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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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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Chinese tourists shift to local travel amid rising costs, visa woes
A shift in Chinese travel preferences is reshaping the global tourism landscape. Rising costs and visa challenges are driving Chinese tourists to opt for local and short-haul destinations instead of international travel. The slower-than-expected revival of China’s outbound travel market, which was the world’s top spender on international tourism pre-pandemic, is impacting travel-related businesses, hotels, and retailers worldwide. Eighteen months…
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Police crack down on rotating illegal lending scheme in Trang
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers yesterday dismantled a major rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) operation in Trang, arresting a married couple who were also running a comprehensive illegal money lending, and an unlicensed underground lottery gambling business. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbancha today ordered relevant authorities to execute a search warrant for a house in Ratsada District, Trang…
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BTS gears up for electrifying bus race in Bangkok’s BRT expansion
Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the BTS Skytrain operator, is in a race to supply Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) electric buses and have them operational by the September 1 deadline. BTSC signed a contract with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday, June 16, to procure 23 electric vehicles (EV) buses for the BRT system and to operate them…
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Thai govt extends free flu vaccinations for insured seniors
The Thai government urges individuals insured under Sections 33 and 39 of the Social Security Act who are 50 years old and above to receive free influenza vaccinations until December 31. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that from January 1 to June 1, the number of influenza cases reached 139,326, with an incidence rate of…
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3 year old girl found dead after disappearing from nursery in Isaan
A three year old girl disappeared from a nursery in the Isaan province of Sisaket before her dead body was found in a swamp 800 meters away. Her devastated parents suspect foul play. The body of the young girl, Bee, was found in a swamp in the middle of a rice field in the Yan Chum Noi district of Sisaket…
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Thailand boosts SMEs growth in upcoming Synergy Expo 2024
Thailand is set to boost marketing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the newly announced Thailand SME Synergy Expo 2024. This five-day trade show, running from June 19 to 23 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, is a collaborative effort by the Business Development Department (DBD), the Office of SMEs Promotion (Osmep), and several governmental…
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Krabi Airport’s runway to riches, a 941-million-baht taxiway twist
The Department of Airports (DoA) is pushing forward with a 941-million-baht project to build a parallel taxiway at Krabi Airport. Currently, the project is over 76% complete. DoA Deputy Director-General Wittawas Pakdesontiskul recently inspected the site and attended a meeting to monitor progress. The meeting included representatives from the contractor, Nawarat Patanakarn Public Co. Ltd., along with consultancies We Engineering…
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Match madness: Football fans ignite flares, burn car at Bangkok uni
An intense football match ended in chaos when fans set off flares, causing a vehicle to catch fire at the Thammasat University, Rangsit Centre. The incident left the car’s owner devastated, as the vehicle was uninsured and essential for daily work. The fire occurred at 9pm yesterday, June 16, following the conclusion of the Revo Cup final between Muangthong United…
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South Koreans injured in Pattaya motorbike crash with Bolt rider
A South Korean tourist, livestreaming his motorbike ride around Pattaya with a friend, sustained injuries in a collision with a Thai Bolt rider early Sunday morning. The speeding Bolt rider suffered serious injuries. The incident took place at 2.20am yesterday at Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 9 on Pattaya Third Road, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. Responding swiftly, the Sawang…
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Toddler’s vaping and kratom drinking sparks outrage in Saraburi
Residents in the central province of Saraburi expressed outrage after a 17 year old Thai mother allowed her one year old son to vape and consume what she claimed was a kratom drink. Disturbingly, she reportedly seemed proud of this inappropriate behaviour and even shared it on social media. Neighbours witnessed the 19 month old boy smoking an e-cigarette and…
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Thailand to explore AANZFTA ties and new economic partnerships
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has committed to strengthening collaboration under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), maintaining current markets, and forging new economic partnerships, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday. Delegates from the Commerce Ministry and the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) participated in the 21st AANZFTA Joint Committee Meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand, from May 26 to…
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Thunderstorms and weather alerts issued for 53 provinces
A weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported a southwest monsoon currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, with 53 provinces warned of heavy rain, especially in the eastern and southern regions. The Andaman Sea is experiencing waves up to 2 metres high, while Bangkok has a 60% chance of rain. The forecast noted…
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Thailand Video News | Four major court cases set to cause havoc for Thai political landscape, tragedy strikes annual rocket festival in Roi Et
In Thailand Video News today, Alex talks about the four major court cases which could trigger a major political shake up in Thailand and the tragic explosion at the Rocket Festival in Roi Et which injured 30 attendees. A Rangsit University professor has declared that cannabis decriminalisation cannot be linked to an increase in psychiatric patients, and an emerging covid-19…
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Slippery roads send bus sliding into median in Ayutthaya
Heavy rainfall and slippery roads have led to a series of accidents, including a bus carrying over 30 passengers that veered off into a median strip. The incident occurred at 4am today in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The night-long downpour in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya resulted in extremely slippery road conditions. A white six-wheel truck with Yasothon registration lost…
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Thai officers arrest extortionists posing as police in Samut Sakhon
Thai Crime Suppression officers raided a location in Samut Sakhon to arrest a group of men extorting money from kratom juice vendors and fuel smugglers. The operation took place today and revealed a scheme where the extortionists posed as police officers to carry out their illegal activities. Police reports indicate that on May 29, a group of men, donning Central…
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Isaan mystery: Thai man found dead, sex partner vanishes
A 63 year old Thai man died mysteriously in a hotel room in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. A woman, suspected to be his sexual partner, vanished from the scene. Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the 63 year old Chaiyasit, a retired Royal Irrigation Department official, on Saturday, June 15. He was…
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AWC to spice up 10-billion-baht Phenix food centre in Bangkok
A prominent player in Thailand’s real estate sector, Asset World Corp. (AWC), unveiled its latest venture, Phenix, a 10-billion-baht wholesale and retail food centre. Positioned to meet the ongoing demand in the tourism and food segments, Phenix aims to become a new landmark in Bangkok’s bustling food scene. AWC Chief Executive and President Wallapa Traisorat announced that the centre was…
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RTAF eyes SAAB Gripen jets to replace ageing F-16s
Thailand is considering replacing its ageing fleet of F-16 fighter jets with SAAB’s Gripen models, as revealed during a recent tour of SAAB’s headquarters in Stockholm. Reporters from Thailand were given an extensive look at the Gripen E/F manufacturing line and a flight simulator, showcasing the modern technology and capabilities of the fighter jets. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)…
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Russian drowns after ignoring warning at Surin Beach in Phuket
A Russian man drowned yesterday after swimming in the sea at Surin Beach in Phuket despite a red flag warning about strong waves. Thai lifeguards at Surin Beach called officers from Cherngtalay Police Station yesterday, June 16, after a foreign tourist was pulled unconscious from the water. He was later identified as 64 year old Russian man Aleksei Apostolov. Police…
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Thailand celebrates marriage equality bill nearing final approval
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will host a reception tomorrow at Government House to celebrate the marriage equality bill as it nears final approval. Deputy Government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri confirms that the event will see the 62 year old Thai prime minister, an array of VIPs, Cabinet members, and foreign envoys in attendance. Additionally, members of the Bangkok Pride task…
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Red-shirts rally at court to support Thaksin amid lese majeste case
Supporters of the red-shirt movement are set to gather at the Criminal Court tomorrow morning to show their support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is due to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s (OAG) decision on a lese majeste case against him. Despite reports indicating that the 74 year old Thaksin will not be present at the court,…
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Oil slick caper: CIB tracks stolen tankers to Malaysia waters
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers successfully located three oil tankers stolen from a Thai Marine Police (TMP) dock in Chon Buri and subsequently found in Malaysia. Eight crew members are missing, and a quantity of petrol has reportedly vanished. Five oil tankers were seized by illegal petrol smugglers on March 19 and berthed at TMP dock in the Sattahip district…
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RTN floods Koh Larn with 170 tons of water amid drought
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) vessel HTMS Ravi delivered more than 170 tonnes (approximately 154,000 litres) of fresh water to residents of Koh Larn in Pattaya, addressing an ongoing drought. This significant delivery occurred yesterday, prompted by Koh Larn’s struggle with water shortages exacerbated by dry weather and a surge in tourist numbers. In response to complaints from residents and…
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Alarming new H1N1 flu strain resistant to common treatments makes its debut
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised concerns about a new “dual mutant” strain of the H1N1 influenza virus. This strain, which has been found in the U.S. and other parts of the world, shows resistance to Tamiflu, a common antiviral medication. Experts are worried that this new strain could become globally dominant in the coming…
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Professor warns against reclassifying cannabis as illegal narcotic
Professor Panthep Puapongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, voiced concerns regarding efforts to reclassify cannabis as an illegal narcotic. He believes that such a move could worsen drug-related issues rather than improve them. Prof. Panthep stressed that cannabis has played a significant role in helping individuals quit more harmful substances like methamphetamine and heroin. He…
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Tragedy strikes annual rocket festival in Roi Et: Explosion injures 30
On June 16, 2024, a tragic incident marred the annual Rocket Festival at Ban Sang Bu Temple in Roi Et Province. The normally joyous event, which attracts numerous locals and visitors to Phon Sai Sawang Subdistrict, Phon Thong District, ended in disaster when a rocket explosion caused significant injuries among the attendees. The explosion occurred at precisely 5:00 p.m. during…
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Missing contraband diesel vessels found near Malaysian waters
Three vessels carrying 330,000 litres of contraband diesel that vanished from a police pier in Chon Buri have been located near Malaysian waters, police confirmed. Police Major General Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, announced that the three boats disappeared from the marine police pier in Sattahip district of Chon Buri last week. After travelling through Cambodian…
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Saudi Arabia approves live animal imports from Thailand
Saudi Arabia has approved the import of live cattle, sheep, and goats from Thailand, according to Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The approval was communicated by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture through the Saudi Arabian and Thai foreign ministries. Phumtham noted that these live animals could be imported from Thailand and subsequently kept and slaughtered in Saudi…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket for stealing over 50 coral rocks
Police in Phuket detained a Russian man found guilty of stealing more than 50 pieces of coral rock from the sea. The arrest occurred yesterday following a collaborative effort between the local police and tourist police. Officers tracked down 46 year old Alexsandr Krasilov outside the Siberyak restaurant in Rawai. Krasilov was apprehended for illegally removing coral rocks from the…
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Thailand’s new Covid-19 strain, KP.2, spreads faster than JN.1
Thailand is set to see the KP.2 strain of Covid-19 become the dominant variant, with increased transmissibility and challenges for vaccine efficacy. However, the symptoms will not be more severe than those of previous strains, according to a prominent virologist. Yong Poovorawan from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University announced on Facebook that the KP.2 strain…
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