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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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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Sting operation: Hong Kong duo nabbed in Bangkok mall scam bust
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) coordinated with mobile operator AIS in the arrest of two Hong Kong men who attempted to defraud people in a shopping mall in Bangkok by sending scam messages using a StingRay device. CCIB officers, also known as the Cyber Police, were alerted to the scam messages by users of the AIS mobile operator. The…
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Amid economic turbulence, Malaysia’s illicit trade crackdown must stay the course
After an economically disappointing 2023, Malaysia faces further headwinds due to global economic and political uncertainties. New research published in late March has identified the country’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) among the Southeast Asian megaprojects affected by a $50 billion gap between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) commitments and delivery for the region. Reflecting the broader ASEAN growth…
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Thai govt plans huge digital wallet handout to boost economy
The Pheu Thai Party government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is set to roll out a massive digital wallet handout scheme worth 500 billion baht (US$13.75 billion) in the fourth quarter of this year. The scheme, which is designed to stimulate economic activity, involves transferring a sum of 10,000 baht (US$275) to 50 million Thai citizens, intended to be…
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Pattaya plagued by motorcycle wheel thieves
A criminal gang is targeting motorcycle wheels in a recent surge of thefts in Pattaya. The brazen escapades of the gang have left the community on edge, with urgent pleas for police intervention. The shocking incident unfolded at Government Housing Na Jomtien Village, captured in chilling detail by closed-circuit television cameras. The footage, which swiftly made rounds on social media,…
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Severe summer storm wreaks havoc in Phichit, Thailand
A severe summer storm recently ravaged Phichit province in Thailand, causing extensive damage to homes, religious sites, and infrastructure. The storm, which struck yesterday evening, particularly impacted three districts: Bang Mun Nak, Dong Charoen, and Taphan Hin. The powerful storm toppled trees, snapped utility poles, and sent roofs flying, resulting in widespread power outages that lasted through the night. The…
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Thailand faces first consumer confidence dip in eight months
A recent survey has revealed a decline in Thailand’s consumer confidence for the first time in eight months. This dip in March is attributed to a sluggish economic recovery and escalating living expenses. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which conducted the survey, reported a decrease in the consumer index to 63.0 in March, down from 63.8…
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Thai man disappears after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter
A Thai man vanished after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter at a resort in the northern province of Uttaradit on April 8. Mueang Uttaradit Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the 10 year old girl, Napat, yesterday, April 9, by an employer of a resort. Upon arrival at the scene, employers led officers to room…
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Serial offender arrested for violent rape in Khon Kaen
A 52 year old man with a history of sexual offences was recently apprehended for committing a violent rape in a rural area of Khon Kaen province. The suspect, Chaichana (surname withheld), was arrested today, April 10, following the issuance of a warrant by the Khon Kaen Provincial Court. The harrowing incident took place on April 8, when a 56…
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Thailand primes for haze mitigation ahead of Songkran festival
Responding to the escalating haze crisis, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed all provinces in the upper north, including Chiang Mai, to prepare their operation centres. This step aims to mitigate air pollution during the forthcoming Songkran festival, which traditionally sees a surge in tourist arrivals. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, these…
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Chon Buri childcare center shock: Police probe guard’s death
A 52 year old security guard was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a childcare centre in Chon Buri Province, sparking an immediate police investigation. The distressing scene, discovered early this morning, included the guard’s body with multiple injuries and torn clothes scattered across the area, raising suspicions of foul play. Upon receiving a distress call around 5am today, April…
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Thai banks’ loan jitters: ITD woes prompt provision provisions
Two major Thai banks, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), have set aside provisions for possible loan losses related to Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), one of the nation’s foremost contractors. Provisions have been determined using a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) framework, according to Arthid Nanthawithaya, chief executive of SCB X, SCB’s holding company. Despite economic uncertainties and…
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Thai couple face backlash for romantic graffiti on bridge in Japan
A Thai couple faced a backlash on social media after expressing their love by writing their names, Beer <3 Mayvy 2024, on a bridge at a popular tourist destination in Tokyo, Japan. A Thai man took to Facebook to condemn the couple’s action, sharing a picture of the handwritten message on the bridge with a caption that read… “I visited…
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Thai stocks shed by foreign investors amidst delayed US rate cuts
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reported that foreign investors offloaded Thai stocks to the tune of 68.9 billion baht (US$ 2 billion) in the first quarter, with 41.2 billion sold in March alone. This trend is linked to the delayed US interest rate cuts, weaker financial performance of Thai companies compared to those on other exchanges, and overall economic…
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Thai doctor offered bribe to drop lawsuit in Swiss scandal
The Thai doctor who was a victim in the Swiss scandal case in Phuket revealed that an unidentified person offered her and her family a bribe in exchange for withdrawing the lawsuit against the Swiss man. The female doctor, 26 year old Tarndao Chandam, took to social media and accused the 45 year old Swiss man, Urs Fehr, of physically…
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Senate approves AI regulation in election campaigns
A report advocating for the regulation of election campaigns conducted using artificial intelligence (AI) was approved by the Senate yesterday. The Senate Committee on Politics compiled the report, which was presented during a meeting chaired by Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai. The report primarily focused on the use of social media in politics and election canvassing. The Senate’s term will come…
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Brutal assault on Jomtien Beach sparks police investigation
Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach became the site of a brutal assault recently, an event captured on video and circulated on social media, triggering a thorough investigation by the local police. The footage shows a group of six men violently attacking a young Thai man near a sidewalk. The video, posted by a Facebook user and soon went viral, reached the local…
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Tourist’s car wheel trapped in poorly covered sewer hole in Sattahip
A peculiar incident unfolded on Monday when an unsuspecting tourist found his car wheel ensnared in an inadequately covered sewer hole on Bang Saray Beach Road, in Sattahip, Chon Buri province. Local media outlets reported this event as it happened under the veil of the previous night. On arrival at the scene of the incident, emergency responders came across a…
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Dusit International urges government to boost quality tourism in Thailand
Dusit International Vice Chairman Chanin Donavanik urged the government to focus on enhancing the quality of tourism and encouraging exploration of lesser-known destinations to boost the industry. Chanin believes the government’s existing tourism promotion policies, including visa-free schemes and luxury tax reductions, are effective. Chanin, who also serves as the executive committee’s chairman, highlighted several areas for the authorities to…
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Stormy forecast: Thailand braces for thunder, wind, and hail
Thailand’s northern region is bracing for severe summer storms, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a warning for thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas. The warning, which took effect from 5am today, April 10, and is expected to continue until tomorrow, April 11, is a result of high-pressure systems from China extending over the northeast of…
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Thailand ready to host 100,000 Myanmar refugees amid conflict
Thailand’s readiness to accommodate an influx of 100,000 refugees from Myanmar, due to escalating conflicts, was recently confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. The announcement came in the wake of rebel forces capturing Myawaddy, a border town adjacent to Tak’s Mae Sot district. The minister’s statement followed a meeting held yesterday to discuss the evolving situation in Myanmar. The…
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Thai govt explores legalisation of casino entertainment complexes
The Thai Cabinet yesterday endorsed a House committee report, greenlighting the prospect of legalising entertainment complexes featuring casinos within the country. The Ministry of Finance received orders to conduct a further feasibility study concerning this potential investment within a 30-day timeframe. Kenika Ounjit, the deputy government spokeswoman, highlighted that the entertainment complex initiative constitutes a vital component in the government’s…
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s opulent family holiday in Phuket
Ever wondered how Hollywood’s elite enjoy their family vacations? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie show us how it’s done with their opulent getaway in Thailand. The power couple, along with their brood of six, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne are basking in luxury at the Amanpuri beach resort in Phuket, where they’re shelling out a jaw-dropping £18,000 (approximately…
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Chinese man arrested in Pattaya for illegal entry and employment
A 36 year old Chinese national was apprehended in Pattaya on April 8, following suspicions of illegal entry into Thailand and unauthorised employment as a guide. On the day of his arrest, Ke Pan was located inside a car, with the windows rolled down, appearing noticeably uneasy upon spotting the patrolling police vehicle, which consequently triggered his attempt to abscond.…
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Street vendor’s fried wonton pricing sparks social media uproar
A recent social media post sparked a debate about the fairness of food pricing after a woman paid 50 baht for less than ten pieces of fried wontons from a street vendor. The post, which quickly went viral, led to a flurry of comments from netizens astonished by what they deemed an exorbitant cost for such a meagre serving. On…
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Bangkok Port shipping scene sets sail for relocation
The Bangkok Port, located in the bustling Klong Toey district, is earmarked for a potential relocation, the Transport Ministry announced. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed plans for a feasibility study into the port’s relocation yesterday, to transform parts of the 32-rai site into a public park. Manaporn, responsible for overseeing the operations of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), shared…
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Thai man flees on stolen motorbike after attempted rape at hospital
A Thai man fled on a stolen motorcycle after he attempted to rape a female doctor at a hospital in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham on Sunday. Fortunately, the victim survived while the suspect reportedly hid himself in Khon Kaen province. The 31 year old doctor, Nantida, recounted the incident to Matichon, saying she was alone at the one-stop…
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Phrae authorities foil Songkran festival illegal timber smuggling
Authorities in the province of Phrae intercepted a major illegal timber operation, thwarting an attempt to smuggle wood past checkpoints in a bid to supply factories ahead of the busy Songkran festival. The bust, which took place today, April 9, is part of an intensified crackdown on illegal logging activities in the region. The operation, led by the director of…
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Wildlife trafficker nabbed with protected macaques in Narathiwat
The Thai authorities recently apprehended a wildlife trafficker in a sting operation today, seizing two protected macaque monkeys confined in fertiliser bags. The suspect, 32 year old Haisu Salaere, was caught red-handed in Narathiwat province while attempting to sell the animals, which he admitted to capturing and training for obedience and tasks. Narathiwat police, in collaboration with the Provincial Police…
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Mentally ill Thai man stabs victim in Chon Buri mall
A mentally ill Thai man hit a fellow citizen in the head with a glass bottle and later stabbed the victim with the broken bottle at a shopping mall in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on April 7. Plutaluang Police Station officers received a report on the stabbing incident at about 3.30pm on Sunday, April 7 and quickly responded…
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Chinese automaker Hozon aims to double its EV sales in Thailand
Hozon New Energy Automobile Co, a Chinese manufacturer operating as Neta Auto, has set a target to double its electric vehicle (EV) sales in Thailand to 30,000 units this year. The announcement was made during last month’s Bangkok International Motor Show. The company’s swift rise in popularity in Thailand, a market previously dominated by legacy automakers, is a testament to…
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