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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourismā€”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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    Whatā€™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...

  • Culinary triumph: Thailand’s gastronomic scene sizzles with 2024 Michelin Guide debut

    Culinary triumph: Thailand’s gastronomic scene sizzles with 2024 Michelin Guide debut

    In a culinary coup, Thailand‘s gastronomic landscape has been transformed with the unveiling of the 2024 Michelin Guide. This year, the nation welcomes two groundbreaking two-star restaurants, Baan Tepa and GAA, alongside an impressive six new one-star establishments. But the real star power lies in the hands of two remarkable female chefs, Chef Chudaree Debhakam, aka Tam, of Baan Tepa…

  • Thai-Saudi economic extravaganza: Mega Fair 2023 takes Riyadh by storm

    Thai-Saudi economic extravaganza: Mega Fair 2023 takes Riyadh by storm

    The Thailand Mega Fair 2023 descended upon the Arena Riyadh, heralding a four-day fiesta of premium Thai products and services that has the Saudi Arabian capital buzzing with excitement until Saturday, December 16. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, doubling as deputy prime minister, kicked off the festivities with an inauguration that not only marked the start of the grand event but…

  • Roadside ricochet: Thai truck driver shot by mistake when driving in Isaan province (video)

    Roadside ricochet: Thai truck driver shot by mistake when driving in Isaan province (video)

    A sedan driver surrendered to the police after he shot a truck driver by mistake on the 304 Nakhon Ratchasima-Kabin Buri Road in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima on December 12. Pak Thong Chai Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the incident scene to meet with the 60 year old gunman named Sittichai Wataukana and the 25 year…

  • Three Japanese ministers resign amidst 124 million baht kickback controversy

    Three Japanese ministers resign amidst 124 million baht kickback controversy

    Three high-ranking Japanese government ministers have thrown in the towel amidst a whopping 500 million yen (124 million baht) corruption scandal. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the stalwart ruling force in the world’s third-largest economy, is now grappling with the fallout from allegations that could reshape the nation’s political future. In a seismic blow to the political establishment, three top-tier…

  • Genoa barber caught in drug trafficking sting due to influx of bald customers

    Genoa barber caught in drug trafficking sting due to influx of bald customers

    A barber in the Italian city of Genoa was apprehended by the police on suspicion of drug trafficking after noticing a high number of bald, beardless customers frequenting his shop. The police officers became aware of potential drug trafficking in the Foce district of Genoa, although they had no clear leads. An investigation was initiated with additional information gathering, aided…

  • Revolutionary Thai project turns waste into gold: The PARQ’s green secrets unveiled

    Revolutionary Thai project turns waste into gold: The PARQ’s green secrets unveiled

    In a move towards environmental sustainability, The PARQ, Thailand‘s pioneering mixed-use development, has unveiled its secret weapon: a cutting-edge waste management system that’s turning food waste into nutrient-rich plant vitamins. As the first project in Thailand to achieve the prestigious LEED GoldĀ® version 4 certification and the WELL certifiedā„¢ core gold standard, The PARQ is not just a real estate…

  • Fatal late-night shooting in Nakhon Pathom leaves restaurant server dead

    Fatal late-night shooting in Nakhon Pathom leaves restaurant server dead

    A fatal shooting incident occurred at 1.30am today in Nakhon Pathom when a villain in a pickup truck chased down and shot a young restaurant server. The attacker’s bullets claimed the life of the young man in front of his friend, leaving four others injured. The incident took place on a rural road in the district of Thanon Kad, in…

  • Nightly temples extravaganza: Bangkok’s spiritual spectacle lights up the sky

    Nightly temples extravaganza: Bangkok’s spiritual spectacle lights up the sky

    In a dazzling celebration of tradition and spirituality, Bangkokians are set to bask in the mesmerising glow of the city’s temples after dark. The much-anticipated Illuminated 10 Temples and National Museum event promises a spiritual journey like no other, offering locals and tourists alike a chance to bid adieu to the old year and embrace the dawn of the new…

  • Detained Thai soldier re-arrested after escaping from hospital

    Detained Thai soldier re-arrested after escaping from hospital

    A Thai soldier, held in custody, successfully severed his ankle restraints and escaped from a hospital in the central province of Lop Buri before being recaptured later in the day. A military officer raised the alarm with police in Lob Buri province after the detained soldier, identified only as C, escaped while being treated at the hospital. The detained soldier…

  • Thai Airways tests sustainable aviation fuel on Phuket-Bangkok flight

    Thai Airways tests sustainable aviation fuel on Phuket-Bangkok flight

    Thai Airways International and PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC piloted a flight employing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Phuket to Bangkok yesterday, December 13. The initiative, which signals a significant stride towards an environmentally friendly aviation industry, was revealed during a media briefing at Phuket International Airport. Disathat Panyarachun, the head of PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC, explained…

  • Thailand weather update: Cold north, stormy south and rain in 19 provinces

    Thailand weather update: Cold north, stormy south and rain in 19 provinces

    Today’s weather in Thailand sees a mix of cold in the north, stormy conditions in the south, and a forecast of rainfall across 19 provinces, including the capital city, Bangkok, and its surrounding regions. According to the Thai Meteorological Department‘s 24-hour forecast, high atmospheric pressure or mass cold air covers the northeastern regions and the South China Sea. This, combined…

  • NEPC plans to cap power tariff for Thai households at current rate

    NEPC plans to cap power tariff for Thai households at current rate

    The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), in its recent meeting, moved to limit the power tariff for households consuming not more than 300 units a month at the existing rate of 3.99 baht per unit, an insider familiar with the meeting discussions revealed. In the NEPC meeting, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, two main points were reviewed, both related…

  • Distressing discovery of abandoned fetus stuns Phuket neighbourhood

    Distressing discovery of abandoned fetus stuns Phuket neighbourhood

    In a quiet corner of Karon, Phuket, a distressing discovery was made yesterday. A five month old fetus was found abandoned on a vacant lot near Soi Green Drinking Water. The alarm was raised around 10.45am, with Karon Police receiving the unsettling news from the 191 Provincial Police call centre. Due to the grave nature of the situation, the Deputy…

  • Minimum wage hikes unlikely to impact Thai goods pricing significantly

    Minimum wage hikes unlikely to impact Thai goods pricing significantly

    The Commerce Ministry’s planning unit has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the impact of minimum wage increases on domestic goods and services, suggesting that such hikes are unlikely to significantly influence the pricing landscape. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, the director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), has argued that a rise in the daily minimum wage by an…

  • MFP MP, Rukchanok Srinork, granted bail with conditions

    MFP MP, Rukchanok Srinork, granted bail with conditions

    The Criminal Court of Thailand granted a temporary release to Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rukchanok Srinork. Rukchanok was prosecuted for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Law or lĆØse majestĆ© law, and Computer Act after she retweeted posts from her Twitter account between July 18 to August 9 of last year, 2022. The messages she retweeted were about the…

  • Thailandā€™s tourism authority plans strategy revamp to boost visitor spending

    Thailandā€™s tourism authority plans strategy revamp to boost visitor spending

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting its sights on revamping its strategies to rejuvenate tourist spending, which has experienced a notable decline since the onset of the pandemic. Foreign tourists’ expenditure has dipped from an average of 50,000 baht to 42,000 baht. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday urged TAT executives and domestic offices to reignite tourism expenditure. He…

  • Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains

    Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains

    Thai rice finds itself in a perilous position as the purity of its strains is at risk due to the rising popularity of foreign rice strains smuggled from neighbouring countries, warns the nation’s agriculture minister, Thammanat Prompow. Speaking at the annual Thai rice conference organised by the Thai Rice Foundation Under Royal Patronage, Thammanat expressed his worries about the future…

  • Thai stock market could sink below 1,300 amid foreign investor exodus

    Thai stock market could sink below 1,300 amid foreign investor exodus

    In a worrying development, analysts signalled that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index, which plummeted to a three-year trough yesterday, could continue its descent to below 1,300 points in the short term as foreign funds persist in their exodus. The Thai stock market appears unaffected by the recent resurgence of other equity markets, despite encouraging indicators emerging since last…

  • Pattaya journalist shooting suspect surrenders and confesses

    Pattaya journalist shooting suspect surrenders and confesses

    The prime suspect in the Pattaya journalist shooting case has turned himself in. He confessed to the charges of attempted murder and violation of the Firearms Act, following a warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court. The incident involved the shooting of a local journalist, 28 year old Nathaphat Boonchaalee, who sustained severe injuries. He surrendered himself to Nawin Theerawit, Pattaya…

  • Young transport worker dies in tragic roadside accident in Lampang

    Young transport worker dies in tragic roadside accident in Lampang

    A tragic accident has taken a young private transport company worker’s life as he collided with an electricity pole on a roadside, his body flung into the dark forest, unseen by passersby. The incident occurred at 8.45pm yesterday. Natthanan Kamsan, Deputy Investigator at Khelang Nakhon Police Station, Lampang Province, was alerted about a motorcyclist’s fatal collision with an electricity pole…

  • 2.4 million lights transform Bangkok cityscape into magical wonderland

    2.4 million lights transform Bangkok cityscape into magical wonderland

    In a luminous extravaganza set to rival the stars, over 2.4 million enchanting lights are casting their glow upon Bangkok‘s cherished Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Rattanakosin Island. This breathtaking spectacle, unveiled by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, promises to be a visual feast for locals and tourists alike. The dazzling campaign, inaugurated yesterday, December 12, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Atsadang Road,…

  • Taiwanese singer Jay Chou wows 70,000 fans in epic Carnival Concert in Bangkok (video)

    Taiwanese singer Jay Chou wows 70,000 fans in epic Carnival Concert in Bangkok (video)

    At Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Mandopop sensation Jay Chou last week transformed the venue into a musical carnival. Breaking records as the first Mandopop artist to grace the iconic stadium, the Taiwanese singer’s Carnival World Tour left fans breathless in an extraordinary audio-visual journey on December 8 and 9. Returning to Thailand after two decades, the 44 year old kicked…

  • Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam

    Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam

    During the evening rush hour chaos at the Koh Kaew intersection in Phuket last night, December 12, an unassuming young motorcyclist helped clear the way for an ambulance carrying a patient through heavy traffic. The motorcyclist rode a Honda Click. The incident was captured on video by Wisarut Saman, a rescue worker with Kusoldharm. He took to TikTok to share…

  • Thai man commits suicide for funeral fund to pay off debts

    Thai man commits suicide for funeral fund to pay off debts

    A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her husband decided to commit suicide to get money from a government funeral fund so she could pay off their debts. The 60 year old woman, Yupin, and Samai Survive founder, Ekkaphop Luengprasert, revealed that she and her 59 year old husband were vendors selling shallots and garlic in…

  • Fire disrupts wedding in Rama 3 district: Couple unsatisfied with event organiser’s response (video)

    Fire disrupts wedding in Rama 3 district: Couple unsatisfied with event organiser’s response (video)

    A wedding celebration in the Rama 3 district was thrown into chaos as fire broke out, forcing guests to flee. The newlyweds, Vat and Porn, had hired a local event organiser for their special day but were left unsatisfied with their handling of the incident and the lack of responsibility shown. Despite the fire, the event organiser quickly focused on…

  • Taiwanese touristā€™s stolen motorbike recovered in Phuket within three days

    Taiwanese touristā€™s stolen motorbike recovered in Phuket within three days

    An unsuspecting blue Honda Scoopy motorbike was whisked away from its temporary parking spot on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket leaving its rider, Taiwanese tourist Chen Hong Xi, and owner, Narongchai Wangboonkong, in a state of distress. The theft of the rented motorbike was promptly reported to the Chalong Police on December 2 by Narongchai. The officers of Chalong Police…

  • Thai Prime Minister confident Liverpool will crush Manchester United 5-0

    Thai Prime Minister confident Liverpool will crush Manchester United 5-0

    Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday predicted he is confident his team Liverpool will beat Manchester United 5-0 at Anfield on Sunday. PM Srettha, a big Liverpool supporter, took part in a talk-in called Thais Ask, PM Answers, at the InterContinental Bangkok Hotel yesterday, December 12. During the discussion, reporters asked the PM to give his opinion on the upcoming…

  • Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme

    Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme

    In a move that promises to transform healthcare access for foreign nationals and the stateless, Thai Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is set to launch a registration scheme on January 1 next year. The scheme, which boasts a mere five-minute registration process, aims to streamline access to public hospital coverage, leaving behind the antiquated healthcare systems that took weeks or even…

  • Vietnamese culinary wonderland: Thailand’s first official Vietnam town

    Vietnamese culinary wonderland: Thailand’s first official Vietnam town

    Thailand just welcomed its very own Vietnam town, officially recognised and inaugurated on December 9 by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Thailand’s northeast province of Udon Thani, about 550 kilometres from Bangkok, witnessed the grand opening of Vietnam town at Alley No. 2 on Si Suk Street. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed confidence in the town’s success,…

  • Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow passes away at 57

    Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow passes away at 57

    Renowned Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow bid an unexpected farewell just days after celebrating her 57th birthday. The beloved star, well-known for her illustrious three-decade-long career in the entertainment industry, left her fans in mourning on December 11, as her studio confirmed the devastating news following a whirlwind of social media speculation. The studio’s sombre announcement on Weibo left a…