Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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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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Tears and bridges: TikTok tale of 20-year reunion reveals homeless friend’s tragic journey from loss to living under a bridge
A TikTok user recently shared a heart-rending story of his reunion with a long-lost friend, after 20 years. The individual was left visibly shocked at the condition of his friend who is disabled, homeless, and forced to live under a bridge after losing his home to a train. The user, who goes by the account name @dyb0u0wv8t8l, captured the heart-breaking…
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Online fraudsters prompt Thailand’s DES Minister to call for halt on unauthorised bank transactions
Thailand’s Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) strongly urged banks to halt unauthorised transactions following a request by their customers. This suggests an effort to mitigate the financial damages inflicted by online fraudsters on unsuspecting victims. The directive comes in light of the recent enactment of the Royal Decree on Cyber Crime Prevention and Suppression, which came into effect…
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Thai tourism embraces easier visa rules, faster approvals for Chinese tourists
In a move geared towards promoting Thai tourism, the government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors. Chinese travellers emerged as the majority of international arrivals over the past week, the deputy government spokeswoman, Rachada Dhnadirek, confirmed yesterday. Statistics displayed that 95,581 visitors from China arrived in…
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Facebook user shares sole-ful scare as child’s shoe gets trapped in escalator incident in Thailand
A Facebook user, operating under the moniker of Tuk Tuk, shared a heart-stopping experience involving their child’s shoe becoming stuck in an escalator incident. Unbeknownst to the parents, the child made several failed attempts to retrieve the shoe before the kid managed to detach his foot at the last moment, marking a tense and alarming episode of the escalator accident.…
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Central Retail and Ant Group introduce Alipay+ for Asian tourists in Thailand
Central Retail Corporation Limited (CRC) in collaboration with Ant Group has introduced Alipay+, a comprehensive international digital payment platform. The service launched by Piyawan Leelasompop, Deputy Managing Director of Marketing at CRC, facilitates seamless transactions for Asian tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea through their existing local mobile wallets. The tie-up with Ant Group will enable visitors…
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Thailand’s data centre sector poised for explosive growth with global tech titans and cloud nine prospects
In a surge of digital enthusiasm, Thailand’s data centre industry is set to experience substantial expansion within the next two years, thanks to the arrival of worldwide tech giants and cloud service providers. This prediction comes from ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Thailand) (STT GDC Thailand), a dominant player in hyper-scale data operations. STT GDC Thailand, a fruitful joint venture…
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Skateboard skirmish between foreigner and police sparks stir at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok (video)
A fracas erupted at Don Mueang International Airport as a foreign man attempted to assault a police officer with a skateboard, resulting in a significant online reaction. The skateboard incident occurred yesterday according to a video posted by TikTok user @angpao.cn. Clip via TikTok user @angpao.cn The clip, which rapidly stirred up an online storm, shows a foreign national assumed…
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Dead body of Chinese man found in wastewater pond in Rayong, police reel in murder probe
A security guard discovered the dead body of a Chinese man floating in the Bueang Pradit Wastewater Treatment Pond in the Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong. Police suspect he was murdered as severed wounds were found on the body. The security guard stumbled upon the dead body of the Chinese man, 30 year old…
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Thai woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest
A Thai woman rescued 19 puppies that were abandoned near a roadside forest in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu. The animal lover is now looking for new homes for the abandoned puppies. The compassionate woman shared pictures of the black and light brown coloured puppies on a Facebook group on Tuesday, August 8, in the hope of finding…
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Thai fruit and coconut exports to China boosted by FTA benefits
The popularity of Thai fruit was evident throughout the initial five months of this year, reflected through the leverage of free trade agreement (FTA) benefits by exporters. Most notably, shipments destined towards China signalled a greater propensity. The Director-General of the Foreign Trade Department, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, highlighted that durian, guava, mango and mangosteen were the favoured fruits amongst Chinese consumers,…
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Thai tycoon Prayudh Mahagitsiri sentenced in 400 million baht land scandal
In a recent surge against corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed the sentencing of Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a well-known tycoon, to two years and eight months imprisonment with the charge linked to an infamous land encroachment scandal. The judgement was passed by the Region 8, Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, who serves as the secretary-general of…
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Beach regulations: Pattaya considers time limits due to litter and noise surge
Escalating noise levels and litter are being reported on the popular beaches of Pattaya City. As a result, the city council is contemplating the introduction of strict timings for public access to these beaches, in line with the proposed beach regulations. Reports include disturbances from visitors who choose to extend their beach parties into the early hours of the morning.…
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Chaipattana fraud: Thai police nab 7 in 1.5 million baht foundation scam
Ten people suspected of running a sham investment scheme, donning the name of the distinguished Chaipattana Foundation, have been apprehended by the Thai police. The Chaipattana fraud team have caused havoc since 2021, deceiving their victims into believing they were investing in development projects in the Northeast region. The Chaipattana fraud revelation came from the police’s top boss, the Crime…
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Drug raid leads to the arrest of 40 individuals at high-end Bangkok birthday party
A high-end birthday party yesterday turned into a drug raid and saw the arrest of 40 young, affluent individuals at a hotel in the Ram Inthra district. Notably among them, 30 were detained and escorted to Chokchai Police Station for questioning. The suspects possessed four packages of crystal methamphetamine and a further 26 had tested positive for drug use. According…
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Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years
Immigration police officers arrested an Iraqi man in the central province of Kanchanaburi today after almost 15 years of overstaying in Thailand. As part of a concerted effort to root out illegal immigrants across the country, Thai authorities, led by the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau, meticulously investigated cases in each province. The meticulous operation led to the discovery…
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Tragic collision: Motorcycle and 18-wheeler in fatal Motorway 7 crash in Pattaya
A high-speed accident involving a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler resulted in a fatal crash on Motorway 7, according to on-site police investigations. Initial reports suggest the motorcyclist collided with the lorry without applying brakes, indicating high-speed travel. The accident occurred in the Nong Pla Lai district, in Pattaya, Chon Buri, and is now under detailed investigation. In the aftermath of…
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Police bust sex trafficking ring using minors in local karaoke shop
A karaoke shop in Nong Chai Si was raided by the Buriam Police today, following an investigation run by Jiraphop Phuridech on sex trafficking. The joint investigation with Buriam Provincial Police, Wivut Chaiaanghar, and Phumin Pumphantmuang, Deputy Provincial Police, led to the shocking discovery of a minor being exploited for sex trafficking. When the search was conducted at the Nong…
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Thai school changes Mother’s Day activity to support students living without mothers
Anuban Sri That school has chosen to abstain from organising traditional Mother’s Day activities this year. Instead, students have been encouraged to create cards to express their love and respect. The decision comes following the school’s exploration into the home lives of its enrollees, revealing that less than 30% of its students live with their mothers. The revised details of…
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Historic haul: Police nab notorious gas-cylinder thief in Nonthaburi
The historic region of Nonthaburi was the setting for a successful police operation, leading to the capture of a notorious gas-cylinder thief. The individual had been causing distress across the region with his exploits. The thief was eventually captured by a determined team comprising Police Captain Theeradech Thammasuthee, Assistant Police Colonel Woraphot Rungkrachang, and Assistant Police Colonel Patsadonai Karin, amongst…
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Thai PM affirms progress of Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation
Commendable strides have been achieved in the first five years of the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi), said Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He said intense innovation and research activity outlined the success of this endeavour. PM Prayut, alongside Interior Minister, Anupong Paojinda, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Labour Minister, Suchart Chomklin embarked on a…
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Prescription for progress: Thai institute’s medical faculty initiative tackles healthcare challenge
To address a national healthcare predicament, the Praboromarajchanok Institute (PI), a constituent of the Thailand Ministry of Public Health, laid out a blueprint to inaugurate its faculty of medicine. This move is expected to significantly contribute to the current deficit of medical professionals around the country. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, held a meeting with operative officials of…
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Monsoon mayhem: TMD predicts storms in Thailand over next 24 hours
The Thai Department of Meteorology (TMD) forecasts storms and weather conditions for the next 24 hours. The southwesterly monsoon currently sweeping over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is beginning to lose strength, while low-pressure areas continue to hover over Vietnam. Although rainfall is expected to lessen over Thailand, intense thunderstorms remain likely, particularly in northern and…
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Tooth and nail: Thailand’s health services strain as dental appointments delay
The lack of medical personnel in every department, coupled with the measly number of dentists has pushed health services to the brink in Thailand with patients finding themselves on the verge of collapse as dental appointments are pushed two years ahead. At 9am yesterday, a caregiver, who was accompanying an 11 year old boy for tooth decay treatment, shared this…
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Clear for takeoff: Thailand’s aviation adopts pay-to-fly models amid post-Covid revival
Thailand’s aviation industry is witnessing growth in pay-to-fly employment models after the struggle to regain its pre-Covid footing. In these arrangements, licensed pilots are required to pay more than 1.5 million baht (US$ 42,702) for training, a prerequisite to securing a job. This is happening against a backdrop of pilot salaries remaining below pre-pandemic levels due to a decrease in…
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Heartbreaking find: Newborn baby found dead in Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
A shocking discovery was made earlier today when a newborn baby was found dead floating in the Chao Phraya River near a pier. Local police are now searching for the individual who left the child. Khunakorn Kamsri, the Deputy Inquiry Official at Bawon Mongkol Police Station, says he was alerted to the incident at around 9.30am today. The dead body…
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Pedo teacher sexually assaults students under 15 years old, bigamously marries one pupil
The debauched actions of a pedophile school teacher have been exposed after the parents of one of his victims shed light on the alleged sex offender in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. The pedo teacher reportedly sexually assaulted more than 10 students under 15 years old while trying to cover his dirty deeds with cash. He even committed bigamy by…
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Tipco Foods executives fined by SEC for insider trading violation
A statement from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed the imposition of civil penalties on Tipco Foods Plc’s (TIPCO) chairwoman Laksana Supsakorn, and her colleague Sommart Dhupchinda. The two industry professionals were allegedly found guilty of jointly buying shares of a listed company using inside information. The SEC, which has used information provided by the Stock Exchange of Thailand…
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Quiet burglary in bustling Bangkok: Thief snatches valuables as family sleeps
In the heart of a quiet Bangkok residential area, a hushed invasion unfolded as a burglar stealthily moved through a household, stealing valuables with chilling precision while the homeowner, his partner and their one year old daughter slept soundly nearby. The homeowner, Anukul, a 30 year old factory engineer, woke on August 3 to find that his home, 13 Bang…
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Sacred wings: Thai Airways welcomes 2 new A350 models for modern travel
Thai International Airways (THAI) boosted its fleet with two newly blessed Airbus A350-900 aircraft designed for the modern traveller. The up-to-date design boasts private video touch screens on every seat. The Reverend Maha Ratchamongkol Muni, the assistant abbot of Wat Traimit Wittayaram, yesterday, August 9, presided over a blessing ceremony. These two latest additions to the portfolio of Thai Airways…
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Burger King Thailand implements expansion and menu-diversification strategy
In a strategic response to the expected decline of Chinese tourists to Thailand, Burger King (Thailand) Co., is revising its market approach. It plans to expand its food range to introduce more non-burger products. This strategy aims to invite a broader customer base and boost revenues. As per the company’s general manager, Tanawat Damnernthong, Burger King has plans to establish…
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