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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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?...
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Phuket set to ‘take off’ with new seaplane plans
In a bid to transform Phuket’s tourism offerings, the CEO of Siam Seaplane Co Ltd, Worakan Siripidech, attended a high-stakes meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday, November 6 to explore the potential of launching seaplane services on the island. Bringing in a mix of excitement and scepticism, officials discussed the concept of creating temporary water-based zones for take-offs and…
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Thai pervert harasses schoolgirl, pretends to trip to kiss victim (video)
Schoolgirls in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat become the target of a perverted man who pretended to trip and sway to kiss a schoolgirl yesterday, November 7. The male Facebook user, Thanakorn Suthin, shared details of the sexual assault on the Facebook group || ประเทศคอน || (meaning Nakhon country) yesterday, including a video and a picture of the…
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Thailand to register unregistered hotels in response to EU carbon rules
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to register unregistered hotels within a year, responding to the forthcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which introduces strict environmental regulations. CBAM, starting in 2026, will impose carbon pricing on imports, impacting Thailand’s tourism sector if service providers fail to meet standards. Efforts are underway to host a global-scale trade show, such…
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Bangkok Bank backs bold India expansion for Thai businesses
Thai businesses have their sights set on India’s booming market, and Bangkok Bank is rolling out the red carpet to support this promising venture. With an eye on India’s rapid economic growth and vast population, the bank’s president, Chartsiri Sophonpanich, calls it “a golden opportunity” for Thai entrepreneurs eager to expand. India’s economy is powering ahead at an annual growth…
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Thai company pumps millions into flooded schools
In a heartfelt mission to aid schools battered by Thailand’s recent floods, Theppadungporn Coconut pledged an impressive 10 million baht to support flood-stricken communities. Through its charitable Love Sharing project, the company is offering 200,000 baht per school to 50 institutions impacted by the devastating September-October floods, aiming to rebuild premises and reignite hope among students and staff. Chosen by…
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Thailand powers up clean energy game with 3 new hydropower projects
Thailand is set to enhance its clean energy capacity with the development of three additional hydropower dams by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). These dams will function as substantial batteries, thanks to a 90-billion-baht (US$2.65 billion) investment aimed at bolstering the country’s electricity supply amid concerns about the intermittency of solar and wind power. Egat is currently conducting…
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Bangkok survey finds 377 homeless on Ratchadamnoen Avenue
Bangkok’s initiative to survey the homeless population along Ratchadamnoen Avenue has uncovered 377 people, prompting police to record their details and facilitate access to welfare rights and vocational training. This operation took place at the Rattanakosin Room in the Bangkok City Hall, located in the Phra Nakhon district. The meeting was chaired by Chakkapan Phewngam, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, alongside…
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Thailand leads ASEAN in gold demand growth amid record prices
Thailand continues to lead the ASEAN region in consumer gold demand growth, as reported by the World Gold Council (WGC). In the third quarter of 2024, Thailand’s gold demand surged by 11% year-on-year, reaching 14.5 tonnes, marking its second consecutive quarter of robust growth. Globally, gold demand remained strong, increasing by 5% from a year earlier to 1,313 tonnes. This…
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Thai woman arrested in Bangkok for pimping out girls aged 14-16
Police arrested a 25 year old Thai woman at a Bangkok hotel for operating a prostitution ring and pimping out three girls aged between 14 and 16. Officers from the Children and Women Protection Sub-division received a tip-off that girls under 18 were being sent to work as party entertainers. In addition to entertaining clients, they were also forced to…
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Thai schools probed for misconduct over spoiled food claims
Allegations of misconduct have prompted the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to investigate two schools in Chachoengsao and Nakhon Ratchasima. Concerns surfaced online, suggesting one school provided spoiled fruit in student meals while the other was excessively soliciting donations from parents for a school van. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of OBEC, addressed these claims yesterday, November 7, indicating that…
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Coconut calamity: Thai man’s high-stakes suicide leap near Pattaya
The Sawang Rojanatham Sathan Foundation yesterday received a call about a desperate Thai man’s suicide attempt from a coconut tree near HomePro in Bang Saray, just south of Pattaya. Rescue teams dashed to the chilling scene. When they arrived, they found 38 year old Veeranan Jitcharoen sitting by the roadside, stark naked and covered in scrapes, wincing with severe back…
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Axe to grind: Thai father attacks son after suffering years of abuse
A Thai father snapped and attacked his son with an axe in a fit of rage at midnight today after he and his wife suffered years of physical abuse at the hands of the son in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Officers from Manchakhiri Police Station received a report of a serious assault at a house in the Manchakhiri…
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Azman Porloh jailed over weapon possession in Songkhla province
A man accused of being involved in numerous terrorist activities in the Songkhla province has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegal possession and accumulation of weapons. This marks the first trial he has faced among the many accusations against him. The Na Thawi Provincial Court in Songkhla delivered the verdict yesterday, November 7, sentencing Azman…
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Phuket Tourist Police boosts safety with new High Season drive
Phuket Tourist Police have initiated a comprehensive campaign to enhance tourist safety as the island gears up for the approaching High Season. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, November 6, involves collaboration between various agencies, including the Marine Police, Phuket Provincial Police, and the Phuket Marine Office, among others. This campaign is in line with national efforts to reinforce tourist safety…
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Naked truth: Bangkok women seek help from sexual harassment
Two Thai women are appealing for help after enduring sexual harassment from a neighbour in their Bangkok apartment building. The neighbour frequently strips naked, roams the hallway, knocks on doors indiscriminately, and sends letters containing explicit messages. The women, 32 year old Aum and 66 year old Bee, turned to social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet for help. Yesterday, November…
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Teenage girl’s phone fished out from Pattaya drain
A teenage girl visiting Pattaya Beach was greatly relieved when local officials managed to recover her mobile phone after it accidentally slipped down a drainage pipe. The mishap occurred on Wednesday, November 6, when the 17 year old, who was in the area with friends, dropped her iPhone 11 into a drain opposite Soi Pattaya Beach 10. The Pattaya City…
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Thailand migrant workers lose legal status amid new permit hurdles
Employers and migrant workers are expressing significant frustration over new registration and work permit renewal requirements in Thailand, which have led to many migrant workers losing their legal status. These requirements, introduced recently, have been criticised for their complexity and the obstacles they pose to both employers and employees. Nilubol Pongpayom, a representative from the employer group Nai Chang Si…
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Golden gesture: Laotian thief returns bling, claims ‘gift’ mix-up
A Laotian man, accused of stealing a gold necklace, returned the stolen item to its rightful owner in Chon Buri, claiming that he took it home because he believed it was a gift from the gold shop. The 27 year old victim, Butsarin Sirimongkhonsub, filed a complaint with officers at Nong Prue Police Station on November 7 and also contacted…
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8 Pneumonia prevention tips for expat families in Thailand
With World Pneumonia Day on November 9, it’s the perfect time to consider how you can protect your family from this serious illness, especially in Thailand, where unique climate and seasonal factors come into play. Pneumonia can be especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, and as an expat, you may face additional challenges when it comes to healthcare.…
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Teen vendor killed in motorcycle accident in Pathum Thani
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday involving a 17 year old vegetable vendor who died after a motorcycle accident near a PTT gas station in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Chulayut was riding home when he was sideswiped, causing him to fall, and subsequently run over by a trailer truck, resulting in his immediate death. The incident occurred at 8.50pm yesterday, November 7, and…
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Famous Thai lawyer arrested on fraud, money laundering charges
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) swooped yesterday and arrested a prominent Thai lawyer and his wife on charges of fraud and money laundering, in the wake of the sensational case involving 71 million baht and a Thai millionaire in France. The Thai millionaire, who normally resides in France, Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert, returned to Thailand to file a…
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Police raid illegal gambling den in Bangkok, 20 arrested
Police in Suthisan successfully raided an illegal gambling den secretly operating in Bangkok. Twenty individuals were apprehended during the operation, which took place at a house at the end of Soi Inthamara 22 in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid was initiated around 9pm yesterday, November 7, following reports of suspicious activity over the past two to three days. Led by…
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UN unveils toolkit to improve chemsex healthcare access
UN agencies have unveiled a novel toolkit aimed at enhancing healthcare access for those engaging in chemical sex, or chemsex, while minimising stigma. This initiative was launched during a two-day symposium in Bangkok, underscoring a commitment to improving health services for individuals involved in chemsex, a practice involving drug use to intensify or extend sexual experiences. The Joint United Nations…
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Teenager dies in Chachoengsao motorcycle crash with pickup truck
A tragic accident involving six teenagers riding motorcycles ended in the death of 15 year old boy and left two others seriously injured. The crash occurred when their motorcycles collided with a pickup truck waiting to make a U-turn. The incident took place last night around 9pm on Suwinthawong Road, near the Klong Chao Bridge heading into Chachoengsao City. The…
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Stormy weather forecast: Thailand braces for a ‘rain’ of trouble
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for potential severe weather conditions affecting 28 provinces, with the southern region facing heavy to very heavy rainfall that could lead to flash floods and forest runoff. Meanwhile, cooler temperatures are expected in northern Thailand. A high-pressure system, originating from China, is currently covering the upper regions of Thailand and the South…
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Thai and mighty: Thailand’s soft power shines in Shanghai
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan led a star-studded delegation to the bustling 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from November 4-6 at Shanghai’s grand National Exhibition and Convention Centre. Thailand took centre stage, flaunting its rich soft power in a bold bid to dazzle the international crowd. Opening triumphantly, Pichai inaugurated the Thailand Pavilion to elevate the nation’s global image…
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Gambling software in Thailand: Exploring innovation and opportunity
Thailand’s gambling landscape is one of contrasts. On the one hand, gambling is strictly prohibited under Thai law, with exceptions made only for the national lottery and certain horse racing events. On the other hand, gambling is widespread, particularly in underground black-market venues. Many Thais continue to place bets illegally in person, often in makeshift casinos or through informal networks.…
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Narathiwat mayor fatally gunned down at garment factory
In a shocking daylight assassination, the popular two-time mayor of the Rueso subdistrict in the southern province of Narathiwat was brutally shot dead at his garment factory. The 55 year old mayor, Wichet Thaithongnum, known by locals as Mayor Arm, was gunned down by a group of men wielding war weapons in an audacious attack that has left the community…
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Thaksin to fire up Pheu Thai campaign in Udon Thani province
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political spotlight as he gears up to boost the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign in a major way. Thaksin is expected to make his return to the stage in Udon Thani next week, marking his first public address since ending his self-imposed exile in August last year. The 74 year old’s…
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Phuket transwomen clash with foreigner over alleged cash dispute
Another clash between a group of Thai transwomen and a foreign man was reported on Tuesday in the Patong area of Phuket. The motive for the incident remains unknown. The Phuket Times shared a video of the physical altercation between the transgender group and the foreigner yesterday, November 6. The page captioned the video, “Again! Patong. Ladyboys gang attacked a…
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