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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Warning issued for venomous jellyfish at Phuket’s Racha Yai Island
A warning has been issued about the presence of the highly venomous Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish in the waters of Lah Bay and Tue Bay at Racha Yai Island, Phuket. Tourists and those engaging in marine activities in the area are advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid contact with these dangerous creatures. The Department of Marine and Coastal…
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Thai couple arrested after woman flees cops with boyfriend’s help
A Thai woman arrested for theft escaped from Sattahip Police Station on Sunday thanks to help from her boyfriend. The couple was later arrested last night, June 24. Sattahip Police Station officers arrested the 20 year old woman, Naranya Areepong, at a shopping centre after she attempted to steal two bottles of imported alcohol at about 10.30am on Sunday, June 23.…
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Bangkok bust: Metal detector detects Thai man’s homemade gun
Police apprehended a suspicious man at Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal after a metal detector revealed he was carrying a homemade gun. The suspect, identified as 43 year old Thanet from Samut Prakan, was found with a .38 calibre gun and six bullets. The incident occurred yesterday when the Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, Phuwadon Unphon, along with Deputy Superintendent…
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Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis
Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…
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Singapore foreign minister visits Thailand to discuss bilateral issues
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan kicked off his official visit to Thailand today, answering the call of his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa. Today’s packed agenda includes a working luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and a formal welcome dinner hosted by Maris. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the two leaders are set to discuss key bilateral issues, fortifying…
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Chilling tragedy: Ice delivery truck crash in Ratchaburi kills three
An ice delivery truck overturned and collided with a streetlight in Ratchaburi province, resulting in the deaths of three people. Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Surveillance footage confirmed that no other vehicles were involved. Ritthipol Phonsen, an investigative officer at Thung Luang Police Station in Ratchaburi province, received a report of a six-wheeled…
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Durian festival returns to Pak Chong for 2024 celebration
The third annual Durian GI Festival Pakchong Khao Yai is set to place at the Nong Nam Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation Office in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima Commerce Officer Jirasak Sriphet announced that the province, in collaboration with the Agricultural District Officer of Pak Chong, Bandit Koetmongkol, and the local durian farmers’ community, will host the festival. The…
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8 Thai women and transwoman arrested in Taiwan for prostitution
Taiwanese police arrested eight Thai women and a Thai transwoman at a hotel in the Zhongshan district of Taipei City last week for illegal prostitution. Radio Taiwan International (RTI) news agency reported that police officers in Taipei continued to crack down on illegal prostitution in the city after the arrest of 24 Thai women on May 20 at a bar…
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Buriram woman faces home seizure after co-signing a car loan
A woman in Buriram has pleaded for help after receiving a home seizure court order due to unpaid car loan instalments by a close friend she’d been a guarantor for. A general labourer, 32 year old Pacharinporn co-signed for her friend Pu (a pseudonym) to buy a new pickup truck in 2019. Pu’s now-deceased ex-husband was the primary guarantor, with…
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Former prosecutor indicted for smuggling rhino horns
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) indicted that a former deputy prosecutor was involved in the illegal importation of rhinoceros horns valued at 179 million baht through Suvarnabhumi Airport. The case has been sent to the attorney general for prosecution. Secretary-General of the NACC, and spokesperson, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol announced that the commission had found sufficient grounds to proceed with charges against…
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Pothole politics: Khon Kaen villagers pave the way to safer travels
Villagers of Ban Rak Chat in Khon Kaen, have taken matters into their own hands to repair their deteriorating village road, which has become riddled with potholes and hazards, making travel perilous and causing frequent accidents. Several dozen locals banded together to break and drill through the sunken concrete road, which had been eroded over time, impeding safe passage, especially…
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Shop owner fatally stabbed chasing thief in Nakhon Ratchasima
A 27 year old shop owner in Nakhon Ratchasima tragically lost his life after being stabbed seven times while trying to catch a thief. The shop owner’s girlfriend saw the suspect, who had frequently visited the shop, and provided crucial information to the police. Police received a report at around 4am today of a fatal stabbing at a general store…
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Thailand’s tourist boom: Portuguese visitors surge by 44% this year
Thailand is basking in a mini tourist boom, with a staggering 44% increase in visitors from Portugal recorded between January and April. Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director for Southern Europe, is on a mission to shatter pre-pandemic records by luring over 52,000 Portuguese tourists this year. Ronnasiri shared her ambitions at the Thailand Festival in Lisbon. “We…
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Police raid drug party in Bangkok, arrest 29 and seize narcotics
Police raided a drug party, arresting 29 individuals and seizing a substantial amount of narcotics. The raid also revealed 22 individuals testing positive for drugs, further investigations ultimately led to the arrest of the drug supplier. Police conducted the raid at a building in Wang Thonglang District, Bangkok yesterday morning, uncovering a variety of drugs, including 1.1 kilogrammes of crystal…
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Couple’s king cobra encounter turns into a lotto-tunity
A couple in Suphan Buri were shocked to find a large king cobra under their house, prompting a frantic call to rescue services. They believe the snake might bring them luck and plan to use their house number for lottery tickets. Rescue officers from the Samor Kan Suphan Buri Foundation received a call at 5.30am today, June 24, from a…
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Meth haul worth millions seized after dramatic car chase
A dramatic car chase ended in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamine at a temple. The suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended before he could escape. At 8am today, June 25, military forces from the 4th Cavalry Company of the Chaiyanuphap Task Force, Phamuang Force, announced the capture of a significant…
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Surat Thani police crackdown on Euro 2024 illegal gambling
Surat Thani police chief launched an intensive crackdown on illegal gambling related to the Euro 2024 football tournament to ensure public safety and prevent citizens from falling victim to gambling activities. The event took place outside the Surat Thani Provincial Police Headquarters in Khun Thale, Mueang District. The provincial police commander, Police Major General Soempun Sirikong, led the operation, emphasising…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue goal in jeopardy: Tourism minister
Thailand faces an uphill battle in reaching its ambitious 3.5 trillion-baht tourism revenue target for 2024, as admitted by Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich. Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association’s annual conference, Sermsak highlighted the current progress and challenges ahead. “In the first five months of this year, Thailand has welcomed 15 million foreign tourists, generating 1.1 trillion baht.…
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Thailand ranked among top 50 in World Happiness Report 2024
Thailand ranks among the top 50 countries in the World Happiness Report 2024 as a potential destination for young people seeking happiness, highlighting a high level of joy among those under 30 years old in the country. The World Happiness Report, conducted jointly by the United Nations (UN), the University of Oxford, and the analytics and advisory firm Gallup, drew…
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Couple escape police custody, arrested after dramatic manhunt
A couple involved in a theft case managed to escape from a police station, crossing provincial borders and disguising themselves to evade capture. The husband, driven by sympathy for his wife and their child, orchestrated the breakout. Suspected of theft, 20 year old Naranya was picked up near Sattahip Police Station by a man identified as 36 year old Arthit,…
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BoT urges usage of older banknotes for special occasions
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) urged consumers to use existing banknotes for special occasions instead of requesting newly printed ones. This request comes as the circulation period of banknotes has extended due to the rise in digital payments and improved banknote quality. Currently, the first-in, first-out cycle for banknotes means they stay in circulation about 10% longer than before. The…
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HBO exec hails Koh Samui as paradise as White Lotus filming ends
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has just wrapped up filming on Koh Samui for its highly anticipated Season 3. Scott Schaeffer, HBO’s Senior Vice President for Production, hailed Thailand as a cinematic paradise, praising its natural splendour and skilled local crews. Schaeffer’s glowing endorsement came during a high-profile meeting with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Ministry…
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Thailand’s plant-based foods market to hit 45 million baht
Thailand’s plant-based food market is on track for significant growth, with projections from a recent workshop indicating a 10% increase in value, reaching 45 billion baht this year. This promising forecast was highlighted during a recently held workshop titled The Future of Essential Agricultural Products of Thailand: A Case Study of Plant-Based Food. The event was co-organised by the Trade…
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Farmer saves massive cow trapped in well in East Pattaya
A farmer’s 300-kilogramme brown cow went missing during a routine grazing check at the weekend in East Pattaya. The 59 year old Thai farmer Kanya discovered her beloved cow wedged inside a well with a narrow 1.5-metre opening and a daunting 2-metre depth on Sunday, June 23. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t free the trapped bovine alone. “I heard…
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Scamming the scholar: Retired professor loses millions to fake cop
A 76 year old retired university professor lost 22.8 million baht to a call centre scammer who posed as an officer from Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police Station in central Thailand. The victim, Su, revealed to Channel 7 that he had nearly 23 million baht in savings that he had saved from his teaching days at the university. Unfortunately, he lost…
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PM Srettha’s Pattaya Beach night out sparks economic buzz
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited Pattaya Beach at the weekend to bolster tourism and jump-start economic recovery efforts. Alongside Chon Buri Governor Thawatchai Srithong, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, and Police Lieutenant General Somprasong Yenthuam, Region 2 Police Commander, the delegation’s arrival at 8pm on Saturday, June 22, heralded a lively evening on Pattaya’s famous Walking Street in South Pattaya, abuzz…
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Government school teacher goes on a car crash rampage
A teacher driving a pickup truck caused a multi-car accident involving four vehicles yesterday and attempted to flee the scene. A determined female driver pursued the runaway truck. Police eventually apprehended the suspect and conducted an alcohol test. Police Lieutenant Kampa Phanpheng of Mueang Amnat Charoen Police Station reported that around 5.30pm, a pickup truck was involved in a hit-and-run…
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Deputy school director missing for 10 days amid financial dispute
The family of a deputy school director, missing for 10 days, is deeply concerned about a possible financial dispute. The father of the missing school director, 72 year old Chalerm Jaisanti of Sri Sai Mun village in Nong Chang Khuen subdistrict, Mueang Lamphun district, reported that his son, 43 year old Ruchakorn Jaisanti, also known as Bank, deputy director of San…
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Thai teen allegedly tricks friend into sex with dealer for free drugs
Police in the Isaan province of Udon Thani arrested a 15 year old Thai girl and her boyfriend for allegedly tricking a 13 year old friend into having sex with a drug dealer to get free drugs. The 42 year old mother of the 13 year old victim, Bee, took her daughter to Huay Luang Police Station in Udon Thani…
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Qatar Airways 2024’s best airline, Bangkok Airways best regionally
Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world for 2024, overtaking last year’s champion, Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, Bangkok Airways secured the title of the world’s best regional airline for the eighth consecutive year, according to Skytrax’s World Airline Awards. Qatar Airways achieved the top spot in the annual rankings, while Singapore Airlines fell to second place. Emirates…
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