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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thais receive emergency contacts after earthquake rocks Taiwan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan today, prompting the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue emergency contact numbers for Thai nationals in the region. The quake, which occurred at 7.58am local time, was centred near the city of Hualien, approximately 100 miles from Taipei, and had a depth of 20 kilometres. The…
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Filipina rescued after robbery and attempted rape in Chon Buri
A Thai man successfully saved a Filipina woman after theft and attempted rape near Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province. The 37 year old Thai man, Uthit, rescued a 37 year old Filipina woman on an isolated road near the Huay Chak Nok Reservoir in Chon Buri yesterday, April 2, at around 8.30am.…
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Highway horror: Young man dies in motorcycle plunge from Thai overpass
A tragic motorcycle accident occurred early this morning, resulting in the death of a 21 year old man after his motorcycle careened off a five-story high overpass. The incident took place at the Thanya-Saraburi overpass, crossing Phaholyothin Road, in front of the Spell Town shopping complex in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. Lieutenant Colonel Kriangkrai Saenyod, the investigative inspector from…
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Airlines urge Thailand to take flight with airport upgrades
Several international airlines have urged Thailand to enhance its key airport facilities and improve transport links between airports and cities, to meet its ambition of becoming a regional aviation hub. The Thai government has laid out a goal of handling 150 million passengers annually by 2030. Egaluk Ngiwprom, Southeast Asia marketing manager of Spring Airlines, believes this is a challenging…
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Man falls to death from Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain station
A tragic incident occurred yesterday at the Bang Kapi station of Bangkok’s Yellow Line Skytrain, where an unidentified man fell to his death. Witnesses described the heart-wrenching scene as the man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, climbed over the station’s second-floor barrier before plummeting to the footpath below. Emergency services, including forensic doctors from the Police…
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Thai government plans 7% VAT on imported goods from May
The Thai government, under the directive of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is preparing to implement a 7% value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at 1 baht and above, starting in May. Currently, goods sold for less than 1,500 baht (US$40) per parcel and imported into Thailand are exempt from VAT. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced these plans after…
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Teenage boy killed in Pattaya motorbike accident
A motorbike carrying two young boys collided with a trailer truck yesterday afternoon in Pattaya. The older brother sadly lost his life while the younger one sustained minor injuries. The two were en route to Pattaya from Rayong for a visit to their mother, as narrated by the surviving brother. The catastrophe took place near the entrance of Soi Nong Ket…
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Laotian monks harassed by Thai ladyboy during pilgrimage (video)
A Thai ladyboy is facing a backlash after she persistently offered sex to two Laotian monks and one of their male followers on a pilgrimage in the central province of Nakhon Sawan. The Laotian monk, Lin Sujitto, was visiting a temple in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat to speak to Thai Buddhists before the unfortunate approach. Lin and…
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Thai government considers recriminalising cannabis
Thai Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew conveyed his apprehension about the general public’s disagreement with the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to criminalise cannabis once again. This apprehension arose following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent interview with France 24, a French state-owned news channel, where he revealed the government’s intent to control cannabis use, which has been decriminalised since 2022. In…
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Thailand Video News | Police catch British pedophile after 25 years in Thailand, Health ministry warns against consuming geckos for sexual prowess
In this video, Alex unfolds the latest news across Thailand. From the arrest warrant for Deputy Police Chief “Big Joke” on money laundering charges to the capture of a long-time fugitive pedophile in the UK. Meanwhile, Bangkok’s Motor Show boosts electric vehicle sales, a Pattaya BBQ restaurant owner faces backlash for employee mistreatment, and preparations for the Songkran Festival include…
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Knife-wielding Portuguese lady refuses to pay taxi in Phuket (video)
A Portuguese woman refused to pay a taxi fare and threatened the female driver with a knife at a hotel in the Rawai neighbourhood of Phuket on April 1. The female taxi driver, 35 year old Ladda Saengthong, shared a video of the incident on several social media platforms to warn other taxi drivers in the area. In the video, the foreign…
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Funding source for digital wallet scheme left out in Cabinet meeting
The government’s weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday left out discussions on a fresh funding source to back the digital wallet scheme, a possibility which might include drawing funds from the budget of the next fiscal year. This disclosure was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The Thai PM’s comments addressed rumours that a new financing option for the Pheu Thai Party’s…
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UK and Thailand to boost scientific research and English proficiency
The United Kingdom and Thailand are primed to sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) within the forthcoming three months. The objective is to enhance scientific education and research, as well as improve English language proficiency among Thai students. These MoU agreements are the result of the recent elevation of the Thailand-UK relationship to a strategic partnership. This information was disclosed…
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Thailand’s Cabinet to review legalisation of casinos proposal
The Thai Cabinet is set to review a proposal for the legalisation of casinos within the next fortnight, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Speaking in his role as the chairman of the special committee of the House, mandated with assessing the feasibility of legalising casinos in Thailand, he revealed that the proposal had secured preliminary approval from the…
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Lop Buri plans macaque control centre to tackle monkey menace
A macaque control centre is being planned in Lop Buri by Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. This initiative aims to sterilise the monkeys and relocate them to other areas, in a bid to address the issues they are causing within the town. Phatcharavat, following a Cabinet meeting yesterday, expressed the necessity of this control centre, given…
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Thailand braces for 42-degree heatwave and thunderstorms
Today’s weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of scorching heat across the country, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 42 degrees Celsius. The intense heat is accompanied by the possibility of thunderstorms and strong winds, prompting warnings for residents to avoid open spaces and be cautious of potential hazards. The sweltering heatwave is a result of…
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Massive fight in Pattaya sparked by dog bite incident
A dog bite sparked a massive fight involving over 20 people in Soi Kor Phai 14 in Pattaya’s Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, on Monday night. The daily rental room was the site of the clash. At 9.36pm, Monday, April 1, Pattaya police received a call and officers arrived at the scene to find a large group embroiled in…
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Thai govt considers sanctions against Bangkok monorail operators
The Thai government is currently mulling over the enforcement of contractual remedies against Northern Bangkok Monorail and Eastern Bangkok Monorail, the operators of the city’s Pink and Yellow lines respectively. This move follows a series of incidents that have raised concerns over the safety standards of the monorail lines. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Transport Minister, pointed out that the State Railway…
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UK police catch British pedophile at London airport
The UK police bullishly declared they “finally got their man” when arresting a British pedophile at a London airport after almost 30 years on the run for historic sex crimes. Alleged pedophile Richard Burrows, one of the UK’s “most wanted” fugitives, saw his 50-year reign of terror come to an end when he was apprehended on Thursday, March 28, at…
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Diesel climbs to 30.49 baht, Thai govt ponders support measures
Diesel prices in Thailand have experienced a 50 satang per litre increase, prompting the prime minister to call for a meeting to discuss countermeasures following the retail price adjustment today. Previously, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance had jointly managed retail pricing through a tax reduction mechanism to cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre, a…
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Salt of the laundry: Table salt sparks cleaning revolution
Table salt has emerged as a surprisingly effective aid in the laundry process, not only enhancing the cleanliness of the washing machine but also delivering dual benefits for the clothes themselves. This inexpensive, common condiment has proven to be a thrifty and straightforward solution for maintaining both machine and garment hygiene, offering much more than meets the eye. The use…
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Thai government increases 2025 budget deficit for economic boost
The Government of Thailand has sanctioned a rise in the 2025 budget deficit by an extra 153 billion baht, to instigate an economic boost. As a result, the budget will increase to 3.752 trillion baht, a significant hike from the previously planned 3.6 trillion, according to Chalermphol Pensoot, the Budget Bureau director at the Ministry of Finance. The budget deficit…
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Crystal meth found floating in Thailand’s eastern seaboard waters
The coastal waters of Thailand’s eastern seaboard were recently afloat with 20 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. This shocking find adds to the growing tally of illegal narcotics discovered in the region, with approximately 400kg of crystal meth found floating in the same area during the past month. The news broke today, April 2, when Thawatchai Kaewkhao, the mayor of Bang…
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Songkran festival sees Rama II Road works delay till June 2025
Thailand’s transport minister announced that construction delays on Rama II Road will persist during the upcoming Songkran festival. Despite efforts to expedite the work, the completion date is now set for June 2025. The minister assured that compensation will be paid to the contractors to encourage faster progress. Government spokesperson Suriya Jungrungreangkit addressed the state of transportation during the Songkran…
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Car bursts into flames in Thailand from dry tissues and toothpicks
A car parked under the scorching Thai sun burst into flames, nearly burning the entire vehicle due to the presence of dry tissues and toothpicks. The incident, which serves as a stark warning about the dangers of leaving combustible materials in a car exposed to intense heat, occurred at noon today, April 2. The vehicle’s owner revealed the harrowing moments…
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Thailand waives tolls for Songkran festival to ease travel costs
The Thai Cabinet approved a toll exemption for vehicles on Motorway No. 7 and Motorway No. 9 during the seven-day Songkran festival period to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate convenience for travellers. The exemption will be in effect from 12.01am on April 11 to midnight on April 17, in time for the country’s traditional new year celebrations. The decision was…
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Big Joke woes: Warrant issued for money laundering
The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road was the scene of significant legal developments as investigators sought an arrest warrant for Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief of Thailand, following three previously issued summonses. The request for his capture was rooted in allegations of money laundering and conspiring to commit a crime, related to an investigation into gambling websites.…
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Pattaya restaurant owner criticised for beating her employees
A Thai customer and netizens condemned the owner of a BBQ restaurant in Pattaya for brutally punishing her employees with beatings. A customer at the restaurant witnessed the owner’s punishment on her staff and shared a video of the incident on social media. In the video, the female restaurant owner is seen beating a male staff member wearing a red…
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Thailand’s waste-fighting wave: InterceptorTM 019 makes a splash
The fight against marine waste has taken a monumental step in Thailand with the official launch of the InterceptorTM 019, a solar-powered and fully automated device dedicated to capturing waste. This milestone is the result of joint efforts by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit environmental engineering organisation, and its first global implementation partner, The Coca-Cola Company, along with a…
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Govt bets big on Thai entertainment complex, stakes high
The stakes are high for each venue within the integrated Thai entertainment complex development project by the Government of Thailand, with investments expected to reach over a staggering 100 billion baht. The chairman of the ordinary committee of the House of Representatives and Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, plans to present the results of a study on entertainment complexes and…
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