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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Miracle at sea: Rare albino whale resurfaces near Phang Nga
A rare albino Omura whale, previously sighted off the shores of Phuket, has once again graced the Andaman seas near Phang Nga province, stunning onlookers and marine experts alike. Banchar Sae-jo, manager of the New Tapana tourist boat, caused a stir online when he shared a mesmerising video clip of the ivory Omura whale on his Facebook page last Saturday,…
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NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies
In a move to tackle the global scourge of air pollution, NASA launched a series of missions aimed at revolutionising the way we forecast and combat this deadly threat. With millions of lives hanging in the balance each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, the need for accurate identification and tracking of pollutants has never been more pressing. Kicking off…
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Thailand govt cuts informal debts by 670 million baht in two months
The Government of Thailand has slashed the nation’s informal debts by 670 million baht (US$18.69 million) in a span of two months, successfully resolving 102,000 out of the 140,000 reported cases. This significant reduction is part of an initiative to alleviate the household debt burden. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, attributed this progress…
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Thailand News Today | Farang’s on e-unicycles raise local ire, PM calls for more security for royal family
The Prime Minister is calling for heightened security for the royal family Following a recent incident where student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and a member of the Thalu Wang group attempted to disrupt Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s motorcade by honking and lane-cutting, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for increased security measures for the royal family, emphasizing the importance of their safety…
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Thailand to reassess recent reduction in meth penalties
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed yesterday that the government is open to reevaluating a recently announced policy which reduces penalties for individuals found with five or fewer methamphetamine pills. This statement follows the public disapproval that has arisen in response to the law, signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, which determines that anyone found with…
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Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news
Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year. The 24 year old political activist, Sutthawee Soikham, was arrested in March last year…
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Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts
According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, the go-to name in digital payments, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens. The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search…
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Thailand’s health ministry targets birth rate boost with new fertility strategies
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is set to introduce strategies designed to encourage artificial insemination and support those who wish to become parents, encompassing the LGBTQ community as well. The drive is part of an initiative to increase the country’s birth rate. During a meeting with Jos Vandelaer, Thailand’s World Health Organisation representative, at Nakhonping Hospital, the Minister, Cholnan Srikaew,…
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Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decided to open select facilities and golf courses to the public under certain conditions, according to the commander-in-chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul. This decision follows a request from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the Kantarat Golf Course, situated between Don Mueang International Airport’s runways, and access other RTAF properties for state project development. The…
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5 immigration police face 15 years in prison for kidnapping Chinese man
Five Immigration Bureau police officers face 15 years in prison for kidnapping two Chinese men and a Thai interpreter in March last year for a ransom of 10 million baht. A Thai man who aided the corrupt police operation faces 10 years in prison. The Thai interpreter, 38 year old Namee Saelee, filed a complaint against five immigration police and a…
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Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism
The implementation of the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was defended yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This came following a statement by Move Forward Party Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul, suggesting the government develop a backup plan due to the scheme’s uncertain future. Tansakul pointed out that the scheme’s success hinges on the decision of the government’s digital wallet policy…
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Man arrested in Songkhla for illegal online sale of protected birds
The Thai authorities arrested a 40 year old man for illegally selling protected wild birds online, claiming he needed the money for his child’s medical expenses. The man, identified as Tatsana Pohtong, was apprehended at his home in Songkhla province with 29 caged birds in his possession. The arrest followed an investigation into his Facebook posts advertising the sale of…
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Thailand’s digital deficit weighs heavily on tech industry
The digital deficit in Thailand, estimated to be around 200 billion baht (US$5.56 billion) per year, is a major concern for tech industry leaders. The former president of the Thai e-Commerce Association, Pawoot Ponngvitayapanu, highlighted this issue to Parliament’s economic steering committee, urging them to address the deficit and informing the finance ministry. The deficit stems from Thailand consuming more…
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Thai economy needs more stimulus amidst global challenges
Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) warned that the Thai economy requires additional government stimulus to boost domestic consumption amidst challenges such as global politics, China’s economic deceleration, and fluctuating currency rates. The centre’s managing director, Burin Adulwattana, emphasised that the decrease in headline inflation for the fourth consecutive month in January does not suggest deflation risks, but rather highlights consumers’ dwindling…
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Thailand’s DES ministry to propose cell broadcast emergency system plan
A plan to introduce a cell broadcast emergency warning system will be submitted to the Cabinet next month by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Major mobile operators are expected to invest approximately 300 million baht (US$8.3 million) each to establish their cell broadcast centres, while the ministry may need around 400 million baht (US$11 million) to set…
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PM calls for enhanced royal family security after motorcade disruption
An urgent call for heightened security measures for the royal family was made yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, following a recent incident involving a student activist who attempted to disrupt a royal motorcade. The 61 year old prime minister emphasised the need for effective security to ensure the royal family’s safety, who have critical royal duties to perform. The…
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Tuk tuk tango: Phuket driver fined for tourist’s dance debacle
A tuk tuk driver in Phuket’s bustling Patong district found himself on the wrong side of the law recently when he was slapped with a fine. The tuk tuk driver’s offence? Allowing a tourist to dance atop his vehicle while it was caught in the snarl of traffic on Patong Beach Road. The incident, captured in a video which quickly…
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8 year old girl rescued after spending 2 days in Chon Buri cemetery (video)
A Thai cemetery caretaker rescued an eight year old girl who spent two days in a graveyard in Chon Buri province after she was allegedly abused by her mother, prompting her to run away from home. The 55 year old cemetery caretaker, Samai Kalaphan, sought help from the Tri Khunnatham Rescue Foundation after discovering the girl. Samai explained that he…
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Indonesia reassures no rice shortage despite retail restrictions
The Indonesian government affirmed today that there is no shortage in the country’s rice stocks, despite increasing restrictions on sales in mini markets and supermarkets that have been in place since the close of 2023. Arief Prasetyo Adi, the Head of the National Food Agency (NFA), made this assurance following a coordination meeting with the president. He also highlighted the…
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Bangkok socialite denies blackmail in high-society assault case
A high-profile socialite vehemently denied allegations of blackmail after accusing a well-known high-society individual, the son of a prominent politician, of sexual assault. Police are expediting their investigation, seeking testimony from an additional witness who reportedly aided the victim’s escape. Officials are prepared to issue a summons to the young high-society man today, stressing that there has been no external…
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Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths
A mystical village, Ban Khop Klang Nuea, in the Isaan province of Kalasin established nine strict rules in response to a series of mysterious deaths, with 15 reported in January. Channel 7 reporters visited a village in the Huai Mek district of Kalasin province to interview locals in the area about the nine rules to avoid sudden deaths. The media…
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Room for debate: Thai woman’s deathly Bangkok rental quest raises eyebrow
A social media post by a Thai woman seeking to rent a room with a history of death sparked a social media debate, challenging conventional taboos and highlighting the lengths to which people will go to find affordable housing. The user’s post on a Facebook group dedicated to property sales and rentals in certain Bangkok areas resounded with the online…
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Japanese to invest 10 billion baht in Thailand’s S-curve industries
Two Japanese corporations are set to inject a total of 10 billion baht into Thailand’s S-curve industries, according to the Thai Industry Ministry. This initiative encompasses 12 industries earmarked for development by the Thai government, including smart electronics. Air and compressor manufacturing are the sectors that have particularly piqued the interest of the two firms, said Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul.…
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Drunk Thai man found dead after friends leave him to sleep in car
A restaurant employee found a Thai man dead in his car, parked on Pattaya Sai Sam Road. He had been drunk, and his friends had left him to sleep off the alcohol in the car with the engine running. An employee of Pattaya Seafood restaurant, 30 year old Autthapon, told ThaiRath that he went to work last night, February 11,…
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2 foreign men to face 10,000 fine for riding e-unicycles in Chiang Mai (video)
Thai motorists demanded police take action against two foreign men riding electric unicycles, or e-unicycles, on a crowded road in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The video of two foreign men riding the e-unicycles in Chiang Mai was shared on February 10 by a Facebook, Guru Guroo Chiang Mai. The caption read… “Very dangerous! E-unicycles on Ring Road 2…
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Thailand braces for cold front and fierce monsoons
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning due to a powerful cold front and strong northeastern monsoons affecting various regions of the country. The warning, specifically targeting the upper part of Thailand and the lower Gulf of Thailand, indicates that the nation is experiencing unusually volatile weather patterns, leading to cooler to cold temperatures in the…
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Sheffield Wednesday fans chirp for change: Dejphon Chansiri urged to get out of club (video)
Sheffield Wednesday fans ramped up the pressure on Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri and his family to get out of the club. Wednesday supporters made their feelings known prior to and during the club’s English Football League clash with Birmingham City on Friday night increasing pressure on the Chansiri family, who owns the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest canned tuna producer.…
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School transport truck crash in Chachoengsao Province injures 13
A harrowing collision between a pickup truck and a six-wheeled school transport truck in Chachoengsao Province resulted in 13 injuries. The incident occurred today at 7am on Highway 319 in front of Wat Ban Song, Phanom Sarakham District. The rescue team from the Buddhist Association of Thailand (Phanom Rescue Center) responded immediately to the emergency call. Upon arriving at the…
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Thai, US officials to discuss cybersecurity following call scam outbreak
A cybersecurity discussion is on the agenda between Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as a result of call scammers fraudulently using the names of Thai diplomats. This issue was brought to light during a meeting with Thai officials at the Thai embassy in Washington DC, according to the Thai ambassador to the United…
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Deadly curve in Chon Buri claims two lives in high-speed crash
A tragic motorcycle accident in Chon Buri province claims the lives of two individuals, drawing attention to an infamous curve notorious for its high number of fatalities. In the early hours today, a Yamaha NMax motorbike veered off the road and into a tree on Jomtien Second Road, heading towards Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya. The emergency response teams, including the…
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