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 video news | Phuket governor proposes monorail to ease traffic, Thailand property reforms target foreign buyers

    Thailand video news | Phuket governor proposes monorail to ease traffic, Thailand property reforms target foreign buyers

    In today’s Good Morning Thailand, Alex delves into a variety of impactful stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. From the rise of the “rental wife” trend in Pattaya shedding light on urban loneliness, to the innovative reversible lane easing traffic woes on Bangkok’s congested Rama II Road, there’s much to uncover. We also spotlight illegal cockfighting raids, bold infrastructure proposals like…

  • PAO council chairman critically injured in shooting

    PAO council chairman critically injured in shooting

    The Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) council chairman has been targeted in a shooting right outside his home in Nakhon Phanom. The suspect, a well-known gunman, remains at large, prompting a police manhunt. The victim, 56 year old Vinai Maneerat was shot outside his home in Ban Sai Kham, Phon Sawan district, Nakhon Phanom province, earlier yesterday, around 7.30am. His wife,…

  • Thailand’s tourism triumph as Bangkok tops Agoda charts (video)

    Thailand’s tourism triumph as Bangkok tops Agoda charts (video)

    Bangkok is stealing the spotlight as Agoda crowns it as the No.1 most-booked destination globally for 2025, while Thailand itself clinches the No.2 spot on the list of top tourist destinations. This thrilling announcement from deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan underscores Thailand’s soaring popularity as a must-visit hotspot. The revered American travel magazine, Travel + Leisure, has also showered accolades…

  • Convenience store employee arrested for robbing own workplace

    Convenience store employee arrested for robbing own workplace

    A young convenience store employee was arrested after robbing his workplace on his day off. He used a knife to threaten his colleagues, who recognised him and promptly alerted the police. At 8am yesterday, December 1, the police, led by Peerapong Yotsurang, Deputy Investigation Inspector of Chalerm Phra Kiat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, apprehended the suspect involved in…

  • Bangkok in a chokehold: Smog blankets the city (video)

    Bangkok in a chokehold: Smog blankets the city (video)

    Bangkok is on high alert this week as residents prepare for a choking blanket of smog set to engulf the city and its surrounding areas. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) sounded the alarm, warning that from today, December 2, until Friday, December 6, a thick haze will shroud the capital, thanks to smoke billowing from nearby farmland and stagnant air…

  • German woman bitten by suspected shark at Phang Nga beach

    German woman bitten by suspected shark at Phang Nga beach

    A German woman underwent surgery at a hospital in Phuket yesterday after being bitten by an unidentified fish, suspected to be a shark while swimming in the sea off Khao Lak Beach in the southern province of Phang Nga. The 57 year old woman, Elke Maier, was swimming with her four family members near Khaolak Laguna Resort on November 29 when…

  • Thailand Post to overhaul framework in modernisation efforts

    Thailand Post to overhaul framework in modernisation efforts

    Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry tasked Thailand Post with overhauling the outdated Postal Act of 1934. The initiative aims to enhance the regulation of postal and logistics services, aligning them with the current business environment. The Postal Act of 1934 was the first comprehensive piece of legislation governing postal services in Thailand. It established the framework for the operation…

  • Phuket parade: Carnival rolls out beach carpet for tourists (video)

    Phuket parade: Carnival rolls out beach carpet for tourists (video)

    Phuket is gearing up to roll out the red carpet for tourists worldwide with the eagerly anticipated Phuket Carnival at Patong 2024. This annual spectacle, a hallmark of the island’s high tourist season, promises to be bigger and better than ever with its theme, Phuket Memories of a Lifetime. Taking place from December 8 to 10 at the bustling Bang…

  • Thailand announces 9,000 baht aid for southern flood victims

    Thailand announces 9,000 baht aid for southern flood victims

    The Government of Thailand is set to provide financial relief to families impacted by the recent floods in the southern region, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. Each affected household is expected to receive a compensation of 9,000 baht, mirroring the assistance given to flood-stricken families in the northern part of the country. Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister,…

  • Laos factory owner arrested in methanol poisoning tourist tragedy

    Laos factory owner arrested in methanol poisoning tourist tragedy

    In a chilling case that has sent shockwaves across the globe, police in Laos arrested the owner of a factory believed to be the source of a deadly methanol poisoning incident that tragically claimed the lives of six foreign tourists. The factory, situated on the outskirts of Vientiane, the capital city, is suspected of producing toxic batches of the local…

  • Death toll rises to 6 in Rama II bridge collapse near Bangkok

    Death toll rises to 6 in Rama II bridge collapse near Bangkok

    The death toll from the bridge collapse on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok rose from three to six with the final body recovered on Saturday, November 30. The steel launching truss collapsed while a concrete segment was being installed on the bridge over Rama II Road on November 29. Initially, three construction workers out of 39…

  • Heavy rainfall warning for nine Thai provinces

    Heavy rainfall warning for nine Thai provinces

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall impacting nine provinces, with sea waves expected to rise over 2 metres. The upper regions of Thailand are experiencing cooler temperatures, with the northern part witnessing lows of 16 degrees Celsius (°C). The weather forecast for the next 24 hours highlights a weakening high-pressure…

  • Thai truck driver walks away unscathed from Sukumvit smash

    Thai truck driver walks away unscathed from Sukumvit smash

    A Thai truck driver miraculously emerged unscathed from a jaw-dropping accident on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip, in a scene straight out of a disaster film. The jaw-dropping incident occurred yesterday, December 1, at the stroke of 10.25am, prompting a swift response from the intrepid team at the Sawang Rojonthammasathit Foundation. Chaos descended as rescue squads raced to the scene, discovering…

  • Bamboo Luxury Villas: Transforming Pattaya’s real estate with visionary design

    Bamboo Luxury Villas: Transforming Pattaya’s real estate with visionary design

    Pattaya’s property market is set for a major shake-up with the development of Bamboo Luxury Villas, a standout project masterminded by renowned architect Mario Kleff. The exclusive enclave will feature 10 two-storey villas, spread across nearly five rai of land, blending sustainable architecture with a distinct Japanese-inspired aesthetic. Each villa offers an expansive 400 square metres of living space, meticulously…

  • Rama II Road congestion eased with reversible lane after collapse

    Rama II Road congestion eased with reversible lane after collapse

    Measures have been implemented to ease the traffic congestion on Rama II Road following a road collapse on November 29. An elevated road section under construction collapsed, leading the Highways Department to open a reversible lane today, December 1, to manage the outbound traffic more effectively. Efforts are underway to clear the site where precast concrete segments fell. However, the…

  • Landslide in Yala damages vehicles amid severe flooding

    Landslide in Yala damages vehicles amid severe flooding

    A landslide in Yala province caused a significant amount of damage to several vehicles yesterday morning, November 30, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The incident follows severe flooding across five districts, with major roads submerged and essential goods becoming scarce due to disrupted transport routes. The landslide was reported to have occurred at 7am in the car park behind…

  • Thai fisherman drowns, 31 detained and shot at by Myanmar navy

    Thai fisherman drowns, 31 detained and shot at by Myanmar navy

    A Myanmar navy patrol boat recently engaged with Thai fishing vessels off the coast of Ranong province, resulting in the tragic drowning of one fisherman and the detainment of 31 crew members. The Thai Ministry of Defence reported that the altercation occurred when two out of 15 Thai fishing boats were found operating between four and 5.7 nautical miles inside…

  • Thief poses as courier, steals Rolex watches worth 615,000 baht

    Thief poses as courier, steals Rolex watches worth 615,000 baht

    A seller of vintage goods experienced a distressing incident when a thief impersonated a courier to retrieve a package containing two Rolex watches valued at 615,000 baht. Despite reporting the crime to the police three times, they were less than helpful and the case was dismissed as a civil matter, leaving the victim without recourse. The victim, 36 year old…

  • Oh, cock! Police arrest nearly 50 major cockfighting raid

    Oh, cock! Police arrest nearly 50 major cockfighting raid

    Police in Nakhon Phanom arrested nearly 50 people involved in illegal cockfighting, following a tip-off about a large gathering of gamblers in a rural area. The operation, carried out by a team of over 30 officers, highlighted ongoing illegal gambling activities in the region. Officers swiftly moved to take action after receiving a complaint via the Damrongdhama Centre regarding an…

  • Thailand to finalise free-trade deal with EFTA by January

    Thailand to finalise free-trade deal with EFTA by January

    Thailand is set to finalise a free-trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) by January next year, aiming to boost its export market and draw European investors. This announcement from the Ministry of Commerce emphasises a strategic step forward in Thailand’s economic expansion. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan confirmed the completion of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA)…

  • M81 motorway opens free for new year travel in Thailand

    M81 motorway opens free for new year travel in Thailand

    Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi and Kanchanaburi province will soon be connected by a new motorway, offering motorists a cost-free travel experience over the new year holiday period. This initiative comes as a gesture from the Department of Highways, which announced that the 96-kilometre route, designated as M81, will be open for free from December 26 to January 2. Since…

  • Two men arrested for posing as police to rob tourists in Bangkok

    Two men arrested for posing as police to rob tourists in Bangkok

    Two men in Bangkok have been detained following allegations of impersonating police officers to rob Vietnamese tourists. The incident unfolded at a restaurant in the capital yesterday, November 30, as detailed by Noppasin Poolsawat, the deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Three people, clad in police attire complete with bulletproof vests and jackets, approached the tourists. They brandished police…

  • Pattaya paid sexual encounter turns to knife attack

    Pattaya paid sexual encounter turns to knife attack

    A tense altercation in Pattaya led to a violent encounter yesterday, November 30, when a dispute over time management in a paid sexual encounter resulted in an attempted knife attack. The victim, 36 year old Sarinya sustained minor injuries after a knife was used against her neck. The incident occurred at an unnamed apartment complex in Jomtien, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung,…

  • Four million young Thais hooked on online gambling, experts warn

    Four million young Thais hooked on online gambling, experts warn

    More than four million young Thais have been lured into the world of online gambling, a growing concern that experts warn could evolve into addiction, affecting their mental and physical health. This pressing issue was brought to light by Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, director of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation, during the annual conference of the Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) held recently…

  • Thai Airways secures 44 billion baht in share rights offering

    Thai Airways secures 44 billion baht in share rights offering

    The Government of Thailand announced plans to increase its investment in Thai Airways International (THAI) without reinstating the airline as a state enterprise. This decision was confirmed during a Cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira provided updates on the airline’s debt restructuring efforts. During the meeting, it was revealed that THAI anticipates raising approximately 44 billion…

  • Why Thailand has become an important tech hub in Asia

    Why Thailand has become an important tech hub in Asia

    Thailand, traditionally famous for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and busy tourism industry, now shines in the tech world. In recent times, the country quickly changed into a major technology hub in Asia. This transformation attracts investors, startups, and large global tech companies. What has turned Thailand into a tech rising star? Let’s find out. Thailand’s Strategic Place in Asia…

  • Pathum Thani: Sedan caught in fiery crash due to broken streetlight

    Pathum Thani: Sedan caught in fiery crash due to broken streetlight

    A malfunctioning streetlight led to a dangerous accident when a car veered off the road and collided with a guardrail before catching fire. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 29 at 10.30pm, when Singhachalee, a deputy inspector from Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani, received reports of a car crash involving a sedan that burst into flames. The accident occurred…

  • Up in flames: Bangkok house fire claims life of 50 year old man

    Up in flames: Bangkok house fire claims life of 50 year old man

    A devastating house fire claimed the life of a 50 year old man in Bangkok when flames engulfed his home and spread to neighboring properties. The incident occurred yesterday, November 29 at 3.28pm, sparking panic and a swift response from local fire services. The blaze broke out in a two-story, semi-concrete and wooden house located in Soi Bang Waek 104,…

  • Towering wave sweeps Russian woman into sea on Koh Samui

    Towering wave sweeps Russian woman into sea on Koh Samui

    A towering wave measuring 5 to 6 metres swept a Russian woman off the rocks at a Koh Samui viewpoint and into the sea, where she vanished. Efforts to rescue her proved futile due to the intense sea conditions. The Bo Phut Police Station communication centre in Surat Thani province received an urgent report about a tourist being pulled into…

  • Thai woman stabbed in Pattaya, foreign suspect still at large

    Thai woman stabbed in Pattaya, foreign suspect still at large

    A Thai woman, between 30 and 40 years old, was reportedly stabbed in the neck by a foreign man in Jomtien, Pattaya. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 28, on the fourth floor of a building located in Soi Welcome. Police are actively pursuing the suspect, who managed to flee the scene before their arrival. Pattaya police were informed of…