News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourismāstay 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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Whatās 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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Motorcyclist dies in Chon Buri collision with parked truck
A tragic accident occurred in Chon Buri when a 36 year old woman collided with a parked pickup truck while riding her motorcycle. The accident, which took place on a dimly lit road near the Sattahip Naval Base, resulted in her death at the scene. Rescue volunteers from the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Foundation attempted CPR on the victim, Somboon Chomsiri, but…
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Fire at Phichit biomass plant burns 1,000 tonnes of fuel
A fire broke out at a biomass power plant in Taphan Hin district, Phichit province, engulfing over 1,000 tonnes of compressed fuel. Emergency services, including 15 fire trucks, responded to the incident. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries have been reported. The facility, operated by Thip Phichit Hybrid Energy Company, started operations on December 24, 2022.…
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Udon Thani man electrocuted during failed cable theft attempt
An attempted theft of high-voltage power cables ended tragically in Udon Thani when a man, believed to be aged between 30 and 40 years old, was electrocuted, causing him to fall from approximately 10 metres. The incident sparked a fire in the nearby grass, which emergency services promptly extinguished. The event occurred near an old petrol station on Nitthayo Road,…
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Thai durians cleared for export to China after contamination checks
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Itthi Sirilattayakorn recently inspected the export of durians free from Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium contamination at the Nakhon Phanom border checkpoint. Itthi discussed export strategies to China with the Department of Agriculture and relevant agencies. Following Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat’s urgent policy on safe, high-quality fruit for domestic consumption and export, efforts to address…
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Boozy alibi: Thai cop blames fatigue after drink driving crash
A Thai police officer in the southern province of Narathiwat, who crashed his car into two motorcycles and claimed exhaustion from work as the cause, had an alcohol level of 213 milligrammes per cent in his system. The accident occurred on the Chanae-Du Song Yo Road in the Chanae district of Narathiwat at around 5.12am on Saturday, January 18. Security…
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Thailand to rethink visa-free policy for Chinese citizens: Senate
The Senate has urged the Government of Thailand to reconsider its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, expressing concerns that Thailand may become a centre for criminal activities. Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit raised these issues during a recent Senate meeting led by Speaker Mongkol Surasajja. Wanchai pointed out that the policy, initially designed to boost tourism, has been misused by criminal groups.…
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Preschool teacher in Sisaket accused of husband’s murder
A tragic incident occurred in Kanthararom district, Sisaket province, where a 53 year old preschool teacher, Somjit, allegedly killed her husband, 58 year old Prasit, while he was asleep. The incident took place on January 19 at their rural home in Ban Khlor. Prasit, also known as Changsit, was found with a neck wound. Somjit, who suffers from mental health…
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Thailand video news | British tourist exposes harsh Thai detention conditions, Cambodian police arrest 300 in anti-gambling raid
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver an array of compelling stories from Thailand and across Asia. Highlights include the dramatic arrest of a Canadian in Phuket after a chaotic car chase, a “fake hug” scam targeting an Indian tourist in Pattaya, and a British tourist’s exposĆ© on harsh Thai detention conditions. They also explore Thailand’s ambitious casino…
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More jobs: Thaksin defends casino complex in Maha Sarakham
In Maha Sarakham province, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra criticised opponents of the government’s proposed casino entertainment complex, accusing them of misrepresenting the project as merely a casino. Thaksin defended the plan, stating that less than 10% of the complex’s activities would involve gaming, with the majority dedicated to other attractions. The 75 year old former prime minister highlighted that each…
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Thai transwoman and boyfriend steal 3 million baht in cash and gold
Police arrested a Thai transwoman and her boyfriendĀ for stealing a safe containing 3 million baht in cash and gold from a house in the Isaan province of Loei on Sunday. A homeowner filed a complaint with officers at Phu Ruea Police Station after the 50-kilogramme safe was stolen at approximately 11.23am on Sunday, January 19. The safe contained nearly 400,000…
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15 minor earthquakes shake Pai district in Mae Hong Son
A series of 15 minor earthquakes impacted the Pai district in Mae Hong Son province from Sunday evening, January 19 through yesterday afternoon. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department of Thailand reported these events took place in Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, between 9.56pm on Sunday and 3.46pm yesterday, January 20. The earthquakes registered magnitudes between 1.7 and…
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3 foreigners arrested for drugs at Phuket EDC music festivalĀ
Police arrested three foreigners, a Japanese man, a Malaysian man, and a Burmese man, at the Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 (EDC Thailand 2025) in Phuket for possessing illegal drugs. The three-day music festival, EDC Thailand 2025, was held at the Boat Avenue Lakefront in the Choeng Thale district of Phuket, concluding on Sunday. While many partygoers and locals praised…
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Chachoengsao man killed by wild elephant near cassava field
A 55 year old man from Chachoengsao province was fatally attacked by a wild elephant while walking home. The elephant, believed to have strayed from its habitat in search of food, attacked the man in a cassava field. Yesterday, January 20, Saptawee Kulsaree, head of the Tambon Administrative Organisation in Tha Kradan, received a report from residents about a fatal…
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Airport arrest: Chinese fraud suspect extradited from Thailand
A Chinese national accused of public fraud has been extradited from Thailand to China in relation to a case involving over 112 million yuan (approximately US$15.3 million or 540 million baht). Yan Tianxi was transferred to Shanghai Economic Police at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and subsequently boarded a flight to China on Thursday, January 16, confirmed Thitiwadee Sintawanarong, a public prosecutor…
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Thailand weather: Rising temperatures as cold air mass weakens
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted that the moderate cold air mass covering upper Thailand is weakening, leading to rising temperatures. Rain is expected in the south on January 20. The current high-pressure system over upper Thailand and the South China Sea is diminishing, resulting in higher temperatures and morning fog. Northern and northeastern regions will experience cold to very…
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2 Canadian men run police checkpoint, claim assault triggers escape
Two Canadian men ran a police checkpoint in the Patong to Karon area of Phuket on Sunday, January 19, claiming they were fleeing from attackers. Officers from Patong Police Station sought assistance from Karon Police Station to intercept the black Ford Raptor pickup truck, which sped through the checkpoint in Patong. A high-speed chase ensued, with police pursuing the Ford…
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Lecturer accused of assaulting deputy during karaoke in Ubon Ratchathani (video)
A viral incident in Ubon Ratchathani involving a technical college lecturer allegedly assaulting a district deputy while singing in a restaurant has captured social media attention. The incident also saw a highway section chief attempting to use a chair as a weapon before being stopped. The incident reportedly occurred on January 9, as captured by a CCTV camera in a…
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Unemployed Thai man claims he sleeps in billboard for safety, not theft
Police arrested a Thai man who hid inside a shopping mall billboard in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, during an alleged attempted theft. The suspect, however, denied the allegations, claiming he was merely seeking a place to stay due to his unemployment. A security guard at the shopping mall noticed a suspicious motorcycle parked near the billboard at about 1.30am yesterday,…
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Trumping expectations: Bitcoin set to soar under US president
Bitcoin’s price is set to soar during the first three months of Donald Trumpās presidency, while a groundbreaking crypto sandbox in Phuket promises to double Thailandās digital adoption rate of 12%, according to Binance’s Thai division, the worldās leading cryptocurrency exchange. Ahead of Trumpās swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States, bitcoin reached a staggering new peak at…
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High stakes: Pattaya officials flatten illegal structures in Soi Jomtien 3
In a bold crackdown on rampant drug activity, local government officials in Pattaya have launched a massive operation to flatten illegal structures in Soi Jomtien 3. With over 900 officers from 23 police stations leading the charge, officials are determined to root out all forms of criminal activity in the notorious Jomtien area, spanning Soi 2, 3, and 4. Following…
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Fake hug scam strikes again: Indian man loses gold necklace to 3 ladyboys
Three Thai ladyboysĀ offered an Indian man a seemingly friendly hug before stealing his gold necklace, worth about 132,000 baht, from him on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of today. The 42 year old Indian businessman, Pravin Manik Tavada, filed a theft complaint with officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 12.20am, today, January 20. Tavada reported that he…
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Alien panic in paradise: ET find turns out to be deep-sea giant
In a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi thriller, a group of Thai villagers were sent running for the hills after stumbling upon what they believed to be the lifeless remains of a dead alien. But once nerves had settled, they returned to the site, only to discover the so-called alien was actually a rare marine creature washed ashore from the…
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Wheel mystery: Dead taxi driver’s tragic end shocks Pathum Thani
In a shocking discovery that sent ripples through Pathum Thani, a seemingly idle taxi turned out to hold a grim secret – a dead taxi driver. Vendors grew suspicious when the taxi sat motionless by the roadside for hours, with passengers hopping in yet never driving away, only to find, upon opening the door, that the driver was dead. At…
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Thailand bets big on casino boom under entertainment banner
In a daring move set to shake up the Land of Smiles, the Government of Thailand is pushing forward with a controversial plan to legalise casinos, sneakily packaged as entertainment complexes. This bold move comes hot on the heels of outspoken former premier Thaksin Shinawatraās call to legalise online gambling, promising a windfall of tax revenue. Now, the Digital Economy…
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PTT Plc shifts gears: Oil giant explores new horizons
PTT Plc, Thailand’s oil and gas giant, is re-evaluating its tactics in the logistics sector, contemplating a shift away from its traditional petroleum roots. The national conglomerate is investigating fresh investment avenues in non-oil sectors, aiming to revamp its business footprint in the rapidly advancing world of logistics. Leading the charge is Chaya Chandavasu, PTT Senior Executive Vice-President for Corporate…
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Chon Buri locals celebrate lottery wins at temple visit
Residents celebrated with enthusiasm at a renowned temple in Chon Buri after winning lottery prizes with numbers linked to their visit to Luang Pho Yai. Many gathered at the temple to offer thanks following the lottery draw on January 17, where the winning numbers included 807779, three-digit numbers 699 and 961, and two-digit number 23. The celebrations were fuelled by…
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Red light: Thailand’s car industry caught in hybrid dilemma
Thailand’s car production industry, a powerhouse of the national economy, stands at a pivotal red light crossroads. The decision now looms large: should the focus be on propelling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into the spotlight, or should there be a concerted effort to guide the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector through a transitional phase towards electric vehicles (EVs)? With the…
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Teacher’s murder suspect identified, evidence found near scene
A suspect has been identified in the fatal shooting of a teacher in Bang Pa-In district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with key evidence found 2 kilometres from the crime scene. Efforts are underway to gather evidence for an arrest warrant. Yesterday, January 19, at the Bang Pa-In Police Station, Police Major General Naruenat Phuttaisong, commander of the Phra Nakhon…
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Thailand locks in on crop burning with strict new measures
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced strict new measures on January 17 to combat the growing PM2.5 air pollution crisis, with a particular focus on penalising farmers for crop burning. Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilatthayakorn signed the announcement, highlighting how agricultural burning has become a major contributor to the country’s deteriorating air quality. The practice generates smoke and fine particulate…
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Fake monkās act doesnāt pass the vest test in Khon Kaen
A man dressed as a monk was detained by police in Khon Kaen after residents reported suspicious behaviour. The alleged monk claimed he found methamphetamine on the roadside and consumed it. He also stated he was genuinely ordained but had not yet received official documentation. Today, January 20, a report surfaced about a man resembling a monk, wearing sunglasses and…
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