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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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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Last call for change: Businesses push to end 2-5pm booze ban
Hotels and businesses selling alcohol have urged the government to abolish the restriction on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. They argue that this regulation is outdated and no longer relevant. This request coincides with the progression of a bill amending the alcohol beverages control law, which is poised to advance to its second and third readings in the House…
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Sleeping Indian tourists in viral Pattaya video were migrants
A viral video that took social media by storm last week, allegedly showing Indian tourists snoozing on Pattaya Beach, has been debunked. The supposed tourists were, in fact, migrants. The controversial video, widely shared online, drew heavy criticism after it appeared to capture over 100 Indian tourists taking over a tract of Pattaya Beach. They were filmed setting up impromptu…
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Foreign woman rescued after six hours floating off Krabi coast
Thai fishermen rescued a foreign woman who had been floating in the middle of the sea for six hours in the southern province of Krabi yesterday, February 10. A Thai woman, Arun, reported to the community leader in Krabi’s Khlong Thom district that one of her employees found a foreign woman floating in the sea about 6 kilometres from Koh…
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Aeroflot flight makes emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport
A Moscow-bound Aeroflot flight turned into a mid-air ordeal after a landing gear malfunction forced the aircraft to circle over the Andaman Sea for hours before making an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Aeroflot Flight SU277, a Boeing 777-300ER carrying 346 people, took off from Phuket Airport at 3.20pm yesterday, February 10. Shortly after departure, the nose gear…
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Naomi Campbell discusses Thai fashion industry boost with PM
Former supermodel Naomi Campbell engaged in discussions with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, February 10, aiming to elevate Thailand’s presence in the global fashion industry by fostering the development of supermodels and fashion. Campbell’s meeting with the prime minister at the Government House focused on strategies to position Thailand as a leading nation for supermodels and a hub for…
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4 foreign hackers behind 560 million baht malware scam arrested in Phuket
Royal Thai Police (RTP) arrested four foreign hackers who fled Switzerland to evade arrest warrants to hide in Phuket after operating a malware scam that defrauded more than 1,000 victims, causing total losses of over US$16 million, or approximately 560 million baht. Swiss officials sought cooperation from the RTP to extradite the four malware scammers back to Switzerland for further legal…
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Bangkok bus skids on oil, crashes into electric pole cable (video)
A Bangkok public bus, route 167, encountered an oil slick on the road, causing it to lose control while navigating a curve. The incident occurred today, February 11, at 12.20am near the Maihai Sawan intersection in Thon Buri, Bangkok. The bus veered off course and collided with a high-voltage electric pole’s support cable, lifting its front wheels over 3 metres…
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Roi Et Airport to expand runway amid passenger growth
The Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Airports (DoA) to redevelop Roi Et Airport following a rise in annual passenger numbers. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri approved the upgrade after inspecting the airport in the northeastern province yesterday, February 10. During the inspection, security measures and equipment at the airport were assessed to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation…
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NBTC dials in: Biometric crackdown rings alarm for SIM scammers
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is cracking down on unauthorised SIM cards and online scams with the introduction of stringent biometric authentication for SIM card registration. This move targets dodgy SIM dealers, who now face hefty penalties if caught flouting the rules. These new measures are set to shake up the mobile subscriber landscape in Thailand, where over…
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House committee sparks crackdown on e-cigarettes in schools
The House committee is demanding tough new measures to tackle the troublesome issue of e-cigarettes, amidst growing concern over their widespread use among schoolchildren. In a stark warning, Opas Almaseri, spokesperson for the House Standing Committee on E-Cigarette Regulation, revealed alarming reports showing that these gadgets are cunningly marketed to the youth. Despite a firm ban on e-cigarettes in Thailand,…
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Pattaya locals demand action after stray dog attacks 10 year old Thai girl
Locals demanded a sustainable solution for stray dogs at the Eastern National Sports Training Centre in Pattaya after one savage hound severely attacked a 10 year old Thai girl on Saturday, February 8. The 10 year old victim, Kanom Pang, was attending the Burapha Bike Week event with her father at the Eastern National Sports Training Centre. She and her…
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WHAUP dives deep with ambitious plans to cash in on digital age
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), the utility titan of WHA Corp, Thailand’s industrial land giant, is making waves with its bold ambition to rake in a staggering 35 billion baht by 2030. Their strategy? Riding the crest of the digital age by tapping into the surging demand for water in the burgeoning data centre sector. With data centres consuming colossal…
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Three-legged dog saves owner from slithering cobra (video)
A remarkable tale of heroism has gripped the hearts of many after a three-legged dog named Sato fearlessly confronted a cobra that slithered into its owner’s home. Risking his own life, Sato emerged as the saviour of the day, narrowly escaping blindness after a venom spray landed dangerously close to his eyes. The incident, today, February 10, has since gone…
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Kenyan man flees call centre scam gang in Myanmar to Thailand
A Kenyan man fled a brutal assault by a call centre scam gang in Myanmar and sought help from Thai residents in the Phop Phra district of Tak province yesterday, February 9. Officers from Phop Phra Police Station and residents assisted the 30 year old Kenyan man, Jame Opunde Amunga, who escaped from Myawaddy, Myanmar. He arrived at a local…
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Martin D-300 guitar strums 10.22 million baht chord in Thailand
Music Collection, Thailand’s famed musical emporium, has hit a chord with guitar aficionados after revealing the sky-high pre-order price of their Martin D-300 acoustic guitar. The rare gem, heralded as one of the world’s most sought-after acoustic instruments, has been snapped up at a tune-worthy cost of 10.22 million baht, leaving the music community in a tizzy. In a Facebook…
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Monk’s stroll with women on Jomtien Beach raises concerns
A monk was photographed walking with a woman on Jomtien Beach, sparking debate over the appropriateness of the situation. The photos, taken by a local yesterday, February 9, show the pair enjoying the sunset, raising questions about the monk’s authenticity. The monk, estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old, was accompanied by three women 35 to 60 years…
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Thai girl reunited with Swiss hero who saved her life in car accident
A 15 year old Thai girl expressed her gratitude to a Swiss man who saved her from a road accident in the Isaan province of Buriram last year. The 46 year old Thai woman, Rattanaporn, and her 15 year old daughter, Piyathida, had been searching for the foreign man who helped Piyathida after the accident last year. With the help of…
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Man arrested in Bangkok for home thefts using motorbike (video)
A 45 year old Thai man was apprehended by the police on February 8 for allegedly climbing into homes and committing theft for personal gain. This arrest followed an investigation after a social media page, อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้รีเทิร์น sought assistance with a case involving a thief on a motorcycle, suspected in two separate incidents. The investigation, led by Police Major General Siam…
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Trump’s metal meltdown: Steel yourself for the latest tariff tiff
Donald Trump announced his intention to impose a steep 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, a move that promises to heat up trade tensions and could potentially throw a spanner in the works for America’s key trading relationships. Chatting with reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday, February 9, the US president confirmed that these…
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Thai man arrested for smuggling 290 litres of diesel to Myanmar
A man was apprehended for attempting to smuggle nearly 300 litres of diesel fuel across the Thai-Myanmar border to Payathonzu, claiming it was intended for his mother-in-law without seeking payment. Police Colonel Paitoon Sriwilai from Sangkhla Buri Police Station revealed the arrest today, February 10, after the National Security Council ordered power cuts in the border area linked to illegal…
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Taxi hijacking attempt ends in crash on Phahonyothin Road
A man attempted to steal a taxi he hired while en route to Nakhon Ratchasima, leading to a crash with a container truck. The incident occurred today, February 10, at 5.30am, prompting police to review CCTV footage to locate the suspect. Officers from the Nong Khae Police Station’s Hin Kong sub-branch in Saraburi province received reports of a car accident involving a…
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Witnesses overturn car to save motorcyclist who later dies in hospital
Nearly 20 Thai, Burmese, and foreign witnesses worked together to overturn a sedan to save a motorcyclist who was trapped beneath the vehicle on a road in Phuket yesterday, February 9. They successfully retrieved the rider but he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The Phuket Times shared a touching video showing a group of people working hard to…
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Thai police crackdown on app scam, seizing nearly 1 million baht
The Crime Suppression Division launched Operation AOC Case targeting the money-syphoning app scam. The operation dismantled a criminal network posing as close friends to trick victims into clicking links and entering personal information, resulting in nearly 1 million baht in stolen funds. Today, February 10, Police Major General Wichaya Sriprasertphap, head of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered the arrest of…
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Thailand’s air quality safe, Bangkok records lowest PM2.5 levels
In a rare twist of atmospheric fate, Thailand basked in pristine air quality this morning, with every province being given the green light for clean air by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Foremost among them, bustling Bangkok boasted the lowest levels of ultrafine dust in the nation, marking a refreshing change for the capital known for its…
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Digital wallet scheme’s third phase to start in second quarter
The third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet distribution initiative is set to start in the second quarter of the year, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Pichai, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, mentioned that the system for fund distribution is undergoing testing this month and is expected to be fully operational in time for the…
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Pattaya’s paradise stinks as tourists take toilet troubles seaside
Pattaya’s picturesque seaside spot, typically teeming with tourists seeking seaside breezes and a tipple, now smells more like a toilet after tourists resorted to pooping and peeing in public. Reports have surfaced of visitors, both Thai and foreign, resorting to relieving themselves, quite literally, in places more suited to parking than plumbing. Pattaya News reported today, February 10, on an…
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Jealous Thai man sets fire to ex-wife’s boyfriend leading to fatality
A jealous Thai man set fire to his ex-wife’s boyfriend in a temple parking lot in Bangkok on Friday, February 8, leading to the victim’s death. Officers from Bang Pongpang Police Station and rescuers from the Poe Teck Tung Foundation rushed to the Dokmai Temple’s car park after reports of a fire. Upon arrival, they found a Suzuki pickup ablaze, with…
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Thai officials foil Myanmar solar panel, fuel smuggling attempts
Security personnel in the western province of Tak intercepted attempts to smuggle solar panels and fuel into Myanmar yesterday, February 9. This comes amid a Thai government directive to halt power and fuel exports to three Myanmar border towns, following a request from Chinese agencies concerned about scam operations targeting Chinese citizens. In the first incident, a patrol comprising soldiers,…
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Thai man goes on mall rampage over forgotten phone password
A mentally ill Thai man went on a rampage at a shopping mall in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after a worker at an iCare store was unable to repair his phone because he could not remember his Apple ID password. A video of the incident was shared by several media outlets, showing his violent behaviour at the iCare…
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Yingluck Shinawatra’s return to Thailand faces unresolved issues
Efforts to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Thailand continue, as her brother, Thaksin, indicates that several considerations must still be addressed before her possible return. Thaksin initially committed to her return during an interview last November, suggesting it could occur around this year’s Songkran festival. The 75 year old former PM expressed optimism regarding the…
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