South Thailand News
Southern Thailand news, Phuket news, Koh Samui news, and Krabi updates—stay informed on business, tourism, and local events from Trang, Songkhla, Yala, and beyond. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Southern Thailand news source.
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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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Russian arrested for illegal vehicle rental business in Thailand
The Thai authorities’ crackdown on foreigners working illegally in Thailand continued yesterday when a 21 year old Russian national was apprehended on Koh Pha Ngan island in Surat Thani for running an illegal vehicle rental business. The Russian, Danil Kulnevnich, was nabbed yesterday, March 12, by a joint team of tourist police, local police and officials at a pier in…
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Trang couple’s 70-year love story ends in joint funeral
A touching tale of enduring love comes to light as a couple from Trang Province, Thailand, passed away just two days apart after sharing seven decades of life together. The couple’s grand funeral rites, a testament to their inseparable bond, were held yesterday, with generations of family and friends in attendance to bid them farewell. Ninety-two-year old Kleuon Kaewklang, and…
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Manhunt for TikTok star’s ex after grim find in Thai temple pond
Authorities launched a manhunt for the ex-partner of a TikTok star after her body was discovered in an abandoned pond at a well-known temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The gruesome discovery was made yesterday, prompting an immediate police investigation into the murder of the 32 year old influencer, Thuzar Aung, known by her nickname, Sa. Residents alerted the police…
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Pipe bomb attack rocks coffee shop in southern Thailand
A gas station coffee shop in Pattani province, southern Thailand, became the target of a harrowing pipe bomb assault where five individuals were injured including a two year old boy. Upon meticulous scrutiny of CCTV footage, authorities unveiled a disturbing sequence of events. Four assailants, mounted on motorcycles, clandestinely approached the gas station’s rear road. Two of them, riding pillion,…
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European travellers send southern Thailand’s hotel rates soaring
Southern Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a seismic shift as European travellers drive hotel performance to unprecedented heights. A recent report by the Bangkok Post reveals that tourists hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Germany are flocking to the region, enticed by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and significantly boosting occupancy rates to a staggering 90% or higher. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, former president…
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American woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan
Police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Koh Phra Ngan Police Station, and district office raided a rented house on a coconut plantation on the island which…
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Drug dealing British backpacker celebrated wedding days before arrest
Andrew Brett, the British backpacker arrested for drug dealing in Koh Tao was reported to have just celebrated his wedding to a Thai-born wife just days before he was apprehended. The British man’s distraught parents, John and Ann, expressed profound disbelief as news of their son’s arrest shattered the blissful memories of the recently concluded nuptials. “We haven’t been told…
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Thai woman arrested for procuring sexual assault of niece
Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Police arrested a Thai woman in Bangkok yesterday for orchestrating the sexual assault of her 11 year old niece on behalf of her boyfriend, whom she met on a dating app. The report of the sexual assault in the southern province of Chumphon attracted public attention last month after her father…
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Thailand unveils new culinary gem: Koh Yao sea cucumber
Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) unveiled the coveted Koh Yao sea cucumber, freshly adorned with a prestigious geographical indication (GI) stamp. Hailing from the picturesque district of Koh Yao, nestled in Phang Nga province, these sea cucumbers boast a journey from earthen ponds to dining tables, brimming with local expertise. Crafted with indigenous knowledge and wisdom, the Koh Yao…
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Government lottery draw unveils six million baht prize in Songkhla
The latest draw of the Thai government lottery, held today, March 1 has been announced by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) with the results just released in Songkhla province. Participants can now check if their tickets have won prizes, including the coveted first prize, three-digit, and two-digit numbers, as well as numerous other rewards. The first prize, a staggering 6…
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Thai govt’s plan to transform southern provinces into tourist hub
The Thai government has committed to transforming the country’s three southernmost provinces into global tourist attractions and increasing investment in this region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave this assurance during a three-day visit to Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala which concluded yesterday. According to the 62 year old Thai prime minister, the southernmost provinces possess the potential to rise as the…
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PM Srettha’s surprise visit to Yala province sparks tourist frenzy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, flanked by a cadre of ministers, paid a surprise visit to Yala Province yesterday, igniting a blaze of excitement aimed at boosting the region’s tourism. This high-stakes visit, part of an expansive tour spanning Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, aims to catapult Yala’s tourism sector into the stratosphere, setting a bold target of 2 million visitors, both…
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Portuguese man-o-war prompts swim warning in Songkhla
Dangerous Portuguese man-of-war sightings have led the authorities to caution tourists against swimming at Songkhla’s Chala That Beach. These jellyfish-like creatures, known as one of the world’s deadliest marine species, have been spotted along the shoreline stretching from Singha Nakhon district to Mueang district. The ocean-dwelling creature is known to have caused harm to several tourists who encountered them. Songkhla…
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Krabi national park makes astonishing revenue in tourism boom
In less than four months, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi has become a gold mine, pulling in nearly 300,000,000 baht in entry fees from over 126,000 tourists. This meteoric rise in revenue dwarfs the previous fiscal year’s earnings, ringing in at 276 million baht. National park chief Yutthaphong Damsrisuk noted that the park has witnessed…
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Moroccan arrested for murder of Austrian DJ on Koh Pha-ngan
A Moroccan national was arrested for the murder of an Austrian DJ on Koh Pha-ngan yesterday. The suspect, 37 year old Anas Rakib stands accused in connection with the brutal murder of Austrian DJ Max Hartl in Surat Thani province. Hartl’s lifeless body was discovered on Thursday, February 22, a grim sight beside a quiet roadside, his features marred by…
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Universal Health Coverage expands to eight more provinces
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme is set to empower members with unprecedented healthcare options across eight additional provinces. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, heading the National Health Security Board, announced the green light for expanding the UHC digital health platform. This expansion encompasses provinces such as Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Phang Nga, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen,…
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Thai man arrested for selling rare macaques on Facebook
A Thai man was apprehended in the Na Yong district of Trang yesterday for allegedly peddling macaques on Facebook. The operation, led by officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, uncovered a live macaque stashed inside 26 year old Wutthichai Tunrat’s pickup truck. Wutthichai faces serious charges including trading protected wildlife without permission and illegal possession of wild…
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Landlord turns himself in after shooting gas store clerk in Songkhla
A 22 year old landlord surrendered to the police after a shocking incident where he allegedly shot an employee of a gas store with a shotgun, critically injuring the victim. The gunman’s attack occurred at the gas store on Thung Ree Road, in the municipal area of Khor Hong district, Songkhla province. In a strategic move to evade officers of…
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Thai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13
A Thai man addicted to drugs crashed his pickup into a roadside pavilion in the Sadao district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to 13 other pupils. Officers from Sadao Police Station were alerted to the fatal car accident at about 11am yesterday, February 21. The accident took place when…
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Southern Thailand sees room revenue surge due to European visitors
Southern provinces of Thailand are experiencing a boost in room revenue in the first quarter, thanks to extended stays by European visitors. This increase has occurred despite the lesser number of tourists from China. Room rates have reached a new high, setting a record. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, the ex-president of the Tourism Council of Phangnga predicted the surge. “The first quarter…
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World’s second-worst deep-fried delight a blessing?
In the bustling Saturday night market of Phiman subdistrict, Satun’s Mueang district, a fried silkworm vendor stands proudly behind her sizzling cauldron of the world’s second-worst dish. The vendor, Patcharee Thongprasom, revealed that since the TasteAtlas verdict hit the headlines, it’s been raining customers. “Before, I’d shift around 2 kilogrammes a night. Now? Doubled to a whopping 4 kilos!” For…
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Ancient boat unearthed near Krabi’s Khlong Thom District
The discovery of a well-preserved ancient wooden boat found buried along the canal’s banks has captivated the local community in Khlong Thom, Krabi province. The boat is believed to be connected to the same historical period as the famous Khlong Thom beads, dating back some 1,800 years. Villagers stumbled upon the ancient vessel buried in the soil along the canal bank…
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DSI seizes 10 million baht in uncertified goods in southern Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid today in the warehouse of a renowned online merchant in Yala province, seizing over 10 million baht worth of uncertified goods. The operation was led by Chayaphon Saitawee, the director of the Special Case Operations Center in the Southern Border Provinces. The DSI, alongside the administrative officials of Mueang Yala District…
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Songkhla sings new tune: Lifting bus restrictions could drive cross-border travel
Songkhla province is considering lifting restrictions on foreign-registered buses, potentially allowing them to cross provincial boundaries. The move aims to attract more visitors, predominantly from Malaysia, to explore other scenic destinations in southern Thailand, reveals a local tourism authority. President of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, Charoon Kaewwaveesub, disclosed today that Songkhla, in collaboration with the local land transport office, has…
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Trang single mother of nine faces dire straits on 200 baht a day
Battling against overwhelming odds, a 30 year old single mother, identified only by her nickname Dam, shoulders the responsibility of caring for nine lives in a cramped rental home in Trang province. Her household includes her five children, two siblings with support needs, and a nephew. The family’s struggle is compounded by a meagre income, making their daily survival a…
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Activist Surachai declared missing by Thai court after fleeing to exile
A court in Nakhon Si Thammarat officially declared activist Surachai Danwattananusorn missing, igniting concerns over his fate after years of silence since his exile in Laos in 2018. The ruling, delivered on Monday, grants his wife, Pranee Danwattananusorn, the authority to handle his assets, shedding light on the ordeal endured by his family in the absence of any trace of…
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Valentine’s veteran: Krabi man seals 14th marriage, aiming for happy ever after
A 69 year old Thai man in the southern province of Krabi signed a marriage certificate for the 14th time this Valentine’s Day and hoped his current wife would be the final chapter of his love saga after 13 unlucky attempts. Mueang Krabi District Office held a special Valentine’s Day event at the province’s popular tourist attraction Klonh Root, also…
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British tourist’s body found in Cheow Lan Dam after intense search
A British tourist’s body surfaced at Cheow Lan Dam three days after the individual went missing, prompting expressions of gratitude from the British Embassy for the search efforts. The 24 year old, along with friends, had embarked on a kayaking trip from their accommodation at the Kraisorn Resort in Khao Sok National Park‘s protection Unit 7 (Kraisorn) area near the…
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Valentine trend: Banknote bouquets outsell roses in Trang
Valentine’s Day in Trang witnessed an innovative gifting trend that has captured the hearts of many: beautifully crafted bouquets made not only with traditional roses but also with chocolate and banknotes. At Ari Flower Shop on Jermpanya Road, in the Thap Thiang district of Trang, the owner and her team are busy preparing these unique bouquets for the season of…
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South Thailand: Volunteer killed, four injured in Thai insurgent ambush
In a tragic turn just days after peace negotiations resumed, a roadside explosion in the Janae district of Thailand’s Narathiwat province yesterday killed a defence volunteer and left four others with serious injuries. The volunteers, aboard an armoured pickup truck bound for the Chang Phuek Tambon Administrative Organisation, fell victim to insurgents’ treachery along Road 4217 in Ban Kumoong village.…
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