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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Mysterious death in jungle hut prompts investigation in Lampang province
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a tragic discovery was made in the district of Wang Nuea, Lampang province. A 48 year old man’s body was found lifeless in a hut in a dense jungle near the village. His death was mysterious, sparking an urgent response from local rescue workers, police from Wang Nuea station, and on-call physicians from Wang…
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Pride month marketing sparks backlash amidst ‘Rainbow Washing’ claims
The marketing strategies utilised by companies throughout Pride Month have sparked criticism from LGBTQ+ rights advocates who accuse businesses of merely capitalising on Pride-themed merchandise but not backing the call for equal rights in real terms. This can refer to as “Rainbow Washing.” Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, claims that these businesses just incorporated Pride Month, which is…
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Fatal handgun accident in Uthai Thani casts shadow over memorial preparations
A shocking incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a playful test of a handgun amongst friends took a fatal turn. A gathering at a residence in the Uthai Thani district descended into panic as one individual was fatally shot. The tragedy occurred amidst preparations for a religious ceremony. Despite immediate hospitalisation, the 38 year old victim’s…
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Phuket’s crypto firestorm: Faulty wiring sparks blazing inferno, exposing illegal crypto-mining operation
Firefighters were called to handle a blaze in Phuket Town exacerbated by faulty wiring. The cause was believed to be illegal crypto-mining. Surprisingly, the fire took place on the third floor of a building near the Thailand Post branch on Bangkok Road. It reportedly started around 6am yesterday and was swiftly extinguished by the responding firefighters. Fortunately, no casualties were…
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Phuket Airport tests security with a gunman simulation drill
Phuket International Airport on Friday became a hive of activity as it underwent a security drill in case of a gunman attack. A full-scale exercise of Phuket International Airport Emergency Plan (PEMEX 2023) was enacted, simulating an ‘active gunman’ scenario. The drill took place following the departure of the last domestic flight for the day and was conducted from 11pm…
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Teenage student hospitalised after overdose amid bullying in southern Thailand
A tragic school bullying incident occurred yesterday as a 15 year old Thai female student consumed over 20 pills, a mix of sleeping tablets and paracetamol, resulting in her being rushed to Phatthalung Hospital in southern Thailand. The incident occurred in one of the schools in the Kuan Maprao City area, Phatthalung province. A student, named “A,” shared her dorm…
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Former military officer accused of assaulting beer promoter in Nakhon Sawan restaurant (video)
A former military officer has been accused by a 20 year old beer promoter of physically assaulting her in a restaurant in Nakhon Sawan province, northern Thailand. The female worker, Susita Rachakit, who sustained injuries to her face, claims she was slapped and kicked by the man after he accused her of inappropriately touching him. It has been confirmed that…
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Thai council pays tribute after young doctor’s tragic fatal accident
In an unfortunate twist of events yesterday, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) extended its deepest sympathies over the untimely passing of a newly qualified young doctor, who endured a fatal traffic mishap in Kanchanaburi. The doctor, 24 year old Yanisa Suebchiang, best known as Dr Mean, fell casualty to a catastrophic four-car accident that transpired at around 4pm on…
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PM spices things up: Saluting Thai restaurant’s thai-licious triumph in ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’
In a commendation to Thailand’s food and beverages sector, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed gratitude to two Thai restaurants which have made their mark on this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants listing. This prestigious list is crafted annually by the UK-based organisation William Reed Business Media. This year, two Bangkok-based restaurants were applauded for their culinary excellence. Placed at No.15…
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Man with epilepsy dies after falling into Udon Thani canal during seizure
In a tragic event, a man suffering from epilepsy reportedly drowned after falling into a canal during a seizure. The unsettling event occurred in Udon Thani province, in northeast Thailand at a canal in Ban Bo Nam, Moo 7, Mu Mon municipality. The deceased, identified as 41 year old Chokchai Jandabao, was found lifeless in the canal by his wife…
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Thailand poised to emulate Korean Wave’s success, Asia Video Summit reveals
In a foreseeable shift, Thailand is emerging as a hotbed for flourishing content on a scale reminiscent of the highly influential Korean Wave. Such a promising outlook was significantly echoed in the recently concluded Asia Video Summit 2023, organised by Asia Video Industry Association in Hong Kong. During this gathering, the attendees comprising 180 participants from 22 different nations engaged…
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Rescue confusion: Motorcycle sidecar, not trailer truck, found in Thai canal
There was a slight misunderstanding last night when members of a local rescue team and journalists rushed into action to investigate an alleged incident involving a trailer truck that had reportedly fallen off the road and into a canal. The incident took place in Suvarnabhumi district, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. Upon arrival, it was discovered that it was…
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Alleged hospital negligence in Buriram leads to patient’s agonising death: Daughter demands accountability
A case of alleged medical negligence has been brought to light in Buriram province with 39 year old Nunchida Chomchaiyaphum slamming a local hospital. The hospital’s reported disregard for the woman’s 58 year old mother’s declining health led to a fatal end after the patient endured agonising pain for over 40 hours. Nunchida said… “Even when I insisted several times…
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Thai CSD captures kidnapping gang demanding 600,000 baht ransom in major sweep
In a major operation yesterday, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s (CSD) special weapons and tactics unit, four suspected gang members involved in kidnap cases were taken into custody across southern and northeastern Thailand. Beginning at 6am, a significant deployment of 80 members from the Hanuman taskforce initiated raids on eight distinct locations. These included three in Yala, four in…
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Monk-inspired amulets fly off the shelves as locals hope for lottery success
Over 2,500 followers and fortune-seekers yesterday thronged Phatthanathammaram temple, also known as Ban Dan Chong Jom temple, in Gab Cheing district, Surin, to get their hands on monk-inspired commemorative amulets. These amulets were being distributed to raise funds for the construction of the largest statue ever made in the likeness of Luang Poo Heng, a famous monk who is deeply…
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From lotto bliss to gambler’s abyss: Heartbroken winner’s TikTok confessions go viral
A former lottery winner poured out her heart in a rather daunting video on TikTok after she lost it all to gambling. Once the lucky recipient of a colossal 12 million baht lottery windfall, she then blew it all in a ruinous cyclone of online gambling. Her fortunes fluctuated so severely that she not only lost her cash, she consequently…
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Woman crashes car into convenience store after alleged assault by boyfriend in Ranong
An unfortunate car accident occurred near a convenience store close to the exit gate of Ranong Provincial Police Station at around 8.45pm yesterday, according to Ranong police. A middle-aged woman, navigating a bronze-silver Toyota Yaris with plate number กง 737 Ranong, was involved in the mishap. The car flipped, laying upside down, its wheels pointing skyward. The woman managed to…
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Korat City’s cherished paramedic ‘Doctor Toon’ bids a tearful adieu
A pall of grief swept across Korat city as it mourns the tragic death of its leading paramedic, known locally as “Doctor Toon.” The tragedy left the 38 year old emergency medical personnel’s life abruptly cut short following a shocking road accident. Police in Korat City in Nakhon Ratchasima province yesterday received a distress call at 12.10am about an accident…
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Three former rangers arrested in high-profile 500,000 baht Thai kidnapping incident
Today witnessed a significant operation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD)’s special weapons and tactics unit, resulting in the arrest of three suspected culprits of a kidnapping gang. Spanning two regions in southern Thailand and one in the northeast, the operation began at 6am, with the CSD’s Hanuman unit targeting eight specific locations. Three of these target sites were identified…
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Foreign motorcyclist struck by hit-and-run baht bus driver in Pattaya
A bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning as a foreign motorcyclist was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a baht bus, which subsequently fled from the incident scene. The collision occurred at 3.30am, in the vicinity of Hard Rock Hotel. Emergency healthcare workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation were alerted and quickly reached the scene,…
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Two Thais arrested for defrauding Bangkok monk of 500,000 baht in online scam
Thai cyber police yesterday apprehended two key members of a fraudulent call centre operation which orchestrated an elaborate financial scam, defrauding a monk out of almost half a million baht. Named Thitiwatch, aged 38, and 52 year old Ekapetch were arrested in Phaya Thai and Pleonchit districts of Bangkok under arrest warrants 407,408/2023 from Samut Prakan provincial court. The investigation…
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Bangkok freezes fire drills after fatal school mishap, calls for rigorous reform
The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, appealed for extensive reform of disaster prevention and mitigation systems in the wake of a lethal explosion that occurred during a fire drill at a local school. Fire evacuation exercises throughout the city will remain suspended while safety checks on fire-fighting apparatus are carried out. This update in policy comes in the aftermath of…
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Counterfeit caper in northeast Thailand: Scammer’s fake money fiasco sends a warning to the community
A cautionary tale has emerged from the local community in northeast Thailand involving a scammer using counterfeit money for purchases. The perpetrator paid with a fake 1,000 baht banknote and received 903 baht in change. Around 1pm yesterday, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chedchai Chaisaeng, an acting inquiry officer of Chai Wan Police Station in Udon Thani, was visited by local retailer Prapaphon,…
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Police arrest woman over Japanese job recruitment scam
Udon Thani law enforcement agencies arrested a woman believed to have duped people into seeking work in Japan in a crackdown on fraudulent recruitment agencies. Identified as Sukanya Buasri, alias Ruen, she was apprehended amidst a flurry of complaints concerning her activities. Homing in on alleged unscrupulousness, Bang Dung and Thungfon police jointly detained Buasri. She was subsequently transported to…
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Phuket roads to close for grand Peranakan Festival parade today
Phuket Town’s arterial ways are set to experience a temporary shutdown late this afternoon into the evening due to a grand carnival parade. The procession forms part of the Phuket Peranakan Festival ceremonies and will cover the historical Phuket Old Town region. Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee, and parts of Phang Nga Road, Yaowarat Road, and Thepkrasattri Road will remain inaccessible to…
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Illegal Cape Shark Villas shut down on Koh Tao Island”
A villa constructed without permission in Cape Shark Villas has been instructed to cease operations by local authorities on Koh Tao Island. An investigation is underway to check if other villas within the resort have conformed to obligatory construction permits. The villa under investigation is strategically perched on a rocky ledge, providing direct access to the clear waters of the…
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RTN investigates alleged corruption in 440 million baht armoured vehicle deal
A thorough investigation has been initiated by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) after a social media page reported some alleged discrepancies in a recent purchase of armoured vehicles totalling over 440 million baht (US$12,480,000). The public announcement about the investigation came yesterday when Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin, the RTN spokesman, stated that the navy commander, Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, had ordered a probe…
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Healing the rumor mill: Bangkok hospital denies ‘rejuvenating DNA’ trials with a dose of truth
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, alongside Chulalongkorn University (CU), yesterday refuted allegations of conducting “rejuvenating DNA” trials on human subjects following a claim by someone to have undergone such treatment at their facilities. In a joint statement, both institutions clarified that the pioneering rejuvenating DNA, developed by CU’s Faculty of Medicine specialist team under the RED-GEMs (REjuvenating DNA by GEnomic Stability…
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Shattered dreams: Disabled man in Bangkok takes his own life
A dismal image of life pressures came to light recently when a disabled man, feeling the weight of his predicament, tragically ended his life. The man, once a car mechanic able to fend for his wife, sadly viewed himself as a burden on her. Found beneath their rented house, his death underscores the stark realities of life pressures and hardship…
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Triumph over adversity: Teenage Thai girl peddles to provide for family
A 15 year old Thai girl found herself as the breadwinner of a family of three following a family accident. The girl, her grandmother, and her 8 year old sister, who is suffering from anaemia, are now living in a makeshift home on some temple premises, where the structure is on the verge of collapsing and the family is obliged…
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