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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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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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Myanmar driver hits pedestrian on Vibhavadi Rangsit, fatal accident
A Myanmar national driving a black Chevrolet pickup truck reportedly struck a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Pathum Thani, yesterday, January 12. The incident occurred near a previous bus fire tragedy that claimed 23 lives. Police and medical personnel responded promptly to the scene. The accident took place on the inbound express lane of Vibhavadi Rangsit…
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Heartbroken Irish mum honours ‘special son’ lost in Thailand
The mother of a young Irishman paid tribute to her “special son” who died last week while scuba diving in Thailand. The heartbroken mother is now trying to repatriate the body of her beloved 21 year old son from County Clare, whose life was tragically cut short in Koh Tao. Robert “Robby” Kinlan, died unexpectedly on January 9 while on…
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Motorcycle accident in Buriram caused by blanket entanglement
A young couple was involved in an unexpected accident after a blanket they were using for warmth became entangled with their motorcycle’s chain, causing it to crash in the middle of the road. The unfortunate incident, which occurred yesterday, January 12, left the man with a chipped tooth and the woman with a cut lip. Fortunately, a 10-wheel truck following…
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15 year old British-Thai girl rescued after years of rape by mother’s lover
The Be One organisation rescued a 15 year old half-Thai, half-British girl in the Isaan province of Udon Thani, after her Thai mother’s lover had raped her for four years since she was 11. Be One’s founder, Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart, accompanied the 15 year old British-Thai girl and her 41 year old aunt to file a complaint against the girl’s…
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Pattaya on pause: Plan ahead or lose the booze
Local officials in Pattaya issued a gentle reminder to plan carefully for upcoming events in the city including the Chon Buri local elections and the booze bans. Locals, visitors and tourists in Pattaya should mark their calendars as the region is likely to go dry from 5pm on January 31 to 5pm on February 1. While the exact date hasn’t…
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Thailand braces for cold snap with Bangkok at 16 degrees
The Thai Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) today, January 13, issued a weather forecast indicating a further drop in temperatures across Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing lows of 16 degrees Celsius and strong winds. The upper northern and northeastern regions are expected to see cold to very cold weather, with the highest areas experiencing even colder temperatures. The department advises residents…
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Drunk foreign tourist injured in Pattaya motorbike collision
Chaos erupted in the early hours of today on Pattaya Third Road as a foreign tourist, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, was mowed down by a motorcyclist, leaving him with head injuries. At precisely 12.10am, today, January 13, Pattaya police were alerted to the scene, swiftly co-ordinating with the dedicated Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue team to attend…
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Tying the Thai: Same-sex love wins big in the Land of Smiles
Love takes centre stage in the Land of Smiles as same-sex couples across Thailand can legally say “I do” at any district office nationwide and even at Thai embassies abroad starting from January 23. This monumental shift comes thanks to the groundbreaking tying the Thai: love wins big in the Land of Smiles, granting same-sex couples the same legal rights…
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Man found dead in garden believed to succumb to cold weather
A 53 year old man was found deceased in his garden in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, after reportedly stepping outside to urinate. Identified as Prawet from Ban Kok, the man was discovered by his stepson, who had gone out for a cigarette on the morning of today, January 12. Upon finding Prawet, the stepson alerted the village head and…
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Phuket lifts building restriction above 80 metres for hillside development
A recent Cabinet decision has lifted the restriction on construction above the 80-metre mark in Phuket, paving the way for increased single-building developments on the island’s hillsides. This change is expected to benefit owners of high-altitude land on the island. The approval of a rezoning proposal by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) now permits development in Zone…
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Shocking discovery of newborn’s body in Lat Krabang dormitory
A housekeeper was shocked to discover blood seeping from a garbage bag, which revealed the body of a newborn upon inspection. The infant’s mother later confessed. Yesterday, January 11, Police Lieutenant Thirayu Wongsinghe of Charoen Noy Police Station was alerted to the discovery of a newborn’s body at a dormitory in Lat Krabang 13/8, Lat Krabang subdistrict, Lat Krabang district,…
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Kanchanaburi student faints after cannabis use at school event
A 15 year old student from Dan Makham Tia district in Kanchanaburi province became unconscious after allegedly smoking cannabis at school. The provincial governor has ordered an investigation into the incident, which was initially reported by the local news page Kan News Agency, alleging that a senior student coerced a junior student into using cannabis during a National Children’s Day…
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Human skeleton found in Chon Buri suitcase sparks investigation
The discovery of a human skeleton inside a suitcase in Chon Buri has prompted police investigations. No traces of blood or bodily fluids were detected, leading to suspicions about the circumstances of the bones’ presence. The suitcase was found yesterday, January 11, at 7pm, near Huai Yai road, approximately 1 kilometre before the intersection with road 331 in Bang Lamung…
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Tragic crash in Kamphaeng Phet claims two lives, child critical
A tragic accident occurred today, January 12, when a Honda Civic collided with a 10-wheel truck in Kamphaeng Phet province, resulting in the deaths of two individuals from the same family. The accident took place on Phahonyothin Road, where emergency services worked tirelessly to rescue the victims trapped inside the wreckage. The collision, which happened at the median of the…
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Man arrested in Trang for alleged rape of 17 year old niece-in-law
A 37 year old man, named Thavorn (surname withheld), was arrested for allegedly raping his 17 year old niece-in-law for nearly a year. The suspect was apprehended today, January 12, following a warrant issued by the Thung Song Provincial Court on January 6. The charges include rape and abducting a minor aged over 15 but under 18 for indecent acts.…
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Thailand braces for temperature drop and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued its ninth announcement, warning of a temperature drop between January 12 and 13 in northern and northeastern Thailand, with the mercury expected to fall by 3 degrees Celsius. Bangkok is also anticipated to experience a 2 degree Celsius decrease, accompanied by heavy rain in some areas and high sea waves. The announcement, made…
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Motorcyclist dies in pickup collision on Soi Nong Ket Yai
A collision occurred between a motorcycle and a pickup truck in Soi Nong Ket Yai, Bang Lamung district, at 5.06am yesterday, January 11, prompting a response from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya. Upon arrival, the rescue team discovered an orange pickup truck with severe damage at the front. The driver, 34 year old Chaiyarat Panpitanusorn, was present…
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Thai wildfire at Khao Loi fully contained after week-long battle
Thai officials have announced the successful containment of a wildfire at Khao Loi, situated within the Khao Siad Ai, Khao Nok Yoong, and Khao Ang Hin National Reserved Forests, located in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The fire initially ignited on January 3 behind Udomsuk Temple, affecting an area of 200 rai. Despite initial containment efforts, the fire reignited on…
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No human metapneumovirus cluster reported in Thailand, say officials
Thai health officials have confirmed that there is no cluster of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the country and have advised the public to remain calm. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has been monitoring information from the World Health Organisation and China regarding hMPV cases. Doctor Panumas Yanawetsakul, director-general of the DDC, stated that there is no confirmation of a…
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Uyghur detainees in Thailand fear imminent deportation to China
A group of Uyghur men, detained in Thailand for more than 10 years, claim that the Thai government is planning to deport them to China, where they risk abuse and torture, according to activists. Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, former head of the National Human Rights Commission, has urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to clarify any plans regarding their deportation. The Associated…
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Transwoman robbed by teenager in Hua Hin, loses 90k baht items
An 18 year old man befriended and later robbed a transwoman, leaving her with nothing. The victim sought help from the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page yesterday, January 10. The incident began when the transwoman met a young man named Ball online on January 4, after he posted in a Hua Hin community group seeking companions. The transwoman, named…
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Petrol prices cut in Thailand for Children’s Day celebrations
PTT Station has announced a reduction in retail prices for various types of petrol and gasohol, coinciding with Children’s Day celebrations. Starting today, January 11, prices will decrease by 0.30 baht per litre for petrol and all types of gasohol, while E20 will see a 0.40 baht reduction, and E85 will drop by 0.50 baht per litre. Following the adjustments,…
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Kanchanaburi school director cleared of negligence allegations
A school director in Kanchanaburi province faced scrutiny after a Facebook page, known as Operation Watchdog, posted allegations of negligence, claiming the director only attended school three times a week. Investigations by education officials have found no misconduct. According to the Facebook post, the director reportedly missed school weeks entirely by claiming official duties, while residing in Tha Maka district,…
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Udon Thani mother forces Thai-British girl into abuse by stepfather
A 15 year old girl from Udon Thani province revealed that her biological mother forced her into a relationship with her stepfather, starting at the age of 11. This abuse continued for four years, coinciding with her biological father’s illness and subsequent death. Chalida Palamat, the head of the Pen Nueng Foundation, along with Udon Thani Social Development and Human…
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Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom adds Jurassic fun to Children’s Day
Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom is set to bring life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs to the city in celebration of National Children’s Day today. The event, taking place at King Taksin Monument Plaza in front of Pattaya City Hall, is generating enthusiasm among attendees. In collaboration with Pattaya City, the park will showcase enormous, realistic dinosaur models to mark the occasion. Among the highlights…
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Suphan Buri officers praised for buying food for drunk local (video)
Two officers from the Suphan Buri police department received praise for assisting a drunk local by purchasing food for him when he was unable to drive. They were honoured with an award for their commendable service yesterday, January 10. The incident came to light after a viral clip posted on TikTok by user @phatara_2_66 showed an intoxicated man requesting motorbike…
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Wildfire reignites, threatening homes and resorts in Korat
A wildfire reignited at Khao Loi in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, at 10am on Thursday, January 9, after previously being contained on January 8. Northeast Forest Fire Control Center 3 dispatched 35 personnel to the scene, collaborating with five agencies, including Khao Yai National Park and the Phayayen Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, to combat the blaze. Firebreaks were established to…
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Bangkok raid uncovers SMS scam targeting 30,000 phone users
Thailand’s Cyber Crime Suppression Division conducted a raid on Thursday, January 9 in the Bueng Kum district of Bangkok, uncovering an elaborate SMS scam. The operation involved a False Base Station device and led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals, 49 year old Li Chuyuan and 47 year old Zhu Xiangwu. Officers seized several items, including the False Base…
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Caught red-handed: 6 arrested at illegal gold mining site in Phitchit
Forestry police apprehended a Vietnamese man and five Thai nationals at an unauthorised gold mining site on Panompa Mountain in the northern province of Phichit yesterday, January 10. This action followed a report alleging that a Vietnamese investor had entered the site on the mountain in Nong Phra subdistrict, Wang Sai Phun district, to excavate gold. The Vietnamese individual was…
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Chiang Rai clinic accused of defrauding NHSO 1.8 million baht
Police in Chiang Rai province have been requested by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to investigate a clinic suspected of defrauding the universal healthcare system. The clinic is alleged to have serviced at least one fraudulent patient. Doctor Attaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, lodged a formal complaint at Ban Du Police Station in Wieng Pa Pao district.…
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