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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9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thai police crackdown on human smuggling network
Police announced the arrest of a network smuggling Chinese and foreign nationals through Thailand to third countries. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau confirmed that an engineer at a construction project holds a valid temporary work visa, not a student visa as previously reported. Yesterday, April 29, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai, an assistant to the…
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Bangkok Bank speeds up yuan transfers to boost China trade
Bangkok Bank has launched an expedited yuan transfer service aimed at reducing costs and enhancing trade with China. Pipat Assawamongkol, assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, announced that the bank now offers faster yuan transfers after receiving approval from China’s central bank to use the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System). The system allows direct transfers to CIPS member…
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Woman killed by ex-husband in Chon Buri knife attack
A 51 year old woman was killed after her ex-husband stabbed her eight times in a fit of rage at her rental home in Bo Win, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province. The suspect, 50 year old Den, who was also injured after attempting to take his own life, was rushed to Laem Chabang Hospital for treatment. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanoknan…
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Monkey mayhem: Nearly 300 sterilised in Lopburi crackdown
It’s monkey business no more in Lopburi as wildlife officials stepped in to snip the chaos—literally. In a bid to ease tensions between humans and monkeys, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has captured and sterilised 299 monkeys in Chai Badan district, Lopburi province. The operation, which ran from April 24-29, is part of a wider…
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Ukrainian woman vanishes after trashing Phuket condo
A Ukrainian woman disappeared after causing extensive damage to a condominium unit in Phuket, resulting in losses exceeding 350,000 baht for the owner. The Thai owner of the unit, Praphaphan Meesomboon, shared images of the devastation on Facebook today, April 30. She posted several photos of the wrecked room along with a caption that read… “A lesson learned for all…
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Man arrested in Songkhla after 11 years evading life sentence
A 43 year old man was arrested in Songkhla at a hospital in Kho Hong subdistrict, Hat Yai district, after evading a life sentence for over 11 years. The arrest was made following a warrant issued by Thung Song Provincial Court on December 17, 2014, for a crime committed on January 6, 2005, in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The incident…
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Child’s play turns to ash: Toy factory fire sparks 10 million baht loss
A fire erupted at a children’s toy warehouse shortly after the owner left, causing damage estimated at over 10 million baht, though fortunately, the blaze did not spread to adjacent warehouses. The incident occurred at approximately 6.30pm yesterday, April 29, at Tiny Lion Co., Ltd., located in Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province. The company specialises in distributing children’s…
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Thai agriculture minister boosts lychee farming in Nakhon Phanom
Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat yesterday visited a major lychee farm in Nakhon Phanom province to observe the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing high-value agricultural products and services. Accompanied by Anongnat Jakaew, the agriculture minister’s secretary, and a team of officials, she engaged with local farmers to understand their challenges. The Uthai Rasmilichit Nakhon Phanom 1 lychee variety is a…
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How to hack Thailand’s May holidays for a 10-day break
Get ready to pack your bags—May is shaping up to be a jackpot month for long holidays, and if you play your cards right, you could be lounging for 10 days straight. Hot on the heels of April’s Songkran break, May brings another wave of public holidays that offer golden opportunities for extended rest, road trips or relaxing staycations. Whether…
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Ninja thief with long criminal record arrested while hiding under bed
A Thai man, infamously dubbed the ninja thief, attempted to evade arrest by hiding beneath a bed in an apartment in Pathum Thani province but failed. Several victims of the ninja thief, identified as 22 year old Korraphak, sought assistance from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet. They reported to Gun that Korraphak had committed crimes over 20 times, yet remained…
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Thailand electricity bills to drop as summer rates slashed
Good news for energy-strapped Thai households and businesses—your next electricity bill might finally give your wallet a break. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is expected to unveil a revised electricity tariff rate today, April 30, that will bring down costs for millions across the country. The adjustment, known as the Fuel Tariff (Ft) rate, is likely to drop from 4.15…
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AOT opens 30 billion baht airport land for private investment
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is inviting private investment to develop 2,500 rai of land surrounding six major airports, with an estimated project value nearing 30 billion baht. The initiative aims to transform these areas into new economic hubs and enhance service quality and safety. Pavina Chariyathitipong, Acting President of AOT and Deputy Executive Vice President of Engineering and Construction,…
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Chinese men accuse Thai official of extortion and illegal watch seizure
Two Chinese nationals accused Thai Customs officials of extortion and unlawful luxury watch seizure at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on August 4 last year. The alleged corruption by the Thai officials came to light after the news-focused X (formerly Twitter) account, Red Skull, shared the story on April 28. The account reportedly obtained the details from a man whose two Chinese…
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Man and homemade boat vanish after crash in Nonthaburi canal
A 51 year old man, who had crafted a two-section boat for racing, took it out for a leisurely ride in a canal and tragically disappeared along with the vessel. Witnesses reported seeing the boat speeding and crashing into a pier. Yesterday, April 29, at 2pm, police from Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, responded to a report of a boat…
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Khon Kaen restaurant faces closure over illegal hours and drug use
Police in Khon Kaen raided a well-known restaurant after receiving complaints about its operation beyond legal hours and the involvement of youths in drug activities. The venue, Foryou, on Ruenrom Road in Mueang district, which allegedly served alcohol from 2am to 1pm daily, has been proposed for a five-year closure. During the raid yesterday, April 29, officers led by Deputy Superintendent Police…
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Arsenic contamination in Chiang Mai’s Kok River sparks testing
The testing of aquatic animals and agricultural produce is underway in Chiang Mai following the arsenic contamination of the Kok River. Police have issued warnings against using the river water for daily consumption and food preparation. Yesterday, April 29, at Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, deputy governor Siwako Buaphong attended an online meeting with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and…
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Thai man arrested for murder commits suicide in police custody
A Thai man committed suicide while in police custody after being arrested for the murder of his girlfriend in a rented room in the central province of Chanthaburi. The victim’s younger sister, 22 year old Suphitchama Thatchaiyaphum, filed a missing person report at Na Yai Am Police Station on April 27, stating that her sister, 30 year old Anyika Sonsert,…
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Pattaya blitzes illegal signs and sidewalk squatters citywide
Pattaya’s sidewalks just got a little less cluttered and some business owners a lot more nervous. City officials are ramping up their campaign to reclaim public space under the slogan Done, Doing, and Continuing—for Pattaya, with municipal officers hitting the streets to remove illegal signage and unauthorised structures. The latest sweep took place yesterday, April 29, in Jomtien, where businesses…
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Thailand video news | Taxi blocks ambulance, causing patient’s death in Phuket, ‘Family holiday’ revealed as drug trafficking operation
This week in Thailand and Southeast Asia, tragedy struck in Phuket as a blocked ambulance led to a patient’s death, while a supposed family trip was exposed as a drug-smuggling convoy. Viral incidents involving unruly tourists in Pattaya and Phuket reignited scrutiny over visa-free travel policies. Amid the chaos, Thai locals earned praise for their compassion during a medical emergency…
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British ambassador issues cannabis warning in Phuket
British tourists lighting up in Thailand have been hit with a harsh reminder—bring cannabis home and you could face serious jail time. During an official visit to Phuket on Monday, April 28, British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding urged Thai officials to continue warning tourists that cannabis remains strictly illegal in the UK. The message was delivered during a meeting…
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Nakhon Phanom man credits lottery win to sacred numbers
A 51 year old man from Nakhon Phanom visited the Ruesi Nen Hermitage in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province to offer a pumpkin to revered Grandfather Ruesi Prommeth after winning a lottery prize. The man credited his success to numbers he saw in a sacred water basin at the hermitage. Yesterday, April 29, a vibrant atmosphere was reported at the…
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Thai Cabinet mulls 10,000 baht handout under pressure
The Thai Cabinet will discuss the third phase of the government’s 10,000 baht handout at its meeting next week, with the rollout planned for May to June. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the schedule remains unchanged. “Everything is well prepared, and no changes have been made.” Approved last month as part of a larger economic stimulus package, this…
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Hungarian man attacked by Pattaya transwoman over unpaid service
A Thai transwoman and her friend attacked a Hungarian man outside a bar in Pattaya in the early hours of today, April 30, after he allegedly failed to pay for entertainment services. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to a physical assault at 12.16am. The incident occurred outside a bar in Soi Pattaya Beach 12. The assailants had…
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Man arrested for bag snatching to fund online gambling habit
A 47 year old man was arrested by police at Rattanathibet Police Station for snatching a bag to fund online gambling. His mother publicly chastised the suspect, Navi, emphasising she never raised her son to be a criminal, despite his unemployment. Investigations began on April 27 when a 25 year old Myanmar national, Nan Mu Aw Kon, reported a theft…
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Retired police general in Bangkok hit-and-run incident
A retired police general was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a luxury car and a motorcycle near the entrance of Kluaynamthai Hospital on Rama 4 Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok. The incident occurred at 11pm on April 27. The driver fled towards Phra Khanong intersection, where vigilant locals managed to stop him. The area falls under the…
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Transport ministry proposes MRT Act changes for 20-baht flat fare
The Ministry of Transport is set to propose changes to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Act during a special session of the House of Representatives next month. This aligns with the introduction of a 20-baht flat fare for the electric railway system planned for September. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated yesterday, April 29, that the ministry is finalising a…
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Foreign man injured after falling on jet ski while parasailing in Phuket
A foreign man sustained a leg injury after falling onto a jet ski during a parasailing activity off Patong Beach in Phuket. The Kusoltam Patong Rescue Foundation was called to assist the man, whose nationality and identity were not disclosed, at 2.19pm, yesterday, April 29, on Patong Beach. The man reportedly fell while parasailing, although the height from which he…
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Concrete slab from old overpass kills driver in Bangkok
A concrete slab fell from an older overpass onto a pickup truck, injuring the driver yesterday on the outbound side of Rama 2 Road in Bangkok. The incident, not related to the new bridge construction, prompted immediate action to assist the injured party. The accident occurred around 8am, yesterday, April 29, when concrete debris fell from an old overpass connecting Krathum…
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Trumped up trouble puts brakes on Thailand’s car industry
Thailand’s car industry is veering off course, with annual production now expected to skid below target thanks to Washington’s punishing tariffs and a domestic market bogged down by debt and rejected loans. Thailand’s automotive engine is spluttering, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) warning that this year’s car production is set to fall short of its 1.5 million-unit goal,…
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