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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Thai Rice farmer’s tragic death highlights health risks in agriculture
A 57 year old man tragically passed away while harvesting rice in a field alone, suspected to have died from a pre-existing condition following complaints of chest pain. His body was discovered yesterday, November 7, in a paddy field in Baan Don Po Daeng, Khok Sa-at subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani province. The incident was reported to Suk-In Rachankaew, a…
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Motorcyclist suffers ankle injury in East Pattaya railroad accident
In a dramatic road collision in East Pattaya, a motorcyclist was left seriously injured after a high-speed impact on a car, leading to a horrific ankle wound and multiple abrasions. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene near Sukhumvit Soi 83 on the railroad-side road yesterday, November 7, following reports of the crash. When rescue teams arrived,…
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Thai FDA clears 6.9-tonne Shine Muscat grapes for safety
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the results of a recent inspection of a new batch of imported Shine Muscat grapes weighing 6.9 tonnes. These grapes, valued at 3,053,616.47 baht (US$89,780), have been thoroughly tested for agricultural chemical residues and have met all safety standards, allowing them to be distributed in the country. Lertchai, the Deputy Secretary-General of…
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Phuket set to ‘take off’ with new seaplane plans
In a bid to transform Phuket’s tourism offerings, the CEO of Siam Seaplane Co Ltd, Worakan Siripidech, attended a high-stakes meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday, November 6 to explore the potential of launching seaplane services on the island. Bringing in a mix of excitement and scepticism, officials discussed the concept of creating temporary water-based zones for take-offs and…
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Thailand to register unregistered hotels in response to EU carbon rules
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is set to register unregistered hotels within a year, responding to the forthcoming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which introduces strict environmental regulations. CBAM, starting in 2026, will impose carbon pricing on imports, impacting Thailand’s tourism sector if service providers fail to meet standards. Efforts are underway to host a global-scale trade show, such…
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Bangkok Bank backs bold India expansion for Thai businesses
Thai businesses have their sights set on India’s booming market, and Bangkok Bank is rolling out the red carpet to support this promising venture. With an eye on India’s rapid economic growth and vast population, the bank’s president, Chartsiri Sophonpanich, calls it “a golden opportunity” for Thai entrepreneurs eager to expand. India’s economy is powering ahead at an annual growth…
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Butcher saves Thai boy’s 130km sidecar dash to see mum (video)
A Thai butcher rescued a 10 year old boy who secretly rode his grandmother’s sidecar motorcycle in an attempt to travel 130 kilometres to see his mother in the Isaan province of Buriram. The butcher, whose shop is located on the roadside in the Sam Paniang sub-district in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, sought help from the sub-district officials…
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Thai company pumps millions into flooded schools
In a heartfelt mission to aid schools battered by Thailand’s recent floods, Theppadungporn Coconut pledged an impressive 10 million baht to support flood-stricken communities. Through its charitable Love Sharing project, the company is offering 200,000 baht per school to 50 institutions impacted by the devastating September-October floods, aiming to rebuild premises and reignite hope among students and staff. Chosen by…
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Thailand leads ASEAN in gold demand growth amid record prices
Thailand continues to lead the ASEAN region in consumer gold demand growth, as reported by the World Gold Council (WGC). In the third quarter of 2024, Thailand’s gold demand surged by 11% year-on-year, reaching 14.5 tonnes, marking its second consecutive quarter of robust growth. Globally, gold demand remained strong, increasing by 5% from a year earlier to 1,313 tonnes. This…
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Trump victory prompts Thai stock market strategy reevaluation
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, coupled with a comprehensive Republican majority in Congress, has prompted a reevaluation of investment strategies in the Thai stock market. Natchat Mekmasin, assistant managing director of securities analysis at Trinity Securities, suggests that the Thai stock market is likely to align with the broader trend observed in emerging markets. However, he points…
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Thai woman arrested in Bangkok for pimping out girls aged 14-16
Police arrested a 25 year old Thai woman at a Bangkok hotel for operating a prostitution ring and pimping out three girls aged between 14 and 16. Officers from the Children and Women Protection Sub-division received a tip-off that girls under 18 were being sent to work as party entertainers. In addition to entertaining clients, they were also forced to…
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Thai schools probed for misconduct over spoiled food claims
Allegations of misconduct have prompted the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to investigate two schools in Chachoengsao and Nakhon Ratchasima. Concerns surfaced online, suggesting one school provided spoiled fruit in student meals while the other was excessively soliciting donations from parents for a school van. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of OBEC, addressed these claims yesterday, November 7, indicating that…
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Axe to grind: Thai father attacks son after suffering years of abuse
A Thai father snapped and attacked his son with an axe in a fit of rage at midnight today after he and his wife suffered years of physical abuse at the hands of the son in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Officers from Manchakhiri Police Station received a report of a serious assault at a house in the Manchakhiri…
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Ancient artefacts to return to Thailand for cultural preservation
Artefacts from the ancient Ban Chiang World Heritage Site, which dates back 3,000 years, are set to return to Thailand next week to commemorate the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property. The return of these artefacts signifies a significant step toward preserving Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. The US Embassy in Bangkok, in collaboration with the regional office of…
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Azman Porloh jailed over weapon possession in Songkhla province
A man accused of being involved in numerous terrorist activities in the Songkhla province has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegal possession and accumulation of weapons. This marks the first trial he has faced among the many accusations against him. The Na Thawi Provincial Court in Songkhla delivered the verdict yesterday, November 7, sentencing Azman…
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Phuket Tourist Police boosts safety with new High Season drive
Phuket Tourist Police have initiated a comprehensive campaign to enhance tourist safety as the island gears up for the approaching High Season. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, November 6, involves collaboration between various agencies, including the Marine Police, Phuket Provincial Police, and the Phuket Marine Office, among others. This campaign is in line with national efforts to reinforce tourist safety…
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Teenage girl’s phone fished out from Pattaya drain
A teenage girl visiting Pattaya Beach was greatly relieved when local officials managed to recover her mobile phone after it accidentally slipped down a drainage pipe. The mishap occurred on Wednesday, November 6, when the 17 year old, who was in the area with friends, dropped her iPhone 11 into a drain opposite Soi Pattaya Beach 10. The Pattaya City…
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Thieves break into Udon Thani school, sparking security concerns
Thieves broke into a school in Ban Muang, Ban Dung, Udon Thani, causing alarm among staff. A 32 year old teacher, reported the incident to both social media and at Dong Yen Police Station after the headteacher failed to take action, fearing the criminals might strike again. The headteacher summoned the teachers for a meeting to discuss the event. During…
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Thailand migrant workers lose legal status amid new permit hurdles
Employers and migrant workers are expressing significant frustration over new registration and work permit renewal requirements in Thailand, which have led to many migrant workers losing their legal status. These requirements, introduced recently, have been criticised for their complexity and the obstacles they pose to both employers and employees. Nilubol Pongpayom, a representative from the employer group Nai Chang Si…
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Golden gesture: Laotian thief returns bling, claims ‘gift’ mix-up
A Laotian man, accused of stealing a gold necklace, returned the stolen item to its rightful owner in Chon Buri, claiming that he took it home because he believed it was a gift from the gold shop. The 27 year old victim, Butsarin Sirimongkhonsub, filed a complaint with officers at Nong Prue Police Station on November 7 and also contacted…
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Teen vendor killed in motorcycle accident in Pathum Thani
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday involving a 17 year old vegetable vendor who died after a motorcycle accident near a PTT gas station in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Chulayut was riding home when he was sideswiped, causing him to fall, and subsequently run over by a trailer truck, resulting in his immediate death. The incident occurred at 8.50pm yesterday, November 7, and…
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Iron deficiency: Thai boxer Rodtang’s weighty woes lose him title
Thai boxer Rodtang Jitmuangnon, famously dubbed “The Iron Man,” found himself at the centre of controversy this week after failing to make weight twice, resulting in the loss of his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship title. Despite this setback, he is still set to take on British Muay Thai champion Jacob Smith at the ONE 169 event, scheduled for…
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Famous Thai lawyer arrested on fraud, money laundering charges
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) swooped yesterday and arrested a prominent Thai lawyer and his wife on charges of fraud and money laundering, in the wake of the sensational case involving 71 million baht and a Thai millionaire in France. The Thai millionaire, who normally resides in France, Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert, returned to Thailand to file a…
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Police raid illegal gambling den in Bangkok, 20 arrested
Police in Suthisan successfully raided an illegal gambling den secretly operating in Bangkok. Twenty individuals were apprehended during the operation, which took place at a house at the end of Soi Inthamara 22 in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid was initiated around 9pm yesterday, November 7, following reports of suspicious activity over the past two to three days. Led by…
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Teenager dies in Chachoengsao motorcycle crash with pickup truck
A tragic accident involving six teenagers riding motorcycles ended in the death of 15 year old boy and left two others seriously injured. The crash occurred when their motorcycles collided with a pickup truck waiting to make a U-turn. The incident took place last night around 9pm on Suwinthawong Road, near the Klong Chao Bridge heading into Chachoengsao City. The…
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Thailand halves poverty in seven years despite ongoing challenges
Thailand has achieved a significant milestone in its battle against poverty, reducing the number of people living in poverty by half in just seven years, according to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Despite this impressive progress, many Thai citizens endure inadequate living conditions, particularly in rural areas, where access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation…
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Stormy weather forecast: Thailand braces for a ‘rain’ of trouble
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for potential severe weather conditions affecting 28 provinces, with the southern region facing heavy to very heavy rainfall that could lead to flash floods and forest runoff. Meanwhile, cooler temperatures are expected in northern Thailand. A high-pressure system, originating from China, is currently covering the upper regions of Thailand and the South…
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Thai and mighty: Thailand’s soft power shines in Shanghai
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan led a star-studded delegation to the bustling 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from November 4-6 at Shanghai’s grand National Exhibition and Convention Centre. Thailand took centre stage, flaunting its rich soft power in a bold bid to dazzle the international crowd. Opening triumphantly, Pichai inaugurated the Thailand Pavilion to elevate the nation’s global image…
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Narathiwat mayor fatally gunned down at garment factory
In a shocking daylight assassination, the popular two-time mayor of the Rueso subdistrict in the southern province of Narathiwat was brutally shot dead at his garment factory. The 55 year old mayor, Wichet Thaithongnum, known by locals as Mayor Arm, was gunned down by a group of men wielding war weapons in an audacious attack that has left the community…
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Thailand biofuel subsidy ends in 2027, costs to rise for farmers
Thailand’s Energy Ministry is set to introduce measures to mitigate the effects of the impending cessation of biofuel price subsidies in 2027. With the expiration of these subsidies, the cost of biofuels is anticipated to rise, impacting palm and sugar cane growers who supply raw materials for biofuel production. Farmers sell their crops to factories that produce two types of…
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