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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Southeast Asia leans toward China over US, 2026 survey finds
A survey published by a Singaporean institute has found that a slim majority of respondents across Southeast Asia would align with China over the United States if forced to choose between the two powers. The poll, conducted between January 5 and February 20, 2026, covered 2,008 respondents from all 11 ASEAN member states, including Timor-Leste, which joined the bloc in…
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DSI investigates into 57 million litres of fuel missing in Surat Thani
Thailand’s Justice Ministry launched a probe into suspected fuel stockpiling during the energy crisis and found that 57 million litres of fuel went missing during tanker deliveries to Surat Thani. The Justice Ministry, Royal Thai Police and provincial administrative offices nationwide inspected fuel storage following concerns over shortages and rising prices. The operation aimed to prevent major energy companies from…
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Mahidol University praised for 30-day paid leave for terminal family care
Mahidol University wins praise for granting 30 days paid leave for terminal family care Mahidol University issued a 2026 notification regarding employee leave criteria and procedures. The public widely praised Section 9 of this document. This specific section outlines the rules for taking time off to care for family members in their final stages of life. The new regulation allows…
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Anutin unveils budget cuts, fuel sale limit amid energy crisis
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a package of Thailand energy crisis measures after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, April 6, including budget cuts to fund public support and a plan to limit fuel sales. Anutin and the newly appointed Cabinet issued the announcement after discussing measures to address and prevent fuel shortages. He said conflict in the Middle East continued to…
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Thailand video news | Insurance mandate for tourists, Northern Thailand Smog Emergency
In Thailand’s video news Today, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories include a new policy mandating medical coverage for visitors to Thailand, Northern provinces being given emergency status designation amid severe smog and the rainmaking operations meant to alleviate the problem, then a tragic murder-suicide involving an international student and his girlfriend, also a…
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AirAsia ticket prices rise 40% as fuel costs stay sky-high
AirAsia X is raising ticket prices by up to 40% as soaring jet fuel costs linked to the Middle Eastern conflict put fresh pressure on airlines across Asia. The carrier said yesterday, April 6, that higher oil prices had become its most serious challenge, with jet fuel costs doubling in recent weeks. The increase is forcing the long-haul low-cost airline…
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What is a refining margin, and why is it soaring during the Iran war?
Drivers are currently sweating over high gas station prices. A major cause is the conflict in Iran. Economic news often highlights rising refinery margins. The normal margin is two baht, but it recently exceeded 17 baht. Understanding the refinery margin is straightforward. A merchant buys oranges at a certain price to squeeze and sell bottled juice at a higher price.…
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Phuket van driver confesses to raping Ukrainian woman
Phuket police officers arrested a Thai van driver over the rape of a 20 year old Ukrainian woman yesterday, April 6. The Ukrainian woman filed a complaint with Patong Police Station at about 5.30am, saying a Thai man forced her into a van and raped her in Phuket town. Police later tracked down the suspect, identified only as 43 year old…
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Thailand travel insurance plan targets unpaid tourist bills
Thailand is moving to require international tourists to obtain travel insurance before entering the country, as rising unpaid medical bills and accident risks place increasing pressure on public healthcare. The impact is already being felt in major tourism areas. At Vachira Phuket Hospital, which serves 400,000 registered residents and more than one million visitors, director Dr Weerasak Lorthongkham said the…
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Chinese man commits murder-suicide, leaving blood message in Pathum Thani condo
A Chinese man allegedly murdered his Thai girlfriend before taking his own life in a condominium in Pathum Thani on Sunday, April 5. Messages written in blood were found at the scene. Police from Khlong Luang Police Station were called to the condominium at about 2.30am after reports of a man falling from the building. The body of a 30…
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Thai kindergartners as young as 5 are buying toy-like vapes from classmates
An academic warns that students are selling fruit-flavored e-cigarettes to peers. Educational campaigns and a new safety curriculum aim to teach refusal skills nationwide. Dr. Anyamanee Boonsue revealed alarming data on Monday regarding e-cigarette use among young students. The independent academic and former Chulalongkorn University lecturer told the Ejan news outlet that kindergarteners as young as five years old are…
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Phuket speedboat explosion kills Thai tour guide, injures 5 others
A Thai tour guide died, and five other crew members were injured in a Phuket speedboat explosion at about 11am yesterday, March 6, at Coco Pier in Vichit subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket. The explosion was reported on the speedboat called Tequila while it was moored at the pier. Volunteer firefighters and rescue workers rushed to the scene after the blast…
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Security guard killed in Pattaya crash with Japanese driver
A security guard died after his motorcycle crashed into an SUV driven by a Japanese restaurant owner who was turning onto a main road in Pattaya early today, April 5. Police, rescue workers and a medical team were called to Phatthanakan Road in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri at 3.49am after reports of a serious motorcycle crash.…
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Vendor splashed with hot oil by another worker in Krabi mall
A drink vendor was injured yesterday, April 4, after another worker threw hot cooking oil at her in a shopping mall in Mueang district, Krabi, with police detaining the suspect at the scene. Rescue workers were alerted by mall staff and coordinated with police before arriving at the food court on the first floor, where they found the victim, 19…
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Cambodian worker dies fixing roof at Sri Racha factory
A 38 year old Cambodian man died after falling from a roof he was repairing at a wooden furniture factory in Sri Racha district, Chon Buri, yesterday afternoon. Rescue teams from Sawang Prateep Si Racha, together with Police Lieutenant Colonel Dechanat Thansirichuti, an investigator from Sri Racha Police Station, responded to the scene at a factory along Sukhumvit Road in…
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Trailer truck ploughs into traffic, injures 16 in Chachoengsao
A 22-wheel trailer truck crashed into several vehicles on the Burapha Withi expressway in Bang Samak subdistrict, Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao, at 4.30pm yesterday, April 4, leaving 16 people injured and blocking all lanes. Police, rescue workers and emergency responders went to kilometre marker 37 on the Chon Buri-bound side of the expressway, where they found the white trailer truck…
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Gang poses as officers to steal motorcycle in Pattaya raid
Seven individuals allegedly impersonating narcotics officers stormed a home in Pattaya late on April 4, threatening a couple at gunpoint and knife-point before making off with a motorcycle. The incident took place at 10.46pm in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Pattaya. The group of seven claimed to be officers from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) as they…
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Trat farm worker killed by wild elephant in musth
A 63 year old Mon farm worker was trampled by a wild elephant in Trat today, April 5, after trying to chase it away. Officials said a strong musth scent was detected at the scene. The incident happened in Bo Phloi subdistrict, Bo Rai district. Rescue workers and local officials went to the scene, where the body was found in…
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Northern Thailand declared emergency disaster zone over air quality
Three northern provinces declared emergency disaster zones over hazardous air Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Phayao have been declared emergency disaster zones as persistent hazardous air quality continues to grip northern Thailand, unlocking emergency funds for provincial governors to deploy relief efforts. The announcement was made on Saturday by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Unsit Sampuntharat, as he…
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Songkhla orders probe after 100,000 litres of diesel found
Officials in Songkhla found 100,000 litres of diesel stored at a company’s international truck yard in Sadao district yesterday, April 4, after no documents were produced to back earlier claims that the site had a valid fuel storage permit. The case emerged after social media posts alleged that a Malaysian transport operator with a trailer yard for cross-border runs between…
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CAAT warns of flight adjustments after Songkran
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) said on April 3 that it is monitoring the impact of Middle East tensions, with airlines expected to adjust flight operations after Songkran due to rising fuel costs and shifting travel demand. CAAT reported that airlines in the Middle East are gradually resuming services, with operations now at more than half of normal levels. Airlines…
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Thailand petrol prices updated: details from five major stations
The Energy Policy and Planning Office has announced updated petrol prices effective from April 5. This report details current prices at five major service stations: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell, providing an overview of costs per litre for various fuel types. At PTT stations as of April 4, gasohol 95 is priced at 43.95 baht per litre, gasohol E20…
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Thailand crypto betting changes under the pressure of enforcing, and Solana payments have become the focus
Online betting is a legal grey area in Thailand, but the government is on the hunt to prevent illegal gambling rings and offshore betting in 2026. More recent efforts to crack down have focused on mass-scale digital interference, including blocking hundreds of thousands of gambling-related URLs and takedowns of online gambling networks. The Thai government has also improved its cooperation…
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65-year-old British man dies in Pattaya motorcycle crash
A 65 year old British national died after losing control of his motorcycle and colliding with a utility pole on Na Mueang Road in Pattaya late on Friday. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya unit responded to the incident at around 8pm. On arrival, they found the man lying unconscious beside his motorcycle, suffering from severe head injuries.…
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American critically injured in Pattaya car accident
An American man was left in critical condition after being struck by a car while crossing Sukhumvit Road near the Pattaya Central underpass in the early hours of Wednesday, April 2. The incident occurred at around 1.46am on the Bangkok-bound side of the road. Rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Centre, working alongside Pattaya City Police, responded…
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Thai PM vows crackdown on oil hoarding amid energy crisis
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Friday the discovery of extensive oil hoarding and market manipulation, committing to legal action and ordering a comprehensive investigation to identify those involved. Following a high-level meeting with energy and security agencies, Anutin stated that multiple tactics had been employed to exploit consumers during the ongoing global energy crisis. These included intentional delays in…
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South Korean loan scam leader detained in Thailand, faces extradition
Police in Pathum Thani have detained the alleged head of a South Korean illegal lending ring accused of defrauding over 9,000 individuals, resulting in losses exceeding 355 million baht, after he fled to Thailand to avoid prosecution. Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division captured 65 year old Tae Won Bae outside a Korean language school in Khlong Luang district.…
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Phuket tuk tuk driver accuses Russian man of refusing to pay for service
A Phuket tuk tuk driver accused a foreign passenger of refusing to pay and then claiming the driver overcharged him at 3,000 baht. The driver, who operates in Patong in Kathu district, shared a video on social media showing him confronting the passenger in a hotel lobby. He said he may start collecting fares in advance to prevent passengers from…
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Buriram man accuses high school teacher of sexually assaulting and manipulating him
A male teacher in Buriram province was accused of physically abusing and sexually grooming a schoolboy for more than four years. The victim’s sister, 35 year old Pitchaman, accompanied her brother, identified only as M, to Buriram Provincial Police Office to follow up on the complaint filed with Mueang Buriram Police Station six months ago. The siblings later shared details…
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MP pushes back against Clean Air Bill as Thais are ‘breathing dust to death’
Thai netizens, today, April 3, slammed objections to the Clean Air Bill, which were raised in Parliament, as people in North Thailand continued to face severe PM2.5 pollution. The issue stemmed from remarks made by Bhumjaithai Party list MP Supachai Jaisamut during a House of Representatives meeting on April 1, when he raised concerns about the draft Clean Air Bill,…
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