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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Thailand probes incident of Chinese tourist wearing Thai police uniform for fun
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin verified yesterday that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is probing a social media incident involving a Chinese tourist seen donning the Thai police uniform, complete with a nameplate, rank insignia, and decorations. The uniform was worn for amusement, an act which the Thai PM condemned. PM Srettha expressed his disapproval. “That isn’t right, and [the…
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Lorry crash in Pathum Thani injures 15 Burmese workers
A lorry carrying 15 Burmese workers collided with a container truck in Pathum Thani province, injuring all the passengers. The incident occurred around 6am today. The Isuzu pickup truck, driven by an unidentified man, lost control and crashed into the container truck, leading to multiple casualties. According to the initial investigation by Warut Poomsak, a duty officer at the Khlong…
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Thai woman mistaken for foreigner and charged 100,000 baht more by hospital
A Thai woman asked a hospital located in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, to explain a 250,000 baht bill related to her four-day medical treatment. The hospital later returned 100,000 baht, acknowledging it had mistaken her for a foreigner. The woman in question was 66 year old Jamlong Ninlakorn, the owner of a Thai restaurant in…
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Thai industry calls for retention of current power tariff amid hike fears
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is urging the Thai government to retain the current power tariff of 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour. The request comes amid concerns that a proposed hike to 4.68 baht could escalate operational costs for manufacturers, leading to a 5 to 10% increase in product prices. The Energy Regulatory Commission previously suggested…
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Thai executives warn against fiscal burden increase: SET survey
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has published a survey in which top executives from Thai listed firms have urged the government to avoid amplifying the nation’s fiscal burden and distorting markets. The executives also proposed more involvement from the private sector in policymaking. The survey, titled Economic Outlook 2023 to 2024, was the work of the SET’s research department…
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Thailand’s clean air bill targets PM2.5 dust menace
Thailand’s Cabinet has given preliminary approval to the Clean Air Bill, a bold initiative designed to combat the annual scourge of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This is a major move that gives authorities the necessary tools to manage sources of air pollutants effectively, particularly the minuscule dust particles that become a significant issue in the country each cool season. The Clean…
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UNESCO recognises Songkran festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Thursday witnessed a series of events commemorating the Songkran Festival’s recent recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The official declaration was made yesterday during UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee meeting for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Botswana. The Culture Ministry’s application for the inclusion of the Songkran Festival was approved by…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue falls short of annual target
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projected a shortfall in its annual tourism revenue target, with this year’s earnings expected to reach 2.07 trillion baht (US$58,773,427,200) instead of the projected 2.38 trillion baht. TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, attributes this shortfall to the sluggish performance of international tourism receipts, which were significantly lower than the state’s target of 1.6 trillion baht.…
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The unique charm of Thai literature
The rich history of Thai literature traces back to the Sukhothai period (1238-1438). However, in the modern age, Thai literature takes on a different form. Distinct features separate modern Thai literature, written in the 20th and 21st centuries, from its historical counterparts. In this article, we delve into the unique characteristics that define modern Thai literature. What is the Golden…
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Thai provincial governors gain CEO-like powers under new decentralisation policy
Thai provincial governors have been granted the authority akin to a company’s CEO, following a Cabinet agreement. This move forms part of the government’s decentralisation policy. However, the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and various critics question if this action truly aligns with accepted international standards of decentralisation. The Cabinet-approved proposal, submitted by the National Economic and…
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Blackpink ink: K-Pop queens sign on the dotted line, ending fan fears of a split
Months of suspense for fans of K-pop sensation Blackpink have finally come to an end as the quartet officially renewed their agency contract, putting to rest fears of a potential split. YG Entertainment, the powerhouse behind Blackpink, announced today, December 6, that a groundbreaking exclusive contract for group activities based on strong trust has been inked. This deal is rumoured to…
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Blossoms beyond Earth: Pathum Thani sunflower spectacle transforms into a galactic experience
In a floral frenzy, globetrotters are thronging to a sunflower field in Thailand that’s not just a feast for the eyes but also a rendezvous with interstellar blossoms. Travellers are making a beeline for the 5-rai sunflower field in Pathum Thani province, nestled within the colossal CPRAM headquarters—a jewel in the crown of the Thai conglomerate CP Group. This dazzling…
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Taiwanese man arrested for animal smuggling at Bangkok airport
Officers from Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok arrested a Taiwanese man for animal smuggling yesterday, December 5. Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine chief Phakkapong Phathong said officers received a report of a suspicious Taiwanese man at 9.05am that day. Officers suspected that the 22 year old Taiwanese man was concealing live animals in his clothing when he passed…
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Phuket: 16 year old boy found dead in Thalang pond
A 16 year old boy who vanished while enjoying a swim was found dead in Baan Maruan Pond. Warut Butleb, a bright third-year high school student at Rajaprajanugroh School 36 in Kamala, yesterday, December 5, disappeared while swimming with his friend Ngae, a 10 year old from Myanmar. A seven-hour search for the teenage boy ended in a devastating discovery. The…
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Pop goes the drama: Wat Arun scoops up Love Destiny flavoured 3D ice cream
Social media has been abuzz lately with the newest delicacy at Wat Arun, the Arun Amarin temple, which is a Bangkok landmark. The Pop Icon 3D Ice Cream, a Thai and foreigner favourite, has now been reinvented into two new flavours, highlighting Thai culture and the historical drama, Love Destiny, or Prom Likit. The latest innovation from Pop Icon is…
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Altitude alert: Flight attendant spills beans on why plane coffee gets a turbulent reaction (video)
A flight attendant sparked a heated discussion on social media by revealing why passengers should avoid drinking coffee served on planes. The video clip was posted on the TikTok account @ichbinvin, responding to a query initially raised on the website Reddit about the dirty little secrets of working on an aircraft. The flight attendant, Kevin, agreed with another netizen’s comment,…
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Singaporean duo’s slam dunk scandal: Basketball match fixing duo hits the court
A 30 year old Singaporean man found himself facing an eight-month jail term for his involvement in match fixing basketball matches in Thailand. The scandalous case, unravelling in the heart of the Singaporean sports scene, involves illicit bets, secret Facebook conversations, and a plot to rig matches in the Thailand Basketball League (TBL). Poh Wei Hao and Koa Wei Quan,…
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Unlock the secrets of Thailand’s museums after dark: Night at Museum 2023 unveiled
In a bid to ignite cultural fervour, the Thai government launched the eagerly awaited Night at Museum 2023 initiative. Running from December 15 to 24, the festival encourages the public to explore the nation’s 48 museums under the enchanting cloak of night. Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesman, stated that the festival aims to boost cultural soft power, inviting everyone…
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Crocodile-shock: Chinese food blogger’s reptilian recipe riles up social media storm
A social media storm has erupted over a Chinese food blogger, who boasts more than 3.5 million followers on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). A short video was posted showing food blogger, Xiehe, preparing a crocodile as part of a home-cooked meal. Although the clip achieved its aim of attracting viewers, it sparked massive backlash. A significant number of…
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Taiwanese idol Gan Lian Mei’s cheeky strip show goes viral after Chinese baseball victory (video)
In a scene that left spectators astounded, the sexy net idol Gan Lian Mei, living up to her promise, performed a strip show on the sidelines of a triumphant national baseball match. The act quickly became a viral video, amassing over 700,000 views and garnering more than 15,000 likes. Gan Lian Mei, a popular Taiwanese net idol, had pledged to…
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Thai students’ performance dips in PISA rankings, calls for educational reform
Fifteen year old Thai students faced a significant setback in their performance in maths, science, and reading, according to the recent rankings by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which conducted the assessment, revealed that these students scored 394 in maths, a sharp fall from 419 in the previous year. A similar…
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Tokyo taxi driver feathers his cap with arrest after fatal dove collision
A 50 year old Tokyo taxi driver has been arrested for striking a flock of doves and killing one in Shinjuku district last month. Authorities, who detained the driver, Atsushi Ozawa, under charges of violating wildlife protection laws and causing public alarm, initiated an investigation following a call from a concerned citizen who reported a taxi suddenly accelerating and hitting sparrows…
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Bus crash victims in Thailand can claim up to 500,000 baht
A devastating accident involving a public passenger bus travelling from Bangkok to Nathawi, operated by Srisiam Tour Company Limited, resulted in the tragic loss of 14 lives and left 35 injured. The incident occurred on Petchkasem Road, between kilometres 331 and 332, in Huay Yang, Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday. The Consumer Organisation Council clarified the rights of those…
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Update: Brave Thai doctor’s final battle ends, Dr Krittai loses fight against cancer
The Thai medical sector is mourning the loss of Dr Krittai Tanasombatkul, a 29 year old doctor, known for his Facebook page, Fight for It, and who fought against terminal lung cancer. In a poignant announcement on his Fight For It web page last month, Dr Krittai revealed his grim diagnosis of stage four lung cancer. Despite his regular exercise…
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Lao woman’s harrowing experience with Thai taxi driver in Bangkok
Officers from Bang Kruai Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok arrested an illegal Thai taxi driver for sexually harassing and overcharging a Lao woman. The driver denied he sexually harassed the woman, stating that he was just teasing the passenger. The Lao victim, 19 year old Phouangmalay Keovilay, and her older brother filed a complaint against a Thai taxi…
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Northeast Thailand: Woman fatally stabbed during Ngiew celebration in Khon Kaen
A shocking incident unfolded at a festive event in the Phon District of Khon Kaen when a woman was fatally stabbed by an unknown assailant. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, December 6, during the Ngiew celebration, a traditional festive event. The fatally stabbed woman suffered from severe injuries, succumbing to the wounds later in the hospital.…
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Thai village in chaos as wild elephant wreaks havoc
A wild elephant, known as Rod Tang, wreaked havoc in a village in Buriram province, damaging a house and sending the inhabitants into a state of fear. The incident occurred yesterday in Nong Samet village, Non Din Daeng district, resulting in significant property damage and leading to pleas for assistance from relevant authorities. The house, a single-storey concrete property numbered…
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Prime minister’s grand almsgiving spectacle in honour of late king
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and a star-studded entourage gathered for a regal religious ceremony in Bangkok. The grand affair, coinciding with National Father’s Day, paid homage to the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As dawn broke, the 61 year old Thai PM, accompanied by his wife and an illustrious assembly of Cabinet ministers, Privy Council members, and military commanders, graced Sanam…
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Thai man brutally murdered over eucalyptus tree dispute
A 61 year old man met a brutal end as a result of a long-standing dispute over a eucalyptus tree, with a neighbour assaulting him with a hoe, causing fatal skull fractures. The 60 year old assailant surrendered himself to police today. The tragedy unfolded on a public road in the rural village of Kudchum, Yasothon Province. On arrival at…
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RTP safety play: Thai tourist police launch ‘i lert u’ app for foreign visitors
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has unveiled a new tool to ensure the safety and well-being of foreign visitors in Thailand. The Tourist Police Office has launched a new mobile application, dubbed Tourist Police i lert u. This innovation in public safety caters to tourists who find themselves in need of immediate assistance. Leveraging the power of the Global Positioning…
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