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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Yala craft beer uses Betong pomelo peel, garnering nationwide interest
A local craft beer originating in Yala province has gained popularity across Thailand due to its unique blend, which includes peel from the local Betong orange. The product’s demand consistently increased after being featured at Sol Bar. This bar is located at the headquarters of the Move Forward Party in Bangkok and is discussed heavily on social media platforms. The…
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Two women killed as motorbike swerves to avoid truck and is crushed by trailer
Two women were tragically killed when their motorcycle collided with a trailer after swerving to avoid a pick-up truck making a U-turn on a road in Sadao district of Thailand’s Songkhla province. The victims, believed to be Myanmar migrant workers who were 25 to 30 years old, were run over by the trailer. Between last night and this morning, officers…
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Drunken British man flings bicycle through glass door after mobile phone meltdown in Krabi
Police apprehended a British man who launched a bicycle into the glass door of a house on Koh Lanta, an island in Krabi province in southern Thailand. He admitted being intoxicated and angry after losing his mobile phone. A 20 year old Thai woman, Kanittha Kokyai, filed a complaint at Koh Lanta Police Station saying that a foreign man caused damage…
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Pattaya Police raid illegal karaoke bar, arrest owner and 5 Myanmar nationals
Pattaya City Police officers last night raided an unlicensed karaoke bar, catching five Myanmar nationals working there without the proper permits. The police have charged the bar’s caretaker and the five employees with various legal violations, including operating without official permission and selling alcohol unauthorised. During the operation, led by Surachet Eneksri, the deputy chief of Pattaya City Police Station,…
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Indian squatters run bar and rent rooms in abandoned Pattaya building
A 30 year old Thai man has filed a complaint with the Pattaya Police Station concerning an Indian national’s illegal occupation of a commercial building he owns. The man, who had not checked the building in five years, discovered a dance club and rental rooms inside the four-storey establishment. Upon investigation, police found a counter for the dance club and…
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Thai teen’s chilling confession to child murder due to non-stop crying
An 18 year old Thai man yesterday allegedly confessed to killing his sister-in-law’s two month old baby. The teenager said he did it because the baby would not stop crying. The two month old baby, Kantaphon “Nikhun” Kaesorn, was reported missing at 8am on Tuesday, June 6. Tragically, the baby was found dead in the canal in the Pak Kret…
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Kazakhstani gunman caught after shooting Russian in broad daylight in Phuket
Phuket International Airport authorities arrested the Kazakhstani gunman who shot a 44 year old Russian national in broad daylight. Artur Legey, the 49 year old suspect, was apprehended at the Phuket International Airport while preparing to flee. The victim was left critically injured in the incident that occurred outside a cafe in Thalang district, Phuket, yesterday. The Russian man, Dmitri Aleynikov,…
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Thai economy could face 36 billion baht hit from extreme weather
Extreme weather conditions, including drought and floods, could potentially inflict a 36 billion baht blow to Thailand‘s economy this year, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). Drought, in particular, is a significant concern as it may severely affect the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, further hindering the country’s already sluggish exports. “Manufacturers are worried about drought…
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THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023 achieves resounding success with impressive growth
Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023, concluded with outstanding results, surpassing expectations in terms of exhibitors, attendees, and international participation. The event took place between 23rd and 27th May, featuring 3,034 exhibitors from 45 countries and covering a vast 130,000 square metres of exhibition space. This represents significant growth compared to the previous…
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Elderly Thai woman duped by thieves in lottery and gold necklace scam
An elderly Thai woman was tricked by gold necklace thieves performing a scam lottery number ceremony at famous temple in Udon Thani, Thailand. The 75 year old victim lost a one-baht gold necklace worth 32,800 baht (US$993) to the criminals. A Sanook reporter visited Udon Thani’s Wat Phra Thaen yesterday at 3pm to investigate Mai Boonpha’s complaint. She claimed that…
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Thai man dozes off using GPS, crashes car into barrier, and dies
A 31 year old Thai man tragically lost his life after his car veered off course and collided with a barrier on a U-turn near Ban Mueang Luang in Chachoengsao province. The incident occurred at 3am this morning, and witnesses say the driver seemed to be dozing at the wheel prior to the crash. Police officer Dechrit Srikacha and a…
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140 Thai women lured into prostitution in Myanmar
The Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women revealed that the foundation is working to rescue 140 Thai women lured into prostitution in the Shan state of Myanmar. Some of the victims were forced to take drugs. Several Thai people employed in the Shan state urged the foundation and relevant Thai authorities to intervene and rescue these women. Some employees…
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Double vision: Young Thai-British girl fights diabetes and blindness to chase teaching dreams
A nine year old Thai-British girl battling diabetes and blindness is preparing to undergo eye surgery so she can fulfil her dreams of becoming a teacher in Ban Dung, Udon Thani, Thailand. The girl, Angel, admired for her cheerful nature, is loved by everyone in her village who wishes for a speedy recovery from her debilitating vision-threatening condition called diabetic…
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Chinese employee sacked for excessive loo breaks causes online debate
A Chinese employee was dismissed from his job due to spending up to six hours a day in the restroom, leading to a widely discussed court case. Despite citing chronic health issues as the reason for his frequent bathroom visits, a Chinese court ruled the dismissal as valid and the employee was not reinstated. The case dates back to 2015…
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Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver
A Chinese man, frustrated by a stranger repeatedly parking in his rented parking space, resorted to welding an iron barrier around the vehicle, demanding an apology before allowing it to be moved. The incident took place in Chaosheng in China’s Chaozhou province when the man, known as “Zasu”, found his space obstructed. Despite numerous requests to relocate the car, the…
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Thai tourism campaign targets secondary cities for foreign visitors boost
Thailand‘s Tourism Authority (TAT) has revealed a significant increase in international travellers visiting the country in the first five months of 2023, with a total of 10,568,485 visitors. In collaboration with Central Pattana Plc., TAT aims to promote local and alternative tourism destinations, targeting a shift in the proportion of travellers from major to secondary cities. During the first five…
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SET and AIMC to use class action law to protect investors amid Stark fraud probe
The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) are set to utilise class action law to safeguard investors’ interests as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) examines potential fraud involving former executives of Stark Corporation. Stark’s shares plummeted by approximately 90% after the SET allowed trading to resume on June 1, causing significant harm…
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Phuket shooting: Russian restauranteur targeted in daylight attack
The idyllic streets of Phuket were rocked today by a brutal act of violence as a man, believed to be a Russian restaurant owner, was shot inside his car outside a cafe. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood. Police rushed to the scene on Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay, where they discovered a blue…
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Election Commission to recommend vote recounts amid integrity concerns
In a new development on the Thai election, the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand is taking necessary measures to ensure the fairness of the recent general election. The EC plans to recommend vote recounts in certain party list constituencies after finding unused distributed voting cards. Furthermore, the EC is working to resolve over 280 disputes that question the validity of…
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Police Division 8 enhances gun training amid growing criminal confrontations
Thailand’s Police Division 8 enforces gun practice training for officers to effectively control situations involving criminals, as confrontations between police and criminals have seen a spike. The goal is to improve officers’ competence in handling weapons and their preparedness to face real-life scenarios. In recent times, conflicts between investigators and criminals have seen a sharp increase, which has caused concern…
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Superheroes gather at homemade pizza-burger joint for vibrant grand opening
Worldwide superheroes gathered to launch a pizza and burger restaurant offering homemade delicacies and colourful entertainment at The Box Homemade Pizza & Burger today, located in front of CJ Supermarket near the Sam Liam community market in Khon Kaen City Municipality. With a special buy one, get one free promotion on small-sized pizzas, the grand opening attracted a large crowd,…
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MFP leader vows to tackle Bangkok’s traffic, flooding, and air pollution
In a meeting yesterday with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat pledged to address 21 major issues plaguing the capital city. These problems include traffic congestion, flooding, and PM 2.5 air pollution. The meeting was also attended by several MFP MPs-elect for Bangkok and Bangkok councillors, signalling a strong collaboration between…
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School addresses behavioural improvement camp after viral social media post
A reputable school in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province has clarified its position after being accused on the ‘Bad Student’ Facebook page of sending students with low behavioural scores to a military camp for training. The school insisted that close supervision during the program ensured no violence occurred, and the activity aimed to improve students’ discipline. According to the director of Benchamarachuthit…
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Jackpot seekers get a ‘lotto’ think about: Ten-year analysis reveals Thai lottery trends for June 16 draw
Lottery enthusiasts looking for tips for this month’s lottery may want to ponder over a ten-year retrospective analysis of Thai jackpot results for the upcoming June 16 draw, including the most common winning numbers. Looking back at the lottery results for June 16 from the Government Lottery Office in the past ten years, a pattern of frequently occurring numbers has been…
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Motorbike taxi driver helps nab gold thief in Pattaya
In Pattaya, a courageous motorbike taxi driver, known as a Win, assisted in apprehending an 18 year old gold thief yesterday. The young offender claimed that the high cost of living in the city drove him to commit the crime. The incident occurred at 3pm at the Yaowarat Gold Shop on South Pattaya Road, situated in the Nong Prue sub-district…
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Thailand among 13 countries eligible for Canada eTA, bypassing visa requirements
Canada now allows Thai tourists to enter without a visa, provided they have previously had a Canadian visa or hold a valid US visa. The Canadian government announced this change yesterday, extending its Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme to 13 countries, including Thailand. The Canadian government has revised its relocation and services programme to ensure greater efficiency and equality for…
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Lottery winner fulfills vow by sucking nipples of giant statue in Rayong
A Thai lottery winner fulfilled a vow he had made with a giant statue in the eastern province of Rayong by sucking its nipples. Residents in the area protested believing the man’s behaviour angered the spirit of the Phisuea Samut statue and five people died as a consequence. A resident in the Mueang district of Rayong province, 64 year old…
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Thailand’s Big Data Institute to shape policies and boost economy
In a bid to harness the power of big data for social and economic progress, the Thai government has announced the creation of the Big Data Institute (BDI). This new public agency will focus on managing the vast amounts of data generated by the public and state agencies, and will be operational within 180 days. The BDI will replace the…
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Customs Chief orders probe into high-ranking official clearing illegal fuel truck
The Director of Thailand’s Excise Department ordered an urgent investigation into allegations of a high-ranking official calling to clear an illegal fuel transport operation. If found guilty, the official will be suspended or dismissed from service immediately. The operation led by a provincial excise officer resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old man accused of illegally possessing untaxed…
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Soldier death sparks rumours: Mother refutes claims of hazing over e-cigarette incident
A 21 year old Thai soldier was found dead in the barracks of an army camp in Saraburi Province, sparking rumours that he was punished for bringing an electronic cigarette into the camp. However, the deceased soldier’s mother has refuted these claims, stating his cause of death was unrelated to any physical abuse or a ruptured spleen, and the truth…
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