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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What’s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?
Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
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Thai nurses save two foreign passengers on Phuket-Bangkok flight
Thai netizens praised the efforts of two Thai nurses who provided first aid to two unconscious passengers during a flight from Phuket to Bangkok on Friday, December 13. The events aboard Bangkok Airways flight PG278 came to public attention after the local news Facebook page Phuket Info Centre shared the story. The two medical professionals commended for their actions were…
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Senate to vote on divisive referendum double-majority rule
The Senate is set to convene tomorrow, December 17, to cast votes on a contentious referendum bill concerning constitutional amendments. The majority of senators are anticipated to uphold the divisive double-majority requirement, a decision that has sparked significant debate. Following a vote by a joint MP-Senate committee, the double-majority rule, necessary for passing a charter rewrite referendum, has been endorsed.…
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Crane calamity wreaks havoc on Rama IV Road, Bangkok chief probes
Panic struck Bangkok’s bustling Rama IV Road as a concrete beam came crashing down from a crane, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and prompting an immediate suspension of demolition work at the Srifuengfung Building. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt swiftly halted all demolition activities at the site to prioritise public safety. Alongside Bangkok Deputy Governor Wissanu Sabsomphon and…
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Bangkok’s Purple Line extension nears halfway mark
The construction of the Purple Line’s southern extension, a crucial link between Tao Poon in the Bang Sue district and Rat Burana in southern Bangkok, is making significant progress. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) reported that the project is nearly halfway finished. During an inspection conducted yesterday, December 15, Montri Dechasakulsom, alongside board members and executives, assessed…
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Rama II Road reopens after crane accident caused fatalities (video)
Commuters can breathe a sigh of relief as traffic resumes on Rama II Road following a harrowing crane accident that claimed six lives and injured nine, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. The nightmare began in the small hours of November 29 when a crane buckled under the weight of a concrete beam at the Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity…
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Severe storms and flash floods threaten 12 Thai provinces
The Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning predicting severe storms in 12 provinces, with heavy rain expected to cover 70% of the area. This could lead to flash floods and severe weather conditions, with temperatures dropping. The northeast monsoon, which is currently quite strong, is affecting the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region. A low-pressure system also covers…
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Thai-ing luck: Lottery punters chase numbers for year-end jackpot
With jackpot dreams dancing in their heads, Thailand’s hopeful punters are in a tizzy, hunting for the mystical numbers set to bring them a windfall in the year’s final lottery draw today, December 16. As the Government Lottery Office gets ready to reveal the magic numbers, excitement is at an all-time high and the air is charged with predictions and…
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Thai and mighty: Tourism takes off with a Bangkok load of visitors
Thailand’s back on the world’s travel map with a record-breaking wave of tourists flooding its shores, boosting the nation’s coffers and setting sights on even sunnier outcomes. In a spectacular show of popularity, more than 37.72 million globe-trotters have flocked to the Land of Smiles between January 1 and December 8 this year, according to Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap. This…
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Police arrest loan shark gang at Ministry of Culture
A dramatic arrest unfolded at the Ministry of Culture when police apprehended members of a loan shark gang accused of charging extortionate interest rates and intimidating debtors. The operation, led by Montri Teshakun, targeted 30 year old Veeraphat, and 23 year old Meentada, who were charged with operating an unauthorised personal loan business and lending money at rates exceeding legal…
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Phuket launches youth justice programme for safer communities
Phuket has taken a proactive step towards cultivating a safer community with the launch of the School of Youth Justice project, aimed at educating local youth on crime prevention. This initiative was unveiled yesterday, December 14 at Srinagarindra the Princess Mother School in Wichit, under the supervision of Governor Sophon Suwannarat. The event saw the participation of Wichian Chaisorn, Director…
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German man saved by Pattaya rescue team after balcony incident
A dramatic rescue unfolded in Pattaya when a German man, visibly distressed, was saved by local rescue workers after attempting to harm himself and leap from a hotel balcony. The incident took place yesterday, December 14 at 5.06pm when the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre was alerted to a foreign individual trying to jump from a hotel building in Soi Pattaya…
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Police Region 5 seizes 6.8 million meth pills in major bust
Police Region 5 coordinated with various agencies to announce a major drug bust, seizing 6.8 million methamphetamine pills from a drug trafficking network along the border. The operation, aiming to curb drug distribution within the country, was highlighted in a press conference held yesterday at the Police Region 5 headquarters. Key figures including Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yeesakhorn, the Commissioner…
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Intoxicated driver wreaks havoc in Pattaya, crashes into sidecar
A heavily intoxicated driver caused chaos in Pattaya today when he crashed a minivan into a motorcycle sidecar selling fresh vegetables. The incident unfolded on Pattaya Beach Road, near Soi 13/3, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. An attempt to flee the scene led to further collisions with several parked vehicles, resulting in additional injuries to two individuals.…
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Landslide on Koh Samui leaves two missing amid heavy rain
Heavy rainfall over consecutive days on Koh Samui has led to a landslide that engulfed a workers’ camp, leaving two individuals missing. Police have launched a search operation, highlighting the precarious situation as the incident occurred in two separate events. Police in Koh Samui’s Surat Thani province received a distress call this morning regarding a landslide that buried a construction…
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Grenade attack at Tak fair leaves three dead and 48 injured
A grenade attack disrupted the Amazing Highland Land Fair in Umphang district, Tak province, late yesterday evening, resulting in three fatalities and 48 injuries. The explosion took place around 11.30pm near a retro dance stage where over 8,000 people were enjoying live music. As panic swept through the crowd, emergency responders rushed to aid the injured and transport them to…
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Saudi couple rescued after Jet Ski capsizes off Jomtien Beach
A Saudi Arabian couple experienced a harrowing ordeal when their jet ski overturned a few kilometres off Jomtien Beach near Pattaya. Rescue workers were alerted to the situation shortly after midnight yesterday, December 14, when 26 year old Alamri Abdulrahman Mahdi, reached Jomtien Beach. Exhausted and wearing a life vest, he asked for assistance for his wife, who was still…
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Hua Hin Airport to gain international status by next year
The Transport Ministry announced plans to elevate Hua Hin Airport to international status by next year, marking a significant step in enhancing regional connectivity. Transport Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed this initiative yesterday, directing the Department of Airports, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies to develop Hua Hin’s operations and secure the necessary international airport certification. Heightened passenger…
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Concrete beam falls at Bangkok site, damages vehicles, no injuries (video)
A concrete beam plummeted from a crane at a building demolition site on Rama IV Road, near the Lumpini intersection in Bangkok, damaging three vehicles but fortunately causing no injuries. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon during the dismantling of the Srifuengfung Building. Police are in discussions with the building’s owner regarding compensation for the damage to three pickup trucks. Police…
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Chinese murder suspect caught at Phuket Airport
A Chinese national, wanted in his home country for murder, was apprehended at Phuket Airport. The suspect, identified as Qian Guofeng, arrived on a flight from Shanghai to the popular Thai resort island. On the night of December 13, immigration police revealed that they received orders to intercept Qian, who became a suspect following a fatal altercation in China. Chinese…
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Deadly floods hit Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat
Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat have been hit hard by renewed flooding, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Persistent heavy rain since December 12 has caused significant overflow from canals and other water sources, inundating agricultural areas, roads, and homes across these southern provinces. In Surat Thani, the districts of Mueang, Kanchanadit, and Don Sak experienced severe flooding…
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Motorcyclist dragged 800 metres in Phuket hit-and-run
A white saloon car collided with a motorcycle in Thalang district, Phuket, early this morning, dragging the rider’s lifeless body for 800 metres before fleeing the scene. Police have identified the vehicle’s owner and are preparing to launch an investigation. A white saloon car, with an unregistered number plate, was reported to have left Bang Jo Alley and turned right…
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Woman arrested with 2,000 meth pills in Bang Yai
Police in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, in collaboration with Bang Mae Nang police, have arrested a woman found with 2,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden in a mango bag. The woman claimed she was unaware of the bag’s contents, stating a friend had asked her to pick it up. The incident took place yesterday, December 13, under the directive of Yanipat Srikhot,…
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British suspect arrested for Pattaya gold chain thefts
A muscular British man was apprehended for his involvement in a series of daring gold chain snatches from tourists in Pattaya. Despite denying the accusations, CCTV footage and witness testimonies have implicated him in the crimes. The arrest took place at 4.30pm yesterday, December 13, when Thananon Athipansri, Deputy Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, along with the Provincial Investigation…
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Tourists in Uthai Thani climb mountain for lottery numbers
Locals and tourists braved the steep climb up Mount Pla Ra in Uthai Thani province, reaching an elevation of 1,400 metres, to seek lottery numbers from the stalactites in a cave. The event, led by Theerapat Khachamat, the Governor of Uthai Thani, attracted over 100 participants, including government officials and tourists, who embarked on this challenging journey to explore the…
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Bangkok police dismantle begging ring, uncover 300k baht cash
Thai police dismantled a begging ring in the heart of Bangkok, discovering 300,000 baht in cash and an astonishing bank account balance. The generosity of the Thai people was evident in the amassed funds. Deputy Superintendent Suriya Puangsomboon led a team of Immigration Police Division 1 investigators, working alongside the Bangkok Homeless Protection Centre and Lumphini Police Station on Thursday,…
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Krungthai Bank warns customers of scam letters
Krungthai Bank has issued a cautionary notice urging its customers to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating both the bank and police. These fraudsters have been distributing counterfeit letters alleging irregularities in bank accounts that necessitate financial scrutiny. Customers are advised to directly contact the bank or law enforcement if they have any doubts. Krungthai Bank took to their Facebook page,…
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Beach wars: Kata’s shores overrun by chair chaos
Kata and Kata Noi beaches, once postcard-perfect stretches of Phuket paradise, are now under siege—by a sea of sunbeds and umbrellas. Locals are outraged as beach chair operators sprawl unchecked, with one resident calling Kata Beach “the world’s ugliest beach” and lamenting over 10,000 umbrellas crammed from the road to the waterline. The infamous “10% rule,” meant to cap commercial…
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Former officer arrested after abducting wife in Surat Thani
A former police officer, under the influence of methamphetamine (meth), was apprehended after abducting his estranged wife in Surat Thani province. The dramatic chase unfolded over more than an hour, following a family dispute and divorce request. Police in Surat Thani arrested 27 year old Phasakorn Kheawphakdee after a tense highway pursuit. The incident began when Sutheemas, his 25 year…
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Woman found dead with multiple stab wounds in Ang Thong
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday, December 13, as a young woman was found dead in her rental room with over 20 stab wounds. Her father discovered the body after being unable to contact her and forced entry into the room, revealing the horrific scene. Police in Ang Thong have launched an investigation into the murder of a 30 year old…
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Myanmar man struck by train in Pattaya, minor injuries
A Myanmar man experienced a close brush with danger after being struck by a train while walking along the railway tracks in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received an urgent report at 7pm on Thursday, December 12 concerning a pedestrian incident in front of the Lek Arhan Pa Restaurant. Rescue workers swiftly made their way to the location. Upon…
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