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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Thailand’s EV 3.0 policy faces major oversupply challenges
The Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT) issued a cautionary note to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in Thailand, alerting them to the potential for a significant oversupply of EVs in the coming years. This warning arises from the production requirements stipulated under the EV 3.0 policy. This policy, which has been previously lauded for encouraging domestic EV production, offers import tax…
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New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
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Uproar over motorcycle accidents at Phuket’s rainbow crosswalk
A series of motorcycle accidents at the Rainbow Crosswalk at the Charter intersection in the Mueang Phuket district sparked widespread debate on social media. The vibrant crosswalk, a popular spot for tourists to take photos, became slippery during periods of rainfall, causing three to four motorcyclists to fall yesterday, July 10. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In response to the…
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Cannabis crusaders’ hunger strike: High stakes classification protest
Cannabis supporters began a hunger strike yesterday in reaction to the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreeing to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug. Marijuana was removed from Narcotics Category 5 on June 9, 2022, allowing people to use cannabis products containing no more than 2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for health-related purposes only, not recreation. While there were…
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Teen reports assault by intruder in her bedroom
A 17 year old girl reported to the police that a 27 year old man entered her bedroom and assaulted her while she was sleeping. The suspect, who initially claimed he entered the house to commit theft, denied the accusation of assault. The incident took place yesterday, July 10, when the girl, referred to as A, woke up at 5am…
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Nation Group announces partial salary suspension
Nation Group announced a partial salary suspension for some employees due to a significant decline in advertising revenue across the media industry, driven by current economic conditions. Chairperson Chai Bunnag also opted to forego his salary. Nation Group released an announcement, numbered 015/2567, detailing the decision to partially suspend salaries. This measure comes in response to a sharp decrease in…
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Elderly woman with dementia found dead near Chai Nat home
An 87 year old woman with dementia was tragically found dead after wandering away from her home in Mueang Chai Nat District. Despite the family’s two-day search, her body was discovered only 100 metres from her residence. Phan Niamprayoon, who suffered from memory loss, went missing around noon yesterday, July 10, from her home in Hat Tha Sao Subdistrict. Her family…
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Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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Kuwaiti love triangle turns into violent brawl in Pattaya
A dramatic street fight erupted outside a Pattaya hotel, leaving bystanders in shock and fear. The violent altercation, captured on video by onlookers, prompted a swift police search for the assailant. The incident began as bystanders, including 43 year old chicken rice vendor Sompong Ruangkham, recorded the chaotic scene. “At first, we thought it was some big shot showing off.”…
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Senior officer arrested for aiding fraud and fake ID issuance
Police apprehended Lieutenant Colonel M. at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters for aiding state officials in committing fraud and facilitating the issuance of fake identification cards to foreign nationals. Today, July 11, Phumwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), directed Manatsanan Charancharoenpong, Director of PACC Region 3, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Kamlueng, Director of the…
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Bangkok taxi rider’s suspicion leads to discovery of passenger’s body
A Thai motorcycle taxi rider tragically discovered the lifeless body of a regular customer on a camp bed in his apartment room after the man had been missing in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The body of 53 year old Thaweechai was found on a camp bed in his apartment in Soi Suksawat 70, Phrapradaeng district, Samut Prakan province, on…
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Thailand’s new senators report as EC probes election irregularities
Thailand’s newly appointed 200 senators have been summoned to report to Parliament today, July 11, while the Election Commission (EC) continues to scrutinise numerous allegations of collusion and other election irregularities. The senators are expected to collect their certificates tomorrow and on Friday, according to the poll body’s announcement after finalising the results of the three-stage vote that concluded on…
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Thai investor confidence remains neutral for 5th month
The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations’ (FETCO) Investor Confidence Index (ICI) maintained its position in the neutral zone for the 5th consecutive month, registering 82.89 in June. The index, which forecasts market conditions over the next three months, highlights that stimulus measures and companies’ earnings reports could potentially boost investor sentiment in the latter half of the year. FETCO…
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Missing hiker found safe after seven days in Phu Soi Dao
A tourist who went missing for seven days after hiking Phu Soi Dao has been found in good health. The 27 year old missing tourist reunited with his family, who embraced him in tears of joy. He is currently under medical observation. Thanwarit Matima was reported missing after he registered with Phu Soi Dao National Park officials on July 4…
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27 young Thai girls sexually assaulted by school director in Lopburi
The Thai parents and guardians of 27 girls accompanied them to file a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School in the central province of Lopburi for allegedly sexually assaulting them. The victims and their parents and guardians visited Chai Badan Police Station to take legal action against the school director, whose identity has not been revealed. The issue…
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King Vajiralongkorn champions equal education for Thai youth
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is steadfast in his mission to provide equal education opportunities for Thai youth, viewing education as pivotal for the country’s progress. In 2009, then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn initiated the Crown Prince Scholarship, which has since evolved into a foundation dedicated to offering scholarships to underprivileged youth. The King personally chairs this foundation. Privy Councillor General Dapong Ratanasuwan highlighted…
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Lorry crash in Surat Thani leaves two hospitalised
A lorry carrying palm oil waste experienced brake failure and crashed into a car, dragged it for 100 metres, and collided with a pickup truck, causing severe damage. Rescue teams extracted two individuals from the wreckage and transported them to the hospital. The incident occurred at 5.50pm yesterday, July 10 when police from Chaiya Police Station in Surat Thani were…
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Man kidnaps wife at gunpoint, police rescue ends in fatal shootout
A man kidnapped his wife at gunpoint, fleeing across districts to hide at a friend’s hut. Police surrounded the location, leading to a shootout that resulted in one fatality. Police officers in Chiang Rai collaborated to rescue a hostage yesterday, July 10. Under the command of Manop Senakul, Santi Kongsamak, and Pipat Naradet, the operation was executed with precision. The…
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Thai prisoner demands justice after fellow inmates raped him in jail
A Thai prisoner urged the Lawyers Council of Thailand Under the Royal Patronage to help him seek justice after two fellow inmates tricked him into taking a sleeping pill and raped him. The incident led the victim to repeatedly attempt suicide. The story gained public interest after a Thai lawyer, Nitithorn Kaewto, shared it on Facebook yesterday, July 10. According to…
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Thailand woos Saudi investors with EV sector opportunities
Thai officials are set to attract Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs to invest in Thailand’s S-curve industries, particularly following their interest in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Efforts to promote Thailand to potential investors will take place during a roadshow in Saudi Arabia, while also supporting Thai businesses aiming to expand into the Middle East, according to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the…
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Phuket woman assaulted on motorcycle, prompts police action
A man on a motorcycle harassed and assaulted a woman in Phuket, prompting calls for police action. The event, which occurred late at night, saw the assailant grab the victim’s chest, almost causing her to fall from her bike. The incident, which occurred on July 1 near the Super Cheap Road in Soi Khok Makham, Rawai, Phuket was reported by…
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Thailand plans 50 billion baht tunnel expressway in Bangkok
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced plans to construct a 50 billion baht tunnel expressway connecting Kaset and Ngamwongwan. Public opinion on the project will be gathered and considered on July 13. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed that the third public hearing will finalise the feasibility study for the northern section of the Third Stage Expressway System, specifically the…
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New tree species unearthed in Thai Geopark
Researchers from Chiang Mai University have uncovered a brand-new species of Ylang Ylang, or cananga tree, at the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark. Dubbed “Chalermprakiat” in honour of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, this discovery is set to shake the botanical world. Ylang Ylang, a tropical tree known for its fragrant flowers, is typically found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,…
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Teenager violently attacked by rivals in rental room near Pattaya
A teenager was violently attacked by rivals and left with serious injuries in his rental room near Pattaya. The incident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation around 4.06pm on Wednesday, July 9. Rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene in a rental room in the Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Upon arrival,…
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Russian man arrested for illegal business, bribe attempt
A Russian man attempted to secure his freedom by offering a 1 million baht bribe to Thai police after being arrested for illegally operating a motorcycle rental service in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Pha Ngan Tourist Police received a tip-off about a foreigner working illegally in Thailand. Following further investigation, the man…
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Tourism Ministry reinstates guarantee for outbound tour operators
Thai travellers faced significant setbacks after some licenced outbound tour operators left them stranded despite purchasing premium packages. In response, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is now seeking enhanced consumer protection measures. The Tourism Department, under the ministry’s supervision, plans to reinstate the guarantee amount for licenced outbound tour companies to 200,000 baht next year. This comes after a pandemic-era…
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Siriraj Hospital unveils AI-powered 3D printing for titanium implants
Siriraj Hospital, in collaboration with Meticuly, has introduced a revolutionary titanium 3D printing system powered by artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to negate logistical and time constraints by creating regulatory-compliant implants directly within healthcare facilities. The partnership has led to the installation of an innovative 3D printing system that can design, manufacture, and deliver patient-specific implants within one to seven days,…
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Thai man wanted for groping woman’s breasts on motorcycle
A Thai woman urged netizens to help her locate a man who groped her breasts while she was travelling on a motorcycle with her friend in Phuket on Tuesday. The victim took to social media to share the story, saying it happened around 9.30pm on Tuesday, July 9, near the SuperCheap grocery store in Soi Kok Makham, Rawai sub-district, Phuket.…
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Heavy rains and flash flood warnings issued for Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for heavy rains and potential flash floods across most regions of the country, with Bangkok expected to experience rain in 60% of its area. The TMD forecasts that the southwest monsoon will cover the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, creating conditions ripe for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in certain…
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