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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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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Tragic fire claims life of Thai councillor and family
A tragic fire erupted yesterday, January 11, in a three-storey commercial building in Suphan Buri Municipality, resulting in the death of Phusit Rungronchaiporn, a 52 year old candidate for District 1 Provincial Councillor, along with his family members. Phusit’s wife, Kanokwan, their 26 year old son Teerawat, and their 24 year old daughter Warasiri also perished in the incident. The…
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Motorcyclist dies in pickup collision on Soi Nong Ket Yai
A collision occurred between a motorcycle and a pickup truck in Soi Nong Ket Yai, Bang Lamung district, at 5.06am yesterday, January 11, prompting a response from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya. Upon arrival, the rescue team discovered an orange pickup truck with severe damage at the front. The driver, 34 year old Chaiyarat Panpitanusorn, was present…
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Thai wildfire at Khao Loi fully contained after week-long battle
Thai officials have announced the successful containment of a wildfire at Khao Loi, situated within the Khao Siad Ai, Khao Nok Yoong, and Khao Ang Hin National Reserved Forests, located in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The fire initially ignited on January 3 behind Udomsuk Temple, affecting an area of 200 rai. Despite initial containment efforts, the fire reignited on…
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No human metapneumovirus cluster reported in Thailand, say officials
Thai health officials have confirmed that there is no cluster of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the country and have advised the public to remain calm. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has been monitoring information from the World Health Organisation and China regarding hMPV cases. Doctor Panumas Yanawetsakul, director-general of the DDC, stated that there is no confirmation of a…
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Jomtien Beach bust: 6 arrested for illegal gambling
Six individuals, comprising both Thai and Cambodian nationals, were apprehended for engaging in illegal gambling on Jomtien Beach, Chon Buri province. The open-air gambling occurred yesterday, January 10, with many participants fleeing the scene as law enforcement approached. Police Colonel Navin Theerawit, the superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, received a report of the illicit activity taking place at the…
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Transwoman robbed by teenager in Hua Hin, loses 90k baht items
An 18 year old man befriended and later robbed a transwoman, leaving her with nothing. The victim sought help from the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page yesterday, January 10. The incident began when the transwoman met a young man named Ball online on January 4, after he posted in a Hua Hin community group seeking companions. The transwoman, named…
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Petrol prices cut in Thailand for Children’s Day celebrations
PTT Station has announced a reduction in retail prices for various types of petrol and gasohol, coinciding with Children’s Day celebrations. Starting today, January 11, prices will decrease by 0.30 baht per litre for petrol and all types of gasohol, while E20 will see a 0.40 baht reduction, and E85 will drop by 0.50 baht per litre. Following the adjustments,…
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Kanchanaburi school director cleared of negligence allegations
A school director in Kanchanaburi province faced scrutiny after a Facebook page, known as Operation Watchdog, posted allegations of negligence, claiming the director only attended school three times a week. Investigations by education officials have found no misconduct. According to the Facebook post, the director reportedly missed school weeks entirely by claiming official duties, while residing in Tha Maka district,…
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Man falls from 15-storey height in Phuket parasailing accident
A man fell from a parasailing activity off the coast of Phuket, resulting in his death. The fall was reported to be nearly as high as a 15-storey building. The police are actively investigating the situation following a video shared by Phuket Times, which shows the fall accompanied by a message expressing condolences. The incident took place at Karon Beach,…
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Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom adds Jurassic fun to Children’s Day
Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom is set to bring life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs to the city in celebration of National Children’s Day today. The event, taking place at King Taksin Monument Plaza in front of Pattaya City Hall, is generating enthusiasm among attendees. In collaboration with Pattaya City, the park will showcase enormous, realistic dinosaur models to mark the occasion. Among the highlights…
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Suphan Buri officers praised for buying food for drunk local (video)
Two officers from the Suphan Buri police department received praise for assisting a drunk local by purchasing food for him when he was unable to drive. They were honoured with an award for their commendable service yesterday, January 10. The incident came to light after a viral clip posted on TikTok by user @phatara_2_66 showed an intoxicated man requesting motorbike…
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Wildfire reignites, threatening homes and resorts in Korat
A wildfire reignited at Khao Loi in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, at 10am on Thursday, January 9, after previously being contained on January 8. Northeast Forest Fire Control Center 3 dispatched 35 personnel to the scene, collaborating with five agencies, including Khao Yai National Park and the Phayayen Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, to combat the blaze. Firebreaks were established to…
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Russian tourist found dead by hanging in Na Jomtien apartment
A Russian tourist was found dead by hanging in an apartment in Na Jomtien, Sattahip. Na Jomtien police received a report at 11pm on Wednesday, January 8, about the incident involving a foreign national in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. Police officers and rescue workers from the Sawang Rojanatham Foundation responded promptly to the scene. The body of…
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Caught red-handed: 6 arrested at illegal gold mining site in Phitchit
Forestry police apprehended a Vietnamese man and five Thai nationals at an unauthorised gold mining site on Panompa Mountain in the northern province of Phichit yesterday, January 10. This action followed a report alleging that a Vietnamese investor had entered the site on the mountain in Nong Phra subdistrict, Wang Sai Phun district, to excavate gold. The Vietnamese individual was…
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Chiang Rai clinic accused of defrauding NHSO 1.8 million baht
Police in Chiang Rai province have been requested by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to investigate a clinic suspected of defrauding the universal healthcare system. The clinic is alleged to have serviced at least one fraudulent patient. Doctor Attaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, lodged a formal complaint at Ban Du Police Station in Wieng Pa Pao district.…
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Ex-inmate arrested in Phuket for 22 million baht crypto scam
An ex-inmate has been apprehended in Phuket for impersonating a well-known politician to entice a woman into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, resulting in a loss of 22 million baht. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police arrested 36 year old Pratya at a residence in Koh Kaew, Mueang district. He faces charges of public fraud and inputting false…
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Bangkok braces for coldest days in 40 years amid fierce winds
Bundle up, Bangkok! Meteorologists predict that the capital will experience its chilliest weather in nearly four decades this Sunday (January 12) and Monday (January 13), with temperatures set to plummet to a frosty 16°C. Meanwhile, the northern and north-eastern regions are forecasted to hit lows of 12°C, marking an unseasonably cold spell for mid-January. Seree Supharathit, director of the Centre…
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Fun, food, and fancy drills: Thailand gears up for Children’s Day
This year’s National Children’s Day is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, with exciting events planned in Nong Pla Lai and Sattahip, Chon Buri. From bike giveaways to thrilling naval demonstrations, families are in for a treat. In Nong Pla Lai, Mayor Pinyo Homklan has announced a fun-filled celebration at the municipality building, starting with registration at 8.30am tomorrow,…
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Tourism stocks tumble amid Chinese tourist fears
Thai tourism stocks took a hit this morning as concerns mounted over a potential decline in Chinese tourist arrivals during the Chinese New Year. The drop follows revelations about a Chinese actor, Wang Xing, who was found in Myanmar and is suspected to have been a victim of human trafficking. This incident has cast a shadow over Thailand’s safety reputation.…
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Minister launches emergency plan as deadly dust chokes Thailand
Thailand Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued an urgent response to soaring PM 2.5 air pollution levels, which have breached safety thresholds in 14 provinces, threatening public health. Chairing an emergency meeting yesterday, January 9, Somsak revealed a series of measures to combat the crisis, which has affected 53 provinces since October last year and is expected to persist until…
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Plastic waste import banned in Thailand in fight against pollution
Thailand has officially banned the import of plastic waste as of January 1, marking a major step in its fight against toxic pollution. The decision positions Thailand alongside other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Vietnam, which have already closed their borders to foreign plastic waste following China’s groundbreaking 2018 National Sword initiative. This regulation, issued by the Department of…
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Miss Universe’s world up in flames as home burns in Los Angeles
Heartbreak has struck former Miss Universe Porntip Nakhirunkanok as her cherished Malibu home, where she raised her family, was completely destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. For more than 25 years, this house was more than just bricks and mortar, it was a treasure trove of memories. In a poignant Instagram post under her handle @bui.simon, the 56 year…
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Gang of terror: Teen brutally beaten in Pattaya attack
A chilling video of a teenager being savagely beaten by a gang in Pattaya has surfaced, prompting outrage and calls for justice. The victim’s family is seeking public help to identify the assailants, who are allegedly connected to local police. A 27 year old woman, Aris Sousa and her 17 year old nephew, Chitsanuphong, presented the harrowing footage to reporters…
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Narcotics suspect arrested at Thai-Lao border after fleeing
A suspect involved in a narcotics gang was apprehended after fleeing to a neighbouring country. The 35 year old was arrested following a warrant issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court on December 16 last year. He faces charges related to possession with intent to distribute a class 1 narcotic, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, attempted murder of an…
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Call centre scammer poses as police to defraud Nonthaburi family
A family in Nonthaburi province has fallen victim to a call centre scam, losing over 300,000 baht. On January 10, a 21 year old woman and her parents reported the incident to the police at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station. The daughter had been coerced by scammers posing as police and Anti-Money Laundering Organisation (AMLO) officers, who claimed she was involved…
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Miracle man helps veteran charcoal burner cheat fiery death
An 86 year old charcoal burner in Buriram province narrowly escaped a fiery fate, thanks to an unlikely hero, a courageous mentally ill man whose timely intervention made all the difference. The dramatic sequence that unfolded today, January 10, has left the village of Ban Nong Bua Thai buzzing. Suk, a stalwart in the charcoal trade with over 60 years…
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Thai man arrested for hammer attack in Pathum Thani temple
A 41 year old man has been arrested by investigative police from the Thanyaburi district in Pathum Thani province for attacking a woman with a hammer at a temple. Anusorn, a resident of Loei province, was apprehended following an incident where he allegedly attacked a Burmese woman with a hammer in a temple bathroom. The assailant reportedly tied her hands…
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Copper thieves takes power supply from Buriram residents
Residents of Baan Jok Tia in Buriram province were left puzzled when a series of power outages occurred, suspecting the electricity authority had removed their meters due to unpaid bills. However, it was discovered that someone had cut the main power lines to homes and a local temple, possibly to sell the copper wiring. Residents from Baan Jok Tia, Mueang…
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Young man found dead in Patong home in suspected suicide
Patong police are investigating the death of a 29 year old man found unresponsive in his home on Pisit Gorani Road early this morning. The grim discovery was made by the victim’s mother, leaving a community in shock. Officers arrived at the scene around 7.30am, today, January 10, to find the man, identified as Ritthakiat Petchploy, lying shirtless on his…
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Moo Deng turns 6 months, sparks ID card and auction frenzy
Thailand’s favourite pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, just turned six months old, and she’s stealing the spotlight with her very own ID card. The bouncing bundle of joy from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri has captured hearts worldwide, but it’s her latest milestone that’s sending netizens into a frenzy. The zoo’s playful superstar celebrated her half-year birthday in style…
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