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 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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Thailand to revise Child Protection Act
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, is set to propose an amendment to Thailand’s Child Protection Act within the month for Cabinet approval. The updated act will emphasise the significant role of families and local communities in ensuring the safety of children. Following the National Child Protection Committee meeting yesterday, Varawut unveiled…
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Mother exposes child adoption scam on Facebook
A mother filed a complaint after discovering that con artists have used her family’s photos in a Facebook child adoption scam. The deceptive posts, which circulated widely online, brazenly sought caregivers for children, with statements such as: “Looking for a girl to adopt, a generous reward offered, will provide education until graduation. “Seeking someone to adopt a newborn today, message…
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Bangkok chef arrested for assault and rape of teenage employee
A head chef in Bangkok was arrested for the alleged assault and rape of a 16 year old female employee after luring her under false pretences. The incident, which took place in the Pin Klao area, has led to the arrest of the 25 year old suspect, Watanyu. In a swift operation following an arrest warrant issued by the Taling…
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Elephant tussle in Khao Yai ends with broken tusk
A dramatic clash for dominance between two male elephants yesterday left one with a broken tusk in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The incident occurred after Plai Khrut, the young elephant who previously made headlines for raiding a statue at Wat Mu Si and consuming all the sugar cane grown by the temple for religious ceremonies, challenged his…
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Tourism boost: Bangkok Airways’ SAMUI SAVOR campaign
Bangkok Airways joined BDMS in the SAMUI SAVOR campaign to stimulate local food tourism. The airline is offering a discount at 42 leading restaurants on Koh Samui with a single boarding pass. There is also a chance to win prizes for flights, with 20 available in Thailand. Ploenphit Kosonyuthasan, Director of Tourism and Alliance Marketing Promotion, Bangkok Airways Public Company…
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Fruity fury: Durian dispute turns into armed showdown
A heated confrontation at a durian stall led to a dramatic arrest in Samut Prakan when a disgruntled man drew a gun in a threat of violence. The incident, which was captured on CCTV, occurred around 7.10pm on Wednesday, when the man, identified only as Tao, approached the stall after arguing with a woman across the street. He was later…
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Massive drug bust: Heroin seized in river smuggling operation
Local officers from Na Ngiew Police Station and border patrol police swooped down on Phukhao Thong village in Ban Mueang subdistrict, uncovering a labyrinthine web of drug smuggling. Nestled in the Sangkhom district of Nong Khai province, this clandestine operation bordered Laos. Upon arrival, the officers stumbled upon four shadowy figures ferrying cardboard boxes into a nondescript house. Police Lieutenant…
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Fuelling fury: Employee’s 3-province chase ends in petrol theft bust
A fuel station employee embarked on a high-speed chase spanning over three provinces, ending 160 kilometres away after a 500 baht petrol theft by a 53 year old man, who promptly fled without paying after receiving a quick splash. The incident began in Samut Songkhram province when the man, hailing from Khon Kaen, drove his Toyota Vios into a local…
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Lampang motorcycle accident kills teen, injures passenger
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of an 18 year old woman and left a 16 year old passenger injured in the heart of Lampang City. The incident occurred yesterday at 2.50am, today, May 10, on Phaholyothin Road in Tambon Chomphu, Amphoe Mueang Lampang. Emergency services were alerted to the scene where they found a black scooter lying next…
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Godzilla the macaque succumbs to weight-related illnesses (video)
Godzilla, the once-overweight macaque sensation, captured hearts worldwide as his plight against obesity unfolded. But despite efforts to save him, the beloved primate tragically met his demise, leaving a community in mourning. Godzilla, the crab-eating macaque, met his untimely end at the Crystal Pet Hospital in Bangkok on Monday, May 6, succumbing to a plethora of weight-related ailments. At just…
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Rolling the dice: Thai sting nabs duo in high-stakes gambling bust
The Thai authorities apprehended a 34 year old man and a 19 year old woman in a sophisticated sting operation targeting an illegal online gambling ring that reportedly saw monthly transactions averaging 50 million baht per month. Kittinan The coordinated search led by Major General Warawut Wattanakornbancha, head of the Special Branch Police, along with his team, spanned four locations…
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British man nabbed for souring Phuket eatery’s reputation
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a British man for allegedly defaming an Italian restaurant in Phuket with negative reviews on Google after a two-year long conflict with the restaurant owner. The restaurant owner filed a complaint with the Sakhu Police Station officers after noticing a sudden drop in their Google Maps rating, from 4.9 stars to 3.1…
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Thai police dismantle kidnapping ring, arrest gang members
The Thai police force delivered a decisive blow to a notorious kidnapping ring and murder gang with the recent arrest of three key suspects. The operation took place at 9.30am today and was announced by the head of the Crime Suppression Division, along with his deputies and other officers. The individuals apprehended include 44 year old Thanawit, 38 year old…
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Pattaya’s elevator overhaul restores lifeline for the disabled
In front of the Phra Mahatai Centre, known as the Pattaya Redemptorist Technological College for People with Disabilities, an elevator once abandoned has been resurrected, poised to redefine accessibility along Sukhumvit Road. “The elevator’s revival heralds a new era of inclusivity, offering safe passage for those navigating the bustling thoroughfare.” The repaired elevator serves as more than just a mechanism…
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Chiang Rai police bust online gambling ring worth 200 million baht
A clandestine online gambling ring operating out of Chiang Rai was dismantled by Thai police, revealing a sophisticated operation led by a group of young locals who had rapidly amassed wealth. A police operation today, May 10, resulted in the arrest of 33 year old Kittipong and his 36 year old wife Marisa along with their associates and a dozen…
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New Covid-19 sub-variants strike Thailand
Thailand has uncovered 13 cases of the KP.2 and KP.3 or FLiRT sub-variants of the Omicron JN.1 Covid-19 variant. Dr Yongyot Thummavudhi, the Director-General of the Medical Sciences Department, issued a stern warning, revealing that the severity of these new strains remains a mystery due to insufficient data. “Omicron JN1 and its offshoots continue to loom large over Thailand. JN.1,…
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Anti-social Austrian man arrested for overstaying visa in Isaan
Police arrested an anti-social Austrian man for overstaying his visa by more than two years in the Isaan province of Buriram on May 8 after locals complained that the foreigner repeatedly harassed locals and behaved erratically. Thai people in the Non Din Daeng district and nearby districts of Buriram filed a police report that the foreign man, later identified as…
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Maya Bay ranks 5th in world’s best beaches for 2024 (video)
Maya Bay, located on the idyllic Phi Phi Islands in Krabi province, has been named the 5th-best beach in the world for 2024 by Beach Atlas, a website based in the United Kingdom. This prestigious recognition places Maya Bay at the top of the list not only in Thailand but also as the number one beach across the ASEAN region.…
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Myriad of drug raids in Phuket yields over 4,000 meth pills
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Phuket yesterday to news that the local police declared a series of detentions in recent anti-drug operations, with raids leading to the capture of over 4,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba. One such operation by the Phuket City Police dismantled a significant drug network leading to the arrest of nine individuals. Among these,…
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Hat Yai man ranks fourth in police exams after seven-year struggle
A young man’s relentless pursuit of his dream to become a police officer has paid off after seven years of steadfast determination, culminating in his high-ranking success in the police entrance examination. A department store employee’s unwavering dedication to achieving his dream has finally borne fruit after a gruelling seven-year journey. The young man, who hails from Hat Yai in…
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Foreigner narrowly escapes death after Pattaya bus hits him (video)
A reckless coach bus driver fled the scene after hitting a foreign cyclist riding along Pattaya Sai 2 Road on May 8. The foreign man was left prostrate on the road with a severe wound to his right arm. A Facebook user, Prak Pheaktra, shared a video of the incident today, May 10, with a caption that read, “Foreigner was…
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Phuket power play: Deputy PM aims to dismantle influential figures
A campaign to dismantle the influence of Thai and foreign powerful figures in Phuket has been launched by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul. The initiative was announced before an assembly of 550 officers yesterday at the Phuket Provincial Police Station, aiming to disrupt any criminal networks promoted by said figures. As the campaign’s primary aim…
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Greater Bay Airlines halts Hong Kong-Singapore flights
Hong Kong-based carrier Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) announced the suspension of its daily service between Hong Kong and Singapore, effective from June 1. The decision, attributed to commercial considerations, comes hot on the heels of its recent rivalry with budget giants Scoot and AirAsia, as well as premium players Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Launched with much fanfare on April…
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Thailand to host first Southeast Asian WUWM conference
Thailand made a significant stride in the global agricultural sector as it was chosen to host the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) annual conference for the first time in Southeast Asia. The event, scheduled for May 15-17, 2024, at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, will showcase Thailand’s status as a leading agricultural hub with an extensive tour of Talad…
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Thailand and EU nearing completion of free trade agreement
Thailand is on the verge of finalising a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union within the year, as they collaborate on commitments to halt illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. The Europe Day 2024 celebration, held yesterday in Bangkok by the EU embassy, commemorated the historic event that underpinned the establishment of the EU. Europe Day, observed…
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Minimum wage increase pledge sparks hotel industry crisis
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s promise to boost the minimum wage to 400 baht by October 1 has set off alarms in the private sector, particularly among hoteliers. Concerns abound as businesses foresee a hefty 15 to 20% surge in costs across goods and services, presenting a formidable hurdle for the hospitality sector. The impending wage revision marks the third adjustment…
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Thai-Saudi collaboration set to boost health and wellness tourism
Health and wellness tourism in Saudi Arabia is set to receive a boost as the Thai Public Health Ministry sets its sights on fostering collaborations in the sector. Simultaneously, the Labour Ministry is eyeing the opportunity to dispatch a greater number of skilled Thai workers to the Middle East nation. Saudi Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Kassabi was welcomed to…
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Corrupt former DSI chief’s 44.6 million baht assets seized
An alleged corrupt former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief experienced a significant blow as the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sanctioned the confiscation of his assets worth 44.6 million baht. This development, announced yesterday by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into Tarit Pengdit’s unaccounted wealth. NACC Secretary General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol…
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Thailand’s longest onshore gas pipeline launched by PTT
PTT President Auttapol Rerkpiboon announced the opening of Thailand’s longest onshore gas pipeline. The 417-kilometre pipeline, previously delayed due to Covid-19, will secure the gas supply across seven provinces, supporting power generation, industrial operations, and transportation. As part of PTT‘s fifth-phase development, the pipeline extends from the company’s gas separation plants in Rayong to Nontha Buri, facilitating a gas transport…
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Free electric buses spark hope in Phuket’s traffic chaos
In the heart of Phuket’s Old Town, where tourists flock to soak in the community’s charm, a groundbreaking project has taken flight to combat congestion and pollution. Led by local businesses, the Phuket Smart Bus EV initiative promises a greener, smoother journey for all. To tackle the notorious traffic gridlock plaguing Phuket’s picturesque Old Town, a group of local businesses…
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