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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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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Pattaya thief slashes Russian tourist’s bag, steals 100,000 baht
A Russian tourist’s dream holiday in Pattaya turned into a nightmare after a brazen thief slashed open his suitcase, making off with over 100,000 baht in cash and valuables. The victim, Vladimir Tulayev, has been left frustrated after security cameras failed to capture the suspect. Tulayev, who was staying at a hotel in South Pattaya, reported that the theft occurred on February 12 while…
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Thai nationals arrested for trafficking methamphetamine worth 3 million baht
Two Thai nationals were apprehended in Amnat Charoen province for their involvement in trafficking methamphetamine, known as frung fring pills, mixed with crystal meth. Police Colonel Nipon Boonkert and the relevant officials arrested 39 year old Suriyan Wongchaiya and 21 year old Akkaraphon Saengphet as they attempted to deliver the drugs at designated locations. Police confiscated 106,000 pills, valued at…
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Bangkok-Pattaya bus overturns in Chon Buri, 40 injured
A bus accident occurred in Chon Buri yesterday, resulting in injuries to 40 people. The incident happened at 2pm yesterday, February 18, on the bypass road, Route 36, inbound to Pattaya, when the bus overturned after swerving to avoid a vehicle emerging from a gas station. Rescue services from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation responded promptly to the accident in…
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Family race to rescue British man from mystery illness in Thailand
The family of a British man is desperately trying to airlift him back to England after he was struck down by a mysterious illness in Thailand. The drama began with a 5am shock call from a Thai hospital requesting payment, leaving his family bewildered and fearing a scam before they realised it was all too real. Raymond Wallace, a retired…
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Chinese ex-boyfriend who attacked Chon Buri woman freed
A 23 year old woman in Chon Buri escaped an assault by her Chinese ex-boyfriend, who attacked her with a metal bar and threatened to cut her toes with scissors. Despite the severity of the incident, the man was released without charges after paying 50,000 baht in damages. Police at Huay Yai Police Station received a report requesting assistance for…
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Rohingya man allegedly commits suicide in Nakhon Si Thammarat canal
A Rohingya man allegedly committed suicide in a canal in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. His body was discovered yesterday, February 18. Officers from Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station investigated the lifeless body of a foreign man found in the Tha Wang canal after being alerted at approximately 1.40pm. According to the police, the man was dressed…
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Busted: Police smash billion-baht Thai-Chinese fraud ring
Royal Thai Police this week swooped to arrest ten suspects linked to a gargantuan Thai-Chinese investment scam suspected of raking in billions of baht. The sweep, which spanned from the buzzing streets of Bangkok to various provinces, has unmasked a web of deceit that preyed on unwitting investors. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) revealed on Tuesday, February 18, that six…
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Police intercept vehicle with 15 illegal migrants in Kanchanaburi
Officers in Kanchanaburi, led by Police Major General Pornchai Chaloradej, yesterday intercepted a suspicious vehicle loaded with sacks of dried cassava. The officers discovered 15 illegal migrants concealed within the vehicle during the inspection at a checkpoint in Sangkhla Buri district. Police yesterday, February 18, noticed a white Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck, registration number นข 3507 Phetchaburi, heavily laden with…
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Thai transwomen poses as foreign tourists to expose taxi overcharging
Two Thai transwomen posed as foreign tourists and recorded a video of a Bangkok taxi driver who overcharged them, later sharing it on the TikTok app. They called on the government to address the issue seriously. The video, shared by the TikTok account, aisayawarin, on February 17, quickly went viral among Thai netizens. In the footage, the two transwomen flagged…
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More football legends take a swing at glory in Reignwood golf clash
Five more football legends have agreed to trade goals for birdies in the highly anticipated Reignwood Icons of Football tournament, teeing off early next month at Bangkok’s picturesque Robinswood Golf Course. Former footy favourites Jimmy Bullard and Jermaine Jenas are two of the latest additions gearing up to represent Team England against a star-studded Team World, featuring global icons Carlos…
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THAI flight makes emergency landing as passenger stops breathing
Thai Airways (THAI) flight TG408, en route from Singapore to Suvarnabhumi Airport, issued an emergency signal while flying over the Gulf of Thailand yesterday, February 18. The aircraft landed safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the emergency alert was triggered due to a medical situation on board. Reports revealed that the emergency, named TG408/18FEB 77B/TKR SINBKK Declare Medical Emergency Landing, was…
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Heavy rainfall to hit Bangkok and 41 provinces tomorrow
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts significant rainfall across 42 provinces tomorrow, with Bangkok experiencing the highest impact at 60%. Some areas may also face strong winds and thunderstorms, with temperatures expected to drop on February 18. The TMD 24-hour weather prediction highlights thunderstorms and gusty winds in the lower northern, northeastern, central regions, including Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Drunk Thai man found asleep next to Hello Kitty bike in Sattahip
A drunken man in Sattahip was found asleep on the roadside next to his motorcycle, which was decorated with a giant Hello Kitty plushie, prompting police intervention to prevent potential danger. A concerned citizen alerted Sattahip Police Station’s radio centre, fearing the man might be at risk of an accident or criminal activity. Officers Police Sergeant Major Pongnaphat Chotchuang and…
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Thai woman earns 30,000 baht for reuniting man with monkey doll
A Thai man in the northern province of Chiang Rai offered 30,000 baht in cash to a Thai woman who found and returned his missing monkey doll, which held great sentimental value for him. The man took to social media to seek help from Thai netizens after losing his beloved monkey doll. He shared a picture of the doll with…
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German man in Krabi hospitalised after drug-induced hallucinations
A German expat in Krabi was taken for rehabilitation after experiencing intense hallucinations, allegedly from self-made drugs, causing a public disturbance by shouting for hours. Yesterday, February 17, police were called to a house in Village 4, Sai Thai subdistrict, after neighbours reported a foreigner screaming uncontrollably, disrupting the usually quiet community. Upon arrival, officers were met by 33 year…
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Grandmother and grandkids escape as Ayutthaya house collapses
A woman and her three grandchildren narrowly escaped disaster when their two-storey wooden house in Ayutthaya collapsed after heavy rainfall this morning, February 18. Miraculously, they managed to crawl out safely—along with their pet dog. The Ayutthaya branch of the Ruamkatanyu Foundation received an emergency call at 9.30am and rushed to the scene near Talad Plu Market in Village 6,…
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Chaiyaphum prison hit hard as influenza cases soar past 1,000
Health officials in Chaiyaphum are sounding the alarm after influenza type A cases surged past 1,000, with more than 500 infections reported at the provincial male prison in Mueang district alone. Dr Suppapong Chaimongkol, head of preventive medicine at the Chaiyaphum Public Health Office, warned that children and inmates are the most affected, leading several schools to suspend classes and…
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Cambodian general upset by Thai soldiers’ intervention at border temple
A Cambodian general expressed significant dissatisfaction after being stopped by Thai soldiers while leading a group singing at Ta Muen Thom temple. The incident was captured on video and circulated online. During the confrontation, a Cambodian lawyer engaged in a heated discussion with the Thai soldiers. The video, recorded by Thai soldiers, showed the Cambodian group at the southern terrace…
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Fuelled by fraud: Gas shop owner duped by fake cop seeks justice
A gas shop owner in Pathum Thani appealed to the Pavena Foundation after being scammed by a fraudster posing as a police officer. The person promised to assist with a stolen motorcycle case and compliance issues, ultimately defrauding her of over 3 million baht. The gas shop owner, 39 year old Aem sought help from Pavena Hongsakul, chairperson of the…
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3 Thai men killed by train while drinking near railway track
Three Thai men lost their lives after sitting and drinking alcohol near a railway track in the northern province of Lamphun. Officers from Mueang Lamphun Police Station were called to the scene of the accident, located at the railway track near the Ban Umong community, at 7.50pm,yesterday, February 17. Upon arrival, officers were met with the harrowing sight of the…
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Students return 32,000 baht given by mistake at Saraburi gold shop
Two female students exchanged 5,000 baht at a gold shop but were mistakenly given 32,000 baht in return. They promptly returned the excess amount. The gold shop owner recounted the incident today, February 18, and praised their honesty. A social media post by Saraburi News V2 shared a video detailing how the mistake occurred at a gold shop managed by…
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Phuket braces for drought: Officials scramble to secure water
As Phuket enters the dry season, officials are stepping up efforts to prevent a potential drought, holding an emergency meeting to strategise water management and mitigation measures. The Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) convened its first working group meeting of the year yesterday, February 17, led by Chief Sopon Thongsai. The session brought together multiple agencies…
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Bus crash in Nakhon Ratchasima leaves 18 injured
Eighteen passengers experienced a harrowing journey when their bus collided with a trailer, struck a lamppost, and veered off the road, overturning on its side. The incident occurred at 12.30am, today, February 18, when Police Colonel Chokchai received reports of a collision near a CPF chicken processing plant at kilometre marker 58+725 on Highway 24, Chok Chai-Det Udom Road, Tha…
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New airport bus service to Pattaya and Hua Hin
Travellers can now enjoy a first-class bus service from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports to Pattaya and Hua Hin, starting March 8, operated by State-run Transport Co. Managing Director Atthawit Rakchamroon announced that the service will offer comfort and convenience for both tourists and locals. Four daily round trips will run between Don Mueang and Pattaya, covering 162 kilometres in…
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Thailand cracks down on unruly foreigners
Thailand’s national police chief, Police General Kitrat Panphet, has ordered officers nationwide to monitor foreign nationals amid concerns over public order and safety. The directive, issued yesterday, February 17, cites reports of disruptive behaviour that could disturb social order, violate public morals, or harm Thailand’s reputation. It was sent to all police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police, Provincial Police Regions…
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Thonburi drug bust: 48 kilogrammes of meth and ketamine seized
A drug bust in Thonburi led to the confiscation of 25 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 23 kilogrammes of ketamine after a suspect fled, abandoning two cars. The incident occurred at 7.30am, yesterday, February 17, when the police were monitoring a drug gang. Police Colonel Thirachai Dedkad, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 9, along with Police Colonel…
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PM Paetongtarn visits Phatthalung ahead of Cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Phatthalung yesterday, engaging with locals and pledging economic growth ahead of the year’s first mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla. During the first stop of her two-day tour, Paetongtarn visited Thale Noi, a vast wetland in Khuan Khanun district, where she was welcomed by Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong, and…
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Bangkok bar offers Optimus Prime figure prayers for business success
The Optimus Prime figure in Bangkok’s Chinatown has become a sacred statue after a newly opened bar performed a traditional Thai dance as an offering to secure the success of its business. The cocktail and wine bar, Hypnotized, shared a video last week on its official TikTok account, showing a bartender making a wish in front of the Optimus Prime…
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Bangkok police arrest two men in motorcycle thefts
Police in Bangkok’s Thakham district yesterday announced the arrest of 26 year old Khemchat from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province and 20 year old Anuchit from Bangkok. The policeseized a red Honda PCX motorcycle used in the crime, a stolen blue Honda Wave motorcycle, a white half-helmet, and clothing worn during the incident. The arrest took place yesterday, February 17,…
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Pattaya demolishes illegal structures in drug-prone area
Pattaya officials have taken decisive action to demolish illegal structures on Soi Jomtien 3, which had become a hotspot for drug-related activities. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet yesterday, February 17, inspected the building demolition site, accompanied by Pattaya Police Chief Police Colonel Navin Teerawit. The operation comes in the wake of recent efforts aimed at tackling drug issues in the area.…
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