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 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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Child smacking ban in Thailand gets Senate green light
In a landmark move for children’s rights, the Senate yesterday unanimously approved a draft amendment to Section 1567 of the Civil and Commercial Code, redefining the boundaries of parental discipline. The amendment, which had earlier sailed through the lower house, was deliberated and passed in all three readings in one day. It proposes a crucial update to the clause that…
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Former PM Srettha cleared in police chief appointment scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) cleared former Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Police Commission of any wrongdoing in the controversial appointment of Police General Torsak Sukvimol as National Police Chief. NACC spokesperson Saroj Phuengramphan announced the findings yesterday, December 16. “The commission found no evidence of misconduct or undue influence in the selection process.” The ruling puts to…
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Thai father battles absent mum for son’s 2 million baht insurance
A single father from Ratchaburi is embroiled in a legal battle following the tragic death of his 19 year old son. The son, who was raised solely by his father since the age of three months, died after sustaining injuries in an accident. The father is now facing a claim from the boy’s mother, who left the family shortly after…
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DSI apprehends 5th suspect in illegal surrogacy case in Bangkok
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) apprehended another suspect involved in an illegal surrogacy network, marking the fifth arrest in the case. Police detained Siriporn, who was wanted under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on November 21, for allegedly engaging in commercial surrogacy operations and acting as a broker. Siriporn was caught at the DSI building in the…
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Ministry and LINE MAN offer free delivery for Thai SELECT dining
The Ministry of Commerce has joined forces with food delivery app LINE MAN to launch a special promotion for Thai SELECT restaurants, offering free delivery from December 16 until January 31, 2025. The initiative, announced by Oramon Supthaweetham, Director General of the Department of Business Development, aims to boost awareness and encourage locals and tourists to explore Thai SELECT certified…
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Thailand urged to cut interest rates amid low inflation concerns
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavachira has reiterated his call for a reduction in Thailand’s policy interest rate to boost inflation. He urged the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to announce another rate cut, citing the current low inflation rate as a driving factor. The Finance Ministry continues to provide economic data and engage in discussions with the Bank of Thailand, although the…
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Bangkok gets ready to get a taste of the Jurassic era
Bangkok’s iconic Asiatique night market is undergoing a jaw-dropping transformation. A massive 6,000-square-metre section of the bustling riverside hotspot will soon transport visitors back 145 million years to the Jurassic era, complete with roaring dinosaurs and thrilling attractions. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO of Asset World Corporation (AWC), revealed that The World’s Largest Immersive Experience of Its Kind will open by the second…
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Thailand’s SET ESG Ratings 2024 hits milestone with 228 companies
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reported a significant achievement with its ESG Ratings 2024, as 228 listed companies have been recognised, marking a new milestone in sustainable investments both locally and globally. This year’s ratings awarded AAA status to 56 companies, AA to 80, A to 71, and BBB to 21. These firms together account for 82% of the…
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Mysterious objects from sky leave Thai couple on cloud nine
A Thai couple in the southern province of Phatthalung claim that mysterious objects falling from the sky made them feel refreshed and healthier, both physically and mentally. The couple, Wichate Siriphuwadon and Maneerat Siriphuwadon, displayed several shiny black objects of varying sizes, with a total weight of around 20 kilogrammes, to various news agencies. They revealed that they discovered the…
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Chaiyaphum nurse wins 6 million baht in Thai lottery
A nurse from Thepsathit Hospital in Chaiyaphum province has struck gold by winning the top prize in the Thai government lottery, making her a millionaire overnight. The winning ticket number 097863, drawn yesterday, December 16, has brought the Thai nurse a prize of 6 million baht. This news spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of netizens who flocked online to…
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Thailand aims to boost trade with Mongolia to 2027 goals
Thailand is gearing up to expand its trade relations with Mongolia, aiming to surpass the 100 million US dollar mark in trade value by 2027. Following discussions with Amarsanaa Tumur, Mongolia’s Ambassador to Thailand, the Minister of Commerce, Phichai Naripthaphan, highlighted efforts to bolster economic cooperation through the Thailand-Mongolia Joint Trade Committee. This initiative aims to open new markets for…
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Thai SMEs to boost exports to China via e-commerce
The International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) plans to propose a strategic initiative to the Ministry of Commerce, focusing on cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) to aid small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding their exports to the Chinese market. This move aims to provide SMEs with new opportunities to enhance their presence in China through CBEC channels. Wimon Punkong, Deputy…
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Fiery collision on Phetkasem Road leads to vehicle inferno
A dramatic accident unfolded when a pickup truck collided with the back of a container truck, triggering a chain reaction that involved three vehicles and resulted in a fiery blaze. The accident, which occurred on the outbound side of Phetkasem Road, Highway 4, near kilometre marker 311+600 in front of a petrol station in Prachuap Khiri Khan City, left vehicles…
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Catfight chaos: ‘Coconut tree girls’ brawl shocks Pattaya tourists
Tourists in Pattaya were left stunned in the early hours of yesterday as a group of women engaged in a public brawl outside the Pattaya City Police Station, just steps away from the beach. Dubbed the “Coconut tree girls” due to their notorious hangouts under the beachfront palms, these provocatively dressed women put on a shocking spectacle that police say…
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Police apologise with 10 sit-ups after cop fires gun outside Bangkok nightclub
All 140 officers at Thong Lo Police Station performed 10 sit-ups today, December 17, as an apology after an officer fired a gun into the sky outside a nightclub on Soi Thong Lo 10 in Bangkok on Saturday, December 14. Police Sergeant Major Montri Meedate brought embarrassment and disgrace to Thong Lo Police Station last Saturday night. He was caught…
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Nonthaburi man assaults girlfriend after taking mother’s medication
A young man swallowed his mother’s psychiatric medication, leading to a violent episode where he bound and assaulted his girlfriend. Police intervened to rescue the woman from their home in Nonthaburi, revealing shocking details about the incident. Sakson, an officer from the Bang Si Mueang Police Station in Nonthaburi, responded to a report yesterday, December 16 at approximately 4pm of…
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Panic in Pattaya: Apartment blaze sparks late-night chaos
Chaos erupted late last night in Pattaya as a fire broke out in a four-storey apartment building, sending thick smoke billowing into the air that was seen from miles around. Despite the panic, no injuries were reported in the incident, which could have ended far worse. The Pattaya City Land Disaster Relief Department received the emergency call at 11.46pm yesterday,…
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Thai woman attacks neighbour over cigarette smoke dispute (video)
A Thai woman took to social media to share a video in which she attacked her neighbour, blaming the victim for cigarette smoke entering her home in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. The Thai woman, 32 year old Kannika, shared a video of the altercation between herself and her neighbour, 64 year old Tuk, on Facebook yesterday, December 16. In the…
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Polish man sentenced for trafficking £100k of cannabis into UK
A young Polish man in the United Kingdom was sentenced to two years in a young offenders institution after pleading guilty to trafficking almost £100,000 (4.3 million baht) of cannabis into Newcastle International Airport in the North-East of England. He claimed he was coerced into the illicit operation by a threatening organised crime syndicate. On August 30, Border Force officials…
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Man drives into crowd in Phetchaburi, causes injuries and damage (video)
An alarming incident unfolded yesterday when a 58 year old man drove a green-black Toyota saloon car into a crowd, injuring several people and damaging numerous vehicles before fleeing the scene. Police are actively pursuing him to bring him to justice. The chaos erupted yesterday, December 16 at around 6.30pm when emergency services in Phetchaburi received reports of a car…
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Thaksin scandal: Officials probed over cushy hospital stay
A corruption storm is brewing as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launches a probe into 12 government officials accused of giving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a luxurious loophole to avoid prison. NACC Secretary General Sarote Phuengramphan revealed yesterday, December 16, that the commission is investigating claims that officials from the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital granted Thaksin…
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Thai pig farms face closure risk amid pork oversupply crisis
The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand (SRAT) expressed growing concern that small pig farms could face closure due to an increasing oversupply of pigs, as larger farms aggressively expand their production capabilities. This oversupply issue arises from major pig farms in Thailand continuously boosting their production without aligning with the actual market demand for pork, according to SRAT President Sitthiphan…
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Shocking drive: Fallen wire sparks trouble on Rama II Road (video)
A Thai couple shared a video on TikTok yesterday showing the moment an electric wire fell onto their car while they were driving on Rama II Road, causing a fracture on the front widescreen. The dashcam footage of the incident yesterday December 16, was uploaded to the TikTok account mayza2244, accompanied by the caption, “Why did this happen? Where did…
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NHSO to keep Cancer Anywhere programme despite rising costs
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) confirmed its commitment to maintaining the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme, which empowers patients to choose their preferred location for cancer treatment. This decision comes amidst calls from various experts to discontinue the scheme due to escalating costs. NHSO Secretary General Jadej Thammatacharee addressed concerns regarding the programme’s new guidelines, announcing the formation of a…
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Bangkok’s air pollution costs 400 billion baht annually
Bangkok is grappling with significant economic repercussions due to persistent air pollution, particularly from fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, leading to annual losses exceeding 400 billion baht. The revelation emerged during a seminar organised by the National Health Commission Office in conjunction with the 17th National Health Assembly, where the financial toll of pollution was a focal point of…
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5 illegal Chinese real estate agents, linked to scam gangs, arrested in Chon Buri
Thai Tourist Police officers arrested five illegal Chinese real estate agents in Chon Buri. They were found managing properties rented by call centre scam gangs. Tourist Police Bureau officers raided an unnamed real estate sales office on Boon Samphan Road in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, yesterday, December 16. At the office, they encountered five Chinese nationals and one individual…
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Sisaket hospital criticised for charging patients 5 baht per spoon
Controversy erupted over public hospitals in Thailand selling spoons to patients for 5 baht each. This practice, particularly at Kantharalak Hospital in the Sisaket province, was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent virus spread but it has now drawn criticism. The issue gained attention when a popular online page highlighted the situation, igniting a debate about the responsibilities…
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Severe floods in South Thailand claims 8 lives, impacts thousands
Severe flooding has engulfed five southern provinces of Thailand, devastating 47 districts and affecting more than 128,000 households. The death toll has tragically increased to eight as the region grapples with this natural disaster. The floods hit the Nakhon Si Thammarat and Koh Samui districts in Surat Thani the hardest yesterday, December 16. These areas are at the core of…
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Thai woman escapes attempted rape by biting suspect’s finger
A Thai woman survived an attempted rape at her home in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima in the early hours of yesterday by biting the suspect’s ring finger. Police arrested suspect, a 29 year old former conscript, identified as Thawatchai, after he allegedly attempted to rape the 19 year old victim at 2am, yesterday, December 16, in her home.…
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Thailand and Malaysia aim for US$30 billion trade by 2027
Thailand and Malaysia set an ambitious goal to boost bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2027, strengthening economic cooperation in pivotal sectors such as trade, investment, border connectivity, and tourism. The agreement was reached during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent official visit to Malaysia, where she engaged in discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two-day visit culminated yesterday,…
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