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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Pattaya scrap yard inferno: Fire sparks 300K baht damage
A massive fire erupted at a scrap yard in Pattaya, causing up to 300,000 baht in damages and adding to growing air pollution concerns in the region. The Nong Prue Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department received reports of a raging fire at a scrap yard in Soi Thung Klom Tan Man 17 at 2pm on Thursday, February 13. Firefighters…
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Thai man falls from moving train in Lopburi, dies
Passengers on a train in Lopburi were startled when a man fell from a moving train and died. The incident occurred at 5.30pm yesterday, February 14, at Lopburi railway station. Police Lieutenant Thannadon Thiangsan from the Tha Hin Police Station, along with medical personnel from Ananda Mahidol Hospital and volunteers from the Por Tek Tung Foundation, were called to the…
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Ex-con severely injured in Nakhon Si Thammarat shooting
A shooting incident in Nakhon Si Thammarat resulted in serious injuries for a man recently released from prison. Police are focusing on a drug-related conflict as they identify the suspect involved. The incident occurred yesterday, February 14 on Yutthasat Road, Soi 16, in Pak Phraek subdistrict, Thung Song district. Police Colonel Teerawut Thepluean from Thung Song Police Station, and other…
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4-metre king cobra slithers into Chumphon woman’s kitchen
A 55 year old woman from Chumphon province was startled when a 4-metre-long king cobra, weighing over 8 kilogrammes, slithered into her kitchen while she was eating. She abandoned her meal and called emergency services for assistance. Sarawut Muangdaeng, head of the rescue unit of the Chumphon Charity Foundation in Sawi district, received a call from Jirawan, who resides at…
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Pattaya’s iconic sign gets a dazzling upgrade
Pattaya City’s famous hillside sign is getting a stunning new look, with a high-tech lighting upgrade set to be completed by February 27. Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai recently inspected the site on Pratumnak Hill, where contractors demonstrated the state-of-the-art lighting system. “The Pattaya City sign has been a landmark for over 20 years, but time has taken its toll. This…
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Police confiscate illegal sexual enhancers worth 1.5 million baht
Police have seized and confiscated a range of sexual enhancement products branded as “Nam Phueng Pueng Pang” containing the active ingredient in Viagra, posing a potential danger to users. The operation, conducted yesterday, February 14, successfully seized items valued at over 1.5 million baht. Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), led the operation…
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Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…
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Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans
Phuket is on the radar for deeper ties with Azerbaijan. Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, February 13, for Ambassador Elchin Rakub Ogul Bashirov of Azerbaijan at the Phuket Provincial Hall, where the two discussed ramping up diplomatic and tourism cooperation. With Phuket’s tourism boom in full swing: 13.1 million visitors raking in over 497 billion…
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Bangkok braces for thunderstorms, high dust and hot afternoons
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts scattered thunderstorms in Bangkok and its vicinity, with cool mornings and hot, hazy afternoons. High dust levels persist. The next 24 hours will see weak high pressure over the upper northeastern region and westerly winds over the north, leading to cold mornings with fog in the north and northeast. Meanwhile, southerly and southeasterly winds…
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Most watched sports in Thailand
While Thailand may be best known for the likes of its rich cultural heritage, stunning views, and warm hospitality, it also has a thriving sports scene. There is a deep passion for traditional sports, such as Muay Thai, but there is increasing interest in international sports which are now gaining a strong following. Sports fans are now watching, and engaging,…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi feud turns bloody in street stabbing
A long-standing rivalry between two motorcycle taxi drivers erupted into a brutal knife fight outside Vachira Phuket Hospital last night, leaving one man seriously injured. The violent altercation, which unfolded at around 9pm yesterday, February 13, saw the men stab each other in a heated dispute over passengers. Phuket City Police, led by Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Captain Pawinut…
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Over 100 couples tie the knot in Phuket on Valentine’s Day
Romance filled the air in Phuket Town today as more than 100 couples gathered at the Mueang District Office to register their marriages in a joyful Valentine’s Day celebration. The event, which embraced love in all forms, saw couples from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ partners, formalising their unions in a special ceremony. The festivities were led by Phuket District Chief…
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Tragic temple fire in New York kills Buddhist monk
A devastating fire tore through a Buddhist temple in The Bronx, New York City, early Wednesday morning, February 12, leaving two people dead, including a Buddhist monk. The blaze, which erupted around 6am, quickly engulfed the small temple and a neighbouring residence for monks, causing irreversible damage. FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito confirmed the tragedy. “We had fire throughout…
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Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts
Thailand, long celebrated as the birthplace of Muay Thai, is experiencing a dynamic shift in its combat sports landscape. In 2025, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), signalling a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the fighting arts. Historically, Muay Thai has been the cornerstone of Thailand’s martial arts identity.…
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Myanmar woman arrested for illegal e-cigarette sales in Chumphon
Cyber police in collaboration with local police in Chumphon arrested a 20 year old Myanmar national yesterday for allegedly selling illegal e-cigarettes near a prominent school. She was reportedly hired by a local politician’s child and had previously faced similar charges last year. The arrest involved multiple agencies, including Chumphon Provincial Investigation, Sawi Police Station, and other local bodies. The…
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Drunken tourist brawl erupts in Phuket, sparks online outrage (video)
A wild street brawl involving foreign tourists outside Cafe del Mar in Kamala has set social media ablaze, reigniting debates over the type of visitors Phuket is attracting. The 1-minute, 37-second clip, shared by the โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต Facebook page today, February 14, captures the chaotic fight, with drunk tourists trading punches as stunned onlookers watched. The altercation began outside the…
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Thai culture: Spiritual beliefs on social media
Thai culture is one of the most amazing cultures on Earth that you can explore because if you are connected to spirituality, this culture will amaze you. Thais have always been deeply connected to spirituality, with beliefs in ghosts, sacred rituals, and astrology. In the past, people would visit temples, consult monks, or seek fortune tellers in person, but now,…
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Thai woman found dead under tree after online gambling debts
A 22 year old woman was found dead beneath a mango tree in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, reportedly overwhelmed by debt after extensive online slot gambling. Her husband discovered her absence from their home around midday and later found her lifeless body yesterday, February 13. Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Rungrueng from the Thap Sakae Police Station received a report of…
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Net gains: Fishing ban to boost marine life in Thailand
In a sweeping move to rejuvenate dwindling fish stocks, the Department of Fishery rolled out a crucial fishing ban spanning the coasts from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Surat Thani. Effective in two phases, from tomorrow, February 15 to May 15, and May 16 to June 14, the initiative targets different maritime zones, aiming to give marine life a much-needed break.…
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Meth haul over 50 million baht seized in Nonthaburi drug bust
A drug trafficking network was dismantled in Nonthaburi yesterday, February 13 at 3pm. The police seized a substantial haul, including 560,000 methamphetamine pills, 218 kilogrammes of crystal meth, and 3,163 ecstasy pills, valued at over 50 million baht. The arrest took place at a dormitory in the Bang Kraso subdistrict of Mueang Nonthaburi district on February 12 at 8pm. The…
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Tricycle hit-and-run leaves rider critically injured in Phetchabun
A tricycle was severely damaged after being hit by an 18-wheel truck in Phetchabun province, leaving the female driver critically injured. The woman’s nine year old daughter has had to take a two-week break from school to care for her, while her husband, who is blind, also depends on her. Yesterday, February 13, a Facebook user posted about an incident…
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Dust to dust: Toxic haze blankets Bangkok and beyond
A thick shroud of ultrafine dust pollution has descended upon Bangkok and 53 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, leaving the air quality in a perilous state, according to the latest findings from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the east bore the brunt of this hazardous haze. GISTDA’s report, released at 8am, today, February 14,…
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AirAsia soars to new heights with record passenger growth in 2024
AirAsia is flying high after recording a surge in passenger numbers throughout 2024, as the budget airline group expanded its fleet to meet booming travel demand. The carrier welcomed over 63 million passengers last year, an 11% increase from 2023, while its load factor climbed to 89%. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong, with 16.2 million passengers flying…
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Crêpe caper: Thai vendor attacked in street stick-up
A crêpe seller found himself the victim of a vicious street attack by two helmeted teenagers on a motorbike, leaving him with 17 stitches. The brazen assault on crêpe seller Chamnan Ponyiam unfolded on the night of February 12 in the Ban Suan subdistrict of Mueang district, Chon Buri. Chamnan, a long-standing vendor in the community, was on his way…
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Bangkok police launch drunk driving crackdown near nightclubs
Traffic police have established checkpoints in front of entertainment venues as part of the Breath Before You Drive, Get Home Safely initiative. The campaign encourages tourists to refrain from driving under the influence, aiming to reduce road accidents. Last night, officials, including Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Police Major General Thawat Wongsanga, alongside the traffic police division led by…
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Temple turmoil: Thai teens attack as fair turns into a video nasty
A temple fair in Pathum Thani turned into a scene straight out of a violent video nasty when a group of teenagers launched a brutal attack on a rival, leaving chaos in their wake. The violent altercation, which erupted around 10pm, yesterday, February 13, saw gunfire and knife violence break out before the culprits sped off on motorcycles. Police and…
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Phuket mum on the run after wild high-speed chase
A high-speed rampage through Thalang district has left Phuket residents in shock after a pickup-driving mother smashed into multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene, leaving behind her terrified three year old son. The dramatic series of crashes began in front of a fresh market in Thepkrasattri, where municipal officers witnessed a pickup truck colliding with several vehicles and motorcycles. The…
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Monk-ey business: Selfie scandal forces Thai monk to step down
A senior monk from Khon Kaen province has resigned after a scandalous selfie with a woman surfaced, bringing shame on the religious community. The monk, whose photo authenticity was confirmed, has been compelled to leave the monkhood within a week’s time. The drama unfolded in a meeting at Wat Ban Lan in Ban Phai district, where the monastic committee, including…
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Karaoke crackdown: Police hit the wrong note with trafficking bust
Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped on a notorious karaoke bar in Kamphaeng Phet province, exposing a tangled web of human trafficking allegations involving minors and LGBTQ youths under 18. The high-profile undercover operation, today, February 14, was designed to rescue the victims and gather crucial evidence against the accused. Led by the Department of Provincial Administration’s special operations team, the…
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Ex-legal officer caught for embezzling 10 million baht in Bangkok
Police apprehended a former legal officer of the Social Security Office accused of embezzling 10 million baht from the social security fund. The suspect, who had been on the run, was captured while working at a shop in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok yesterday, February 13. Poomwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), along with Ekachai…
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