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 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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Thai man arrested for pimping out 16 year old boy to sex creator
Police arrested a Thai man in the central province of Prachin Buri for pimping out a 16 year old boy to a sex creator who sold child pornography on X (Twitter). Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) arrested the 24 year old Thai man, Weerayut, also known as Toey, at his home in the Nadee district of Prachin…
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Centara ranked as Thailand’s strongest brand two years in a row
Centara Group has been recognised as “Thailand’s Strongest Brand” for the second year in a row by the Brand Finance Thailand 50 report. This achievement follows a series of domestic and global success as Centara continues to expand their hotel and resort locations. The Thailand 50 report Brand Finance is an international brand evaluation and consultancy agency which independently assesses…
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Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
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New Bangkok to Vientiane train service launches tomorrow
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch a new passenger train service between Bangkok and Vientiane, Laos. The service, starting tomorrow, July 13, will facilitate travel between the two countries, with tickets available for advance purchase up to 180 days. The new route will operate two round-trip journeys daily, featuring three classes of service, third-class fan-cooled seats…
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Thai auto parts makers pivot to medical devices amid EV shift
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) plans to present a proposal to the government this month aimed at bolstering the local medical device business. This initiative seeks to assist auto parts manufacturers in diversifying their operations amid the vehicle industry’s transition to electric vehicle (EV) technology. The shift in the industry provides an opportunity for auto parts makers, particularly those…
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Thai man arrested for special needs girl sexual abuse
A 25 year old Thai man was arrested for allegedly luring an 18 year old special needs girl onto his motorcycle and taking her to a secluded area where he committed indecent acts. The police caught him at his grandfather’s house following a warrant issued earlier. The Songkhla Provincial Police, together with Hat Yai Police and the Anti-Human Trafficking Division,…
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Thai school director denies sexually assaulting 27 girls in Lopburi
A Wat Phongam School director in the central province of Lopburi denied sexually assaulting 27 schoolgirls and accused a dance teacher of fabricating the story due to an ongoing conflict. The schoolgirls and their parents filed a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School, Nitisak, accusing him of sexually assaulting the girls. Nitisak reportedly spoke inappropriately to the girls,…
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Chulalongkorn University introduces 3D miracle cure for dog eyes
Does your dog struggle with cloudy eyes, frequent squinting, or unusual tears? If so, it might be suffering from a corneal ulcer, a condition that could lead to blindness if left untreated. But fret not, because scientists at Chulalongkorn University have developed a groundbreaking solution: a three-dimensional (3D) artificial cornea made from stem cells. Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science…
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Former Justice Minister leads probe into Stark share scandal
Former Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana has been appointed as the new head of the government’s working group investigating the multi-billion-baht Stark share scandal. Pongthep replaces Pichai Nilthongkham, who resigned, according to the Ministry of Justice. Pongthep’s appointment is accompanied by the inclusion of the Secretary-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the President of the Thailand Federation of Accounting…
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FTI disappointed by the underutilisation of biomass and biogas
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed discontent with the state’s plan to reduce biomass and biogas fuels in the upcoming power development plan (PDP). The FTI advocates for maintaining or increasing the proportion of these fuels to better utilise agricultural waste. Scheduled for enforcement from 2024 to 2037, the PDP promotes a substantial increase in renewable power, with a…
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Pickup truck crashes into van injuring passengers in Chachoengsao
A serious accident involving a pickup truck crashing into a van left numerous passengers injured, including a two year old with a severe head injury and a two month old baby who was ejected from the vehicle. The incident occurred at 4pm yesterday, July 11, on Road 3076 near the Hua Fai intersection in Nong Khok village, Klong Takrao subdistrict,…
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13 year old Thai boy dies after ketamine injection by his friends
The family of a 13 year old Thai boy suspected his friends of killing him with a poisonous kratom drink. The teenager’s friends later confessed to giving the victim an injection of ketamine, which led to his death. The teenager, Akkarawat “Tigger” Phonlasen, was found lying lifeless on the sofa in his home in Bangkok on the morning of July…
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Fire destroys 13 rental rooms in Bangkok, residents relocated
A devastating fire engulfed a two-storey wooden house divided into rental rooms in Bangkok, destroying 13 rooms. Investigators suspect an electrical short circuit as the cause and have temporarily relocated the affected residents to Wat Don temple for shelter. The incident occurred at 12.20am today, July 12, when the Deputy Inspector at Yannawa Police Station, Phuriwat Jirakratathat, received a report…
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Three women injured after motorcycle runs red light in Udon Thani
Four young women riding a single motorcycle ran a red light and collided with a car in Udon Thani, resulting in three of them suffering broken legs and requiring immediate hospitalisation. The accident occurred while they were on their way to get food. Ekaphan Laiking, head of the Udon Thani Songserm Dharma Rescue Foundation, received a report of the accident…
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Meatball mishap prompts prosecutors to grill Buriram thief
Prosecutors have called for additional investigation into a case involving the theft of grilled meatballs, which were stolen out of desperation to cook for a man’s children and to share with his elderly, ill parents. This case raises concerns about whether it should be classified as a non-beneficial prosecution. The Lawyers Council of Thailand offered assistance, noting that the crime…
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Pattaya residents sin-sitively slam ‘Sin City’ slur
Pattaya residents hit out to defend their city’s image after a major Thai news outlet referred to Pattaya as “Sin City” and a “Paradise of Prostitutes” in a recent headline. One of the biggest Thai news agencies, ThaiRath, recently published an article with the alleged offensive headline this week. It sparked criticism from Thai netizens, particularly those living in Pattaya.…
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Boy’s temple plate prediction stirs lottery hopes in Thailand (video)
A young boy captured public interest by pointing out a car registration plate at a temple, leading many netizens to believe he could bring them luck. Previously, he had successfully predicted lottery numbers, gaining a following on TikTok. TikTok user sakon1876 shared a video featuring his son, Inter, who has a knack for pointing out vehicle registration plates that often…
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Digital wallet woes: PM Srettha quizzed in Parliament by MFP
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin faced intense scrutiny in Parliament yesterday over the government’s digital wallet handout scheme, marking his first significant confrontation with the opposition since taking office. Deputy leader of the main opposition Move Forward Party, Sirikanya Tansakul, challenged the 62 year old PM on the digital wallet programme and the government’s economic strategy. She acknowledged the PM’s presence…
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Computer technician attacked with key in Pattaya street incident
A computer repair technician narrowly avoided serious injury after a street altercation in Pattaya on Wednesday, July 10. The incident unfolded around 12.20pm in front of a hardware store on Soi Bunsamphan 9, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The attacker accused the victim of interacting with his wife. Sawang Boriboon rescue workers arrived quickly, finding 23…
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Pink Line monorail to boost traffic to Mueang Thong Thani
Bangkok Land, a publicly traded company, anticipates that the Pink Line monorail will boost traffic and increase the occupancy rate of its exhibitions to 70% within five years. Chief Executive of Bangkok Land and operator of Impact Exhibition Management, Paul Kanjanapas reported that in the first half of the year, the company’s food, retail, and exhibition sectors met their growth…
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Heavy rainfall to impact 41 provinces across Thailand today
Heavy rainfall is set to impact 41 provinces across Thailand today, July 12, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) predicting significant precipitation in regions including the northeast, central, and eastern parts of the country. The Bangkok metropolitan area is expected to see rain over 60% of its expanse. Over the next 24 hours, a southwest monsoon will cover the…
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New fossil book honours king on 72nd birthday
Seventy-two samples from 56 species on the National Registered Fossils list will be featured in a new book honouring His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn on his 72nd birthday on July 28. The Department of Mineral Resources curated this selection to showcase Thailand’s diverse and significant paleontological heritage. The book will showcase reptiles, mammals, and fish, with 23 species of reptiles…
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Rail ale rally: Bangkok victims group derails alcohol repeal bid
Over 50 members of the Bangkok Drunk Driving Victims Network, led by President Jessada Yamsabai, submitted a petition opposing the repeal of the ban on alcohol sales and consumption on trains and at train stations to the acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Jarae Rungthanee. This petition, submitted yesterday, July 11, follows a tragic 2014 incident where a…
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Fearless Thai child makes a splash with ‘crocs’ of a different kind
A fearless child was seen playing and swimming with several baby reptiles that looked remarkably like crocodiles. The video clip, which took social media by storm earlier this week, shows the girl fearlessly chasing the tiny reptiles around a tub, picking them up with ease. Reporters, eager to uncover the story behind the viral sensation, traced the video to a crocodile…
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Public health vice minister’s sudden exit from Pheu Thai Party
Wan Yubamrung, the vice minister attached to the public health minister, announced his resignation today. He is set to leave the Pheu Thai Party next week. Wan, the son of outspoken veteran Pheu Thai Party member Chalerm Yubamrung, revealed his decision in an emotional Facebook Live post. “I had never thought about leaving the Pheu Thai Party, as long as…
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Thai-British couple ‘paws’ to save puppy from restaurant abuse
A Thai woman and her British husband rescued a puppy after a mentally ill Thai man abused the animal outside his restaurant in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station were alerted to the animal abuse at 11.20am today, July 11. They were called to the incident scene, a restaurant in Soi Adunlayadet 5…
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Public Health Minister ramps up mental health hotline services
To combat the intertwined issues of mental health and narcotics abuse, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has directed agencies to ramp up hotline services for greater efficiency. During his visit to the Department of Mental Health today, Somsak emphasised the urgent need for improvement. “Around 40% of psychiatric patients suffer due to narcotics.” The health minister highlighted the critical overlap…
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Power outage to hit Kathu, Phuket for maintenance tomorrow
Phuket will experience a significant power outage affecting a large section of Kathu tomorrow to allow for essential maintenance work on the high-voltage network. The Provincial Electricity Authority for Phuket (PEA Phuket) announced that the outage would occur from 9am to 4.30pm. A map provided by PEA Phuket highlights the affected area, stretching from in front of Sam Burger shop…
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Elderly Nonthaburi man alleges repairman stole 40,000 baht
A 95 year old man filed a complaint at the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Station today against a long-trusted repairman who allegedly withdrew large sums of money using his ATM card without permission. Pramote Siwamok, who has been relying on 33 year old electrician Jedsada for over seven years, reported the incident to Police Lieutenant Thitipakorn Khumparnin at the Nonthaburi City…
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Bangkok launches major drug prevention initiative with urine tests
Bangkok is set to launch a significant drug prevention and control initiative tomorrow, July 12, with the capitol’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, directing district offices to coordinate with local police stations for urine testing in 88 communities identified as high-risk for drug abuse, aiming to bring users into treatment programs. During an online Zoom meeting at the Bangkok City Hall, Chadchart…
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