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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Thailand video news | British tourist exposes harsh Thai detention conditions, Cambodian police arrest 300 in anti-gambling raid
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver an array of compelling stories from Thailand and across Asia. Highlights include the dramatic arrest of a Canadian in Phuket after a chaotic car chase, a “fake hug” scam targeting an Indian tourist in Pattaya, and a British tourist’s exposé on harsh Thai detention conditions. They also explore Thailand’s ambitious casino…
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Police arrest six over thefts in Udon Thani communities
Police Colonel Phatthanaphon Chanphon, along with Deputy Superintendent of Investigation Police Lieutenant Colonel Nitit Roraklongtan and Investigation Officers Police Lieutenant Colonel Banjong Phakot and Police Lieutenant Colonel Pichet Pakkethati, announced the arrest of six men suspected of theft at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, January 20. The group included 30 year old Khemanat Upakot, who allegedly stole from the…
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More jobs: Thaksin defends casino complex in Maha Sarakham
In Maha Sarakham province, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra criticised opponents of the government’s proposed casino entertainment complex, accusing them of misrepresenting the project as merely a casino. Thaksin defended the plan, stating that less than 10% of the complex’s activities would involve gaming, with the majority dedicated to other attractions. The 75 year old former prime minister highlighted that each…
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Thai transwoman and boyfriend steal 3 million baht in cash and gold
Police arrested a Thai transwoman and her boyfriend for stealing a safe containing 3 million baht in cash and gold from a house in the Isaan province of Loei on Sunday. A homeowner filed a complaint with officers at Phu Ruea Police Station after the 50-kilogramme safe was stolen at approximately 11.23am on Sunday, January 19. The safe contained nearly 400,000…
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3 foreigners arrested for drugs at Phuket EDC music festival
Police arrested three foreigners, a Japanese man, a Malaysian man, and a Burmese man, at the Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 (EDC Thailand 2025) in Phuket for possessing illegal drugs. The three-day music festival, EDC Thailand 2025, was held at the Boat Avenue Lakefront in the Choeng Thale district of Phuket, concluding on Sunday. While many partygoers and locals praised…
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Pitbull mauls monk to death in gruesome Nonthaburi temple attack
A temple in Nonthaburi became the site of unimaginable horror when a pitbull viciously attacked and killed a monk. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of today, January 21, leaving the temple community in shock and mourning. At 1am, officers from Bang Sri Mueang Police Station were alerted to the horrific event: a pitbull had mauled a monk…
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Chachoengsao man killed by wild elephant near cassava field
A 55 year old man from Chachoengsao province was fatally attacked by a wild elephant while walking home. The elephant, believed to have strayed from its habitat in search of food, attacked the man in a cassava field. Yesterday, January 20, Saptawee Kulsaree, head of the Tambon Administrative Organisation in Tha Kradan, received a report from residents about a fatal…
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Airport arrest: Chinese fraud suspect extradited from Thailand
A Chinese national accused of public fraud has been extradited from Thailand to China in relation to a case involving over 112 million yuan (approximately US$15.3 million or 540 million baht). Yan Tianxi was transferred to Shanghai Economic Police at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and subsequently boarded a flight to China on Thursday, January 16, confirmed Thitiwadee Sintawanarong, a public prosecutor…
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2 Canadian men run police checkpoint, claim assault triggers escape
Two Canadian men ran a police checkpoint in the Patong to Karon area of Phuket on Sunday, January 19, claiming they were fleeing from attackers. Officers from Patong Police Station sought assistance from Karon Police Station to intercept the black Ford Raptor pickup truck, which sped through the checkpoint in Patong. A high-speed chase ensued, with police pursuing the Ford…
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Thaksin blames Prawit for political turmoil amid coup fallout
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra responded to complaints from Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon about political victimisation, attributing the current political turmoil to the general’s actions. Thaksin questioned the necessity of the coup that initially disrupted the political landscape. General Prawit was a key figure in the government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, established by the National Council…
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Lecturer accused of assaulting deputy during karaoke in Ubon Ratchathani (video)
A viral incident in Ubon Ratchathani involving a technical college lecturer allegedly assaulting a district deputy while singing in a restaurant has captured social media attention. The incident also saw a highway section chief attempting to use a chair as a weapon before being stopped. The incident reportedly occurred on January 9, as captured by a CCTV camera in a…
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Unemployed Thai man claims he sleeps in billboard for safety, not theft
Police arrested a Thai man who hid inside a shopping mall billboard in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, during an alleged attempted theft. The suspect, however, denied the allegations, claiming he was merely seeking a place to stay due to his unemployment. A security guard at the shopping mall noticed a suspicious motorcycle parked near the billboard at about 1.30am yesterday,…
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High stakes: Pattaya officials flatten illegal structures in Soi Jomtien 3
In a bold crackdown on rampant drug activity, local government officials in Pattaya have launched a massive operation to flatten illegal structures in Soi Jomtien 3. With over 900 officers from 23 police stations leading the charge, officials are determined to root out all forms of criminal activity in the notorious Jomtien area, spanning Soi 2, 3, and 4. Following…
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Banged up: Thai prison nightmare exposed by British tourist
A British tourist revealed the grim conditions banged up in a Thai prison and issued a chilling warning to fellow travellers about the reality of being detained abroad. The 29 year old former soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, endured a 15-day ordeal in two police cells and a Bangkok deportation centre after overstaying his visa, a blunder he deeply…
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Fake hug scam strikes again: Indian man loses gold necklace to 3 ladyboys
Three Thai ladyboys offered an Indian man a seemingly friendly hug before stealing his gold necklace, worth about 132,000 baht, from him on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of today. The 42 year old Indian businessman, Pravin Manik Tavada, filed a theft complaint with officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 12.20am, today, January 20. Tavada reported that he…
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Alien panic in paradise: ET find turns out to be deep-sea giant
In a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi thriller, a group of Thai villagers were sent running for the hills after stumbling upon what they believed to be the lifeless remains of a dead alien. But once nerves had settled, they returned to the site, only to discover the so-called alien was actually a rare marine creature washed ashore from the…
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Thailand bets big on casino boom under entertainment banner
In a daring move set to shake up the Land of Smiles, the Government of Thailand is pushing forward with a controversial plan to legalise casinos, sneakily packaged as entertainment complexes. This bold move comes hot on the heels of outspoken former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s call to legalise online gambling, promising a windfall of tax revenue. Now, the Digital Economy…
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Jealous Thai man attacks wife and mother-in-law with pestle
A Thai man consumed by a jealous rage surrendered to the police after brutally attacking his wife and mother-in-law with a pestle. The source of his anger and jealously? His wife always dressed nicely for work. The 32 year old Sujittra escaped her abusive husband, Thanakrit, by travelling in her neighbour’s truck from the southern province of Chumphon to seek…
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PTT Plc shifts gears: Oil giant explores new horizons
PTT Plc, Thailand’s oil and gas giant, is re-evaluating its tactics in the logistics sector, contemplating a shift away from its traditional petroleum roots. The national conglomerate is investigating fresh investment avenues in non-oil sectors, aiming to revamp its business footprint in the rapidly advancing world of logistics. Leading the charge is Chaya Chandavasu, PTT Senior Executive Vice-President for Corporate…
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Chon Buri locals celebrate lottery wins at temple visit
Residents celebrated with enthusiasm at a renowned temple in Chon Buri after winning lottery prizes with numbers linked to their visit to Luang Pho Yai. Many gathered at the temple to offer thanks following the lottery draw on January 17, where the winning numbers included 807779, three-digit numbers 699 and 961, and two-digit number 23. The celebrations were fuelled by…
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Teacher’s murder suspect identified, evidence found near scene
A suspect has been identified in the fatal shooting of a teacher in Bang Pa-In district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with key evidence found 2 kilometres from the crime scene. Efforts are underway to gather evidence for an arrest warrant. Yesterday, January 19, at the Bang Pa-In Police Station, Police Major General Naruenat Phuttaisong, commander of the Phra Nakhon…
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Buriram gold shop owner saves woman from call centre scam
A Thai gold shop owner in the Isaan province of Buriram successfully prevented a woman from falling victim to a call centre scam after she attempted to sell gold at the shop yesterday, January 19, to transfer money to the scammer. The Thai Wijarn gold shop owner in Nang Rong district, 45 year old Dutjadee Piaopong, shared the story of…
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Thailand locks in on crop burning with strict new measures
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced strict new measures on January 17 to combat the growing PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with a particular focus on penalising farmers for crop burning. Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn signed the announcement, highlighting how agricultural burning has become a major contributor to the country’s deteriorating air quality. The practice generates smoke and fine particulate…
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Fake monk’s act doesn’t pass the vest test in Khon Kaen
A man dressed as a monk was detained by police in Khon Kaen after residents reported suspicious behaviour. The alleged monk claimed he found methamphetamine on the roadside and consumed it. He also stated he was genuinely ordained but had not yet received official documentation. Today, January 20, a report surfaced about a man resembling a monk, wearing sunglasses and…
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Theft at Add Carabao’s daughter’s home incurs 100,000 baht loss
A theft at the under-construction home of Nenicha Opakul, daughter of renowned singer Yuenyong Opakul, more commonly known as Add Carabao, resulted in losses estimated at over 100,000 baht. The incident, reported by Nenicha’s legal representative, Melita, is under police investigation. Today, January 20, Phuvanes Viviekhatkan, a deputy investigator at Pravet Police Station, received a report about the theft. The…
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Thai bride-to-be forgets bag in temple bathroom, loses 100,000 baht dowry
A Thai bride-to-be lost 100,000 baht in gold and cash yesterday that she prepared as a dowry for her wedding after forgetting her bag in the bathroom of a temple in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The victim, Prapassorn, contacted officers at Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station at around 2.30pm, yesterday, January 19 to report the theft at Sa Prasan…
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Majority ineligible for Thailand’s debt relief programme
A significant number of borrowers have registered for the You Fight, We Help debt relief programme one month after its launch. However, a substantial portion of these applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria, as noted by banking officials. Kris Chantanotoke, Chief Executive of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), highlighted that some registrants do not qualify for the programme. Consequently, the…
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Thai rice exporter says policy changes are grain-ing momentum
A seasoned Thai rice exporter expressed support for upcoming changes in rice trade policy, anticipated to be enacted later this month, though he highlighted that small businesses still encounter significant obstacles in entering international markets. After the first meeting of the Operational Committee under the 1946 Rice Trading Act (Session 1/2025), Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the committee had…
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Police seize 3 million meth pills, arrest two in drug bust
Narcotics Suppression Bureau police officers seized 3 million methamphetamine pills and apprehended two people accused of drug trafficking in Nakhon Pathom. The people arrested were identified as 32 year old Katakorn and 27 year old Supattra. They were detained yesterday evening. January 19, during a police raid at a house in the Mueang Nakhon Pathom district. Police discovered seven fertiliser…
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Thai cop blames exhaustion after crashing into 2 motorcycles, injuring 3
A Thai police officer in the southern province of Narathiwat blamed work-related exhaustion after crashing his sedan car into two motorcycles, resulting in three injuries. One of the victims is in critical condition. The accident was reported to officers at Chanae Police Station at about 5.12am on Saturday, January 18. The suspect, who was wearing a police T-shirt, identified himself…
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