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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 5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Village leader fatally shot in Surat Thani, community mourns
Tragedy struck a local community in Surat Thani province when a 35 year old village leader was fatally shot in an appalling act of violence. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9pm yesterday, February 13, has left the village in shock and mourning. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon Sukpradit, the investigative officer from Kanjanadit Police Station, the emergency call came…
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Phuket police launch safety initiative to curb rising youth crime
Phuket City Police Station yesterday buzzed with activity as officers from the Phuket Provincial Police convened for the inauguration of a new safety and anti-crime initiative set to run until February 22. The gathering was an imposing show of unity, with representatives from various sectors of law enforcement, military personnel, administrative officials, volunteers, and media personnel all present. Spearheaded by…
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Thai shop owner’s lottery win ignites Ayutthaya blessing frenzy
A Thai mag wheel shop owner struck it lucky with a lottery win worth hundreds of thousands of baht after requesting blessings online and vowed to make a merit offering to a revered child spirit known as Kumarn Thong Jao Sua Heng. This event sparked a surge of lottery enthusiasts flocking to the Rasi Salai Hermitage in Ayutthaya Province, seeking…
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Ceramic doll statues conceal 20 million baht heroin haul in Thailand
Mueang Nong Khai police uncover a stash of heroin bars worth over 20 million baht hidden within innocuous Chinese ceramic doll statues. At a press conference held on Monday, February 12, authorities revealed the seizure made at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai. According to police reports, the alarming find unfolded when two Lao nationals arrived at the checkpoint…
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Clean getaway: Woman nabbed for laundry shop theft in Phuket
The tranquillity of Phuket’s Phra Metta Road was shattered after a local laundry shop fell victim to an audacious theft. A 30 year old woman was apprehended by the Patong Police for pilfering a bag of laundered clothes from the TOKI WASH laundry shop. The arrest took place in a rented room on Soi Manee Thong, off Ratchapathanusorn Road, where…
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Fatal car accident in Chon Buri: BMW crashes, passenger killed
A fatal car accident in Chon Buri province claimed the life of a passenger and left the driver in critical condition after a BMW reportedly lost control and crashed into a bridge pillar. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 14, when the vehicle, driven by a 26 year old, veered off the road at high speed. The…
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Roses lead, condoms surge: Grab reveals 5 best-selling products on Valentine’s Day
Grab Thailand unveiled its top five best-selling products during the Valentine’s Day festival with roses remaining the champion while condoms, although not in the top five, saw a 30% surge in sales. One of Thailand’s most popular superapps, Grab, gathered statistics from GrabMart users starting from February 1 before releasing a list of Thailand’s best-selling products on its application. The five…
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Thai consumers riding high for sixth straight month
Consumer confidence in Thailand has been on a steady rise, marking its sixth successive month of growth last month in January. Levels have reached a high unseen since March 2020, attributed to the government’s strategic stimulus measures, including spending boosts and reductions in electricity and fuel prices. Yesterday’s report from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed…
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Nong Prue authorities rush to quell massive garbage pond blaze
A fire tore through a vast garbage pond in Soi Thung Klom-Tan Man near Pattaya on Monday evening. The Nong Prue Municipal Disaster Mitigation Center sprang into action following reports of the inferno around 10pm, Monday, February 12, prompting a swift response from municipal officials across the region. Stretching across an expanse of over 10 rais and owned by Nong…
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Thailand PM drives tourism growth, targets 35 million visitors
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently underscored the significance of tourism collaboration to elevate Thailand’s travel industry. The announcement comes on the heels of Maya Bay in Krabi province being named the third-best beach in the world by Lonely Planet, a testament to the country’s natural beauty. Prime Minister Office Spokesperson Chai Wacharongkakul revealed that the prime minister, who also serves…
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Surin’s Tha Tum district dazzles with traditional egg parade
A time-honoured tradition in Surin province’s Tha Tum district, the annual egg parade ceremony to honour the town’s guardian spirits, has once again captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The event, which took place yesterday, February 13, is renowned not only for its cultural significance but also for the much-anticipated divination ritual where participants seek lucky numbers from…
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Phuket’s waste warriors launch innovative ‘waste bank’ to tackle trash troubles
Phuket City Municipality forged ahead with innovative steps to navigate the growing waste management crisis, introducing the Samakkhi Samkong Community Waste Bank scheme. The Mayor of Phuket Town, Saroj Angkhanapilas, underscored the necessity of proficient solid waste management during the announcement of this community-centric initiative. He hailed the inauguration of the community waste bank as a remarkable stride in the…
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Thailand News Today | Cannabis bill paused for public discourse, Ex-PM Thaksin to be released from jail early
Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister is set to be released from prison early Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a pivotal figure in the country’s political landscape, is set to be released from prison following parole approval, just six months after ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. His return and subsequent sentencing to eight years for charges including corruption, which was…
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Phuket’s property pandemonium: Foreign buyers drive real estate prices sky high
Phuket’s property market has been catapulted to unprecedented heights, with foreign interest igniting a buying spree sending prices soaring. Phattarachai Taweewong, director of Research and Communications at Colliers International (Thailand), revealed that the allure of owning a slice of paradise in Phuket has pushed land prices to astronomical levels, hitting as high as 25 to 100 million baht per rai.…
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Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…
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Swift action by Wichit firefighters prevents neighbourhood disaster
A blazing inferno swept through a small residence in Wichit, Phuket at the weekend leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thanks to the swift action of local firefighters, the flames were kept from spreading to nearby buildings, saving the neighbourhood from a potentially catastrophic domino effect. Upon receiving word of the fire, located in Soi Thep Anusorn 6…
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Thailand zoo unveils new capybara print legwear
Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province is introducing its newest sensation: capybara pants, scheduled to be available in stores next month. Announced via the zoo’s buzzing Kha Moo and the gang Facebook page, the revelation of these quirky trousers has sparked a viral storm, amassing over 1,500 shares in merely five hours. Director General of The Zoological Park…
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Myanmar businessman killed over black money deal in Bangkok
A violent altercation in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area led to the death of a 53 year old Myanmar businessman in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurred at 1.30am today, February 14, in a room in a Sukhumvit Soi 4 mansion, where the victim, Kayo Seya, was found with multiple injuries and significant blood loss. The businessman was reportedly…
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Bail granted to reporter and photographer accused of supporting political activist
The Criminal Court yesterday granted bail to a Thai news reporter from the Prachathai News Agency and a freelance photographer who were charged with covering the story of a political activist last year. Prachathai news agency reporter Nuttaphol Meksobhon and freelance photographer Nuttaphol Phanpongsanon were arrested on February 12. They were accused of supporting an action to damage the country’s…
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Thai stock exchange to tighten short sales and program trading rules
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is set to introduce stricter regulations on short sales and program trading, aiming to mitigate securities price volatility and bolster the long-term resilience of the market. This decision follows a comprehensive study conducted by an external advisor, which found the SET’s market surveillance system to be on par with regional standards, as per a…
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Khon Kaen Buddhism director scammed of 1.19 million baht
The director of the Office of Buddhism in Khon Kaen has fallen victim to a scam, resulting in a loss of over 1.19 million baht (US$32,973), leaving a mere 87 satang (US$0.024) in their bank account. The director, who had unknowingly sent their phone number—which was not linked to any bank—to what appeared to be a legitimate airline’s line account,…
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Anticipated US interest rate cut to boost gold prices in May
Gold prices in the domestic market, which had earlier witnessed a surge to 34,550 baht (US$956) per baht-weight during the Lunar New Year, are anticipated to rise again in May. This forecast comes as traders expect the Federal Reserve to begin a cut in US interest rates, thereby potentially driving global prices to US$2,100 per ounce. Gold Traders Association (GTA)…
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Over 1,000 digital platform operators register with Thailand’s ETDA
Digital platform service (DPS) operators in Thailand are flocking to register with the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) system, with over 1,000 already signed up. This comes in response to the DPS law implemented on August 21 last year, aimed at creating transparency and enhancing consumer protection in the digital space. The ETDA is set to issue its ETDA DPS…
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Activist Tantawan arrested for challenging royal motorcades
A 22 year old activist attracted attention when she found herself in the news for honking her car horn at a royal motorcade on February 4. Following this incident, Tantawan Tuatulanon conducted an opinion poll on February 10, questioning if royal motorcades were a cause of traffic issues. This action led to charges being filed against her for causing a…
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Thailand braces for record-breaking summer heat in five provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a stark warning that this year’s summer season could bring even more intense heat than the previous year to five provinces, already topping the charts as the hottest in the country. The forecast, released on February 13, suggests a sweltering summer ahead with temperatures that could soar to a scorching 44.5 degrees Celsius. The five…
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Thai Cannabis decriminalisation paused for further dialogue
The push for cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand faced a hiccup as the Ministry of Public Health yesterday announced a pause in proceedings. The deferral was called for a dialogue with the public, and pro-cannabis interest groups, and to gather more views on the matter. The initial intention behind cannabis decriminalisation in Thailand was always medical, not recreational use. However, the…
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Most Thais plan online Valentine’s Day shopping, reveals Visa survey
Almost four out of five people in Thailand are planning to buy Valentine’s Day gifts online, a recent survey by YouGov for payments company Visa reveals. The study aimed to assess Thai consumers’ spending habits during the romantic holiday, along with the factors influencing their decisions, and the most effective ways to win their partners’ hearts. The survey presented an…
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Thai police boost security for Valentine’s Day to protect minors
Valentine’s Day in Thailand will see heightened security measures at motels and nightlife venues, as announced by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). This action comes as a bid to protect minors from potential risks. RTP Deputy Spokesperson Police Colonel Chanchai Rattanapanich revealed on Tuesday that national police chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol prioritised the safety of the youth on Valentine’s…
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Ed Sheeran concert uproar prompts Paetongtarn to deny VIP noise
Concertgoers at Ed Sheeran’s recent performance in Bangkok were met with an unexpected disturbance emanating from the VIP section, leading to a heated debate across social media platforms. Amidst the furore, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, addressed the issue today, staunchly denying involvement in the disruptive noise that prompted some audience members to leave the venue.…
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Valentine trend: Banknote bouquets outsell roses in Trang
Valentine’s Day in Trang witnessed an innovative gifting trend that has captured the hearts of many: beautifully crafted bouquets made not only with traditional roses but also with chocolate and banknotes. At Ari Flower Shop on Jermpanya Road, in the Thap Thiang district of Trang, the owner and her team are busy preparing these unique bouquets for the season of…
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