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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Chaowalit encore: Fugitive’s frustration takes the spotlight in third video addressing Thailand’s bail system
Fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, has once again emerged, releasing a third video in which he expresses his frustration over the issue of bail in the Thai judicial system. He questions the criteria set for granting bail in certain cases and why he was the only one who did not receive it. Chaowalit also apologises for the…
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Singapore and Zurich rank as world’s most expensive cities in 2023
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently revealed that Singapore and Zurich share the title of the world’s most expensive city in 2023. Following closely are Geneva, New York, and Hong Kong, maintaining that the worldwide cost-of-living crisis is yet unresolved. The research and analysis division of the Economist Group observed that prices for over 200 frequently utilised goods and services…
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Fatal road accident in Phuket: Pickup truck crashes, driver dies on spot
A fatal road accident occurred in Phuket, where a pickup truck lost control and crashed into the central road divider. The driver was thrown from the vehicle and died on the spot, while his companion, Witya, also 48 years old, was injured. At approximately 1.50am today, Police Lieutenant Thanpisit Mueangchan, an investigative officer at Thalang Police Station, was alerted to…
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Thai organisations face frequent cyberattacks, study reveals
A recent study conducted by Cloudflare, a US-based firm specialising in content delivery, networking, and cloud cybersecurity, disclosed that 57% of Thai organisations have been targeted by at least 10 cybersecurity incidents in the past year. The findings revealed that the primary motivation for these cybercriminal activities was to install spyware, followed by financial gain and ransomware. Interestingly, despite the…
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Teenager killed in tragic accident on dark Ratchaburi road
A tragic accident occurred last night, at 8.30pm, on the unlit Pikun Thong – Ban Rai Road in the Mueang district of Ratchaburi. A 17 year old youth on a motorcycle collided with a Mazda sedan, resulting in his immediate death and leaving the car’s occupants seriously injured. The car was driven by 24 year old Phanuphan, with 23 year…
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Mental illness suspected after Thai man kills uncle before suicide
Police suspect a mental illness as the motive behind a Thai man’s killing of his uncle at their home in the southern province of Krabi. The incident occurred yesterday after the uncle complained about loud goat noises. The victim, identified as 65 year old Sunthorn Treekun, was murdered and the incident was reported to Lam Thap Police Station at 4pm…
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Weather warning for northern Thailand with temperatures expected to rise
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for the northern region of Thailand today, as temperatures are expected to rise by 3 degrees Celsius. Some areas may experience rainfall. The southern region, meanwhile, is bracing for a storm with heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted. The sea is also expected to have waves higher than 2 metres.…
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Thai punters get creative: The hunt for December’s lucky lottery numbers heats up
As the December lottery draw approaches, keen-eyed Thai punters are turning to various sources for lucky numbers. Notable figures, personalised car number plates, and even ancient termites are all being scrutinised for potential winning digits. The first unusual source of lottery luck comes from a local shrine dedicated to two elderly women, where villagers have written numbers 70, 558, 625,…
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Thai man steals from drunk woman who parks motorcycle to vomit
CCTV footage yesterday showed a Thai man stealing a bag from a drunk woman who parked her motorcycle to vomit on the roadside near Thewa Sangkaram Temple in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The victim, a 21 year old woman named Jang, urged Channel 3 to show the CCTV footage to the public and urged netizens to notify the police…
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Thailand’s herbal market worth skyrockets to 90,000 billion baht
Minister of Health Santi Prompat highlighted the significant growth in the market for Thai massage and food as a form of soft power for the nation. He also emphasized the rising value of herbal consumption, which has increased to 90,000 billion baht, making Thailand the third highest in Asia. This occurred during a special assembly and policy communication meeting at…
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Devotees flock to restored twin shrines in Ratchaburi following mysterious fire
A mysterious fire at the revered twin shrines of Yaay Niam and Yaay Nom in Ratchaburi province has not deterred devotees, who continue to flock to the site for blessings. The shrines, believed to be nearly 100 years old, were restored after being burnt down on November 2 under unexplained circumstances. Devotees from across the province and beyond are known…
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Former PM Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed as Thailand Privy Council member
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun yesterday appointed the former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the Privy Council of Thailand. The Royal Gazette yesterday, November 29, officially announced that His Majesty deemed it fitting to appoint an additional Privy Councillor at this time. The king has graciously chosen former Prime Minister Prayut for this appointment. The Privy Council is a body…
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Viral video stirs debate: Bride’s post-ceremony behaviour in China scrutinised
A viral video of a Chinese couple has become the talk of social media, as the bride’s casual demeanour post-wedding ceremony raised eyebrows. The video, believed to have been taken in Guizhou City, sparked widespread debate on social media about the appropriateness of the bride’s behaviour. After completing their wedding ceremony and bidding farewell to friends and relatives, the couple…
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Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court
Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, representing the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a setback yesterday when the Constitutional Court dismissed her petition concerning the constitutionality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. The court’s decision came via the Criminal Court, which is currently presiding over a case against Rukchanok. The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she…
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Unforeseen transfer of DSI chief prompts investigation into pork smuggling
The abrupt transfer of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Police Major Suriya Singhakamol has prompted the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives to seek answers from the government. Pol. Maj. Suriya’s reassignment came into the limelight immediately after he conducted a search related to the smuggling of pork at the CP Axtra Plc headquarters, previously known as Siam Makro.…
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Thai finance ministry considers beverage tax restructure to boost tourism
A proposed restructuring of the beverage tax framework is under consideration by the Finance Ministry, as revealed by the permanent finance secretary, Lavaron Sangsnit. The restructure aims to bolster tourism and domestic spending. This Friday, Lavaron plans to engage in a discussion with officials from the Customs Department and the Excise Department. The proposed measures align with Thai governmental policies…
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TAT forecasts surge of Chinese tourists into Thailand via land in 2023
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts that over 300,000 Chinese tourists are expected to cross into Thailand overland next year. This surge is due to the China-Laos railway, contributing to visitor numbers, especially in the northeast’s second-tier cities. Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT’s regional marketing director for East Asia, indicated that around 70,000 to 100,000 Chinese tourists, 2% to 3% of…
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Hamas releases two more Thai captives, 19 now freed
The release of two additional Thai captives from the Israel- Palestine conflict occurred on Tuesday night, bringing the total number of freed Thai citizens to 19, with a remaining 13 still in custody. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced via the Twitter social media platform that Pattanayut Tonsokree and Owat Suriya had been liberated at 11pm local time and were immediately…
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Southern Thailand battles surge in whooping cough cases
A surge in pertussis cases, commonly known as whooping cough, has prompted public health bodies to urge individuals, particularly in southern Thailand, to get vaccinated. So far this year, almost 100 Thai residents have been diagnosed with the infectious disease. The Disease Control Department disclosed yesterday that there have been 93 confirmed cases of pertussis between January 1 and November…
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Thailand’s shrimp exports forecasted to surge by 10% next year
A 10% surge in Thailand’s shrimp exports is on the horizon for the upcoming year, brought about by a minor uptick in local shrimp production and bolstered demand primarily from the United States. Thai Shrimp Association President Ekapoj Yodpinit disclosed that shrimp production in Thailand this year mirrored the previous year’s figure of 280,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the country’s shrimp exports…
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Thai auto market anticipates price war as Chinese EVs flood in
The Thai auto market is bracing for a potential price war as the influx of affordable electric vehicles (EVs), mainly from China, threatens the traditional dominance of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Over the next few years, the competition is set to escalate as two to three Chinese automakers plan to roll out their EVs in Thailand, capitalising on the…
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Motorcyclist dies in accident, rider a suspected drug dealer
A fatal accident unfolded on Motorway 7 inbound to Chon Buri in the early hours of today, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist, suspected by Banglamung police to be a drug dealer. The incident occurred near the 4-kilometre marker in the Nong Pla Lai sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The first team on the scene, led by…
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TikTok user’s edible Krathong attracts catfish swarm during Loy Krathong Festival (video)
An unusual celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival was made memorable by TikTok user @sweeteiei18. The user decided to float her Krathong, a traditional Thai floating lantern, in a pond filled with catfish at her home today, November 29. However, what was meant to be a serene moment quickly turned into a hilarious spectacle as the school of catfish rapidly…
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Revolutionising borders: Thai and Malaysian prime ministers unveil mega checkpoint for trade and tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim orchestrated a historic agreement this week, with plans to improve border trade through the new Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province. The leaders converged at the customs office of the newly minted Sadao border checkpoint on November 27 with both governments pledging to turbocharge road access to the Thai side…
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Thai woman sexually harassed by ride-hailing app driver
A Thai woman took to social media to plead for justice after a perverted driver from a ride-hailing application sexually harassed her via an online conversation. The 51 year old victim, A, revealed to Channel 3 that the incident took place on November 9 at 12.02am. She booked a ride from her workplace in the Bang Khun Tian district of…
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Thai police bust major drug ring, seize assets worth 100 million baht
A notorious drug ring operating in the provinces of Pathum Thani and Yala was disrupted by Thai police, leading to the confiscation of assets amounting to nearly 100 million baht. Eight individuals, including the 32 year old alleged ringleader, were arrested across seven locations. The arrests, executed yesterday, November 27, were the result of warrants issued by the Yala Provincial…
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Pikachu to delight fans at Pattaya’s Central Shopping Centre
Pattaya‘s Central Shopping Centre will soon be a haven for Pokémon enthusiasts. Pikachu, the universally adored Pokémon character, is set to make a grand appearance, promising a delightful experience for visitors. The charming character will be available for various interactive activities such as meet-and-greet sessions, dance performances, and exciting meet-and-treat sessions. These activities are slated to start on December 2…
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Prime Minister Srettha’s extravaganza: Loy Krathong festivities and flood prevention
In a dazzling display of civic duty and celebration, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, accompanied by his wife Dr Pakpilai, immersed themselves in the magic of the Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai. The dynamic duo, adorned in traditional attire, partook in the age-old tradition of launching intricately decorated floats, or krathong, onto waterbodies to honour Phra Mae Khongkha, the revered Goddess…
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Vietnam aligns corporate tax with global 15% minimum to attract investors
Vietnam has adopted a resolution to equalise its corporate income tax with the globally accepted minimum of 15% for multinational corporations. This move is aimed at countering the global trend of countries competing to attract investors by lowering their taxes. The resolution was supported by a vast majority, approximately 94% of the National Assembly delegates, as per the legislative records.…
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Thai model’s husband and glamorous ring busted in love scam raid
Thai authorities apprehended suspects in a love scam, including the husband of a prominent Thai model, unravelling a web of deceit that has left hearts broken and assets frozen. Thai law enforcement cracked down on a syndicate orchestrating investment and love scams. In a series of dramatic raids across Bangkok and Samut Prakan, five suspects found themselves on the wrong…
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