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...

  • TikTok star Mae Pla pleads for justice for son’s assault

    TikTok star Mae Pla pleads for justice for son’s assault

    Renowned Thai TikTok sensation Mae Pla has taken her fight for justice to the highest authority after her son and his friend were allegedly brutalised by security personnel at a popular Chon Buri pub. Visiting the Thai National Police Headquarters yesterday, December 26, the 44 year old influencer, Mae Pla aka Nawarat Phurinpuwadon met with Police Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong,…

  • Phuket simplifies visa extensions with new online system

    Phuket simplifies visa extensions with new online system

    Phuket, the vibrant tourist hub of Thailand, has taken a significant step forward in its immigration policy. The Immigration Bureau Commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Itthiphon Itthisanronnachai, announced on yesterday that foreigners residing in Phuket under any of 12 different types of visas can now apply for visa extension through an online portal. This announcement was part of Lt Gen Itthiphon’s…

  • Shocking discovery of infidelity after 16 years shakes Chinese family

    Shocking discovery of infidelity after 16 years shakes Chinese family

    A Chinese man, Chen, discovered his wife’s infidelity after 16 years of marriage, resulting in a shocking revelation. Chen found out that his three daughters were not biologically his. He decided to publicly reveal this through a local television station. Chen reported that on the upcoming date of December 28, a civil court in Jiangxi will hear the civil case…

  • Thai workers fleeing conflict zones for lucrative jobs in South Korea: 7,000 positions up for grabs

    Thai workers fleeing conflict zones for lucrative jobs in South Korea: 7,000 positions up for grabs

    The Korean-Thai Chamber of Commerce (KTCC) is set to revolutionise the South Korean job market, offering a glimmer of hope for thousands of Thai workers escaping the turmoil in Israel. The KTCC, having sealed the deal with the Thai government, is now gearing up to negotiate with South Korean local government officials, aiming to open the doors to Thai workers…

  • Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Central Pattana, alongside influential partners, spearheads the Bottle Free Seas campaign, urging Bangkokians to swap the bottle for reusable options. With a staggering 70 million plastic bottles drowning Bangkok monthly, the initiative aims to flood the city with free water dispensers, starting with the iconic Central World shopping mall. The campaign, a collaborative effort between Central Pattana, the Bangkok Metropolitan…

  • Chinese tourists boost Thailand’s hotel sector with rapid recovery

    Chinese tourists boost Thailand’s hotel sector with rapid recovery

    The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand is on a rapid recovery trajectory this month, a trend analysts predict will continue into the Chinese New Year on February 10. This resurgence is expected to provide a much-needed boost to local hotels during this peak season. Statistics from December have shown a revival in visitors from key markets such as China,…

  • 3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year

    3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year

    Prime Minister Srettha, in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference declared that the budget bill, meticulously scrutinised by the Office of Council of State, will be delivered for approval. Typically, budget bills are sealed and delivered before the fiscal year kicks off in October. However, this year’s extravaganza faced a dramatic delay, thanks to the intricate dance of forming a coalition…

  • PM Srettha visits devastated Narathiwat amidst ongoing Thai Floods and regional cooperation talks

    PM Srettha visits devastated Narathiwat amidst ongoing Thai Floods and regional cooperation talks

    Ravaging floods in Thailand’s southernmost provinces prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to visit Narathiwat on Tuesday. The region has been devastated by a persistent low-pressure system causing flash floods. Despite the water receding somewhat, significant property damage is evident. In addition to Narathiwat, the Prime Minister’s itinerary included a trip to Phuket. Here, he had dinner with his Malaysian counterpart,…

  • Thai elderly seek help from ThaiHealth for palliative care

    Thai elderly seek help from ThaiHealth for palliative care

    Speaking at a pivotal seminar on palliative care, Dr Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, the director of ThaiHealth’s healthcare development division, laid bare the heartbreaking reality. “The statistics for 2021 are staggering – 12.5 million elderly people in Thailand, with nearly 47,000 bedridden and suffering. We need your assistance to provide the specialised care they deserve.” These vulnerable patients are at risk of…

  • Srettha Thavisin confident to complete term, dismisses coalition expansion

    Srettha Thavisin confident to complete term, dismisses coalition expansion

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed intentions to complete his four-year term, reiterating the stability of the current coalition government. He dismissed any plans of incorporating the opposition Democrat Party into the government coalition at this time. When questioned about the government’s ability to fulfil its four-year term, Thavisin confidently spoke about the collective effort of the cabinet ministers in serving…

  • PTT helps Thai government lower power tariffs using contract breach fine

    PTT helps Thai government lower power tariffs using contract breach fine

    PTT Plc, Thailand’s national oil and gas conglomerate, is slated to assist the government in lowering the power tariff in the early part of next year. This is to be achieved through the utilisation of 4.3 billion baht (US$124) from a fine imposed on its gas supplier for a breach of contract, according to an energy official. An inside source…

  • Ex-ship captain identified as head of major drug ring

    Ex-ship captain identified as head of major drug ring

    A prominent former ship’s captain has been identified by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) as the operator of a substantial drug trafficking ring, from which 1.2 tonnes of ketamine and nearly one tonne of ya ice were confiscated earlier this month. The NSB disclosed this information during a briefing at its headquarters, unveiling the outcome of a covert operation named…

  • Bangkok safety centre being set up for secure New Year celebrations

    Bangkok safety centre being set up for secure New Year celebrations

    Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a safety centre to enhance security measures for the upcoming New Year festivities, strongly urging the public to adhere to the established safety protocols throughout the celebration period. This move was announced by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt this Tuesday, who shed light on the specifics of a safety regulation that has been issued in…

  • Thailand’s cabinet approves one-year import permits for animal feed raw materials

    Thailand’s cabinet approves one-year import permits for animal feed raw materials

    The cabinet has greenlit policies for next year’s import of raw materials required in animal feed production, such as animal feed corn, soybean meal, and fish meal. The intention behind this move is to back local production. A significant change in this year’s policy is the annual approval of import permits, a reduction from the previous term of three years.…

  • Resilient vendor endures Thai floods, sells food amid waist-deep waters in Narathiwat

    Resilient vendor endures Thai floods, sells food amid waist-deep waters in Narathiwat

    The sudden Thai floods in the southern border provinces of Thailand, namely Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla, have severely impacted locals. Unexpectedly, many areas were flooded, leaving residents unprepared and badly affected. A video posted by TikTok user @userp422ac68zn displayed an inspiring sight of a determined vendor in the town of Waeng, Narathiwat, selling food while standing waist-deep in floodwaters.…

  • Drunk driver claims 1 life and leaves another in critical condition

    Drunk driver claims 1 life and leaves another in critical condition

    A drunk Thai driver crashed an SUV into a motorcycle on a road in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham, claiming the life of one victim and leaving another one in critical condition. Channel 7 showed CCTV footage of a black SUV driving against the direction of traffic and hitting a motorcycle directly yesterday, December 25. The date of the…

  • Government confirms plans to increase daily minimum wage in January

    Government confirms plans to increase daily minimum wage in January

    The government has confirmed plans to raise the daily minimum wage in January, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This is in line with an earlier agreement made by the tripartite wage committee, composed of government, employer and employee representatives. However, the Prime Minister, who also serves as the finance minister, has considered the agreed 2.37% increase insufficient. Prime Minister…

  • Unusual TikTok incident: Tooth breaks into three pieces after hit by donation coin (Video)

    Unusual TikTok incident: Tooth breaks into three pieces after hit by donation coin (Video)

    A viral video on the internet, shared by TikTok user @beewarunee749, recounts an unusual incident that doctors claim has a one-in-a-million chance of occurrence. The user’s tooth was chipped into three pieces when hit by a donation coin during a religious ceremony. The incident sparked a flood of empathetic and humorous comments from netizens, some of whom shared similar experiences.…

  • Thai man demands responsibility for explosion after fridge repair

    Thai man demands responsibility for explosion after fridge repair

    A Thai man demanded a home appliance manufacturer take responsibility for an explosion at his home after a technician came to repair a fridge. The Thai man, Rattapol Yotinupamai, shared the details of the explosion to his followers on Facebook on December 3. Rarrapol explained that he contracted a technician from the appliance company to fix a refrigerator at his…

  • Nakhon Pathom: Tragic fire in Bang Len claims life of bedridden man

    Nakhon Pathom: Tragic fire in Bang Len claims life of bedridden man

    A fire incident claimed the life of a 53 year old bedridden man when a blaze engulfed his home, leaving it almost destroyed. Chedchai’s mother discovered the horrifying scene upon returning from a shopping trip. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred at 9.49am today, December 26. The incident occurred in a single-storey wooden house with a…

  • How Java Yachting’s training programmes align with the Duke of Edinburgh Award

    How Java Yachting’s training programmes align with the Duke of Edinburgh Award

    Have you ever dreamt of sailing the high seas and achieving something spectacular, like the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)? If yes, then Java Yachting, a specialist marine company, can help you reach your goals. Located in Phuket and Krabi, they’re not just your average specialist marine company; they’re offering an opportunity to undertake challenging sailing expeditions and achieve globally…

  • New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety

    New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), alongside the Consumer Protection Board and other state agencies, was on a mission to expose potential dangers lurking in New Year gift baskets. Their crackdown involved a meticulous inspection of major shopping hubs, supermarkets, online retailers, and even alms-giving sets to ensure compliance with stringent Thai food safety regulations. BMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Wantanee Wattana,…

  • Delayed flights cause passenger surge and extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport

    Delayed flights cause passenger surge and extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport

    A sudden influx of passengers, resulting from the landing of delayed flights, led to extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport in the early hours of Monday, as reported by the Immigration Bureau. The Chief of Immigration Division 2, Choengron Rimpadee, noted that between midnight and 2am, the airport witnessed a 33% surge in inbound traffic as 5,563 passengers arrived on 22…

  • Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback

    Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback

    Towering over the vibrant Ratchaprasong Square, Erawan Shrine, haven to the Hindu god Brahma outshines seven other shrines dedicated to deities like Ganesha, Trimurti, Uma, Lakshmi, Chatumaharajika, Indra, and Narayana. But amidst the spiritual serenity, tragedy struck in 2015, when the Erawan Shrine became the unexpected target of a bombing, claiming 20 lives and injuring 125. Shockingly, an ethnic Uighur…

  • Thailand’s 2024 inflation target approved: 1% to 3% range maintained

    Thailand’s 2024 inflation target approved: 1% to 3% range maintained

    The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) headline inflation target range for the year 2024 has been given the green light by the cabinet. The approved target, set between 1% and 3%, remains unaltered from the current year, as reported by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat yesterday. This target, which serves as a guiding beacon for monetary policy, is subjected to an…

  • Durian Lablae trousers: Uttradit’s new sensation at just 199 Thai baht

    Durian Lablae trousers: Uttradit’s new sensation at just 199 Thai baht

    Uttradit’s latest hit, the Soft Power Collection, has unveiled its new product, the Durian Lablae trousers. The trousers, which feature the distinctive characteristics of the Lablae area, are gaining attention for their use of high-quality silk, providing lightweight comfort without heat or tightness. Today (December 26), a report at the Tawan Chai Pha Pha Cotton Shop in Mae Phul, Lablae,…

  • Toshiba Corporation gets booted from Tokyo Exchange but Toshiba Thailand stays

    Toshiba Corporation gets booted from Tokyo Exchange but Toshiba Thailand stays

    After a staggering 74-year run, Toshiba Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange faces delisting and a subsequent takeover. However, Toshiba Thailand Ltd emerges unscathed, asserting its independence and vowing to power on. “Unfazed by the storm in Japan, Toshiba Thailand is business as usual.” Having severed ties with its Japanese parent years ago, the company stands resilient in the face of…

  • Elderly women found dead, children missing after boat capsizes in Narathiwat flood

    Elderly women found dead, children missing after boat capsizes in Narathiwat flood

    The bodies of an 89 year old woman and a 63 year old woman have been recovered in Narathiwat province, following a capsized boat incident during a flood evacuation. Two more people, both children aged three and eight, are still missing. The incident occurred today as heavy rainfall continues to impact the region. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation…

  • Thai Vietjet’s festive fares drop to 24 baht

    Thai Vietjet’s festive fares drop to 24 baht

    Thai Vietjet has unwrapped a festive treat for travel enthusiasts – the Season’s Greetings promotion. This airline extravaganza is gifting travellers with special fares starting from just THB 24 (excluding taxes and fees) for a sleigh-full of domestic and international routes. But this offer is only available for booking from December 21 to 25. Pack your bags for a holiday…

  • From shy nerd to top bar host: Tokyo graduate earns up to 4 million baht monthly

    From shy nerd to top bar host: Tokyo graduate earns up to 4 million baht monthly

    The transformation of a shy nerd to a top bar host earning up to 4 million baht per month (US$115,540) is the story of Esuke, an engineering graduate from Tokyo University, Japan. Esuke’s journey from a reserved bookworm to a charismatic host in Shinjuku, Japan, within a year has taken many by surprise. Esuke, during his high school years, was…