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 Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam
During the evening rush hour chaos at the Koh Kaew intersection in Phuket last night, December 12, an unassuming young motorcyclist helped clear the way for an ambulance carrying a patient through heavy traffic. The motorcyclist rode a Honda Click. The incident was captured on video by Wisarut Saman, a rescue worker with Kusoldharm. He took to TikTok to share…
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Thai man commits suicide for funeral fund to pay off debts
A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her husband decided to commit suicide to get money from a government funeral fund so she could pay off their debts. The 60 year old woman, Yupin, and Samai Survive founder, Ekkaphop Luengprasert, revealed that she and her 59 year old husband were vendors selling shallots and garlic in…
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Thai police arrest two Cambodians for shooting at football match
A friendly football match in Khu Khot, Pathum Thani, transformed into a battlefield when gunfire erupted, sending more than 200 Cambodian players and spectators into a panicked frenzy. Police Lieutenant General Jirasant Kaewsaeng-eak, Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, revealed the details of the incident during a press conference. The perpetrators were identified as two Cambodian nationals, 20 year…
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Fire disrupts wedding in Rama 3 district: Couple unsatisfied with event organiser’s response (video)
A wedding celebration in the Rama 3 district was thrown into chaos as fire broke out, forcing guests to flee. The newlyweds, Vat and Porn, had hired a local event organiser for their special day but were left unsatisfied with their handling of the incident and the lack of responsibility shown. Despite the fire, the event organiser quickly focused on…
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Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme
In a move that promises to transform healthcare access for foreign nationals and the stateless, Thai Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is set to launch a registration scheme on January 1 next year. The scheme, which boasts a mere five-minute registration process, aims to streamline access to public hospital coverage, leaving behind the antiquated healthcare systems that took weeks or even…
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ONESIAM unveils spectacular celebration of joy at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery
Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, which are interconnected shopping centres collectively known as ONESIAM, are establishing a joyous year-end festival. United to become a Global Destination, they are presenting a parade of happiness for Thai patrons and international visitors alike. Infused with lively energy and excitement, the event features themed decorations curated by global artists in three distinctive…
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Delivery rider disguise: Armed man coerces Chinese merchant for 2 million baht
An indebted young man, disguised as a delivery rider and armed with a gun, coerced a Chinese merchant into transferring 2 million baht by claiming the money was for his child’s medical treatment. The assailant promised to return the money in six months. The incident occurred at the Kukot Police Station in Pathum Thani province. Senior Police Colonel Jirasan Kaewsangaek,…
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Chicken Run 2: Nuggets of laughter and Bond-level weirdness hit Netflix
In the clucking sequel to the animated sensation Chicken Run, Aardman Studios spills the beans on why chickens are comedy gold and shares nuggets of hilarity with a daring rescue mission. Peter Lord, co-founder of Aardman, and the genius behind Wallace and Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep, claims that chickens are fundamentally funny creatures but horses on the other hand…
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Vietnamese jetsetters flock to Thailand and Taiwan as domestic airfares soar
In a year-end revelation, Google’s search engine trends have unveiled a surprising travel trajectory for the Vietnamese populace, with overseas destinations topping the charts amid escalating domestic airfares. The search giant’s findings disclosed a fervent interest in international getaways, presenting a shift in travel preferences for 2023. Taiwan, with its captivating allure, emerged as the undisputed leader, dominating the list…
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Daylight shooting in Pattaya leaves news reporter’s assistant critically injured
A brutal shooting incident occurred at 7am today, leaving a 28 year old assistant to a Pattaya City news reporter critically injured with more than 40 bullet wounds to his face and head. The incident took place within the Soi Saisamtadpettrakul, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chon Buri. The police, led by Assistant Inspector Dorkrak Sairoj along with Station Inspector Navin Thirawit, rushed…
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Thai football revolution: Japan’s ace coach secures secret deal
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) pulled off a clandestine coup, securing the services of Japanese maestro Masatada Ishii to lead the national team. The deal, cloaked in secrecy, sent shockwaves through the football world, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation. FAT sealed a hush-hush pact with Japanese tactician Masatada Ishii yesterday, December 12, to helm the national squad – the…
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Major drug bust in Thai-Myanmar border, 50 million amphetamine pills found
A major drug suspect was apprehended by Thai authorities as they stormed an old shop, uncovering a stash of approximately 50 million amphetamine pills. The premises, discovered today, were found to have secret entrances leading to the Thai-Myanmar border, facilitating illicit cross-border activities. The suspects, 30 year old Pitiphan Nomsoongnern, also known as Num, and 24 year old Pornsiri Kongnandi,…
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Thai teen’s fall from grace: Bangkok boy’s suicide attempt after family exposes theft
A Thai teen made a suicide attempt last night by leaping off a pedestrian overpass in the Thon Buri district of Bangkok after being confronted by his family for repeated theft. Bukkalo Police Station officers responded to the incident near Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 40. They discovered the victim, Rung, on the road beneath the overpass with two broken…
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Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork sentenced to six years for tweets
The Criminal Court has sentenced Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP from the Move Forward Party (MFP), to six years in prison without suspension. The charges stem from her tweets and retweets of others’ messages in 2020, in violation of Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act and lèse majesté. The verdict was delivered at 9am today,…
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Thailand sees improvement in air quality despite high PM2.5 levels
A sharp decline in air quality was observed across 33 provinces of Thailand this morning as dangerously high levels of ultrafine dust posed health risks. This, however, was an improvement from yesterday morning, when air pollution blanketed 47 provinces. The peak pollution level also saw a drop. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTADA) revealed this morning that five…
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Tragic accident on Phetchakasem Road claims multiple lives
A tragic incident unfolded at 8am today on the Phetchakasem Road, Pattalung-Hatyai route when a pickup truck carrying construction workers was involved in a fatal collision with a motorbike. The incident transpired in the vicinity of Moo 13, Kok Sak Sub-District, Bang Kaeo District, Pattalung Province. Following the alert, local police and volunteer rescuers from Mae Kari, Bang Kaeo Hospital,…
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Thai business bounces back: Surprising catalysts revealed by FTI
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) explained the significant rise in Thailand’s Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) after a five-month slump including a tourism boom and strategic government measures. Breaking through the economic gloom, the TISI soared to 90.9 points in November, marking a triumphant comeback after five consecutive months of decline, according to the FTI. In stark contrast to October’s…
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Huay Kaew temple in Phitsanulok suffers 200 million baht fire damage
A devastating fire swept through the renowned Huay Kaew temple in Phitsanulok, destroying a teakwood sermon hall and causing over 200 million baht in damages. The blaze, which reportedly originated in the kitchen, led the resident monks to flee for their lives and also engulfed a red-plate Toyota truck parked nearby. The incident occurred at approximately 2.30am today. Upon receiving…
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Call scams: Ministry’s shocking move to suspend thousands of numbers
In a bold move to tackle the rising tide of call scams, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry unveiled a groundbreaking plan: any telephone number making over 100 calls per day will face immediate suspension. DES Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong dropped this bombshell yesterday, December 12, revealing that an astonishing 80,000 individuals had reported falling victim to call scams within…
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Thai government sanctions 750 million baht for workers affected by Israel-Hamas conflict
The Thai government sanctioned a 750 million baht fund to compensate Thai workers impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. This decision was announced by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Giving the go-ahead to utilise the emergency central budget of the current fiscal year, the Cabinet has approved this proposal from the Labour Ministry. This move is designed to aid Thai workers…
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Last orangutans rescued from Thai smuggling ring set to jet back home to Indonesia
In a triumphant move for wildlife conservation, Thailand is gearing up to bid farewell to the last three orangutans smuggled into the country from Indonesia. The adorable primates, seven year olds Nobita and Shizuka, and four year old Brian will be winging their way home next Thursday, December 21, as confirmed by Narin Prathuanchai, the director-general of Thailand’s National Parks,…
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Wealthy Thai man arrested for gold shop robbery in Chiang Mai
Police arrested a wealthy Thai man for robbing a gold shop in the northern province of Chiang Mai after a two-week investigation. The thief claimed he wanted money for stock and digital currency investments and sold gold necklaces worth at least 17 million baht for just 4 million baht. Security cameras at Lotus’s Supermarket and Yaowarat Krungthep Gold Shop showed…
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Thai restaurant owner loses 600,000 baht during family trip to France
A 30 year old restaurant owner from Nonthaburi suffered a loss of over 600,000 baht during his recent family trip to France. He has shared his harrowing experience to alert others and prevent them from becoming victims. Thalerngsak Khongkwanmuang revealed yesterday, December 12, his ordeal which occurred between November 7 and 21 during his holiday in France with his 48 year…
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High-flying stash: Wirral man’s 260 kilo cannabis catch worth 33 million baht seized at Birmingham Airport
A man from the Wirral in Merseyside, Liverpool was found with a staggering 260 kilogrammes worth of cannabis worth 750,000 British pounds (33 million baht) at Birmingham Airport after landing via a flight from Bangkok. The man landed in the UK on November 29 when police discovered two suitcases of cannabis worth 30 kilogrammes. The arrest is not a single incident.…
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Transgender woman accused of 200,000 baht gold theft in Pattaya
Pattaya police recorded yet another transgender magpie thief case involving some gold and an Indian man in Sin City. This time a 39 year old transgender woman was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya’s Nong Prue district, following allegations of theft in the middle of the night. The victim, a 40 year old Indian tourist, reported the loss of a…
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Thai taxi turmoil: Fare fight leaves traveller abandoned on road to Pattaya (video)
A Thai woman took to social media to share her experience with another one of Thailand’s notorious taxi drivers who abandoned her in the middle of the journey to Pattaya after she refused to pay more when he tried to hike the fare mid-journey. The victim shared a video of herself arguing with the taxi driver on her TikTok account,…
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DOC denies policy to detain prisoners outside prison favours ex-PM Thaksin
The Department of Corrections (DOC) refuted allegations that its latest policy, permitting the detention of prisoners outside of prison, is designed to favour Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister. The 74 year old former PM was recently sentenced to eight years for three separate cases and was immediately moved to a police hospital. The newly introduced regulation, announced on Thursday…
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Thailand DSI files charges in major pork smuggling case
Charges have been filed against 22 suspects, inclusive of 12 individuals and 10 legal entities, by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand, following their involvement in a significant pork smuggling operation. Their assets, worth approximately 90 million baht (US$2,516,567), have been confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation. The head investigator of the smuggling case, Police Major Nathapol…
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Bangkok blaze: Chemical chaos erupts as factory fire sparks fears in industrial estate
A chemical factory in Bangkok‘s eastern suburbs of Samut Prakan went up in flames, with explosions echoing within the Bang Pu Industrial Estate, raising concerns about the volatile chemicals stored within. Chaos erupted in the tranquil Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan province early yesterday morning, December 11. A chemical factory, stockpiled with ammonia, burst into flames, creating an…
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Thailand extends visa-free entry for Japanese business visitors
Thailand’s Cabinet has given the green light to extend the 30-day visa-free entry privilege for Japanese visitors. The update, effective from January 1 next year, now includes Japanese business travellers. The Cabinet, convening today, December 12, waved the magic wand on a proposal brought forth by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Deputy government spokesman Kharom Polpornklang spilt the beans, sharing that…
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