News
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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Transwoman arrested for murder of Nonthaburi university student
Police arrested a Thai transwoman in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan for the murder of a university student at a dormitory in Nonthaburi province, Bangkok. The suspect claimed that financial issues motivated her crime. The 22 year old university student, Wissawa “Sun” Tamprasit, was found dead in his room on the sixth floor of a dormitory in Nonthaburi province…
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Bank of Thailand to hold rate at 2.5% amid rising inflation
The Bank of Thailand is expected to maintain the policy rate at 2.5% during its upcoming meeting, influenced by the gradual rise in inflation back to the target range. Economists are advocating for additional government stimulus measures, alongside the digital wallet scheme, to boost the sluggish economy. Headline inflation increased to 0.8% last month, surpassing the consensus forecast of 0.7%…
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AI and supply chain attacks top cyber threats, warns Kaspersky
Supply chain attacks, vulnerabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), and the infiltration of trusted communities are emerging as significant cyber threat trends, according to Russian security firm Kaspersky. Ransomware remains the most prevalent form of cybercrime globally, with perpetrators operating it as a business model known as ransomware as a service. Igor Kuznetsov, Director of Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team,…
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Rayong governor assesses delayed U-Tapao Airport progress
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and Rayong Governor Traipob Wongtrairat, visited the delayed U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project sites yesterday to assess ongoing progress. Tharit Issarayangyun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), provided a comprehensive progress update on the project, which is…
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Herbal hustlers busted in Pattaya: Foreign workers found
Law enforcement officers yesterday raided three herbal product stores in Pattaya, uncovering a tangled web of deceit, illegal employment, and dubious health claims. The raid was triggered by complaints from the Pattaya Indian Community Association, which accused certain stores of ripping off customers with overpriced and ineffective herbal remedies. It was alleged that these businesses were using foreign nationals to…
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Blood & brine: Meat throwers leave Thai couple in a pickle (video)
A Thai couple today sought help from a news agency after police were unable to identify two men who threw bags of pork blood and pickled fish at their home on Soi Phetchaburi 31 in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok on Monday. A Channel 3 team today, August 8, visited the victim’s home, a five-storey building on Soi Phetchaburi 31…
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Bangkok agricultural fair celebrates Queen Sirikit’s birthday
In a grand celebration of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s 92nd birthday, the Queen Sirikit Park Foundation, alongside 26 state and private organisations, launched a spectacular agricultural fair at Queen Sirikit Park in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. Running from tomorrow, August 9 until August 14, the fair promises to be an extraordinary event, honouring the Queen Mother’s enduring legacy.…
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Thailand new generation drive sales surge despite economic woes
Luxury retail has skyrocketed, with sales in the first half of this year soaring to four times the levels seen in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, according to a market survey by The 1 Insight. This staggering growth comes despite a sluggish economy, thanks largely to the spending habits of new-generation shoppers. The 1 Insight report highlights the resurgence…
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Bribe & ride: Gay Thai man’s 1 million baht cover-up hits dead end
Police arrested a gay Thai man suspected of fatally poisoning his close friend, for offering a 1 million baht bribe to the police to conclude that his friend died in a motorcycle accident. The death of a 25 year old Thai woman, Chonlada “Tong” Kongdam, caught the attention of Thai netizens and news agencies last week, even though she died…
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Rampaging buffalo charges through Chon Buri beach (video)
A peaceful day at Nang Ram Beach in Chon Buri province turned into a nightmare when an escaped buffalo went on a wild rampage, charging at unsuspecting tourists and sparking widespread panic. The young, powerful bovine was spotted tearing across the sandy shores, causing chaos as it headed straight for a family enjoying a leisurely picnic. Eyewitnesses described the shocking…
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Thai gear shift: BOI revs up JV incentives for global auto partners
Thailand announced incentives to encourage joint ventures (JV) between Thai and foreign companies to produce automotive parts for various propulsion systems, the Board of Investment (BOI) revealed yesterday. Recognised as Southeast Asia’s leading automotive production hub, Thailand also serves as a significant export base for prominent global car manufacturers. The government is keenly promoting investments in electric vehicles (EVs), offering…
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British Airways flights to Bangkok to resume end of October
British Airways is ramping up its flights from London to Bangkok and expanding its codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, giving travellers even more options to explore Thailand and Cambodia. British Airways’ direct route from London Gatwick to Bangkok is back on October 28, after a four-year hiatus. Initially operating three times a week, the service will increase to five weekly…
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Thai-ing up: China’s industrial trade reshapes Southeast Asia
Chinese industrial products are increasingly penetrating the Southeast Asian market, significantly impacting Thailand’s trade dynamics. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) reports that this influx has diminished Thailand’s market share and contributed to a trade deficit with China amounting to nearly US$20 billion. Chinese online retailer Temu’s recent entry into Thailand is poised to exacerbate this…
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Thailand K-Mile Asia takes flight with widebody freighters
Thailand’s K-Mile Asia marks its debut into widebody freighter operations with the acquisition of the first of two Boeing 767-300ER(BCF) aircraft expected this year. The first of these sky giants, bearing the registration HS-KSA (msn 33421), was recently spotted in K-Mile’s striking livery in China’s Guangzhou province, hinting at big changes ahead for the Thai carrier. In an industry shake-up,…
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Belgian man rescued after being trapped in car due to dead battery
A rescue team freed a Belgian man trapped in his car for over two hours after the vehicle’s battery died while he was parked at a petrol station in the northern province of Kamphaengphet. A staff member of a convenience store at the petrol station called rescuers from the Kawphab Rescue Kamphaengphet to assist the 40 year old Belgian man,…
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Truckers in northeast Thailand call for diesel price cuts
Truckers in northeast Thailand are urging the government to either lower diesel prices or increase cargo transport fees to offset rising energy costs, ensuring their trucks remain operational. Wichai Sawangkhachon, President of the Northern Transport Association (NTA), reported that nearly half of the over 10,000 trucks owned by approximately 700 cargo transport businesses under the NTA are currently out of…
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Agriculture Ministry seeks Cabinet approval for state land use
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives plans to request Cabinet approval to utilise lands from state agencies for royally initiated projects. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow announced the proposed resolution during a meeting at the Office of Agricultural Economics focused on assessing these projects. Royally initiated projects have been prioritised by the ministry as they aim to eradicate poverty…
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UK Thai embassy issues warning amid anti-immigration protests
The Thai Embassy in London issued a stern warning for all Thais living in or travelling to the UK: steer clear of crowded places and protests. This urgent advice comes as thousands of anti-immigration protesters take to the streets in towns and cities nationwide. Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast have been pinpointed as high-risk areas. The embassy strongly advises…
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Pedestrian killed in Pattaya traffic accident
A pedestrian lost his life in a road accident in Pattaya after being struck by a car during heavy traffic. The tragic incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, August 7, in front of the Agricultural Technology Promotion Centre for Plant Protection, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescue personnel and police officers promptly arrived at the scene following…
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Cracks in 300-year-old Buddha statue in Samut Sakhon reveal core
A centuries-old Buddha statue in Samut Sakhon has cracked, revealing an ancient laterite core. The Fine Arts Department confirmed it is the work of ancient craftsmen, showing distinct differences between the outer and inner statues. The Buddha statue, over 300 years old, located at Wat Khok Kham in Samut Sakhon, shows significant cracks exposing an inner statue made of laterite.…
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Phumtham inspects U-Tapao Airport project set for 2029 completion
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai visited U-Tapao Airport to monitor the progress of its development project, aiming for completion by 2029. The deputy PM inspected the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project in Ban Chang district, Rayong province. Accompanied by Tharit Issarayangyuen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, naval representatives, and private…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival to sprout excitement and turnip the fun
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is set to “sprout” with residents ready to “turnip” the excitement from October 3 to October 11, confirmed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat. In a meeting jam-packed with officials and local figures at Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Sophon, Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon, and Phuket Culture Office chief Pichaiyut Singhasami finalised the festival dates. The focus…
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Thailand to introduce more effective and affordable HPV vaccine
Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) plans to replace its two-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine with a more affordable and effective single-dose alternative in the next fiscal year, according to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The current two-dose vaccine has a 60% effectiveness rate against two strains of the virus, HPV16 and HPV18, whereas the proposed single-dose vaccine boasts a…
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Nightclub owner denies attempted rape, claims victim wanted sex
A Thai nightclub owner denied attacking and attempting to rape a female singer who worked at his club, claiming the alleged victim took off her clothes because she wanted to have sex with him. The victim’s boyfriend, Chaloemsak Maleerod, took to social media to seek justice for his 36 year old girlfriend, Nui. He posted pictures of Nui with wounds…
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Mekong River floods roads in Nakhon Phanom, warnings issued
The Mekong River has overflowed, flooding roads by half a metre, prompting warnings for four districts to take caution. Heavy rains have been relentless recently. Residents have been fishing amidst the rising waters. Floodwaters from the Mekong River submerged Sawan Chai Khong Road in Nakhon Phanom province, as reported yesterday. The road, constructed 30 to 40 metres from the riverbank,…
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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‘Succulent Chinese meal’ meme star Jack Karlson dies at 82 (video)
Jack Karlson, the unforgettable face of the “succulent Chinese meal” meme, has died at the age of 82. The Karlson family confirmed the sad news, saying they are grieving “with heavy hearts” as Jack passed away yesterday, August 7, surrounded by his loved ones. Jack became a viral sensation back in October 1991 after his arrest outside the China Sea…
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Transgender thief nabbed after stealing gold necklace in Bangkok
Thai police apprehended a transgender woman who deftly snatched a gold necklace worth nearly 100,000 baht from an Australian man on Sukhumvit Road before fleeing to a dormitory in Suan Luang district, Bangkok. The arrest occurred yesterday, August 7. The Australian national, Brock Christian Jarvis, reported to the police on July 21 that he had been robbed by a transgender…
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Golden triumph: Thai taekwondo athlete shines at Paris Olympics
Thailand erupted with joy as taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit delivered a stunning victory, securing her country’s first Olympic gold medal by defending her title in the taekwondo women’s flyweight division against China’s Guo Qing. Panipak, who plans to retire after the Paris Games, ended her illustrious career on a high note by becoming the first Thai athlete to win two…
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Drill sergeants get rained on: 45 days in jail and pensions revoked
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) sentenced two soldier drill sergeants to 45 days of imprisonment and revoked their pensions for ordering ten conscripts to stand naked in the rain. Their commander was also punished with 15 days of confinement. A younger sister of one of the conscripts urged non-profit organisation, Saimai Survive, to seek justice for her brother and the…
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