News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
-
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?...
-
Charoen told to vacate SorPorKor plots
BANGKOK (The Nation): The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an Appeals Court verdict and ordered Phuket businessman Charearn Thavornwongwongse to vacate four plots of SorPorKor land for landless farmers covering roughly 16 rai in Kamala and Kathu Districts.According to the court, K. Charearn could no longer be considered a farmer because he owned various businesses.He is the Managing Director of…
-
Dutchman arrested for office hold-up
PHUKET CITY: A down-on-his-luck Dutchman was arrested yesterday for the June 15 robbery of the management office at the Phuket Villa California residential development.The man, identified as Jeroen De Valk, 35, allegedly made away with 74,000 baht – but not before CCTV cameras recorded his motorcycle license plate number.On June 15, a man dressed in black walked into the offices of the…
-
Cops nab office thief
PHUKET CITY: Provincial bureaucrats will sleep better at night, following the arrest of a man wanted for stealing valuables from government offices on the island.At a press conference yesterday, Phuket City Police Station Superintendent Col Nos Sawetalek presented 30-year-old Prayuth Kruakaew as the thief, along with four laptop computers, three mobile phones and cash in baht, US dollars and Chinese…
-
High and dry
PATONG: Six days after it washed up on the south end of Patong Beach, the 38-foot sailboat Sultan remains high and dry after several unsuccessful efforts to dislodge and re-float her.The Sultan washed up on the south end of Patong Beach during a strong storm about 1 am on Tuesday.Skipper Michael Wilson of the UK, who was asleep on the…
-
Looking for beautiful Thai women
PHUKET: Girl watchers might want to pay a special visit to Jungceylon on June 24, when starry-eyed beauties from all over the southern region will converge on the second floor to apply for the chance to compete in the Miss Thailand World 2007 beauty pageant. The pageant, organized by Thai TV Channel 3 content provider BEC Tero-Entertainment, will determine which…
-
Thieves cash in on dark and stormy night
PHUKET CITY: While storm winds whipped through Phuket City on Tuesday night, thieves made off with about 90,000 baht in cash after breaking into a Christian foundation at Phun Pol Night Plaza.Lt Col Ampolwat Saengrueng, duty inspector of Phuket Police Station, told the Gazette, “Burglars broke into the New Life Foundation at 74/123 Phun Pol Night Plaza. They scaled a…
-
Japanese hotel worker killed in crash
KARON: A Japanese circus entertainer from Club Med died after he was run over by a tuk-tuk on a hill near Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort at about 6 am on Tuesday.Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham, duty inspector of Chalong Police Station, identified the victim as Nakamura Masakazu, 41. Mr Masakazu was riding a rented Honda Dream motorbike in heavy rain…
-
Beachcomber’s nightmare in Nai Thon
NAI THON: Police are hoping to establish the identity of a headless and badly decomposed human corpse discovered washed up on Nai Thon Beach late Tuesday morning. Sub Lt Thianchai Duangsuwan of the Tha Chat Chai Police Station told the Gazette the gruesome discovery was made at about 10:30 am on the stretch of beach in front of the Naithonburi…
-
Phuket shrines to make Chinese-style Jatukham amulets
PHUKET CITY: Three Chinese shrines on the island are joining forces to make Chinese-style versions of the popular Jatukham Ramathep amulet in order to raise money to build a 60-million-baht VIP wing at Vachira Phuket Hospital. A press conference was held at Pud Jor Shrine on June 18 to describe the amulet-making process and inform the public how to reserve…
-
Brownnose bloodsucker
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A man was admitted to Bua Yai Hospital on June 7 with complaints of abdominal pains, which he said were caused by a leech that crawled up inside his anus while he was trying to catch fish for his wife’s dinner. Nong Chingpho, 43, told doctors that he had intermittent stomach pains for about a month, ever since…
-
Cat burglar crash
PHUKET: Being a keen breeder of songbirds, 34-year-old Chalong resident Warathep Udomsap would have been used to being woken up by the dawn chorus coming from the bird cages he kept at the back of his house. At dawn on May 28, however, he was awoken by some much less appealing noises: a loud crash followed by anguished wailing. As…
-
Talisman tales
CHIANG MAI: With the craze for Jatukam Ramathep amulets still going strong, stories of miraculous survivals from shootings, stabbings, car crashes and other seemingly-dangerous events are a fixture in the Thai press at the moment. On June 1, one lucky 14-year-old in Rayong appeared in the pages of Thai Rath newspaper after he was left with only a small bruise…
-
Yacht beached after heavy storm
PATONG: The 38-foot sailboat Sultan washed up on the south end of Patong Beach about 1 am last night during a strong storm, waking owner Michael Wilson, who was asleep on the vessel when it hit the shore.Mr Wilson, from the UK, had sailed 17 days alone through stormy weather from Sri Lanka before reaching Phuket yesterday. Upon inspecting his…
-
Health office warns of rainy-season dangers
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) yesterday issued a warning for people to be wary of five types of aliments that are more prevalent during the rainy season, which is now fully upon us.PPHO officer Arunee Suphanam warned people to take better care to avoid contracting diarrhea, infections in open wounds, colds and pneumonia, mosquito-borne diseases and conjunctivitis, also…
-
Shrimp gets ahead with “blue flag’ promotion
PHUKET: In order to help the island’s suffering shrimp farmers, the Phuket Provincial Internal Trade Office (PITO) yesterday set up a “Blue Flag Shrimp Festival” to sell the tasty crustaceans directly to consumers for just 99 baht per kilogram until the end of September. PITO Chief Somphot Sangkhapong told the Gazette that some 1,500 kilograms of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus…
-
Gold shops get cheaper insurance
PHUKET: Gold shop owners on Phuket have agreed to increase their security measures in exchange for discounted insurance premiums from the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Insurance.Phuket Gold Shop Association Chairman Chaiyoot Prayoonyong stated that the slowdown of the economy has increased the risk of robbery nationwide and that gold shop owners have agreed to upgrade their security, by installing…
-
Korea pushes for more Thai tourists
PHUKET CITY: The Bangkok office of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Korean Air and Sun Moon Tours & Travel joined forces to promote Thai tourism to Korea with an industry event at The Metropole Hotel on Thursday.Kang Sung-Ghil, Director of the KTO’s Bangkok Office said, “Phuket is one of our main markets for MICE [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions], especially…
-
Heavy rains forecast for the weekend
PHUKET: The Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) issued a regional weather warning for Southwestern Thailand at 10 am today as the southwest monsoon weather takes hold over the Andaman Sea. The office warned of heavy rains in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Trang today and tomorrow, with a risk of flash floods. All ships are advised to proceed with caution…
-
Laguna Marathon road closures
CHERNG TALAY: The Phuket International Marathon, starting at 5 am tomorrow, will result in road closures in and around the Laguna resort complex from early morning until noon. More than 4,000 participants, including 1,500 runners, are expected to take part in the second annual event, which will be broadcast live on TV to some 50 countries around the world.The announced…
-
Policeman accused of Koh Kaew shooting gets promoted
KRABI: The Phuket Provincial Police officer accused of the shooting death of Koh Kaew teenager-Worawut Samarnmit, which sparked a mob and a four-hour blockade of Thepkrasattri Rd on April 18, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. Following the incident, which is still under investigation, Sgt Prasarn Chuayman was transferred to Krabi. On Monday he was promoted. Sgt…
-
Tesco-Lotus junction claims another victim
RASSADA: The Tesco-Lotus junction, officially dubbed the “Samkong Intersection”, claimed another victim early Tuesday morning, when a man riding a motorbike through the junction and a Toyota Hilux Vigo collided at high speed. The motorbike rider died at the scene. His passenger suffered serious injuries. Pol Lt Akekarat Plaiduang, duty inspector at Phuket Police Station, identified the deceased as Manas…
-
Gangster linked to Phuket murder shot in South
NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT: A man described by police as a notorious gangster was in critical condition on Tuesday night after a drive-by shooting at his house that left one dead and five injured.Police say the man may be wanted in connection with a murder carried out in Phuket.Lt Col Chaiyan Bundit, Inspector for Investigation at Pakphanang Police Station, told the Gazette that a pickup…
-
Kajonkietsuksa School steps up security
WICHIT: In response to several calls by parents concerned about stepped-up security at Kajonkietsuksa School on Chao Fa West Rd, the Gazette is happy to report that the new measures are purely precautionary – and not in response to any imminent threat to security at the school.Nunthiya Lohitchan, a teacher at the school, explained that parents arriving to pick up…
-
Cable car idea left dangling
PATONG: Investors hoping to build a hillside cable car as Phuket’s newest tourist attraction received a lukewarm response during a June 8 meeting with Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, who told them to come back when they had more a more specific plan.The would-be investors were Malaysian Rodin “VJ” Adi-hilmi of Mesira Investment and his Thai partner Pornlert Wongsirin, Managing Director…
-
City fresh market vendors to relocate
PHUKET CITY: Vendors at the fresh market on Ranong Rd, in the heart of Phuket City, will relocate to a temporary market set up for them on Wirat Hongyok Rd from June 17.The temporary market, opposite Suan Luang Park, has been set up by Phuket City Municipality to minimize inconvenience for shoppers while the municipality builds new market buildings at…
-
Gamblers top police crime figures
PHUKET: Gambling remains Phuket’s top illegal pastime with 306 arrests made from May 1 to May 30, according to statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police.There were 108 people arrested in drug-related cases, of which 49 involved ya bah (methamphetamine): three for importing, five for selling, 26 for possession with intent to sell, 13 for possession and two for use. A…
-
Bang Tao fishermen gunned down
CHERNG TALAY: Two teenage fishermen from Bang Tao were gunned down while riding their motorbikes from Heroines’ Monument to Cherng Talay early Sunday morning.Both died from their injuries.Deputy Investigation Inspector Pol Capt Sanit Nu-Kong of Thalang Police told the Gazette, that police received a report that the men had been shot about 1:25 am.Officers arrived at the scene near Baan…
-
Anchalee’s husband loses Supreme Court land case
BANGKOK: (The Nation, Gazette) The Supreme Court yesterday upheld an Appeal Court ruling that ordered Tossaporn Thepabutr and his associates to vacate 98 rai of land near the Kata Viewpoint.The Supreme Court yesterday morning read its verdict on the lawsuit between the Provincial Land Reform Office (PPLRO) and Tossaporn, husband of Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) President and former Democrat Party…
-
Karaoke hostess murdered
PHUKET CITY: A karaoke bar hostess was found murdered in her apartment off Montri Rd early yesterday morning. Police are searching for the victim’s live-in boyfriend, who is the prime suspect in the case.Phuket City Police Duty Inspector Pol Lt Col Sien Kaewthong identified the victim as 28-year-old Kanchana Aonpleng, from Pathum Thani province.About 12:45 am yesterday, police received a…
-
Mala Seafood murder suspect surrenders
CHALONG: After two months on the run and wanted for the shooting murder of Karon restaurateur Mala Peng-iam, Suban Pon-iamsaen handed himself in to Chalong Police Station on Tuesday. A reward of 100,000 baht had been offered for information leading to his capture.About 7 pm March 27, Mala, owner of Mala Seafood restaurant, was shot three times in the face…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.