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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Thai man’s drunken rampage in Na Jomtien terrorises family
A 36 year old Thai man was apprehended by police on Sunday in Na Jomtien, Sattahip, after allegedly attacking his parents in a drunken rage. Police were summoned to the Eua Arthorn Na Jomtien housing community following reports of domestic violence. Upon arrival, officers found the suspect, identified as Nattawut, aggressively threatening his mother with a small cutting tool on the…
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Thailand seeks new stimulus after Q1 growth falls short
Following Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira’s announcement yesterday, Thailand needs additional stimulus measures to unlock its economic potential after experiencing lower-than-expected growth in the first quarter. The country’s economy expanded by only 1.5% year-on-year in the first quarter. This performance, while surpassing analysts’ forecasts, fell short of the 1.7% growth recorded in the previous quarter, said Pichai. “There was still growth…
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Chiang Mai Airport grants Grab exclusive ride-hailing rights
Chiang Mai Airport defended its decision to grant Grab exclusive rights to operate ride-hailing services at its passenger terminal. Only vehicles using the Grab app are permitted to pick up passengers at the airport, according to Chiang Mai Airport General Manager Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn. Ronnakorn explained that two categories of vehicles provide services at the airport. The first category includes non-regular…
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Thai man’s birthday surprise from Bangkok taxi driver goes viral
A Thai man shared a heartwarming video on TikTok showing a Bangkok taxi driver who surprised him with a birthday present by playing “Happy Birthday” during his ride. The Thai TikTok user shared the heartwarming video during a taxi ride on his account, @icetsuki, on May 19, with the caption, “Unexpected moment on taxi car.” The man explained in the…
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Civil war in Myanmar sees increase in drug trafficking into Thailand
In a worrying development, the trafficking of methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba, from Myanmar into Thailand has witnessed a significant increase in recent weeks. According to Thai military sources, this surge is attributed to the pressing financial requirements of anti-junta ethnic forces in Myanmar. A coordinated effort by Thai military, police, and anti-narcotics officials yesterday resulted in the seizure of…
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Sky-high savings: Webjet and AirAsia unveil mega Asia sale
Webjet and AirAsia have joined forces again, promising Aussie travellers unbeatable fares to Asia’s hottest destinations. In a major boost for Aussie globetrotters, Webjet, Australia’s leading online travel agency, relaunched its partnership with AirAsia. This exciting collaboration promises easier access to affordable flights, thanks to AirAsia’s extensive network. The partnership aims to offer customers a broader range of choices and…
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Pattaya Mayor anticipates roadwork to be completed by year’s end
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet of Pattaya delivered an update on the ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects aimed at improving the city’s drainage systems. These initiatives, funded by the previous budget allocation, represent a concerted effort to enhance the city’s infrastructure and overall livability. Highlighting key accomplishments, Mayor Poramet announced the successful completion of drainage installation on Thepprasit Road. Work on Pattaya…
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Pattaya police introduce mobile app to boost tourist safety
Pattaya City Police Station has unveiled the PATTAYA SAFETY application to boost tourist safety. Superintendent Police Colonel Navin Theerawit announced this innovative app designed to enhance the safety of Thai and international tourists visiting the vibrant city of Pattaya. Developed under the provincial police’s guidance, the PATTAYA SAFETY app acts as a comprehensive platform for incident reporting, tip submission, and…
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Thai man and Frenchman duel in knife fight, both wounded
A knife fight erupted between a Thai man and a Frenchman in the middle of the road in the Karon sub-district of Phuket last night, May 20, resulting in injuries of both parties. Officers from Karon Police Station received a notification from a Thai man who discovered an injured individual, later identified as Jirasak Thonghor, outside his apartment building at…
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Chalong Bay luxury yacht goes up in flames
A 34.2-metre luxury yacht yesterday suffered extensive damage in a dramatic blaze, which left its towering mast levelled. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sprang into action around 3pm, dispatching two boats, Tor 111 and Tor 272, to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the yacht, Obsession II, anchored and continuously burning. The yacht’s crew, who…
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Thai govt boosts support for park rangers with wage increase
The Thai government has taken a significant step to strengthen the crucial efforts of national park rangers by introducing a series of measures to improve their welfare and support. Among these measures is a wage increase, serving as a clear acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions made by park rangers across the country. The Director-General of the Department of National Parks,…
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Blaze destroys British man’s condo in Pattaya
A terrifying blaze erupted in the early hours of May 17 at the Center Condotel on South Pattaya Road, causing extensive damage and forcing the frantic evacuation of residents. The fire, reported at 3.36am, initially broke out on the 12th floor, quickly spreading to the 13th floor as thick smoke engulfed the building, creating a chaotic and perilous scene. Kraithong…
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Over 30 Thais fall victim to investment scam losing 41 million baht
Thirty Thai victims filed a lawsuit against a designer brand product vendor for operating an investment scam that caused 41 million baht in damages. The victims visited the Crime Suppression Division Office yesterday, May 20, to file a complaint and provide evidence to officers. More than 30 people fell victim to the scam, and most of them were online vendors…
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Rocket near-miss with aircraft prompts safety concerns in Surin
Rocket fireworks narrowly missed an aircraft in Surin province on Sunday, prompting officials to urge pilots to navigate around them. The district chief denied the incident occurred in his area, highlighting a lack of clarity about the event’s location. Local reporters were alerted to illegal gambling activities at the Boon Bang Fai rocket festival behind a temple in Ban Jang…
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Old habits die hard: Man fresh out of prison nabbed for Yaba pills
Barely a week after his release from prison, a Bangkok man was apprehended for distributing Yaba pills obtained from a former inmate friend. He was caught selling pills at 8 baht each, totalling 6,000 pills, before being ensnared in a police sting operation. At 7.40pm yesterday, investigative units from Sing Buri Provincial Police, alongside local authorities, received intelligence about a…
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Underground sex bar exposed: 24 Thai women arrested
Taipei law enforcement swooped on an illicit underground bar in the Zhongshan District in Taipei, Taiwan, uncovering a web of illegal activities and arresting 24 Thai women suspected of working as hostesses. The raid, conducted on Saturday, May 18, resulted in the arrest of the 29 year old bar owner, identified only as Chiang, along with four of his employees…
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Thai woman swaps husband for monk, leaves 500,000 baht debt
A Thai man in the central province of Uthai Thani accused his wife of having an affair with a monk from a temple near their home and leaving him to repay 500,000 baht in debt. The 61 year old man, Sanan, revealed that he married his 53 year old wife 30 years ago and shared one daughter. He collected recycled…
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Primate patrol: Jomtien Beach monkey ‘Philip’ finally caught
Officials from Sriracha’s Conservation Area Administration Office embarked on a mission yesterday to subdue a troublesome male monkey in Jomtien Beach known as Philip. After previous attempts failed, authorities resorted to tranquilliser darts, employing a three-hour operation involving deception and careful planning. A notorious figure in the Jomtien Beach community, Philip, a large, mischievous male monkey was spotted on many…
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Rent rage: Thai woman fries trio with hot oil over 8,000 baht
A Thai woman attacked two women and a two year old girl with scalding hot cooking oil over an unpaid rent bill of 8,000 baht. The victims sought help from the Paveena Foundation for Women and Children with their medical treatment and to ensure the attacker faced justice. The victims revealed that the attacker tried to convince them to drop…
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Former PM Somchai Wongsawat stuns with senate bid
Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat made a surprise appearance at the Chiang Mai district office at 9am, marking the opening of senatorial candidate registrations. Eyewitnesses report that Somchai, whose brief tenure as prime minister lasted from September 18 to December 2, 2008, did not address the media, slipping quietly into the registration process. Somchai’s short-lived stint as prime minister was…
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Thailand and Australia join forces to tackle human trafficking
To tackle the scourge of human trafficking, the Thai government, in partnership with Australia, has unveiled a groundbreaking training facility in Bangkok. The Counter Trafficking in Persons Center of Excellence (CTIP-COE) officially opened on May 17 by Minister of Justice Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong and Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald. This centre represents a significant stride in the ASEAN-Australia…
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Bariatric surgery can help obese individuals not only lose weight but also reduce risk of cancer by 32%
canveBariatric surgery, commonly known as weight loss surgery, encompasses various procedures designed to help individuals lose weight by altering the anatomy of the stomach and, in some cases, the digestive process itself. These changes help to limit food intake and improve fat metabolism. This surgery has gained prominence not only for its effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss but also…
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Scandal rocks PM Srettha: Ethics violation accusation
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin remains resolute amid an ethics complaint that could see him suspended. While on an official visit to Italy on Sunday, PM Srettha addressed the brewing controversy. A group of acting senators filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court, accusing him of violating the code of ethics in his recent appointment of PM’s Office Minister Pichit…
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Thai woman disappears in Switzerland with American boyfriend
The family of a missing Thai woman took to social media to search for her after she lost contact with them 24 days ago, following her travels to Switzerland with her American boyfriend. The older sister of the missing woman shared Noon’s story on a Facebook group, Travelling in Switzerland by Yourself, on May 18, urging group members to notify…
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PM Srettha’s Milan move: F1 races, and airport overhauls
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with Intesa Sanpaolo, a leading international financial institution in Milan to discuss funding for Thailand’s Land Bridge project. The bank is aware of the Thai government’s plans to expand Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai airports and showed keen interest, hinting at future detailed discussions. The prime minister also revealed that Intesa Sanpaolo is enthusiastic…
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Marine officers to intensify clean up efforts at Koh Phi Phi
Marine officers at Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park are set to intensify clean-up efforts to collect floating rubbish around Koh Phi Phi beach, driven ashore by the monsoon season. This decision follows viral Facebook posts by Associate Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine environmental academic and lecturer at Kasetsart University. He highlights the growing problem of marine debris…
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Buddhist tradition meets eco-friendly innovation
As Visakha Bucha Day approaches tomorrow, Buddhists worldwide prepare to honour the birth, enlightenment, and attainment of complete Nibbana of the Lord Buddha according to tradition. This sacred day, steeped in tradition, sees millions making merit, observing religious precepts, and performing the evening ceremony of wian tian, where devotees walk around temple chapels in a candlelit procession, commemorating the Buddha’s…
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Cash clash: Temple abbot stabbed over 20-baht in Phuket
A suspected drug addict stabbed an abbot from the Phra Thong Temple in Phuket after the monk delayed giving the attacker 20 baht in cash. Officers from Thalang Police Station investigated Phra Thong Temple after being notified of the stabbing at around 11pm on May 19. The temple’s abbot, Phra Kru Suwan Phuttapiban, was the victim. He sustained a stab…
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Thailand Video News | Thai woman blames police drug search for miscarriage, Former DSI chief faces 44 million baht asset seizure
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover the recent news across the nation. Beginning with Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission seized 44 million baht from former DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit for accumulating unusual wealth. A Thai woman, Orranee, is suing the police after a vaginal drug search allegedly caused her miscarriage. Pichit Kleepjinda’s mysterious death raises suspicions of poisoning…
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Reckless Russian: Drunk driver kills Thai woman, injures man
A Russian man, reportedly drunk, crashed his car into a motorcycle in Pattaya in the early hours of this morning, killing a Thai woman and seriously injuring a Thai man. Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation was alerted to a car accident on Sukhumvit Road in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya at about 4am today, May 21. They rushed to the…
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