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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What’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...
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Tourist bus crash in Chumphon injures 17 after driver distraction
A tourist bus collided with a rubber-laden trailer, injuring several foreign passengers, after the 71 year old driver, allegedly reached for a dropped mobile phone. This incident occurred around 4am today on the Asia 41 road in Chumphon province, near the Pha Ngun Temple curve. The crash involved a white and red double-decker bus carrying foreign tourists, slamming into the…
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Teen dies in tragic gun accident in Samut Prakan
A tragic accident unfolded when an 18 year old mechanical student from a well-known school accidentally shot himself in the groin while handling a gun, leading to his untimely death. The incident occurred when he attempted to pull the weapon from his trousers, according to a younger friend present at the scene. At around 3.30am yesterday, December 29, officers from…
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Monk killed, driver injured in Rayong lorry-car collision
A devastating accident at a notorious intersection in Rayong has resulted in the death of a monk and left a driver critically injured. The collision involved a lorry and a car, with the lorry crashing the car into a roadside house wall. This incident occurred at an intersection lacking traffic signals, a factor that has contributed to numerous accidents in…
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Jeju Air plane crash death toll rises to 179, including 2 Thai women
The death toll from the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea yesterday, December 29, has risen to 179, including two Thai women. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which departed from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok bound for Muan Airport in South Korea, reportedly crashed into a wall at the destination airport at around 9am yesterday. The…
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Cold air from China chills Thailand, heavy rain hits south
Cold air masses from China have draped over Thailand’s upper regions, bringing a chill to the air and a drop in temperatures ranging from cool to cold, especially in the mountainous areas. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that these conditions are expected to persist, impacting various regions differently. The northern and northeastern parts of the country are experiencing cold…
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How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you have health insurance or not, and the difference can be significant. Let’s explore the costs, compare insured versus uninsured expenses,…
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Fire at Lopburi hospital ICU leads to 81 patient evacuation
A blaze erupted at Ananda Mahidol Hospital, specifically in the basement ICU, prompting the swift evacuation of 81 patients. The governor of Lopburi led the emergency response team on site to manage the situation efficiently. Yesterday, December 28, an intense fire broke out late at night in the ICU section of Ananda Mahidol Hospital, located in Lopburi’s Mueang District. This…
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Phuket teacher investigated for alleged molestation of students
A teacher from an elementary school in Phuket is currently under investigation following allegations of molestation made by the parents of two young students. These serious claims have prompted police to look into the matter, raising concerns about the safety of children at the institution. Deputy Chief of Investigations at Phuket City Police Station, Pawiinuch Kongsut, shared details of the…
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Tourist boat capsizes off Koh Phangan, Korean national missing
A long-tail boat carrying passengers from Koh Phangan capsized after being struck by massive waves, leaving 13 passengers adrift in the sea and one Korean national missing. The incident, which occurred today, December 29, has raised serious concerns about safety regulations, as it was revealed that the boat’s captain was under the influence of drugs, and none of the passengers…
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Police investigate call centre gang at Thai-Cambodian border
Police and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have conducted a thorough investigation at the Aranyaprathet border, focusing on a 25-storey building suspected to be the base of a call centre gang, following information provided by Thaksin Shinawatra, a former Prime Minister. At noon yesterday, December 28, Thachchai Pitaneelabutr, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, along with Natthathorn…
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Pattaya man seriously injured by wife in new year’s knife attack
A construction worker in Pattaya found himself in a dire situation when his wife, angered by his refusal to return home from new year’s celebrations, attacked him with a knife. The incident, which took place at a construction camp in Soi Mab Yai Lia 22, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, left the man with severe facial injuries, including a…
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Phuket communities recognised for innovative food waste reduction project
Phuket’s Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation and Baan Haad Surin Community have earned recognition as model communities for their exceptional work in the Raksa Food project, commonly known as Food Banks. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat awarded certificates during a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall on Christmas Day to honour their achievements. The Raksa Food project, led by the Phuket Provincial…
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Drink-driving cases drop in 2025 New Year campaign
The Department of Probation reported 344 drink-driving cases on the first day of the 2025 new year campaign, with Chiang Mai leading and Nonthaburi in second place. The statistics show a decrease from the previous year. Yesterday, December 28, the Department of Probation, led by Suriyah Singhakamon, revealed statistics from December 27, the first day of the 2025 new year…
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Pattaya bust dismantles South Korean online gambling network
A major bust took place in Pattaya as police dismantled a South Korean-operated online gambling network using the city as a server base. This operation, with transactions exceeding 5 billion won, catered to over 20,000 users worldwide. Police descended on the property in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, yesterday, December 28, at 10am. The raid was led by Thawatchai…
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Jeju Air flight disaster claims 28 lives in South Korea (video)
Jeju Air’s flight from Thailand tragically ended in disaster after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea. At least 28 people have lost their lives in the incident, as reported by prominent South Korean media. The plane, which departed from Bangkok, encountered difficulties during its landing and subsequently veered off the runway, colliding with a barrier.…
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Bangkok airports offer free parking for new year travellers
Bangkok is preparing for the upcoming new year holiday with special travel measures to facilitate passenger movement. Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan shared that Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports are set to provide free parking and continuous shuttle services. This initiative runs from today until January 1 to ease holiday travel. At Don Mueang Airport, free parking is offered at…
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Torrential rain wreaks havoc in Surat Thani, Koh Phangan hit hard (video)
Torrential rain drenched several districts in Surat Thani, a southern province of Thailand, leading to a significant runoff on the tourist hotspot of Koh Phangan yesterday, December 28. The deluge resulted in substantial disruptions, including a dramatic incident in Ban Thong Nai Pan, Ban Tai subdistrict, where a pickup truck belonging to Atsawin Busaba, a hotel worker, was carried away…
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Firework chaos in Pattaya as foreign man causes injuries and damage
A chaotic scene unfolded on December 27 evening on Pattaya’s Buakhao Road when a foreign man allegedly set off a firework, causing injuries and property damage. The incident, which occurred at 8.30pm, left Thais and tourists scrambling for safety as sparks ignited panic and a nearby shop suffered damage. CCTV footage captured when the man incorrectly positioned the firework upside…
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Lucky escape: Lives and gold spared in Lopburi house fire
A devastating fire consumed a family home, destroying over 100,000 baht in cash but miraculously sparing five baht of gold. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon, December 27, resulting in damages estimated at over 1 million baht. Police from the Ban Mi Police Station received reports of the fire at 1.45pm near the entrance to Wat Wongthep in Maha Son subdistrict,…
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Police pickup truck crashes into lamppost in Cha-Am
A police pickup truck crashed into a lamppost, snapping it in two, resulting in injuries to a police lieutenant colonel and two passengers. The incident occurred on a roadside in Cha-Am province, prompting police to investigate the cause. Thawatchai Khun-aem, an investigator from Cha-Am Police Station in Phetchaburi province, received a report yesterday, December 27 at approximately 4.30pm of a…
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Elderly Thai singer impersonator battles cancer and poverty
The heart-wrenching story of a 71 year old man, known for mimicking the voice of the legendary Thai singer, Chai Mueangsing, has surfaced, highlighting his struggle with terminal cancer and poverty. Living in Chon Buri, the elderly man now finds himself collecting garbage to sell, his home devoid of electricity and water, and his health rapidly declining. Adun Wongnoi’s Facebook…
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Gridlock crisis: Phuket’s billion-baht boom sparks urgent action
Provincial officials have vowed to tackle Phuket’s surging traffic chaos as the island’s tourism industry hits record-breaking highs. Governor Sophon Suwannarat chaired a high-stakes Zoom meeting with key stakeholders on Thursday, December 26, to address infrastructure challenges threatening the paradise’s reputation. With over 10 million visitors in 2023 generating a staggering 388 billion baht in revenue—an astounding 100.38% increase from…
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Thai health ministry warns against fake medical certificates
The Thai Ministry of Public Health has issued a stern warning to medical facilities against issuing fake medical certificates to foreign workers. Such actions could result in severe penalties, including a maximum two-year prison sentence and a 40,000 baht fine. Phanuwat Panket, Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support (HSS), expressed concerns about potential malpractice by hospitals in issuing…
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Thai police to manage new year traffic with drones
Real-time traffic management is a priority for the Police Region 2 during the new year festive period, utilising drone technology to monitor and address traffic issues. The focus is on two major routes connecting to the northeastern region, with measures including vehicle dispersal and law enforcement to reduce accidents. Within the CCTV operations control room of Police Region 2, Yingyot…
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Electric car smashes into sugarcane truck in Khon Kaen
A serious accident unfolded in Khon Kaen province yesterday evening, December 27 involving an electric car rear-ending an 18-wheel sugarcane truck, resulting in severe injuries for the driver. Emergency services swiftly intervened to extricate the trapped individual and rushed him to hospital. Emergency responders from the Sawang Khon Kaen Samakkhi Foundation in Khon Kaen were alerted to the incident at…
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Phuket’s Freedom Beach embroiled in land encroachment dispute
Phuket’s scenic Freedom Beach, a favourite among tourists, finds itself at the centre of a legal tussle as allegations of land encroachment surface. The head of the Forest Protection Unit, Sorasak Rananan, has reported 15 alleged incidents of encroachment onto the protected grounds within the Khao Nakkerd National Forest Reserve. This complaint was lodged with the Karon Police following an…
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Chinese call centre scam: Bangkok police arrest 4 more men
A coordinated crackdown on a suspected call centre scam network culminated in the arrest of four Chinese men in Bangkok. Police carried out raids across eight locations in the city yesterday, December 27, targeting areas in Bang Na, Makkasan, Lumpini, Huai Khwang, Hua Mak, and Din Daeng. Metropolitan Police Bureau chief investigator, Theeradej Thamsuthee, spearheaded the operation. During the raids,…
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Foreign motorcyclist’s ill-judged turn in Pattaya leaves 3 injured
A serious accident unfolded on Pattaya Third Road just after midnight yesterday, December 27, resulting in critical injuries for a foreign motorcyclist and minor injuries for two Thai women. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre was alerted to the collision at 12.16am and dispatched volunteers to the location near Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 4/1. Upon arrival, rescue teams found the foreign…
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New year traffic chaos hits Ayutthaya roads
Traffic congestion gripped the routes through Ayutthaya as people embarked on their new year holiday journeys. Traffic reports yesterday evening, December 27 highlighted heavy vehicle accumulation at Bang Pa-in Interchange, with cars from Phahonyothin Road, Highway 9, and the motorway filling all lanes. Many city dwellers were eager to leave Bangkok and surrounding provinces, heading towards the northern and northeastern…
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Chilly start: Thailand braces for new year cold spell
Thailand is bracing for a cool spell across its north, northeast, and central regions during the new year period, with temperatures expected to remain low until January 9, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The department announced that much of the country should prepare for cold mornings, as a robust cold air mass from China is set to blanket…
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