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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Thailand pushes for UNESCO glory with ancient shadow play
The Ministry of Culture confirmed yesterday that nang yai, a spectacular shadow puppet performance dating back to the 15th century, will be proposed for UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices by March 2026. Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, currently overseeing the ministry, said the campaign is officially titled the Community-based Revitalisation of Nang Yai Tradition in Thailand (CRNT). She described…
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Thai woman searches for foreign motorist involved in brother’s fatal accident
A Thai woman is searching for a foreign motorist involved in a motorcycle accident that killed her elder brother yesterday, August 18. The woman sought assistance from the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page today, August 19. She asked the page to share a photo of the foreign man at the accident scene and provided details of the incident, stating… “My elder…
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Thailand goes all in on AI—but can it be trusted?
Thais are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) like never before, with new research showing it’s become an “invisible” part of daily life—but concerns over fairness, bias, and safety are growing just as fast. A report launched in Bangkok yesterday, August 18, by telecoms giant Telenor Asia revealed that 91% of Internet users in Thailand now rely on AI, up from 77%…
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Illegal waterworks busted in Jomtien street raid
It was a routine inspection that turned into a shocking discovery—Jomtien municipal officers have busted an unauthorised excavation on Soi 5, near Wat Boon Kanjanaram, where a rogue operator had secretly tapped into Pattaya’s water system. During the inspection, officials uncovered a freshly dug site with evidence of an illegal water connection. The engineer behind the operation was swiftly summoned…
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Thailand taps Polish Airlines to lure big-spending tourists
Thailand is stepping up its campaign for European tourists with a bold new partnership with LOT Polish Airlines, spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. The deal targets high-spending Eastern Europeans, with Poland leading the charge, and aims to reinforce Bangkok’s ambition to become Southeast Asia’s aviation capital. The push comes as overall foreign arrivals…
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Phuket fights against HIV: Bold plan to end AIDS by 2030
Phuket has declared an all-out war on HIV/AIDS with the launch of a high-powered workshop aimed at making the island Thailand’s first Province of Ending AIDS by 2030. The two-day event, which opened today, August 19, at the Bukitta Hotel in Phuket Town, gathered 50 representatives from health, government, and community groups. It was chaired by Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer…
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Thai man surrenders after fatally shooting alleged lover of friend’s girlfriend
A Thai man fatally shot an alleged lover of his friend’s girlfriend on the roadside in the southern province of Trang on Sunday, August 17, claiming he was taking revenge on behalf of his friend. The fatal attack occured as the victim was with her boyfriend, 24 year old Jiramate was along the Trang–Phatthalung Road in Mueang Trang district. She immediately called…
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Bangkok’s Banthat Thong to become global street food hub
Bangkok’s famous Banthat Thong Road could soon rival the world’s top foodie destinations after the Commerce Ministry unveiled bold plans to transform it into a global street food landmark. Once packed with up to 40,000 visitors a day, the bustling stretch has seen numbers dwindle amid rising rents, falling Thai spending power, and tougher competition. Business operators say survival has…
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Thailand’s tourist numbers slide as 2025 forecast cut again
Thailand’s tourism dreams have hit another bump after the Tourism and Sports Ministry revealed foreign arrivals plunged by more than 7% this year, forcing officials to scale back growth forecasts yet again. From January 1 to August 17, the country welcomed 20.81 million international visitors, down 7.04% compared to the same period last year. Despite the overall decline, China remains…
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Missing Burmese girl rescued but rejects parents over alleged abuse
A 15 year old Burmese girl, who was previously reported missing from her home in Nonthaburi province, refused to return home, claiming that her parents physically abused her. The Burmese parents, 45 year old Mamat Ye Hinn and 40 year old Asha Bwe, sought help from Thai news agencies on August 12 after their daughter, Bee, disappeared from their Nonthaburi…
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Chinese girl trafficks boyfriend to Myanmar, parties in Thailand
A teenage love story turned into a nightmare when a 19 year old Chinese boy was betrayed by his 17 year old girlfriend and sold to scam gangs in Myanmar for 100,000 yuan (around 500,000 Thai baht). The victim, from Zhanjiang in Guangdong province, endured four months of torture, forced labour, and starvation before his family managed to secure his…
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Village fund fraud suspect arrested for 8 million baht scam
Today, August 19, police from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) launched the Village Fund Zero Fraud operation, arresting a suspect accused of defrauding a village fund of nearly 8 million baht. The suspect, 57 year old Jiranat or Noi from Nakhon Pathom, was apprehended under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on August 16. He faces charges of fraud,…
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Ancient cave unearthed in northern Thailand jungle
Thailand’s archaeological map has just grown richer after forest rangers stumbled upon a mysterious cave in the remote wilds of Phitsanulok province. The three-day patrol, carried out from Thursday, August 14, to Saturday, August 16, in the Khwae Noi forest watershed, was initially intended to monitor wildlife in the Phu Khat Wild Animal Protection Area. But instead of just tracking…
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Illegal cosmetics factory in Chachoengsao shut down
A clandestine cosmetics manufacturing factory in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, was dismantled after police discovered unlicensed production activities. Approximately 234,699 items worth over 20 million baht were seized, allegedly intended for export. Today, August 19, Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, the chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), directed Police Colonel Weeraphong Klaihong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Anusara…
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Thai man pulled to safety in Phuket racetrack drama (video)
Spectators were left horrified after a man casually wandered onto a racetrack in Phuket during the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand 2025 event, in what could have ended in certain death. The shocking incident occurred yesterday, August 18, just after the high-octane races wrapped up at Saphan Hin Public Park, which had hosted the two-day event over the weekend on August…
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Father urges army to uncover real motive behind soldier’s fatal rampage
The father of a Thai soldier who shot two civilians before taking his own life in Surin province dismissed an emotional breakdown as the motive for the shooting and urged the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to conduct a further investigation. Private Ratthapoom Thepsiri was found dead in a forest in Kap Choeng district on August 15, after he shot two men…
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Thailand launches world-first crypto tourist pay scheme
Thailand has thrown open the doors to a digital revolution in tourism, unveiling the world’s first system allowing foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht for everyday purchases—from pad thai stalls to 7-Eleven counters. The pilot project, called TouristDigiPay, launched yesterday, August 18, under the watch of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Unlike crypto-payment models abroad,…
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Pheu Thai backs Paetongtarn amid court ruling on leaked audio
Yesterday, August 18, the Pheu Thai Party expressed unwavering support for the suspended Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ahead of the Constitutional Court’s decision concerning a leaked audio clip. The party also dismissed the likelihood of the Bhumjaithai Party rejoining the coalition, even if there were changes in leadership. Visuth Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, stated that…
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Phuket woman warns community after alleged theft by foreign man
A Thai woman accused a foreign man, believed to be a British national, of stealing her mobile phone and attempting to steal her car in the Thalang district of Phuket yesterday, August 18. The woman, Mewadi Dokmai, issued a warning about the man by sharing her story on several Facebook groups and through local news outlets. She said the incident…
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Judicial misconduct cases addressed by Supreme Court in Thailand
On August 18, a meeting of the Committee of Judicial Affairs was held at Ratchaburi Direkrit Room, Justice Court Building on Ratchadamnoen Road. Presided over by Supreme Court President Chanakarn Theeravejpolkul, the committee addressed several significant judicial misconduct cases. The committee reviewed a report on a judicial official accused of violating ethical standards by filing an unjustified lawsuit against a…
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Chao Phraya River residents warned of potential flooding risk
The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a warning to residents in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River, advising them to prepare for potential flooding on August 21. Increased water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam is expected due to recent heavy rainfall. The Royal Irrigation Department’s alert anticipates water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to increase to 1,200-1,500…
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Temple abbot denies resignation amid donation scrutiny
At 4pm yesterday, August 18, Somporn Somakheng, the temple’s caretaker, visited Phra Ratchawisutthiprachanat, also known as Luang Por Alongkot, the abbot of Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu in Lop Buri province. This visit followed widespread rumours that the abbot had submitted his resignation amidst scrutiny over donation management at the temple. The abbot, however, clarified through a video sent to…
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Close call: Foreign tourist plunges from Patong hotel
A foreign tourist was left fighting for his life last night after plunging from a hotel in Patong under baffling circumstances. The terrifying incident occurred at 6.36pm yesterday, August 18, when Patong Police were alerted to a man falling from a height at a hotel on Phra Mettha Road. Emergency responders from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation raced to the scene…
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Trang resident encounters king cobra in home, rescue captures snake
A 74 year old resident of Trang province was startled when a large snake entered her home and sought refuge under a wardrobe. The snake, identified as a deadly king cobra, was eventually captured by rescue workers. The incident occurred on August 18, when Phinyo, the homeowner, discovered the reptile in her house in Mueang district. Despite her previous experience…
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Lampang motorcycle thief caught with screwdriver method in Samut Prakan
Police have apprehended a 39 year old man from Lampang, known for stealing motorcycles with only a screwdriver, throughout the city. He confessed after being arrested at a restaurant parking lot in Thepharak subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province, today, August 19. The arrest was led by Police Colonel Narupon Karuna, along with Police Major Patiphan Pensuk and Police Captain…
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Cockfighting champ: Korat rooster sold for 6.5 million baht
A record-breaking cockfight has rocked Thailand’s underground scene after a champion rooster, fresh off a multimillion-baht victory, was sold for a staggering 6.5 million baht. The feathered fighter, Fakhamram, earned his reputation on Sunday, August 17, after defeating rival bird Jao Kaotao in a high-profile showdown at the Kaew Khok Krot cockfighting stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The prize pot?…
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Former traffic officer survives horrific crash thanks to amulet
A former traffic officer narrowly survived a severe road accident involving a pickup truck on the Udon Thani-Sakon Nakhon Road in the Mueang Nong Han district of Udon Thani province. The vehicle overturned multiple times, causing extensive damage, but the driver emerged with only minor injuries, attributing his survival to a protective amulet. The incident occurred at 8pm yesterday, August…
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Massive drug haul found floating in Samut Songkhram canal
Police in Samut Songkhram province were alerted by locals to a large cache of crystal methamphetamine, nearly 100 kilogrammes, found floating in a canal. The discovery has prompted an extensive investigation into the drug network involved. On August 18, Police Lieutenant Chananthip Ongkhlueab, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of narcotics in the Lampradong canal…
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Man arrested after gold theft attempt at Lotus Mall in Tak
A 28 year old man was apprehended after attempting to steal gold from Wang Tokang Gold Shop in Tak Province’s Lotus Mall yesterday, August 18. The suspect, who hails from Mueang district, allegedly feigned interest in buying gold but aroused suspicion, prompting the staff to alert security. As he attempted to flee with a gold necklace, the police present in the…
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Khon Kaen murder: man killed in drinking dispute
An 80 year old man was killed by a 75 year old villager following a dispute over a 56 year old woman in Khon Kaen. The altercation occurred during a drinking session at the woman’s house yesterday, August 18. The victim, identified as 80 year old Boon, was struck on the head with a hoe by Chalerm, a resident of…
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