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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Parents demand online history scrutiny in child self-harm death investigations
Parents who have lost their children to suicide are calling for authorities to consider the online histories of the deceased when determining the cause of death. Hollie Dance, mother of Archie Battersbee who passed away in August 2022, has joined other grieving families in demanding increased access to the online content their children were exposed to. Dance believes that online…
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Drunken Chinese man causes chaos at Pattaya hotel, threatens to jump from balcony
A chaotic scene unfolded at the First Pacific Hotel in Pattaya as a drunken Chinese man brought the establishment to a standstill. Perched precariously on the third-floor balcony, it seemed as though he might leap to his death. The 22 year old man was in a state of distress, alleging that a taxi driver had stolen his mobile phone. However,…
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Dogs block snake from entering Thai home, incident inspires lottery numbers
A group of four dogs in Thailand‘s northeast Udon Thani managed to surround and contain a large snake, preventing it from entering their owner’s house. This incident led to a surge in local lottery interest, as the house number became a favourite choice for those looking for luck. At 5pm on Tuesday, the Udon Thani Volunteer Rescue Foundation was alerted…
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Thailand’s MPI growth faces stagnation amid export slowdown and high costs
The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) in Thailand is predicted to experience subdued growth of 0-1% this year, owing to a combination of domestic and international business challenges. The April MPI reading was the lowest in 34 months, with an 8.14% year-on-year drop to 83.5 points, marking the seventh consecutive decline since October last year, according to the Office of Industrial…
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Singapore luxury home rentals surge amid high net worth individual demand
Demand from high net worth individuals has driven a surge in luxury home rentals in Singapore, with landed property rents experiencing a significant 14.5% increase in the first quarter. This comes after several consecutive quarters of growth, resulting in a year-on-year jump of 39.3%. Analysts have attributed the sharp rise to a low supply of luxury homes and strong demand…
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Thai school conducts mass drug testing: Is it a violation of student rights?
A Thai school recently conducted a mass urine drug testing initiative for its entire student body, causing online debate as netizens clashed over whether this practice constituted a violation of the students’ rights. The school, local authorities, and health officials collaborated on the project to ensure a drug-free environment. The school is located in the town of Tha Rong in…
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Saha Group urges Thai govt to prioritise agriculture over wage hikes
The Saha Group, a prominent consumer product conglomerate in Thailand, advised the new Thai government to prioritise the promotion of the agricultural sector instead of significantly raising the daily minimum wage. The group’s chairman, Boonsithi Chokwatana, believes this approach would contribute to sustainable economic growth. Boonsithi also suggested that the government should concentrate on enhancing the economy through educational initiatives…
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Argentina removes prescription barrier for morning-after pill access
Argentina has recently announced that women will no longer need a prescription to access emergency contraception, in a move aimed at removing a significant obstacle for those seeking to prevent unintended pregnancies. Feminist groups have applauded this decision as a positive step forward in the predominantly Catholic nation, while opponents argue that it highlights the failure of pregnancy prevention initiatives.…
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Mother’s grief amplified by son’s suicide video shared on social media
A mother’s grief over her son’s suicide was intensified when a video of his body was circulated on social media. Daniel Knott, 39, passed away on March 27, and days later his mother, Jenny Tancock, learned about the distressing video. Jacob Morse, 22, had recorded Daniel before the arrival of emergency services. “To go and share it online for the…
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UN tribunal increases Serbian officials’ sentences for ethnic cleansing role
The Hague’s UN war crimes tribunal has imposed longer prison sentences on two high-ranking former Serbian security officials, Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic. Initially sentenced to 12 years in 2021, they will now serve 15 years for their involvement in training death squads accused of ethnic cleansing during the disintegration of Yugoslavia. This final verdict on the former Yugoslavia is…
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Danny Masterson found guilty of rape, faces 30 years in prison
A Los Angeles jury has convicted American actor Danny Masterson on two counts of rape, with the That ’70s Show star potentially facing up to 30 years in prison. The actor was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the verdict. Three women, all former Church of Scientology members, accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood residence between…
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Amazon pays £20m over Alexa’s breach of children’s privacy rights
Amazon has agreed to pay US$25 million (£20 million) to settle claims that it breached children’s privacy rights through its Alexa voice assistant. The tech giant reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after being accused of not deleting Alexa recordings when requested by parents, resulting in the retention of sensitive information for years. Additionally, Amazon’s doorbell…
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Highlands wildfire, potentially UK’s largest, brought under control
A wildfire, potentially the largest in UK history, has been brought under control by firefighters near Cannich in the Highlands. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported that the fire had spread across an 80sq km area of scrub and woodland. Since last week, the area has been affected by four separate fires, with crews battling the flames since…
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Body found in Sheffield house sparks murder probe, woman arrested
A murder inquiry has been initiated after the discovery of a body in a house in Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police officers found the remains while searching a property on Crofton Avenue in the Hillsborough area on Tuesday. The force is currently conducting investigations to determine the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their death. A woman, 40 years…
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Two teens die, man arrested after Bournemouth beach sea incident
Tragedy struck Bournemouth beach as a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy lost their lives after being pulled from the sea. Eight others received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries following the incident. Emergency services were alerted at 4:32pm on Wednesday. Dorset Police have arrested a man in his 40s, who was on the water at the time, on suspicion of manslaughter.…
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ITV enlists barrister for external review of Schofield’s affair handling
A barrister has been appointed by ITV to lead an external review into the network’s handling of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger male colleague. The review was confirmed by ITV’s chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall, in a letter seen by the PA news agency. Schofield, 61 years old, resigned from ITV last week after admitting to having…
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Biden assault accuser Tara Reade seeks Russian citizenship, feels safe
Tara Reade, a 59-year-old American woman who accused US President Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her, has travelled to Moscow and is seeking Russian citizenship. In an interview with a state-run Russian news agency, Reade expressed feeling safe in Russia and her desire to stay in the country. Reade alleged that Biden assaulted her in 1993 while she was working…
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UK, European governments urge FIFA for Women’s World Cup TV rights deal
Major European governments, including the United Kingdom, have urged FIFA and independent broadcasters to swiftly settle on an agreement for televising the Women’s World Cup in July and August. This joint appeal follows FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s threat to withhold the tournament’s broadcast in five European nations – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – due to a financial…
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Third man charged in Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay’s murder case
A third individual has been charged in connection with the murder of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, according to prosecutors in New York. Jay Bryant, 49 years old, from Queens, who was already in custody on unrelated federal drug charges, denies the charges. In 2020, two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr, were charged with the murder. Both…
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UN begins removing million barrels of oil from decaying Yemeni supertanker
The United Nations has initiated an operation to remove over a million barrels of oil from a deteriorating supertanker, FSO Safer, anchored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. A salvage vessel carrying a team of experts arrived at the site on Tuesday to prepare the tanker for the transfer of oil to another vessel, Nautica, which is set to sail from…
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Elton John promises surprises, unique setlist at final UK gig
Elton John, 76 years old, has revealed plans to include special guests and a unique setlist for his final UK performance at the Glastonbury Festival next month, while also expressing his feelings of intimidation about headlining the renowned event. The legendary singer is set to close the festival on the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, on June…
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ASA bans Litty Liquor ads with rapper ArrDee for promoting excessive drinking
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned advertisements for Litty Liquor featuring rapper ArrDee, due to the promotion of excessive and irresponsible alcohol consumption and the inclusion of an individual under 25 years old. Two Instagram posts from December displayed ArrDee surrounded by bottles of spiced rum in a distillery, violating advertising regulations. Another post showcased a video of the…
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Judge to hear appeal on unsealing Prince Harry’s US immigration records
A US federal judge is set to hear an appeal from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, regarding the unsealing of Prince Harry’s US immigration records. The hearing, scheduled for June 6, comes after the Duke of Sussex’s book revealed his past drug use. Nile Gardner, from the Heritage Foundation, announced that the case will take place in Washington,…
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Pattaya drug bust: Thai police nab South Korean dealer, seize 17 million baht worth of drugs
Thai police arrested a South Korean drug dealer in Pattaya following the rounding up of 70 drug suspects and the seizure of drugs worth about 17 million baht. The Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB) held a press conference at the Brighton Grand Hotel in Pattaya today, where they shared the details of the arrest. Officers emphasised that the successful capture of…
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Democrat secretary-general to step down amid party leadership change
In a new development in Thai politics, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on revealed his intention to resign as the Democrat secretary-general when the party selects its new leader and executives on July 13. The decision on whether a younger individual will be chosen as the new leader will be left to a party committee during the planned general assembly.…
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Pheu Thai leader denies backroom deals: High-ranking Parliamentary roles still up for grabs
The Pheu Thai leader denies allocating high-ranking Parliamentary roles for his party, asserting that discussions are still ongoing to fill key positions. Despite rumours of potential nominees, Pheu Thai chief Chonlanan Srikaew maintains that no final decision has been made. Chonlanan addressed the ongoing negotiations concerning the appointment of the President of the House of Representatives, stating that talks between his…
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Shining Surge: Gold prices soar in Thailand, hitting 32,650 baht per baht
The Gold Traders Association reported an increase in gold prices in Thailand today, with gold bullion trading at 32,650 baht per baht, up 50 baht compared to the closing price of yesterday. Gold bars are being bought at 32,050 baht and sold at 32,150 baht. Recording a rise in gold prices today, the Gold Traders Association stated that gold ornaments…
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Pregnant woman vomits 10-15cm roundworms, warns on undercooked food risks
A pregnant patient at DonSak Hospital in Surat Thani, Thailand, discovered two intestinal roundworms, each longer than 10-15 centimetres, in her vomit. Doctors believe the 27 year old ingested the parasites from contaminated fruits and vegetables. DonSak Hospital shared the story on its Facebook page, explaining that the eight months pregnant woman had been experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting…
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Doi Inthanon National Park pioneers integrated conservation area management approach
Doi Inthanon National Park is piloting a holistic area conservation approach, with a focus on integrated administration and avoiding unnecessary burdens on personnel. This pioneering project aims to effectively manage the park’s 16 sub-agencies and a budget of 50 million baht, whilst protecting the natural environment and resources. Doi Inthanon National Park, the country’s highest peak, is launching a comprehensive…
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Money laundering mastermind nabbed: Chinese man busted in Pattaya for multibillion-baht scam operation
Thai authorities apprehended a Chinese man in Pattaya on charges of money laundering over 2.5 billion baht for the scam call centre gang based in Cambodia. The crackdown, led by the Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB), was carried out in response to instances of criminal behaviour causing harm to citizens and tarnishing the country’s image. Details of the operation were released…
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