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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What’s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?
Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
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DAY FIVE REPORT: Phuket road accidents and casualties
FILE PHOTO Total accidents on fifth day of the ‘Seven days of danger’ campaign have been announced for Phuket. The total number of accidents for the first five days of the New Year season is 31, with 31 injuries and 2 casualties. Today (January 2), at the Provincial Hall, Phuket’s Governor Plodthong chaired a meeting on road accident reduction and…
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Corruption, graft, misconduct. And watches.
By Wasamon Audjarint While the junta continued to claim that fighting corruption was on its agenda over the past year, the state-centric approach brought into question whether junta leaders were truly serious about dealing with graft – or were instead using the issue for their own benefit or to attack particular parties, an anti-graft watchdog has said. “This especially creates…
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TUESDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Another public holiday today. The Government announced last year that they’d add an extra day to the new year holidays this year in an effort to relieve the rush of traffic as people head home and back for the new year break. Police will be out in force today checking on drunk drivers at checkpoints around the island. Government offices…
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New year’s eve diving tragedy in Koh Phi Phi
FILE PHOTO A tragic accident off Koh Phi Phi yesterday (December 31) where a 25 year old Indian tourist, Alok Kumar Shukla, was attempting his first scuba dive. According to the scuba company running the tour, the incident happened during the pick up following the group’s first dive. “The customer returned to the boat already and got out of his…
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DAY FOUR. Nearly 60 people dying each day during the Seven Dangerous Days.
After four days, the official death toll for the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ reporting period is 239 with 2,500 injuries. The statistics are compiled by the Road Safety Centre. On Sunday, new year’s eve, 65 people were killed and 714 were injured in 678 separate traffic incidents. Drink driving remains the scourge of Thailand’s roads causing most of fatal accidents. This…
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Happy new year in Old Phuket Town
The Amazing Thailand Countdown 2018 around Old Phuket Town was hosted by Governor Norapat Plodthong together with the Phuket Mayor Somjai Suwansuppana. There family-oriented festivities included a walking street with local food, clothing, accessories, street performances and a list of entertainment on stage before the crowd count down to the new year at the intersection of the old Standard Chartered Bank.…
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MONDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHOTO: The statue of Phra Buddha Navaratchabophit out of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration headquarters yesterday. Happy New Year! Patong’s new year celebrations drew unprecedented crowds to see in 2018. From midnight to 2am there was a gridlock with zero movement of traffic along the beach road (Thaweewong Rd) as revellers streamed off the beaches and back into the town. Police…
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6 missing men safely home
The 6 men, reported missing earlier yesterday (December 30), have been rescued by Royal Thai Navy Area 3 today (December 31). All safe and back home. This morning at 8.50 am, the Air Force from Royal Thai Navy Area 3 made an aerial servey around the area where the crew last had made their last contact and after an hour…
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2017 – Phuket’s year in review
2017. What a year. As the clock is about to click over into 2018 we look back at another busy year on the island. From scams to bus crashes, corrupt officials to shootings, boat crashes to lifeguard contracts, we remember the biggest news stories on the island for the past 12 months. January The year started with the first of…
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SUNDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Last day for 2017. But it’s the middle of the ‘Seven Days of Danger’ and the road carnage continues despite an all out effort of Thailand’s police to stem the flow. Not surprisingly, drunk-driving is still the leading cause of deaths on our roads. PLEASE be safe tonight, make arrangements ahead of time for your safe return home after celebrations.…
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DAY TWO REPORT – Seven days of danger
A total of 92 people were killed and 1,107 were injured during the first two days of seven-day monitoring period for people travelling during the long New Year holidays. On Friday, which was the second day of the so-called “seven dangerous days” new year holidays, 576 road accidents happened, killing 49 people and injuring 609, said Karun Sakulpradit, permanent secretary…
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Thailand Yacht Show. Returns to Ao Po Grand Marina February 22 – 25, 2018
It is that time of the year where we make resolutions; promises about the year to come and how we will approach it. Rather than ploughing through a northern hemisphere winter to get to the gym or sourcing for fresh fruits during a juice cleanse, why not enjoy the best of the southern tropical lifestyle and head to the Thailand…
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Prawit’s watches. They are from a ‘third party’.
Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan has submitted a letter explaining his possession of luxurious watches and a diamond ring, which he failed to include in his assets declaration, to the anti-graft agency. The letter named a third party who would be called upon to testify in the case, according to the anti-graft agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday. A meeting…
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SATURDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
A weekend, a new year’s weekend and a long weekend with Monday and Tuesday public holidays this year. Welcome to your Saturday. The threat of rain is still there but enjoy the sunny bits in between. Here’s the main news stories circulating today… Extra public holiday on Tuesday This year the Thai Government has declared one extra day – next…
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DAY ONE – Seven days of danger. Road toll down.
As Thai holidaymakers journeyed to their hometowns for the annual New Year Festival with accompanying high traffic volumes on highways and crowded transport hubs, the Road Safety Operation Centre on Friday reported a slight decrease in accidents, deaths and injuries on the first of the seven-day road safety promotion period ending January 3. Thursday saw 41 deaths and 500 injuries…
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Woman attempts to smuggle in over a kilo of cocaine at Phuket Airport
A woman from Ivory Coast, flying in from Doha, was arrested at Phuket International Airport after an airport X-ray found more than one kilogram of cocaine that she’d swallowed, wrapped in small plastic packets. The 27 year old was stopped by officials at the Phuket international airport after landing on a flight from Doha. She was escorted to a room…
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Phuket’s Governor follows up on stray dog shelter renovations
Phuket’s Governor hosted a meeting with the Phuket Dog Shelter Management Committee today (December 29) at Provincial Hall in Phuket Town to follow up on the progress of its renovation, together with the Chief of Phuket Provincial Livestock Office and a representative of Phuket’s Soi Dog Foundation. “There are 460 dogs in the shelter by now and the shelter opens…
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Who’s coming and what are they spending? Tourist numbers for 2017.
The figures for foreign tourists arrivals in the Kingdom during 2017 are going to reach 35 million visitors, according to statistics from the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). There are a few surprises in the top ten list, including Laotian visitors at #4. China is still the number one source of foreign tourists with 9.92 million visits over the past…
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Traffic routes for 2018 Countdown in Phuket Old Town
Phuket traffic police have announced roads closure and new adjustments around the Phuket Old Town area for the 2018 countdown event on December 30 – 31, from 4 pm – midnight which includes: At Thepkasattri / Tungka intersection, buses and lorries are not allowed. Alternative route is Damrong Road. At Thepkasattri / Dibuk intersection, the road will be closed down…
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Krabi Airport installs EDS weapon detectors
Krabi International Airport has just fitted new Explosive Detection Systems weapon detectors at each checkpoint scanner to improve security measure over the New Year period. The security measure by Department of Airports follows the safety 7-7-7 measure of the Ministry of Transport which targets 7 days before New Year (December 21 – 27), 7 days during the New Year (December…
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The new Smart Visa and digital nomads
PHOTO: neverendingvoyage.com The new Smart Visa might be a visa solution for some, but not all, of the ‘digital nomads’ that have been become ubiquitous in Thailand, from all over the world. Whereas the young professionals might have taken off around the world on a break between their schooling and the start of their professional careers, now they’re taking their…
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FRIDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
A super Full Moon, a new year, but a few more days to go first. A bit cloudy today as the remnants of tropical storm Tembin make their way across the island over the next few ays. The weather forecast predicts some rain over the weekend – we’ll keep you informed and up to date. Here’s today’s main news stories……
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Three more illegal tour guides arrested in Phuket blitz
Three more Chinese-speaking illegal tour guides have been arrested yesterday (December 27) and the day before following the illegal tour guide crackdown initiated by Phuket’s Governor. Yesterday in Soi Sakdidech, in Phuket Town, a team of Phuket provincial authorities along with representatives of Royal Thai Navy Area 3, Provincial Internal Security Operations Command and Volunteer Defense Corps checked a Chinese…
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Yala men arrested with drugs and materials for bombs
Talad Yai police from Phang Nga have arrested two men from Yala province (in the deep south on the Malaysian border). 25 year old Muhammad Hayeehayoh and 22 year old Muhamamsolin Jehlong were arrested. They tested positive for drugs before police extended the investigation to their house and found a number of potential bombs. At midnight (December 28), at Sam…
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16 year old Thai taking aim at an F1 career
Story from PaulPoole.co.th A young man from Pattaya is on track to becoming Thailand’s first Formula One driver. Born and raised in Pattaya, Kane Shepherd started racing at the age of 10, competing in various Thai championships and winning national titles every year. He won his first Asian championship in 2014 and again in 2015. His obvious talent qualified him…
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Smart Visa available from mid-January
PHOTO: world nomads.com Are you smart? Earning a high-salary? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, you might be eligible for the new four year professional visa, known as the ‘smart visa’ from the middle of January, 2018. According to Lt. Col. Thanarak Boonyaratkarin of the Immigration Bureau, the new Smart Visa will provide more benefits and privileges than any other visa. He says, “you’ll…
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Provincial Hall makes road safety top priority during holiday season
Phuket takes its turn to launch a road and marine accident prevention campaign for the new year season yesterday (December 27). At Provincial Hall Phuket’s Governor Norapat Plodthong hosted the launch of the campaign and led a parade that gathered officials from several Provincial departments, together with local foundations and volunteers. “New Year is the festive time when people travel…
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THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Today is the start of the Seven Days of Danger, one of two periods during the year when Thais, expats and tourists die in preventable road crashes. In large numbers. It’s also the day when we’re told we’ll start to feel the effects of the weakening tropical depression Tembin which started off as a typhoon, killing 200 in The Philippines,…
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Tropical storm ‘Tembin’ weakens but rain still forecast for the weekend
Storm Tembin has been weakened by cold wind, but is still causing heavy rain along the east coast of the southern region and rough sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand, while cool weather and light rain covered the rest of the country. The Meteorological Department issued a weather update today stating that Tembin had degraded into a low-pressure area…
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Paramilitary soldier dies following yesterday’s Narathiwat attacks
One of two paramilitary soldiers wounded during series of attacks in Narathiwat’s Sisakhon district yesterday (Tuesday) has succumbed to his injuries at Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital. The deceased, 35 year old Kamjorn Tanma, a native of Chiang Mai province, was scheduled to wed his girlfriend tomorrow. A bathing ceremony for Kamjorn was held at Bangnara Temple in Narathiwat’s Muang district, presided…
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