News
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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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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Rawai rescue team saves lost tourists at Laem Krating
Two female tourists, who had lost their way as darkness fell near Laem Krating, were located and ushered to safety by the Rawai Municipality rescue team last night (January 21). The women had gone for a walk on the popular trail along the cape, well-known for its Black Rock Viewpoint. The trail, which measures just 1.8 kilometres, became a labyrinth…
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Pervert arrested for masturbating in front of women in Bangkok (video)
Police arrested a perverted Thai man for masturbating in front of women in public places in Bangkok. The suspect said he was unable to control himself. A female university student shared a video on Facebook of a Thai man parking his motorcycle in front of her and masturbating, with the caption that said… “Warning! A pervert in the Charan Sanit…
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Thailand investigates potential tiger migration between Thai and Myanmar forests
The Department of National Parks (DNP), Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand is investigating the movements of tigers, potentially traversing between Thai and Myanmar forests. This follows the discovery of tiger footprints in Chumphon, reported by a local wildlife sanctuary. Athapol Charoenshunsa, DNP director-general, confirmed the discovery of the footprints in the forest of Tambon Song Phi Nong, in Tha…
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Discover Phayao’s revered 500 year old Thong Samrit Buddha image
A revered ancient Buddha image, known as Phra Chao Thong Samrit or the Phra Singh Sam, aged over 500 years and the only one of its kind in the Lanna region, is believed to grant successful exams and work good fortune. Located in Wat Sri Bun Chum, Sri Thoi sub-district, Mae Chai district, Phayao province, the statue is crafted from…
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Pandemic sparks faith tourism pilgrimage as seekers find peace in Thailand’s temples
Following the pandemic, a rise in faith tourism as a search for peace and tranquillity has been observed. Temples and sacred spots across Thailand have seen an increase in visitors, and the donation boxes are filling rapidly. Future Markets Insight reported that worldwide, faith-based tourism was worth US$13.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$40.9 billion in 2033.…
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Global economy to grow in 2024, Thai leaders face new challenges
The global economy is projected to grow in 2024, according to forecasts by leading business groups and the World Bank. However, Thai leaders are expected to navigate new challenges such as bridging generational gaps in conversations and encouraging younger workers to mentor older employees on new technologies. Meanwhile, the stress levels among all employees are at an all-time high, triggering…
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2 armed robbers remain at large after stealing 1.2 million baht gold in Surat Thani (video)
Two armed robbers remain at large after stealing gold bracelets worth at least 1.2 million baht from a gold shop in a Lotus’s supermarket on Number 41 Road in the Chaiya district of the southern province of Surat Thani. Chaiya Police Station officers were alerted to the gold robbery at the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop in the Lotus’s at around…
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Chinese tourist drowns during Similan Islands tour
A tragic incident unfolded on the picturesque Similan Islands, just north of Phuket, at the weekend. A 44 year old Chinese tourist lost his life to drowning while immersed in the island tour on Saturday, January 20. The incident was reported to the Thai Maritime Enforcement Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3) branch situated in Phang Nga. The report came in…
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Thai student paralysed in shocking mall car park plunge: Police probe underway
A Thai high school student, in her third year at a prominent school, was paralysed after she plunged from the fourth floor of a shopping mall car park. The shocking moment was captured by a passing vendor’s dashcam. Police are now urgently investigating the cause. At 9am today, Police Lieutenant Kaweewut Bunruang, the duty officer of Rayong City Police, was…
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Thailand expects major rise in EV imports under new four-year plan
The director-general of the Excise Department projected a significant increase in electric vehicle (EV) imports, with an estimated 175,000 units expected to reach Thailand within two years. This comes as part of a four-year plan, EV3.5 (2024-27), which requires importers to establish a production base in the country from 2024-25 onwards, to replace imports with domestically produced EVs. The plan…
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Phuket taxi driver faces 180-day suspension for harassing student
A taxi driver based in Phuket faces the looming threat of a 180-day suspension and potentially more severe consequences following accusations of inappropriately harassing a young female passenger. The visibly shaken 20 year old student lodged a complaint against the driver, Chuen Ochaphon, citing inappropriate advances during the journey. These advances included an invitation to his room and a proposition…
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Pattaya transwoman arrested for stealing 300,000 baht gold necklace from Swiss man
Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers yesterday arrested a Thai transwoman for stealing a gold necklace worth about 300,000 baht from a Swiss man. The Swiss victim, 60 year old Phillippe Bocion, reported to Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers at 1.30am on Saturday, January 20 that a Thai transwoman stole his gold necklace. Bocion said the transwoman approached and sexually harassed…
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Vietnamese mum sparks online debate over child’s mathematics test
A Vietnamese mother sparked a debate online after she questioned the marking of her child’s primary school mathematics test. Her child had answered 5 + 0 = 5 and 6 + 0 = 6, both of which she believed to be correct. However, to her surprise, they were marked as incorrect by the teacher. The mother shared her concerns and…
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Thai tourism sector optimistic about Chinese arrivals despite economic concerns
Despite the Thai tourism sector experiencing a drop in Chinese visitors last year, the government remains optimistic about an increase in arrivals this year, targeting eight million visitors from the mainland. This optimism is fuelled by the prospect of the visa-free policy becoming permanent in March. The Chinese government has been advocating for its citizens to travel domestically during the…
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3 Thais arrested for stealing credit cards from foreigners in Bangkok (video)
The Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested three Thai nationals for stealing credit cards from foreigners at several tourist spots in Bangkok, causing a loss of more than 8 million baht. The Thai mastermind had close ties to a Chinese call centre scam gang leader. IDMB officers received numerous reports of credit card theft at popular Bangkok…
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Promising love horoscope for Cancerians while Taurus faces caution
The beginning of the year brings promising news, especially in the realm of love, according to prominent horoscope astrologer, Dr Chang Thotsaphon, popularly known as Doctor Elephant. Particularly for those born under the Cancer sign, there’s good news on the horizon. However, those of the Taurus sign should be extra cautious this week. This forecast is for the period from…
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Thai Commerce Ministry set to liberalise ten service businesses this year
The Business Development Department under the Commerce Ministry is anticipated to liberalise ten service businesses within this year, encompassing sectors like telecommunications services, treasury centres, and currency exchange businesses. Director-General Auramon Supthaweethum stated that the department has already completed studies on eight of these businesses, with the remaining two set to open for public hearings soon. As soon as the…
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2 dead, 4 survive after plane from Thailand crashes in Afghanistan (video)
Taliban officials confirmed that a plane, en route from Pattaya, Thailand, to Russia, crashed in Afghanistan yesterday, January 21, resulting in the loss of two lives, while four passengers managed to survive. The chartered Dassault Aviation AM.PA Falcon 10 aircraft took off from the U-Tapao International Airport in Pattaya on January 20 with six passengers bound for Moscow, Russia. The…
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Shocking escape: Aussie woman zaps back to life after electrifying encounter with deadly jellyfish near Koh Pha Ngan
An Aussie woman declared she is thankful to be alive after a bolt of “electricity had shot through her body” following a horrifying attack by some box Jellyfish near Koh Pha Ngan. The 23 year old woman from Queensland in Australia was left hospitalised for over a month after the attack and issued a cautionary message to fellow holidaymakers about the…
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Chilling CCTV footage reveals suspects buying freezer with dismembered body in Bangkok
CCTV footage revealed a group of Indian suspects casually browsing in a shopping centre, selecting a freezer, before the discovery of a dismembered body. The gruesome find was made yesterday, January 21, in a row building on Soi Sakae Ngam 35/3, Sam Dam Subdistrict, Bang Khun Thian District, Bangkok. The building served as a residence for Burmese labourers waiting for…
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Compliance with Factory Laws: What You Need to Know
A deadly explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri prompted the Ministry of Industry to consider amendments to the nation’s factory laws. Permanent Secretary for Industry Nattapol Rangsitpol revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin has tasked the ministry with managing small factories that might pose a risk to nearby communities. Plans are underway to form a committee to…
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Chinese rural mindset shifts as daughters disprove age-old favour sons belief
A traditional Chinese rural mindset of favouring sons has been challenged as a family with four daughters, all of whom have married, brings joy and envy to their village during festive seasons. The daughters, along with their respective husbands, regularly visit their parents, bringing gifts and helping with household chores, thus dispelling the long-held belief that only sons can carry…
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US woman lives as infant, spending 10,000 baht monthly on diapers
Paigey Miller, a 29 year old woman from the east coast of the United States, lives her life as an infant, complete with bottle-feeding and nappy-wearing, spending more than 10,000 baht (US$ 292) a month on diapers. Originally a fan of toys and stuffed animals, Miller decided to create social media content for the adult baby community, a lifestyle that…
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Woman finds dead gecko in sticky rice in bamboo inspired by Korean stars
A shocking discovery was made by a Facebook user who purchased sticky rice in bamboo, hoping to emulate popular Korean personalities, Jung and Callan. The user was taken aback when she found a large dead gecko inside the bamboo tube. In a post shared in the consumer group We Are Consumers, a user shared her unnerving experience. She had bought sticky…
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Discover the Feared Sai Thong Gang in Nonthaburi
Ekapop Luengprasert, a political advisor and founder of the Survive Facebook page, visited the notorious Sai Thong Gang in Nonthaburi today, following reports of their persistent harassment of locals. Ekapop threatened that if the police fail to manage the situation, they should relocate to a crime-free area. Ekapop, along with his team, visited the Sai Thong Village, known as the…
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Thai man’s 200,000 baht luxury watch gift for child’s teacher sparks online debate
A woman’s post on Pantip, an online Thai community, ignited a fiery debate after she expressed concerns about her partner buying a luxury watch worth over 200,000 baht (US$5,633) for their child’s attractive teacher. However, the post was met with stark criticism as some netizens urged her to face the truth, hinting at a hidden reality. The woman, in her…
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Thai initiative Kru Care Jai launched to tackle teen mental health issues
An initiative to address the increasing mental health issues among Thai adolescents has been launched under the name of Kru Care Jai. This programme, initiated by the Public Health Ministry, seeks to provide training to teachers to enhance their abilities in curbing mental health problems in students. The launch comes as data suggests that Thai youth are increasingly vulnerable to…
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How to deliver on Valentine’s Day: Classic gift ideas for him and her
According to a recent survey carried out by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), loved-up consumers plan on spending more than ever on the big day itself in 2024. The UTCC survey found that shoppers were prepared to shell out an average of almost 2.4 billion baht on dates, dining out, and gifts. Even with the rising…
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Large-scale anti-crime initiative launched in Sa Kaeo, Thailand following brutal murder
In a shocking development in Sa Kaeo, Thailand, a large-scale anti-crime initiative has been launched by the Aranyaprathet District Police, spurred by the brutal murder of a 47 year old woman. The alleged culprits, a group of teenagers aged between 13 and 16, reportedly include the sons of two local police officers from the eastern province. The campaign, aiming to…
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Win unrestricted access to Thailand’s national parks for a year
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has rolled out an intriguing tourism initiative offering winners unrestricted free access to national parks throughout Thailand for a whole year. Titled Passport to Thailand National Parks, the challenge encourages visitors to collect stamps from all 156 national parks in the country. The reward for this endeavour is not only…
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