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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Blood rush: Urgent appeal for Type O donors in Phuket
An acute shortage of Type O blood has triggered an urgent appeal from the Vachira Phuket Hospital’s Blood Bank in Phuket Town. The announcement, marked “Most Urgent,” was made late yesterday, stating that supplies of this common blood type have run completely dry. This call for donations came today, February 2, at 10.46am, signifying the dire need for blood donors,…
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Thai PM Srettha and Cambodian PM engage in talks over air pollution crisis
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his intention to engage in a crucial dialogue with Cambodian leader Hun Manet to tackle the alarming surge of transboundary air pollution. PM Srettha, expressing concern, revealed that a look at the satellite map shows that most of the relevant hotspots are in Cambodia, and the wind is blowing from the east. The MODIS satellite,…
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Political turmoil: Activists demand lifetime ban for 44 MFP MPs for lese majeste law reform attempt
Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn and political activist Sonthiya Sawatdee demanded that 44 Move Forward Party (MFP) MPs be permanently banned from politics after violating political ethics for supporting the reform of lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Law. Teerayut previously accused the MFP, along with its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, of attempting to overthrow the…
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Lionel Messi arrives in Hong Kong for friendly match
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Hong Kong has sent football fever soaring in the region, as the mighty maestro and his Inter Miami cohorts landed at Hong Kong International Airport on their private jet. The football sensation’s visit, delayed by Riyadh Airport hiccups, has the city buzzing with anticipation. The team, fresh from two encounters against Saudi clubs in Riyadh, touched down…
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Monkey mayhem: Tails of mischief make headlines worldwide
Recent incidents of monkey attacks have been in the headlines recently in several countries, featuring long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques in Thailand, Japanese macaques in Japan, and Hanuman langurs in India. While these incidents might paint monkeys as villains, the root cause is a phenomenon called over-habituation. Devil monkeys are born when animals lose their fear of humans due to over-habituation,…
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Russian ransom: Gang grabs Belarusian couple in Phuket crypto con
Five members of a Russian gang have been apprehended for the kidnapping and extortion of a Belarusian couple in Phuket, forcing them to transfer 30 million baht (US$848,296) in cryptocurrency before abandoning them. The incident occurred on January 31, at a prominent hotel in the Talad Yai area of Mueang Phuket district. A tourist witnessed the couple being forcefully pushed…
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Water pistol standoff and UFO jellyfish take top honours in wildlife photo competition
A young girl pointing a water pistol at a monkey and a celestial squadron of jellyfish saucers have clinched top prizes at the 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The captivating collection, featuring mischievous animals and breathtaking landscapes, drew over 1,000 entries from professionals spanning 36 countries, overwhelming judges with a staggering 19,000 submissions. Organised by the German Society for…
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Thailand PM2.5 air pollution discussed at global summit
In a historic first for the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO), Thailand played host to the Role and Fate of Forest Ecosystems in a Changing World conference, where the PM2.5 situation was discussed. Over 80 experts from across the globe converged at King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) to unpack the dire implications of air pollution and…
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Parliament to consider increasing living allowance for underprivileged elderly
A proposal to increase the monthly living allowance for underprivileged elderly individuals to 3,000 baht (US$84.89) is set to be presented to Parliament, according to the House Committee on Social Welfare. The proposal comes as a response to a recent parliamentary study, which indicated that the present monthly allowances provided by the government’s state welfare scheme are inadequate given the…
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West Thailand: Newly discovered black-and-white striped snake lurks in Khao Krachom
On the treacherous slopes of Khao Krachom in Thailand, a slithering menace lurked in the shadows, its brightly coloured stripes tempting fate. Unbeknownst to the fearless adventurers, this 3-foot-long creature turned out to be a sinister surprise: a newly unearthed species, now named Bungarus sagittatus, the barbed arrow krait. Scientists, daring the dangers of the elusive creature, uncovered the venomous…
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Parcel predicament: Thai delivery rider dodges drug charge in watch swap scam
A Thai delivery rider dodged a drug charge after a dealer tricked him into transporting crystal meth and ecstasy by claiming the parcel was a watch. The 38 year old delivery rider, identified as A, reported the discovery of the drugs to Hua Mark Police Station on January 31 at about 10.45pm. He reported to officers that he was hired…
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Thailand to launch roadshow in China promoting 1 trillion baht Land Bridge project
Thailand’s Transport Ministry, headed by Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, announced yesterday that it would be launching a roadshow in China next month to promote the Land Bridge project. This announcement followed a recent visit by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, who expressed China’s interest in the project. As a response, the Thai government is preparing to submit a project report…
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Suspected extortion saga: Police nab key figure in Bangkok bust
Eakluck Wareechol, a key figure in a suspected extortion case involving serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya, was apprehended by the police in his home located in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district yesterday morning. The arrest was carried out by a joint team of officers from the police, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). This is…
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Taking flight: Nok Air’s Boeing 737 max 8 plans hit turbulence
Thai airline Nok Air’s plans to introduce Boeing 737 Max 8 jets are facing unexpected headwinds. Safety anxieties soar amid recent incidents within the 737 Max family, casting shadows over Nok Air’s ambitious fleet expansion. Amidst the clouds of uncertainty, Nok Air, having already committed to lease eight Boeing 737 Max 8s, is grappling with safety concerns that have grounded the…
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Dagger drama: Thai woman stabs herself, spins murder tale to evade debt payments
A Thai woman stabbed herself in the stomach and fabricated an attempted murder scenario in an attempt to escape her debt repayments in the Isaan province of Buriram. Srinapa Srisopha, a 63 year old retired teacher, hurried 38 year old Wassana Srisanga to Satuek Hospital after she sustained a stab wound to the stomach. Srinapa clarified that Wassana had been…
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Demonstrators in Bangkok mark third year anniversary of Myanmar coup
In a display of resistance, hundreds took to the streets in Bangkok to protest on the third anniversary of Myanmar’s coup. Tears, slogans, and a powerful call for change echoed outside the United Nations headquarters as protesters, both young and old, demanded justice for the shattered dreams of democracy. Bangkok’s United Nations headquarters became a poignant stage yesterday as protesters,…
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Thailand to expect 1 million tourists from China and Hong Kong during CNY
Alipay+ reported a prediction from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) that nearly 1 million foreign tourists, primarily from China and Hong Kong, are poised to flood into Thailand during the upcoming Chinese New Year, unleashing a potential economic windfall of 28.4 billion baht. Trip.com shared the staggering numbers, highlighting the skyrocketing outbound travel bookings from China leading up to…
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Thailand set to sign free trade agreement with Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka during his upcoming visit to the island nation this week, according to spokesperson Chai Watcharonke. This marks the 15th FTA for Thailand and the first since PM Srettha assumed office the previous year. PM Srettha’s visit comes at the invitation of Sri Lanka’s Premier,…
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TripAdvisor ranks Pattaya as 7th Best of the Best Destinations in 2024
Popular online travel platform Tripadvisor ranked Pattaya in Thailand 7th in the Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destination for 2024, suggesting the beach city is the perfect choice for great resorts, outdoor activities, cabaret and cultural tours. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award Best of the Best for 2024, is divided into five categories including destinations, restaurants, beaches, hotels and…
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Government and military suffer nearly 2,000 cyber attacks weekly
Thailand is grappling with an alarming surge of cyber attacks, facing an unprecedented 1,892 assaults per week, far surpassing the global average. Check Point Software Technologies unveils shocking statistics in their latest Threat Intelligence Report, exposing the kingdom’s vulnerability to Cryptominer and Botnet malware, paving the way for phishing attacks and resource hijacking. The primary targets in the past six…
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Leicester City chairman scores big wedding day goal
Thai billionaire and Leicester City Football Club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha tied the knot with his long-time partner, Nuntisa Tanyongvetch. The Voyage of Love themed ceremony, held on January 28, transformed into a fairytale wonderland adorned with opulent fresh flowers, leaving no expense spared. Aiyawatt, flaunting a fortune of US$3.5 billion (approximately 123 billion baht) as per Forbes 2023 rankings, secured his…
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Thailand warns students about ‘rub hew’ courier service amid drug trafficking concerns
Authorities in Nonthaburi, Thailand, intercepted a suspicious package containing 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, concealed inside 15 seat cushions, on January 2. The package, which was addressed to the homeowner’s daughter studying in Australia, was discovered after the homeowner reported the package. In Thailand, a trend called rub hew, which translates to help carry, is common among young people studying abroad.…
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From brooms to boom: Street sweeper sweeps up 12-million-baht lottery jackpot
A street sweeper’s life transformed overnight when luck smiled upon her with a 12-million-baht government lottery win. Somsong Singsa, a 56 year old municipal worker from Si Sa Ket province, revealed that a vendor’s persuasion made her purchase two winning tickets. After four decades of toil, she now plans to resign and provide for her family, who are overjoyed at…
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Drunk officer leaves 12 year old boy in critical condition after hit-and-run (video)
A reckless police officer under the influence of alcohol crashed his pickup into a motorcycle and dragged a 12 year old boy along the road in the Isaan province of Roi Et, leaving the victim hospitalised and in critical condition. The crash between the two vehicles on Prem Pracharath Road was reported to Mueang Roi Et Police Station at 9.50am…
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Thailand’s rice exports expected to drop 14.4% amid global competition
A projected drop of 14.4% in Thailand’s rice exports is anticipated for this year, due to a combination of reduced production and increased global competition, as reported by the Foreign Trade Department. The department’s director-general, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, revealed that the estimate of 7.5 million tonnes of rice exports this year was jointly made with the Thai Rice Exporters Association. This…
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AI’s impact on jobs raises concerns, experts urge preparedness
Concerns are rising across various sectors about the potential displacement of jobs due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with experts advising organisations and individuals to prepare for the inevitable impact. A recent blog post by Kristalina Georgieva, chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), suggested that AI would affect nearly 40% of global jobs, replacing some and…
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Thai government aims to boost cross-border trade despite 2023 contraction
The Thai government is aiming to reinvigorate its cross-border trade, including transit trade, this year following a 2.6% contraction in 2023, which saw the value fall to 1.7 trillion baht (US$48 billion). The Foreign Trade Department’s director-general, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, stated that the Commerce Ministry would expedite cross-border and transit trade according to the government’s investment promotion strategy for 2024-27. To…
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Move Forward Party faces potential dissolution over royal insult laws
The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s main opposition, is on the brink of dissolution, following a petition submitted to the Election Commission (EC) by leading activists. The objection was lodged on account of the party’s position on royal insult laws. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a political activist, took his petition to the EC on Thursday, requesting the dissolution of the MFP. This…
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Thai Airways sues over passenger’s flight diversion criticism
Thai Airways has taken legal action against a passenger who criticised the airline’s decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to adverse weather conditions. The airline asserts that the crew followed international safety and security standards and seeks to protect its reputation and that of its personnel. Thai Airways addressed the uproar caused by a passenger’s complaints about…
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Thai parties unite to amend Referendum Act for easier constitution change
Thailand’s leading political parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are joining forces to amend the country’s Referendum Act. The act’s existing flaws are viewed as hurdles to modifying the constitution, a critical move supported by many parties who see the current charter as a legacy of the National Council for Peace and Order, the orchestrator of the last coup. Both…
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