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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.

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    Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know

    The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...

  • Hot under the collar: Lampang’s stray dogs face sizzling struggle | Thaiger

    Hot under the collar: Lampang’s stray dogs face sizzling struggle

    As temperatures in Lampang soared beyond 40 degrees Celsius, the plight of over 400 stray dogs at Wat Weluwanaram has become a serious concern. The intense heatwave, persisting for nearly a month has prompted the temple’s abbot to take immediate action to alleviate the dogs’ suffering. Vichai Akkadecho, the abbot of Wat Weluwanaram, located at 389 Moo 8, Lampang-Denchai Road,…

  • Southern simmer: Betong noodle vendor stays grounded as prices boil over | Thaiger

    Southern simmer: Betong noodle vendor stays grounded as prices boil over

    In the southern Thai town of Betong, Yala Province, consumers and food vendors are feeling the pinch as the prices of essential goods and ingredients creep upward. Amidst this economic squeeze, one noodle vendor remains resolute in her commitment to her customers, refusing to increase prices despite soaring operational costs. The 45 year old woman, Lampai Langprakhon, who runs Nuch…

  • Shocking footage: Fatal pickup accident captured on livestream | Thaiger

    Shocking footage: Fatal pickup accident captured on livestream

    A Thai pickup driver left netizens and friends stunned as he streamed a video while driving, only for his livestream to capture his fatal car accident on April 30. The Red Skull Twitter account shared a livestream of the pickup driver, whose identity has not been revealed “The driver’s last moments. Livestreaming while driving. His tyre unexpectedly exploded. He lost control…

  • Thailand’s MRTA tests smart parking system for free | Thaiger

    Thailand’s MRTA tests smart parking system for free

    Bangkok motorists have the opportunity to utilise the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) innovative smart parking system free of charge during its testing phase. Starting yesterday, May 1, the Orange Line’s 10-storey Park’n’Ride facility on Ramkhamhaeng Road and a parking ground at the MRTA station on Rama IX Road are open for the public to test out. The…

  • Bangkok man arrested for luring underage teen (video) | Thaiger

    Bangkok man arrested for luring underage teen (video)

    The five month ordeal for a family came to a head when police arrested a 24 year old man, infamously known as “Frame Wave125,” for allegedly luring a teenage girl to live with him at a construction site. This arrest followed a dramatic chase, with police finding an improvised firearm during the search of the suspect’s room today. The case…

  • Fatal motorbike crash in Phuket raises road safety concerns | Thaiger

    Fatal motorbike crash in Phuket raises road safety concerns

    A fatal accident occurred in Phuket early today when a Honda Wave 110 motorbike crashed into a roadside concrete table, claiming the life of a 45 year old passenger. The 44 year old motorbike driver, Nikorn Srirod,  reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the unfortunate event. Emergency responders arrived on the scene, in front of Mueang Mai City…

  • Bangkok officer severely injured in unexpected knife attack | Thaiger

    Bangkok officer severely injured in unexpected knife attack

    A heated altercation in Bangkok led to a violent attack on a police officer, who sustained severe head injuries after an unsuccessful attempt to de-escalate the situation, ultimately culminating in the officer being struck in the head with a bread knife in a blind fit of rage. The incident occurred in front of a gas station on Krung Kasem Road…

  • Thai authorities seize over 1000 endangered tortoises | Thaiger

    Thai authorities seize over 1000 endangered tortoises

    In the latest crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade, six individuals were apprehended in the southern province of Chumphon, Thailand, for possession and transportation of a significant number of endangered species. The suspects were found with over 1,000 radiated tortoises and dozens of lemurs in their possession, intended for sale in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, according to the…

  • Car accident in Chachoengsao kills father and daughter | Thaiger

    Car accident in Chachoengsao kills father and daughter

    In a tragic turn of events, a father and his 3 year old daughter were killed in a road accident today near Chachoengsao when their car lost control and struck an electric pole. Both were found lifeless, the father holding his daughter tightly in a final embrace. At the scene, emergency responders discovered a black Toyota Camry with Bangkok license…

  • Bitcoin ETFs close with largest discounts due to crypto plunge | Thaiger

    Bitcoin ETFs close with largest discounts due to crypto plunge

    The largest spot-Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) closed today with significant discounts to their underlying asset values, the biggest since their inception. This disparity emerged when the cryptocurrency plunged to its lowest in two months, consequently affecting the ETFs’ Bitcoin value tracking. The iShares Bitcoin Trust, a US$16 billion fund, closed approximately 1.7% below its net asset value. Other funds like…

  • AstraZeneca vaccine linked to blood clots in 7 Thai recipients | Thaiger

    AstraZeneca vaccine linked to blood clots in 7 Thai recipients

    The Department of Disease Control announced that out of the 20 million Thai citizens who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, seven developed blood clots, with two resulting in fatalities. These adverse effects were confirmed to occur within 42 days post-inoculation. Today the Director-General of the Disease Control Department, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, spoke about the vaccine’s side effects, emphasising that the incidences of…

  • Illegal chemical warehouse in Ayutthaya razed by overnight inferno | Thaiger

    Illegal chemical warehouse in Ayutthaya razed by overnight inferno

    An inferno swept through an unauthorised chemical warehouse in Phachi, Ayutthaya, leading to the combustion of over four tonnes of impounded chemical waste. Thai media outlets first broke the news of the fire at 6pm, yesterday, May 1, depicting a scene of roaring flames and a thick blanket of chemical smoke suffocating the area. The pungent smell that pervaded the…

  • Massive meth lab busted in Suphan Buri with 4 million pills seized | Thaiger

    Massive meth lab busted in Suphan Buri with 4 million pills seized

    A clandestine methamphetamine production operation was dismantled in Suphan Buri, Thailand, after a joint police raid, resulting in the seizure of over four million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of two key suspects. Late yesterday, under the management of high-ranking officers including the Region 7 Chief of Police and his deputies, along with the Suphan Buri Provincial Police, a covert…

  • Chon Buri eatery owner hires man overcharged for rice & eggs dish | Thaiger

    Chon Buri eatery owner hires man overcharged for rice & eggs dish

    A Chon Buri eatery owner offered a job to an unemployed man and his young son, who were the focus of a viral story involving an overpriced two-egg rice dish. The compassionate gesture won the hearts of netizens who came across the owner’s social media post searching for the struggling pair. Following a widely criticized incident where a jobless father…

  • Star-struck: Lottery hopefuls seek guidance from astrologer | Thaiger

    Star-struck: Lottery hopefuls seek guidance from astrologer

    Astrological forecasts hold a special allure for many, and today’s predictions by the renowned astrologer Dr Chang Thotsaporn are a hot topic as lottery results are eagerly awaited. Dr Chang highlighted that individuals born under five zodiac signs are poised for a financial boost, with good news and a stroke of luck in the fortune department. This comes just as…

  • Gold ornament prices leap to 41,200 baht in surprise surge | Thaiger

    Gold ornament prices leap to 41,200 baht in surprise surge

    Gold prices soared unexpectedly, prompting swift action from interested buyers, as the latest figures from the Gold Traders Association (GTA) showed a significant jump. Today, gold ornaments’ selling price broke through to 41,200 baht per baht-weight, an increase of 350 baht from the previous day’s closing price. The surge in gold prices is not just an isolated economic event but…

  • Pet peeve: Thai man eats dog in rage after it bit nephew (video) | Thaiger

    Pet peeve: Thai man eats dog in rage after it bit nephew (video)

    Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) filed a lawsuit against a Thai man in the northern province of Chiang Mai for brutally killing and eating his pet dog in a fit of rage after it bit his seven year old nephew. A WDT representative filed a complaint at Sankampaeng Police Station yesterday, May 1, that the Thai man, later identified as 42…

  • Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks | Thaiger

    Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks

    Public health officials issued a stern warning regarding the rising trend of kratom-infused drinks, highlighting that these beverages may contain dangerously high levels of mitragynine, a compound found in the kratom plant. The Department of Medical Sciences, after conducting safety tests across various regions in March, revealed that all 52 samples of kratom-mixed beverages contained mitragynine levels ranging from 22…

  • Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk | Thaiger

    Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk

    Thailand’s Uthai Thani province is grappling with its most severe drought in decades, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius and a prolonged absence of rain. The drought has reached a critical point, affecting several districts and causing a widespread scarcity of water for both consumption and agricultural use. The situation has escalated to the point where it…

  • Thai govt cancels VAT exemption for low-priced imported goods | Thaiger

    Thai govt cancels VAT exemption for low-priced imported goods

    The digital economy’s growth in Thailand led to a surge in trade on foreign online platforms, which has caused considerable disruption for local businesses. The local market has been flooded with cheap Chinese products, putting domestic entrepreneurs at a disadvantage and unable to compete on price. This situation has prompted many to fade away, compelling the government to take action.…

  • Laotian man loses gold necklaces while sleeping drunk in Pattaya (video) | Thaiger

    Laotian man loses gold necklaces while sleeping drunk in Pattaya (video)

    A Laotian man is seeking public help after losing two gold necklaces worth about 80,000 baht while sleeping off the after-effects of drunkenness on a footpath in Pattaya. The 37 year old Laotian man urged Channel 3 to share his story to seek a clue leading to the apprehension of the gold necklace thief. The man also issued a warning to…

  • Thai banks reduce loan rates to alleviate customer debt | Thaiger

    Thai banks reduce loan rates to alleviate customer debt

    The four biggest banks in the country have all declared a drop in their loan interest rates. This decision by Bangkok Bank (BBL), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Kasikornbank (KBank), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is a response to the prime minister’s call to lessen loan rates to help ease the debt pressure on susceptible customers. An anonymous banking sector analyst opines…

  • Pattani shootout ends with two suspects dead, one officer injured | Thaiger

    Pattani shootout ends with two suspects dead, one officer injured

    A deadly confrontation unfolded in Thung Yang Daeng district, Pattani, southern Thailand, where a four-hour gunfight resulted in the deaths of two suspects and left one officer injured. This violent exchange occurred yesterday, May 1, at a rented house under surveillance for harbouring individuals wanted by the law. The incident concluded with the discovery of two deceased, identified as Masobree…

  • Boom boom: Thailand ranked in top 10 for sex workers globally | Thaiger

    Boom boom: Thailand ranked in top 10 for sex workers globally

    The International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) reports that Thailand is one of the countries with the highest number of sex workers, at 250,000. Despite the number, sex workers in the country remain illegal and continue to struggle for basic labour rights. The IUSW released global sex industry statistics under the topic, Sex Worker Statistics by Country, Gender. The report,…

  • Thailand Video News | American YouTuber attacks girlfriend for ‘content’, Ex-executive kicks police in the face during traffic stop | Thaiger

    Thailand Video News | American YouTuber attacks girlfriend for ‘content’, Ex-executive kicks police in the face during traffic stop

    In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into the various stories across Thailand. Beginning with Microsoft recently launching its first regional data center in Thailand, aiming to enhance cloud and AI capabilities. However, amid technological advancements, troubling incidents unfold across the country. An American YouTuber faces assault allegations, a Laotian tourist is robbed in Pattaya, and a former…

  • Businesswoman gifts 100 million baht estate to Thai cleaner | Thaiger

    Businesswoman gifts 100 million baht estate to Thai cleaner

    A businesswoman in Thailand tragically ended her life using a firearm next to the pool of her luxurious villa on Koh Samui. Before her death, the 59 year old woman named Catherine, astonishingly bequeathed her entire estate, valued at 100 million baht, to her devoted housekeeper, following a cancer diagnosis. The circumstances surrounding her suicide remain a mystery, as CCTV…

  • IBM Thailand Director emphasises AI’s impact on economy | Thaiger

    IBM Thailand Director emphasises AI’s impact on economy

    As Thailand grapples with geopolitical conflicts, economic barriers, and technological disruptions, the newly appointed managing director of IBM Thailand shared his vision for the nation’s future. Anothai Wettayakorn emphasised the critical importance of focusing on controllable factors in a complex world and said that strategic planning and positivity could bring about positive change. Anothai went on to highlight the exceptional convergence…

  • Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields | Thaiger

    Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields

    Wirat Meenchainunt, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Chayada Vipattipumiprates, The First Vice-Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, along with members of the Bangkok Council and relevant government officials paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Kunming City People’s Council and attended the signing ceremony of the revised Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation and Friendly Relations (MOU)…

  • Unidentified foreign woman’s body found on Phuket beach | Thaiger

    Unidentified foreign woman’s body found on Phuket beach

    In Phuket, a foreign woman’s body was discovered floating in the waters off Freedom Beach yesterday. Karon police received word of the grim find around 2.45pm. A subsequent recovery mission was swiftly assembled, with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers utilising a rubber dinghy to retrieve the body and transport it ashore near Nong Harn Lake in Karon. The deceased is thought…

  • Russian man found dead in Bangkok canal with multiple cuts | Thaiger

    Russian man found dead in Bangkok canal with multiple cuts

    Locals discovered the dead body of a Russian man in the Hua Lamphong Canal in Bangkok yesterday. He bore more than 10 cut wounds on his wrists. Officers from the Bangrak Police Station investigated the body of the Russian man at around 8am yesterday. Locals in the area spotted the body in the Hua Lamphong Canal near Soi Santiphap in…