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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 How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you...
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Phuket’s diarrhoea disaster: An unpleasant dose hits over 70 students and residents
More than 70 students and residents across Phuket fell victim to an unpleasant dose of diarrhoea yesterday. The Phuket Provincial Public Heath Office suspects the cause of this distressing episode could be attributed to the drinking of contaminated drinking water and ice procured from nearby factories. It is believed that a stomach bug, possibly the notorious norovirus, managed to infiltrate…
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Man hallucinates after drug use, raids neighbour’s home causing fear and chaos
Yesterday, police in Kabin Buri, Prachinburi province were alerted to an incident involving a 50 year old man causing chaos in a neighbour’s home. The man, identified as Kla, displayed signs of drug-induced hallucinations and continually verbally abused residents, prompting police intervention. Kla was eventually taken for treatment at a local hospital. Kabin Buri police responded to a call from…
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Bangkok condos face decline as Gen Z opts for renting, shifting focus to Gen Y
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing a decline in condominium transfers as the younger generation, Gen Z, is opting to rent rather than purchase properties. The ttb analytics centre predicts a 12.5% drop in transfers this year. Experts advise developers to attract Gen Y buyers with high financial readiness. In their recent analysis, ttb analytics pointed out that condo…
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Imposter monk scams temples, steals over 20 robes worth 20,000 baht
A man disguised as a monk stole over 20 Buddhist monks’ robes worth 20,000 baht from Chong Lom temple in Samut Sakhon province yesterday. The imposter claimed to be the abbot of the temple and loaded the stolen items into a white Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck with Bangkok registration, as captured on CCTV. Yesterday, a man dressed as a monk…
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Thailand’s DLT combats illegal driving license sales exposed by MP on Facebook
Thailand‘s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is taking action against individuals selling driver’s licenses illegally, following a Move Forward Party MP’s exposé on the matter. MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn discovered several people advertising online services to provide driver’s licenses without requiring the driving test and posted screenshots of customers who had received valid DLT-certified licenses despite not taking the test. Wiroj expressed concerns…
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Lorry driver dozes off and crashes into car, female passenger killed
A lorry crashed into a passenger vehicle on Prasert Manukitch Road in Bangkok, resulting in the tragic death of a woman who was flung five metres from the car. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with investigations revealing that both drivers experienced bouts of drowsiness. At around 5.45am this morning, Tai Sawangjit, Deputy Inspector at the…
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Teenager and his father plot murder of another teenager in northern Thailand
A teenager and his father conspired to murder a teenage rival on a road in the central province of Uthai Thani, northern Thailand on Wednesday night. The alleged murderers surrendered themselves to the police yesterday. A 16 year old friend of the victim alerted officers at Lan Sak Police Station at 11.50pm on Wednesday, June 7 after his 14 year…
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Woman feigns insanity to avoid restaurant bill, takes shower on premises (video)
A woman dined at a Thai barbecue restaurant, left without paying and feigned insanity. After finishing her meal, she claimed to be waiting for a friend, but ultimately entered the bathroom and took a shower before leaving the establishment without paying the bill. Yesterday, a Facebook user named Thotsaphon, the 33 year old owner of the barbecue restaurant, posted images…
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90% Thai employees seek new jobs despite bleak economy
A significant majority of Thai workers are open to exploring new job opportunities despite an uncertain global economic climate, a recent study by recruitment firm Michael Page has found. The Talent Trends report, which surveyed 942 individuals in Thailand, revealed that over half of the respondents are actively seeking or planning to find new employment within the next six months.…
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Nurse scams lovestruck man out of 100,000 baht, taunts him to sue for refunds
A heartbroken man from Sisaket in northeastern Thailand warned others to be vigilant after falling prey to a deceptive nurse he met on an online dating app. Despite his genuine love and financial support, he was duped, losing over 100,000 baht (US$2,888). Yesterday, Sek, a storekeeper, shared his heart-wrenching experience. In late October 2022, he met a nurse through a…
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Groom attends bride’s wedding twice, first as guest then as husband
In a twist of fate, a Vietnamese couple married after initially meeting at the bride’s first wedding when the groom attended as a guest. Seven years later, they found themselves tying the knot once more, but this time as bride and groom. No one can predict the future or determine whom they will marry or spend their life with. However,…
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FTI seeks Chinese investment boost in Thai EV, food, and healthcare sectors
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is seeking to boost Chinese investment in Thailand, focusing on the electric vehicle (EV), food, and healthcare sectors, through increased business collaboration with Beijing. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, recently met with the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, to discuss potential investment opportunities. Kriengkrai envisions Thailand as a production base for Chinese…
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Watchdog warns public trust in police at all-time low, urges neighbourhood policing
The police watchdog has issued a warning that public trust in the police has reached an all-time low, and urgent action is needed to restore it. Chief constables have been advised to focus on crimes that matter most to the public, ensure proper investigations, and reinstate the policy of neighbourhood policing. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, is…
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Umno deputy backs Youth’s demand for DAP apology in alliance row
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has expressed support for Umno Youth’s demand that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) apologise for past criticisms of the party. This controversial stance appears to contradict that of Umno’s president. Hasan, also known as Tok Mat, believes that the proposal made by Umno Youth is a good one and that an apology would be a…
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Thai consumer confidence hits highest level since March 2020
Consumer confidence in Thailand reached its highest level since March 2020, with a 12th consecutive monthly increase in May. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported that the consumer confidence index rose to 55.07 in May, up from 55 in April. Factors contributing to this increase include a recovering economy, a resilient tourism sector, and political campaigns…
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US invests $100m in Caribbean for weapons crackdown and Haiti aid
The United States is set to invest over US$100 million in the Caribbean to combat weapons trafficking, provide aid to Haiti, and support climate change initiatives. Vice President Kamala Harris announced this investment during her visit to the Bahamas, where she attended a meeting with Caribbean and US leaders alongside Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis. Harris, the highest-ranking US official…
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Annecy park stabbing: Four toddlers stable, Syrian knifeman arrested
A horrifying knife attack in a children’s playground in Annecy, southeast France, left four young children between the ages of one and three injured. The children, including a three-year-old British child and a Dutch toddler, are now in stable condition in hospital. Two adults were also injured, one critically. The police arrested a 31-year-old Syrian man with refugee status in…
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Umno members struggle with Anwar alliance ahead of crucial state elections
The 2023 Umno general assembly, taking place today, is anticipated to reveal the extent of internal friction within the party, as some grassroots members struggle to accept their new partnership with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s national unity government. Analysts suggest that despite being part of Anwar’s administration for over six months, Umno has not fully convinced its grassroots members about…
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Thailand boosts tourism budget to 5 billion baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced its plans for the fiscal year 2024, with a focus on growing off-peak customers, increasing spending per trip by 7%, and distributing income to a wider range of destinations. The budget for these initiatives is set at 5 billion baht, a significant increase from the 3.25 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2023. TAT Governor…
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Amber heat-health alert as UK temperatures set to surpass 30C this weekend
An amber heat-health warning has been issued as the UK braces for a surge in temperatures, potentially exceeding 30C in some regions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised its alert level after the Met Office forecasted that temperatures could reach up to 31C (88F) on Saturday. Aiden McGivern, a forecaster, mentioned that the highest temperatures are expected between…
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Afghanistan mosque explosion kills 11 at Taliban deputy governor’s memorial
A deadly explosion occurred near Nabawi Mosque in northern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 11 people who were attending a memorial service for the recently deceased Taliban provincial deputy governor, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi. Over 30 individuals were wounded in the blast, and officials fear the death toll may rise. The memorial service took place on Thursday, honouring Ahmadi,…
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Pakistan crackdown targets PTI supporters’ businesses in Punjab
In Punjab province, Pakistan, supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have reported that authorities are targeting businesses of those sympathetic to the former prime minister. Hammad Azhar, a top PTI aide, said his family-owned business, AFCO Steel Industries, was closed by police for over a week without any documentary evidence or sealing warrants. “The authorities did not have…
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US-GCC joint statement backs two-state solution, omits Israel normalisation
The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have issued a joint statement, highlighting shared priorities and finding common ground on various issues. This follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s attendance at a GCC meeting during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia. The statement emphasises the US’s “enduring commitment” to the Gulf region, despite concerns about its diminishing…
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Wildfires cause air quality alerts across North America and disrupt travel
Air quality alerts have been issued for millions of people across North America as wildfires continue to rage in Canada, causing evacuations, disruption to air travel, and smoke-filled skies even thousands of kilometres from the fires. The US National Weather Service has extended air quality alerts for the East Coast, from New England to South Carolina, as well as parts…
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Biden and Sunak unveil Atlantic Declaration boosting defence, renewable energy ties
The United States and the United Kingdom have unveiled the Atlantic Declaration, a new economic agreement aimed at strengthening ties in defence and renewable energy. This announcement took place during UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first visit to the White House. The agreement, however, does not encompass a full free trade deal that the UK has been seeking since its…
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US suspends $1.8bn Ethiopia food aid over diversion claims
The US Agency for International Aid (USAid) has halted food aid to Ethiopia after discovering that donations were being misdirected away from those in need. The suspension will affect approximately 20 million Ethiopians, who are currently experiencing severe food shortages due to war and drought. The United States remains the largest humanitarian donor to Ethiopia, having provided over US$1.8 billion…
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297 orphans evacuated amid deadly conflict in Sudan’s capital
In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, nearly 300 orphans have been rescued from the heart of the conflict in a dangerous evacuation carried out by humanitarian workers. This follows the tragic deaths of 67 children at the Mygoma orphanage due to starvation, dehydration, and infections, as the fighting prevented staff from reaching the facility. Since April 15, the city has experienced daily…
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Russia accused of targeting Ukraine dam breach evacuation points
Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting evacuation points in the aftermath of the Kakhovka dam breach, resulting in one death and several injuries in the city of Kherson. The attack occurred during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the city, where he met with locals affected by the flooding. According to Kherson’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, 2,000 people have been evacuated from…
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Wildfires cause worst air quality in years for US cities
Intense wildfires in Canada have led to the worst air quality in years for cities such as Washington DC and Philadelphia, affecting millions of people across North America. The hazardous conditions have resulted in event cancellations and flight disruptions throughout the United States. Almost 100 million individuals are currently suffering from very poor air quality. US President Joe Biden referred…
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UK and US unveil Atlantic Declaration to counter China’s economic threat
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have established a new partnership aimed at enhancing economic security in response to the growing threat posed by China. Despite not achieving a comprehensive free trade deal with the US as promised in the Tory manifesto, the prime minister and US president announced the Atlantic Declaration during a meeting at the White House. This marked…
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