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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If you’re an expat living in Thailand, you’ve likely experienced the complexity of navigating healthcare abroad. With Black Friday rolling in, it’s the perfect time to secure a health insurance plan that provides peace of mind and a safety net...
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Car bomb in Narathiwat leaves 13 injured
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Car bomb in Narathiwat leaves 13 injured The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A car bomb rocked Narathiwat’s downtown area yesterday, damaging dozens of homes and injuring 13 people, four of them seriously. The bomb was hidden in a pickup truck parked in front of a…
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VIDEO REPORT: Muaythai champ heads to Bangkok for MMA showdown
FORMER Lumpinee and Rajadamnern muaythai champion Jomhod Kiatadisak will make his transition to pro MMA complete today, when he takes on top Cambodian fighter Vorn Viva at Full Metal Dojo 4 in Bangkok. Keeping the fight even, Vorn Viva will also be competing in his first MMA fight, to be held at Live House, located near Bangkok’s famed Chatuchak Market.…
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Packaged snacks approved as Phuket beach eats
PHUKET: Packaged snacks have, for the moment, been given an official stamp of approval for consumption on the beach, while Phuket’s local administrative bodies determine what other types of food they might permit us to eat. The clarification comes in the wake of Governor Nisit Jansomwong on Tuesday announcing that smoking and eating would be banned from Phuket’s beaches as…
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Police nail Phuket drug dealer with weapons of war (video)
PHUKET: The arrest of a petty drug user on Wednesday led to police busting a major drug dealer who was found in possession of an M16 assault rifle yesterday. Surasak Rabeabdee, 32, was arrested in a raid on a house in Kuku, north of Phuket Town, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayuth Karajedee said today. “In the house, officers found…
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Felling of 143-year-old Krabi tree to boost environmental awareness sparks outrage
PHUKET: The felling of a 143-year-old ma haard tree, to be turned into a sculpture for Krabi Town, sparked social media outrage after pictures circulated on Facebook of the downed tree this week. Krabi Municipality Mayor Kittisak Phukaoluan took credit for the idea and responded to the criticism by explaining that the structure would be a positive way to promote…
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Phuket Hotel Association to be key platform for hotel industry
PHUKET: The erroneous ‘No Summer Dream’ fliers, warning tourists and locals not to bring sun loungers to the beach, is the latest blow for authorities attempting to restore a semblance of order to the island’s tourism industry. One that has left hotel and resort owners, as well as their general managers, scrambling for a response and explanation to give to…
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Breaking News: No tsunami warning after Phang Nga earthquake
PHUKET: No tsunami warning was issued following an earthquake off Koh Yai Yai, east of Phuket, this afternoon. The earthquake, which registered 4.0 on the Richter magnitude scale, was centered in Koh Yao district, at about a depth of two kilometers, explained Santhawat Riwleung, chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket office. “Many people in Phuket…
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Finance: Three pillars of happiness for worry-free golden years
PHUKET: Much of my time is spent with clients figuring out exactly what they want for the future – key to their financial planning goals. Typically it ends with setting aside a certain amount of money each month over a period of time – investing it with a particular objective in mind, or getting clients savings that are sitting in…
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‘Terrifying’ storm, 285kmh winds slam into northeast Australia
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community ‘Terrifying’ storm, 285kmh winds slam into northeast Australia Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Tens of thousands of residents in northeastern Australia were warned on Friday to take shelter wherever they could after a huge storm unexpectedly intensified into a cyclone before it made landfall, cutting rail…
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Decision on Yingluck trial set for March 19
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Decision on Yingluck trial set for March 19 The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Public prosecutors indicted ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday for negligence and filed criminal charges at the Supreme Court, in a case that could result in a jail term of up to 10 years.…
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Video Report: Governor disbands Muslim protesters threatening Phuket resort
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong was forced to disband a mob of more than 100 Muslims protesters who were threatening to blockade the Phuket Panwa Beachfront Resort today. The angry members of the Baan Ao Makham community, in Wichit, were demanding an explanation from the owner of the resort, who they said was behind a complaint filed about the level of…
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Phuket Police balk at linking French expat hatchet attack to deadly Russian kidnapping
PHUKET: Police have yet to investigate whether or not a brutal hatchet attack on a French expat this month could have been connected to a Russian kidnapping case in Phuket last year. Frenchman Eric Seigneurin, manager of Blue Garden Resort and Spa in Cherng Talay, was attacked with a hatchet outside his home in the area on February 8 (story…
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Lighthouse Market back with big new package of goodies at Boat Lagoon
PHUKET: They’re going to do it again this weekend – on the docks, in the water, and in the air. The Lighthouse Market is back with a raft of new delights and great entertainment at Phuket’s hippest family fun spot, the Phuket Boat Lagoon. Back by popular demand, the Market returns tomorrow and again on Sunday, offering two more vibrant…
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Phuket FC win season opener in Trat
PHUKET: Phuket FC opened their 2015 campaign in the Yahama League 1 with a win over Trat FC last weekend: the “Ronins” defeated the “White Elephants” 0-1. Wasan Samansin, sporting jersey number 11, scored the only goal of the match, beating the Trat goalkeeper in the 18th minute. Trat FC replied well, and in the 58th minute Salahudin Arware came…
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Legendary Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe to launch Phuket Chinese New Year celebrations
PHUKET: More than 50 performers from the legendary Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe, hailed as being among the best acrobats in the world, will be the highlight of celebrations for the Chinese New Year in Phuket tonight. The festivities in Phuket Town will be held at Sanam Chai, opposite Phuket Provincial Hall, where the troupe will take to the stage at…
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VIPs stranded as Nok Air cancels flight
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community VIPs stranded as Nok Air cancels flight The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Thailand’s budget airline, Nok Air, yesterday suspended a domestic flight from Nan to Bangkok, stranding 85 passengers including VIPs for hours. At 10.55am, Nok Air – the sister airline of Thai Airways International…
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Phuket beaches return to TripAdvisor ‘Best in Asia’ rankings
PHUKET: Nai Harn Beach and Kata Beach, both on Phuket’s southwest coast, have ranked in TripAdvisor’s top 10 list for Asia, with two beaches in Krabi also making the grade. Nai Harn beach ranked third (click here), while Kata beach returned to the rankings, coming in at number eight. Railey Beach and Phra Nang Beach, in both Krabi, ranked seventh…
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Yingluck faces suit over B600bn losses
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Yingluck faces suit over B600bn losses The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved yesterday that it will recommend the Finance Ministry to sue former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for about 600 billion baht in damages – for failing to stop massive…
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Police kingpins Pongpat, Kowit get 10 more years for money laundering
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police kingpins Pongpat, Kowit get 10 more years for money laundering The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Former crime-buster Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan and a close police aide were yesterday given 10-year jail terms for money laundering. Five other members of the racket he ran…
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NHRC criticizes use of troops for oil well drilling rig
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NHRC criticizes use of troops for oil well drilling rig The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) subcommittee will lodge complaints today |over the deployment of security officials for an oil firm in Khon Kaen province. “We will write to both…
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No Beach Butts: Phuket bans smoking, eating on sands
PHUKET: Smoking and eating are now banned on Phuket beaches following a press conference today to clarify the new “no beach chair” rule (story here). Governor Nisit Jansomwong called the conference following tourists’ protests of police officers asking them to remove their beach chairs from the sands (story here). “Despite smoking and eating being banned, people will still be able…
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Phuket Governor stands strong against beach chairs
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong stood strong in his anti-beach chair campaign today, amid some tourists denouncing Phuket and its beaches following the recent “no beach chair” rule. “Today, I would like to make it clear. We will continue to strictly enforce the rules prohibiting beach chairs on Phuket sands,” Governor Nisit said. The governor’s statement flies in the face of…
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French tourists survive Phuket airport van crash
PHUKET: Three French tourists escaped serious injury when the passenger van they were in blew out a front tyre and tumbled onto the median guard rail en route to Phuket International Airport this afternoon. Yassin Bouhou, 31, suffered a broken left leg and compatriot Franky Legueulle, 33, broke his left arm in the accident, confirmed Lt Col Watcharin Jirattikarnwiwat of…
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Locals file complaint against construction of LPG gas station
PHUKET: Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol led a group of 20 local residents to Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to formally request that Governor Nisit Jansomwong halt the construction of a new LPG gas station. Construction started on the station, on Chao Fa East Road south of Soi Ta-iad, but was soon put on hold after residents filed a complaint with the…
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Greece defies creditors, seeking credit but no bailout
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Greece defies creditors, seeking credit but no bailout Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Talks between Greece and euro zone finance ministers over the country’s debt crisis broke down on Monday when Athens rejected a proposal to request a six-month extension of its international bailout package as…
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Phuket nightlife raids fail to find human-trafficking victims
PHUKET: Raids on some 40 nightlife venues throughout Phuket Town over the past month have failed to uncover any evidence of human trafficking, police have reported. “The only illegal activity we have found are women offering sexual services in public, mostly along Chaofa Road,” said Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Khunnadet Nanongkhai. “We recently arrested three more prostitutes in that…
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Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A Bangkok travel firm is suspected of breaching the Foreign Business Act by having a Thai nominee to hold a majority share in the company, according to the Business Development Department. Pongpun…
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Police spokeswoman targets ‘untrue’ Facebook comments
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police spokeswoman targets ‘untrue’ Facebook comments The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Deputy national police spokeswoman Pol Lt Col Anchulee Theerawongpaisal yesterday filed a complaint with the Police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) over messages about her on social media as well as a newspaper that…
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Thaksin ‘ready’ for talk, but not Prayut
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Thaksin ‘ready’ for talk, but not Prayut The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected a call for him to have talks with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as part of the efforts to achieve national reconciliation. Mr Thaksin, however, has…
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Tsunami danger passes after strong quake hits northern Japan
PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Tsunami danger passes after strong quake hits northern Japan Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 struck off northeastern Japan on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, and small waves were reported along the northern coast after Japan issued a…
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