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.
-
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?...
-
Police Region 5 seizes 6.8 million meth pills in major bust
Police Region 5 coordinated with various agencies to announce a major drug bust, seizing 6.8 million methamphetamine pills from a drug trafficking network along the border. The operation, aiming to curb drug distribution within the country, was highlighted in a press conference held yesterday at the Police Region 5 headquarters. Key figures including Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yeesakhorn, the Commissioner…
-
Villagers hope for lottery luck from century-old Takian trees
Villagers in Prachinburi have once again flocked to the revered century-old twin Takian trees, hoping for another stroke of luck after a successful lottery draw. Residents of Nong Tang village, located in the Kabin Buri district, have been visiting the site to offer traditional Thai attire and other dedications to the spirit of the trees. The villagers, who previously received…
-
Intoxicated driver wreaks havoc in Pattaya, crashes into sidecar
A heavily intoxicated driver caused chaos in Pattaya today when he crashed a minivan into a motorcycle sidecar selling fresh vegetables. The incident unfolded on Pattaya Beach Road, near Soi 13/3, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. An attempt to flee the scene led to further collisions with several parked vehicles, resulting in additional injuries to two individuals.…
-
Landslide on Koh Samui leaves two missing amid heavy rain
Heavy rainfall over consecutive days on Koh Samui has led to a landslide that engulfed a workers’ camp, leaving two individuals missing. Police have launched a search operation, highlighting the precarious situation as the incident occurred in two separate events. Police in Koh Samui’s Surat Thani province received a distress call this morning regarding a landslide that buried a construction…
-
Saudi couple rescued after Jet Ski capsizes off Jomtien Beach
A Saudi Arabian couple experienced a harrowing ordeal when their jet ski overturned a few kilometres off Jomtien Beach near Pattaya. Rescue workers were alerted to the situation shortly after midnight yesterday, December 14, when 26 year old Alamri Abdulrahman Mahdi, reached Jomtien Beach. Exhausted and wearing a life vest, he asked for assistance for his wife, who was still…
-
Heavy rains and strong winds expected in 19 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning, predicting heavy rains across 19 provinces with rainfall affecting 80% of the area. The Gulf of Thailand is expected to experience waves over 3 metres high, and temperatures are set to drop by 3 degrees Celsius with strong winds. The strong northeast monsoon sweeping through the Gulf of Thailand and the…
-
Hua Hin Airport to gain international status by next year
The Transport Ministry announced plans to elevate Hua Hin Airport to international status by next year, marking a significant step in enhancing regional connectivity. Transport Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed this initiative yesterday, directing the Department of Airports, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies to develop Hua Hin’s operations and secure the necessary international airport certification. Heightened passenger…
-
Concrete beam falls at Bangkok site, damages vehicles, no injuries (video)
A concrete beam plummeted from a crane at a building demolition site on Rama IV Road, near the Lumpini intersection in Bangkok, damaging three vehicles but fortunately causing no injuries. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon during the dismantling of the Srifuengfung Building. Police are in discussions with the building’s owner regarding compensation for the damage to three pickup trucks. Police…
-
Deadly floods hit Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat
Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat have been hit hard by renewed flooding, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Persistent heavy rain since December 12 has caused significant overflow from canals and other water sources, inundating agricultural areas, roads, and homes across these southern provinces. In Surat Thani, the districts of Mueang, Kanchanadit, and Don Sak experienced severe flooding…
-
Myanmar boat seized in Thailand for shrimp smuggling
A Myanmar fishing boat has been seized, and its six crew members arrested for smuggling in Ranong, southern Thailand. The incident occurred after officials discovered a significant quantity of salt-fermented shrimp aboard the vessel. Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 reported that naval officers were dispatched to Waithong pier in tambon Pak Nam, Ranong, at 9pm yesterday, December 14.…
-
Motorcyclist dragged 800 metres in Phuket hit-and-run
A white saloon car collided with a motorcycle in Thalang district, Phuket, early this morning, dragging the rider’s lifeless body for 800 metres before fleeing the scene. Police have identified the vehicle’s owner and are preparing to launch an investigation. A white saloon car, with an unregistered number plate, was reported to have left Bang Jo Alley and turned right…
-
Woman arrested with 2,000 meth pills in Bang Yai
Police in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, in collaboration with Bang Mae Nang police, have arrested a woman found with 2,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden in a mango bag. The woman claimed she was unaware of the bag’s contents, stating a friend had asked her to pick it up. The incident took place yesterday, December 13, under the directive of Yanipat Srikhot,…
-
Tourists in Uthai Thani climb mountain for lottery numbers
Locals and tourists braved the steep climb up Mount Pla Ra in Uthai Thani province, reaching an elevation of 1,400 metres, to seek lottery numbers from the stalactites in a cave. The event, led by Theerapat Khachamat, the Governor of Uthai Thani, attracted over 100 participants, including government officials and tourists, who embarked on this challenging journey to explore the…
-
Rangers intercept 200kg crystal meth from Laos at Loei border
Rangers at the Sri Song Rak Camp in Loei province recently disrupted a significant drug smuggling operation, seizing 200 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). Following a tip-off received two days earlier about drug trafficking from Laos into Ban Huai Pao, Pak Chom, a rapid-response team was dispatched to patrol the suspected area. During their surveillance, rangers identified two pickup trucks…
-
Bangkok police dismantle begging ring, uncover 300k baht cash
Thai police dismantled a begging ring in the heart of Bangkok, discovering 300,000 baht in cash and an astonishing bank account balance. The generosity of the Thai people was evident in the amassed funds. Deputy Superintendent Suriya Puangsomboon led a team of Immigration Police Division 1 investigators, working alongside the Bangkok Homeless Protection Centre and Lumphini Police Station on Thursday,…
-
Krungthai Bank warns customers of scam letters
Krungthai Bank has issued a cautionary notice urging its customers to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating both the bank and police. These fraudsters have been distributing counterfeit letters alleging irregularities in bank accounts that necessitate financial scrutiny. Customers are advised to directly contact the bank or law enforcement if they have any doubts. Krungthai Bank took to their Facebook page,…
-
Former officer arrested after abducting wife in Surat Thani
A former police officer, under the influence of methamphetamine (meth), was apprehended after abducting his estranged wife in Surat Thani province. The dramatic chase unfolded over more than an hour, following a family dispute and divorce request. Police in Surat Thani arrested 27 year old Phasakorn Kheawphakdee after a tense highway pursuit. The incident began when Sutheemas, his 25 year…
-
Thai entertainment shines at Singapore’s Asia TV Forum 2024
Thailand’s entertainment industry has made a dazzling splash at the Asia TV Forum & Market 2024 (ATF) in Singapore, proving its growing appeal on the global stage. With a vibrant showcase of films, dramas, and BL series, Thai producers left international buyers and collaborators eager for more. Held from December 3 to 6 at Marina Bay Sands, the event saw…
-
Woman found dead with multiple stab wounds in Ang Thong
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, December 13, as a young woman was found dead in her rental room with over 20 stab wounds. Her father discovered the body after being unable to contact her and forced entry into the room, revealing the horrific scene. Police in Ang Thong have launched an investigation into the murder of a 30 year old…
-
Myanmar man struck by train in Pattaya, minor injuries
A Myanmar man experienced a close brush with danger after being struck by a train while walking along the railway tracks in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received an urgent report at 7pm on Thursday, December 12 concerning a pedestrian incident in front of the Lek Arhan Pa Restaurant. Rescue workers swiftly made their way to the location. Upon…
-
UN urges Thailand to decriminalise sex work for healthcare access
The United Nations (UN) has recommended that Thailand should decriminalise sex work to ensure equal access to healthcare services and integrate victim support. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, where the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls discussed the state of women’s and girls’ rights in Thailand. This marks the UN’s…
-
Thai PM’s first official visit to Malaysia to boost trade ties
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to embark on her inaugural official visit to Malaysia, where she will co-chair the 7th Annual Consultation. The consultation will take place in Putrajaya, located just south of Kuala Lumpur, as confirmed by deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan. Spanning two days, the visit will begin on Monday, December 16, marking Paetongtarn’s first official…
-
Bangkok’s new ‘Health Stations’ promise quick, hassle-free care
Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Debuting at the Charoenchai Housing Cooperative Community in Bangkok, these futuristic kiosks let residents consult doctors via video calls for 42 medical conditions, dramatically cutting waiting times and hospital…
-
Thai man kills stepbrother over drug-fuelled chaos in Sisaket
A young man in Sisaket province reached a breaking point after years of family turmoil, leading to a tragic incident. Phu Sing Police reported on Wednesday, December 11, that a 33 year old man was found dead in his home after being stabbed three times in the chest. His 21 year old stepbrother was arrested at the scene with the…
-
Thai teacher accused of striking boy’s penis with steel ruler
A Thai mother exposed the cruel behaviour of a teacher in the central province of Prachin Buri who allegedly struck her three year old son’s penis with a steel ruler causing severe injury. The mother contacted several Thai news agencies to publicise her son’s story and seek appropriate punishment for the accused teacher. Channel 7 interviewed the family on December 12 and…
-
Thaksin joins daughter Paetongtarn on Pheu Thai train to Hua Hin
In a scene worthy of a political drama, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a grand entrance as he joined his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on a luxury train journey to Hua Hin. The trip, organised for Pheu Thai MPs and ministers, marked a rare public appearance for the controversial patriarch amidst ongoing investigations. Thaksin boarded the Royal…
-
Pooch walk turns pricey: Russian tourist robbed in Pattaya park
A routine morning dog walk turned into a nightmare for a Russian tourist in Pattaya after brazen thieves snatched her valuables and fled into the early dawn. Pattaya police were called to a small park near Jomtien Second Road today at 5.30am, today, December 13, following reports of a foreigner being robbed. Kalishenko, a 33 year old Russian national, recounted…
-
Busted: Police nab drug queenpin in Phuket
Kamala Police scored a major victory in their war on drugs, arresting a 35 year old woman described as a central figure in a sprawling drug distribution network. Marina Prabphet, also known as Ja Lek or Teua Lek, was apprehended at her residence in Village 8, Ban Phru Samphan, Thepkrasattri subdistrict, on Wednesday, December 11. The dramatic bust, part of…
-
Police crack down on illegal forest farming in Lampang
Thai police launched CIB Crush Influence, an operation targeting investors exploiting forest lands, but the main suspects managed to escape. However, they discovered a couple illegally farming corn in the forests of Mae Mo, Lampang province, and have taken legal action against them. The operation was ordered by Jiraphop Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and involved police…
-
Father killed in motorbike crash with parked truck in Phatthalung
A devastating accident in Phatthalung province claimed the life of a 47 year old father who was hurrying home on his motorcycle with bread for his children. The incident occurred when he collided with the back of a pickup truck loaded with rubberwood logs. Suphat Khunnui, a deputy inspector at Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, was alerted to a fatal collision…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.