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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
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Thailand video news British Couple’s Thai Retirement Dream Shatters in Legal and Financial Crisis,Bangkok Launches 20-Baht Train Fare Registration Despite Legislative Hurdles
Thailand faces a week of contrasts, from tense border disputes and diplomatic appeals to sweeping policy shifts and cultural milestones. The army’s shoot-to-kill directive against Cambodian troops underscores rising regional frictions, while protests in Phnom Penh spotlight the fallout of recent clashes. Domestically, a legal crackdown on drunk driving, storm alerts, and Bangkok’s push for a 20-baht train…
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Thai actress faces 2 years in jail for drunk driving but sentence suspended
A Thai actress faces two months’ imprisonment after confessing to drunk driving and refusing an alcohol test at a checkpoint in Bangkok on Sunday, August 24. Her sentence was suspended for two years. The 33 year old actress, Marie Broenner, and her alleged boyfriend, businessman Asakon “Boss” Singsikornkun, were caught on a viral video arguing heatedly with police officers at…
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Thai goods smuggling thwarted at Cambodia border (video)
In the district of Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province, Thai officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle Thai goods into Cambodia. While patrolling at Ban Nong Prue, Moo 7, Phan Suek subdistrict, the Burapha Task Force and the 1204th Ranger Company identified two suspicious people pushing carts loaded with large sacks. Upon noticing the officials, the suspects abandoned the carts and quickly…
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SmartLynx Thailand lands first jet ahead of big launch
A new player is taxiing onto Thailand’s aviation scene as Thai SmartLynx Airlines has taken delivery of its very first aircraft, an Airbus A320, signalling its ambitious entry into the country’s skies. The 13.4 year old narrowbody jet, now carrying the Thai registration HS-SXA, touched down at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport on August 22. Previously flown by SilkAir, the A320…
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British expat’s £1.5 million Thai dream ends in jail nightmare
What began as a dream retirement in Thailand for a British expat spiralled into a nightmare of prison cells, financial ruin, and heartbreak. Martin Savage, a 65 year old retired engineer, says a bitter boundary row with a neighbour over a driveway ultimately cost him everything: his £1.5 million (around 67.5 million baht) property portfolio, his retirement fund, and his…
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100 Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal entry into Thailand
Yesterday, August 25, at 1.30pm, 100 Myanmar nationals were apprehended for illegally entering Thailand through natural routes. The group, comprising 62 men and 38 women, navigated their way through forests and waterways over four days, eventually being captured in Kanchanaburi province. The operation was initiated by Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intra, Major General Atsadawut Panyarachun, commander of the 9th Infantry Division,…
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Phuket tourists ignore beach red flags, attacks lifeguards
Foreign tourists spat on and assaulted Thai lifeguards on Nai Han Beach in Phuket yesterday, August 25, after the guards warned them not to swim in the sea for their own safety. Witnesses filmed the attack and shared the video with the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page to expose the tourists’ violent behaviour and demand action from local police and relevant…
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Pickup’s sudden turn leaves Pattaya bikers in agony
A routine morning ride turned to chaos in Pattaya yesterday when a motorcycle slammed into a pickup truck, leaving two young riders with serious injuries. At around 9am yesterday, August 25, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Team rushed to the scene of the collision on Chaiyaphruek Road in the Pong-Khao Mai Kaew area. The crash involved a grey Forza 350…
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Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 3.5 million meth tablets
Police, military, and administrative officials collaborated in Chiang Rai to dismantle a major drug trafficking gang, seizing 3.5 million methamphetamine tablets and 60 kilogrammes of crystal meth at a petrol station. The operation led to further asset seizures, including cash and properties. On August 24, law enforcement agencies, including the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and regional police, conducted…
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Hua Hin’s old station gets flashy facelift to lure tourists
Thailand’s iconic Hua Hin railway station is on track for a major facelift, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) promising a sweeping revamp to boost tourism, jobs, and safety. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala visited the historic station this week to expedite the project and inspect the new passenger facilities. He met with Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatsaen to…
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Tropical storm Kajiki brings heavy rain and strong winds to Thailand
Tropical Storm Kajiki made landfall in Thailand this morning, impacting upper northeastern regions before weakening and moving into Nan province by the evening. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in 40 provinces today, August 26. Over the next 24 hours, heavy rain is expected in areas of northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and western southern…
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Thai man loses 40,000 baht after allowing friend to access debit card
A Thai man finally received justice nine years after losing 40,000 baht to a trusted friend, whom he had allowed access to his debit card and password. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested 65 year old Suthee, who had been evading capture for nine years. He was charged with two offences committed against his colleague in 2016, including: Section 269/5…
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Brake failure causes truck crash on steep Mae Hong Son road
A 10-wheel truck transporting fertiliser to Mae Hong Son experienced brake failure while descending a steep slope on Road 108. To prevent a more severe accident, the driver opted to steer the vehicle into a hillside, resulting in injuries yesterday, August 24. Police from the Mae Sariang Police Station in Mae Hong Son were informed of the truck’s collision with…
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Bangkok launches 20-baht train fare registration amid legal uncertainty
The registration for the 20-baht flat fare on Bangkok’s train networks began today, August 25, with the scheme promised to take effect on October 1, despite three relevant bills still awaiting Parliamentary approval. The Ministry of Transport, under the supervision of Pheu Thai Party member Suriya Juangroongruangkit, launched the scheme to reduce living costs for Thai citizens, aiming to increase…
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Man steals lottery tickets worth over 27,200 baht in Bangkok
A man has been apprehended for stealing 272 lottery tickets worth over 27,200 baht, confessing his motive was to pay overdue instalments on his car. The incident occurred outside a noodle shop on Panya Inthra Road in Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. The vendor had left the tickets with a friend while visiting the restroom. The thief threatened the friend,…
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Dutch tourists attacked by foreigners outside Phuket hotel
Police in Phuket are investigating after two Dutch tourists were assaulted by two unidentified foreign men outside a hotel in Karon early on the morning of August 23. The incident took place around 12.15am on Kata Road, according to the Karon Police. The victims, identified as Maximilian and Michelle, reported to the police that they were approached by two male…
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Brazilian tourist detained after rooftop incident in Patong
In the early hours of August 23, police and rescue personnel in Patong responded to an incident involving a Brazilian tourist on the roof of a massage parlour on Thaweewong Road. The sight of the tourist caused safety concerns and alarmed residents. The Patong Police received the report at approximately 2.45am. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Chittawan Pengkaew, officers, along with…
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Thai inmate caught after escaping coffee shop job to see newborn baby
A male inmate faces additional jail time after escaping from a prison in Nonthaburi near Bangkok on Saturday, August 23, allegedly because he missed his five month old baby. The Department of Corrections urged residents to assist officials in tracking down the prisoner, 33 year old Anuchit Sooksud, who escaped while working at Hubpoei Coffee Shop, operated by Nonthaburi Provincial…
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Man arrested for staging car accidents to claim over one million baht
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) arrested a 26 year old man, Anucha, for staging four car accidents in a month to fraudulently claim insurance payouts, causing damages exceeding one million baht. His accomplices are also under investigation. The arrest, led by Police Colonel Krit Worathat and his team, took place today, August 25. Anucha was apprehended at his residence…
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Chinese-born Cambodian man attacked for eating neighbours’s crab
A group of Chinese men and their Thai employee attacked a Chinese-born Cambodian neighbour in Chon Buri for eating crab worth 4,000 baht, which was wrongly delivered to his home. The 34 year old victim, identified as Mar Tu, shared CCTV footage of the incident with Thai news agencies in a bid to seek justice. He said he feared the…
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Internet technician dies after tragic fall in Udon Thani
A tragic incident occurred when a 33 year old internet technician, Theeraphop or Esso, fell from a high-voltage pole, resulting in his death. The accident took place at 6pm on August 24 at Baan Dong Udom-Nong Sai entrance, Mueang district, Udon Thani province. Rescue workers from the Udonthani Promoting Dharma Foundation received the report and quickly rushed to the scene.…
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Wild elephant kills rubber tapper in Chachoengsao tragedy
A tragic incident occurred yesterday, August 24, when a wild elephant attacked and killed a 66 year old rubber tapper, Abdulloh Kariya, in a rubber plantation in Chachoengsao province. The event was witnessed by his 20 year old nephew, Aris, who was shocked by the incident. Chai Khemmonta, the village head of Ban Khlong Takian, reported the incident to the…
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Thai nationals caught in attempted border smuggling to Cambodia
Yesterday, August 24, military personnel from the Burapha Force, in collaboration with the Aranyaprathet Special Task Force and the 12th Ranger Regiment, intercepted a group attempting to smuggle 10 Thai nationals across the border into Cambodia. The operation was initiated after two suspicious vehicles were detected entering Baan Kut Hin in the Khlong Nam Sai subdistrict of Aranyaprathet district, Sa…
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Thai actress faces drunk driving charge after refusing test at police checkpoint
A renowned Thai actress is facing a drunk driving charge after refusing an alcohol test at a police checkpoint in Bangkok’s Wang Thong Lang district in the early hours of yesterday, August 24. Officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station had set up a checkpoint on Pradit Manutham Road when they stopped a green Porsche driven by 33 year old…
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Thailand video news AG Mulls Appeal After Thaksin Cleared in Royal Insult Case,Ketamine-Laced Vapes Ring Busted in Chon Buri
Thailand faces a wave of high-profile developments this week — from the suspension of U.S.-bound parcel services after the end of duty-free rules to legal moves in Thaksin Shinawatra’s royal insult case. Immigration tightened controls by revoking 10,000 student visas, while major drug busts in Chon Buri and Koh Samui underscore ongoing narcotics challenges. Elsewhere, a Brazilian tourist’s bizarre…
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Tragic drowning of young girl in Nakhon Ratchasima pond
Rescue personnel in Nakhon Ratchasima were called to the scene yesterday, August 24, after a six year old girl tragically drowned in a 4-metre-deep pond. The incident occurred in Baan Nong Khai Nam, Mueang district, as three children, two boys and a girl, were playing. The girl slipped into the deep part of the pond, and despite the boys’ attempts…
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2 Lebanese men arrested for drug and illegal clinic on Koh Samui
Police arrested two Lebanese men for illegally operating a clinic and supplying drugs to foreign tourists on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Officers from the Surat Thani Provincial Immigration Bureau, Koh Samui Tourist Police, Bor Phud Police Station, and the Koh Samui Public Health Department raided a restaurant on Lamai Beach in the Maret…
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Bangkok police seize fake Marshall speakers worth 600,000 baht
Yesterday, August 24, police in Bangkok apprehended six people suspected of selling counterfeit Marshall brand speakers and headphones. The operation, led by Police Major General Thantaphum Charuprat and involving collaboration with the Department of Intellectual Property and brand representatives, resulted in the seizure of 206 items valued at over 600,000 baht (US$18,480). The arrested individuals, identified as 45 year old…
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Monk sought after fatal assault at Nakhon Ratchasima temple
A monk is being sought after allegedly assaulting a disciple to death at Wat Sala Thong, Hua Thale, Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident, which occurred at approximately 1.30am yesterday, August 24, involved the monk, known as Tik, who reportedly has a history of drinking and was previously expelled from another temple for not performing religious duties. Police Lieutenant Panuwat…
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Body of missing Buriram woman found on Phetchaburi roadside
A woman from Buriram was found dead on a roadside in Phetchaburi, three days after disappearing from the home of Doctor Pla. On August 22 at 12.30pm, police at Baan Lat district station were informed of a body discovered on the Ban Lat-Phor Rieang road, village 8, Tha Chang subdistrict, Baan Lat district, Phetchaburi province. Police coordinated with hospital personnel…
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