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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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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Something’s fishy: DSI busts 20 billion baht pork smuggling scam
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid on a major company suspected of illegally importing pork into Thailand, amassing a staggering 20 billion baht. The company allegedly declared the pork as fish to evade taxes. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nathaphon Ditsayatham, a consumer and environmental protection specialist at the DSI, led a team yesterday at 10am to search Thienkham…
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PM2.5 can lead to heart disease, Thai doctor warns
Doctor Supachai Rotkajornnapalai has raised alarms about the dangers of PM2.5 air pollution, emphasising its underestimated impact on heart health. The doctor shared a concerning case of a patient whose heart stopped despite not smoking, needing multiple medical interventions, including balloon angioplasty and defibrillation, to revive him. A 48 year old patient suffered cardiac arrest today while playing football amid…
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Burmese drug adddict fatally assaulted for sexual harassment
A group of men fatally assaulted a Burmese drug addict after he sought sex from their female friend at an apartment in the Chon Buri province. The 29 year old apartment worker, Pimchanok, called officers from Bor Win Police Station to investigate the brutal attack at building number 8 in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri yesterday, February 6. Upon…
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Baby turtles hatch on Phuket beach, but not all survive
A magical moment unfolded on Kata Noi Beach as around 70 baby sea turtles hatched and made their way into the Andaman Sea yesterday, February 6. However, not all survived the journey, with officials discovering several lifeless hatchlings and one struggling to survive. The Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center was first alerted to the hatching by a…
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Thailand leads ASEAN dairy market with 19 billion baht in revenue
Thailand has emerged as a leader in the ASEAN dairy market, generating over 19 billion baht in revenue, according to a government spokesperson. The country’s strategic use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has bolstered exports of processed milk products across ASEAN. Anukool Pruksanusak, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that Thailand has maintained its top position in ASEAN…
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Foreign man steals iPhone worth nearly 60,000 baht from Phuket shop
A foreign man remains at large after stealing an iPhone worth nearly 60,000 baht from a local shop near Chalong Intersection in Phuket. A Thai man took to social media in an attempt to track down the foreign thief who stole from his younger sister’s mobile phone shop near Chalong Intersection on Wednesday, February 5. He shared CCTV footage of the…
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South Thailand: Bomb attack injures four police officers in Pattani
A bomb attack occurred at the entrance of a village security post in Nong Chik district, Pattani province, injuring four police officers. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is currently investigating the incident, which took place at 8am today, February 7. The attack was reported at the village security post located along the Don Yang-Hat Yai road. Initial reports confirm…
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Stable vision: Binance pushes for baht-backed crypto in Phuket
The Government of Thailand is being urged by Binance’s Thai branch to explore the development of stablecoins tethered to the baht, intended for use within the country and particularly within the proposed Phuket crypto sandbox. Unlike volatile digital assets such as Bitcoin, stablecoins are linked to fiat currencies, offering a more stable alternative. Nirun Fuwattananukul, CEO of Gulf Binance, explained…
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8 South Koreans arrested for illegally teaching in Bangkok schools
Officers from the Immigration Bureau arrested eight South Korean nationals for working illegally as teachers at two language schools in Bangkok. The officers raided two language schools in the Bang Na and Ratchada areas of Bangkok yesterday, February 6. The schools had multiple separate classrooms, each equipped with students’ tables and teachers’ tools, including whiteboards, student exercises, Korean textbooks, and…
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Toddler mauled by vicious dog in Ranong, mother demands justice
A devastated mother is demanding justice after her three year old son was viciously attacked by a Bangkaew dog in the Kapoe district of Ranong, leaving him with a severe head injury. The shocking incident occurred on February 1 while little Thanawat Makmun was playing outside his home. Without warning, the dog, owned by local Pramote Sae-lo, lunged at the…
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Taxing decisions: Thai businesses brace for higher import duties
Thailand’s business entrepreneurs are leaning towards higher import tariffs should the government forge ahead with its ambitious tax reform plans, according to a fresh poll from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This survey follows hot on the heels of Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira unveiling a set of tax reform proposals designed to swell state coffers, fuel national development, sharpen…
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Thai Airways’ big bet: 8 brand-new Airbus jets to boost fleet
Thai Airways is making a major move to modernise its fleet, signing a lease agreement for eight brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft with Dublin-based SMBC Aviation Capital. The deal, confirmed on February 5, will see the cutting-edge jets delivered between 2026 and 2027 as part of the airline’s long-term expansion strategy. This latest addition comes just months after Thai Airways made…
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Tiger dies in Suphan Buri park despite rescue efforts
A tiger, ensnared by a poacher’s trap in Phu Toei National Park, Suphan Buri, has died despite efforts to save it. The animal was discovered on January 8 and treated at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Breeding Centre, Uthai Thani, until its death on February 3 at around 3pm. On February 4, specialised veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkhon, along with wildlife conservation officials,…
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Fuelling growth: Thailand’s energy use rises as tourism powers up
The Department of Energy Business revealed fuel consumption in Thailand saw a 2.1% rise last year, reaching a daily average of 155.4 million litres, in tandem with an estimated GDP growth of 2.6-2.7%, largely fuelled by bustling tourism-related industries. In 2023, total fuel consumption was slightly less, at 152.3 million litres per day. Jet fuel, driven by the surge in…
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Icelandic man gets his face busted after falling into Pattaya drain
An Icelandic tourist suffered painful facial injuries after tumbling into an uncovered drainage hole on a hazardous Pattaya footpath—yet another grim reminder of the city’s crumbling infrastructure. The accident occurred around 1am yesterday, February 6 along Pattaya Second Road. The tourist, left bleeding from facial wounds, was treated at the scene by Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation before being rushed to…
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EV ferries set to recharge routes between Surat Thani-Koh Samui
Ferry services shuttling electric vehicles (EVs) between mainland Surat Thani and the idyllic shores of Koh Samui are set to resume on Tuesday, following a three-month hiatus prompted by safety concerns. Phutthapong Wimolphan, the Deputy Managing Director of Raja Ferry Port Plc, broke the news today, February 7, revealing that the company will offer this service twice a week, every…
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Scouting trouble: Russian woman nabbed after uniform theft in Phuket
Police arrested a Russian woman in Phuket after breaking into a local’s house and stealing a scout uniform before leaving. The homeowner took to social media to share details of the unusual theft with his followers. He posted a picture of a leopard-print shirt along with a caption that read… “Beware of a Russian woman walking around in a scout…
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NBTC orders dismantling of antenna towers near Tak border
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated mobile networks to dismantle 24 antenna towers located within 50 metres of the Tak province border by February 24. Antennas within 200 metres must reduce transmission power and height to a maximum of 15 metres. On February 6, the Facebook page of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, a well-known news presenter, reported these measures.…
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Thailand video news | 4 Israeli tourists fined for chaos at Mae Hong Son hospital, Thailand regains title as Southeast Asia’s top tourist destination
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover top stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Thai police fined four Israeli tourists for disrupting a Mae Hong Son hospital, while Airports in Thailand faces backlash for proposing smoking rooms at Suvarnabhumi. Police uncovered a shocking case of mummified infant bodies linked to black magic, and an American-Thai couple lost 15.2…
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Winning tide: Pattaya beach rides wave of awards for beauty
Pattaya Beach often dominates the news for unsavory reasons but this week the famed holiday resort grabbed headlines for the right reasons by scooping up three prestigious awards, highlighting its stunning beauty and dedication to sustainable tourism. Recognised by top-tier organisations like the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research and the Department of Tourism, Pattaya Beach is being lauded…
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Chinese man arrested for spray-painting pharmacy in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday arrested a Chinese man for spray-painting on the roller shutter doors of two pharmacies in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The pharmacist, who owns a shop on Bamrung Buri Road in Chiang Mai, caught the 33 year old Chinese man, He Ma, red-handed yesterday, February 6, while he was spray-painting the store’s roller shutter door. The pharmacist…
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Shore thing: Viral video shows Indian tourists sleeping on Pattaya Beach
A video circulating on Instagram showing what appears to be a mass takeover of Pattaya Beach by Indian tourists has set social media on fire. Shared with the not-so-subtle caption “Indian Tourists in Pattaya,” the clip reveals around 100 holidaymakers lounging on mats. Some are seen knocking back beers while surrounded by unsightly piles of litter. The footage has ignited…
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4 Israeli men arrested and deported after chaos at Pai Hospital
Immigration Bureau officers arrested and deported four Israeli men who caused chaos at Pai Hospital and within the community in the northern province of Mae Hong Son. The disruption at the hospital and in Pai district came to light after a medical team shared details of the incident on the Facebook page AggressiveDoctor. A doctor reported feeling exhausted and unsafe,…
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Tariff-ied: Thai exporters brace for US trade heat
Thai exporters could soon find themselves in hot water, facing increased tariffs from the United States. The Government of Thailand might also be compelled to import more American goods to balance out its trade surplus, warns Burin Adulwattana, the Managing Director and Chief Economist at Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). Burin shared that K-Research hasn’t yet drilled down into the possible…
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HKTDC unveils 7 LifeStyle Trade events in April
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will unveil the 7 LifeStyle Trade Events, covering gifts, houseware, fashion, printing and packaging, and licensing from April 27 to 30. With the latest products and trends on display under one roof, the events will feature a selection of lifestyle products and services from around the world, maximising and diversifying buyers’ sourcing in…
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Trafficking crackdown: Officials inspect Phuket fishing boats
Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri led a thorough inspection of several commercial fishing boats in Phuket yesterday, February 6, aiming to prevent human trafficking and ensure adherence to labour laws. The inspections took place at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute Pier at Cape Panwa and involved officials from over 14 agencies. The primary focus…
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Price hike strikes again: Inflation on a ten-month hot streak
Inflation in January has surged to 1.32%, continuing a relentless ten-month climb, with fuel, food, and beverage costs driving the increase. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) chief, disclosed that the consumer price index has jumped by 1.32% compared to the same time last year. It’s the second consecutive month where inflation has breached the 1% mark. A…
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Thai and mighty: President Xi praises Thai PM for scam crack down
In a warm gesture of appreciation, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for Thailand’s tough stance against scammers preying on Chinese nationals across the region. As the Land of Smiles seeks to revive its tourism industry post-Covid-19, China stands as a vital partner. Yet, new threats have emerged, with reports indicating that Chinese tourists are being…
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Thai man accidentally stabs New Zeland son-in-law in Buriram
A Thai man accidentally stabbed his New Zealand son-in-law at their shared home in the Isaan province of Buriram yesterday while attempting to attack his drug-addicted nephew. Officers from Prakhonchai Police Station investigated the stabbing at a house in the Ban Bordin community in Prakhonchai district, Buriram, yesterday afternoon, February 6. They found the 60 year old New Zealand man…
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