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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British expat missing for a week in Chiang Mai
A foreigner took to social media to seek help after his British friend went missing in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Kastro Freeman, a member of a Facebook group called Chiang Mai News in English, shared a picture of his missing friend, 46 year old Dominic Boyle, on Wednesday, April 26, with a caption that said… “Howdy all, our…
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Chinese man and 23 Burmese nationals arrested for working without permits
Police arrested 23 Burmese citizens and a Chinese man for working at a construction site in Samut Prakarn province without work permits. The Chinese man reportedly joined the team only three days before his arrest. The crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners and illegal foreign workers is ongoing across the country, particularly in places where there is heavy industry…
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Phuket motorbike rider’s viral video sparks amusement and debate
On Wednesday, a video titled “The end of a reckless teenager” was posted by TikTok user @lineage5578, showing a young man proudly displaying his modified motorbike. At the beginning of the video, he revs the engine to demonstrate its loud and powerful exhaust, before setting off on a nighttime ride. Keen observers will note that two police officers can be…
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First group of Thai evacuees from Sudan arrive in Bangkok
A flight carrying 78 Thai nationals departed from Sudan and was scheduled to land in Bangkok at 10pm, according to the air force, marking the arrival of the first group of evacuees returning home since the conflict in the North African country erupted. Air force spokesman Prapas Sonjaidee stated that an Airbus A340-500 aircraft and two air force C-130s had…
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Thai police official and daughter fall victim to cyber fraud, losing 2 million baht
A former police official and his daughter report a recent cyber fraud case where their bank account was drained of 2 million baht. Yesterday, Suthep, a 65 year old former director of Klongtan Police Station, and his 30 year old daughter, Suthinika, owner of a bakery business in the Lat Phrao area, reported the incident to Naphaporn Rakphichai, an officer…
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US Navy carrier strike group visits Thailand, emphasises free and open Indo-Pacific
The US Navy‘s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group recently expressed readiness to operate in any region of the “free and open Indo-Pacific”, according to the spokesman for the group, which is currently visiting Thailand. The strike group commenced its 11-month patrol mission in the US 7th Fleet area of operations last November, participating in drills with Japan, South Korea, and the…
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FAD to build national museum in Khlong Luang: Over 100,000 artefacts to be accommodated
The Fine Arts Department (FAD) announced plans to construct a national museum in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, which will include a warehouse to accommodate over 100,000 artefacts. Phanombootra Chandrajoti, the director-general of FAD, revealed that the warehouse would house Thailand’s largest database of artefacts, and the museum would be the first in the nation to adhere to…
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Activist seeks to impeach NACC members over luxury watch saga investigation
Activist Veera Somkwamkid announced his intention to impeach members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for disregarding a court order that required them to divulge details about their investigation into the luxury wristwatch saga involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Veera accused the NACC of defying the Supreme Administrative Court’s order in an interview, stating that the court had ruled that…
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Thai appeals court reverses acquittal in lese majeste case over offensive Facebook comment
The Thai Appeals Court overturned a previous ruling yesterday, convicting an individual on charges of lese majeste relating to comments deemed offensive towards the monarchy. The defendant, identified only as Wutthipat, was found guilty by the Appeals Court of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The judges determined that Wutthipat’s comment…
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Chiang Mai’s Mae Chaem district communities granted forest living rights
Over 300,000 rai of reserved forest land in the Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai now has secured living rights for local communities, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The communities have been identified as a successful model by the Department of Royal Forest, due to their compliance with a cabinet resolution from…
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Covid-19 cases surge in Thai tourism hotspots post-holidays
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged health authorities in major tourism destinations to closely monitor the number of Covid-19 cases, as new infections continue to surge following the holidays. The instruction came after the Department of Disease Control (DDC) presented data on caseloads from April 16 to 22, indicating a rise in Covid infections. The prime minister is particularly concerned…
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Malaysian gang conflict leads to double murder in Bangkok
Eight Burmese nationals allegedly murdered two Thai men at a house near Bangkok due to a conflict within a human trafficking gang led by Malaysian men. The murderers reportedly fled Thailand following the incident. The Superintendent of the Bang Kaew Police Station, Mongkon Onkaew, told ThaiRath that officers received a complaint from a Thai woman, 23 year old Wanutpreeya Patrhumthong,…
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36 year old Thai woman accused of premeditated cyanide serial killings and theft
The prime suspect in the cyanide serial killings, 36 year old Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, is accused of premeditated murder and property theft by administering cyanide poison. The case has gained significant attention since it has been suspected to be linked to over ten fatalities so far. Dr Weerachai Phutdhawong, more commonly known as Dr Aod, a full-time lecturer in the…
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NHRC urges end to conscript servant practice in Thai army within 90 days
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Thailand has declared that the longstanding practice of using conscripts as servants by Royal Thai Army (RTA) officers constitutes a human rights violation. The NHRC has urged the Defence Ministry to put an end to this practice within 90 days. During a press conference, NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee shared that the commission has…
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Thailand’s cyanide serial killer claims another life, 14 victims so far
The Police Forensic Science Office has announced today that the number of victims of the Thai cyanide serial killer has risen to 14, with 13 fatalities. Of the 13 murdered victims, one person managed to survive after being poisoned by Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn. Police officers added they discovered cyanide substances in Am’s car. Yesterday, the Police Forensic Science Office discovered…
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Pheu Thai party rally focuses on agriculture, digital wallet policy, and appealing for votes in Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Pheu Thai Party held an enthusiastic rally in Nakhon Si Thammarat, featuring prominent members such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, candidate for prime minister, and her husband Pik Sukhsawat, as well as party strategist Chaturon Chaisang and director Natthawut Saikua. The candidates for MP seats in their respective districts also echoed the party’s policies and called for local support. During the…
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Drug addict arrested for assaulting, raping his mother in Bangkok
Police arrested a violent drug addict at a condominium in Bangkok for assaulting and raping his mother over several years. The mother’s employer and the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive helped the victim seek justice. The employer of the 69 year old reported the incident to Saimai Survive on Tuesday, April 25, and the organisation came to the aid of the…
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Chatu Mongol Sonakul to lead new Thai Chana Party into historic election
The Thai Chana Party was officially launched yesterday, with Chatu Mongol Sonakul being nominated as its sole prime ministerial candidate. Party leader Jakkraphong Chuenduang, joined by other members, conducted a shrine installation ceremony at the party’s new operations centre on Pradiphat Road. After the ceremony, campaign vehicles were dispatched to traverse Bangkok. Established in 2021, the party plans to field…
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War weapons and drugs found in wreckage of fatal crash in Thailand
A bus and a pickup truck collided in Lop Buri province in central Thailand this morning, killing three people and injuring seven more. Police were shocked to find a stash of drugs, weapons, and ammunition inside the pickup. Officers from Khok Samrong Police Station were informed of a serious crash along the Phahonyothin Road in Moo 12 in Huay Pong…
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EC addresses rumours of incomplete voter information documents in Thailand
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) issued a statement today to clarify the wave of online news claiming that some electoral registration documents with details of certain candidates had been printed with errors, labelling it as fake news. The EC said… “The Election Commission office confirms that the aforementioned news is not a factual error.” Additionally, the EC pointed out…
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Russian teacher falls to death from shopping mall car park
A Russian teacher jumped from the roof of a car park at a major shopping mall this morning in Phuket. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At 8.39am, officers at Wichit Police Station were informed that a foreigner had fallen from the car park at a shopping mall in the Mueang district. Police rushed to the scene with doctors from…
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Thai lottery predictions: Discover prominent numbers for May 2 draw
On May 2, several notable lottery numbers have been circulating, generating a buzz amongst those hoping to strike it rich. This article highlights seven noteworthy incidents and sources of these numbers. Numerology enthusiasts have turned to the birth and death dates of the revered monk Luang Por Joy in search of lottery tips. Born on April 3, 1942, and passing…
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Singer Prang Prangthip shares lottery tips and special numbers for fans
In recent times, the talented singer Prang Prangthip has gained much attention not only for her melodious voice but also for her ability to predict lottery numbers. As lottery enthusiasts await the upcoming Thai government lottery draw to be held on Tuesday, May 2, the young singer continues to offer her predictions, which fans eagerly analyse. In addition, Prang has…
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Famous American comedian Conan O’Brien filming in Bangkok (video)
Famous American comedian Conan O’Brien is currently filming in Bangkok, Thailand for a future broadcast. The former late-night talk show host has been updating fans about his progress on social media. On Tuesday, O’Brien tweeted a photo of himself staring with absolute dread at a scorpion-on-a-stick snack. He wrote… “The scorpion here is so much better than the scorpion I…
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Vet in Thailand removes 21 pebbles from ‘Jelly’ the pet frog’s belly
A Thai woman took her pet Budgett’s frog “Jelly” to see a vet in Bangkok, Thailand, after she found it looking fatter than usual. An x-ray revealed that the frog ate 21 pebbles and was in some serious trouble. Yesterday, Chulalongkorn University’s Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animals Research Centre (VMARC) posted a series of photos of Jelly’s ordeal on Facebook. VMARC…
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Motorist goes viral for hanging bags of durian on car to avoid smell
A witty motorist attracted attention when they drove around town with bags of durian hanging from their car. The curious incident was caught on camera by another driver who shared the footage on social media. The clip quickly went viral, with netizens amused by the driver’s ingenuity in keeping the famously aromatic fruit outside the vehicle while on the move.…
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Kind Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider returns tourist’s wallet with 13,000 baht
While there are many complaints about drivers and motorcycle taxi riders in Thailand, sometimes, acts of kindness make headlines too. A kind Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider returned a forgotten wallet containing over 13,700 baht in cash to an American tourist. The rider, Nonglak Prakobsap returned the wallet in the early hours of yesterday at 4am. Nonglak spotted the black wallet…
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Man discovers 3-metre tapeworm after rating raw meat
A recent surprising incident saw a man discovering a 3 metre long parasite in his bathroom. A local medical expert provided more information on the case, answering questions about consuming raw food and warning about the risks. Yesterday, a Facebook user named “Soamnoi Toyfun” shared images of a long parasite found in his bathroom, explaining that he never thought this…
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Bank of Thailand predicts 28 million foreign tourists this year
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) predicts that the Land of Smiles will see 28 million tourists this year. The BoT’s governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, said the BoT expects a 3.6% expansion in the gross domestic product (GDP) for this year. The BoT predicts a GDP growth of 2.9% in the first half of this year from the same period last year,…
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Thai Nationals evacuated from Sudan crisis arrive in Saudi Arabia, await repatriation
The first group of 82 Thai nationals, who have fled the ongoing turmoil in Sudan, arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia yesterday morning. They are awaiting repatriation to Thailand by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) today, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The RTAF dispatched three aircraft – two C-130s and an Airbus…
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