Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Elderly Swedish man attempts to smuggle 3kg of heroin into Thailand
An elderly Swedish man who was arrested at an airport in Zimbabwe with 3 kilogrammes of heroin bound for Thailand earlier this month appeared in court yesterday. On April 8, detectives from Zimbabwe’s CID Drugs and Narcotics Harare received information that 71 year old Hans Arne Ingemar Pettersson was in possession of drugs that he intended to smuggle to Thailand…
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Australian man dies in police detention in Phuket, Thailand
An Australian man died inside the detention room at Patong Police Station in Phuket, southern Thailand, yesterday. Police say that he hanged himself with the rope from his shorts, reports KhaoPhuket. Police said that 31 year old Matthew Michael Winder of Australian nationality was found dead inside the detention room at 12.45pm, having been arrested for being loud and disorderly on Sunday…
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Three Chinese nationals fined for missing 90-day immigration check-in in Thailand
Three Chinese nationals have recently been fined as part of an ongoing crackdown on immigration violations in Thailand. Acting under the instructions of national deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn, officers in Banglamung and Sattahip have been carrying out weekly checks on Chinese nationals and other foreigners who may be involved in illegal activities or overstaying their…
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Transwoman arrested for stealing 189,000 baht from Sri Lankan tourist
Bangkok Police arrested a Thai transwoman for stealing US$5,500 (189,000 baht) from a Sri Lankan tourist two weeks’ ago. The Sri Lankan victim, 30 year old Suras, filed a complaint at Huay Kwang Police Station on Sunday, April 9 after discovering that his money was missing. Suras said that he drank alcohol at a bar in the Asoke neighbourhood with…
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Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…
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Just clicked: Snap-happy photographer captures Wiki Loves Monuments Launch in Thailand
A snap-happy photographer from Thailand got the picture at the launch of Wikimedia Thailand’s Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) photography contest. The winning snap, by photographer Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn, features the eight stupas located in Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The WLM is an annual competition that focuses on cultural heritage monuments and sites in…
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Power bank explosion causes panic over safety concerns
A recent Facebook post showing a severely burnt table and the charred remains of a power bank that caught fire has raised concerns about the safety of the product and prompted calls for an investigation. The user who posted the shocking image detailed their harrowing experience in the accompanying caption. According to the post, the incident occurred at night when…
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Thai man accuses RTA general of drug abuse, sexual sadism, and physical abuse
A Thai man accused a lieutenant general of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) of using drugs, engaging in sexual sadism, and physically abusing him during their sexual encounter in the southern province of Songkhla. The accuser, a Thai man named Nut, spoke to the media today about his relationship with the aforementioned RTA soldier named Wor. Nut disclosed that he…
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Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5
Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…
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Complete your Phuket nightlife experience with Weedly Wonka
In the heart of Phuket’s bustling nightlife scene, a new cannabis dispensary has opened its doors to locals and tourists alike. Weedly Wonka, the brainchild of a group of weed enthusiasts, is located in the most lively and prominent area of Phuket. Thanks to it’s location, it’s easily accessible to anyone who want to hang out, relax and enjoy high-quality…
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Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran
A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…
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Tragic accident: Elderly Thai woman killed by public bus at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok
A public bus knocked down and killed an 83 year old Thai woman while she was on a zebra crossing at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok at 7am yesterday. The bus driver confessed he did not see the victim crossing the road when he made a turn. Officers from Samsen Police Station were notified of the accident and rushed to…
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Thai woman sets new record at London Marathon
A woman from Thailand who ran the London Marathon in the UK yesterday set a unique new Guinness World Record for “the fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress.” The marathon runner, Shrinya “Dr Miyu” Kanchanasewi, is a 33 year old dentist based at Chao Phraya Hospital with a passion for running. Dr Miyu posted a photo on Facebook holding…
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XBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed
Approximately 52% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been attributed to the XBB sub-strain of the Omicron variant, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics. As a result, a prominent doctor has urged the public to obtain booster shots before the onset of the rainy season. The XBB variant and its sub-strains have been responsible for recent surges in…
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BJT’s ambitious plan to creating a ‘land bridge’ to boost economic growth in southern Thailand
The Bhumjaithai Party in Thailand vows to push forward with the development of a “land bridge” connecting the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand, which they believe will stimulate economic growth in the South. Itthidet Supong, spokesperson for Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that Anutin is particularly keen on constructing an overland freight route, which is slated to link…
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Thailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)
Thailand‘s police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat ordered an urgent investigation into a video of Tourist Police officers assisting with the luggage of a famous lawyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the clip sparked concerns that the act was inappropriate and outside of the officers’ specified duties. Chief Damrongsak held a conference yesterday at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Headquarters to…
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Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm
A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off. A floating restaurant in Laos was blown into the Thai side, and eight people dining in the…
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Thailand’s Grade 5 textbook sparks outcry over alleged malnutrition endorsement
Critics have misinterpreted the content of a Thai-language textbook for Grade 5 pupils, following allegations that it appeared to condone malnutrition among young children, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). OBEC’s secretary-general, Amporn Pinasa, asserted that the criticised chapter, found in the Pasa Patee textbook used by fifth-graders, is actually a story about appreciating the value…
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Thai government acts fast to evacuate nationals from Sudan
The government of Thailand is making arrangements to evacuate Thai citizens from Sudan as swiftly as possible, utilising nearby airports such as Cairo Airport in Egypt and the American Air Force Base in Djibouti. This decision follows increasing concerns over the security situation in Sudan, with fears growing for the safety of the estimated 300 Thai nationals residing in the…
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Thailand’s Raja Ferry temporarily suspends Pha Ngan – Sumui route
Raja Ferry Port Company suspended all ferry services between Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand from Sunday – Wednesday (April 23-25). The company made an official announcement on Saturday… “Raja Ferry Port will suspend ferry service from Pha Ngan to Samui and Samui to Pha Ngan route from 23-25 April 2023. Customers who…
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Trunk-ated Stay: Thailand’s push to bring home abused elephant from Sri Lanka continues
The Thai government continues to explore ways to repatriate Sak Surin, one of three elephants gifted to Sri Lanka by Thailand back in 2001. This follows reports last year by an animal rights organisation that the elephant had been subjected to mistreatment by its handlers. While the government is aware of Sak Surin’s situation, transporting the elephant back to Thailand…
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Thailand’s heatwave nears end, rainy season looms
Thailand’s hot season approaches its conclusion as the rainy season is set to begin in mid-May, according to the country’s Meteorological Department. The hot season peaked on April 15, when the temperature reached a record high of 44.6°C in Tak. Deputy director-general Thanasit Iam-ananchai has stated that throughout the weekend, daily heat indices or apparent temperatures are anticipated to surge…
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Thailand’s fruit exports to China keep on peel-ing with a juicy growth
Thailand, already a dominant fruit exporter to China, witnessed a remarkable growth of 3.72% in 2022, generating more than 168 billion baht in revenue. The country’s thriving fruit industry found an avid market in China, which imported over 2.17 million tonnes of Thai fruit last year, according to a recent report from the Commerce Ministry. A diverse assortment of Thai…
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Thai airforce gets ready to rescue Thais in Sudan
Amidst the ongoing violent conflict in Sudan, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is getting ready to rescue Thai nationals currently stuck in the country. The RTAF has readied an Airbus A340-500 and a C-130 aircraft for the operation. Spokesperson AVM Prapas Sornchaidee said that RTAF commander ACM Alongkorn Wannarot has expressed deep concern for the Thai citizens in Sudan.…
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Thai paediatrician worries about Grade 5 textbook encouraging bad eating habits
A Thai paediatrician worries that a Grade 5 textbook is encouraging bad eating habits. A recent controversy has sparked public debate involving a Thai language textbook for Grade 5 students discussing simplistic and potentially unhealthy meal suggestions, and a paediatrician has expressed deep concern over the limited worldview and nutritional value presented. The textbook contains content depicting a character enjoying…
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Heat and drought expected to impact Thailand
Heat and drought are expected to impact Thailand soon. The end of the summer season is predicted to arrive by the middle of month, but Thailand is expected to face the harsh impact of the El Niño phenomenon around the middle of June. This will lead to severe drought conditions, according to the Meteorological Department (MD), Bangkok Post reports. The…
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Thai activists say new electricity rates won’t solve root causes of high prices
A decision by an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) subcommittee to reduce electricity rates from May to August has been met with reservations from Thai energy activists and politicians, who argue that the move does not address the root cause of expensive power bills. Yesterday, the subcommittee approved the fuel tariff (Ft) rate adjustment, which considers changes in fuel costs and…
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Officials establish help centre for Thais in Sudan
Following the outbreak of violent clashes in Sudan, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) has established a help centre for Thais who are currently in Sudan. The SBPAC set up the centre to aid 210 Thai students who are currently facing difficulties in Sudan, as fighting continues to escalate in the nation’s capital, Khartoum. The centre is located at…
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Pattaya mayor takes part in rice festival
On Thursday, Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches took part in the traditional Kong Khao (rice) festival in the local town of Naklua. This fascinating ceremony is an integral part of Chonburi province culture, attracting hundreds every year to honour and seek the blessings of the sacred guardian spirits, deities and other protective entities known to protect the local population. The Kong…
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Former doctor with mental health issues kills brother in central Thailand
A former doctor with mental health issues killed his brother, who also had mental health issues, in their family home in the Suphan Buri province in central Thailand this morning. He reportedly became violent due to a lack of medication. The incident happened at a two-storey house on the Khun Krai Road in the Tha Pee Liang sub-district in Suphan Buri…
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