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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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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Phuket: UPDATE. What we know.
What we currently know at 11am, Friday morning, Thai time… • 7 dead bodies have been recovered near Koh Maiton • Up to 50 remain missing (figure is continually being revised) • One body of a Chinese tourist was recovered last last night • Navy SEAL divers are searching the sunken ‘Phoenix’ boat for bodies • Two boats sank in…
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Mae Hong Son: Plane crash. Injured trooper rushed to hospital, bodies retrieved.
Rescuers have rushed an injured Army trooper to hospital and retrieved three bodies after an Army Cessna 182 light aeroplane crashed in Mae Hong Son province near the Myanmar border on Thursday. A rescue team from the 17th Infantry Regiment, local defence volunteers from Ban Huay Pheung village, the Mae Hong Song Disaster Mitigation Office as well as a medical…
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Chiang Rai: Former Thai Navy SEAL dies during rescue
A former Thai navy SEAL has died while on the way way back to the ‘hall 3’ area from where the 13 footballers are stranded. He was participating in the rescue of the 13 footballers in the Tham Luang Caves in Chiang Rai. He had finished his paid work with the Thai Navy SEAL team but was working with the rescue…
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56 still missing as search continues off Phuket
Latest update as of 9am Thailand Time, from the Phuket PR Office, states that one Chinese tourist has been found dead and 56 are still missing in two major marine incidents yesterday afternoon (July 5). Chinese tourists are still missing following the capsize off Phuket. Divers are currently scouring the sunken vessel, the Phoenix, for missing people. The tour boat…
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Phuket boats banned from leaving port
Some Phuket boats have been banned to leaving port today (July 6). Tourist Police have warned tour operators not to leave from Phuket’s piers. The Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiyat, says, “The Phuket Marine Office has been informed from the Meteorological Department that heavy rains and strong winds will hit the southern part of Thailand on the Andaman Sea. Waves are…
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14 flights delayed, 6 diverted, black-outs at airport as storms hit Phuket
File photo/Air Asia plane arrives at Phuket International Airport. Many flights were unable to land safely at Phuket International Airport on time and had to be diverted. There were power outages around the airport lasting from six minutes to many hours yesterday (July 5). Fourteen flights were delayed as planes were not able to land due to the wind squalls…
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“Unrealistic and very risky.” Academic warns about cave rescue.
By Pratch Rujianrom Associate Professor Ariya Aruninta from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok is warning that the focus on evacuating the trapped 13 by drying the cave was unrealistic and very risky. Draining water out of the Tham Luang cave is an impossible mission, she claims, even as the rescue operation makes headway and pumping water from the flooded cave has…
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Many still missing, one dead. Search resumes this morning off Phuket.
Chinese tourists are still missing following a capsize off Phuket late yesterday afternoon (Thursday). Divers are currently scouring the sunken vessel, the Phoenix, for missing people. The tour boat was one of two reported to have capsized yesterday late afternoon. Phuket’s Governor Plodthong is keeping the media up to date with regular briefings. A sudden wind equal hit the Andaman…
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Carnage off the coast of Phuket
Thursday, July 5, 8.30pm. Two tour boats sank off Phuket late this afternoon, forcing about 130 tourists into the sea until fishermen and marine police came to their rescue. There are currently no reports of casualties but a relief operation centre has been set up at Chalong Bay for the victims. A local fishing boat retrieved passengers from a liferaft…
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Open letter from His Majesty The King
Letter from His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun I am pleased and greatly relieved to learn that, on 2nd July, 2018, the rescuers have reach all 12 youth footballers of Moo Pa (Wild Boar) Academy Football Club and their coach who were trapped inside Tham Luang caves in Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park on 23rd June, 2018. This…
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So close, yet so far – challengers ahead for divers and survivors
Whilst rescuers are tackling the tricky task of removing the 13 trapped footballers from the Tham Luang caves, the Governor of Chiang Rai has shared some of the latest thinking and strategies from the divers and rescue team. Doctors say that the 13 survivors are not physically ready to be taken out after their extended stay in total darkness for…
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Koh Chang: Chinese swimmers rescued off Sai Khao beach
Thai PBS is reporting that three Chinese tourists have been rescued off Koh Chang, near the Cambodian border off the coast, south of Pattaya. Rescue workers saw the three of them caught by a rip current while swimming in the sea off Sai Khao beach on early this afternoon (Wednesday) in defiance of red flags along the beach. One of the…
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10 million baht to develop Phuket OTOP villages
Phuket is developing its OTOP Villages with a 10 million baht budget to support local tourism. OTOP stands for ‘One Tambon (meaning sub-district) One Product’. It is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program which aims to support the unique locally made and marketed products of each Thai tambon all over Thailand. OTOP drew its inspiration from Japan’s successful One Village One…
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Chiang Rai: A crash course in swimming and diving
PHOTO: Thai Navy SEALS “Rescue teams have been giving crash courses in swimming and diving as part of complex preparations to evacuate the footballers trapped in Tham Luang cave.” Chiang Rai’s Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn says he still can’t be specific as to when and how the survivors would be taken out of the cave where they have been stranded since…
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Chiang Rai: “How to get them out” – Jonathan Miller reports
Jonathan Miller from Channel 4 in the UK provided an on-the-scene look at what’s been happening just outside the Tham Luang caves as the rescuers get ready for the evacuation process.
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Malaysian polygamist, who married 11 year old Thai girl, must face trial
A former UN committee member on the Rights of the Child, Sanphasit Koompraphant, is urging the police of both Malaysia and Thailand to take legal action against the 41 year old Malaysian man immediately who has ‘married’ an 11 year old Thai girl in Narathiwat province. He says the marriage has clearly violated the laws. He was responding to a report…
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Man arrested for stealing Hindu statue
A Thai man has been arrested after stealing a Hindu god statue in Thalang yesterday (July 4). A team at the Thalang Police have arrested 47 year old Montri Sawettadun from Trang. He was arrested at 7pm at a worker’s camp in Panason housing estate. Police seized the ‘Brahma’ (four faces Hindu god statue). The arrest happened after police were…
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Woman’s ex steals car in Pattaya
Sophon Cable reports that the Pattaya police station chief has announced the arrest of a man who stole his ex girlfriend’s car from outside her apartment. Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch says the white Yaris went missing in April and 26 year old Jinda Cheuyphonklang suspected her ex who she had just split up with. It was taken from an apartment…
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Chiang Mai: Wife follows husband to short time hotel. It didn’t end well.
PHOTO: Sanook Sank is reporting that a Chiang Mai woman has caught her husband in bed with his mistress in a San Sai ‘short time’ hotel. The 27 year old woman, Chaweewan, created a racket outside the hotel room. Her 19 year old rival, Thitiya, eventually opened the door. Chaweewan was brandishing an automatic .380 and an argument and struggle…
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Can’t swim, can’t dive. But it’s the only option.
PHOTO: Army doctor Colonel Pak Loharachun on Wednesday prepares inside the cave to treat minor wounds sustained by the football team members – Thai Navy SEALS “The fittest of the survivors will be the first to come out, others will follow,” Narongsak Osotanakorn, Chiang Rai governor and head of the rescue operations, said yesterday. Rescuers do not want to delay…
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Two arrested with drugs and ammunition in Kathu
Yesterday (July 3) two Thai man were arrested with methamphetamine pills, crystal methamphetamine and bullets at Soi Bang Thong in Kathu. A team from the Kathu Police arrested Nipon Chuduang. Police seized 1,427 methamphetamine pills and 102 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Police also seized two bullets. Nopparut has been charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to…
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Fourth Buddhist Yala rubber tapper injured in a week
PHOTOS: The Nation Police in Yala are reporting that another Yala rubber tapper has been killed by suspected Muslim militants in the southern border province. The incident happened this morning (Wednesday). The victim becomes the fourth Buddhist rubber tapper in a week to be attacked by suspected Malay-Muslim insurgents. Police said 46 year old Sukho Khamkaew was injured when a…
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Assistant coach sacrificed his own health for the good of the team
PHOTO: Sanook The 25 year old assistant coach had sacrificed his own health for the sake of the twelve boys under his charge. Sanook is reporting that Navy Seals, who have been with the team, made the claims when they spoke to reporters. Of the entire group only two have any health problems of any level. One of these was…
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His Majesty sends a special message to cave rescue teams
“When the mission is over, they should receive good hospitality as the Royal guests until they depart from Thailand.” – His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn His Majesty has sent a message, passed on to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, to those working to ring the footballers out of the cave. “Initial praises are good but please remain focused on the operation, which will…
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Thai Tourism Ministry pays 66,000 baht to Norwegian shark attack victim
PHOTO: ThaiVisa The Thai Tourism Ministry has paid out over 66,000 baht to the Norwegian shark attack victim who was attacked by a mysterious sea creature back on April 1. NewTV is reporting that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports paid the man bitten on the leg near Hua Hin in April 66,966 baht. 54 year old Werner Danielson received…
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British paedophile bragged about abuse of Thai girls, is jailed
“The offences are very serious. It is hard to argue against the serious psychological harm.” British paedophile Stuart Bull has been sentenced to jail for more than 16 years at the Bristol Crown Court in the UK after admitting to sexually abusing children. The offences took place in the UK. He also bragged about getting young Thai girls “to do anything”.…
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Navy SEALS now taking care of the team inside the cave
PHOTO: Thai Navy SEALS Whilst the 13 footballers have now been found, weak but in relatively good condition and spirits, they are no closer to enjoying a hug from their parents, family or friends at the moment. Whilst they remain ‘close, yet so far’, every photo, video or voice heard is savoured. Parents of the boys trapped in the Chiang…
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Chiang Rai: We meet the 13 trapped footballers
Video from inside the Tham Luang caves, courtesy of the Thai Navy SEAL. https://www.facebook.com/ThaiSEAL/videos/1634041306719262/
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Options and opportunities – getting the football team out of the caves
PHOTOS: The Nation/Thai Navy Seals Facebook Page “…all of them are in the good hands of seven Navy SEALs, who will be with them and take care of them all the time.” Authorities are mulling whether they should wait for water levels to subside, which could take a long time, or use divers to bring the footballers out in a…
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Chiang Mai: Convenience store robber arrested
Chiang Mai City Life is reporting that a man has been arrested after being tracked down following a robbery in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim area. The man was dressed in grey with his face hidden with a motorcycle helmet. He was later arrested following the robbery of a convenience store on July 2nd. A 7-Eleven store at a petrol station…
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