Hot News
Stay updated with the latest Hot News in Thailand, featuring in-depth reporting and analysis of local events and goings on! We bring you breaking news, in-depth reports, and exclusive interviews covering a wide range of Thailand-focused topics, from Crime and Politics to Tourism and Business.
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Sponsored How much is Thai health insurance?
Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at...
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Thai noodle giant unfazed by minimum wage increase to 400 baht
The imminent nationwide increase in the minimum wage to 400 baht holds little concern for major noodle producer Thai President Foods PCL, the maker of the popular instant noodle brand Mama, which believes the company’s ability to adapt will mitigate any significant impact, highlighting instead the potential challenges this wage hike could pose to smaller enterprises and small and medium-sized…
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Thailand introduces 10-year EEC visa to attract global talent
Aiming to bolster the Eastern Economic Corridor‘s (EEC) potential as a regional industrial powerhouse, Thailand’s Cabinet has sanctioned a novel 10-year visa specifically designed for top-level professionals and experts. The EEC visa is part of a strategic move to attract talent to the country’s targeted industries, as announced by deputy government spokeswoman Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri following a recent cabinet meeting.…
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Thailand champions LGBTQ rights with World Pride 2030 bid
As Thailand gears up to potentially host the prestigious World Pride event in 2030, Siam Piwat Group is championing a progressive stance on LGBTQ rights. The property and retail giant has launched the “Celebration: Right to Love” campaign in anticipation of the same-sex marriage bill’s enactment by the end of the year. This legislative milestone would position Thailand as the…
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Man perishes as van crashes into canal near Pathum Thani
A tragic accident occurred this morning at 3.30am, when a man lost control of his vehicle, colliding with a parked pickup truck and crashing into a canal in Pathum Thani province, resulting in his death merely 1 kilometre from the safety of his home. The incident was reported to Police Lieutenant Wutichai, who led the investigation at the scene. The…
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From Down Under to Bangkok Hilton: An Aussie woman’s harrowing tale
An Australian woman who spent seven gruelling years in a Thai prison for heroin trafficking revealed the appalling conditions she endured in the so-called Bangkok Hilton. Holly Deane-Johns, then 29, was caught trying to mail a parcel of heroin to her family in Perth. Facing the death penalty, she was instead sentenced to 31 years in the infamous Lardyao Women’s…
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Toll tales: Motorway myths debunked by Thailand’s collectors
Recent online discussions sparked curiosity about the daily lives of motorway toll collectors in Thailand, leading to a wave of speculation and myth-busting by the insiders themselves. The question that set the digital sphere abuzz came from a TikTok user called ummie..28. “Has anyone ever wondered how toll booth operators get to and from work?” The query ignited a flurry…
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Invasive sucker fish crisis threatens Thailand’s waterways
Thailand is currently grappling with a severe invasive sucker fish crisis, exacerbated by human actions that have released non-native fish into waterways without considering the environmental impact. These invasive species are wreaking havoc on Thailand’s native ecosystems, causing environmental, economic, and health-related damage. This issue is frequently highlighted in various media outlets. In a recent social media sensation, a fish…
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Thai woman suffers panic attack after Isaan rocket lands on lawn
A Thai woman suffered from a panic attack after a missile from a rocket festival in the Isaan province of Roi Et landed on her front lawn. Her son demanded accountability from the relevant parties. Thai television host Thanasub Ounsuang is seeking justice for his family by sharing the rocket incident at his home in Roi Et on Facebook last…
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Bangkok scam: Youth nabbed for fake amulet auction
Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police apprehended a 23 year old Thai man for his alleged involvement in a fraudulent online auction of a famous amulet. The man, Thanabodee, was detained in the Sai Noi district of Nontha Buri province yesterday, May 13, following an arrest warrant issued by the Thon Buri Criminal Court. The arrest warrant, dated May 2 convicts Thanabodee on…
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Phetchaburi’s plan to lure 10 million tourists each year
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed an ambitious blueprint to entice over 10 million tourists to Phetchaburi Province each year, harnessing soft power to drive sustainable tourism and unleash substantial economic rewards. The groundbreaking announcement, made on May 13 ahead of Thailand’s Cabinet meeting, unfolded in the scenic backdrop of Phetchaburi, setting the stage for a tourism renaissance in…
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Ex-minister dodges jail over Pattaya luxury condo scandal
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases acquitted former Culture Minister and ex-mayor of Pattaya City Itthipol Khunpluem in a luxury condo scandal case. The high-profile case, involving allegations of abuse of power, reached its statute of limitations, allowing Itthipol to escape legal repercussions. Itthipol, who attended the court session in Rayong province yesterday, left without addressing the media…
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Bangkok hotels ‘MICE’ their way back to pre-pandemic occupancy levels
Bangkok hotel occupancy rates in the first quarter of 2024 have nearly hit pre-pandemic levels, driven largely by a surge in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) travellers. Tanakorn Thanuthanud, manager of the valuation and advisory services department at Colliers Thailand, revealed the exciting news. “The resumption of international events in Bangkok attracted more tourists to the city. Fan meetings…
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Shady ex-monk accused of leaking naked images in major scandal
An ex-monk from Uthai Thani is embroiled in a major scandal, facing serious allegations of physical violence and coercing his ex-girlfriend into a compromising video call. This incident resulted in the unauthorised distribution of her naked images within his temple community. The victim, Manita, sought assistance from a government advisor and the founder of the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook…
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Nong Khai battered by fierce storm, homes and temple ravaged
An unprecedented storm struck Nong Khai province last night, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, including a widespread power outage due to fallen electricity poles. A lifelong local, 55 year old Boorachai expressed he had never witnessed such severe weather in his lifetime. As the storm raged through the region, residents of the Ban Fang district of Sakhrai scrambled…
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Mind the gap: Criticism mounts as authorities fail to rein in cult
The National Office of Buddhism and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society) are facing criticism for not taking action against a mind connection cult led by an eight year old Thai boy and his parents. The Thai couple and their son, known as the Nice Mind Connection, are facing criticism for establishing a religious cult centred on…
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Japanese tourist’s 6,000 baht tuk tuk ripoff shocker in Bangkok
A Japanese tourist shared a truly shocking experience on social media yesterday, detailing how they were ripped off by an unscrupulous Bangkok tuk tuk driver. The tourist was charged an extortionate 6,000 baht (US$162) for a trip from Asoke to the Sala Daeng area, a journey that would normally cost around 32 baht on the BTS Skytrain. Travelling in a…
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Nakhon Ratchasima hotel workers nabbed for underage trafficking
Two employees of a certain curtain hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima have been arrested for allegedly operating as pimps and trafficking underage girls for sexual services. The suspects, 46 year old Jansunun and 47 year old Tongta were apprehended in a sting operation by the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) of the Royal Thai Police. The police operation, led by Police Major…
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Chinese woman’s 14-year sister act scam nets 2 million baht pension
An astonishing case of identity fraud came to light when a Chinese woman in the city of Wuhan, China, impersonated her dead sister for 14 years, including through her retirement to claim a pension of 2 million baht. The deception came to an end when the authorities uncovered the ruse and sentenced her to imprisonment. The woman surnamed Zan, managed…
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Phuket’s Sarasin Bridge to remain amid new construction plans
Phuket’s iconic Sarasin Bridge is set to remain untouched amid plans to construct a new bridge connecting the island to the mainland, according to Yutthana Phitak, the Chief of Phuket Highways Office. The announcement was made at a meeting held yesterday to address concerns over the Sarasin Bridge’s future, sparked by social media rumours of its potential demolition. The Sarasin…
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Amphetamine possession review by health minister sparks debate
The maximum number of amphetamine pills one can possess without facing criminal prosecution is under review, as revealed by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. A meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 16, aims to reassess this limit, currently set at five pills. The existing regulation, enacted under previous Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, designates individuals found with five…
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2 Thai women swindle life savings from old man in Isaan
An 85 year old Thai man is pleading for help after two Thai women allegedly stole life savings worth 150,000 baht from his home in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. The 85 year old basketwork vendor, Phaen, told Channel 8 that the theft occurred at around 10.30am on Friday, May 10. He told the news channel that he had not…
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Trillion-baht gamble: Deputy minister defends Land Bridge project
In a heated defence yesterday, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri championed the government’s ambitious 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project, which she claims has sparked considerable interest from foreign investors. Her statement came in response to sharp criticisms from former Democrat leader Samart Ratchapolsitte, who cast doubt on the project’s cost-effectiveness and feasibility. Despite his scepticism, Manaporn insists the initiative is attracting…
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Khon Kaen residents demand action against wild night bikers
The city of Khon Kaen has recently been disrupted by a gang of daredevil bikers, whose brazen stunts on public roads have triggered alarm and concern among residents. The local community is calling for police action against these reckless motorcyclists, fearing for the safety of other road users. In an unsettling display of audacity, one masked biker has been caught…
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Drug-addicted monk arrested after petrol theft and car crash chaos
A drug-addicted Thai monk joined the illustrious list of monastic figures behaving disgracefully in Thailand when he was arrested yesterday for avoiding a 1,300 petrol station bill and crashing his car into a police motorcycle and a baht bus in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. A petrol station manager in Kantara Wichai district reported the petrol theft to Mueang…
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House committee to strategise on industrial accident prevention
The House Committee on Industry is set to convene tomorrow to deliberate on strategies for preventing industrial accidents. This move follows a series of recent warehouse and factory fires, with the most recent one occurring last week at Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal (MTT) in Rayong. Kamonthas Kittisoonthornsakul, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Rayong and deputy chair of…
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Chiang Mai’s rot daeng under threat from ride-hailing apps
Chiang Mai’s iconic rot daeng, or red cars, transport service is under threat as tourists are opting for alternative modes of transport, causing local operators to urge the government for assistance. The issue was highlighted in an online debate where a Facebook user expressed concerns over the survival of the rot daeng services, which are now facing stiff competition from…
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Alcohol fuelled Phuket man arrested for axe attack on wife
A Chiang Mai native was arrested yesterday in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, following a violent domestic incident. During a heated argument fuelled by alcohol, 56 year old Insorn Bousai reportedly attacked his 52 year old wife, Boonjun Buasai, with an axe, causing severe injury to her foot. Thalang police, led by Police Lieutenant Thitiwat Asasingh, were informed of the distressing event at…
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Thai govt plans to ‘rice’ to the occasion with decade-old grain auction
The Thai government expressed a strong intent to auction off the last remaining stocks of decade-old rice. This move is in line to replenish the state coffers, as made clear by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in a recent Facebook post. The aged rice in question is part of the controversial rice-pledging scheme initiated during the administration…
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Trans cashier nabbed for 40 million baht grand heist
The Thai authorities apprehended a former massage parlour cashier at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in connection to grand theft, with the heist totalling over 40 million baht. The 22 year old transgender woman was wanted for the alleged theft of valuables from a wealthy Phetcha Buri businesswoman’s home. On the evening of May 4, a daring heist took place in the…
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Teen courier with 900k meth pills caught in Chiang Mai
In a dramatic pre-dawn operation, at 1.50am this morning, Thai police intercepted a teenage drug courier in Chiang Mai province, seizing nearly one million methamphetamine pills hidden in his pickup truck. The teenage driver admitted to being paid 80,000 baht for the illicit transport. Law enforcement officials from Lhoongkhot Police Station, under the command of Superintendent Suphachai Chanthara, collaborated with…
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