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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Foreign investors target luxury Bangkok condos, India eyes Pattaya properties
Foreign buyers are showing renewed interest in luxury condominiums in Bangkok, with potential investors primarily coming from China, Myanmar and India. Yesterday, Capital One Real Estate and its representatives have reaffirmed that Thailand’s real estate market is showing positive signs as their portfolio value is on track to reach 50,000 million baht (US$1.42 billion). As a result, foreign market sales…
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Phra Ratchawacharangsi, renowned Thai monk, dies at 89 after lifetime of devotion
Thai monk and respected author Phra Ratchawacharangsi, known for creating the sacred book “Man Pithi”, has passed away peacefully at the age of 89 after 69 years of religious service. The revered figure succumbed to his illness yesterday at Bangkok Hospital. The news of Phra Ratchawacharangsi’s passing was shared on the Facebook page of Buddhist News, with followers and fellow…
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Driver arrested for smuggling 13 illegal Myanmar migrants in Songkhla
A driver has been arrested for the fourth time in Songkhla for smuggling illegal migrants from Myanmar into Thailand. The driver, Aphiwatthana, was apprehended along with the 13 migrants he was transporting in his sport utility vehicle. The arrest took place at the Khuha intersection in the Rattaphum district, following a police pursuit along a highway. Upon questioning, the 46 year…
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Heavy rain continues with flash flood warnings, residents urged to stay cautious
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning regarding continuous rainfall and possible flash floods, urging residents to stay cautious. The monsoon winds have caused heavy rainfall in various regions, with the eastern and western coastal areas facing a greater risk of flash floods and forest runoff. The report states that the monsoon troughs passing through the low-pressure area near Myanmar’s coastline,…
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Fishing boat capsizes off Phetchaburi coast, rescuers search for 3 missing
A fishing boat capsized in Phetchaburi due to strong waves, leaving four crew members in danger. One was found alive near an oil depot island, while authorities continue searching for the other three missing individuals. Last night, at around 9pm, the Sawangsanphettammasatan Foundation was informed that a fishing boat had been struck by large ocean waves and capsized near Ban…
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Phuket’s diarrhoea disaster: An unpleasant dose hits over 70 students and residents
More than 70 students and residents across Phuket fell victim to an unpleasant dose of diarrhoea yesterday. The Phuket Provincial Public Heath Office suspects the cause of this distressing episode could be attributed to the drinking of contaminated drinking water and ice procured from nearby factories. It is believed that a stomach bug, possibly the notorious norovirus, managed to infiltrate…
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Man hallucinates after drug use, raids neighbour’s home causing fear and chaos
Yesterday, police in Kabin Buri, Prachinburi province were alerted to an incident involving a 50 year old man causing chaos in a neighbour’s home. The man, identified as Kla, displayed signs of drug-induced hallucinations and continually verbally abused residents, prompting police intervention. Kla was eventually taken for treatment at a local hospital. Kabin Buri police responded to a call from…
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Bangkok condos face decline as Gen Z opts for renting, shifting focus to Gen Y
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing a decline in condominium transfers as the younger generation, Gen Z, is opting to rent rather than purchase properties. The ttb analytics centre predicts a 12.5% drop in transfers this year. Experts advise developers to attract Gen Y buyers with high financial readiness. In their recent analysis, ttb analytics pointed out that condo…
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Ex-beauty queen’s rapid Thai police promotion sparks patronage investigation call
A former beauty pageant contestant’s rapid ascent through the ranks of the Thai police force has sparked concerns over potential patronage and corruption. The individual in question reportedly rose from police lance corporal to police captain in under two years, prompting calls for an investigation into the matter. A post on the “Phuen Tamruat” Facebook page highlighted the issue, stating…
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Thailand’s DLT combats illegal driving license sales exposed by MP on Facebook
Thailand‘s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is taking action against individuals selling driver’s licenses illegally, following a Move Forward Party MP’s exposé on the matter. MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn discovered several people advertising online services to provide driver’s licenses without requiring the driving test and posted screenshots of customers who had received valid DLT-certified licenses despite not taking the test. Wiroj expressed concerns…
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Lorry driver dozes off and crashes into car, female passenger killed
A lorry crashed into a passenger vehicle on Prasert Manukitch Road in Bangkok, resulting in the tragic death of a woman who was flung five metres from the car. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with investigations revealing that both drivers experienced bouts of drowsiness. At around 5.45am this morning, Tai Sawangjit, Deputy Inspector at the…
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Teenager and his father plot murder of another teenager in northern Thailand
A teenager and his father conspired to murder a teenage rival on a road in the central province of Uthai Thani, northern Thailand on Wednesday night. The alleged murderers surrendered themselves to the police yesterday. A 16 year old friend of the victim alerted officers at Lan Sak Police Station at 11.50pm on Wednesday, June 7 after his 14 year…
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Jealous man fatally stabs girlfriend, attempts suicide, later found injured in sugarcane field
A jealous 30 year old Thai man, identified as Karun, fatally stabbed his 45 year old girlfriend Nantharat before driving their vehicle into a pond, and finally, attempting to end his own life. The incident, which took place amidst a sugarcane plantation, was later discovered by local villagers who reported it to the police. The victim and the assailant both…
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Nurse scams lovestruck man out of 100,000 baht, taunts him to sue for refunds
A heartbroken man from Sisaket in northeastern Thailand warned others to be vigilant after falling prey to a deceptive nurse he met on an online dating app. Despite his genuine love and financial support, he was duped, losing over 100,000 baht (US$2,888). Yesterday, Sek, a storekeeper, shared his heart-wrenching experience. In late October 2022, he met a nurse through a…
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FTI seeks Chinese investment boost in Thai EV, food, and healthcare sectors
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is seeking to boost Chinese investment in Thailand, focusing on the electric vehicle (EV), food, and healthcare sectors, through increased business collaboration with Beijing. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, recently met with the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, to discuss potential investment opportunities. Kriengkrai envisions Thailand as a production base for Chinese…
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Scooter rider collide with car and plunge into canal
An accident involving a motorbike and a car left both vehicles damaged and plunged into a canal in the Hua Samrong area. Locals and rescue volunteers rushed to help the injured motorcyclist, while the female car driver sought medical attention for chest pains. Both vehicles were retrieved to the police station for further legal procedures. At around 11am on 8th…
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Viral video: Dog disappears in car for an hour, found hiding under seat
Owners of the TikTok account @themayesway decided to adopt a small black dog during their journey. However, they were shocked when the dog mysteriously disappeared while they were driving. After an hour of frantic searching, hilarity ensued when the dog emerged by itself, having been hiding neatly under the backseat. The video quickly gained over 17 million views and 2.4…
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BTS SkyTrain hiring multiple staff for Bangkok’s Yellow and Pink Lines
Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) has announced numerous job opportunities in the Yellow and Pink mass transit lines in the capital, inviting interested individuals to inquire further from June 8, 2023. Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited, also known as BTS or BTSC, a leading mass transit provider on rails, has invited potential candidates to join their team…
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Rough seas prompt beach swimming ban in Trang
Heavy rainfall and strong winds have led to high waves of around 3 metres along Trang coast, prompting officials at Chao Mai National Park to erect red flags barring tourists from swimming in the affected areas. The ban has been imposed on Pak Meng Beach, Chao Mai Beach and Yao Beach, leaving visitors to explore safer alternatives. During the past…
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Woman seeks lottery win with ancient Thai tree ritual
A woman is seeking lottery luck at the renowned Mother Ta Kien shrine located near Kong Khanaram temple in Thailand’s Ang Thong province. Today, she performed a ritual and discovered matching numbers, sparking interest among fortune seekers. After performing a ritual, she surprisingly received the number 437. Then, she went on to sprinkle powder at the base of the Mother…
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Former consul dies in Thailand, family prioritises inheritance over money owed
A former Dutch honorary consul, 66 year old Hendrikus, passed away in a Nonthaburi hospital with almost 400,000 baht owed to someone who paid for his medical bills. His ex-wife, sister, and daughter, visited last-minute and left without paying the bills, even though they are reportedly wealthy. Beer, a friend of the deceased’s sister, learned about Hendrikus’s illness on May 29.…
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Bangkok taxi tango: Bad boy driver tries to rip off South Korean tourist
Another bad boy Bangkok taxi driver was caught engaging in unscrupulous deeds, this time attempting to rip off a South Korean tourist, charging the foreigner 700 baht for a 30-minute trip. Fortunately, the South Korean man saw through the taxi driver’s antics and paid him only 300 baht. The taxi driver was furious with this and went into meltdown, cursing…
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New kidney disease test kit offers 94% accuracy, eases early diagnosis access
A new effective and accurate diagnostic kit has been developed to screen for early-stage kidney disease, with a correctness rate of 94%, a sensitivity rate of 96%, and a specificity rate of 97.8%. This screening method has been approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been proposed for inclusion in the gold card scheme to make…
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Thai police investigate lorry sticker corruption, truck association meets today
The Royal Thai Police is working expeditiously to penalise those involved in the nationwide scandal concerning truck registration stickers, following the receipt of information from a Member of Parliament (MP) and the Thai Truck Association president. They are set to meet today to discuss relevant documents and deepen the investigation of the sticker corruption, potentially leading to disciplinary or criminal…
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Police promotion whirlwind: Secret RPCA training course fast tracks beauty queen to top ranks, prompting scrutiny
The popular Facebook page Police Friends recently exposed some damning information regarding the rapid promotions of police officers who took part in the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA) training course, held four times a year. The post cited a beauty queen-turned-police officer as an example of RPCA training being misused by unqualified people. According to the Facebook page, the female…
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Truck crashes into roadside shop in Chon Buri, 3 injured, 1 dead
A truck veered off the road and crashed into a roadside shop in Chon Buri province early this morning, leaving three people injured and one dead. The incident took place on the 331 highway near the Ta Le Thong Market when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after a car cut in front of him. Upon arriving at…
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Former temple abbot allegedly sexually assaults teen girl in Thailand
An elderly former temple abbot, who is 78 years old, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl and threatening to destroy her family’s home within the temple grounds. The girl’s brother secretly recorded the abbot’s behaviour and handed the evidence to the police, leading to the abbot’s suspension. Today, a 25 year old man identified as ‘A’,…
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Highway horror: Civil engineer’s fatal crash claims delivery rider’s life in Bangkok
A Department of Highways civil engineer crashed his car into a delivery rider instantly killing him in the early hours of this morning on the Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Road in Bangkok. The driver’s alcohol test results are yet to be reported. Chok Chai Police Station officers and medical and rescue teams rushed to the road at 12.30am today to investigate the…
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All children in Thailand should have education, regardless of nationality, says official
Tri-nut Thiengthong, Thailand’s Minister of Education, has emphasised the right of all children living in Thailand to receive an education regardless of their nationality. This was in response to the recent influx of 124 undocumented children at Thai Rat Witthaya 6 (Ratchamongkol) School in Ang Thong province. The Ministry of Education is working closely with local organisations to ensure the necessary…
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Teens engage in X-rated act in full view of residents in Pattaya beach park
A couple of amorous teenagers having sex in Pattaya beach park shocked residents who witnessed the act in full view. Pattaya residents condemned the horny couple for their immoral behaviour, fearing it may tarnish the image of the world-class resort town. A resident visiting a public park near Pattaya’s Krathing Lai Beach discovered the impassioned couple in the early hours…
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