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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thai airports to boost services for elderly and disabled passengers
Flying in Thailand is about to get a major upgrade—especially for those who need it most. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is rolling out a new set of regulations aimed at dramatically improving service standards for passengers requiring special assistance. Whether you’re elderly, injured, or living with a disability, these new rules are designed to make air travel…
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Koh Pha Ngan bus driver steals Romanian tourist’s credit card
Police yesterday, May 21, arrested a Thai coach bus driver for stealing a credit card from a Romanian tourist and using the card to fraudulently withdraw 280,000 baht. The Romanian victim, Cristina, sought assistance from the Surat Thani Provincial Immigration Bureau after discovering that her credit card had gone missing. The foreign woman suspected that she lost her card during…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok ranked among world’s top tourist scam hotspots, Cambodian PM asserts citizens enjoy full freedoms
In Thailand video news, Alex highlights major developments across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Bangkok ranks among the world’s top tourist scam hotspots, while Chiang Mai and Koh Phangan see visa and tour operator crackdowns. The Royal Thai Navy intercepts illegal fishing boats near Phuket, and Pattaya’s restaurant sector teeters on collapse. Meanwhile, Korat Zoo welcomes Thailand’s first Aldabra tortoise hatchlings.…
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No sex on the beach: Cops go nuts for ‘coconut tree’ sex workers
More than 50 alleged sex workers were rounded up along Pattaya Beach last night in a dramatic police sweep, just over a week after furious residents branded previous crackdowns a “PR stunt.” Officers stormed the beachfront at 9.06pm, yesterday, May 21, in a coordinated operation aimed at flushing out the illegal trade tarnishing the city’s tourist image. The move came…
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Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025 boosts rainbow tourism economy
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), part of Central Group and operator of Central shopping centres, is reinforcing its dedication to diversity and equality with the launch of Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025: Pride For All. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, CPN’s chief marketing officer, highlighted that the campaign celebrates Pride Month as a recognition of human rights and a strategic element for economic expansion. Thailand’s…
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Foreign tourist flees angry mob after violating Krabi national park rules
A viral video has emerged showing a foreign tourist fleeing from angry Thai men after he violated rules at a national park in the southern province of Krabi. It is also alleged the foreigner behaved disrespectfully towards park rangers. The Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Facebook page issued a statement addressing the incident after a video of the…
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High spirits: Russian tourist leaps to death fleeing ‘ghost’ in Pattaya
A Russian tourist high on marijuana plunged to his death from a Pattaya condo after telling a security guard he was being hunted by a murderous ghost with “bulging eyes.” The 27 year old man, named only as Mikhail, had been smoking heavily when he became convinced a phantom was trying to murder him. He ran frantically around the building…
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Thailand mandates medical certificates for cannabis use
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that cannabis users in Thailand will soon need medical certificates to ensure the plant is used for medical purposes only. This decision marks another step in the ongoing process of regulating cannabis use since its decriminalisation nearly three years ago. Somsak stated his intention to refine cannabis regulations in Thailand, highlighting that both foreign…
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Man arrested in Bangkok for 8 million baht fraud scheme
A 46 year old man has been arrested for fraud, impersonation, and deceiving victims into investing over 8 million baht. Before his arrest yesterday, May 21, Vorathep, known for his polished appearance, had been duping people by presenting himself as a doctor or executive. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, along with Police Colonel Ekkasit Pansithao and Police Lieutenant Jeerattawat Kitrungruengdet…
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New endangered tree species discovered in South Thailand
A rare tree species has been discovered deep in the wetlands of South Thailand, yet it’s already fighting for survival. Thai researchers have uncovered a brand-new species of tree in Surat Thani province, in what’s being hailed as a major botanical breakthrough. Dubbed “Tharathum,” a poetic blend of the Thai words for water (thara) and tree (tham), the plant was discovered growing…
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Island horror: Man arrested in nurse’s tragic Koh Samui murder
Police arrested a man on suspicion of murdering a nurse at her welfare accommodation on the island of Koh Samui, in the southern province of Surat Thani. The man is believed to be a neighbour of the victim. The 36 year old nurse, Aunchuree “Nook” Wongmueang, failed to report for work yesterday, May 21, prompting her colleagues to visit her…
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Shocked! Cambodian man’s fishing trip ends with charged farewell
A Cambodian man died from electrocution while fishing, with attempts by friends to revive him using sand proving fruitless. The incident occurred at 10.30pm on May 21 near Wat Laem Pradu in Phanat Nikhom district, Chon Buri province. Rescue services and medical personnel from Phanat Nikhom Hospital, along with local police, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they found 32…
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Bangkok job fair to offer over 600k opportunities next month
The Ministry of Labour will be hosting a significant job fair in Bangkok next month, presenting over 600,000 opportunities across various age groups to enhance national employment and prepare the workforce for future demands. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that Job Expo Thailand 2025 will take place June 6-8 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The event will feature…
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Dopey striker’s 27 million baht own goal in cannabis smuggle sting
A former Arsenal wonderkid has admitted his part in a plot to smuggle £600,000 (26.4 million baht) worth of cannabis from Thailand to Britain, after luring his girlfriend and her pal into playing unwitting drug mules. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, was nicked after 60 kilogrammes of cannabis was found stuffed inside four suitcases that had just landed at London Stansted Airport from…
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Heavy rainfall forecast for 46 Thai provinces including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall for 46 provinces, including Bangkok, covering 60% of the area today, May 22. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected in the eastern and western southern regions, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Residents in these areas are advised to be cautious due to the ongoing southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand,…
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Thailand and Maldives seal health boost pact in Geneva
Thailand and the Maldives have sealed a landmark deal to boost public health collaboration, with bold plans to strengthen the Maldives’ primary healthcare and regulatory systems — all signed and sealed during a high-profile global summit in Switzerland. The agreement was inked today, May 21, at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dej-is Khaothong,…
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Trio busted for 700k baht hotel booking fraud in Pattaya
What was meant to be a dream getaway to Pattaya turned into a financial nightmare for dozens of unsuspecting tourists after falling victim to a slick Facebook hotel booking scam, and now the suspects are behind bars. Yesterday, May 20, police arrested three suspects accused of running a fraudulent operation that used fake Facebook pages to pose as reputable hotels in…
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Shell-ebration time: Korat Zoo hatches giant tortoises
Thailand has something to shell-ebrate — Korat Zoo has made history by successfully hatching 11 Aldabra giant tortoise babies, becoming the first zoo in the country to breed the rare species. The hatchlings emerged on Sunday, May 18, much to the delight of zookeepers and conservationists. Zoo director Thanachon Kensingh announced today, May 21, that all 11 newborns are healthy…
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Royal Thai Navy seizes illegal Indonesian fishing boats off Phuket
A dramatic high-seas sting netted two Indonesian fishing boats and 18 crew members, all caught red-handed illegally operating in Thai waters — and the Royal Thai Navy wasn’t letting them get away. The bust took place on Monday, May 19, when the HTMS Longlom intercepted the foreign boats about 80 nautical miles southwest of Phuket, within Thailand’s Exclusive Economic Zone…
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Parade featuring naked boy as baby Buddha sparks backlash
An online backlash erupted after pictures and videos emerged showing a naked boy playing the role of the baby Buddha during a parade celebrating Atthami Bucha Day in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. Wat Mai Sukhontharam, a temple in Nakhon Chai Si district of Nakhon Pathom, held its annual ceremony, the 132nd Atthami Bucha, between May 17 and 19…
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Former village headman survives shooting in Nonthaburi
In Nonthaburi, a former village headman and prospective candidate for the Bang Rak Noi subdistrict administrative organisation chief, narrowly escaped harm when unknown assailants fired shots at his car. The incident occurred at 9pm yesterday, April 20, when 61 year old Suchart Kaewpradit was driving a white Toyota Yaris, with registration number 5 กท 6007 Bangkok, back from a funeral…
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New Thai apps take on delivery giants with just 5-baht fees
Thailand’s motorcycle taxi drivers and street food vendors are getting a long-overdue digital lifeline, thanks to two new low-cost platforms designed to beat big tech at its own game. On Monday, May 19, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Chulalongkorn University’s Asia Research Cluster for Social Solidarity and Inclusive Economy unveiled two groundbreaking platforms: “Nong Khoei Ma Thao Rai?” (“Have…
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Pathum Thani accident claims child’s life, injures six
A tragic accident occurred in Pathum Thani province when a pickup truck, en route to the hospital with a two year old who had fallen from a building, overturned at a curve. The accident resulted in the death of a four year old passenger, while six others sustained injuries. Police and emergency services promptly arrived at the scene. The incident…
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Pattaya’s diners crisis boils over as costs soar
Pattaya’s vibrant dining scene, once a culinary magnet for locals and tourists alike, is now being battered by a wave of soaring costs, and some restaurant owners say 2025 is shaping up to be even worse than the Covid-19 era. A toxic mix of rising gas prices, skyrocketing raw ingredient costs, labour shortages, and sluggish consumer spending is turning up…
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Scam city: Bangkok tops list for tourist fraud
Planning a holiday in Thailand? You’d better watch your wallet. Bangkok has just been named one of the world’s top hotspots for tourist fraud, with nearly half of all reported scams involving dodgy taxi and car rental deals, according to a new report by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Released this week and highlighted by CNBC, the report reveals a disturbing…
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Thai nurse found dead in underwear in Koh Samui welfare room
Police are hunting for a killer after a Thai nurse was found dead in welfare accommodation on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani.. Colleagues of the 36 year old nurse, Aunchuree Wongmueang, were unable to contact her and went to check on her at her room today, May 21, in the Green Park Village, located…
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Dozing driver ploughs into truck at Phuket intersection
An early morning delivery turned into a nightmare for two young men after a delivery truck driver nodded off at the wheel and crashed into the back of another truck waiting at a red light in northern Phuket. The high-impact collision took place around 5am today, May 21, at the Old Airport Intersection in Village 1, Mai Khao, Thalang district,…
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Father and son arrested with 50kg crystal meth in drug bust
A father and son were apprehended at a police checkpoint for transporting crystal methamphetamine. Police seized over 50 kilogrammes of the drug. The father admitted to receiving 45,000 baht per trip for the task, while the son claimed he was deceived by his father into participating. Yesterday, May 20, Police Major General Kongkrit Lertsitthikul, commander of the Highway Police Division,…
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Elderly man in Kamphaeng Phet critically injured in youth attack
A 77 year old man from Kamphaeng Phet was severely assaulted by a local youth, leaving him in a critical condition. The incident, which occurred yesterday, May 20, involved the assailant attacking the elderly man, who collects bottles to make a living, in front of a grocery store in the Na Bo Kham subdistrict. The attack took place around 11am,…
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Grab wars: Bangkok taxi drivers threaten airport chaos
Fuming taxi drivers vowed to bring chaos to Bangkok’s skies and streets, threatening to blockade Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Government House if the PM doesn’t scrap Grab’s airport access. Tempers flared at Government House today, May 21, as more than 50 furious cabbies rallied outside Gate 5, demanding an end to what they call “unfair favouritism” towards Grab drivers at…
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