Hot News
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Ride-sharing driver arrested for firing gun at Jomtien Beach
Pattaya police apprehended a ride-sharing driver in the early hours of yesterday, following an incident of the driver discharging a firearm into the sea, which provoked fear among tourists near Jomtien Beach. The incident took a turn at around 2.36am, near Soi 16, where the sounds of gunshots rippled through the calm sea air. At that moment, Bang Lamung District…
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Thai commerce minister to boost fruit exports to China via Laos
An evaluation of the Boten and Mohan checkpoints’ capacity to facilitate Thai fruit exports to China is on the agenda for Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. This is part of a strategy to ease the exportation process of Thai fruit during the 2024 harvest season, with shipments expected to commence at the end of April. The ministry’s spokesperson, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, reported that…
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Israeli arrested in Phuket for illegal possession of 3 macaques
Police acted on a tip-off arresting an Israeli businessman at his home in Phuket yesterday for his illegal possession of three pig-tailed macaques. Officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, also known as Greencop, received information that a foreign business operator in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket was keeping protected monkeys at his residence in the Katu district. The…
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Bangkok school directors get 20-year sentences for bribery
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Thailand handed down 20-year prison sentences to the former director and the former deputy director of Samsenwittayalai School. The two were found guilty of accepting bribes from parents, colloquially termed “tea money,” to secure their children’s admission to the school in 2017. Additionally, the court ordered the pair to pay…
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Thai narcotics control destroys 22 tonnes of illicit substances
A significant operation to destroy illicit substances and illegal narcotics was carried out by Police Lieutenant General Panurat Lakboon, the Secretary-General of the Office of the Thai Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on Wednesday. The substances reportedly weighed a staggering 22 tonnes. These substances were collected from 68 individual cases. The substances consisted of 17,806.87 kilogrammes of amphetamine, 2,871.77 kilogrammes of…
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Thai man armed with ammunition terrorises Chumphon
A 56 year old Thai man has been terrorising his community in Chumphon, threatening to kill residents and local officials. This wave of fear escalated after the authorities attempted to arrest Somchai at his home in Chumphon province yesterday, only to find he had already escaped, leaving behind a cache of ammunition. Somchai, a resident of Visai Tai subdistrict in…
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Asian millennials and Gen Z prefer regional travel, says Marriott
Rising travel expenses have led to an increase in intra-regional tourism among Asia-Pacific’s Gen Z and millennial tourists, according to Marriott International. The younger adults, keen on saving for their travels, are opting for trips within their region. In 2023, intra-regional travellers accounted for over 60% of bookings in the Asia-Pacific region, a significant increase from the 40-50% before the…
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Summer storm unroofs homes in Chaiyaphum
A devastating summer storm recently struck the Chaiyaphum province, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The community of Ban Na Sao was hit by a severe storm yesterday, resulting in significant damage to over 10 houses. The powerful storm, characterised by strong winds, caused widespread blackouts throughout the village, tearing roofs off houses and granaries with alarming ease.…
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Toyota’s electric pickup fleet revs up Thai beaches
Toyota’s groundbreaking project in Pattaya showcases nine fully electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks revamped for public transport, marking a pivotal moment in Thailand’s automotive landscape. Reflecting Japan’s determination to reclaim the electric vehicle (EV) market throne from Chinese rivals, this initiative aims to redefine urban transit in the Land of Smiles. Surapoom Udomwong, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand…
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Bangkok condo guard allegedly punched British woman (video)
A British woman and her Thai husband are pursuing justice following an incident at their Bangkok condominium where a security guard allegedly punched the woman in the face, resulting in severe mental health issues. CCTV footage, however, shows that the foreign woman initiated the physical altercation. Yesterday, April 25, Boon-ek Wongsuriyawattana, a 46 year old Thai man, accompanied his 37…
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Fintech friends: Thai-Australian pact seals future prosperity
A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between the Thai Fintech Association and FinTech Australia, setting the stage for increased collaboration in the burgeoning financial technology sector. The agreement was signed this week, reflecting both nations’ commitment to enhancing their fintech industries. The Deputy Chair of FinTech Australia, Brian Collins, acknowledged the vast potential for growth in Thailand…
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Feline fury: Cat owner claws for justice after high-value heist
A cat owner’s fury led to a heated confrontation at a police station following a burglary that resulted in the escape of several high-value cats. The incident, which took place yesterday, saw the arrest of a 44 year old man, Narin (surname withheld), in Nontha Buri for stealing property and inadvertently releasing the cats. The police operation, which unfolded at…
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Man found dead in Udon Thani rice field pit, accident suspected
A tragic accident unfolded amid a tranquil rice field in Udon Thani province, where a man lost his life in a cement water pit under mysterious circumstances. Yesterday, local authorities discovered the body of a 51 year old man, identified only by his first name, Saiya, submerged head-first in a water storage facility. The discovery was made following an alert…
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Company executive arrested for DUI and police assault in Bangkok
A high-level global company executive faces legal consequences after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and assaulting a police officer during a checkpoint operation in Bangkok. The incident occurred early on Tuesday when the executive, driving a black Mercedes-Benz, was stopped at a breathalyser checkpoint along the motorway in Suan Luang district. Upon inspection, police found the…
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Thailand sees surge in foreign investment in Q1
Thailand has seen a recent surge in foreign investment, according to recent statistics from the Thai Ministry of Commerce. Government spokesperson Chai Watcharong yesterday, April 25, unveiled these numbers, highlighting a significant upsurge in foreign investment within the first quarter of 2024. A staggering total of more than 35 billion baht has been funnelled into the Thai economy by foreign investors,…
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Rayong hazardous waste plant sees another fire
A hazardous waste storage plant in Rayong, owned by Win Process, witnessed another fire incident on Wednesday night. The surrounding area was found to have high concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the air, reported the Thai authorities. The fire began at the Ban Nong Pawa village-based plant in Tambon Bang But of Rayong’s Ban Khai district and was yet to…
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Police chase tactics questioned after fatal crash
A tragic incident unfolded when a police chase in Nakhon Ratchasima ended with a motorcycle crash that claimed two lives. The pursuit, which occurred on the Tuesday, evening of April 23, involved officers from Chaloem Phra Kiat Police Station tailing a suspect on a motorcycle, wanted for theft. The police were initially following the suspect from behind a school in…
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Intel unveils two new AI chips for China: Navigating US sanctions with innovation
Intel has recently announced the introduction of two new AI chips, the HL328 and HL388, specifically designed for the Chinese market. These chips, characterized by their adjusted capabilities, represent Intel’s strategic response to navigate through a maze of export controls and US sanctions. Set for release in the forthcoming months, these innovations mark a significant shift in how technology companies…
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Hand grenade found in Thai suburb leaves locals shaken
On the peaceful streets of Wat Boon Samphan, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, a sinister surprise lurked beneath the serenity as a fully operational type M26 hand grenade on Monday. The discovery, made by 73 year old security guard Pratum Chomsuwat, unfolded as he meticulously cleared the area with a grass trimmer, stumbling upon the lethal device near a modest cement…
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UN report unveils Asia’s climate catastrophe
Asia, the world’s disaster epicentre, has been hit by an onslaught of climate chaos, reveals a damning United Nations report. Floods and storms reign supreme, leaving devastation in their wake, as the region grapples with scorching temperatures and melting glaciers. In a world heating to unprecedented levels, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) declares Asia as the frontline of the climate…
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Karaoke bar owner nabbed for trafficking girls in Thailand
Authorities have arrested a karaoke bar owner for allegedly trafficking underage girls from Thailand and Laos, some under 15 years old, into sex work. Today the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) conducted a raid, led by Police Major General Sarawut Jantawong and his team, apprehending 63 year old Rombai at her establishment in Pakkad District, Bueng Kan Province. The operation was…
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Myanmar junta’s secret deal with China
Myanmar’s junta is stirring up a storm yet again, as their home minister jets off to China for clandestine security discussions with Beijing’s top brass. Myanmar’s Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae slipped under the radar, embarking on a covert voyage to China for what’s touted as a working visit with China’s Minister for Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. The rendezvous, scheduled from April…
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Phuket tattoo artist arrested for sexually assaulting minor
A prominent tattoo artist was finally apprehended at a Phuket lodging house today, in a raid by law enforcement marking an end to a nationwide manhunt. The charges against him included sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl, whose injuries were so severe that she had to undergo a hysterectomy. The harrowing ordeal began when the young girl visited the tattoo…
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Crackdown on counterfeit cosmetics reveals 100 million baht scam
Thai authorities have dismantled a significant counterfeit cosmetics operation, seizing a vast array of fake beauty products and exposing an international supply chain orchestrated by Chinese investors. The fraudulent enterprise, which relied heavily on online platforms to distribute counterfeit cosmetics, generated sales exceeding 100 million baht per year. The crackdown followed a series of consumer complaints regarding the quality of…
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Facebook football fan’s foul play: Gambling page operator nabbed
Thai authorities arrested a 28 year old man in Samut Prakan for operating a popular football Facebook page with over 300,000 followers, which was found to be secretly promoting online gambling sites. The arrest was made during a raid on a residence in Samut Prakan province led by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), following an investigation into illegal content…
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Thai car production takes a hit with 23.08% decline in March
Thailand’s car production experienced a significant downturn of 23.08% in March compared to the same period last year, producing only 138,331 units, according to data from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This follows a year-on-year decline of 19.28% in February. Over the first quarter of the year, car production has decreased by 18.45% year-on-year, amounting to 414,123 units. According…
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Australians in Phuket gain easy access to visa services
From Monday, April 29, Australians residing in Phuket can access visa services and provide biometrics within the city, according to a statement released by the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald. The service, which was previously only available in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, is now available in Phuket through the Australian Biometric Collection Centre, operated by VFS Global. “The Australian…
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Convicted drug offender remarkably escapes custody in Khon Kaen
Police in Khon Kaen are in pursuit of a 35 year old man, a recently convicted drug offender who made a daring escape from custody. Ratchaphon Khiannok was on his way to the prison vehicle at the provincial court when he made his escape last night, April 25, according to the authorities. Ratchaphon was captured on security cameras, still wearing…
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Former deputy PM’s 87 million baht car collection revealed
Former Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), General Prawit Wongsuwon, has been exposed for his staggering wealth, including a fleet of luxury cars worth 87 million baht, as reported by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC, responsible for scrutinising the assets of political office-holders and government officials, made public Gen. Prawit’s lavish holdings,…
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Throat slashing attack at Thammasat University sparks safety talks
A female student yesterday allegedly slashed the throat of a male junior in a student dormitory at Thammasat University, sparking discussions regarding violence and campus safety. The victim is in critical condition in the intensive care unit. The incident, which was widely discussed on social media and topped trending hashtags, involved a third-year female student attacking a first-year male student…
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