Hot News
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Sponsored Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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18-wheel truck crash ignites fire in Samut Prakan, road closed
An 18-wheel trailer truck lost control and collided with four vehicles waiting at a red light, resulting in a fire. The incident occurred at 4.50am today, January 7, on Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road near Wat Mahawong intersection, heading towards Phra Pradaeng pier, in Samrong Klang subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province. Upon receiving the report, police from Samrong…
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Foreign woman allegedly assaults Thai woman over seat dispute at Phuket airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an alleged physical assault by a foreign woman during a dispute over a seat at Phuket International Airport. The 22 year old Thai woman, whose name has not been disclosed, shared her story with the Phuket Times yesterday, January 6. The incident occurred on the night of January 3 in Phuket Airport’s boarding lounge…
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SRT Red lines to get 319 billion baht upgrades: Transport Ministry
The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…
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Thailand braces for cool weather with frost on mountain peaks
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts that weather across Thailand will remain cool, with particularly cold conditions on mountain peaks, where frost may occur. The northeast monsoon covers the Gulf of Thailand. Some provinces will experience rain tomorrow, January 8. In the next 24 hours, the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions of Thailand will experience cool to cold…
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Thai woman warns of credit card fraud after Bangkok onsen visit
A Thai woman issued a warning after nearly losing 85,900 baht in credit card fraud following a visit to an onsen in Bangkok. The incident has since gone viral on social media, prompting more victims to come forward. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, yesterday, January 5, shared her story with the Facebook page Drama-addict. She revealed that…
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Ruble trouble: Russian tourist robbed and roughed up in Phuket
A Russian man is seeking justice after a fellow countryman physically assaulted him and stole approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) from him at a hotel in Phuket. The theft reportedly had ties to the victim’s rival. The Russian victim, 31 year old Zelimkhan Iusupov, filed a complaint at Karon Police Station today, January 6, following the theft, which occurred at a…
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Most Thais expect Paetongtarn to remain PM all year, poll shows
A recent poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) indicates that a majority of Thais foresee Paetongtarn Shinawatra holding the position of prime minister throughout the year. The survey, carried out over three days, involved 1,310 participants, offering insights into public opinion on the current political landscape. The results, released yesterday, January 5, reveal that 51.22% of…
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Thailand’s household debt set to decline faster than expected
The Bank of Thailand is optimistic as the nation’s household debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to fall more swiftly than previously anticipated. This promising outlook is driven by ongoing debt reduction strategies and the introduction of a new debt relief programme. According to the central bank’s latest financial stability report for 2024, there’s a noticeable drop in the household debt-to-GDP ratio,…
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Over 436 deaths reported over the new year danger period
Over the ten-day new year danger period, over 436 road fatalities were reported, primarily due to speeding, with Bangkok recording the highest death toll. In contrast, three provinces noted zero deaths, reflecting varying regional impacts of road safety measures. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) held a press conference led by Interior Deputy Minister Songsak Thongsri, outlining the…
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31 year old man dies in Isuzu MU-X crash at Sakorn Kasem
A tragic incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when a 31 year old man driving an Isuzu MU-X crashed into a barrier at the Sakorn Kasem intersection, resulting in his death. The accident took place at 4am today, January 6, with investigators suspecting that the driver might have encountered something unexpected, causing him to brake forcefully but…
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250 Thai workers defrauded in Australian job scam
The Department of Employment in Thailand is urgently intervening to aid workers who have been defrauded while attempting to secure employment in Australia. The department identified the culprit and highlighted five legal methods for Thai workers seeking overseas employment. Yesterday, January 5, Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, addressed a recent incident involving 250…
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Thaksin denies Cabinet reshuffle, supports energy cost cuts
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has put to rest rumours suggesting the potential dismissal of Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in the next Cabinet reshuffle. Yesterday, January 5, Thaksin clarified that no such reshuffle is currently planned. Pirapan, for his part, denied any discord with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra…
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5 festivals in Phuket that are unmissable
Festivals in Thailand are an important part of Phuket life as the largest island in the kingdom is rich in history. The calendar is filled with traditional festivals and newly created events all year. Some of these happen throughout the country, while others are exclusive to the people of Phuket. Here is Metadee’s pick of the five best festivals in…
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Chinese family survives Pattaya yacht capsize, seeks compensation
A Chinese family of nine is seeking justice after a travel agency denied responsibility for a yacht capsize at Na Jomtien Bay in Pattaya on January 3. They claim the operator violated a red flag, leading to their near-death experience and a loss of nearly 200,000 baht. The 42 year old Chinese man, identified only as Geng, and his eight…
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Border mystery: Chinese actor vanishes in Thai film project drama
In a mysterious twist worthy of a script itself, a Chinese actor has vanished without a trace on the Thai-Myanmar border amid people trafficking worries. The actor, Xingxing, real name Wang Xing, renowned for his role as innkeeper Mu Tong in Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact, and The Tale of Rose and Under the Skin 2. The actor boarded a flight from…
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Man arrested in Bangkok for selling illegal firearms online
Police in Bangkok arrested a 23 year old man for allegedly selling illegal firearms online. The suspect from Nakhon Sawan reportedly concealed the weapons in snack tins for delivery. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown by the police on illegal arms trafficking. Yesterday, January 5, officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, led by senior police officials, apprehended Naphatsakorn…
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Kuwaiti tourist faces charges after drunken tantrum in Phuket
A violent outburst by a Kuwaiti tourist at Karon Beach, Phuket, resulted in multiple charges after he assaulted locals and caused public disorder on January 3. It was reported that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. The Kuwaiti tourist, later identified as 26 year old Ali Ashkanani, was detained following reports of aggressive behaviour near Karon Beach. Several residents…
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Liberian duo arrested in Bangkok for US$90,000 gold scam
Two Liberian nationals have been detained in connection with a gold-selling scam in Bangkok that resulted in the theft of US$90,000, equivalent to around 3 million baht, from a Thai businessman. The scam involved swapping counterfeit banknotes for genuine ones. Police Colonel Pansa Amarapitak, the chief of Thong Lor Police Station, announced the arrest of 32 year old Solomon Varney…
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Kayak accidents near Koh Chang highlight tourist safety concerns
Two separate kayak accidents occurred near Koh Chang yesterday rompting swift action from the Koh Chang Marine Safety Centre. The incidents unfolded near the picturesque islands of Koh Yuak and Koh Suwan, leaving tourists in perilous situations due to challenging sea conditions. At 12.30pm, yesterday, January 5, four Czech tourists faced a harrowing experience when their kayak capsized near Koh…
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Hygiene concerns after foreigner films dishwashing in Thai canal (video)
Restaurants at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the central province of Ratchaburi have come under criticism after a foreigner filmed staff washing dishes in a canal filled with murky, greyish water. Esor News reposted the video on January 3, showing the foreign woman, whose nationality was not disclosed. The page administrator wrote in the caption: “A foreigner visited a floating…
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Thai police arrest woman in Facebook job scam
Police in Thailand successfully apprehended a woman involved in a Facebook job scam, enticing victims to pay fees for a non-existent soap-packing job. The 23 year old suspect was arrested yesterday, January 5, in Nakhon Ratchasima after being implicated in fraudulent activities under a warrant issued in October of the previous year. The arrest was orchestrated by high-ranking officials, including…
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Guide lines crossed: Pattaya cops nab four for illegal tour guiding
Police in Pattaya apprehended four people for allegedly working illegally as tour guides. The arrest occurred after local police acted on intelligence suggesting foreign nationals were conducting unauthorised guide activities in the area. Police surveillance was conducted at Laem Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya where tourists can get a ferry to the nearby island of Koh Larn, a popular…
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Drunk tourist clashes with Phuket bikers over massage ride
A drunken tourist attacked three Thai app-based motorcycle taxi riders in Phuket, allegedly because he wanted a lift to a massage parlour. However, the riders declined to serve him, citing that they were fully booked. Several news agencies shared a video of the foreign man attacking three Thai men on a footpath yesterday, 5 January. In the video, the foreigner, wearing…
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Locals question legality of luxury camping tents on Jomtien Beach
Camping tents and luxury setups on Jomtien Beach has whipped locals into a frenzy, expressing concerns over its legality. On January 4, residents in Pattaya reported these tent installations along the Jomtien stretch, questioning their compliance with Thai laws and regulations. Upon investigation, it was discovered that several businesses had transformed sections of Jomtien Beach into makeshift camping grounds with…
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Cold front, hot topic: Thailand braces for a temperature tumble
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning about a significant drop in temperature across Thailand due to a cold air mass, leading to cooler weather across various regions. Affected areas include the northern, northeastern, and central parts of the country, with particularly frigid conditions on mountaintops. The TMD reported a northeast monsoon sweeping across the Gulf of Thailand,…
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Young man killed over debt dispute in Sisaket village
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday in the village of Ban Na, Khun Han district, Sisaket province, when a 25 year old man, Natthaphon, was fatally stabbed. This occurred following an altercation over an unsettled debt, leading to a chaotic confrontation and ending in his death. The suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle, prompting a police investigation. The early hours…
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Thaksin sparks outrage with racist remarks in Chiang Rai
The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, delivered a controversial speech containing racist remarks about international models from Africa while supporting his daughter and Pheu Thai Party members in the Provincial Administrative Organisation chief election campaign in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Thaksin has taken a prominent role in the local election campaign in Chiang Rai as his…
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Waste not, want rot: Cops bust illegal e-waste ring in Samut Sakhon
Police uncovered an extensive illegal operation where electronic waste was being unlawfully transported and stored in Samut Sakhon. The discovery is linked to previous activities involving closed factories. Yesterday, January 5, Ekanat Promphan, Minister of Industry, revealed that a team led by Thitiphat Chotedechachainan and Ekaniti Ramyanont, along with local industry officials and the Department of Industrial Works, conducted a…
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Couple arrested smuggling 24 Myanmar immigrants in 22-wheel truck
Police apprehended a couple driving a 22-wheel truck carrying 24 illegal immigrants from Myanmar, who were attempting to enter Thailand unlawfully. The pair confessed to picking up the immigrants from the roadside near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot. The incident unfolded when officers from the Narasuan Task Force, together with local police, conducted a routine vehicle check at…
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Young man shot dead at Songkhla petrol station, police search for suspects
A 23 year old man was fatally shot in a petrol station, sparking a police manhunt for three suspects. The incident, which involved a confrontation over a mobile phone display, left the victim dead with several gunshot wounds to his body and head. The tragic event occurred at approximately 5.10am today, January 5, in a petrol station located on Kanchanavanich…
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