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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Singapore grapples with massive US$740 million money laundering scandal
Singapore is grappling with one of its largest-ever money laundering cases, involving over S$1 billion (US$740 million) of assets. Individuals, recently arrested and charged, allegedly held millions from unauthorised lending in China and illicit gambling in numerous banks such as United Overseas Bank, Citigroup and RHB Bank’s local units. Attempted fraud using counterfeit documents was also reported on banks including…
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Premium privilege: Thailand Elite Card set to increase membership fee by 50%”
Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC), operator of the Thailand Elite Card, announced plans to increase its base membership price by 50%, raising it from 600,000 baht to 900,000 baht. The move is part of the company’s strategy to boost its annual revenue to 8 billion baht. In addition, the company will be introducing four new types of cards, all of…
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As lottery draw nears, locals flock to ‘eel-lusive’ fish for fortunes
As the lottery draw looms, residents converged to seek fortune from an extraordinary eel–like fish stumbled upon by a 53 year old Mukdahan province resident. With a body of yellowish-white hue and piercing black eyes, this enigmatic creature has proven a charm for its possessor, paving the way for an astonishing four consecutive lottery victories. Somchai introduced the peculiar fish,…
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Deliveroo dilemma: Thai delivery riders seek Labour Ministry aid after road woes
Thai delivery riders seek the Ministry of Labour‘s aid for legal and financial assistance post-road accidents. Spokesperson Supaporn Phanprasit underlined the daily hazards of handling apps, and e-commerce. Rushing for deadlines leads to accidents, injuries, and worse. The group laments the lack of financial assistance or compensation from either the parties involved in the accident or the platform operators. The…
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Heavy rainfall alert: 55 provinces, Bangkok included, brace for soaking
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a warning for heavy rainfall in 55 provinces, including Bangkok. The forecast predicts that 80% of the northeast region will experience heavy downpours today. Residents have been alerted to the potential dangers, especially in southern regions where high waves are expected at sea today. A combination of the monsoon trough passing through the northern…
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Japanese PM eats Fukushima fish amid radioactive waste fears
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday was seen eating raw fish from Fukushima prefecture in a video released by the Japanese government. The fish was sourced from the northeastern region of the country, notorious for the release of radioactive waste from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. In the clip, Kishida can be seen enjoying the meal in his office,…
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Thai store owner demands 102 million baht in trade mark dispute over #Pangcha
A recent trade mark dispute involving the trending hashtag #Pangcha has drawn nationwide attention. The dispute arose when a popular store sued smaller retailers for using the name Pangcha, claiming it violated their trade mark and demanding 102 million baht in damages. In response to the controversy, Kanchai disclosed during an afternoon talk show that Pangcha originated his establishment, Ice…
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Thailand Privilege Card targets luxury long-term residency market with rebranding
The Thailand Privilege Card (TPC) has adopted a fresh approach to attract high-end foreign residents who seek extended stays. Managed by the Thailand Elite Card Project under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), TPC has undergone rebranding, introducing a new logo, redesigned uniforms, and innovative card formats across four tailored packages to suit various global lifestyles. Over two decades, TPC…
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Ubon Ratchathani construction worker detained over child molestation claim in Chon Buri
A 43 year old construction worker, originally from Ubon Ratchathani province, has been apprehended by the Nong Prue Police following allegations of child molestation. The suspect is accused of assaulting a two year old girl who resided in the same neighbourhood. The arrest took place yesterday, roughly two months after he had moved into the area. After being informed of…
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Architect’s ‘dirty’ pledge: Faeces target as Pheu Thai Party’s political coalition stirs surprise
Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag has turned an unusual promise into a reality, offering himself as a target for faeces-throwing after the Pheu Thai Party forged an unexpected coalition with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Duangrit is a member of Creative Action for Revival & People Empowerment (CARE), a group associated with the Pheu Thai Party led by Deputy Leader Phumtham…
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Lion’s roam: Chaos strikes Karachi as ‘King of the Jungle’ takes a traffic tour
Roaring commotion erupted in Karachi, a metropolis in southern Pakistan, as a full-grown lion was caught strolling amidst congested traffic. Unleashed from its transport vehicle, the majestic creature prowled the urban lanes for a stretch of more than two hours. This dramatic escapade unfolded on Tuesday, August 29, leaving the populace stunned and unnerved. The lion was spotted strolling nonchalantly…
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Royal defamation convict’s hunger-strike protest results in hospitalisation
A woman from Phitsanulok convicted of royal defamation is protesting against the decision to deny her bail by staging a hunger strike while she appeals. Exhaustion has driven the 30 year old woman, named Warunee, sentenced for royal defamation, to the Correctional Hospital. The cause of her condition is a hunger strike that she instigated ten days prior as a…
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Son of former soldier arrested for alleged murder of his friend
The son of a former soldier was arrested yesterday after he allegedly murdered his friend and hid the corpse in a forest near some soldier’s premises in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The suspect was previously arrested and jailed in 2016 for murdering a security guard at an entertainment venue. The victim, identified as 32 year old Ratchapon Chaincharn, had…
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A ‘quacking’ tale: French Bulldog’s rubber duck feast ends in surgical intrigue
In a truly ‘quacking’ turn of events, China witnessed a peculiar incident as a French Bulldog swallowed ten rubber duck toys, which subsequently had to be surgically removed by veterinarians. The bemused owner had been perplexed by the gradual disappearance of her rubber duck collection, but sheer astonishment struck when CT scan findings unveiled the source. This case is not an isolated…
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Pattaya’s iconic tamarind tree stirs public outcry over trimming concerns
In the heart of South Pattaya, on the bustling Walking Street, stands a majestic tamarind tree. Over 80 years old, the tree holds a significant place in Pattaya’s local heritage and has been a part of the landscape since the early days of Walking Street in the 70s and 80s. The tree, however, recently came under the spotlight when some…
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NBTC developing nationwide streaming platform for digital TV by 2025
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is set to develop a nationwide streaming platform, aiming to streamline all real-time streaming content from existing digital TV channels. The platform is anticipated to be fully operational by 2025, aligning with the NBTC’s online migration plan and catering to the increasing number of online content consumers. This initiative is also expected to…
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Daylight theft of Honda Wave 125 in Phetchabun prompts public appeal
A brazen motorcycle theft took place in broad daylight near a coffee shop across from a police station in Phetchabun, yesterday. A man casually strolled up to a parked Honda Wave 125, black, with licence plate 1 กธ 968 Phetchabun, and drove off, leaving his bicycle behind. The owner, Thatchapol Rangsisakorn, reported the theft to the local authorities and called…
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Seaside secrets: Mysterious sea sightings stir speculations in Phuket and Phang Nga
Phuket and Phang Nga beaches were the scenes of intrigue yesterday as two unidentified objects emerged from the sea, sparking a wave of speculation and curiosity among locals and tourists alike. Karon Beach in Phuket was the first to experience this unusual occurrence. The local lifeguard on duty found an unfamiliar object and promptly alerted the mayor of Tambon Karon,…
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Thai government considers utility tokens to boost digital wallet initiative
The Pheu Thai-led government is anticipated to roll out utility tokens to bolster its digital wallet initiative, a move pending approval from the Bank of Thailand as the regulator currently bans using tokens as payment, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). The financial services company projects that the government will issue Type 1 utility tokens, each valued at 10,000 baht,…
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Rat poison plot: Chinese wife cooks up devious plan to bid husband adieu
In a tale of marital mischief, a Chinese wife with no ‘rats‘ to give about her marriage hatched a wicked scheme to oust her hardworking husband. After consuming meals prepared by his wife, Zhang, a truck driver from Sichuan province in China, repeatedly fell ill with severe stomach pain. Despite the family eating the same meals, Zhang was the only…
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Flaming tribute: Woman’s candlelit car respect turns into fiery fiasco
A woman’s act of lighting candles and joss sticks to pay respect to her car on Chinese Sart Day went up in flames. The car, parked in a private parking lot in Samut Songkhram, was engulfed in flames, threatening over 20 nearby vehicles. Firefighters swiftly attended the car fire scene today, quickly extinguishing the blaze. The incident involved a Honda…
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Poh Teck Tung Foundation aids impoverished families in northern Thailand
The Poh Teck Tung Foundation has actively taken steps towards creating sustainable livelihoods in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand. The foundation provided job-related equipment to impoverished households as part of an integrated poverty alleviation programme, in collaboration with the Community Development Department. In addition, a mobile medical unit was dispatched to offer free services to the public. The Poh…
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Ex marks the text: Woman astonished as ex-boyfriend taps her to script wedding vows
A woman was shocked after her ex-boyfriend, who was due to be married, requested her to pen his wedding vows for his soon-to-be bride. The startling revelation came from a Taiwanese website, Next Apple, where the woman posted about her peculiar predicament, sparking a heated debate among netizens. The woman explained that her ex-lover is set to tie the knot…
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Barking debate: Viral video of pet dog in hot car ignites social media furor
A recent incident involving a pet dog left in a car by its owner has sparked a debate on social media. A video clip posted by a TikTok user @mycatsmycup showed a pet dog left in a car parked at a popular shopping mall in Bangkok. The owner had left a message on the car’s display screen assuring passers-by that…
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Giant carpet python’s rooftop-to-tree journey stuns Australian family
A shocking video of a 5-metre carpet python slithering across the roof of a house in Australia before moving onto a tall tree has gone viral. The footage, posted by TikTok user @iamiandyi, has amassed over 25 million views. The Australian family, amid their lunch, witnessed the colossal snake making its way from their rooftop to a nearby tree. The…
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Unexpected ambulance birth sparks lottery fever in Thai village
A pregnant woman gave birth in an ambulance while being transported to a hospital in Rayong, causing a stir among the local villagers who prepared to try their luck in the lottery with the vehicle’s registration number. The incident took place yesterday, when the 31 year old woman, Wanida, complained of severe abdominal pain. The Pluak Daeng rescue team was…
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Search intensifies for culprits in deadly Pattani ambush as police take action
Royal Thai Police are on a manhunt for assailants responsible for a deadly ambush in Yarang district, Pattani, that resulted in three fatalities and five injuries. The ambush, which took place in front of the Yarang municipal office on the Yarang-Mayo Road, occurred at approximately 10.50pm yesterday. The attackers, armed with assault rifles and grenades, left a chilling scene. Over 100…
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Oil corporations slickly tap influencers, sparking eco-conscious uproar
Top oil corporations are increasingly utilising social media influencers to advertise their products, a move that has provoked criticism from environmentally conscious followers. The influencers, typically known for sharing lifestyle content, are now endorsing petrol stations, fuel rewards, and club cards. Instances of such promotions were identified by AFP across India, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States on platforms…
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Deadly court sentence: Thai mother and partner convicted in tragic child death and assault case
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court sentenced a biological mother and her partner to death following the assaults that led to the death and severe injuries of a two year old boy and a three year old girl. The verdict was announced today at 9am today. The court proceedings began on August 1 last year, after police from Bang Bua Thong Police…
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Former Pattani officer attacks police vehicle with axe and knife before surrendering
A 33 year old former police officer, who had resigned three years ago, was found in a disturbed state, wielding an axe and a knife outside a house on the roadside in the Pattani province. The man had attacked a police patrol vehicle before surrendering around 4pm, yesterday. Phunot Rueangying, Deputy Investigation Officer at Lam Pam Police Station in Phatthalung…
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