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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Moo Deng unharmed by tissue dropped by monkey, says zoo (video)
Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province has clarified the circumstances surrounding an incident involving Moo Deng, Thailand’s famous pygmy hippo, and a piece of tissue paper. Concerns arose after a video surfaced online showing Moo Deng sniffing and chewing on the tissue, prompting worries about her health. Speculation initially suggested that a zoo visitor had dropped the tissue…
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Explosion leads to house fire rescue in Bangkok’s Yannawa district
A loud explosion startled residents who initially thought school students were causing a commotion, only to discover a raging fire engulfing a two-storey house. The urgency to save two women trapped inside heightened as they were unable to escape due to barred windows. At 2.10am yesterday, December 10, Somkriat Jaitrong, an investigator from Thung Mahamek Police Station, received a report…
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High school student fatally stabs junior at Sattahip school
A tragic incident unfolded in Sattahip, Chon Buri as police located a high school student from a prominent private school suspected of fatally stabbing a younger student. The altercation, which began as a challenge and escalated into a physical confrontation, ended with the first-year student succumbing to his injuries after being stabbed in the back. Police officers, including Thanaphon Klin…
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Thailand video news | Naked Russian man rescued after perilous swim between Pattaya and Koh Larn, Temperatures rise across Thailand, heavy rain persists in the South
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers key stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include Thai authorities cracking down on illegal activities, including a global pornographic network, a drug-fuelled hotel party, and a violent assault in Ang Thong. Internationally, stories feature a tragic fall in Pattaya, a swimmer’s dramatic rescue, rising temperatures across Thailand, devastating floods in Java, volcanic…
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Armed attack at Prachin Buri grilled chicken shop leaves three dead
A violent incident unfolded in Prachin Buri, Central Thailand, when a man in a frenzied state attacked a local grilled chicken shop, resulting in three fatalities. This alarming event has led police to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the motive behind the attack. The perpetrator, identified as 38 year old Surath, also known as Jack, initially stormed a shop…
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Cyber police arrest woman for illegal money lending in Thailand
Cyber police conducted swooped to arrest a 33 year old woman involved in an illegal online money lending operation, charging exorbitant daily interest rates of 2,000 baht. She confessed, and substantial evidence was found at the scene. The operation unfolded yesterday, December 10, when police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau led by Trairong Phiwpan and Wiwat Kamchamnan, instructed Phumiphat…
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Bodyslam singer hits the right note for cancer care in Phuket
The lead singer from popular Thai band Bodyslam is set to headline a charity concert in Phuket, aiming to raise 290 million baht for a new cancer-treatment centre at Vachira Phuket Hospital. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Phuket Merlin Hotel, with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and the singer, Artiwara Kongmalai, present. The concert is scheduled…
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British man’s flight home to recovery after horror crash in Thailand
A British man who suffered life-changing injuries while working in Thailand has returned home after an appeal raised nearly £20,000 (880,000 baht) for a medical repatriation flight. Andy Davis from Stone, Staffordshire, had his left leg amputated and was hospitalised with a shattered pelvis and torn bladder, following a car crash on an island off Krabi last month. The 33 year…
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Thai parties unite to block anti-coup legislation
A political debate is brewing in Thailand as the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) and the opposition Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) firmly rejected a proposed legislative amendment to prevent future military coups. The bill, drafted by Prayut Siripanich, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, seeks to alter the Defence Ministry Administration Act. Akradet Wongpitakroj, a spokesperson…
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Busted in Bangkok: Undie-cover cops quash gay shindig rumours
In an eyebrow-raising update from Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit 31 stretch, police quashed rumours of a cover-up in an outrageous gay underwear bash that involved drugs but no glittering celebrity attendees. Police Major General Wittawat Chinkam, Metropolitan Police Bureau 5 chief, yesterday, December 10, convened a nearly two-hour session to dissect the scandal involving a group of gay men who threw…
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Actions speak louder: Police save mute woman from suicide near Pattaya
In the early hours of yesterday, quick-thinking police officers near Pattaya turned silent gestures into a powerful rescue mission to save a mute woman from committing suicide, proving actions truly speak louder than words. At 4.30am, yesterday, December 10, a critical call came in about a potential suicide near the busy Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri.…
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Man attacks neighbour with machete in Ang Thong Province
A shocking incident unfolded yesterday as a 50 year old man went on a rampage, attacking a neighbour with a machete in Ang Thong Province. The attack by the man, Jerd, resulted in an injury to the legs and arms of the woman, Nongnuch. Thankfully, a passerby heard her cries for help and intervened just in time, allowing authorities to apprehend…
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Police in Bangkok arrest suspect, seize firearms in gambling case
Police in Nonthaburi apprehended a suspect linked to a notorious gambling website, seizing a cache of firearms and ammunition in the process. The arrest underscores ongoing efforts to bring the site’s elusive owner to justice, following a violent incident involving the website’s admin. Police moved swiftly to arrest 22 year old Natthaphong Kosasaeng, at a car park in Royal Mansion,…
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Thailand aims for 3.4 trillion baht tourism revenue by 2025
Thailand is setting its sights on a tourism boom with a newly launched strategy aimed at bolstering both international and domestic travel. With the tourism sector generating a substantial 1.892 trillion baht (US$56 billion) in 2023, the government is now targeting an impressive 3.4 trillion baht (US$100 billion) in revenues by 2025, aspiring to welcome over 40 million international visitors.…
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Beauty queen scammed out of 4 million baht by cyber criminals
Charlotte Austin, a beauty queen affiliated with Miss Grand Thailand, has reportedly fallen victim to a scam by a cybercriminal gang, resulting in a loss of 4 million baht. The perpetrators allegedly coerced her into a continuous 24-hour video call. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) is currently investigating the incident but has not yet been able to contact Charlotte…
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Temperatures rise in Thailand, heavy rain persists in the south
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast indicating a rise in temperatures across Thailand today, with increases of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius expected. However, the southern region will continue to experience heavy rainfall in some areas. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours reveals that the moderate high-pressure system or cold air mass currently covering the…
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Chon Buri MP’s father shot at rice porridge shop, suspect sought
A gunman targeted Sakda Nopsit, the father of a Chon Buri MP, leaving him seriously injured. The police have launched an investigation to track down the suspect. The incident occurred yesterday, December 9, at a rice porridge shop in Samet, Mueang Chon Buri. The police, led by Thanaphong Photi and accompanied by a team of investigators and Tri Khunnatham rescue…
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Elderly Thai man walks 14 days to find missing son
An elderly Thai man, partially blind and determined to find his long-lost son, embarked on a remarkable 14-day journey on foot from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chon Buri. This poignant tale of parental love and perseverance unfolds as 85 year old Lung Lek Wongjaiya made the arduous trek with a cane, driven by the hope of reuniting with his eldest son,…
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Thai crew’s fate uncertain as Myanmar delays release decision
The fate of the Thai crewmembers detained in Myanmar remains uncertain as the government awaits a decision from Nay Pyi Taw. Local officials are currently not empowered to authorise their release, following an incident near Ranong last week. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed yesterday, December 9, that negotiations for their release continue, with Thai officials having formally requested permission to…
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Southern Thailand train services to resume after severe flooding
Train services in southern Thailand are set to return to full operation on December 12 following severe flooding that disrupted the rail network and caused significant damage to the tracks. The floods had forced all trains to terminate at Hat Yai station, impacting travel and logistics in the region. The State Railway of Thailand‘s Governor, Veeris Ammarapala, confirmed that services…
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Five men die in tragic Thai fish tank accident
Five men tragically lost their lives in a fish fermentation tank at a plant in the Lom Sak district of Phetchabun, a province in northern Thailand. The incident was reported to the Lom Sak Police Station yesterday, December 9, around 5pm. The deceased were identified as 69 year old Lam, 68 year old Lad, 50 year old Jakkrit Senanut, Hia…
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Thai woman seeks justice after attack by unidentified man in Bangkok
A Thai woman is seeking assistance after she and her male colleague were attacked by an unidentified man on Soi Charan Sanitwong 35 in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok on Friday, December 6. The 31 year old victim, identified only as A, reached out to the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive and shared her story publicly, hoping to identify the…
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Thailand throws ‘baht’ at impact study of 10,000-baht handouts
In a bid to decipher the ripple effects of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme, the Finance Ministry launched an exhaustive survey. This deep dive, spanning 40,000 participants, aims to unravel the true impact of this financial initiative on the economy and society as a whole. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit promises findings by the month’s end. “This survey uses a…
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2 Thai boys arrested for shooting girl, mistaking her for an enemy
Police arrested two Thai boys who mistakenly shot a 15 year old girl in the head on a road in the Phra Phrom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province last night, December 9, believing her to be their rival. Officers from Phra Phrom Police Station launched an investigation into the attempted murder, which took place around midnight on Jang Hoon-Na Pru…
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Deadly New Guinea flatworm crawls into Thailand (video)
In a digital age where the bizarre often grabs attention, one Facebook user has set social media ablaze with a video of a sinister black worm. The eight-second clip, accompanied by chilling photos, captures the creatures squirming in unsettling clusters, prompting users to ask, “What on earth is this?” This eerie display has left viewers equally fascinated and alarmed, with…
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Thailand and UK discuss trade, explore FTA possibilities
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with British Ambassador Mark Gooding last week at the ambassador’s official residence in Bangkok to discuss strengthening economic ties between Thailand and the United Kingdom. Central to their discussions was the feasibility of a Thailand-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and…
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Bangkok braces for current affairs as power outages hit home
In a move that’s set to ignite frustration, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced a slew of planned power outages sweeping across Bangkok and its neighbouring areas over the next two days. These interruptions, part of an essential maintenance blitz, are designed to bolster the city’s electricity network with greater efficiency and reliability. The disruptive energy cuts crackled into action…
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Grain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race
Thailand’s rice yields are significantly lower than other major Asian rice producers, according to Anon Nonsee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rice. The average rice yield in Thailand is about 400 to 500 kilogrammes per rai (0.16 hectares), far below Vietnam’s 1,000 kilogrammes per rai and China’s 1,000 to 1,200 kilogrammes per rai. While some Thai rice varieties…
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Ex-husband sets Chon Buri home on fire over lost military ID card
A heated domestic dispute in Chon Buri turned fiery when a former military husband allegedly set his ex-wife’s house on fire after a disagreement over a lost military ID card. The incident took place in Bang Saray, Sattahip district, leaving the single-storey home severely damaged. Police were alerted to the fire at 8pm yesterday, December 8. Chaiwat Nemmee, a police…
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Thailand’s birth rate drops 81% over 74 years, surpasses Japan
Thailand is now ranked among the top three countries globally experiencing the most significant decline in birth rates, with an 81% drop over the past 74 years. This dramatic decrease has seen Thailand surpass Japan in this regard, highlighting a widespread global issue of shrinking populations. Various factors such as economic conditions, environmental pollution, and living conditions are making people…
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