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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Canadian politicians’ China witch-hunt threatens democracy more than Beijing
In recent months, Canada’s capital has been gripped by a manufactured scandal involving alleged Chinese interference, leading to a wave of hysteria that has paralysed the city. The situation has been exacerbated by sensationalist reporting and hyperbolic politicians, who have claimed that Chinese agents are covertly undermining Canada’s democratic institutions. Amidst this panic, some have turned to Canada’s law-abiding spy…
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Sunak to discuss Biden’s green investment and subsidy concerns in US visit
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak anticipates discussing President Joe Biden’s flagship green investment package during his visit to the United States. En route to Washington DC, Sunak remarked that “subsidy races” are not the solution to achieving climate goals. Some UK ministers have criticised Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes US$370bn (£297bn) for green technology advancement in the US, as…
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Virginia graduation shooting kills two, injures five in chaotic attack
A graduation ceremony in Virginia turned tragic as two individuals were killed and five others injured in a shooting incident. The attack occurred outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, causing panic among the attendees, many of whom were dressed in graduation gowns. The police chief described the scene as chaotic, with people scattering in all directions. A 19-year-old suspect attempted…
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Pope Francis to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome hospital
Pope Francis is set to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican stated that the 86-year-old pontiff will remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the hernia operation. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni noted that the hernia has been causing “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms for the Pope. “In the early afternoon he…
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Acclaimed painter Francoise Gilot dies at 101, leaving vibrant legacy
Acclaimed painter Francoise Gilot, who was known for her turbulent relationship with Pablo Picasso, has passed away at the age of 101. Her daughter, Aurelia Engel, confirmed that Gilot died in a New York hospital, where she had been residing for many years. Engel praised her mother’s artistic talent, stating, “She was an extremely talented artist, and we will be…
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Drought hits Singburi: Turbo-charged pump aids fish, supports local agriculture
As drought continues in Thailand’s central Singburi province the a temple’s fish pond is experiencing a severe reduction in water levels, causing a shortage of oxygen for the fish. Consequently, the Pak Than Sub-district Administration Organisation (SAO) has urgently installed a turbo-charged pump to transfer water from a nearby canal into the pond, simultaneously supporting the aquatic life and allowing locals…
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Phuket shooting: Russian restauranteur targeted in daylight attack
The idyllic streets of Phuket were rocked today by a brutal act of violence as a man, believed to be a Russian restaurant owner, was shot inside his car outside a cafe. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood. Police rushed to the scene on Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay, where they discovered a blue…
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Sam Altman dismisses public listing, discusses AI’s future and regulation
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company, backed by Microsoft and known for its ChatGPT technology, has no intentions of going public in the near future. Speaking at a conference in Abu Dhabi, Altman expressed concerns about potential conflicts with investors’ expectations and the need for a unique structure to maintain OpenAI’s capped-profit model. OpenAI has raised US$10…
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Police Division 8 enhances gun training amid growing criminal confrontations
Thailand’s Police Division 8 enforces gun practice training for officers to effectively control situations involving criminals, as confrontations between police and criminals have seen a spike. The goal is to improve officers’ competence in handling weapons and their preparedness to face real-life scenarios. In recent times, conflicts between investigators and criminals have seen a sharp increase, which has caused concern…
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Alcoholic sets fire to his bedridden wife resulting in her death
In a horrifying incident that has left a community in shock, a Thai man set fire to his bedridden wife, resulting in her tragic demise. The disturbing crime unfolded in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. At 8am today, Banyat and Phatcharapha Ritthanusorn were startled by an argument they overheard. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, they promptly reported it…
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Superheroes gather at homemade pizza-burger joint for vibrant grand opening
Worldwide superheroes gathered to launch a pizza and burger restaurant offering homemade delicacies and colourful entertainment at The Box Homemade Pizza & Burger today, located in front of CJ Supermarket near the Sam Liam community market in Khon Kaen City Municipality. With a special buy one, get one free promotion on small-sized pizzas, the grand opening attracted a large crowd,…
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Teen dies in isolated incident at West Lothian’s St Kentigern’s Academy
A tragic event unfolded at St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian, when a 14-year-old boy lost his life following an isolated incident on Tuesday afternoon. Police arrived at the scene around 1.20pm, and the young student was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police Scotland is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.…
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School addresses behavioural improvement camp after viral social media post
A reputable school in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province has clarified its position after being accused on the ‘Bad Student’ Facebook page of sending students with low behavioural scores to a military camp for training. The school insisted that close supervision during the program ensured no violence occurred, and the activity aimed to improve students’ discipline. According to the director of Benchamarachuthit…
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Jackpot seekers get a ‘lotto’ think about: Ten-year analysis reveals Thai lottery trends for June 16 draw
Lottery enthusiasts looking for tips for this month’s lottery may want to ponder over a ten-year retrospective analysis of Thai jackpot results for the upcoming June 16 draw, including the most common winning numbers. Looking back at the lottery results for June 16 from the Government Lottery Office in the past ten years, a pattern of frequently occurring numbers has been…
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Beach vendor apologises for misunderstanding over lounge chair slogan confusion
A recent misunderstanding between a beach chair vendor and a tourist in Cha-am Beach, Phetchaburi, resulted in the vendor being suspended from work for 15 days. The tourist had rented a chair for 400 baht and asked about the duration allowed. The vendor responded with the phrase “Sit for as long as you like, even for days,” which led to…
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Motorbike taxi driver helps nab gold thief in Pattaya
In Pattaya, a courageous motorbike taxi driver, known as a Win, assisted in apprehending an 18 year old gold thief yesterday. The young offender claimed that the high cost of living in the city drove him to commit the crime. The incident occurred at 3pm at the Yaowarat Gold Shop on South Pattaya Road, situated in the Nong Prue sub-district…
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Lottery winner fulfills vow by sucking nipples of giant statue in Rayong
A Thai lottery winner fulfilled a vow he had made with a giant statue in the eastern province of Rayong by sucking its nipples. Residents in the area protested believing the man’s behaviour angered the spirit of the Phisuea Samut statue and five people died as a consequence. A resident in the Mueang district of Rayong province, 64 year old…
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Thailand’s Big Data Institute to shape policies and boost economy
In a bid to harness the power of big data for social and economic progress, the Thai government has announced the creation of the Big Data Institute (BDI). This new public agency will focus on managing the vast amounts of data generated by the public and state agencies, and will be operational within 180 days. The BDI will replace the…
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Medical glove exports decline amid allergy concerns and easing Covid-19 cases
The export of medical gloves made from rubber latex is expected to continue its decline this year, as Covid-19 infections ease and some countries impose bans on natural rubber gloves due to allergy concerns, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The decline in glove exports has been significant since last year, impacting Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, said Warawan…
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OpenAI CEO dismisses public listing, discusses AI’s future and regulation
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company, backed by Microsoft and known for its ChatGPT technology, has no intentions of going public in the near future. Speaking at a conference in Abu Dhabi, Altman expressed concerns about potential conflicts with investors’ expectations and the need for a unique structure to maintain OpenAI’s capped-profit model. OpenAI has received US$10…
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Viral image ties social media in knots as love triangle unfolds in Vietnam
A viral image featuring a woman who married her neighbour’s older brother a decade after attending his first wedding has captivated social media users in Vietnam. The unexpected love story defies conventional expectations and caused quite a stir online. This unexpected love story began over 10 years ago when a young woman attended the wedding of her neighbour’s brother. No…
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Two killed in Patong motorcycle crash near De Coze Hotel
A tragic road accident near De Coze Hotel in Patong claimed the lives of a foreign man and an unidentified woman yesterday evening. Patong Police are currently investigating the case. The collision between a car and a motorcycle occurred on Phra Metta Rd, also known as Phang Muang Sai Kor Rd. Upon arriving at the scene, Lt Col Chayakorn Tangsakul…
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Thai coalition parties propose zero-based budgeting for efficiency
The implementation of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) has been proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP) as part of a 23-point memorandum of understanding signed by eight political parties seeking to form a new coalition government. The MFP argues that the current budgeting system fails to address the public’s needs due to bureaucratic hurdles. ZBB requires state officials to justify expenses…
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Bangkok’s YMID initiative drives Thai medical innovation to meet Asian demand
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) is continuing to push forward the Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID) initiative in Bangkok, aiming to meet the growing demand for a central medical hub in Asia, according to NIA’s executive director, Pun-Arj Chairatana. Situated in Bangkok’s Yothi neighbourhood, the YMID project seeks to decrease imports of medical innovations and establish a Thai medical innovation…
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Lorry driver survives crash while transporting corn, credits protective spirit
A lorry driver miraculously survived after losing control and crashing his pickup truck, loaded with corn, into a tree in Thailand‘s Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The driver, 27 year old Patinya Muangsri, was unharmed during the incident, while his girlfriend sustained a minor injury. The accident occurred along Phet Kasem Road, near kilometre 314 in Nong Bua Village, Kho Lak,…
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Inflation plummets to 21-month low in Thailand as fuel and electricity prices drop
Inflation in Thailand reached its lowest point in 21 months last month, primarily driven by declining fuel prices and electricity bills, along with a higher price base in May of the previous year. Experts predict that the inflation rate will further decrease throughout June. Wichanun Niwatjinda, deputy director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, expects inflation for June to…
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Chinese streamer dies in alcohol challenge, second incident in a month
A popular Chinese live streamer, known online as Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, passed away on June 2 after indulging in excessive alcohol consumption during a live show to win a cash prize from his viewers. His death marks the second such incident within a month and highlights the dangers of internet fame mixed with alcohol challenges. Zhong Yuan Huang Ge,…
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Heritage Foundation seeks Prince Harry’s immigration records over drug use
The Heritage Foundation, an American conservative think tank, has called for the release of Prince Harry’s immigration records in light of his past drug use revelations in his memoir, Spare. The organisation has appealed to US District Judge Carl Nichols for a faster response to a records request, which the US government has currently deemed private. Judge Nichols advised the…
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Depressed woman kills partner with hammer, hangs herself in tragic double death
A shocking tragedy unfolded as a Thai woman discovered her sister’s lifeless body hanging under the stairs at their home in Nakhon Nayok province. The search for her sister’s partner led her to find a second body, brutally beaten in the bathroom. Yesterday, authorities were called to a gruesome scene in a house near Mongkol Tham Park, in the Phrommani…
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A question that matters: What is a woman?
The question that had so many politicians stumped recently, a question that five years ago would make you think, why are you asking me such an obvious question? Well, it’s not 2018 anymore and the definition of a woman is no longer based on chromosomes and one’s ability to menstruate and mother a child. As we see in the recent…
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