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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thai government grins and bears it: New dental health department to tackle nation’s oral health
The Thai government is set to establish a dedicated dental health department, a move aimed at promoting oral healthcare across the nation, the Public Health Ministry announced. Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Opas Karnkawinpong, revealed to the press that the government had acknowledged the Senate Public Health Committee’s proposal to form the new department, though the plan is yet to…
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ATTA doubts efficacy of free visa plan for Chinese tourists
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has expressed scepticism about a government proposal to offer free visas to Chinese tourists as a means of stimulating demand. ATTA cites economic difficulties and a weak currency as challenges that could render this initiative ineffectual, particularly in the face of flight and staff shortages. The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations and the…
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Phaya Bueng burrows revive lottery number tradition in Phetchabun
Villagers from Wang Sai Thong, in the Wang Pong district of Phetchabun, stumbled upon two burrows of a creature known as Phaya Bueng yesterday, while tending to their sweet tamarind orchard. The creature is widely believed to be a harbinger of luck, particularly if its burrow faces east. The discovery has sparked a flurry of traditional ceremonies requesting lucky lottery numbers…
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Bangkok building’s canopy collapse narrowly misses caretaker causing power outage
A commercial building awaiting renovation in Bangkok was the scene of a startling incident yesterday evening when a canopy collapsed, damaging a parked car beneath it and causing a local power outage. The 72 year old caretaker of the structure, Witthaya Ketkaew, narrowly escaped harm, having been inside the building at the time of the canopy collapse. Situated at the…
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Courier dispute in Bangkok company leads to stabbing, suspect on the run
A violent altercation between two couriers from a particular company resulted in one man being stabbed and the other fleeing the scene. The conflict arose from an ongoing dispute over job distribution. The courier dispute incident occurred today. Police Captain Pansa Amarapitak, head of Thonglor Police Station, along with the police lieutenant and the deputy head, are overseeing the investigation.…
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Snout of control: Pig farm stink leaves Surin village in a smelly health predicament
Residents of Nong Kok village in Surin province have expressed their complaints regarding a nearby pig farm that has been emitting extremely unpleasant smells for over two decades. The foul-smelling situation has resulted in recurrent visits to the hospital due to health problems. Despite making numerous appeals to the appropriate authorities, no measures have been implemented, giving rise to suspicions…
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Nakhon Ratchasima school bus crash injures 16 students in rush hour chaos
A school bus carrying 40 students lost control, flipped and crashed into a traffic light pole in Kaeng Sanam Nang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in 16 students aged between 10 and 17 sustaining injuries. The incident unfolded on Niwetrat Road, as confirmed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Paphon Chaisaksri, investigation chief at Kaeng Sanam Nang Police Station, who was notified about the…
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Durian drama: Police officer pays price for nose-y altercation with vendor
A police officer agreed to pay 140,000 baht in compensation to a female durian vendor after the two engaged in a physical altercation where the cop broke the vendor’s plastic nose. The dispute was ignited by an outstanding debt of 350 baht for the durian. The durian vendor, 27 year old Tittaya Boonpamee, shared footage of the altercation from a…
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Viral TikTok snake sparks lottery number speculation ahead of September draw
A TikTok video of a snake curled up in a strange position has gone viral. This brought lottery enthusiasts to gather online, with over 2 million views. The video, posted by user sengdymanithep, shows the snake refusing to move, even when the person filming tries to shoo it away. The snake’s curled-up position bears a striking resemblance to several numbers,…
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Global investors navigate high interest rates amid inflation control efforts
Amid recession concerns, inflation, and high interest rates, investors seek promising investment avenues. Stock enthusiasts believe global interest rates are close to peaking, while central banks watch inflation. The US Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate to 5.25-5.50% in July, the highest in decades. The European Central Bank increased rates by 0.25%, and the Bank of Japan hints at a…
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Strings of fate: Priceless 200 year old violin finds way back to maestro in Bangkok
A 200 year old violin valued at 18 million baht (US$ 514,580) has been returned to its esteemed owner, a celebrated Chinese violinist after he accidentally left it behind in a Bangkok taxi. A coordinated effort from Thong Lor police and JS100 traffic radio was indispensable in locating the taxi driver who had ferried the Chinese passenger from a restaurant…
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Moving ahead: MFP urges new PM to keep charter referendum promise
The Move Forward Party (MFP) called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to address a charter to hold a referendum in his initial Cabinet meeting, as previously promised. This follows the House of Representatives rejecting MFP’s push to expedite a full constitution rewrite, currently the 33rd item on the House’s agenda. Highlighting the urgency, list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu acknowledged the House’s decision…
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Chapter closed: Thai politics bids farewell to General Prayut with final Cabinet snapshot
A significant chapter in Thai politics came to a close on Tuesday, as the outgoing administration convened for its last Cabinet meeting. Headed by caretaker Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the meeting culminated in a group photograph featuring ministers and staff members. The former PM expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards every individual who had contributed towards the government’s work and…
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Beach warning: Venomous blue dragon sea slug spotted in Phuket
A marine scientist issued a warning to bathers to be aware of a venomous blue dragon sea slug that washed up on Karon Beach in Phuket this week due to the recent strong winds and sea weave. The Monsoongabage Thailand Facebook page shared pictures and videos of the blue dragon sea slug today and urged a marine scientist and lecturer…
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Thai police bust child prostitution ring operating via Twitter in eastern Thailand
The Royal Thai Police apprehended five individuals, including three women aged 20, 28, and 19, allegedly involved in human trafficking and child prostitution. in eastern Thailand. The suspects were reportedly using a Twitter account to lure underage girls into the sex trade in Rayong province. The police acted on this information and successfully staged a sting operation, rescuing a 15…
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Infamous monk Kay defrocks after directive for capture, following violation of Buddhist law (Video)
In accordance with Buddhist law, the recent defrocking of Khanech Suchinano, also known as Kay, highlights the consequences of violating monastic discipline and the measures taken by relevant authorities. Khanech, also known as Kay, was officially defrocked following a directive for his immediate capture. He originally entered monkhood via a mass ordination programme organised by a temple. According to a…
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Teen’s high-speed trade: Wheels and pills confiscated as young drug dealer arrested
Police arrested a 16 year old drug dealer in the central province of Ratchaburi on Tuesday, seizing a pickup, four motorcycles, and a cache of drugs, including heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamine, and crystal meth. Baan Pong Police Station organised a press conference to report the successful arrest of the teenage drug dealer, Jor, at his house in the Nong Pla…
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Dangerous road claims another victim as pickup crashes into tree in northern Thailand
A pickup truck veered off a road in Uthai Thani and crashed into a tree on a local farm yesterday, resulting in severe injuries to the driver. Locals stated that the stretch of road where the accident occurred is particularly treacherous and has been the site of multiple fatalities. Lan Sak Police Station last night received a report of a…
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Fatal twist: Speeding pickup truck shatters young life in Nonthaburi accident (explicit video)
A tragic accident claimed the life of a four year old boy, six days after he was critically injured by a speeding Toyota pickup truck in Nonthaburi province. The incident, which occurred around 8.50pm on Saturday, August 26, left the young boy, known as Khao Oat, with severe injuries, including a skull fracture, broken ribs, a broken left arm, and…
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Teenage symphony disrupted: Sattahip police operation strikes a chord, arrests 52 and seizes drugs
Sattahip was the scene of a police operation that resulted in the arrest of 52 teenagers and the seizure of illicit drugs. The operation was initiated following complaints from residents about loud music and an abundance of parked vehicles disrupting the tranquillity and traffic flow in the area. The inconsiderate parking had even blocked some residents’ driveways, leading to heightened…
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First detection of flualprazolam in Thailand raises concerns in southern provinces
The tranquilliser flualprazolam is seeing rampant use in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, according to officials. This follows the detection of the substance in nimetazepam pills by the Regional Medical Sciences Centre 12 in Songkhla. The discovery marks the first occurrence of flualprazolam in Thailand. The Department of Medical Sciences‘ director-general, Supakit Sirilak, made it known yesterday that the Centre was tasked…
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Premium privilege: Thailand Elite Card set to increase membership fee by 50%”
Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), operator of the Thailand Elite Card, announced plans to increase its base membership price by 50%, raising it from 600,000 baht to 900,000 baht. The move is part of the company’s strategy to boost its annual revenue to 8 billion baht. In addition, the company will be introducing four new types of cards, all of…
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As lottery draw nears, locals flock to ‘eel-lusive’ fish for fortunes
As the lottery draw looms, residents converged to seek fortune from an extraordinary eel–like fish stumbled upon by a 53 year old Mukdahan province resident. With a body of yellowish-white hue and piercing black eyes, this enigmatic creature has proven a charm for its possessor, paving the way for an astonishing four consecutive lottery victories. Somchai introduced the peculiar fish,…
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Deliveroo dilemma: Thai delivery riders seek Labour Ministry aid after road woes
Thai delivery riders seek the Ministry of Labour‘s aid for legal and financial assistance post-road accidents. Spokesperson Supaporn Phanprasit underlined the daily hazards of handling apps, and e-commerce. Rushing for deadlines leads to accidents, injuries, and worse. The group laments the lack of financial assistance or compensation from either the parties involved in the accident or the platform operators. The…
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Heavy rainfall alert: 55 provinces, Bangkok included, brace for soaking
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a warning for heavy rainfall in 55 provinces, including Bangkok. The forecast predicts that 80% of the northeast region will experience heavy downpours today. Residents have been alerted to the potential dangers, especially in southern regions where high waves are expected at sea today. A combination of the monsoon trough passing through the northern…
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Thai store owner demands 102 million baht in trade mark dispute over #Pangcha
A recent trade mark dispute involving the trending hashtag #Pangcha has drawn nationwide attention. The dispute arose when a popular store sued smaller retailers for using the name Pangcha, claiming it violated their trade mark and demanding 102 million baht in damages. In response to the controversy, Kanchai disclosed during an afternoon talk show that Pangcha originated his establishment, Ice…
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Thailand Privilege Card targets luxury long-term residency market with rebranding
The Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) has adopted a fresh approach to attract high-end foreign residents who seek extended stays. Managed by the Thailand Elite Card Project under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), TPC has undergone rebranding, introducing a new logo, redesigned uniforms, and innovative card formats across four tailored packages to suit various global lifestyles. Over two decades, TPC…
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Ubon Ratchathani construction worker detained over child molestation claim in Chon Buri
A 43 year old construction worker, originally from Ubon Ratchathani province, has been apprehended by the Nong Prue Police following allegations of child molestation. The suspect is accused of assaulting a two year old girl who resided in the same neighbourhood. The arrest took place yesterday, roughly two months after he had moved into the area. After being informed of…
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Royal defamation convict’s hunger-strike protest results in hospitalisation
A woman from Phitsanulok convicted of royal defamation is protesting against the decision to deny her bail by staging a hunger strike while she appeals. Exhaustion has driven the 30 year old woman, named Warunee, sentenced for royal defamation, to the Correctional Hospital. The cause of her condition is a hunger strike that she instigated ten days prior as a…
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TV host Kanchai Kamnerdploy sued by Kasetsart University professor for online defamation
Renowned TV host Kanchai Kamnerdploy has been accused of defamation by esteemed university professor Weerachai Phutthawong. The case, which came to light yesterday, centres around persistent online mockery and accusations of mafia-like behaviour. Weerachai, a faculty member of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Kasetsart University, is determined to clear his name in court. The…
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