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...

  • Thailand faces worsening air quality crisis, health warnings issued

    Thailand faces worsening air quality crisis, health warnings issued

    Thailand’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 20 provinces reporting pollution levels exceeding health standards. The most severe pollution is found in Pak Kret, with Bangkok also experiencing widespread poor air quality. The air quality is expected to worsen between tomorrow and December 7, prompting health advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks. The Air Pollution Solution…

  • Female high school student physically assaulted in Sisaket (video)

    Female high school student physically assaulted in Sisaket (video)

    A video has surfaced on social media showing a disturbing incident involving a female student at a secondary school in Sisaket province. The footage captures the student being violently assaulted by her classmates in a classroom, with the aggressors recording the event and appearing to enjoy the act. The assault took place just six days after the victim began attending…

  • High drama in Isaan: Man’s police assault claims don’t hold up

    High drama in Isaan: Man’s police assault claims don’t hold up

    A Thai man accused police officers in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum of physically assaulting him during a visit to the police station to provide information about a drug suspect. The police, however, refuted the allegations, asserting their innocence and presenting clear evidence to support their defence. The complainant, identified as Wiroj, filed a formal complaint on November 29 against…

  • Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)

    Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)

    In the latest wild escapade from the sun-soaked shores of Thailand, two young female tourists were given a ride of shame as local police were forced to wheel them back to their hotel on a shop trolley. In a scene right out of a holiday nightmare, 19 year old Australian Tahli Benson and 23 year old German Sina Baumann found…

  • Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals in Chiang Rai

    Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals in Chiang Rai

    A historic moment unfolded in Chiang Rai as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thai citizenship cards to 72 individuals from ethnic minority groups, marking a monumental step towards addressing statelessness in the country. The ceremony, held at the GMS International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 1, highlighted Thailand’s commitment to inclusivity and human rights, with key officials and…

  • Phuket rolls out electric buses in bold push for greener island

    Phuket rolls out electric buses in bold push for greener island

    Phuket has just taken a major leap towards modernising its public transport with the launch of electric buses, marking the beginning of a cleaner, more sustainable future for the island. The historic moment occurred yesterday, December 2 at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), where a ceremony was held to unveil the first trial buses. Governor Sophon Suwannarat and PPAO…

  • Cannabis store HR officer slaps worker amid alleged embezzlement

    Cannabis store HR officer slaps worker amid alleged embezzlement

    Former employees of a cannabis retail chain accused managers and a human resources (HR) officer of falsely accusing them of embezzlement and extorting money. The HR officer also reportedly physically assaulted one of the workers. Two Thai men, who previously worked for the cannabis company, shared CCTV footage with the Facebook news page Social Hunter 2022. The footage shows a…

  • Paetongtarn faces backlash over flood crisis management failures

    Paetongtarn faces backlash over flood crisis management failures

    The recent devastating floods in southern Thailand have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government, pushing the leader into the eye of a storm of criticism. With severe flooding wreaking havoc in the south, many are questioning her ability to manage a national crisis effectively. The prime minister, who initially struggled to establish her footing in the north, eventually…

  • Nonthaburi shop owners seek driver after 50,000 baht accident

    Nonthaburi shop owners seek driver after 50,000 baht accident

    Two shop owners are seeking the whereabouts of a driver who caused extensive damage to their businesses in a late-night car crash, promising to compensate before becoming unreachable after one day of contact. The incident occurred at approximately 3.40am on December 1, when a Toyota Wish sedan, driven by a 38 year old man identified as Charnwut (surname withheld), lost…

  • House dissolution: Phumtham shoots down charter row rumours

    House dissolution: Phumtham shoots down charter row rumours

    A fiery political debate over Thailand’s charter referendum sparked speculation about a potential House dissolution but Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai isn’t buying it. Brushing off claims from Pheu Thai list-MP Cherdchai Tantisirin, Phumtham insisted that tensions between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party wouldn’t boil over. “Dr Cherdchai is entitled to his opinion.” Phumtham stressed that…

  • Brief encounter: Phuket woman calls out underwear pervert (video)

    Brief encounter: Phuket woman calls out underwear pervert (video)

    A Thai woman in Phuket is pleading with a pervert to stop his degenerate behaviour after he repeatedly stole her underwear for masturbation purposes before later returning them. The victim, whose name was not disclosed, shared her story with the Phuket Times, today, December 3, in the hope that the man would be shamed into stopping his actions. The page subsequently…

  • 7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand

    7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand

    In a groundbreaking move to tackle tourist road accidents in Thailand, 7-Eleven is stepping up its game. Yesterday, December 2, CP All CEO Yuthasak Poomsurakul announced a partnership between 7-Eleven, the Tourist Police Bureau, and the British Embassy to launch a road safety campaign aimed at international visitors. Tourists, often unaware of Thailand’s traffic laws and risky road conditions, face…

  • Royal spectacle: Thai king’s first trooping the colour parade

    Royal spectacle: Thai king’s first trooping the colour parade

    In a dazzling display of tradition and grandeur, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua will oversee his first Trooping the Colour parade this afternoon, December 3, joined by Her Majesty the Queen consort Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. This historic event marks a pivotal moment in royal ceremonial history, with the announcement made official…

  • Fire engulfs iconic, haunted boat hotel on Koh Chang (video)

    Fire engulfs iconic, haunted boat hotel on Koh Chang (video)

    A fire broke out today at the iconic, and reportedly haunted boat hotel, Koh Chang Grand Laguna, located on an island in the southeastern province of Trat. Firefighters are still struggling to control the blaze. The official Facebook page of Fire & Rescue Thailand reported that the fire began on the second floor of the landmark of Koh Chang at…

  • PTT forecasts growth amid rising energy demand, Thai recovery

    PTT forecasts growth amid rising energy demand, Thai recovery

    PTT Plc, Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas conglomerate, anticipates a stronger business outlook in 2024, buoyed by increased energy demand and an improving domestic economy, despite a forecasted dip in energy prices. The high tourism season is expected to drive up domestic oil consumption as both foreign and local travellers contribute to heightened energy usage. Factories are also projected to…

  • Chalong cops collar suspect in oil tanker heist

    Chalong cops collar suspect in oil tanker heist

    A high-stakes manhunt came to a dramatic end in Chalong as officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a 48 year old man wanted for a string of audacious crimes, including a daring nighttime raid on an oil tanker and evidence tampering. Identified only as Nirut, the suspect was apprehended at Chalong Police Station following an intense investigation into…

  • Thai victims lose over 100 million baht to ‘blue elephant’ flight booking scam

    Thai victims lose over 100 million baht to ‘blue elephant’ flight booking scam

    Nearly 100 victims collectively lost over 100 million baht to a flight booking platform featuring a blue elephant logo. The victims neither received their tickets nor were refunded their money. Ten representatives of the victims visited the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) yesterday, December 2, after their complaints were ignored for a prolonged period despite the substantial financial losses. They gathered a…

  • Holy brows: Monk’s DIY eyebrow hack sends Internet into frenzy

    Holy brows: Monk’s DIY eyebrow hack sends Internet into frenzy

    A monk’s innovative eyebrow solution left the Internet in stitches after photos of his welfare card verification saga went viral yesterday. The Buddhist monk, whose name was not disclosed, encountered a modern-day dilemma at a blue-flag store. The state welfare payment app couldn’t match his face to the photo on his welfare card, thanks to his bare brow:  a hallmark…

  • Surprise drug test reveals one positive at Buriram meeting

    Surprise drug test reveals one positive at Buriram meeting

    In a surprising move, the district chief of Ban Mai Chaiphot, Seksan Janwongsa, ordered a sudden drug test for local officials during a meeting yesterday,  December 2. The surprise urine test, part of an integrated campaign to combat drug issues, revealed one official testing positive for drugs, with five others yet to be tested. The meeting, which took place at…

  • Borderline busted: Thai police smash Tak Internet scam network

    Borderline busted: Thai police smash Tak Internet scam network

    Police in Thailand’s Tak province have uncovered a sprawling illegal Internet and telephone cable network believed to fuel cross-border call centre scams in Myanmar. The operation, hailed as the largest bust of its kind, has exposed the scale of high-tech fraud haunting the region. In a joint announcement yesterday, December 2, Police General Nathathorn Prousoontorn of the National Broadcasting and…

  • Tragic accident: Man drowns as truck slides into Thai pond

    Tragic accident: Man drowns as truck slides into Thai pond

    A tragic incident unfolded last night when a man, who had been resting in his truck by a pond, was found dead after the vehicle rolled into the water. The victim, who had been guarding machinery inside the truck, struggled to escape but could not survive. At around 10pm, yesterday, December 2, emergency rescue teams from Ruenchit Volunteers, located in…

  • 3D-printed corals spark underwater hope at Koh Racha Yai

    3D-printed corals spark underwater hope at Koh Racha Yai

    In a cutting-edge bid to revive the coral reefs around Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is making waves with its annual reef restoration campaign. The initiative unveiled its latest eco-marvel: 3D-printed coral larvae islands on Saturday, November 30, designed to breathe life back into the battered seabeds. The high-profile launch event…

  • Thailand aims to become education hub with global universities

    Thailand aims to become education hub with global universities

    The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation is planning to invite renowned overseas universities to set up campuses in Thailand as part of its initiative to position the country as a regional education hub. Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi highlighted that Thailand offers significant potential for becoming a central educational destination in the region, citing factors such as affordable living…

  • Homeless Pattaya woman’s rings locked on swollen fingers

    Homeless Pattaya woman’s rings locked on swollen fingers

    A homeless woman in Thailand found herself in excruciating pain after rings became locked on her swollen fingers, leading to infected wounds. The ordeal, which had rendered her unable to communicate effectively, unfolded in Pattaya on Sunday, December 1. The woman, identified only as 45 year old A, showed up at the Pattaya Police Station desperately seeking assistance. Officers quickly…

  • Woman arrested at husband’s hospital bedside over fraud charges

    Woman arrested at husband’s hospital bedside over fraud charges

    A 39 year old woman wanted on two arrest warrants for fraud and computer crimes was arrested by police while visiting her husband, who is currently recovering in a hospital after being shot during a standoff with police. At around 4pm yesterday, December 2, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, Deputy Commander of the Investigation Division, along with the investigative team…

  • Russian woman falls to death from Bangkok condo

    Russian woman falls to death from Bangkok condo

    A tragic incident unfolded in the Phaya Thai district of Bangkok when a 24 year old Russian woman, Maria, fell to her death from the 37th floor of a condominium. The heartbreaking event occurred around 3.07pm yesterday, December 2, prompting an immediate response from local police. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the lifeless body of the Russian woman,…

  • AirAsia refund fury: Passengers affected by booking glitch

    AirAsia refund fury: Passengers affected by booking glitch

    AirAsia customers faced turbulence after a Facebook post accused the airline of a major booking scam. The post, shared on the page อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว : อีซ้อ, claimed “The scam is out! A famous airline cheats on ticket prices, opens a promotion booking system to deduct money, and in the end, they say the booking was unsuccessful and they don’t refund money.…

  • Drink driver crashes car after offering lift to intoxicated woman

    Drink driver crashes car after offering lift to intoxicated woman

    A drunk Thai man offered a lift to an equally intoxicated woman he met on a roadside in the central province of Chachoengsao but failed to get her home because he crashed his car into a traffic barrier. Three people in the vehicle suffered mild injuries. Bang Pakong Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the accident scene at the…

  • Former village headman arrested for fatal shooting in Thailand

    Former village headman arrested for fatal shooting in Thailand

    Police arrested Prasith (surname withheld), a 52 year old former assistant village head in Ban Non Rawiang, following the fatal shooting of Thanaphon (surname withheld), a 43 year old man found dead in a sugarcane field in Ban Non Rawiang, Bung Phalai subdistrict, Kaeng Sanamnang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The victim, who had 20 methamphetamine pills and some cannabis by his side,…

  • Daring theft: Italian tourist nabs cash from Pattaya hotel desk

    Daring theft: Italian tourist nabs cash from Pattaya hotel desk

    A brazen early-morning theft has left a Pattaya hotel owner furious after an Italian guest was caught on CCTV swiping 4,000 baht from the front desk before making a hasty exit. The suspect, identified as Andrea (surname withheld), checked into the small hotel on Soi Bua Khao on Friday, November 29 and checked out under suspicious circumstances early on Sunday…