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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Bangkok governor clashes with councillor over collapsed building
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt engaged in a heated exchange with a councillor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) who urged him to step away from the scene of a collapsed building in the Chatuchak area. The councillor remarked, “You focus too much on the area where they are already dead.” Chadchart and 50 BMC councillors attended a meeting at the…
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Thailand sends medical aid to Myanmar after earthquake
In the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake, the Public Health Ministry has launched a series of inspections on hospital buildings across Thailand while preparing to send urgent medical aid to Myanmar, which was hit particularly hard. During an executive meeting yesterday, April 2, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin praised the ministry’s swift response, especially in caring for patients affected…
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Crash course: Phuket cracks down on deadly Songkran road chaos
Phuket officials are racing to prevent road carnage ahead of the Songkran festival, launching a major crackdown to curb drink-driving, reckless rentals, and helmet-free bikers. At a high-stakes meeting yesterday, April 2, Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong led a panel of officials, including newly appointed disaster chief Wichit Sutthaso, to hammer out life-saving strategies. With thousands of revellers set to…
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Pattaya raid: 20 year old arrested for selling kratom to teens
A dramatic raid in the early hours of April 1 has led to the arrest of a 20 year old woman and the seizure of illegal kratom beverages. The operation, led by Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon, uncovered a shop in Pattaya’s Village 8 selling kratom drinks to minors. The raid followed complaints from locals about a shop, Bak…
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Thailand introduces retirement lottery to boost elderly savings
Parliament has given unanimous approval in principle for a bill to amend the National Savings Fund (NSF) Act 2011, setting the stage for a retirement lottery initiative. This scheme aims to bolster retirement savings by permitting the NSF to issue lottery tickets, a measure widely supported by MPs as a way to enhance financial security for the elderly. The proposal…
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Crappy cabbie: Taxi driver flings faeces in parking row meltdown
A Thai woman took to social media to expose the disgusting and psychotic behaviour of a taxi driver who threw bags of faeces at her and other people’s cars over a parking dispute in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The woman, 40 year old Thitima, shared a picture of her car with a dirty windscreen, as well as a picture of…
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Teen rescued from call centre gang demanding 500,000 ransom
A 17 year old girl was rescued by police after being forced into hiding by a call centre gang that attempted to extort 500,000 baht from her grandmother in exchange for her freedom. They threatened to sell the girl at the border if the money was not paid. On April 1, Banjong (surname withheld) reported that her granddaughter, Chompoo, had…
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Thailand to train 20,000 masseurs as medicine assistants
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine announced an initiative to train 20,000 traditional Thai masseurs as certified Thai traditional doctors’ assistants. This will enable them to address seven specific muscle-related conditions. Doctor Somruek Chungsaman, the department’s chief, highlighted yesterday, April 2, the effectiveness of traditional Thai massage in treating various muscle-related conditions. The upskilling programmes will focus on…
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Phuket parents face charges for children’s illegal street racing
In Phuket, the parents of 14 minors, apprehended during a police operation in Ao Yon, Wichit, on April 1 are facing legal action for permitting their children to partake in illegal street racing. Wichit Police Chief Somsak Thongkliang announced that the parents were brought to Wichit Police Station to be informed of the charges under Section 26(3) of the Child…
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Trump’s tariff tantrum: US slaps huge levies on world as trade war erupts
Donald Trump has thrown the world into economic turmoil, launching a full-scale trade war by slapping sweeping new tariffs on imports, including crippling levies on key allies. Thailand has been caught in the tariff crossfire too, with officials claiming the nation could suffer an US$8 billion hit if the US were to even up levies between the two countries. Semiconductor…
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9 year old Thai boy killed after picking up bomb on Phichit road
A nine year old Thai boy lost his life after picking up a bomb on a road in the Isaan province of Phichit. More bombs were later found in the area. The fatal explosion occurred on March 23 but only gained public attention yesterday, April 2, after a post from the Facebook page ตลาดล่างอัพเกรด. The page shared a picture of…
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Young woman dies in Chon Buri motorcycle accident after night out
In the early hours of this morning, a tragic accident occurred involving a young woman who had recently returned from working abroad. After a night out at an entertainment venue, she lost control of her motorcycle and collided with a utility pole, resulting in her death. Police from Don Hua Lo Police Station responded to the incident today, April 3,…
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Two killed in Phuket motorbike and van collision near airport
A horrific accident on the main road to Phuket International Airport claimed the lives of two people early yesterday morning, April 2. A motorbike with a sidecar collided with a commercial passenger van, leaving both victims with fatal injuries. The tragedy occurred around 9.30am on Route 4026, connecting Thepkrasattri Road to the airport. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where…
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Wet and wild: Heavy rain set to drench Thailand
Weather woes are on the horizon as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues an urgent heavy rain warning for April 3. With a deluge expected to sweep across 28 provinces, a staggering 80% of these areas are bracing for severe rainfall. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as strong winds threaten to whip up chaos, alongside the looming danger of…
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Holiday horror: Australian teen killed in Thai motorbike crash
In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, an Australian teenager’s Thai getaway has ended in tragedy. Known for his “beautiful soul,” Carlos Guirguis, of Melbourne, tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash on the holiday hotspot of Koh Samui. The apprentice plumber was riding without a helmet when he attempted to overtake a local motorist in the early hours of…
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Bangkok motor show sees 29% rise in car reservations
The 46th Bangkok International Motor Show has revved up excitement, attracting a wave of car enthusiasts and driving a major spike in vehicle reservations, especially for new xEV (electric) models. With the show now at its midway point, organisers are reporting impressive results, particularly from eco-conscious consumers keen on the future of electric vehicles (EVs). Jaturon Komolmit, deputy chairman and…
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Gay Pattaya man found dead under bed, gold necklace missing
A Thai bar owner in Pattaya found his LGBTQIA+ friend lying dead under his bed with a blue towel in his mouth, and his gold necklace, worth nearly 250,000 baht, was missing. The owner of a bar in Pattaya, Sakesan, discovered the lifeless body of his friend, 30 year old Nai, in his room on the second floor of a…
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Thailand’s tourism strategy to restore confidence after earthquake
In the wake of the recent earthquake, Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has called a crucial meeting with government officials and private sector leaders to tackle the impact on the country’s tourism industry. The primary focus? Restoring both domestic and international tourist confidence while ensuring the continued safety of visitors. The meeting, chaired by Minister of Tourism and Sports…
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Taps off: Phuket prepares for water supply disruptions tomorrow
Phuket residents, take note: water supply disruptions are set to affect parts of the island tomorrow, April 3, as the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA Phuket) carries out vital maintenance work. Two separate outages will hit areas in Srisoonthorn and Kathu, with residents urged to prepare for the disruption. The first outage will affect the Botanica Modern Loft housing estate in…
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Dog chooses nap over escape during Bangkok earthquake (video)
While many animals are believed to have a sixth sense for impending natural disasters, one dog in Thailand hilariously defied that notion during the recent Bangkok earthquake. As her owner frantically attempted to evacuate during the quake, Echo, a fluffy Samoyed, had different plans — choosing to nap peacefully instead of fleeing to safety. A TikTok video of the comical…
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Sweeping success: Bangkok road cleaner gets devilish makeover
A leading Thai make-up artist offered a road sweeper in Bangkok, who previously went viral for her photoshoot by a Russian photographer, a new makeover as a character from a famous Thai film, Art of the Devil 2. The Russian photographer, Semyon Rezchikov, shared a video of himself taking a portrait of a road sweeper on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok…
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More than 3,000 Thai govt buildings damaged in earthquake
The powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28 has left a trail of destruction across Thailand, with over 3,000 government buildings affected, according to the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT). As of today, April 2, the DPT reported that 3,375 government buildings had been inspected following the quake, with 34 deemed severely damaged…
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Protesters rally against entertainment complex and gambling bills
Demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister’s residence yesterday to protest against the government’s proposed entertainment complex bill and the online gambling bill, which was under Cabinet review the same day. A few hundred people converged at the Phitsanulok Mansion residence yesterday, April 1, intensifying their opposition to the draft bills, which they argued would destroy the country by undermining societal…
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Crime doesn’t pray: American nabbed nicking from Pattaya donation box
A shocking robbery unfolded early this morning in Pattaya, when a 62 year old American man was caught stealing from a donation box outside the local police station. The bizarre crime was driven by the man’s claim of desperation after losing his ATM card and being unable to buy food. At around 2.30am today, April 2, Pattaya police received an…
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Motorbike mugger nabbed after late-night bag snatch in Phuket
A late-night ride turned into a nightmare for one Phuket woman after a motorbike-riding thief snatched her shoulder bag in a brazen robbery. But thanks to swift police work, the culprit didn’t get far. At around 10.30pm yesterday, April 1, a 41 year old woman from Village No. 5 in Ratsada subdistrict, Mueang district, was riding pillion on a motorbike…
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Chiang Mai struggles with severe air pollution from wildfires
Chiang Mai is currently grappling with severe air pollution due to ongoing wildfires across various districts, with over 150 hotspots identified. Yesterday, April 1, wildfires persisted in mountainous regions of the northern province, with 150 active hotspots reported in 15 districts. The most affected areas include Hot with 34 hotspots, Chiang Dao with 26, and Phrao with 23. Thick smoke…
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Chinese embassy pledges cooperation in SAO building probe
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement addressing media concerns regarding the involvement of China Railway No.10 Engineering Group in the construction of the Office of the Auditor-General (SAO) building, which tragically collapsed during the March 28 earthquake. In a statement released late yesterday, April 1, the embassy expressed its commitment to fully cooperate with the Thai authorities and…
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Thai man found dead after leaving home to work in Taiwan
A Thai man told his mother he was going to work in Taiwan but committed suicide instead in the middle of a rice field in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The deceased’s mother was shocked after a relative informed her of the death of her 30 year old son, Pongsakorn Saenkla, yesterday, April 1. Pongsakorn was found hanging from…
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15 dead, 72 missing amidst quake rubble in Bangkok
Rescue teams continue their search for 72 missing workers after a catastrophic building collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The under-construction 30-story State Audit Office (SAO) building crumbled last Friday afternoon, March 28, following a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, which was felt across the region, including Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province. As of this morning, April 2, the death…
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Trailer and pickup clash sparks heated dispute in Nonthaburi
A heated argument erupted following a collision between a trailer and a pickup truck in Nonthaburi, resulting in both parties filing complaints with the police. The incident occurred yesterday, April 1, and has led to accusations and physical altercations between the involved parties. Today, it was reported that Chaowarat, a 58 year old bamboo shop owner, filed a complaint with…
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