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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Senior official arrested over alleged poaching in Kanchanaburi
A new group has been arrested following alleged poaching in a Kanchanaburi national park, again involving high profile officers. A group, including a deputy district chief, who allegedly camped out overnight and shot a ‘binturong‘ at the Sai Yok National Park in Kanchaburi province over the weekend, has been arrested. An informed source said park officials checked the group after…
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Event Round-Up – October
by Paul Poole – The Sponsorship Experts The end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat or Buddhist Lent is marked in October with a range of religious ceremonies across the country. One of them, the Chong Para Festival in Mae Hong Son from October 20-22, is particularly colourful. Wooden towers are decorated with colourful paper and fruit and carried in procession through…
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Thai economy’s growth in 2018 projected at 4.5% – World Bank
Things are looking up for more economic smiles in the Land of Smiles with more positive news coming out of the World Bank. Projections are being revised upward, again. The World Bank says it’s adjusted its projections for Thailand’s economic growth upward, for the whole of 2018, to 4.5%, from the previous projection of 4.1%. The announcement comes from Kiattiphong…
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Marquez beats Dovizioso in Buri Ram MotoGP thriller
PHOTOS: Naratip Golf Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images by Lerpong Amsa-ngiam Marc Marquez of Honda narrowly beat arch-rival Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati to win the inaugural MotoGP Thailand at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram this afternoon (Sunday). Over 100,000 fans were treated with neck-and-neck battle between the two current leaders on the Championship standing but in the end it was the talented…
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Japan tops Thailand as Chinese tourists’ top choice for Golden Week
Watch out Thailand. Japan is stealing our tourists. Japan has now overtaken Thailand as Chinese vacationers’ top choice for the 2018 Chinese Golden Week holiday. This according to Ctrip.com, one of the biggest travel websites in China. This is the first time Thailand has lost its top destination status to Japan during the holiday season which expect at least 7…
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Thaiger Radio News – Saturday
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Foreigners nationwide being checked as visa changes being considered
PHOTOS: INN The new immigration chief Maj-Gen Surachate Hakparn is making his presence felt promising to investigate 60,000 migrants in a crackdown on illegal workers. He is also promising changes in the way visa extensions are done. INN reports that the crackdown began mid week, with media in tow, in the Huay Khwang, Nana and Khao San areas with the arrest…
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Thaiger Radio News – Friday
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No more ‘tips’ at Immigration
The new Thai immigration chief, Maj-General Surachate Hakparn, has implemented his first promise at immigration stations. The signage going up nationwide is clear and unequivocal. No Tips. That means no more payments to corrupt immigration officials or the agents who collect the tea money from tourists and either pass it on or keep it for themselves. It’s also a tacit…
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Thai public hospital system under stress
Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sukhum Kanchanapimai yesterday admitted that the country’s hospitals were overwhelmed, following an outspoken doctor’s comments that the system was “close to collapse”. Sukhum told a press conference in Nonthaburi province yesterday that crowded conditions were a reality and the bed occupation rate in many big hospitals was beyond full capacity. To tackle this long-standing…
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Thaiger Radio News – Thursday
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Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
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Thaiger Radio News – Tuesday
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Thanathorn says he’s ready to be the next Thai PM
PHOTO: Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit “Thanathorn added that he would not talk to Prayut while he was head of the junta.” The Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit says he’s ready to become the next Thai PM and highlighted the campaign “Thailand 2X” that promotes equality among Thais and to make the country fit to compete with others. The…
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No tips and a crackdown on visa agents – Surachete takes over Immigration top job
Thailand’s famous crime buster Surachete Hakparn, aka “Big Joke”, has been welcomed to his new job as head of Thai immigration during a ceremony this afternoon. He kicked off with some tough words, promising action against visa agent rip-offs and officers under his new command. Thai Rath reports that he says he’s determined to stamp out ‘paper bags’ and that…
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‘Charm Offensive’ awaits at Don Mueang for Chinese passengers
Knee-jerk reaction #48. The Tourist Police Bureau have dispatched a team of officers to attend to passengers, especially Chinese passengers, at Don Mueang International Airport. More Chinese tourist arrivals are expected to arrive for their Golden Week holiday starting today. The Deputy Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachete Hakparn, says additional police officers have been deployed…
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Junta goes for lighter touch on lese majeste laws
with Kai Chanwanpen – The Nation iLaw experts say they see changes for the better and courts given more leeway in Thailand’s lese majeste cases. Thailand saw the most aggressive enforcement of the lese majeste law after the junta came to power in 2014, but current trends point to an unprecedented relaxation, according to iLaw. “There was a time, after…
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Director and security chief of Don Mueang suspended over assault of Chinese tourist
“Immigration police dismissed the tourist’s claim that immigration officials had demanded 2,000 baht from him for a visa on arrival in addition to the normal fee of 2,000 baht.” The Director of Bangkok’s Don Mueang international airport, as well as the director for security, have been suspended from active duty for at least 30 days pending an investigation into an…
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Fireworks factory explodes in Chachoengsao
PHOTOS: The Nation Extremely hot weather is suspected of causing an explosion at a fireworks factory in Muang Chachoengsao on Saturday afternoon that left one person injured. The roof of the factory owned by 47 year old Karun Raksanont was blown off in the explosion, with the debris raining down on the neighbourhood. The explosion, which could be heard a kilometre…
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Thaiger Radio News – Sunday
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Thai mothers caving to superstition or private hospital wishes when having babies
by Kornwaree Panyasuppakun and Tim Newton “Many babies in Thailand are born to suit ‘auspicious days’ or the Obstetrician’s golf plans.” The expectant mother reported to the private hospital in Phuket where she and her husband had decided to have their first baby. When she walked in for her appointment with the Obstetrician the first question was when she wanted to…
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Thaiger Radio News – Saturday
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Thaiger Radio News – Friday
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Thai tiger farms investigated for links to black market
Thailand’s tiger facilities have come under international scrutiny amid suggestions many there are many farms taking part in the illicit trading of the endangered species. The committee on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) now plans to appoint a non-governmental organisation to collect data on the population and conditions of captive-bred tigers…
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Thaiger Radio News – Thursday
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Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
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Thaiger Radio News – Tuesday
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Thai PM at the crossroads
PHOTO: The Nation With the election looming (5 months away) the Thai PM is being forced to declare his cards and his intentions to run as a political party member, or not. According to The Nation, Prayut Chan-o-cha appears to have made up his mind to take a risky political journey after publicly admitting for the first time yesterday that…
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Thaiger Radio News – Monday
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Safer Thai roads will provide an economic boost
Thailand could gain significant long-term economic benefit by making the roads safer and saving its mainly young and capable population from premature death in accidents, according to a World Bank report. The report entitled “The High Toll of Traffic Injuries: Unacceptable and Preventable”, concludes that, if road traffic injuries could be reduced in Thailand by 50 per cent and satisfactory…
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