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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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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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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Price plunge plan: Thai Commerce Minister sets sights on grocery relief
Expectations rise as the Thai Commerce Minister initiates an internal trade department survey with the goal of lowering prices on 20 consumer goods, including staples like rice, eggs, chicken, and pork. This effort aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens and reflects the principle of supporting the less fortunate. Phumtham Wetchayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, this…
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Fake police officer’s bid to free pal foiled by real police in Chon Buri
Officers at Samet Police Station in Chon Buri province arrested a fake police officer who tried to trick genuine law enforcement officers into releasing his friend from jail. Police officer Chingchai Pauboon told Channel 3 that a 59 year old Thai man, named Prasit, came to the station in a police uniform on Sunday, September 17. He claimed to be…
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Pattaya gold shop robbery suspect finally caught in South Korea
The suspect involved in the high-profile gold shop robbery in Pattaya has been apprehended, according to an announcement by the Region 2 Police. The accused had been on the run since the incident took place on November 9 last year, at the Aurora Gold Shop’s Pattaya South branch. The audacious robbery, which saw two trays of gold valued at over…
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Phuket makes waves: Forum tackles island’s watery woes
Thailand’s popular island destination of Phuket held a forum to discuss the region’s persistent water issues, led by Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (OWNR), Dr Surasee Kittimonthon. The forum, which took place yesterday, was attended by over 300 individuals, including Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khuphongsakorn. Dr Surasee later joined another…
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Pop goes the chaos: Opening day at POP MART’s Thai flagship store at CentralWorld turns topsy-turvy
Leading art toy company POP MART introduced its inaugural flagship store in Thailand at the popular Bangkok shopping mall, CentralWorld. Regrettably, the opening day took an unexpected turn, resulting in chaos and posing a threat to the safety of customers waiting in the queue. The first-ever POP MART flagship store, spanning an area of 169 square metres, was officially unveiled…
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Duck egg prices quack up as rain dampens Khon Kaen production
Continual rainfall in Khon Kaen has led to a decrease in duck egg production, driving the cost of duck eggs to an unprecedented high of 170 baht per tray. Salted eggs have also seen a price increase, now costing 8 to 10 baht per egg. Reporters yesterday visited Ban Dong Pong, Moo 10, Sila Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province,…
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Typhoon tempest sets 71 crocs on the loose, but Guangdong roundup reels ’em in
An extensive operation in Guangdong province successfully recaptured 71 escaped crocodiles, according to Chinese state media. A flood resulting from a typhoon in the city of Maoming, earlier this month, led to the reptiles escaping from a commercial farm. The group of escapees consisted of 69 fully-grown crocodiles and two juveniles. Footage released by Beijing News depicted several crocodiles in…
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Nok Airlines stocks nosedive as SET delisting threat soars
Low-cost carrier Nok Airlines stands on the brink of being delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). This possibility stems from the airline’s failure to improve its financial performance and submit its 2022 financial results within a given timeframe, as stated by the Thai bourse. The SET identified Nok Airlines as a potential candidate for delisting, given that the company’s…
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Loei’s watery woes: Torrential rain drowns 60 homes and more
Relentless downpours over the past week have led to extensive flooding in Loei province, northeastern Thailand, submerging more than 60 residences, agricultural land, government structures, and even a central sports field. The continuous precipitation has triggered the overflow of numerous tributaries, with particular emphasis on the Loei River, the province’s primary watercourse. While water levels in the Loei River have…
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BMA to pay first instalment of 22 billion baht debt for BTS Skytrain extension
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to pay the first instalment of the 22 billion baht debt it owes to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator of the BTS Skytrain Green Line extension next month. This payment comes after the expected approval from the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC). The debt relates to the Green Line extension and…
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Heartbreaking horror: Sadistic Thai father arrested for murdering 2 year old daughter
Police arrested a sick, sadistic Thai man who killed his two year old daughter and buried her under his wife’s house in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. Shockingly, the suspect also admitted to the horrific killing of three other children. The tragic incident was uncovered after Thai social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, rescued two girls aged four and…
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Lottery luck spooks home builder: Superstitious stir at mysterious milestone
A lottery win has stirred unease among a landowner and the local community, as they prepare to develop a plot of land into a new home. A photo shared on Facebook depicted a conspicuous sign that read, “Please be aware, you can come and pray but do not leave garlands or offerings here. The owner of this plot is about…
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Elon Musk’s Thai-landed ambitions: High-voltage investment opportunities on the horizon
Business magnate Elon Musk is set to discuss potential investment opportunities in Thailand with the Thai delegation via a teleconference. This news was shared by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is currently attending the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York. The prime minister revealed that the Thai government is seeking to attract foreign investors and…
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Storm warning issued for 42 Thai provinces under deluge threat
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a storm warning for 42 provinces across the northern and southern regions today. With 60% of the area expected to receive heavy rainfall, residents are cautioned against potential flash floods and rapid runoff. The warning is in effect until 6am tomorrow. The south-westerly monsoon is currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf…
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Apple accused of cultural insensitivity over ponytailed image
A customer service representative’s image on Apple’s website, sporting a ponytail resembling an Asian appearance, has sparked significant displeasure among a segment of Chinese Internet users. They accuse the renowned US tech firm, Apple, of disrespecting Chinese culture and displaying cultural insensitivity. This drama began flaring across the Chinese social media platform, Weibo after a post featuring the aforementioned employee’s…
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Chinese tourism to Thailand lags despite lifted travel restrictions
The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand continues to fall behind predictions, despite China lifting travel restrictions over eight months ago. By September 10, a total of 2.28 million Chinese arrivals had been recorded for the year, with estimates for the end of the year standing between 4 and 4.4 million. This falls short of the initial target of 5…
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Visa-free policy for Chinese, Kazakh tourists boosts Suvarnabhumi Airport readiness
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is preparing to welcome an influx of tourists from China and Kazakhstan following the announcement of a new visa-free policy, effective from next week. The Immigration Bureau (IB) is set to bolster its officer presence at the airport in anticipation of the increased arrivals. The visa-free policy, approved on Wednesday, September 13 and publicised in the Royal…
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Woman offers body as payment for long-distance ride, sparks debate on ethical boundaries
A shocking incident occurred when a female customer attempted to pay for her ride-hailing service through an app with her body, even offering her friend’s company as an option for the driver. This peculiar negotiation was shared on Mirror Media, a Chinese social media website, sparking widespread commentary on ethical boundaries. The woman requested a long-distance journey from Guangzhou, Guangdong…
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Mayor’s trash-tigation: Chalong clamps down on waste disposal after viral aerial reveal
The mayor of Chalong has enforced a swift ban on any further waste disposal at a three-rai site in Baan Khoktanod, Moo 9, Chalong, following the spread of an aerial image of the site on social media. The image, first shared by the Facebook page Monsoon Garbage Thailand, prompted immediate action from local authorities. Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew assigned Thanaporn…
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Yangon sees surge in scam call centres amid economic depression
Scam call centres, previously primarily associated with Myanmar’s lawless border regions, are making their way into Yangon, the country’s commercial hub, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA). The operators are exploiting the economic depression, using the surplus of inexpensive office spaces and the considerable pool of educated, unemployed locals in Yangon. RFA’s investigation reveals that, unlike the call centres…
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Thai student loan restructuring to begin in November, easing debt burden
The Student Loan Fund (SLF) recently announced that it will start the restructuring of student defaulters’ debts starting in November. This information was disclosed today by Chainarong Katchapanan, the manager of SLF, during a meeting with Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. According to him, the necessary regulations required for the restructuring process will be finalised within the next month. Tawee, the…
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Thailand scam gang exposed: Four nationals nabbed in Poipet, face legal return
Four Thai nationals, involved with a scam gang tied to a family tragedy in Samut Prakan, were apprehended in Poipet and sent back to Thailand to face legal charges. Cambodian immigration officials informed their Thai counterparts last night, September 18, about the deportation of the four Thais: One male and three females, through the Poipet-Aranyaprathet checkpoint, according to Police Colonel…
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Mafia-scan: Nationwide probe into local chiefs’ ties progresses in colourful stages
A comprehensive nationwide examination into the possible mafia ties of local chiefs has reached a progression stage of 20-30%. Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiset, disclosed that the gathered data will eventually be organised into zones marked by distinct colours. The impetus for this initiative stemmed from a distressing incident wherein a highway patrol officer was shot during a dinner gathering…
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Cat-astrophe in a cup: Bangkok cat café sparks social media fur-ore
A recent social media storm erupted over a cat café in Bangkok, which stands accused of neglecting its ailing feline residents and potentially creating a haven for disease. The café’s perceived apathy towards the well-being of its cats and the potential risks to public health have ignited a wave of anger and apprehension among the online community. The controversy flared…
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Childcare centre director arrested for sexually abusing 3 year old girl
A Thai mother sought justice for her three year old daughter, who was sexually abused by the director of the Nong Yai Child Development Centre in the northeastern province of Buriram. The director asked for the case to be dropped for fear of losing his pension. The girl’s mother, identified as A, told Channel 3 that she had been approached…
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Pedestrian’s pavement protest takes a toll on illegally parked car, driver pays the price
A major lesson was learnt when a car illegally parked on the pavement faced the wrath of a disgruntled pedestrian. In an unexpected move, the man chose to walk over the vehicle, damaging it and subsequently reporting the driver for causing him injury. The occurrence resulted in both parties filing complaints and the car owner facing a fine for his…
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Malaysian Economy Minister roasted over ‘eating out’ remark amid global financial turmoil
Malaysians are expressing their frustration towards their Economy Minister, following an interview where he claimed the public’s financial struggles are due to their preference for eating out, rather than being economical. This criticism comes as various countries worldwide are grappling with economic issues, particularly income disparity and poverty. Malaysia is among those nations facing these issues, with most of its…
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Thailand’s ‘plastic’ ambition: Industry Ministry seeks foreign investment to mould bioplastics hub status by 2027
The Industry Ministry of Thailand is being urged to devise innovative strategies in order to attract foreign investment for the nation’s burgeoning bioplastics sector. The ultimate aim is to establish Thailand as a bio hub within the ASEAN region by 2027. Viboon Pungprasert, president of the Thai Bioplastics Industry Association (TBIA), has called upon the new government to implement measures…
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Sukhumvit snatch: Thai thief nabbed for stealing 40,000 baht from Ukrainian couple
Police arrested a Thai man at his home in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district today after he stole more than 40,000 baht from a Ukrainian couple on Soi Sukhumvit 18. The Ukrainian couple reported to Thong Lor Police Station in the early hours of today, September 19, that a thief on a motorcycle rode up from behind and snatched a bag…
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