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 Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...
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Bigamy bombshell: Drama unfolds as husband hooks second catch
Heartache and scandal erupted in Udon Thani yesterday, as a 64 year old Thai woman and her children have taken a stand against her husband, accusing him of bigamy in a saga straight out of a soap opera. The victim, Oi, and her family, yesterday, February 27, presented their grievances to investigators in Mueang Udon Thani district. They’ve levelled accusations…
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Thai minister refutes 92 billion baht foreign healthcare cost claim
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin addressed public concerns after the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that healthcare costs for foreign workers reached 92 billion baht last year. He clarified that the actual figure was closer to 2 billion baht. Somsak acknowledged that healthcare spending increased during 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that the…
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Opposition demands probe into NACC’s Prawit asset case
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has requested that House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha initiate an investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) handling of several prominent malfeasance cases. The opposition is particularly concerned about the decision by five NACC members to terminate a fact-finding mission into the actions of former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Prawit was accused of failing…
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Deadly cobra snagged in Trang, residents eye lottery jackpot
In the sleepy surroundings of Lamor subdistrict, in southern Thailand, a daring snake rescue played out in front of house number 95/2, where a 2-metre-long cobra took unwelcome refuge, throwing the local community into a hiss-terical frenzy. A team led by 20 year old “Benz” Suphat Iadchata from Benz Asorapith Trang, yesterday, February 27, responded to a homeowner’s SOS call:…
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Netizens condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving in Phuket
A Thai man took to TikTok to condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving after a foreign motorcyclist collided with another foreigner’s hatchback on a road in Phuket. The Thai motorist shared dashcam footage of the accident on his TikTok account, @ram_cream, yesterday, February 27. In the video caption, he criticised the foreign motorists and government officials. “#WakeUp. When will Phuket…
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Durian sour: Thailand unearths illegal land grab by Chinese investors
Chachoengsao’s forestlands are caught in a tangled web of controversy as Thai government officials crack down on a massive illegal land grab, exposing a durian-driven scheme involving Chinese investors hiding behind a local facade. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment swooped to reclaim 1,500 rai of forest in Tha Takiab district, citing illegal sales to a Thai company fronting…
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Labour Ministry backs export of Muay Thai coaches to Hong Kong
The Labour Ministry has committed to fully supporting the export of Muay Thai boxing coaches to Hong Kong, where there is a significant demand for their expertise. This commitment was highlighted during Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s recent visit to the territory. During his visit, Phiphat, accompanied by senior ministry officials, toured a fitness centre on Fa Yuen Street in Mong…
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Scaly situation: Bangkok mulls over monitor mayhem in the city
Bangkok’s iconic Lumpini Park is grappling with a surge of reptilian residents, as the city considers crafty manoeuvres to manage the thriving water monitor lizard population that’s raised eyebrows, not alarms. At the heart of the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faces a slippery challenge: an uptick in water monitors roaming Lumpini Park and the adjacent canal along the…
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Spanish YouTuber arrested for possession of protected animals
Police arrested a Spanish YouTuber, the ex-husband of a famous Thai model and singer, at his home in the central province of Kanchanaburi yesterday for the illegal possession of protected animals. Officers from the Immigration Bureau and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation received a complaint regarding the alleged illegal possession of protected species by the Spanish…
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Top US Navy official praises Pattaya police for flawless security
In a high-profile visit that highlighted Pattaya’s growing reputation for safety and security, Luu Pham, Assistant Force Protection Attaché from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at the US Embassy in Thailand, met with Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Ensarn, head of Pattaya Tourist Police Station, to commend the city’s exceptional security measures. The meeting, held amidst the bustling backdrop…
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Cable crackdown: Thailand bridges gap on cybercrime
In a campaign to cut off cybercriminals at their source, Thailand’s top telecom regulator is joining forces with the Department of Highways to tackle illegal cross-border cable networks lurking near national bridges. In a bid to sever the sinister circuits exploited by cybercriminals, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is tying knots with the Department of Highways to clamp…
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Chinese couple busted at Phuket condo for illegal business
A Chinese couple was arrested yesterday in a dramatic raid at a luxury condominium in Kathu, Phuket for allegedly operating an illegal business in Thailand. Phuket Immigration, working with the Investigation Unit of the Crime Suppression Division 3 and Region 8 Crime Suppression Division, swooped on the couple’s lavish hideout at 11.30am, yesterday, February 27, catching them by surprise. The…
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Top cop gunned down after mosque prayers in Pattani
A senior police officer was shot dead as he returned from prayers at a mosque in Pattani province yesterday, February 27, marking another deadly attack in Thailand’s troubled southern region. The officer, 58 year old Police Lieutenant Muhammad Azan Jamae, Deputy Inspector of the 6th Investigation Division, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, was ambushed outside his home in Ban…
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Ctrl-alt-delete: Thai police shut down notorious Singaporean hacker
A cunning keyboard warrior’s reign of terror hit a roadblock as Thai police swooped on a notorious Singaporean hacker, capturing a cyber kingpin whose skills turned sinister. In a dramatic takedown, Thai police nabbed a 39 year old Singaporean hacker, known in the digital underworld as “Desorden GhostR.” The man, identified solely as Chia, faces a slew of charges, including…
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New entertainment complex law to shake up Thailand’s nightlife
A controversial new law that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment industry is set to be reviewed by the Cabinet on March 11, sparking curiosity and speculation about the future of nightlife in the country. The Entertainment Complex Business Act aims to regulate entertainment venues more strictly, impacting nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment establishments nationwide. The Council of State recently returned the…
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Stray dog leads Tak police to decomposed body of identified girl
A stray dog brought a bone from a roadside grassland onto the road in the northern province of Tak, leading to the discovery of a sack containing the decomposed body of an unidentified young girl yesterday, February 27. Residents of the Ban Nam Dip community in the Mae Sot district of Tak called officers from Mae Sot Police Station to…
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Pattaya taxi driver bricked in booze-fuelled bust-up
High drama unfolded on the streets of Pattaya as a row turned deadly, leaving a motorbike taxi driver savagely struck down with a concrete block. In the hustle of Central Pattaya, an early morning clash spiraled into horror when a motorbike taxi driver was left fighting for life after a brutal concrete block attack. The fracas erupted at 9am, yesterday…
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Phuket petrol station refuses rider’s coin payment
A delivery rider in Phuket encountered a surprising situation at a petrol station when his attempt to pay with coins was rejected. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต highlighted the incident yesterday involving a rider named Bob, who faced refusal from an older attendant while trying to refuel his motorcycle. The rider expressed his frustration, stating he regularly refuels at the…
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Pickpocket peril and ladyboy larceny: Pattaya’s foreign tourist trap
A wave of thefts has left three foreign tourists reeling in Pattaya’s crime-laden streets, with light-fingered pickpockets and audacious robbers striking under the cover of night. Three unfortunate tourists fell victim to the crafty crooks, transforming their vacations into tales of woe, in the seedy heat of Pattaya that showcased the city’s underbelly of crime. At 1.49am, yesterday, February 27,…
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Thai transwoman rescued in suicide attempt over boyfriend’s affair with sister
Good Samaritans successfully intervened in a suicide attempt by a Thai transwoman on the Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. She claimed her decision was motivated by the discovery of her boyfriend’s affair with her sister. Motorists and pedestrians travelling on the bridge noticed the suspicious behaviour of the 30 year old transwoman, Thanakorn, and reported the matter…
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Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter
Sparks flew and banter soared as football legends clashed over the fairway before the Icons of Football golf tournament tee-off this weekend. With friendly jabs and claims sure to slice through the tension, the stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of links and laughs. In a scene teeming with jabs heftier than a golf club, Team England and Team…
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Cruise company apologises for pouring trash into Chao Phraya (video)
In a scandal that sparked outrage among environmentalists and Bangkok residents, Royal Galaxy Cruise issued a public apology after a video surfaced showing trash being dumped into the Chao Phraya River. The company expressed deep regret over the incident, blaming an untrained temporary employee for the environmental blunder. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, showed garbage being carelessly…
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Search underway for missing American woman in Phuket
A jet ski rental operator on Patong Beach in Phuket contacted the police yesterday after an American woman went missing, leaving the rented jet ski floating in the sea. The operator reported the incident to Patong Police Station at approximately 11.25am, yesterday, February 27, stating that the foreign woman, later identified as 38 year old American citizen Nina Ng, disappeared.…
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Phuket Airport to boost flight capacity to 35 per hour
The Thai Ministry of Transport has instructed the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Company Limited (AEROTHAI) to enhance Phuket Airport’s flight handling capacity. By 2025, the aim is to increase from 25 to 35 flights per hour. Deputy Minister of Transport Monaporn Charernsri announced yesterday, February 27 that AEROTHAI is examining methods to boost Phuket Airport’s efficiency, one of Thailand’s busiest…
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European tourists flock to Pattaya for extended stays
Pattaya continues to charm European tourists even as the High Season winds down, with many choosing to extend their stays thanks to the city’s laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, and improved tourism policies. This thriving beach town remains a top destination, proving that its appeal goes beyond seasonal travel trends. A survey conducted on Tuesday, February 25 in the Yinyom and…
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Man seeks identity of foreign motorcyclist after hit-and-run in Phuket
Yesterday, February 26, a Thai man was a victim of a hit-and-run by a foreigner in Phuket as he was making a U-turn. The man took to social media to seek the identity of the foreign motorcyclist, urging those in the area to share their dashcam footage if possible. The Thai man urged the Facebook news page Newshawk Phuket to…
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Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
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Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China amid global outrage
Thailand has secretly deported 40 Uyghur detainees to China after nearly 11 years in detention, sparking international outrage and accusations of human rights violations. The deportation was confirmed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who stated that the transfer was conducted under international standards and after receiving assurances from China regarding the detainees’ welfare. The operation began in the early hours…
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2 Thai wives team up to catch police husband in alleged affair
A Thai wife and mistress joined forces to catch their police husband and another mistress which led to an altercation at a restaurant in the central province of Lop Buri. The Facebook news page Esor News reported on Tuesday, February 25, that two Thai wives urged the page to help them seek justice. They revealed that their husband, a police…
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Thai Airways reports huge loss but promises strong comeback
Thai Airways International has assured stakeholders that its massive loss for fiscal year 2024 is due to a one-off debt-to-equity conversion and will not hinder its operational performance or planned exit from its rehabilitation programme. The airline reported a staggering loss of 26.901 billion baht, primarily caused by a one-time accounting loss of 45.271 billion baht from the debt-to-equity conversion completed…
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