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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Police arrest mentally ill man after sexual assault attempt
Police apprehended a mentally ill Thai man yesterday after he attempted to sexually assault a female nurse and doctor at a hospital in the central province of Chachoengsao. A security guard contacted Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station to arrest the 40 year old Thai man named Somchai for attempted sexual assault. Upon arrival, they found Somchai being restrained by male doctors…
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Worker fatally crushed by garbage truck in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when a refuse collection worker, was fatally crushed by a garbage truck operated by the subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) of Kamlon in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The accident occurred in the area of Moo 1, Kamlon subdistrict, Lansaka district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Despite desperate shouts for the driver to stop, visibility issues led to the…
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Knife-wielding man apprehended in Pattaya
Local law enforcement successfully subdued a disoriented man wielding a knife and displaying erratic and aggressive behaviour in Soi Thappraya 12, near Pattaya Park last Sunday, March 24. Initially caught off guard, unprepared municipal officers were swiftly reinforced by a specialised police task force armed with riot control gear. Eyewitnesses recounted tense moments as law enforcement closed in on the…
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Two dead in Baltimore bridge collision
The bodies of two construction workers were discovered submerged in the frigid depths of Baltimore harbour, trapped in their pickup truck after a cargo vessel careened into the bridge they were repairing. Maryland authorities, grappling with the grim revelation, revealed at a press briefing that sonar imaging suggests additional vehicles lie entombed amidst the rubble of the Francis Scott Key…
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Air India sacks pilot for boozy flight from Phuket
Air India sacked a pilot caught flying under the influence of alcohol following a positive alcohol test conducted after operating a flight from Phuket to India. The captain, who flew a Phuket-Delhi route last week, underwent a breathalyser (BA) test upon arrival in Delhi. In a bold move, Air India is set to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against…
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Bangkok police seize 10 million baht in bogus health supplements
The Thai authorities have cracked down on a dietary supplement company for falsely advertising health benefits, using celebrities as endorsers, and selling products worth over 7 million baht in a significant consumer protection case. In a major operation, Bangkok’s Consumer Protection Police Division, alongside officers from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), conducted raids on warehouses in Bangkok and the…
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Young mother’s death in Phetchaburi forest raises doubts
A young mother was found dead in a forest in Phetchaburi province with suspicious circumstances surrounding her demise. The woman’s husband expressed doubts about the official suicide ruling, pointing to unusual bindings on her wrists. Yesterday in the dense woods of Tha Yang district, Phetchaburi province, a tragic scene unfolded as the lifeless body of a young mother was discovered,…
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Thai monk injured in car crash while abducting man he met on dating app
A Thai monk sustained injuries in a car accident in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on March 26 after he abducted a Thai man he met on a dating application. A local news reporter shared today, March 28, that a 32 year old monk, named Narin, crashed his black Toyota Fortuner SUV into a traffic island on Sri Chan…
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Parts of broken Bangkok MRT Yellow Line track fall on passing cars
The MRT Yellow Line temporarily suspended its service indefinitely following a track breakage after damaged parts fell onto passing cars on Srinakarindra Road this morning. Mueang Prakarn News v2 page reported that the MRT Yellow Line train suddenly stopped mid-journey between Suan Luang Rama IX and Srinagarindra 38 stations at about 8.30am today. Some passengers were trapped in the train…
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Thailand gold hits new high, crosses 38,300 baht
Gold prices in Thailand today surged in three rapid increments, hitting a new record high as the precious metal’s retail prices broke through the 38,300 baht mark. Amidst this upward trend, the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced three price adjustments by mid-morning, each time increasing by 50 baht. At 11.14am, gold bullion with 96.5% purity was selling for 37,850 baht…
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Donald Trump accused of ‘putting’ the ‘fore’ in ‘forefit’ by sports hack (videos)
A United States sports hack pulled no punches when he said the former US President Donald Trump “cheats like a mafia accountant” after the ex-White House chief boasted he won a golf tournament this week. Trump yesterday claimed he triumphed in a club championship and senior club championship at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Sportswriter Rick Reilly, however, who…
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Pollution plagues Pattaya’s Na Kluea Canal
Pattaya City is under scrutiny as officials launch an investigation into the polluted waters of the Na Kluea Canal, following complaints from residents. Reports flooded in, accompanied by damning video evidence, revealing a grim reality of garbage-strewn waters and lifeless fish floating on the surface. Allegations point fingers at industrial estates in the vicinity, accused of negligently allowing toxic substances…
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Aussie arrested in Koh Pha Ngan after joyride on stolen motorcycle
Police arrested an Australian man for allegedly stealing a motorcycle from a rental shop in Koh Samui and taking it on a joyride to Koh Pha Ngan in the southern province of Surat Thani. The manager of the Fanta Group Car Rental Shop in Koh Samui, Jurairat Janrung, filed a complaint with Bor Phut Police Station on March 3, reporting…
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Thailand Video News | Cannabis-induced paranoia police chase, Gay couple arrested in Bangkok for drugs and extortion
In today’s news, Alex and Jay present a lineup of captivating stories from Thailand. From a Phuket villa manager’s fake robbery to conceal misused deposits, to a high-speed chase in Phetchabun due to cannabis consumption, the headlines are as varied as they are compelling. Other highlights include a romance scam defrauding a Thai millionaire, an intentional vehicle clash outside a…
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Pattaya ditches power poles for a wireless city
To revolutionise its urban landscape, Pattaya is making strides towards becoming a wireless city. Following the removal of overhead power lines along Walking Street, the city is now embarking on a new project to rid South Pattaya Road of unsightly power poles. Pattaya City, in collaboration with the Provincial Electricity Authority Pattaya branch, started the removal process yesterday, March 27.…
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Japanese Embassy’s medical vans transform Thailand healthcare
The Japanese Embassy has stepped up to bolster health and human rights initiatives by presenting four vehicles to the SWING Foundation. These vehicles are slated to revolutionise crucial services, ranging from HIV/AIDS testing to food aid, targeting service workers and homeless individuals in Bangkok and Pattaya. The SWING Foundation, renowned for its unwavering commitment to the welfare of service workers,…
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Pattaya’s waste revolution: MOI Waste Bank Week
The MOI Waste Bank Week event held at Wat Chong Lom Temple Community in Pattaya signals the establishment of waste banks by local government bodies. This eco-friendly drive, spurred by directives from the Chon Buri Provincial Administration, mandated the simultaneous launch of recyclable waste banks on January 1. Spearheaded by Pattaya’s Natural Resources and Environment Office on March 25, the…
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Thai woman admits to Chinese man’s credit card theft in Pattaya
A Thai woman finally confessed to stealing credit cards from a Chinese man after initially denying the theft. The thief even accused the foreigner of trying to rape her at his BBQ restaurant in Pattaya. The Chinese victim, 33 year old Dihui Wu Dihui, sought help from Bang Lamung Police Station officers saying a Thai woman, later identified as 31…
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Bangkok police nab repeat offender with drugs worth thousands
Bangkok’s narcotics suppression police made a significant arrest yesterday, detaining a 35 year old drug dealer in the Bang Sue district. The individual, Thawatchai, had been covertly distributing drugs to local youth and was found with a substantial stash of methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, and Yaba pills at his residence. This latest operation was led by Police Colonel Suradet Chatthai, the…
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Exiled former celebrity minister Jakrapob returns to Thailand
A former television celebrity and one-time Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office has set tongues wagging with his unexpected announcement of returning to Thailand. This marks his comeback after a self-imposed exile lasting 15 years, undertaken to avoid lese majeste charges. Jakrapob Penkair posted on Facebook yesterday: “At 7.35 am on March 28, I will return to serve Thailand.” The…
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Foreign woman criticised for urinating on Bangla Road, Phuket
A viral video circulating on Thai social media captured a foreign woman, evidently intoxicated, urinating on the footpath of Bangla Road in Phuket on March 26. This incident prompted criticism from netizens directed at both the foreign woman and the Thai government. A Thai man shared a video of the foreign woman on Facebook yesterday, March 27. The 56-second video…
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Bangkok travel: Airbnb’s ultimate creative guide revealed
Airbnb has rolled out its inaugural city guide, Airbnb Creative Guide to Bangkok, shedding light on the capital’s creative hubs, diverse neighbourhoods, and local influencers. Aligned with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) mission to foster creative tourism and amplify Thailand’s soft power on the global stage, this guide is a collaborative effort, drawing insights from prominent Thai tastemakers and revered…
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Thai man defends himself after woman accuses him of sex scam
A Thai woman accused a man of using a fake online profile to trick her into meeting him at a resort in Udon Thani for sex. The accused man denied the allegations and shared a different side of the story to the public. A resort owner in the Nonghan district of Udon Thani urged Nonghan Police Station to come and…
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Bangkok scorched at 38°C with thunderstorms looming
Bangkok and its surrounding regions are experiencing scorching temperatures today, with highs reaching a blistering 38 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, thunderstorms are predicted in some areas of the northeastern and eastern provinces. The latest forecast by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) indicates that a low-pressure system, caused by intense heat covering the upper parts of Thailand, is contributing to the…
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Rising risk of influenza and dengue amid Covid-19 warns DDC
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued an alert about the escalating risk of influenza and dengue fever this year, amidst the persisting threat of Covid-19. The department’s recent communicable diseases report highlights the significance of these health risks. The department’s spokesperson, Dr Jurai Wongsawat, disclosed that the beginning of the year saw substantial clusters of influenza in schools, prisons,…
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Thai police forms special unit to tackle aggressive monkey menace
In the central plains province of Lop Buri, Thailand, a special police unit has been established to apprehend aggressive macaque monkeys causing havoc for the local populace. The head of the Lop Buri Provincial Police, 45 year old Apirak Vetkanchana, gave orders to 38 year old Kantaphon Wanna, the superintendent of Tha Hin Police, to organise a monkey suppression unit.…
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Thai government explores funding for digital wallet giveaway
The Thai government is currently exploring funding avenues for its digital wallet giveaway initiative, with final decisions on the funding source set to be determined next month. Lawaron Saengsanit, the permanent secretary for the Finance Ministry, revealed that the ministry and the Budget Bureau have been assigned by the digital wallet policy committee to assess possible funding sources for the…
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Koh Larn wind energy project under scrutiny for misuse of funds
The dream of harnessing wind energy to provide a sustainable power source for Koh Larn in Pattaya has sputtered to a halt, amidst allegations that the turbines stand broken and idle due to insufficient funds for repair. The wind turbine project, situated on Khao Nom Sao mountain near Samae Beach, was conceived back in 2006. With a hefty budget of…
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Fraudulent calls and messages surge by 18% in Thailand in 2023
Whoscall, the caller identification application, reported that fraudulent calls and messages plagued Thailand’s communication channels in 2023, with Thai citizens receiving an alarming 79 million dishonest messages and calls. This figure presents a notable 18% rise from the 66.7 million deceptive calls and messages recorded in 2022. The 2023 statistics were broken down into 20.8 million dubious calls and 58.3…
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Buriram celebrates BLACKPINK Lisa’s 27th birthday
Buriram celebrated BLACKPINK Lisa’s 27th birthday with a feast of meatball consumption and the unveiling of themed pants. Buriram came alive as it threw a grand celebration to mark the 27th birthday of Lalisa Manobal, better known as Lisa from the globally renowned girl group BLACKPINK. The event included the launch of Buriram’s special standing meatball consumption pants. Lisa, born…
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