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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Fitch affirms Thailand’s BBB+ rating, forecasts GDP and tourism growth
Having earned a reputation for shrewd financial forecasting, Fitch Ratings has given Thailand‘s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) a rating affirmation of BBB+ and a stable outlook. The judgement is largely influenced by a balance between the firm’s macroeconomic policy framework and sound external finances, gauged against some structural weaknesses like the lower per capita income and lower World…
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German man faces death penalty for premeditated murder
Royal Thai Police (RTP) have officially charged a man with premeditated murder in connection to the gruesome killing of Hans Peter Walter Mack, a 62 year old German real estate tycoon residing in Chon Buri, significantly intensifying the legal implications for the prime suspect. Deputy National Police Chief, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, listed 52 year old German national Olaf Thorsten…
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Stepping forward: MFP aims to rewrite Senate’s role in selecting Thai Prime Minister
The Move Forward Party (MFP) today proposed a revision to Section 272 of the Constitution in order to reduce the power of the Thai Senate and the role of its senators in selecting the Prime Minister of Thailand. Under Section 272 of the Constitution, senators appointed by the last military-led government have the privilege to sway the PM vote. Section…
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Second Indian tourist in a month tragically drowns in Pattaya pool
In a heartbreaking turn of events, an Indian tourist tragically met an untimely demise when he drowned at a hotel pool in Pattaya. The incident happened on Tuesday, July 11, less than a month after another Indian tourist also drowned in a Pattaya hotel pool. Local media reports indicate that the authorities have refrained from disclosing the victim’s identity to…
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Numbers game: Lottery draw entices numerology enthusiasts to decode winning digits
The National Lottery numbers are in for this Sunday’s draw bringing with it an array of numerology enthusiasts looking to decipher the winning digits. From the prime number on a local woman’s newly coloured car registration plate to the intriguing calculations surrounding political polls, lottery devotees are engaging in all sorts of permutations and interpretations in hopes of striking fortune…
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Ex-village head assaults man in Chiang Mai restaurant, claims to be ‘biggest man’ (video)
A distressing incident involving a local claiming to be the “biggest man” in Mae Rim district’s Mueang Kaew sub-district, Chiang Mai, hit social media. The man, identified as a former village head, was recorded punching a young man from behind, resulting in the victim collapsing. The video clip of the incident spread on social media, sparking outrage among netizens. The…
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Spirited deception: Thai woman falls prey to liquor scam featuring MFP leader’s image
A Thai woman fell victim to a liquor scam after the swindler successfully deceived her by promoting a fake shop with a picture of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limcharoenrat, and the party’s Progressive Liquor Act campaign. The victim, 33 year old Juthaporn, yesterday filed a complaint against the scammer at Mueang Rayong Police Station. Juthaporn stated that she…
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Suphanburi fraudster’s 20 million baht investment scam victims fight for justice
More than 20 victims accumulated a loss exceeding 20 million baht (US$578,035) due to fraudulent investment practices by a renowned online share investor from U Thong District, Suphanburi province. The victims, who initially met at the law enforcement centre today, are asking for justice and compensation. They claim the fraudster continues to live a luxurious lifestyle after serving a one-year prison…
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Interpol sought over Stark Corp scandal as losses mount to 38 billion baht
Interpol is currently sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to issue a red notice for the pursuit of the former chairman of a company known as Stark Corp, on charges of financial misconduct. The DSI issued this plea after the chairman did not adhere to the call to report to the DSI for acknowledging charges related to Stark’s…
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Words as ammunition: Bhumjaithai Party MP demands ‘shooting’ law for people insulting Thai monarchy
Controversial Bhumjaithai Party Deputy Leader Chada Thaiseth yesterday demanded a new law be introduced to shoot people who insult the Thai monarchy. The 62 year old MP believes Thai people should be allowed to turn vigilante and shoot people who criticise the monarchy without consequence. Chada made the shocking announcement in Parliament after Pita Limjaornerat, the leader of the Move…
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Exemplary Thai teacher arrested for fraud, duping victims with fake accommodation offers
In an intriguing turn of events, a former eminent Thai language teacher from a reputable school in Bangkok, who was a No.1 honour graduate from a prestigious university and recipient of the ‘Exemplary Thai Language Teacher of the Year’ award in 2017, has been accused of deceptively renting accommodation. It transpires that the fraudulent accommodation offerings were purportedly for big…
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Cambodian premier willing to work with Thai opposition despite criticism
Cambodian premier Hun Sen has taken advantage of the unsuccessful attempt by Move Forward Party (MFP) Leader Pita Limjaroenrat to secure a victory in Thailand’s prime ministerial election as an opportunity to criticise his local opposition. However, Hun steadfastly denies any interference in Thailand’s politics, expressing his openness to collaborating with Pita and the MFP should they manage to establish the…
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Horrendous car accident takes life of 33 year old man in Chachoengsao
A tragic car accident today claimed the life of a 33 year old man on the road in Chachoengsao province. The victim was rushing to pick up his girlfriend and nephew for work when his car lost control and collided with an electric pole. Upon being notified of the incident, Sergeant Dechrit Sreekacha of Bang Khla Police Station rushed to…
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Unearthed secrets: Alleged infant skeleton sends chills through Chon Buri community
The discovery of an alleged infant skeleton in the wooded outskirts of Banglamung, near Huay Yai, sent chills through the bones of residents in Chon Buri. The unsettling find was reported to the local police on Wednesday, July 12 and soon, the area was flooded with officers and curious residents watching the scene unfold from the sidelines. Nestled by the…
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Legendary Thai king cobra performer retires after decades of venomous shows
A 62 year old man known as the King of King Cobra in Thailand announced his retirement from a 28-year career in snake exhibitions, most notably kissing the venomous cobra, a stunt which won him Guinness World Records. His decision came after his wife expressed her worry for his safety, given the risk of severe neurotoxicity if bitten, especially at…
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Prolonged heatwaves grip US and Europe, raising health concerns
A prolonged heatwave prompted an urgent warning by the US National Weather Service (NWS) for over 115 million citizens. Notably, the city of Phoenix, Arizona has endured consecutive high temperatures over 43 degrees Celsius for 13 days, with signs of breaking a record of over 18 days of consecutive heat, starting Tuesday, July 18. Overall, the entire nation is experiencing…
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Flowing towards change: Phuket Old Town floods get a drain makeover worth 226 million baht (video)
Addressing the longstanding issue of recurring floods in Phuket Old Town, a public hearing was held yesterday chaired by the Mayor of Phuket City, Saroj Angkanapilas. The main agenda was the unveiling of a 226 million baht drainage system construction project, aimed at shielding the Old Town from the destructive impact of frequent floods. Set within the premises of the…
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Grain of suspicion: Thai woman found lifeless in rice field, boyfriend’s alleged suicide note points to murder
The lifeless body of a Thai woman was discovered in a rice field located in the northeastern province of Amnart Charoen. Police suspect that her boyfriend, who they believe also left a suicide note at the scene, is responsible for her murder. A local, 29 year old Jittapon Khampaeng, yesterday recounted the distressed discovery of the woman’s dead body to…
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Pattaya locals cry out for relief from disruptive foreign youth on loud motorcycles
A neighbourhood in South Pattaya has been troubled by disruptive all-night-long antics from a group of Arab youths on loud motorcycles. Residents have called on the police to take action. Residents living at Soi VC Hotel and Soi Yensabaai, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, registered grievances about a group of foreign nationals causing unrest with loud…
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The ‘forward’ march: Devoted MFP supporters unite in Phuket to back Pita Limjaroenrat’s PM bid
About 30 Move Forward Party (MFP) supporters yesterday gathered at the iconic Mingmongkol Statue in Queen Sirikit Park to offer their unwavering support for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat and the prime ministerial candidate. The event transpired following Pita’s unfortunate denial of the coveted prime ministerial position in a combined voting session involving both the House of Representatives and Senate. Despite…
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Student killed in unprovoked attack in Bangkok motorbike run
A tragic incident resulted in the loss of a 15 year old student after his motorbike collided with a metal road barrier. A 13 year old friend accompanying him at the time sustained injuries. The incident happened after a gang of bikers attacked the victim with a knife. The deputy detective inspector of Bukkalo Police Station, Thanachot Chanpa, today at…
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Crushing tragedy: Cement truck crash claims life of Swedish motorcyclist in Pathum Thani
A cement truck collided with a motorcycle carrying two Swedish men in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, resulting in one death and one severe injury. Officers from Sam Kok Police Station swiftly responded to the collision along the Prem Prachakon canal road yesterday at 3.20pm. Upon arrival, they discovered an Isuzu cement truck with noticeable damage to its front bumper,…
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Chon Buri woman rescued after falling from popular Ban Suan bridge
A woman was rescued after falling from a new bridge in the seaside town of Ban Suan in Chon Buri province. The incident occurred yesterday evening when local municipal officers were notified that a woman had fallen off the new bridge in the main city district. The rescue team launched a drone to trace the woman and found her sitting in…
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ASEAN discussions: Ministers struggle to find Myanmar crisis resolution, Thailand charts own course
In the pursuit of calming the chaos ensuing in Myanmar, yesterday foreign ministers of the ASEAN nations carried on their discussions. These continued ASEAN discussions follow the conclusion of the bloc’s ministerial summit held previously. Myanmar has been subjected to detrimental turbulence since the military coup took control of the government that was previously led by Aung San Suu Kyi,…
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Heavy rain alert: Monsoon threat prompts flood and runoff warnings across Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department issued an alert for heavy to very heavy rain, as a strong monsoon poses risks of sudden flooding and forest runoff across southern regions. Waves in the seas are predicted to reach heights of 2 to 3 metres today. The alert was raised due to a strong monsoon trough that will pass through the northern, northeastern,…
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Road collapse investigation scrutinises construction firms and contract process in Bangkok
A concerted effort has been launched in Thailand to unearth the cause behind the devastating collapse of an elevated road currently under construction on Luang Pang Road in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district. Spearheading the road collapse investigation, the Metropolitan Police Division 3 is meticulously scrutinising the catastrophe in a bid to hold those responsible accountable. Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan…
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Bangkok councillor urges BMA to overhaul special needs education system
In a recent development yesterday, Surajit Pongsingwittaya, a councillor for the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok, put forward a proposal for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) council to enhance the education system. The reservation emphasised the need for tailoring it to accommodate and support children who have special needs. Surajit, a representative from Pheu Thai Party for the said district,…
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Foreign crime crackdown launched by Thailand’s police chief in Chon Buri
In response to the gruesome murder of German real estate tycoon Hans Peter Mack, a top-ranking officer of Thailand’s national police has instigated a serious crackdown on criminal activities spearheaded by foreign culprits. The foreign crime crackdown command was issued specifically to the constabulary in Chon Buri, demanding their complete devotion in the bid to catch such offenders, mirroring the…
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Glue-sniffing man causes havoc at Surin Market, demanding money from traders
In an alarming series of local events, a man known only by the alias Jay has reportedly been terrorising a local market in Surin, Thailand. He was allegedly found under the influence of glue, soliciting money from passersby, and chastising those who refused. His repetitive behaviour has touched the nerves of the locals, resulting in multiple reports to the authorities. The…
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Child abuse: Stepfather accused of sexually assaulting 10 year old girl, another villager suspected
In a disturbing incident, a stepfather is under scrutiny for allegedly committing multiple acts of sexual assault against his 10 year old daughter in the Phanom Sarakham District of Chachoengsao Province. The concerned mother discovered the abusive incidents yesterday, prompted by unsettling signs and changes in her daughter’s behaviour. Initially, the daughter remained silent, primarily due to the threats made…
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