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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Thai woman injured after protecting daughter from mistress’ abuse
A Thai mother in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok is seeking justice after her son-in-law physically assaulted her when she tried to protect her daughter from abuse by his mistress. The daughter did not support her injured mother. The 43 year old victim, Aoonruen Tochomboon, shared her distressing story with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on September 30. She said that…
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From star to scam: Former actress accused of designer deceit
A former Thai actress and ex-candidate for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council allegedly swindled more than 10 million baht from multiple victims in a designer brand scam. Some of the victims visited the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)’s Complaint Centre on September 30, to report the scam to officials. The former actor and president of the Santi Prachatham Foundation, Taenkhun Jit-itsara, accompanied…
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Thai students brutally abused by soldiers in behaviour modification camp
Parents and guardians of students in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok are seeking justice after soldiers brutally abused students during a behaviour modification camp on military premises in Chon Buri province. Bangpleeratbamrung School in Samut Prakan sent 130 students to the behaviour modification camp after they violated school rules by smoking, fighting, engaging in altercations over romantic matters, arriving late…
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Phimai police boost bank security for 10,000 baht withdrawals
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima have increased security measures at local banks, fearing that loan sharks might target citizens withdrawing their 10,000 baht digital money. Officers from Phimai Police Station’s crime prevention unit were deployed to the Phimai branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on September 30, to safeguard the public waiting to withdraw funds from the…
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Pattaya’s wastewater treatment project delayed again
Pattaya City Hospital is asking for a major budget extension to tackle its long-delayed wastewater treatment project. The hospital, under the Health and Environment Bureau, has requested an additional period for the disbursement of 23.8 million baht—part of a total 25.3 million baht budget—to continue its vital environmental initiative. Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn presented the proposal at a Pattaya City…
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Sinking scandal: Pattaya’s new footpaths crumbling already
Pattaya’s shiny new footpaths along Thepprasit Road are becoming a crumbling mess, raising serious questions about the city’s infrastructure projects. Barely completed, the paths are already sinking and cracking, sparking outrage from residents and city officials. During a heated City Hall meeting, Nikom Saengkaew, a concerned Council Member, blew the whistle on the poor construction. “Why are we seeing such rapid…
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RTN sails into controversy over student mistreatment claims
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) responded to allegations that students were excessively mistreated at a military training camp. Students, aged between 13 and 15, reportedly returned from the camp with injuries, prompting an urgent investigation. Rear Admiral Weerudom Muangjeen, spokesperson for the RTN, addressed the situation, which surfaced through a Facebook post by a user named Nui Icezy Jirapa. The…
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Electric scooter inferno: Sattahip park blaze leaves metal carnage
A peaceful evening at Nong Takian Park in Sattahip turned into a fiery spectacle when an electric scooter exploded into flames on Sunday, September 29, leaving behind nothing but a pile of scorched metal. Firefighters swooped in to save the day, dousing the blaze before it could engulf the surrounding area. The scooter’s owner, who had just returned from a…
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Slithering surprise: Python pops into Pattaya mall, sparking chaos
A bustling Pattaya City mall turned into a scene of chaos when a nearly 3-metre long python made an unexpected appearance. The incident, which occurred yesterday, September 30, at 4pm, saw the Pattaya Land Disaster Prevention Radio Centre receiving a report of a large snake spotted under a car in the mall’s parking lot on Pattaya Klang Road. Upon arrival,…
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Frozen in time: British expats losing out on pensions in Thailand
Three British expats reveal their nightmare experiences of having their UK pension frozen, thanks to a government policy that leaves them with unadjusted savings, sparking widespread outrage. David McConkey believed he was heading for paradise when he retired to Bangkok in May this year. After 40 gruelling years as an electronics buyer, the 72 year old Scot was ready to…
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Disabled man in Udon Thani loses 10,000 baht to suspected scam
A disabled man from Udon Thani was reportedly scammed out of 10,000 baht from his account, leaving only 5 baht. Allegations suggest a local woman might have withdrawn the money under false pretences. Somdee Plangsi, a 63 year old resident of Ban Na Mueang Thai in Na Som, Udon Thani, along with his family members, complained to Peerayut Utchin, Deputy…
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Malaysian couple vanishes after Bangkok layover
A young couple from Penang, Malaysia, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving their families in turmoil after a layover in Bangkok more than three weeks ago. The missing pair, 21 year old Wu Mingson and his 23 year old girlfriend Wu Yingying, have not been heard from since early September. The chilling details have been shared by Mingson’s cousin, Shii Yiing Tan,…
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Uttaradit locals seek lottery luck at towering temple statue
Residents of the upper northern province of Uttaradit flocked to Wat Khlong Kaphuea to seek blessings from the towering statue of Thao Wessuwan, hoping for good fortune for today’s lottery draw, October 1. The locals engage in rituals, trying their luck with a three-digit number drawn from a jar. Wat Khlong Kaphuea in Ban Khon, Phichai district, Uttaradit province, became…
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Thai baht surge hits exporters and tourism revenues
Thailand’s exporters and tourism sector are feeling the squeeze as a rapid appreciation of the Thai baht continues to impact revenue. The central bank attributed this surge to a weak US dollar and stronger regional currencies, such as the Chinese Yuan and Japanese Yen. Yesterday, September 30, the baht reached a 31-month peak at 32.235 against the US dollar, marking…
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Thailand bad weather: Chinese tourist influx expected to fall short
The anticipated influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand during the Chinese National Day holiday is expected to fall short due to adverse weather conditions and evolving travel behaviours, as shared by Sanphet Supabornsatien, an advisor to the Eastern Thai Hotels Association (THA). Thai hotel operators had been hopeful for a significant number of Chinese visitors from October 1 to 7.…
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Thailand’s household debt dips to 89.6% of GDP in Q2
Thailand’s household debt saw a slight decline in the second quarter as banks tightened lending practices to mitigate bad loans, and borrowers hastened debt repayments amidst the highest interest rates in a decade. Data released by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) yesterday, September 30, revealed that nationwide household debt, as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), stood at 89.6%…
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Fruitless bust: Cops peel back trailer to find 13 million meth pills
Highway police in Prachuap Khiri Khan intercepted a trailer truck loaded with plastic baskets purportedly carrying fruits and vegetables, only to discover 13 million methamphetamine pills. Police are now investigating the broader drug network. Yesterday, September 30, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phuttangoon Ruengtham from Highway Police Subdivision 3, Division 2, assigned Police Captain Wern Chaiyasa, along with Police Corporal Kittisak Pinket…
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Mae Sai issues urgent evacuation alert amid heavy rainfall threat
Mae Sai municipality in Chiang Rai province has issued an urgent evacuation alert for residents in flood-prone areas due to the risk of a second wave of flooding. Local officials forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall from today until October 3, which could significantly raise water levels in the Sai River and potentially lead to severe flooding in vulnerable regions.…
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Thai police arrest two for defrauding women of 189,700 baht
Thai police apprehended two suspects in Nakhon Pathom for allegedly defrauding two women out of 189,700 baht under the pretence of providing business investment funds. The suspects, identified as 44 year old Tum Kaewmaneechot, and 27 year old Sarin, were detained by the Crime Suppression Division. Police Colonel Yosawat Kaewsuebthanyanit from Khon Kaen Police Station disclosed that the arrests followed…
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Thai Airways flight runs off runway in Bangkok storm scare
Passengers on a Thai Airways (THAI) flight got more excitement than they bargained for when their Airbus A350-900 temporarily veered off the runway upon landing in Bangkok, causing a serious incident and damaging runway edge lights. THAI flight TG466, arriving from Melbourne on September 14, was making a standard approach to runway 19L at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) when things…
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Khon Kaen resident loses 16,800 baht to phone scam
A resident of Khon Kaen lost 10,000 baht from her government assistance money to a phone scam, which also took an additional 6,800 baht from her health volunteer allowance. Visarut Pupeng, an advisor to the Deputy Minister of Education, assisted Buathong, a 63 year old resident of Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, in filing a police report with Police…
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Baby jackpot! Pregnant woman’s home birth sparks lottery frenzy
A pregnant woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy in her rented room, prompting neighbours to seek lucky lottery numbers from the event. The birth took place at room number 51 in the Don Hua Lo subdistrict, Mueang District, Chon Buri province. Rescue workers from Thammaratanee Maneerut Foundation received an alert about the emergency and coordinated with Chon Buri…
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Man fatally stabbed in Samut Songkhram grocery store altercation
A violent altercation in Samut Songkhram province resulted in the death of a 37 year old man who was stabbed seven times, while the attacker sustained a severe injury to his little finger. The incident occurred at a grocery store on Ekachai Road in the Lat Yai subdistrict. Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichart Chuwiset from Lat Yai Police Station responded to…
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Thai man arrested for stealing from disabled mother to buy meth
A young Thai man has been arrested for stealing 10,000 baht from his disabled mother, money she had just received from the government, to buy and sell methamphetamine (meth). Initially, he used the drug for personal consumption but decided to expand into selling when he came into possession of a larger sum of money. Somjai Phutthasena, the district chief of…
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Thai woman missing in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, last seen in taxi
A Thai woman has been reported missing since September 28. She was last seen leaving her condominium near Westgate in the evening and has not been in contact with her family, friends, or workplace since. Her concerned friends and family have been unable to reach her as she was not carrying her mobile phone or any other communication devices at…
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Man found dead after falling from bridge in Chumphon
A 34 year old man was found dead after falling from Municipal Bridge 4 into Logotan Canal in Chumphon. His body was discovered yesterday, September 30, alongside his motorcycle, with documents and personal items left at the scene. Police Lieutenant Supawat Chueasak, an investigator from Mueang Chumphon Police Station, received a report about the incident. The unfortunate event took place…
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Fire erupts at Phuket work camp, swift response averts disaster
A fire erupted at a work camp behind the Government Savings Bank in Phuket yesterday leading to a swift response from local officials. Police and firefighters were alerted to the incident around 11.14am, yesterday, September 30, by Samphan Somsakon, the owner of the house where the fire originated. Samphan explained that he had been charging a power bank inside the…
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Terminally ill patient in Sisaket denied aid over signature issue
A terminally ill liver cancer patient in Sisaket province is unable to withdraw government aid due to a signature mismatch on an authorisation form, despite desperate pleas from his family. Yesterday, September 30, reporters received a tip-off from residents in Ban Phianam, Nong Phai subdistrict, Mueang district. They reported that a terminal liver cancer patient, entitled to receive 10,000 baht…
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Thai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station
A deputy superintendent tragically committed suicide yesterday at Udomsuk Police Station, in Bangkok. The senior officer’s heartbreaking decision is believed to be driven by a valiant struggle with depression and debilitating congenital diseases. Police officers on duty heard a gunshot from the second floor of the police station yesterday, September 30, and rushed to investigate. In the office of the…
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Syrians arrested at Phuket Airport with fake passports
In a dramatic bust at Phuket International Airport yesterday, two Syrian men were arrested for attempting to enter Thailand with forged passports. The suspects, Abdulkarim and Mohamad, both aged 23, yesterday, September 30, travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket on Batik Air Malaysia, flight OD540. They presented what appeared to be United Arab Emirates (UAE) passports—but they didn’t fool the sharp-eyed…
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