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 woman arrested for allegedly conspiring in sister’s murder
Police arrested a Thai woman for allegedly conspiring with her husband to murder her sister in November last year at a house in the central province of Pathum Thani. The woman denied all allegations, despite her husband having previously been arrested in connection with the death. The death of the Deputy Secretary of the Khlong Sam Sub-district Office in Pathum…
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Thai restaurants create PM 2.5 dust-free rooms for safer dining
The Department of Health has announced that over 234 restaurants in nine provinces have established PM 2.5 dust-free rooms, offering a safer environment for patrons. This initiative aims to alleviate health concerns amid rising pollution levels. Doctor Amporn Benjapolphithak, Director General of the Department of Health, under the Ministry of Public Health, yesterday, January 29, stated that the initiative is…
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Thai thief assaults and steals 10,500 baht from old man in Bangkok
Police arrested a Thai man for physically assaulting an 84 year old victim to steal 10,500 baht in cash on the side of a road in Bangkok on Monday, January 27. The daughter of the 84 year old victim filed a complaint with officers at Rat Burana Police Station after her father suffered a 5-centimetre-long and 2-centimetre-deep head wound from…
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Thailand’s ‘one ticket’ travel plan moves forward
Thailand is one step closer to a game-changing transport upgrade, with the House of Representatives approving the Pheu Thai Party’s draft bill for an integrated ticketing system. The move, passed with 226 votes in favour and 142 against, promises a seamless travel experience for commuters across urban trains and buses. But not everyone is on board. The House ditched a competing proposal from the People’s Party, opting instead…
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Thai man jailed for 2 months for killing neighbour’s Siberian Husky
A Thai man who beat his neighbour’s dog to death in December last year in the southern province of Songkhla faces two months in jail. In December last year, the owner of the light brown female Siberian Husky named Lucky checked a security camera in the community while searching for his missing dog. What he discovered was footage of his neighbour,…
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Pregnant woman gives birth in rescue vehicle during Chinese New Year
A heavily pregnant woman gave birth in a rescue vehicle in Songkhla province during the Chinese New Year celebrations, prompting locals to seek lottery numbers from the vehicle’s registration. Yesterday, January 29, the rescue team from the Mitraphap Samakee Foundation assisted in the delivery of a baby boy after the woman went into labour while being transported to the hospital.…
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Phuket schoolgirls honoured for heroic life-saving rescue
Two high school students from Cherng Talay Wittayakhom School have been hailed local heroines after their quick-thinking actions saved a man’s life earlier this month. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat personally recognised Benchawan Kanphai aka Rinda and Siriporn Ditsawan, both Grade 12 students, in a special ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, January 29, awarding them certificates of appreciation for their courage…
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Thailand cracks down on fake visa holders: Pakistanis face blacklist
Thai police are tightening the screws on travellers using fake documents, with Pakistanis now facing blacklisting if caught. According to ARY News, the Thai Consulate in Karachi has introduced stricter visa guidelines, ensuring that all applicants submit original, verifiable documents, including genuine airline tickets and hotel bookings. A consulate official confirmed, “Anyone caught submitting forged documents, including travel agents, will face strict action, including blacklisting.” The move aims to curb…
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Bangkok student shooting leaves one critically injured
Police in Bangkok have launched an investigation following a shooting incident involving a student from the Uthenthawai campus, leaving one person critically injured. The incident took place near the Maboonkrong area at the intersection of Phaya Thai and Chula 12 roads on the evening of yesterday, January 29. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, the Commissioner of Bangkok Metropolitan Police, instructed…
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7 dead and 1 injury reported in Ang Thong pickup collision
A fatal pickup collision occurred on a road in the central province of Ang Thong yesterday, January 29, leaving seven people dead and one seriously injured. Officers from Pa Mok Police Station, along with medical professionals from Pa Mok Hospital and rescue workers, rushed to the accident scene on the Ang Thong-Ayutthaya Road at 2.15pm after being notified by a…
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Man dies after fall hits car on Nonthaburi road
A 63 year old man experienced a shocking incident while driving to pick up his daughter, as an unexpected object struck his car, causing significant damage and resulting in a fatality. Police are investigating the cause, speculating a possible fall from a U-turn bridge. Today, January 30, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi province, along with the Ruamkatanyu…
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New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors
Deputy Finance Minister Phaophum Rojanasakul announced that as of January 28, the You Fight, We Help initiative has received interest from 497,552 debtors, covering 576,496 accounts. The scheme aims to assist individual debtors and includes two measures, excluding direct registration with financial institutions. The first measure, Direct Payment, Asset Retention, targets home, car, and small SME loans with modest limits,…
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Lottery luck: Number 703 sparks lottery frenzy in Phayao
Residents of Ban San Pa Nat in Dok Kham Tai district, Phayao province participated in the annual ritual to honour the spirit of Chao Pho Ong Dam today. They gathered to perform traditional rites and offered various items including flowers, incense, and food. This cultural event, held on the 13th day of the waning moon in the fourth month, is…
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Illegal Russian, Estonian building workers arrested on Koh Pha Ngan
Thai Tourist Police officers arrested a Russian man and an Estonian man for illegally working at a construction site on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, Saksira Phueak-aum, recently launched a crackdown on illegal foreign workers on Koh Pha Ngan, leading to a thorough and continuous investigation of…
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Pattaya’s parking crackdown: Park illegally and pay the price
Pattaya drivers, take note! Starting Monday, February 3, the city is rolling out tough new parking rules to tackle traffic chaos and keep the roads safer. If you’re used to leaving your car wherever you fancy, think again—because parking fines and towing fees are about to hit hard. The crackdown applies to South Pattaya Road, where vehicles will be banned from parking on…
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Thai police station up for grabs, bidders in for a brief stay
A Thai police station is going under the hammer and social media is in a right lock-up over it. The Klang Dong Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima is up for grabs with a starting bid of just 18,800 baht and the online chatter has been criminally good. The bombshell news broke on the station’s own Facebook page, SP Klang Dong…
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Indian-Thai man accuses delivery rider of spying, threatens to kill him
An Indian-born man, who also holds Thai citizenship, brutally attacked and threatened to kill an app-based Thai delivery rider at his home in Soi Hua Mak 8, in the Bang Kapi district of Bangkok, yesterday, January 29. A witness called officers from Hua Mak Police Station to the scene at approximately 3.30pm after seeing the foreign man dragging an app-based…
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Pattaya police book illegal Russian guide – but not for a tour
Tourist Police in Pattaya arrested a Russian woman at Khao Chi Chan for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide. The arrest took place on Tuesday, January 28, at the parking area of the Khao Chi Chan Buddha engraving site. Police had observed the woman leading a group of foreign tourists, speaking in a foreign language, without the presence of…
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Thai lottery February draws keep repeating
Over the past decade, the Thai lottery draws on February 1 have revealed a pattern, with certain numbers appearing frequently. Notably, numbers 7 and 3 have been drawn four times each. Interestingly, these numbers align with predictions from a respected figure known as Ajarn Notty, who has urged followers to consider these numbers in the upcoming draw as a means…
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New Thai team to tackle Deep South conflict amid growing violence
A new government team dedicated to peace negotiations will be formed to address the ongoing conflict in the Deep South, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham stated that the leader of the new team has yet to be decided. The choice could involve reappointing the previous team or opting for a new one, contingent on a comprehensive…
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Civil group pushes for casino referendum with 50,000 signatures
A civil network has initiated a campaign to collect signatures for a referendum on the potential legalisation of casinos in the country. Thanakorn Komkris, Secretary General of the Stop Gambling Foundation, stated that the network aims to collect a minimum of 50,000 signatures to prompt a referendum for public input on the matter. Previously, the foundation launched an online petition…
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Thai hostages set for release by Hamas as part of ceasefire
In a dramatic twist to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, five Thai hostages are set to be freed by Hamas today, as confirmed by Israeli officials. This surprising move, which stands outside the recent ceasefire deal, is anticipated alongside the release of three Israeli hostages. Set to return home are two Israeli women, 29 year old Arbel Yehud, a civilian,…
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Police sergeant’s final act: Traffic-stopping heroism ends in tragedy
A devoted Police Sergeant lost his life in a selfless moment of duty in a heart-wrenching tragedy in Surat Thani. On Monday, January 27, the 35 year old hero, Police Sergeant Charoenphon Niamniyom from the Surat Thani City Police, was tragically mowed down by a runaway pickup truck. The shocking incident unfolded as Sgt. Charoenphon was gallantly assisting a delivery…
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Thai couple arrested for swindling millionaire out of 21 million baht
Crime Suppression Division officers arrested a Thai couple for deceiving and swindling over 21 million baht from a millionaire in the southern province of Yala. The couple, 36 year old Kanpathitcha and 46 year old Ammarin, were arrested at their home in the central province of Samut Prakan yesterday after operating their scam against the female victim in Yala for…
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Government handout sparks vote-buying concerns before elections
The second phase of the government’s 10,000-baht handout programme, scheduled just days before provincial elections, is likely to be perceived as vote-buying by some, according to People’s Party MP Pakornwut Udompipatskul. Residents in 47 provinces are set to vote on Saturday for Provincial Administrative Organisation presidents and members. On Monday, the government distributed 10,000-baht handouts to the bank accounts of…
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19 year old Thai-British driver kills Thai woman in Chon Buri car crash
A 19 year old half-Thai, half-British man crashed his SUV into a motorcycle on a road in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, leaving one Thai woman dead and another seriously injured. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan Foundation responded to the accident on Noen Plub Wan Road at approximately 11pm last…
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Adorable alert: Khao Kheow Zoo welcomes baby zebra
Khao Kheow Open Zoo has a new star attraction—a cute and cuddly zebra foal that’s already stealing hearts. On Sunday, January 26, Zoo Director Narongwit Chotchoy proudly announced the birth of a female zebra foal, born on November 6 last year. The little striped beauty, whose name is yet to be revealed, was born to a six year old mother and an eight year old father and is reported…
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High-profile Chinese inmate accuses Thai officials of treating him unfairly
A high-profile Chinese inmate sought assistance from INTERPOL, accusing Thai officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of treating him unfairly. This Chinese inmate is She Zhijiang, the Chinese President of Yatai International Holding Group (IHG) and the founder of the crime hub in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar. He was arrested in Thailand in August 2022 and imprisoned at Bangkok Remand Prison. Zhijiang was arrested…
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Thailand denies mistreatment of jailed Chinese gambling tycoon
Thailand has refuted allegations of mistreatment against She Zhijiang, a jailed gambling tycoon facing extradition to China over charges of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia, said Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. She, a Chinese Cambodian businessman, has claimed he experienced inhumane treatment in a Thai prison, including violence that has rendered him unable to stand. This claim was…
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Casino legalisation: A new opportunity for tourism in Thailand
Thailand is on an exciting yet possibly very controversial journey towards changing its tourism industry. The country is blessed with extraordinary beaches and enriching cultural sceneries. Long since it has been a popular destination for lovers of nature and tourism. Now the country is targeting a wealthier section of people with the desire to rejuvenate and experience luxury. This change…
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