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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Myanmar mystery: Two Chinese nationals vanish near Thai border
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) have launched a high-stakes investigation following the baffling disappearance of two more Chinese nationals near the infamous Thai-Myanmar border. The missing duo includes a male model and a young woman, their vanishing acts echoing a recent case involving a Chinese actor snared by traffickers. Inspector-General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot of the RTP is leading the probe, sparked…
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Khon Kaen couple arrested for 1 million baht amulet theft
Police in Khon Kaen arrested a 45 year old man and his 48 year old wife on charges of theft and possession of stolen property. The couple is accused of stealing valuable amulets from a residence, which the woman had nabbed while working as a housekeeper. The stolen items, including several amulets such as the Phra Phuttha Chinnaraj Indochina and…
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Phuket Airport tourist cries fowl over 3,000 baht Subway sarnies
A foreign woman took to TikTok to accuse a Subway store at Phuket International Airport of overcharging her after she bought three sandwiches for 3,000 baht. (£72). The TikTok user, @naynaysully, posted a video on Wednesday, January 8, while standing in front of the Subway store at the airport. In the video, two security guards can be seen intervening, while…
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Icy blast from China set to leave Thailand shivering
Thailand is set to shiver as a fresh surge of cold air sweeps down from China, bringing a biting chill and blustery winds across the nation. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) sounded the alarm for plummeting temperatures with strong gusts and heavy rain expected to drench six provinces in the south. Brace yourselves, the north and northeast are in…
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Chinese nationals lose 13 million baht in Bangkok crypto scam
Three Chinese nationals found themselves swindled out of a staggering 13 million baht in a brazen Bangkok cash-for-crypto sting. The drama kicked off on yesterday afternoon, January 9, in the city’s bustling Huai Khwang district. At 3.30pm, the scene was set at a house on Pracharat Bampen 12 Road, where Huang Guang, an unsuspecting Chinese visitor, claims he was robbed.…
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Elderly woman injured in Nonthaburi hit-and-run, taxi flees (video)
A 71 year old woman was struck by a taxi while crossing a pedestrian crossing near the Tam Laek restaurant, opposite the clock tower at Tha Nam Non in Nonthaburi province, before the cab fled the scene. The woman’s family has called on witnesses in the area during the incident to come forward. The incident was captured in a 31-second…
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Fake cop arrested at Bangkok bus terminal after swindling 400,000 baht
Police arrested a fake policewoman at Mor Chit Bus Terminal 2 in Bangkok yesterday, January 9, after she swindled 400,000 baht from a Thai man and fled arrest to marry a soldier. The victim reported the romance scam to the police, explaining that he had met the scammer, 21 year old Fatina Nanta-ariyakun, on a dating application at the end…
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PM pledges to polish Phuket into a top-tier tourist hotspot
Phuket is turning up the glamour stakes as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra unveils ambitious plans to transform the island into a premier tourist magnet. On her whirlwind visit to the sun-drenched southern province, the Thai premier set out a bold vision to tackle key issues facing the beloved getaway, from sorting out traffic snarls to bolstering its allure as a…
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Bitcoin hits the beach: Thailand’s sizzling crypto coup in Phuket
Phuket is set to become a crypto paradise as Thailand trials a new payment system using cryptocurrencies, all in a bid to make it easier than ever for tourists to splash their cash. The architect behind this brainwave reckon it’ll not only put a smile on the face of tech-savvy travellers but will also give the nation’s tourism sector a…
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From heiress to hero: Thai FA Madam Pang’s journey
Madam Pang, a fifth-generation heiress from Thailand’s billionaire Lamsam family, has transformed Thai football with her passion, leadership, and jaw-dropping generosity. Born Nualphan Lamsam, the 58 year old business mogul comes from one of Thailand’s wealthiest families, with an estimated net worth of US$890 million (approximately 30.82 billion baht). As CEO of Mueang Thai Insurance and a pioneer in introducing…
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Bangkok traffic speeds up 25% thanks to smart solutions
Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams are easing, with efforts by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and traffic police delivering a 25% increase in traffic flow speeds over the past two years. The achievement was announced by BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, citing a report from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). The report identified 127 congestion hotspots in…
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South Korean game show scandal: Thai influencer reveals lost earnings
A Thai social media influencer came forward to expose a South Korean game show producer for failing to pay her and others as promised and causing further lost earnings. The social media influencer, Chutima “Nan” Keansuntia, took to her Facebook account to seek justice from the South Korean television production owner, whose name remains undisclosed. The South Korean national left Thailand after the…
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Panic at Pattaya pet hospital: Firefighters launch balcony rescue
A fire broke out early this morning at Doctor Ja Animal Hospital in Pattaya, triggering a frantic rescue effort to save trapped residents and animals. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received reports of a fire at the three-storey building in Soi Phonpraphanimit at 7.30am today, January 9. Smoke billowed from the structure, and six terrified residents, including children, were stranded…
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Khon Kaen delivery rider fined 2,000 baht for littering
A 40 year old female delivery rider in Khon Kaen, known for discarding waste throughout the city, has been detained by police and fined. Her partner claims she suffers from mental health issues. Yesterday, January 8, footage from a local restaurant’s security camera showed the woman, wearing a distinctive cat-ear helmet, dumping rubbish and liquid substances in front of an…
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Bangkok PM2.5 lands Democrat leader’s father in hospital
Suchatvee Suwansawat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, shared a personal account of the impact of PM2.5 air pollution on his family, highlighting the severity of the issue. Suchatvee revealed that his father had to be rushed to the emergency room due to severe coughing and chest pain. Medical professionals diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to the polluted air,…
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Tragic road accident claims life of Khon Kaen student
Two 15 year old students from a school’s football academy were tragically hit by a pickup truck while crossing a road in Ban Phai district, Khon Kaen province. One student died and the other was severely injured in the accident yesterday, January 8, at 7.10pm. The driver claimed he tried to avoid the collision but was unsuccessful. Police from Ban…
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Parents mourn sudden loss of daughter to viral heart infection
The parents of a three year old girl have shared their heartache following her sudden death due to a viral infection that caused acute myocarditis. Doctor Anu Thongdaeng from Chumphon’s public health office explained that the virus is commonly found in the environment. The young girl, Diana, who showed no prior warning signs, experienced mild fever and then severe convulsions.…
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Phuket’s healthcare crisis: PM pushes for cancer centre
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spotlighted healthcare as a critical issue for Phuket, amid public outcry and fundraising efforts to improve cancer treatment facilities on the island. At a high-level meeting held at Phuket International Airport this morning, the 38 year old Thai PM addressed the urgent need to upgrade state hospitals like Vachira Phuket Hospital to better handle diseases such…
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Isaan hero steps in to rescue abused 7 year old boy living alone
A benevolent Thai man in the Isaan province of Kalasin came to the aid of a seven year old Thai boy who was living alone and suffered physical abuse by an unidentified drug addict in the area. The man, Thanachat Chaiyasart, shared heartbreaking pictures of the boy named Ice yesterday, January 8, on Facebook. The images showed wounds and bruises…
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Shell shocked: Buyer claws back after floating market crab scam
A consumer shared a disappointing experience on social media after buying some steamed crabs from a famous floating market, only to find mostly empty shells and a small amount of crab meat upon returning home. The incident, which occurred on January 5 at the Amphawa Floating Market, involved buying crabs for 250 baht, where the buyer ended up with seven…
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Thai woman chants to ward off evil spirits in front of man’s house (video)
A man recounted his unexpected nighttime encounter with a woman chanting in front of his house. The incident occurred at 2am on Monday, January 6, when the man received a call from his family asking him to return home as a mysterious woman had been reciting prayers outside their home for about 30 minutes, causing alarm among the household members.…
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Thai man assaulted in gang attack orchestrated by friend
An 18 year old Thai man in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking justice after three attackers, including his friend, attacked him and stole his shoes without a prior conflict. The teenage victim, Thanaphon, shared details of the attack with a leading Thai lawyer, Paisarn Ruengrit, hoping his case would be processed quickly. He told the lawyer that the…
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Police thwart Thai woman’s suicide attempt in Pattaya
Tense drama unfolded in Pattaya on Tuesday as police were alerted to a young woman’s suicide attempt after she tried to leap from a five-storey building near the bustling Walking Street. Responding with urgency, the Pattaya police, along with the Sawang Boriboon Foundation’s rescue teams and emergency services, raced to the scene on Tuesday, January 7, swiftly inflating an air…
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Thai police bust Chon Buri bitcoin mining scam stealing electricity
Thai police uncovered a high-tech heist in Chon Buri, where nearly 1,000 bitcoin mining machines were illegally powering up at the expense of the public. A joint operation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) today exposed a bitcoin mining setup in Chon Buri’s Phanat Nikhom district that had been tampering with its power meter…
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Gay Thai man steals valuables after being ignored by sleeping date
Police arrested a gay Thai man for stealing valuables worth more than 100,000 baht from a dating application match allegedly due to anger after the victim fell into a deep sleep and failed to answer the door. Police apprehended the 38 year old Thai man, Jiradate, yesterday, January 8, at his home in the Taling Chan district of Bangkok. His arrest…
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Attorney general drops charges against actors in iCon Group case
The Office of the Attorney General has decided not to prosecute actors Pechaya “Min” Wattanamontri and Yuranunt “Sam” Pamornmontri in connection with allegations related to The iCon Group. The case involves 17 others who have been charged, with clear evidence against Kan Kanthathavorn, known as Boss Kan, indicating his involvement from the company’s inception. The Office of Special Litigation has charged…
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Thailand’s wild elephant population surges: Human conflict concern
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) released a report estimating Thailand’s wild elephant population to be between 4,013 and 4,422. These elephants are dispersed across 91 forests. The report highlights increasing conflicts between wild elephants and communities, particularly severe in the eastern forests, with an annual population growth rate of 8.2%, affecting 257 villages across six…
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Taxing times: Thailand cashes in on digital currency revolution
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has committed to comprehensive tax reform aimed at enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness and promoting the use of digital currency by the end of the year. During a seminar organised by the Marketing Association of Thailand, Pichai explained that the ministry’s strategy involves fostering business partnerships through incentives and attractive measures. He emphasised the necessity of revising the…
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British drug dealer arrested after his suspicious behaviour in Phuket
Police arrested a British drug dealer in Phuket after observing him behaving suspiciously while meeting traffic officers on a road. Traffic officers from Kamala Police Station stopped the British man, whose identity remains undisclosed, in the Kamala area of Phuket yesterday, January 8. The officers reported that they were conducting routine patrols when they noticed the man, who appeared nervous…
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Doc sniffs out men with big noses have large penises (video)
A doctor claims that she can tell the size of a man’s penis by looking at his nose, dismissing age-old myths surrounding hand and foot dimensions. Dr Rena Malik, a urologist from California, made waves during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast. She discussed compelling evidence that, contrary to popular belief, men’s noses might hold the secret…
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