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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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SEC allows securities firms to offer spot Bitcoin ETFs to elite investors
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is in the process of permitting securities firms to offer spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) trading to institutional and high net worth (HNW) investors. The information became public when InnovestX Securities, a unit of SCB X Group, announced on its website that it had recently discussed the matter with the SEC and obtained approval…
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Police officer involved in fatal road accident causing female doctor’s death gets 10-year sentence
The Court of Appeals increased the sentence of a police officer who fatally struck a doctor on a Bangkok zebra crossing. Police Lance Corporal Norawit Buadok, riding a red Ducati big bike, crashed into ophthalmologist Waralak Supawat-Jariyakul on January 21, 2022. The tragic incident occurred in front of Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital on Phya Thai Road. Waralak, flung into the…
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Sa Kaeo police allegedly threaten Thai man to confess to his wife’s murder
The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, stepped in to oversee the inquiry into the murder of a Thai woman, Buaphan Thansu. This intervention followed accusations against officers from Aranyaprathet Police Station in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo that they were alleged to have coerced the woman’s husband into confessing to the crime.…
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Juvenile violence sparks national police chief’s call for tougher laws
In a bid to curb the alarming rise in violent crimes committed by young offenders, National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol ordered a comprehensive review of all criminal cases involving youngsters over the past five years. The objective is to assess whether the existing juvenile criminal laws should be revamped to enforce stricter penalties for violent offences, said Pol.…
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Teenager brandishes firearm in public, fears mother poisoning him for insurance
A 19 year old man was taken into custody by Surat Thani City police after he was spotted brandishing a firearm at a busy road intersection. The youth claimed he was scared of his mother, who he believed was trying to poison him to claim life insurance money. The incident occurred at 2.15am today, January 18 at the intersection of…
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Tragic discovery of woman’s body in Pattaya condo
A shocking discovery was made in a condominium in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Pattaya when an unpleasant odour led to the uncovering of a deceased woman’s body. The deceased was identified as 30 year old Romnalin, who hadn’t been seen or heard from for nine days. The discovery was made yesterday, January 17, as reported by Thanakorn Sueatrong, Deputy Inspector of…
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Explosion at fireworks factory in Thailand leaves 22 dead
A devastating explosion at a fireworks factory resulted in 22 fatalities. The factory was still within its permit period. This tragic event has left a profound impact on a fifth-year secondary school student who lost both parents in the incident and is still in shock. Sitthisak Yaempraipirom, the district officer of Mueang Suphanburi, Suphanburi Province, revealed the developments in the…
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Thailand’s insurance sector sees 4.5% growth, aiming for 1 trillion baht by 2026
The insurance sector in Thailand has seen a robust expansion of 4.5%, with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) projecting insurance premiums to hit the 1 trillion baht (US$28,184,510,000) mark by 2026, a significant leap from the present 800 to 900 billion baht figure. Such an outlook was shared by Chuchatr Pramoolpol, the secretary-general of the OIC. Chuchatr revealed…
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Storm warnings for southern provinces as Thailand braces for cold snap
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warns of storms hitting eight southern provinces with sea waves exceeding 2 metres. Meanwhile, the upper part of the country continues to experience cold weather today. For the next 24 hours, the moderately high-pressure area covering the northeastern part and the South China Sea is weakening, while the westerly wind at the upper level…
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Public Health Ministry to use AI for depression diagnosis
The Public Health Ministry announced plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its online platform to aid in the diagnosis of depression. Revealed yesterday by the permanent secretary for public health, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, this move is part of a broader effort to boost mental healthcare in the country. The AI system, named the Detection and Monitoring Intelligence Network for…
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New 6.5 kilometre six-lane road to link Phutthamonthon Sai 4 with Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi Motorway
The Department of Highways in Thailand embarked upon a new project to construct a 6.5-kilometre-long six-lane road that will link Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road with the Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi Motorway. The new roadway is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing roads and foster urbanisation in the adjoining areas. The highway will extend through four districts in Nonthaburi and into…
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Thailand’s central bank bans prepayment charges in new lending regulation
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has introduced a new responsible lending (RL) regulation that bans charges for debt prepayment and restructuring across all consumer loan products. The regulation, which comes into effect on January 1, impacts various financial institutions such as banks, non-banks, asset management companies, and specialised financial institutions. However, the ban does not apply to fees for mortgage…
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Transgender trio snatch gold necklace from Korean tourist in Pattaya
A Korean tourist last week was allegedly robbed of his 200,000 baht gold necklace by a trio of transgender suspects in Pattaya. The 51 year old tourist, Seongmu, accompanied by his 43 year old Thai friend, Surat Kongin, revealed the details of the robbery which took place on Thursday, January 11, imploring justice for the brazen theft. The escapade unfolded…
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Cool weather predicted across Thailand with isolated rainfall in the north
The Department of Meteorology of Thailand (TMD) forecasts cool weather in the morning across the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions of Thailand, as well as the upper south. However, some areas in the upper north and southern regions are expected to experience rainfall. A westerly trough is covering the upper north of Thailand and the upper part of Laos,…
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Chulalongkorn Hospital to employ robot helper ‘Mr Sam’ to assist paperwork
Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has unleashed a team of five robots, headed by Mr Sam, to revolutionise outpatient services. This futuristic endeavour aims to slash red tape, accelerate patient processes, and provide a helping hand to overwhelmed medical staff. It marks the dawn of a new era in healthcare technology, with robots taking charge of paperwork and streamlining the registration process.…
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Thailand domestic boarding regulations tighten
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed new regulations for non-Thai passengers taking domestic flights in Thailand. Effective from January 16, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) tightened control on the boarding pass and ID checks. The CAAT laid down the law, demanding an exact match between the name on the boarding pass and the passenger’s government-issued ID. Whether…
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Electricity bills set to stay steady despite global turmoil
In an exclusive update from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), consumers can breathe a sigh of relief as Secretary-General Komkrit Tantravanich guarantees minimal disruption to household electricity bills. Komkrit reassures the public that from May through August, electricity rates will hover between 4.20 to 4.25 baht per unit. Moreover, this promising price stability is linked to a surge in natural…
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From ordinary Australian to Queen of Denmark: The compelling journey of Queen Mary
After Queen Margrethe II of Denmark voluntarily abdicated her throne in 2023, Prince Frederik of Denmark succeeded the throne as King Frederik X. The event, which took place on January 14, garnered significant interest from both Danish citizens and international spectators alike. King Frederik X’s coronation ceremony was simple, lacking the usual pomp and circumstance. However, the world’s attention was…
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Udon Thani youth gang nabbed for burglary spree and drug use
A gang of young boys aged between eight and 15 years old have been apprehended by the local police in Udon Thani for a string of burglaries in the neighbourhood, as well as drug use. The group, led by a 15 year old Puek (pseudonym), was arrested on the evening of today, at 10.30pm, by the investigative unit of the…
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Grim reality of Thai agricultural worker’s life in South Korea revealed
Working as an agricultural labourer in South Korea may not be as pleasant as one might think, according to a Thai worker’s review posted online today. The worker, Abhisit began his job in South Korea on June 29, 2023, after passing the Department of Labour’s E-9 agricultural visa exam. Abhisit worked in a mixed vegetable farm, primarily cultivating high-value crops…
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PAD group acquitted for 2008 airport siege, fined 20,000 baht for trespassing
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group, who stormed and occupied airports in 2008, were acquitted by the court for their actions but were fined 20,000 baht on charges of trespassing and violation of the Emergency Decree. The verdict was delivered today at 9am at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road The case dates back to November 24-December 3, 2008,…
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Heated debate over car mods escalates into fatal stabbing
A heated argument over car modifications during a hot pot party in Don Tum, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, ended in a fatal stabbing incident today, at 3am. The 40 year old attacker, identified as Teedsak, managed to escape the scene but was later apprehended. The victims were identified as 31 year old Songkran, who unfortunately did not survive the assault, and…
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Elderly Indian man comes back to life on way to his last rites
An 80 year old Indian man who was pronounced dead, came back to life on the way to his last rites. The extraordinary event unfolded on January 13 in Karnal City, India, when the ambulance carrying the body of Darshan Singh Bar, fell into a pothole on the road. Bar’s grandson, who was accompanying him, noticed his grandpa’s arm move…
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Thai actress Mew Nittha receives public apology after bakery’s cake mishap
A recent incident involving a cake order mishap by popular Thai actress Mew Nittha led to the bakery owner issuing a public apology. The misunderstanding occurred when Mew ordered a cake to celebrate the one-month birthday of her youngest son, Makin. Mew requested for Makin 1 month to be written in white. However, the bakery staff misinterpreted the instructions and…
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Nakhon Si Thammarat emerges as tranquil tourism haven amidst chaos in hotspots like Phuket
As Phuket, Pattaya, and Hua Hin battle with over-tourism, Nakhon Si Thammarat emerges as a tranquil one of Thailand’s favourite getaways. In the throes of over-tourism, Phuket, Pattaya, and Hua Hin are becoming synonymous with congestion, noise, and chaos. The serenity seekers are abandoning the ship, flocking towards the promise of silent travel, as revealed by Condé Nast Traveler. Amidst…
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Fatal motorbike and truck collision in Chachoengsao City centre
A fatal collision between a motorbike and an 18-wheel truck took place around 10am today in the heart of Chachoengsao City. The incident resulted in one death and serious injuries. The accident occurred near the city’s central intersection. The deceased, 49 year old Nikom, from Bang Samak sub-district in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao, was found with major facial injuries. Nearby…
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Kiwi couple demands refund from Qantas after 10-hour flight in urine
In a stomach-churning revelation, a New Zealand couple successfully secured a refund from Qantas Airways, alleging they unwittingly spent a 10-hour flight submerged in a fellow passenger’s urine. The revolting journey unfolded during a flight from Bangkok to Sydney, leaving the couple fuming and the airline scrambling for damage control. A Qantas spokesperson provided a statement, acknowledging the disturbing incident…
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Delayed launch of Thailand’s 500 billion baht digital wallet rattles government
The much-anticipated 500-billion-baht (US$14.3-billion) digital wallet initiative, a flagship policy of the Pheu Thai-led government, has hit a snag. The planned rollout for May has been deferred, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, delivering a blow to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government, which has been promoting the scheme as a lifeline for the faltering economy.…
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Thai Cabinet ratifies 3.6 trillion baht budget for fiscal year 2025
The Thai Cabinet ratified a 3.6 trillion baht budget for the fiscal year 2025. This sees an expansion of the budget deficit to 713 billion baht, a 2.89% increase from the previous year. The new budget was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, following its presentation by the Budget Bureau. It was announced by the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rudklao Suwankiri.…
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Bangkok residents call for 20 baht fare amid uproar over 100 baht BTS cost
The fare for a journey on the BTS Skytrain from Asoke to Minburi station has been set at 100 baht, causing uproar among Bangkok residents. They argue that it is nearly a third of the daily minimum wage and have started calling for the implementation of the 20 baht fare policy across all routes, previously promised by the government during…
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