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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Police Region 8 busts major drug ring in Surat Thani
Police Region 8 successfully conducted a major operation leading to the arrest of key members of the Kaeng Chaiburi Network, a significant drug trafficking group. This comes just three months after a prison release, with the suspects attempting to push 10 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 14,000 methamphetamine pills. Yesterday, March 12, at 11am, at Bang Sawang Police Station in…
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Myanmar fisherman found dead at sea near Phuket
Thai police are investigating the mysterious death of a Myanmar fisherman whose body was found floating in the sea between Phuket and Krabi, hours after he was reported missing from a fishing boat. The body of 39 year old Zaw Min Thuy (also spelt Zaw Min Htoo) was discovered at around 3pm yesterday, March 12 and later brought ashore at…
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Man accused of assaulting friend’s sister in Nakhon Sawan
A man has been accused of assaulting and sexually assaulting his friend’s sister after a night of drinking in Nakhon Sawan. The incident occurred yesterday, March 12, when 47 year old A accompanied her daughter, 21 year old B, to file a complaint with Police Lieutenant Thongsuk Kaewngkanthai at the Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police Station. B recounted the events of…
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Motorcyclist dies in Chachoengsao collision with pickup truck (video)
A 26 year old man died in a collision while riding his motorcycle to work. The incident, yesterday, March 12, occurred in front of a car care centre on Charanyanond Road, heading towards Tha Sa-arn in Village 7, Bang Wua subdistrict, Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province. Police Lieutenant Somkiat Puangsuk from Bang Pakong Police Station and rescue units confirmed the…
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Ratchaburi temple prayer hall collapse, damage worth 8 million baht
A two-storey prayer hall at Wat Amornyatsamakom in Ratchaburi province unexpectedly collapsed, causing extensive damage valued at approximately 8 million baht. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, which took place yesterday, March 12, at 5.20pm. District chief Suwitchat Nawamphet visited the temple, located in Mueang district’s Thana subdistrict, following reports of the collapse. He met with Phra Khru…
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Bangkok’s Giant Swing set for urgent repairs amid safety concerns
Repairs to the Giant Swing in Bangkok are set to kick off following concerns about its structural condition. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) City Planning and Development Office, announced that the repairs will follow an inspection conducted with the Thailand Structural Engineers Association. The inspection revealed major damage, including splitting, spalling, and inclined cracks, with the…
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Myanmar national found dead in Udon Thani, police investigate
A Myanmar national’s body was discovered in a room in Udon Thani, allegedly dead for five days, despite reportedly being seen outside just two days prior. Police are investigating, suspecting involvement from two individuals who shared the accommodation. At 4.20pm yesterday, March 12, Police Captain Supakorn Thumjeen, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, received a report of a…
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From TikToker to locktoker: British influencer jailed in Thailand
In a stunning reversal of fortune, a British influencer, once a millionaire and reality TV sensation, now finds herself languishing behind bars in Thailand. The 32 year old woman, originally from Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, is accused of overstaying her visa, casting a shadow over what was a sun-soaked, idyllic lifestyle. Ellis Matthews, who reportedly left England four years ago to…
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Bangkok ranked world’s No. 2 food city: Why it deserves the spot
Bangkok has once again proven itself as a global culinary powerhouse, securing second spot in Time Out’s prestigious ranking of the world’s best food cities in 2025—just behind New Orleans. From sizzling street food to upscale dining, the Thai capital continues to captivate food lovers with its unbeatable mix of affordability, flavour, and convenience. Time Out’s latest survey found that…
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Taxi scam: Grab driver overcharges Phuket tourist
A frustrated tourist in Phuket has once again fallen victim to an overcharging taxi driver: this time through the Grab app. Despite booking a ride at a fixed price of 264 baht, he was hit with an unexpected 100-baht surcharge midway through the trip, leaving him fuming and questioning Grab’s ability to protect customers from exploitation. The incident occurred yesterday,…
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Police bust gang smuggling Chinese nationals into Bangkok
Police yesterday apprehended a gang involved in smuggling Chinese nationals into Bangkok for work. The group was intercepted yesterday, March 12, at the border in Tak province, with the driver receiving a fee of 6,500 baht for his services. Police Major General Khongkrich Loetsitthikul instructed Police Colonel That Phosuwan, Police Lieutenant Colonel Supakorn Tangkaprasert, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkarawut Chanchareon…
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2 Phuket police spark debate after using force against foreign tourist
A viral video showing two Thai police officers using force to restrain a foreign man, who allegedly attacked a woman in Phuket, has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. The video was shared yesterday, March 12, by a foreign Facebook user named Brenin DeOliveira, with a caption that read… “Thai cops don’t play! Allegedly, he punched a woman in the face.…
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Irishwoman nabbed in Norway with £1 million worth of Thai cannabis
The sensational arrest of an Irishwoman in Norway with a £1 million (44 million baht) haul of cannabis, allegedly trafficked from Thailand, has unearthed a much larger drug trafficking ring. The 32 year old was apprehended by Norwegian police at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Thursday, January 9. She is suspected of attempting to smuggle 41.7kg of cannabis. Upon her arrest,…
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Foreign driver attempts to stab Thai motorcyclist after Phuket crash
A foreign pickup driver yesterday allegedly crashed into a Thai motorcyclist on a Phuket road and attempted to stab the victim. The Thai motorcyclist took to Facebook to seek assistance from netizens in locating the foreign pickup driver who collided with him yesterday, March 12. He revealed that the foreigner was driving a white Ford Raptor with the registration plate…
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Teen stabs peer in marijuana-fueled paranoia at Rangsit condo
A 19 year old marketing student at a well-known university in Rangsit reportedly attacked a fellow student due to marijuana-induced paranoia at a luxury condominium. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of today, March 13, in Pathum Thani, left the victim with multiple stab wounds. The victim, referred to as Korn, was found at the entrance of the…
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Tattoo studio warns of couple using discarded needles in Thailand
A tattoo studio has raised concerns about a couple allegedly scavenging for used tattoo needles from its rubbish to use on their clients. The couple, who offer low-cost tattoo services without a storefront, were captured on CCTV rummaging through the trash outside the shop in Mueang district, Chachoengsao province. CCTV footage released yesterday, March 12, by 40 year old Thanupong,…
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Thailand video news | Phuket hit-and-run: police hunt knife-wielding foreigners, Cambodian PM defends Angkor Sangkranta event amid criticism
In Thailand video news, Alex brings the latest news from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Phuket police hunt three foreigners after a hit-and-run, while reporters visit the prison cell where ex-police chief “Joe Ferrari” died. A man in Nan faces jail for dropping a Yaba pill, and a foreign tourist dines and dashes in Krabi. In Pattaya, police bust a rental…
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Thai AirAsia offers 30% Songkran discount on direct bookings
Thai AirAsia is offering a 30% discount during the Songkran festival for direct bookings made from March 11 to 20. The airline is supporting the Ministry of Transport’s policy by adding special flights during this peak travel period across five routes from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani. The discount applies…
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Thai man throws girlfriend from Bangkok condo before jumping
A Thai man consumed by jealousy reportedly strangled his girlfriend until she lost consciousness before hurling her from the rooftop of a Bangkok condominium at the weekend, subsequently jumping off himself. Both are now in critical condition. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet shared yesterday, March 11, that the girl’s 43 year old Thai mother urged him to help her…
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Manhunt after husband kills wife in Samut Prakan tragedy
A tragic incident unfolded in Samut Prakan province when a 43 year old man shot and killed his 34 year old wife in front of their children and mother-in-law. The suspect fled with his 15 year old stepdaughter, prompting a police manhunt. Today, March 13, at 1am, officers from Phra Samut Chedi Police Station were alerted to a shooting at…
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Violent altercation in Chon Buri: Man attacks ex-wife and partner
In the early hours of today, police in Saen Suk district were alerted to a violent altercation at a dormitory in Mueang district, Chon Buri province. The incident today, March 13, involved a confrontation where a man attacked his ex-wife and her new partner. The new partner managed to escape by breaking a bathroom window and is currently missing. The…
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Tourist beaten by ladyboys on Soi Bangla after dine-and-dash
A wild brawl erupted in the early hours of yesterday on Phuket’s infamous Bangla Road after a tourist allegedly skipped out on paying for his meal. The chaotic scene, which unfolded yesterday, March 12, in the heart of Patong, Kathu district, saw a group of local ladyboys, unhappy at the dine and dasher’s behaviour, confronted the man before the situation…
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Thai-tanic turmoil: British retirees escape Thailand prison drama
In an astonishing twist of fate, an elderly British couple have narrowly avoided what had seemed an inevitable prison sentence in Thailand. Instead, they’ve been handed 9,000 baht fines (£200), allowing them to plan their much-anticipated return to the UK. Their ordeal began in 2020 when Des and Mary Byrne retired to Thailand’s picturesque Thai Riviera, envisioning a peaceful, sun-soaked…
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Thai monk expelled after attacking nurse in Lop Buri hospital
A Thai monk with epilepsy and a history of mental illness attacked an assistant nurse at a hospital in Lop Buri province, striking the victim twice in the back and neck. A video showing a group of Thai men attempting to restrain the monk by pinning him to the ground was shared on Thai social media platforms and went viral.…
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Thai health initiative nears target with 18 million educated on carbs
The Ministry of Public Health announced that its initiative encouraging Thai citizens to monitor their carbohydrate intake has achieved notable success. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin revealed that over 18 million people have been educated on carbohydrate counting, nearing the project’s target of 20 million by March 20. With assistance from village health volunteers across the country, 445,791 individuals monitored…
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Bangkok ping pong show art goes viral, raises funds for Phuket elephants
A foreign Instagram sensation is selling exclusive T-shirts featuring an elephant sketch drawn by a Thai woman, using her vagina, during a ping pong show in Bangkok. Every 100 baht from the shirt sale will go to an elephant sanctuary in Phuket. A ping pong show is a form of adult entertainment available in the red light districts of Bangkok…
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Labour Ministry under scrutiny for 7 billion baht office purchase
The Ministry of Labour confirmed its willingness to cooperate with a panel investigating claims that the Social Security Office (SSO) spent an excessive 7 billion baht on acquiring the SKYY9 Centre on Rama IX Road, despite its appraised value being 3 billion baht. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stated that the ministry is committed to ensuring transparency throughout the investigation. He…
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All systems go: Bangkok’s new Red Line to be greenlit in April
The eagerly anticipated extension of Thailand’s Red Line from Siriraj Hospital to Salaya is racing towards Cabinet approval this April. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the colossal 15.17 billion baht project has cleared all the necessary bureaucratic hurdles. The Finance Ministry, Budget Bureau, and National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) have all rendered their blessing, sending the proposal…
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Busted! Bangkok officials caught in bogus 2.8m baht bus repair scam
Seven officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been detained for their alleged involvement in a corruption scheme concerning fabricated repairs to five buses, resulting in costs of 2.8 million baht. Their arrest followed an inspection of a repair garage yesterday morning, March 12. This inspection was conducted by senior officials, including Phumwisan Kasemsuk, Secretary General of the Public…
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Thai and stormy: 48 provinces brace for wild weather, and hail
Weather conditions in 48 provinces across Thailand are expected to include thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing hail and strong winds. Despite these conditions, the overall weather remains very hot, according to the Thai Meteorological Department‘s (TMD) forecast for the next 24 hours. Northern Thailand will experience very hot weather with thunderstorms in 20% of the area, strong winds, and hail in…
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