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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Hua Hin mourns loss of beloved expat Lizzy Ginsel
Renowned Hua Hin resident Lizzy Ginsel passed away at Hua Hin Hospital yesterday morning, June 20. A cherished figure within the community, Lizzy’s legacy resonates through her philanthropic endeavours and unwavering support for numerous charitable causes, notably the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin. Renowned for her spirited personality, Lizzy was the driving force behind the Multi-Culti Club (MCC), fostering…
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Thai nurse’s affair leads to bedside BDSM sex scandal
A Thai man turned to social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet for help after his wife, who worked as a nurse, allegedly cheated on him and became addicted to sadistic BDSM sex with the director of the hospital in the central province of Nonthaburi. The 30 year old man, named Boy, revealed during a press conference with Gun and multiple…
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Buffalo’s great escape ends in udder disaster on the road
A buffalo escaped and ran onto a road where it was fatally struck by a car, causing significant damage to the vehicle. Following the initial collision, two motorcycles trailing behind failed to brake in time and also collided with the buffalo, resulting in four injuries. The incident took place yesterday in San Sai District, Chiang Mai. Emergency responders from the…
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Teen shatters taxi window in heated Kathu dispute, pays damages
A heated exchange between a youth and a taxi driver in the Kathu district of Phuket on Tuesday night escalated to a point where the taxi’s rear window was shattered. The incident led to the youth being called in by police to pay for the damages but facing no charges. The altercation took place near the Si Kor Intersection, close…
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British couple busted for running Xanax scam in Thailand
A British couple who led a multimillion-pound fake Xanax ring from a lavish Thai villa are facing a lengthy jail sentence. The couple, 29 year old Brian Pitts and 26 year old Katie Harlow, allegedly orchestrated an international drug empire from their opulent hideaway in Thailand, flooding the dark web with counterfeit Xanax pills produced in makeshift labs across the…
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Alcohol dispute in Sisaket led to arson attack and fatal house fire
A manhunt is underway for a suspect who allegedly doused three people with gasoline before setting fire to a house, killing a bedridden individual and severely injuring two others. This heinous act follows a denied request for alcohol. Police are hunting for Khamphan Wannathong, following a fatal arson attack at a house in Khun Han District, Sisaket. The tragic incident…
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Thailand and South Korea team up for global water festival
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Jeollanam-do have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly promote Thailand’s Songkran Festival and Jeollanam-do’s Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival. The signing ceremony, held on Monday, June 17 in Seoul, South Korea, was graced by H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea. The MOU was officially signed by TAT…
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Bangkok nightclub owner kills guard in dispute over staff behaviour
A nightclub owner allegedly shot and killed a security guard this morning during a heated argument over the guard’s inappropriate behaviour with female staff. The incident took place at a popular bar and restaurant on Prasert-Manukit Road in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum district, with the owner surrendering to authorities shortly afterwards. Investigating officers from Khok Kram Police Station arrived at the…
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Mystery deepens: Child’s drowning in isaan linked to dark stranger
The plot thickens regarding the death of a child who allegedly drowned in the Isaan province of Sisaket. The victim’s four year old classmate and friend reported seeing a man with dark skin taking the three year old girl out of the nursery. Her lifeless body was later found in a swamp 800 metres away. The parents of the dead…
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TAT launches campaign with Labubu dolls to lure Chinese tourists
To strengthen cultural ties and lure Chinese tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched an exciting campaign starring Pop Mart’s beloved Labubu toy. Announced at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2024, this 1 million baht co-branding effort marks the 50th anniversary of the Thailand-China Relations Project in 2025. Labubu, the furry, adorable designer toy from China’s renowned Pop Mart,…
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Food delivery market grows as economy threatens restaurants
The online food delivery market in Thailand is experiencing growth but the challenging economy might force closures of between 50,000 and 100,000 small restaurants. Thailand has approximately 700,000 restaurants, including mobile street vendors, with the total business valued at 800 billion baht. Online food delivery services contribute 15% to this total. Chief Executive of Line Man Wongnai, Yod Chinsupakul, reports…
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Thailand Video News | Thailand halts extended alcohol sales hours citing safety concerns, friends turn foes in bizarre temple brawl in East Pattaya
For Thailand Video News today, Alex and Jay talk about the Thai government halting plans to extend the hours of alcohol sales due to rising road accidents. A brawl between two friends broke out near Huai Yai Temple in East Pattaya leaving them injured, while police in Khon Kaen are searching for a man reportedly masturbating in public repeatedly. Cyber…
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Thai transwoman fights for justice after ex’s deadly betrayal
A Thai transwoman in the central province of Uthai Thani is seeking justice after her ex-boyfriend conspired with his girlfriend to murder her by drugging. They then stole her car, mobile phone, and 15,800 baht in cash. The 54 year old transgender victim filed a complaint against her 30 year old ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend at Mueang Uthai Thani Police…
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EC clarifies Senate election vote exchange, downplays complaints
After questions arose regarding candidate vote exchange in the Senate elections, the Election Commission (EC) no longer deems wooing or exchanging votes in the Senate election as a breach. A petition challenging the initial restrictions on candidates’ election campaigning led the Administrative Court to rule against these restrictions on May 24, resulting in their repeal. EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonme addressed…
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Udon Thani karaoke bar raided for underage human trafficking
Police in Udon Thani raided a popular karaoke bar yesterday, uncovering a human trafficking operation involving underage girls. The raid, which took place at 10pm, on June 20, revealed a ledger containing customer names and a significant number of unused condoms. Governor Wanchai Kongkasem directed the operation, coordinating with Vimol Surasen, the district chief, along with police officers from Udon…
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Progressive Movement urges party unity against dissolution law
The Progressive Movement (PM) called on the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) to unite against a controversial dissolution law, urging them to resist the legislation rather than attack each other. PM Secretary-General Piyabutr Saengkanokkul posted on Facebook today, June 21, advocating for the two largest parties to find common ground. He criticised the dissolution…
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Deadly flesh-eating bacteria spreading in Japan
Japan is grappling with a significant outbreak of a flesh-eating bacteria known as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has already infected 1,019 people and shows no signs of slowing down. Cases of STSS in Japan have surged to 1,019 as of yesterday, June 20, a number that has already surpassed the total reported cases for last year. At the…
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Russian man steals bag with 15,000 baht cash & phone in Phuket
A Thai woman issued a warning to locals in Phuket after a Russian man stole her bag, containing 15,000 baht in cash and a mobile phone, at a bar in the Karon neighbourhood on Wednesday. The victim shared the story with Phuket Times yesterday, June 20, stating that she worked at a bar in the Karon area of Phuket and…
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Thailand’s durian diplomacy: Cracking the chinese market wide open
Thailand is going all out to secure its crown in the lucrative Chinese durian market. The government has rolled out a series of innovative strategies, including high-tech farming enhancements and stringent quality controls, to ensure Thailand remains the top durian supplier to China. Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced at a press conference that Thailand has significantly bolstered its…
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Student narrowly escapes sexual assault attempt
A young female student narrowly escaped an attempted sexual assault near her residence yesterday when a man followed and tried to attack her outside her apartment. Her quick thinking and cries for help thwarted the assailant. Footage from a CCTV camera installed near a housing project on Bang Sao Thong Road in Samut Prakan captured the incident. The video showed…
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Summer solstice brings longest day and shortest night tomorrow
The summer solstice tomorrow will mark the longest daylight period of the year and the shortest night. The sun is expected to rise at around 5.51am, remaining visible for approximately 12 hours and 56 minutes. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, reported that the summer solstice marks the…
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Stormy forecast: Extreme rain and thunderstorms in 42 provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued another severe weather warning for 42 provinces nationwide, forecasting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Bangkok is expected to experience significant rain coverage at 70%, with authorities urging caution for flash floods and forest runoff. The TMD released a 24-hour weather forecast today, highlighting the strengthening southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the…
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Japanese tourist exposes corrupt Thai traffic officer in viral video
A Japanese tourist exposed a corrupt Thai traffic police officer by sharing a video of the officer in Bangkok asking him to secretly pay 500 baht to avoid a charge for driving without an international driving licence. The Japanese YouTuber shared a video with the caption, “How to deal with corrupt Thai police when you get arrested.” In the video,…
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Monk gone rogue: Novice vanishes from temple, reappears briefly
A 16 year old novice monk who went missing from a temple in Kanchanaburi, was found in Nonthaburi but has since disappeared again, leaving only his sash and a note behind. Yesterday, June 20, at Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi, Somchit, the abbot of Wiakakee Temple in Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi, and Wichai Saisangsin, the village headman, travelled from…
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PM Srettha in talks with BoT chief over handout scheme
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has yet to address Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput’s staunch opposition to the government’s colossal 500-billion-baht handout scheme. Acknowledging the brewing conflict, PM Srettha admitted he and the central bank governor held divergent views, necessitating urgent discussions. Governor Sethaput, in a candid Bloomberg interview, criticised the sweeping economic stimulus, suggesting it was excessive…
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Purrfect: Stray cats seek forever homes at Bangkok Expo 2024
Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park is buzzing with excitement as the BKK Expo 2024 rolls into town, inviting animal lovers to consider adopting stray cats and transforming lives one purr at a time. Deputy Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor Tavida Kamolvej announced today, June 20, that a variety of stray cats, now vaccinated and sterilised, are being showcased at the Sua Pa…
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Defence ministry clarifies salary guidelines
To quell public outrage, the Defence Ministry unveiled comprehensive guidelines detailing what can and cannot be deducted from conscripts’ salaries. The move follows a recent scandal involving dubious salary deductions by the 22nd Logistics and Supports Battalion. The guidelines, released on the ministry’s website today, clarify the permissible deductions from the 11,000 baht monthly salary of conscripts. This announcement comes…
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Limited-edition banknotes issued to celebrate king’s birthday
The Bank of Thailand has released a stunning series of commemorative banknotes, igniting a frenzy among collectors and royal enthusiasts. These special 100-baht notes are designed to honour His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, marking his 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on July 28. Available from July 23, these exclusive notes are already creating waves. Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput…
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South Korean tourist plummets from 27th floor in Chon Buri
A 54 year old South Korean tourist was found dead after leaping from the 27th floor of a luxury condominium in Sri Racha, Chon Buri. Police were alerted to the scene at an undisclosed condominium in Sri Racha. Upon arrival, police and rescue workers found the lifeless body of Min Chucha, a South Korean tourist, lying motionless on the ground.…
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Exploitative Chinese tour operations targeted by Tourism Ministry
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports pledged decisive action against Chinese zero-sum tour operations exploiting Thai nominees to dominate the influx of Chinese tourists by offering significant price cuts, posing a severe threat to local Thai tour operators. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) raised the alarm earlier this week, noting a surge in Chinese tour groups reminiscent of…
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