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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9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Pattaya preps to tee off with Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tourney
Pattaya, Chon Buri is set to host the world-renowned Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tournament. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event will feature 72 of the globe’s top female golfers, all vying for a total prize of US$1.7 million (62 million baht) from February 22-25. Honda has also promised a brand-new Honda Accord e:HEV, e:HEV RS variant,…
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Royal purple wave: Officials rally behind Princess Sirindhorn after motorcade incident
In a display of solidarity, officials from various ministries donned vibrant purple T-shirts yesterday, standing united in support of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The gesture came in response to a recent alarming incident on a bustling Bangkok expressway, where two individuals from the Taluwang group recklessly honked and attempted to chase the princess’s motorcade. Leading the charge at the…
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Trang single mother of nine faces dire straits on 200 baht a day
Battling against overwhelming odds, a 30 year old single mother, identified only by her nickname Dam, shoulders the responsibility of caring for nine lives in a cramped rental home in Trang province. Her household includes her five children, two siblings with support needs, and a nephew. The family’s struggle is compounded by a meagre income, making their daily survival a…
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Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand
Prepare to witness the power and prowess of Thailand’s strongest individuals. An exciting strongman competition, hosted by Bench Fitness Equipment and Thai Strength Club, is set to take place tomorrow, February 17, by the picturesque Mapprachan Lake in Pattaya. This thrilling event will showcase the strength and endurance of 55 robust competitors hailing from 14 different countries, all vying for…
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Hua Hin Hospital issues urgent warning as air quality worsens
Hua Hin Hospital issued a warning over the deteriorating air quality gripping the district. Hua Hin Hospital’s Facebook announcement revealed alarming statistics regarding the current air pollution levels plaguing the area. The Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to a staggering 196 by 8am, nearly doubling the safety threshold. Health experts stress that AQI values above 100 pose severe health risks.…
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Koh Larn’s Goose House boosts island tourism
Nestled on Haad Tien Beach on Koh Larn, the Goose House is attracting visitors with the unique experience it offers. Aligned with the ebb and flow of beach life, the Goose House orchestrates three daily releases of its feathered dwellers at 8am, 2pm, and 5pm. Each session promises a unique ambience, whether it’s the tranquil serenity of the early morning,…
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Two monks defrocked for misconduct in Thailand
Two senior monks, one aged 70 and another 60, were defrocked following complaints of inappropriate behaviour. Luang Pi Namfon, from the local Buddhist office, led the intervention after reports of the monks not residing at their temples and engaging in activities unbecoming of their monastic vows surfaced. Luang Pi Namfon today, February 16, accompanied by a deputy, coordinated with the…
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NBTC crackdowns on unregistered SIM cards in Thailand
Statistics disclosed to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) revealed that over half of those owning over 100 SIM cards in Thailand have reportedly registered themselves with operator AIS. Amid a crackdown initiated by the NBTC in December to curb potential misuse, February 14 marked the deadline for individuals holding more than six SIM cards to authenticate their identities…
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School van driver seriously injured with students unscathed in Chon Buri accident
A school van careened into a sign on Sukprayun Road in Chon Buri, leaving the driver critically injured but students unscathed. Responding swiftly to the scene were officers from the Don Hua Lo Police Station and rescue personnel, confronted with a scene of wreckage and distress. The once-sturdy bronze school van now lay mangled, its front obliterated by the force…
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Sidecar motorcycle collides with sedan near Pattaya
A blue Honda Wave sidecar motorcycle collided with a sedan on Road 331 near Pattaya yesterday morning. The motorcycle, laden with plastic bottles, bore the brunt of the impact, its sidecar mangled beyond recognition, and shards of glass strewn across the scene. The driver, identified as 64 year old Suk Aoykam, suffered grave injuries, including a ghastly head wound and…
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Thai farmers advised against off-season rice due to climate change
Climate change and the moderate effects of the El Niño phenomenon have led to a reduction in Thailand’s water supply, prompting authorities to advise second-crop farmers against the cultivation of off-season rice. The lower water levels have necessitated a revised water distribution plan to support existing plantations where crops are yet to be harvested. Krongsak Songraksa, Deputy Director-General of the…
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Unruly British man goes berserk on Bangkok-London flight (video)
An unruly British man was arrested after his flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow landed following a cowardly attack on a Thai Airways member of staff. The 35 year old unnamed British man went berserk only minutes after the flight from the Thai capital took off on February 7 and proceeded to smash up the aircraft’s toilet. A passenger managed…
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Debt dispute drives Thai woman to fatal self-immolation with niece
Tragedy struck yesterday when a 66 year old woman and her 14 year old disabled niece were found dead after self-immolation (the act of setting fire to oneself) in a remote area of Chumphon Province, Thailand. The harrowing incident was reported to the police by local authorities, prompting an immediate investigation by officers from Na Sak Police Station, alongside forensic…
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Thai police cracks down on billion-baht movie piracy network
Law enforcement conducted raids at four locations across Thailand, cracking down on an extensive online piracy network responsible for an illicit movie streaming platform that has been in operation for nearly two decades. The raids, which took place yesterday, targeted two sites in Bangkok, one in Surin, and one in Surat Thani, aiming to dismantle the piracy network that has…
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Thailand’s Education Ministry to launch enhanced O-Net Plus exam system
The Education Ministry of Thailand is gearing up to introduce the enhanced O-Net Plus exam system, a move that will rejuvenate equivalency testing and provide a benchmark for assessing teaching quality. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob affirmed the necessity of a benchmark to evaluate students’ knowledge and skill levels, a role that the National Institute of Educational Testing Service’s…
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Thailand govt urges use of public transport amid rising PM2.5 pollution
The escalating issue of PM2.5 pollution in Thailand has led the government to encourage the public to utilise public transportation, particularly in the most polluted areas. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for the public’s cooperation in the battle against the country’s increasing air pollution, which has seen a significant rise in recent days. “We must work on improving the situation…
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Roses from the Tourist Police on Valentine’s Day in Lopburi
Tourists in Lopburi were greeted with an unexpected gesture of goodwill this Valentine’s Day, as the city’s Tourist Police distributed roses to visitors. The act of kindness was part of a broader initiative to ensure safety and spread good cheer among locals and foreigners alike. Patrols were not only focused on maintaining order and safety but also on fostering a…
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Royal Rainmaking Department struggles to control Bangkok PM2.5 levels
The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department admits its efforts to tackle sky-high PM2.5 levels in Bangkok are being thwarted by the haze drifting from Myanmar. The department’s Director-General, Supit Pithaktham, sprung into action after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s directive to combat PM2.5 air pollution actively. Supit revealed that despite their daily endeavours since December to produce artificial rain, the intensified…
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Thailand heritage meets modern flair: Kaomai Museums blend past and present
In Chiang Mai, the Kaomai Museums, a project conceived by PAVA Architects, stands as a testament to the fusion of Thailand’s rich architectural and cultural heritage with modern functionality. The museums offer a captivating narrative that bridges the past and the present. The restoration process, meticulously executed, breathed new life into a cluster of colonial-era warehouses. These historical structures, once…
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Thai government’s plan to boost NBT channel ratings
The National Public Relations Committee convened yesterday, led by Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, to tackle the crisis of low ratings for the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) channel. Currently languishing in 17th place, NBT faces an uphill battle to resonate with viewers amidst fierce competition. The committee, comprising top brass from the Government Public Relations Department, dissected the…
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Activist Surachai declared missing by Thai court after fleeing to exile
A court in Nakhon Si Thammarat officially declared activist Surachai Danwattananusorn missing, igniting concerns over his fate after years of silence since his exile in Laos in 2018. The ruling, delivered on Monday, grants his wife, Pranee Danwattananusorn, the authority to handle his assets, shedding light on the ordeal endured by his family in the absence of any trace of…
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Dead man waking: Thai man’s surprise resurrection stuns all
In a bizarre turn of events, a 60 year old man named Charnchai, whose last name has been withheld for privacy, experienced a miraculous recovery after being declared dead for one hour. The family, bewildered by his sudden revival and subsequent odd behaviours, sought the expertise of Jeeraphan Petchkao, also known as Mor Pla, a renowned spiritual medium, to unravel…
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Thailand tourists to get medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht
The Thai government pledged unprecedented medical insurance and compensation packages, promising travellers a worry-free experience. Under the scheme, tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents, along with compensation of up to 1 million baht in the unfortunate event of death. At the campaign launch, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol declared the initiative,…
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Spirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup
The Ministry of Public Health held a meeting today, February 15, to deliberate on the potential abolition of the time restriction for alcohol sales, currently set between 11am and 2pm. However, the meeting failed to reach a clear conclusion. The Public Health Minister, Chonlnan Srikaew, reported that the proposal to cancel the time limit for alcohol sales was submitted to…
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Thai cyber police shut down online gambling rings, seize 18 million baht
Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The operation was a collaborative effort involving Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society;…
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Couples tie the knot atop elephants on Valentine’s Day
In a display of romance and tradition, couples in Thailand celebrated their love atop majestic elephants on Valentine’s Day. Clad in traditional attire, nine pairs exchanged vows in a mass wedding that captivated onlookers at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chon Buri. A bride, Narumon Komgpanoy, shared that the ceremony is sacred, which makes everyone want to have a…
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Thai bank officer nabbed for selling customer data in Nonthaburi
A Thai bank loan officer has been arrested for selling the personal data of over 5,000 customers, a lucrative side business that netted him tens of thousands of baht per month for over the past two years. The capture took place at 11am today, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Mueang Thong Thani. The digital economy and society minister,…
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Mike Tyson’s Thailand high: The cannabis 2.0 comeback
In an exclusive interview with Mike Tyson, the boxing legend revealed his daring venture into Thailand’s cannabis market with Tyson 2.0, sparking both business strategy and personal mission. In a deep dive discussion, Tyson unveils the intertwined relationship between cannabis and combat sports, recounting his escapade in Thailand and the serendipity that spared him from the long arm of the…
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Thai boy assaulted by jealous teenagers for being ‘too handsome’
A 15 year old Thai boy suffered serious injuries after a group of teenagers beat him up for being “too handsome” in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Residents in the Ban Nong Kanon Simma in the Ban Dung district of Udon Thani urged the police to take action on the group of teenagers, aged between 12 and 16, responsible…
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111 couples tie the knot on Rama IX Bridge, Bangkok
In a display of affection, 111 couples defied air pollution to tie the knot on the sleek new bridge adjacent to Bangkok’s iconic Rama IX Bridge. Amidst the backdrop of the bustling cityscape, Governor Surachet Laophulsuk of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) kickstarted the Luck Lock Love festival, inviting citizens to partake in pre-opening festivities on the bridge. The…
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