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...

  • Kaeng Tai Pla from southern Thailand voted worst dish in the world

    Kaeng Tai Pla from southern Thailand voted worst dish in the world

    TasteAtlas, one of the globe’s most famous food guide platforms, declared Kaeng Tai Pla from southern Thailand as the worst dish in the world in its 100 Worst Rated Foods in the World. Multiple Thai dishes have made their names on the world’s best dishes by TasteAtlas but there is no chance to shine for Kaeng Tai Pla, which is…

  • Giant golden king cobra rescued from car wheel in Chon Buri

    Giant golden king cobra rescued from car wheel in Chon Buri

    Residents of Ban Bueng, Chon Buri, were thrown into a state of alarm when an almost 4-metre-long golden king cobra entangled itself around a car wheel in the early hours of the morning. The incident triggered an urgent call for rescue services, as the presence of the venomous snake posed a significant danger to the local community. At around 5am…

  • Police misconduct alleged at Thai festival after brawl

    Police misconduct alleged at Thai festival after brawl

    An incident at a beer garden during the Thao Suranari Victory Celebration in Nakhon Ratchasima Province turned violent, resulting in allegations of police misconduct. On the evening of April 2, a group of teenagers became embroiled in a brawl, which inadvertently implicated an innocent bystander. A 20 year old man, Na (surname withheld), reported that he was struck in the…

  • Drunken monk in Bangkok detained for lewd acts (video)

    Drunken monk in Bangkok detained for lewd acts (video)

    Bangkok’s bustling streets witnessed a bizarre incident recently when a 62 year old man was detained by police for inappropriate behaviour. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, April 3, when Bangkaew police officers from Samut Prakan province were alerted to a man, clad in monk’s robes, exhibiting drunken behaviour and leering at women’s breasts and buttocks in Kingkhaew Market. Upon…

  • Two navy conscripts die in early morning Chachoengsao road crash

    Two navy conscripts die in early morning Chachoengsao road crash

    A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two people early this morning when a van carrying navy conscripts collided with an 18-wheeler in Chachoengsao province. The van, which was hired by navy personnel returning to their homes for the Songkran holiday break, veered off course when the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The incident occurred at 4.30am,…

  • Thailand explores extending emergency coverage to foreign tourists

    Thailand explores extending emergency coverage to foreign tourists

    The possibility of extending the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme to safeguard foreign tourists is being explored by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. This move comes in the wake of a rising number of injuries among tourists, primarily due to road and water accidents. The proposal to include foreign tourists under…

  • DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai

    DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai

    The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) dismissed allegations that it plans to transfer macaques from Lop Buri to Khao Yai National Park. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the Director-General of DNP, clarified this during a media briefing yesterday, April 3. The director general discussed an action plan intended to manage the monkeys causing disturbances to Lop Buri residents and…

  • Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors

    Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors

    The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists. This initiative is led by the acting chief justice of the Phuket Provincial Court, Kriangsak Rodpunshoo. He disclosed that the influx of both local and international tourists in Phuket has led to a spike in both criminal and…

  • MFP vows bold defence against dissolution threat

    MFP vows bold defence against dissolution threat

    Move Forward Party (MFP) chief Chaithawat Tulathon declared the party’s unwavering resolve to counter the looming spectre of dissolution, revealing plans to submit a comprehensive rebuttal to the Constitutional Court following the upcoming Songkran festivities. The 45 year old Chaithawat affirmed that the MFP would not simply lodge its defence with the court but would also make it accessible to…

  • Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht

    Rayong fisherman nets suspected ambergris worth millions of baht

    A fishing expedition near Hua Hin beach in Rayong province recently turned up an unexpected catch for a local fisherman, who netted what appeared to be a lump of ambergris, a valuable substance used in the production of perfume. The discovery has sparked excitement among residents, and experts are being called upon to confirm the authenticity of the find. The…

  • Thai economy forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3%

    Thai economy forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3%

    The Thai economy, driven primarily by exports, forecasts growth between 2.8% and 3.3% for this year, as reported by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). The committee, representing diverse sectors, has retained its initial forecast, projecting a 2.0% to 3.0% increase in exports. Following a 1.9% expansion in the previous year, Thailand’s economic growth is projected…

  • Thai man runs naked after Buddha statue grants conscription exemption

    Thai man runs naked after Buddha statue grants conscription exemption

    A Thai man honoured his vow to a Buddha statue at a shrine in the central province of Ang Thong by running naked after the statue granted conscription exemption. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) summons Thai men aged over 21 years old for military conscription every year. Failure to attend the conscription draw can result in imprisonment for up to three…

  • Local beauty queen stuns at Chaiyaphum military draft

    Local beauty queen stuns at Chaiyaphum military draft

    The annual military draft in Chaiyaphum province witnessed an extraordinary event yesterday as a local beauty queen, known as Gantong, reported for service, stunning the crowd with her striking appearance. Gantong, who has a history of pageantry success, including recent titles such as Miss Teen GOSOCIAL Queen Thailand 2021 and the Nong Khai’s Daughter of the Mekong River 2022, took…

  • Bangkok man arrested for flaunting gun while intoxicated

    Bangkok man arrested for flaunting gun while intoxicated

    Bangkok police arrested a 60 year old man following reports of him brandishing a firearm while intoxicated at a rental room. The arrest was a coordinated effort by senior law enforcement officers, including Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, the Metropolitan Police Chief, and his deputies, along with investigative officers from the fourth subdivision. The man, Prasobchok, also known as Chok…

  • Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand

    Deputy PM supports regulated cannabis use in Thailand

    In a significant public announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul voiced his stance on the ongoing cannabis debate in Thailand, declaring he supports regulated use. This followed an interview with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on France 24, in which the leader suggested the reclassification of marijuana as an illicit substance due to its deemed harmful effects on Thai society.…

  • Thai health pushes for alcohol-free Songkran celebrations

    Thai health pushes for alcohol-free Songkran celebrations

    The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, StopDrink Network (SDN), and other relevant agencies conducted a press conference on Monday to deliberate on the celebration of Songkran in a manner that prioritised enjoyment, safety, and the absence of violence. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of Thai Health, emerged as one of the prominent speakers at the event. Pairoj ardently advocated for the celebration…

  • Ratchaburi highway police arrest wanted criminals

    Ratchaburi highway police arrest wanted criminals

    Highway police officers made a significant arrest yesterday after pulling over a vehicle with an expired registration plate. During a routine check near kilometre marker 83 to 84 on Rama 2 Road in Wang Manao, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, the officers uncovered connections to a high-profile criminal case. The vehicle, driven by 49 year old Samart (surname withheld) and…

  • Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket

    Smokin’ scuffle: Foreigner’s taxi tantrum goes viral in Phuket

    A video of a foreign man attacking a Thai taxi driver on a road in the Thalang district of Phuket this morning went viral on Thai social media. The physical assault was reportedly sparked after the driver asked the foreigner to stop smoking in the cab. The Facebook page, Newshawk Phuket, shared a video of the incident at about 9.40am…

  • Fatal Bangkok motorcycle collision leaves unknown foreigner dead

    Fatal Bangkok motorcycle collision leaves unknown foreigner dead

    A fatal collision in Bangkok on Monday resulted in the death of an unknown foreigner and the severe injury of a Thai man. The incident took place on Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong San, Bangkok at 2.50pm on April 1, and involved a large motorcycle colliding with a smaller one. Officers from Samre Police Station and emergency services were alerted to the…

  • Supersmash: SuperCheap truck delivers chaos in Phuket

    Supersmash: SuperCheap truck delivers chaos in Phuket

    A SuperCheap delivery truck yesterday caused havoc in the car park of the Eua-Athorn Housing Authority estate in Srisoonthorn, Moo 1 when it smashed into two parked pickup trucks. The police are still in the process of contacting the pickup trucks’ owners. The incident was reported to Police Lieutenant Kraisorn Bunprasop of the Thalang Police Station around 4.10pm, yesterday, April…

  • Thailand tourism revolution: Five key strategies

    Thailand tourism revolution: Five key strategies

    In a monumental event dubbed Ignite Tourism Thailand, the government revealed a groundbreaking roadmap aimed at catapulting Thailand to the zenith of global tourism. With Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin and Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol at the helm, the unveiling at Government House marked a pivotal moment in Thailand’s ambition to become a multifaceted tourism hub…

  • Bangkok man arrested for filming under women’s skirts

    Bangkok man arrested for filming under women’s skirts

    Bangkok police officers recently apprehended a 50 year old suspect for his involvement in a string of perverse incidents, where he covertly filmed under women’s skirts. The arrest in the Lam Hin area followed a detailed investigation sparked by numerous reports of such violations. The suspect, known for his disturbing behaviour, was detained at his residence yesterday, April 2, after…

  • Surge in smog levels exceeds safe limits in northern Thailand

    Surge in smog levels exceeds safe limits in northern Thailand

    A surge in smog levels was experienced this morning, with PM2.5 dust readings surpassing 200 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in three northern provinces, including Chiang Mai. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) disclosed at 9am that 20 provinces registered red (significantly harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and below in diameter (PM2.5). The readings fluctuated…

  • Family fraud: Thai woman’s stolen identity crisis sparks media plea

    Family fraud: Thai woman’s stolen identity crisis sparks media plea

    A Thai woman is seeking help from the media after a distant relative impersonated her and committed multiple crimes under her name for more than three years. The victim appealed to Channel 7 to shed light on her story with the public to clarify that she has never engaged in any illegal activities. She aims to clarify that it was…

  • Russian arrested in Phuket for illegally working as tour guide

    Russian arrested in Phuket for illegally working as tour guide

    Phuket Tourist Police recently apprehended a 42 year old Russian national for unlawfully working as a tour guide at Pak Phra Beach, located adjacent to the Chong Pak Phra Channel, the body of water separating Phuket from mainland Thailand. This arrest is part of the ongoing police crackdown on foreigners operating illegally within the country. The officers arrived at the…

  • Ex-husband in Rayong lures and kills former wife

    Ex-husband in Rayong lures and kills former wife

    A tragic tale of domestic violence turned fatal has emerged from Rayong province, where a 31 year old man killed his 37 year old ex-wife following a deceptive request to meet one last time. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the local community, occurred in the late hours of April 1. Thanet lured Thipakorn to a commercial building on the outskirts of…

  • Thailand gold prices hit record, surpass 40,000 baht

    Thailand gold prices hit record, surpass 40,000 baht

    Gold prices in Thailand soared to a new high today, breaking the 40,000 baht barrier, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The market opened with a significant increase from the previous day’s closing rates, with gold ornaments now priced at 40,100 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement). Gold experienced a sharp climb of 350 baht…

  • Thailand plans to extend minimum wage increases to more regions

    Thailand plans to extend minimum wage increases to more regions

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that the government intends to extend minimum wage increases to additional regions and business sectors. This follows the wage increase approved for specific parts of 10 provinces set to take effect from April 13. The 62 year old Thai prime minister further commented that regular Cabinet meetings will be conducted to ascertain which regions…

  • Filipina rescued after robbery and attempted rape in Chon Buri

    Filipina rescued after robbery and attempted rape in Chon Buri

    A Thai man successfully saved a Filipina woman after theft and attempted rape near Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province. The 37 year old Thai man, Uthit, rescued a 37 year old Filipina woman on an isolated road near the Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in Chon Buri yesterday, April 2, at around 8.30am.…

  • Highway horror: Young man dies in motorcycle plunge from Thai overpass

    Highway horror: Young man dies in motorcycle plunge from Thai overpass

    A tragic motorcycle accident occurred early this morning, resulting in the death of a 21 year old man after his motorcycle careened off a five-story high overpass. The incident took place at the Thanya-Saraburi overpass, crossing Phaholyothin Road, in front of the Spell Town shopping complex in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. Lieutenant Colonel Kriangkrai Saenyod, the investigative inspector from…