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.
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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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Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
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Mother seeks help as children rescued from abusive father in Krabi
Pavena Hongsakul, chairman of the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, yesterday disclosed a distressing case involving a 28 year old woman from Krabi province. The woman reported that her former partner, a 29 year old man, had taken custody of their two children, aged 10 and seven, and refused to allow her to visit them. Miw alleged that…
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Pattaya: Foreign women nabbed in illegal bar raid
Pattaya’s notorious nightlife took a hit in the early hours of today when police stormed The Wild 69, an entertainment venue in Central Pattaya, uncovering a group of foreign women working without legal permits. Acting on a late-night tip-off from a concerned citizen, a special task force from Pattaya City Police Station descended on the Bang Lamung-based venue at around…
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Malaysian tourist overcharged by motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai
A Malaysian tourist recently shared an experience on Facebook about being overcharged by a motorcycle taxi in Hat Yai, Thailand. The tourist reported paying a 1,000 baht (US$30) fine for parking in a restricted area and an additional 300 baht (US$9) for a short motorcycle taxi ride. This sparked widespread discussion regarding the excessive fare. Police Major Sittichai Pradap from…
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Royal Forest Department probes illegal land sales in Chiang Mai
The Royal Forest Department is currently investigating land allocated under the National Land Policy Programme (KTC) in Chiang Mai after reports of sales being advertised on social media. This programme, aimed at assisting the underprivileged, prohibits the sale or transfer of these lands. Yesterday, March 27, Surachai Achalaboon, Director General of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Natural Resources…
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Thailand rocked by 7.7 magnitude earthquake
A massive earthquake originating in Sagaing, Myanmar, has rocked Thailand at around 13:30 on Friday, March 28. Reports of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake are coming from across the country, with Bangkok in particular being heavily impacted. Buildings are reported to have been swaying from side to side! Huge crowds are gathered in the streets of Bangkok as buildings are quickly being…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Suspect arrested after fatal monk stabbing in Phrae temple
A man was apprehended following the fatal stabbing of a monk at a temple in Phrae province. Before this, he had injured his brother-in-law, who raised him from childhood, with a wooden stick, resulting in 12 stitches to the head and face. The incident occurred on March 26 at 7pm when Police Lieutenant Krittamet Thamkham, an investigator from Wang Chin…
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Shirt storm: Bangkok shop owner defends right to sell Putin and Hitler shirts
The owner of a second-hand clothing store in Bangkok urged foreigners to respect her rights after repeatedly being asked to stop selling shirts featuring images of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former German leader Adolf Hitler. The shop owner, Chonticha Nawathong, took to social media to criticise the behaviour of certain foreigners, claiming they interfered with her right to operate her…
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Deadly crash horror: Sedan ploughs into pickup in fiery Loei smash
A routine midday drive turned into a devastating tragedy when a sedan lost control and slammed into an oncoming pickup truck in Loei province, leaving one woman dead and two men fighting for their lives. The gruesome crash occurred at 12.50pm yesterday, March 27, along the Wang Saphung–Udon Thani Road (Highway 210), directly opposite Phain In Plang Witthaya School in…
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Thailand video news | Pattaya expands CCTV network for smart city development, Phnom Penh tops global air pollution rankings
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring the latest headlines from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering key developments in security, economy, and politics. In Thailand, Pattaya expands its CCTV network as part of a smart city initiative, while the country’s overcrowded prisons spark renewed calls for reform. The government moves forward with an Entertainment Complex Bill, placing limits on…
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Gunman surrenders after fatal shooting in Thai forest
A gunman has surrendered following the fatal shooting of a 31 year old man, who was hunting in a dense forest on March 26. Police suspect the gunman mistook the victim, Chaiwat, for wildlife. The incident occurred near the border between Mueang Paeng subdistrict, Pai district, and Huai Poo Ling subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Chaiwat’s body was taken…
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2.1 million Yaba pills, 210kg of crystal meth found in crashed car
Police discovered 2.1 million tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, and 210 kilogrammes of crystal meth in a car involved in an accident on a road in the southern province of Phatthalung. Four suspects who were in the car successfully fled the scene. A motorist and residents near the accident site called officers from Nakhayat Police Station to investigate…
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Nakhon Pathom cop kills wife amid family fears (video)
A disturbing incident occurred in Nakhon Pathom province, where a police officer, allegedly drunk, fatally shot his wife in front of their 10 year old child and relatives. The police officer was apprehended with his service weapon. The family of the deceased expressed concerns over potential injustice and safety, fearing the officer might be granted bail. The case gained attention…
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Bringing home the bacon: Korat businesses struggle as pork prices soar
Rising pork prices have left business owners in Nakhon Ratchasima facing daily losses, with some considering closure. They urge the government to fulfill economic promises and address the needs of smaller businesses rather than focusing solely on the wealthy. At a gathering at Rabieng Kiang Nam restaurant in Hua Thale subdistrict, Mueang district, representatives from pork stalls and restaurants discussed…
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Chinese man sparks panic after abandoning bag at Bangkok BTS office
Police accused a Chinese man of intentionally spreading panic among the public after he left his bag at the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) headquarters in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok and quickly fled from the scene. Officers from Bang Sue Police Station were called to investigate a suspicious bag placed in front of a Brahma shrine outside the BTS…
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Fuel prices slashed to ease Songkran travel costs
Motorists across Thailand are in for a welcome surprise as fuel prices are set to drop just in time for the Songkran holiday rush. PTT Station announced a 0.50 baht per litre cut in retail prices for both petrol and diesel, effective from 5am today, March 28. The reduction is part of a wider initiative by the Oil Fuel Fund…
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Bitcoin to US Dollar exchange rate (BTC/USD)
Bitcoin (BTC) is the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, and its value against the US dollar (USD) fluctuates significantly. The BTC to USD exchange rate is determined by complex market forces that are influenced by several factors, such as Bitcoin’s supply and demand, US monetary policy, institutional investor demand, and global economic trends. Bitcoin Supply and Demand The price of BTC to…
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Trade storm brewing: Uyghur deportations threaten EU deal
Thailand’s potential deportation of Uyghurs could throw a spanner into delicate free trade talks with the European Union (EU), sparking fears of an international trade storm. Concerns are mounting over how these actions might jeopardise Thailand’s economic relationships and its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A high-stakes meeting convened by the Committee on Economic…
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Thai police seize assets worth 50 million baht in money laundering bust
Police seized assets worth 50 million baht and arrested Ekachart Miprom, a high-level executive involved in money laundering, along with his wife and mother. The operation took place on March 27 at two locations in Chanthaburi province and one in Rayong province. Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phueapan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, ordered Police Major General Sarayuth Junawath…
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Singaporean man hides in Myanmar after death of Thai girlfriend
The Singaporean man suspected of murdering his Thai girlfriend in a Bangkok condominium reportedly fled Thailand to hide in the Tachileik area o.f Myanmar. The 30 year old Thai woman, Proudphilas Paladon, was found lying lifeless and naked in the bathroom of her accommodation on the 22nd floor of a condominium in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 25. Her body was…
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Phuket crackdown: Officials fish for illegal workers, net nothing
In a rigorous two-day operation, Phuket officials targeted communities and camps housing Myanmar workers, aiming to clamp down on illegal immigration and unlawful activities. Despite the intense scrutiny, not a single infraction was found. Phuket officials, including immigration personnel, focused their efforts on a community in front of the bustling Phuket Fishing Pier on Sri Suthat Road. Situated opposite the…
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Pattaya hotel thief targets expat and transwoman
A brazen thief with a taste for unlocked doors and dating apps is on the run in Pattaya after targeting two victims in separate hotel-room heists — including a 63 year old Swedish tourist and a transgender woman he met online. At around 12.30am today, March 28, a hotel receptionist and a Swedish guest marched into Pattaya City Police Station…
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Thai heatwave on the horizon: It’s a storm in a hot cup
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for Thailand, predicting hot to very hot weather and cautioning against potential dangers from summer storms, including thunderstorms and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and take precautions from today, March 28. A moderate high-pressure system from China is currently affecting southern China and is expected to extend…
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Thailand’s new gambling bill: What it could mean for the country
The conversation around legalising gambling in Thailand has been simmering for years. Now, it’s starting to reach crunch time. On March 27, cabinet members approved the highly debated Entertainment Complex Bill. It could pave the way for casino resorts to operate legally across the country. For a nation where gambling has been mostly outlawed for decades, this bill could represent…
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10% Songkran bus fare discount for off-peak travel
Planning to head home for Songkran? You might want to leave early or return late, because the Transport Company is offering a 10% discount for savvy travellers who avoid peak holiday dates. In a bid to ease the notorious congestion at bus terminals during the Thai New Year holiday, the Transport Company is encouraging passengers to travel outside the peak Songkran period.…
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Bangkok’s new archways to boost Charoen Krung’s cultural growth
The Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand (FBPW), under the Royal Patronage, officially handed over the 72nd Birthday Anniversary Archways to Bangkok, anticipating their contribution to the sustainable economic, cultural, social, and tourism growth in the Charoen Krung area. This grand project was initiated to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the 72nd birthday anniversary of His Majesty…
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Digital money registration opens for those sans smartphones
The latest update on the economic stimulus programme reveals that those without smartphones can register for the 10,000 baht digital money initiative. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavachira stated that the Ministry of Finance is tasked with determining a suitable registration period for these citizens. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat highlighted that the registration process for those without…
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Phuket goes high-tech with new heart care innovations
Phuket is stepping up as a global medical hub, this time with a focus on matters of the heart. On Tuesday, March 25, Bangkok Hospital Phuket officially launched a suite of high-tech innovations aimed at transforming cardiac care in Thailand, positioning itself as a leader in the advanced diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The launch event, held at the…
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Sacred ritual at Wat Thep Sorn Thamaram draws notable crowd
A significant event unfolded at Wat Thep Sorn Thamaram in Pathum Thani yesterday, where revered monk Phra Ratchawatra Thammasophon, also known as Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto, led a sacred ritual. The ceremony, yesterday, March 26, aimed at consecrating revered amulets from Wat Luang Pu Suang, drew a notable crowd, including artists, celebrities, and high-ranking officials. Some 11 renowned monks, alongside…
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