combination of academic prowess and political lineage to the table. Holding degrees in Sociology and Anthropology from Chulalongkorn University and in International Hotel Management from the…
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Bangkok’s Klong Ong Ang Canal neglected despite tourism appeal
The controversy around the neglected state of the Klong Ong Ang Canal area, once touted as a tourist hotspot by the previous government, has prompted officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to come forward in defence. Images revealing the dilapidated condition of the area, including parked vehicles on a freshly paved footpath, abandoned artistic graffiti installations, and homeless individuals…
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Thai navy’s frigate procurement plan gets House Committee’s nod
The Royal Thai Navy‘s (RTN) plans for procuring a new frigate received an endorsement from the House of Representatives Committee on the Armed Forces. This move is expected to pave the way for more job opportunities for local labour. The RTN’s frigate procurement strategy recently encountered a setback when its budget request of 17 billion baht (US$480 million) for the…
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Thailand and France collaborate to upgrade Thai aviation industry
Thailand’s aviation industry is set to undergo a significant upgrade, in collaboration with France, as announced by Thai Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The partnership, conceived during a recent official visit to France, is intended to ready Thailand for future aviation demands. The minister held discussions with Damien Caze, the head of France’s Directorate-General for Civil Aviation, in the French capital.…
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Thailand’s Kantharalak district to reopen Preah Vihear temple
The district of Kantharalak in Sisaket, Thailand, is buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to reopen access to the Preah Vihear temple after 16 years. The decision to establish a temporary checkpoint for entry into the Cambodian temple followed Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent visit to the province. The move has sparked excitement among the locals, who view it as…
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Water assault over 200,000 baht debt injures elderly in Nonthaburi
A high-pressure water assault on a wheelchair-bound woman and her 82 year old mother has led to a heated dispute over unpaid debt in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Yesterday, a 41 year old woman, Jittrathiwat, reported being attacked by Jeab, the sister of debtor Duangkamol, during a confrontation at a beauty salon the previous evening. Jittrathiwat recounted that she had been pushing…
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Bangkok bans parking under BTS stations to ease traffic
Bangkok’s traffic management authorities have implemented a new regulation prohibiting parking in the indented areas of central road islands beneath BTS Skytrain stations. The regulation, which took effect immediately, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce accidents caused by illegal parking. The Royal Gazette announced a traffic regulation for Bangkok, effective today, which forbids parking in the indents of central…
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Udon Thani college guard finds corpse in shocking discovery
A startling discovery at a prominent technical college in Udon Thani province shook the local community when a security guard stumbled upon the body of a man dressed in black, lying beneath a bridge near the college. The guard, initially mistaking the figure for a rubber doll, was horrified to find it was a corpse, setting off a police investigation…
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Buriram shooting: Teenagers injured in revenge attack
A violent encounter last night left two high school students injured after being shot by a younger peer. The incident, which took place near a petrol station in Buriram province, was reportedly an act of revenge on behalf of a friend. The two victims, both Grade 9 students, were attacked as they rode their motorcycle in the vicinity of Nong…
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Chulalongkorn Uni pressured to reveal fraudulent thesis results
Chulalongkorn University is currently under pressure from an alumni group, Network of Universities Reform, to reveal the findings of an investigation into an alleged fraudulent doctoral research paper. The contentious thesis, penned by Nattapon Jaijin, has been under scrutiny for three years, a fact that has sparked frustration within the group. The group’s leader, Wirangrong Dabbaransi, has taken to Facebook…
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Severe summer storms to lash Thailand’s upper regions
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its final advisory warning of severe summer storms striking the upper regions of Thailand. The alert, issued today, March 10, highlights the danger of thunderstorms, and strong winds, and cautions the public of the risks posed by these weather conditions. A high-pressure system from the east is dominating the northeastern part of Thailand and…
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