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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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  • Transgender Thais win free hormone therapy in gold card revolution

    Transgender Thais win free hormone therapy in gold card revolution

    Thailand’s Board of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has approved a sweeping plan to make hormone therapy for gender affirmation an official health benefit under the country’s Universal Health Coverage, known as the Gold Card system. The move, green-lit with a budget exceeding 145 million baht for fiscal year 2025, aims to promote equality and improve the well-being of…

  • Jilted ex drives to Phuket with pistol to settle grudge with wife

    Jilted ex drives to Phuket with pistol to settle grudge with wife

    A jilted ex with a grudge and a gun was busted trying to drive into Phuket, allegedly on a mission to confront his ex-wife over a bitter money dispute. Checkpoint police got more than they bargained for on July 13 when they stopped a vehicle at the Tha Chatchai road entry and discovered a loaded 9mm pistol along with 35…

  • Brollies up as Bangkok and 38 provinces brace for floods

    Brollies up as Bangkok and 38 provinces brace for floods

    Get ready to be drenched, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that Bangkok and 38 provinces are in for a lashing, with heavy rain, flash floods and forest runoffs on the cards. The TMD have sounded the alarm, urging residents, especially those in low-lying areas or near rivers and canals, to stay on high alert as the downpours roll in. The…

  • Helmet-wielding lunatic causes chaos in Pattaya fast food joint

    Helmet-wielding lunatic causes chaos in Pattaya fast food joint

    A helmet-wielding lunatic sparked panic on a busy Pattaya street after attacking innocent bystanders in a bizarre bid to make headlines, so his estranged wife would notice him. Police scrambled to Soi Nern Plab Wan at 11.06pm, yesterday, July 14 after reports of a deranged man lashing out with a safety helmet outside a fast-food joint. The scene was already…

  • CCTV captures foreign men taking Thai man’s cat in Phuket

    CCTV captures foreign men taking Thai man’s cat in Phuket

    A Thai man urged two foreign men to return his pet cat after they were caught on CCTV taking the animal from outside his restaurant in Phuket. The cat’s owner, Win Mungkon, took to social media yesterday, July 13, to search for his missing pet, whose name was not revealed. He asked Newshawk Phuket to help publicise the incident in…

  • Youth clashes in Buriram spark fear with explosive disturbances

    Youth clashes in Buriram spark fear with explosive disturbances

    Youths wielding weapons clashed in a mass brawl in Buriram’s Mueang district, causing alarm among locals due to explosive noises over three consecutive nights. The incident reportedly involved nearly 50 people, some armed with long knives. A viral Facebook video captured the chaos where one group was heard shouting, “Don’t talk to me about the law; it can’t do anything.”…

  • Thief caught sleeping in Udon Thani home but escapes before arrest

    Thief caught sleeping in Udon Thani home but escapes before arrest

    Homeowners in the Isaan province of Udon Thani encountered a thief sleeping inside their house after a burglary, but were unable to catch the suspect due to safety concerns. The homeowner, 50 year old Kiattisak, called officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station to investigate after his two sons, 16 year old Por and 15 year old Per, discovered the…

  • Boot and run: Thug kicks young Thai woman in Pattaya bar assault

    Boot and run: Thug kicks young Thai woman in Pattaya bar assault

    A 21 year old woman was left traumatised and housebound after being viciously kicked in the head by a stranger during a shocking unprovoked attack at a Pattaya bar, all because someone allegedly thought she was “staring.” The victim, known only as Piano, had been enjoying a night out with two friends in the Nong Prue area of the resort…

  • Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade

    Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade

    Phuket raked in nearly 3 billion baht during the four-day religious holiday but tourist numbers have taken a worrying dip, with Chinese arrivals more than halved and Middle Eastern travellers staying away. The Khao Phansa Buddhist holiday on July 10–11 gave locals a golden excuse for a long weekend, sending thousands of Thai tourists flocking to the island. Foreigners, meanwhile,…

  • Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    A naked American man, trapped in a Bangkok sewer, refused assistance from a rescue team and bit one of the rescuers on her wrist. Officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station today, July 14, responded to an incident outside a condominium on Kanlapaphruek Road in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok after the condo manager reported seeing a naked foreign…

  • Ruff justice: Phuket MP bites back over ‘mafia dog’ slur

    Ruff justice: Phuket MP bites back over ‘mafia dog’ slur

    A Phuket MP has filed a police complaint after being branded a “servant dog of the Chinese mafia” in a vicious online smear campaign that he says was designed to destroy his reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, Member of Parliament for Constituency 2 in Phuket, marched into Phuket City Police Station at 10am, yesterday, July 14, with his lawyer in tow, demanding…

  • Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women were arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from an 80 year old monk at his residence. The police apprehended the suspects in a rented room following their confession and are proceeding with legal action. On July 11, Manun, the 29 year old nephew of a monk, Thong Suk, at Bang Mod Sothonaram Temple, sought media assistance to…

  • Truck crash in Lop Buri kills woman at fruit stall

    Truck crash in Lop Buri kills woman at fruit stall

    A six-wheel truck with a trailer lost control and crashed into a roadside fruit stall, leading to the death of a woman yesterday, July 13. Her husband narrowly escaped the incident, which occurred in Lop Buri province, while the driver is suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthapong Wongwang from the Tha Hin Police Station…

  • Eight year old in Pattani diagnosed with tetanus after incomplete vaccinations

    Eight year old in Pattani diagnosed with tetanus after incomplete vaccinations

    An eight year old boy in Pattani was diagnosed with tetanus after experiencing jaw pain, difficulty swallowing, and stiffness for four days. Examination revealed an incomplete vaccination history. Health professionals recommend ensuring children receive all scheduled vaccinations to prevent such serious illnesses. The case was shared by Sulkiflee Saei on Facebook, highlighting a rare incident encountered at Pattani Hospital’s children’s…

  • Phuket up! Aussie teen’s Thai trip nearly ends in coke bust horror

    Phuket up! Aussie teen’s Thai trip nearly ends in coke bust horror

    An Aussie teen has sounded the alarm to fellow young travellers after a boozy night out in Phuket nearly ended in disaster when a couple allegedly tried to lure her and a friend into taking drugs, in a country where that could mean the death penalty. Mia Pacor, now 18, recalled the terrifying brush with trouble in a TikTok video,…

  • Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Police raided a shop called TOM GUN KUP near a university in Bangkok, seizing a large quantity of kratom juice and dangerous drugs. The operation yesterday, July 13, led to the arrest of 26 year old Jirakit and 23 year old sales employee, Nanthanat. Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with his team, including Deputy Superintendent Voraprat Wuttarak and Police Captain…

  • GI dough! Retired American blows a fuse in Pattaya bar brawl

    GI dough! Retired American blows a fuse in Pattaya bar brawl

    A retired American soldier turned English teacher went berserk at a South Pattaya bar last night, frightening staff and sending security into full alert. But, his fury ended up in handcuffs after a full-blown meltdown on Soi 5. The former American GI, James, thought to be around 60, is accused of spitting at bar girls, smashing a pot of incense,…

  • Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    A 34 year old woman reported her motorcycle stolen by her boyfriend, prompting police action in Taling Chan district, Bangkok. The woman later admitted the theft claim was false, driven by anger over alleged domestic abuse. Officers at Taling Chan Police Station were informed of the theft yesterday, July 13. The woman, identified as Kanda, alleged that her motorcycle, registered…

  • Ladies’ night bust-up in Pattaya leaves serial sleaze in cuffs

    Ladies’ night bust-up in Pattaya leaves serial sleaze in cuffs

    Pattaya police have appealed for more witnesses after a suspected serial sleazebag, dubbed the “Boom Khunphaen Rider,” was dramatically restrained by a group of angry women in the heart of Pattaya on Saturday night. He has been accused of blackmail, threats and physical violence. The 26 year old motorbike courier, named as Phonlawat, was reportedly chased down and cornered outside…

  • Thai monk denies affair with foreign man’s wife in Phuket

    Thai monk denies affair with foreign man’s wife in Phuket

    A Thai monk in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat denied having an affair with a foreign man’s wife in Phuket, following an accusation made by the woman’s neighbour. A Thai man living in Phuket, Satsawat, accused his neighbour of allegedly engaging in an affair with a monk identified as Apichart Damjam, from Cha-uat district in Nakhon Si Thammarat.…

  • Worker dies after machinery accident in Samut Prakan

    Worker dies after machinery accident in Samut Prakan

    A maintenance worker succumbed to injuries after a machine fell on his head in Samut Prakan province. Despite attempts by colleagues to rush him to the hospital on a motorbike, he died en route. Yesterday, July 13, at 8.30pm, the Prakarn Rescue Centre was informed of the incident where a worker was crushed by machinery. The worker was being transported…

  • Pae’s the limit: New poll reveals most Thais want PM to quit

    Pae’s the limit: New poll reveals most Thais want PM to quit

    Pressure is piling on currently suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a new poll showing most of the public want her to quit or call fresh elections, just weeks after a leaked audio tape threw her government into crisis. The latest survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA poll), titled “What path should Thai politics take?” found…

  • Thailand Video News | Brawl among Korean tourists erupts in Pattaya restaurant, Chinese tourist robbed by fake cops in Pattaya

    Thailand Video News | Brawl among Korean tourists erupts in Pattaya restaurant, Chinese tourist robbed by fake cops in Pattaya

    In Thailand, violent brawls, nightclub raids, and tourist scams spotlight Pattaya’s growing reputation for chaos—while quick-thinking staff in Ranong foiled a major gold heist. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia grapples with bigger questions: Cambodia honors its painful past with new UNESCO recognitions, Vietnam confronts a looming population crisis, and a Thai academic urges transparency over Trump’s upcoming tariffs. Elsewhere, a viral panda,…

  • Ex-monk arrested for stealing 18,000 baht from donation box

    Ex-monk arrested for stealing 18,000 baht from donation box

    A former monk, recently defrocked for 10 days, has been apprehended for stealing 18,000 baht from a donation box. He claims he was drunk and heard voices instructing him to commit the theft. Yesterday, July 13, Police Colonel Wisit Buasongwong assigned Police Lieutenant Colonel Patipat Nuekhoomueang, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Phumprakhon, and Police Sub-Lieutenant Nueng Chaiyamongkol to arrest 54 year…

  • Thai hard with a vengeance: Dad quits broken Britain for Thailand

    Thai hard with a vengeance: Dad quits broken Britain for Thailand

    A fed-up dad from Nottinghamshire is packing up his life, and his family, to start over in Thailand with just a suitcase and a dream, after declaring he can’t afford to live in “Broken Britain” any longer. Dale Smith has had enough of sky-high bills, grim weather and what he calls “pointless” schooling for his kids. So this November, the…

  • Major traffic accident in Nakhon Ratchasima leaves 10 vehicles damaged

    Major traffic accident in Nakhon Ratchasima leaves 10 vehicles damaged

    A major accident involving over 10 vehicles occurred on Mittraphap Road, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, causing substantial traffic congestion. Police swiftly responded to assist those trapped in vehicles after receiving a report at 12.20pm yesterday, July 13. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanachok Patanatawee from Klang Dong Police Station, along with emergency services from Klang Dong Subdistrict Municipality, Simamongkol Municipality,…

  • 4 Thai and Chinese men arrested for kidnapping and extortion in Pattaya

    4 Thai and Chinese men arrested for kidnapping and extortion in Pattaya

    Police arrested two Thai men and two Chinese nationals for kidnapping and extorting a Chinese tourist in Pattaya. The 52 year old victim, Lin, was abducted by four men posing as police officers on July 10 while standing outside a noodle shop on Pattaya Sai Sam Road. The gang arrived in an SUV and forced him into their vehicle. According…

  • Pattaya mechanic batters customer to death after row over parts

    Pattaya mechanic batters customer to death after row over parts

    A petty row over motorbike parts turned into a fatal street brawl in Pattaya, leaving a 33 year old man dead and his long-time mechanic friend facing a murder charge. The deadly drama unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, July 12 when 31 year old Somjet Sapprasert, allegedly bludgeoned his customer, 33 year old Sonthaya “Toomtam” Nuchlek, to death…

  • Tyred and fired! Pattaya garage inferno erupts after fuel blunder

    Tyred and fired! Pattaya garage inferno erupts after fuel blunder

    A routine fuel drain turned into a fireball fiasco in a Pattaya garage after a misfuelled Toyota Alphard burst into flames, torching five vehicles and sending plumes of smoke across Phonprapanimit Road. Emergency services rushed to the Somphot Service garage near Moo 7 at 3.30pm on Saturday, July 13, after a blazing inferno engulfed the car repair and tyre shop.…

  • Pickup truck crashes into expressway pillar in Nonthaburi

    Pickup truck crashes into expressway pillar in Nonthaburi

    A pickup truck collided with an expressway pillar, severely damaging the vehicle. Police and emergency services arrived at the scene in Mueang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. They are set to review CCTV footage to determine the cause of the accident that took place at 2.40am today, July 14. The accident occurred in the Ban Mai subdistrict, Pak Kret district, where a…