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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Thailand vows stronger action against transboundary haze pollution
Thailand has pledged to intensify efforts against transboundary haze pollution in collaboration with regional partners, according to Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan. Phatcharavat announced yesterday, July 3, at an ASEAN sub-regional ministerial committee meeting on haze pollution in Bangkok. Representatives from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand attended the meeting, with Timor-Leste participating as an observer. Expressing gratitude for the collaborative…
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Pattaya introduces beach zoning to improve water tourism safety
Pattaya City and the Pattaya Marine Department are taking steps to revitalise the Pattaya Model plan to better regulate water tourism activities in Pattaya Bay. The initiative aims to enhance marine safety by implementing crucial zoning measures. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet and Director of the Pattaya Regional Marine Department, Ekkarat Kantaro, discussed these plans in a recent meeting. Poramase noted that…
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Government scandal: PM Srettha orders probe into ‘pay-for-passes’
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin launched an urgent investigation into claims that entry passes to Government House are being sold for cash. Speaking to reporters, the Thai PM expressed his dismay at the allegations. “I have never heard of such activity, but I find it utterly unacceptable. I have ordered those concerned to look into the reports and hope that they…
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Making a splash: Pattaya school dives into swimming education
Pattaya City School 11 has introduced a basic swimming programme for its students, spearheaded by the Mayor of Pattaya City, Poramese Ngamphichet, aiming to not only equip young learners with crucial swimming skills but also to enhance sporting skills in students and promote water safety. The significance of teaching swimming to children cannot be overstated. According to the Bureau of…
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British couple outraged over price of Heinz Beanz in Thailand (video)
A British couple holidaying in Thailand discovered that home comforts come at a shocking price abroad. Mark and Nadine, originally from the UK and Ireland but residing in Australia, embarked on their tropical getaway only to be floored by the cost of a simple can of Heinz Baked Beanz. While perusing a local supermarket, the pair stumbled upon the familiar…
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Retired cop threatens delivery rider over payment dispute
A Thai parcel delivery rider from logistics company Flash Express took to social media to seek justice after a man, believed to be a retired police officer or soldier, threatened to physically assault and shoot him over a payment dispute. A video of the incident, which was recorded by the rider, 22 year old Phonpipat, was shared by his brother…
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Police turns blind eye to knife-wielding man demanding beach fee
An alarming incident unfolded recently at a Phuket beach, involving a man allegedly threatening two fishermen with a machete while demanding a beach fee. Despite having evidence, the local police dismissed the complaint, deeming it a mere story. Today, July 3, a local fisherman who recorded the video, Wut, recounted the events. He and two friends initially went fishing at…
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Koh Samui’s drought nightmare vs Phuket’s flooding chaos
Koh Samui is reeling from an acute water shortage as its reservoirs are drying up amid a prolonged drought. On the neighbouring island of Phuket, residents are battling heavy rainfall and flooding. Koh Samui’s main reservoir, with a capacity of 800,000 cubic metres, is down to a mere 10%, enough to last just two weeks. The Krajood reservoir fares slightly…
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Blackchin tilapia fish threatens Songkhla Lake
The Songkhla provincial fisheries office is urging the public to report any sightings of the invasive blackchin tilapia in local waterways. This predatory fish, originally from Africa, poses a severe threat to the delicate balance of Songkhla’s aquatic ecosystems. Sightings of the blackchin tilapia have been confirmed in several canals within the Ranot district, which are directly connected to Songkhla…
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Consumer protection laws drafted to safeguard online shoppers
Shoppers in Thailand can now rejoice as new consumer protection laws have been introduced to safeguard online shoppers. These laws allow buyers to inspect goods before payment and request refunds within five days. Channel 3 reported that Prime Minister’s Office Minister, Jiraporn Sinthuprai revealed that many citizens have lodged complaints with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB). Issues…
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Pattaya’s youth dive into new swimming programme
To promote youth development and safety, Pattaya City launched its Youth Recreation Activities Project with a focus on the Basic Swimming Programme at Pattaya City School 11 (Mathayom Sathit). Running from July 2 to September 3, the Basic Swimming Programme aims to integrate essential aquatic skills into the school curriculum. Recognising the importance of swimming for both safety and physical…
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Thai singer battle swarm of termites while on stage (video)
A young singer found himself battling a swarm of flying termites while performing on stage, a bizarre situation captured and shared widely online, earning him considerable support from online users. In a viral clip posted on the Mongkhon Sound & Studio Facebook page, the singer, identified as 29 year old Witthaya Siwakrothok from Mueang district, Buriram Province, can be seen…
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Revised debt management plan pushes borrowing to 1.03t baht
The Thai Cabinet approved a revised public debt management plan for the 2024 fiscal year, incorporating an additional 275.87 billion baht in borrowing. Of this, 269 billion baht is designated for direct government use and lending to state enterprises for debt restructuring. According to Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri, this revision increases the total new borrowing for the current fiscal…
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PM Srettha orders ‘X-ray’ ops to sniff out drug abusers
To combat the narcotics epidemic, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin launched an aggressive nationwide crackdown on drug abuse and trafficking. Dubbed the “X-ray” operations, this initiative aims to root out drug abusers and dismantle trafficking networks across the country. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke declared that drug abusers will be sent to rehab centres, while traffickers will be arrested and face justice.…
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BYD price cuts spark outrage among existing customers
BYD’s recent price cuts have sparked significant outrage among its customers, who feel that they have lost substantial amounts of money due to the new promotions. The electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer announced discounts of up to 340,000 baht, leading to a wave of discontent among early adopters who purchased vehicles before the price drop. The announcement has led many consumers…
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Senior Thai judge transferred after molestation accusation on train
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court urgently transferred a senior judge following accusations of molesting a female court officer on a sleeper train. A high-ranking source within the judiciary revealed the incident occurred during a staff development activity. The female officer lodged a complaint against the senior judge, who belongs to a major court in Bangkok, following the incident…
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Vietnamese father shocked by son’s rare genetic disorder
A Vietnamese father received a mysterious message claiming that his three year old son was not biologically his, leading him to question the paternity of his child. This suspicion was fuelled by ongoing marital issues and the fact that his wife had not completely severed ties with her former lover until their marriage. The man decided to take matters into…
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Accountant arrested for 450 million baht tax fraud in Bangkok
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) apprehended an accountant of a steel company involved in a major tax fraud case, who claimed tax credits with fake tax invoices, causing the state a loss of over 450 million baht. The suspect failed to meet the prosecutor’s scheduled appointment yesterday. DSI Deputy Director Yutthana Praedam received a report from the Director of…
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Lisa’s new song ‘Rockstar’ hits 67.76 million views on YouTube
The unveiling of Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal’s new song Rockstar has reached an impressive 67.76 million views on YouTube. This marks her first solo venture after establishing her company, LLOUD, in partnership with Sony Music and RCA Records. Her choice to film the music video (MV) in the popular Yaowarat area has generated immense pride among Thai fans. Thai photographer Watcharawit…
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Chiang Rai residents protest lignite coal pollution from Laos
Residents of Chiang Khong are facing severe distress due to pollution caused by a private company transporting lignite coal from Laos. Despite multiple complaints, the issue remains unresolved, prompting the district chief to order a temporary halt to the transportation. Mong Saenyai, a resident of Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai Province, yesterday, July 2, revealed that villagers from Ban Mai…
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Thailand boosts financial aid for dependent individuals
The Government of Thailand is set to increase annual financial aid for dependent individuals from 6,000 baht to 10,442 baht per person while expanding the target group to cover up to 600,000 people. Deputy government spokesperson Karom Ponpolklang announced today, July 3, that each year, approximately 320,000 dependent individuals receive care from the state. However, additional groups in the community,…
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Canadian military man confesses to gangster’s murder in Thailand
A former Canadian soldier pleaded guilty in Bangkok for his role in the February 2022 murder of notorious British Columbia gangster Jimi Sandhu. Matthew Dupre, hailing from Sylvan Lake, Alberta, admitted his involvement on the trial’s opening day, June 27. The dramatic hit occurred at a beachfront resort in Phuket, captured on CCTV. Sandhu, staying in a private waterfront villa,…
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Thai rangers hunts for invasive peacocks to protect Thai peafowls
Thai rangers and relevant officials at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in the central province of Uthai Thani are hunting down Indian and mixed-breed peafowl to prevent cross-breeding and the extinction of Thai peacocks, also known as the green peafowl. Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the two main habitats where the endangered green peafowl are most often…
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Political turmoil and economic strife rock Thailand’s elite
The fate of Thailand’s business-friendly Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a former real estate mogul, hangs by a thread less than a year after taking office. Political turmoil has shaken investor confidence in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, resulting in a 15% drop in the benchmark stock index since last year. Compounded by a weaker baht, the combined wealth of the nation’s…
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British teacher suits up for legal battle after tailor-made trouble
A British teacher residing in Phuket has taken legal action after an altercation with a well-known local tailor turned violent, sparking concerns over the handling of such incidents by local police. Miss Inder, a teacher at an international school in Phuket, shared her harrowing ordeal. She detailed how a disagreement over tailoring prices escalated into a physical assault. According to…
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Thailand’s economic growth forecast cut to 2.4% amid weak exports
Thailand’s economic growth is forecasted to slow to 2.4% this year, a decrease from the 2.8% projection made in April, primarily due to weaker-than-expected exports and public investment in the early months of the year, the World Bank announced. The World Bank today, July 3, highlighted that the growth of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will be supported by consumer spending,…
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Thai-ed up: British man’s terrifying prison ordeal in Thailand
A British man from Birmingham revealed the harrowing tale of his five-month ordeal in a Thai prison, labelling the conditions as inhumane and horrendous. Jamie Morton was teaching English in Thailand when he got entangled in the local drug and alcohol scene. In January 2019, Morton was accosted by eight individuals on a street corner, who then whisked him away…
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Seized cars drive Thai social media wild as auction lot goes viral
A parking lot filled with seized vehicles, ranging from pickup trucks to motorcycles, awaiting auction went viral on social media today. Vehicles, both old and new, are being auctioned at starting prices as low as 3,000 baht for cars and 100 baht for motorcycles. However, buyers must handle overdue taxes, fix damages and manage repairs by themselves. Images of the…
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Thai monk defrocked for driving van and enjoying beach at midnight
A Buddhist monk was defrocked after being discovered by concerned residents driving a van and enjoying seaside views at Na Jomtien Beach in Sattahip yesterday, July 2. Udom Suwankana, head of Na Jomtien Village 1, along with his assistants, inspected the beach area at 12.10am following reports of a monk in an old yellow Isuzu van. The residents questioned if the…
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Thai mother blames hospital birth procedures for baby’s disability
A Thai woman blamed a hospital medical team in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok for her daughter’s disability, saying a doctor forced her to give birth naturally when a caesarean section was needed. The 46 year old Thai woman, Pattama, lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Public Health since her 10 month old daughter has been unable to use…
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