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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Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know
The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...
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Car fire creates traffic jam near Buffalo Market in South Pattaya
A car fire erupted on Thepprasit Road in South Pattaya yesterday, causing chaos near the Buffalo Market. A black Kia van burst into flames, sending thick smoke billowing across the road towards Jomtien Beach, bringing traffic to a standstill. The incident sparked when 36 year old Patcharaporn Chatmong had just dropped her child off at school. Moments later, the brakes…
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Thailand’s unemployment crisis soars despite tourism boom
Thailand’s unemployment rate continues to climb, with a staggering 410,000 people out of work in the first quarter of this year, according to the National Statistical Office. The hardest-hit group is those with higher education degrees. Office director Piyanuch Wuttisorn revealed that of the total, around 79,000 people have been unemployed for more than a year.” The statistics paint a…
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Taxi dispute disrupts tourists at Phuket’s Cafe del Mar
Taxi drivers in front of Cafe del Mar in Kamala have once again caused a disturbance that has negatively impacted tourists’ experiences in Phuket. A complaint was lodged at Kamala Police Station following an incident on Wednesday night. A metered taxi driver, 40 year old Chalermphon Kwanyuen, received a booking via the Bolt app to pick up passengers from Cafe…
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Thai man allegedly fakes doctor identity to swindle woman
A Thai woman accused a man of impersonating a skilled doctor from the United States and swindling her of over 500,000 baht. She claims he deceived her by alleging that the funds were required for his mother’s cancer treatment. The victim, identified only as Pei Pei, told Channel 3 that her ex-boyfriend, named Golf, deceived her into giving him over…
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Heavy rainfall warnings for Thailand’s 54 provinces
Thailand is braced for heavy rainfall today as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings for 54 provinces, including Bangkok, which faces a 60% chance of storms. The southern region is expected to be hit the hardest, with 70% of the area affected. The TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, indicating that high-pressure systems or cold air…
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Beloved Brit found dead in Thailand hotel room
A 47 year old machine operator from Pontypridd, South Wales was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand, leaving family and friends devastated. Simon Brown, known as Browny, was discovered lifeless last Saturday, and an investigation into his untimely death is underway. Loved ones describe their state as one of total shock and sadness, as there were no prior…
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Red carpet rollout: Thaksin spotted at ex-redshirt’s new restaurant
In a surprising public appearance today, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surfaced to congratulate an ex-redshirt leader on the grand opening of his second southern Thai cuisine restaurant in Bangkok. The 74 year old ex PM was warmly welcomed at Yeam Tai on Chaiyaphruk Road by a cadre of influential political figures. Among them were Bhumjaithai Party leader and Deputy…
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Simple advice for World Hypertension Day: Reduce dietary sodium to prevent or treat high blood pressure
Reduce salt, reduce blood pressure Reducing dietary sodium, including salt intake, is one of the most effective strategies for lowering blood pressure. This advice is particularly significant on World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure and promote healthy habits. Reducing salt intake is a proven strategy to lower…
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Thai man seeks justice after assault by Bangkok nightclub thug (video)
A Thai man is seeking justice after being brutally assaulted by a thug outside an entertainment venue in Bangkok. His crime? Intervening to protect a female friend from harassment. The 21 year old victim, Prayut, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the attacker, Parkphoom, remained at large despite the serious assault on him on April 21. Prayut revealed that…
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Thai betel nut exports hit by India tariffs and Myanmar conflict
Thai betel nut exporters are currently facing significant challenges due to tariff barriers imposed by India and the ongoing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and rebel forces. Betel nuts, also known as areca nuts, are widely chewed for their stimulating effects across many Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. However, the nuts are classified as a…
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Thai government cracks down on illegal loans
Illegal lenders have been given a final ultimatum: Register with the Thai government’s debt settlement programme by May 31 or face severe consequences. Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised announced this stern warning yesterday, emphasising that this crackdown on illicit lending is a top priority for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration. Despite the Interior Ministry’s success in bringing over 100,000 illegal…
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Worker shortage hits Pattaya as Myanmar junta blocks emigration
Dismayed Pattaya employers are raising the alarm over a sudden surge in job vacancies following the Myanmar junta’s recent move to restrict young people, especially men, from leaving the country. The junta’s spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, justified the enforcement of Myanmar’s long-standing conscription laws, stating it was crucial for now due to the mass exodus of citizens to neighbouring countries,…
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Algerian man missing for 27 years found alive in basement
An Algerian man thought to have died in his country’s civil war has been found after 27 years, revealing he was kidnapped by a neighbour. Omar bin Omran disappeared in 1998 while he was 17 years old. His family believed he had perished in the war. Reports indicate Omar was abducted while en route to school in Djelfa. His disappearance…
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Mahidol University to launch first mRNA malaria vaccine trial
Mahidol University is nearing the start of the world’s first clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting malaria. This pioneering effort follows successful laboratory trials on mice and is set to advance to testing on monkeys before reaching human subjects. Professor Jetsumon Prachumsri from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University and chief of the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit…
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Bahraini man suspected of murdering Thai wife (video)
The family of a Thai woman accused her Bahraini husband of murdering her at his home in Bahrain. The woman died last year but the embassy only notified the dead woman’s family in April. The dead woman’s mother, 55 year old Aomjai Sakarin, visited Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday, May 16, to collect the dead body of her 31 year old…
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Home loan difficulties lead to six-year low in housing transfers
Difficulties in securing home loans have led to a significant decline in housing transfers across the country in the first quarter, reaching the lowest level in six years and marking the fifth consecutive quarter of decline. The Acting Director-General of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) Vichai Viratkapan reported that residential demand nationwide contracted in the first quarter, with housing…
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Foods to avoid and must-haves when taking antibiotics
When you’re handed a prescription for antibiotics to tackle an infection, it’s more than just taking a pill a few times a day. What you eat during this time can significantly influence how effective the medication is and how well your body copes with the treatment. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the foods to avoid and those to embrace during…
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Chiang Mai police invoke 10pm curfew after samurai gang rampage
Chiang Mai Provincial Police officers imposed a 10pm curfew on locals under 18 years old following a deadly rampage by a criminal gang armed with samurai swords. The commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, Krittapon Yi-sakhon, revealed to the MumKhao news platform that a group of men, mostly teenage Burmese nationals, repeatedly caused chaos, committed theft, fatally attacked, and…
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Ancient human remains and tools found in Satun’s Khao Khom Cave
Human remains and ancient tools, estimated to date back over 10,000 years, have been unearthed inside Khao Khom Cave in Satun’s Khuan Kalong district. This discovery emerged from a project spearheaded by Kamponsak Sassadee, a renowned cave explorer, who aimed to delve into one of the province’s longest and most ecologically diverse caves. Kamponsak’s team initially discovered signs of ancient…
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Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law
Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives.…
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Thai authorities confirms deaths of 2 Thais held hostage in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) yesterday revealed that two out of the eight Thai workers held hostage by Hamas died during an offensive in October last year. PPTV HD reported that IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari identified the deceased as Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak, both of whom previously worked in agriculture at the Be’eri kibbutz, about 4 kilometres from Gaza.…
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Pilot’s close call with rocket, sparks aviation safety debate
A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilot reported a close encounter with a firework rocket that soared almost 8,000 feet, forcing evasive manoeuvres to avoid a potential disaster. The incident, shared on the Facebook page Unseen Records of Pilots has sparked a wave of public concern over aviation safety. The pilot detailed the alarming event, which occurred after taking off…
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Cambodian worker in Thailand wins 12 million baht in lottery
A Cambodian woman working as a labourer in Nakhon Ratchasima has become a millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the lottery. She shared the emotional moment of realising she had won, celebrating with her partner. Reports emerged that a foreign worker had won the first prize in the lottery, amounting to 12 million baht, at Ban Khok Na Klang,…
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Bangkok’s electrifying plan to bury cables sparks into life
Bangkok citizens may have scoffed last year when the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) declared its grand plan to bury 1,454 kilometres of electrical cables underground over the next decade. It seemed like a shocking revelation but the sparks of doubt soon flickered away as the city geared up for the electrifying endeavour. This initiative was further illuminated by the newly…
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Today’s results reveals pattern for Thai lottery enthusiasts
Sanook News compiled a 10-year history of lottery numbers drawn on May 16, today’s date, as the lottery results were revealed. Here are the notable numbers that have appeared in previous years. Reviewing past lottery results for draws held on Mondays and in May can also provide interesting insights for lottery enthusiasts. The winning number for the first prize in…
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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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Prime minister’s wife enrolls in prestigious politics course
The corridors of power just got a fresh infusion of intrigue as the wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined the ranks of students at a top-notch political institution. Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, a prominent figure in the medical world at Bumrungrad International Hospital, secured her spot amongst the prestigious cohort at the College of Politics and Governance, King Prajadhipok’s Institute…
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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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