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Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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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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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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Hong Kong master’s student duped into Thai nightmare
A Hong Kong master’s student was swept into an international scam that cost her over HK$500,000 (approximately 2.2 million baht) and led her to an alarming detour to Thailand. This unprecedented case pushed Hong Kong police to seek Interpol’s help, marking the first time a victim was lured overseas. The victim, identified as K, a 22 year old student from…
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UN urges Thailand to decriminalise sex work for healthcare access
The United Nations (UN) has recommended that Thailand should decriminalise sex work to ensure equal access to healthcare services and integrate victim support. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, where the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls discussed the state of women’s and girls’ rights in Thailand. This marks the UN’s…
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Bangkok’s new ‘Health Stations’ promise quick, hassle-free care
Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Debuting at the Charoenchai Housing Cooperative Community in Bangkok, these futuristic kiosks let residents consult doctors via video calls for 42 medical conditions, dramatically cutting waiting times and hospital…
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Thai man kills stepbrother over drug-fuelled chaos in Sisaket
A young man in Sisaket province reached a breaking point after years of family turmoil, leading to a tragic incident. Phu Sing Police reported on Wednesday, December 11, that a 33 year old man was found dead in his home after being stabbed three times in the chest. His 21 year old stepbrother was arrested at the scene with the…
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Fire at Trat co-op narrowly avoided major disaster
A security guard mistook a fire for burning rubbish, only to discover a forklift engulfed in flames, which spread to a pile of wooden pallets and over 40 trolleys. The blaze narrowly missed the co-op store building, prompting an urgent firefighting effort. Officers from the Mueang Trat Police Station received a report of a fire at the Trat Provincial Cooperative…
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Thai teacher accused of striking boy’s penis with steel ruler
A Thai mother exposed the cruel behaviour of a teacher in the central province of Prachin Buri who allegedly struck her three year old son’s penis with a steel ruler causing severe injury. The mother contacted several Thai news agencies to publicise her son’s story and seek appropriate punishment for the accused teacher. Channel 7 interviewed the family on December 12 and…
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Pooch walk turns pricey: Russian tourist robbed in Pattaya park
A routine morning dog walk turned into a nightmare for a Russian tourist in Pattaya after brazen thieves snatched her valuables and fled into the early dawn. Pattaya police were called to a small park near Jomtien Second Road today at 5.30am, today, December 13, following reports of a foreigner being robbed. Kalishenko, a 33 year old Russian national, recounted…
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Busted: Police nab drug queenpin in Phuket
Kamala Police scored a major victory in their war on drugs, arresting a 35 year old woman described as a central figure in a sprawling drug distribution network. Marina Prabphet, also known as Ja Lek or Teua Lek, was apprehended at her residence in Village 8, Ban Phru Samphan, Thepkrasattri subdistrict, on Wednesday, December 11. The dramatic bust, part of…
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Thai man raises suspicions as mother dies 10 days after chiropractic
A Thai man called for a further investigation into the death of his mother, who passed away 10 days after receiving unlicensed chiropractic treatment in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The man, Kawin Mahuakhao, shared the story of his mother, Somsi Mahuakhao, with the Facebook news page Big Kren to seek clarification on the real cause of her death.…
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Police crack down on illegal forest farming in Lampang
Thai police launched CIB Crush Influence, an operation targeting investors exploiting forest lands, but the main suspects managed to escape. However, they discovered a couple illegally farming corn in the forests of Mae Mo, Lampang province, and have taken legal action against them. The operation was ordered by Jiraphop Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and involved police…
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Southern Thai man finally receives 10,000 baht government aid
A man from southern Thailand was overjoyed when the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) branch in Loei province finally tracked him down to ensure he received the government aid of 10,000 baht. The initiative was part of a final effort by the bank to help vulnerable groups secure their due benefits before the deadline. BAAC in Loei took…
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Thai minibus driver rapes passenger after tricking her into lucky ritual
A Thai minibus driver raped a female passenger after tricking her into performing a ritual for good fortune, and then abducting her to a hotel in Pattaya. The victim filed a complaint against the minibus driver, Mueang, at Na Jomtien Police Station following the sexual assault on October 10. The incident occurred while the victim was travelling in Mueang’s minibus…
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Illegal wildlife trade uncovered in Ratchaburi luxury home raid
A luxury riverside home in Ratchaburi, Thailand, became the focal point of a major investigation when police discovered over 50 rare South American wildlife species illegally housed on the property. The operation, conducted by police and wildlife officials, exposed a shocking black market trade facilitated through social media platforms. Yesterday, December 12, a team led by Arun Wachirasrisukanya, Deputy Commander-in-Chief…
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Ex-boxer arrested in Bangkok for violent revenge attack
A well-known ex-boxer and his group of friends were arrested for abducting and assaulting a rival in a violent act of revenge. The incident involved shooting and stabbing, leaving the victim seriously injured, and was sparked by a dispute over a friend’s girlfriend. Police, led by Montri Teskan, ordered the arrest of 23 year old Parinya in Bangkok. The arrest…
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Phuket celebrates Disabled People’s Day with empowering event
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat led the 29th Disabled People’s Day celebration on Wednesday, December 11 at Phuket Rajabhat University, with the theme, Promoting Disabled Leaders for a Sustainable Future. The event spotlighted the incredible potential of people with disabilities and underscored the province’s commitment to equality and opportunity. In his opening remarks, Governor Sophon declared, “This event reflects our dedication…
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Thai thief returns stolen motorcycle to police station, motive unclear
A Thai man stole motorcycles belonging to locals in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima and later parked them outside a police station. His motive remains unclear. The owner of a grocery store in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province shared CCTV footage of the suspect, who stole his sidecar motorcycle, with Channel 7 yesterday, December 12. In the…
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