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.
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Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Middle East tensions threaten Thai economy with rising oil prices
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Thai private sector, as the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas extends beyond a year. The ongoing Israeli offensive has led to rising oil prices and shipping blockages, which threaten to affect the Thai economy by increasing inflation and prompting higher interest rates in countries like the…
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Last orders: Alcohol sales dry up nationwide for Buddhist lent finale
A nationwide alcohol sales ban will be enforced for 24 hours on the day of Awk Phansa, which marks the end of Buddhist Lent. This year, it falls on Thursday, October 17. The Alcohol Control Act mandates that all establishments, except duty-free shops in international airports, comply with this ban. The prohibition period begins at midnight on Wednesday, October 16,…
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Scottish tourist in Pattaya paranoid after mixing cannabis and meds
A 55 year old Scottish tourist sparked concern at a Pattaya hotel after exhibiting erratic behaviour, believed to be linked to excessive cannabis and prescription medication use. Around 12.38pm yesterday, October 13, Pattaya police responded to a report from hotel staff regarding a foreign female guest acting irrationally at a hotel on Jomtien Beach Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered Tracy,…
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Short changed: Bolt rider stunned by unexpected 2 baht fare
A Bolt rider received a surprising fare of only 2 baht from a customer, leaving both parties bewildered. The incident occurred recently when a Facebook user shared their experience in the Facebook group Bolt Drivers Thailand. The post revealed that the fare displayed on the app was indeed 2 baht, causing the rider to feel awkward when asked about the…
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Former officer arrested for embezzling 10 million baht
A former special operations officer from the Department of Corrections accused of embezzling 10 million baht from government funds has been arrested. The suspect, identified as 36 year old Pornchai Paripreecha was arrested at a barbecue restaurant in Nong Khai while allegedly waiting for his wife to bring him cash. Police Major General Montree Teskhan, head of the Crime Suppression…
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Controversy at Bang Saen Beach over ice truck intrusion
A dispute erupted at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri when a municipal officer ordered tourists to move for an ice delivery truck driving on the beach, claiming he was the mayor’s son. The incident sparked public outrage and led to a heated exchange. Tourists enjoying their long holiday weekend at Bang Saen Beach were interrupted by a pickup truck…
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Shocking arrest: Bangkok electrical wire thief nabbed
Police apprehended a suspect involved in cutting electrical wires, while another managed to escape. The incident occurred early today, October 14, resulting in one arrest and a positive test for illegal substances. Around 4.30am, police officers from Thonglor Police Station, led by Police Colonel Pansa Amornapitak, Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthakit Jokkhoksung, and their team, were patrolling the area…
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Thailand issues weather warning for heavy rain in 40 provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department issued another serious weather warning for 40 provinces, urging residents, especially in Bangkok, its surrounding areas, the southern region, and the eastern region, to prepare for heavy rainfall affecting up to 70% of these regions. The TMD forecasts that in the next 24 hours, easterly and southeasterly winds will bring moisture from the South China Sea and…
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Winning lottery numbers for October 16 spark excitement
Winning lottery numbers for the upcoming draw on October 16 have caught the attention of many, especially with a decade of historical data revealing interesting patterns. The Government Lottery Office will announce the results at their prize announcement building on Nonthaburi Road, Sanambinnam, Nonthaburi Province. Historical data from October 16, spanning 2014 to 2023, has shown some notable trends. For…
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Van collides with truck, injuring multiple passengers in Thailand
A passenger van collided with an 18-wheel truck, causing significant damage and injuring multiple passengers. Officials are urgently assisting, suspecting the driver fell asleep. Police are investigating to uncover the truth. Early this morning, rescue services from Hook 31, Nakhon Ratchasima, were alerted to an accident involving a passenger van and an 18-wheel truck on the Mittraphap-Khon Kaen road. The…
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Aid expedited for Pathum Thani school bus blaze victims
Education officials are expediting the disbursement of financial aid to those impacted by the bus blaze tragedy in Pathum Thani, which resulted in the deaths of 20 students and three teachers earlier this month. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has been actively monitoring the relief efforts, according to Acting Acting Sub. Lieutenant. Thanu Wongjinda, its secretary-general. A…
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Phuket faces fire risk from unspent firecrackers after festival
Phuket City Municipality officials are addressing the fire hazard posed by unspent firecrackers at the landfill in Saphan Hin following this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Large quantities of firecracker waste were collected after daily street processions and shrine activities during the festival, according to Phuket City Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet. When strips of firecrackers were ignited, not all detonated, leaving…
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Woman falls to death from fifth floor in Bangkok mall
A tragic incident occurred when a woman fell from the fifth floor of a prominent shopping mall in central Bangkok. Despite the efforts of emergency responders performing CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are conducting an investigation. At 9.30pm yesterday, October 12, Anucha, Deputy Inspector at Phahonyothin Police Station, received a report of a woman falling from…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, predicting continued heavy rainfall. Bangkok and the southern regions are expected to be significantly affected, with the latter facing an 80% chance of torrential rain. Citizens should be on high alert for potential flash floods and forest runoffs. The TMD forecast for the next 24 hours highlights…
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Krabi Airport gears up for 60% surge in tourist season flights
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has directed Krabi International Airport and associated agencies to prepare for a substantial rise in flights and passenger traffic during the high tourist season, particularly along the Andaman coast. According to the Department of Airports (DOA), the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule includes over 160 domestic flights, more than 60 international flights, and 90 charter flights…
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Bang Lamung police nab suspects for 10 million baht factory theft
Bang Lamung police apprehended four suspects involved in stealing large machinery from a recycling factory in the Bang Lamung area. Acting on a tip-off from the factory owner, who reported that several individuals were stealing and damaging property, over 20 officers moved in and caught the suspects in the act, attempting to move steel pipes weighing nearly 20 kilogrammes. The suspects, identified…
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Bangkok monorails test new systems after recent malfunctions
Operators of Bangkok’s Yellow and Pink monorail lines are actively testing redesigned guide wheel and conductor rail systems to prevent future malfunctions. This initiative follows recent incidents where a guide wheel fell from a Yellow Line train, damaging vehicles below, and a section of the Pink Line’s conductor rail fell causing similar damage. Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) and Northern…
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Thailand’s new scheme offers 400 baht to boost northern tourism
A new co-payment tourism promotion scheme aimed at revitalising the flood-affected northern region of Thailand will be presented to the Cabinet for approval, said Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Dubbed Travelling North Half-Half, the initiative will subsidise trips to the northern region later this year, offering up to 400 baht (US$12) per trip to 10,000 visitors. This scheme, proposed…
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Three dead in southern Thailand floods, more heavy rain expected
Three people perished in flood-related incidents in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Yala yesterday as the southern border region braces for more rain, potential flash floods, and forest runoff. Two of the victims were in Phrom Khiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, where three tourists were caught off guard by forest runoff while visiting Wang Lung waterfall in the late afternoon. Heavy…
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Vietnamese trio arrested on drug charges in Nonthaburi karaoke bar
Thai police apprehended three Vietnamese nationals on drug charges at a Nonthaburi karaoke bar that catered exclusively to Vietnamese patrons, according to a police statement released today. Police raided at the establishment located within Bua Thong Market 3 in tambon Bang Bua Thong at 1am yesterday, September 12. This action followed a complaint alleging that foreigners were operating a bar…
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Thai police crack down on SIM card fraud in nationwide operation
Thai police have launched Operation Bridge Burst to crack down on shops registering SIM cards for call centre scams nationwide, seizing a large number of items in the process. Yesterday, at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters, Kittirat Phunphech, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Centre (TCSC), along with Tatchai Pitaneelabut, Assistant…
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Former politician caught with meth in underwear in South Thailand
A former local politician was arrested at a checkpoint after attempting to hide methamphetamine (meth) in his underwear. A subsequent search of his home revealed a firearm. Local police set up the checkpoint to maintain order. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sawat Niyomdecha of Koh Thuat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, in coordination with local administrative officials, established the checkpoint in…
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Samut Prakan factory worker injured in knife fight after drinks
A factory worker and his friends engaged in a drinking session that turned violent, resulting in one man severely injured. The altercation escalated from a verbal spat to a knife fight yesterday evening, October 11, in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. Police responded to a reported altercation around 9pm. The incident occurred within Soi Ruamjai on Theparak Road, kilometre 19, in…
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Disabled Thai woman scammed by iCon Group scheme
Thai social activist Gun Jompalang, has pledged to assist a disabled woman who was deceived into borrowing over 300,000 baht to join a membership scheme, with the promise of helping her family. This scheme, however, left her with no sales and substantial debt. A complaint was filed against The iCon Group by victims who lost hundreds of thousands to millions…
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Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Patong, alarming locals
Beachgoers in Patong were met with a shocking scene yesterday, October 11, as thousands of dead fish washed ashore, prompting immediate concern among locals, tourists, and officials. Various species of fish were scattered along the beach, driven in by strong winds and waves. The sudden die-off has left officials scrambling to identify the cause of this marine disaster. Locals quickly…
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Warning issued for central provinces flooding risk from tomorrow
Local officials have issued a warning about potential flooding in central provinces, starting tomorrow, October 13 and lasting until October 24. Jirayu Huangsub, advisor to the prime minister, highlighted the risk for regions including Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, and Samut Prakan, particularly in areas outside flood barriers. Efforts to mitigate flooding have seen the Thai Royal Irrigation…
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Pattaya police boost patrols ahead of Police Day celebration
Pattaya’s police force is ramping up security measures in the lead-up to the city’s Police Day celebration. The city’s police chief has directed officers to bolster patrols and target crimes to enhance safety and security. Police Colonel Navin Teerawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, presided over a monthly meeting to issue new directives and review the performance of each department.…
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Thai woman arrested on Pattaya Walking Street with loaded gun
A Thai woman was apprehended on Pattaya Walking Street for carrying a loaded firearm, claiming it was intended for self-defence against harassment. Pattaya police received a report early yesterday, October 11, at 5.06am regarding a woman with a firearm in the bustling area of South Pattaya. Upon arrival, officers discovered 39 year old Isaree who was visibly intoxicated. A thorough…
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Thailand and Myanmar discuss Mae Sai River illegal structures
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with Myanmar regarding illegal structures along the Mae Sai River, aiming to address the flood crisis in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced. Severe flooding has inundated the district, leaving a thick layer of mud as waters receded, prompting these high-level talks. Phumtham, who also serves as…
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Thailand boosts economy with overseas workers
Thailand has seen a significant boost in its economy, with over 55,000 workers sent abroad during the 2024 fiscal year, resulting in more than 270 billion baht added to their families’ incomes. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn visited 364 Thai workers yesterday, October 11, who were undergoing pre-departure training before heading to Taiwan, Israel, and Japan. Among these workers, 321 are…
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