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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An evolving sporting landscape: The rise of digital engagement in Thailand
As the digital age continues to evolve globally, Thailand is no exception. The Thai landscape is experiencing a paradigm shift as various sectors embrace and capitalise on digital innovation. One such sector bearing witness to this transformative journey is sports, an industry integral to the socio-cultural fabric of Thai society. Unleashing Thailand’s Sporting Passion Thailand’s rich sporting culture spans traditional…
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4 year old Thai girl’s story raises 5.9 million baht for blind grandmother’s care
A four year old Thai girl named Toey, who takes care of her blind grandmother, has received an overwhelming 5.9 million baht (US$170,000) in donations after her story was shared online. The funds were raised after teacher Aoom, who runs the personal Facebook account ‘Modern Kindergarten Classroom, Teacher Aoom,’ posted about the Thai girl’s situation, seeking help from the public.…
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Stock exchange warns investors: Tread carefully on OTO shares
Following irregular trading of One to One Contacts Plc (OTO) shares, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) issued a warning for investors to be cautious and examine information thoroughly. OTO, which offers outsourced contact centre services to government agencies and corporations, faced a spike in trading volume, mainly concentrated among a few investors. Previously placed under the Level 1 trading regulations…
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Heroic officer rescues bedridden woman from Bangkok townhouse fire
A heroic police officer rescued a bedridden elderly woman from a burning townhouse on Thonglor 25 in Bangkok, and both escape unharmed. The fire broke out yesterday, prompting an online video that showed a daring rescue by a police officer who carried a bedridden elder woman out of the burning building to safety. The police officer identified in the video is…
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Woman bitten by centipede while sleeping warns of dangers
A young woman in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, was bitten by a centipede while sleeping and experienced intense pain and swelling in her mouth. She quickly sought emergency medical treatment and warned others of the potential dangers of similar incidents. The incident occurred in the middle of Tuesday night, when the university student suddenly felt a sharp pain in her mouth.…
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Industry blues: Thailand’s TISI takes a double dip, blaming government formation woes
The Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) suffered another setback after experiencing a decline for the second month in a row, partly due to uncertainties surrounding the formation of a new coalition government. In May, the TISI dropped to 92.5 points from 95 in April. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), cited issues in setting up a…
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Lottery prediction teller holds Chinese feast for spirits in Chon Buri
Last night at 7pm, a Chinese feast was held by a well-known lottery prediction teller and a generous teacher at the Tri Khun Tham Cemetery in Nong Rhee, Chon Buri Province. They served 200 tables of food for the spirits, and many locals also arrived to collect leftover food and drinks. The event took place with the participation of the…
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Memory mishap: Dementia-stricken wife cuts husband’s life savings to shreds
An elderly Chinese woman, who suffers from dementia resulting in memory loss, took a pair of scissors to her refuse collector husband’s life savings of 100,000 yuan (485,000 baht). The irony of her husband’s savings being reduced to refuse was not lost on him. A video of a Chinese woman from Heyuan City of Guangdong province in China has been…
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Woman murders friend’s abusive husband at an Isaan resort
A Thai woman shot her friend’s husband at a resort hotel in the Rattnana Wapee district in the northeastern province of Nong Khai. The man later died in hospital yesterday. Officers from Rattana Wapee Police Station launched an investigation into the resort hotel last night after the shooting. Thirty-seven-year-old Thai man Sopha Suphomueng was found with a gunshot wound in…
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Bank of Thailand anticipates slower loan growth: Interest rates not main factor
The Bank of Thailand anticipates a slower pace of loan growth in the banking industry due to reduced demand, while asserting that rising interest rates are not the main factor impacting loan expansion. The central bank’s soft loan programme, which aimed to aid small and medium-sized enterprises, largely contributed to the increased borrowing during the post-pandemic recovery period. Sakkapop Panyanukul,…
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Stirring noodle drama: Chinese bride’s parents reject wedding gift, calling it a ‘souper’ insult
The parents of a Chinese bride refused to allow their daughter to marry her future husband after the groom gave them four boxes of instant noodles as a wedding gift. The parents said the groom’s present was insulting. Each region has its Chinese wedding traditions, but regardless of location, all parents want their daughters to have a dignified and respectable…
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Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backs into girlfriend, severely injuring her
In an unfortunate incident, a Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backed his bus into his girlfriend, severely injuring her. The accident occurred as she was attempting to guide the vehicle while it was being parked. The accident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon rescuers at 6pm yesterday. A rescue team promptly responded to the scene located on Chaiyapruek Road near…
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ASEAN membership: Roadmap endorsed for Timor-Leste’s inclusion and Thai trade
Yesterday, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign affairs announced that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently endorsed a roadmap that outlines the steps for Timor-Leste becoming its 11th member. This ASEAN membership move is expected to benefit Thailand economically by expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. Timor-Leste initially submitted its request for…
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Timber regulations tightened, Thailand targets Siamese rosewood exports
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand recently announced two new regulations targeting the timber trade. Beginning on July 17, traders will be required to hold a certificate of import to import timber, processed wood, and wooden artefacts. Additionally, starting August 16, the export of Siamese rosewood (phayung) will be prohibited, Bangkok Post reports. The director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, Ronnarong…
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Siam Piwat Simon plans second Premium Outlets in tourist hotspot
Shopping mall operator Siam Piwat Simon Co is exploring options for the best location to open a second branch of Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, focusing on provinces with a large local population and high foreign tourist numbers. Michael Tang, the company’s managing director, highlighted the importance of excellent transport infrastructure and convenient access for travellers when selecting the location for…
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An unlikely alliance: China and Palestine join forces, stirring US tensions (video)
In a move sure to infuriate the powers that be in the United States, China and Palestine yesterday agreed to establish a strategic partnership and seek to find solutions to peace and the “legitimate national rights” of the Arab state oppressed by Israel. Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with full military honours at the Great…
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Tree falls on revered Thai monk’s house, minor damage sustained
In a remarkable incident, a large tree fell on the house of the revered Thai monk Luang Pu Mun, but the house remained mostly intact. The monk’s followers shared photos of the astonishing event that took place at the Wat Pa Phurithattatirawat Forest Monastery in Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand. This extraordinary occurrence happened when the area experienced heavy rainfall causing several…
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NACC investigation targets ex-House secretary over 15.4 million baht clock scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigation is preparing to take legal action against Suwichak Nakwatcharachai, the former secretary-general of the House of Representatives, over allegations of his involvement in the irregular procurement of overpriced clocks worth 15.4 million baht for the parliament back in 2013. An inside source at the NACC revealed that a recent board meeting provided evidence supporting…
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Age-defying resurrection: Elderly Ecuadorian woman defies death, comes back to life (video)
In a shocking turn of events, a 76 year old Ecuadorian woman miraculously came back to life after she was pronounced dead by doctors just hours earlier. To the disbelief of her family, the woman, Bella, was found inside her coffin, breathing heavily and knocking on the lid, at her own funeral. Bella’s son, Gilbert, recounted the moment they realised…
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Bed of betrayal: Thai man stabs wife’s lover in naked shocker, flees
A Thai man stabbed his wife’s lover after catching the pair lying naked in bed before fleeing the scene of the crime. Officers from Rayong Police Station rushed to rescue the victim, 25 year old Boonkorn Saetiao, who sustained stab wounds at a house in Rayong province in the eastern part of Thailand. Boonkorn was found hiding in the house…
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Student pours food on another student over cat smell debate in heated altercation
A male student engaged in a heated conversation about the smell of cats found himself slapped with a tray of food and involved in an altercation with a female student who allegedly took offence at his discussion. The incident occurred in the cafeteria of Tienjin University, China, where the extent of the argument led to police intervention and further controversy…
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Thailand tourism thrives with 1,200% surge in Klook bookings
Online travel platforms continue to express optimism about Thailand’s tourism growth this year, propelled by a substantial increase in visitor arrivals. Wilfred Fan, Chief Commercial Officer at Klook, an online travel platform, stated that the company experienced a 1,200% increase in bookings for activities in Thailand year on year in the first five months of 2023. The top five markets…
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Tourism promotion: TCT urges government to market Thailand as prime retiree destination
Tourism promotion has driven the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) to urge the new government to market Thailand as a prime destination for retirees while advocating for regulatory changes that would encourage the development of the tourism industry. The TCT yesterday met with representatives from the Thai Sang Thai Party to discuss these proposed changes, following the party’s consultation with…
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Kamaa drama: Indian-owned club sparks chaos as tourists become targets in Pattaya (Video)
Staff from the Indian-owned Kamaa Club on Pattaya Walking Street attacked two Indian tourists yesterday. The victims fled the scene and have not yet filed a complaint with the police regarding the attack. The altercation was captured on video by a witness and later circulated on Thai social media platforms. The footage clearly shows the confrontation between the Indian tourists and…
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Take Me Out Thailand: American man gets blackout for his male chauvinistic attitude
Thirty Thai women in the popular dating game show Take Me Out Thailand gave a blackout to an arrogant 22 year old American man after he showed his male chauvinistic side. He insisted at the end of the show that he told the truth, thankfully the Thai contestants would not accept a man who appeared to have stepped out of…
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Thai community gathers to pay respects to turtle for good fortune
It was reported today that residents of Sai Kaew Community, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, gathered at house number 127/1 to pay their respects and seek good fortune from a beautifully kept turtle, ‘Kai Toon.’ The turtle is owned by Sawang Saungsombat, a 62 year old local. Sawang explained that her son bought the turtle for her to care for…
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Young policeman dies in taxi collision, shattering dreams and family plans
A tragic incident claimed the life of Thai sub-Lieutenant Anawat Phongerd, a young policeman from the Metropolitan Police’s Naval Unit, who collided with a taxi when chasing a suspect on his motorcycle. Despite his dreams and future plans for education and family, 27 year old Anawat left this world far too soon. According to reports, Anawat was pursuing a suspect…
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Heavy rain persists across Thailand: Bangkok flood risk increases, boats cautioned
Heavy rainfall is expected across Thailand today, with Bangkok facing a 70% chance of flooding. Authorities are warning people to avoid boating activities during this period. The Meteorological Department has predicted 24-hour weather conditions, stating that a moderate southwest monsoon system is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a trough is passing through Myanmar and…
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Myanmar conflict surge: Over 3,300 refugees seek shelter in Thailand
The conflict in Myanmar‘s Kayah State has led to a new surge of refugees seeking shelter in Thailand. Provincial Governor Chettha Mosikkharat confirmed that Thai authorities have rescued 3,342 refugees who fled the border war. The fighting in Kayah State involves the Karenni Army (KA), backed by the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and…
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On-the-job ride: Rookie worker accused of motorcycle theft, owner in hot pursuit
A worker was accused of stealing a motorcycle after just one day on the job, causing the owner to track him down. The incident occurred in the Mueang district of Udon Thani province on May 17. The owner finally found the thief in Pattaya with a female companion, immediately informing the police. Yesterday, 37 year old Kanitta Jaikhaan, who owns…
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