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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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Roti rebellion: Thai police rescue Burmese teenager from trafficking
In a harrowing tale of courage and justice, a Burmese teenager hailed the Government of Thailand for rescuing him from a nightmare of forced labour and trafficking. The 17 year old’s ordeal ended with the conviction of his captor in Bangkok last year, bringing a glimmer of hope to the youth as he waits to return home to Myanmar. The…
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Herd mentality: Thai activists stomp on elephant birth control plan
Conservationists gathered yesterday to oppose the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s proposal to administer birth control injections to wild elephants. The Soo Phua Chang Network, advocating for elephants, convened at the ministry, urging a delay in the plan until comprehensive studies and reviews of the contraceptive injections are completed. They presented their petition to Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, and Naraphat…
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Plane stupid! Australian man’s flight crash threat lands him in jail
A disgruntled Australian man found himself behind bars after making a chilling threat to kill everyone at 35,000 feet. His off-the-cuff remark about crashing a plane left airport officials with no choice but to take him seriously. Marli Curtis Philip Moncrieff embarked on what he thought would be a dream holiday from Perth to the sunny shores of Phuket with…
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British explorer uncovers shocking truth at abandoned Phuket Zoo (video)
A British explorer got more than he bargained for during a visit to Thailand’s abandoned Phuket Zoo, uncovering a hidden and haunting secret that left him and his viewers stunned. British content creator Sean King, known for exploring deserted attractions on his YouTube channel @SeanKing5150, ventured into the defunct zoo. What he found was both extraordinary and deeply troubling. “I…
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Bangkok steals top spot for Chinese New Year celebrations
Bangkok has emerged as the top destination for Thai and foreign tourists planning to celebrate Chinese New Year in Thailand, according to data from the digital travel platform Agoda. The vibrant capital outshone other popular spots, with accommodation searches surging ahead of the festivities starting January 29. Agoda revealed yesterday, January 15, that Bangkok topped the list for Thai tourists,…
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Bangkok cracks down on smoky buses amid pollution crisis
To tackle Bangkok’s escalating air pollution, city officials inspected public buses for black smoke emissions at the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s (BMTA) Sathuphradit Depot on Tuesday, January 14. The initiative, led by Phonprom Wikitset, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok, and Prapat Luangsirinapa, Director of the Environmental Office, aimed to address the city’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) crisis. The inspections…
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PM perfects ‘Salaam’ greeting on helicopter to Muslim south
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepared for a visit to Thailand’s southern Muslim-majority provinces by practising the universal Islamic greeting, “as-salaam alaykum” (peace be upon you), aboard an air force helicopter. Assisted by Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, the PM repeated the greeting several times to perfect her pronunciation. “I practised this earlier too, but I want to get it just right.”…
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Rawai woman busted in 36 million baht fake investment scam
A 36 year old woman in Rawai has been arrested for her alleged role in a massive investment scam that defrauded victims of over 36 million baht. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in collaboration with the Highway Police Division, apprehended the suspect, identified as Wipha, at a residence in Soi Samakee 2 following a detailed investigation. Wipha faces multiple charges,…
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Thai OnlyFans star quits adult content, citing mental health effects
A famous Thai OnlyFans content creator announced her retirement from the industry, citing the effects of her work and netizens’ comments on her mental health. The 29 year old OnlyFans star, Arisa “Kwang” Siangluecha, better known as Deerlong, is one of Thailand’s most popular creators of adult content. She typically collaborated with her boyfriend, Earth, to produce sexually explicit material…
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South Thailand unrest: Defence chief demands strategy overhaul
Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai called for a bold rethink of Thailand’s southern border strategy following a recent motorcycle bomb attack in Pattani that left defence volunteers and civilians injured. In a scathing critique of current measures, Phumtham urged the National Security Council (NSC) to replace the ineffective cycle of lifting and reinstating emergency decrees with a more…
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Lottery fever grows as Teachers’ Day draw nears in Udon Thani
As the lottery draw approaches Teachers’ Day tomorrow, January 17, a popular destination for those seeking fortune is the mystical island of Kham Chanod in Udon Thani province. Known for its spiritual significance, the site is bustling with visitors who come to pay their respects to the revered spirits of Grandfather Srisuttho and Grandmother Phatumma. At the Kham Chanod shrine,…
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Chaos on Pattaya Beach: Drunk tourists fuel brawls in hotspot
Pattaya Beach, known for its stunning coastline and electrifying nightlife, is grappling with a surge in alcohol-fuelled brawls involving unruly tourists. Once a haven for relaxation and revelry, the iconic destination has seen a troubling rise in disruptive incidents, leaving locals and officials concerned about the city’s reputation. Reports reveal that drunken altercations have become an all-too-common sight, particularly after…
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Dim sum drama: Hungry tourist rides into restaurant for a bite (video)
A hungry foreign tourist made an unforgettable entrance into a dim sum restaurant in Chalong in Phuket yesterday driving his motorbike straight into the eatery and causing a stir on social media. CCTV footage captured the bizarre moment yesterday, January 15, as the tourist lost control of his bike, crashing into a parked motorcycle and a table at Mangmee Dim Sum,…
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Thai durian exporters face losses due to new Chinese regulations
Durian farmers and exporters in Chumphon province are facing significant financial losses due to new Chinese import regulations requiring certification for the absence of Basic Yellow 2: an organic compound classified by the World Health Organisation as a Group 2B carcinogen. Thailand currently lacks the necessary testing equipment, leading to delays and financial strain for the industry. The new Chinese…
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Paw-trait of loyalty: Faithful dog waits for dead owner outside 7-Eleven
In a heart-wrenching tale of devotion, a stray dog named Moo Daeng (roasted pork) has captured the hearts of Thai social media users after being spotted waiting for its late owner outside a 7-Eleven in downtown Korat. Dubbed the “Hachi of Korat,” Moo Daeng’s story has drawn comparisons to Japan’s legendary loyal dog, Hachikō. The poignant story went viral after the…
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Thai man attacks Swiss man with cue stick over pool game dispute
A Thai man attacked a Swiss tourist with a cue stick at a bar in Pattaya, accusing the foreigner of cheating during a game of pool. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammstan Foundation responded to the incident at a bar on Soi Khao Ta Lo in Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, last night, January 15, following reports of a physical altercation.…
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Ex-police officer caught selling modified BB guns as firearms
A former police officer was apprehended for modifying and assembling BB gun parts into firearms capable of shooting live ammunition and selling them upon request. Yesterday, January 15, police from Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi province, arrested 55 year old former Border Patrol Police officer, Manut Wongsuwan. The arrest took place in a department store car park in Sai Noi, where…
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Second post-mortem to be conducted on death of Indian woman
A chilling twist has emerged in the alleged murder of a 32 year old Indian woman whose body was flown back to India from Thailand late Tuesday night, January 14. Lucknow police, acting on her family’s complaint, are set to conduct a second post-mortem today to uncover the truth behind her suspicious demise. The woman, Priyanka Sharma’s husband, city-based doctor…
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Mother arrested for gold theft amid lender threats in Thailand
A 27 year old mother was arrested for stealing a gold bracelet after facing dire financial straits. She resorted to stealing following threats from a lender who intimidated her by threatening her four month old child. The incident occurred on January 12 in a gold shop in Hua Ro, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, Ayutthaya province. Suwichada Ongying, who works…
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Israel to open 13,000 agriculture jobs for Thai workers
Some 13,000 jobs in the agriculture sector are set to be made available for Thai workers, as announced by Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter. In recent discussions held in Jerusalem, senior Thai officials, including Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Department of Employment Director General Somchai Morakotsriwan, met with Dichter. The Thai delegation visited Beit Hilkia Moshav on…
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Dutch national arrested in Bangkok for US$55,000 gold scam
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau announced on Tuesday, January 14, the arrest of a 43 year old Dutch national for allegedly organising a gold scam in Bangkok. The suspect, named Ndille, is accused of deceiving customers by selling counterfeit gold pellets, claiming they were smuggled tax-free from Africa and offering them at below-market prices. Investigations uncovered that the suspect employed a sophisticated…
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Fake doctor and lawyer swindle 2.75 million baht from Thai nurse
A Thai nurse from the Isaan province of Udon Thani lost 2.75 million baht in two separate investment scams, leaving her unable to afford the care of her bedridden mother and daughter. The victim, 48 year old Bee, filed a complaint with the Provincial Police Region 4 and shared her experience with news agencies to warn others about falling victim…
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Former English footballer caught in drug smuggling own goal
A former footballer from Liverpool confessed he deeply regrets smuggling drugs from Thailand after quitting the professional game to allegedly look after his cancer-stricken grandparents. The former Tranmere Rovers footballer was arrested by immigration police while transferring through customs at Manchester Airport. Jamie Kilcourse, returning from a holiday in Bangkok with friends, was stopped by Border Force officers upon arrival…
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Firefighters battle forest fire near monastery in Chon Buri (video)
A forest fire broke out at 9.30pm yesterday, January 15 along a mountain range in Village 4, Pong subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The extensive spread of the fire poses a threat to a nearby monastery, leading to immediate action from local officials and residents. The fire’s rapid progression has raised concerns for the safety of the monastery, which…
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Thai patrol seize over one million meth pills in Mekong bust
Thai border patrol officers seized over one million methamphetamine pills packed in three sacks after a drug smuggling operation was interrupted along the Mekong River. The suspects opened fire and fled in a boat back to Laos yesterday, January 15 in Bueng Kan province. Bueng Kan’s provincial governor, Worapot Wannachatsiri, assigned Worapan Chamniyan, the province’s deputy governor, along with military…
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Passenger refuses to pay full fare in Ayutthaya taxi dispute (video)
A taxi driver encountered an unusual situation when a passenger refused to pay the full fare after being driven from Suvarnabhumi international Airport to Ayutthaya, claiming the taxi meter was rigged. The incident occurred yesterday, January 15 in a residential area of Mueang district, Ayutthaya province. Local police received a report from the driver, 43 year old Achitsaphong Dokput, regarding…
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Phuket under siege: Tidal wave of trash threatens tropical paradise
The once-idyllic waters and landscapes of Phuket is in danger of being flooded in a rising tidal wave of trash is threatening to overwhelm this renowned tourist haven. Plastic bottles and empty beer cans now clutter the ocean floor while the island itself groans under the weight of mounting rubbish, casting a shadow over its famed beaches. Behind the scenes,…
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Banana plant in Phayao sparks lottery frenzy with unique bud
A unique phenomenon in Phayao province has attracted attention as a banana plant, seemingly cut down, has produced a bud resembling a lotus flower from its trunk. Residents are flocking to the site with hopes of finding lucky lottery numbers, believing a local spirit, known as the Goddess Tanee, is offering protection. Locals informed the media yesterday, January 15, about…
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Couple scammed in 80,000 baht eucalyptus plantation deal
A couple from Lad Yao district in Nakhon Sawan province has fallen victim to a scam involving the sale of a eucalyptus plantation. Supakorn Tamatalong and his wife, Somporn Kamtalong, discovered their 20-rai eucalyptus plantation had been completely cleared. They agreed to sell the land for 80,000 baht (US$2,314), at a rate of 4,000 baht (US$115) per rai, to a…
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Phuket cracks down on parasailing risks following accident
Officials in Karon announced a sweeping crackdown on water sports safety protocols following the death of a parasailing staff member earlier this month. The high-profile meeting, held on Tuesday, January 14 at Karon Municipality, aimed to bolster safety for tourists and operators. Chaired by Karon Police Chief Police Colonel Khundet Na Nongkhai and Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchapong Pranit, the…
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