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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Thai government contemplates extending humanitarian aid to Myanmar
A military source revealed that the Thai government is deliberating on extending widespread humanitarian aid to assist the vulnerable populations in Myanmar. Additionally, Thailand is considering hosting discussions with the leader of Myanmar and ethnic minority factions to resolve the country’s crisis. The Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been engaged in conversations with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and the…
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Thai education: Foundations and milestones under King Rama V’s Reign
This Teacher’s Day, let’s journey back in time to delve into the establishment of the first Thai schools, both royal and public, dating back to the reign of King Rama V. These institutions have survived to this day, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education history. King Rama V, after ascending the throne in 1868, observed the importance of…
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Thai Cabinet to decide on Chinese-built submarine purchase
The Thai Cabinet is set to make a final verdict regarding the purchase of a Chinese-built submarine, stated Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The decision comes after the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the use of a Chinese engine for the submarine and recommended extending the contract. Sutin is expected to discuss the matter further with Royal Thai Navy (RTN)…
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Bangkok braces for rising dust pollution, considers work-from-home scenario
Bangkok’s City Hall is on high alert as it keeps a close watch on the escalating ultra-fine dust pollution levels. The governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, raised the possibility of initiating a work-from-home programme if alarmingly unsafe levels persist for three days in a row. Chadchart yesterday indicated that a warning would be disseminated through the City Hall’s network, which boasts over…
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Tao Ngoi’s tortoise statue: Thailand’s new hotspot for lottery enthusiasts
The famed Tortoise Statue of Tao Ngoii has become a hot spot for lottery enthusiasts seeking lucky numbers after its landscape was revitalised. The changes, which took place at the end of 2023 in the Tao Ngoi public park, have turned the area into a flourishing tourist attraction. The park is home to two large Naga sculptures located near the…
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Phuket community gathers for fun-filled Children’s Day celebrations
Phuket was brimming with joy and laughter yesterday as the community gathered to commemorate Children’s Day. A plethora of activities were arranged throughout the island, transforming the usually serene atmosphere into a vibrant, lively carnival for the younger generation. In a heartwarming gesture, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and his wife, Busadee Suwannarat, opened the doors of the Provincial Hall to…
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Phuket to host Thailand Biennale 2025 boosting local economy
Phuket is set to host the Thailand Biennale 2025 festival next year, which is expected to inject fresh vitality into the island’s economy. The announcement was made by the local authorities and it has sparked a wave of anticipation among the residents and businesses alike. Sophon Suwannarat, the Governor of Phuket, confirmed that the decision was taken by Sermsak Phongpanich, the…
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Rare event in northern Thailand sparks lottery number hunt
In an unusual occurrence in Surin province, a steel tree branch pierced through the trunk of a peacock tree, sparking the interest of local lottery enthusiasts. The unique event, witnessed by 74 year old Sai Wansiri and other villagers, took place in the forest next to a paddy field in Nong Sai village. The villagers, armed with flowers, incense sticks,…
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Thai data privacy watchdog uncovers massive breach involving over 5,000 organisations
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) recently uncovered a significant privacy breach involving 5,261 organisations. Among these, a majority of 4,886 were government agencies from both central and local sectors. The lapse in data protection was observed between November 9 of the previous year and January 12. The violations were primarily due to excessively revealing personal data on various websites…
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Glove wars: Public Warehouse Organisation gears up for legal battle over undelivered goods
The Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) is currently embarking on a legal battle against its former director and six other officials for undelivered gloves. The lawsuit is centred around the return of a 2 billion baht deposit that was paid for a 112 billion baht rubber glove purchase during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was never delivered. Kriangsak Prateepvisut, the PWO director,…
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Severe drought crisis looms in Nakhon Ratchasima with water reservoirs depleting
Nakhon Ratchasima province faces a severe drought crisis, with medium-sized water reservoirs at worrying levels, holding less than half their capacity. A halt on off-season rice farming has been ordered and urgent discussions are underway to secure water reserves throughout this year’s dry season. The Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project’s water allocation division today reported on the water situation in the…
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Blood quest: Phuket seeks lifelines as blood centres make urgent appeal
As the Thai island of Phuket launches into another year, the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and the Phuket Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital have once again put the call out for blood donations. This initiative, run by the Phuket branch of the Thai Red Cross Society, kicked off its annual campaign, spanning the full breadth of January and…
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Colombian man arrested in Patong for bag snatching incident
Friday was an unsettling day for a Russian tourist as she found herself at the receiving end of a bag snatch incident while holidaying in Patong, Thailand. The incident occurred at the entrance of Soi Suk Charoen off Phra Mettha Road as Karolina Rusaleeva was returning to her hotel room from a nearby 7-Eleven store. An unidentified man, who later…
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Ancient artefacts over 600 years old discovered in Phayao province
The Department of Fine Arts began inspecting a historical site and ancient artefacts over 600 years old, discovered by locals in Phayao province. The villagers had unearthed coins and ancient Buddha statues while renovating a sacred site. The discovery occurred today in Ban Hua Khua, Chun District, Phayao Province. Villagers revealed the discovery of a large number of ancient artefacts following…
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Bangkok man arrested for selling unauthorised SIM cards online for 40 baht
A 41 year old Thai man was arrested yesterday for selling unauthorised SIM cards through Facebook. This was part of a three-month investigation led by police officers Worawit Yanchinda, Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, Nat Thadanai Bamrungsri, and Narongdet. The accused, Chaiyot, was apprehended in a parking lot at a Ratchayothin Zone mall in Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, with 1,465 SIM cards, a…
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Driver of sedan involved in taxi collision to undergo alcohol test in Thailand
Police are set to conduct a thorough physical examination of the driver involved in a collision with a taxi on Ratchada Road in Bangkok. Suspicion was raised after a yellow liquid was found discarded in his white sedan, prompting an investigation into potential alcohol consumption. The offending vehicle, which had been abandoned in a side street, has been seized and…
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Patong’s wild night: Tipsy Ukrainian tourist tamed after rowdy escapades in Phuket
A drunken Ukrainian tourist was apprehended in the early hours of yesterday in Phuket following a succession of boisterous episodes at Patong Police Station. Displaying signs of intoxication, the Eastern European man made an appearance at Patong Police Station yesterday, January 14, instantly becoming a source of disturbance and public inconvenience, revealed the local police. According to the Patong Police,…
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Thai health expert urges caution on mRNA vaccines due to rising disease rates
With the death toll rising and various diseases increasing from head to toe, the use of mRNA vaccines has been in question. Teerawat Hemajuta, Head of the Health Science Centre for Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, called for the Ministry of Public Health to study this data before recommending the frequency of vaccination. Teerawat asserts that the…
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Bank of Thailand resists calls for policy adjustments amid economic slump
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) countered government calls for monetary policy adjustments to stimulate the country’s slumping economy. Piti Disyatat, BoT Assistant Governor, stated today, January 15, that interest rates, already quite low compared to global standards, are not the solution to an economy being pummelled by external factors like dwindling global demand. Piti emphasised that the country’s lacklustre economic…
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Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi erupts again, causing ash rain and evacuations
Mount Merapi, an Indonesian volcano, erupted for the second time in a month, sending a 1,300-metre high plume of ash into the sky and covering nearby homes, vehicles, and evacuation tents in volcanic ash. This latest eruption occurred on Sunday, with no reported fatalities. Mount Merapi is among over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, notorious for their unpredictable and sudden…
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Sedan’s shocking hit and run on Ratchada Road sets social media abuzz (video)
A shocking road incident involving a white sedan and a yellow-green taxi recently set social media abuzz. The white car was filmed reversing into a stationary taxi in the middle of Ratchada Road before speeding away from the scene, sparking widespread online debate. The video, shared by the popular Red Skull page, left both locals and tourists in shock, seeking…
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Steady gold prices in Thailand spark call for quick decisions
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) revealed that today’s gold prices remain unchanged from yesterday, urging quick decisions to be made. As of today, the selling price for gold ornaments is stated at 34,350 baht per baht-weight, a steady hold from the final price of yesterday, according to the most recent data from the GTA at 9.03am. Gold bars with 96.5%…
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Mystery shrouds millionaire model Yoko’s death: Suicide or foul play?
The death of Praowrawee Sahasathapong, commonly known as Yoko, a millionaire model, continues to be shrouded in mystery. Recently, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wittawat Chinkham of the fifth precinct confirmed the initial theory of suicide, following the discovery of cyanide and a farewell message. However, Yoko’s mother remains unconvinced of her daughter’s self-inflicted death. On November 1, Yoko’s body was discovered.…
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Migration education: Thai vice minister urges deep understanding to tackle illegal migration roots
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the necessity for a profound understanding of illegal migration among lawmakers and the general public to address the root causes of the issue. He voiced these comments during a recent seminar, Shaping Public Perception Towards Migrants, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration. Sihasak pointed out…
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Thai man wrongly arrested for wife’s death, CCTV exposes 5 teenage murderers (video)
Police arrested a Thai man who confessed to murdering his wife, only to later discover his innocence and identify five teenagers as the guilty perpetrators of the crime in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo. Police discovered their error upon reviewing CCTV footage. Aranyaprathet Police Station officers in Sa Kaeo were alerted to the discovery of a dead body in…
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Thai lottery enthusiasts in a flutter over auspicious numbers for January 17 draw
Thai lottery numbers for the draw on January 17 have sparked excitement throughout the Kingdom of Thailand, with various predictions being made. Several prominent figures, including Khun Phaen, Tuktaen Chonlada, and the Prime Minister, have been connected with these predictions. Khun Phaen and Hong Prai Khun Phaen and Hong Prai, while making a ceremonial offering, drew the numbers 9, 8,…
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Fatal highway collision in Prachin Buri leaves woman dead and man critically injured
A fatal highway collision between a pickup truck and an 18-wheeler lorry left a woman dead and a man critically injured. The incident occurred around 12.50am today on the main highway between Prachantakham and Kabin Buri, known as Suwanson Road (Route 33), in Prachin Buri province. The 18-wheeler, a Hino brand with license plates 70-2949 and 70-2849 from Chai Nat,…
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Thai market trader extorted by fake officers for 20,000 baht
Four men, posing as officers from the Crime Suppression Division, extorted a 39 year old market trader, known as Ta, of 20,000 baht. The incident occurred on January 9 when the man, without showing any legal identification or paperwork, confiscated about 20 fashion bags from his stall at a local flea market. Ta explained that the men proceeded to lead…
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Thai homeowner demands responsibility from marathon runner pooping outside house (video)
A homeowner in Thailand is requesting accountability from both a marathon runner and event organisers after a CCTV camera captured a female runner pooping outside her home in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The 47 year old homeowner, Walaikorn, took to social media to demand responsibility from the relevant authorities. She shared footage of the incident with the public,…
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Shana E-Sport’s daring tune-up turns Ranger Raptor into a trucking masterpiece (video)
In the realm of Thai automotive enthusiasm, pickup trucks reign supreme, with the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux dominating sales charts. Not to be left in the dust, the Ford Ranger claims its stake in this truck-loving nation, and thanks to one daring tuner, Shana E-Sport from Chon Buri, it just underwent a jaw-dropping transformation. This Thai tuning maestro recently…
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