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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Sponsored Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Foreigner arrested in Phuket for illegal work at bike rental
In Kathu, Phuket, a foreigner has been apprehended for illegally working at a motorcycle rental business, amid an ongoing effort by the Tourist Police to address unauthorised employment of foreigners. The Phuket Tourist Police reported that officers from Investigation Division 2 of the Tourist Police Bureau 3, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Pittaya Thepmuang, carried out a raid at ONE…
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Cops bust Pattaya kratom shop in drug den raid
A Pattaya kratom shop turned out to be a front for a drug den—with methamphetamine (meth), ketamine, and ecstasy uncovered during a late-night raid. At around 10.30pm yesterday, August 6, Bang Lamung district officials and police launched a coordinated operation at a suspicious kratom shop in Soi Naklua, following repeated complaints from residents about dodgy gatherings and suspected drug activity.…
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Police bust major drug gang seizing 336 kg of narcotics
Police apprehended a major drug trafficking gang, seizing 314 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 22 kilogrammes of ketamine, intended for distribution in Bangkok. The network is linked to a previously arrested gang from Wang Thonglang in May. At 1pm yesterday, August 6, at the Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 8, several high-ranking officers, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and Police…
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Thai woman’s ‘fat belly’ was 8kg cyst shock
What looked like a bulging belly from too much food turned out to be an 8-kilogramme tumour—and the woman had no idea. A 31 year old Thai woman named Ratchanaporn from Satun province lived for years with a massive ovarian cyst growing inside her abdomen, completely unaware of its presence. Her family assumed she was overweight due to her eating…
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Illegal cigarette trade in Songkhla cripples local businesses
The Thai Tobacco Trade Association has raised alarms over the rampant distribution of illicit cigarettes in Songkhla province, which has impacted over 4,000 legal tobacco retailers and forced the closure of about 200 small shops. Thanyasaran Sangthong, the association’s executive director, revealed that Songkhla ranks second in the country for illegal cigarette infiltration, severely affecting local tax revenue. The president…
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Phuket police go high-tech to slash road chaos
Phuket police are going digital in a bold new bid to tackle the island’s growing traffic nightmare—and reckless drivers are firmly in the crosshairs. The Safer Road Connect initiative, launched yesterday, August 6, promises to revolutionise traffic enforcement in the province, using integrated vehicle data and real-time monitoring of road violations. The high-tech pilot programme was unveiled at The Pago…
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Mystery surrounds death of woman in Samut Prakan apartment
In Samut Prakan, neighbours were shocked to discover the body of a 59 year old woman in her apartment after she failed to send her usual morning greetings for two consecutive days. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Today, August 7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phatthakorn Chainoi of Bang Phli Police…
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Thai worker loses life in explosion at oil tank factory in Kanchanaburi
A male worker lost his life in an explosion at a factory in Kanchanaburi province. Two other workers were injured in the incident. A rescuer from the Khun Rattanawut Foundation, Persia Jongtawon, shared a video of the incident on his Facebook page yesterday, August 6. The explosion occurred at the Taspow oil tank production factory. In the caption, he wrote,…
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Scottish expat loses legs in Bangkok lorry crash
A British man living in Thailand had both legs amputated after a horror motorbike crash with a lorry in Bangkok. Willie Braid, a 54 year old expat from Scotland, was hit while riding his motorbike in the capital on July 27. The driver of the lorry is alleged to have fled the scene in what appears to be a hit-and-run…
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Influencer arrested with drugs and vehicles in Suphan Buri raid
A prominent influencer has been arrested along with the seizure of methamphetamine and several vehicles after being linked to a major drug network in Suphan Buri. The operation was conducted by Suphan Buri police and the Region 7 investigative team yesterday, August 6. Under the direction of Police Major General Wacharin Prasopdee and Police Colonel Peera Atsawapiboonphon, the police apprehended…
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Thai-British woman escapes attempted rape by condo manager
A Thai-British woman narrowly escaped an attempted rape by a condominium manager in Pathum Thani province. The suspect reportedly entered her room, immediately undressed, and took a shower before trying to trick the victim into having sexual intercourse. The 21 year old victim and her 29 year old boyfriend filed a complaint with Chulalongkorn Pratunam Police Station after the incident,…
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Cambodian national investigated in Buriram for data links
Police in Buriram are investigating data from three mobile phones belonging to 36 year old Vin Da, a Cambodian national, who was arrested for allegedly sending information to Cambodia. Police discovered a firearm, Cambodian military uniforms with a captain rank, and insignia of BHQ, Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit. Vin admitted to being part of the BHQ unit but claimed to…
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Suphan Buri police seize 2.4 million meth tablets, arrest teens
Police in Suphan Buri seized over 2.4 million methamphetamine tablets and detained two 17 year olds involved in transporting the drugs from northern Thailand. Police Colonel Thaththep Lertlakmiphan, superintendent of Dan Chang Police Station, led the operation to apprehend a major drug trafficking gang from the north. The operation took place on Highway 333 in Village No. 3, Wang Khan…
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Singaporean tourist’s Pattaya drone flight ends in cuffs
A tourist’s late-night drone flight over Pattaya’s Walking Street landed him in handcuffs for breaking aviation laws. At around 12.19am today, August 7, a Singaporean man was arrested for illegally operating a drone in Pattaya’s busy nightlife district, despite a nationwide ban currently in place. Pattaya City Special Affairs officers caught 44 year old Goh Chia Hsien piloting a drone…
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Pickup and sedan plunge into pond after collision near Thammasat
A collision between a pickup truck and a sedan took place near Thammasat University, Rangsit Centre, resulting in both vehicles plunging into a pond. The incident occurred on Phahonyothin Road today, August 7. Police Lieutenant Supachai Chamchoi from Khlong Luang Police Station received the report and attended the scene alongside traffic officers and emergency services. At the location, a Nissan…
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Thailand braces for severe thunderstorms and strong winds
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for thunderstorms across Thailand, with the north and south regions expected to face the heaviest downpours. Residents are advised to be cautious of strong winds and heavy rain, particularly in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, where waves could reach up to 2 metres. In the next 24 hours,…
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Trump teases new tariffs on drugs and chips
US President Donald Trump indicated yesterday that new tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and semiconductors might be announced as early as next week as part of his ongoing efforts to reshape global trade. These comments were made during an interview with CNBC, occurring just days before another set of tariff increases is set to impact several economies later this week. The…
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Phuket copper thief caught red-handed stripping stolen wire
A Phuket man was caught red-handed slicing up stolen copper wire in what police say is part of a wider cable theft ring fuelling local drug habits. The suspect, identified only as 55 year old Somchai, was arrested on Monday, August 4, at a property in Village 3, Ratsada, where he was actively stripping insulation from a pile of stolen…
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Pattaya launches sticker crackdown on Koh Larn vehicles
Koh Larn’s wild west of unregulated rental bikes, mystery fares, and traffic chaos is about to get a serious reality check. Pattaya officials have launched a sweeping new initiative to bring order to the island’s unruly public transport and rental vehicle scene — and it starts with colourful stickers. Over 3,500 vehicles will now be categorised, monitored, and regulated under…
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Thai spiritual medium denies embezzling donations for AIDS patients
A Thai spiritual medium denied allegations that he embezzled donations from a fundraising campaign for Wat Phrabat Nampu, a temple that cares for underprivileged AIDS patients. It was alleged that he used the funds to build a luxury home worth approximately 50 million baht. Online rumours have circulated around the well-known medium, Sakesan “Bee” Subsuebsakun, better known as Bee the Ghost…
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Thai thief fails necklace snatching but gets 100 baht from kind victim
A Thai man, who failed in an attempt to snatch a gold necklace from a woman, has issued an apology at the scene, prompting the victim to give him 100 baht to buy food. The Facebook page Jmoi V+ shared a video of the attempted theft on August 4, with a caption that read… “Amateur thief. The victim is kind…
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Danish zoo wants your unwanted pets for predator meals
A zoo in Denmark is turning heads—and stomachs—with its latest appeal: donate your healthy, unwanted pets to feed the lions, tigers, and lynxes. Aalborg Zoo has launched an eyebrow-raising campaign calling on the public to hand over live chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs—and even horses—to be used as food for its carnivores. The animals are reportedly “gently euthanised” by trained staff…
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Patong unites to support troops at Thai border
Locals in Phuket’s party capital are proving they’ve got more than just nightlife in their veins—they’ve got heart. In a powerful show of solidarity, Patong’s officials, business leaders and residents have come together to donate a haul of essential supplies and cash to support Thai citizens and military personnel affected by the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict. The handover ceremony took…
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Thai fortune teller faces legal action over border clash prediction
Two Thai lawyers filed a complaint against a well-known fortune teller, accusing her of spreading panic after she predicted an upcoming clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border. The fortune teller, Worracha “Plai” Pinitrokakorn, better known as Plai Prai Krasip, gave an interview to the media on August 2, during which she commented on Thai politics. Plai initially spoke about the new…
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Thailand pushes 8-point peace plan in border talks
Thailand has slapped eight proposals on the table in a bid to lock in a fragile ceasefire with Cambodia—and all eyes are now on Phnom Penh. The Thai delegation, led by Acting Defence Minister and Deputy Defence Minister General Nattaphon Narkphanit, submitted the peace plan on day two of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) preliminary talks in Kuala Lumpur,…
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Police dismantle illegal gambling ring, seize assets worth 56 million baht
Police dismantled an illegal gambling operation linked to Auto888vip.com, seizing assets worth 56 million baht, including luxury vehicles valued at 10 million baht and a collection of high-end jewellery and watches. The operation reportedly generated around 20 million baht monthly from online gambling activities. Today, August 6, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphun, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, directed…
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Jurassic World shoot sparks tourism surge in Thailand
Thailand’s stunning southern landscapes just scored a Hollywood blockbuster boost—and the dinosaurs aren’t the only stars drawing attention. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for a global influencer campaign to promote Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest instalment in the iconic franchise. The campaign flew in 30 top influencers from around the world…
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Thai police raid drone company over permit violations
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Crime Suppression Division conducted a raid on a renowned drone manufacturing company in Samut Prakan yesterday, August 5. A significant amount of equipment was seized, and the company caretaker was questioned, as the owner is currently overseas. Tairat Wiriyasirikul, the acting secretary-general of the NBTC, revealed the operation involved collaboration between…
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Teen arrested with pen gun after Phuket shooting scare
A Thai teen is in hot water after allegedly firing a shot outside a Phuket housing estate, sparking a swift police response—and ending in the discovery of a homemade pen gun hidden under a cloth. Police in Chalong arrested 19 year old Amonrat Thongphakdee yesterday, August 5, after responding to reports of gunfire in front of a home in the…
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Bangkok BTS trains wrapped in Thai flag as tribute to border soldiers
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) wrapped its trains in the Thai national flag to honour soldiers who sacrificed their lives protecting Thailand’s territory and citizens during recent border clashes with Cambodia. Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border escalated into military conflict in mid-July. After weeks of confrontation, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on July 29, bringing the fighting…
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