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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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Travel with AirAsia MOVE’s ASEAN Explorer Pass
To revolutionise travel within the ASEAN region, AirAsia MOVE has unveiled its groundbreaking ASEAN Explorer Pass. AirAsia MOVE, the brainchild of Capital A Berhad, is reshaping the landscape of online travel with its pioneering digital venture. At the heart of its mission lies the ASEAN Explorer Pass, hailed as a game-changer in connecting and championing the ASEAN region like never…
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Outrage as foreign couple crash car, leave injured rider in Phuket
Thai netizens are outraged at a foreign couple who crashed their luxury car into a motorcycle in Phuket but ignored the injured rider and focused only on the damage to their vehicle. The CCTV footage of the incident was shared widely on several social media platforms yesterday, April 25, showing a white Mercedes Benz sedan making a right turn without…
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Fugitive arrested after 19 years on the run in Kanchana Buri
After evading capture for 19 years, a 43 year old fugitive was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Bureau for drug possession with intent to sell. The woman, Sunisa Chongjit, was caught outside her residence in Kanchana Buri yesterday, just five months shy of her arrest warrant expiring. Sunisa’s long run from the law finally came to an end yesterday when…
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Phuket firefighters avert potential disaster at fried ice cream shop
A potential disaster was averted in the wee hours of today when a fire, which could have engulfed a fried ice cream shop in Phuket, was swiftly contained by firefighters. The incident took place in Soi Paniang, Samkong, a neighbourhood in the bustling city of Phuket. Firefighters from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation branch at Phuket City Municipality…
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Thai tattoo artist arrested in Phuket for brutal rape of 13 year old girl
Police arrested a Thai tattoo artist at his rented room in Phuket yesterday for a brutal rape of a 13 year old girl that occurred last year. The sexual assault left the young victim with severe genital injuries and led to the removal of her womb. Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested the tattoo…
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Songkhla power plant hit by armed assault and explosions
Armed individuals dressed in camouflage stormed a power plant in Songkhla province early morning today, setting off three explosions and burning tyres in a coordinated incident that caused significant disruption. The event unfolded around 12.10am, today, April 26, when surveillance footage captured clear images of four individuals armed with what appeared to be military-grade weapons. The most severe incident occurred…
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Lampang drug bust nets 400,000 meth pills worth 500,000 baht
Thai authorities in Lampang successfully intercepted a significant drug trafficking operation, seizing 400,000 methamphetamine pills hidden within a vehicle’s spare tyre. The arrest took place following a meticulously planned operation that culminated in a routine traffic stop that turned into a major drug bust. The Governor of Lampang Province Chatchawal Chayabutr and Police Major General Phumipat Nawatrakulphisit, the Provincial Police…
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Gold prices in Thailand soar, buyers urged to stay updated
Gold prices in Thailand saw a rapid increase, urging interested buyers to check the latest updates. Today, April 26, the price for gold ornaments surged to 41,350 baht, marking a 100 baht rise from the previous day’s close as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA) at 9.04am. The global gold spot price hovers around US$2,333 (86,379 baht) per ounce,…
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Thai commerce minister to boost fruit exports to China via Laos
An evaluation of the Boten and Mohan checkpoints’ capacity to facilitate Thai fruit exports to China is on the agenda for Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. This is part of a strategy to ease the exportation process of Thai fruit during the 2024 harvest season, with shipments expected to commence at the end of April. The ministry’s spokesperson, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, reported that…
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Israeli arrested in Phuket for illegal possession of 3 macaques
Police acted on a tip-off arresting an Israeli businessman at his home in Phuket yesterday for his illegal possession of three pig-tailed macaques. Officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, also known as Greencop, received information that a foreign business operator in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket was keeping protected monkeys at his residence in the Katu district. The…
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Bangkok school directors get 20-year sentences for bribery
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Thailand handed down 20-year prison sentences to the former director and the former deputy director of Samsenwittayalai School. The two were found guilty of accepting bribes from parents, colloquially termed “tea money,” to secure their children’s admission to the school in 2017. Additionally, the court ordered the pair to pay…
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Cambodian arrested in Pathum Thani amphetamine bust
Thai police and various authorities arrested a Cambodian woman at a home in Nong Suea, Pathum Thani who is believed to be involved in the notorious drug ring known as First Klong Luang. Officers found more than they expected, not one, but 2.8 million amphetamine pills. The woman in question was identified as Saraitus On, a 30 year old Cambodian…
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Thai narcotics control destroys 22 tonnes of illicit substances
A significant operation to destroy illicit substances and illegal narcotics was carried out by Police Lieutenant General Panurat Lakboon, the Secretary-General of the Office of the Thai Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on Wednesday. The substances reportedly weighed a staggering 22 tonnes. These substances were collected from 68 individual cases. The substances consisted of 17,806.87 kilogrammes of amphetamine, 2,871.77 kilogrammes of…
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Thai man armed with ammunition terrorises Chumphon
A 56 year old Thai man has been terrorising his community in Chumphon, threatening to kill residents and local officials. This wave of fear escalated after the authorities attempted to arrest Somchai at his home in Chumphon province yesterday, only to find he had already escaped, leaving behind a cache of ammunition. Somchai, a resident of Visai Tai subdistrict in…
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Asian millennials and Gen Z prefer regional travel, says Marriott
Rising travel expenses have led to an increase in intra-regional tourism among Asia-Pacific’s Gen Z and millennial tourists, according to Marriott International. The younger adults, keen on saving for their travels, are opting for trips within their region. In 2023, intra-regional travellers accounted for over 60% of bookings in the Asia-Pacific region, a significant increase from the 40-50% before the…
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Summer storm unroofs homes in Chaiyaphum
A devastating summer storm recently struck the Chaiyaphum province, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The community of Ban Na Sao was hit by a severe storm yesterday, resulting in significant damage to over 10 houses. The powerful storm, characterised by strong winds, caused widespread blackouts throughout the village, tearing roofs off houses and granaries with alarming ease.…
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Toyota’s electric pickup fleet revs up Thai beaches
Toyota’s groundbreaking project in Pattaya showcases nine fully electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks revamped for public transport, marking a pivotal moment in Thailand’s automotive landscape. Reflecting Japan’s determination to reclaim the electric vehicle (EV) market throne from Chinese rivals, this initiative aims to redefine urban transit in the Land of Smiles. Surapoom Udomwong, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand…
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Bangkok condo guard allegedly punched British woman (video)
A British woman and her Thai husband are pursuing justice following an incident at their Bangkok condominium where a security guard allegedly punched the woman in the face, resulting in severe mental health issues. CCTV footage, however, shows that the foreign woman initiated the physical altercation. Yesterday, April 25, Boon-ek Wongsuriyawattana, a 46 year old Thai man, accompanied his 37…
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Malaria on rise in Thailand: Tak province tackles ticklish trouble
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) reports a surge in malaria cases, notably in the Tak province, where the majority of the 2,913 infections have been identified since January. Other areas affected include Mae Hong Son, Kanchana Buri, Ranong, and Prachuap Khiri Khan, with 60% of the patients being foreigners, as per the department’s data. The DDC Chief, Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn,…
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Thailand Video News | Heatstroke fatalities reach 30 as heat index reaches 52 degrees, Australians in Phuket gain easy access to visa services
In this Thailand video news, Alex covers a range of stories, from heatstroke deaths reaching 30 to a US Carrier Strike Group revisiting Thailand after three years. Other highlights include a Thai woman arrested for impersonating a neurosurgeon, visa services now accessible for Australians in Phuket, and the unveiling of an ex-Deputy PM’s luxury car collection worth 87 million Baht.…
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Feline fury: Cat owner claws for justice after high-value heist
A cat owner’s fury led to a heated confrontation at a police station following a burglary that resulted in the escape of several high-value cats. The incident, which took place yesterday, saw the arrest of a 44 year old man, Narin (surname withheld), in Nontha Buri for stealing property and inadvertently releasing the cats. The police operation, which unfolded at…
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Thai government delays wage hike: Minimum muddle continues
The Thai government has postponed the anticipated increase in minimum daily wage to 400 baht. The rise was initially set to take effect on Labour Day but the government will now await the outcome of a tripartite committee meeting on May 14. Karom Polpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that the wage increase would not start on May 1.…
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Man found dead in Udon Thani rice field pit, accident suspected
A tragic accident unfolded amid a tranquil rice field in Udon Thani province, where a man lost his life in a cement water pit under mysterious circumstances. Yesterday, local authorities discovered the body of a 51 year old man, identified only by his first name, Saiya, submerged head-first in a water storage facility. The discovery was made following an alert…
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Company executive arrested for DUI and police assault in Bangkok
A high-level global company executive faces legal consequences after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and assaulting a police officer during a checkpoint operation in Bangkok. The incident occurred early on Tuesday when the executive, driving a black Mercedes-Benz, was stopped at a breathalyser checkpoint along the motorway in Suan Luang district. Upon inspection, police found the…
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Rayong hazardous waste plant sees another fire
A hazardous waste storage plant in Rayong, owned by Win Process, witnessed another fire incident on Wednesday night. The surrounding area was found to have high concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the air, reported the Thai authorities. The fire began at the Ban Nong Pawa village-based plant in Tambon Bang But of Rayong’s Ban Khai district and was yet to…
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Supachai Phosu found guilty of serious ethical misconduct
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of Thailand declared former Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu, culpable of serious ethical misconduct. The charges stem from his unlawful occupation of a forest reserve in Nakhon Phanom province. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the NACC spokesman, declared that the case will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for political office holders to determine the final verdict. Investigations…
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Japan zoo gender mix-up: Male hippo turns out to be female
In a revelation that has stunned both visitors and staff, Osaka Tennoji Zoo unearthed a surprising twist regarding Gen-chan, a hippo believed to be male since its arrival from Mexico’s Africam Safari in 2017 at the tender age of 5. The zoo dropped a bombshell on its website, disclosing that Gen-chan is, in fact, a female. Mexican authorities had assured…
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Police chase tactics questioned after fatal crash
A tragic incident unfolded when a police chase in Nakhon Ratchasima ended with a motorcycle crash that claimed two lives. The pursuit, which occurred on the Tuesday, evening of April 23, involved officers from Chaloem Phra Kiat Police Station tailing a suspect on a motorcycle, wanted for theft. The police were initially following the suspect from behind a school in…
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Thai gold shop owner saves parents hundreds on student uniforms
A gold shop owner in Roi Et province has become a local hero by offering a unique solution to parents struggling with the cost of student uniforms. Wimol Archasantisuk, the brains behind this heartening initiative, turned heads with his generosity. Wimol, the compassionate owner, embarked on a mission to ease the financial burden on parents gearing up for the new…
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UN report unveils Asia’s climate catastrophe
Asia, the world’s disaster epicentre, has been hit by an onslaught of climate chaos, reveals a damning United Nations report. Floods and storms reign supreme, leaving devastation in their wake, as the region grapples with scorching temperatures and melting glaciers. In a world heating to unprecedented levels, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) declares Asia as the frontline of the climate…
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