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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Bangkok residents call for 20 baht fare amid uproar over 100 baht BTS cost
The fare for a journey on the BTS Skytrain from Asoke to Minburi station has been set at 100 baht, causing uproar among Bangkok residents. They argue that it is nearly a third of the daily minimum wage and have started calling for the implementation of the 20 baht fare policy across all routes, previously promised by the government during…
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Chirathivat family’s CG Capital kickstarts with 10 billion baht
The Chirathivat family’s private equity fund, CG Capital Advisory, is kicking off its operations with an impressive 10 billion baht. The fund aims to capitalise on the recovering tourism sector by investing in hospitality and real estate. CG Capital, spearheaded by Phoom Chirathivat, partnered with prominent institutional investors to channel this fund into investments in hotels and tourism-related businesses. These…
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Tiny tusker in a mud muddle: Brave Thai park rangers rescue baby elephant in perilous plight
A group of intrepid park rangers in Thailand stumbled upon a lone baby elephant at Tat Mok National Park, trapped in mud up to its tiny ears, faced a perilous fate until the rangers stepped in. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) revealed that on January 11, vigilant park rangers discovered a baby elephant ensnared in…
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Thai SEC unmoved by US Bitcoin ETFs approval
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand stated that it is not currently considering the possibility of permitting asset management firms to launch Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the country. This comes in the wake of the United States SEC endorsing the establishment of 11 Bitcoin ETFs the previous week. On January 11, rule changes were approved by the…
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Central Thailand: Residents demand urgent action as lead pollution threatens Klity Creek
Long-suffering residents of Klity Creek in Thong Pha Phum district are reaching their breaking point as they intensify their fight against lead pollution. Petitioning the Pollution Control Department (PCD), these fed-up villagers demand action to eradicate the lingering toxic sediment, amounting to a staggering 800,000 tonnes, still plaguing their community. The apparent failure of the PCD’s much-hyped rehabilitation programme has…
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Thailand’s industrial sentiment index drops in December amid economic challenges
A recent announcement by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) revealed that industrial sentiment in Thailand took a downturn in December, recording a decline from 90.9 to 88.8. This significant drop was attributed to a combination of factors, namely the weakening spending power of consumers and prevailing export concerns. The FTI, which is responsible for tracking fluctuations in various business…
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Large-scale operation targets drug abuse in Pattaya’s entertainment venues
A large-scale operation to tackle drug abuse in Pattaya’s entertainment venues was conducted in the early hours of today. The operation was a joint effort between over 100 officers from the Provincial Police Region 2, the Chon Buri Provincial Police, and Pattaya Police. Officials from the Office of Narcotics Control and Prevention Region 2 also contributed to the undertaking. The…
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Thai court clears postal worker accused of drug trafficking
A Thai court today dismissed a case against a postal worker accused of being involved in a drug trafficking incident. The case pertained to the seizure of a parcel containing 6,000 ecstasy pills, intercepted at the Bangkok Post Centre in Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, on October 17, 2022. The parcel was traced back to Germany. An Airport Interdiction Task Force comprising…
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New year fortune seekers flock to Kamchanod for lucky numbers
The island of Kamchanod in the Non Mueang District, Ban Dung, Udon Thani Province, continues to attract visitors, hoping for good luck. Today, many came to request blessings and participate in the late-night ceremony conducted by Por Jum Chawakarn, Kam Wan Sa, the resident fortune teller of Kamchanod. People seeking fortune at Kamchanod cannot miss PorJum. Last night’s ceremony took…
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Amazing Muay Thai World Festival 2024 to come to Hua Hin
Hua Hin is poised to become the epicentre of Muay Thai madness from February 4 to 6, hosting the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival 2024 at the prestigious Rajabhakti Park. A spectacular celebration blending tradition and modernity, this festival promises to deliver a knockout punch of cultural richness and martial arts mastery. The Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Komkrit…
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Phuket police call for vigilance against foreign fraudulent beggars
Phuket’s Provincial Police are calling for vigilance against foreign beggars, following the arrest of a Chinese man who was allegedly soliciting donations under false pretences. The man, identified only as Yang by law enforcement, claimed that the funds collected would go towards aiding a disabled child. News of the arrest broke on January 15, after law enforcement officers apprehended Yang.…
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Democrat Party leader refutes ties to pork smuggling scandal
Democrat Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on yesterday refuted claims implicating his former secretary in a controversial pork smuggling case. The allegations stirred a media storm, prompting the need for an official press conference. The former secretary embroiled in the scandal, lawyer Somkiat Korpaisarn, has been accused by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of a host of crimes, not least of…
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Tragic domestic dispute ends in triple fatality in Khon Kaen
A gruesome incident unfolded in a house in Khon Kaen province when a man shot his wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which occurred at midnight today, left three people dead. The victims were identified as 52 year old Manee, 35 year old Chanutda, and 39 year old Kraipop. A 9mm gun and six bullet…
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Unexpected black stream on Karon Beach due to natural sedimentation
The sandy shores of Karon Beach in Phuket were unexpectedly marred by a stream of black water making its way from the beach into the sea. This unusual sight generated a flurry of concern on social media as bird’s-eye view images of the beach began to circulate, alarming environmental enthusiasts and tourists alike. The man at the epicentre of it…
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Liver cancer claims life of healthy 37 year old: The silent killer no one’s safe from
The tragic tale of a 37 year old patient, who despite regular exercise and abstaining from alcohol, was diagnosed with liver cancer and succumbed to the disease within just two months, stresses the importance of early detection and treatment. The patient’s story was shared by a hospital page to raise awareness about the silent killer that is liver cancer. The…
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JN.1 Covid-19 variant detected in Thailand: 40 cases and counting
The Covid-19 variant JN.1* has been detected in Thailand, with 40 cases reported so far. Thai health officials are closely monitoring the situation as it is speculated to replace the XBB variant as the dominant strain. The JN.1 strain was first detected in Thailand in October last year and increased significantly in December last year. Yongyot Thammavut, Director of the…
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Model Khoury’s brave journey after pit bull attack costing 14 million baht
Influencer Brooklinn Khoury successfully overcame her fear to share her traumatic experience following a pit bull attack that disfigured her face three years ago. This life-changing event happened when she visited her relatives in Arizona on November 3, 2020. The attack required numerous surgeries costing over 14 million baht (US$400,000) and significantly changed the 22 year old’s perception of physical…
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Buzzing tragedy unfolds as Thai man found dead after bee attack in Chon Buri
A landscaper from Si Sa Ket was discovered lifeless under a tree along Highway 331 in Chon Buri, where authorities suspect involved in a fatal encounter with a beehive. Nong Prue Police Station received an alert about the grim discovery on January 15, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and rescue teams. Upon arrival, they found a blue Isuzu…
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Woman discovers boyfriend’s hairpin gift worth more than multiple diamond rings
A story of unanticipated value unfolded when a woman from Shanghai, China, discovered that her boyfriend’s gift of an austere hairpin held a value surpassing many diamond rings. In a time-honoured tradition of expressing love through symbolic gifts, Xiao Wang and her boyfriend upheld this practice in their blossoming romance. As a modern twist to this age-old custom, Xiao Wang…
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Police inspector transferred to inactive post following son’s murder involvement in Sa Kaeo
A deputy inspector at Aranyaprathet Police Station has been temporarily transferred to an inactive post at Sa Kaeo police headquarters. Sa Kaeo Police Chief Police Major General Omsin Boonyanuson confirmed the move which aimed to prevent any interference in the murder investigation involving the officer’s teenage son and four other suspects. Speaking to reporters, Omsin assured the public of a…
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Thai CEO donates 1 million baht at singer Kong Huai Rai’s concert
A donation of 1 million baht was bestowed upon the popular singer Kong Huai Rai by Ninew-Niphanrat Salika, the young, wealthy CEO of a world-renowned brand. The generous contribution, made during one of Kong’s concerts, has been deemed the largest garland he has ever received. Kong Huai Rai shared the news with his Facebook followers, posting a picture of the…
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Thailand’s major negotiation tool to be AI at World Economic Forum
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to unleash Thailand’s secret weapon, artificial intelligence (AI), at the 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. This year, the WEF is not just a meeting, it’s a battleground for global leaders navigating a world torn apart by geopolitics and AI advancements. Thailand’s 12th year at the WEF is more critical than ever, with…
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Optimism for Thai stock exchange rebound despite US economic downturn
InnovestX Securities, part of the SCB X Group, expressed optimism about the rebound potential of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index. The company predicts the index could approach 1,700 points this year, driven by stabilising global interest rates and domestic economic stimulation efforts. The first quarter of 2024, however, could be marked by volatility, with possible economic downturns in…
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‘Snakes on a Plane’ moment on a Bangkok to Phuket flight sparks online frenzy (video)
A shocking “Snakes on a Plane” incident unfolded on a domestic flight when a slithery serpent was discovered slithering over the head of a passenger. A TikTok user, @wannabnailssalon, uploaded a series of three clips detailing the event, causing a stir among netizens. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 13, when the TikTok user was returning from Bangkok to Phuket. As…
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Sports car driver caught drifting at Sukhumvit Road intersection
In a daring public display of automotive bravado, a sports car driver was caught on CCTV performing multiple drifts at a busy traffic light intersection on Sukhumvit Road, in the Bang Saen district of Chon Buri. The reckless act occurred around 12.30am on January 8, inciting disapproval from locals. According to surveillance footage, the driver performed several laps of drifting…
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Sa Kaeo murder sparks debate over police transparency and leniency on teenage murderers
The murder of a Thai woman in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo sparked a debate about the lenient punishment handed out to teenage murderers and raised concerns about the transparency of the Thai police. The dead body of a 47 year old Thai woman named Buaphan Thansu was found in a pond near an abandoned petrol station in the…
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Thai lottery ushers in new year with lucky numbers frenzy
The Thai Government Lottery Office today is set to reveal the initial lottery outcomes for the auspicious Dragon Year. Enthusiastic fortune seekers and lottery enthusiasts are actively seeking fortuitous numbers to usher in the new year. Recently favoured number combinations have been collated from diverse sources, encompassing the propitious sequence 08-01-30, New Year numbers 567, 67, 024, 24, and Children’s…
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CentralWorld hosts Bangkok Countdown 2024
Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s number one real estate developer and operator of 39 Central shopping centers nationwide, in collaboration with leading public and private partners including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Royal Thai Police, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), Advance Info Service plc., Thai Honda Co., Ltd., Coca-Cola (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Haad Thip plc., Boonrawd Trading Co.,…
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Thai government resists Israeli embassy’s call for hostage release in Gaza
A call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, initiated by the Israeli embassy, met with opposition from the Thai government. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara expressed his disapproval of the move on Tuesday. He has requested a meeting with the Israeli ambassador for a discussion on the issue.…
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Royal Thai Air Force to battle surging fine dust pollution crisis
With fine dust pollution surging to alarming levels in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) with spearheading the nation’s countermeasures. RTAF chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul yesterday confirmed the directive. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed that the provinces of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon are presently grappling with high levels of…
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