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Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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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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New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors
Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea. Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for…
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Thai police arrest two for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants
Police in Mukdahan province arrested two Thai nationals for smuggling 10 Chinese immigrants into the country. The suspects drove a pickup truck, packed with the immigrants in the back, through a police checkpoint, damaging the barrier. A search of the driver revealed a 9mm firearm and two bullets. Yesterday, September 5, under the directive of Police Major General Chatchai Wongsuna,…
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Suspected electric wire thief’s body found in Bangkok skywalk
Technicians investigating an electrical system failure in the ceiling of a skywalk in Bangkok yesterday discovered the body of a Thai man, who is believed to have died four to five months ago. The technicians from Chong Nonsi BTS Station were called to examine the electrical fault, yesterday, September 5. The control panel and the entire system were located within…
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Thailand mandates foreign e-commerce offices under new law
Thailand will soon require foreign e-commerce operators to establish registered offices within the country, as stipulated by the new digital platform service law. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced this move following consultations with the Department of Trade Negotiations to ensure compliance with international trade agreements, according to executive director Chaichana Mitrpant. The initiative is part of broader efforts…
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Brothers arrested in Trang for illegal loan sharking with 30% interest
Police arrested two brothers, nicknamed Jao Tossakan Loan Sharks, in Trang for charging exorbitant interest rates of 30% per month, with a loan turnover exceeding 2 million baht. The investigation revealed over 100 victims. Yesterday, September 5, police, led by Phumipat Phattarasriwongchai and Theera Chuersuwan, directed Kritthaphop Kaewrod and his team, in collaboration with local officers, to execute a search…
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Thai woman scammed in fake modelling job for 6,000 baht (video)
A young woman was scammed into a modelling job for 6,000 baht but was later asked to transfer 700 baht, raising suspicions of fraud. The incident, shared on TikTok, garnered significant online attention. The 22 year old woman, Fah, revealed to Khaosod Online yesterday that two months ago, she was contacted via the LINE application by someone claiming to be…
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Canadian arrested for illegal work, ecstasy possession in Koh Pha Ngan
Police arrested a Canadian man after he was found working illegally as a masseur and in possession of ecstasy for sale on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Tourist Police and Immigration Police officers arrested the 48 year old Canadian, Ky Uwe Jablonowski, at a Thai traditional massage shop in Koh Pha Ngan yesterday,…
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Thailand drivers’ licences now display organ donor status
Driver’s licences in Thailand will now prominently display whether the holder is an organ donor, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced. This update, effective from August 7, aims to make the organ donation status of drivers more visible. The new licence design includes a larger Red Cross emblem with the words “organ donor” at the top right if the holder…
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Pattaya City approves 11km monorail project for 2027
Pattaya City has given the green light to an 11-kilometre monorail project, set to connect the Thap Phraya intersection on the western side to Nong Mai Kaen in the east. During the final public hearing for the proposed Purple Line monorail system on Wednesday, attendees approved the format, blueprint, and environmental impact study for the project’s second phase. Phutthaset Charoenphat,…
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Woman’s temple ‘donation’ sparks 9.2 million baht-tling dispute
A Thai woman demanded the repayment of 9.2 million baht from the abbot of Phuet Udon Temple in Pathum Thani Province. However, the monk has maintained that the woman had donated the money to the temple voluntarily. The 57 year old woman, Kritsana, sought the assistance of non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to explore her legal options regarding the possibility of…
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Top cops transferred after Hua Hin nightclub shooting
Five senior police officers in Hua Hin have been abruptly transferred following a tragic shooting incident at an unlicensed nightclub. The incident, which resulted in the death of a soldier and injuries to three others, has rocked the resort town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Among those reassigned on Monday is Police Colonel Kampanart Na Wichai, the station superintendent. This move,…
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Northeast Thailand: Duo nabbed smuggling 10 Chinese migrants
In a dramatic late-night pursuit, immigration officers, together with Pa Rai police, intercepted a pickup truck smuggling 10 illegal Chinese migrants in the Don Tan district in the northeastern province of Mukdahan yesterday, September 4. Acting on a tip-off, officers were ready and waiting when the truck appeared. Officers spotted the suspicious vehicle at around 11pm and signalled for it…
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Thai woman denied entry to South Korea over bizarre questions
A Thai woman’s trip to South Korea took an unexpected turn when she was shockingly denied entry due to failing to answer bizarre questions about her hotel. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, September 3, has since sparked heated discussions online. Posting in the Facebook group Travelling to Korea by Yourself, the woman revealed her peculiar encounter with immigration…
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Crackdown on foreign flower scammers exploiting kids in Pattaya
Pattaya City officials are cracking down hard on foreign nationals using children to hawk flowers and hassle tourists in the city’s famed Walking Street. After a surge of complaints from locals and visitors, Pattaya City officially requested help from Chon Buri Immigration to tackle the issue head-on. Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet stated that this type of behaviour, particularly involving…
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Filipino thief’s gem blunder: Nabbed on return to Bangkok airport
A Filipino man who stole a 250,000 baht necklace from a shop in a Bangkok shopping mall in March returned to Thailand today, leading to his arrest at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The 49 year old Filipino thief, Rolly, committed the crime at an accessory store within a shopping mall in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok on March 26. He…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Thai PM urged to probe environment minister’s state land claims
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the qualifications of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed minister of natural resources and environment, due to allegations surrounding his possession of 120 rai of state land. The foundation emphasised that officials responsible for natural resources must be free from any involvement in the holding of state land. Chalermchai, leader…
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Flood of generosity: Good deed goes awry in Phayao crisis
Residents of Phayao province faced significant flooding, impacting homes, roads, and temples in the Ban Fang Min and Ban Mae Tam Muang Chum areas. Amidst the chaos, a well-meaning individual delivered 400 food and water packages, only to trigger a controversy due to miscommunication. Yesterday, September 4, the flood-stricken communities of Ban Fang Min, Moo 4, Dok Kham Tai subdistrict,…
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£230k from Jersey bank returned to Thailand after corruption probe
More than £230,000 (about 10 million baht) seized from a Jersey bank account is being returned to Thailand following a high-profile investigation spearheaded by US police. The funds were linked to a major corruption scandal allegedly involving Gerald and Patricia Martha Green, who were found guilty of bribing former Thai Tourism Authority Governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter, Jittisopa. The…
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16 year old Thai girl dies of ketamine overdose during sex
A 16 year old girl died of a ketamine overdose while having sex with a 63 year old man in central Thailand. Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the teenage girl, Thanyaluck, at around 9pm yesterday, September 4. Police went to the scene, a two-storey house in the Prae Kasa sub-district, Mueang district, Samut…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Aussie buyers lose millions in Phuket condo scam
Two Australian men have filed a fraud complaint against the company behind The Peaks Residences project in Phuket after shelling out over 5 million baht for a dream condo that never materialised. Despite winning a civil court case, they are yet to see a single baht in compensation, sparking outrage and calls for justice. On September 4, the Central Investigation…
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Elderly woman loses 600,000 baht in northern Thailand land scam
A gang of scammers defrauded an elderly woman of her entire life savings, amounting to 600,000 baht, by convincing her to invest in a fictitious land deal in northern Thailand. Despite filing a police report four months ago, there has been no progress in the case. Upon arriving at the victim’s home in Isaan district, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram, the…
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Could Thailand become ASEAN’s first spaceport?
Thailand is setting its sights on the stars, with bold plans to become ASEAN’s first spaceport. Thanapant Raicharoen, a commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), urges the country to seize the opportunity to become a key player in the rapidly growing space industry. Thanapant envisions Thailand playing a vital role not only in satellite development but also…
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Son kills mother days after drug rehab return in Nakhon Pathom
A tragic incident in Nakhon Pathom resulted in the death of a mother at the hands of her son, who had just returned from a drug rehabilitation programme three days earlier. The 32 year old son was apprehended by police while riding a motorcycle to buy methamphetamine. Police Lieutenant Sata Porn Duangsi of the Nakhon Pathom City Police Station received…
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Thailand mandates VAT registration for online sales platforms
The Ministry of Finance is set to integrate online sales platforms into Thailand’s tax system, following a Cabinet decision mandating these platforms to register for value-added tax (VAT). An anonymous ministry source confirmed that the Revenue Department will amend the Revenue Code in line with the Cabinet’s resolution. Online sales platforms will now be required to register for VAT in…
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Tree falls on school van in Krabi, injures 14
A school van carrying students home in Krabi was struck by a falling tree during a severe storm, injuring 14 people, with the driver sustaining the worst injuries. Fortunately, none of the students lost their lives. Rescue officials from the Pracharuamjai Foundation in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, received a report at 4.30pm yesterday, September 4, of an accident involving…
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‘Por the Slapper’ strikes store worker for fabricated assault
The owner of a convenience store in the Isaan province of Udon Thani is taking legal action against a mentally ill customer who slapped her employee in the face without reason. The store owner shared CCTV footage on her Facebook account on Monday, September 2, showing the incident, in which the customer, known locally as “Por the Slapper,” struck the…
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Thailand levels up: Set to be Southeast Asia’s e-sports epicentre
Thailand is poised to become a leading e-sports hub in Southeast Asia, according to Riot Games, a US-based game developer. Riot Games Thailand Manager Jon Lor emphasised the strong foundation already present in the Thai gaming community. “From my perspective, it’s about building on the strong foundation we already have. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from the Thai gaming community, and…
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Thai man arrested for assaulting elderly woman in Phatthalung
A 64 year old Thai man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 70 year old woman, sparking controversy due to his poor health and inability to walk unaided. The incident occurred yesterday, September 4, at 5pm, when police from Sri Banphot Police Station in Phatthalung province apprehended Wichian (last name withheld) on charges of rape. Despite his relatives’ efforts…
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